Vehicle Control Unit Segmentation for Mobile Computing Offload
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle bus control units face challenges in supporting complex applications over their service life due to limited computing power and hardware capabilities, requiring frequent updates and increased computing effort, which can be overwhelmed by newer, more demanding electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
Relocating some control unit functions to a connected electronic device, such as a mobile phone, to reduce the control unit's tasks to pure switching and transport functions, shifting computing power and implementing upper layers of the bus implementation on the electronic device, allowing direct communication using the vehicle bus's protocol, thus minimizing the need for hardware updates and complex protocol conversions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If control unit functions are kept centralized in the vehicle control unit, then the control unit can maintain full functionality, but the computing power and hardware capabilities become insufficient for complex applications over the vehicle's service life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control system into two parts: a simplified control unit in the vehicle that handles only basic switching and transport functions, and a mobile electronic device that provides the necessary computing power and application processing capabilities. This segmentation allows the system to support complex applications without overloading the vehicle's control unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the computationally intensive functions from the vehicle control unit and relocates them to the mobile electronic device. The control unit retains only essential functions (switching and transport), while the mobile device handles application processing, data analysis, and complex computations, thereby solving the computing power limitation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the control unit is designed with sufficient computing power for future applications, then it can support complex applications, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the mobile electronic device universal by allowing it to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the application processing platform and the enhanced control unit. The mobile device can run various applications (navigation, entertainment, vehicle monitoring) while also handling control functions, eliminating the need for a specialized high-power control unit in the vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of control unit functionality in the mobile electronic device through software implementation. The mobile device runs applications that replicate and extend control unit capabilities, allowing complex processing without adding physical hardware complexity to the vehicle's control unit.
3Adaptability or versatility
If protocol conversion and data translation are performed in the control unit, then communication between different devices is enabled, but the computing effort and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the mobile electronic device as an intermediary that handles protocol conversion and data translation. Instead of the vehicle control unit performing complex protocol conversions, the mobile device acts as a mediator between the simple control unit and various external devices (smartphone applications, cloud services, other vehicles), absorbing the translation overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional architecture where the control unit performed translation functions. Instead, the control unit now speaks a simple, standardized protocol, and the mobile electronic device (on the other side of the communication) performs the translation to various application-specific protocols, reversing who does the conversion work.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the control unit is updated to support new applications, then it can maintain compatibility, but the reliability and stability of the existing system may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the system dynamic by allowing the mobile electronic device to be updated and replaced independently of the vehicle control unit. The control unit remains static and reliable, while the mobile device (running applications) can be dynamically updated to support new features, creating a flexible yet stable system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent treats the mobile electronic device as a replaceable, upgradable component that can be updated or replaced without affecting the core vehicle control unit. When new applications are needed, the mobile device software is updated or a new device is connected, while the reliable control unit remains unchanged, allowing adaptability without compromising stability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a control device (1), a hybrid device (17), a method for operating a system (A) for processing data packets (35, 36), a system (A) for processing data packets (35, 36) and an electronic device (16). Said control device is preferably connected to a vehicle bus (4). Said vehicle bus can be a CAN bus, a FlexRay bus or a byteflight bus. Said electronic device is preferably a mobile telephone which is connected to the control device by means of a Bluetooth interface (22) or a data cable for bi-directional communication. An application (24) is installed in the mobile telephone, said application enabling the mobile telephone to communicate with other vehicle bus subscribers.