Data communication system, center device, vehicle device, data processing method, and data processing program

Abstract

A center device (2): creates a plurality of trigger conditions for sensing prescribed scenes on a vehicle side; creates a plurality of collection data lists corresponding to the plurality of trigger conditions; creates at least one of a switching condition and a priority in accordance with the trigger conditions and the collection data lists; and distributes, to a vehicle device, the plurality of trigger conditions, the plurality of collection data lists, and at least one of the switching condition and the priority. The vehicle device (4): acquires detection data required for trigger condition determination; is capable of switching a trigger condition being used in accordance with at least one of the switching condition and the priority; performs the trigger condition determination based on the trigger condition on the basis of the detection data; is capable of switching a collection data list being used in accordance with at least one of the switching condition and the priority; creates collection data on the basis of the determination result of the trigger condition determination; and sends the collection data to the center device.

Description

Data communication system, center device, vehicle device, data processing method, and data processing program CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is based on Japanese Application No. 2023-222246, filed on December 28, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a data communication system, a center device, a vehicle device, a data processing method, and a data processing program.

[0003] A data communication system is provided in which a center device receives vehicle data transmitted from vehicle devices mounted in an unspecified number of vehicles, thereby collecting vehicle data from the vehicle devices. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for reducing the frequency of transmission of access requests from the vehicle devices to a center device and reducing the processing load of authentication for collecting vehicle data.

[0004] JP 2023-084379 A

[0005] Users may experience dissatisfaction in certain situations when using a vehicle. Techniques for identifying user dissatisfaction can be envisioned to directly or indirectly identify the user's dissatisfaction. For example, when a user performs a steering operation while a lane tracing assist (hereinafter referred to as LTA) function is running while driving on a highway, the user's dissatisfaction can be directly identified by identifying the cancellation of the LTA function. For example, when the use of an autoparking function is recommended when starting parking, the user's dissatisfaction can be directly identified by identifying the user's refusal to use the autoparking function. Furthermore, after the LTA function is improved at the request of another user, the user's dissatisfaction can be indirectly identified by identifying a difference between the behavior of the logic during operation of the LTA function and the behavior of the logic after the improvement. For these reasons, vehicle manufacturers and app developers, for example, desire to analyze situations in which users experience dissatisfaction and improve vehicle functions.

[0006] In this case, the center device creates a trigger condition for detecting a scene in which the user is dissatisfied, and collects and analyzes the sensor values ​​of each sensor and the control status of each system as collected data from the vehicle device before and after the trigger condition is met. However, the number of trigger conditions is not limited to one, and there may be cases where it is desired to switch between multiple trigger conditions in order to efficiently improve vehicle functions.

[0007] The present disclosure aims to efficiently improve vehicle functions by arbitrarily switching between multiple trigger conditions for detecting scenes that cause user dissatisfaction.

[0008] According to a data communication system of one aspect of the present disclosure, a center device and a vehicle device mounted on a vehicle are capable of data communication with each other. The center device includes a trigger condition creation unit that creates a plurality of trigger conditions for detecting a predetermined scene in the vehicle, a collected data list creation unit that creates a plurality of collected data lists corresponding to the plurality of trigger conditions, a switching information creation unit that creates at least one of a switching condition and a priority corresponding to each trigger condition and each collected data list, a distribution unit that distributes the plurality of trigger conditions, the plurality of collected data lists, the switching condition, and / or the priority to the vehicle device, and a collected data acquisition unit that acquires the collected data indicated in the collected data list from the vehicle device. The vehicle device includes a detection data acquisition unit that acquires detection data necessary for trigger condition determination, a trigger condition determination unit that can switch the trigger condition to be used in accordance with at least one of the switching condition and the priority and performs the trigger condition determination using the trigger condition based on the detection data, a collected data creation unit that can switch the list of collected data to be used in accordance with at least one of the switching condition and the priority and creates the collected data based on the determination result of the trigger condition determination, and a collected data transmission unit that transmits the collected data to the center device.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a center device is mounted on a vehicle, acquires detection data necessary for trigger condition determination, is capable of switching a trigger condition to be used in accordance with at least one of a switching condition and a priority, performs the trigger condition determination using the trigger condition based on the detection data, is capable of switching a collected data list to be used in accordance with at least one of the switching condition and the priority, and is capable of data communication with a vehicle device that creates the collected data based on a determination result of the trigger condition determination and transmits the collected data to the center device. The center device includes: a trigger condition creation unit that creates a plurality of trigger conditions for detecting a predetermined scene on the vehicle side; a collected data list creation unit that creates a plurality of collected data lists corresponding to each of the plurality of trigger conditions; a switching information creation unit that creates at least one of a switching condition and a priority corresponding to each trigger condition and each collected data list; a distribution unit that distributes at least one of the plurality of trigger conditions, the plurality of collected data lists, the switching condition, and the priority to the vehicle device; and a collected data acquisition unit that acquires the collected data from the vehicle device.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle device creates a plurality of trigger conditions for detecting a predetermined scene in the vehicle, creates a plurality of collected data lists corresponding to the created plurality of trigger conditions, sets at least one of a switching condition and a priority corresponding to each trigger condition and each collected data list, distributes the plurality of trigger conditions, the plurality of collected data lists, the switching condition, and at least one of the priority to the vehicle device, and is capable of data communication with a center device that acquires the collected data from the vehicle device, and is mounted on the vehicle. The vehicle device includes: a detection data acquisition unit that acquires detection data necessary for trigger condition determination; a trigger condition determination unit that is capable of switching a trigger condition to be used in accordance with at least one of the switching condition and the priority and that performs the trigger condition determination based on the trigger condition based on the detection data; a collection data creation unit that is capable of switching a collected data list to be used in accordance with at least one of the switching condition and the priority and that creates the collected data based on a determination result of the trigger condition determination; and a collection data transmission unit that transmits the collected data to the center device.

