Communication control device, communication control method, and computer program product

Abstract

The invention provides a communication control apparatus, a communication control method, and a computer program product. This communication control device is provided in a mobile body provided with a cellular communication unit that performs cellular communication and a wireless LAN communication unit that performs wireless LAN communication, and is provided with: a virtual router unit that determines whether to route communication to the cellular communication unit or to route communication to the wireless LAN communication unit; and a control unit that, by controlling the routing of the virtual router unit, performs control for performing communication by preferentially using wireless LAN communication compared with cellular communication.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to communication control devices, communication control methods, and computer program products. Background Technology

[0002] Patent documents 1 to 6 describe technologies related to virtual routers. Patent document 7 describes technologies related to communication control in a communication control device mounted on a vehicle.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-46538

[0004] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-7249

[0005] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-9259

[0006] Patent Document 4: International Publication No. 2013 / 190688

[0007] Patent Document 5: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-4088

[0008] Patent Document 6: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-208068

[0009] Patent Document 7: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-118361

[0010] Patent Document 8: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-181604 Summary of the Invention

[0011] However, this leads to increased communication costs associated with cellular communication in mobile vehicles. This application aims to address these issues by reducing communication costs in mobile vehicles. Furthermore, it contributes to the development of sustainable transportation systems.

[0012] In a first aspect of the present invention, a communication control device is provided. The communication control device is provided in a mobile body having a cellular communication unit for cellular communication and a wireless LAN communication unit for wireless LAN communication. The communication control device includes a virtual router unit that determines whether to route communication to the cellular communication unit or to the wireless LAN communication unit. The communication control device includes a control unit that controls the routing of the virtual router unit to prioritize wireless LAN communication over cellular communication.

[0013] In any of the above-mentioned communication control devices, the control unit can control the routing of the virtual router unit to perform control for parallel cellular communication and wireless LAN communication.

[0014] In any of the above-described communication control devices, the mobile body can be a vehicle. The control unit can control the routing of the virtual router unit to prioritize routing communications other than those related to the vehicle's driving control to the wireless LAN communication unit, compared to the cellular communication unit.

[0015] In any of the above-described communication control devices, the moving body can be a vehicle. The control unit can prioritize routing communications related to the vehicle's driving control to the cellular communication unit, compared to the wireless LAN communication unit, by controlling the routing of the virtual router unit.

[0016] In any of the above-mentioned communication control devices, the virtual router unit may have multiple virtual routers corresponding to different APN settings.

[0017] In any of the above communication control devices, the virtual router unit may have multiple virtual routers corresponding to different services.

[0018] In any of the above-described communication control devices, the virtual router unit may have a first virtual router that routes communication only to the cellular communication unit.

[0019] In any of the above-described communication control devices, the virtual router unit may have a second virtual router that routes communication to the cellular communication unit and the wireless LAN communication unit. The control unit can control the second virtual router to prioritize wireless LAN communication over cellular communication.

[0020] In any of the above communication control devices, the virtual router unit may have a third virtual router that routes communication only to the wireless LAN communication unit.

[0021] In any of the above-described communication control devices, when a predetermined event is detected, the control unit can control the routing of the virtual router unit to prioritize wireless LAN communication over cellular communication.

[0022] In any of the above-described communication control devices, the moving body may be a vehicle. The predetermined event may include at least one of the following: an event indicating that the vehicle's speed falls below a predetermined speed value, an event indicating that the cellular communication status deteriorates, and an event indicating that the vehicle's ignition power is turned off.

[0023] In a second aspect of the present invention, a communication control method is provided. The communication control method is executed by a communication control device provided in a mobile body equipped with a cellular communication unit for cellular communication and a wireless LAN communication unit for wireless LAN communication. The communication control method includes the step of: a virtual router unit deciding whether to route communication to the cellular communication unit or to the wireless LAN communication unit. The communication control method also includes the step of: controlling the routing of the virtual router unit to prioritize wireless LAN communication over cellular communication.

