Vehicle Terminal Data Connection for Automated Depot Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automated or semi-automated depots lack the utilization of data connections between terminal devices in vehicles and central modules of a local network, leading to inefficient and time-consuming manual processes for vehicle authentication and communication, resulting in suboptimal loading and unloading operations.

Innovation Solution

A method for establishing a fully automated data connection between an end device in a vehicle and a central module of a stationary local network using access data, including a subscriber identifier, network identifier, and authentication code, enabling secure and verified authentication and authorization without manual intervention, allowing for automated coordination and communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a user equipment establishes a data connection through a service gateway in a 2G/3G network, then the connection can be maintained during camped states, but the process requires multiple network components (SGSN, GGSN, service gateway) increasing system complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection maintenanceVSAvoidnetwork components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the service gateway function from the traditional 2G/3G network architecture and relocates it to the Packet Gateway (PGW) in the 4G core network. This extraction eliminates the need for separate SGSN, GGSN, and service gateway components, reducing network complexity while maintaining connection reliability through the simplified EPS bearer establishment process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The PGW in the 4G network is designed to perform multiple functions including serving as both the Packet Data Network Gateway and the Service Gateway. This multi-functionality consolidates what were previously separate network elements, reducing the overall number of components required while maintaining all necessary data connection capabilities.

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

2Speed

If the network switches from 2G/3G to 4G for data transmission, then network performance and speed are improved, but the user equipment must be in a specific state (RRC connected) which limits flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission speedVSAvoidconnection state flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic state management where the user equipment can transition between RRC connected and RRC idle states while maintaining data connection capabilities. The network can dynamically establish EPS bearers when needed and release them when not required, providing both high-speed transmission when active and power-saving idle state when inactive, thus achieving both speed improvement and state flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If the service gateway is removed from the network architecture, then network complexity is reduced, but the ability to maintain data connections during camped states may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork componentsVSAvoidconnection maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the service gateway functionality into the Packet Gateway (PGW) in the 4G core network architecture. This consolidation combines what were previously separate functions into a single network element, reducing overall network complexity while maintaining the ability to establish and manage data connections through the EPS bearer mechanism, thus preserving connection reliability without the need for separate service gateway components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4098004B1Method for setting up a data connection and data transmission system
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 ZF CV SYST GLOBAL GMBH
  • EP4098004B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4098004B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for setting up a data connection between a terminal in a vehicle and a central module of a stationary local area network, and to a data transmission system for performing the method. The provided access data are automatically transmitted to the terminal by using an access network. Furthermore, in a fully automated method, a secure and verified data connection is established between the terminal and the stationary local area network and an authorization or access authorization is issued.