In-vehicle device, information processing method, and computer program product

Abstract

A vehicle-mounted device includes a control unit that performs processing related to network setting information used by a relay device, acquires relay-related information related to relay processing from the relay device, acquires vehicle state information related to a state of the vehicle, associates the acquired relay-related information with the vehicle state information, and outputs the associated information to an off-vehicle server provided outside the vehicle, acquires network setting information derived based on the relay-related information and the vehicle state information from the off-vehicle server, and outputs a network setting change instruction generated based on the acquired network setting information to the relay device or a vehicle-mounted ECU. The network setting information acquired from the off-vehicle server is information derived based on relay-related information and vehicle state information output from a plurality of vehicles communicably connected to the off-vehicle server.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to vehicle-mounted devices, information processing methods, and computer program products.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Japanese Application No. 2021-076604, filed on April 28, 2021, and invokes all the contents of the aforementioned Japanese application. Background Technology

[0003] The vehicle is equipped with an onboard ECU (Electronic Control Unit) for controlling onboard equipment such as the powertrain system (engine control), body systems (air conditioning control), etc. The onboard ECU includes a processing unit such as an MPU, a rewritable non-volatile storage unit such as RAM, and a communication unit for communicating with other onboard ECUs. It controls the onboard equipment by reading and executing control programs stored in the storage unit. Furthermore, if the vehicle is equipped with a relay device with wireless communication capabilities, it can communicate with a program providing device connected to a network outside the vehicle via the relay device, downloading (receiving) the control program of the onboard ECU from the program providing device, and updating the control program of the onboard ECU (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-97851 Summary of the Invention

[0007] One aspect of this disclosure involves an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle and connected communicatively to a relay device via an in-vehicle network. The in-vehicle device includes a control unit that performs processing related to network setting information used by the relay device. The control unit obtains relay association information related to relay processing from the relay device, obtains vehicle status information related to the vehicle's status, establishes an association between the obtained relay association information and the vehicle status information, and outputs it to an external server located outside the vehicle. It also obtains network setting information derived from the external server based on the relay association information and the vehicle status information, and outputs a network setting change instruction generated based on the obtained network setting information to the relay device. The network setting information obtained from the external server is derived from relay association information and vehicle status information output from multiple vehicles, which are communicatively connected to the external server. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a vehicle-mounted system including the vehicle-mounted device according to Embodiment 1.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating the structure of an onboard device, etc.

[0010] Figure 3 This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of network configuration information.

[0011] Figure 4 This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of relay association information aggregated by an external server.

[0012] Figure 5 This is an explanatory diagram (timing diagram) illustrating one method of various processes performed by vehicle-mounted devices, etc.

[0013] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the control unit of an onboard device.

[0014] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the control unit of a relay device.

[0015] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the control unit of the external server. Detailed Implementation

[0016] [The problem this disclosure aims to solve]

[0017] In the relay device of Patent Document 1, since the update processing of the setting information used during relay control is not taken into consideration, there is concern that the relay device may not be able to operate properly.

[0018] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide an on-board device, etc., that enables a relay device mounted on a vehicle to operate properly.

[0019] [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to one aspect of this disclosure, it is possible to provide an on-board device, etc., that enables a relay device mounted on a vehicle to operate properly.

[0021] [Description of embodiments of this disclosure]

[0022] First, embodiments of this disclosure will be described by way of example. Additionally, at least a portion of the embodiments described below may be combined in any way.

[0023] (1) In one aspect of this disclosure, the vehicle-mounted device is mounted on a vehicle and connected to a relay device via a vehicle network in a communicable manner. The vehicle-mounted device includes a control unit that performs processing related to network setting information used by the relay device. The control unit obtains relay association information related to relay processing from the relay device, obtains vehicle status information related to the vehicle's status, establishes an association between the obtained relay association information and the vehicle status information, and outputs it to an external server located outside the vehicle. It obtains network setting information derived from the external server based on the relay association information and the vehicle status information, and outputs a network setting change instruction generated based on the obtained network setting information to the relay device. The network setting information obtained from the external server is information derived from relay association information and vehicle status information output from multiple vehicles, and the multiple vehicles are connected to the external server in a communicable manner.

[0024] In this method, the on-board unit establishes an association between vehicle status information related to the status of the vehicle equipped with the unit and relay association information output from a relay device mounted in the vehicle, and outputs this association to an external server. The external server is configured to export suitable network setting information to the relay device based on the relay association information and vehicle status information output from the on-board unit. The on-board unit outputs a network setting change instruction generated based on the network setting information obtained from the external server, or the network setting information itself, to the relay device, the on-board ECU, or both. The on-board unit outputs and applies the network setting information exported from the external server to the relay device, thus enabling the relay device to operate appropriately. The network setting information obtained from the external server is information (network setting information) exported separately from relay association information and vehicle status information output from multiple vehicles. These multiple vehicles are communicatively connected to the external server, therefore the external server can aggregate information exported from multiple vehicles and effectively export suitable network setting information based on this aggregated information. Since the network configuration information exported from the external server is output (sent) to each onboard device installed in multiple vehicles, the network configuration information can be effectively applied to the relay devices installed in these multiple vehicles.

[0025] (2) In the vehicle-mounted device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, when the state of the vehicle is switched, the control unit generates the network setting change instruction from the network setting information according to the switched vehicle state information, and outputs the generated network setting change instruction to the relay device.

[0026] In this method, the network setting information obtained from the external server includes multiple network setting information corresponding to different vehicle states. The control unit stores these multiple network setting information in a designated, accessible storage area. When the vehicle state is switched, the control unit determines network setting information including vehicle state information corresponding to the switched state. Based on this determined network setting information, it generates a network setting change instruction and outputs it to the relay device. Thus, appropriate network setting information (network setting change instruction) corresponding to the vehicle state can be applied to the relay device, causing the relay device to operate appropriately.

