Communication system

Abstract

To provide a communication system that performs continuous communication with vehicles by simple control.SOLUTION: A communication system (1) included a communication apparatus (31, 32, 33) mounted on a vehicle (C1, C2, C3), a load balancer (21, 22), and a plurality of distribution systems (10a, 10b). The communication system transmits a vehicle message representing a connection request to the load balancer. The load balancer determines whether to transmits the vehicle message to one distribution system of the plurality of distribution systems based on setting parameters related to the vehicle message. It is determined that the vehicle message should be transmitted to the distribution system, the one distribution system transmits a reply message to the vehicle message.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of communication systems that transmit and receive information to and from vehicles.

Background Art

[0002] As this type of system, for example, a system for collecting vehicle data from a vehicle has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In this type of system, for example, in a redundant configuration for enabling communication with a vehicle at all times, there is a technical problem that complex control is often required.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a communication system that can always communicate with a vehicle with relatively simple control.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A communication system according to an aspect of the present invention includes a communication device mounted on a vehicle, a load balancer, and a plurality of distribution systems. The communication device transmits a vehicle message indicating a connection request to the load balancer. The load balancer determines whether to transfer the vehicle message to one of the plurality of distribution systems based on setting parameters related to the vehicle message. When it is determined to transfer the vehicle message to the one distribution system, the one distribution system transmits a reply message to the vehicle message.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Embodiments related to the communication system will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In FIG. 1, the communication system 1 includes distribution systems 10a and 10b, load balancers 21 and 22, DCM (Data Communication Module) 31, 32, and 33, and terminal devices T1, T2, and T3. The DCMs 31, 32, and 33 are respectively mounted on vehicles C1, C2, and C3.

[0009] Note that the communication system 1 may include three or more distribution systems. The communication system 1 may include four or more DCMs. Alternatively, the communication system 1 may include one or two of the DCMs 31, 32, and 33. The communication system 1 may include four or more terminal devices. Alternatively, the communication system may include one or two of the terminal devices T1, T2, and T3.

[0010] The distribution systems 10a and 10b and the load balancers 21 and 22 are connected to a wide area network such as the Internet. The DCMs 31, 32, and 33 are connected to the wide area network via, for example, a wireless base station. For this reason, the vehicles C1, C2, and C3 may be connected cars. The terminal devices T1, T2, and T3 are connected to the wide area network via, for example, a wireless base station or a communication cable.

[0011] For example, the communication system 1 may form part of an information infrastructure for connected cars. For example, assume that the user of the vehicle 31 has the terminal device T1. The user of the vehicle 31 may use the message application installed in the terminal device T1 to send a message indicating the destination to the vehicle 31. In this case, the message transmitted from the terminal device T1 is transmitted to the vehicle 31 via the load balancer 22, at least one of the distribution systems 10a and 10b, and the load balancer 21. The vehicle 31 that has received the above message may set the destination indicated by the received message as the destination of the navigation device. Note that the message application may be referred to as, for example, a talk application or a chat application.

[0012] The location where the distribution system 10a is installed and the location where the distribution system 10b is installed may be geographically separated. For example, in Japan, the distribution system 10a may be installed at a base located in eastern Japan, and the distribution system 10b may be installed at a base located in western Japan.

[0013] The vehicle messages transmitted from the DCMs 31, 32, and 33 to the outside of the vehicle may be respectively provided with position information regarding the positions of the DCMs 31, 32, and 33 (in other words, the positions of the vehicles C1, C2, and C3).

[0014] The load balancer 21 transfers the vehicle message to at least one of the distribution systems 10a and 10b. At this time, the load balancer 21 may transfer the vehicle message to at least one of the distribution systems 10a and 10b according to a predetermined setting. In this case, the load balancer 21 may determine whether to send the vehicle message to the distribution system 10a based on a predetermined setting. Similarly, the load balancer 21 may determine whether to send the vehicle message to the distribution system 10b based on a predetermined setting. The predetermined setting may include selecting a distribution system close to the position of the DCM (in other words, the position of the vehicle). Note that the predetermined setting may be stored in the load balancer 21 as a setting parameter.

[0015] For example, assume that the distribution system 10a is installed at a base located in eastern Japan and the distribution system 10b is installed at a base located in western Japan. When the DCM 31 (that is, the vehicle C1) exists in Tokyo, the load balancer 21 may transfer the vehicle message transmitted from the DCM 31 to the distribution system 10a. That is, the vehicle message transmitted from the DCM 31 may be provided with position information regarding the position "Tokyo". The load balancer 21 may select the distribution system 10a as the transfer destination of the vehicle message based on a setting such as "select a distribution system close to the position of the DCM".

