COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, VEHICLE, SERVER, VEHICLE CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM

Abstract

To suppress an unnecessary increase of a communication amount when receiving data during traveling.SOLUTION: An ECU executes processing including: a step for executing downloading processing (S204) during driving along a travel route (YES in S200) and when downloading is intermittently performed (YES in S202); s step for executing interruption processing (S208) when a vehicle comes to a section immediately before an inappropriate section (YES in S206); a step for executing re-start processing (S212) when the vehicle passes the inappropriate section (YES in S210); and a step for turning off an execution flag (S222) after passage of all the inappropriate sections (YES in S214) when the downloading is completed (YES in S220).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technique for receiving data while a vehicle is traveling. [Background technology]

[0002] A vehicle is equipped with a control device that controls the operation of various on-board electrical devices. When updating the control program of this control device, in addition to using data transmitted via a wired connection, the control program may be updated using update information received via wireless communication from an external server, a so-called OTA (Over The Air) technology. Such a control program using the OTA technology is required to be downloaded from the server without failure or interruption while the vehicle is running.

[0003] For example, JP 2017-090092 A (Patent Document 1) discloses a technology that divides a vehicle's driving route into unsuitable sections that are not suitable for downloading and suitable sections that are suitable for downloading, and prevents repeated download failures or interruptions by completing downloads in the suitable sections. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-090092 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, even in an appropriate section, depending on the change in reception level, the vehicle speed, etc., the download of the target data may not be completed within the appropriate section. If the download is interrupted due to a communication cutoff in an inappropriate section, the download may have to be restarted from the beginning. As a result, the communication volume may increase unnecessarily.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a communication system, a vehicle, a server, a vehicle control method, and a program that suppress unnecessary increases in communication volume when receiving data while driving. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A communication system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a communication device capable of communicating with a server external to the vehicle, and a control device that controls the communication device to receive predetermined data from the server while the vehicle is driving along a driving route to a destination. The control device acquires a first section of the driving route in which data can be received and a second section in which data is not received. The control device controls the communication device to receive the data while the vehicle is driving along the first section. The control device controls the communication device to complete an interruption process that interrupts data reception in a state in which it can be resumed before the vehicle travels along the second section.

[0008] In this way, the data is received while driving in the first section, and the communication device is controlled so that the interruption process is completed before driving in the second section, so that data reception can be resumed without having to be restarted after passing the second section, for example. As a result, it is possible to prevent an unnecessary increase in communication traffic compared to a case in which data reception is restarted every time reception is resumed.

[0009] In one embodiment, the control device controls the communication device to resume receiving data after the vehicle has passed the second section.

[0010] In this way, data reception can be resumed without restarting after passing through the second section, which makes it possible to prevent unnecessary increases in communication traffic compared to the case where data reception is restarted every time reception is resumed.

[0011] In yet another embodiment, the control device sets the second section using regional information including an area where communication by the communication device is possible and an area where communication is not possible.

[0012] In this way, the second section can be identified using the area information, and the interruption process can be completed before traveling through the second section.

[0013] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the control device executes the interruption process when the reception level of the communication radio waves in the communication device falls below a threshold value while driving in the first section.

[0014] In this way, the interruption process can be completed before traveling through the second section. A vehicle according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes a communication system including a communication device capable of communicating with an external server and a control device that controls the communication device to receive predetermined data from the server while driving along a driving route to a destination. The control device acquires a first section of the driving route in which data can be received and a second section in which data is not received. The control device controls the communication device to receive the data while driving along the first section. The control device controls the communication device to complete an interruption process that interrupts data reception in a state in which it can be resumed before driving along the second section.

[0015] A server according to yet another aspect of the present disclosure includes a communication device capable of communicating with a vehicle, and a control device that controls the communication device to transmit predetermined data while the vehicle is driving along a driving route to a destination. The control device transmits the data while the vehicle is driving a first section of the driving route, the first section being one section in which the vehicle can receive data and a second section in which the vehicle does not receive data. The control device interrupts the transmission of data when it receives information indicating that an interruption process has been completed before the vehicle travels the second section, the interruption process interrupting the transmission of data in a state in which the vehicle can resume receiving data.