[0011] According to a data processing method for a data communication system of one aspect of the present disclosure, the center device executes a trigger condition creation procedure for creating a plurality of trigger conditions for detecting a specified scene on the vehicle side, a collected data list creation procedure for creating a plurality of collected data lists corresponding to each of the plurality of trigger conditions, a switching information creation procedure for creating at least one of a switching condition and a priority corresponding to each trigger condition and each collected data list, a distribution procedure for distributing at least one of the plurality of trigger conditions, the plurality of collected data lists, the switching condition, and the priority to the vehicle device, and a collected data acquisition procedure for acquiring the collected data from the vehicle device. The vehicle device executes a detection data acquisition procedure for acquiring detection data required for trigger condition determination, a trigger condition determination procedure capable of switching the trigger condition to be used in accordance with at least one of the switching condition and the priority and performing the trigger condition determination using the trigger condition based on the detection data, a collected data creation procedure capable of switching the collected data list to be used in accordance with at least one of the switching condition and the priority and creating the collected data based on the determination result of the trigger condition determination, and a collected data transmission procedure for transmitting the collected data to the center device.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the data processing method for a center device is mounted on a vehicle, acquires detection data necessary for trigger condition determination, is capable of switching the trigger condition to be used in accordance with at least one of a switching condition and a priority, performs the trigger condition determination using the trigger condition based on the detection data, is capable of switching the collected data list to be used in accordance with at least one of the switching condition and the priority, and is capable of data communication with a vehicle device that creates the collected data based on a determination result of the trigger condition determination and transmits it to the center device.The center device executes the following steps: a trigger condition creation procedure for creating a plurality of trigger conditions for detecting a predetermined scene on the vehicle side; a collected data list creation procedure for creating a plurality of collected data lists corresponding to each of the plurality of trigger conditions; a switching information creation procedure for creating at least one of a switching condition and a priority corresponding to each trigger condition and each collected data list; a distribution procedure for distributing at least one of the plurality of trigger conditions, the plurality of collected data lists, the switching condition, and the priority to the vehicle device; and a collected data acquisition procedure for acquiring the collected data from the vehicle device.

[0013] According to a data processing method for a vehicle device of one aspect of the present disclosure, a plurality of trigger conditions for detecting a predetermined scene in the vehicle are created, a plurality of collected data lists corresponding to each of the created plurality of trigger conditions are created, at least one of a switching condition and a priority is set corresponding to each trigger condition and each collected data list, the plurality of trigger conditions, the plurality of collected data lists, the switching condition, and at least one of the priority are distributed to the vehicle device, and the vehicle device is capable of data communication with a center device that acquires the collected data from the vehicle device and is mounted on the vehicle, and the vehicle device executes a detection data acquisition procedure for acquiring detection data necessary for trigger condition determination, a trigger condition determination procedure that is capable of switching the trigger condition to be used in accordance with at least one of the switching condition and the priority and performs the trigger condition determination using the trigger condition based on the detection data, a collected data creation procedure that is capable of switching the collected data list to be used in accordance with at least one of the switching condition and the priority and creates the collected data based on a determination result of the trigger condition determination, and a collected data transmission procedure that transmits the collected data to the center device.

[0014] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a data processing program for a center device is mounted on a vehicle, acquires detection data necessary for trigger condition determination, is capable of switching a trigger condition to be used in accordance with at least one of a switching condition and a priority, performs the trigger condition determination using the trigger condition based on the detection data, and is capable of switching a collected data list to be used in accordance with at least one of the switching condition and the priority, and creates the collected data based on a determination result of the trigger condition determination and transmits it to the center device. The data processing program causes a control unit of the center device, which is capable of data communication with a vehicle device, to execute a trigger condition creation procedure for creating a plurality of trigger conditions for detecting a predetermined scene on the vehicle side, a collected data list creation procedure for creating a plurality of collected data lists corresponding to each of the plurality of trigger conditions, a switching information creation procedure for creating at least one of a switching condition and a priority corresponding to each trigger condition and each collected data list, a distribution procedure for distributing at least one of the plurality of trigger conditions, the plurality of collected data lists, the switching condition, and the priority to the vehicle device, and a collected data acquisition procedure for acquiring the collected data from the vehicle device.

[0015] According to a data processing program for a vehicle device of one aspect of the present disclosure, a plurality of trigger conditions for detecting a predetermined scene in the vehicle are created, a plurality of collected data lists corresponding to each of the created plurality of trigger conditions are created, at least one of a switching condition and a priority is set corresponding to each trigger condition and each collected data list, the plurality of trigger conditions, the plurality of collected data lists, the switching condition, and at least one of the priority are distributed to the vehicle device, and the program is capable of data communication with a center device that acquires the collected data from the vehicle device, and causes a control unit of the vehicle device mounted on the vehicle to execute a detection data acquisition procedure to acquire detection data necessary for trigger condition determination, a trigger condition determination procedure that is capable of switching the trigger condition to be used in accordance with at least one of the switching condition and the priority and performs the trigger condition determination based on the trigger condition based on the detection data, a collection data creation procedure that is capable of switching the collected data list to be used in accordance with at least one of the switching condition and the priority and creates the collected data based on a determination result of the trigger condition determination, and a collection data transmission procedure that transmits the collected data to the center device.

