Communication device and method for operating communication device

Abstract

The invention relates to a communication device and an operation method of the communication device. The communication device includes: a communication unit; and a control unit that, when the power supply is turned on, receives power from an external battery and executes a start-up process, or receives power from an internal battery in place of the external battery and transmits a notification through the communication unit, the control unit having a first mode in which power is supplied from the internal battery to the external battery and a second mode in which power is supplied from the external battery. If the power supply from the external battery is stopped when the start-up process is executed, the start-up process is continued by the power supply from the internal battery.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a communication device and an operation method of the communication device. Background Art

[0002] There are known communication devices mounted on vehicles that transmit vehicle location information, registration information, etc. to the police, fire department, etc. when an accident occurs. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2000-278885 and 2017-182430 disclose vehicle-mounted emergency notification systems having a main battery and an auxiliary battery. Summary of the invention

[0003] In vehicle-mounted communication devices, there is room for improvement in the method of supplying power from a vehicle-mounted battery or the like.

[0004] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle-mounted communication device and the like capable of improving a power supply method.

[0005] The communication device in the present disclosure comprises: a communication unit; and a control unit, which, when power is turned on, receives power from an external battery to perform a startup process, or receives power from an internal battery instead of the external battery and sends a notification through the communication unit, wherein the control unit has a first mode, in which, if the power supply from the external battery is terminated when the startup process is performed, the startup process is continued by the power supply from the internal battery.

[0006] The operation method of the communication device in the present disclosure is an operation method of a communication device having a communication unit and a control unit, wherein the control unit receives power from an external battery and performs a startup process when the power supply is turned on, or receives power from an internal battery instead of the external battery and sends a notification through the communication unit, and the control unit, in the first mode, continues the startup process by powering from the internal battery if the power supply from the external battery is terminated when the startup process is performed.

[0007] According to the vehicle-mounted communication device and the like in the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the power supply method. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like elements, and in which:

[0009] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing a configuration example of a communication device.

[0010] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing an example of the operation procedure of the communication device.

[0011] Figure 3This is a diagram showing an example of the operation procedure of the communication device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] Figure 1 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a communication device in one embodiment. The communication device 1 is a so-called DCM (Data Communication Module) that is mounted on a vehicle and exchanges information generated based on the movement of the vehicle, information for controlling the movement of the vehicle, etc. with a cloud server, etc. The communication device 1 operates by power supplied from a main battery 101 of the vehicle or a built-in auxiliary battery 100 of the communication device 1. The main battery 101 is mounted on the vehicle and is a battery that supplies power for driving the vehicle and its various parts. The main battery 101 and the auxiliary battery 100 are, for example, one or more lithium-ion batteries.

[0014] The communication device 1 includes a communication unit 11 and a control unit 13. When the power is turned on, the control unit 103 receives power from an external battery, i.e., a main battery 101, to execute a startup process, or receives power from an internal battery, i.e., an auxiliary battery 100, instead of the main battery 101, to send a notification through the communication unit. In addition, the control unit 13 has a mode in which, if the power supply from the main battery 101 is stopped during the startup process, the startup process is continued with the power supply from the auxiliary battery 100.

[0015] The communication device 1 is started by receiving power from the main battery 101 when the user turns on the ACC power of the vehicle or the user turns on the power switch of the communication device 1. In addition, when an accident occurs in the vehicle and the electrical connection between the communication device 1 and the main battery 101 is cut off, the communication device 1 receives power from the auxiliary battery 100 and sends a notification to the police, fire department, etc. In addition, the communication device 1 has multiple operation modes, such as a market mode and a factory mode. The market mode is a mode in which the communication device 1 is installed in a vehicle for use after being shipped to the market. The factory mode is a mode in which the operation of the communication device 1 is inspected in the factory before being shipped to the market. Even if the electrical connection with the main battery 101 is cut off in the factory mode, the communication device 1 continues the startup process by the power supply from the auxiliary battery 100. Therefore, even if it takes a certain amount of time to complete the startup process, the main battery 101 can be used for other inspection items without interrupting the startup process. Therefore, compared with the case where the main battery 101 is used for other inspection items after waiting for the completion of the startup process, the inspection process can be shortened. On the other hand, in the market mode, when the communication device 1 is disconnected from the main battery 101 due to an accident or the like, the startup process is stopped, thereby preserving the auxiliary battery 100. In addition, the communication device 1 receives power from the auxiliary battery 100 and sends a notification, thereby ensuring safety. In this way, the power supply method in the communication device 1 can be improved and made more efficient.

