Vehicle-mounted system and vehicle

Abstract

The present application aims to avoid hindrance of emergency call processing in a vehicle. A vehicle-mounted system includes a control device that controls a plurality of application programs each corresponding to one or more signals flowing on a vehicle-mounted network and each performing an action corresponding to a change in a value of the corresponding one or more signals, and that causes a first application program corresponding to a first signal to perform an action corresponding to a change point when detecting a change in the value of the first signal as the change point; and a communication device that continuously receives a plurality of signals from the vehicle-mounted network, inputs the plurality of signals to the control device when a second application program performing an emergency call to the outside of the vehicle does not perform the emergency call, and inputs only a second signal corresponding to the second application program to the control device when the second application program performs the emergency call.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an in-vehicle system and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses an emergency call device that connects to the vehicle's ECU via an in-vehicle network such as CAN, and sends an emergency call to the emergency call center when an emergency occurs in the vehicle. "CAN" is an abbreviation for Controller Area Network. "ECU" is an abbreviation for electronic control unit.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-117063 Summary of the Invention

[0004] In a vehicle, applications sometimes use information obtained via the in-vehicle network to perform actions. However, if information is processed separately in each application, there is a possibility of duplicate processing between applications. If information is processed in each application during an emergency call as it would be under normal circumstances, it could hinder the processing of the emergency call.

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to avoid obstruction of emergency call processing in vehicles, and preferably also to avoid duplication of processing between applications.

[0006] The in-vehicle system of the present invention comprises: a control device that controls multiple applications, each corresponding to one or more signals flowing on a vehicle network and performing actions corresponding to changes in the value of the corresponding one or more signals, and when a change in the value of a first signal, which is one of the multiple signals, is detected as a change point, causing a first application corresponding to the first signal among the multiple applications to perform an action corresponding to the detected change point; and a communication device that continuously receives the multiple signals from the vehicle network, and when a second application among the multiple applications that makes an emergency call to the outside of the vehicle does not make the emergency call, inputs the received multiple signals to the control device; and when the second application makes the emergency call, inputs only the second signal, which corresponds to the second application among the received multiple signals, to the control device.

[0007] Invention Effects

[0008] According to the present invention, in a vehicle, it is possible to avoid obstruction of emergency call processing and also to avoid duplication of processing between applications. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating the structure of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the vehicle-mounted system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the figures. In the figures, the same or corresponding parts are labeled with the same symbols. In the description of this embodiment, the description of the same or corresponding parts is appropriately omitted or simplified.

[0012] refer to Figure 1 The structure of the vehicle 10 involved in this embodiment will be described.

[0013] The vehicle 10 is equipped with an on-board system 20. The on-board system 20 is connected to various devices such as the ECU installed in the vehicle 10 via an on-board network 11 such as CAN.

[0014] Vehicle 10 can be any type of automobile, such as a gasoline vehicle, diesel vehicle, hydrogen vehicle, HEV, PHEV, BEV, or FCEV. "HEV" is an abbreviation for hybrid electric vehicle. "PHEV" is an abbreviation for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. "BEV" is an abbreviation for battery electric vehicle. "FCEV" is an abbreviation for fuel cell electric vehicle. In this embodiment, vehicle 10 is driven by a user, but it can also be driven autonomously at any level. The level of automation can be, for example, any one of levels 1 to 5 in the SAE classification. "SAE" is an abbreviation for Society of Automotive Engineers. Vehicle 10 can also be a Maas-as-a-Service vehicle. "Maas" is an abbreviation for Mobility as a Service.

[0015] The vehicle system 20 includes a control device 30 and a communication device 40.

[0016] The control device 30 is an on-board computer such as an ECU. The control device 30 includes an automatic detection unit 31 that controls multiple application programs 50. Each application program 50 corresponds to one or more signals 12 flowing on the vehicle network 11, and performs an action corresponding to a change in the value of the corresponding signal 12. In this embodiment, each application program 50 is executed on the same computer as the control device 30, but it can also be executed on a different computer. When the automatic detection unit 31 of the control device 30 detects a change in the value of a first signal, which is one of the multiple signals 12, as a change point, it causes the first application program corresponding to the first signal among the multiple application programs 50 to perform an action corresponding to the detected change point.

[0017] The communication device 40 is an in-vehicle communication unit such as a DCM (Data Communication Module). The communication device 40 includes a CAN receiver 41 that continuously receives multiple signals 12 from the in-vehicle network 11. When the second application among the multiple applications 50, which makes an emergency call to the outside of the vehicle, does not make an emergency call, the CAN receiver 41 of the communication device 40 inputs the received multiple signals 12 to the automatic detection unit 31 of the control device 30. On the other hand, when the second application makes an emergency call, the CAN receiver 41 of the communication device 40 only inputs the second signal corresponding to the second application from the received multiple signals 12 to the automatic detection unit 31 of the control device 30. Therefore, in the vehicle 10, obstacles to emergency call processing can be avoided.

