WO2016112902A1 - Method and system for detecting vehicle events - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for reporting an event in a vehicle (101), comprising the reception of sensor data from at least one vehicle sensor (102), the storage of sensor data on a re-writable memory element, the reception of an event indicator about the event and the determination of a period of time on the basis of the event indicator. Furthermore, the method comprises the copying of sensor data which are received within the period of time from the re-writable memory element to a further memory element and the receiving and storing of event data relating to the event. Moreover, the method comprises the determination of relevant sensor data from the sensor data which are copied to the further storage element and the transmission of the relevant sensor data and/or event data.

Description

 Method and system for detecting vehicle events

 Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a system for detecting vehicle events. Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer-implemented method for the reporting of vehicle events and to a computer program product for carrying out the computer-implemented method.

Background of the invention

Modern vehicles have sophisticated electronic systems with complex networking. Further, the systems are connected to off-vehicle infrastructures, such as via wireless data communication devices, to integrate up-to-date and / or new functionality. For example, a navigation convenience function can be supplied with new map material. Or it is possible to update the engine control program, the ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) or the ESP (Electronic Stability Program) program. Such changes are often also possible due to the existing vehicle sensors, such as the ABS or ESP sensors. The networking of the electronic systems leads to a variety of interactions that are so complex that it is hardly possible to test all applications before the market launch of a vehicle. This concerns, for example, comfort functions such as seat heating with heat regulation and sensor technology, but also safety functions such as driver assistance systems for braking, roll stabilization or distance regulation to the front or to the side.

A specific event, such as a malfunction that occurs due to the complex interactions of different electronic systems, is difficult or impossible to reproduce. It is also not possible to directly process and / or store all sensor data that occurs during operation, since in modern vehicles sensor data of the order of magnitude of up to 1 GB per minute can be incurred. Thus, it is difficult to identify such a specific event and, if necessary, to remedy this, as in the case of a malfunction. This is particularly disadvantageous Such events typically can occur for all vehicles of the same type or electronic system in a particular integration with other systems. In addition, these events usually occur during the operation of a vehicle, that is to say in the field application during which access to the sensor data is restricted.

 However, storing all sensor data on a rewritable memory, a so-called buffer memory or ring memory, is technically feasible for a certain time window.

 Summary of the Invention It is therefore the object of the invention to provide a method and system enabling the detection of certain events, especially in field use. A certain event should be attributable to the corresponding sensor data. Furthermore, it is desirable for additional event data to be added to the sensor data by, for example, the driver, for example, an error report in the event of a malfunction.

 This technical problem is solved according to the invention by the technical features of the independent claims in the form of a computer-implemented method, a computer program product, a reporter system for reporting an event in a vehicle, a solver system for supporting the determination of relevant sensor data and a system comprising the two solved before mentioned systems.

In an embodiment, the method of reporting an event to a vehicle, such as during vehicle operation, includes receiving sensor data from at least one vehicle sensor and storing that sensor data on a rewritable memory element. For example, the sensor data from several vehicle sensors for, for example, brakes, ABS, EPS, speed, speed, air pressure, fluid levels and temperatures, engine conditions, and others, can be stored in a buffer memory. This has the advantage that even large amounts of data of, for example, 1 GB per minute can be stored at least for a specific time window or a certain period of time. If the buffer memory is not free memory space, the oldest buffered data will be overwritten by

 The inventive method further comprises receiving an event indicator about the event. Such an event indicator may be initiated by the driver, for example. Thus, it is possible to provide a switch in the vehicle, which a driver must first only operate to display the event. The switch function can also be implemented via an interactive and touch-sensitive display, such as the so-called touchscreen of a smartphone or a multimedia system of the vehicle. A voice or gesture recognition is also possible for the initiation of the event indicator.

