In-vehicle device, communication method and program

Abstract

To provide an on-vehicle device, a communication method, and a program to prevent collection omission of vehicle information in an external device when the vehicle information is transmitted via a communication device to the external device.SOLUTION: A data logger 30 as an on-vehicle device includes a communication unit for communicating with a mobile terminal 40, a notification unit for notifying a user, and a processor. The processor transmits vehicle information in a vehicle 12 via the communication unit to the mobile terminal 40 when the communication between the communication unit and the mobile terminal 40 is established, causes the notification unit to execute a notification to connect to the mobile terminal 40 when it is impossible to connect between the communication unit and the mobile terminal 40, stores the vehicle information in a storage unit, and transmits the vehicle information stored in the storage unit to the mobile terminal 40 when the connection between the communication unit and the mobile terminal 40 is established.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an in-vehicle device, a communication method, and a program for transmitting vehicle information. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an in-vehicle device that selectively performs automatic connection via Bluetooth (registered trademark) to improve usability. The in-vehicle device performs automatic Bluetooth connection with a mobile phone only when the device is set to permit automatic Bluetooth connection. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-116254 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When the technology of Patent Document 1 is applied to an in-vehicle device that collects vehicle information and transmits it to an external device, the external device will miss out on collecting vehicle information while it is unable to connect to a communication device via Bluetooth.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide an in-vehicle device, a communication method, and a program that prevent vehicle information from being missed in an external device when the vehicle information is transmitted to the external device via a communication device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The in-vehicle device described in claim 1 includes a communication unit that communicates with a communication device, an alarm unit that notifies a user, and a processor, and the processor is configured to transmit vehicle information in the vehicle to the communication device via the communication unit when a connection between the communication unit and the communication device is established, and when a connection between the communication unit and the communication device is impossible, to cause the alarm unit to execute an alarm to connect to the communication device, and to store the vehicle information in a memory unit, and to transmit the vehicle information stored in the memory unit to the communication device when a connection between the communication unit and the communication device is established.

[0007] The in-vehicle device according to claim 1 includes a communication unit that communicates with a communication device, a notification unit that notifies a user, and a processor. When a connection between the communication unit and the communication device is established in the in-vehicle device, the processor transmits vehicle information in the vehicle to the communication device via the communication unit, but when a connection to the communication device is not possible, the processor stores the vehicle information in the storage unit. In this case, the processor causes the notification unit to execute a notification to connect to the communication device, thereby prompting the user to reconnect to the communication device. Then, when a connection between the communication unit and the communication device is established, the processor transmits the vehicle information stored in the storage unit to the communication device. According to the in-vehicle device, when the vehicle information is transmitted to an external device via the communication device, it is possible to prevent the external device from missing out on collecting the vehicle information.

[0008] The in-vehicle device according to claim 2 is the in-vehicle device according to claim 1, wherein, when a communication device to be connected to the communication unit is not registered, the processor causes the notification unit to execute a notification to the effect that the communication device should be registered.

[0009] In the in-vehicle device according to claim 2, when the communication unit cannot connect to the communication device, the user can be prompted to register the communication device. By registering the communication device, the in-vehicle device can simplify the process of connecting the communication device to the in-vehicle device the next time.

[0010] The in-vehicle device of claim 3 is an in-vehicle device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the processor stores the vehicle information in the memory unit when it detects a deterioration in the communication state of the communication device, and transmits the vehicle information stored in the memory unit to the communication device when it detects a recovery in the communication state of the communication device.

[0011] According to the in-vehicle device of claim 3, it is possible to prevent failure to collect vehicle information when the communication conditions of the communication device deteriorate.

[0012] The in-vehicle device of claim 4 is an in-vehicle device of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the processor transmits low-volume information of the vehicle information to the communications device when it detects a decrease in the communication speed of the communications device, and stores high-volume information in the memory unit, and transmits the high-volume vehicle information stored in the memory unit to the communications device when it detects a recovery in the communication speed of the communications device.

[0013] According to the in-vehicle device of claim 4, it is possible to prevent the loss of collection of vehicle information when the communication speed of the communication device is reduced.

[0014] The communication method described in claim 5 is a communication method in an in-vehicle device having a communication unit that communicates with a communication device, and when a connection between the communication unit and the communication device is established, vehicle information in the vehicle is transmitted to the communication device via the communication unit, and when a connection between the communication unit and the communication device is impossible, a notification unit that notifies a user is issued to notify a connection to the communication device, and the vehicle information is stored in a memory unit, and when a connection between the communication unit and the communication device is established, a computer executes a process of transmitting the vehicle information stored in the memory unit to the communication device.

