DE102013203501B4 - data logger, data acquisition network, motor vehicle and method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a data logger for recording recorded measured values in a vehicle, with a measured value recording device which is designed to record measured values for a predetermined parameter in or for a vehicle; with a communication interface which is designed to couple the data logger to at least one other data logger in a data-communicative connection; with a common interface; with a control device which is designed to forward the recorded measured values to the other data loggers via the communication interface and/or to retrieve measured values recorded by other data loggers via the communication interface, and to execute at least one application in that the measured values recorded by the data logger and the other data loggers can be made available to the application via the common interface, regardless of which data logger recorded the respective measured values. The present invention further relates to a data recording network with a data logger, a motor vehicle and a method for recording measured values using a data logger.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a data logger for recording measured values in a vehicle. The present invention relates to a data acquisition network with a data logger, a motor vehicle and a method for recording measured values using a data logger.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

A data logger is a processor-controlled storage unit that records data at a specific rhythm via an interface and stores it on a storage medium. For this purpose, a data logger usually consists of a programmable microprocessor, a storage medium, at least one interface and one or more channels for connecting the data source, such as sensors. The data is recorded externally or internally via a manufacturer-dependent interface. Although it can in principle be expanded to any processor-controlled storage unit, the present invention and the problem underlying it are explained below with reference to a data logger.

In modern vehicle development, a variety of different data acquisition systems are used to record, for example, the behavior of the vehicle under given environmental conditions or in given driving situations.

Systems for data acquisition in vehicles are generally equipped with their own sensors, for example position detection sensors are installed with the data acquisition system in the vehicle. Such data acquisition systems can also use the vehicle's internal sensors. For this purpose, these systems have suitable communication interfaces, for example, which are coupled with the respective bus systems in the vehicles, to which the vehicle's own sensors transmit their data.

Systems used today for data acquisition in vehicles usually consist of individual, independently operating data acquisition units, each of which independently collects data and stores it in an internal data storage device. The data collected in this way can be transferred to a computer system after the data has been collected, e.g. after a test drive has been completed, in order to be evaluated there. Such systems usually use SD memory cards, hard drives or similar as internal data storage devices.

In order to evaluate the recorded data, it is necessary for such systems to evaluate the data recorded by the data acquisition units individually. However, there is often a need to look at this data as a whole. This is relatively complex. It also involves a time delay, which means that these systems cannot be used dynamically. In this case, this data must be brought together in a central system for evaluation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to enable easier handling of measurement data recorded in a vehicle.

This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of the independent patent claims.

• - Ein Datenlogger zur Aufzeichnung von erfassten Messwerten in einem Fahrzeug, mit einer Messwerterfassungseinrichtung, welche dazu ausgebildet ist, Messwerte für einen vorgegebenen Parameter in oder für ein Fahrzeug zu erfassen; mit einer Kommunikationsschnittstelle, welche dazu ausgebildet ist, den Datenlogger mit zumindest einem weiteren Datenlogger in datenkommunikative Verbindung zu koppeln; mit einer gemeinsamen Schnittstelle; mit einer Steuereinrichtung, welche dazu ausgebildet ist, die erfassten Messwerte über die Kommunikationsschnittstelle den weiteren Datenloggern weiterzuleiten und/oder über die Kommunikationsschnittstelle von weiteren Datenloggern erfasste Messwerte von diesen abzurufen, und mindestens eine Applikation auszuführen, indem der Applikation über die gemeinsame Schnittstelle die von dem Datenlogger und den weiteren Datenloggern erfassten Messwerte unabhängig davon bereitstellbar ist, welcher Datenlogger die jeweiligen Messwerte erfasst hat.
• - Ein Datenerfassungsnetzwerk in oder für ein Fahrzeug, mit mindestens einem erfindungsgemäßen Datenlogger und mit einem Datennetzwerk, welches die Datenlogger miteinander in datenkommunikativer Verbindung koppelt.
• - Ein Kraftfahrzeug, mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Datenerfassungsnetzwerk und/oder mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Datenlogger.
• - Ein Verfahren zum Aufzeichnen von Messwerten mittels eines Datenloggers, mit den Schritten: Erfassen von Messwerten für einen vorgegebenen Parameter in dem Fahrzeug; Koppeln des Datenloggers in datenkommunikativer Verbindung mit zumindest einem weiteren Datenlogger; Weiterleiten der erfassten Messwerte über die datenkommunikative Verbindung an mindestens einen weiteren Datenlogger und/oder Abrufen von mittels der weiteren Datenlogger erfassten Messwerten über die datenkommunikative Verbindung; Ausführen mindestens einer Applikation; Bereitstellen der von dem Datenlogger und der von den weiteren Datenloggern erfassten Messwerte an mindestens eine Applikation über eine gemeinsame Schnittstelle unabhängig davon, von welchem Datenlogger die jeweiligen Messwerte erfasst wurden.

