Vehicle Control Logic Timestamping for Data Validity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control systems struggle with dynamically rearranging sensor arrangement control logics and data management due to lack of timestamping and hard-coded instructions, leading to data validity issues and inefficiencies in complex vehicle infrastructures.
Innovation Solution
Segmenting control instructions into functional units that process and timestamp sensor data items, allowing for dynamic reorganization and ensuring correct data interpretation through timestamp assignment, interpolation, and storage of output history.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If control instructions are hard-coded and sensor data is not timestamped, then the system structure is simple, but data validity cannot be ensured and dynamic reorganization is impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments control instructions into individual functional units that can be dynamically arranged and reorganized. Each functional unit processes specific sensor data items and produces output data items. This segmentation enables flexible reconfiguration of control logic without requiring complete hard-coded programs, thereby ensuring data validity while maintaining manageable system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by assigning timestamps to sensor data items before they are processed by functional units. This timestamp assignment occurs in advance, allowing the system to later validate data freshness and correctness without adding complexity to the core processing logic. The timestamps are pre-attached to data items, enabling reliable operation throughout the control flow.
2Reliability
If sensor data items are not timestamped, then the system requires fewer resources, but data ordering and validity cannot be guaranteed in complex vehicle infrastructures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the timestamping function as a separate, dedicated operation that is applied to sensor data items independently of the main control logic processing. This extraction allows timestamp assignment to be performed efficiently without burdening the core control processing resources. The timestamps are taken out as a preliminary step, enabling reliable data ordering while minimizing impact on overall system resource consumption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If control instructions are dynamically rearranged without timestamps, then the system is more flexible, but data confusion occurs due to bus system delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments control instructions into discrete functional units that can be dynamically rearranged in different sequences. Each functional unit is self-contained and processes specific data items with associated timestamps. This segmentation enables flexible reconfiguration of control logic to adapt to different operating conditions while the timestamps on each data item provide a reliable reference for validating data freshness and correctness, preventing data confusion even when processing sequences change.
4Reliability
If timestamps are assigned to all sensor data items, then data validity is ensured, but hardware resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using timestamps as multi-functional elements that serve multiple purposes within the control system. The timestamps not only provide data validity verification but also enable data ordering, support dynamic reorganization of functional units, and facilitate debugging and monitoring. This multi-functionality of timestamps reduces the need for separate mechanisms for each function, thereby limiting the increase in hardware resources while ensuring comprehensive control flow security.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention is directed towards a method for reliably operating a vehicle control logic as well as a respectively arranged control device arrangement. Furthermore, a computer program comprising instructions for implementing the suggested method when executed on a computer is suggested. The present invention allows a control system to be operated securely and is therefore suitable for implementation of robust systems.