[0016] Alternatively, when the DCM 31 exists in Osaka, the load balancer 21 may transfer the vehicle message transmitted from the DCM 31 to the distribution system 10b. That is, the vehicle message transmitted from the DCM 31 may be provided with position information regarding the position "Osaka". The load balancer 21 may select the distribution system 10b as the transfer destination of the vehicle message based on a setting such as "select a distribution system close to the position of the DCM".

[0017] Even when DCM31 is present in Osaka, if the load on the distribution system 10b is significantly higher than the load on the distribution system 10a, the load balancer 21 may transfer the vehicle messages transmitted from DCM31 to the distribution system 10a.

[0018] The terminal messages transmitted externally from the terminal devices T1, T2, and T3 may be respectively provided with position information regarding the positions of the terminal devices T1, T2, and T3.

[0019] The load balancer 22 transfers the terminal messages to at least one of the distribution systems 10a and 10b. At this time, the load balancer 22 may transfer the terminal messages to at least one of the distribution systems 10a and 10b according to a predetermined setting. The predetermined setting may include selecting a distribution system close to the position of the terminal device. Incidentally, the predetermined setting may be stored in the load balancer 22 as a setting parameter.

[0020] The distribution system 10a includes a distribution control unit 11a and a distribution queue control unit 12a. In the memory of the distribution system 10a, connection state information 13a indicating the connection state between at least some of a plurality of vehicles including vehicles C1, C2, and C3 and the distribution system 10a is stored. In the input / output memory of the distribution system 10a, a distribution queue 14a is stored.

[0021] The distribution system 10b includes a distribution control unit 11b and a distribution queue 12b. In the memory of the distribution system 10b, connection state information 13b indicating the connection state between at least some of a plurality of vehicles including vehicles C1, C2, and C3 and the distribution system 10b is stored. In the input / output memory of the distribution system 10b, a distribution queue 14b is stored.

[0022] Furthermore, the distribution control unit 11a and the distribution queue control unit 12a may be implemented by an arithmetic unit of the distribution system 10a. Similarly, the distribution control unit 11b and the distribution queue control unit 12b may be implemented by an arithmetic unit of the distribution system 10b. The arithmetic unit may include at least one of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and a TPU (Tensor Processing Unit).

[0023] Furthermore, the memories of the distribution systems 10a and 10b may be a concept that includes not only a RAM (Random Access Memory) but also a non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory may include, for example, at least one of a flash memory, a hard disk drive, and a solid state drive. The distribution queues 14a and 14b may be a concept that includes at least one of a software queue and a hardware queue.

[0024] For example, the operation of the communication system 1 when a vehicle message indicating a connection request is transmitted from the DCM 31 of the vehicle C1 will be described. The DCM 31 transmits a vehicle message indicating a connection request to the load balancer 21. For example, the load balancer 21 may determine a distribution system to which the received vehicle message is to be transmitted (in other words, transferred) based on the location information attached to the received vehicle message. Here, it is assumed that the vehicle message is transferred to the distribution system 10a by the load balancer 21.

[0025] Upon receiving a vehicle message indicating a connection request, the distribution queue control unit 12a of the distribution system 10a processes the connection request (i.e., a request to connect the DCM 31 to the distribution system 10a). At this time, the distribution queue control unit 12a may add to the connection status information 13a that the DCM 31 (in other words, vehicle C1) and the distribution system 10a are in a connected state. For example, after processing the connection request, the distribution queue control unit 12a may send a response message indicating an answer to the connection request to the DCM 31 (in other words, vehicle C1). It can be said that the response message is a reply to the vehicle message indicating the connection request. Therefore, the response message may also be referred to as a reply message.

[0026] For example, the operation of the communication system 1 when a vehicle message indicating a disconnection request is sent from the DCM 31 of vehicle C1 will be described. Here, it is assumed that the DCM 31 (in other words, vehicle C1) is connected to the distribution system 10a. The DCM 31 sends a vehicle message indicating a disconnection request to the load balancer 21. For example, the load balancer 21 transfers the received vehicle message to the distribution system 10a.

[0027] Upon receiving a vehicle message indicating a disconnection request, the distribution queue control unit 12a of the distribution system 10a processes the disconnection request (i.e., a request to disconnect the DCM 31 from the distribution system 10a). At this time, the distribution queue control unit 12a may add to the connection status information 13a that the DCM 31 (in other words, vehicle C1) and the distribution system 10a are in a non - connected state. Alternatively, the distribution queue control unit 12a may delete the information related to the DCM 31 from the connection status information 13a. For example, after processing the disconnection request, the distribution queue control unit 12a may send a response message indicating an answer to the disconnection request to the DCM 31 (in other words, vehicle C1).