Accordingly, it is envisaged:

• - A data logger for recording recorded measured values in a vehicle, with a measured value recording device which is designed to record measured values for a predetermined parameter in or for a vehicle; with a communication interface which is designed to couple the data logger to at least one other data logger in a data-communicative connection; with a common interface; with a control device which is designed to forward the recorded measured values to the other data loggers via the communication interface and/or to retrieve measured values recorded by other data loggers via the communication interface, and to execute at least one application by making the measured values recorded by the data logger and the other data loggers available to the application via the common interface, regardless of which data logger recorded the respective measured values.
• - A data acquisition network in or for a vehicle, with at least one data logger according to the invention and with a data network which couples the data loggers to one another in a data-communicative connection.
• - A motor vehicle with a data acquisition network according to the invention and/or with a data logger according to the invention.
• - A method for recording measured values using a data logger, comprising the steps of: recording measured values for a predetermined parameter in the vehicle; coupling the data logger in a data-communicative connection to at least one further data logger; forwarding the recorded measured values via the data-communicative connection to at least one further data logger and/or retrieving measured values recorded by means of the further data loggers via the data-communicative connection; executing at least one application; providing the measured values recorded by the data logger and the further data loggers to at least one application via a common interface, regardless of which data logger the respective measured values were recorded by.

A data acquisition network for a vehicle, with at least one data logger according to the invention and with a data network which couples the data loggers to one another in a data-communicative connection.

The finding underlying the present invention is that subsequent merging and evaluation of measured values recorded in the vehicle, e.g. after a test drive, is not very flexible and involves a relatively high level of effort. The idea underlying the present invention is to take this finding into account and to provide a way to process the recorded measured values together, even if they were recorded by separate data loggers.

For this purpose, the present invention provides a novel data logger which, in addition to a measured value acquisition device, also has a communication interface via which several data loggers can be connected to one another.

The control device of the data logger according to the invention is designed to run different applications for recording and processing the measured values. The control device is also designed to forward the recorded measured values to the executed applications. The control device provides the applications with measured values via an interface that were recorded by the measured value recording device of the data logger on which the application is running. The control device can also provide the respective application with the measured values that were recorded by other data loggers via the same interface. To do this, the control device only has to retrieve these measured values from the other data loggers via the communication interface.

The present invention makes it possible to process and evaluate measured values recorded by a large number of data loggers, regardless of the particular data logger that recorded the measured values. Each application that is executed in the data logger according to the invention has access to the recorded measured values of all other data loggers coupled to this data logger.

Advantageous embodiments and further developments emerge from the subclaims and from the description with reference to the figures.

In one embodiment, the measured value acquisition device has at least one analog interface and/or at least one CAN bus and/or FlexRay and/or LIN and/or MOST bus interface. This makes it possible to use the data logger according to the invention in a variety of application areas with different requirements and communication methods.

In one embodiment, the data logger has a data memory which is designed to store the measured values recorded by the data logger and to provide them to the control device. This makes it possible not only to process the recorded measured values directly in the data logger and to transmit them via the communication interface, but also to read the recorded measured values from the memory and process them after recording.

In one embodiment, the control device is designed to synchronize the recording of measured values by the measured value recording device of the data logger with the recording of measured values by the measured value recording devices of the other data loggers via the communication interface. This makes it possible to synchronize a large number of data loggers and to analyze the recorded measured values on a common time basis. This enables a very detailed analysis and summary of the measured values recorded by different data loggers.

