Vehicle data processing device and vehicle data processing method

Abstract

To provide a vehicle data processing device capable of completing communication of vehicle data within a predetermined area.SOLUTION: A vehicle data processing device is configured to: specify a communication mode on a travel route of a vehicle; select a compression mode for compressing vehicle data based on a communication speed according to the communication mode and at least one of a data size of the vehicle data and a data type of the vehicle data; compress the vehicle data in the selected compression mode; and transmit the compressed vehicle data outside the vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle data processing device and a vehicle data processing method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, communication control devices that can be connected to external devices using multiple communication methods have been known (for example, Patent Document 1). The shared power supply device described in Patent Document 1 includes a storage unit that stores communication possibility information that at least associates positions at which the communication control device can be connected to external devices with communication methods that can be used at these positions, an update control unit that controls updating of the communication possibility information based on a request from at least one of the communication control device and the external device, an acquisition unit that acquires a planned route along which the communication control device will move, a control unit that controls communication between the communication control device and the external device while the communication control device is moving based on the planned route, the communication possibility information, and requested communication content in order to control updating of the communication possibility information, and a communication unit that executes communication between the communication control device and the external device based on control by the control unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-60882 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, if the communication method used in a specific area where the vehicle is traveling is a method with a low communication speed, the communication volume is limited, which poses a problem that the communication of vehicle data cannot be completed within the specific area.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle data processing device and a vehicle data processing method that can complete communication of vehicle data within a predetermined area. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention solves the above problem by identifying the communication type on the vehicle's travel route, selecting a compression type for compressing the vehicle data based on the communication speed corresponding to the communication type and at least one of the data size and data type of the vehicle data, compressing the vehicle data in the selected compression type, and transmitting the compressed vehicle data outside the vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, communication of vehicle data can be completed within a predetermined area. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of a vehicle data processing system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a table showing the correlation between data types and compression formats. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control flow of a vehicle data processing method executed by the management ECU shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A vehicle data processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] 1 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of a vehicle data processing system according to this embodiment. The vehicle data processing system processes vehicle data and transmits the processed vehicle data from the vehicle to a center. The vehicle data processing system includes a vehicle 1 and a center 2. The vehicle 1 may be a vehicle powered by an engine (ICE vehicle), a hybrid vehicle equipped with an engine and a motor, or an electric vehicle, and is connected to the center and / or other vehicles via a wireless communication network such as the Internet so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0011] The vehicle 1 has a management ECU 10, a load ECU 20, and a communication ECU 30. In addition to the ECUs such as the management ECU 10, the load ECU 20, and the communication ECU 30, the vehicle 1 also has a battery, a drive source for a motor and / or an engine, a navigation system, auxiliary equipment, etc. The navigation system is a system that provides guidance on the vehicle's driving route, and has a GPS receiver, an on-board display, map data, etc.

[0012] The management ECU 10 is an electronic control unit that manages the operating states of the load ECUs 20 connected to an in-vehicle communication network. The management ECU 10 communicates with the load ECUs 20 through the in-vehicle communication network. The management ECU 10 stores vehicle data transmitted from the load ECUs 20 in a database 14. The management ECU 10 may transmit vehicle data to other load ECUs 20 while storing vehicle data transmitted from one load ECU 20 in the database 14. When vehicle data is transmitted and received between a plurality of ECUs 20 passing through the management ECU 10, the management ECU 10 may store at least a portion of the vehicle data in the database 14.

[0013] Vehicle data includes vehicle status data indicating the status of the vehicle, detection data of the environment outside or inside the vehicle detected by on-board sensors, user input data entered by the user, etc. Vehicle status data includes data indicating the vehicle's driving status, data indicating how the driver is driving (driving history data), diagnostic data, etc. Vehicle status data includes, for example, vehicle speed, temperature (battery temperature, interior temperature, etc.), vehicle engine displacement, and warning lamp on / off history. Detection data includes images captured by on-board cameras (front camera, rear camera, side camera, interior camera), etc., detection values ​​from sensors such as LIDAR and LADER, and recorded data from a drive recorder. Detection data corresponds to sensor data. User input data includes, for example, data such as a destination and driving route entered into a navigation system, search data, and app (software) usage history data.