[0027] (3) In one embodiment of the present disclosure, when the communication volume of the relay device in the vehicle network exceeds a predetermined threshold during a specified period, the relay device outputs the relay association information, and the control unit outputs the information obtained by establishing an association between the relay association information and the vehicle status information to the external server based on the output of the relay association information from the relay device.

[0028] In this method, the relay device is configured to output relay association information to the vehicle-mounted device when the traffic volume in the vehicle-mounted network exceeds a predetermined threshold within a specified period. Therefore, the control unit of the vehicle-mounted device can recognize, based on the output of this relay association information, that the traffic volume in the vehicle-mounted network exceeds the predetermined threshold within a specified period. The control unit outputs relay association information, etc., to an external server based on the output of the relay association information from the relay device. Therefore, when the traffic volume exceeds the threshold according to the network settings currently applied to the relay device, the device outputting the relay association information, etc., can suppress excessive output (transmission) to the external server. The relay association information and vehicle status information output to the external server are information from unsuitable situations such as the traffic volume exceeding the threshold according to the network settings applied to the relay device. Therefore, the external server can aggregate the information of this situation (relay association information and vehicle status information) and derive network settings information based on this information.

[0029] (4) In one embodiment of the present disclosure, if the communication volume in the vehicle network exceeds a predetermined threshold during a specified period, the vehicle-mounted device outputs the relay association information, and the control unit outputs the information obtained by associating the relay association information with the vehicle status information to the external server based on the output of the relay association information from the relay device.

[0030] In this method, the control unit of the vehicle-mounted device is configured to output relay association information when the traffic volume in the vehicle network exceeds a predetermined threshold within a specified period. Therefore, the control unit of the vehicle-mounted device can recognize, based on the output of this relay association information, that the traffic volume in the vehicle network within a specified period exceeds the predetermined threshold. The control unit outputs relay association information, etc., to an external server based on the output of the relay association information. Therefore, when the traffic volume exceeds the threshold according to the network settings currently applied to the vehicle-mounted device functioning as a relay device, the device outputting the relay association information, etc., can suppress excessive output (transmission) to the external server. The relay association information and vehicle status information output to the external server are information from unsuitable situations such as the traffic volume exceeding the threshold according to the network settings applied to the vehicle-mounted device functioning as a relay device. Therefore, the external server can aggregate the information of this situation (relay association information and vehicle status information) and derive network settings information based on this information.

[0031] (5) In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the number of relay devices connected to the vehicle network is multiple. In a predetermined storage area accessible from the control unit, network setting information corresponding to each of the multiple relay devices is stored respectively. The control unit outputs the network setting information corresponding to each relay device to the relay device.

[0032] In this method, the network setting information stored in the storage area includes network setting information corresponding to each of the multiple relay devices. The control unit outputs the network setting information corresponding to the relay device, or a network setting change instruction generated based on the network setting information, to the relay device. Therefore, even when there are multiple relay devices connected to the vehicle network, each relay device can be operated appropriately.

[0033] (6) In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the relay association information obtained from the relay device includes network setting information stored in the device within the vehicle, and information related to the communication status during the relay process performed by the relay device using the network setting information.

[0034] Information related to this communication status includes communication traffic volume (measured value), buffer backlog (measured value), and quality information (measured value).

[0035] Devices within the vehicle that store network configuration information include, for example, in-vehicle devices or relay devices. However, any other device that stores network configuration information can be used as long as it is located within the vehicle.

[0036] The network configuration information stored in the devices within the vehicle refers to the network configuration information that can uniquely identify each relay device configured in the vehicle by an external server. For example, based on the network configuration information described later... Figure 3 If the Ver number can be determined by the external server based on the network settings information set in the relay device, it can also be the Ver number.

[0037] In this method, the relay association information obtained from the relay device and output to the external server includes network setting information used by the relay device at the current time and information related to the communication status during the period when relay processing was performed using the network setting information. Therefore, the external server can derive the network setting information based on this information.

[0038] (7) In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the vehicle status information includes information related to the usage of the vehicle.

[0039] In this approach, vehicle status information includes information related to various vehicle states, such as autonomous driving status, car-sharing status (usage scenario), general road driving status, highway driving status, rainy weather driving status, reprogramming status, and battery charge status. Network configuration information obtained from an external server includes information for each of these vehicle status states. Therefore, by applying this network configuration information to the relay device, the relay device can operate appropriately based on each vehicle status.

[0040] (8) One aspect of the present disclosure involves a program that causes a computer mounted in a vehicle and connected to a relay device in a communicable manner via an in-vehicle network to perform the following processing: obtaining relay association information related to relay processing from the relay device, obtaining vehicle status information related to the state of the vehicle, establishing an association between the obtained relay association information and the vehicle status information and outputting it to an external server located outside the vehicle, obtaining network setting information derived from the external server based on the relay association information and the vehicle status information, the network setting information obtained from the external server being information derived from relay association information and vehicle status information output from multiple vehicles, the multiple vehicles being connected to the external server in a communicable manner, and outputting a network setting change instruction generated based on the obtained network setting information to the relay device.

[0041] In this method, a computer can be used as an on-board device to properly operate a relay device mounted in a vehicle.

[0042] (9) One aspect of the information processing method disclosed herein enables a computer mounted in a vehicle and connected to a relay device in a communicable manner via an in-vehicle network to perform the following processing: obtaining relay association information related to relay processing from the relay device, obtaining vehicle status information related to the status of the vehicle, establishing an association between the obtained relay association information and the vehicle status information and outputting it to an external server located outside the vehicle, obtaining network setting information derived from the external server based on the relay association information and the vehicle status information, the network setting information obtained from the external server being information derived from relay association information and vehicle status information output from multiple vehicles, the multiple vehicles being connected to the external server in a communicable manner, and outputting a network setting change instruction generated based on the obtained network setting information to the relay device.