[0016] A vehicle control method according to yet another aspect of the present disclosure is a vehicle control method capable of communicating with an external server, the control method including the steps of receiving predetermined data from a server while the vehicle is driving along a driving route to a destination, acquiring a first section of the driving route in which data can be received and a second section in which data cannot be received, receiving the data while the vehicle is driving along the first section, and completing an interruption process for interrupting data reception in a state in which it can be resumed before the vehicle travels along the second section.

[0017] A program according to yet another aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to execute processes including the steps of receiving predetermined data from a server while driving along a driving route to a destination of a vehicle capable of communicating with an external server, acquiring a first section of the driving route from which data can be received and a second section from which data is not received, receiving the data while the vehicle is driving along the first section, and completing an interruption process that interrupts data reception in a state in which it can be resumed before the vehicle travels along the second section. Effect of the Invention

[0018] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a communication system, a vehicle, a server, a vehicle control method, and a program that suppress an unnecessary increase in communication volume when receiving data while traveling. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of a configuration of a vehicle information management system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an adaptive section and an unsuitable section. [Diagram 3] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a process executed by an ECU. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of displaying a plurality of driving routes. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication area map. [Figure 6]10 is a flowchart showing an example of a download process executed in an ECU. [Figure 7] 10 is a diagram for explaining a change in the amount of data downloaded along a travel route from a starting point to a destination. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference characters and their description will not be repeated.

[0021] 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of a vehicle information management system 1. As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the vehicle information management system 1 includes a plurality of vehicles 2 and 3, a communication network 6, a base station 7, and a data center 100.

[0022] The vehicles 2 and 3 may be any vehicle that can communicate with the data center 100, and may be, for example, a vehicle driven by an engine, an electric vehicle driven by an electric motor, or a hybrid vehicle equipped with an engine and an electric motor and using at least one of them as a drive source. Note that, for convenience of explanation, only two vehicles 2 and 3 are shown in Fig. 1, but the number of vehicles is not particularly limited to two, and may be three or more.

[0023] The vehicle information management system 1 is configured to acquire and provide predetermined information from vehicles 2 and 3 that are configured to be able to communicate with a data center 100, and to manage the acquired information and the provided information.

[0024] The data center 100 includes a control device 11, a storage device 12, and a communication device 13. The control device 11, the storage device 12, and the communication device 13 are communicably connected to each other via a communication bus 14. The data center 100 corresponds to a "server" in this embodiment.

[0025] The control device 11 is configured to include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), memory (such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory)), and input / output ports for inputting and outputting various signals, all of which are not shown. The various controls performed by the control device 11 are performed by software processing, i.e., by the CPU reading out a program stored in the memory. The various controls by the control device 11 can also be realized by a general-purpose computer (not shown) executing a program stored in a storage medium. The various controls by the control device 11 are not limited to software processing, and may be processed by dedicated hardware (electronic circuitry).

[0026] The storage device 12 stores predetermined information related to a plurality of vehicles 2, 3 configured to be able to communicate with the data center 100. The predetermined information includes, for example, information related to the control programs of each of the vehicles 2, 3 described below, and information for identifying the vehicles 2, 3 (hereinafter referred to as a vehicle ID). The vehicle ID is unique information set for each vehicle. The data center 100 becomes able to identify the source or destination vehicle by the vehicle ID.

[0027] The communication device 13 realizes two-way communication between the control device 11 and the communication network 6. The data center 100 enables communication with a plurality of vehicles including the vehicles 2 and 3 via a base station 7 provided on the communication network 6 using the communication device 13.

[0028] Next, a description will be given of the specific configuration of the vehicles 2 and 3. Since the vehicles 2 and 3 basically have a common configuration, the following description will be given of the configuration of the vehicle 2 as a representative example.

[0029] The vehicle 2 includes driving wheels 50 and driven wheels 52. When the driving wheels 50 are rotated by the operation of a driving source, a driving force acts on the vehicle 2, causing the vehicle 2 to travel.

[0030] The vehicle 2 further includes a navigation system 10, a data communication module (DCM) 30, and an electronic control unit (ECU) 40. The DCM 30 and the ECU 40 configure a communication system 20 according to the present embodiment.