[0024] In a third aspect of the invention, a program is provided. The program enables a computer to function as any of the aforementioned communication control devices. The program can be stored in a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium.

[0025] The above summary of the invention does not list all the features of the invention. Furthermore, sub-combinations of these feature groups can also constitute an invention. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 The configuration of a communication system 22 according to one embodiment is shown schematically.

[0027] Figure 2 An example of the system configuration of the communication system 22 is shown schematically.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the routing of packets in TCU30.

[0029] Figure 4 An example flowchart is shown that relates to the communication control method executed in TCU30.

[0030] Figure 5 An example of a computer 2000 is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The present invention will now be described through embodiments thereof, but these embodiments do not limit the scope of the claimed invention. Furthermore, not all combinations of the features described in the embodiments are necessarily necessary for the solution of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 1 The configuration of a communication system 22 according to one embodiment is schematically shown. The communication system 22 is disposed in the mobile body 20.

[0033] Mobile body 20 is a movable device. Mobile body 20 is, for example, a vehicle such as a bus, car, or tram. Vehicles are examples of transportation equipment. Mobile body 20 can also be various types of aircraft, including unmanned aerial vehicles.

[0034] The communication system 22 is capable of performing cellular communication and wireless LAN communication. The communication system 22 can communicate with communication devices connected to the communication network 90 via the wireless relay device 110 and the wireless base station 120. The communication network 90 includes computer networks such as the Internet, cellular communication networks, etc.

[0035] Wireless base station 120 is a cellular communication base station corresponding to more than one cellular communication method. The cellular communication method corresponding to wireless base station 120 can be, for example, the communication method used in mobile communication systems such as fourth-generation mobile communication system (4G) and fifth-generation mobile communication system (5G). Wireless base station 120 facilitates communication between communication devices in relay communication system 22 and communication equipment connected to communication network 90.

[0036] Wireless repeater 110 has the function of relaying wireless LAN communication. For example, wireless repeater 110 has a wireless LAN access point function. Wireless repeater 110 relays communication between communication devices in communication system 22 and communication equipment connected to communication network 90.

[0037] In this embodiment, the mobile body 20 is a vehicle, and the communication system 22 includes multiple communication devices connected to a communication network in the vehicle. These multiple communication devices connected to the communication network in the vehicle include, for example, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) provided by the vehicle.

[0038] When cellular communication via wireless base station 120 and wireless LAN communication via wireless relay device 110 are available, communication system 22 prioritizes wireless LAN communication over cellular communication. This reduces communication costs.

[0039] Figure 2 An example of the system configuration of the communication system 22 is illustrated schematically. The communication system 22 includes a TCU 30, an in-vehicle communication network 70, and multiple ECUs including ECU 50 and ECU 60. The in-vehicle communication network 70 includes, for example, an Ethernet bus and an Ethernet hub.

[0040] TCU30 is a remote information processing control unit. TCU30 includes a control unit 210, a cellular communication unit 31, and a wireless LAN communication unit 32.

[0041] Cellular communication unit 31 performs cellular communication. Wireless LAN communication unit 32 performs wireless LAN communication.

[0042] The communication control unit 33 is responsible for the overall control of the TCU 30. The communication control unit 33 is an example of a communication control device. At least a portion of the communication control unit 33 is implemented by an arithmetic processing unit including a processor. The communication control unit 33 can be implemented by a computer equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, I / O, and bus, etc.

[0043] The communication control unit 33 includes a bridging unit 220, a virtual router unit 200, and a control unit 210. The virtual router unit 200 includes a first virtual router 201, a second virtual router 202, and a third virtual router 203.

[0044] The virtual router unit 200 determines whether to route communication to the cellular communication unit 31 or the wireless LAN communication unit 32. The control unit 210 performs control to prioritize wireless LAN communication over cellular communication. Specifically, the control unit 210 performs control to prioritize wireless LAN communication over cellular communication by controlling the routing of the virtual router unit 200.

