In-vehicle terminal and information processing method

Abstract

To enable a determination of an acceptance of a user related to an acquisition of information by turning on a tethering.SOLUTION: An on-vehicle terminal that can use a first route that is mounted onto a vehicle and transmits information via a cellular network to a communication device of a business operator and a second route that transmits information to the communication device of the business operator via a network other than the cellular network, includes a control part that executes an operation in the case where a user accepts an acquisition of the information by the business operator, in response to a determination result that a tethering is ON.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an in-vehicle terminal and an information processing method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is an electronic device, a tethering terminal, that can selectively connect to wireless communication networks of a plurality of different communication methods (for example, Patent Document 1).

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 provide an in-vehicle terminal and an information processing method thereof that can suitably determine the consent of a user regarding the acquisition of information.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure is an in-vehicle terminal mounted on a vehicle, including a control unit that, in an in-vehicle terminal capable of using a first route for transmitting information to a communication device of a service provider via a cellular network and a second route for transmitting the information to the communication device of the service provider via a network other than the cellular network using tethering of a terminal of a user of the vehicle, determines that the tethering is on when the user consents to the acquisition of the information by the service provider, and executes predetermined processing based on the consent.

[0006] Other aspects of the present disclosure include the information processing method of the in-vehicle terminal, a program for operating a computer as the in-vehicle terminal, a recording medium on which the program is recorded, and the like.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect of this disclosure, it becomes possible to suitably determine the user's consent to the acquisition of information. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of a communication system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of a DCM configuration. [Figure 3] Figure 3A shows an example of a communication device configuration, and Figure 3B shows an example of a smart device configuration. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of DCM processing. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of operation in a communication system. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Businesses involved with vehicles equipped with communication functions, such as connected cars and autonomous vehicles (e.g., vehicle manufacturers, dealers, and rental companies), may wish to collect data related to the vehicles (e.g., data related to vehicle operation and data related to vehicle communication). For this reason, it is conceivable that the business's communication equipment (communication facilities) would receive predetermined data (IoT data) transmitted from in-vehicle terminals installed in the vehicles via a network.

[0010] One possible network connecting the in-vehicle terminal and the communication device is the network of the mobile network operator (MNO) contracted by the vehicle user (referred to as the carrier network). However, access to the communication device may also be via the carrier networks of other carriers and the internet, or via tethering using Wi-Fi and the internet. Allowing users to select from multiple access networks to access the communication device would enable the transmission of vehicle-related data to the communication device under conditions favorable to the user, thus making it easier to obtain user cooperation in collecting vehicle-related data. On the other hand, it would enable carriers to collect more data.

[0011] Whether or not the communication device can acquire data from the in-vehicle terminal (such as storing it in a designated location) can be determined by the contract between the vehicle user and the operator. However, it is preferable that data acquisition be carried out appropriately (reliably) in accordance with the user's will (consent or non-consent). The embodiments described below describe a communication system that can solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0012] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The configurations of the following embodiments are illustrative, and this disclosure is not limited to the configurations of the embodiments. Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of a communication system according to an embodiment. The communication system includes a DCM (Data Communication Module) 10, which is an example of an in-vehicle terminal mounted on a vehicle, and a communication device 20. The in-vehicle terminal may be an information processing device other than a DCM. The in-vehicle terminal may be a stationary type or a portable type.

[0013] The DCM10 can collect vehicle data (information or examples of data) from in-vehicle devices (e.g., car navigation systems, drive recorders, and ECUs (Electronic Control Units)). Vehicle data may include information about the vehicle (such as location, vehicle speed, and other data related to vehicle operation). Vehicle data may also include data related to vehicle (in-vehicle terminal) communication. The information (data) to be acquired by the communication device 20 may be other than vehicle data. Data transmitted from the DCM10 (user data) can be sent to a predetermined communication partner (e.g., server 51 or server 52) via the communication device 20. However, the destination of the data may also be the communication device 20.