[0015] The communication method described in claim 5 is a communication method executed by a computer in an in-vehicle device having a communication unit that communicates with a communication device. In this communication method, when a connection between the communication unit and the communication device is established, the computer transmits vehicle information in the vehicle to the communication device via the communication unit, but when a connection to the communication device is not possible, the computer stores the vehicle information in a storage unit. In this case, the computer prompts the user to reconnect to the communication device by causing the notification unit to execute a notification of a connection to the communication device. Then, when a connection between the communication unit and the communication device is established, the computer transmits the vehicle information stored in the storage unit to the communication device. According to this communication method, when the vehicle information is transmitted to an external device via the communication device, it is possible to prevent the external device from missing out on collecting the vehicle information.

[0016] The program described in claim 6 is a program executed in an in-vehicle device having a communication unit that communicates with a communication device, and when a connection between the communication unit and the communication device is established, transmits vehicle information in the vehicle to the communication device via the communication unit, and when a connection between the communication unit and the communication device is impossible, causes a computer to execute a process of notifying a user that a connection to the communication device will be made, storing the vehicle information in a memory unit, and transmitting the vehicle information stored in the memory unit to the communication device when a connection between the communication unit and the communication device is established.

[0017] The program according to claim 6 causes a computer to execute the following process in an in-vehicle device having a communication unit that communicates with a communication device. That is, when a connection between the communication unit and the communication device is established, the computer transmits vehicle information in the vehicle to the communication device via the communication unit, but when a connection to the communication device is not possible, the computer stores the vehicle information in a storage unit. In this case, the computer causes the notification unit to execute a notification of a connection to the communication device, thereby urging the user to reconnect to the communication device. Then, when a connection between the communication unit and the communication device is established, the computer transmits the vehicle information stored in the storage unit to the communication device. According to the program, when the vehicle information is transmitted to an external device via the communication device, it is possible to prevent the external device from missing out on collecting the vehicle information. Effect of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, when vehicle information is transmitted to an external device via a communication device, it is possible to prevent the external device from failing to collect the vehicle information. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information collecting system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a vehicle according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a data logger according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the data logger according to the first embodiment; FIG. [Diagram 5] 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of a connection process executed in the data logger of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of a collection process executed in the data logger of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of a collection process executed in the data logger of the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a data logger according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] An information collection system including an in-vehicle device of the present invention will be described. The information collection system is a system in which a device outside the vehicle collects and analyzes vehicle information such as measurement information of parameters obtained from each device of the vehicle and image information captured by a camera.

[0021] [First embodiment] (Overall composition) As shown in Fig. 1, the information collection system 10 of the first embodiment includes a vehicle 12 and a center server 50. The vehicle 12 is equipped with an on-board device 20, a data logger 30 which is an on-board device, and a mobile terminal 40 which is a communication device. The mobile terminal 40 and the center server 50 are connected to each other via a network N. Note that, while Fig. 1 illustrates one vehicle 12, the on-board device 20, the data logger 30, and the mobile terminal 40 mounted on the vehicle 12 for one center server 50, the numbers of the vehicles 12, the on-board devices 20, the data loggers 30, and the mobile terminals 40 are not limited to this.

[0022] The mobile terminal 40 is exemplified by a smartphone or a tablet terminal carried by an occupant of the vehicle 12. The mobile terminal 40 of this embodiment functions as a wireless communication device for relaying communication between the data logger 30 and the center server 50. The mobile terminal 40 is connected to the network N by a communication standard such as 5G, LTE, or Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The mobile terminal 40 is brought into the vehicle 12 and used when the occupant gets into the vehicle 12.

[0023] The center server 50 is installed, for example, at a manufacturer that produces the vehicle 12 or at a car dealership affiliated with the manufacturer. The center server 50 collects vehicle information from the vehicle 12 and performs analysis. This allows the center server 50 to perform driving diagnosis of the driver of the vehicle 12 and grasp driving tendencies.

[0024] (vehicle) As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle 12 according to this embodiment includes an in-vehicle device 20, a plurality of ECUs (Electronic Control Units) 22, and a plurality of in-vehicle devices 24.

