Management device and function update system

Abstract

To enable a user to use a new function on a vehicle with simple constitution.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a vehicle 14 with function update which already comprises a computer 16 configured to actualize a plurality of functions 30, a storage device 18 storing flag information representing whether the plurality of functions 30 are available to the user respectively, and an update device 20 updating the flag information when the vehicle is shipped. The computer 16 controls whether the plurality of functions 30 can be provided according to the flag information. At least part of the flag information shows an unavailable state when the vehicle is shipped. The update device 20 updates flag information, corresponding to a function 30 to be made available, from the unavailable state to the available state after the vehicle is shipped.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle with a function update that is configured to allow a user to use new functions in the vehicle after the vehicle is shipped, a management device, and a function update system. [Background technology]

[0002] Automobiles and other vehicles are controlled by computers called ECUs (Electronic Control Units).Vehicles are equipped with various types of ECUs for various control purposes, such as engine control, motor control, meter control, and navigation.

[0003] An ECU has a built-in non-volatile storage device such as flash memory. The non-volatile storage device stores various programs that describe the processes the ECU executes, as well as software such as data used when executing those programs. The ECU performs control or information processing functions by executing the programs stored in the non-volatile storage device using a built-in processor.

[0004] At the vehicle factory, an ECU is installed in a vehicle under production, software is written into the assembled ECU, and the vehicle is then shipped. Conventionally, a configuration has been considered in which the ECU software can be updated after the vehicle has been shipped, allowing users to use new functions in the vehicle.

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration for a vehicle instrument having a liquid crystal display, in which the instrument design displayed on the liquid crystal display can be changed by replacing a design file used by a microcomputer (computer). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-153139 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] When adding a new function to a vehicle, a worker at the vehicle dealership or other location will use a management tool with a built-in computer to communicate data from the management tool to the ECU and update the ECU software.

[0008] However, with this type of ECU software update service, it is necessary to prepare rewriting software (hereinafter referred to as rewriting software) for use by the management tool for each function to be added. Therefore, when there are many functions, the number of rewriting software programs becomes enormous, which leads to problems such as a large amount of work required to prepare and evaluate the rewriting software.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to enable a user to use new functions in a vehicle with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The present invention management device The present invention includes a computer configured to be able to realize a plurality of functions before shipping a vehicle, a storage device that stores flag information indicating whether each of the plurality of functions is available to a user, and an update device that updates the flag information, wherein the computer controls whether or not the plurality of functions are provided in accordance with the flag information, and at least some of the flag information indicates that the functions are unavailable before shipping the vehicle. a management device applied to a vehicle with a function update, the management device including: a registration unit that, when the vehicle is shipped, receives identification information of the vehicle and the flag information stored in the vehicle at that time, links them together, and registers them in a database; an update unit that receives identification information of the vehicle and identification information of the function transmitted from an external computer after the vehicle is shipped due to a user purchasing a function for the vehicle, and updates the corresponding flag information of the vehicle in the database to be available to the user; and a flag information providing unit that provides the flag information of the vehicle in the database in order to synchronize the flag information stored in the vehicle with the flag information of the vehicle in the database, and the update device of the vehicle updates the flag information stored in the vehicle based on the flag information provided by the flag information providing unit of the management device; It is characterized by:

[0011] The present invention management device In of the vehicle The update device The flag information provided by the flag information providing unit of the management device was grasped by corresponding to the functionality to be made available. The flag information may be updated from unavailable to available.

[0012] The present invention management device In of the vehicleThe computer may be an ECU that controls a monitor that displays vehicle condition information, and the plurality of functions may be functions that cause the monitor to display the vehicle condition information in different formats.

[0014] A function update system according to the present invention includes the management device and a vehicle to which the management device is applied, and the update device of the vehicle is configured to update the vehicle's function to be usable based on flag information provided by the flag information providing unit of the management device. function The vehicle corresponding to Stored in The flag information is updated from unavailable to available. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, a user can use new functions in a vehicle with a simple configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a function updating system 10 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating examples of vehicle information 32, in which (A) shows the flag information 34 before updating, and (B) shows the flag information 34 after updating. [Figure 3] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of an individual vehicle DB 48, in which (A) shows the flag information 134 before updating, and (B) shows the flag information 134 after updating. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a modified example. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a function updating system 10A according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The same elements in all the drawings are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0018] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a function update system 10 according to a first embodiment. The function update system 10 is a system that updates a vehicle 14 after the vehicle is shipped so that a user can use new functions in the vehicle 14. The function update system 10 includes a vehicle 14 and a management device 12.

[0019] The vehicle 14 is manufactured at a vehicle factory. The body ECU 20 and the meter ECU 16 are assembled to the vehicle 14.

