Vehicle Communication Gateway for External System Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern in-car communication and entertainment systems are not integrated with home and building systems, nor do they provide diagnostic information to drivers or owners, nor allow remote control of vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle communication gateway with a controller, memory, short-range and long-range wireless communication interfaces, and an input-output module connected to the CAN bus, in-vehicle entertainment systems, and user interfaces, enabling communication with in-building systems, generating diagnostic messages, and controlling vehicle systems based on received information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If in-vehicle systems are kept simple and standalone, then device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but adaptability and integration with external systems deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communication gateway as an intermediary device that bridges the vehicle's internal CAN bus system and external communication networks. The gateway contains a controller that receives information from the CAN bus and translates it into appropriate communication protocols for external systems, enabling integration without directly complicating the vehicle's core systems. This mediator approach allows the vehicle to communicate with remote systems, building systems, and service providers while maintaining relative simplicity of the vehicle's internal architecture.
2Reliability
If diagnostic monitoring is added to provide information to drivers and owners, then reliability and safety are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication gateway enables the vehicle system to monitor and diagnose its own status automatically. The controller continuously receives information from the CAN bus, analyzes system parameters, and generates diagnostic messages when issues are detected. This self-monitoring capability provides reliable diagnostic information to drivers and owners without requiring external diagnostic equipment or complex additional monitoring systems, as the gateway leverages existing CAN bus data streams.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the controller monitors vehicle system parameters and provides diagnostic information back to users through multiple channels. Diagnostic messages are generated based on analyzed CAN bus data and transmitted to remote systems, service providers, or displayed to the driver. This feedback loop enables continuous monitoring and early detection of system issues, improving reliability while using the existing communication infrastructure of the gateway.
3Ease of operation
If remote control capability is implemented, then ease of operation and convenience are improved, but reliability and security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The communication gateway serves as a secure intermediary between remote control commands and vehicle systems. When remote control requests are received through the long-range wireless interface, the gateway's controller validates the commands and translates them into appropriate CAN bus messages for the target vehicle systems. This intermediary layer provides authentication and command filtering, enabling convenient remote operation while maintaining system reliability and security by preventing unauthorized or erroneous control actions.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle communication gateway configured to be located within an overland vehicle. In one embodiment, the vehicle communication gateway includes a controller; a memory connected to the controller; a short-range wireless communication interface connected to the controller; a long-range wireless communication interface connected to the controller; and an input-output module configured to connect to a CAN bus, an in-vehicle entertainment system, and a user interface. The controller is configured to receive information from the CAN bus, the in-vehicle entertainment system, and the user interface. The controller generates diagnostic messages regarding vehicle systems based on information received through the CAN bus. The controller also synchronizes files between the in-vehicle entertainment system and extra-vehicular devices, and communicates with in-building systems through the short-range wireless communication interface. Messages are sent to one or more destinations such as a vehicle manufacturer, a vehicle repair shop, and a mobile phone of a vehicle occupant through the long-range wireless communication interface.