[0016] According to the disclosure above, the center device creates at least one of a switching condition and a priority corresponding to each trigger condition and each collected data list, and the vehicle device can switch the trigger condition and the collected data list according to at least one of the switching condition and the priority, and create collected data based on the result of the trigger condition determination and transmit it to the center device. This allows for arbitrary switching of multiple trigger conditions for detecting scenes that the user is dissatisfied with, thereby efficiently improving vehicle functions.

[0017] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings are as follows: FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the overall configuration of the embodiment; FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the center device; FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the vehicle device; FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the control unit of the center device; FIG. 5 is a diagram explaining the trigger condition file (before switching); FIG. 6 is a diagram explaining the collected data list file (before switching); FIG. 7 is a diagram explaining the trigger condition file (after switching); FIG. 8 is a diagram explaining the collected data list file (after switching); FIG. 9 is a diagram explaining the switching condition and priority files; FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of the control unit of the vehicle device; FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing processing by the vehicle device; FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing processing by the vehicle device; FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing processing by the center device; FIG. 14 is a diagram explaining the processing flow; FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing processing by the vehicle device; FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing processing by the vehicle device; FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing processing by the center device; and FIG. 18 is a diagram explaining the processing flow.

[0018] The present invention relates to a data communication system for a vehicle, a data communication method for a vehicle, and a data communication system for a vehicle.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2 , the center device 2 includes a control unit 6, a communication unit 7, and a storage unit 8. The control unit 6 is mainly configured with a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as "microcomputer") having a CPU, ROM, RAM, I / O, etc., and controls the operation of the center device 2 by executing software processing by the CPU running a computer program stored in a non-transitory tangible storage medium, and hardware processing by a dedicated electronic circuit. By executing the computer program, a method corresponding to the computer program is performed. The control unit 6 may include one or more microcomputers. The communication unit 7 controls data communication between the multiple vehicle devices 4 via the wide-area wireless communication network 5. The storage unit 8 stores various data.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3 , the vehicle device 4 includes a control unit 9, a communication unit 10, a storage unit 11, and a CAN (Controller Area Network) communication unit 12. The control unit 9 is mainly configured with a microcomputer having a CPU, ROM, RAM, I / O, etc., and controls the operation of the vehicle device 4 by executing software processing by the CPU running a computer program stored in a non-transient tangible storage medium and hardware processing by a dedicated electronic circuit. By executing the computer program, a method corresponding to the computer program is performed. The control unit 9 may include one or more microcomputers. The communication unit 10 controls data communication with the center device 2 via the wide-area wireless communication network 5. The storage unit 11 stores various data.

[0021] The CAN communication unit 12 is connected to CAN buses 13 to 15. The CAN communication unit 12 is connected to a plurality of ECUs 161 to 16n via the CAN bus 13 so as to be able to communicate data with them. The plurality of ECUs 161 to 16n include, for example, an engine ECU that controls the engine, an accelerator ECU that controls the accelerator, a brake ECU that controls the brakes, a steering ECU that controls the steering, a meter ECU that controls the meters, and a navigation ECU that controls navigation. For example, the accelerator ECU transmits data indicating the accelerator opening to the CAN communication unit 12 as detected data. For example, the brake ECU transmits data indicating the brake pedal operation amount to the CAN communication unit 12 as detected data. For example, the steering ECU transmits data indicating the steering angular velocity of the steering wheel to the CAN communication unit 12 as detected data. For example, the navigation ECU transmits data indicating latitude and longitude to the CAN communication unit 12 as detected data. The plurality of ECUs 161 to 16n are connected to the same bus for each system. For example, an ADAS (Advanced Driving Assistant System) ECU, a body ECU, a chassis ECU, etc. are all connected to the same bus.

[0022] The CAN communication unit 12 is connected to a plurality of cameras 171-17n and a plurality of sensors 181-18n via the CAN bus 14 so as to be able to communicate data with them. The plurality of cameras 171-17n may be, for example, a forward-facing camera that captures images of the area ahead of the vehicle, an interior-facing camera that captures images of the interior of the vehicle, a driver-facing camera that captures images of the driver, etc. For example, a forward-facing camera that captures images of the area ahead of the vehicle transmits data indicating an image of the area ahead of the vehicle as detection data to the CAN communication unit 12. For example, an interior-facing camera transmits data indicating an image of the interior of the vehicle as detection data to the CAN communication unit 12. The plurality of sensors 181-18n may be, for example, a light detection and ranging (LIDAR), a millimeter-wave radar, an ultrasonic sensor, an illuminance sensor, a rain sensor, etc. For example, a sensor that detects the area ahead of the vehicle using LIDAR, millimeter-wave radar, etc. transmits data indicating the distance from a leading vehicle to the CAN communication unit 12 as detection data. For example, an illuminance sensor transmits data indicating illuminance as detected data to the CAN communication unit 12. For example, a rain sensor transmits data indicating the amount of rainfall as detected data to the CAN communication unit 12.

[0023] The CAN communication unit 12 is connected to a DSM (Driver Status Monitor) 19, a lane warning system 20, a lane keeping system 21, an ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) system 22, etc. via a CAN bus 15 so as to be able to perform data communications. For example, the DSM 19 transmits data indicating the driver's state as detected data to the CAN communication unit 12. For example, the lane warning system 20 transmits data indicating the control state of the lane warning system 20 as detected data to the CAN communication unit 12. For example, the lane keeping system 21 transmits data indicating the control state of the lane keeping system 21 as detected data to the CAN communication unit 12. For example, the ACC system 22 transmits data indicating the control state of the ACC system 22 as detected data to the CAN communication unit 12.

