Bus Signal Interpretation via Contactless Tapping and Matrix Reconstruction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for evaluating signal data in bus systems require complex reconstruction and are limited by the need for specific interfaces and original equipment manufacturer-provided communication matrices, leading to inefficiencies and vehicle irritation during data access.

Innovation Solution

A method for autonomous identification and interpretation of bus signals, allowing contactless data tapping and storage of learned parameters, messages, and signals, enabling flexible installation and visualization without provoking vehicle reactions, using a device that processes protocol data units from various bus protocols and reconstructs communication matrices independently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If complex reconstruction methods are used to obtain signal data, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal data accuracyVSAvoidreconstruction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the bus system communication matrix by autonomously learning and reconstructing the communication topology, message formats, and signal interpretations. Instead of requiring physical access to OEM diagnostic interfaces, the system captures raw bus traffic and builds a complete virtual representation that can be queried and analyzed, eliminating the need for complex physical interface connections while maintaining full measurement capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs autonomous self-learning of the bus communication matrix without external assistance or predefined configuration. The evaluation device independently captures bus traffic, identifies message structures, learns signal interpretations, and builds the communication matrix automatically. This self-service capability eliminates dependency on OEM-provided diagnostic tools and complex manual reconstruction processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If contactless data tapping is implemented, then ease of operation is improved and vehicle irritation is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidsignal processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical mechanical connections (diagnostic interfaces, hardware taps, wired connections) with contactless electromagnetic field-based bus tapping. The system monitors bus communication wirelessly or through passive electromagnetic coupling, eliminating the need for physical interface connections to OBD ports or other diagnostic access points. This substitution provides installation flexibility while the automated signal processing algorithms handle the complexity of interpreting the captured data

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If autonomous identification and interpretation is performed, then productivity is improved and time to obtain signal data is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata acquisition speedVSAvoidautonomous processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary autonomous learning of the bus communication matrix during an initialization phase, building a complete database of message structures, signal interpretations, and communication topology before actual measurement begins. This preliminary action stores the learned patterns in the evaluation device, enabling rapid subsequent data acquisition without repeated complex analysis. The heavy processing is done once in advance, then the system can quickly query and interpret signals using the pre-built knowledge base

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediate communication matrix structure that acts as a mediator between raw bus traffic and final signal interpretation. The autonomous learning process creates this structured intermediate representation that organizes captured messages, identifies signal patterns, and stores interpretation rules. This intermediary structure simplifies subsequent data acquisition by providing a pre-processed, organized format that requires minimal additional processing to extract meaningful signal data

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3381156B1Method and device for analyzing signal data
Publication Date: 2021.06.09 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3381156B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3381156B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Method (20) for analyzing signal data, characterized by the following features: - a bus signal channel supplies (11) the signal data; - a reference channel supplies (12) reference signal values on which the signal values are based; - on the basis of an interpretable subset of the signal data and the reference signal values, a computer calculates (13) a signal interpretation and reconstructs a signal.