Vehicle-mounted devices

Abstract

To provide an on-vehicle information processing device capable of outputting information required to identify a current position in the case that at least the positioning accuracy of the current position of a vehicle is high.SOLUTION: An on-vehicle unit (an on-vehicle device) includes: a GPS signal reception part (a reception part) mounted on a vehicle to receive signals from a plurality of different GPS satellites (positioning satellites); a GPS signal reception time point measurement part (a measurement part) for measuring time points when the GPS signal reception part receives the signals from the GPS satellites, respectively; a positioning accuracy determination part (a determination part) for determining whether the number of GPS signals received by the GPS signal reception part is equal to or more than a threshold; and an information upload processing part (an output part) for outputting information including, in association with each other, identification information for identifying the vehicle, the signals received by the GPS signal reception part and the time points measured by the GPS signal reception time point measurement part in the case that the positioning accuracy determination part determines that the number of GPS signals is equal to or more than the threshold.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0007] ,

[0001] The present invention relates to an in-vehicle device.

Background Art

[0002] Recently, a function has been developed in which an in-vehicle device is mounted on a vehicle, the in-vehicle device and an external server are connected by a communication line, and various vehicle information such as the current position of the vehicle acquired by the in-vehicle device is uploaded to the server. By mounting such a function, it becomes possible to always connect the vehicle to the Internet. A vehicle equipped with such a function is called a connected car.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an in-vehicle device that performs positioning based on GPS signals from a plurality of received satellites.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the in-vehicle device disclosed in Patent Document 1, positioning of the current position of the vehicle is performed using GPS signals received from GPS satellites, an in-vehicle azimuth sensor, and a distance sensor. However, the positioning accuracy is not mentioned, and there is a problem that the measured current position of the vehicle is a mixture of a highly accurate current position and a low-accuracy current position.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an in-vehicle device that can output information necessary for specifying the current position when at least the positioning accuracy of the current position of the vehicle is high.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the in-vehicle device according to the present invention is mounted on a vehicle and includes a receiving unit that receives signals from multiple different positioning satellites, a measuring unit that measures the time at which the receiving unit receives a signal, a determination unit that determines whether the number of signals received by the receiving unit is equal to or greater than a threshold, and when the determination unit determines that the number of signals is equal to or greater than a threshold ,before The system outputs information that associates the judgment result from the judgment unit, identification information to identify the vehicle, the signal received by the receiving unit, and the time measured by the measurement unit. If the determination unit determines that the number of signals is less than the threshold, and within a predetermined time since the power of the in-vehicle device was turned on, the signal is not output. It includes an output section.

[0008] This configuration allows for the output of information necessary to determine the vehicle's current location, at least when the positioning accuracy of the vehicle's current location is high.

[0009] Furthermore, in the in-vehicle device according to the present invention, the output unit outputs information relating information corresponding to the determination result of the determination unit, identification information that identifies the vehicle, the signal received by the receiving unit, and the time measured by the measurement unit.

[0010] This configuration allows the vehicle's current location information to be utilized in a manner that corresponds to the positioning accuracy.

[0013] Furthermore, in the in-vehicle device according to the present invention, the output unit outputs information to a server device installed outside the vehicle via a mobile terminal connected to the in-vehicle device.

[0014] This configuration eliminates the need for communication functions in the in-vehicle device, thus enabling the provision of inexpensive in-vehicle devices. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, when the positioning accuracy of the vehicle's current location is high, it is possible to output the information necessary to determine the current location. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of a vehicle information monitoring system using an in-vehicle device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the in-vehicle device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by the in-vehicle device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by the in-vehicle device according to a modification of the embodiment. **[Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention]**

[0017] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] (Embodiment) The in-vehicle device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described using FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of a vehicle information monitoring system using an in-vehicle device according to the embodiment.

[0019] (Overall Configuration of Vehicle Information Monitoring System) [[ID=2?]]The vehicle information monitoring system 10 is a system that monitors the current position of the vehicle 5, the state of the vehicle 5 (behavior of the vehicle, state of the driver), etc. by a server device 23 placed on the cloud.

[0020] The vehicle information monitoring system 10 includes an in-vehicle device 11 mounted on the vehicle 5, an ECU 18, and a smartphone 22. The vehicle information monitoring system 10 also includes a GPS satellite 20 and a server device 23.