[0025] The vehicle-mounted device 20 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 20A, a read only memory (ROM) 20B, a random access memory (RAM) 20C, and an in-vehicle communication interface (I / F) 20D. The CPU 20A, the ROM 20B, the RAM 20C, and the in-vehicle communication interface (I / F) 20D are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via an internal bus 20G.

[0026] The CPU 20A is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls each part. That is, the CPU 20A reads out the programs from the ROM 20B and executes the programs using the RAM 20C as a working area.

[0027] The ROM 20B stores various programs and various data. In the present embodiment, the ROM 20B stores a collection program for collecting vehicle information related to the state and control of the vehicle 12 from the ECU 22. In addition, the ROM 20B stores backup data of the vehicle information. The RAM 20C temporarily stores programs or data as a working area.

[0028] The in-vehicle communication I / F 20D is an interface for connecting to each ECU 22. The interface uses a communication standard based on the Controller Area Network (CAN) protocol. The in-vehicle communication I / F 20D is connected to the external bus 20H.

[0029] A connector (DLC: Data Link Connector) 26 is connected to the external bus 20H. A data logger 30 is connected to this connector 26. Also, instead of the data logger 30, a vehicle diagnostic device, which is a diagnostic tool, can be connected to the connector 26.

[0030] The ECU 22 includes at least an ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System)-ECU 22A, a steering ECU 22B, a brake ECU 22C, and an engine ECU 22D.

[0031] The ADAS-ECU 22A controls the advanced driving assistance system. A vehicle speed sensor 24A, a yaw rate sensor 24B, and an external sensor 24C, which constitute the in-vehicle device 24, are connected to the ADAS-ECU 22A. The external sensor 24C is a group of sensors used to detect the surrounding environment of the vehicle 12. The external sensor 24C includes, for example, a camera that captures an image of the surroundings of the vehicle 12, a millimeter wave radar that transmits a detection wave and receives a reflected wave, and a lidar (Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging) that scans the area ahead of the vehicle 12.

[0032] The steering ECU 22B controls the power steering. A steering angle sensor 24D constituting the in-vehicle device 24 is connected to the steering ECU 22B. The steering angle sensor 24D is a sensor that detects the steering angle of the steering wheel.

[0033] The brake ECU 22C controls the brake system of the vehicle 12. A brake actuator 24E constituting the in-vehicle device 24 is connected to the brake ECU 22C.

[0034] The engine ECU 22D controls the engine of the vehicle 12. A throttle actuator 24F and sensors 24G constituting the in-vehicle device 24 are connected to the engine ECU 22D. The sensors 24G include an oil temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the engine oil, an oil pressure sensor for measuring the oil pressure of the engine oil, and a rotation sensor for detecting the engine speed.

[0035] (Data Logger) The data logger 30 is a retrofit device that is separately installed after the purchase of the vehicle 12. As shown in Fig. 3, the data logger 30 includes a CPU 30A, a ROM 30B, a RAM 30C, a storage 30D, a communication I / F 30E, an input / output I / F 30F, a speaker 34, and a display 36. The CPU 30A, the ROM 30B, the RAM 30C, the storage 30D, the communication I / F 30E, the input / output I / F 30F, the speaker 34, and the display 36 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via an internal bus 30G. The functions of the CPU 30A, the ROM 30B, and the RAM 30C are the same as the functions of the CPU 20A, the ROM 20B, and the RAM 20C of the vehicle-mounted device 20 described above.

[0036] The ROM 30B of this embodiment stores a processing program 100 and a setting information DB (database) 110. The processing program 100 and the setting information DB 110 may be stored in the storage 30D, which will be described later.

[0037] The processing program 100 as a program is a program for controlling the data logger 30. With the execution of the processing program 100, the data logger 30 executes various processes including a connection process and a collection process, which will be described later.

[0038] The setting information DB 110 is a database in which information related to the mobile terminal 40 connected to the data logger 30 is stored.

[0039] The storage 30D as a storage unit is configured with a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or a secure digital card (SD card) and stores various data. In this embodiment, the storage 30D stores a vehicle information DB 120. The ROM 30B may store the vehicle information DB 120.

[0040] The vehicle information DB 120 can store all or a part of the vehicle information collected by the data logger 30 .

[0041] The communication I / F 30E as a communication unit is an interface for connecting to the mobile terminal 40. In the present embodiment, the communication I / F 30E uses Bluetooth (registered trademark) as a communication standard, but is not limited to this, and a communication standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) may also be used. The communication I / F 30E is connected to the mobile terminal 40 via a communication link 33.