[0031] The navigation system 10 includes, for example, a position detection device using a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite or a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), a database that stores map information, and a control device using a CPU or the like (none of which are shown). The position detection device identifies the position of the vehicle 2. The navigation system 10 identifies a driving route on a map from the current position of the vehicle 2 to a destination, and provides guidance to guide the vehicle 2 traveling on the driving route to the destination. The navigation system 10 displays map information and guidance information on a touch panel display (not shown), identifies a destination input by the user through the user's operation on the touch panel, and displays multiple options for driving routes to the identified destination.

[0032] The ECU 40 is a computer having a processor that executes programs such as a CPU, a memory, and an input / output interface. The ECU 40 includes various control programs for controlling various actuators mounted on the vehicle 2. The various control programs include, for example, at least one of a steering control, a drive control, and a braking control program. The various control programs may include, for example, a program for executing a driving assistance system having a function related to driving assistance of the vehicle 2. The driving assistance system includes, for example, an autonomous driving system (AD), an automatic parking system, an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), and the like.

[0033] The DCM 30 is a communication module configured to enable two-way communication with the data center 100. The DCM 30 corresponds to the "communication device" in this embodiment.

[0034] When the ECU 40 updates, for example, any of the various control programs stored in the memory, a so-called OTA (Over The Air) technology may be used, in which the control program is updated using update information received by wireless communication from a data center 100 outside the vehicle 2. Such OTA technology makes it possible to modify or add functions by receiving update programs even after the vehicle 2 has been released on the market. In order to update the control program using such OTA technology, the vehicle 2 is required to download the update program from the data center 100 using the DCM 30 or the like without failure or interruption while driving, for example.

[0035] Therefore, for example, it is conceivable to divide the travel route of the vehicle 2 into unsuitable sections for downloading (i.e. sections where data is not received) and suitable sections suitable for downloading, and to have the data downloaded in the suitable sections.

[0036] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an appropriate section and an unsuitable section. When a tunnel is present on the travel route, the reception level of the communication radio wave may be reduced in the vehicle 2 traveling in the tunnel. Similarly, in areas densely populated with high-rise buildings such as a city street, the reception level of the communication radio wave may become unstable, causing the communication speed to fluctuate widely, resulting in a large deviation from the estimated time. Therefore, both inside a tunnel and in a city street are set as unsuitable sections that are not suitable for downloading. In addition, unsuitable sections are not limited to inside a tunnel or in a city street, but may occur in a gap between communication areas in the suburbs, or, for example, when the vehicle 2 selects a travel route that crosses a border in Europe, etc., it may occur when a process of switching communication providers (for example, roaming process) is performed when crossing a border.

[0037] 2, when vehicle 2 starts traveling on a travel route from a starting point to a destination, the travel route can be divided into adaptive sections A, B, and an adaptive section that are suitable for downloading, and unsuitable sections A and B that are not suitable for downloading. In this case, for example, if the predicted travel time a in adaptive section A is longer than the time t required for downloading, it is possible to download the update program in adaptive section A.

[0038] However, if the actual driving time is shortened and falls short of the estimated driving time a, or if the actual time required for downloading exceeds the required time t due to fluctuations in communication speed, the download may not be completed within the suitable section. If the download continues even when the vehicle 2 travels through the unsuitable section A, the communication may be cut off during the download and the download may be interrupted. As a result, even if the download is resumed after passing through the unsuitable section A, the download progress status is reset and the download is restarted from the beginning. This may result in an unnecessary increase in communication volume. In particular, the larger the data volume of the update program, the greater the amount of communication wasted by restarting the download.

[0039] Therefore, in this embodiment, the ECU 40 acquires a first section (adaptable section) where the vehicle 2 can receive data and a second section (unsuitable section) where data is not received, controls the DCM 30 to receive data while driving in the first section, and controls the DCM 30 to complete an interruption process that interrupts data reception in a state where it can be resumed before the vehicle 2 travels through the second section. Furthermore, the ECU 40 controls the DCM 30 to resume data reception after the vehicle 2 has passed the second section.

[0040] In this way, data is received while driving in the first section, and DCM30 is controlled so that interruption processing is completed before driving in the second section, so that data reception can be resumed without redoing it after passing the second section, etc. As a result, it is possible to suppress an unnecessary increase in communication traffic compared to a case in which data reception is redoed every time reception is resumed.