[0024] The number of CAN buses 13-15 connected to the CAN communication unit 12 is not limited to three, and may be two or less, or four or more. The various ECUs 161-16n, the various cameras 171-17n, the various sensors 181-18n, the DSM 19, and the various systems 20-22 may be connected to the CAN buses 13-15 in any manner. The various devices connected to the CAN buses 13-15 are not limited to the ECUs, cameras, sensors, and systems described above. Furthermore, the in-vehicle communication network is not limited to a configuration in which the CAN buses 13-15 are used, and may also be a configuration in which Ethernet or the like is used. Ethernet is a registered trademark.

[0025] 4, in the center device 2, the control unit 6 includes, for each function, a trigger condition creation unit 6a, a collected data list creation unit 6b, a switching information creation unit 6c, a distribution unit 6d, and a collected data acquisition unit 6e. These units 6a to 6e execute the data processing method of the center device 2 and execute the data processing program of the center device 2.

[0026] The trigger condition creation unit 6a creates a plurality of trigger conditions for detecting scenes that the user is dissatisfied with (corresponding to predetermined scenes on the vehicle side). The collected data list creation unit 6b creates a collected data list corresponding to each of the plurality of trigger conditions. The switching information creation unit 6c creates switching conditions and priorities as switching information corresponding to each trigger condition and each collected data list. The distribution unit 6d distributes the plurality of trigger conditions created by the trigger condition creation unit 6a, the collected data list created by the collected data list creation unit 6b, and the switching conditions and priorities created by the switching information creation unit 6c from the communication unit 7 to the vehicle device 4. The collected data acquisition unit 6e acquires collected data from the vehicle device 4 by receiving the collected data transmitted from the vehicle device 4 via the communication unit 7.

[0027] The trigger condition and the collected data list are switched either by the center device 2 or by the vehicle. Each case will be described below. (1) When the center device 2 issues a switching instruction When the vehicle device 4 identifies a switching instruction from the center device 2, it switches the trigger condition and the collected data list. Before switching, the vehicle device 4 transmits simple data such as the vehicle speed and user operations when the ACC system 22 is off to the center device 2. When the vehicle device 4 receives a switching instruction distributed from the center device 2 and identifies a switching instruction from the center device 2, it switches the logic, and after switching, it also transmits data such as the presence or absence of surrounding vehicles to the center device 2. The following cases are exemplified for the trigger condition ID, collected data, switching condition, and priority.

[0028] "Trigger condition (before switching)" ACC system control status: 1 (in control) Brake pedal operation amount: ≥ 1% "Collected data (before switching)" Latitude and longitude, vehicle speed, ACC system control status, brake pedal operation amount from 60 seconds before the trigger condition is activated "Trigger condition (after switching)" ACC system control status: 1 (in control) Brake pedal operation amount: ≥ 1% Inter-vehicle distance: ≤ 10 m "Collected data (after switching)" Latitude and longitude, vehicle speed, ACC system control status, brake pedal operation amount, presence or absence of surrounding vehicles, distance to surrounding vehicles from 60 seconds before the trigger condition is activated "Switching conditions and priority" Trigger condition A: High priority Trigger condition B: Low priority

[0029] (2) When a switching instruction is issued from the vehicle side When the vehicle device 4 identifies a switching instruction from the vehicle side, it switches the trigger condition and the collected data list. For example, before switching, the vehicle device 4 transmits simple data such as the vehicle speed and user operation when the ACC system 22 is off to the center device 2. When the vehicle device 4 identifies a switching instruction from the vehicle side, for example, because the driving mode has been changed from normal mode to eco mode, it switches the logic, and after switching, it also transmits data such as the presence or absence of surrounding vehicles to the center device 2. The following are examples of trigger condition IDs, collected data, switching conditions, and priorities.

[0030] "Trigger condition (before switching)" ACC system control status: 1 (in control) Brake pedal operation amount: ≥ 1% "Collected data (before switching)" Latitude and longitude, vehicle speed, ACC system control status, brake pedal operation amount from 60 seconds before the trigger condition is activated "Trigger condition (after switching)" ACC system control status: 1 (in control) Brake pedal operation amount: ≥ 1% Inter-vehicle distance: ≤ 10 m "Collected data (after switching)" Latitude and longitude, vehicle speed, ACC system control status, brake pedal operation amount, presence or absence of surrounding vehicles, distance to surrounding vehicles from 60 seconds before the trigger condition is activated "Switching conditions and priority" Trigger condition A: High priority Trigger condition B: Low priority

[0031] The trigger condition creating unit 6a creates a pre-switching trigger condition file and creates pre-switching trigger conditions, as shown in Fig. 5. The pre-switching trigger condition file illustrated in Fig. 5 has items including a trigger condition ID, a trigger condition, a control state of the ACC system, and a brake pedal operation amount.

[0032] The collected data list creation unit 6b creates a collected data list corresponding to the trigger condition before switching. The collected data list creation unit 6b creates a collected data list file before switching, as shown in Fig. 6, and creates a collected data list before switching. The collected data list file before switching illustrated in Fig. 6 has items such as the corresponding trigger condition ID, acquisition period (before trigger firing), acquisition period (after trigger firing), latitude and longitude, vehicle speed, ACC system control state, and brake pedal operation amount.

[0033] The trigger condition creating unit 6a creates a post-switching trigger condition file and creates post-switching trigger conditions, as shown in Fig. 7. The post-switching trigger condition file shown in Fig. 7 has items such as a trigger condition ID, a trigger condition, a control state of the ACC system, a brake pedal operation amount, and a vehicle-to-vehicle distance.