[0043] In this approach, an information processing method can be provided to enable a relay device mounted on a vehicle to operate appropriately via a computer.

[0044] [Details of the embodiments disclosed herein]

[0045] Hereinafter, specific examples of vehicle-mounted devices 2 and the like according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, as shown in the claims, and is intended to include all modifications equivalent to and within the scope of the claims.

[0046] (Implementation Method 1)

[0047] The embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a vehicle system S including the vehicle-mounted device 2 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating the structure of the vehicle-mounted device 2, etc. The vehicle-mounted system S includes an external communication device 1, a vehicle-mounted device 2, a relay device 3, and a vehicle-mounted ECU 4 mounted on the vehicle C. The vehicle-mounted device 2 is connected to an external server 100 connected to an external network N via the external communication device 1 in a communicative manner.

[0048] The external server 100 is, for example, a computer such as a server connected to an external network N, such as the Internet or a public transportation network, and includes a control unit 102 based on a CPU, a storage unit 101, and a communication unit 103. The storage unit 101 is composed of RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), or a hard disk, etc. The storage unit 101 stores network setting information for controlling relay devices 3, etc., mounted on the vehicle C. The communication unit 103 is, for example, a communication I / F corresponding to Ethernet (registered trademark).

[0049] An external server 100 connects to multiple vehicles C via an external network N in a communicative manner. It obtains relay association information and vehicle status information from these vehicles C, and aggregates the relay association information and vehicle status information held by each vehicle C. It then establishes a correlation between the relay association information sent from each vehicle C and the vehicle status information, and sends this information from each vehicle C to the external server. Therefore, the external server can reliably determine the state (application scenario) of the obtained relay association information within each vehicle C.

[0050] The external server 100 derives network configuration information based on information obtained and aggregated from multiple vehicles C, such as through machine learning or statistical analysis. This network configuration information, derived from information aggregated from multiple vehicles C (relay association information and vehicle status information), becomes information adapted to each vehicle's status (usage scenario, etc.) (adapted network configuration information). The external server 100 distributes the derived network configuration information to the multiple vehicles C. Details regarding communication processing with the external server and the vehicles C will be described later. The external server 100 may also be an OTA (Over-The-Air) server that sends (distributes) control programs from the vehicle-mounted device 2, relay device 3, and vehicle-mounted ECU 4 installed in the vehicle C to the vehicle C and updates various control programs applied in the vehicle C.

[0051] Vehicle C is equipped with multiple on-board ECUs 4 for controlling external communication devices 1, on-board devices 2, relay devices 3, and various on-board equipment (sensors, actuators). External communication devices 1 and on-board devices 2 are connected communicatively, for example, via communication lines 51 (Ethernet cables) corresponding to communication protocols such as Ethernet. Multiple relay devices 3 are connected to on-board devices 2 via communication lines 51, thereby forming a cascaded on-board network 5. Multiple on-board ECUs 4 are connected communicatively to relay devices 3 via communication lines 51. The communication connection method in these on-board networks 5 is not limited to Ethernet; for example, it can also be based on a CAN bus corresponding to communication protocols such as CAN.

[0052] The external communication device 1 includes an external communication unit 11 and an internal communication unit 12. The internal communication unit 12 is, for example, an Ethernet PHY unit that corresponds to TCP / IP data packets transmitted via a communication line 51 using an Ethernet cable such as 100 BASE-T1 or 1000 BASE-T1. The external communication device 1 is connected to the vehicle-mounted device 2 in a communicative manner via the internal communication unit 12 and the communication line 51 such as the Ethernet cable.

[0053] The external communication unit 11 is a communication device used for wireless communication using mobile communication protocols such as 4G, 5G, and WiFi. It transmits and receives data with the external server 100 via the antenna 13 connected to the external communication unit 11. Communication between the external communication device 1 and the external server 100 is carried out, for example, via an external network N such as a public bus network or the Internet.

[0054] In this embodiment, the external communication device 1 is a device different from the vehicle-mounted device 2. These devices are connected in a communicative manner through the in-vehicle communication unit 12 or the like, but this is not a limitation. The external communication device 1 may also be built into the vehicle-mounted device 2 as a component of the vehicle-mounted device 2.

[0055] The vehicle-mounted device 2 includes a control unit 20, a storage unit 21, an input / output (I / O) unit 22, and an in-vehicle communication unit 23. The vehicle-mounted device 2 may be a central control unit (controller) such as a Widmanstätten computer, or it may be an integrated ECU that controls the entire vehicle C. The vehicle-mounted device 2 can also monitor the vehicle's status (vehicle status) based on the usage scenario of the vehicle C and control the switching of that vehicle status. Based on the switching of the vehicle status, the vehicle-mounted device 2 outputs (transmits) a network setting change instruction to the relay device 3, performing control processing to change the network settings of the relay device 3. The vehicle-mounted device 2 may also be the relay device 3. For example, in the case where the vehicle network 5 has a cascaded topology, the top-level relay device 3 can also function as the vehicle-mounted device 2 in this embodiment, performing control processing to change the network settings of other relay devices 3 connected to lower levels.

[0056] The control unit 20 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Microprocessor). The control unit 20 performs various control and arithmetic operations by reading and executing programs and data pre-stored in the storage unit 21. The programs stored in the storage unit 21 can also store control programs read from a recording medium 211 that can be read from the vehicle-mounted device 2. Furthermore, the programs stored in the storage unit 21 can also be downloaded from an external computer (not shown) connected to a communication network (not shown) and stored in the storage unit 21.