[0045] Typically, wireless LAN communication standards are updated at a rate much shorter than the lifespan of a vehicle. According to the TCU30, the virtual router unit decides whether to route communication to the wireless LAN communication unit 32. Therefore, even if the wireless LAN communication standard changes, the latest wireless LAN communication can be easily accommodated by updating the virtual router unit without updating the TCU30 hardware. Thus, control that prioritizes wireless LAN communication throughout the vehicle's lifespan can be achieved. Consequently, since wireless LAN communication can be used throughout the entire lifespan of the vehicle, communication costs within the vehicle can be suppressed.

[0046] The control unit 210 controls the routing of the virtual router unit 200 to perform parallel cellular communication and wireless LAN communication. That is, the control unit 210 can perform wireless LAN communication while cellular communication is in progress. Therefore, even when cellular communication is possible, wireless LAN communication can be performed when it is available, thus reducing the amount of cellular communication traffic. This helps to reduce communication costs.

[0047] By controlling the routing of the virtual router unit 200, the control unit 210 can prioritize routing communications other than those related to vehicle driving control to the wireless LAN communication unit 32, compared to the cellular communication unit 31. For example, wireless LAN communication is prioritized for data communication used for IVI (in-vehicle infotainment) and / or for data communication used for entertainment system services. Although the security of wireless LAN communication may be lower than that of cellular communication, security issues are not significant even when wireless LAN communication is used for data communication used for IVI and for communication used to utilize entertainment system services.

[0048] By controlling the routing of the virtual router unit 200, the control unit 210 can prioritize routing communications related to the driving control of the mobile body 20 to the cellular communication unit 31 compared to the wireless LAN communication unit 32. These communications related to the driving control of the vehicle include data communicated on the CAN (Controller Area Network), data from the control system of the drive unit such as the engine, error logs, and data indicating the vehicle's status.

[0049] The virtual router unit 200 can have multiple virtual routers corresponding to different APNs. Therefore, virtual routers can be configured on a per-APN basis, making route organization easier compared to configuring routes with multiple APNs mixed together. The first virtual router 201 and the second virtual router 202 can be examples of multiple virtual routers corresponding to different APNs. The first virtual router 201 can correspond to a first APN, and the second virtual router 202 can correspond to a second APN.

[0050] The virtual router unit 200 can have multiple virtual routers corresponding to different services. First virtual router 201, second virtual router 202, and third virtual router 203 are examples of multiple virtual routers corresponding to different services. The required security level and communication quality differ for each service to be provided, but the choice of security level and communication quality can depend on the APN. Therefore, in many cases, separating virtual routers for each APN is essentially separating virtual routers for each service. That is, for example, if virtual routers are separated for each APN, in many cases, specific services can be centralized in specific virtual routers, thus making the virtual router setup less likely to become complex.

[0051] The virtual router unit 200 has a first virtual router 201 that routes communication only to the cellular communication unit 31. Preferably, the first virtual router 201 is used to route data related to services requiring high immediacy and / or high security levels. For example, the first virtual router 201 is preferably used to route data from a vehicle control system, such as data related to the driving control of the mobile body 20.

[0052] The virtual router unit 200 includes a second virtual router 202 that routes communication to the cellular communication unit 31 and the wireless LAN communication unit 32. The control unit 210 controls the second virtual router 202 to prioritize wireless LAN communication over cellular communication. Since data communication may occur within the wireless LAN communication based on the routing provided by the second virtual router 202, it is preferable to use the second virtual router 202 for routing data related to services requiring relatively high immediacy but moderate security.

[0053] The virtual router unit 200 includes a third virtual router 203 that routes communication only to the wireless LAN communication unit 32. Preferably, the third virtual router 203 is used to route data requiring relatively low immediacy and relatively low security levels. For example, the third virtual router 203 is preferably used to route data used for IVI and / or data related to entertainment system services.

