Vehicle control system

Abstract

We will improve the technology that controls updates to in-vehicle software. [Solution] The vehicle control device 14 includes a processor that performs the following processes: obtaining update information for available software from a recording medium connected to the vehicle control device; determining whether an update to the in-vehicle software is necessary; indicating that the vehicle should connect to an information processing device connected to a network if an update to the in-vehicle software is necessary; starting the update to the in-vehicle software when an update start command is received from the information processing device; indicating that the vehicle should connect to the information processing device again when the update to the in-vehicle software is completed; and terminating the update to the in-vehicle software when an termination command is received from the information processing device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a vehicle control device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a technology for controlling software updates of a vehicle's ECU (Engine Control Unit or Electronic Control Unit) has been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for controlling software updates of an ECU using OTA (Over The Air) technology.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The technology of Patent Document 1 is premised on the in-vehicle device being in an environment where wireless communication is possible when updating software. However, when the in-vehicle device is in an environment where wireless communication is impossible, updating the software and recording the update result have not been considered. Thus, there has been room for improvement in the technology for controlling software updates of a vehicle's ECU (in-vehicle software).

[0005] In view of such circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to improve the technology for controlling in-vehicle software updates.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A vehicle control device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a processor that performs processes including: acquiring update information for available software from a recording medium connected to the vehicle control device; determining whether an update to the in-vehicle software is necessary; indicating that the vehicle should connect to an information processing device connected to a network if an update to the in-vehicle software is necessary; starting the update to the in-vehicle software when an update start command is received from the information processing device; indicating that the vehicle should connect to the information processing device again when the update to the in-vehicle software is completed; and terminating the update to the in-vehicle software when a termination command is received from the information processing device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the technology for controlling updates to in-vehicle software is improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle control system. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described below. Referring to Figure 1, the overview and configuration of System 1 according to this embodiment will be described. System 1 according to this embodiment comprises a vehicle 10, an information processing device 20, and a server device 30.

[0010] Vehicle 10 is an automobile of any type and classification. The types of vehicle 10 include, for example, gasoline vehicles, diesel vehicles, HV (Hybrid Vehicle), PHV (Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle), EV (Electric Vehicle), or FCV (Fuel Cell Vehicle). Vehicle 10 includes automobiles with any level of automated driving. The classifications of vehicle 10 include, for example, passenger cars, trucks, or buses. Vehicle 10 includes vehicles dedicated to MaaS (Mobility as a Service). In this disclosure, vehicle 10 is in an environment where wireless communication is not possible.

[0011] The information processing device 20 is a device with vehicle diagnostic software installed. The information processing device 20 is, for example, a laptop computer equipped with GTS (Global Tech Stream). The vehicle 10 and the information processing device 20 are connected via an in-vehicle network such as CAN (Controller Area Network) or dedicated equipment. The information processing device 20 can diagnose the status of the vehicle 10 by executing the functions of GTS. Furthermore, the information processing device 20 is connected to a server device 30 via a network 2 such as the Internet, enabling communication.

[0012] The server device 30 is a device installed, for example, in a data center. The server device 30 is connected to the information processing device 20 via a network 2 such as the Internet. In Figure 1, one vehicle 10, one information processing device 20, and one server device 30 are shown, but System 1 may consist of multiple vehicles 10, information processing devices 20, or server devices 30.

[0013] First, an overview of the technology for controlling updates to the in-vehicle software according to this embodiment will be described, and details will be described later. The technology according to this embodiment is executed by the control device 14 of the vehicle 10. First, the control device 14 obtains update information for available software from a recording medium connected to the control device 14. Available software is, for example, available software released by the software provider of the ECU 11. The recording medium is a medium for storing information. The recording medium is, for example, a semiconductor recording medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. The update information for available software is information that shows the update history of the available software. The update information for available software includes the latest version information of the available software stored on the recording medium. The control device 14 determines whether an update to the in-vehicle software is necessary. The in-vehicle software is, for example, the software currently being used by the ECU 11 of the vehicle 10. If an update to the in-vehicle software is necessary, the control device 14 indicates that it should connect to the information processing device 20 connected to the network 2. When the control device 14 receives an update start command from the information processing device 20, it starts updating the in-vehicle software. The control device 14 prompts the user to reconnect to the information processing device 20 once the in-vehicle software update is complete. The control device 14 terminates the in-vehicle software update when it receives a termination command from the information processing device 20.