[0057] The storage unit 21 is composed of volatile storage elements such as RAM (Random Access Memory) or non-volatile storage elements such as ROM (Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), or flash memory. The storage unit 21 stores network setting information corresponding to each of the relay devices 3. Furthermore, the storage unit 21 stores (accumulates) relay association information obtained from each of the relay devices 3.

[0058] The input / output I / F22 is, for example, a communication interface for serial communication. The vehicle-mounted device 2 is connected to a display device (not shown) and an IG switch (not shown) for starting and stopping the vehicle C via the input / output I / F22 in a communicative manner.

[0059] The in-vehicle communication unit 23 is, for example, an input / output interface (Ethernet PHY unit) using a communication protocol such as Ethernet. The control unit 20 communicates with the relay device 3, the vehicle ECU 4, or the external communication device 1 connected to the vehicle network 5 via the in-vehicle communication unit 23. Multiple in-vehicle communication units 23 are provided, and each in-vehicle communication unit 23 is connected to a communication line 51 that constitutes the vehicle network 5.

[0060] Like the vehicle-mounted device 2, the relay device 3 includes a control unit 30, a storage unit 31, and an in-vehicle communication unit 32. The structure of each functional unit is identical to that of the functional units in the vehicle-mounted device 2. The relay device 3 is, for example, an Ethernet switch (Ethernet Switch) that functions as a Layer 2 or Layer 3 switch. The storage unit 31 of the relay device 3 stores network setting information for relay control (switching control). The network setting information stored in the storage unit 31 of the relay device 3 is determined based on the network setting change instruction (network setting information) output (sent) from the vehicle-mounted device 2, and corresponds to the vehicle's usage scenario and other vehicle states. The details of this network setting information will be described later.

[0061] The vehicle-mounted ECU 4, like the vehicle-mounted device 2 or the relay device 3, includes a control unit (not shown), a storage unit (not shown), and an in-vehicle communication unit (not shown), and is connected to any one of the relay devices 3. These vehicle-mounted ECUs 4 can also communicate with each other via the relay device 3, and thus communicate with the vehicle-mounted device 2. The vehicle-mounted ECU 4 can also obtain (receive) information related to the switching of vehicle status (usage scenario, etc.) from the vehicle-mounted device 2, or obtain (receive) network setting change instructions (network setting information) similar to those from the relay device 3, and correspond to the switching of the vehicle status (usage scenario, etc.).

[0062] Figure 3 This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of network configuration information. Figure 3 The CTL mentioned here is short for controller. In the storage unit 21 of the vehicle-mounted device 2, network setting information is stored, for example, in table form. The storage area storing the network setting information referenced by the control unit 20 of the vehicle-mounted device 2 is not limited to the storage unit 21 of the vehicle-mounted device 2; for example, it could be a storage area accessible from the vehicle-mounted device 2, such as other vehicle-mounted ECUs 4 or external cloud servers.

[0063] Network configuration information is stored as initial information in the storage unit 21 of the on-board unit 2 during the manufacturing stage of vehicle C. Later, after vehicle C is shipped to the market, the network configuration information is updated (upgraded) by communicating with the external server 100 via the on-board unit 2, becoming the network configuration information obtained (downloaded) from the external server 100. The network configuration information output (sent) from the external server 100 is based on information (relay association information and vehicle status information) obtained and aggregated by the external server 100 from multiple vehicles C, such as information derived through machine learning or statistical analysis, and is suitable network configuration information corresponding to the vehicle status information.

[0064] Network configuration information is stored (saved) in the form of a table, which includes management items (fields) such as Ver number, ARL, ACL, QoS, vehicle status (utilization scenario), communication traffic volume (design value), buffer backlog (design value), and quality information (design value).

[0065] The version number of the network configuration information is stored in the management item (field) of the Ver number. This version number is assigned by the external server 100 that exported the network configuration information.

[0066] In the management items (fields) of the ARL (Address Resolution Logic table), for example, a MAC address table is stored, which represents the correspondence between the MAC addresses of the connected vehicle ECU4 and the physical port numbers connected to it. When the relay device 3 is an Ethernet switch that relays Ethernet packets, it functions as a Layer 2 switch by referring to this ARL. Alternatively, the ARL may also include a routing table representing the correspondence between MAC addresses and IP addresses. This Ethernet switch also functions as a Layer 3 switch by referring to this ARL.

[0067] The ACL (Access Control List) management items (fields) store information related to access control settings used for service communication between the vehicle ECUs 4. The QoS (Quality of Service) management items (fields) store information related to the priority order and bandwidth guarantees of data packets for each relay object during relay processing.

[0068] In the vehicle status management items (fields), information related to the vehicle C's usage methods (utilization scenarios) such as autonomous driving status and car-sharing status, the vehicle C's driving status such as general road driving status, highway driving status, rainy weather driving status, reprogramming status, and battery charging status can be stored.

[0069] In the communication traffic management items (fields), for example, the design values ​​(specification values ​​determined by design) of the communication traffic of each in-vehicle communication unit 32 of the relay device 3 are stored. The communication traffic includes two types: the communication traffic when the vehicle device 2 or the relay device 3 sends data to other vehicle ECUs 4, and the communication traffic when the vehicle device 2 or the relay device 3 receives data from other vehicle ECUs 4.

[0070] In the buffer hold-up management item (field), for example, the design value (specification value determined by design) of the buffer hold-up of each of the in-vehicle communication units 32 of the relay device 3 is stored.

[0071] In the quality information management items (fields), for example, in each of the in-vehicle communication units 32 of the relay device 3, there are design values ​​(design-determined specification values) related to communication quality, such as whether packet dropping is allowed.