[0016] <Configuration Example of Communication Device 1>

[0017] The communication device 1 includes a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, a control unit 13, an input unit 15, an output unit 16, a detection unit 17, and a power supply unit 18. One or more of these units may constitute a single device, or may be constituted by a terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, a navigation device, etc. Alternatively, the units may be connected via an in-vehicle network that complies with a standard such as CAN (Controller Area Network) so that information communication can be performed.

[0018] The communication unit 11 includes one or more communication interfaces. The communication interface is, for example, an interface corresponding to a mobile communication standard such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation) or 5G (5th Generation). The communication unit 11 receives information for the operation of the control unit 13 and sends information obtained by the operation of the control unit 13. The control unit 13 is connected to, for example, the Internet, an ad hoc network, a LAN (Local Area Network), a MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) or other networks or any combination thereof through the communication unit 11 via a mobile communication base station.

[0019] The storage unit 12 includes, for example, one or more semiconductor memories, one or more magnetic memories, one or more optical memories, or a combination of at least two of them that function as a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory). The RAM is, for example, an SRAM (Static RAM) or a DRAM (Dynamic RAM). The ROM is, for example, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM). The storage unit 12 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 12 stores information for the operation of the control unit 13 and information obtained by the operation of the control unit 13. Mode information representing the mode of operation of the communication device 1 is stored in the storage unit 12. The mode information is information representing either a market mode or a factory mode. It should be noted that when the communication device 1 is manufactured, the mode information representing the factory mode is stored in the storage unit 12 as an initial value.

[0020] The control unit 13 includes one or more processors, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a dedicated processor dedicated to a specific process. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit 13 performs information processing related to the control of each part of the communication device 1.

[0021] The functions of the control unit 13 are realized by executing a control program by a processor included in the control unit 13. The control program is a program for causing the computer to realize a function corresponding to the processing of the step by causing the computer to execute the processing of the step included in the operation of the control unit 13. That is, the control program is a program for causing the computer to function as the control unit 13. In addition, part or all of the functions of the control unit 13 may be realized by a dedicated circuit included in the control unit 13.

[0022] The input unit 15 includes one or more input interfaces. The input interface is, for example, a physical key, an electrostatic capacitance key, a pointing device, a touch screen integrated with a display, or a microphone for receiving voice input. The input interface may also include a camera or an IC card reader for taking in a camera image or an image code. The input unit 15 receives an operation of inputting information for the operation of the control unit 13, and sends the input information to the control unit 13.

[0023] The output unit 16 includes one or more output interfaces. The output interface is, for example, a display or a speaker. The display is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The output unit 16 outputs information obtained by the operation of the control unit 13.

[0024] The detection unit 17 has an interface with one or more sensors for detecting the status of each part of the vehicle equipped with the communication device 1. The sensors include, for example, sensors for detecting the remaining battery levels of the main battery 101 and the auxiliary battery 100, sensors for detecting the motion status of the vehicle (speed, front-to-back acceleration, left-to-right acceleration, deceleration, etc.). In addition, the interface includes an interface with one or more GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receivers for detecting position information. GNSS includes, for example, GPS (Global Positioning System), QZSS (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System), BeiDou, GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) and Galileo. The detection unit 17 sends information indicating each status, position, etc. obtained by the sensors to the control unit 13.

[0025] The power supply unit 18 is electrically connected to the main battery 101 and the auxiliary battery 100, and includes a power supply control circuit that controls the supply of power from these to the communication device 1. A power switch for turning on the power to the communication device 1 is included in the power supply unit 18. The power supply unit 18 detects whether or not it is electrically connected to the main battery 101. When the user turns on the ACC power of the vehicle or the user turns on the power switch while the power supply unit 18 is electrically connected to the main battery 101, the power supply unit 18 receives power from the main battery 101 and supplies power for starting to the control unit 13 and the like. In addition, when the power supply unit 18 is turned on while the electrical connection with the main battery 101 is cut off, it receives power from the auxiliary battery 100 instead of the main battery 101 and supplies power for the notification operation to the control unit 13, the communication unit 11 and the like. Furthermore, when the communication device 1 operates in the factory mode, the power supply unit 18 receives power from the main battery 101 when the power is turned on and the control unit 13 executes the startup process. If the electrical connection with the main battery 101 is cut off, the power supply unit 18 receives power from the auxiliary battery 100 under the control of the control unit 13 and supplies power to the control unit 13 and the like. In addition, the power supply unit 18 reads various setting information including mode information using the power of a backup battery such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) battery.