[0014] Vehicle data may be classified into real-time-oriented data, which emphasizes real-time performance, and non-real-time-oriented data, which does not. The real-time nature of the vehicle data is determined by the requirements of the receiving party receiving the vehicle data and the characteristics of the data. For example, real-time-oriented data includes data recorded by a drive recorder immediately before an accident, captured images from a camera, and current vehicle status data when a vehicle abnormality occurs. On the other hand, real-time-oriented data includes vehicle status data during normal driving, driving history data during normal driving, and user input data. Real-time-oriented data corresponds to vehicle data acquired by the management ECU 10 that should be transmitted to the center as soon as possible. Examples of usage of non-real-time-oriented data include vehicle data immediately before an accident, which is used by insurance companies to determine compensation costs and compensation details, and by road service providers to understand accident damages. Examples of usage of non-real-time-oriented data include driving history data during normal driving, which is used by insurance companies to evaluate driving when calculating insurance premiums, or by app management companies to investigate app usage history.

[0015] The management ECU 10 includes a processor 11 and a database 14. The processor 11 has an arithmetic circuit such as a CPU, and a memory for storing programs. The processor 11 includes, as functional blocks, a vehicle data acquisition unit 12 and a vehicle data processing unit 13. The processor 11 executes various functions of the vehicle data acquisition unit 12, etc., by executing programs recorded in the memory. The vehicle data processing device according to this embodiment includes at least the processor 11, and the vehicle data processing method according to this embodiment is a control method executed by the processor 11.

[0016] The vehicle data acquisition unit 12 acquires vehicle data from on-board devices such as cameras and sensors and / or the load ECU 20. The vehicle data acquisition unit 12 may acquire vehicle data at a predetermined cycle while the vehicle is traveling. The vehicle data acquisition unit 12 records the acquired vehicle data in the database 14. When recording the vehicle data in the database 14, the vehicle data acquisition unit 12 may classify the vehicle data (collect the vehicle data) and record the data in the database 14. The vehicle data may be classified according to, for example, the amount of data, the type of data, the acquisition timing, etc. For example, the period from when the vehicle starts traveling (when the main switch of the vehicle is turned on) to when the vehicle stops traveling (when the main switch of the vehicle is turned off) may be used as the division. The vehicle data acquisition unit 12 may acquire the vehicle data recorded in the database 14.

[0017] The vehicle data processing unit 13 selects transmission target data to be transmitted to the center 2 from the vehicle data recorded in the database 14. The vehicle data processing unit 13 may set a higher transmission priority for real-time-oriented data than for non-real-time-oriented data. The transmission priority is a factor for determining the transmission order of vehicle data and is determined according to the data type. For example, the higher the degree of emphasis on real-time, the higher the transmission priority. Alternatively, the transmission priority may be set according to the data type based on the designation of the recipient of the vehicle data. For example, if the center wants to quickly obtain images captured by a camera in order to quickly check the environment around the vehicle (traffic conditions, etc.), the vehicle data processing unit 13 may set a higher transmission priority for the images captured by the camera than for other vehicle data. Then, the vehicle data processing unit 13 selects vehicle data with a higher transmission priority as transmission target data. Note that the vehicle data processing unit 13 does not necessarily have to set a transmission priority, and may identify transmission target data according to the order in which the data is recorded in the database 14, for example.

[0018] The vehicle data processing unit 13 acquires the current position information of the vehicle and the vehicle's travel route from the navigation system. The vehicle data processing unit 13 also acquires communication type area information from map data. The communication type is indicated by the generation of the communication method (1G to 5G, etc.), the data communication method (wireless LAN, Wi-Fi), etc. The communication type area information indicates the communication type available for communication within each area on the map, and includes information such as the communication range of a base station and the communication type available for communication at the base station. The communication type area information may also indicate locations where wireless communication or a public network is available for a specific user, such as a garage at home or a parking lot at a commercial facility.

