Information processing device

Abstract

To discover occurrence of an error of writing a program for performing display control of an in-vehicle display easily.SOLUTION: An information processing device includes: an acquisition unit configured to acquire a first program for causing a display unit to display specific information specific to an own vehicle, and a second program for causing the display unit to display common information common to the own vehicle and another vehicle; and a control unit configured to, when first identification information assigned to the first program acquired by the acquisition unit and second identification information assigned to the second program acquired by the acquisition unit do not agree with each other, perform predetermined control for alerting that the first identification information and the second identification information do not agree with each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle control device that enables both update corresponding to temporal changes in road data and vehicle-specific vehicle control.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The technology of Patent Document 1 includes, as a vehicle control device, a navigation device that performs route guidance based on map data. In recent years, it has been common to use an in-vehicle display to provide notifications, as in the case of such a navigation device.

[0005] Here, when performing display control of an in-vehicle display based on a plurality of programs, the timing of writing the programs to the vehicle's ECU (Electronic Control Unit) may differ for each program. Therefore, conventionally, there is a risk of writing errors to the ECU, such as forgetting to write a predetermined program or writing the wrong program, and there is room for improvement.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an information processing apparatus that can easily detect that a writing error has occurred in a program for performing display control of an in-vehicle display.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The information processing device according to claim 1 includes: an acquisition unit that acquires a first program for displaying specific information unique to the vehicle on a display unit and a second program for displaying common information common to the vehicle and other vehicles on the display unit; and a control unit that performs predetermined control to warn that the first identification information and the second identification information do not match when the first identification information assigned to the first program acquired by the acquisition unit does not match the second identification information assigned to the second program. The first identification information and the second identification information are assigned in common to the same vehicle model, and are different for each vehicle model. .

[0008] In the information processing device according to claim 1, the acquisition unit acquires a first program and a second program. The control unit then performs predetermined control to warn of the mismatch between the first identification information and the second identification information if the first identification information assigned to the first program acquired by the acquisition unit does not match the second identification information assigned to the second program. As a result, the information processing device makes it easy to detect a write error in at least one of the first program and the second program, which are programs that control the display of the in-vehicle display, by performing predetermined control. As a result, even if a write error occurs in the program that controls the display of the in-vehicle display, the information processing device makes it possible to detect the write error early and reduce the possibility that a vehicle with a write error will fall into the hands of a user.

[0009] The information processing device according to claim 2, in claim 1, wherein the control unit performs a false display on the display unit that is not performed in the normal state of the vehicle as the predetermined control.

[0010] In the information processing device according to claim 2, the control unit performs a false display on the display unit as a predetermined control, which would not normally occur in the vehicle. As a result, the information processing device can make the user aware that some kind of abnormality has occurred in the vehicle when they look at the display unit, and indirectly warn that the first identification information and the second identification information do not match.

[0011] The information processing device according to claim 3, in claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit illuminates, as the false display, at least one of the warning lights and indicator lights provided on the display unit, which are predetermined warning lights and predetermined indicator lights that do not illuminate in the normal state of the vehicle.

[0012] In the information processing device according to claim 3, the control unit illuminates at least one of the warning lights and indicator lights provided on the display unit, which are predetermined warning lights and predetermined indicator lights that do not illuminate under the normal state of the vehicle, as a false display. By doing so, the information processing device can make the user aware that some kind of abnormality has occurred in the vehicle when they look at the display unit, by deliberately illuminating at least one of the predetermined warning lights and predetermined indicator lights at a time when they do not normally illuminate under the vehicle's state, thereby indirectly warning that the first identification information and the second identification information do not match. Furthermore, the information processing device can issue a warning without preparing a dedicated icon or the like by using at least one of the warning lights and indicator lights that are pre-installed in the vehicle as a false display.

[0013] The information processing device according to claim 4, in any one of claims 1 to 3, the control unit outputs diagnostic information indicating that the first identification information and the second identification information do not match.

[0014] In the information processing device according to claim 4, the control unit outputs diagnostic information indicating that the first identification information and the second identification information do not match. As a result, with this information processing device, by connecting an external diagnostic device to the vehicle, it is possible to easily determine, based on the diagnostic information, that the first identification information and the second identification information do not match.

[0015] The information processing device according to claim 5, in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit causes the display unit to display visible information indicating that the first identification information and the second identification information do not match, as the predetermined control.