[0041] An example of processing executed by the ECU 40 will be described below with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the ECU 40. The processing shown in this flowchart is repeatedly executed by the ECU 40 at every predetermined control period.

[0042] In step (hereinafter, step will be abbreviated as S) 100, ECU 40 determines whether a destination has been input. ECU 40 receives, for example, from navigation system 10, information indicating whether a destination has been input by a user's operation on a touch panel or the like, and uses the received information to determine whether a destination has been input. The information indicating whether a destination has been input may include, for example, at least one of information indicating that an operation to determine the position of a cursor on a map displayed on the screen as a destination has been accepted, information indicating that an address of the destination has been input, information indicating that information regarding the destination has been received from a mobile terminal (not shown), and information indicating that a destination has been designated by voice through voice recognition processing of a voice by the user. If it is determined that a destination has been input (YES in S100), the process proceeds to S102.

[0043] In S102, the ECU 40 acquires a driving route. The ECU 40 acquires a plurality of driving routes to the destination as options for the driving route, for example, by using the navigation system 10. The ECU 40 acquires, as options for the driving route, for example, a driving route that is the shortest distance to the destination, a driving route that avoids congestion, a driving route that assumes the use of toll roads, a driving route that uses only general roads, and the like.

[0044] In S104, the ECU 40 displays a plurality of travel routes as options on a touch panel display (not shown). The ECU 40 may, for example, display one of the plurality of travel routes and display the other travel routes in a selectable manner, or may display two or more of the plurality of travel routes.

[0045] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of displaying a plurality of driving routes. In Fig. 4, a plurality of driving routes are displayed using different line types. The plurality of driving routes displayed in Fig. 4 includes, for example, a recommended route, a driving route in which toll roads are prioritized, and a driving route in which general roads are prioritized.

[0046] In S106, ECU 40 determines whether a travel route has been selected. ECU 40 determines that a travel route has been selected, for example, when a user performs an operation to select a travel route on a touch panel or the like. If it is determined that a travel route has been selected (YES in S106), the process proceeds to S108.

[0047] In S108, the ECU 40 determines whether or not there is a request for an OTA update while traveling. The OTA update refers to an update process using an update program downloaded from the data center 100. The ECU 40 may determine that there is a request for an OTA update while traveling, for example, when the data center 100 requests download of an update program with high urgency. Alternatively, the ECU 40 may determine that there is a request for an OTA update while traveling, when there is a request for an OTA update and the driving time to the destination is equal to or longer than a predetermined time. Alternatively, the ECU 40 may determine that there is a request for an OTA update while traveling, when there is an update program with a data amount that can be downloaded in the driving time to the destination. If it is determined that there is a request for an OTA update while traveling (YES in S108), the process proceeds to S110.

[0048] In S110, ECU 40 acquires a communication area map. The communication area map indicates an area in which a communication line can be used in vehicle 2. For example, the communication area map shows a plurality of types of regions divided according to communication speeds superimposed on map information. That is, the communication area map indicates whether or not a communication line can be used at a specific position on the map, and is configured to be able to acquire information on an upper limit value of the communication speed.

[0049] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a communication area map. A circular area shown by a solid line in FIG. 5 indicates an area where high-speed communication is possible (hereinafter, referred to as a high-speed communication area). A circular area shown by a dashed line in FIG. 5 indicates an area where low-speed communication is possible (hereinafter, referred to as a low-speed communication area). Note that, for convenience of explanation, FIG. 5 shows the area where communication is possible as a circle, but the area where communication is possible is not limited to a circle, and may be set by actually measuring the radio wave intensity, or may be set in advance taking into consideration the terrain, obstructions such as buildings, and the like. Also, for convenience of explanation, FIG. 5 shows three high-speed communication areas and one low-speed communication area as an example, but the number of high-speed communication areas and low-speed communication areas is not limited to these.

[0050] The communication area map may, for example, be pre-stored in the memory of the ECU 40, or may be downloaded from the data center 100 using the DCM 30, or may be pre-stored in the memory of the ECU 40 and update information may be downloaded from the data center 100 using the DCM 30 to update the communication area map stored in the memory.

