Telematics Device Data Request Timing for Vehicle Bus Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telematics systems face inefficiencies in capturing comprehensive vehicle trip parameters due to the limitations of vehicle communications buses, particularly in managing requests for data from electronic control units (ECUs) during vehicle startup and shutdown, leading to suboptimal data collection and analysis.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for a telematics device that strategically sends requests for specific vehicle parameters over a vehicle communications bus, adjusting frequencies based on vehicle events such as startup and shutdown, and integrates an input/output expander to capture additional data types not typically provided by standard protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the telematics device sends requests for multiple parameters to multiple ECUs simultaneously over the vehicle communications bus, then comprehensive vehicle trip parameters can be captured, but the communications bus becomes overloaded and data collection efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the set of parameters into two distinct sets: a first set of parameters sent during the requests-off duration (when ECUs are initializing), and a second set of parameters sent after the requests-off duration expires. This segmentation prevents bus overload by timing requests appropriately, while still ensuring comprehensive data collection by capturing both parameter sets across different time windows.
2Productivity
If the telematics device refrains from sending requests during the requests-off duration to avoid bus overload, then communications efficiency is maintained, but parameters that change during startup are missed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by sending requests for the first set of parameters immediately during the requests-off duration, before the ECUs have fully initialized. This ensures that parameters which change during startup (such as parking brake status, gear status, and seatbelt status) are captured at the right moment, while the device subsequently refrains from sending requests for the second set of parameters until the requests-off duration expires, maintaining bus efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If the telematics device sends requests at high frequency to capture dynamic parameters, then data accuracy improves, but energy consumption and bus load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by adjusting the request frequency based on the vehicle's operational state. During the requests-off duration, requests are sent at a first frequency to capture rapidly changing parameters. After the requests-off duration expires, the device transitions to sending requests for the second set of parameters at a second frequency that is lower than the first frequency. This dynamic adjustment maintains measurement precision for critical startup parameters while reducing energy consumption and bus load during stable operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A telematics device and a method by the telematics device are provided. The method includes detecting a vehicle starting event and sending a first plurality of parameter requests while refraining from sending a second plurality of parameter requests for a requests-off duration after the vehicle starting event. After the expiry of the requests-off duration, sending the second plurality of parameter requests. In response to detecting a vehicle turning off event, sending a third request before the expiry of a post vehicle turning off duration.