Control device

Abstract

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a technique for suppressing an operation that can be an obstacle to communication in a mobile object.SOLUTION: The control device includes a control unit and is mounted on a moving body when used. The mobile body is further equipped with a communication device and an air conditioner. The air conditioner is disposed around the communication device. The control unit receives, from the communication device, a notification indicating that data transmission / reception is being executed. The control unit suppresses execution of air purification by the air conditioner in response to reception of the notification from the communication device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a nanoe ion generator that generates nanoe ions, which are sterilizing ions, and a vehicle air conditioning system that blows the nanoe ions generated by the nanoe ion generator into the vehicle cabin and can change the range of the nanoe ions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-341759 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] One of the objectives of the present disclosure is to provide a technology for suppressing operations that may impede communication in a mobile device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The control device of the present disclosure includes a control unit and is mounted on a mobile object during use. The mobile object further includes a communication device and an air conditioning device. The air conditioning device is disposed around the communication device. The control unit is configured to receive a notification from the communication device indicating that data transmission and reception is being performed, and to suppress air purification by the air conditioning device in response to receiving the notification from the communication device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a technology for suppressing operations that may cause communication disruptions in a mobile body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an example of a situation to which the present disclosure is applied. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration and functional configuration of a vehicle. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows an example of a procedure for control processing by the air conditioning ECU. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] [1 Application example] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an example of a situation to which the present disclosure is applied. The control system 1 is a system for controlling air conditioning in a moving body. A vehicle 10, which is an example of a moving body, includes an air conditioning device 30, an air conditioning Electronic Control Unit (ECU) 20 that controls the air conditioning device 30, a communication device, and a control system. The vehicle 10 is equipped with a communication device 40 and a communication antenna 43. The communication device 40 transmits and receives data to and from devices outside the vehicle via the communication antenna 43. The communication antenna 43 is mounted, for example, on the instrument panel of the vehicle 10. The air conditioner 30 is arranged around the communication antenna 43. When the communication antenna 43 transmits and receives data to and from devices outside the vehicle, the air conditioner 30 may perform an air purification operation. In this case, electrical noise (hereinafter referred to as electrical noise) may be generated during the air purification operation, and the generated electrical noise may be emitted from the air conditioner 30. Then, the transmission and reception of data via the communication antenna 43 may be affected and disrupted by the electrical noise. When the air conditioner ECU 20 receives a notification (hereinafter referred to as an execution notification) from the communication device 40 indicating that the communication device 40 is transmitting and receiving data, the air conditioner ECU 20 When the vehicle detects this, it issues a command to the air conditioner 30 to suppress the execution of air purification. The vehicle may be an aircraft or a ship, as long as it is large enough to accommodate the air conditioner 30.

[0009] [2 Configuration Examples] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the hardware configuration and functional configuration of the vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 is equipped with an air conditioning ECU 20, an air conditioning device 30, a communication device 40, and a communication antenna 43. In the vehicle 10, the air conditioning ECU 20 and the air conditioning device 30, the air conditioning ECU 20 and the communication device 40, and the communication device 40 and the communication antenna 43 can communicate with each other using a predetermined in-vehicle communication standard. The predetermined in-vehicle communication standard is Controller Area Network (CAN). CAN or LIN, or a Local Interconnect Network (LIN), etc. The communication device 40 and the communication antenna 43 may be connected by a direct communication line instead of the CAN or LIN.

[0010] (Communication equipment) The communication device 40 is a communication module mounted on the vehicle 10. The communication device 40 is exemplified by a dedicated communication device used for online services of an in-vehicle communication system. The communication device 40 has a function of communicating with other devices via a network by wireless communication via a communication antenna 43. Examples of the network include a Wide Area Network (WAN), which is a global public communication network such as the Internet, or a telephone communication network such as a mobile phone. Communication device The reference numeral 40 includes a communication ECU 41 and a communication unit 42 .

[0011] The communication ECU 41 is a computer for controlling communication in the vehicle 10. The communication ECU 41 includes a processor 410 and a storage unit 415.

[0012] The processor 410 is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) or a digital signal processor (DSP). The processor 410 includes, as functional units, a data acquisition unit 41 1, including a data output unit 412, an internal acquisition unit 413 and an internal output unit 414.

