Data communication system, center device, data collection method, and data collection program

Abstract

A center device (2) is provided with: a necessary data setting unit (6a) that sets necessary data; a collection target selection unit (6b) that selects an electronic device to be a data collection target corresponding to the necessary data; a collection data list distribution unit (6c) that causes a collection data list, which indicates collection data to be collected from the electronic device being the data collection target, to be distributed to the electronic device being the data collection target; a data collection unit (6d) that collects, from the electronic device being the data collection target, the collection data that is acquired by the electronic device being the data collection target on the basis of the collection data list; and a data storage unit (6e) that stores the collection data.

Description

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

[0001] This application is based on Japanese Application No. 2024-013003 filed on January 31, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a data communication system, a center device, a data collection method, and a data collection 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] In a center device, when selecting data to be used for, for example, developing a vehicle-side application or improving its functions, it is usually necessary to collect and store a huge amount of data from the vehicle and select necessary data from the stored huge amount of data. However, there are problems such as when necessary data is not included in the huge amount of data collected and stored from the vehicle, or when the amount of necessary data is insufficient. In addition, there are problems such as the need to store a large amount of data, which increases management costs. Such problems are not limited to when necessary data is collected and stored from the vehicle, but are also expected when necessary data is collected and stored from various electronic devices.

[0006] The present disclosure aims to appropriately collect and store the required amount of data from electronic devices on demand.

[0007] According to a data communication system of one aspect of the present disclosure, a center device and electronic devices are capable of data communication. The center device includes a necessary data setting unit that sets necessary data, a collection target selection unit that selects the electronic devices of data collection targets corresponding to the necessary data, a collection data list distribution unit that distributes a collection data list indicating collection data to be collected from the electronic devices of the data collection targets to the electronic devices of the data collection targets, a data collection unit that collects collection data from the electronic devices of the data collection targets, the collection data being acquired by the electronic devices of the data collection targets based on the collection data list, and a data storage unit that stores the collection data.

[0008] According to one aspect of the center device of the present disclosure, the center device includes a required data setting unit that sets required data, a collection target selection unit that selects the electronic device that is the data collection target corresponding to the required data, a collection data list distribution unit that distributes a collection data list indicating the collection data that should be collected from the electronic device that is the data collection target to the electronic device that is the data collection target, a data collection unit that collects the collection data obtained by the electronic device that is the data collection target based on the collection data list from the electronic device that is the data collection target, and a data storage unit that stores the collection data.

[0009] According to one aspect of the data collection method of the present disclosure, a center device capable of data communication with electronic devices executes a required data setting procedure for setting required data, a collection target selection procedure for selecting the electronic devices that are data collection targets corresponding to the required data, a collected data list distribution procedure for distributing a collected data list indicating collected data to be collected from the electronic devices that are data collection targets, to the electronic devices that are data collection targets, a data collection procedure for collecting collected data from the electronic devices that are data collection targets, the collected data being obtained by the electronic devices that are data collection targets based on the collected data list, and a data accumulation procedure for accumulating the collected data.

[0010] According to one aspect of the data collection program of the present disclosure, a control unit of a center device capable of data communication with an electronic device is caused to execute a necessary data setting procedure for setting necessary data, a collection target selection procedure for selecting the electronic device as a data collection target corresponding to the necessary data, a collection data list distribution procedure for distributing a collection data list indicating collection data to be collected from the electronic device of the data collection target to the electronic device of the data collection target, a data collection procedure for collecting from the electronic device of the data collection target collection data obtained by the electronic device of the data collection target based on the collection data list, and a data accumulation procedure for accumulating the collected data.

[0011] According to the above disclosure, the center device sets necessary data, selects electronic devices from which data should be collected that correspond to the necessary data, distributes a collection data list indicating the collection data to be collected from the electronic devices from which data should be collected to the electronic devices from which data should be collected, and collects and stores the collection data acquired by the electronic devices from which data should be collected based on the collection data list from the electronic devices from which data should be collected. Only the necessary amount of necessary data can be appropriately collected and stored on demand from the electronic devices. Furthermore, by collecting and storing only the necessary amount of necessary data on demand, unnecessary data can be deleted as appropriate, eliminating the need to store large amounts of data and suppressing increases in management costs.