[0019] The vehicle data processing unit 13 identifies the communication mode along the vehicle's travel route. Specifically, the vehicle data processing unit 13 identifies the communication mode along the travel route from the communication mode area information. For example, the vehicle data acquisition unit 12 identifies the current communication mode along the travel route from the vehicle's current location and the communication mode area information, and can identify the location where the communication mode changes while traveling along the travel route. The vehicle data processing unit 13 also identifies a communication speed according to the communication mode. The communication speed is the speed at which data is transmitted and received between the vehicle 1 and the center 2 and is uniquely determined depending on the communication mode. The newer the generation of the communication method, the faster the communication speed. Note that the vehicle data processing unit 13 may use the actual communication speed, not limited to the communication speed predetermined for each communication mode. For example, if the current communication speed is slower than the communication speed determined by the communication mode due to congestion on the communication line, the vehicle data processing unit 13 may identify the actual communication speed as the current communication speed.

[0020] The vehicle data processing unit 13 selects a compression format for compressing the vehicle data based on the communication speed corresponding to the communication mode and at least one of the data size and data type of the vehicle data. The compression format (compression format) is indicated by a standard such as a data compression method and is determined by the compression rate. Referring to FIG. 2, the correlation between the data type, communication speed, and compression rate will be explained. "High, Medium, and Low" indicate the compression rate, with "High" having the highest compression rate. "Low" corresponds to the communication speed of the communication generation (1G to 3G), "medium" corresponds to the communication speed of the communication generation (4G), and "High" corresponds to the communication speed of the communication generation (5G) or wireless LAN. Furthermore, when a future faster communication method is used, FIG. 2 may be updated accordingly. The correlations shown in FIG. 2 are recorded as a table in the database 14. As shown in FIG. 2, for example, if the data type of the data to be transmitted does not prioritize real-time performance and the communication speed is low, the compression rate level is "medium." For example, if the data type of the data to be transmitted does not prioritize real-time performance and the communication speed is high, the compression rate level will be "low." For example, if the data type of the data to be transmitted prioritizes real-time performance and the communication speed is low, the compression rate level will be "high." Furthermore, if the data type of the data to be transmitted prioritizes real-time performance and the communication speed is high, the compression rate level will be "medium." Then, the vehicle data processing unit 13 refers to the table to determine the compression rate corresponding to the data type and communication speed of the data to be transmitted.

[0021] The vehicle data processing unit 13 may select a compression format based on the data size of the vehicle data. The vehicle data processing unit 13 may select a compression format such that the larger the data size of the data to be transmitted, the higher the compression rate. Note that there may be a correlation between the real-time nature of the vehicle data and the data volume. For example, if the greater the importance placed on real-time nature, the larger the data volume, the vehicle data processing unit 13 may select a compression format based on the data type of the vehicle data, or may select a compression format based on the data size of the vehicle data.

[0022] The vehicle data processing unit 13 compresses the vehicle data in the selected compression format. The compressed vehicle data is data to be transmitted. The vehicle data processing unit 13 transmits the compressed vehicle data to an outside of the vehicle. The vehicle data processing unit 13 outputs the data to be transmitted to the communication ECU 30 and transmits the vehicle data to an outside of the vehicle via the communication ECU 30. If the destination of the vehicle data is the center 2, the vehicle data processing unit 13 transmits the compressed vehicle data to the center 2. Note that if the destination of the vehicle data is another vehicle, the vehicle data processing unit 13 may transmit the compressed vehicle data to the other vehicle.

[0023] Furthermore, the vehicle data processing unit 13 may transmit data indicating the compression format (compression method) used to compress the vehicle data together with the data to be transmitted to an outside of the vehicle. The center 2 that receives the vehicle data may decompress (decode) the data using the compression format used to compress the data. If a transmission priority of the vehicle data is determined, the vehicle data processing unit 13 may transmit vehicle data with a higher transmission priority in preference to vehicle data with a lower transmission priority.