In one embodiment, the communication interface is further designed to couple the data logger to a computer network. This makes it possible to exchange data between data loggers and a computer that is operated, for example, by a development engineer.

In one embodiment, the communication interface is designed as an Ethernet interface, a fiber optic interface or the like.

In a further embodiment, the communication interface has two Ethernet interfaces, two fiber optic interfaces or the like. This makes it possible to connect the data loggers in the form of a chain. The bandwidth of the communication interface can thus be used more efficiently than with a single network interface.

In one embodiment, the control device is designed to receive control commands for the application from a computer in the computer network and to forward them to the application. This enables a user to remotely control the application.

In one embodiment, the control device is designed to receive an application from a computer in the computer network and to execute the received application. This makes it possible to install applications as needed that are adapted to a particular measurement task.

In one embodiment, the data acquisition network has at least one computing device that is designed to retrieve measured values recorded by the data loggers and to provide them to an application executed in the computing device. In one embodiment, the computing device itself does not have a measured value acquisition device. This makes it possible, for example, to use highly specialized data loggers that are specialized in recording the measured values and to carry out the evaluation of the recorded measured values in a computing device with a very powerful processor.

The above embodiments and developments can be combined with one another as desired, provided that this makes sense. Other possible embodiments, developments and implementations of the invention also include combinations of features of the invention described above or below with regard to the exemplary embodiments that are not explicitly mentioned. In particular, the person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the present invention.

TABLE OF CONTENTS OF THE DRAWINGS

• 1 ein Blockschaltbild eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Datenloggers;
• 2 ein Ablaufdiagramm eines erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens;
• 3 ein Blockschaltbild eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Datenerfassungsnetzwerks, welches einen erfindungsgemäßen Datenlogger aufweist;
• 4 ein Blockdiagramm eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Datenloggers.

The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the embodiments shown in the schematic figures of the drawings. They show:

• 1 a block diagram of a first embodiment of a data logger according to the invention;
• 2 a flow chart of a method according to the invention;
• 3 a block diagram of an embodiment of a data acquisition network according to the invention, which has a data logger according to the invention;
• 4 a block diagram of another embodiment of a data logger according to the invention.

The accompanying drawings are intended to provide a further understanding of embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and, in conjunction with the description, serve to explain principles and concepts of the invention. Other embodiments and many of the noted advantages will be apparent upon reference to the drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale with respect to one another.

In the figures of the drawing, identical, functionally identical and acting elements, features and components are provided with the same reference symbols, unless otherwise stated.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

1 shows a block diagram of a first embodiment of a data logger according to the invention. The data logger 1-1, designated with reference number 1-1, has a measured value acquisition device 4, which is coupled to a control device 6. The control device 6 is in turn coupled to a communication interface 5 and executes an application 7, to which both measured values 2, which were acquired via the measured value acquisition device 4 of the data logger 1-1, and measured values 2, which were queried via the communication interface 5 from other data loggers 1-2 - 2-n, can be provided via an interface 8.

The interface 8 abstracts the data access of the application to the measured values in such a way that, from the application's point of view, no difference can be determined whether the measured values 2 were recorded by the measured value recording device 4 of the data logger 1-1 or whether they were queried via the communication interface 5 by other data loggers 1-2 - 2-n.

The interface 8 can be designed, for example, as an API of an operating system which is installed on the control device 6 and controls the execution of the application.

In one embodiment, the control device 6 can also have an interpreter which executes the application. In such an embodiment, the application is available in a so-called bytecode, which can be interpreted by the interpreter. This makes it possible to execute an application which was once created as bytecode on control devices with different processor architectures.

Basically, an application for recording the measured values 2 is executed on all data loggers 1-2 - 2-n without further interpretation.

• - Einfacher Trigger: Erkennen und Markieren von Messwerten 2, die eine bestimmte Datenfolge enthalten;
• - Komplexer Trigger: Erkennen und Markieren von Ereignissen die durch bestimmte semantisch zusammenhängende Messwertefolge einer Schnittstelle und/oder mehrerer unterschiedlicher Schnittstellen ausgezeichnet sind;
• - Signalbasierte Datenaufzeichnung: Semantische Auswertung der Messwerte 2 eines oder verschiedener Bussysteme um „Signale“ wie z.B. Geschwindigkeit zu extrahieren.

