Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Computer network managing – Computer network access regulating
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-15
2004-10-05
Wiley, David (Department: 2143)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Computer network managing
Computer network access regulating
C709S217000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06801942
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention concerns an apparatus, method and system for remotely and wirelessly accessing and/or controlling vehicle-based controller area network (CAN) based node arrangements, including accessing and/or controlling data available in a memory of a vehicle-based electronic control unit (ECU), obtaining a memory dump of such a memory, remotely controlling a selected CAN node arrangement, such as, for example, a vehicle ECU, and monitoring in essentially real-time internal conditions and states of a selected CAN node arrangement, such as, for example, a vehicle ECU, during vehicle operation.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
While remote access may be obtainable with respect to certain defined “external” signals communicated from a CAN node arrangement and/or vehicle ECU on a controller area network (CAN) bus, it is not believed that this provides any of the following capabilities: remotely accessing and/or controlling internal states of a CAN node arrangement and/or vehicle ECU (that is, “internal” signals not otherwise communicated on the CAN bus, as opposed to “external” signals normally output for communication on a CAN bus); obtaining a memory dump of such a memory, and controlling a CAN node arrangement and/or vehicle ECU and/or vehicle subsystem from outside the vehicle while the vehicle is operating in the field.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of an exemplary method according to the present invention is directed to providing a method for remotely accessing at least one CAN node arrangement of a CAN bus arrangement associated with the vehicle during vehicle operation, the CAN bus arrangement being associated with a CAN gateway arrangement for coupling to an external network, the method including the steps of: communicating an initialization control message from the CAN gateway arrangement to the at least one CAN node arrangement using the CAN bus arrangement, the initialization control message including a CAN node arrangement identifier code; comparing the CAN node arrangement identifier code with a unique CAN node arrangement identifier code stored at each of the at least one CAN node arrangement for determining a selected CAN node arrangement based on the CAN node arrangement identifier code and the unique CAN node arrangement identifier code; processing the initialization control message using the selected CAN node arrangement; communicating a data addressing message from the CAN gateway arrangement to the selected CAN node arrangement, the data addressing message including at least one memory address of the data to be at least one of accessed, controlled and retrieved; communicating at least one data reply message from the selected CAN node arrangement to the CAN gateway arrangement, wherein the at least one data reply message includes a data payload; incorporating at least the data payload of the at least one data reply message using a communication protocol of the external network for communication of the data payload to the remote accessing arrangement; and communicating an end control message from the CAN gateway arrangement to the selected CAN node arrangement using the CAN bus arrangement.
Another object of an exemplary method according to the present invention is directed to providing the above method, further including the step of establishing a wireless communication link between a remote accessing and control arrangement and the CAN gateway arrangement.
Still another object of an exemplary method according to the present invention is directed to providing the above method, in which the step of establishing the wireless communication is performed using a data call based on a point-to-point protocol.
Yet another object of an exemplary method according to the present invention is directed to providing the above method, in which the remote accessing and control arrangement includes a computer arrangement.
Still another object of an exemplary method according to the present invention is directed to providing the above method, in which the remote accessing and control arrangement includes a wireless communication arrangement.
Yet another object of an exemplary method according to the present invention is directed to providing the above method, in which the remote accessing and control arrangement includes a computer arrangement and a wireless communication arrangement.
Still another object of an exemplary method according to the present invention is directed to providing the above method, in which the external network includes the Internet.
Yet another object of an exemplary method according to the present invention is directed to providing the above method, in which: the communication protocol includes at least one of a transmission control protocol and an Internet protocol; and the remote accessing and control arrangement and the CAN gateway node arrangement are identified by associated addresses based on the Internet protocol.
Still another object of an exemplary method according to the present invention is directed to providing the above method, in which the CAN gateway arrangement includes: a processor arrangement for communicating with the CAN node arrangement using the CAN bus arrangement; and a wireless communication arrangement for communications with a remote accessing and control arrangement.
Yet another object of an exemplary method according to the present invention is directed to providing the above method, in which the CAN bus arrangement includes: at least two CAN buses; and at least one CAN/CAN gateway arrangement for coupling the at least two CAN buses.
Still another object of an exemplary method according to the present invention is directed to providing the above method, in which the at least one CAN node arrangement includes at least one of an electronic control unit, a sensor arrangement and a control module for use in the vehicle.
Yet another object of an exemplary method according to the present invention is directed to providing the above method, in which the initialization control message includes a data defining payload for defining the data to be one of accessed, controlled and retrieved from the selected CAN node arrangement.
Still another object of an exemplary method according to the present invention is directed to providing the above method, in which: the remote accessing and control arrangement communicates control information using a transmission control protocol; and the control information corresponds to at least the initialization control message, the data addressing message, the data reply message and the end control message for causing the CAN gateway arrangement to communicate at least the initialization control message, the data addressing message, the data reply message and the end control message on the CAN bus arrangement.
Yet another object of an exemplary method according to the present invention is directed to providing the above method, in which the CAN node arrangement identifier code for determining the selected CAN node arrangement is determined by a program of the remote accessing and control arrangement.
Still another object of an exemplary method according to the present invention is directed to providing the above method, in which the CAN gateway arrangement stores a set of CAN gateway message identifiers for providing CAN gateway communications on the CAN bus arrangement.
Yet another object of an exemplary method according to the present invention is directed to providing the above method, in which the CAN gateway arrangement stores at least one of a message time period and a debounce time period.
Still another object of an exemplary method according to the present invention is directed to providing the above method, in which the CAN gateway arrangement stores unique CAN node arrangement identifier codes for each of the at least one CAN node arrangement.
Yet another object of an exemplary method according to the present invention is directed to providing the above method, in which: the unique CAN node arrangement identifier codes differ from corresponding addresses used by a progr
Dietrich Arne
Klausner Markus
Seubert Bernhard
Springer Alexander
Collins Scott M.
Kenyon & Kenyon
Robert & Bosch GmbH
Wiley David
LandOfFree
Apparatus, method and system for remotely accessing and/or... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Apparatus, method and system for remotely accessing and/or..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Apparatus, method and system for remotely accessing and/or... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3274608