Dynamic Network Address Allocation for Vehicle Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for data communication between a motor vehicle and external users are limited by low throughput, require special hardware, and cannot unambiguously address a large number of vehicles due to limited network addresses and the need for additional communication mechanisms or infrastructure.

Innovation Solution

A dynamic address allocation system using a DHCP-like address management unit assigns network addresses to motor vehicles, allowing multiple vehicles to share addresses, and a DNS-like address exchange unit stores and queries assignment data for unambiguous identification, enabling efficient communication via standard interfaces like Ethernet and TCP/IP.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If OBD bus system is used for data communication, then point-to-point connection is established, but throughput is limited and additional hardware costs are incurred

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata throughputVSAvoidspecial hardware requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by enabling the vehicle's communication system to function with multiple communication partners simultaneously through dynamic address allocation. The central gateway can handle multiple TCP/IP connections concurrently, allowing the same hardware infrastructure to serve both traditional OBD point-to-point communication and expanded multi-user network communication without additional specialized hardware for each connection type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses copying by implementing virtual address allocation where multiple virtual network addresses can be assigned to the single physical vehicle identification. This allows multiple communication users to connect simultaneously through what appears to be multiple independent addresses, while actually sharing the same physical communication interface and hardware resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional network addressing is used, then addressing is simple, but only limited number of vehicles can be addressed unambiguously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of addressable vehiclesVSAvoidaddress management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the addressing function into two independent components: vehicle identification (for unambiguous vehicle identification) and dynamic network address allocation (for communication routing). This segmentation allows the system to support a large number of vehicles by allocating addresses dynamically from an available pool, rather than requiring unique static addresses for each vehicle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics through dynamic address allocation where network addresses are assigned temporarily to vehicles based on communication needs. Addresses can be allocated and released dynamically, allowing the same address to be reused for different vehicles at different times, thereby dramatically increasing the number of addressable vehicles beyond the limit of static address schemes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If separate communication infrastructure is established, then communication reliability is improved, but additional costs and complexity are incurred

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidcommunication infrastructure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by combining multiple communication functions into the existing vehicle network infrastructure. The central gateway integrates TCP/IP protocol handling, dynamic address allocation, and multiple communication partner management within the existing OBD communication framework, eliminating the need for separate dedicated communication hardware for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the existing communication infrastructure to perform multiple functions simultaneously - supporting both traditional diagnostic communication and expanded multi-user network communication through dynamic address allocation, thereby maintaining reliability without requiring completely separate communication systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8677019B2Data communication method using unambiguous vehicle identification information

Publication Date: 2014.03.18 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG

AI summary

A data communication method between a first communication user arranged at a motor vehicle and a second communication user arranged outside the motor vehicle is provided. The first communication user can be addressed by the second communication user by way of a network address. The network address of the first communication user is defined by an address management unit arranged outside the motor vehicle and is transmitted to the first communication user.