[0012] 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, in which Fig. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the overall configuration of an embodiment, Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram of a center device, Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram of a vehicle device, Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram of a control unit of the center device, Fig. 5 is a diagram explaining necessary data, Fig. 6 is a diagram explaining vehicle registration data, Fig. 7 is a diagram explaining vehicle accumulated data, Fig. 8 is a diagram explaining vehicle status data, Fig. 9 is a diagram explaining collected data, Fig. 10 is a functional block diagram of a control unit of the vehicle device, Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing processing by the center device, Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing processing by the vehicle device, and Fig. 13 is a diagram explaining the processing flow.

[0013] The present invention relates to a data communication system for a vehicle, a method for controlling a vehicle, and a communication method for controlling a vehicle in a wireless communication network.

[0014] 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] The CAN communication unit 12 is connected to a DSM (Driver Status Monitor) 19, an ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) system 20, an auto light system 21, an auto air conditioning system 22, etc. via a CAN bus 15 so as to be able to communicate data with them. For example, the DSM 19 transmits data indicating the driver's state to the CAN communication unit 12 as detected data. For example, the ACC system 20 transmits data indicating the control state of the ACC system 20 to the CAN communication unit 12 as detected data. For example, the auto light system 21 transmits data indicating the control state of the auto light system 21 to the CAN communication unit 12 as detected data. For example, the auto air conditioning system 22 transmits data indicating the control state of the auto air conditioning system 22 to the CAN communication unit 12 as detected data.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 4, in the center device 2, the control unit 6 includes, for each function, a necessary data setting unit 6a, a collection target selection unit 6b, a collection data list distribution unit 6c, a data collection unit 6d, a data storage unit 6e, and a download execution unit 6f. Each of these units 6a to 6f executes the data collection method and the data collection program.

[0021] The necessary data setting unit 6a accepts a setting operation of the necessary data performed by an operator on the center device 2 side, and sets the necessary data based on the setting operation. As shown in Fig. 5, the necessary data is data that defines, for example, the items of the data type and the number of samples, and optionally, data that defines the items of the collection target vehicle filter and the collection target area filter. The items defined by the necessary data may be some of the items described above, or may include items other than those described above.

[0022] When the necessary data is set by the necessary data setting unit 6a, the collection target selection unit 6b selects vehicles from which data is to be collected that correspond to the set necessary data. Methods for selecting vehicles from which data is to be collected include a method of selection based on specified logic and a method of selection based on artificial intelligence (hereinafter referred to as AI (Artificial Intelligence)) logic.

[0023] Assume that the required data is set to, for example, 100 pieces of data each on vehicle speed, braking operation, steering operation, and location information. In a method of selection based on specified logic, the collection target selection unit 6b selects 100 vehicles that satisfy predetermined conditions from among vehicles for which data on vehicle speed, braking operation, steering operation, and location information can be collected, and collects data on vehicle speed, braking operation, steering operation, and location information from the selected 100 vehicles. In this case, the vehicles that satisfy the predetermined conditions are selected, for example, in order of the strength of the data communication state with the center device 2, the load of the data communication state, the proximity of the vehicle's current location to a predetermined point, etc.

[0024] In a selection method based on AI logic, the collection target selection unit 6b receives as input the required data settings, vehicle registration data, vehicle accumulated data, and vehicle state data, and outputs whether or not each required data can be collected from the target vehicle, and collects a total of 100 pieces of data on vehicle speed, braking operation, steering operation, and location information from vehicles automatically selected by AI. In other words, it is not necessary to collect all of the data on vehicle speed, braking operation, steering operation, and location information from each vehicle, and vehicles and required data are selected and collected by combining vehicles that only collect vehicle speed data, vehicles that only collect braking operation data, vehicles that only collect steering operation data, and vehicles that only collect location information data, so that a total of 100 pieces of data are finally collected.

[0025] For example, when developing a new app, if you need 1,000 pieces of data on vehicle speed and braking operation for a vehicle equipped with the latest version of ADAS (1.0.0), the required data settings will be as follows: Data / Number of Data: [{Vehicle Speed: 1,000}, {Brake: 1,000}] Vehicle Filter to be Collected: [{ADAS Version: 1.0.0 or later}]

[0026] As shown in Figure 6, the vehicle registration data is attribute data registered in a vehicle, and is data that defines items such as the vehicle model and grade, the contract status of each function, collectable data information, registered user attribute information, and the version of each ECU installed in the vehicle. If, for example, the vehicle model and grade are set as the vehicle filter for collecting required data, the vehicle model and grade defined in the vehicle registration data are referenced. The items defined in the vehicle registration data may be some of the items described above, or may include items other than those described above.