[0016] In the information processing apparatus according to claim 5, the control unit causes the display unit to display visible information indicating that the first identification information and the second identification information do not match as the predetermined control. Thus, according to the information processing apparatus, by causing the display unit to display the visible information, it is possible to easily understand that the first identification information and the second identification information do not match based on the visible information.

Effect of the Invention

[0017] As described above, in the information processing apparatus according to the present disclosure, it is possible to easily detect that there is a writing error in the program for controlling the display of the in-vehicle display.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] It is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the vehicle. [Figure 2] It is a block diagram showing the configuration of the storage unit. [Figure 3] It is a flowchart showing the flow of control processing. [Figure 4] It is a first explanatory diagram showing a specific example of the predetermined control. [Figure 5] It is a second explanatory diagram showing a specific example of the predetermined control. [Figure 6] It is a third explanatory diagram showing a specific example of the predetermined control.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, the vehicle 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the vehicle 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 10 includes a meter ECU 20. The meter ECU 20 is an example of an "information processing apparatus".

[0020] The meter ECU 20 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 22, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 23, a storage unit 24, an in-vehicle communication I / F (InterFace) 25, an input / output I / F 26, and a wireless communication I / F 27. The CPU 21, the ROM 22, the RAM 23, the storage unit 24, the in-vehicle communication I / F 25, the input / output I / F 26, and the wireless communication I / F 27 are communicably connected to each other via an internal bus 28.

[0021] The CPU 21 is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls each part. That is, the CPU 21 reads a program from the ROM 22 or the storage unit 24 and executes the program using the RAM 23 as a work area. The CPU 21 performs control of each of the above components and various arithmetic processes according to the program recorded in the ROM 22 or the storage unit 24.

[0022] The ROM 22 stores various programs and various data. The RAM 23 temporarily stores a program or data as a work area.

[0023] The storage unit 24 is composed of a storage device such as an eMMC (embedded Multi Media Card) or a UFS (Universal Flash Storage), and stores various programs and various data.

[0024] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the storage unit 24. As shown in Figure 2, the storage unit 24 has two storage areas: an individual part 24A and a standard part 24B.

[0025] The individual unit 24A stores an individual program 50. The individual program 50 is a program specifically for the vehicle, which displays vehicle-specific information on the monitor 42, which will be described later. In this embodiment, multiple types of individual programs 50 are provided for each vehicle model. The individual program 50 is stored in the individual unit 24A when a dealership staff member writes the individual program 50 corresponding to each vehicle model. In this embodiment, the vehicle is vehicle 10. The vehicle-specific information includes, for example, the shape of vehicle 10, the body color, the open / closed state of the doors, and the number of doors. The individual program 50 is an example of the "first program".

[0026] The standard unit 24B stores the standard program 52. The standard program 52 is a program for displaying common information shared between vehicle 10 and other vehicles on the monitor 42. In this embodiment, the standard program 52 is stored in the standard unit 24B when a staff member at the meter parts factory writes the standard program 52. Thus, the timing of writing the individual program 50 and the standard program 52 to the storage unit 24 of the meter ECU 20 is different.

[0027] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the other vehicle is a vehicle of a different type than the vehicle 10, which is the vehicle itself. Common information includes, for example, the vehicle speed of vehicle 10, the outside temperature, and the current time. Standard program 52 is an example of a "second program".

[0028] Here, the individual program 50 and the standard program 52 are each assigned a program ID, which is a unique ID (identification) that can identify each program. The program ID consists of, for example, a multi-digit number. In the following, the program ID assigned to the individual program 50 will be referred to as the "first program ID," and the program ID assigned to the standard program 52 will be referred to as the "second program ID." The first program ID is an example of "first identification information," and the second program ID is an example of "second identification information."

[0029] Furthermore, the memory unit 24 stores an information processing program 54. The information processing program 54 is a program that causes the CPU 21 to execute the determination process (see Figure 3) described later.

[0030] Returning to Figure 1, the in-vehicle communication interface 25 is an interface for connecting to other ECUs 30. This interface uses the CAN protocol for communication. The in-vehicle communication interface 25 is connected to the external bus 29. Although not shown in the figure, in addition to the ECU 30, multiple ECUs are provided for each function of the vehicle 10.

[0031] Input / Output I / F26 is an interface for communicating with in-vehicle equipment 40 mounted on the vehicle 10.

[0032] The in-vehicle equipment 40 consists of various devices mounted on the vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 is equipped with a monitor 42 and a buzzer 44 as examples of the in-vehicle equipment 40.

