Vehicle, system, notification control method, and program

Abstract

To provide a vehicle that is able to suppress an increase in power consumption due to communication between the vehicle and an information processing device.SOLUTION: A vehicle 300 is equipped with a communication unit 313 configured to communicate with a portable terminal 400 (information processing device) of a user 200, and a processor 311 (control unit) configured to perform a control to give a notification about multiple progresses in an update process of software used in an ECU 310, to a vehicle 300. The processor 311 performs a control to give a notification about a first progress of the multiple progresses to the portable terminal 400 at a first frequency. The processor 311 performs a control to give a notification about a second progress different from the first progress of the multiple progresses, to the portable terminal 400, at a second frequency lower than the first frequency.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle, a system, a notification control method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2017-149323 (Patent Document 1) discloses a vehicle control device mounted on a vehicle that downloads update software (for a vehicle ECU) transmitted from a server via a user's mobile device. Although not specified in Patent Document 1, each of a plurality of progress statuses in the software update process by the vehicle control device may be notified to the mobile device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] As described above, each of a plurality of progress statuses in the software update process by the vehicle control device may be notified to the mobile device. For this reason, power consumption due to communication between the vehicle and the mobile device may increase. Therefore, it is desired to suppress an increase in power consumption due to communication between the vehicle and the mobile device (information processing device).

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a vehicle, a system, a notification control method, and a program capable of suppressing an increase in power consumption due to communication between the vehicle and an information processing device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The vehicle according to the first aspect of the present disclosure is a user's vehicle equipped with an ECU, and includes a communication unit that communicates with the user's information processing device, and a control unit that performs control to notify the vehicle of a plurality of progress situations in the software update process used in the ECU. The control unit performs control to notify the information processing device of a first progress situation among the plurality of progress situations at a first frequency, and performs control to notify the information processing device of a second progress situation different from the first progress situation among the plurality of progress situations at a second frequency lower than the first frequency.

[0007] In the vehicle according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the second progress situation is notified to the information processing device at a second frequency lower than the first frequency. Thereby, compared with the case where the second progress situation is notified to the information processing device at the first frequency or higher, the communication volume between the vehicle and the information processing device can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in power consumption due to communication between the vehicle and the information processing device.

[0008] In the vehicle according to the first aspect, preferably, when the second progress situation becomes a predetermined situation, the control unit performs control to notify the information processing device that the second progress situation is the predetermined situation. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress the second progress situation from being notified to the information processing device when the second progress situation is other than the predetermined situation. As a result, it is possible to easily suppress an increase in power consumption due to communication between the vehicle and the information processing device.

[0009] In the vehicle according to the first aspect, preferably, the control unit performs control to notify the information processing device of the second progress situation in response to a request from the information processing device. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress the second progress situation from being notified to the information processing device except when requested by the information processing device. As a result, it is possible to easily suppress an increase in power consumption due to communication between the vehicle and the information processing device.

[0010] In the vehicle according to the first aspect, preferably, the control unit performs control to notify the vehicle of the second progress status without notifying the information processing device. With this configuration, it is possible to further suppress an increase in power consumption due to communication between the vehicle and the information processing device.

[0011] The system according to the second aspect of the present disclosure includes a user's vehicle equipped with an ECU and a user's information processing device that communicates with the vehicle. The vehicle performs control to notify the vehicle of a plurality of progress statuses in the update process of the software used in the ECU, and performs control to notify the information processing device of the first progress status among the plurality of progress statuses at a first frequency, and a second progress status different from the first progress status among the plurality of progress statuses is notified to the information processing device at a second frequency lower than the first frequency.

[0012] In the system according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, the second progress status is notified from the vehicle to the information processing device at a second frequency lower than the first frequency. Thereby, it is possible to provide a system capable of suppressing an increase in power consumption due to communication between the vehicle and the information processing device.