[0021] The in-vehicle device 11 receives a GPS signal necessary for specifying the current position of the vehicle 5. The in-vehicle device 11 also acquires information related to the state of the vehicle 5 from various ECUs 18 installed in the vehicle 5. The in-vehicle device 11 outputs various received or acquired information to the smartphone 22 connected to the in-vehicle device 11. Note that the in-vehicle device 11 is an example of the in-vehicle device in the present disclosure.

[0022] The ECU 18 controls the operations of various control devices mounted on the vehicle 5. Further, the ECU 18 outputs information regarding the operating states and the like of the various control devices. The ECU 18 is installed in, for example, an engine control device, a motor control device, an ADAS control device, a driving force control device, an air conditioning control device, an audio control device, a driver monitor device, etc. mounted on the vehicle. The information output by the ECU 18 is sent to the in-vehicle unit 11 via a network such as the CAN 17, for example.

[0023] The smartphone 22 is, for example, a portable terminal having a communication function that is possessed by the driver of the vehicle 5. The smartphone 22 is connected to the in-vehicle unit 11 by wireless connection using Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like, or by wired connection using a USB cable. The smartphone 22 acquires various information output by the in-vehicle unit 11 and transmits it to a server device 23 installed outside the vehicle 5. Note that, instead of the smartphone 22, a terminal device having a communication function may be used. Further, the in-vehicle unit 11 may have a communication function. Thus, the vehicle 5 is connected to a server device 23 installed outside the vehicle 5 and has a function of a so-called connected car that can transmit and receive information as needed.

[0024] The GPS satellite 20 is a satellite that transmits a signal (GPS signal) necessary for satellite positioning. The GPS satellite 20 transmits a GPS signal including information for specifying its own position and the time of transmission of the radio wave. There are a plurality of GPS satellites 20, and each GPS satellite 20 transmits a GPS signal. Note that the GPS satellite 20 is an example of a positioning satellite in the present disclosure.

[0025] The server device 23 is an information processing device located outside the vehicle 5, for example, on the cloud. The server device 23 receives various information transmitted from the in-vehicle unit 11 via the smartphone 22. The server device 23 also has various application programs that operate based on the information necessary for positioning the vehicle 5 received from the in-vehicle unit 11 and various information acquired from the vehicle 5's ECU 18. Based on the received information, the server device 23 determines the current position of the vehicle 5 and, in response to requests from users accessing the server device 23, operates its own application programs on the received information. In this way, the server device 23 provides various information such as the vehicle 5's driving history and the operating status of various control devices installed in the vehicle 5.

[0026] (Detailed configuration of the in-vehicle unit) Next, we will explain the hardware configuration of the in-vehicle unit 11 using Figure 1.

[0027] The in-vehicle unit 11 comprises a control unit 12, a storage unit 13, a GPS receiver 14, and a communication interface 15.

[0028] The control unit 12 has a typical computer system configuration in which the CPU (Central Processing Unit) 12a acts as the control unit and executes the control program P. The CPU 12a is connected to the ROM (Read Only Memory) 12b and RAM (Random Access Memory) 12c via the bus line 16.

[0029] RAM12c is the main memory and functions as a temporary storage unit for calculation results when the CPU12a performs calculations. ROM12b is the auxiliary memory. ROM12b stores the data necessary for the calculations performed by the CPU12a.

[0030] The storage unit 13 is composed of a storage device equipped with a non-volatile storage medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage unit 13 stores the control program P executed by the CPU 12a. The control program P may be provided as an installable or executable file, recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, or DVD (Digital Versatile Disc). Alternatively, the control program P may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded to the in-vehicle unit 11 via the network.

[0031] (Functional configuration of the in-vehicle device) The functional configuration of the in-vehicle device 11 will be explained using Figure 2. Figure 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the in-vehicle device according to this embodiment.

[0032] The control unit 12 of the in-vehicle unit 11 implements the following functional components by loading the control program P into the RAM 12c and operating it: the in-vehicle unit power supply control unit 31, the GPS signal receiving unit 32, the GPS signal reception time measurement unit 33, the positioning accuracy determination unit 34, the vehicle information acquisition unit 35, the information upload processing unit 36, and the smartphone connection control unit 37 shown in Figure 2.

[0033] The in-vehicle unit power control unit 31 controls the ON / OFF state of the power supply to the in-vehicle unit 11.

[0034] The GPS signal receiving unit 32 receives signals from multiple different GPS satellites (positioning satellites). Note that the GPS signal receiving unit 32 is an example of a receiving unit in this disclosure.

[0035] The GPS signal transmitted from the GPS satellite 20 includes at least information indicating the position of the GPS satellite 20 and the time the GPS signal was transmitted.