[0033] Monitor 42 is a liquid crystal monitor located on the meter panel, which displays images and other information related to the operation of the functions of the vehicle 10, as well as explanations of those functions. Monitor 42 is an example of a "display unit". The buzzer 44 is a device installed on the meter panel that outputs a predetermined warning sound.

[0034] The wireless communication interface (I / F27) is a wireless communication module for communicating with external devices. This wireless communication module utilizes communication standards such as 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0035] Furthermore, the CPU 21 of the meter ECU 20 has an acquisition unit 21A, a generation unit 21B, and a control unit 21C as its functional configuration. Each functional configuration is realized by the CPU 21 reading and executing at least one of the individual programs 50, standard programs 52, and information processing programs 54 stored in the storage unit 24.

[0036] The acquisition unit 21A acquires various types of information. For example, the acquisition unit 21A acquires data input from the ECU 30 via the in-vehicle communication I / F 25, and data input from a group of sensors (not shown) as in-vehicle equipment 40 via the input / output I / F 26, as various types of information.

[0037] Furthermore, the acquisition unit 21A acquires the individual program 50 from the individual unit 24A and the standard program 52 from the standard unit 24B.

[0038] The generation unit 21B generates display information to be displayed on the monitor 42 based on the individual program 50 and standard program 52 acquired by the acquisition unit 21A.

[0039] The control unit 21C displays the display information generated by the generation unit 21B on the monitor 42.

[0040] Furthermore, if the first program ID assigned to the individual program 50 acquired by the acquisition unit 21A does not match the second program ID assigned to the standard program 52, the control unit 21C performs predetermined control to warn that the first program ID and the second program ID do not match. The cases in which the first program ID and the second program ID do not match include cases where the numbers indicated by the acquired first program ID and second program ID are different, and cases where at least one of the first program ID and the second program ID cannot be acquired. Specific examples of the predetermined control will be described later.

[0041] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of the determination process in which the meter ECU 20 determines whether the first program ID assigned to the individual program 50 matches the second program ID assigned to the standard program 52. The determination process is performed by the CPU 21 reading the information processing program 54 from the storage unit 24, loading it into the RAM 23, and executing it. As an example, the determination process shown in Figure 3 is executed periodically when the ignition switch (not shown) of the vehicle 10 is turned on.

[0042] In step S10 shown in Figure 3, the CPU 21 obtains the individual program 50 from the individual unit 24A and the standard program 52 from the standard unit 24B. Then, the CPU 21 proceeds to step S11.

[0043] In step S11, the CPU 21 determines whether the first program ID assigned to the individual program 50 obtained in step S10 matches the second program ID assigned to the standard program 52. If the CPU 21 determines that the first program ID and the second program ID do not match (step S11: YES), it proceeds to step S12. On the other hand, if the CPU 21 determines that the first program ID and the second program ID do match (step S11: NO), it terminates the determination process.

[0044] In step S12, the CPU 21 performs predetermined control to warn that the first program ID and the second program ID do not match. Then, the CPU 21 terminates the determination process.

[0045] Next, a specific example of the predetermined control performed by the meter ECU 20 in step S12 shown in Figure 3 will be described. In this embodiment, the CPU 21, as a function of the control unit 21C, performs a predetermined control on the monitor 42 by displaying a false display that would not occur in the normal state of the vehicle 10. The normal state is the state of the vehicle 10 as indicated by CAN data when the predetermined control is not being performed. Based on the state of the vehicle 10, the CPU 21 can determine, for example, whether the vehicle 10 is in motion, whether a warning light is illuminated, or whether an indicator light is illuminated.

[0046] Figure 4 is a first explanatory diagram illustrating a specific example of a predetermined control. Specifically, Figure 4 shows a first example of a false display performed on monitor 42.

[0047] As shown in Figure 4, the speedometer 60 is displayed in the central part of the monitor 42. For example, the speedometer 60 can display the vehicle speed of the vehicle 10 between 0 and 180 km / h using a needle 62.

[0048] In this scenario, where the display example shown in Figure 4 is displayed on the monitor 42, the vehicle 10 is stopped, and under normal conditions, the needle 62 should correctly point to 0 km / h. In this case, the CPU 21 controls the display content of the monitor 42 to show a false reading, as shown in Figure 4, so that the needle 62 points to 180 km / h. This allows dealership staff or others who see the monitor 42 to understand that some kind of abnormality has occurred in the vehicle 10. Furthermore, even if the false reading shown in Figure 4 is displayed, the vehicle 10 remains stopped, so it does not affect the safety of the vehicle's operation.