[0054] When a predetermined event is detected, the control unit 210 can control the routing of the virtual router unit 200 to prioritize wireless LAN communication over cellular communication. For example, when a predetermined event is detected, the control unit 210 can control the routing of the second virtual router 202 to prioritize wireless LAN communication over cellular communication. The "predetermined event" may include an event indicating a deterioration in the communication status of cellular communication. In the case that the mobile body 20 is a vehicle, the "predetermined event" may include at least one of an event indicating that the vehicle's speed falls below a predetermined speed value and an event indicating that the vehicle's IG power is turned off.

[0055] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the routing of packets in TCU30. Figure 3 In this example, assume that the first packet 310 is associated with the first service, the second packet 320 is associated with the second service, and the third packet 330 is associated with the third service. As an example, the service is identified by the port number and the source of the packet.

[0056] The bridging unit 220 is configured to input packets associated with a first service to a first virtual router 201, packets associated with a second service to a second virtual router 202, and packets associated with a third service to a third virtual router 203.

[0057] Since the first packet 310 is a packet associated with the first service, it is input to the first virtual router 201. The first virtual router 201 is a virtual router corresponding to the first APN and routes communication only to the cellular communication unit 31. Therefore, the first virtual router 201 establishes a correspondence between the input packet and the first APN before inputting it to the cellular communication unit 31. The cellular communication unit 31 translates the local IP address of the input first packet 310 into a global IP address allocated from the communication carrier corresponding to the first APN for transmission. Thus, the first packet 310 is sent to the communication path corresponding to the first APN.

[0058] Since the second packet 320 is a packet associated with the second service, it is input to the second virtual router 202. The second virtual router 202 is a virtual router corresponding to the second APN and routing communication to the cellular communication unit 31 or the wireless LAN communication unit 32. Based on its routing table, the second virtual router 202 inputs packets destined for the cellular communication unit 31 to establish a correspondence with the second APN, and inputs packets destined for the wireless LAN communication unit 32 to the wireless LAN communication unit 32. The cellular communication unit 31 translates the local IP address of the input packet into a global IP address allocated from the communication carrier corresponding to the second APN. Therefore, when the routing table is configured to route the second packet 320 to the cellular communication unit 31, the second packet 320 is sent to the communication path corresponding to the second APN. If the routing table is set to route the second packet 320 to the wireless LAN communication unit 32, the local IP address of the second packet 320 is converted to the IP address assigned to the wireless LAN communication unit 32 and sent to the wireless relay device 110.

[0059] Since the third packet 330 is a packet associated with a third service, it is input to the third virtual router 203. The third virtual router 203 is a virtual router that routes communication to the wireless LAN communication unit 32. The third virtual router 203 inputs packets routed to the wireless LAN communication unit 32 to the wireless LAN communication unit 32. The local IP address of the third packet 330 is translated into an IP address assigned to the wireless LAN communication unit 32 and then sent to the wireless repeater 110.

[0060] according to Figure 3For example, since the first virtual router 201 and the second virtual router 202 correspond to different APNs, the routing tables in the first virtual router 201 and the second virtual router 202 can be configured for a specific APN. Since packets associated with specific services are entered into each of the first virtual router 201 and the second virtual router 202, the routing tables in the first virtual router 201 and the second virtual router 202 can be configured for a specific service. Thus, configuring the routing tables becomes easy.

[0061] exist Figure 3 In the example shown, the communication carrier corresponding to the first APN can be a different communication carrier than the communication carrier corresponding to the second APN. In another embodiment, the communication carrier corresponding to the first APN can be the same communication carrier as the communication carrier corresponding to the second APN.