[0072] The vehicle-mounted device 2 obtains new network setting information from the external server 100, overwriting the old version of the network setting information, and thereby updating it to the new Ver number of the network setting information. In the illustration of this embodiment, the Ver number is updated from 1.0 to 1.1, for example. In the network setting information of Ver 1.1, the QoS value is changed based on the assumption of maximum traffic.

[0073] The storage unit 21 of the vehicle-mounted device 2 stores network setting information corresponding to the relay device 3 mounted on the vehicle C, that is, network setting information used in the relay device 3. Each network setting information corresponding to the relay device 3 can be stored (saved) as a single table data (file), or it can be stored (saved) separately as a number of table data (files) equal to the number of relay devices 3.

[0074] Based on the network setting information, when the vehicle state of vehicle C is switched (e.g., the usage scenario), the on-board unit 2 generates a network setting change instruction corresponding to the switched vehicle state (usage scenario) and outputs (sends) the generated network setting change instruction to each relay unit 3. Each relay unit 3 changes the control parameters for relay processing based on the network setting change instruction output from the on-board unit 2.

[0075] The vehicle-mounted device 2 can also send (output) a network setting change instruction by sending (outputting) a data file, which becomes the network setting information itself, to each relay device 3. Alternatively, the vehicle-mounted device 2 and the relay devices 3 can share the network setting information sent from the external server 100. In this case, when the vehicle state (usage scenario, etc.) is switched, the vehicle-mounted device 2 outputs a signal (vehicle state switching signal) indicating the switched vehicle state (usage scenario, etc.) to the relay devices 3 as a network setting change instruction. The relay devices 3 can also change the control parameters of their relay processing based on the acquired vehicle state switching signal by referring to the shared network setting information.

[0076] Figure 4 This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of relay association information, etc., aggregated by the external server 100. Multiple vehicles C connected to the external server 100 via the external network N in a communicative manner, for example, when the communication volume in vehicle C exceeds a threshold within a specified period, relay association information and vehicle status information are associated and sent (output) to the external server 100. The external server 100 aggregates the information (relay association information and vehicle status information) obtained (received) from these multiple vehicles C into, for example, received log information in the form of a table, and stores (saved) it in the storage unit 101 of the external server 100.

[0077] Receive log information (relay association information and vehicle status information) and store it as a table. The table's management items (fields) include the receiving time (notification time), notification vehicle number (VIN), Ver number, vehicle status (usage scenario), communication traffic volume (measured value), buffer backlog (measured value), and quality information (measured value).

[0078] The receiving time (notification time) management field stores the date and time indicating when information (relay association information and vehicle status information) was received from vehicle C. The notification vehicle number (VIN) management field stores the vehicle number used to uniquely identify vehicle C that established the association and sent (communication) the relay association information and vehicle status information. This vehicle number can also be, for example, a vehicle identification number (VIN: Vehicle Identification Number).

[0079] In the Ver number management field, the version number of the network configuration information contained in the relay association information sent from vehicle C is stored. In the vehicle status (usage scenario) management field, information related to the vehicle status (usage scenario, etc.) contained in the vehicle status information sent from vehicle C is stored.

[0080] The management field for "Communication Traffic Volume (Measured Value)" stores the measured values ​​of communication traffic volume contained in the relay association information sent from vehicle C. These measured values ​​include the individual measured values ​​of the in-vehicle communication units 32 of each relay device 3. The management field for "Buffer Delay (Measured Value)" stores the measured values ​​of buffer delay contained in the relay association information sent from vehicle C. These measured values ​​include the individual measured values ​​of the in-vehicle communication units 32 of each relay device 3. The management field for "Quality Information (Measured Value)" stores the measured values ​​of quality information contained in the relay association information sent from vehicle C. These measured values ​​include the individual measured values ​​of the in-vehicle communication units 32 of each relay device 3.

[0081] The external server 100 uses relay association information and vehicle status information aggregated from these multiple vehicles C to derive network setting information suitable for the vehicle status using machine learning or statistical analysis methods such as neural networks, SVM, and decision trees.

[0082] Figure 5 This is an explanatory diagram (timing diagram) illustrating one method of processing performed by the vehicle-mounted device 2, etc. The timing diagram shown in this embodiment will be used to explain the relay device 3 of each of the multiple vehicles C included in the vehicle-mounted system S and the association processing between the vehicle-mounted device 2 and the external server 100.

[0083] The on-board unit 2 of vehicle C (1) detects the change of the state (vehicle state) of vehicle C, for example, by switching the usage scenario of vehicle C. The change of the usage scenario is, for example, a switch from manual driving state (manual driving mode) to automatic driving state (automatic driving mode).

[0084] The on-board unit 2 of vehicle C (1) generates a network setting change instruction corresponding to the switched vehicle state (usage scenario) based on the vehicle state switching detection, and outputs (sends) it to the relay unit 3 and the on-board ECU 4 (S2). The relay unit 3 and the on-board ECU 4, having received the network setting change instruction from the on-board unit 2, perform relay processing and inter-service communication corresponding to the switched vehicle state (usage scenario) based on the network setting information contained in the network setting change instruction.

[0085] For the vehicle-mounted device 2 of vehicle C (2), the same as that of vehicle C (1) is used to detect the switching of the state (vehicle state) of vehicle C (e.g., from automatic driving state to manual driving state) (S3). Based on the switching detection, a network setting change instruction corresponding to the switched vehicle state (utilization scenario) is generated and output (sent) to the relay device 3 and the vehicle-mounted ECU 4 (S4).