[0014] As described above, according to this embodiment, the control device 14 prompts the vehicle to connect to the information processing device 20 before and after updating the in-vehicle software using a recording medium such as a USB memory stick. When the vehicle 10 is in an environment where wireless communication is not possible, it is necessary to upload the update results from the information processing device 20 to the server device 30 in the data center via the network 2 after updating the in-vehicle software. However, since the in-vehicle software update can be completed with a recording medium, the uploading of the update results was sometimes forgotten. By prompting the vehicle to connect to the information processing device 20 connected to the network 2 before and after updating the in-vehicle software, the control device 14 can avoid forgetting to upload the update results. Therefore, even when the vehicle 10 updates the in-vehicle software in an environment where wireless communication is not possible, the uploading of the update results can be avoided, thus improving the technology for controlling in-vehicle software updates.

[0015] Next, the configurations of the vehicle 10, the information processing device 20, and the server device 30 will be described in detail. As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle 10 comprises an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 11, an output unit 12, an input unit 13, and a control device 14. The ECU 11, the output unit 12, the input unit 13, and the control device 14 are communicated together via an in-vehicle network such as CAN or a dedicated line. The ECU 11 is a control unit that controls various devices mounted on the vehicle 10. The output unit 12 may be configured to include at least one output interface. The output interface is, for example, a display that outputs information as video. The output unit 12 presents various information based on the control of the control device 14. The input unit 13 may be configured to include at least one input interface. The input interface is, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, etc. The input unit 13 is connectable to a recording medium. Based on the control of the control device 14, the input unit 13 connects to the recording medium and accepts input of available software and its update information. The control device 14 may be part of the ECU 11. The control device 14 includes a communication unit 15, a positioning unit 16, a storage unit 17, and a control unit 18. The communication unit 15 may be configured to include at least one communication module that can connect to the network 2. The communication module is, for example, a communication module that supports mobile communication standards such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), or 5G (5th Generation). The communication unit 15 may be configured to include in-vehicle communication equipment such as a DCM (Data Communication Module). The positioning unit 16 acquires location information of the vehicle 10 based on the control of the control unit 18. The storage unit 17 may be configured to include at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or at least two combinations thereof. The storage unit 17 may function as a main memory, an auxiliary memory, or a cache memory. The storage unit 17 stores data used for the operation of the control device 14 and data obtained by the operation of the control device 14. The information stored in the memory unit 17 may be updated as needed.The control unit 18 may be configured to include at least one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination thereof. The control unit 18 can control each part of the control device 14 and execute processes related to the operation of the control device 14.

[0016] The information processing device 20 comprises a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 23. The communication unit 21 may be configured to include at least one communication module that can connect to the network 2. The communication module is, for example, a communication module that conforms to standards such as wired LAN (Local Area Network) or wireless LAN. The communication unit 21 can connect to the network 2 via the wired LAN or wireless LAN using the communication module. The communication unit 21 is also connected to the control unit 14 of the vehicle 10 in a communicative manner via an in-vehicle network such as CAN or a dedicated line. The storage unit 22 may be configured to include at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or at least two combinations thereof, similar to the configuration of the storage unit 17. The storage unit 22 may function as a main memory, an auxiliary memory, or a cache memory. The storage unit 22 stores data used for the operation of the information processing device 20 and data obtained by the operation of the information processing device 20. The information stored in the memory unit 22 may be obtained from the vehicle 10 by communicating with the vehicle 10 via a dedicated line or the like. The memory unit 22 stores, for example, version information of the in-vehicle software that has been updated. The information stored in the memory unit 22 may be updated as appropriate. The control unit 23 may be configured to include at least one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination thereof, similar to the configuration of the control unit 18. The control unit 23 can execute processes related to the operation of the information processing device 20 while controlling each part of the information processing device 20.

[0017] The server device 30 comprises a communication unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a control unit 33. The communication unit 31 may be configured to include at least one communication module that can connect to the network 2. The communication module is, for example, a communication module that complies with standards such as a wired LAN (Local Area Network) or a wireless LAN. The communication unit 31 can connect to the network 2 via the wired LAN or wireless LAN by the communication module. In this disclosure, the configuration of the storage unit 32 and the control unit 33 is equivalent to that of the storage unit 22 and the control unit 23. The storage unit 32 stores, for example, all data relating to the vehicle 10.

[0018] The functions of the control device 14, information processing device 20, or server device 30 of the vehicle 10 are realized by executing a program that causes a computer to perform the processing according to this embodiment on a processor corresponding to the control unit 18, control unit 23, or control unit 33. The program causes the computer to perform the operations of the control device 14, information processing device 20, or server device 30, thereby causing the computer to function as the control device 14, information processing device 20, or server device 30. Alternatively, some or all of the functions of the vehicle 10, information processing device 20, or server device 30 may be realized by dedicated circuits corresponding to the control unit 18, control unit 23, or control unit 33.