[0028] Next, for example, the operation of the communication system 1 when a terminal message is transmitted from the terminal device T1 to the vehicle 31 will be described. The terminal message may be provided with position information regarding the position of the terminal device T1. The terminal device T1 transmits the terminal message to the load balancer 22.

[0029] For example, the load balancer 22 may determine a distribution system to which the received terminal message is to be transmitted (in other words, transferred) based on the position information attached to the received terminal message. Here, it is assumed that the load balancer 22 transfers the above terminal message to the distribution system 10a.

[0030] The distribution system 10a that has received the terminal message may transmit a copy of the received terminal message to the distribution system 10b. As a result, both the distribution systems 10a and 10b will receive the terminal message transmitted from the terminal device T1.

[0031] The operations of each of the distribution systems 10a and 10b will be further described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, the distribution control unit 11a of the distribution system 10a receives a terminal message (for example, a terminal message from the terminal device T1) (step S111). Next, the distribution control unit 11a acquires a distribution destination list of the terminal message from the received terminal message (step S112). Next, the distribution control unit 11a instructs the distribution queue control unit 12a to transmit the terminal message to the queues of all the distribution destinations based on the acquired distribution destination list (step S113).

[0032] The distribution queue control unit 12a receives a terminal message (for example, a terminal message from the terminal device T1) (step S121). Next, the distribution queue control unit 12a stores the terminal message in the queues of all the distribution destinations included in the distribution queue 14a based on the instruction from the distribution control unit 11a (step S122). Here, the terminal message is stored in the queue of DCM31 (in other words, vehicle C1) as the distribution destination.

[0033] Next, the distribution queue control unit 12a determines whether there is a destination in the connected state among the above destinations based on the connection state information 13a (step S123). In the process of step S123, if it is determined that there is a destination in the connected state (step S123: Yes), the distribution queue control unit 12a transmits the terminal message to the destination in the connected state (step S124). On the other hand, in the process of step S123, if it is determined that there is no destination in the connected state (step S123: No), the distribution queue control unit 12a discards the terminal message stored in the queue (step S125).

[0034] Similarly, in FIG. 2, the distribution control unit 11b of the distribution system 10b receives a terminal message (for example, a terminal message from the terminal device T1) (step S111). Next, the distribution control unit 11b acquires a list of destinations of the received terminal message from the received terminal message (step S112). Next, the distribution control unit 11b instructs the distribution queue control unit 12b to transmit the terminal message to each queue of all the destinations based on the acquired list of destinations (step S113).

[0035] The distribution queue control unit 12b receives a terminal message (for example, a terminal message from the terminal device T1) (step S121). Next, the distribution queue control unit 12b stores the terminal message in each queue of all the destinations included in the distribution queue 14b based on the instruction from the distribution control unit 11b (step S122). Here, the terminal message is stored in the queue of DCM31 as the destination (in other words, the vehicle C1).

[0036] Next, based on the connection status information 13b, the distribution queue control unit 12b determines whether there is a distribution destination in the connection state among the above distribution destinations (step S123). In the process of step S123, if it is determined that there is a distribution destination in the connection state (step S123: Yes), the distribution queue control unit 12b transmits the terminal message to the distribution destination in the connection state (step S124). On the other hand, in the process of step S123, if it is determined that there is no distribution destination in the connection state (step S123: No), the distribution queue control unit 12b discards the terminal message stored in the queue (step S125).

[0037] For example, when the DCM31 (in other words, the vehicle C1) is connected to the distribution system 10a, in the process of step S123 in FIG. 2, the distribution queue control unit 12a of the distribution system 10a determines that there is a distribution destination in the connection state (here, the DCM31). As a result, the distribution queue control unit 12a transmits the terminal message from the terminal device T1 to the DCM31 (in other words, the vehicle C1). In this case, the distribution queue control unit 12b of the distribution system 10b determines that there is no distribution destination in the connection state in the process of step S123 in FIG. 2. As a result, the distribution queue control unit 12b discards the terminal message from the terminal device T1.

[0038] (Technical effect) For example, in order to improve the reliability of message distribution to vehicles, information indicating the connection state may be shared among a plurality of servers (corresponding to the distribution systems 10a and 10b in this case). The connection state of the vehicle changes constantly. Therefore, real-time update of the information indicating the connection state shared among a plurality of servers is required. However, complex control is required to update the information shared among a plurality of servers in real time.

