Communication device

Abstract

To provide a communication apparatus which can secure necessary communication while suppressing a power consumption amount of a communication device.SOLUTION: A communication apparatus 100 mounted on a vehicle 10 includes a control unit 110 which executes, in a state where a travel system of the vehicle 10 is not activated, communication with a server using a second communication standard 30 when it is possible to communicate with the prescribed server using the second communication standard 30 that consumes less power than a first communication standard 20, and a prescribed function that performs communication with the server using the first communication standard 20 preferentially is not operating in the vehicle 10 and communication with the server using the first communication standard 20 when it is not possible to communicate with the prescribed server using the second communication standard 30, or the prescribed function is operating in the vehicle 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a communication device.

Background Art

[0002] In a communication device mounted on a vehicle, there is known a technique for enabling necessary communication while reducing power consumption. In this regard, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a communication device mounted on a vehicle that determines whether to limit the communication standard to be used among a plurality of communication standards according to the remaining battery level or the traveling speed of the vehicle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to realize ensuring necessary communication while suppressing power consumption of a communication device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] One aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure is a communication device mounted on a vehicle, in a state where the traveling system of the vehicle is not activated, when it is possible to communicate with a predetermined server by a second communication standard with less power consumption than a first communication standard, and a predetermined function that preferentially uses the first communication standard to communicate with the server is not operating in the vehicle, communicating with the server by the second communication standard, If communication with the predetermined server is not possible using the second communication standard, or if the predetermined function is operating in the vehicle, then communication with the server will be performed using the first communication standard. It is a communication device having a control unit that performs the following actions.

[0006] Other embodiments include a method performed by the above-mentioned device, a program for causing a computer to perform the method, or a computer-readable storage medium that non-temporarily stores the program. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, it is possible to ensure necessary communication while suppressing the power consumption of communication equipment. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Conceptual diagram of a vehicle that uses multiple communication standards. [Figure 2] A diagram illustrating the components of a communication device according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] A flowchart of the processes executed by the control unit. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] A communication device mounted on a vehicle that, in order to reduce power consumption, restricts the use of some of multiple communication standards depending on the vehicle's battery level or the vehicle's driving speed. A communication device is known.

[0010] However, conventional communication devices do not determine which communication standard to prioritize when the vehicle's running system is not activated.

[0011] When the driving system is not running, it is preferable to select a communication standard that consumes less power and is still capable of communication. For example, when the driving system is not running, it is preferable to select a communication standard that consumes less power from among the available communication standards in order to continue providing services for various functions installed in the vehicle with the limited remaining power. Thus, in conventional technology, there was room for improvement in ensuring communication connectivity while simultaneously reducing the power consumption of the communication device when the driving system is not running.

[0012] The communication device disclosed herein solves such problems.

[0013] A communication device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a communication device mounted on a vehicle, characterized in that, when the vehicle's running system is not running, it is possible to communicate with a predetermined server using a second communication standard that consumes less power than a first communication standard, and if a predetermined function that preferentially uses the first communication standard to communicate with the server is not operating in the vehicle, it communicates with the server using the second communication standard; and if it is not possible to communicate with the predetermined server using the second communication standard, or if the predetermined function is operating in the vehicle, it communicates with the server using the first communication standard.

[0014] This configuration makes it possible to ensure necessary communication while suppressing the power consumption of the communication device.

[0015] (Embodiment) An overview of the communication device according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram of a vehicle that uses multiple communication standards.

[0016] Vehicle 10 is equipped with a communication device 100. The communication device 100 is a device capable of communicating with an external device using a first communication standard 20 and a second communication standard 30. Specifically, the first communication standard 20 is a cellular communication standard. For example, the first communication standard 20 may be 4G (4th Generation), 5G (5th Generation), or LTE (Long Term Evolution).

[0017] The second communication standard 30 is a communication standard with lower power consumption than the first communication standard 20. Specifically, the second communication standard 30 is a wireless communication standard (hereinafter, LPWA standard) capable of communication by LPWA (Low Power Wide Area). The second communication standard 30 may be a wireless communication standard other than the LPWA standard as long as it is a wireless communication standard with lower power consumption than the first communication standard 20. Note that the combination of the first communication standard 20 and the second communication standard 30 may be any combination of wireless communication standards as long as the second communication standard 30 is a communication standard with lower power consumption than the first communication standard 20.