[0086] When the relay device 3 of vehicle C (1) detects a change in communication volume such as the communication volume exceeding a threshold within a specified period (S5), it collects the relay log data stored in the storage unit 31 of the relay device 3, the network setting information applied at the current time, and the communication volume exceeding the threshold, and outputs (sends) the collected information as relay association information (various SW association information) to the vehicle-mounted device 2 (S6).

[0087] The on-board unit 2 of vehicle C (1) establishes a connection between the relay association information (various SW association information) obtained from the relay device 3 and the vehicle status information (utilization scenario) at the current time point, and outputs (sends) it to the off-board server 100 (S7). In this way, the on-board unit 2 can accumulate the relay association information by obtaining the relay association information sent from the relay device 3.

[0088] In vehicle C(2), the relay device 3 does not detect any change in the communication volume, so it does not output (send) the relay association information (various SW association information) from the relay device 3 to the vehicle-mounted device 2, and therefore does not output (notify) the information from the vehicle-mounted device 2 to the external server 100.

[0089] The external server 100 obtains (receives) relay association information and vehicle status information output (sent) from the on-board devices 2 of multiple vehicles C, and summarizes this information. Based on this summarized relay association information and vehicle status information, the external server 100 performs machine learning or statistical analysis using, for example, neural networks, SVMs, decision trees, etc. (S8), and derives network configuration information (NW configuration information) suitable for the vehicle status (S9).

[0090] The external server 100 outputs (distributes) the exported network configuration information to all vehicles C (S10, S11) such as vehicle C (1), vehicle C (2) and so on, which are connected in a communicable manner via the external network N.

[0091] The on-board unit 2 of vehicle C (1) updates the network setting information from the old version to the network setting information obtained this time by acquiring (receiving) the network setting information output (distributed) from the external server 100 (S12).

[0092] The vehicle-mounted device 2 of vehicle C (1) generates a network setting change instruction corresponding to the switched vehicle state (usage scenario) based on the updated network setting information, and outputs (sends) the generated network setting change instruction to the relay device 3 and the vehicle-mounted ECU 4 (S13).

[0093] The on-board unit 2 of vehicle C (2) obtains (receives) the network setting information output (distributed) from the external server 100 in the same way as vehicle C (1), thereby updating the network setting information from the old version to the network setting information obtained this time (S14).

[0094] In vehicle C (2), when the next usage scenario is switched (e.g., from manual driving state to automatic driving state), that is, when the vehicle state is switched after the update process, the on-board device 2 generates a network setting change instruction corresponding to the switched vehicle state (usage scenario) and outputs (sends) the generated network setting change instruction to the relay device 3 and the on-board ECU 4.

[0095] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the control unit 20 of the vehicle-mounted device 2. Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the control unit 30 of the relay device 3. Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the control unit 102 of the external server 100. The control unit 20 of the vehicle-mounted device 2 stably performs the following processing, for example, when the vehicle C is in a started state (IG switch on) or a stopped state (IG switch off). While the control unit 20 of the vehicle-mounted device 2 is performing the following processing, the relay device 3 and the external server 100 communicate with the vehicle-mounted device 2 and perform the following processing in conjunction with the processing of the vehicle-mounted device 2.

[0096] The control unit 20 of the vehicle-mounted device 2 determines whether the state of the vehicle C has been switched (S101). The control unit 20 of the vehicle-mounted device 2 determines whether the state of the vehicle C, such as the usage mode (usage scenario) or driving state, has been switched. For example, the control unit 20 of the vehicle-mounted device 2 obtains information related to the state of the vehicle C (vehicle state information) based on data sent from the vehicle-mounted device or any vehicle-mounted ECU 4 connected to the input / output I / F 22, and determines whether a switch has been made from the current vehicle state (e.g., manual driving state) to another vehicle state (e.g., autonomous driving state) based on the vehicle state information.

[0097] If the state of vehicle C is not switched (S101: No), it is determined whether relay association information has been received from relay device 3 (S102). The output of relay association information from relay device 3 to vehicle-mounted device 2 (transmission and reception between relay device 3 and vehicle-mounted device 2: A) is performed by T106 in the processing flow of relay device 3 described later.

[0098] Upon receiving relay association information (S102: Yes), the control unit 20 of the vehicle-mounted device 2 establishes an association between the relay association information and the vehicle status information and outputs it to the external server 100 (S103). The control unit 20 of the vehicle-mounted device 2 establishes an association between the relay association information obtained from the relay device 3 and the vehicle status information at the current time, that is, the vehicle status information at the time when the relay association information was collected by the relay device 3, and outputs it to the external server 100 (transmission and reception between the vehicle-mounted device 2 and the external server 100: B).

[0099] If no relay association information is received (S102: No), or after the execution of S103, the control unit 20 of the vehicle-mounted device 2 determines whether network setting information has been received from the external server 100 (S104). The output of network setting information from the external server 100 to the vehicle-mounted device 2 (transmission and reception between the external server 100 and the vehicle-mounted device 2: C) is performed by the processing of G105 in the external server 100, which will be described later.

[0100] Upon receiving network setting information (S104: Yes), the control unit 20 of the vehicle-mounted device 2 updates the network setting information (S105). The control unit 20 of the vehicle-mounted device 2 updates the network setting information by storing the network setting information received (obtained) from the external server 100 in the storage unit 21 of the vehicle-mounted device 2.

[0101] When the state of vehicle C is switched (S101: Yes), or after the execution of S105, the control unit 20 of the vehicle-mounted device 2 outputs a network setting change instruction to the relay device 3 (S106). The control unit 20 of the vehicle-mounted device 2 refers to the network setting information stored in the storage unit 21 of the vehicle-mounted device 2, generates a network setting change instruction corresponding to the switched state of vehicle C, and outputs (sends) the generated network setting change instruction to each relay device 3 (transmission and reception between relay device 3 and vehicle-mounted device 2: D).