[0020] Vehicle information 32 is written into the storage device 18 of the body ECU 20 by a writing tool 60. As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle information 32 is information linking a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) with vehicle specifications, and the vehicle specifications are information such as the vehicle model and vehicle accessories (the contents are masked with "*" in FIG. 2). The VIN is an identification number for each individual vehicle and is a type of vehicle identification information. In this embodiment, flag information 34 is stored in the storage device 18 as part of the vehicle information 32 (vehicle specifications). The flag information 34 is information indicating whether the user can use the function 30 realized by the meter ECU 16. For the flag information 34, "0" indicates that the function is unavailable and "1" indicates that the function is available.

[0021] The meter ECU 16 is a computer that controls a monitor 80 (see FIG. 2) that displays vehicle status information. Examples of vehicle status information include vehicle speed, engine RPM, shift position, and remaining fuel. The meter ECU 16 is pre-installed with functions A to C that display vehicle status information on the monitor 80 in multiple modes A to C. However, at the time of vehicle shipment, flag information 34 sets functions A to C to "0" (unavailable) (see FIG. 2(A)), and the user can only use the monitor display in a standard mode (not shown). After the vehicle 14 is shipped, the user can purchase a function and update the flag information 34 (the flag information for function A in FIG. 2(B)) to "1" (available), as shown in FIG. 2(B). This makes the new function (function A in FIG. 2(B): a function that displays vehicle status information on the monitor 80 in mode A) available for use.

[0022] Here, we will explain the on-board ECUs such as the body ECU 20 and the meter ECU 16. The ECU includes a microcomputer and a nonvolatile storage device (e.g., flash memory). The microcomputer includes a processor, RAM (random access memory), ROM (read-only memory), etc. Base software, which is basic software such as an OS (operating system), is stored in the ROM of the microcomputer, for example. Application software (hereinafter simply referred to as "software") that runs on the base software is stored in the nonvolatile storage device.

[0023] The software for implementing the above-described functions A to C of the meter ECU 16 is pre-stored in a non-volatile storage device (not shown) of the meter ECU 16. The software is, for example, a program and data used in the program (setting data, image data, etc.). Depending on the function implemented by the ECU, the software may be a single program or a set of multiple programs, or may be only data used in base software (setting data, image data, etc.). The functions of the ECU may also be implemented using hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0024] The management device 12 (see FIG. 1 ) is a computer that stores and manages vehicle information 32 for each vehicle. The management device 12 is configured, for example, as a standalone server or as a system consisting of multiple computers that cooperate with each other, such as a cloud service. The computer referred to here has a circuit configuration in which, for example, a processor, a memory (main storage device) such as random access memory (RAM), a controller that controls an auxiliary storage device such as a nonvolatile storage device such as a flash memory, SSD (solid state drive), or HDD (hard disk drive), interfaces with various input / output devices, a network interface that controls connection to a network, and the like are connected via a data transmission path such as a bus. A program describing processing content is installed on the computer via a network or the like and stored in the auxiliary storage device. The management device 12 of this embodiment is configured by the processor executing the program stored in the auxiliary storage device using the memory.

[0025] The management device 12 is capable of communicating with the servers 64, 66 and the update tool 62 via a communication line such as the Internet or a dedicated line.

[0026] The management device 12 includes, as functional elements, a registration unit 40, an update unit 42, a flag information providing unit 46, and an individual vehicle database (individual vehicle DB) 48.

[0027] The registration unit 40 receives vehicle information 32 from the writing tool 60 via the server 64 and registers the vehicle information 32 in the personal vehicle DB 48. When the user 100 purchases a function, the update unit 42 receives the VIN and identification information (function ID) of the purchased function from the server 66 and updates the corresponding flag information in the personal vehicle DB 48 from unavailable to available. When synchronizing the flag information 34 stored in the vehicle 14 with the flag information 134 in the personal vehicle DB 48, the flag information providing unit 46 provides the flag information 134 in the personal vehicle DB 48 to the update tool 62.

[0028] The individual vehicle DB 48 is a database that stores and manages vehicle information for each individual vehicle, as shown in Fig. 3. The individual vehicle DB 48 stores vehicle specifications (including flag information 134) in association with the VIN for each individual vehicle.

[0029] 1, the function update system 10 includes a server 64 and a server 66. The server 64 is a computer that is placed in a vehicle factory and receives vehicle information from the writing tool 60 and transfers it to the management device 12. The server 66 also functions as a web server and receives purchases of functions from a terminal device 90 of a user 100. The terminal device 90 of the user 100 is a computer such as a smartphone, a tablet device, or a PC, and is capable of communicating with the server 66 via a communication line such as the Internet.