[0013] In the system according to the second aspect, preferably, when the second progress status becomes a predetermined status, the vehicle performs control to notify the information processing device that the second progress status is the predetermined status. With this configuration, it is possible to provide a system capable of easily suppressing an increase in power consumption due to communication between the vehicle and the information processing device.

[0014] In the system according to the second aspect, preferably, the vehicle performs control to notify the information processing device of the second progress status in response to a request from the information processing device. With this configuration, it is possible to provide a system capable of easily suppressing an increase in power consumption due to communication between the vehicle and the information processing device.

[0015] The notification control method according to the third aspect of the present disclosure is a notification control method for controlling notifications of a plurality of progress situations in the process of updating software used in an ECU of a user's vehicle, the method including: a step of notifying the vehicle of the plurality of progress situations; a step of notifying a first progress situation among the plurality of progress situations from the vehicle to the user's information processing device at a first frequency; and a step of notifying a second progress situation different from the first progress situation among the plurality of progress situations from the vehicle to the information processing device at a second frequency lower than the first frequency.

[0016] In the notification control method according to the third aspect of the present disclosure, as described above, the second progress situation is notified from the vehicle to the information processing device at a second frequency lower than the first frequency. Thereby, it is possible to provide a notification control method capable of suppressing an increase in power consumption due to communication between the vehicle and the information processing device.

Advantages of the Invention

[0017] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress an increase in power consumption due to communication between the vehicle and the information processing device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] 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 denoted by the same reference numerals and their description will not be repeated.

[0020] [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a notification system 1 according to the first embodiment. The notification system 1 includes a server 100, a vehicle 300 of a user 200, and a mobile terminal 400 of the user 200. The mobile terminal 400 includes a smartphone or the like. Note that the mobile terminal 400 is an example of the "information processing apparatus" of the present disclosure.

[0021] The server 100 includes a processor 101, a memory 102, and a communication unit 103. The processor 101 controls the communication unit 103. In addition to the programs executed by the processor 101, the memory 102 stores information used in the programs (for example, maps, mathematical formulas, and various parameters). The communication unit 103 includes various communication I / Fs.

[0022] The vehicle 300 is equipped with an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 310. The ECU 310 includes a processor 311, a memory 312, and a communication unit 313. In addition to the programs executed by the processor 311, the memory 312 stores information used in the programs (for example, maps, mathematical formulas, and various parameters). The communication unit 313 includes various communication I / Fs. The communication unit 313 may include a DCM (Data Communication Module) or a 5G (fifth-generation mobile communication system)-compatible communication I / F. The communication unit 313 communicates with each of the communication unit 103 of the server 100 and a later-described communication unit 403 of the mobile terminal 400. Note that the processor 311 and the communication unit 313 are examples of the "control unit" and the "communication unit" of the present disclosure, respectively.

[0023] In addition, the vehicle 300 is provided with a display terminal 320. The display terminal 320 includes an HMI (Human Machine Interface) such as a car navigation system.

[0024] The mobile terminal 400 includes a processor 401, a memory 402, and a communication unit 403. In addition to the programs executed by the processor 401, the memory 402 stores information used in the programs (for example, maps, mathematical formulas, and various parameters). The communication unit 403 includes various communication I / Fs.

[0025] The processor 101 of the server 100 controls the update of the software used in the ECU 310. The processor 101 transmits the new version of the software (the software for update) to the communication unit 313 of the ECU 310 through the communication unit 103. Then, the processor 311 of the ECU 310 installs the received software for update and updates the software.

[0026] The processor 311 controls to notify the vehicle 300 of a plurality of progress statuses during the software update process. Specifically, the processor 311 controls to display the plurality of progress statuses on the display terminal 320. Further, the processor 311 may cause the plurality of progress statuses to be displayed on a head-up display (not shown). Note that the processor 311 may notify the plurality of progress statuses by voice.