[0039] In contrast, in communication system 1, for example, a terminal message from terminal device T1 is received by both distribution systems 10a and 10b. Then, the terminal message is transmitted from one of distribution systems 10a and 10b that is in a connected state with the destination (for example, DCM31 installed in vehicle C1) to the destination. On the other hand, in the other one of distribution systems 10a and 10b that is not in a connected state with the destination (for example, DCM31 installed in vehicle C1), the terminal message is discarded.

[0040] For example, even if the connection destination of vehicle C1 equipped with DCM31 changes from one of distribution systems 10a and 10b to the other one of distribution systems 10a and 10b after a terminal message for vehicle C1 is transmitted from terminal device T1, the terminal message is transmitted from the other one of distribution systems 10a and 10b that is currently in a connected state with DCM31 to vehicle C1 equipped with DCM31. In this way, in communication system 1, it is possible to always communicate with a vehicle (for example, at least one of vehicles C1, C2, and C3) with relatively simple control of receiving the terminal message by both distribution systems 10a and 10b.

[0041] <Modification Example> In the above-described embodiment, one of distribution systems 10a and 10b to which load balancer 22 transfers the terminal message transmits a copy of the terminal message to the other one of distribution systems 10a and 10b. However, load balancer 22 may transfer the terminal message to both distribution systems 10a and 10b.

[0042] Various aspects of the invention derived from the above-described embodiments and modification examples will be described below.

[0043] A communication system according to one aspect of the invention includes a communication device mounted on a vehicle, a load balancer, and a plurality of distribution systems. The communication device transmits a vehicle message indicating a connection request to the load balancer. The load balancer determines whether to transfer the vehicle message to one of the plurality of distribution systems based on setting parameters related to the vehicle message. When it is determined to transfer the vehicle message to the one distribution system, the one distribution system transmits a reply message to the vehicle message. In the above-described embodiment, "DCM31, 32, and 33" corresponds to an example of the "communication device".

[0044] In this communication system, each of the plurality of distribution systems may be able to transmit a distribution message to the vehicle via the load balancer. Each of the plurality of distribution systems may store the distribution message. Among the plurality of distribution systems, one distribution system connected to the vehicle via the communication device may transmit the stored distribution message to the vehicle. In the above-described embodiment, "terminal message" corresponds to an example of the "distribution message".

[0045] In this communication system, one or more distribution systems not connected to the vehicle among the plurality of distribution systems may discard the stored distribution message.

[0046] In this communication system, a first distribution system among the plurality of distribution systems may transmit the distribution message to a second distribution system among the plurality of distribution systems. In the above-described embodiment, "one of distribution systems 10a and 10b" corresponds to an example of the "first distribution system", and "the other of distribution systems 10a and 10b" corresponds to an example of the "second distribution system".

[0047] A communication system according to another aspect of the invention includes a plurality of distribution systems capable of transmitting distribution messages to a target vehicle, and a communication device mounted on the target vehicle. Each of the plurality of distribution systems stores the distribution messages, and among the plurality of distribution systems, one distribution system connected to the target vehicle via the communication device transmits the stored distribution message to the target vehicle.

[0048] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately modified without departing from the gist or idea of the invention read from the claims and the entire specification. A communication system involving such modifications is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0049] 1... Communication system, 10a, 10b... Distribution system, 11a, 11b... Distribution control unit, 12a, 12b... Distribution queue control unit, 13a, 13b... Connection state information, 14a, 14b... Distribution queue, 21, 22... Load balancer, 31, 32, 33... DCM

Claims

1. A communication device mounted on a vehicle, a load balancer, and a plurality of distribution systems, comprising: The communication device transmits a vehicle message indicating a connection request to the load balancer, The load balancer determines whether to transfer the vehicle message to one of the plurality of distribution systems based on setting parameters related to the vehicle message, When it is determined to transfer the vehicle message to the one distribution system, the one distribution system transmits a reply message to the vehicle message A communication system characterized by the above.

2. Each of the plurality of distribution systems can transmit a distribution message to the vehicle via the load balancer, Each of the plurality of distribution systems stores the distribution message, Among the plurality of distribution systems, one distribution system connected to the vehicle via the communication device transmits the stored distribution message to the vehicle The communication system according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. One or more distribution systems among the plurality of distribution systems that are not connected to the vehicle discard the stored distribution message The communication system according to claim 2, characterized by the above.

4. Among the plurality of distribution systems, the first distribution system transmits the distribution message to the second distribution system among the plurality of distribution systems The communication system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by the above.

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