[0051] In S112, the ECU 40 identifies an unsuitable section on the selected travel route. For example, the ECU 40 overlaps the selected travel route with a communication area map, and sets a travel route within an area where communication is possible as an appropriate section, and sets a travel route within an area where communication is not possible as an unsuitable section, thereby identifying the unsuitable section.

[0052] In S114, ECU 40 determines whether or not the travel route has an unsuitable section. For example, when any section of the travel route is set as an unsuitable section, ECU 40 determines that the travel route has an unsuitable section. When it is determined that the travel route has an unsuitable section (YES in S114), the process proceeds to S116.

[0053] In S116, the ECU 40 sets an execution flag for the intermittent download process to an ON state. The intermittent download process is a process for completing the download of an update program used for the OTA update by continuing the download intermittently, and will be described in detail later. If it is determined that there is no unsuitable section on the driving route (NO in S114), the process proceeds to S118.

[0054] In S118, the ECU 40 sets an execution flag for a continuous download process to an ON state. The continuous download process is a process for performing and completing continuous downloading of update programs used for the OTA update without interruption.

[0055] If it is determined that a destination is not input (NO in S100) or that an OTA update during driving is not requested (NO in S108), this process ends. If it is determined that a driving route is not selected (NO in S106), the process returns to S106.

[0056] Next, an example of a download process executed by the ECU 40 while driving along a travel route will be described. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the download process executed by the ECU 40. The process shown in this flowchart is also repeatedly executed by the ECU 40 at every predetermined control period.

[0057] In S200, ECU 40 determines whether vehicle 2 is driving along a travel route. ECU 40 determines that vehicle 2 is driving along the travel route, for example, when a travel route has been selected, vehicle 2 is driving (in a state where it can travel), and the current position of vehicle 2 is on the travel route. If it is determined that vehicle 2 is driving along the travel route (YES in S200), the process proceeds to S202.

[0058] In S202, ECU 40 determines whether or not to execute the intermittent download process. ECU 40 determines to execute the intermittent download process when, for example, an execution flag for the intermittent download process is in an on state. If it is determined to execute the intermittent download process (YES in S202), the process proceeds to S204.

[0059] In S204, the ECU 40 receives the update program to be downloaded from the data center 100 and executes a process (download process) of storing the update program in memory. The ECU 40 determines the download target of the data amount that can be completed before the destination is reached or before the destination is reached according to the communication speed in each applicable section other than the unsuitable section, and executes the download process of the determined download target. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S206.

[0060] In S206, the ECU 40 determines whether the current position of the vehicle 2 is the section immediately preceding the unsuitable section. The section immediately preceding the unsuitable section is, for example, a section starting from a point a predetermined distance back from the start point of the unsuitable section and ending at the start point of the unsuitable section. The predetermined distance is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a distance that can secure the time required for the download interruption process described later to be started and completed. The ECU 40 may specify the section immediately preceding the unsuitable section when specifying the unsuitable section. Alternatively, the ECU 40 may determine that the current position of the vehicle 2 is the section immediately preceding the unsuitable section when the radio wave intensity drops below a threshold value after passing a point a predetermined distance back from the start point of the unsuitable section. If it is determined that the current position of the vehicle 2 is the section immediately preceding the unsuitable section (YES in S206), the process proceeds to S208.

[0061] In S208, ECU 40 executes the interruption process. The interruption process includes a process for interrupting the download of the update program in a state in which the download can be resumed. In the interruption process, for example, ECU 40 generates information that allows resumption from the progress state of the download immediately before the interruption or acquires it from data center 100, and stops receiving the update program while making the download of the update program in a state in which the download can be resumed. As a specific method of the interruption process, a known method may be used, and a detailed description thereof will not be given. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S210.

[0062] In S210, the ECU 40 determines whether or not the vehicle 2 has passed through an unsuitable section. For example, the ECU 40 determines that the vehicle 2 has passed through an unsuitable section when the current position of the vehicle 2 is a position that has passed through the unsuitable section. Note that the ECU 40 may determine that the vehicle 2 has passed through an unsuitable section when, for example, the radio wave intensity becomes higher than a threshold value. If it is determined that the vehicle 2 has passed through an unsuitable section (YES in S210), the process proceeds to S212.