[0030] The function update system 10 includes a writing tool 60 and an update tool 62. The writing tool 60 is a terminal used by a worker at a vehicle factory to write data to an ECU installed in a vehicle 14. The writing tool 60 has a built-in computer with a data communication function, and performs data communication with the ECU installed in the vehicle 14 via a communication cable or wireless communication. The writing tool 60 is also capable of communicating with a server 64.

[0031] The update tool 62 is a terminal used by a worker at a dealership or the like that sells or maintains the vehicle 14 to update the data of the ECU installed in the vehicle 14. The update tool 62 has a built-in computer with a data communication function, and performs data communication with the ECU installed in the vehicle 14 via a communication cable or wireless communication. The update tool 62 is also capable of communicating with the management device 12.

[0032] Next, the processing flow will be explained in the order of steps (1) to (8) shown in FIG.

[0033] (1) The writing tool 60 writes the vehicle information 32 including the flag information 34 into the storage device 18 of the body ECU 20. Fig. 2(A) shows an example of this vehicle information 32.

[0034] (2) The writing tool 60 sends the vehicle information 32 to the management device 12 via the server 64. The registration unit 40 of the management device 12 receives the vehicle information 32 and registers it in the individual vehicle DB 48. Figure 3(A) shows an example of this individual vehicle DB 48.

[0035] (3) Vehicle 14 is shipped.

[0036] (4) The user 100 of the vehicle 14 accesses a website operated by the vehicle manufacturer using the terminal device 90, specifies the VIN of the vehicle 14 and the function to be purchased, and performs the procedure for purchasing the function. As a result, the terminal device 90 sends the VIN and identification information of the purchased function (called a function ID) to the management device 12 via the server 66.

[0037] (5) The update unit 42 of the management device 12 receives the VIN and function ID and updates the corresponding flag information 134 in the personal vehicle DB 48 to "user available." Figure 3(B) is an example of this personal vehicle DB 48, showing an example in which the user 100 has purchased function A of the vehicle 14 (VIN: ABC001235), and the flag information associated with this function has been updated from "0" to "1."

[0038] (6) The user 100 takes the vehicle 14 to a dealership. The user 100 informs a dealership employee that the function has been purchased. The dealership employee then inputs the VIN of the vehicle 14 into the update tool 62 and requests flag information for this VIN registered in the individual vehicle DB 48. The update tool 62 then sends a request for flag information and the VIN to the management device 12.

[0039] (7) The flag information providing unit 46 of the management device 12 receives the request for flag information and the VIN, and sends the flag information 134 of the individual vehicle DB 48 linked to this VIN to the update tool 62.

[0040] (8) The update tool 62 receives the flag information 134 and sends it to the body ECU 20 of the vehicle 14. The body ECU 20 functions as an update device and updates the flag information 34 in the storage device 18 with the received flag information 134. As a result, the flag information 34 stored in the vehicle 14 is synchronized with the flag information 134 of the vehicle 14 (VIN: ABC001235) in the individual vehicle DB 48. FIG. 2(B) shows an example of this vehicle information 32.

[0041] Through the above-described process, the user 100 becomes able to use the purchased function (function A in the example of FIG. 2: a function for displaying vehicle state information on the monitor 80 in form A) in the vehicle 14.

[0042] In the embodiment described above, in step (6), the dealership worker uses the update tool 62 to request flag information 134 from the individual vehicle DB 48. However, the dealership worker may use another terminal device to inquire of the management device 12 to confirm whether the user 100 has actually purchased a function and which function(s) have been purchased. The update tool 62 may then receive the functions to be made available from the dealership worker and send corresponding flag information to the body ECU 20 (update device). Alternatively, the update tool 62 may send identification information of the functions to be made available to the body ECU 20 (update device) instead of the flag information, and the body ECU 20 (update device) may receive the identification information and update the flag information corresponding to the functions to be made available from unavailable to available.

[0043] According to the embodiment described above, since the user does not need to update the ECU software to use a new function, the user can use the new function in the vehicle 14 in a short time. Furthermore, since vehicle manufacturers and the like do not need rewriting software to update the ECU software, the man-hours required for preparing and evaluating the rewriting software can be reduced. Furthermore, there is no need to manage the product number of the rewriting software.

[0044] Although the above-described embodiment is configured to control whether or not a user can use the function 30 of the meter ECU 16, it may also be configured to control whether or not a user can use the functions of other ECUs. For example, it may be configured to control whether or not a user can use multiple functions of a navigation ECU (navigation ECU) (e.g., a function that displays information in different formats on a display). Furthermore, for example, it may be configured to control whether or not a user can use multiple functions of an engine control or motor control ECU (e.g., a sport mode, an eco mode, or other modes in which the vehicle drive source operates differently in response to accelerator pedal operation).