[0018] The communication device 100 of the vehicle 10 enters a communication standby state and continues communication standby in order to realize services such as remote operation of the vehicle 10, tracking of the position information of the vehicle 10, or security monitoring of the vehicle 10 even when the driving system of the vehicle 10 is not activated, that is, for example, while the ignition switch of the vehicle 10 is off. However, when the remaining battery level of the vehicle 10 decreases, the above communication is stopped, that is, the above services are stopped. Here, as an example of the "state where the driving system is not activated", the "state where the ignition switch is off" is illustrated, but it is not limited to the "state where the ignition switch is off" as long as it is a mode for suppressing the power consumption of the vehicle 10. For example, in the case where the vehicle 10 is an EV (Electric Vehicle), the "state where the driving system is not activated" may be a state where the main switch of the vehicle 10 is off.

[0019] Therefore, in order to maximize the time during which the above service can be provided, it is necessary to reduce the power consumption related to communication during the period when the driving system of the vehicle 10 is not activated. In the present embodiment, the communication device 100 of the vehicle 10 performs the following operations in order to maximize the time during which the above service can be provided.

[0020] When the communication device 100 mounted on the vehicle 10 is in a state where the driving system of the vehicle 10 is not activated, (1) it can communicate with an external server using a second communication standard 30 that consumes less power than the first communication standard 20, and (2) when a predetermined function (such as an alarm device) that preferentially uses the first communication standard 20 to communicate with an external server is not operating, communication is performed using the second communication standard 30. Specifically, the communication device is capable of wireless communication according to the LPWA standard, and when the above functions are not operating, it enters standby using the communication band of the LPWA standard.

[0021] By performing communication or waiting in a standby state using a second communication standard 30 such as the LPWA standard, which consumes relatively little power, it is possible to suppress the dark current consumed by the first communication standard 20 such as the cellular communication standard, which consumes relatively large power.

[0022] When the communication device 100 mounted on the vehicle 10 is in a state where the driving system of the vehicle 10 is not activated, (1) when it is not possible to communicate with an external server using the second communication standard 30, or (2) when a predetermined function (such as an alarm device) that preferentially uses the first communication standard 20 to communicate with an external server is operating, communication is performed using the first communication standard 20. Specifically, the communication device enters standby using the communication band of cellular communication when it can only capture the radio waves of cellular communication (when it cannot capture the radio waves of the LPWA standard), when communication according to the LPWA standard cannot be performed, or when the above-described predetermined function is operating.

[0023] This ensures that communication using an appropriate communication standard is possible when LPWA communication is not possible, or when communication requiring wide communication coverage, such as cellular communication, is required.

[0024] Next, the components of the communication device 100 will be explained using Figure 2. Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the components of the communication device according to this embodiment.

[0025] The communication device 100 is a communication device mounted on the vehicle 10 that performs wireless communication with an external server using a first communication standard 20 and a second communication standard 30.

[0026] The communication device 100 includes a control unit 110, a storage unit 120, a first communication module 130, and a second communication module 140.

[0027] This section provides a detailed explanation of each element that makes up the system.

[0028] First, let's explain the control unit 110.

[0029] The control unit 110 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or This is implemented using a processor such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) and memory. The control unit 110 includes a first communication unit 111, a second communication unit 112, an IG determination unit 113, a communication determination unit 114, and a detection unit 115 as functional modules. These functional modules may be implemented by executing a program by the control unit 110.

[0030] The first communication unit 111 communicates with external devices such as servers via the first communication module 130 using the first communication standard 20. Specifically, the first communication unit 111 communicates with external devices using the cellular communication standard. In addition, the first communication unit 111 remains on standby in the communication bandwidth of the first communication standard 20, and continues to maintain standby for communication using the first communication standard 20.

[0031] The second communication unit 112 communicates with external devices such as servers via the second communication module 140 using a second communication standard 30, which consumes less power than the first communication standard 20. Specifically, the second communication unit 112 communicates with external devices using the LPWA standard. The second communication unit 112 also remains on standby in the communication bandwidth of the second communication standard 30, and continues to maintain standby for communication using the second communication standard 30.

[0032] The IG determination unit 113 determines whether the ignition switch of the vehicle 10 is off or not. The IG determination unit 113 makes a positive determination if the ignition switch of the vehicle 10 is off, that is, if the vehicle 10's driving system is not running.

[0033] The communication determination unit 114 determines whether communication using the first communication standard 20 and communication using the second communication standard 30 are available. In other words, the communication determination unit 114 determines whether it is possible to capture the radio waves used for communication using the first communication standard 20. If the communication determination unit 114 determines that it is possible to capture the radio waves used for communication using the first communication standard 20, it determines whether it is possible to connect to a predetermined external server using the first communication standard 20.

[0034] Furthermore, the determination of whether or not it is possible to connect to a predetermined external server using the first communication standard 20 may be the same as determining whether or not it is possible to connect to a wide-area network using the first communication standard 20. That is, the communication determination unit 114 may determine whether or not an external relay device (for example, a cellular communication base station) that relays communication using the first communication standard 20 provides a connection to a wide-area network such as the Internet.