Application 7 can also perform at least one of the following calculations or analyses of the measured values:

• - Simple trigger: Detect and mark measured values 2 that contain a specific data sequence;
• - Complex trigger: Recognition and marking of events that are characterized by certain semantically related sequences of measured values of an interface and/or several different interfaces;
• - Signal-based data recording: Semantic evaluation of the measured values 2 of one or more bus systems in order to extract “signals” such as speed.

In an exemplary embodiment, the data logger 1-1 is installed, for example, in a vehicle 3 and coupled to the FlexRay bus of the vehicle 3. The application 7 is designed, for example, to analyze the recorded measured values 2 for the occurrence of a specific signal on the bus (e.g. the airbag trigger signal) and, when the signal occurs, to examine the values of, for example, the acceleration sensors of the vehicle 3 within the next second to see whether a predetermined maximum value has been exceeded.

Another exemplary embodiment relates to the evaluation of the arrow display of a navigation system, which is sent to an instrument cluster via a CAN bus. At the same time, in such an embodiment, voice instructions from the navigation system can be transmitted on the MOST bus. In the event of an error, for example, an arrow pointing to the left could be shown in the display instrument, but the audio output of the navigation system could indicate a turn to the right. In order to recognize this event, a data logger according to the invention can evaluate MOST audio data and record CAN data.

In an additional or alternative embodiment, the application is designed to use a so-called complex trigger to monitor the recorded measured values 2. A complex trigger can be composed of conditions that do not only affect a single measured value 2. Rather, a complex trigger can specify conditions for a large number of measured values 2, which also originate from different data loggers 1-1 - 1-n and from different bus systems, e.g. of a vehicle 3 to be analyzed.

2 shows an exemplary flow chart of a method according to the invention.

The method according to the invention provides for the recording of the measured values 2 in the vehicle 3 in a first step S1. In a second step S2, the data logger 1-1 is coupled to further data loggers 1-2 - 1-n in a data communication connection. In a third step S3, the provision of the measured values 2 recorded by the data logger 1-1 via the data communication connection to the further data loggers 1-2 - 1-n and/or retrieval of measured values 2 from the further data loggers 1-2 - 1-n via the data communication connection is provided. In a fourth step S4, at least one application 7 is executed. Finally, in a step S5, the measured values 2 recorded by the data logger 1-1 and the measured values 2 recorded by the further data loggers 1-2 - 1-n are provided via a common interface 8 to the at least one application 7, regardless of which data logger 1-1 - 1-n recorded the respective measured values 2.

The order or numbering of the above steps S1-S5 does not represent a restriction of the actual processing order for the method, but is merely for illustrative purposes. The individual steps can also vary.

In another, in 2 In an embodiment not shown, the storage of the measured values 2 recorded by the data logger 1-1 - 1-n is provided.

In another, in 2 In the embodiment not shown, the temporal synchronization of the recording of measured values 2 in the data logger 1-1 with the recording of measured values 2 by the other data loggers 1-2 - 1-n is provided.

In another, in 2 not shown embodiment, the data logger 1-1 is coupled to a computer network 10.

In a further embodiment, also not shown, control commands 11 for the application 7 are received from a computer 12 of the computer network 10 and the received control commands 11 are forwarded to the application 7.

In a further embodiment, also not shown, the reception of an application 7 from a computer 12 of the computer network 10 and the execution of the received application 7 are provided.

3 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of a data acquisition network 13 according to the invention. The data acquisition network 13 in 3 has two data loggers 1-1 and 1-n, which are connected to one another by a data network 14. A computing device 15 is also connected to the data network 14, which can communicate with the data loggers 1-1 and 1-n via the data network 14. Of course, further data loggers can also be provided, which is indicated by three dots between the data loggers 1-1 and 1-n.