[0036] The GPS signal reception time measurement unit 33 measures the time when the GPS signal receiving unit 32 receives a GPS signal. Note that the GPS signal reception time measurement unit 33 is an example of a measurement unit in this disclosure.

[0037] Specifically, the GPS signal reception time measurement unit 33 measures the time when a GPS signal is received using the internal clock of the GPS receiver 14 or the CPU 12a. The GPS signal reception time measurement unit 33 also measures the elapsed time since the power of the in-vehicle unit 11 was turned on.

[0038] The positioning accuracy determination unit 34 determines whether the number of GPS signals received by the GPS signal receiving unit 32 is equal to or greater than a threshold. Note that the positioning accuracy determination unit 34 is an example of a determination unit in this disclosure.

[0039] In order for the GPS receiver 14 to determine the current position of vehicle 5 from the GPS signals it receives, GPS signals from at least four different GPS satellites 20 are required. More specifically, it is necessary to determine the current position of vehicle 5 (X, Y, Z) and the time error between the internal clock of the GPS satellite 20 and the internal clock of the GPS receiver 14 or CPU 12a. In other words, since four unknowns need to be determined, at least four GPS signals must be received. Since there are a total of 24 GPS satellites 20 orbiting the Earth, it is also possible to further improve positioning accuracy by receiving five or more GPS signals. In this embodiment, the in-vehicle unit 11 determines that it is possible to determine the current position of vehicle 5 with high accuracy when it receives a number of GPS signals greater than or equal to a threshold. In this embodiment, the threshold is set to a value of 4 or greater.

[0040] The vehicle information acquisition unit 35 acquires vehicle information from each ECU 18.

[0041] The information upload processing unit 36 ​​outputs information relating identification information that identifies the vehicle 5, the GPS signals received by the GPS signal receiving unit 32, and the time measured by the GPS signal reception time measurement unit 33, when the positioning accuracy determination unit 34 determines that the number of GPS signals is above a threshold. The information upload processing unit 36 ​​is an example of an output unit in this disclosure. Here, the identification information that identifies the vehicle 5 is, for example, ID information that is issued in advance to each vehicle 5 that uses the vehicle information monitoring system 10. Since information is uploaded to the server device 23 from an unspecified number of vehicles 5, identification information that identifies the vehicle 5 is necessary to identify which vehicle 5 uploaded the information.

[0042] The smartphone connection control unit 37 connects and disconnects communication between the in-vehicle unit 11 and the smartphone 22.

[0043] (Processing flow performed by the in-vehicle device) Figure 3 illustrates the processing flow performed by the in-vehicle device 11. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by the in-vehicle device in this embodiment.

[0044] The on-board unit power control unit 31 turns on the power to the on-board unit 11 (step S11). The on-board unit power control unit 31 should turn on the power to the on-board unit 11 in conjunction with the ignition switch or main switch of the vehicle 5 being turned on.

[0045] The smartphone connection control unit 37 determines whether the in-vehicle unit 11 and the smartphone 22 are connected (step S12). If it is determined that the in-vehicle unit 11 and the smartphone 22 are connected (step S12: Yes), the process proceeds to step S13. On the other hand, if it is determined that the in-vehicle unit 11 and the smartphone 22 are not connected (step S12: No), the process repeats step S12.

[0046] In step S12, if it is determined that the in-vehicle unit 11 and the smartphone 22 are connected, the GPS signal receiving unit 32 receives a GPS signal (step S13).

[0047] The positioning accuracy determination unit 34 determines whether the number of GPS signals received by the GPS signal receiving unit 32 is equal to or greater than a threshold (step S14). If it is determined that the number of GPS signals received by the GPS signal receiving unit 32 is equal to or greater than a threshold (step S14: Yes), the process proceeds to step S15. On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of GPS signals received by the GPS signal receiving unit 32 is not equal to or greater than a threshold (step S14: No), the process proceeds to step S16.

[0048] In step S14, if the GPS signal receiving unit 32 determines that the number of GPS signals received is equal to or greater than a threshold, the information upload processing unit 36 ​​uploads the GPS signals received by the GPS signal receiving unit 32 and the time each GPS signal was received to the server device 23 (step S15). The process then proceeds to step S17.

[0049] On the other hand, in step S14, if it is determined that the number of GPS signals received by the GPS signal receiving unit 32 is not equal to or greater than a threshold, the GPS signal reception time measurement unit 33 determines whether the elapsed time since the power of the in-vehicle unit 11 was turned on is within a predetermined time (step S16). If it is determined that the elapsed time since the power of the in-vehicle unit 11 was turned on is within a predetermined time (step S16: Yes), the process returns to step S13. On the other hand, if it is determined that the elapsed time since the power of the in-vehicle unit 11 was turned on is not within a predetermined time (step S16: No), the process proceeds to step S17.