Further, the method includes determining a time period based on the event indicator and then copying the sensor data received within the time period from the rewritable storage element to another storage element. In other words, all sensor data is copied from the buffer memory to a buffer within a defined period of time. The cache is not overwritten like the cache, at least for as long as the cached sensor data must be kept. In a simple case, all the sensor data stored in the buffer memory can be copied, which was buffered up to the time of the event indicator. However, the sensor data can also be copied for a shorter period, namely for a period that does not include all the sensor data in the buffer. In particular, it is also possible for sensor data to be copied into the buffer memory after the time of the event indicator. This is also helpful because at the onset of the event, such as a malfunction, it can be assumed that such a malfunction is still present and therefore the sensor data after the event indicator may also be useful. On the other hand, it is also possible that the sensor data is written to the buffer memory only after the time of the event indicator. The time period may thus include times before and / or after the event indicated by the event indicator. Thus, it is possible to define the period as a function of the memory size of the buffer memory and / or the use case. Further, the method includes receiving and storing event data regarding the event. So it is possible that the driver comments on the abnormalities, such as a stuttering of the engine, and thus provides event data. The event data can therefore be documentation data from the driver. The documentation or generation of the event data can take place in this case independently of the time of the event. It is thus possible for the driver of the vehicle to first arrive at his destination and to document his observations after the end of the journey. If the sensor data is saved in the further memory, the buffer, on the basis of the event indicator, the assignment of the event data to the sensor data is possible. The event data can be created, for example, in the form of written text, as a sound recording, as a video log or other. The storage of the event data can also be done in the further memory element, or any other memory. A speedy copying from the buffer into the further memory element / cache, as required by the sensor data due to a continuous sensor data stream with the continuous overwriting of the oldest sensor data in the buffer memory, is not necessary in the storage of the event data.

 The method further comprises determining relevant sensor data from the sensor data copied to the further memory element and transmitting the relevant sensor data and / or the event data. In a simple case, all sensor data on the further memory element and the event data are transmitted, for example, to the manufacturer or service provider of the vehicle or electronic system. If event data is not present, for example if the driver indicates that he can not or does not want to provide any further data for the event, then only the relevant sensor data can be transmitted. After transmitting the relevant sensor data and / or the event data, the further memory element and / or the memory on which the event data are saved can be released again.

In one embodiment, the transmission of the relevant sensor data and / or the event data takes place via a data connection. The data connection can be wireless or wired. For example, the data communication info- infrastructure of mobile networks for a wireless data connection. For a wired data connection, a corresponding communication cable can be connected to an interface of the vehicle.

 In a further embodiment, the further memory element and / or the memory on which the event data are saved can also be removed from the vehicle and read out at a corresponding arithmetic unit. Thus, it is possible for the removable memory to store a flash memory such as SD memory. Cards (English for Secure-Digital Memory) or a magnetic memory is.

 In one embodiment, determining the relevant sensor data comprises comparing the sensor data for the time period and the event data. It is thus possible for the event data to include information for the assignment of a specific vehicle sensor. For example, the driver could make a preselection when entering his observations that he has noticed, for example, braking problems. This makes it possible to limit the relevant sensor data to the data of vehicle sensors, which are related to the braking function of the vehicle. This allows for a beneficial reduction in the amount of sensor data, which may be helpful depending on the data transmission bandwidth and / or cost of transmitting data.

Alternatively or additionally, a sensor data reduction can also be made possible from outside the vehicle. Thus, in one embodiment, the method includes transmitting the event data and receiving an instruction to determine the relevant sensor data based on the sent event data. In other words, for example, at first only the event data is sent and analyzed accordingly at a receiver. Such a receiver can be, for example, a solver system, which can have better analysis options than a simple vehicle computer. Thus, such a solver system can have high computing power with sophisticated algorithms, or also include the ability to access extensive comparative data. It is also possible that the recipient is a human processor. In any case, the instruction for determining the relevant sensor data on the basis of the transmitted event data can be advantageously used, for example, only the sensor data of a single vehicle sensors. Another time restriction is possible.

 In another embodiment, the method includes comparing the relevant sensor data and / or the event data to an event database and, if an event such as an error is identified, issuing an instruction. The event database can be carried in the vehicle, which allows, for example, a speedy identification of safety-critical errors. In this case, only the sensor data, that is without any event data, can be used for comparison. For example, certain patterns in the event database and sensor data may already lead to detection of ABS problems. Alternatively and / or additionally, the event database may also be present at a receiver. The latter can analyze the relevant sensor data and / or event data transmitted to him accordingly and compare it with the event database. The instruction can accordingly be received and output at the vehicle. An instruction can be a simple speech or textual display output. But an instruction to a vehicle component is possible, such as limiting the engine speed to prevent damage to the engine.

 Furthermore, the method for reporting events, including the relevant sensor data, in particular for the manufacturer and / or service provider of the vehicles and / or systems advantageous. For an identification of an example difficult to find error can be corrected accordingly in other vehicles and / or systems. In other words, it is possible to transmit sensor data from the field to the appropriate places.

 Another aspect of the present invention is a computer program product which, when loaded into a memory of a data processing system and executed by at least one processor of the data processing system, performs the steps of the computer-implemented method.

 The invention further includes a vehicle having a reporter system for reporting a vehicle event as described above and below.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the embodiments described below and with reference to the drawings. Brief description of the drawings

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be illustrated with reference to figures. The figures show unscaled drawings as well as among others

 pictographic or abstract elements. Show it:

 Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the system according to the invention for the detection of vehicle events in an application scenario.