[0034] The collected data list creation unit 6b creates a collected data list corresponding to the post-switching trigger condition. The collected data list creation unit 6b creates a post-switching collected data list file as shown in Fig. 8. The post-switching collected data list file shown in Fig. 8 has the following items: corresponding trigger condition ID, acquisition period (before trigger is fired), acquisition period (after trigger is fired), latitude and longitude, vehicle speed, ACC system control state, brake pedal operation amount, presence or absence of nearby vehicles, and inter-vehicle distance.

[0035] The switching information creation unit 6c creates a switching condition and priority file as shown in Fig. 9, and creates switching conditions and priorities. The switching condition and priority file illustrated in Fig. 9 has items such as the trigger condition ID of the trigger condition to be implemented and a switching determination formula. The priority and switching determination formula are set so that no contradiction occurs. If a contradiction occurs, the priority takes precedence over the switching determination formula, and a trigger condition determination is made based on the trigger condition with the highest priority, and then the trigger condition is switched according to the switching determination formula.

[0036] 10 , in the vehicle device 4, the control unit 9 includes, for each function, a detection data acquisition unit 9a, a trigger condition determination unit 9b, a collected data creation unit 9c, and a collected data transmission unit 9d. These units 9a to 9d execute the data processing method of the vehicle device 4 and execute the data processing program for the vehicle device 4.

[0037] The detection data acquisition unit 9 a acquires detection data necessary for determining the trigger condition. For example, when determining the control state of the ACC system 22, the detection data acquisition unit 9 a acquires data indicating the control state of the ACC system 22 from the ACC system 22 as detection data.

[0038] The trigger condition determination unit 9b can switch the trigger condition to be used according to the switching condition or priority, and when the detection data acquisition unit 9a acquires the detection data, it performs a trigger condition determination based on the trigger condition on the basis of the acquired detection data. The collected data creation unit 9c can switch the list of collected data to be used according to the switching condition or priority, and creates collected data based on the determination result of the trigger condition determination. When the collected data is created by the collected data creation unit 9c, the collected data transmission unit 9d transmits the created collected data from the communication unit 10 to the center device 2.

[0039] Next, the operation of the above-described configuration will be described with reference to Figures 11 to 18. Here, the processing performed by the control unit 9 of the vehicle device 4 and the processing performed by the control unit 6 of the center device 2 will be described for the cases where the center device 2 issues a switching instruction and where the vehicle issues a switching instruction.

[0040] (1) When the center device 2 issues a switching instruction (1-1) Processing performed by the control unit 9 of the vehicle device 4 (see FIGS. 11 and 12) In the vehicle device 4, the control unit 9 starts vehicle-side processing and waits to receive a plurality of trigger conditions, a plurality of collected data lists, a switching condition, and a priority from the center device 2. When the control unit 9 receives the plurality of trigger conditions, a plurality of collected data lists, a switching condition, and a priority from the center device 2 via the communication unit 10, the control unit 9 acquires the plurality of trigger conditions, the plurality of collected data lists, the switching condition, and a priority from the center device 2 (A1), and stores the acquired plurality of trigger conditions and the plurality of collected data lists in preparation for switching the trigger conditions and the collected data lists (A2).

[0041] The control unit 9 identifies the first trigger condition, i.e., the trigger condition with the highest priority, as the pre-switching trigger condition (A3), and acquires the sensing data necessary for determining the identified pre-switching trigger condition (A4, corresponding to S2 in FIG. 14, the sensing data acquisition step). The control unit 9 determines whether the pre-switching trigger condition determination is satisfied (A5, corresponding to S3 in FIG. 14, the trigger condition determination step). If the control unit 6 determines that the pre-switching trigger condition determination is satisfied (A5: YES), it creates collected data (A6, corresponding to the collected data creation step) and causes the communication unit 10 to transmit the created collected data to the center device 2 (A7, corresponding to S4 in FIG. 14, the collected data transmission step).

[0042] The control unit 9 waits for a switching instruction from the center device 2. When the control unit 9 determines that the switching instruction from the center device 2 has been identified by receiving the switching instruction from the communication unit 10 (A8: YES, S5 shown in FIG. 14), it identifies the trigger condition with the second highest priority as the post-switching trigger condition (A9) and acquires the sensed data required for determining the identified post-switching trigger condition (A10, corresponding to S6 shown in FIG. 14, the sensed data acquisition procedure). The control unit 9 determines whether the post-switching trigger condition determination is satisfied (A11, corresponding to S7 shown in FIG. 14, the trigger condition determination procedure). When the control unit 9 determines that the post-switching trigger condition determination is satisfied (A11: YES), it creates collected data (A12, corresponding to the collected data creation procedure) and transmits the created collected data from the communication unit 10 to the center device 2 (A13, corresponding to S8 shown in FIG. 14, the collected data transmission procedure), thereby terminating the vehicle-side processing.

[0043] The control unit 9 determines that the pre-switching trigger condition determination is met when the following conditions are met for the above-mentioned trigger condition (before switching): ACC system control state: 1 (in control) Brake pedal operation amount: ≧1%. That is, the control unit 9 determines that the pre-switching trigger condition determination is met when the user brakes with a brake pedal operation amount of 1% or more while the ACC system is in control. The control unit 9 creates collected data including latitude and longitude, vehicle speed, ACC system control state, and brake pedal operation amount from 60 seconds before the trigger condition is ignited, and causes the communication unit 10 to transmit the created collected data to the center device 2.