[0062] exist Figure 3 In the example shown, when the control unit 210 performs control to prioritize wireless LAN communication over cellular communication, the control unit 210 can modify the routing table of the second virtual router 202 to prioritize wireless LAN communication over cellular communication. For example, the control unit 210 can modify the routing table so that packets associated with at least a portion of the services configured to route packets to the cellular communication unit 31 are routed to the wireless LAN communication unit 32.

[0063] As an example, control unit 210 can modify the routing table to prioritize routing packets to at least a subset of services in the cellular communication unit 31 that allow lower security levels, and route packets associated with the selected services to the wireless LAN communication unit 32. Control unit 210 can also modify the routing table to prioritize routing packets to at least a subset of services in the cellular communication unit 31 that allow lower immediacy, and route packets associated with the selected services to the wireless LAN communication unit 32. Requirement information indicating the security level and immediacy required for each service can be pre-configured, and control unit 210 refers to this requirement information to determine the service to which packets should be routed to the wireless LAN communication unit 32.

[0064] Figure 4 An example flowchart relating to the communication control method executed in TCU30 is shown. Processing of this flowchart begins when an event of a predetermined type, indicating an increase or decrease in communication routed to the wireless LAN communication unit 32, is detected. Figure 4In this context, events that increase the type of communication routed to the wireless LAN communication unit 32 are called "wireless LAN priority events," and events that decrease the type of communication routed to the wireless LAN communication unit 32 are called "wireless LAN non-priority events."

[0065] In S402, the control unit 210 determines the type of the detected event and whether it is a wireless LAN priority event or a wireless LAN non-priority event. A wireless LAN priority event includes at least one of the following: an event indicating that the speed of the mobile unit 20 falls below a predetermined first speed value; an event indicating a deterioration in the cellular communication status; an event indicating that the ignition power of the mobile unit 20 is turned off; and an event indicating an improvement in the wireless LAN communication status. The first speed value can be, for example, any speed value within the range of 10 km / h to 30 km / h. A wireless LAN non-priority event may include an event indicating that the speed of the mobile unit 20 falls above a predetermined second speed value; and an event indicating a deterioration in the wireless LAN communication status. The second speed value can be, for example, a speed value of 40 km / h or higher. The control unit 210 can determine whether the communication status of each of the cellular communication status and the wireless LAN communication status is good or bad based on RSSI (Received Signal Strength Index), communication bandwidth, and / or communication speed.

[0066] When the detected event is determined to be a wireless LAN priority event in S402, in S404, the control unit 210 adds the services to be routed to the wireless LAN communication unit 32. For example, as described above, the control unit 210 can modify the routing table so that packets associated with a portion of the services set to be routed to the cellular communication unit 31 are routed to the wireless LAN communication unit 32. Therefore, in situations where wireless LAN communication can be prioritized, it can take precedence over cellular communication, thus reducing communication costs.

[0067] When the detected event is determined to be a non-priority wireless LAN event in S402, in S406, the control unit 210 reduces the number of services that should route packets to the wireless LAN communication unit 32. For example, the control unit 210 may modify the routing table so that packets associated with a portion of the services configured to route packets to the wireless LAN communication unit 32 are routed to the cellular communication unit 31.

[0068] As an example, the control unit 210 can modify the routing table to prioritize at least a subset of services requiring a higher security level among those configured to route packets to the wireless LAN communication unit 32, and route packets associated with the selected services to the cellular communication unit 31. The control unit 210 can also modify the routing table to prioritize at least a subset of services requiring higher immediacy among those configured to route packets to the wireless LAN communication unit 32, and route packets associated with the selected services to the cellular communication unit 31. As described above, requirement information indicating the security level and immediacy required for each service can be pre-set for each service, and the control unit 210 refers to this request information to determine the service to route packets to the cellular communication unit 31. In situations where it is not desirable to prioritize wireless LAN communication, the traffic volume of wireless LAN communication can be reduced.