[0014] The default network used by the DCM10 for communication with the communication device 20 is the communication carrier network 2 contracted by the vehicle user. The communication carrier network may be an MNO (Mobile Network Operator) network or an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) network. The communication carrier network 2 has a radio access network (base stations) and a core network. When the communication carrier network 2 is used, the communication device 10 constitutes a part of the core network of the communication carrier network 2. For authentication of the DCM10 in the communication carrier network 2, authentication information stored in the first SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) 105 of the DCM10 is used. The communication carrier network 2 may be a 4G (LTE) network, a 5G network, or a 6G network.

[0015] Furthermore, users can also use the wireless LAN (Wi-Fi) 4 as an access network by tethering using a tethering device 13 (an example of a user's terminal). Tethering can be Wi-Fi tethering, Bluetooth® tethering, or USB (Universal Serial Bus) tethering. When the wireless LAN 4 is used as the access network, the path from the DCM 10 to the communication device 20 goes through the Internet 1. In this way, regarding access to the communication device 20, users can access the communication device 20 using at least one of the routes that go through the wireless LAN 4 and the Internet 1 (second route), in addition to the route that goes through the communication carrier network 2 (first route). The communication carrier network 2 is an example of a cellular network. The wireless LAN 4 and the Internet 1 are examples of networks other than cellular networks.

[0016] The communication device 20 can consist of one computer or a collection of two or more computers (cloud). The communication device 20 has a gateway (GW) 21 connected to the Internet 1. The GW 21 is a gateway that accommodates non-3GPP® wireless access (Untrusted Non-3GPP® IP Access), such as the Internet. For example, if the communication device 20 is compatible with LTE (4G), it is an ePDG (Evolved Packet Data Gateway); if it is compatible with 5G, it is an N3IWF (non-3GPP® Interworking Function); and if it is compatible with 3G, it is a PDG. The GW 21 can convert the signal format received from the Internet 1 into a format compatible with the core network of the communication carrier network 2, which is used within the communication device 20. The Internet 1 has lower reliability (security) compared to the communication carrier network 2 (3GPP® wireless access). Therefore, when DCM10 communicates with communication device 20 using a second route via tethering, a logical tunnel is established between DCM10 and GW21. The tunnel is, for example, an IPsec tunnel established by IPsec tunnel mode. However, the tunnel may be something other than an IPsec tunnel.

[0017] The communication device 20 includes an authentication unit 22 and a routing unit 23. After the tunnel is established, the authentication unit 22 receives authentication information sent from the DCM 10 through the tunnel via the GW 21 and authenticates the DCM 10 (user). In this embodiment, the authentication information used is the authentication information for authentication in the communication carrier network 2 stored in the first SIM 105. However, the authentication information may be stored in a secure storage area of ​​the DCM 10 other than the first SIM 105. When the communication device 20 operates as part of the LTE (4G) core network, the authentication unit 22 operates as an HSS (Home Subscriber Server) that performs authentication processing. However, the authentication unit 22 may operate as a combination of HSS and AAA (Authentication Authorization Accounting). When the communication device 20 operates as part of the 5G core network, the authentication unit 21 operates as an AUSF (Authentication Server Function), that is, a network function that authenticates the subscriber / UE (DCM10) against the subscriber information stored in the UDM (Unified Data Management). For example, EPA-AKA is applied as the authentication method. However, other authentication methods may also be used.

[0018] When DCM10 accesses the communication device 20 using an access network (access line) other than the communication carrier network 2, the authentication information used is the same as the authentication information used for the communication carrier network 2. In this embodiment, the authentication information used is the authentication information for the communication carrier network 2 stored in the first SIM105.

[0019] The routing unit 23 sets and determines the route to the destination of the user data from the DCM10 (communication partner: for example, the server 51 or the server 52). A communication path (session) is established between the routing unit 23 and the DCM10. When the communication device 20 operates as part of the LTE (4G) core network, the routing unit 23 operates as a PGW (Packet data network Gateway). When the communication device 20 operates as part of the 5G core network, the routing unit 23 operates as an UPF (User Plane Function).

[0020] When the DCM10 communicates with the server 51 or the server 52, the data destined for the server 51 or the server 52 always reaches the communication device 20 through a tunnel by the routing unit 23 and is transmitted to the server 51 or the server 52 through the routing unit 23. The data destined for the DCM10 transmitted from the server 51 or the server 52 always passes through the communication device 20 and is transferred through a tunnel.