[0044] When the control unit 9 identifies a switching instruction from the center device 2, it determines that the post-switching trigger condition determination is met if the following conditions are met for the above-mentioned trigger conditions (after switching): ACC system control state: 1 (in control) Brake pedal operation amount: ≧1% Inter-vehicle distance: ≦10 m That is, the control unit 9 determines that the post-switching trigger condition determination is met if the user brakes with a brake pedal operation amount of 1% or more when the ACC system is in control and the inter-vehicle distance is 10 m or less. The control unit 9 creates collected data including latitude and longitude, vehicle speed, ACC system control state, brake pedal operation amount, presence or absence of surrounding vehicles, and distance to surrounding vehicles from 60 seconds before the trigger condition is ignited, and causes the communication unit 10 to transmit the created collected data to the center device 2.

[0045] (1-2) Processing performed by the control unit 6 of the center device 2 (see FIG. 13 ). In the center device 2, when the control unit 6 starts center-side processing, it creates multiple trigger conditions and multiple collected data lists (B1, corresponding to the trigger condition creation procedure and the collected data list creation procedure), creates switching conditions and priorities (B2, corresponding to the switching information creation procedure), distributes the multiple trigger conditions, the multiple collected data lists, the switching conditions, and priorities from the communication unit 7 to the vehicle device 4 (B3, corresponding to S1 in FIG. 14, the distribution procedure), and waits for reception of collected data from the vehicle device 4. When the collected data transmitted from the vehicle device 4 is received by the communication unit 10, the control unit 6 acquires the collected data from the vehicle device 4 (B4, corresponding to the collected data acquisition procedure).

[0046] When the control unit 6 determines that the switching condition in the center device 2 is met (B5; YES), it distributes a switching instruction from the communication unit 7 to the vehicle device 4 (B6, S2 shown in FIG. 17 ) and waits for the reception of collected data from the vehicle device 4. When the collected data transmitted from the vehicle device 4 is received by the communication unit 10, the control unit 6 acquires the collected data from the vehicle device 4 (B7, corresponding to the collected data acquisition procedure) and ends the center-side processing. After this, it becomes possible to analyze the scene that caused the user dissatisfaction by analyzing the collected data acquired from the vehicle device 4. (2) When a switching instruction is issued from the vehicle side (2-1) Processing performed by the control unit 9 of the vehicle device 4 (see FIGS. 15 to 16 ) When the control unit 9 in the vehicle device 4 starts the vehicle-side processing, it performs steps A1 to A7 described above. When the control unit 9 determines that a switching instruction from the vehicle side has been identified (A21: YES, S11 shown in FIG. 18), it performs the above-described steps A9 to A13 and ends the vehicle-side processing.

[0047] (2-2) Processing performed by the control unit 6 of the center device 2 (see FIG. 17). In the center device 2, when the control unit 6 starts the center-side processing, it performs the above-described steps B1 to B4. After the vehicle device 4 switches the trigger condition and the collected data list, the control unit 6 acquires the collected data from the vehicle device 4 (B7, corresponding to the collected data acquisition procedure) when the collected data transmitted from the vehicle device 4 is received by the communication unit 10, and then ends the center-side processing.

[0048] Although the above has exemplified the creation of both the switching conditions and the priority, it is also possible to create only either the switching conditions or the priority. Also, although the above has exemplified the switching of both the trigger conditions to be used and the collected data list, it is also possible to switch only the trigger conditions to be used or only the collected data list to be used according to the switching conditions or the priority.

[0049] In a configuration in which only the trigger condition to be used can be switched, in the center device 2, the trigger condition creation unit 6a creates multiple trigger conditions for detecting specified scenes on the vehicle side. The collected data list creation unit 6b creates a collected data list corresponding to the multiple trigger conditions. The switching information creation unit 6c creates at least one of a switching condition and a priority corresponding to each trigger condition. The distribution unit 6d distributes the multiple trigger conditions, the collected data list, and at least one of the switching condition and the priority to the vehicle device 4. In the vehicle device 4, the trigger condition determination unit 9b can switch the trigger condition to be used in accordance with at least one of the switching condition and the priority, and performs trigger condition determination based on the trigger condition on the basis of the detection data. The collected data creation unit 9c creates collected data based on the result of the trigger condition determination. Furthermore, when a switch in the trigger condition to be used occurs, the vehicle device 4 may be configured to transmit the trigger condition ID after the switch to the center device 2 as a notification of the trigger condition to be used by the vehicle device 4, or may be configured to transmit the collected data to the center device 2 together with the trigger condition ID to be used.

[0050] In a configuration in which only the collected data list to be used can be switched, in the center device 2, the trigger condition creation unit 6a creates trigger conditions for detecting a predetermined scene on the vehicle side. The collected data list creation unit 6b creates multiple collected data lists corresponding to the trigger conditions. The switching information creation unit 6c creates at least one of a switching condition and a priority corresponding to each collected data list. The distribution unit 6d distributes the trigger conditions, the multiple collected data lists, and at least one of the switching condition and the priority to the vehicle device 4. In the vehicle device 4, the trigger condition determination unit 9b performs trigger condition determination using the trigger conditions based on the detection data. The collected data creation unit 9c can switch the collected data list to be used in accordance with at least one of the switching condition and the priority, and creates collected data based on the determination result of the trigger condition determination. Furthermore, when a switch in the collected data list to be used occurs, the vehicle device 4 may be configured to transmit the switched collected data list ID to the center device 2 as a notification of the collected data list to be used by the vehicle device 4, or may be configured to transmit the collected data to the center device 2 together with the collected data list ID to be used.

