Vehicle Software Assignment Testing Across Configuration Variants

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity of assigning software applications and related data to vehicles leads to errors in vehicle operation and potential failures, as existing methods primarily focus on logistical testing rather than content-related testing across various vehicle variants.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method that receives a vehicle configuration, defines test parameters, determines a software identifier based on predefined relationships, and compares actual values with setpoint values to ensure accurate software application and data assignment, using databases and logical rules for comprehensive testing across multiple vehicle configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If content-related testing of software application and data is performed for all vehicle variants, then assignment accuracy is improved, but testing complexity and resource requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoftware assignment accuracyVSAvoidtesting system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The testing system is divided into modular components: a testing server that manages test cases, a database system that stores vehicle variant information and software assignments, and client systems that execute tests. This segmentation allows the complex testing process to be distributed and managed in manageable units, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive testing coverage across all vehicle variants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary testing of software applications and data assignments before actual vehicle production or deployment. By conducting content-related tests in advance on virtual models of all vehicle variants, the system identifies assignment errors early in the development phase, preventing costly rework later while ensuring high assignment accuracy without proportionally increasing production complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If comprehensive content-related testing is implemented across all vehicle variants, then error prevention is improved, but testing time and productivity are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle operation reliabilityVSAvoidsoftware assignment efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates and tests virtual copies of vehicle configurations and software assignments in a simulated environment before deploying to actual vehicles. By copying vehicle variant data, software applications, and assignment rules into a virtual testing space, the system can perform exhaustive content-related testing without affecting real vehicle production timelines, thus maintaining high reliability while preserving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual software assignment verification with an automated computer-based testing system. The testing server automatically executes test cases, compares actual software assignments against expected assignments, and generates test results without human intervention. This automation substitutes manual mechanical processes with computational algorithms, significantly reducing testing time while maintaining comprehensive coverage across all vehicle variants, thereby improving both reliability and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If manual testing methods are used for software assignment, then system complexity is reduced, but testing thoroughness and error detection capability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting system simplicityVSAvoidassignment verification accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The testing system is designed to be self-executing and self-evaluating. The testing server automatically retrieves vehicle variant information, software assignment rules, and test cases from the database, executes the tests without human intervention, and generates comprehensive test results. This self-service capability allows the system to perform thorough content-related testing with high measurement precision while maintaining relatively simple system architecture, as the automation handles the complexity internally without requiring complex manual testing procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20240143490A1System and method for testing a software application and related data of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.05.02 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG
  • US20240143490A1 patent drawing
  • US20240143490A1 patent drawing
  • US20240143490A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A method for testing a software application and data related to the software application of a vehicle includes receiving a first vehicle configuration and a test parameter, the test parameter comprising a technical property of the first vehicle configuration. The method further includes specifying a setpoint value for the received test parameter, determining a first software identifier as a function of the first vehicle configuration, and specifying the software application and the data related to the software application by means of the first software identifier. The method also includes determining an actual value for the received test parameter using the specified software application or the specified data related to the software application, testing whether the determined actual value of the received test parameter and the determined setpoint value of the received test parameter match, and providing a test result of the received test parameter as a function of the test.