[0026] <Operation of Communication Device 1>

[0027] Figure 2 1 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation procedure of the communication device 1. The following description will be divided into a market mode case and a factory mode case.

[0028] <Market Model Situation>

[0029] When the power supply unit 18 detects that the power supply is turned on in step S201, it determines in step S202 whether or not it is electrically connected to the main battery 101. When the power supply unit 18 is electrically connected to the main battery 101 (Yes in step S202), it receives power from the main battery 101 and supplies power to the control unit 13 and the like. Thus, the control unit 13 executes step S203. On the other hand, when the power supply unit 18 is not electrically connected to the main battery 101 (No in step S202), it receives power from the auxiliary battery 100 instead of the main battery 101 and supplies power to the control unit 13 and the like. Thus, the control unit 13 executes step S211.

[0030] In step S203, the control unit 13 starts a startup process for starting the communication device 1. The startup process includes diagnosis of the memory, processor, input / output devices, etc., startup of the operating system, initialization of the communication interface, establishment of a network connection, and the like.

[0031] In step S204, the power supply unit 18 determines whether it is receiving power. If the power supply unit 18 is receiving power (Yes in step S204), the control unit 13 continues the startup process in step S205. Steps S204 and S205 are repeated until the control unit 13 determines in step S206 that the startup process is finished (No in step S206). If the control unit 13 determines in step S206 that the startup process is finished (Yes in step S206), the startup process is finished. Figure 2 In this case, the control unit 13 completes the startup process by power supply from the main battery 101.

[0032] In step S204, when the power supply unit 18 is not receiving power (No in step S204), there is a high possibility that the electrical connection with the main battery 101 is disconnected, so the power supply unit 18 determines the mode in step S208. The power supply unit 18 refers to the mode information stored in the storage unit 12 using the power of the backup battery. Here, the power supply unit 18 determines that it is the market mode. Therefore, the power supply unit 18 does not switch to the auxiliary battery 100, and the control unit 13 stops the startup process in step S210, ending the process. Figure 2 steps.

[0033] It should be noted that, in step S202, when the power supply unit 18 is not electrically connected to the main battery 101 (No in step S202), the power is supplied from the auxiliary battery 100 instead of the main battery 101. Then, the control unit 13, which receives the power supply, performs a notification process in step S211. The control unit 13 sends the information for notification pre-stored in the storage unit 12 to the management center such as the police and fire department through the communication unit 11. The location information of the vehicle obtained by the control unit 13 through the detection unit 17 can also be added to the information for notification. Then, the control unit 13 ends Figure 2 Through this action, the safety of the vehicle equipped with the communication device 1 is ensured.

[0034] <Factory mode case>

[0035] In the case of factory mode, the steps after step S208 are different from those in the market mode. When the power supply unit 18 determines that it is factory mode in step S208, it switches to power supply from the auxiliary battery 100 in step S209. Then, in step S205, the control unit 13 receives power from the auxiliary battery 100 and continues the startup process. Steps S204 and S205 are repeated until the control unit 13 determines in step S206 that the startup process is finished (No in step S206). In this case, in step S204, when the power supply unit 18 receives power from the auxiliary battery 100 (Yes in step S204), step S205 is executed. Then, the control unit 13 determines in step S206 that the startup process is finished (Yes in step S206), and ends. Figure 2 In this case, the control unit 13 completes the startup process by supplying power from the auxiliary battery 100 even after the power supply from the main battery 101 is stopped.

[0036] In the case of factory mode, since the communication device 1 is started according to the above steps, various inspections before shipment to the market can be performed in the communication device 1. In the communication device 1, the control unit 13 can perform various inspections based on the information of the inspection items pre-stored in the storage unit 12, or can perform various inspections in response to the input of the operator. In this case, even if the electrical connection with the main battery 101 of the communication device 1 is cut off in the factory mode, the startup is completed by the power supply from the auxiliary battery 100. Therefore, even if it takes a certain amount of time to complete the startup process, the main battery 101 can be used for other inspection items without interrupting the startup process. Therefore, compared with the case where the main battery 101 is used for other inspection items after waiting for the completion of the startup process, the inspection process can be shortened.