[0069] In the communication system 22 described above, an implementation of the communication control unit 33 having multiple virtual routers has been described. However, the communication control unit 33 may also employ a single virtual router. In this case, the control unit 210 may prioritize routing to the wireless LAN communication unit 32 over the cellular communication unit 31 by controlling the routing based on the single virtual router. Similarly, the control unit 210 may also prioritize routing to the wireless LAN communication unit 32 over the cellular communication unit 31 for each service by controlling the routing based on the single virtual router.

[0070] According to the above-described communication system 22, when cellular communication via wireless base station 120 and wireless LAN communication via wireless relay device 110 are available, communication system 22 can prioritize wireless LAN communication over cellular communication, thereby reducing communication costs.

[0071] Figure 5 Examples of computer 2000 that may embody all or part of the various embodiments of the present invention are shown. A program installed on computer 2000 enables computer 2000 to function as a communication system 22 or its units, or various devices such as TCU 30, or its units, according to the embodiments, performing operations associated with the system or its units, the device, or its units, and / or performing processes or steps according to the embodiments. Such a program may be executed by CPU 2012 to enable computer 2000 to perform the processing flow described herein and specific operations associated with several or all of the functional blocks in the block diagram.

[0072] The computer 2000 based on this embodiment includes a CPU 2012 and RAM 2014, which are interconnected via a main controller 2010. The computer 2000 also includes a ROM 2026, flash memory 2024, a communication interface 2022, and an input / output chip 2040. The ROM 2026, flash memory 2024, communication interface 2022, and input / output chip 2040 are connected to the main controller 2010 via an input / output controller 2020.

[0073] CPU2012 operates according to the programs stored in ROM2026 and RAM2014, thereby controlling each unit.

[0074] The communication interface 2022 communicates with other electronic devices via a network. The flash memory 2024 stores programs and data used by the CPU 2012 within the computer 2000. The ROM 2026 stores startup programs executed by the computer 2000 when activated, and / or programs dependent on the hardware of the computer 2000. The input / output chip 2040 can also connect various input / output units such as keyboards, mice, and monitors to the input / output controller 2020 via input / output ports such as serial ports, parallel ports, keyboard ports, mouse ports, monitor ports, USB ports, and HDMI (registered trademark) ports.

[0075] The program is provided via a computer-readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or USB flash drive, or via a network. RAM 2014, ROM 2026, or flash memory 2024 are examples of computer-readable storage media. The program is installed into flash memory 2024, RAM 2014, or ROM 2026 and executed by CPU 2012. The information processing described within these programs is read by computer 2000, enabling cooperation between the program and the aforementioned types of hardware resources. The apparatus or method can be configured to perform information manipulation or processing in accordance with the use of computer 2000.

[0076] For example, when communication is performed between the computer 2000 and an external device, the CPU 2012 can execute a communication program loaded into the RAM 2014, and instruct the communication interface 2022 to perform communication processing based on the processing described in the communication program. Under the control of the CPU 2012, the communication interface 2022 reads the transmission data stored in the transmission buffer processing area provided in the recording medium such as the RAM 2014 and the flash memory 2024, sends the read transmission data to the network, and writes the received data received from the network to the receive buffer processing area provided on the recording medium, etc.

[0077] In addition, CPU 2012 can read all or a required portion of a file or database stored in a recording medium such as flash memory 2024 into RAM 2014, and perform various processing on the data in RAM 2014. CPU 2012 then writes the processed data back to the recording medium.

[0078] Various types of information, such as programs, data, tables, and databases, can be saved to the recording medium and applied to information processing. The CPU 2012 can perform various operations, information processing, conditional judgments, conditional branches, unconditional branches, information retrieval / replacement, etc., as described in this specification, on data read from the RAM 2014, and write the results back to the RAM 2014. Furthermore, the CPU 2012 can retrieve information from files, databases, etc., within the recording medium. For example, if multiple items, each having an attribute value associated with a second attribute, are stored in the recording medium, the CPU 2012 can retrieve the item whose first attribute value matches the condition from these multiple items, read the second attribute value stored in that item, and thereby obtain the second attribute value associated with the first attribute that satisfies a preset condition.