[0024] The database 14 records vehicle data, map data, and the like.

[0025] The load ECU 20 is an electronic control unit that controls a load. The load is an on-board device. The load ECU 20 acquires vehicle data from a load such as a sensor and transmits the data to the management ECU 10. Other ECUs are connected downstream of the load 20. The communication ECU 30 is an electronic control unit that controls a communicator. The communication ECU 30 controls the communicator to establish communication between the vehicle and the center 2, transmits vehicle data input from the management ECU 10 to the center 2, and receives data from the center 2.

[0026] The center 2 is a server that manages vehicle data transmitted from multiple vehicle data centers. The center 2 is installed in a facility that uses the vehicle data to provide services (for example, a facility of an insurance company, an application management company, a vehicle manufacturer, etc.).

[0027] Next, a control flow of the vehicle data processing method executed by the processor 11 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. The control flow shown in Fig. 3 is executed at predetermined intervals while the vehicle 1 is traveling.

[0028] In step S1, the vehicle data acquisition unit 12 of the processor 11 acquires vehicle data from the database 14. For example, the processor 11 may acquire vehicle data in an amount equivalent to the amount of data that can be transmitted within an area of ​​the same communication mode. The amount of data that can be transmitted may be calculated from the travel time and communication speed within the area. In step S2, the vehicle data processing unit 13 of the processor 11 identifies the communication mode on the travel route of the vehicle 1. In step S3, the vehicle data processing unit 13 selects data to be transmitted from the acquired vehicle data. For example, if a transmission priority is assigned to the vehicle data, the vehicle data processing unit 13 may select data to be transmitted in descending order of transmission priority. Note that if the vehicle data acquired in the control processing of step S1 does not include priority information and no transmission priority is assigned to the vehicle data, the vehicle data processing unit 13 may select the vehicle data to be transmitted in the order of the acquired vehicle data instead of the order of priority, and the processor 11 may omit the control flow of step S3.

[0029] In step S4, the vehicle data processing unit 13 selects a compression format based on the communication speed corresponding to the communication format and at least one of the data size and data type of the vehicle data. In step S5, the vehicle data processing unit 13 compresses the data to be transmitted in the selected compression format. In step S6, the vehicle data processing unit 13 transmits the compressed data to be transmitted to an outside of the vehicle.

[0030] In step S7, the vehicle data processing unit 13 determines whether all of the data to be transmitted has been transmitted. If all of the data to be transmitted has not been transmitted, the processor 11 executes the control flow from step S3 onwards. If the data to be transmitted includes vehicle data with a high transmission priority and vehicle data with a low transmission priority, the vehicle data processing unit 13 changes the compression format by repeating the control flow from step S3 to step S5. For example, the communication format of the area is a low-speed communication method, and the data to be transmitted includes data for which real-time performance is important and data for which real-time performance is not important. The vehicle data processing unit 13 transmits the vehicle data for which real-time performance is important earlier than the vehicle data for which real-time performance is not important. Furthermore, in order to transmit the vehicle data for which real-time performance is important, the vehicle data processing unit 13 selects a compression format with a high compression rate, compresses the vehicle data for which real-time performance is important, and transmits it to the center 2. After transmitting the compressed vehicle data for which real-time performance is important to the center 2, the vehicle data processing unit 13 selects a compression format with a low compression rate to transmit the vehicle data for which real-time performance is not important, compresses the vehicle data for which real-time performance is not important, and transmits it to the center 2. This allows the compression format to be changed within the same communication format area.

[0031] As described above, the processor 11 identifies the communication mode on the travel route of the vehicle 1, selects a compression mode for compressing the vehicle data based on the communication speed corresponding to the communication mode and at least one of the data size and data type of the vehicle data, compresses the vehicle data using the selected compression mode, and transmits the compressed vehicle data outside the vehicle. In this manner, in this embodiment, the communication of the vehicle data can be completed within a predetermined area. For example, if the communication speed within the predetermined area is low and the amount of information that can be communicated is limited, if the vehicle data is uniformly compressed at a low compression rate, there is a possibility that the communication of the desired data will not be completed within the predetermined area. In this embodiment, the compression rate is selected based on at least one of the data size and data type of the vehicle data, so the amount of data to be communicated can be reduced and the communication of the vehicle data can be completed within the predetermined area.

