Vehicle Data Collection via Backend Request

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for collecting and transmitting vehicle-based data from a swarm of vehicles lack intelligent data handling and efficient management, leading to unnecessary data storage and transmission inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a service-oriented method where vehicles collect and store data locally, allowing the backend computer to request and retrieve only necessary data, with optional deletion after a specified time to maintain storage capacity and optimize workload, using environmental sensors, a data aggregator, and bidirectional/unidirectional communication channels for secure and efficient data transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If data is forwarded directly from the vehicle without intelligent handling, then data transmission is simple, but storage capacity is wasted and transmission efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission efficiencyVSAvoiddata handling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing data filtering, aggregation, and prioritization in the vehicle before transmission. The onboard system pre-processes sensor data to identify only relevant information for backend processing, eliminating unnecessary data transmission and optimizing storage utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle's onboard system autonomously manages data selection and prioritization without requiring constant backend intervention. The system self-determines which data to transmit based on predefined criteria and backend requests, reducing communication overhead and improving transmission efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of information

If all collected data is stored and transmitted, then data completeness is high, but storage capacity is consumed and transmission workload increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata completenessVSAvoiddata volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential and relevant data from the complete sensor dataset for transmission to the backend. The onboard system identifies and transmits only high-priority data such as safety-critical information and requested parameters, leaving non-essential data locally stored or discarded.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transmits a partial subset of collected data rather than all data. By selectively transmitting only necessary portions based on backend requests and priority levels, the system avoids unnecessary transmission workload while maintaining data completeness for critical information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Loss of information

If data is transmitted continuously, then data availability is high, but transmission energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata availabilityVSAvoidtransmission energy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic data transmission based on backend requests and predefined schedules rather than continuous transmission. The onboard system transmits data at specific intervals or when triggered by backend queries, reducing energy consumption while maintaining adequate data availability for backend processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system autonomously determines transmission timing based on data priority, backend requests, and local storage status. High-priority data is transmitted immediately when available, while lower-priority data waits for appropriate transmission opportunities, optimizing energy usage without compromising critical data availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3997685B1Collection of vehicle-based, location-specific data sets
Publication Date: 2024.06.05 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3997685B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and a device for determining, offering and transmitting vehicle-based data relating to a route segment, in particular surroundings data, which are determined by one vehicle in a group of vehicles traveling along the route segment, offered to a back-end computer, and transmitted as required, said method comprising, in a first variant, the steps of: - reporting available vehicle-based data relating to the currently traveled-on route segment to the back-end computer, - requesting, by the back-end computer, at least a selection of the offered vehicle-based data for the specified route segment from the vehicle, - collecting the requested selection of vehicle-based data by sensors of the vehicle, and storing the data in a memory (4) of the vehicle, and - transmitting the requested and collected data to the back-end computer, said method comprising, in a second variant, the steps of: - reporting available vehicle-based data relating to the currently traveled-on route segment to the back-end computer, the measured data being stored in a memory of the vehicle, - requesting, by the back-end computer, at least a selection of the offered vehicle-based data for the specified route segment from the vehicle, and - transmitting the requested and collected data to the back-end computer.