[0035] Furthermore, the communication determination unit 114 determines whether or not it is possible to capture radio waves used for communication according to the second communication standard 30. If the communication determination unit 114 determines that it is possible to capture radio waves used for communication according to the second communication standard 30, it determines whether or not it is possible to connect to a predetermined external server using communication according to the second communication standard 30.

[0036] Furthermore, the determination of whether or not it is possible to connect to a predetermined external server using the second communication standard 30 may be the same as determining whether or not it is possible to connect to a wide area network using the second communication standard 30. That is, the communication determination unit 114 may determine whether or not an external relay device (for example, a wireless LAN access point) that relays communication using the second communication standard 30 provides a connection to a wide area network such as the Internet.

[0037] The detection unit 115 detects whether a predetermined function that preferentially uses the first communication standard 20 to communicate with an external server is in operation. This predetermined function is a function installed in the vehicle 10. Specifically, this predetermined function may be a function for remotely controlling the vehicle 10, a function for tracking the location information of the vehicle 10, or a function for security monitoring of the vehicle 10. stomach.

[0038] Next, we will describe the components of the communication device 100 other than the control unit 110.

[0039] The memory unit 120 is a main memory device such as RAM or ROM, an EPROM, a hard disk drive, and an auxiliary memory device such as removable media. The auxiliary memory device stores the operating system (OS), various programs, various tables, etc., and by executing the programs stored therein, each function that matches the predetermined purpose of each part of the control unit 110 can be realized. However, some or all of the functions may be realized by hardware circuits such as ASICs or FPGAs.

[0040] The storage unit 120 stores data used or generated in the processing performed by the control unit 110. The storage unit 120 may also store data used or generated in the processing for various functions provided by the vehicle 10 (for example, a security monitoring function or a remote control function) to perform services.

[0041] The first communication module 130 is composed of a communication circuit that performs communication according to the first communication standard 20. The first communication module 130 may be, for example, a communication circuit that performs wireless communication using 4G, a communication circuit that performs wireless communication using 5G, or a communication circuit that performs wireless communication using LTE.

[0042] The second communication module 140 consists of a communication circuit that performs communication according to the second communication standard 30. The second communication module 140 may be, for example, a communication circuit that performs wireless communication using the LPWA standard, or a communication circuit that performs communication according to any communication standard that consumes less power than communication according to the first communication standard 20.

[0043] Note that the configuration shown in Figure 2 is just one example, and all or part of the illustrated functions may be performed using specially designed circuits. Furthermore, program storage and execution may be performed using combinations of main memory and auxiliary memory other than those shown.

[0044] Next, the specific details of the processing performed by the communication device 100 will be explained. Figure 3 is a flowchart of the processing performed by the control unit 110. The illustrated processing is repeatedly performed while the vehicle 10 is stopped. Before step S11 is started, the communication device 100 performs communication according to the first communication standard 20.

[0045] First, in step S11, the IG determination unit 113 determines whether the ignition switch of the vehicle 10 is off or not. If the IG determination unit 113 determines that the ignition switch of the vehicle 10 is off, this step is a positive determination. Alternatively, in step S11, the IG determination unit 113 may determine whether the vehicle 10's driving system is running or not. If the IG determination unit 113 determines that the vehicle 10's driving system is not running, this step is a positive determination.

[0046] If the result in this step is positive, the process proceeds to step S12.

[0047] If the result in this step is negative, the process proceeds to step S11.

[0048] If the process transitions to step S12, the communication determination unit 114 determines whether connection is possible according to the second communication standard 30. That is, the communication determination unit 114 determines whether it is possible to capture the radio waves used for communication according to the second communication standard 30. If the communication determination unit 114 determines that it is possible to capture the radio waves used for communication according to the second communication standard 30, this step proceeds. This will result in a fixed judgment.

[0049] If the result in this step is positive, the process proceeds to step S13.

[0050] If the result in this step is negative, the process proceeds to step S19.

[0051] If the process transitions to step S13, the communication determination unit 114 uses the second communication standard 30 to determine whether or not it is possible to connect to a wide area network. In other words, the communication determination unit 114 determines whether or not an external relay device that relays communication using the second communication standard 30 is connected to a wide area network such as the Internet. Furthermore, the communication determination unit 114 may also determine whether or not the second communication unit 112 can communicate with a predetermined server outside the vehicle 10. If the communication determination unit 114 determines that it is possible to connect to a wide area network using the second communication standard 30, this step results in an affirmative determination.

[0052] If the result in this step is positive, the process proceeds to step S14.