[0018] In this embodiment, the multiple applications 50 include two or more applications 50 that correspond to a common signal 12 among the multiple signals 12. When the automatic detection unit 31 of the control device 30 detects a change in the value of the common signal 12 as a change point, it causes the two or more applications 50 to perform actions corresponding to the detected change point. That is, in this embodiment, in order to detect change points, the automatic detection unit 31 of the control device 30 can perform batch processing of the signals 12 without processing the signals 12 individually in each application 50. Therefore, duplication of processing between applications 50 can be avoided.

[0019] In this embodiment, the multiple applications 50 include multiple core applications 51 and multiple remote service applications 52. The second application for making an emergency call is one of the remote service applications 52. Each core application 51 performs actions without external communication as actions corresponding to changes in the value of one or more corresponding signals 12. Each remote service application 52 performs actions with external communication as actions corresponding to changes in the value of one or more corresponding signals 12. For example, the remote service application 52 may be a connection service application, and the core applications 51 may be other applications besides these.

[0020] The control device 30 executes a first software 61 that controls multiple core application programs 51 and a second software 62 that controls multiple remote service application programs 52. The automatic detection unit 31 of the control device 30 is installed as a software component included in both the first software 61 and the second software 62. When the second application makes an emergency call, the CAN receiver 41 of the communication device 40 only inputs the second signal to the automatic detection unit 31 of the second software 62. That is, when the second application makes an emergency call, the CAN receiver 41 of the communication device 40 does not input any of the received signals 12 to the automatic detection unit 31 of the first software 61, nor does it input any of the received signals 12 other than the second signal to the automatic detection unit 31 of the second software 62. The CAN receiver 41 of the communication device 40 can be installed solely by hardware such as signal processing circuitry, or it can be installed as a combination of hardware and signal processing software.

[0021] The control device 30 is a computer including at least a processor and memory, serving as a structure for executing programs such as first software 61 and second software 62. The computer also includes communication circuitry for communicating with the communication device 40 and an external server. The processor is, for example, a CPU or a GPU. "CPU" is an abbreviation for Central Processing Unit. "GPU" is an abbreviation for Graphics Processing Unit. The memory is, for example, RAM, ROM, or flash memory. "RAM" is an abbreviation for Random Access Memory. "ROM" is an abbreviation for Read Only Memory. The memory functions as, for example, primary storage, secondary storage, or cache memory.

[0022] The functions of the control device 30 are implemented by the processor executing a program. That is, the functions of the control device 30 are implemented by software. The computer performs the actions of the control device 30 by executing the program, thereby enabling the computer to function as the control device 30. In other words, the computer functions as the control device 30 by executing the actions of the control device 30 according to the program.

[0023] Programs can be stored on non-transitory computer-readable media. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include flash memory, magnetic recording devices, optical discs, magneto-optical recording media, or ROM. Program circulation occurs, for example, through the sale, transfer, or lending of removable media containing the program. Programs can also be stored in the storage devices of a server and transferred from the server to other computers, thereby enabling program circulation. Programs can also be provided as program products. Computers may temporarily store programs stored on portable media or transferred from a server in main storage. The computer then reads the program stored in main storage using its processor and executes the processing according to the read program. A computer can directly read a program from a portable medium and execute the processing according to the program. A computer can sequentially execute the processing indicated by the received program each time a program is transferred from a server to the computer. A program includes information for computer-based processing and conforms to the program. For example, data that, while not direct instructions to the computer, has the nature of specifying the computer's processing is equivalent to "the content conforming to the program."

[0024] refer to Figure 2 The operation of the vehicle-mounted system 20 according to this embodiment will be described below. The operations described below are equivalent to the control method according to this embodiment.

[0025] In S1, when the communication device 40 receives signal 12 from the vehicle network 11, in S2, it determines whether the second application has made an emergency call. To make this determination, for example, the communication device 40 receives a signal from the control device 30 indicating whether the second application has made an emergency call. If it is determined that the second application has made an emergency call, in S3, the communication device 40 determines whether signal 12 received in S1 is a second signal corresponding to the second application. In this determination, known methods for determining signal categories can be used. If it is determined that signal 12 received in S1 is a second signal, or if it is determined that the second application has not made an emergency call, in S4, the communication device 40 inputs signal 12 received in S1 to the control device 30. If it is determined that signal 12 received in S1 is not a second signal, step S4 is not executed, and step S1 is executed again.