In one embodiment, the computing device 15 is designed as a high-performance computer 15 which queries the recorded measured values 2 from the data loggers 1-1 and 1-n via the data network 14 and carries out different calculations using the queried measured values 2.

• - Klassierung: Statistische Auswertung von in den Messwerten 2 enthaltenen Signalen (z.B. Min/Max-Werte);
• - Auswertung der Gesamtheit aller Fahrzeugsignale ohne und mit Zeitdimension (Umsetzung über einen Skriptinterpreter);
• - Flottenmanagement: Ausführung einer Applikation die über eine schnurlose Schnittstelle mit einer Recheneinrichtung außerhalb des Fahrzeugs kommuniziert um alle aufgezeichneten Fahrzeugdaten zentral zu archivieren.

In one embodiment, the computing device 15 can perform at least one of the following calculations or analyses of the measured values:

• - Classification: Statistical evaluation of signals contained in the measured values 2 (e.g. min/max values);
• - Evaluation of all vehicle signals with and without time dimension (implementation via a script interpreter);
• - Fleet management: Execution of an application that communicates via a wireless interface with a computing device outside the vehicle in order to centrally archive all recorded vehicle data.

In a further embodiment, the computing device 15 can also use a complex trigger to monitor the recorded measured values 2.

Furthermore, the computing device 15 can also have, for example, a mass storage device that is designed to centrally store measured values 2 from different bus systems that are recorded by different data loggers 1-1 - 1-n. In modern motor vehicles that have, for example, CAN buses, FlexRay buses, LIN buses and MOST buses, the data volume per hour can be more than 500 megabytes. It is therefore advantageous to store these measured values 2 centrally instead of equipping each of the data loggers 1-1 - 1-n with its own complex mass storage device.

4 shows a block diagram of another embodiment of a data logger 1-1 according to the invention.

The data logger 1-1 in 4 is integrated into a data acquisition network 13 (not shown separately). This data acquisition network 13 has two further data loggers 1-2 and 1-3, which are coupled to the data logger 1-1 and a computing device 15 via a data network 14.

Finally, the data loggers 1-1 - 1-3, the computing device 15 and the data network 14 are installed in a vehicle 3, here in an automobile 3, in order to record measured values in this vehicle 3.

The data logger 1-1 in 4 In contrast to the data logger 1-1, 1 further comprises a data memory 9 which is designed to store the recorded measured values 2 or at least a part thereof.

The data logger 1-1 in 4 is coupled via a computer network 10 to a computer 12, which transmits control commands 11 to the data logger 1-1. These control commands 11 can be control commands 11 for the application 7, which is currently being executed on the data logger 1-1. For example, the control commands 11 can instruct the application 7 to transmit measured values to the computer 12, via which these measured values can be displayed to a user. The control commands 11 can also be used to start, stop or pause the recording of measured values 2 by the application 7 or the data logger 1-1. The control commands 11 can also contain parameters for the application 7.

In a further embodiment, the control device 6 can receive a new application 7 from the computer 12 and execute it. In this way, it is possible to use a new application 7 when the data logger 1-1 is already installed in a vehicle or the like.

Although the present invention has been described above using preferred embodiments, it is not limited thereto, but can be modified in many ways. In particular, the invention can be used in many different ways. change or modify it in any way without departing from the essence of the invention.

The term data logger should be understood in the description and claims as a processor-controlled storage unit, although a data logger per se naturally represents the preferred embodiment of such a processor-controlled storage unit.

In particular, the data logger according to the invention does not have to exclusively comprise the elements specified therein. Rather, the data logger can also comprise further elements and functional units.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the protocols and standards set out above, which are intended to serve only as an explanation.

