ECU Message Comparison Using Hierarchical Data Sorting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Comparing data from electronic control units (ECUs) in vehicles is complex due to differences in programming formats and structures between databases, making it difficult to verify programming updates and conduct technical testing efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that select messages from ECUs based on specified data, generate files sorted according to a hierarchical structure, and output a comparison file highlighting differences between ECU data, allowing for quick comparison regardless of programming variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If databases from different vehicles use different programming formats and structures, then each vehicle can be customized with specific programming requirements, but comparing ECUs between vehicles becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary comparison system that receives data from multiple ECUs with different programming formats, standardizes the data through a common interface, and performs comparison operations. This intermediary layer allows customized programming in each vehicle while enabling efficient comparison by translating diverse formats into a unified comparison framework.
2Ease of manufacture
If databases store messages in different formats and orders of operation, then each ECU can be programmed independently for specific vehicle requirements, but verifying programming updates becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the comparison process into distinct stages: data extraction from individual ECUs, format standardization, hierarchical organization of message data, and comparison operations. This segmentation allows each ECU to maintain independent programming while the systematic breakdown of the comparison process makes verification manageable and automated.
3Reliability
If ECU data is compared without standardized formatting, then original programming characteristics are preserved, but the comparison process becomes inefficient and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent organizes ECU message data into a hierarchical structure with multiple levels (ECU level, message level, data level). This dimensional organization allows the system to preserve original programming characteristics at the data level while enabling efficient comparison at higher hierarchical levels through standardized formatting and structured arrangement.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes selecting, from a database, messages of a first electronic control (ECU) unit according to a specified datum that the first ECU is programmed to provide via a communications bus, generating a first file of the messages of the first ECU, sorting the messages in the first file according to a hierarchy that includes the specified datum, and outputting a third file describing a comparison of the first file and a second file that includes messages of a second ECU.