[0051] As described above, according to the embodiment, the following advantageous effects can be obtained. The center device 2 creates switching conditions and priorities corresponding to each trigger condition and each collected data list, and the vehicle device 4 switches between the trigger conditions and collected data list according to the switching conditions and priorities, and creates collected data based on the results of the trigger condition determination, which is then transmitted to the center device 2. It is possible to arbitrarily switch between multiple trigger conditions for detecting scenes that the user is dissatisfied with, thereby efficiently improving vehicle functions.

[0052] The trigger conditions and collected data list to be used are switched in accordance with a switching instruction from the center device 2. The trigger conditions and collected data list to be used can be switched depending on the circumstances of the center device 2.

[0053] The trigger conditions and collected data list to be used are switched in accordance with a switching instruction from the vehicle side. The trigger conditions and collected data list to be used can be switched depending on the circumstances of the vehicle side.

[0054] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to the embodiments, it is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments or structures. The present disclosure also encompasses various modifications and modifications within the scope of equivalents. In addition, various combinations and forms, as well as other combinations and forms including only one element, more than one element, or less than one element, are also within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

[0055] The control unit and the method described herein may be implemented by a special-purpose computer configured by configuring a processor and memory programmed to perform one or more functions embodied in a computer program. Alternatively, the control unit and the method described herein may be implemented by a special-purpose computer configured by configuring a processor with one or more dedicated hardware logic circuits. Alternatively, the control unit and the method described herein may be implemented by one or more special-purpose computers configured by combining a processor and memory programmed to perform one or more functions with a processor configured with one or more hardware logic circuits. Furthermore, the computer program may be stored as instructions executed by a computer on a computer-readable non-transitory tangible storage medium.

[0056] The present disclosure includes the following disclosure in addition to the claims: [1] A data communication system (1) in which a center device (2) and a vehicle device (4) mounted on a vehicle can communicate data, the center device including: a trigger condition creating unit (6a) that creates a plurality of trigger conditions for detecting a predetermined scene on the vehicle side; a collected data list creating unit (6b) that creates a plurality of collected data lists corresponding to each of the plurality of trigger conditions; a switching information creating unit (6c) that creates at least one of a switching condition and a priority corresponding to each trigger condition and each collected data list; a distribution unit (6d) that distributes at least one of the plurality of trigger conditions, the plurality of collected data lists, the switching condition, and the priority to the vehicle device; and a collected data acquisition unit (6e) that acquires collected data indicated by the collected data list from the vehicle device, the vehicle device including: a detection data acquisition unit (9a) that acquires detection data necessary for trigger condition determination; A data communication system comprising: a trigger condition determination unit (9b) capable of switching the trigger condition to be used in accordance with at least one of the switching condition and the priority, and performing the trigger condition determination by the trigger condition based on the detection data; a collected data creation unit (9c) capable of switching the list of collected data to be used in accordance with at least one of the switching condition and the priority, and creating the collected data based on the determination result of the trigger condition determination; and a collected data transmission unit (9d) that transmits the collected data to the center device.

[0057] [2] A data communication system as described in [1], wherein the trigger condition determination unit switches the trigger condition to be used in accordance with a switching instruction from the center device, and the collected data creation unit switches the list of collected data to be used in accordance with a switching instruction from the center device.

[0058] [3] The data communication system according to [1] or [2], wherein the trigger condition determination unit switches the trigger condition to be used in accordance with a switching instruction from the vehicle side, and the collected data creation unit switches the list of collected data to be used in accordance with a switching instruction from the vehicle side.

[0059] [4] The data communication system according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the collected data creation unit switches the list of collected data to be used according to at least one of the switching condition and the priority even when the trigger condition determination unit does not switch the trigger condition.

Claims

1. A data communication system (1) that enables data communication between a center device (2) and a vehicle device (4) mounted on a vehicle, The aforementioned center device is A trigger condition creation unit (6a) creates multiple trigger conditions for detecting a predetermined scene on the vehicle side, A collection data list creation unit (6b) creates a collection data list corresponding to the multiple trigger conditions, A switching information creation unit (6c) that creates at least one of switching conditions and priority corresponding to each trigger condition, A distribution unit (6d) that distributes at least one of the plurality of trigger conditions, the list of collected data, the switching conditions, and the priority to the vehicle device, The vehicle device includes a data acquisition unit (6e) that acquires the data to be collected as shown in the data collection list, The aforementioned vehicle device is A detection data acquisition unit (9a) acquires detection data necessary for trigger condition determination, A trigger condition determination unit (9b) can switch the trigger condition to be used according to at least one of the switching conditions and the priority, and performs the trigger condition determination based on the detection data according to the trigger condition, A data collection unit (9c) that creates the data to be collected based on the result of the trigger condition determination, A data communication system comprising: a data collection transmission unit (9d) that transmits the collected data to the center device.

2. A vehicle device (4) that is mounted on a vehicle, acquires detection data necessary for trigger condition determination, can switch the trigger condition to be used according to at least one of switching conditions and priority, performs trigger condition determination based on the detection data and the trigger condition, and creates collected data shown in the collected data list based on the determination result of the trigger condition determination and transmits it to a central device, and a central device (2) that can communicate with the vehicle device (4), A trigger condition creation unit (6a) creates multiple trigger conditions for detecting a predetermined scene on the vehicle side, A collection data list creation unit (6b) that creates the collection data list corresponding to the multiple trigger conditions, A switching information creation unit (6c) that creates at least one of switching conditions and priority corresponding to each trigger condition, A distribution unit (6d) that distributes at least one of the plurality of trigger conditions, the list of collected data, the switching conditions, and the priority to the vehicle device, A center device comprising a data acquisition unit (6e) that acquires the collected data from the vehicle device.