[0021] The route (first route) between the DCM10 and the communication device 20 via the communication carrier network 2 In a state where communication is being performed using the route (first route) between the DCM10 and the communication device 20 via the communication carrier network 2, a communication path (second route) using tethering between the DCM10 and the GW21 may be established. That is, the first route and the second route may be used in parallel. In the communication device 20, for example, it is possible to determine whether tethering is on or off based on the establishment or non - establishment of a tunnel in the GW21.

[0022] Figure 2 shows an example configuration of DCM10. DCM10 comprises a CPU 101, memory 102, auxiliary storage device 103, wireless communication unit 104, and SIM 105, all interconnected via a bus. The auxiliary storage device 103 is, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), EEPROM, etc. The auxiliary storage device 103 stores, for example, an OS (Operation System) and multiple types of application programs (apps). The apps include programs for realizing various functions such as communication control programs. Memory 102 includes, for example, semiconductor memory such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory). Memory 102 and auxiliary storage device 103 (collectively referred to as storage devices) are examples of computer-readable recording media.

[0023] The wireless communication unit 104 includes a DCE (Data Circuit terminating Equipment) and communicates with external devices according to wireless communication methods such as cellular networks (LTE, 4G, 5G, or 6G, etc.), Bluetooth®, and wireless LAN (IEEE 802.11 series, including Wi-Fi). The external devices are base stations in the case of a communication carrier network 2, access points in the case of wireless LAN 4 (Wi-Fi), and Bluetooth®-compatible communication devices in the case of Bluetooth®.

[0024] SIM105 is an eUICC. SIM105 is a SIM for the communication carrier network 2 and may be either a chip or a card. If the SIM is a card, DCM10 is equipped with a SIM slot and a SIM card reader, etc.

[0025] The DCM10 also includes a USB connector 107, an input device 108, and a display 109. A USB dongle 13B can be connected to the USB connector 107. A smart device 13A can also be connected to the USB connector 107 via a USB cable. The USB dongle 13B and the smart device 13A are examples of tethering devices 13. The smart device 13A is a smartphone or a tablet device, etc.

[0026] The input device 108 is a button, key, touch panel, etc., and is used for inputting and setting information. The display 109 is used to display information. The input device 108 may also be a user interface displayed on the display 109.

[0027] The CPU 101 executes various processes related to the operation of the DCM 10 (data acquisition, receiving of acquired data, sending and receiving data, determining whether tethering is on or off, etc.) by executing various programs stored in the memory. The CPU 101 is an example of a control unit, controller, or processor.

[0028] Figure 3 shows an example configuration of the communication device 20, and Figure 3B shows an example configuration of the smart device 13A. In Figure 3A, the communication device 20, as an example, has a processor 31, a storage device 32, a communication interface (communication IF) 33, an input device 34, and a display 35, which are interconnected via a bus 36.

[0029] The storage device 32 stores various programs and data. The processor 31 is an example of a control unit, and can be a CPU, DSP, GPU, or a combination thereof. The 31 executes the program stored in the storage device 32 and performs various processes such as calculations or processing using the data stored in the storage device 32. Through the execution of the program, the communication device 20 operates as a device equipped with a GW 21, an authentication unit 22, and a routing unit 23. The processor 31 corresponds to the control unit that performs the processing as the GW 21, authentication unit 22, and routing unit 23. The communication IF 33 includes a communication interface circuit with the communication carrier network 2 and a communication interface circuit with the Internet 1, and performs transmission and reception of communication signals, format (protocol) conversion, etc. The input device 34 is a button, key, touch panel, etc. used for inputting and setting information. The display 35 is used to display information.

[0030] In Figure 3B, the smart device 13A, as an example, includes a processor 131, a storage device 132, an input device 134, and a display 135, which are interconnected via a bus 136. These components have similar functions to the processor 31, storage device 32, input device 34, and display 35, although they differ in performance and type. The wireless communication interface (wireless communication IF) 133 includes a communication interface circuit that enables wireless access to a communication carrier network, Bluetooth®, and wireless LAN (Wi-Fi). The processor 131 can perform various processes by executing programs stored in the storage device 132.

[0031] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by DCM10. In step S01, the CPU 101 of DCM10 detects the vehicle's ignition switch being turned on (vehicle starting) using, for example, a signal transmitted from an in-vehicle device.