 FIG. 2 shows a flowchart for illustrating a method according to the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a simple block diagram of the system of FIG. 1.

Detailed description of the drawings

1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the system according to the invention for detecting vehicle events in an application scenario 100. The application scenario 100 shows a vehicle 101 with a plurality of vehicle sensors 102. The vehicle sensors 102 send sensor data to the reporter system 110 for reporting an event (FIG. Event is not illustrated). The transmission of the sensor data to the reporter system 1 10 is shown by dotted lines. The reporter system 110 is configured and configured for detecting and determining rele- vant sensor data and / or event data which can be transmitted further. The reporter system 110 sends 172 the relevant sensor data and / or event data to a solver system 150. The solver system 150 is configured and configured to assist in the detection of the relevant sensor data or other compute-intensive operations, such as for speech recognition is required. The solver system 150 and reporter system 1 10 can bi-directionally establish a data connection. The reporter system 110 and the solver system 150 form the system for detecting vehicle events.

The reporter system 110 and the solver system 150 are shown, for example, in FIG. 3 (FIG. 3, reference numerals 310 and 350). Procedural steps in cooperation Hang with the reporter system 110 and the solver system 150 are shown for example in Figure 2.

 Further, the vehicle event detection system, reporter system 110 and solver system 150, may bi-directionally exchange 174, 176 data with a service location 180 for the vehicle 101. Such a service location 180 may be, for example, the vehicle manufacturer or OEM ( Original Equipment Manufacturer). The service point 180 may also be a manufacturer of an electronic device from the vehicle 101. The service station 180 may evaluate the event data and, if necessary, identify errors that are reported back to the vehicle 101 for output. Further, detected vehicle events may be collected in a database at service location 180 and thus used to enhance the vehicle or vehicle type or vehicle system or component. Such improvement data are transmitted to the development and production 182 178.

FIG. 2 shows a flow chart for illustrating a method 200 according to the invention for reporting a vehicle event. Dashed steps shown in Figure 2 are optional. The method 200 includes receiving 210 sensor data from at least one vehicle sensor and storing 212 the sensor data on a rewritable storage element, such as a buffer memory or ring buffer. The method 200 further includes receiving 220 an event indicator about the event and then determining 222 a time period based on the event indicator. Thereafter, the sensor data received within the period are copied 225 from the rewritable memory element to another memory element, that is, stored in a memory which is not overwritten without release. Further, simultaneously or temporally offset, event data relating to the event is received 230 and also stored 232. The method 200 then includes determining 240 relevant sensor data from the sensor data copied to the further memory element, the relevant sensor data representing the entire data. quantity on the further memory element or a subset or even more still to be detected sensor data after the time of the event may include. Subsequently, the relevant sensor data and / or the event data transmitted 250. They can be sent, for example via a wireless data communication, or be read out via the contact interface.

 In an optional method step, the method 200 includes sending 242 the event data and receiving 244 an instruction to determine 240 the relevant sensor data based on the sent event data. Thus, it is possible to determine instructions for a reduction of the sensor data outside of a vehicle.

 In another optional method step, the relevant sensor data and / or the event data is compared 260 to an event database and, if a match, such as a similar or similar event, is identified, an instruction is issued 262. Alternatively, the comparison with an event database may also be after the transfer 250 of the relevant sensor data and / or the event data takes place, ie outside the vehicle. Then, the method further comprises first receiving 264 the instruction before the corresponding output 262 occurs.

 FIG. 3 shows a simple block diagram of the vehicle event detection system 300 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows in the upper half a timeline depicting the temporal relationship of various events or periods in relation to the data stored in the reporter system 310 be processed to report an event 301. The reporter system 310 is connected to the solver system 350 via a data link 390 for data communication, thereby forming the system 300 for detecting vehicle events. The data connection can be wireless.