[0013] The processor 410 functions as a data acquisition unit 411 and acquires predetermined data from devices outside the vehicle via a network. The data acquisition unit 411 acquires (receives) the predetermined data, for example, data related to emergency contacts during the travel of the vehicle 10 (hereinafter referred to as emergency data) from a server that manages traffic information for the vehicle 10 via the network. The emergency data is exemplified by data indicating at least one of congestion, construction, road closures, weather, and disasters on the travel route from the current location of the vehicle 10 to the destination. The predetermined data is not limited to emergency data. The predetermined data may also be vehicle data related to the vehicle 10.

[0014] The processor 410 functions as a data output unit 412, and outputs (transmits) predetermined data from the vehicle 10 to an external device via a network. The data output unit 412 outputs, for example, vehicle data of the vehicle 10 to the external device as the predetermined data. The predetermined data output by the data output unit 412 may be data requesting the external device to search for a route according to the current location and destination of the vehicle 10.

[0015] The processor 410 functions as an internal acquisition unit 413 and acquires (receives) predetermined information from devices inside the vehicle 10. For example, when the communication device 40 is transmitting and / or receiving data via a network via the communication antenna 43, the internal acquisition unit 413 may acquire, as the predetermined information, a notification of the execution of transmission and reception of the data from the communication antenna 43. When the communication device 40 has finished transmitting and receiving the data, the internal acquisition unit 413 may acquire, as the predetermined information, a notification indicating that the transmission and reception of the data has finished (hereinafter referred to as a completion notification) from the communication antenna 43.

[0016] The internal acquisition unit 413 may acquire a predetermined notification from the air conditioning ECU 20. An example of the predetermined notification is a notification that the air conditioning ECU 20 has instructed the air conditioner 30 to suppress air purification (hereinafter referred to as a suppression notification). The predetermined notification may also be a notification that the air conditioning ECU 20 has instructed the air conditioner 30 to resume air purification (hereinafter referred to as a resume notification).

[0017] The processor 410 functions as an internal output unit 414 and outputs (transmits) predetermined information to devices inside the vehicle 10. The internal output unit 414 may output, for example, an execution notification acquired by the internal acquisition unit 413 to the air conditioning ECU 20. The internal output unit 414 may also output a suppression notification acquired by the internal acquisition unit 413 to the air conditioning ECU 20.

[0018] The storage unit 415 includes a main storage unit and an auxiliary storage unit. The main storage unit is, for example, a random access memory (RAM). The auxiliary storage unit is, for example, a read only memory (ROM), a hard disk drive (HDD), or a flash memory. The auxiliary storage unit is, for example, a removable The removable medium may include a medium (portable recording medium), such as a USB memory, an SD card, or a disc recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD disc, or a Blu-ray disc.

[0019] The auxiliary storage unit stores an operating system (OS), various programs, various information tables, etc. The processor 410 loads the programs stored in the auxiliary storage unit into the main storage unit and executes them, thereby realizing the control processing of this embodiment. Some or all of the functions of the communication device 40 can be realized by hardware circuits such as an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) or a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The communication ECU 41 does not need to be realized by a single physical configuration, and may be composed of multiple computers that work together.

[0020] The auxiliary storage unit can store the data acquired by the data acquisition unit 411 and the information acquired by the internal acquisition unit 413 .

[0021] The communication unit 42 has a function of connecting the communication device 40 to a network. The communication unit 42 can realize the connection to the network by a communication antenna 43. The communication unit 42 may connect the communication device 40 to the air conditioning ECU 20.

[0022] The communication antenna 43 is a communication interface for connecting the communication device 40 to a network. The communication antenna 43 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) interface board or a wireless communication circuit for wireless communication. When the communication antenna 43 is executing data transmission / reception via the network, it may transmit an execution notification to the communication device 40. When the communication antenna 43 has finished transmitting / receiving data via the network, it may also transmit an end notification to the communication device 40.

[0023] (Air conditioner) The air conditioner 30 is a device that performs air conditioning such as heating and cooling in the vehicle 10. The air conditioner 30 can be controlled according to information about the type of air conditioning, including heating and cooling, set in the device itself, as well as the set temperature and air volume of the air conditioning. The air conditioner 30 can start, stop, or terminate operation according to an air conditioning schedule (hereinafter referred to as the air conditioning schedule) stored in an auxiliary memory unit of the memory unit 22 in the air conditioning ECU 20, which will be described later. An example of an air conditioning schedule is performing air conditioning from the time the ignition (or power) of the vehicle 10 is turned on until it is turned off. However, the air conditioning schedule is not limited to this. If the air conditioner 30 includes an input device, the input device may receive input from the user of the vehicle 10 specifying the type of air conditioning to be performed by the air conditioner 30. The air conditioner 30 may then perform air conditioning according to the air conditioning content received by the input device.