[0027] The plurality of progress statuses include a first progress status and a second progress status different from the first progress status. The first progress status includes, for example, the progress status of the software update process (installation progress rate) in the vehicle 300. The second progress status includes, for example, the progress status (progress rate) of the software transmission from the server 100 to the vehicle 300. Note that each of the first and second progress statuses is not limited to the above examples.

[0028] The processor 311 controls to notify the mobile terminal 400 of the first progress status at a first frequency. Specifically, the processor 311 controls to notify the mobile terminal 400 of the first progress status every few seconds (for example, every 10 seconds). Note that the few seconds mentioned above is the time required for the processes in steps S3 to S9 in the sequence diagram (see Figure 2) described later.

[0029] Here, when each of a plurality of progress statuses is notified to the mobile terminal 400, the power consumption due to communication between the vehicle 300 and the mobile terminal 400 may increase. Therefore, it is desired to suppress an increase in the power consumption due to communication between the vehicle 300 and the mobile terminal 400.

[0030] Therefore, in the first embodiment, the processor 311 performs control to notify the mobile terminal 400 of the second progress status at a second frequency lower than the first frequency.

[0031] Specifically, when the second progress status (the progress rate of software transmission from the server 100 to the vehicle 300) reaches 100%, the processor 311 performs control to notify the mobile terminal 400 of the second progress status. In other words, when the second progress status (the progress rate of software transmission) reaches 100%, the processor 311 notifies the mobile terminal 400 that the software transmission has been completed. Note that when the second progress status reaches a progress rate other than 100% (for example, 50%), the second progress status may be notified to the mobile terminal 400.

[0032] In addition, the processor 311 performs control to notify the mobile terminal 400 of the second progress status in response to a request from the mobile terminal 400. Specifically, based on the fact that the processor 311 has acquired, through the communication unit 313, a signal requesting disclosure of the second progress status from the mobile terminal 400, the processor 311 performs control to notify the mobile terminal 400 of the second progress status.

[0033] In detail, the processor 311 performs the notification process of the second progress status to the mobile terminal 400 only once for one signal acquired through the communication unit 313. Thereby, even if the processes of steps S3 to S7 (see FIG. 2) described later are repeated a plurality of times, it is possible to prevent the second progress status from being notified to the mobile terminal 400 a plurality of times for one of the above signals.

[0034] Further, the above control in the processor 311 is performed by the processor 311 reading and executing the program 312a stored in the memory 312. Although the program 312a itself does not physically exist, in FIG. 1, for clarity, the program in the memory 312 is labeled with a reference numeral (312a) and illustrated.

[0035] (Notification Control Method) Next, with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. 2, the above-described notification control method for the progress status will be described.

[0036] First, in step S1, the server 100 transmits, via the communication unit 103, the update software used in the ECU 310 to the vehicle 300.

[0037] In step S2, the processor 311 of the ECU 310 determines whether the installation process of the update software transmitted from the server 100 in step S1 is being executed in the vehicle 300. If the installation process of the update software is being executed (Yes in S2), the process proceeds to step S3. If the installation process of the update software is not being executed (No in S2), the process ends.

[0038] In step S3, the processor 311 notifies, via the communication unit 313, the communication unit 403 of the mobile terminal 400 of the above-described first progress status.

[0039] In step S4, the processor 311 causes the display terminal 320 of the vehicle 300 to display each of the first and second progress statuses.

[0040] In step S5, the processor 311 determines whether there is a request for disclosure of the second progress status from the mobile terminal 400, or whether the second progress status is in a predetermined status. If the determination in step S5 is Yes, the process proceeds to step S6. If the determination in step S5 is No, the process proceeds to step S7. In step S6, the processor 311 transmits the second progress status to the communication unit 403 of the mobile terminal 400 through the communication unit 313.

[0041] That is, the processor 311 performs control to notify the mobile terminal 400 of the second progress status only when the conditions of step S5 regarding the second progress status are satisfied. Thereby, it is possible to more easily make the frequency (second frequency) at which the second progress status is notified to the mobile terminal 400 by the process of step S6 lower than the frequency (first frequency) at which the first progress status is notified to the mobile terminal 400 by the process of step S3.