[0042] The input / output I / F 30F is an interface for communicating with the external bus 20H of the vehicle 12. A communication cable 32 is connected to the input / output I / F 30F in this embodiment. This communication cable 32 is connected to the connector 26 of the vehicle 12.

[0043] The speaker 34 is an audio output device that provides audio information to the occupants of the vehicle 12. The speaker 34 is an example of a notification unit.

[0044] The display 36 is a display device that provides information to the occupants of the vehicle 12 by images or the like. The display 36 is an example of a notification unit. Note that the display 36 of the present embodiment is sufficient if it can at least notify the occupants that the mobile terminal 40 is not connected. Therefore, it does not necessarily have to be a display device capable of displaying images, and may be a lamp such as an LED.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 4, in the data logger 30 of this embodiment, a CPU 30A executes a processing program 100 to function as a collection unit 200, a connection unit 210, an output unit 220, and a registration unit 230.

[0046] The collection unit 200 has a function of collecting vehicle information from the vehicle 12. Here, the collected vehicle information includes measurement information such as vehicle speed, acceleration, voltage, and on / off signals of various switches, and image information that is information on images captured by a camera mounted on the vehicle 12.

[0047] The connection unit 210 has a function of connecting the data logger 30 to the mobile terminal 40. Specifically, the connection unit 210 attempts pairing with the mobile terminal 40 via Bluetooth. If the connection unit 210 fails to pair with the mobile terminal 40, the connection unit 210 notifies the occupant through the speaker 34 and the display 36 to encourage connection with the mobile terminal 40.

[0048] The output unit 220 has a function of outputting the vehicle information collected by the collection unit 200 to the mobile terminal 40. The output mode by the output unit 220 includes a case where the vehicle information collected by the collection unit 200 is transferred to the mobile terminal 40, and a case where the vehicle information stored in the vehicle information DB 120 is transmitted to the mobile terminal 40.

[0049] The registration unit 230 has a function of registering the mobile terminal 40 connected to the data logger 30. When pairing between the data logger 30 and a new mobile terminal 40 is established, the registration unit 230 registers the new mobile terminal 40 by storing the terminal information of the connected mobile terminal 40 in the setting information DB 110. As a result, the connection unit 210 automatically connects to the registered mobile terminal 40 from the next time.

[0050] (Flow of Control) The flow of each process as a communication method executed in the information collection system 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of Figures 5 and 6. The process in the data logger 30 is executed by the CPU 30A functioning as a collection unit 200, a connection unit 210, an output unit 220, and a registration unit 230.

[0051] First, a connection process for connecting to the mobile terminal 40 will be described. In step S100 of FIG. 5, CPU 30A starts pairing with portable terminal 40.

[0052] In step S101, the CPU 30A determines whether or not communication has been established with the mobile terminal 40. If the CPU 30A determines that communication has been established with the mobile terminal 40 (YES in step S101), the process proceeds to step S106. On the other hand, if the CPU 30A determines that communication has not been established with the mobile terminal 40 (NO in step S101), the process proceeds to step S102.

[0053] In step S102, CPU 30A determines whether or not mobile terminal 40 is registered. Specifically, CPU 30A refers to setting information DB 110 and determines whether or not mobile terminal 40 with which pairing is attempted is registered. If CPU 30A determines that mobile terminal 40 is registered (YES in step S102), it proceeds to step S103. On the other hand, if CPU 30A determines that mobile terminal 40 is not registered (NO in step S102), it proceeds to step S104.

[0054] In step S103, the CPU 30A executes a notification of disconnection. Specifically, in the data logger 30, the CPU 30A causes the speaker 34 to output a voice message such as "Cannot connect to smartphone" and causes the display 36 to display text such as "Pairing has not been completed."

[0055] In step S104, the CPU 30A issues a notification instructing registration of the mobile terminal 40. Specifically, in the data logger 30, the CPU 30A causes the speaker 34 to output a voice such as "Please register your smartphone" and causes the display 36 to display text such as "Please perform initial registration."

[0056] In step S105, the CPU 30A starts storing the vehicle information. That is, the CPU 30A stores the vehicle information acquired from the vehicle-mounted device 20 in the vehicle information DB 120. Then, the process returns to step S100.