[0063] In S212, ECU 40 executes a resume process. The resume process includes a process for resuming the download from the progress state at the time when the download of the update program was interrupted. ECU 40 receives data continuing from the progress state of the download just before the interruption from data center 100 by the resume process, for example, and stores it in memory. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S214.

[0064] In S214, the ECU 40 determines whether or not all of the unsuitable sections have been passed. For example, if there is no unsuitable section between the current position of the vehicle 2 and the destination, the ECU 40 determines that all of the unsuitable sections have been passed. If it is determined that all of the unsuitable sections have been passed (YES in S214), the process proceeds to S220. However, if it is determined that all of the unsuitable sections have not been passed (NO in S214), the process returns to S206.

[0065] On the other hand, if it is determined that the intermittent download process is not to be executed (NO at S202), the process proceeds to S216.

[0066] In S216, the ECU 40 determines whether or not to execute the continuous download process. The ECU 40 determines to execute the continuous download process when the execution flag for the continuous download process is in the on state. If it is determined to execute the continuous download process (YES in S216), the process proceeds to S218.

[0067] In S218, ECU 40 executes the download process. Since the download process has been described above, detailed description thereof will not be repeated. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S220.

[0068] In S220, ECU 40 determines whether the download is complete. ECU 40 may determine that the download is complete, for example, when the progress of the download of the update program to be downloaded reaches 100% or when the amount of downloaded data matches the amount of data of the update program received from data center 100. If it is determined that the download is complete (YES in S220), the process proceeds to S222.

[0069] In S222, the ECU 40 sets the execution flag to the OFF state. For example, when the execution flag for the continuous download process is ON, the ECU 40 sets the execution flag for the continuous download process to the OFF state. Alternatively, for example, when the execution flag for the intermittent download process is ON, the ECU 40 sets the execution flag for the intermittent download process to the OFF state. Thereafter, the process ends.

[0070] If it is determined that the section is not the section immediately before the unsuitable section (NO in S206), the process returns to S206. If it is further determined that the unsuitable section has not been passed through (NO in S210), the process returns to S210.

[0071] The operation of the ECU 40 based on the above-described structure and flowchart will be described. For example, when the user inputs the destination of the vehicle 2 by operating the touch panel before the vehicle 2 starts to drive (YES in S100), a driving route is acquired from the navigation system 10 (S102), and a plurality of driving routes are displayed as options on a user interface such as a display (S104). When any driving route is selected by the user's selection operation (YES in S106), it is determined whether or not an OTA update during driving is requested (S108). When an OTA update during driving is requested, such as when an update program of a downloadable amount of data during driving from the data center 100 to the destination is requested (S108), a communication area map is acquired (S110), and an unsuitable section is identified using the acquired communication area map (S112). When it is determined that there is an unsuitable section on the driving route (YES in S114), an execution flag for intermittent download processing is set to an on state (S116).

[0072] Then, when driving along the selected travel route is started (YES in S200), the download process is executed because the execution flag for the intermittent download process is on (YES in S202).

[0073] Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining the change in the amount of data downloaded on the driving route from the starting point to the destination. LN1 in Fig. 7 shows the change in the amount of downloaded data. LN2 in Fig. 7 shows the driving route from the starting point to the destination.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 7, in the section from the starting point to the travel distance L(1), since it is within a high-speed communication area, downloading is performed in a high-speed communication environment compared to other communication areas (low-speed communication areas). In the section from travel distance L(1) to L(2), since it is within a low-speed communication area, downloading is performed in a low-speed communication environment compared to the high-speed communication area. When the travel distance reaches the section from L(2) to L(3), it is determined that the section is immediately before an unsuitable section (YES in S206), and interruption processing is executed (S208). The interruption processing is completed by the time the travel distance reaches L(3), and therefore the download is interrupted in a state in which it can be resumed. In the section from travel distance L(3) to L(4), since the unsuitable section is being passed through (NO in S210), the download remains interrupted. Then, when it is determined that an unsuitable section has been passed through in the section from travel distance L(4) to L(5) (YES in S210), download resumption processing is executed (S212). At this time, the download of the update program is not restarted from the beginning, but is resumed from the progress state interrupted in the interruption process. Also, since all the inappropriate sections have been passed (YES in S214), the download will continue thereafter.