[0027] As shown in Figure 7, the vehicle accumulated data is attribute data accumulated in the vehicle, and is data that defines items such as driving history, time-series vehicle data (IG status, vehicle speed, sensor detection status, etc.), and specific data upload history. If, for example, driving history is set as the target vehicle filter for collecting required data, the driving history defined in the vehicle accumulated data is referenced. The items defined by the vehicle accumulated data may be some of the items described above, or may include items other than those described above.

[0028] As shown in Figure 8, the vehicle status data is attribute data related to the status of the vehicle, and defines items such as IG status, total mileage, vehicle location information, vehicle speed, a list of data currently being uploaded, vehicle network strength, the operating status and resource usage status of each ECU installed in the vehicle, and the number of passengers and attribute information of the passengers. If, for example, IG status is set as the data type of required data, the IG status defined in the vehicle status data is referenced. The items defined by the vehicle status data may be some of the items described above, or may include items other than those described above.

[0029] The above-mentioned vehicle registration data, vehicle accumulation data and vehicle condition data may be managed by the center device 2, or may be managed separately from the center device 2, for example, by a data management server, and the center device 2 and the data management server may be connected so that data communication is possible.

[0030] When the collection target vehicle is selected by the collection target selection unit 6b, the collection data list distribution unit 6c distributes a collection data list indicating collection data to be collected from the data collection target vehicle to the data collection target vehicle.

[0031] The data collection unit 6d collects collected data obtained based on the collected data list in the vehicle device 4 mounted on the vehicle that is the data collection target, from the vehicle device 4. The data accumulation unit 6e functions as a temporary storage database for the collected data, and accumulates the collected data when the collected data is collected by the data collection unit 6d. In the present embodiment, a configuration in which the data accumulation unit 6e is disposed in the center device 2 is illustrated, but the data accumulation unit 6e may be disposed separately from the center device 2. For example, the data accumulation unit 6e may be disposed as a data accumulation server, and the center device 2 and the data accumulation server may be connected to each other so as to be able to communicate data.

[0032] 9, the collected data is attribute data acquired by the vehicle device 4, and is data defining, for example, the vehicle identification information to be collected and the items of the collected data list type and number of samples for each vehicle. The items defined by the collected data may be some of the above items, or may include items other than those described above.

[0033] The download execution unit 6f receives a download execution operation of the collected data performed by the operator on the side of the center device 2, and downloads the collected data stored in the data storage unit 6e to a predetermined recording medium based on the download execution operation. After the collected data stored in the data storage unit 6e is downloaded to the predetermined recording medium, it is deleted from the data storage unit 6e.

[0034] 10 , in the vehicle device 4, the control unit 9 includes a collected data acquisition unit 9a and a collected data transmission unit 9b for each of its functions. The collected data acquisition unit 9a acquires collected data indicated in the collected data list. When the collected data list defines data on vehicle speed, braking operation, steering operation, and position information, the collected data acquisition unit 9a acquires the data on vehicle speed, braking operation, steering operation, and position information as collected data. When the collected data acquisition unit 9b acquires the collected data, the collected data transmission unit 9b transmits the acquired collected data from the communication unit 10 to the center device 2.

[0035] Next, the operation of the above-described configuration will be described with reference to Figures 11 to 13. Here, the processing performed by the control unit 6 of the center device 2 and the processing performed by the control unit 9 of the vehicle device 4 will be described.

[0036] (1) Processing performed by the control unit 6 of the center device 2 (see FIG. 11 ). In the center device 2, when center-side processing is started, the control unit 6 accepts a setting operation for necessary data performed by an operator on the center device 2 side (A1), and sets the necessary data based on the setting operation (A2, corresponding to the necessary data setting procedure). After setting the necessary data, the control unit 6 selects vehicles from which data is to be collected that correspond to the set necessary data (A3, corresponding to the collection target selection procedure). When selecting vehicles from which data is to be collected based on specified logic, the control unit 6 refers to the vehicle registration data, vehicle accumulated data, and vehicle condition data to select vehicles from which data is to be collected. When selecting vehicles from which data is to be collected based on AI logic, the control unit 6 refers to the vehicle registration data, vehicle accumulated data, and vehicle condition data, as shown in FIG. 13 , and selects vehicles from which data is to be collected using AI with the vehicle registration data, vehicle accumulated data, and vehicle condition data as input.

