Vehicle Control Synchronization via Reference Time Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle control systems face challenges in ensuring simultaneity of time-dependent data from various sensors, leading to mismatched vehicle behavior control due to data transmission delays across in-vehicle LANs, such as CAN and LIN protocols.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a first and second transmission device for sending time-dependent data, and a reception/processing unit with a first processing device ensuring simultaneity by comparing reference times attached to the data, and compensating for delays by replacing older data if the time difference exceeds a predetermined period.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If time-dependent data from multiple sensors is transmitted via in-vehicle LAN (CAN/LIN protocols), then the system can collect comprehensive vehicle state information, but data transmission delays occur causing loss of simultaneity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata simultaneityVSAvoidtransmission delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by attaching reference time data to each time-dependent data packet before transmission. This allows the reception device to pre-calculate and identify time synchronization issues, enabling compensatory processing to restore simultaneity among data from different sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (reference time data and compensation processing) between the transmission and reception of time-dependent data. The reception device uses the reference time as an intermediary to detect delays and apply compensation, effectively mediating the simultaneity issue caused by LAN transmission variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If data from multiple ECUs (engine ECU, ABS ECU) is aggregated for control parameter calculation, then comprehensive vehicle control is achieved, but mismatched vehicle behavior occurs due to timing differences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol accuracyVSAvoiddata synchronization complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by embedding reference time information in transmitted data packets before they reach the reception device. This allows the receiving ECU to pre-identify timing discrepancies and apply compensation processing, ensuring accurate control parameter calculation without requiring complex real-time synchronization protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by using reference time data to monitor and detect timing deviations in received data. The reception device continuously compares reference times and applies compensatory adjustments, creating a closed-loop feedback mechanism that maintains data simultaneity and control reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If real-time control parameters are calculated from received data, then responsive vehicle control is achieved, but control mismatch occurs when data timestamps differ significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol response speedVSAvoidbehavior prediction accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by attaching reference time data to each transmitted data packet. This enables the reception device to pre-assess the freshness and simultaneity of received data before using it for control parameter calculation, ensuring that only temporally consistent data contributes to real-time control decisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces reference time data as an intermediary between data transmission and control parameter calculation. This intermediary allows the system to filter and compensate for timing discrepancies, ensuring that the real-time control parameters are calculated from synchronized data without sacrificing response speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7512469B2Method and system for controlling behaviors of vehicle

Publication Date: 2009.03.31 DENSO CORP

AI summary

A system for controlling behaviors of a vehicle is provided. The system comprises a first transmission device (for example, an ABS ECU), a second transmission device (for example, an engine ECU), and a reception/processing unit (i.e., a superior control unit). The first transmission device transmits a first time-dependent data to be used for controlling behaviors of the vehicle, while the second transmission device transmits a second time-dependent data to be used for controlling behaviors of the vehicle. The reception/processing unit receives both of the first and second time-dependent data and performs processing to ensure simultaneity between the first and second time-dependent data that have been received. The reception/processing unit also produces parameters for controlling the behaviors of the vehicle using both of the first and second time-dependent data which have been subjected to the simultaneity-ensuring processing.