Vehicle Communication Mode Switching for Scalable Fleet Coordination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle information communication systems face increased server load and reduced control speed as the number of vehicles increases, limiting effective communication and environmental pollution management.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle information communication system that switches between two communication modes: a first mode for low server load, where the server communicates individually with vehicles, and a second mode for high load, using vehicle-to-vehicle communication with blockchain authentication to share information and reduce server load, while vehicles with environment improvement devices address pollution in designated areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the server executes entire control of multiple vehicles, then safety in vehicle group level is improved, but server load increases and control speed reduces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety in vehicle group levelVSAvoidcontrol speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into two parts: the server performs high-level coordination and information management, while individual vehicles execute local control decisions. This segmentation allows the server to maintain safety oversight without being bottlenecked by real-time control computations for all vehicles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A communication protocol acts as an intermediary between the server and vehicles, enabling efficient information exchange. The protocol structures data transmission to minimize server processing load while ensuring safety-critical information is reliably conveyed to all vehicles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the server communicates with each vehicle individually, then communication reliability is improved, but server load increases when number of vehicles increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidserver load
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Communication is segmented into broadcast channels (server to all vehicles) and selective channels (server to specific vehicles). The server broadcasts general information to all vehicles simultaneously, eliminating the need for individual communications while maintaining reliability through the broadcast mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The communication protocol is designed to serve multiple functions: it enables broadcast communication to all vehicles, selective communication to specific vehicles, and acknowledgment mechanisms. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate communication channels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3484194B1Vehicle information communication system and environment improvement system, and server used therein
Publication Date: 2023.01.11 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP3484194B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3484194B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3484194B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vehicle information communication system (10) includes: a plurality of vehicles (100); and a server (200) configured to communicate with the plurality of vehicles (100). The server (200) is configured to perform communication by using either a first communication mode or a second communication mode. In the first communication mode, the server (200) receives and transmits information to and from each of the plurality of vehicles (100) individually. In the second communication mode, the server (200) receives and transmits the information to and from a part of the plurality of vehicles (100) and the information is shared among the plurality of vehicles (100) by using vehicle-to-vehicle communication.