[0049] Figure 5 is a second explanatory diagram showing a specific example of the predetermined control. Specifically, Figure 5 shows a second example of a false display performed on monitor 42.

[0050] As shown in Figure 5, the fuel level warning light 64 and fuel gauge 66 are displayed below the speedometer 60 on the monitor 42. In Figure 5, the needle 62 is pointing to 0 km / h.

[0051] In this scenario, where the display example shown in Figure 5 is displayed on the monitor 42, the vehicle 10's fuel tank is full, and the fuel level warning light 64 would not illuminate under normal conditions. Specifically, in Figure 5, the needle 68 of the fuel gauge 66 points to F (Full) and not to E (Empty), which would normally illuminate the fuel level warning light 64. In this case, the CPU 21 illuminates the fuel level warning light 64 as a false display, as shown in Figure 5, and displays it on the monitor 42. This allows the user to understand that some kind of abnormality has occurred in the vehicle 10 by looking at the monitor 42. The fuel level warning light 64 is an example of a "prescribed warning light".

[0052] Here, when the monitor 42 displays the false information shown in Figure 4 or Figure 5, the CPU 21 outputs diagnostic information indicating that the first program ID and the second program ID do not match. The output diagnostic information is stored in the storage unit 24. Then, when a dealership staff member or the like who has viewed the monitor 42 connects an external diagnostic device to the vehicle 10, the external diagnostic device reads the diagnostic information stored in the storage unit 24 and displays the content indicated by the diagnostic information, for example, in text. This makes it easy for dealership staff members or the like to understand that the first program ID and the second program ID do not match.

[0053] Figure 6 is a third explanatory diagram showing a specific example of predetermined control. In the case shown in Figure 6, the CPU 21, as predetermined control, causes the monitor 42 to display character information 70 indicating that the first program ID and the second program ID do not match. The character information 70 is a string of characters that would not be displayed on the monitor 42 if the vehicle 10 were in a normal state. The character information 70 is an example of "visible information".

[0054] In Figure 6, the text information 70 is displayed below the speedometer 60. As an example, in Figure 6, the text information 70 displays the message "ID mismatch." This makes it easy to see from the monitor 42 that the first program ID and the second program ID do not match. Note that in Figure 6, the needle 62 is pointing to 0 km / h.

[0055] As explained above, in the meter ECU 20, the CPU 21 acquires the individual program 50 and the standard program 52. If the first program ID assigned to the acquired individual program 50 does not match the second program ID assigned to the standard program 52, the CPU 21 performs predetermined control to warn that the first program ID and the second program ID do not match. As a result, with the meter ECU 20, by performing predetermined control, it is possible to easily detect if a write error has occurred in at least one of the individual program 50 and the standard program 52. This means that even if a write error occurs in at least one of the individual program 50 and the standard program 52, dealership staff can detect the write error early. Therefore, with the meter ECU 20, the possibility of a vehicle 10 with a write error falling into the hands of a user (end user) of the vehicle 10 can be reduced.

[0056] Furthermore, in the meter ECU 20, the CPU 21 performs a predetermined control by displaying a false information on the monitor 42 that would not normally occur in the vehicle 10. As a result, the meter ECU 20 can make dealership staff or others who look at the monitor 42 aware that some kind of abnormality has occurred in the vehicle 10, and indirectly warn them that the first program ID and the second program ID do not match.

[0057] Furthermore, in the meter ECU 20, the CPU 21 illuminates the fuel level warning light 64, which is one of the warning lights on the monitor 42 and does not normally illuminate in the vehicle 10, as a false display (see Figure 5). This allows the meter ECU 20 to intentionally illuminate the fuel level warning light 64 at a time when it would not normally illuminate in the vehicle 10, thereby indirectly warning dealership staff who view the monitor 42 that some kind of abnormality has occurred in the vehicle 10, and that the first program ID and the second program ID do not match. Additionally, by using the fuel level warning light 64, which is pre-installed in the vehicle 10, as a false display, the meter ECU 20 can issue a warning without requiring a dedicated icon or similar.

[0058] Furthermore, in the meter ECU 20, the CPU 21 outputs diagnostic information indicating that the first program ID and the second program ID do not match. This allows the meter ECU 20 to easily inform dealership staff, etc., that the first program ID and the second program ID do not match based on the diagnostic information, by connecting an external diagnostic tool to the vehicle 10. Here, dealership staff refers to, for example, workers and mechanics who possess an external diagnostic tool. Note that the target of this notification may also be manufacturer-side workers and mechanics who perform pre-shipment inspections.