[0102] If no network setting information is received (S104: No), or after the execution of S106, the control unit 20 of the vehicle device 2 performs loop processing in order to execute the processing of S101 again.

[0103] The control unit 30 of the relay device 3 determines whether a network setting change instruction (T101) has been received from the vehicle-mounted device 2. The output of the network setting change instruction from the vehicle-mounted device 2 to the relay device 3 (transmission and reception between the relay device 3 and the vehicle-mounted device 2: D) is performed by the processing of S106 in the vehicle-mounted device 2.

[0104] Upon receiving a network setting change instruction (T101: Yes), the control unit 30 of the relay device 3 changes the network settings (T102). Based on the network setting change instruction received (obtained) from the vehicle-mounted device 2, the control unit 30 of the relay device 3 changes the network setting information stored in the storage unit 31 of the relay device 3, for example, by overwriting the save.

[0105] If no network setting change instruction is received (T101: No), or after execution of T102, the control unit 30 of the relay device 3 monitors the traffic (T103). For example, the control unit 30 of the relay device 3 obtains the traffic flow of data flowing in the vehicle network 5 (communication line 51) connected to the in-vehicle communication unit 32 of the relay device 3, and accumulates the traffic over a predetermined period, thereby monitoring the traffic.

[0106] The control unit 30 of the relay device 3 determines whether the communication volume exceeds a threshold (T104) within a specified period. The control unit 30 of the relay device 3 determines whether the communication volume of the vehicle network 5 connected to the device exceeds the threshold by referring to the threshold stored in the storage unit 31 of the relay device 3.

[0107] If the threshold is exceeded (T104: Yes), the control unit 30 of the relay device 3 collects relay association information (T105). The control unit 30 of the relay device 3 collects, for example, relay log data stored in the storage unit 31 of the relay device 3, network setting information applied at the current time, and communication volume exceeding the threshold. The relay log data may also include, for example, communication quality information based on error information such as packet loss and buffer overflow in each in-vehicle communication unit 32 of the relay device 3, queue buffer backlog, communication traffic volume, number of retransmissions, or number of congestion occurrences. When collecting this communication volume, the control unit 30 of the relay device 3 may also calculate statistical information based on the collected communication volume and include this statistical information in the communication volume.

[0108] The control unit 30 of relay device 3 outputs the collected relay association information to vehicle-mounted device 2 (T106). The control unit 30 of relay device 3 collects relay association information and outputs it to vehicle-mounted device 2, triggered by the detection of communication volume changes such as exceeding a threshold (transmission / reception between relay device 3 and vehicle-mounted device 2: A). If the threshold is not exceeded (T104: No), or after executing T106, the control unit 30 of relay device 3 performs cyclic processing to re-execute the processing of T101.

[0109] The control unit 102 of the external server 100 determines whether relay association information and vehicle status information have been received from the vehicle-mounted device 2 (G101). The output of information (relay association information and vehicle status information) from the vehicle-mounted device 2 to the external server 100 (transmission and reception between the external server 100 and the vehicle-mounted device 2: B) is performed by the processing of S103 in the processing flow of the vehicle-mounted device 2.

[0110] Upon receiving relay association information and vehicle status information (G101: Yes), the control unit 102 of the external server 100 analyzes the received relay association information and vehicle status information (G102). Based on the analysis results, the control unit 102 of the external server 100 attempts to derive network configuration information suitable for the vehicle status (G103). When multiple vehicles C are communicatively connected to the external server 100, the control unit 102 of the external server 100 acquires (receives) the relay association information and vehicle status information output (sent) from the on-board devices 2 of the multiple vehicles C, and stores this information in the storage unit 101 of the server. Thus, the external server 100 establishes a status summary of the relay association information and vehicle status information output (sent) from the on-board devices 2 of the multiple vehicles C. Based on this summarized relay association information and vehicle status information, the control unit 102 of the external server 100 attempts to derive network configuration information suitable for the vehicle status using methods such as machine learning employing neural networks, SVMs, decision trees, etc., or statistical analysis methods.

[0111] The control unit 102 of the external server 100 determines whether suitable network configuration information can be exported (G104). For example, the control unit 102 of the external server 100 may use a suitability verification program, such as a simulator that simulates the suitability of network configuration information, to calculate a suitability index for the exported network configuration information. If the suitability index is above a predetermined value, it determines that suitable network configuration information can be exported. Alternatively, when attempting to export network configuration information, the control unit 102 of the external server 100 may perform iterative processing, such as regression analysis. If the processing result converges, it determines that suitable network configuration information can be exported.

[0112] If suitable network configuration information can be exported (G104: Yes), the control unit 102 of the external server 100 outputs the exported network configuration information to the on-board unit 2 of the vehicle C (G105). The control unit 102 of the external server 100 outputs (sends) the exported network configuration information to each on-board unit 2 (transmission and reception between the external server 100 and the on-board unit 2: C), and each on-board unit 2 is installed in multiple vehicles C connected to this server via the external network N. In this way, by outputting network configuration information from the external server 100 to multiple vehicles C (on-board units 2), the network configuration information is distributed to each vehicle C.

[0113] If no relay association information or vehicle status information is received (G101: No), if suitable network configuration information cannot be exported (G104: No), or after the execution of G105, the control unit 102 of the external server 100 performs loop processing in order to execute the processing of G101 again.

[0114] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is not as described above, but is set forth in the claims and is intended to include all modifications equivalent to and within the scope of the claims.

