Dynamic function slot assignment in intra-vehicular wireless networks

{
  "publication_number": "US2010296478A1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A1",
  "title": "Dynamic function slot assignment in intra-vehicular wireless networks",
  "abstract": "A wireless transmission method includes providing a commanding node and a plurality of sub-networks. Each of the sub-networks includes at least one responding node. Corresponding ones of a plurality of time slots are assigned to individual ones of the sub-networks based on at least one operational characteristic of the sub-networks. The time slots are disposed within a plurality of frequency channels. Communication is conducted between the commanding node and the sub-networks within the assigned time slots of the sub-networks.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A wireless transmission method, the method comprising the steps of: providing a commanding node and a plurality of sub-networks, each of the sub-networks including at least one responding node; assigning corresponding ones of a plurality of time slots to individual ones of the sub-networks based on at least one operational characteristic of the sub-networks, the time slots being disposed within a plurality of frequency channels; and conducting communication between the commanding node and the sub-networks within the assigned time slots of the sub-networks. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein, within each said time slot, a command packet is sent from the commanding node, and at least one acknowledgement packet is transmitted from the at least one responding node. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one operational characteristic comprises a function performed by the sub-network. 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the function performed by the sub-network is related to at least one of doors, seats, windows, blinkers and diagnosis of an automobile. 5. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the sub-networks is assigned at least one said time slot in more than one of the frequency channels. 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the time slots assigned to the at least one of the sub-networks alternate in time between the more than one frequency channels. 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one operational characteristic comprises a type of security protection associated with the sub-network. 8. The method of claim 7 wherein at least one of the sub-networks is assigned at least one said time slot in more than one of the frequency channels, each of the frequency channels being associated with a respective type of security protection. 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one operational characteristic comprises a level of electrical power usage associated with the sub-network. 10. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one operational characteristic comprises a media access control protocol associated with the sub-network. 11. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one operational characteristic comprises a level of priority associated with the sub-network. 12. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the sub-networks consists of a single responding node. 13. A wireless transmission method, the method comprising the steps of: providing a commanding node and a plurality of sub-networks, each of the sub-networks including at least one responding node; selecting an operation mode in which the commanding node and the sub-networks operate; assigning corresponding ones of a plurality of time slots to individual ones of the sub-networks based on the selected operation mode, the time slots being disposed within a plurality of frequency channels; and conducting communication between the commanding node and the sub-networks within the assigned time slots. 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the time slots are disposed within a number of the frequency channels, the number being dependent upon said selecting of an operation mode. 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the time slots are disposed within a plurality of the frequency channels if a first said operating mode is selected, and the time slots are disposed within a single said frequency channel if a second said operating mode is selected. 16. The method of claim 13 wherein at least one of a startup operation mode and a shutdown operation mode is selected, high priority ones of the sub-networks being assigned said time slots in a primary said frequency channel, low priority ones of the sub-networks being assigned said time slots in a secondary said frequency channel. 17. A wireless transmission method, the method comprising the steps of: providing a commanding node and a plurality of sub-networks, each of the sub-networks including at least one responding node; assigning corresponding ones of a plurality of first time slots to individual ones of the sub-networks, the first time slots being disposed within a plurality of frequency channels; conducting communication between the commanding node and the sub-networks within the assigned first time slots; sensing a signal quality compromise associated with one of the frequency channels; in response to the sensing of the signal quality compromise, assigning corresponding ones of a plurality of second time slots to the individual ones of the sub-networks, the second time slots being disposed within the frequency channels other than the one frequency channel associated with the signal quality compromise; and conducting communication between the commanding node and the sub-networks within the assigned second time slots. 18. The method of claim 17 comprising the further steps of: sensing an absence of the signal quality compromise associated with the one of the frequency channels; in response to the sensing of the absence of the signal quality compromise, re-assigning the corresponding ones of the first time slots to the individual ones of the sub-networks; and conducting communication between the commanding node and the sub-networks within the first time slots. 19. The method of claim 17 wherein the signal quality compromise comprises a vehicle going into motion, the vehicle carrying the commanding node and the sub-networks. 20. The method of claim 17 wherein the signal quality compromise comprises a decrease in signal quality."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "1. Field of the Invention\n\nThe present invention relates to wireless networks, and, more particularly, to assigning time slots within wireless networks.\n\n2. Description of the Related Art\n\nTypically, automotive body domain applications such as seat control, window lift, mirror adjustment, and light control are distributed over the entire car and are interconnected via field bus communication systems. Current architectures have grown fast over the last decades as more and more convenience functions are introduced to the automotive industry.\n\nThe current architectures are hierarchical architectures in which several electronic control units (ECUs) are located near the body domain applications such as the seat ECU under the seat, the door ECU within the door, the ECU for rear light control in the trunk of the car, etc. All these ECUs are interconnected over field bus systems such as the “controller area network” (CAN) field bus, and these ECUs form the first hierarchy of the system. This field bus of the first hierarchy can also be regarded as the backbone network of the body domain.\n\nThe ECUs usually consist of a microcontroller and so-called peripheral drivers such as semiconductor switches, relays, signal amplifiers, etc. From the ECUs, several point-to-point wires connect to the peripherals of the applications like the motors (window, lift, seat adjustment), pushbutton panels, heating elements, sensors, etc. The number of these peripherals is constantly increasing for each application.",
  "cpc": [
    "H04W 74/04",
    "H04W 72/0446",
    "H04W 84/18"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "H04W 72/04"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Robert Bosch GmbH"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Thomas Hogenmueller",
    "Vivek Jain"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2009-05-20",
  "publication_date": "2010-11-25",
  "priority_date": "2009-05-20",
  "application_number": "US-46915409-A",
  "family_id": "42938581",
  "cited_by_count": 11,
  "citations": [
    "US5991282A",
    "US6310866B1",
    "US20020058493A1",
    "US7016395B2",
    "US7085564B2",
    "US20050058084A1",
    "US20060170565A1",
    "US20070019569A1",
    "US20070081548A1",
    "US20080054618A1",
    "US20080298299A1",
    "US20080096573A1",
    "US20080246338A1",
    "US8238313B2",
    "US20090213801A1",
    "US20100188971A1"
  ]
}