[0045] In the above-described embodiment, the ECU (body ECU 20) that stores the flag information 34 is different from the ECU (meter ECU 16) that controls whether or not the function 30 is available based on the flag information 34. However, as shown in FIG. 4, the flag information may be stored in the ECU that controls whether or not the function 30 is available. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the meter ECU 16-1 has a storage device 18-1 that stores flag information 34-1, and whether or not the function 30-1 in the meter ECU 16-1 is available is controlled based on the flag information 34-1. The same applies to the navigation ECU 16-2 (storage device 18-2, flag information 34-2, function 30-2) and the engine ECU 16-3 (storage device 18-3, flag information 34-3, function 30-3).

[0046] Next, a function update system 10A according to a second embodiment will be described. Fig. 5 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the function update system 10A according to the second embodiment. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the user 100 can update the flag information 34 of the vehicle 14A without having to take the vehicle 14A to a dealership, but is otherwise the same.

[0047] The vehicle 14A includes an update device 22 configured to be capable of data communication with the management device 12 via wireless communication. As in the first embodiment, the user 100 operates the terminal device 90 to purchase a function for the vehicle 14A (step (4)). Note that instead of the terminal device 90, the function for the vehicle 14A may be purchased by operating a terminal device (a device capable of data communication with the server 66 via wireless communication) provided in the vehicle 14A. As a result, the terminal device sends the VIN and identification information (function ID) of the purchased function to the management device 12 via the server 66.

[0048] The update unit 42 of the management device 12A receives the VIN and the function ID and updates the corresponding flag information in the individual vehicle DB 48 to "user usable" (step (5)). Then, the flag information providing unit 46 of the management device 12A sends the flag information in the individual vehicle DB 48 linked to this VIN to the update device 22 of the vehicle 14A (step (6)).

[0049] The update device 22 receives flag information from the management device 12 and updates the flag information in the storage device 18 of the body ECU 20 with the flag information. As a result, the flag information stored in the vehicle 14A is synchronized with the flag information of the vehicle 14A in the personal vehicle DB 48. Through the above-described process, the user 100 becomes able to use the purchased function in the vehicle 14A.

[0050] According to the second embodiment described above, the user 100 can use a new function in the vehicle 14A in an extremely short time without having to move the vehicle 14A to a dealership. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 10,10A function update system, 12,12A management device, 14,14A vehicle with function update (vehicle), 16,16-1 meter ECU (computer), 16-2 navigation ECU, 16-3 engine ECU, 18,18-1,18-2,18-3 storage device, 20 body ECU (update device), 22 update device, 30,30-1,30-2,30-3 function, 32 vehicle information, 34,34-1,34-2,34-3,134 flag information, 40 registration unit, 42 update unit, 46 flag information providing unit, 48 individual vehicle database (individual vehicle DB, database), 60 writing tool, 62 update tool, 64,66 server, 80 monitor, 90 terminal device, 100 user.

Claims

1. a computer configured in advance at the time of shipping a vehicle so as to be able to realize a plurality of functions; a storage device that stores flag information indicating whether each of the plurality of functions is available to the user; an update device that updates the flag information, the computer controls whether or not to provide the plurality of functions in accordance with the flag information; A management device applied to a vehicle with a function update, wherein at least a part of the flag information indicates that the vehicle is unavailable at the time of vehicle shipment, a registration unit that, when a vehicle is shipped, receives the identification information of the vehicle and the flag information stored in the vehicle at that time, associates them, and registers them in a database; an update unit that receives identification information of the vehicle and identification information of the function transmitted from an external computer when the user purchases a function for the vehicle after the vehicle has been shipped, and updates corresponding flag information of the vehicle in the database to enable use by the user; a flag information providing unit that provides flag information of the vehicle in the database in order to synchronize the flag information stored in the vehicle with the flag information of the vehicle in the database; the update device of the vehicle updates the flag information stored in the vehicle based on the flag information provided by the flag information providing unit of the management device. A management device characterized by:

2. The management device according to claim 1 , The update device of the vehicle updating the flag information stored in the vehicle, which corresponds to the function to be made available based on the flag information provided by the flag information providing unit of the management device, from unavailable to available; A management device characterized by:

3. The management device according to claim 1 , the computer of the vehicle is an ECU that controls a monitor that displays vehicle status information; The plurality of functions are functions for displaying vehicle status information on the monitor in different formats. A management device characterized by:

4. The management device according to claim 1 ; a vehicle to which the management device is applied, The update device of the vehicle updating the flag information stored in the vehicle, which corresponds to the function to be made available based on the flag information provided by the flag information providing unit of the management device, from unavailable to available; A function update system characterized by:

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