[0042] Also, the above-mentioned predetermined status includes that the progress status (progress rate) of software transmission from the server 100 to the vehicle 300 has changed (reached) to 100%. Specifically, when the progress rate in the previous process of step S7 is less than 100% (for example, 95%) and the progress rate in the current process of step S7 is 100%, the processor 311 determines that the second progress status is the above-mentioned predetermined status. Also, the processor 311 determines that the second progress status is the above-mentioned predetermined status even when the progress rate in the process of step S7 executed for the first time is 100%.

[0043] Note that the order of the processes in steps S3 to S5 is not limited to the example in FIG. 2. For example, the above-mentioned processes may be performed simultaneously with each other.

[0044] In step S7, the processor 311 determines whether the installation of the software for update has been completed. In other words, the processor 311 determines whether the first progress status (progress rate) is 100%. If the installation of the software for update has been completed (Yes in S9), the process proceeds to step S10. If the installation of the software for update has not been completed (No in S9), the process returns to step S3.

[0045] In step S8, the processor 311 displays on the display terminal 320 of the vehicle 300 that the installation of the software for update has been completed.

[0046] In step S9, the processor 311 notifies the communication unit 403 of the mobile terminal 400 through the communication unit 313 that the installation of the software for update has been completed. That is, in step S9, the processor 311 gives the final notification of the first progress status to the mobile terminal 400. Thereby, the notification frequency (second frequency) of the second progress status is surely lower than the notification frequency (first frequency) of the first progress status.

[0047] Note that the sequence shown in FIG. 2 is merely an example and is not limited thereto. For example, a sequence in which the execution of the notification process (S6) of the second progress status is restricted based on the notification frequency (second frequency) of the second progress status may be used.

[0048] As described above, in the first embodiment, the processor 311 of the ECU 310 controls to notify the mobile terminal 400 of the first progress status in the software update process used in the ECU 310 at the first frequency, and controls to notify the mobile terminal 400 of the second progress status at a second frequency lower than the first frequency. Thereby, while maintaining the frequency (first frequency) at which the first progress status is notified from the vehicle 300 to the mobile terminal 400, the frequency (second frequency) at which the second progress status is notified from the vehicle 300 to the mobile terminal 400 can be made relatively low. As a result, it is possible to relatively suppress an increase in power consumption due to communication between the vehicle 300 and the mobile terminal 400.

[0049] [Second Embodiment] With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the second embodiment, the second progress status is not notified from the vehicle to the mobile terminal. The same components and processes (steps) as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be repeatedly described.

[0050] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the notification system 2 according to the second embodiment. The notification system 2 includes a server 100, a vehicle 500 of the user 200, and a mobile terminal 400 of the user 200.

[0051] The vehicle 500 is equipped with an ECU 510. The ECU 510 includes a processor 511, a memory 512, and a communication unit 513. In addition to the program executed by the processor 511, the memory 512 stores information used in the program (for example, maps, mathematical formulas, and various parameters). The vehicle 500 is also provided with a display terminal 520.

[0052] In the second embodiment, the processor 511 performs control to notify the vehicle 500 of the second progress status without notifying the mobile terminal 400. In other words, the vehicle 500 notifies the second progress status to the notification unit such as the display terminal 520 without notifying the mobile terminal 400. Therefore, the notification frequency of the second progress status to the mobile terminal 400 by the processor 511 is 0. The processor 511 notifies the mobile terminal 400 only of the first progress status among the first progress status and the second progress status.

[0053] The above control in the processor 511 is performed by the processor 511 reading and executing the program 512a stored in the memory 512. Although the program 512a itself does not physically exist, in FIG. 1, for clarity, the program in the memory 512 is labeled with a reference numeral (512a) and illustrated.