[0050] Following step S15, or in step S16, if it is determined that the elapsed time since the power of the in-vehicle unit 11 was turned on is within a predetermined time, the vehicle information acquisition unit 35 acquires vehicle information from each ECU 18 (step S17).

[0051] The information upload processing unit 36 ​​uploads the vehicle information acquired by the vehicle information acquisition unit 35 to the server device 23 (step S18).

[0052] The in-vehicle unit power control unit 31 determines whether the power to the in-vehicle unit 11 is off (step S19). If it is determined that the power to the in-vehicle unit 11 is off (step S19: Yes), the in-vehicle unit 11 terminates the process shown in Figure 3. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the power to the in-vehicle unit 11 is off (step S19: No), the process returns to step S13.

[0053] Although not shown in the flowchart in Figure 3, the information upload processing unit 36 ​​also uploads identification information that uniquely identifies vehicle 5 to the server device 23, for example, in step S18.

[0054] (Effects of the embodiment) As described above, the in-vehicle unit 11 (in-vehicle device) of this embodiment includes a GPS signal receiving unit 32 (receiving unit) mounted on the vehicle 5 that receives signals from multiple different GPS satellites 20 (positioning satellites), a GPS signal reception time measurement unit 33 (measurement unit) that measures the time when the GPS signal receiving unit 32 receives signals from the GPS satellites 20, a positioning accuracy determination unit 34 (determination unit) that determines whether the number of GPS signals received by the GPS signal receiving unit 32 is above a threshold, and an information upload processing unit 36 ​​(output unit) that, when the positioning accuracy determination unit 34 determines that the number of GPS signals is above a threshold, outputs information relating identification information that identifies the vehicle 5, the signals received by the GPS signal receiving unit 32, and the time measured by the GPS signal reception time measurement unit 33. Therefore, at least when the positioning accuracy of the vehicle 5's current position is high, it is possible to output the information necessary to identify the current position. Furthermore, since the in-vehicle unit 11 itself does not perform positioning, the configuration can be simplified.

[0056] Furthermore, in the in-vehicle unit 11 (in-vehicle device) of this embodiment, the information upload processing unit 36 ​​(output unit) outputs the information acquired by the in-vehicle unit 11 to a server device 23 installed outside the vehicle 5 via a smartphone 22 (mobile terminal) connected to the in-vehicle unit 11 (in-vehicle device). Therefore, since the in-vehicle unit 11 only needs to have the function to receive GPS signals, the in-vehicle unit 11 can be provided at a low cost.

[0057] (Modified example of the embodiment) Next, a modified example of the above-described embodiment will be explained. In this modified example, the in-vehicle unit 11a (not shown) uploads information corresponding to the number of GPS signals acquired to the server device 23. In the following explanation, an example will be described in which the GPS signal and its reception time, along with the number of GPS signals acquired, are uploaded to the server device 23. This allows the server device 23 to utilize the GPS signals acquired from the in-vehicle unit 11a according to their reception status.

[0058] For example, if the in-vehicle unit 11 is powered on in an underground parking lot where GPS signals are difficult to receive, the in-vehicle unit 11 described in the embodiment will not upload the GPS signals necessary for positioning the vehicle 5 to the server device 23 until it has emerged from the underground parking lot to the surface and received GPS signals exceeding a threshold. Therefore, it is not possible to know that the vehicle 5 is in an underground parking lot. In contrast, in the modified in-vehicle unit 11a of the embodiment, even if the number of received GPS signals is less than the threshold, the in-vehicle unit 11a uploads the received GPS signals to the server device 23. As a result, the server device 23 can use the transmitted GPS signals to estimate the current location of the vehicle 5, although the positioning accuracy will be reduced.

[0059] (Processing flow performed by the in-vehicle device) Figure 4 illustrates the processing flow performed by the modified in-vehicle device 11a of the embodiment. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow performed by the modified in-vehicle device of the embodiment.

[0060] The process flow shown in the flowchart of Figure 4 is almost the same as the flowchart of Figure 3 described in the embodiment, so only the differences will be explained.