The reporter system 310 includes a first interface component 312 that is configured to receive sensor data 302 about the vehicle, such as during vehicle operation. The sensor data 302 is stored on the rewritable data storage component 322. Further, the reporter system 310 includes a second interface component 314 configured to receive an event indicator 304 relating to the event 301, and a third interface component 316 configured to receive event data 306 relating to the event 301. The receipt of the event indicator 304 and the event data 306 may be staggered, but they are clearly attributable. are denbar. The assignability and the time offset are shown in Figure 3 with the dashed lines. Further, reporter system 310 includes at least one processor component 324 configured to determine time period 308 based on event indicator 304 and further receive sensor data 302 received within specified time period 308 from rewritable data storage component 322 copied to another data storage component 326. The processor component 324 is further configured to determine relevant sensor data 338 from the sensor data copied to the further memory element 326. The reporter system 310 further includes a fourth interface component 318 configured to transmit the relevant sensor data 338 and / or the event data 306 to the solver system 350 via the data link 390. The solver system 350 is used to compute a Instruction 358 for determining the relevant sensor data 338 of a vehicle event 301 and comprises an interface component 352 configured to receive event data 306, a data storage component for storing the event data 306, and at least one processor component 356 for calculating the instruction 358 based on Event data 306. The interface component 352 of the solver system 350 is further configured to send the instruction 358 for determining the relevant sensor data 338 to the reporter system 310 via the data link 390.

The relevant sensor data 338 and / or event data 306 can also be transmitted to other receivers via the fourth interface component 318 and / or the interface component 352. For example, it is possible for the relevant sensor data 338 and / or event data 306 to be transmitted to a service device for detecting vehicle errors. Such a service facility may, for example, have access to a database of event data, such as vehicle error data and associated risks in the presence of the errors. Also, the reporter system 310 or the solver system 350 may have access to such a database to match the relevant sensor data and / or event data with the data in the database. This is illustrated in FIG. 3 with database 370. Database 370 is shown on the system boundaries between the reporter system 310 and the solver system 350. This representation is intended to show that database 370 can be part of one and / or the other system, or also on any other which may be the point at which a data connection can be accessed. A so-called cloud or remote storage is possible here. The advantage of cloud or remote storage is that the database can be updated regularly and many systems can access it.

Solver system 350 may also belong to the service facility, so solver system 350 may be part of the data processing system of the service facility.

Claims

claims A method (200) for reporting an event (301) on a vehicle (101), comprising the steps of:  Receiving (210) sensor data (302) from at least one vehicle sensor (102),  Storing (212) the sensor data (302) on a rewritable memory element (322),  Receiving (220) an event indicator (304) about the event (301),  - determining (222) a period (308) based on the event indicator (304), - copying (225) the sensor data (302) received within the period (308) from the rewritable memory element (322) to another memory element (326)  Receiving (230) and storing (232) event data (306) concerning the event (301), - determining (240) Relevant sensor data (338) from the sensor data copied to the further memory element (326), and  - transmitting (250) the relevant sensor data (338) and / or the event data (306). 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the period of time (308) comprises times before and / or after the event (301) indicated by the event indicator (304). 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein determining (240) the relevant sensor data (338) comprises a comparison of the sensor data for the period (308) and the event data (306). 4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining (240) the relevant sensor data (338) further comprises the steps of:  Sending (242) the event data (306), and  - receiving (244) an instruction for determining (240) the relevant sensor data (338) based on the transmitted event data (306). 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the method further comprises the steps of:  Comparing (260) the relevant sensor data (338) and / or the event data (306) with an event database (370), and if a match is identified,  - output (262) an instruction. A computer program product which, when loaded into a memory of a data processing system and executed by at least one processor of the data processing system, performs the steps of the method (200) of any one of claims 1 to 5. A reporter system (310) for reporting an event (301) on a vehicle (101), comprising:  a first interface component (312) configured to receive sensor data (302) about the vehicle (101),  a rewritable data storage component (322) configured to store the sensor data (302), a second interface component (314) configured to receive an event indicator (304) about the event (301),  a third interface component (316) configured to receive event data (306) relating to the event (301), at least one processor component (324) configured for: Determining a time period (308) based on the event indicator (304), Copying the sensor data (302) received within the determined time period (308) from the rewritable data storage component (322) to another data storage component (326) and  Determining relevant sensor data (338) from the sensor data copied to the further memory element (326), and  a fourth interface component (318) configured to transmit the relevant sensor data (338) and / or the event data (306). A solver system (350) for calculating an instruction (358) for determining the relevant sensor data (338) of an event (301) in a vehicle (101), comprising:  an interface component (352) configured to receive event data (306),  a data storage component (354) configured to store the event data (306),  at least one processor component (356) configured to compute the instruction (358) for determining the relevant sensor data (338) based on the event data (306), wherein the interface component (352) is further configured to transmit the instruction (358) for determining the relevant sensor data (338). 9. A vehicle event detection system (300) comprising:  - Reporter system (310) according to claim 7, and  a solver system (350) according to claim 8, wherein the reporter system (310) and the solver system (350) are connected via a data link (390) for data communication. The system of claim 9, wherein the data connection (390) is a wireless data connection. 11. vehicle (101) with a reporter system (310) according to claim 7.