[0024] The air conditioning performed by the air conditioner 30 may include cleaning the air inside the vehicle 10. The air conditioner 30 may have, for example, a nanoe ion generator that generates nanoe ions, which are an example of sterilizing ions used for sterilization in air cleaning. The air conditioner 30 may then emit the nanoe ions generated by the nanoe ion generator into the vehicle 10 when performing air conditioning according to an air conditioning schedule or according to air conditioning content received by an input device. Note that when the air conditioner 30 emits nanoe ions, it may also emit electrical noise. This electrical noise may affect communications in the band used by the communication device 40 for communication via a network.

[0025] The air conditioner 30 may be placed around a communication antenna 43 connected to the communication device 40. In other words, the air conditioner 30 may be placed within a range where electrical noise emitted when air purification is performed affects communication via the communication antenna 43 of the communication device 40. To prevent the electrical noise from affecting the communication, the air conditioner 30 may suppress air purification in response to a command from the air conditioning ECU 20 when the communication device 40 is transmitting or receiving data via the communication antenna 43. For example, suppressing air purification may mean stopping air purification that is currently being performed. Suppressing air purification may also mean prohibiting air purification when the air conditioner 30 is not originally performing air purification.

[0026] When the communication device 40 ends the transmission and reception of data via the communication antenna 43, the air conditioner 30 may resume air purification in response to a command from the air conditioning ECU 20. Resuming air purification may be, for example, restarting air purification that was temporarily stopped. Resuming air purification may also be allowing air purification to be performed when the air conditioner 30 was not originally performing air purification.

[0027] The air conditioning device 30 may include an output device that includes a display device and a speaker. In this case, when the air conditioning device 30 reduces or resumes the execution of air purification in response to a command from the air conditioning ECU 20, the output device may display information to that effect on the display device and / or output audio guidance from the speaker.

[0028] (Air conditioning ECU) The air conditioning ECU 20 is a computer for controlling the air conditioning device 30. When in use, the air conditioning ECU 20 is mounted on a vehicle 10, which is an example of a mobile body. That is, when not in use, the air conditioning ECU 20 may be detached from the mobile body. The air conditioning ECU 20 has a processor 21, a memory unit 22, and a communication unit 23. In this embodiment, the air conditioning ECU 20 is an example of a "control device." The processor 21 is an example of a "control unit."

[0029] The processor 21 of the air conditioning ECU 20 is, for example, a CPU or a DSP. The processor 21 includes an acquisition unit 211, a command unit 212, and a notification unit 213 as functional units.

[0030] The processor 21 operates as an acquisition unit 211, and acquires (receives) from the communication device 40, for example, a notification that the communication device 40 has executed data transmission / reception. The acquisition unit 211 may acquire from the communication device 40 a notification that the communication device 40 has completed data transmission / reception.

[0031] The processor 21 operates as a command unit 212, and for example, when the acquisition unit 211 acquires an execution notification, outputs (transmits) a command to suppress the execution of air purification to the air conditioner 30. When the acquisition unit 211 acquires an end notification, the command unit 212 may output a command to the air conditioner 30 to resume the execution of air purification.

[0032] The processor 21 functions as a notification unit 213, and for example, the command unit 212 notifies the air conditioner 30 In response to the output of a suppression command from the command unit 212 to the air conditioner 30, the notification unit 213 outputs (transmits) a suppression notification to the communication device 40. In response to the output of a restart command from the command unit 212 to the air conditioner 30, the notification unit 213 may output (transmit) a restart notification to the communication device 40.

[0033] The memory unit 22 includes a main memory unit and an auxiliary memory unit. The main memory unit and the auxiliary memory unit of the memory unit 22 have the same functions as the main memory unit and the auxiliary memory unit of the memory unit 415. The auxiliary memory unit of the memory unit 22 can store an air conditioning schedule for the air conditioner 30. The air conditioning schedule may include a schedule for performing air purification.

[0034] The communication unit 23 connects the air conditioning ECU 20 to the air conditioning device 30 and the communication device 40. The communication unit 23 has the same functions as the communication unit 42.