[0079] The programs or software modules described above can be stored on or near the computer 2000 on a computer-readable storage medium. Recording media such as hard disks or RAM provided in server systems connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet can be used as computer-readable storage media. Programs stored on computer-readable storage media can be provided to the computer 2000 via a network.

[0080] If a program installed in computer 2000, enabling computer 2000 to function as TCU 30, is executed by the computer, it can operate in CPU 2012 or similar components, thereby allowing computer 2000 to function as individual units of TCU 30. The information processing described in these programs is read into computer 2000, thus enabling computer 2000 to function as specific units of TCU 30, cooperating with the software and the aforementioned hardware resources. Furthermore, by utilizing these specific units to perform calculations or processing of information corresponding to the intended use of computer 2000 in this embodiment, a unique TCU 30 corresponding to that intended use is constructed.

[0081] Various embodiments have been described with reference to block diagrams, etc. In the block diagrams, each functional block may represent (1) a step of an operation process or (2) a unit of a device having the function of performing the operation. Specific steps and units may be implemented by dedicated circuits, programmable circuits supplied together with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, and / or processors supplied together with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium. Dedicated circuits may include digital and / or analog hardware circuits, and may also include integrated circuits (ICs) and / or discrete circuits. Programmable circuits may include logic AND, logic OR, logic XOR, logic NAND, logic NOR, and other logic operations, flip-flops, registers, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic arrays (PLAs), and other reconfigurable hardware circuits including memory elements.

[0082] A computer-readable storage medium can include any tangible device capable of storing instructions executable by a suitable device, such that the computer-readable storage medium having the instructions stored therein constitutes at least a portion of an article containing instructions executable to implement units for performing operations specified in a process flow or block diagram. Examples of computer-readable storage media include electrical storage media, magnetic storage media, optical storage media, electromagnetic storage media, semiconductor storage media, etc. More specific examples of computer-readable storage media include floppy disks (registered trademark), floppy magnetic disks, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), static random access memory (SRAM), optical disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital multipurpose disk (DVD), Blu-ray (RTM) discs, memory sticks, integrated circuit cards, etc.

[0083] Computer-readable instructions may include assembly instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine delegate instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, status setting data, or any type of source code or object code described by any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Smalltalk (registered trademark), JAVA (registered trademark), C++, and conventional procedural programming languages ​​such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages.

[0084] Computer-readable instructions are provided locally or via a wide area network (WAN) such as a local area network (LAN) or the Internet to a processor or programmable circuit of a programmable data processing device such as a computer, and can be executed in order to implement means for performing the operations specified in the described processing flow or block diagram.

[0085] The computer in this context can be a PC (personal computer), tablet computer, smartphone, workstation, server, or general-purpose computer, or it can be a computer system composed of multiple connected computers. Such a computer system composed of multiple connected computers is called a distributed computer system, which falls under the broader definition of a computer. In a distributed computer system, multiple computers each execute a part of a program, exchanging data between the computers as needed, thereby enabling multiple computers to jointly execute the program.

[0086] Examples of processors include computer processors, central processing units (CPUs), processing units, microprocessors, digital signal processors, controllers, and microcontrollers. A computer can have one or more processors. In a multiprocessor system with multiple processors, each processor executes a portion of the program, exchanging data between processors as needed, thus allowing multiple processors to jointly execute the program. For example, in multitasking, each processor can switch tasks according to time slices, thereby precisely executing each part of the task. In this case, which part of the program each processor executes is dynamically changing. Alternatively, which part of the program each processor executes can also be statically defined by the multiprocessor-specific programming.

[0087] The present invention has been described above using embodiments, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. Such modifications or improvements can also be included within the technical scope of the present invention, as is evident from the claims.

