CONNECTING NODE FOR A COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK

• US 20140185463A1
• Filed: 04/25/2012
• Published: 07/03/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Likkei, Juergen
• Granted Patent: US 10,044,564 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/250
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40 Bus networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/46 Interconnection of networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0816 the condition being an adaptation, e.g. in response to network events
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/12 Network monitoring probes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/15 Interconnection of switching modules

Abstract

A connecting node for a communications network is described, especially for connection of a network element of the communications network to the communications network, wherein the connecting node has a first interface for connection of the network element to the connecting node and a second interface for connection of the connecting node to the communications network, wherein the connecting node is constructed to enable an exchange of data between the communications network and the network element via the first and second interface, and wherein the connecting node is constructed to read and/or to alter and/or to block data exchanged between the communications network and the network element.

Claims

1-16. -16. (canceled)

17. A connecting node for a communications network and for connection of a network element of the communications network to the communications network, comprising:

a first interface for connection of the network element to the connecting node; and

a second interface for connection of the connecting node to the communications network, wherein the connecting node is constructed to enable an exchange of data between the communications network and the network element via the first and second interfaces, and wherein the connecting node is constructed to at least one of read, alter, and block data exchanged between the communications network and the network element.

18. The connecting node as recited in claim 17, further comprising:

a control unit for controlling the connecting node; and

a third interface for connection to the control unit.

20. The connecting node as recited in claim 17, wherein the connecting node is constructed to at least one of read, alter, and block data of at least one of an OSI 2 layer, an open systems interconnection, an OSI 3 layer, and an OSI 7 layer.

21. The connecting node as recited in claim 17, wherein the connecting node is constructed to perform at least one of the following functions:

reading and evaluating additional information accompanying the exchanged data, including at least one of a CAN ID, an Ethernet address, and an Internet protocol (IP) address;

at least one of ascertaining, assessing, and altering a communications structure describing the exchange of data, including a direction of a data flow in relation to the network element;

ascertaining at least one of a status and a behavior of the network element in relation to the data exchanged with the communications network;

comparing at least one of the exchanged data, the status of the network element, and the behavior of the network element with at least one of predefined data, a predefined status, and a predefined behavior, respectively;

assessing at least one of the exchanged data, the status of the network element, and the behavior of the network element;

at least one of altering and blocking data, including data deviating from a preset;

supplementing data sent from the network element and having a specific one of a CAN ID, an Ethernet address, and an IP address by a signature;

checking the signature of data received via the communications network; and

forwarding the received data to the network element after the signature has been recognized as correct.

22. The connecting node as recited in claim 18, wherein the connecting node is constructed to receive control commands from the control unit via the communications network as an alternative to or in addition to the third interface.

23. The connecting node as recited in claim 17, wherein the connecting node is constructed to log one of data that has been read and information derived therefrom.

24. The connecting node as recited in claim 17, wherein the connecting node is disposed one of in a wiring harness of the communications network and in a plug connector of the wiring harness of the communications network.

34. The connecting node as recited in claim 21, wherein the signature includes an HMAC method involving a keyed-hash message authentication code.

25. A control unit for a communications network, comprising:

an arrangement for at least one of communicating with at least one connecting node and controlling the at least one connecting node, wherein the connecting node is for a communications network and for connection of a network element of the communications network to the communications network, the at least one connecting node comprising;

a first interface for connection of the network element to the connecting node; and

a second interface for connection of the connecting node to the communications network, wherein the connecting node is constructed to enable an exchange of data between the communications network and the network element via the first and second interfaces, and wherein the connecting node is constructed to at least one of read, alter, and block data exchanged between the communications network and the network element.

26. The control unit as recited in claim 25, wherein the control unit is constructed to perform the communication with the at least one connecting node at least partially at least one of in an encrypted manner and with the aid of a signature.

27. The control unit as recited in claim 25, wherein the control unit is constructed one of (1) to control the at least one connecting node at least one of via a channel that is separate from the communications network and via the communications network and (2) to communicate with the at least one connecting node via the channel and the communications network.

28. A communications network, comprising:

an arrangement for connecting at least two network elements to each other, wherein at least one of the network elements is connected to the communications network via a connecting node comprising;

a first interface for connection of the network element to the connecting node; and

a second interface for connection of the connecting node to the communications network, wherein the connecting node is constructed to enable an exchange of data between the communications network and the network element via the first and second interfaces, and wherein the connecting node is constructed to at least one of read, alter, and block data exchanged between the communications network and the network element.

29. The communications network as recited in claim 28, wherein the communications network corresponds to a bus system of a motor vehicle.

30. The communications network as recited in claim 28, wherein the at least one connecting node is disposed in the communications network as a supplement to a monitor disposed in the network element.

31. The communications network as recited in claim 28, wherein the communications network is constructed to transfer data using at least one of asynchronous and non-deterministic protocols, including CSMA protocols in one of a CAN bus system, an Ethernet system, and an IP system.

32. A method for operating a communications network including an arrangement for connecting at least two network elements to each other, wherein at least one of the network elements is connected to the communications network via a connecting node including a first interface for connection of the network element to the connecting node;

and a second interface for connection of the connecting node to the communications network, wherein the connecting node is constructed to enable an exchange of data between the communications network and the network element via the first and second interfaces, and wherein the connecting node is constructed to at least one of read, alter, and block data exchanged between the communications network and the network element, the method comprising;

with the use of a control unit, an independent channel, and at least one connecting node, data between the communications network and at least one network element are at least one of read, altered, and blocked.

33. The method as recited in claim 33, wherein in the event of at least one of a malfunction and an overloading of the communications network, a communications structure of the communications network is altered by the at least one connecting node being controlled by the control unit.