[0032] In step S02, the CPU 101 determines whether tethering is on or off. For example, as an on / off determination, the CPU 101 determines whether the tethering device 13 is connected or not. For example, the CPU 101 can determine whether it is connected or not by whether it can detect the USB dongle 13B or smart device 13A that is electrically connected to the USB connector 107. Alternatively, the CPU 101 may determine whether it is connected or not by whether it can detect the smart device 13A that is paired for tethering via Bluetooth® connection or Wi-Fi connection. The connection status includes both the electrical connection status and the wireless connection status. If the tethering device 13 is determined to be connected (tethering device 13 has been detected), the process proceeds to step S03; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S04.

[0033] In step S03, the CPU 101 performs processing when tethering is on, that is, when the user has consented to the acquisition of predetermined information such as vehicle data on the communication device 20 side. For example, the CPU 101 establishes a communication path with the communication device 20 on at least one of the first route and the second route and transmits vehicle data. On the other hand, if the process proceeds to step S04, the CPU 101 performs processing when tethering is off, that is, when the user has not consented to the acquisition of information such as vehicle data.

[0034] For example, the CPU 101 can perform the process of establishing a route for at least one of the first and second routes, but not transmit the information to be acquired (vehicle data, etc.). Alternatively, the CPU 101 can establish a route to the communication device 20 and transmit the information to be acquired, but send information to the communication device 20 prohibiting the acquisition of the information to be acquired on the communication device 20 side. In this case, the communication device 20 will either save the information in its storage device 32, stop transmitting the information to be acquired from the routing unit 23 to the communication partner (server 51 or server 52), or prevent server 51 or server 52 from storing the information it has received.

[0035] In addition, the determination of whether tethering is on or off in step S02 may be made by determining whether or not an IPsec tunnel associated with tethering has been established (whether the establishment procedure has been executed) instead of the connection determination described above. Alternatively, the determination of whether tethering is on or off may be made by the communication device 20 determining whether an IPsec tunnel has been established or whether the establishment procedure has been executed, and whether or not the DCM 10 has received the result of that determination. Furthermore, the communication device 20 may determine that tethering is on if the data to be acquired is received by the GW 21.

[0036] Figure 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the communication system. The operation example in Figure 5 shows a different processing example from the processing example shown in Figure 4. In the DCM10, the CPU101 detects that the vehicle's ignition switch is turned ON (Figure 5 <1> ), when it is determined that tethering is on (Figure 5) <2> ), establishing a communication channel via the first route (Figure 5) <3> ) and establishing a communication channel via a second route using tethering (Figure 5) <4> The following is performed. The CPU 101 of the DCM10 decides to transmit vehicle data on at least one (either one is acceptable) of the first and second routes, according to the settings made in advance (Figure 5). <5> ).

[0037] The vehicle data to be acquired is transmitted to the communication device 20 via a second route, for example (Figure 5). <6> ), it is forwarded to the server 51, which is the communication partner of the DCM, via the routing unit 23 (Figure 5). <7> ). The communication device 20 and server 51 acquire (store, etc.) vehicle data on the premise that the user has given consent (Figure 5). <8> and Figure 5 <9> ). However, vehicle data may be acquired by either the communication device 20 or the server 51. Also, the trigger for determining whether tethering is on or off may be something other than detecting that the ignition switch is on.

[0038] The communication system according to this embodiment includes an in-vehicle terminal (DCM10) mounted in the vehicle. The DCM10 can utilize a first route and a second route for transmitting data to the communication device 20. The DCM10 then determines whether tethering is on or off, and, depending on the determination result that tethering is on, executes an action that the user has consented to the acquisition of information by the carrier. The on / off determination of tethering allows for a suitable determination of consent to data acquisition.

[0039] The CPU 101 (control unit) can determine that tethering is on when it detects a tethering device (tethering device 13). Therefore, for example, a user can leave the USB dongle 13B plugged into the USB connector 107 and unplug the USB dongle 13B from the USB connector 107 when they do not consent. With such a simple method, the user can clearly indicate their consent or refusal.