3. A vehicle device (4) mounted on a vehicle, which is capable of data communication with a center device (2) that acquires the acquired data indicated by the acquired data list from the vehicle device, which creates a plurality of trigger conditions for detecting a predetermined scene on the vehicle side, creates a list of acquired data corresponding to the plurality of trigger conditions created, sets at least one of a switching condition and a priority corresponding to each trigger condition, distributes at least one of the plurality of trigger conditions, the list of acquired data, the switching condition and the priority to the vehicle device, A detection data acquisition unit (9a) acquires detection data necessary for trigger condition determination, A trigger condition determination unit (9b) can switch the trigger condition to be used according to at least one of the switching conditions and the priority, and performs the trigger condition determination based on the detection data according to the trigger condition, A data collection unit (9c) that creates the data to be collected based on the result of the trigger condition determination, A vehicle device comprising a data collection transmission unit (9d) that transmits the collected data to the center device.

4. A data processing method to be performed in a data communication system (1) in which a center device (2) and a vehicle device (4) mounted on a vehicle are capable of data communication, In the aforementioned center device, A procedure for creating trigger conditions to create multiple trigger conditions for detecting a predetermined scene on the vehicle side, A procedure for creating a list of collected data that corresponds to the aforementioned multiple trigger conditions, A procedure for creating switching information, which involves creating at least one of the switching conditions and priority corresponding to each trigger condition, A distribution procedure for distributing at least one of the above-mentioned multiple trigger conditions, the list of collected data, the switching conditions, and the priority to the vehicle device, A procedure for acquiring collected data, which involves acquiring the collected data shown in the collected data list from the vehicle device, is performed. In the aforementioned vehicle device, The procedure for acquiring detection data necessary for trigger condition determination, A trigger condition determination procedure that allows switching of the trigger condition to be used according to at least one of the switching conditions and the priority, and performs trigger condition determination based on the detection data according to the trigger condition, A procedure for creating collected data, which creates the collected data based on the result of the trigger condition determination, A data processing method that performs a data transmission procedure for transmitting the collected data to the center device.

5. A vehicle device (4) that is mounted on a vehicle, acquires detection data necessary for trigger condition determination, can switch the trigger condition to be used according to at least one of switching conditions and priority, performs trigger condition determination based on the detection data and the trigger condition, and creates collected data shown in the collected data list based on the determination result of the trigger condition determination and transmits it to a central device, and a central device (2) that can communicate with the vehicle device (4), A procedure for creating trigger conditions to create multiple trigger conditions for detecting a predetermined scene on the vehicle side, A procedure for creating a collection data list that creates the collection data list corresponding to the multiple trigger conditions, A procedure for creating switching information, which involves creating at least one of the switching conditions and priority corresponding to each trigger condition, A distribution procedure for distributing at least one of the above-mentioned multiple trigger conditions, the list of collected data, the switching conditions, and the priority to the vehicle device, A data processing method that performs a data acquisition procedure for acquiring the collected data from the vehicle device.

6. A vehicle device (4) mounted on a vehicle, which is capable of data communication with a center device (2) that acquires the acquired data indicated by the acquired data list from the vehicle device, which creates a plurality of trigger conditions for detecting a predetermined scene on the vehicle side, creates a list of acquired data corresponding to the plurality of trigger conditions created, sets at least one of a switching condition and a priority corresponding to each trigger condition, distributes at least one of the plurality of trigger conditions, the list of acquired data, the switching condition and the priority to the vehicle device, The procedure for acquiring detection data necessary for trigger condition determination, A trigger condition determination procedure that allows switching of the trigger condition to be used according to at least one of the switching conditions and the priority, and performs trigger condition determination based on the detection data according to the trigger condition, A procedure for creating collected data, which creates the collected data based on the result of the trigger condition determination, A data processing method that performs a data transmission procedure for transmitting the collected data to the center device.

7. A control unit (6) of a center device (2) that is data-communicable with a vehicle device (4) that is mounted on a vehicle, acquires detection data necessary for trigger condition determination, can switch the target trigger condition according to at least one of switching conditions and priority, performs trigger condition determination based on the detection data and the trigger condition, and creates collected data shown in the collected data list based on the determination result of the trigger condition determination and transmits it to the center device, A procedure for creating trigger conditions to create multiple trigger conditions for detecting a predetermined scene on the vehicle side, A procedure for creating a collection data list that creates the collection data list corresponding to the multiple trigger conditions, A procedure for creating switching information, which involves creating at least one of the switching conditions and priority corresponding to each trigger condition, A distribution procedure for distributing at least one of the above-mentioned multiple trigger conditions, the list of collected data, the switching conditions, and the priority to the vehicle device, A data processing program that performs a data acquisition procedure for acquiring the collected data from the vehicle device.

8. A system that creates a plurality of trigger conditions for detecting a predetermined scene on the vehicle side, creates a list of collected data corresponding to the created plurality of trigger conditions, sets at least one of a switching condition and a priority corresponding to each trigger condition, distributes at least one of the plurality of trigger conditions, the list of collected data, the switching condition and the priority to the vehicle device, and is capable of data communication with a center device (2) that acquires the collected data indicated by the list of collected data from the vehicle device, and has a control unit (9) of a vehicle device (4) mounted on the vehicle, The procedure for acquiring detection data necessary for trigger condition determination, A trigger condition determination procedure that allows switching of the trigger condition to be used according to at least one of the switching conditions and the priority, and performs trigger condition determination based on the detection data according to the trigger condition, A procedure for creating collected data, which creates the collected data based on the result of the trigger condition determination, A data processing program that executes a data transmission procedure for transmitting the collected data to the center device.