Finally, the figures given are intended to serve only for understanding and are not intended to limit the invention in this respect.

list of reference symbols

1-1 - 1-n

data logger

2

measured values

3

vehicle

4

measured value acquisition device

5

communication interface

6

control device

7

application

8

interface

9

data storage

10

computer network

11

control command

12

computer

13

data collection network

14

data network

15

computing device

Claims (15)

Data logger (1-1 - 1-n) for recording recorded measured values (2) in a vehicle (3), with a measured value recording device (4) which is designed to record measured values (2) for a predetermined parameter in or for a vehicle (3); with a communication interface (5) which is designed to couple the data logger (1-1) to at least one other data logger (1-2 - 1-n) in a data-communicative connection; with a common interface (8); with a control device (6) which is designed to - forward the recorded measured values (2) to the other data loggers (1-2 - 1-n) via the communication interface (5) and/or to retrieve measured values (2) recorded by other data loggers (1-2 - 1-n) via the communication interface (5), - execute at least one application (7) by making the measured values (2) recorded by the data logger (1-1) and the other data loggers (1-2 - 1-n) available to the application (7) via the common interface (8) regardless of which data logger (1-1 - 1-n) recorded the respective measured values (2); wherein the interface (8) is designed to abstract the data access of the application to the measured values in such a way that, from the perspective of the application (7), no difference can be determined whether the measured values (2) were recorded by the measured value recording device (4) or whether they were queried via the communication interface (5). data logger after claim 1 , characterized in that the measured value acquisition device (4) has at least one analog interface and/or at least one CAN bus and/or FlexRay and/or LIN and/or MOST bus interface. Data logger according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a data memory (9) is provided which is designed to store the measured values (2) recorded by the data logger (1-1) and to provide them to the control device (6). Data logger according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device (6) has a synchronization device which is designed to synchronize the measured values (2) of the data logger (1-1) recorded via the communication interface (5) by the measured value recording device (4) with the measured values (2) recorded by the measured value recording devices (4) of the further data loggers (1-2 - 1-n). Data logger according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the communication interface (5) is further designed to couple the data logger (1-1) to an external computer network (10). data logger after claim 5 , characterized in that the control device (6) is designed to send control commands (11) for the Application (7) from an external computer (12) of the computer network (10) and forward it to the application (7). Data logger according to one of the previous Claims 5 or 6 , characterized in that the control device (6) is designed to receive a further application (7) from an external computer (12) of the computer network (10) and to execute the received further application (7). Data acquisition network (13) in or for a vehicle (3), with at least one data logger (1-1 - 1-n) according to one of the Claims 1 until 7 and with a data network (14) which couples the data loggers (1-1 - 1-n) to each other in a data communication connection. data collection network according to claim 8 , characterized in that at least one computing device (15) is provided which is designed to retrieve measured values (2) recorded by the data loggers (1-1 - 1-n) and to provide them to an application (7) executed in the computing device (15). Motor vehicle, with a data acquisition network (13) according to one of the Claims 8 or 9 and/or with a data logger (1-1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 7 . Method for recording measured values (2) using a data logger (1-1), with the steps: Detecting (S1) measured values (2) for a given parameter in the vehicle (3); Coupling (S2) the data logger (1-1) in a data-communicative connection with at least one further data logger (1-2 - 1-n); Forwarding (S3) the recorded measured values (2) via the data-communicative connection to at least one further data logger (1-2 - 1-n) and/or retrieving measured values (2) recorded using the further data loggers (1-2 - 1-n) via the data-communicative connection; Executing (S4) at least one application (7); - Providing (S5) the measured values (2) recorded by the data logger (1-1) and by the other data loggers (1-2 - 1-n) to at least one application (7) via a common interface (8), regardless of which data logger (1-1 - 1-n) recorded the respective measured values (2), wherein the data access of the application (7) to the measured values is abstracted in such a way that, from the perspective of the application (7), no difference can be determined whether the measured values (2) were recorded by the measured value recording device (4) or whether they were queried via the communication interface (5). procedure according to claim 11 , characterized in that measured values (2) recorded by the data logger (1-1) are stored. Method according to one of the preceding method-related claims, characterized in that the measured values (2) recorded by the data logger (1-1) are synchronized in time with the measured values (2) recorded by the further data loggers (1-2 - 1-n). Method according to one of the preceding method-related claims, characterized in that the data logger (1-1) is coupled to a computer network (10). procedure according to claim 14 , characterized by : receiving control commands (11) for the application (7) from a computer (12) of the computer network (10) and forwarding the received control commands (11) to the application (7); and/or receiving an application (7) from a computer (12) of the computer network (10) and executing the received application (7).

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