[0053] If the result in this step is negative, the process proceeds to step S19.

[0054] If the process transitions to step S14, the first communication unit 111 disconnects the communication according to the first communication standard 20. The first communication unit 111 disconnects the communication according to the first communication standard 20 performed via the first communication module 130. Specifically, the first communication unit 111 may disconnect the connection by cellular communication.

[0055] Next, in step S15, the second communication unit 112 initiates communication according to the second communication standard 30. The second communication unit 112 initiates communication according to the second communication standard 30, which is implemented via the second communication module 140. Specifically, the second communication unit 112 may initiate communication according to the LPWA standard.

[0056] Next, in step S16, the detection unit 115 detects whether a predetermined function that preferentially uses the first communication standard 20 to communicate with an external server is in operation. Specifically, the detection unit 115 detects whether a function for remotely controlling the vehicle 10, a function for tracking the location information of the vehicle 10, or a function for security monitoring of the vehicle 10 is in operation. If the detection unit 115 determines that a predetermined function that preferentially uses the first communication standard 20 to communicate with an external server is in operation, this step results in an affirmative determination.

[0057] If the result in this step is positive, the process proceeds to step S19.

[0058] If the result in this step is negative, the process proceeds to step S17.

[0059] If the process transitions to step S17, the communication determination unit 114 determines whether communication according to the second communication standard 30 can continue. That is, the communication determination unit 114 determines whether it has lost the ability to receive radio waves for communication according to the second communication standard 30 performed by the second communication unit 112 via the second communication module 140, and whether communication with the wide area network according to the second communication standard 30 can continue. If the communication determination unit 114 determines that communication according to the second communication standard 30 can continue, this step is a positive determination. Specifically, if the communication determination unit 114 determines that it can receive radio waves for communication according to the second communication standard 30 performed by the second communication unit 112 via the second communication module 140, and determines that communication with the wide area network according to the second communication standard 30 can continue, this step is a positive determination.

[0060] If the result in this step is positive, the process proceeds to step S18.

[0061] If the result in this step is negative, the process proceeds to step S19.

[0062] If the process transitions to step S18, the second communication unit 112 continues communication according to the second communication standard 30. The second communication unit 112 continues to perform communication according to the second communication standard 30 via the second communication module 140.

[0063] After step S18, the process transitions to step S11.

[0064] If the process transitions to step S19, the first communication unit 111 starts communication according to the first communication standard 20. The second communication unit 112 disconnects communication according to the second communication standard 30, and the first communication unit 111 starts implementing communication according to the first communication standard 20 via the first communication module 130.

[0065] After step S19, the process proceeds to step S11.

[0066] As described above, the communication device according to this embodiment, when the vehicle 10's driving system is not running, (1) communication using the second communication standard 30, which consumes less power than communication using the first communication standard 20, is available, and (2) a predetermined function that prioritizes communication using the first communication standard 20 to communicate with an external server is not in operation, performs communication using the second communication standard 30. With this configuration, the communication device 100 can ensure necessary communication while suppressing the power consumption of the communication device.

[0067] Furthermore, a process described as being performed by a single device may be divided and executed by multiple devices. Conversely, a process described as being performed by different devices may be executed by a single device. In a computer system, the hardware configuration (server configuration) used to implement each function can be flexibly changed.

[0068] The present disclosure can also be realized by supplying a computer program implementing the functions described in the embodiments above to a computer, and having one or more processors in the computer read and execute the program. Such a computer program may be provided to the computer by a non-temporary computer-readable storage medium that can be connected to the computer's system bus, or it may be provided to the computer via a network. Non-temporary computer-readable storage mediums include, for example, any type of disk such as magnetic disks (floppy disks, hard disk drives (HDDs), etc.), optical disks (CD-ROMs, DVDs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), EPROM, EEPROM, magnetic cards, flash memory, optical cards, and any type of medium suitable for storing electronic instructions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 10.. Vehicles 100...Communication devices 110... Control Unit 111...1st Communications Department 112...2nd Communications Department 113...IG judgment section 114...Communication determination section 115...Detection unit 120...Storage section 130...First communication module 140...Second communication module

Claims

[Claim 1] A communication device installed in a vehicle, When the vehicle's running system is not running, It is possible to communicate with a predetermined server using a second communication standard that consumes less power than the first communication standard, and when a predetermined function that is executed in cooperation with the server by prioritizing the use of the first communication standard over the second communication standard is not operating in the vehicle, communication with the server is performed using the second communication standard. If communication with the predetermined server is not possible using the second communication standard, or if the predetermined function is operating in the vehicle, then communication with the server using the first communication standard, A communication device having a control unit that performs the following.

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