[0075] In the section from driving distance L(5) to L(6), the vehicle 2 is in a high-speed communication area, so the download continues in a high-speed communication environment. In the section from driving distance L(6) to L(7), the vehicle 2 is in a low-speed communication area, so the download continues in a low-speed communication environment. Then, in the section from driving distance L(7) to L(8), the vehicle 2 travels again in a high-speed communication area, so the download continues in a high-speed communication environment. Then, when the download of the update program to be downloaded is completed at the point where the vehicle 2 reaches the destination (YES in S220), the execution flag for the intermittent download process is set to the OFF state (S222). Note that, although FIG. 7 shows an example in which the download of the update program is completed at the time the destination is reached, the download of the update program may be completed before the destination is reached.

[0076] If it is determined that the selected travel route does not have any unsuitable sections (NO at S114), the execution flag for the continuous download process is set to the ON state.

[0077] Therefore, when the vehicle 2 starts driving along the selected driving route (YES in S200), it is determined that the intermittent download process execution flag is OFF (NO in S202) and the continuous download process execution flag is ON (YES in S216), so the download process is executed (S218). At this time, an update program with a data amount that can be completed within the driving time to reach the destination is selected and downloaded. Then, if it is determined that the download of the update program is completed before the destination is reached (YES in S220), the continuous download process execution flag is set to OFF (S222).

[0078] As described above, according to the vehicle information processing device of the present embodiment, when driving in the first section (adaptable section), the data is received, and the DCM 30 is controlled so that the interruption process is completed before traveling in the second section (unsuitable section), so that the data reception can be resumed without redoing it after passing through the second section. As a result, it is possible to suppress an unnecessary increase in communication traffic compared to a case where data reception is redoed every time download is resumed. Furthermore, since the second section can be specified using regional information such as a communication area map, the interruption process can be completed before traveling in the second section. Therefore, it is possible to provide a communication system, a vehicle, a server, a vehicle control method, and a program that suppress an unnecessary increase in communication traffic when receiving data while traveling.

[0079] Modifications will be described below. In the above embodiment, it has been described that the execution flag for the intermittent download process is set to the on state when there is an unsuitable section on the driving route. However, even if there is an unsuitable section on the driving route, if the driving time to the unsuitable section or the driving time from passing the unsuitable section to the destination is longer than the maximum estimated time required for downloading, the execution flag for the continuous download process may be set to the on state instead of the execution flag for the intermittent download process, and the download process may be completed before the unsuitable section or after passing the unsuitable section.

[0080] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an update program for the actuator control program was described as an example of the object to be downloaded, but the object may be an update program for map information or the control program of the navigation system 10, and is not particularly limited.

[0081] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, when an interruption process is executed, it has been described that the reception of data is stopped after the interruption process is completed in vehicle 2. However, the data center 100 may stop transmitting data, for example, when it receives information from vehicle 2 indicating that the interruption process has been completed.

[0082] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the first and second sections are acquired when the destination is input (i.e., before driving begins), but, for example, the first and second sections may be acquired after driving begins.

[0083] The above-described modified examples may be implemented in whole or in part in appropriate combination. The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 1 vehicle information management system, 2, 3 vehicle, 6 communication network, 7 base station, 10 navigation system, 11 control device, 12 storage device, 13 communication device, 14 communication bus, 20 communication system, 30 DCM, 40 ECU, 50 driving wheel, 52 driven wheel, 100 data center.

Claims

1. A communication device capable of communicating with a server outside the vehicle; a control device that controls the communication device to receive predetermined data from the server while the vehicle is driving along a route to a destination; The control device includes: acquiring a first section of the travel route in which the data can be received and a second section in which the data cannot be received; controlling the communication device to receive the data while the vehicle is driving along the first section; controlling the communication device so that an interruption process for interrupting the data reception in a state in which the data reception can be resumed is completed before the vehicle travels along the second section; determining that the vehicle has passed through the second section when a reception level of a communication radio wave in the communication device becomes higher than a threshold value while the vehicle is driving through the second section; controlling the communication device so that reception of the data is resumed when it is determined that the vehicle has passed through the second section; If the second section is not included in the travel route, the communication device is controlled to perform a continuous download process for receiving the data from the server without interruption while the vehicle is being driven. A communication system that controls the communication device to start the continuous download process after it is determined that the second section has been passed while the vehicle is being driven, if the driving time from passing the second section to the destination is longer than a maximum estimated time required to receive the data.