[0040] Furthermore, by determining whether tethering is on or off when the ignition switch is turned on, the system will determine whether vehicle data can be acquired each time the user drives the vehicle. This allows the user to select which driving conditions allow for data acquisition. In addition, the tethering on / off determination may also be performed at times other than when the ignition switch is turned on (for example, when tethering is configured, such as when the USB dongle 13B is plugged into the USB connector 107 or when pairing is performed with the smart device 13A while the vehicle is running), allowing the user to indicate their consent to data acquisition at a time of their choosing.

[0041] Furthermore, "acquisition" of data may include storage (recording) and use (use within the business, provision to third parties, etc.). Non-acquisition of data may include the in-vehicle terminal not transmitting data, the communication device 20 not requesting the in-vehicle terminal to transmit data, the communication device 20 etc. not storing data, or not using data even if it is stored.

[0042] Furthermore, the connection status between DCM10 and the tethering device 13 is displayed on the DCM10's display. The information may be displayed in item (i) 109 or on the display 135 of the smart device 13A. Furthermore, the display 109 or 135 may again prompt the user to enter whether or not they consent to the acquisition of data, and the user may be asked to enter their consent.

[0043] The processes and means described in this disclosure can be freely combined and implemented, provided that no technical inconsistencies arise. Furthermore, processes described as being performed by one device may be divided and executed by multiple devices. Alternatively, processes described as being performed by different devices may be executed by a single device. In a computer system, the hardware configuration (server configuration) by which each function is implemented can be flexibly changed. This disclosure can also be implemented by supplying a computer program implementing the functions described in the embodiments described 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 connectable to the computer's system bus, or it may be provided to the computer via a network. Non-temporary computer-readable storage media 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 media suitable for storing electronic instructions. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0044] 1. Internet, 2. Communication carrier network, 4. Wireless LAN, 10. DCM, 13. Tethering device, 20. Communication equipment, 101. CPU

Claims

1. An in-vehicle terminal mounted in a vehicle that can utilize a first route for transmitting information to the operator's communication device via a cellular network, and a second route for transmitting the information to the operator's communication device via a network other than the cellular network using tethering of the vehicle user's terminal, When the ignition switch of the vehicle is detected to be ON, a determination is made as to whether the tethering is ON or OFF. When determining whether tethering is on or off, if it is detected that a USB dongle, which is a tethering device, is electrically connected to the USB connector of the in-vehicle terminal, or if it is detected that a smart device, which is a tethering device, is electrically connected to the USB connector via a USB cable, then it is determined that tethering is on. Depending on the determination result that tethering is on, if the user consents to the carrier acquiring the information, the control unit establishes at least one of the first route and the second route and transmits the information to the communication device using at least one of the routes. Depending on the determination result that tethering is off, if the user does not consent to the carrier acquiring the information, the control unit establishes at least one of the routes and does not transmit the information to the communication device, or establishes at least one of the routes and transmits the information and information prohibiting the communication device from acquiring the information to the communication device using at least one of the routes. In-vehicle terminals including those mentioned.

2. The aforementioned information includes data relating to the vehicle. The in-vehicle terminal according to claim 1.

3. An in-vehicle terminal mounted in a vehicle that can utilize a first route for transmitting information to the operator's communication device via a cellular network, and a second route for transmitting the information to the operator's communication device via a network other than the cellular network using tethering of the vehicle's user terminal, When the ignition switch of the vehicle is detected to be ON, a determination is made as to whether the tethering is ON or OFF. When determining whether tethering is on or off, if it is detected that a USB dongle, which is a tethering device, is electrically connected to the USB connector of the in-vehicle terminal, or if it is detected that a smart device, which is a tethering device, is electrically connected to the USB connector via a USB cable, then it is determined that tethering is on. If it is determined that tethering is on, and the user consents to the carrier acquiring the information, the system may perform the following actions: establish at least one of the first and second routes and transmit the information to the communication device using at least one of the routes; and if it is determined that tethering is off, and the user does not consent to the carrier acquiring the information, the system may perform the following actions: establish at least one of the routes and not transmit the information to the communication device, or establish at least one of the routes and transmit the information and information prohibiting the communication device from acquiring the information to the communication device using at least one of the routes. Information processing method for in-vehicle terminals.

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