[0032] In this embodiment, the processor 11 may transmit vehicle data with a higher transmission priority priority over vehicle data with a lower transmission priority, thereby enabling data that emphasizes real-time performance to be transmitted preferentially.

[0033] Note that the communication speed may change due to a change in the communication mode at the base station, etc. For example, if the vehicle 1 selects one communication mode from multiple communication modes while traveling within a predetermined area, and the actual communication mode changes, the vehicle 1 may be unable to change the communication mode and communication may be interrupted if it does not have the information necessary to change the communication mode. Therefore, in this embodiment, the processor 11 may update the communication mode area information based on the actual measurement value of the communication speed. Specifically, the processor 11 measures the communication speed during communication with the center 2, associates the actual measurement value of the communication speed with the vehicle's location, and records the association in the database 14. The processor 11 compares the communication speed corresponding to the communication mode included in the communication mode area information in the area including the location of the vehicle 1 with the actual measurement value of the communication speed. If the difference between the communication speed recorded in the database 14 and the actual measurement value of the communication speed is equal to or greater than a predetermined speed threshold, the processor 11 updates the communication mode area information to match the communication mode to the actual measurement value.

[0034] As a modification of this embodiment, the processor 11 may stop or suspend the transmission of vehicle data if the actual communication speed is slower than the communication speed corresponding to the communication mode. The vehicle data processing unit 13 measures the communication speed during communication with the center 2 and compares the communication speed used to select the compression mode with the actual measured value of the communication speed. If the actual measured value of the communication speed is slower, the processor 11 stops or suspends the transmission of vehicle data. The vehicle 1 continues traveling, and after leaving the area with the slow communication speed, the processor 11 resumes the transmission of vehicle data.

[0035] As a modification of this embodiment, the processor 11 may change the timing of transmitting the vehicle data when the actual communication speed is slower than the communication speed corresponding to the communication mode. For example, when the communication line is congested and the vehicle data cannot be transmitted efficiently, the processor 11 may change the timing of transmitting the vehicle data so that it coincides with the timing when the vehicle is traveling in an area with a fast communication speed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1 vehicle 2. Center 10 Management ECU 11 processors 12 Vehicle data acquisition unit 13 Vehicle data processing unit 14 Database 20 Load ECU 30 Communication ECU

Claims

1. a processor for processing vehicle data; The processor: Acquire the vehicle data; Identifying the communication mode on the vehicle's travel route; selecting a compression format for compressing the vehicle data based on a communication speed corresponding to the communication format and at least one of a data size of the vehicle data and a data type of the vehicle data; compressing the vehicle data in the selected compression format; A vehicle data processing device that transmits the compressed vehicle data to an outside of the vehicle.

2. 2. The vehicle data processing device according to claim 1, The processor: Transmitting the vehicle data with a higher transmission priority in preference to the vehicle data with a lower transmission priority; The vehicle data processing device, wherein the transmission priority is determined according to the data type.

3. 3. The vehicle data processing device according to claim 1, The processor: A vehicle data processing device that stops or interrupts transmission of the vehicle data when the actual communication speed is slower than the communication speed according to the communication mode.

4. 4. The vehicle data processing device according to claim 3, The processor: a vehicle data processing device that changes the timing of transmitting the vehicle data when the transmission of the vehicle data is stopped or interrupted;

5. 1. A processor-implemented method for processing vehicle data, comprising: The processor: Acquire vehicle data, Identifying the communication mode on the vehicle's travel route; selecting a compression format for compressing the vehicle data based on a communication speed corresponding to the communication format and at least one of a data size of the vehicle data and a data type of the vehicle data; compressing the vehicle data in the selected compression format; The vehicle data processing method includes transmitting the compressed vehicle data to an outside of the vehicle.

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