Vehicle Network Gateway for Third-Party App Internet Routing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle systems face challenges in managing internet access for third-party applications due to conflicting IP routing, security, and quality requirements, leading to inefficient utilization of communication resources and potential disruption of critical vehicle functions.

Innovation Solution

A central network unit that obtains and prioritizes internet usage data for third-party applications, configuring network interfaces and containers to ensure seamless and secure internet access while prioritizing vehicle functionality over third-party applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If containers are inflated to enable internet access for third-party applications, then adaptability and service support are improved, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice support capabilityVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically creates, modifies, and removes containers based on real-time service requirements and resource availability. The network gateway controller monitors resource usage and adjusts container configurations dynamically, allowing the system to adapt to changing service demands while optimizing resource utilization efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes container parameters such as resource allocation limits, network access permissions, and priority levels based on service requirements. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system can support diverse services with different resource needs while maintaining overall resource utilization efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple services use different IP address spaces, then service diversity and adaptability are improved, but routing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice diversityVSAvoidrouting complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network gateway controller acts as an intermediary that manages IP address allocation and routing for multiple services. It maintains a centralized view of all IP address spaces and automatically routes traffic between services and external networks, eliminating the need for complex manual routing configurations and resolving IP conflicts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The network gateway controller provides universal routing functionality that handles multiple IP address spaces and service types through a single unified interface. This multi-functional approach simplifies the overall routing architecture by consolidating routing decisions in one centralized component rather than requiring complex distributed routing logic.

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

3Reliability

If containers are used to segregate communications, then security and quality control are improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication securityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments communication channels into isolated containers, each with its own network namespace and security policies. This segmentation provides strong security isolation between services while the automated container management system keeps the overall complexity manageable through standardized creation and configuration processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4478684B1A central network unit and method therein for enabling internet access to an on-board third party application
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 VOLVO TRUCK CORP
  • EP4478684B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4478684B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

A central network unit and method therein for enabling internet access to an third-party application executed in an operating system on-board a vehicle in a vehicle communications network is described. It describes obtaining information indicating on-board internet usage by the third-party application per assigned operating system resource. It also describes determining, based on the obtained information, if internet access is to be maintained for the third-party application and/or one or more of its assigned operating system resources. Further, it describes configuring access to one or more external network interfaces on-board the vehicle used by the third-party application and/or one or more of the assigned operating system resources based on the determined information. Computer program products and storage mediums are also described.