2. The communication system according to claim 1 , wherein the control device sets the second section using regional information including an area where communication by the communication device is possible and an area where communication is not possible.

3. The communication system according to claim 1 , wherein the control device executes the interruption process when a reception level of a communication radio wave in the communication device falls below a threshold value while the communication device is driving in the first section.

4. A communication system including a communication device capable of communicating with an external server and a control device that controls the communication device so as to receive predetermined data from the server while driving along a travel route to a destination, The control device includes: acquiring a first section of the travel route in which the data can be received and a second section in which the data cannot be received; controlling the communication device to receive the data while driving along the first section; controlling the communication device so that an interruption process for interrupting reception of the data in a state in which reception of the data can be resumed is completed before traveling along the second section; determining that the vehicle has passed through the second section when a reception level of a communication radio wave in the communication device becomes higher than a threshold value while the vehicle is driving through the second section; controlling the communication device so that reception of the data is resumed when it is determined that the second section has been passed; When the second section is not included in the travel route, the communication device is controlled to execute a continuous download process for receiving the data from the server without interruption; When the driving time from passing the second section to the destination is longer than a maximum estimated time required to receive the data, the vehicle controls the communication device to start the continuous download process after it is determined that the second section has been passed.

5. A communication device capable of communicating with a vehicle; a control device that controls the communication device to transmit predetermined data while the vehicle is driving along a route to a destination; The control device includes: transmitting the data while the vehicle is driving along a first section of the travel route in which the data can be received by the vehicle and a second section in which the data cannot be received by the vehicle; interrupting the transmission of the data when receiving information indicating that an interruption process for interrupting the reception of the data in a state in which the reception of the data can be resumed has been completed before the vehicle travels along the second section; restarting the transmission of the data when the vehicle determines that it has passed the second section by a reception level of a communication radio wave in a communication device of the vehicle becoming higher than a threshold while the vehicle is driving in the second section; If the second section is not included in the travel route, a process of transmitting the data to the vehicle without interruption while the vehicle is being driven is performed; A server that initiates a process of transmitting the data to the vehicle without interruption after it is determined in the vehicle that the second section has been passed while driving the vehicle, if the driving time from passing the second section to the destination is longer than the maximum estimated time required to receive the data.

6. A method for controlling a vehicle capable of communicating with an external server, comprising: receiving predetermined data from the server while driving the vehicle along a travel route to a destination; acquiring a first section of the travel route in which the data can be received and a second section in which the data cannot be received; receiving the data while the vehicle is driving along the first leg; completing an interruption process for interrupting reception of the data in a state in which reception can be resumed before the vehicle travels along the second section; determining that the vehicle has passed through the second section when a reception level of a communication radio wave in a communication device mounted on the vehicle becomes higher than a threshold while the vehicle is driving through the second section; restarting reception of the data when it is determined that the vehicle has passed through the second section; executing a continuous download process for receiving the data from the server without interruption when the second section is not included in the travel route; and if the driving time from passing the second section to the destination is longer than a maximum estimated time required to receive the data, starting the continuous download process after it is determined that the second section has been passed while the vehicle is being driven.

7. receiving, by a computer, predetermined data from an external server capable of communicating with the server while the vehicle is traveling along a route to a destination; acquiring a first section of the travel route in which the data can be received and a second section in which the data cannot be received; receiving the data while the vehicle is driving along the first leg; completing an interruption process for interrupting reception of the data in a state in which reception can be resumed before the vehicle travels along the second section; determining that the vehicle has passed through the second section when a reception level of a communication radio wave in a communication device mounted on the vehicle becomes higher than a threshold while the vehicle is driving through the second section; restarting reception of the data when it is determined that the vehicle has passed through the second section; executing a continuous download process for receiving the data from the server without interruption when the second section is not included in the travel route; and if the driving time from passing the second section to the destination is longer than a maximum estimated time required to receive the data, starting the continuous download process after it is determined that the second section has been passed while the vehicle is being driven.

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