[0037] The control unit 6 references the vehicle registration data, vehicle accumulated data, and vehicle condition data and selects vehicles from which data will be collected based on a specified logic, for example, as follows: The control unit 6 references the collectable data information of the vehicle registration data shown in FIG. 6 and extracts vehicles for which the data type set in the required data shown in FIG. 5 is included in the "collectable data information." If the number of extracted vehicles is less than the number of samples set in the required data, the control unit 6 notifies the user of this fact via a user interface (hereinafter referred to as UI) for setting the required data, and ends the selection of vehicles from which data will be collected (ends step A3). In this case, the control unit 6 ends the center-side processing without performing step A4.

[0038] If the number of extracted vehicles is equal to or greater than the number of samples set in the required data, the control unit 6 determines whether optional items are set in the required data. If optional items are not set, the control unit 6 refers to the vehicle status data and selects, from the extracted vehicles, vehicles equal to the number of samples set in the required data in accordance with a predetermined rule as vehicles from which data is to be collected. The control unit 6 refers to the vehicle status data and selects, as vehicles from which data is to be collected, vehicles equal to the number of samples, for example, in order of the strength of the data communication state with the center device 2, the load of the data communication state, the proximity of the vehicle's current location to a predetermined point, etc.

[0039] If an optional item is set in the required data, the control unit 6 refers to the vehicle registration data, vehicle accumulated data, and vehicle condition data, and narrows down the extracted vehicles to vehicles that meet the conditions specified in the optional item. Specific examples of narrowing down the vehicles by referring to the vehicle registration data, vehicle accumulated data, and vehicle condition data include the examples described in the notes and supplements shown in Figures 6 to 8.

[0040] If the number of vehicles narrowed down by the conditions specified in the optional items is less than the number of samples set in the required data, the control unit 6 notifies the user of this fact via the UI for setting the required data, and ends the selection of vehicles from which data is to be collected (ends step A3). In this case, the control unit 6 ends the center-side processing without performing step A4.

[0041] If the number of vehicles narrowed down by the conditions specified in the optional items is equal to or greater than the number of samples set for the required data, the control unit 6 refers to the vehicle status data from the narrowed down vehicles and selects vehicles from which data should be collected in accordance with a predetermined rule. The control unit 6 refers to the vehicle status data and selects vehicles from the number of samples as vehicles from which data should be collected, for example, in order of the strength of the data communication state with the center device 2, the load of the data communication state, the proximity of the current vehicle position to a predetermined point, etc.

[0042] The control unit 6 distributes the collected data list to the vehicle device 4 mounted on the vehicle from which data is to be collected (A4, corresponding to the collected data list distribution procedure), and waits to receive the 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 collects the collected data from the vehicle device 4 (A5, corresponding to the data collection procedure), and stores the collected collected data (A6, corresponding to the data storage procedure).

[0043] When the control unit 6 receives a download execution operation for the collected data performed by the operator on the center device 2 side (A7), it downloads the collected data to a predetermined recording medium based on the download execution operation (A8), and ends the center-side processing.

[0044] That is, when the control unit 9 sets vehicle speed, braking operation, steering operation, and position information as necessary data, it collects and stores the vehicle speed, braking operation, steering operation, and position information as collected data from vehicles that are data collection targets corresponding to the set necessary data. The center device 2 selects vehicles that are data collection targets corresponding to the necessary data in this way, and collects and stores the collected data from the vehicle devices 4 installed in the selected vehicles, thereby collecting and storing the necessary data from the vehicles on demand in the required amount. Thereafter, the stored data is used for developing vehicle applications, improving their functions, etc.

[0045] In the center device 2, the setting operation of the necessary data accepted by the control unit 6 and the operation to execute downloading may be performed by a user (e.g., an application developer) who uses the center device 2 to collect data, and the collected data may be downloaded to a storage destination designated by the user, so that the center device 2 may provide a UI for the setting operation of the necessary data and the operation to execute downloading. The range of data that can be set as necessary data in the UI for the setting operation of the necessary data may be configured to include data other than the data items that are predetermined to be stored as vehicle stored data shown in FIG. 7.

[0046] The vehicle device 4 may periodically transmit data of data items predetermined as the vehicle accumulated data shown in Fig. 7 and the vehicle status data shown in Fig. 8 to the center device 2, regardless of whether the vehicle has been selected as a data collection target vehicle. The center device 2 may receive data transmitted from the vehicle device 4, thereby storing the vehicle accumulated data one by one, and updating the vehicle status data one by one.