[0059] Furthermore, in the meter ECU 20, the CPU 21, as a predetermined control, displays character information 70 on the monitor 42 indicating that the first program ID and the second program ID do not match. Thus, according to the meter ECU 20, by displaying the character information 70 on the monitor 42, it is possible to make it easy for dealership staff and others to understand that the first program ID and the second program ID do not match based on the character information 70.

[0060] (others) In the above embodiment, the storage unit 24 of the meter ECU 20 is provided with an individual unit 24A and a standard unit 24B, with the individual unit 24A storing the individual program 50 and the standard unit 24B storing the standard program 52. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and the ECU in which the individual program 50 is stored and the ECU in which the standard program 52 is stored may be different. For example, the meter ECU 20 may be provided with an individual unit 24A, in which the individual unit 24A stores the individual program 50, and the ECU 30 may be provided with a standard unit 24B, in which the standard unit 24B stores the standard program 52.

[0061] In the above embodiment, the CPU 21 illuminated the fuel level warning light 64, which is one of the warning lights provided on the monitor 42 and does not normally illuminate under the vehicle 10's normal state, as a false display, but is not limited to this. For example, instead of or in addition to this, the CPU 21 may illuminate a predetermined indicator light, which is one of the indicator lights provided on the monitor 42 and does not normally illuminate under the vehicle 10's normal state, as a false display.

[0062] In the above embodiment, character information 70 was used as an example of "visible information," but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, image information that shows that the first program ID and the second program ID do not match may be used as an example of "visible information," or a combination of the character information 70 and the image information may be used as an example of "visible information."

[0063] In the above embodiment, the CPU 21 performed predetermined control using the monitor 42, but is not limited to this. For example, instead of or in addition to this, the CPU 21 may perform predetermined control using the buzzer 44. Furthermore, the predetermined control performed by the monitor 42 is not limited to that shown in the above embodiment, and may, for example, be the adjustment of the brightness of the monitor 42's backlight.

[0064] In the above embodiment, the first program ID and the second program ID are common to multiple vehicle models, but the system is not limited to this and may be different for each vehicle model. For example, the first program ID and the second program ID for vehicle model A may be different from those for vehicle model B. This allows the CPU 21 to perform predetermined control so that, for example, if the individual program 50 for vehicle model B is mistakenly written to the individual part 24A of vehicle model A, the sales staff can easily detect the writing error.

[0065] In addition, the determination process that the CPU 21 reads and executes in the above embodiment may be executed by various processors other than the CPU. Examples of such processors include PLDs (Programmable Logic Devices) such as FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays) whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacturing, and dedicated electrical circuits that are processors with circuit configurations specifically designed to execute specific processes, such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits). Furthermore, the determination process may be executed by one of these various processors, or by a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types (for example, multiple FPGAs, and a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). More specifically, the hardware structure of these various processors is an electrical circuit that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

[0066] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes a configuration in which the individual program 50, the standard program 52, and the information processing program 54 are pre-stored (installed) in the storage unit 24, the embodiment is not limited to this. The individual program 50, the standard program 52, and the information processing program 54 may be provided in a form recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk Read Only Memory), and USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. Alternatively, the individual program 50, the standard program 52, and the information processing program 54 may be provided in a form that can be downloaded from an external device via a network. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 10 vehicles (own vehicle) 20. Meter ECU (Information Processing Unit) 21A Acquisition Department 21C Control Unit 42 Monitor (Display Unit) 50 Individual Programs (Program 1) 52 Standard Program (Second Program)

Claims

1. An acquisition unit that acquires a first program for displaying specific information unique to the vehicle on the display unit, and a second program for displaying common information common to the vehicle and other vehicles on the display unit. If the first identification information assigned to the first program acquired by the acquisition unit does not match the second identification information assigned to the second program, the control unit performs predetermined control to warn that the first identification information and the second identification information do not match. Equipped with, The first identification information and the second identification information are assigned in common to the same vehicle model, and are different for each vehicle model. Information processing device.

2. The control unit, as a predetermined control, performs a false display on the display unit that would not normally occur in the vehicle's state. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The control unit, as a false display, illuminates at least one of the warning lights and indicator lights provided on the display unit, which are predetermined warning lights and predetermined indicator lights that do not illuminate under the normal conditions of the vehicle. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The control unit outputs diagnostic information indicating that the first identification information and the second identification information do not match. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The control unit, as the predetermined control, causes the display unit to display visible information indicating that the first identification information and the second identification information do not match. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

Images