[0054] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing the above progress status notification control method in the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the sequence in the second embodiment is the one in which the processes in steps S5 and S6 of the sequence in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 are omitted.

[0055] As described above, in the second embodiment, the processor 511 of the ECU 500 performs control to notify the vehicle 500 of the second progress status without notifying the mobile terminal 400. Thereby, compared with the first embodiment, the frequency of notifying the second progress status to the mobile terminal 400 can be reduced, so that an increase in power consumption due to communication between the vehicle 500 and the mobile terminal 400 can be further suppressed.

[0056] In the above first and second embodiments, an example is shown in which the second progress status is transmitted to the mobile terminal 400 when the second progress status reaches a predetermined progress rate (100% in the above embodiment), but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, when the second progress status does not change for a predetermined time or more, the second progress status may be transmitted to the mobile terminal 400.

[0057] In the above-described first embodiment, an example in which the second progress status is notified to the mobile terminal 400 when a predetermined condition regarding the second progress status is satisfied has been shown, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In the first embodiment, the above-described predetermined condition may not be provided, and the frequency of performing the process of step S3 (see FIG. 2) and the frequency of performing the process of step S6 (see FIG. 2) may be equal. Further, a sequence may be used in which the process of step S5 (see FIG. 2) is performed N - 1 times or less while the process of step S3 is performed N times. For example, a sequence may be used in which the process of step S3 is continuously performed a plurality of times and then the process proceeds to step S4.

[0058] The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the scope of claims rather than the description of the above-described embodiments, and it is intended that all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims be included.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0059] 1, 2 System, 100 Server, 200 User, 300, 500 Vehicle, 310, 510 ECU, 311, 511 Processor, 312a, 512a Program, 313, 513 Communication Unit.

Claims

1. A vehicle of a user equipped with an ECU, a communication unit that communicates with the user's information processing device, a control unit that performs control to notify the vehicle of a plurality of progress statuses in the update process of software used in the ECU, and the plurality of progress statuses are a first progress status that is the progress status of the software update process in the vehicle, and a second progress status that is the progress status of the transmission of the software to the vehicle, and when the update process of the software is being executed, the control unit performs control to notify the information processing device of the first progress status at a first frequency, and also performs control to notify the information processing device of the second progress status at a second frequency lower than the first frequency.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein when the second progress status becomes a predetermined status, the control unit performs control to notify the information processing device that the second progress status is the predetermined status.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit performs control to notify the information processing device of the second progress status in response to a request from the information processing device.

4. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs control to notify the vehicle of the second progress status without notifying the information processing device.

5. A vehicle of a user equipped with an ECU, and the user's information processing device that communicates with the vehicle, and the vehicle performs control to notify the vehicle of a plurality of progress statuses in the update process of software used in the ECU, the plurality of progress statuses are a first progress status that is the progress status of the software update process in the vehicle, and a second progress status that is the progress status of the transmission of the software to the vehicle, and when the update process of the software is being executed, the vehicle performs control to notify the information processing device of the first progress status at a first frequency, and also performs control to notify the information processing device of the second progress status at a second frequency lower than the first frequency.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein when the second progress status becomes a predetermined status, the vehicle performs control to notify the information processing device that the second progress status is the predetermined status.

7. The system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the vehicle performs control to notify the information processing apparatus of the second progress status in response to a request from the information processing apparatus.

8. A notification control method executed by the vehicle for controlling notification of a plurality of progress statuses in an update process of software used in an ECU of a user's vehicle, a step of notifying the vehicle of the plurality of progress statuses; when the update process of the software is in progress, the first progress status is the progress status of the software update process in the vehicle among the plurality of progress statuses, and the second progress status is the progress status of the transmission of the software to the vehicle among the plurality of progress statuses. A step of notifying the user's information processing apparatus of the first progress status at a first frequency and notifying the information processing apparatus of the second progress status at a second frequency lower than the first frequency.

9. A program for causing a vehicle to function as the vehicle according to claim 1.

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