[0061] In the flowchart in Figure 3, capture If the number of GPS satellites 20 was below a threshold and a predetermined time had passed since the power-on of the in-vehicle unit 11, the GPS signal was not uploaded. In contrast, in the flowchart of Figure 4, captureEven if the number of GPS satellites 20 is below a threshold and a predetermined time has passed since the power-on of the in-vehicle unit 11, the GPS signal will still be uploaded.

[0062] Specifically, in step S24 of Figure 4, the positioning accuracy determination unit 34 determines whether the number of GPS signals received by the GPS signal receiving unit 32 is equal to or greater than a threshold. If it is determined that the number of GPS signals received by the GPS signal receiving unit 32 is equal to or greater than a threshold (step S24: Yes), the process proceeds to step S25. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the number of GPS signals received by the GPS signal receiving unit 32 is equal to or greater than a threshold (step S24: No), the process proceeds to step S26.

[0063] In step S24, if the number of GPS signals received by the GPS signal receiving unit 32 is not determined to be equal to or greater than a threshold, the GPS signal reception time measurement unit 33 determines whether the elapsed time since the power of the in-vehicle unit 11 was turned on is within a predetermined time (step S26). If it is determined that the elapsed time since the power of the in-vehicle unit 11 was turned on is within a predetermined time (step S26: Yes), the process returns to step S23. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the elapsed time since the power of the in-vehicle unit 11 was turned on is within a predetermined time (step S26: No), the process proceeds to step S25.

[0064] In step S24, if it is determined that the number of GPS signals received by the GPS signal receiving unit 32 is equal to or greater than a threshold, or in step S26, if it is determined that the elapsed time since the power of the in-vehicle unit 11 was turned on is not within a predetermined time, the information upload processing unit 36 ​​uploads the number of GPS signals received by the GPS signal receiving unit 32, the GPS signals, and the time each GPS signal was received to the server device 23 (step S25).

[0065] The details of the other processes are the same as those in the flowchart in Figure 3, so we will omit the explanation.

[0067] Furthermore, in the flowchart of Figure 4, the number of received GPS signals is uploaded as information related to the determination result of the positioning accuracy determination unit 34 (determination unit). The server device 23 that receives the GPS signals then determines whether the positioning accuracy is high or low based on the number of GPS signals. Alternatively, the in-vehicle unit 11a may simply upload only the GPS signals. In addition, the in-vehicle unit 11a may upload information indicating whether the number of received GPS signals is above or below a threshold, along with the GPS signals.

[0068] (Effects of modified examples of the embodiment) As described above, in the modified in-vehicle device 11 (in-vehicle device) of the embodiment, the information upload processing unit 36 ​​(output unit) outputs information relating the determination result of the positioning accuracy determination unit 34 (determination unit), identification information that identifies the vehicle 5, the GPS signal received by the GPS signal receiving unit 32 (receiving unit), and the time measured by the GPS signal reception time measurement unit 33 (measurement unit). Therefore, the server device 23 that acquires the output GPS signal can utilize the GPS signal according to the positioning accuracy at that time.

[0069] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This novel embodiment can be implemented in various other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Moreover, this embodiment is included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0070] 5 vehicles 10. Vehicle Information Monitoring System 11, 11a On-vehicle device (on-vehicle device) 12 Control Unit 13 Storage section 14 GPS receivers 18 ECU 20 GPS satellites (positioning satellites) 22. Smartphone (mobile device) 23 Server equipment 31. Vehicle-mounted device power supply control unit 32 GPS signal receiving unit (receiving unit) 33 GPS signal reception time measurement unit (measurement unit) 34 Positioning accuracy determination unit (determination unit) 35 Vehicle Information Acquisition Unit 36. Information Upload Processing Unit (Output Unit) 37 Smartphone Connection Control Unit

Claims

1. An in-vehicle device installed in a vehicle, A receiving unit that receives signals from multiple different positioning satellites, A measuring unit that measures the time when the receiving unit receives the signal, A determination unit that determines whether the number of signals received by the receiving unit is equal to or greater than a threshold, The system includes an output unit that, when the determination unit determines that the number of signals is equal to or greater than the threshold, outputs information relating to the determination result of the determination unit, identification information that identifies the vehicle, the signals received by the receiving unit, and the time measured by the measurement unit, and does not output the signals when the determination unit determines that the number of signals is less than the threshold and within a predetermined time since the power of the in-vehicle device was turned on. In-vehicle device.

2. The output unit outputs information relating to the determination result of the determination unit, identification information that identifies the vehicle, the signal received by the receiving unit, and the time measured by the measurement unit. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1.

3. The output unit outputs the information to a server device installed outside the vehicle via a mobile terminal connected to the in-vehicle device. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

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