[0115] Label Explanation

[0116] S vehicle system

[0117] Vehicle C

[0118] N External Network

[0119] 100 off-vehicle servers

[0120] 101 Storage Department

[0121] 102 Control Department

[0122] 103 Ministry of Communications

[0123] 1. External communication device

[0124] 11 External Communication Department

[0125] 12. In-vehicle communication department

[0126] 13 antennas

[0127] 2. On-board unit (controller)

[0128] 20 Control Department

[0129] 21 Storage Department

[0130] 211 Recording media

[0131] 22 Input / Output I / F

[0132] 23. In-vehicle communication department

[0133] 3. Repeater (Ethernet Switch)

[0134] 30 Control Department

[0135] 31 Storage Department

[0136] 32. In-vehicle communication department

[0137] 4. Vehicle ECU

[0138] 5. In-vehicle network

[0139] 51. Communication line.

Claims

1. A vehicle-mounted device, the vehicle-mounted device being mounted in a vehicle and communicatively connected to a relay device via a vehicle network, wherein, The vehicle-mounted device includes a control unit that performs processing related to network configuration information used by the relay device. The control unit obtains relay association information related to relay processing from the relay device when the communication volume in the vehicle network exceeds a predetermined threshold within a specified period. Obtain vehicle status information related to the status of the vehicle. The obtained relay association information is associated with the vehicle status information and output to an external server located outside the vehicle. Network setting information derived from the relay association information and the vehicle status information is obtained from the external server. The network setting change instruction generated based on the obtained network setting information is output to the relay device. The network setting information obtained from the external server is derived from relay association information and vehicle status information output from multiple vehicles, which are connected to the external server in a communicative manner.

2. A vehicle-mounted device, the vehicle-mounted device being mounted in a vehicle and communicatively connected to a relay device via a vehicle network, wherein, The vehicle-mounted device includes a control unit that performs processing related to network configuration information used by the relay device. The control unit obtains relay association information related to relay processing from the relay device. Obtain vehicle status information related to the status of the vehicle. If the communication volume in the vehicle network exceeds a predetermined threshold within a specified period, the acquired relay association information is associated with the vehicle status information and output to an external server located outside the vehicle. Network setting information derived from the relay association information and the vehicle status information is obtained from the external server. The network setting change instruction generated based on the obtained network setting information is output to the relay device. The network setting information obtained from the external server is derived from relay association information and vehicle status information output from multiple vehicles, which are connected to the external server in a communicative manner.

3. The vehicle-mounted device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, When the vehicle's status is switched, the control unit generates a network setting change instruction from the network setting information based on the switched vehicle status information. The generated network configuration change instruction is output to the relay device.

4. The vehicle-mounted device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The number of relay devices connected to the vehicle network is multiple. In a designated storage area accessible from the control unit, network configuration information corresponding to each of the multiple relay devices is stored. The control unit outputs network setting information corresponding to the relay device to the relay device.

5. The vehicle-mounted device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The relay association information obtained from the relay device includes network setting information stored in the device within the vehicle, and information related to the communication status during the relay process using the network setting information.

6. The vehicle-mounted device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The vehicle status information includes information related to how the vehicle is used.

7. A computer program product comprising a computer program that causes a computer mounted in a vehicle and communicatively connected to a relay device via an in-vehicle network to perform the following processing: The relay device obtains relay association information related to relay processing when the communication volume in the vehicular network exceeds a predetermined threshold within a specified period. Obtain vehicle status information related to the status of the vehicle. The obtained relay association information is associated with the vehicle status information and output to an external server located outside the vehicle. Network setting information derived from the relay association information and the vehicle status information is obtained from the external server. The network configuration information obtained from the external server is derived from relay association information and vehicle status information output from multiple vehicles, which are connected to the external server in a communicative manner. The network setting change instruction generated based on the obtained network setting information is output to the relay device.

8. A computer program product comprising a computer program that causes a computer mounted in a vehicle and communicatively connected to a relay device via an in-vehicle network to perform the following processing: Obtain relay association information related to relay processing from the relay device. Obtain vehicle status information related to the status of the vehicle. If the communication volume in the vehicle network exceeds a predetermined threshold within a specified period, the acquired relay association information is associated with the vehicle status information and output to an external server located outside the vehicle. Network setting information derived from the relay association information and the vehicle status information is obtained from the external server. The network configuration information obtained from the external server is derived from relay association information and vehicle status information output from multiple vehicles, which are connected to the external server in a communicative manner. The network setting change instruction generated based on the obtained network setting information is output to the relay device.

9. An information processing method that causes a computer mounted in a vehicle and communicatively connected to a relay device via an in-vehicle network to perform the following processing: The relay device obtains relay association information related to relay processing when the communication volume in the vehicular network exceeds a predetermined threshold within a specified period. Obtain vehicle status information related to the status of the vehicle. The obtained relay association information is associated with the vehicle status information and output to an external server located outside the vehicle. Network setting information derived from the relay association information and the vehicle status information is obtained from the external server. The network configuration information obtained from the external server is derived from relay association information and vehicle status information output from multiple vehicles, which are connected to the external server in a communicative manner. The network setting change instruction generated based on the obtained network setting information is output to the relay device.

10. An information processing method that causes a computer mounted in a vehicle and communicatively connected to a relay device via an in-vehicle network to perform the following processing: Obtain relay association information related to relay processing from the relay device. Obtain vehicle status information related to the status of the vehicle. If the communication volume in the vehicle network exceeds a predetermined threshold within a specified period, the acquired relay association information is associated with the vehicle status information and output to an external server located outside the vehicle. Network setting information derived from the relay association information and the vehicle status information is obtained from the external server. The network configuration information obtained from the external server is derived from relay association information and vehicle status information output from multiple vehicles, which are connected to the external server in a communicative manner. The network setting change instruction generated based on the obtained network setting information is output to the relay device.

Images