[0047] The center device 2 may be provided with a temporary storage database (not shown) that temporarily stores collected data that has been set as necessary data by the user in step A1 and received from the vehicle in step A5 until the user downloads the collected data. In this case, the control unit 6 may be configured to store the collected data in the temporary storage DB when collecting the collected data from the vehicle device 4 (A5), and to delete the collected data from the temporary storage DB when downloading the collected data stored in the temporary storage DB (A8). This reduces the need for the center device 2 to store large amounts of data for long periods of time.

[0048] In the center device 2, if the collected data received in step A5 from the vehicle selected as the vehicle to be data collected in step A3 includes data items that are predetermined as vehicle accumulated data or vehicle status data, the center device 2 may store the vehicle accumulated data one by one and update the vehicle status data one by one. More specifically, the center device 2 may store or update data items that are predetermined as vehicle accumulated data or vehicle status data from the collected data received from the vehicle in a DB (not shown) that stores vehicle registration data, vehicle accumulated data, and vehicle status data, separate from the temporary storage DB.

[0049] In the center device 2, if the collected data received in step A5 from the vehicle selected as the data collection target in step A3 includes specific data defined in the "specific data upload history" of the vehicle stored data, the history may be added to the "specific data upload history." The specific data referred to in the "specific data upload history" may be any data that can be uploaded from the vehicle.

[0050] When the center device 2 collects collected data from the vehicle devices 4 (A5), it updates the "list of data currently being uploaded" in the vehicle status data. Additionally, the center device 2 may update the "list of data currently being uploaded" in the vehicle status data at predetermined time intervals. In the vehicle status data shown in FIG. 8 , the "list of data currently being uploaded" in the "list of data currently being uploaded" illustrates "data uploaded within the last hour" by the vehicle 3, but it may also be "data uploaded during the current trip." The currently uploaded data can also be considered as data uploaded between the most recent specified event (e.g., one hour ago, the most recent ignition-on, etc.) and the present. The upload history of specific data in the vehicle accumulated data includes data from before the currently uploaded data in the list of data currently being uploaded in the vehicle status data.

[0051] (2) Processing performed by the control unit 9 of the vehicle device 4 (see FIG. 12 ) In the vehicle device 4, the control unit 9 starts vehicle-side processing. When the collected data list distributed from the center device 2 is received by the communication unit 10, the control unit 9 acquires the collected data list from the center device 2 (B1) and acquires the collected data indicated in the acquired collected data list (B2). Upon acquiring the collected data, the control unit 9 causes the communication unit 10 to transmit the acquired collected data to the center device 2 (B3), and ends the vehicle-side processing. That is, if data on vehicle speed, braking operation, steering operation, and position information is defined in the collected data list, the control unit 9 acquires the data on vehicle speed, braking operation, steering operation, and position information as collected data and transmits them to the center device 2.

[0052] As described above, according to the embodiment, the following advantageous effects can be obtained. The center device 2 sets necessary data, selects vehicles from which data should be collected that correspond to the necessary data, distributes a collected data list indicating the collected data to be collected from the vehicles from which data should be collected to the vehicles from which data should be collected, and collects and stores the collected data acquired based on the collected data list in the vehicle device 4 installed in the vehicles from which data should be collected. Only the necessary amount of necessary data can be appropriately collected and stored from the vehicle side on demand. Furthermore, by collecting and storing only the necessary amount of necessary data on demand, unnecessary data can be deleted as needed, eliminating the need to store large amounts of data and suppressing increases in management costs.

[0053] Vehicles from which data is collected are selected based on a specified logic. By specifying the specified logic in advance, vehicles from which data is collected can be selected, for example, in order of the strength of the data communication state with the center device 2, the load of the data communication state, or the proximity of the current vehicle location to a predetermined point.

[0054] Vehicles to be collected from are selected based on AI logic. There is no need to predefine the specified logic, and vehicles to be collected from can be selected by referring to vehicle registration data, vehicle accumulated data, and vehicle condition data.

