Virtual Test Node Configuration Catalog for Synthetic Sensor Validation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Developers face challenges in testing and validating synthetic sensors across various vehicle configurations without access to real vehicle hardware and live data, due to differences in hardware and software configurations among vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that provides a preconfigured virtual environment, allowing developers to test and validate synthetic sensors using a configuration catalog and test signals, enabling seamless development and validation without real vehicle access, and allowing vehicle manufacturers to automatically validate submissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If developers test synthetic sensors on real vehicles with access to live data, then testing accuracy and reliability are improved, but accessibility and ease of operation deteriorate due to limited access to real vehicle hardware

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting reliabilityVSAvoidaccessibility to test environment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates virtual copies of real vehicle environments, hardware configurations, and sensor data through simulated test nodes. These virtual representations allow developers to test synthetic sensors with the same reliability as real vehicles would provide, while eliminating the accessibility barriers of physical hardware requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary testing system that sits between the developer and the actual vehicle hardware. This intermediary provides a configuration catalog and automated test node generation that mediates access to vehicle testing environments, making them accessible without direct hardware access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If developers manually configure test environments for each vehicle configuration, then adaptability to different vehicle configurations is improved, but time consumption and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with vehicle configurationsVSAvoidconfiguration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-configures multiple test nodes in advance, each representing different vehicle configurations, hardware setups, and sensor arrangements. These pre-configured test nodes are stored in a configuration catalog, allowing developers to immediately deploy appropriate test environments without manual configuration time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal configuration catalog that contains test node configurations applicable across multiple vehicle types and configurations. A single test node can be adapted to represent different vehicle configurations through parameter selection, eliminating the need to manually configure each specific vehicle setup.

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

3Reliability

If comprehensive testing across multiple vehicle configurations is performed, then validation accuracy and reliability are improved, but resource requirements and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalidation accuracyVSAvoidtesting system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the comprehensive testing task into multiple independent, pre-configured test nodes, each representing a specific vehicle configuration. This segmentation allows the complex validation task to be divided into manageable, reusable components that can be selected and executed based on testing needs without overwhelming system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4435608A1Method and system for dynamic and automatic development configuration for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.09.25 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP4435608A1 patent drawingFigure 1
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AI summary

A method at a computing device, the method including receiving an indication of a desired test environment; accessing a configuration catalog to obtain configuration information for the desired test environment; configuring a test node based on the configuration information; obtaining test signals for the desired test environment; and performing testing on the configured test node using the test signals.