[0057] In step S106, CPU 30A determines whether or not there is any untransmitted vehicle information stored. Specifically, CPU 30A refers to vehicle information DB 120 to determine whether or not there is any vehicle information that has not been transmitted to mobile terminal 40. If CPU 30A determines that there is any untransmitted vehicle information stored (YES in step S106), it proceeds to step S107. On the other hand, if CPU 30A determines that there is no untransmitted vehicle information stored (NO in step S106), it proceeds to step S108.

[0058] In step S107, the CPU 30A transmits the untransmitted vehicle information. That is, the CPU 30A transmits the untransmitted vehicle information stored in the vehicle information DB 120 to the mobile terminal 40 via the communication link 33.

[0059] In step S108, CPU 30A starts transferring the vehicle information. That is, every time CPU 30A acquires the vehicle information, CPU 30A transmits the vehicle information to mobile terminal 40. Then, CPU 30A ends the connection process.

[0060] Next, a collection process that is executed depending on the communication status with the mobile terminal 40 when vehicle information is continuously collected from the vehicle-mounted device 20 will be described. In step S200 in FIG. 6, CPU 30A acquires the communication state with mobile terminal 40.

[0061] In step S201, CPU 30A determines whether the communication state of mobile terminal 40 is good. Here, the communication state of mobile terminal 40 refers to the communication state with respect to network N. If CPU 20A determines that the communication state of mobile terminal 40 is good (YES in step S201), it proceeds to step S203. On the other hand, if CPU 30A determines that the communication state of mobile terminal 40 is not good, that is, has deteriorated (NO in step S201), it proceeds to step S202.

[0062] In step S202, the CPU 30A starts storing the vehicle information. That is, the CPU 30A stores the vehicle information acquired from the vehicle-mounted device 20 in the vehicle information DB 120. Then, the process returns to step S200.

[0063] In step S203, CPU 30A determines whether or not there is any untransmitted vehicle information stored. Specifically, CPU 30A refers to vehicle information DB 120 to determine whether or not there is any vehicle information that has not been transmitted to mobile terminal 40. If CPU 30A determines that there is any untransmitted vehicle information stored (YES in step S203), it proceeds to step S204. On the other hand, if CPU 30A determines that there is no untransmitted vehicle information stored (NO in step S203), it proceeds to step S205.

[0064] In step S204, the CPU 30A transmits the untransmitted vehicle information. That is, the CPU 30A transmits the untransmitted vehicle information stored in the vehicle information DB 120 to the mobile terminal 40 via the communication link 33.

[0065] In step S205, CPU 30A resumes the transfer of the vehicle information. That is, every time CPU 30A acquires vehicle information, CPU 30A transmits the vehicle information to mobile terminal 40. Then, the process returns to step S200.

[0066] (summary) In the present embodiment, in the data logger 30, when the connection between the communication I / F 30E and the mobile terminal 40 is established, the CPU 30A transmits the vehicle information of the vehicle 12 to the mobile terminal 40 via the communication I / F 30E. On the other hand, when the connection between the communication I / F 30E and the mobile terminal 40 is not possible, the CPU 30A stores the vehicle information in the storage 30D. In this case, the CPU 30A causes the speaker 34 and the display 36 to execute a notification of the connection to the mobile terminal 40, thereby urging the user to reconnect to the mobile terminal 40. Then, when the connection between the communication I / F 30E and the mobile terminal 40 is established, the CPU 30A transmits the vehicle information stored in the storage 30D to the mobile terminal 40. According to the data logger 30 of the present embodiment, when transmitting the vehicle information to the center server 50 via the mobile terminal 40, the vehicle information acquired when the communication with the mobile terminal 40 is not established is also transmitted to the center server 50. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the center server 50 from missing the collection of the vehicle information.

[0067] Furthermore, in the data logger 30 of this embodiment, if it is not possible to connect the communication I / F 30E to the mobile terminal 40, the user can be prompted to register the mobile terminal 40. According to this embodiment, by the user registering the mobile terminal 40, the process relating to the connection can be simplified the next time the user connects the mobile terminal 40 to the data logger 30.

[0068] Furthermore, in the data logger 30 of this embodiment, when the CPU 30A detects a deterioration in the communication state of the mobile terminal 40, it stores the vehicle information in the storage 30D, and when it detects a recovery in the communication state, it transmits the vehicle information stored in the storage 30D to the mobile terminal 40. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent failure to collect vehicle information when the communication state of the mobile terminal 40 deteriorates.