[0055] Although the above example illustrates a configuration in which the electronic device is applied to a vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, the present invention can be applied to various electronic devices. That is, by adopting a smartphone, tablet terminal, or the like as the electronic device, it is possible to appropriately collect and store the required amount of data from the smartphone, tablet terminal, or the like on demand, and this can be used for developing apps for smartphones, tablet terminals, etc., and improving their functions.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] The present disclosure includes the following disclosure in addition to what is set forth in the claims: [1] A data communication system (1) in which a center device (2) and electronic devices (4) can communicate data with each other, the center device including: a necessary data setting unit (6a) that sets necessary data, a collection target selection unit (6b) that selects the electronic devices of data collection targets corresponding to the necessary data, a collection data list distribution unit (6c) that distributes a collection data list indicating collection data to be collected from the electronic devices of the data collection targets to the electronic devices of the data collection targets, a data collection unit (6d) that collects collection data from the electronic devices of the data collection targets, the collection data being acquired by the electronic devices of the data collection targets based on the collection data list, and a data storage unit (6e) that stores the collected data.

[0059] [2] The data communication system according to [1], wherein the collection target selection unit selects the electronic devices from which the data is to be collected based on a specified logic.

[0060] [3] The data communication system according to [1], wherein the collection target selection unit selects the electronic devices from which the data is to be collected based on AI logic.

[0061] [4] The data communication system according to [3], wherein the electronic device from which data is collected is a vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, and the collection target selection unit selects the vehicle from which data is collected based on vehicle registration data.

[0062] [5] The electronic device from which data is collected is a vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, and the collection target selection unit selects the vehicle from which data is collected based on vehicle-stored data. The data communication system according to [3] or [4].

[0063] [6] The data communication system according to any one of [3] to [5], wherein the electronic device from which data is collected is a vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, and the collection target selection unit selects the vehicle from which data is collected based on vehicle state data.

Claims

1. A data communication system (1) in which a center device (2) and electronic devices (4) can communicate data, the center device comprising: a necessary data setting unit (6a) that sets necessary data; a collection target selection unit (6b) that selects the electronic devices that are data collection targets corresponding to the necessary data; a collection data list distribution unit (6c) that distributes a collection data list indicating collection data to be collected from the electronic devices that are data collection targets to the electronic devices that are data collection targets; a data collection unit (6d) that collects collection data from the electronic devices that are data collection targets, the collection data being acquired by the electronic devices that are data collection targets based on the collection data list; and a data storage unit (6e) that stores the collected data.

2. A data communication system according to claim 1, wherein the collection target selection unit selects the electronic devices from which data is to be collected based on a specified logic.

3. A data communication system as described in claim 1, wherein the collection target selection unit selects the electronic devices from which data is to be collected based on AI logic.

4. A data communication system as described in claim 3, wherein the electronic devices from which data is collected are vehicle devices mounted on vehicles, and the collection target selection unit selects the vehicles from which data is collected based on vehicle registration data.

5. A data communication system as described in claim 3, wherein the electronic device from which data is collected is a vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, and the collection target selection unit selects the vehicle from which data is collected based on vehicle accumulated data.

6. A data communication system as described in claim 3, wherein the electronic device from which data is collected is a vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, and the collection target selection unit selects the vehicle from which data is collected based on vehicle condition data.

7. A center device (2) capable of data communication with an electronic device (4), comprising: a necessary data setting unit (6a) for setting necessary data; a collection target selection unit (6b) for selecting the electronic device from which data is to be collected that corresponds to the necessary data; a collection data list distribution unit (6c) for distributing a collection data list indicating collection data to be collected from the electronic device from which data is to be collected; a data collection unit (6d) for collecting from the electronic device from which data is to be collected the collection data acquired by the electronic device from which data is to be collected based on the collection data list; and a data storage unit (6e) for storing the collection data.

8. A data collection method in a center device (2) capable of data communication with an electronic device (4), which executes: a required data setting procedure for setting required data; a collection target selection procedure for selecting the electronic device as a data collection target corresponding to the required data; a collection data list distribution procedure for distributing a collection data list indicating collection data to be collected from the electronic device of the data collection target to the electronic device of the data collection target; a data collection procedure for collecting from the electronic device of the data collection target collection data obtained by the electronic device of the data collection target based on the collection data list; and a data accumulation procedure for accumulating the collected data.

9. A data collection program that causes a control unit (6) of a center device (2) capable of data communication with an electronic device (4) to execute a necessary data setting procedure for setting necessary data, a collection target selection procedure for selecting the electronic device as a data collection target corresponding to the necessary data, a collection data list distribution procedure for distributing a collection data list indicating collection data to be collected from the electronic device of the data collection target to the electronic device of the data collection target, a data collection procedure for collecting from the electronic device of the data collection target collection data obtained by the electronic device of the data collection target based on the collection data list, and a data accumulation procedure for accumulating the collected data.

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