[0035] [3 Example of operation] 3 shows an example of control processing by the processor 21 of the air conditioning ECU 20 according to this embodiment. The following processing procedure is an example of a control method executed by a computer.

[0036] The acquisition unit 211 of the processor 21 acquires from the communication device 40 a notification that the communication device 40 is transmitting and receiving data (via the communication antenna 43) (S101). In response to the acquisition of the notification, the command unit 212 outputs an instruction to suppress air purification to the air conditioner 30 (S102). The notification unit 213 outputs a notification to the communication device 40 that an instruction to suppress air purification has been issued (S103). Note that the processing of S103 is not essential.

[0037] After the communication device 40 has finished sending and receiving data, the acquisition unit 211 acquires a notification from the communication device 40 indicating that the data sending and receiving has finished (S104). In response to the acquisition of the notification, the command unit 212 outputs a command to restart air purification to the air conditioner 30 (S105). The notification unit 213 outputs a notification to the communication device 40 indicating that the command to restart air purification has been issued (S106), and the processor 21 ends the processing. Note that the processing of S106 is not essential.

[0038] [Features] It has been known for some time that air conditioning systems installed in vehicles purify the air. Patent Document 1 discloses a nanoe ion generator that generates sterilizing ions called nanoe ions, and a vehicle air conditioning system that blows the generated nanoe ions into the vehicle cabin and can change the range of the nanoe ions. However, the inventors of this application have discovered the following problems with this system. For example, a vehicle may be equipped with a communication device and the vehicle air conditioning system may be placed around the communication device. The nanoe ion generator in the vehicle air conditioning system may generate electrical noise in addition to the nanoe ions. When the communication device transmits and receives data to and from external devices via a network, the generated electrical noise may affect the transmission and reception of the data. Therefore, there is a need for technology to suppress the generation of electrical noise when the communication device transmits and receives data.

[0039] In this embodiment, the air conditioning ECU 20 receives a notification of execution of data transmission and reception from the communication device 40. In response to receiving the execution notification from the communication device 40, the air conditioning ECU 20 outputs an instruction to suppress air purification to the air conditioner 30. The air conditioner 30 acquires the output suppression instruction and suppresses the execution of air purification. In this way, according to this embodiment, it is possible to suppress the operation of air purification, which may cause a disruption to communication via a network in a mobile object. Therefore, the mobile object can smoothly execute the transmission and reception of data with external devices. Furthermore, the air conditioning ECU 20 receives an end notification of data transmission and reception from the communication device 40. In response to receiving the end notification from the communication device 40, the air conditioning ECU 20 outputs an instruction to resume air purification to the air conditioner 30. The air conditioner 30 acquires the resume instruction output from the air conditioning ECU 20 and resumes the execution of air purification. In this way, according to this embodiment, after the transmission and reception of data by the communication device 40 has ended, The air cleaning by the air conditioner 30 can be resumed. Therefore, after the data transmission and reception by the communication device 40 is completed, the air-conditioning environment in the mobile object can be improved.

[0040] [4 Variations] In the present embodiment, as an example, the processor 21 of the air conditioning ECU 20 executes the control processing from S101 to S106. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The processor 410 of the communication ECU 41 provided in the communication device 40 may have functional units similar to those of the processor 21 and execute control processing similar to that of the processor 21. Furthermore, the user of the vehicle 10 may have a mobile terminal (such as a smartphone) that can connect to a network. If the processor of the mobile terminal has functional units similar to those of the processor 21, the processor of the mobile terminal may connect to the communication ECU 41 of the vehicle 10 via the network and execute control processing similar to that of the processor 21 via the communication ECU 41.

[0041] (Other embodiments) Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, the above description is merely an example of the present disclosure in every respect. It goes without saying that various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1. Control system 10. Vehicle, 20. Air conditioning ECU, 30. Air conditioning device, 40. Communication device 21, 410: Processor; 22, 415: Memory unit; 23, 42: Communication unit; 43: Communication antenna

Claims

[Claim 1] A control device that includes a control unit and is mounted on a moving body when in use, The moving body is further equipped with a communication device and an air conditioning device, the air conditioning device is disposed around the communication device, The control unit receiving a notification from the communication device indicating that data transmission or reception is occurring; and suppressing the execution of air purification by the air conditioner in response to receiving the notification from the communication device; configured to perform Control device.

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