[0069] [Second embodiment] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the processing contents of the collection processing executed when the communication situation with the mobile terminal 40 is deteriorating. The differences from the first embodiment will be described below. Note that the configuration of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description of each configuration will be omitted.

[0070] (Flow of Control) The flow of the collection process executed by the information collection system 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0071] In step S250 in FIG. 7, CPU 30A acquires the communication state with mobile terminal 40.

[0072] In step S251, CPU 30A determines whether the communication state of mobile terminal 40 is good. Here, the communication state of mobile terminal 40 refers to the communication state with respect to network N. If CPU 20A determines that the communication state of mobile terminal 40 is good (YES in step S251), it proceeds to step S255. On the other hand, if CPU 30A determines that the communication state of mobile terminal 40 is not good, that is, has deteriorated (NO in step S251), it proceeds to step S252.

[0073] In step S252, the CPU 30A determines whether the communication speed of the mobile terminal 40 has decreased. Here, a decrease in the communication speed of the mobile terminal 40 refers to a decrease in the communication speed with respect to the network N. If the CPU 20A determines that the communication speed of the mobile terminal 40 has decreased (YES in step S252), the process proceeds to step S253. On the other hand, if the CPU 30A determines that the communication speed of the mobile terminal 40 has not decreased, that is, that communication has been interrupted (NO in step S252), the process proceeds to step S254.

[0074] In step S253, the CPU 30A starts storing the image information and starts transferring only the measurement information. That is, the CPU 30A stores the image information, which has a larger capacity than the measurement information, among the vehicle information acquired from the vehicle-mounted device 20, in the vehicle information DB 120. Then, the process returns to step S250.

[0075] In step S254, the CPU 30A starts storing all the vehicle information. That is, the CPU 30A stores all the vehicle information acquired from the vehicle-mounted device 20 in the vehicle information DB 120. Then, the process returns to step S250.

[0076] In step S255, CPU 30A determines whether or not there is any untransmitted vehicle information stored. Specifically, CPU 30A refers to vehicle information DB 120 and determines whether or not there is any vehicle information that has not been transmitted to mobile terminal 40. If CPU 30A determines that there is any untransmitted vehicle information stored (YES in step S255), it proceeds to step S256. On the other hand, if CPU 30A determines that there is no untransmitted vehicle information stored (NO in step S255), it proceeds to step S257.

[0077] In step S256, CPU 30A transmits the untransmitted vehicle information. That is, CPU 30A transmits the untransmitted vehicle information stored in vehicle information DB 120 to mobile terminal 40 via communication link 33.

[0078] In step S257, CPU 30A resumes the transfer of all vehicle information. That is, every time CPU 30A acquires vehicle information, it transmits the information to mobile terminal 40. Then, the process returns to step S250.

[0079] (summary) According to this embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the following effects are obtained. In the data logger 30 of this embodiment, when the CPU 30A detects a decrease in the communication speed of the mobile terminal 40, low-volume information among the vehicle information is transmitted to the mobile terminal 40, and high-volume information is stored in the storage 30D. On the other hand, when the CPU 30A detects a recovery in the communication speed of the mobile terminal 40, the high-volume vehicle information stored in the storage 30D is transmitted to the mobile terminal 40. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the loss of collection of vehicle information when the communication speed of the mobile terminal 40 decreases. Also, since the transmission of high-volume data is suppressed when the communication speed of the mobile terminal 40 decreases, the communication load can be reduced.

[0080] [Third embodiment] The data logger 30 in the first or second embodiment acquires vehicle information from the vehicle-mounted device 20 mounted on the vehicle 12, and transmits the vehicle information to the center server 50 via the mobile terminal 40. In contrast, the data logger 30 in the third embodiment is configured to acquire vehicle information from a sensor included in the data logger 30, rather than acquiring vehicle information from the vehicle 12, and transmit the vehicle information to the center server 50 via the mobile terminal 40. Differences from the first or second embodiment will be described below. Note that the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0081] The data logger 30 of this embodiment includes an acceleration sensor 37 and a GPS device 38 as sensors, in addition to a CPU 30A, a ROM 30B, a RAM 30C, a storage 30D, a communication I / F 30E, a speaker 34, and a display 36. It should be noted that the added sensors are not limited to the acceleration sensor 37 and the GPS device 38.