[0088] Regarding the execution order of actions, processes, steps, and procedures in the apparatus, system, program, and method shown in the claims, specification, and drawings, it should be noted that unless explicitly stated as "before" or "firstly," any order is permissible as long as the output of a previous process is not used in a subsequent process. Even if terms such as "firstly" or "next" are used for convenience in describing the flow of actions in the claims, specification, and drawings, this does not imply that the actions must be performed in that specific order.

[0089] [Explanation of Labels in the Attached Image]

[0090] 20 moving bodies

[0091] 22 Communication Systems

[0092] 30TCU

[0093] 31 Cellular Communications Department

[0094] 32 Wireless LAN Communications Department

[0095] 33 Communications Control Department

[0096] 50ECU

[0097] 60ECU

[0098] 70 vehicle-mounted communication network

[0099] 90 communication network

[0100] 110 wireless repeater

[0101] 120 wireless base station

[0102] 200 Virtual Router Department

[0103] 210 Control Department

[0104] 220 Bridging Section

[0105] 201 First Virtual Router

[0106] 202 Second Virtual Router

[0107] 203 Third Virtual Router

[0108] Group 1, 310

[0109] Group 320

[0110] Group 330

[0111] 2000 Computer

[0112] 2010 Main Controller

[0113] 2012 CPU

[0114] 2014 RAM

[0115] 2020 Input / Output Controller

[0116] 2022 communication interface

[0117] 2024 Flash Memory

[0118] 2026ROM

[0119] 2040 input / output chip.

Claims

1. A communication control device that is provided in a mobile body that is provided with a cellular communication section that performs cellular communication and a wireless LAN communication section that performs wireless LAN communication, wherein have: The virtual router unit decides whether to route communication to the cellular communication unit or the wireless LAN communication unit; and The control unit controls the routing of the virtual router unit to prioritize wireless LAN communication over cellular communication.

2. The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein, The control unit controls the routing of the virtual router unit to perform parallel cellular communication and wireless LAN communication.

3. The communication control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The moving body is a vehicle. The control unit, by controlling the routing of the virtual router unit, prioritizes routing communications other than those related to the vehicle's driving control to the wireless LAN communication unit, compared to the cellular communication unit.

4. The communication control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The moving body is a vehicle. The control unit, by controlling the routing of the virtual router unit, prioritizes routing communications related to the vehicle's driving control to the cellular communication unit, compared to the wireless LAN communication unit.

5. The communication control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The virtual router unit has multiple virtual routers corresponding to different APN settings.

6. The communication control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The virtual router unit has multiple virtual routers corresponding to different services.

7. The communication control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The virtual router unit has a first virtual router that routes communication only to the cellular communication unit.

8. The communication control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The virtual router unit has a second virtual router that routes communications to the cellular communication unit and the wireless LAN communication unit. The control unit controls the second virtual router to prioritize wireless LAN communication over cellular communication.

9. The communication control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The virtual router unit has a third virtual router that routes communication only to the wireless LAN communication unit.

10. The communication control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, When a predetermined event is detected, the control unit controls the routing of the virtual router unit to prioritize wireless LAN communication over cellular communication.

11. The communication control device according to claim 10, wherein, The moving body is a vehicle. The predetermined event includes at least one of the following: an event indicating that the vehicle's speed falls below a predetermined speed value; an event indicating that the cellular communication status deteriorates; and an event indicating that the vehicle's ignition power is turned off.

12. A communication control method executed by a communication control device provided in a mobile body that has a cellular communication unit that performs cellular communication and a wireless LAN communication unit that performs wireless LAN communication, wherein The steps are as follows: The virtual router unit decides whether to route communication to the cellular communication unit or the wireless LAN communication unit; as well as By controlling the routing of the virtual router, control is performed to prioritize wireless LAN communication over cellular communication.

13. A computer program product comprising a computer program, wherein the steps of the communication control method according to claim 12 are carried out when the computer program is executed by a processor.

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