[0037] <Check the next steps>

[0038] Figure 3 This is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation procedure of the communication device 1 during and after the inspection in the factory mode.

[0039] In step S31, the control unit 13 performs information processing related to the inspection. Inspection items include, for example, power supply voltage inspection, operation inspection of memory, processor, input / output device, etc., operation inspection of communication interface, network connection inspection, signal quality inspection, security inspection, throughput inspection, etc. The control unit 13 executes step S31 before determining in step S32 that the inspection is completed (No in step S32), and proceeds to step S33 if it is determined that the inspection is completed (Yes in step S32).

[0040] In step S33, the control unit 13 determines whether there is an indication of a mode change. For example, the user performs an operation on the input unit 15 to indicate the end of the factory mode or the change from the factory mode to the market mode. The control unit 13 determines whether there is an input corresponding to the operation. When the control unit 13 receives an indication of a mode change (Yes in step S33), the mode is changed in step S34. The control unit 13 changes the mode information representing the factory mode set as the initial value to the mode information representing the market mode and stores it in the storage unit 12. It should be noted that in a modified example, when the control unit 13 completes a series of inspections, step S33 may be omitted and the mode may be changed.

[0041] In step S35, the control unit 13 determines whether there is an instruction to charge the auxiliary battery 100. For example, the user performs an operation on the input unit 15 to instruct the charging of the auxiliary battery 100. The control unit 13 determines whether there is an input corresponding to the operation. When the control unit 13 receives the instruction to charge the auxiliary battery 100 (Yes in step S35), it determines the connection of the main battery 101 in step S36. When the power supply unit 18 is electrically connected to the main battery 101 (Yes in step S36), the control unit 13 instructs the power supply unit 18 to charge the auxiliary battery 100 by the power supply from the main battery 101 in step S37. As a result, the auxiliary battery 100 is charged by the main battery 101. On the other hand, when the power supply unit 18 is not electrically connected to the main battery 101 (No in step S36), the control unit 13 outputs a notification through the output unit 16 in step S38. The notification is a text message or the like for urging the connection of the main battery 101 to the communication device 1. Then, step S36 is executed. It should be noted that, in a modified example, the control unit 13 may also omit step S35 and execute the charging of the auxiliary battery 100 by the main battery 101 .

[0042] According to the above steps, the communication device 1 can be changed to the market mode for shipping after the inspection is completed. In addition, even if the power of the auxiliary battery 100 is consumed in the startup process in the factory mode, the remaining power of the auxiliary battery 100 can be replenished before shipping.

[0043] In the above, the implementation modes are described based on the drawings and embodiments, but it should be noted that those skilled in the art can easily make various modifications and corrections based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and corrections are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each component, each step, etc. can be reconfigured in a logically non-contradictory manner, and multiple components, steps, etc. can be combined into one or divided.

Claims

1. A communication device, wherein: The communication device has: Department of Communications; and The control unit receives power from an external battery to execute a startup process when the power is turned on, or receives power from an internal battery instead of the external battery and sends a notification through the communication unit. The control unit has a first mode in which, if power supply from the external battery is stopped during execution of the activation process, the activation process is continued by power supply from the internal battery.

2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein: It also has an input unit for accepting instructions from a user, After operating in the first mode and completing the startup process, the control unit switches the first mode to a second mode according to a predetermined instruction. In the second mode, if the power supply from the external battery is stopped during the startup process, the startup process is stopped.

3. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit charges the internal battery by power supply from the external battery after operating in the first mode and completing the startup process.

4. An operation method of a communication device, the communication device having a communication unit and a control unit, wherein: When the power source is turned on, the control unit receives power from the external battery to execute the startup process, or receives power from the internal battery instead of the external battery and transmits a notification through the communication unit. Furthermore, in the first mode, if the control unit stops the power supply from the external battery during the execution of the startup process, the startup process is continued by the power supply from the internal battery.

5. The operation method of the communication device according to claim 4, wherein: After operating in the first mode and completing the startup process, the control unit switches the first mode to a second mode according to a predetermined instruction. In the second mode, if the power supply from the external battery is stopped during the startup process, the startup process is stopped.

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