[0082] The data logger 30 is equipped with an acceleration sensor 37 and a GPS device 38, so that the data logger 30 can acquire vehicle information such as the position information, speed, and acceleration of the vehicle 12 within the data logger 30 itself without acquiring the vehicle information from the vehicle 12.

[0083] In the present embodiment, by executing the same connection process and collection process as in the first and second embodiments, it is possible to prevent the center server 50 from missing out on collecting vehicle information.

[0084] [remarks] In the above embodiment, various processes executed by the CPU 20A and the CPU 30A by reading the software (programs) may be executed by various processors other than the CPU. In this case, examples of the processor include a PLD (Programmable Logic Device) such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacture, and a dedicated electric circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) which is a processor having a circuit configuration designed exclusively for executing a specific process. In addition, each of the above-mentioned processes may be executed by one of these various processors, or may be executed by a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types (for example, a plurality of FPGAs, a combination of a CPU and an FPGA, etc.). In addition, the hardware structure of these various processors is, more specifically, an electric circuit that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

[0085] In the above embodiment, each program has been described as being prestored (installed) in a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium. For example, the collection program in the vehicle-mounted device 20 is prestored in the ROM 20B, and the processing program 100 in the data logger 30 is prestored in the ROM 30B. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and each program may be provided in a form recorded in a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. The program may also be downloaded from an external device via a network.

[0086] The process flow described in the above embodiment is merely an example, and unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps may be added, or the process order may be changed, without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 12 Vehicles 30 Data logger (vehicle-mounted device) 30A CPU (processor) 30D Storage (memory section) 30E Communication I / F (Communication section) 34 Speaker (notification section) 36 Display (alarm section) 40 Mobile terminals (communication devices) 100 Processing Program (Program)

Claims

1. The device includes a communication unit that communicates with a communication device, a notification unit that notifies a user, and a processor, The processor, When a connection between the communication unit and the communication device is established, vehicle information of the vehicle is transmitted to the communication device via the communication unit; When the communication unit and the communication device cannot be connected to each other, the notification unit executes a notification of connection to the communication device and stores the vehicle information in a storage unit. When a connection between the communication unit and the communication device is established, the vehicle information stored in the storage unit is transmitted to the communication device; when detecting a decrease in a communication speed of the communication device with respect to the network, first vehicle information of a first capacity among the vehicle information is transmitted to the communication device, and second vehicle information of the vehicle information having a capacity larger than the first capacity is stored in the storage unit; When recovery of a communication speed of the communication device with respect to the network is detected, the second vehicle information stored in the storage unit is transmitted to the communication device. The in-vehicle device is configured as follows.

2. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1 , wherein the processor, when a communication device to be connected to the communication unit is not registered, causes the notification unit to execute a notification to register the communication device.

3. A communication method for an in-vehicle device having a communication unit that communicates with a communication device, comprising: When a connection between the communication unit and the communication device is established, vehicle information of the vehicle is transmitted to the communication device via the communication unit; When the communication unit and the communication device cannot be connected to each other, a notification unit that notifies a user notifies the user of the connection to the communication device, and the vehicle information is stored in a storage unit. When a connection between the communication unit and the communication device is established, the vehicle information stored in the storage unit is transmitted to the communication device; when detecting a decrease in a communication speed of the communication device with respect to the network, first vehicle information of a first capacity among the vehicle information is transmitted to the communication device, and second vehicle information of the vehicle information having a capacity larger than the first capacity is stored in the storage unit; When recovery of a communication speed of the communication device with respect to the network is detected, the second vehicle information stored in the storage unit is transmitted to the communication device. A communication method in which processing is performed by a computer.

4. A program executed in an in-vehicle device having a communication unit that communicates with a communication device, When a connection between the communication unit and the communication device is established, vehicle information of the vehicle is transmitted to the communication device via the communication unit; When the communication unit and the communication device cannot be connected to each other, a notification unit that notifies a user notifies the user of the connection to the communication device, and the vehicle information is stored in a storage unit. When a connection between the communication unit and the communication device is established, the vehicle information stored in the storage unit is transmitted to the communication device; when detecting a decrease in a communication speed of the communication device with respect to the network, first vehicle information of a first capacity among the vehicle information is transmitted to the communication device, and second vehicle information of the vehicle information having a capacity larger than the first capacity is stored in the storage unit; When recovery of a communication speed of the communication device with respect to the network is detected, the second vehicle information stored in the storage unit is transmitted to the communication device. A program that causes a computer to carry out processing.

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