[0026] In S4, when the control device 30 receives signal 12 from the communication device 40 as the first signal, in S5, it determines whether the value of the first signal has changed. To make this determination, for example, the control device 30 stores past values ​​of signal 12, which is the same as the first signal, in memory. In S5, when the control device 30 detects a change in the value of the first signal as a change point, in S6, by inputting change information representing the change point detected in S5 into the first application corresponding to the first signal, the first application performs an action corresponding to that change point. For example, when a change in the value of a CAN signal related to volume setting is detected as a change point, the control device 30 causes a media player, one of the core applications 51, to perform media playback control corresponding to that change point. For another example, when a change in the value of a CAN signal related to airbag deployment status is detected as a change point, the control device 30 causes a second application, one of the remote service applications 52, to make an emergency call corresponding to that change point. If no change point is detected, step S1 is executed again. After S6, step S1 is executed again.

[0027] As a variation, multiple applications 50 can perform actions corresponding to changes in the values ​​of one or more corresponding signals 12 and the state of the vehicle 10, such as ignition on / off. In this variation, the control device 30 determines the state of the vehicle 10 from a dedicated line, such as the ignition wire, without going through the vehicle network 11 such as CAN. In S5, when the control device 30 detects a change point, in S6, the first application performs an action corresponding to the detected change point and the determined state of the vehicle 10.

[0028] As described above, in this embodiment, the vehicle system 20, which can receive information from the vehicle 10 as signal 12, detects changes in signal 12 based on changes in signal value and outputs information to the desired application 50. During an emergency call, the reception of signal 12 is restricted, and only signals 12 related to the emergency call are received. Therefore, by centrally managing changes in signal value and implementing output to each application 50 based on these changes, redundant processing can be reduced, and processing obstacles caused by receiving unnecessary signals 12 during an emergency call can be suppressed.

[0029] For example, in the vehicle system 20, software is configured to centrally manage changes in CAN signals. This software detects changes and notifies the target application 50 of the necessary information. Whether to notify the target application 50 can be determined based on the vehicle 10's status, such as the ignition signal status. During an emergency call, the software switches to a CAN bit allocation table that only receives CAN signals used for emergency calls and performs CAN reception suppression. Therefore, it prevents emergency call operations from being hindered. Because hardware resources can be used efficiently, cost increases can also be suppressed. By centrally processing CAN signals, processor load and memory usage can be reduced, and development efficiency can be improved, thereby enhancing product quality.

[0030] This invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, two or more block diagrams shown in the block diagrams may be merged, or a block diagram may be divided. Instead of executing each step sequentially according to the order of two or more steps shown in the flowchart, the steps may be executed in parallel or in a different order, depending on the processing capacity of the device executing each step or as needed. Furthermore, modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of this invention.

[0031] Symbol Explanation

[0032] 10-Vehicle, 11-Vehicle network, 12-Signal, 20-Vehicle system, 30-Control device, 31-Automatic detection unit, 40-Communication device, 41-CAN receiver, 50-Application program, 51-Core application program, 52-Remote service application program, 61-First software, 62-Second software.

Claims

1. An in-vehicle system characterized by comprising: have: A control device controls multiple applications that correspond to one or more signals flowing on a vehicle network and perform actions corresponding to changes in the value of the corresponding one or more signals. When a change in the value of a first signal, which is one of the multiple signals, is detected as a change point, the first application corresponding to the first signal among the multiple applications performs an action corresponding to the detected change point. and A communication device continuously receives the plurality of signals from the vehicle network, and when the second application among the plurality of applications that makes an emergency call to the outside of the vehicle is not making the emergency call, inputs the received plurality of signals to the control device; when the second application makes the emergency call, only the second signal among the received plurality of signals corresponding to the second application is input to the control device.

2. The vehicle-mounted system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of applications includes two or more applications that correspond to a common signal among the plurality of signals. When the control device detects a change in the value of the common signal as the point of change, it causes the two or more application programs to perform actions corresponding to the detected point of change.

3. The vehicle-mounted system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The multiple applications include: Multiple core applications, each performing actions without external vehicle communication as actions corresponding to changes in the value of one or more of the corresponding signals; and Multiple remote service applications, including the second application, each perform actions accompanying external vehicle communication as actions corresponding to changes in the value of one or more corresponding signals. The control device executes a first software that controls the plurality of core applications and a second software that controls the plurality of remote service applications, respectively. When the second application is making the emergency call, the communication device inputs the second signal only to the second software.

4. The vehicle-mounted system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The multiple applications perform actions corresponding to changes in the values ​​of the one or more signals and the state of the vehicle. The control device performs the following processing: Determine the state of the vehicle; and Upon detecting the change point, the first application performs an action corresponding to the detected change point and the determined state of the vehicle.

5. A vehicle comprising the vehicle-mounted system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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