[0019] Referring to Figure 2, the operation of the control device 14 according to this embodiment will be described. The control unit 18 of the control device 14 acquires update information for available software from a recording medium connected to the control device 14 (S100). The control unit 18 acquires update information for available software from a USB memory that is communicatively connected to the control device 14 via the input unit 13.

[0020] The control unit 18 determines whether an update of the in-vehicle software is necessary (S200). The control unit 18 compares the latest version information of the available software acquired in S100 with the version information of the in-vehicle software. The control unit 18 determines that an update of the in-vehicle software is necessary when software of a version newer than the in-vehicle software is available. If the determination result is that an update is necessary, the process proceeds to S300. If the determination result is that an update is not necessary, the process ends.

[0021] When an update of the in-vehicle software is necessary, the control unit 18 presents that it should be connected to the information processing device 20 connected to the network 2 (S300). The control unit 18, for example, displays on the display of the output unit 12 that it should be connected to the information processing device 20. The content presented by the control unit 18 is, for example, "Please connect to the GTS and send the start command". At this time, the control unit 18 does not present a button or a button for starting the update of the in-vehicle software.

[0022] When the control unit 18 receives an update start command from the information processing device 20, the control unit 18 starts the update of the in-vehicle software (S400). When the control unit 18 receives an update start command from the information processing device 20, the control unit 18 starts the update of the in-vehicle software.

[0023] When the update of the in-vehicle software is completed, the control unit 18 presents again that it should be connected to the information processing device 20 (S500). The control unit 18, for example, displays on the display of the output unit 12 that it should be connected to the information processing device 20. The content presented by the control unit 18 is, for example, "Please connect to the GTS and send the end command". At this time, the control unit 18 does not present a button or a button for ending the update of the in-vehicle software. The control unit 18 also presents the said content at a predetermined time interval even when the screen transition is made without the user responding to the said content presented by the control unit 18. The predetermined time interval is, for example, 10 seconds.

[0024] The control unit 18 terminates the in-vehicle software update when it receives a termination command from the information processing device 20 (S600). By waiting until it receives a termination command from the information processing device 20, the control unit 18 can confirm that the necessary communication between the information processing device 20 and the server device 30 has been completed.

[0025] With this configuration, the control device 14 prompts connection with the information processing device 20 connected to the network 2 by making predetermined announcements before and after updating the in-vehicle software using the recording medium, and can record the update results of the in-vehicle software on the server device 30. In this way, the technology for controlling in-vehicle software updates is improved, as it is possible to avoid forgetting to upload the update results even when the vehicle 10 updates the in-vehicle software in an environment where wireless communication is not possible.

[0026] In S600, the control unit 18 may transmit the update result information of the in-vehicle software to the server device 30 via the information processing device 20. By transmitting the update result information of the in-vehicle software to the server device 30 via the information processing device 20, the control unit 18 can facilitate communication between the vehicle 10 and the server device 30 when the vehicle 10 becomes capable of wireless communication.

[0027] While this disclosure has been described based on the drawings and embodiments, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on this disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are within the scope of this disclosure. For example, the functions, etc., included in each component or step can be rearranged in a logically consistent manner, and multiple components or steps can be combined into one or divided into two.

[0028] For example, in the above-described embodiment, it is also possible to have an embodiment in which the configuration and operation of the vehicle 10, the information processing device 20, or the server device 30 are distributed among multiple computers that can communicate with each other. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0029] 1: System, 2: Network, 10: Vehicle, 11: ECU, 12: Output Unit, 13: Input Unit, 14: Control Device, 15: Communication Unit, 16: Positioning Unit, 17: Memory Unit, 18: Control Unit, 20: Information Processing Device, 21: Communication Unit, 22: Memory Unit, 23: Control Unit, 30: Server Device, 31: Communication Unit, 32: Memory Unit, 33: Control Unit

Claims

[Claim 1] A vehicle control device, To obtain update information for available software from a recording medium connected to the vehicle control device, To determine whether or not an in-vehicle software update is necessary. If an update to the in-vehicle software is required, the system should prompt the user to connect to an information processing device connected to the network. When an update start command is received from the information processing device, the update of the in-vehicle software is started. When the update of the in-vehicle software is completed, the system will prompt the user to reconnect to the information processing device, and When a termination command is received from the information processing device, the update of the in-vehicle software is terminated. A vehicle control device equipped with a processor that performs processing including the following.

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