JP2012190152A - In-vehicle information notification device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an in-vehicle information notification device for more effectively informing a driver of necessary information.SOLUTION: An HMI management device is configured to, when receiving output information from an ECU which is executing an application consisting of functional units (S120), rearrange output information stored in a buffer so that the output information can be arranged at the leading side in the order of the output information including function ID whose significance is high on the basis of function significance information acquired by associating function ID for identifying the functions of the application with preliminarily set significance (S140), and to transmit a control command for making a notification device successively notify a driver of information content based on the output information read from the leading of the buffer to the ECU equipped with a notification device corresponding to the output information (S180). Thus, even when the respective applications are executed in parallel by a plurality of ECU, it is possible to notify the driver of the information content one by one in the order of the information generated by the significant application.

Description

  The present invention relates to an in-vehicle information notification device that is mounted on a vehicle and notifies a driver of various types of information.

  Conventionally, as this type of in-vehicle information notification device, in order to effectively convey various information to the driver, an image display of information content or the like that gives a stimulus below the boundary region between the driver's consciousness and subconsciousness There has been known an apparatus that performs a notification control process for explicitly notifying information contents only once after repeated sound output (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In this device, the information control displays the information content and outputs the sound in a subliminal manner instead of explicitly, thereby reducing the burden on the information content for the driver while reducing the burden of information overload. It is expected to raise the recognition level.

JP 2006-214750 A

  By the way, in recent years, with the advancement of vehicle technology, a number of functions for improving driving safety and comfort are provided in the vehicle, and the number of electronic control devices mounted on the vehicle is also increasing. In general, each of these electronic control devices executes notification control processing based on a program for realizing individually assigned functions.

  However, in a vehicle control system including a plurality of electronic control units, a plurality of programs for realizing each function are executed in parallel by the plurality of electronic control units simply by executing the conventional notification control process. Therefore, a lot of information generated by each program is notified to the driver at the same time, and as a result, there is a possibility that necessary information cannot be effectively transmitted to the driver.

  In a vehicle control system, if a plurality of electronic control devices are connected to a conventional in-vehicle information notification device and information output from each electronic control device is simply notified in the order of reception, the notification timing of important information is delayed. As a result, there is a problem that it may not be possible to effectively convey necessary information to the driver.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an in-vehicle information notification device capable of more effectively transmitting necessary information to a driver.

  The in-vehicle information notification device according to claim 1, which is an invention made to achieve the above object, is connected to each electronic control device that is mounted on a vehicle and that executes a plurality of function programs configured in functional units. It is a device, and the information receiving means receives the output information including the function ID that can be identified from the information output from the electronic control devices when the function program is executed.

  Furthermore, at least function importance information that associates a function ID with a preset importance degree is provided for notifying a vehicle driver of information content based on output information received by the information receiving means. Stored storage means.

  In such a configuration, in the in-vehicle information notification device of the present invention, among the output information received by the information reception means, when there are a plurality of unreported output information by the notification means, the functions included in the output information Based on the ID and the function importance level information stored in the storage means, the control means performs a notification control process for controlling the notification means so as to notify the information contents in order from the output information including the function ID having the higher importance level. Configured to do.

  Therefore, according to the in-vehicle information notification device of the present invention, even when each function program is executed in parallel by a plurality of electronic control devices, the information content is notified in order from the information generated by the important function program. As a result, the driver can be surely made to know important information one by one, and thus the necessary information can be conveyed more effectively to the driver.

  In the function importance level information, different importance levels may be set for each function ID. However, as described in claim 2, the importance level is set for each function ID group including a plurality of different function IDs. May be. In this case, in the case where there are a plurality of pieces of output information including function IDs having the same importance level, the notification control process performs the information contents in the order of the output information received by the information receiving unit. What is necessary is just to control an alerting | reporting means to alert | report.

  According to the in-vehicle information notification apparatus configured as described above, even when the number of function programs is large, it is not necessary to assign a unique importance to each of them, and all the function programs generate information at the same time. Considering that the probability is extremely low, it becomes possible to achieve a predetermined object while reducing the burden of setting the importance (and consequently the burden of developing the device), and the cost effectiveness can be enhanced.

  Alternatively, as described in claim 3, in addition to the function importance level information, device priority information indicating a priority set in advance for each electronic control device is stored in the storage means. In the notification control process, even when there are a plurality of output information including function IDs having the same importance, the information source by the notification means is the output information that has not been notified. If they are different, the notification means may be controlled so as to notify the information contents in the order of the output information having the highest priority according to the device priority information stored in the storage means.

  According to the in-vehicle information notification apparatus configured as described above, the priority is set for each electronic control device as an index added to the importance without changing the importance set in advance for each function ID group. By simply assigning, it becomes possible to rank more detailed output information, so that the specifications of the apparatus can be improved by simple settings.

  In addition, as described in claim 4, the notification control process is a high importance level that is output information including a function ID having a higher importance level than the current output information whose output information is the output information being notified. When the information is received by the information receiving means, the information content based on the high importance information may be notified instead of the current output information.

  According to the in-vehicle information notification device configured in this way, it is possible to reliably prevent the notification timing of important information from being delayed, and moreover, it is not necessary to notify the driver of a plurality of information at the same time. It is possible to improve the certainty that the driver can obtain necessary information.

  By the way, considering that information that does not make sense when the notification timing is delayed is mixed, as described in claim 5, it corresponds to the time from the reception by the information reception means to the notification start time by the notification means. The deadline information indicating the valid period is included in the output information. The notification control process may discard the output information whose valid period has elapsed from the time of reception by the information receiving unit based on the time limit information.

  According to the vehicle information reporting device configured in this way, it is possible to prevent reporting unnecessary information that has missed the notification timing, and if it is important information, it will be notified at an appropriate timing. By balancing the notification timing and the importance, necessary information can be transmitted to the driver more effectively.

  Furthermore, as described in claim 6, the output information includes setting information indicating a notification period corresponding to a time from the notification start time by the notification means to the notification end time. The notification control process counts the remaining time until the end of notification based on the setting information for the current output information whose information content by the notification means is being reported, and more important than the current output information. Even when high-importance information, which is output information including a high function ID, is received by the information means, the valid period represented by the deadline information included in the high-importance information corresponds to the current output information If it is longer than the remaining time, the information content based on the high importance information may be notified after the information content notification based on the current output information is completed.

  That is, in the in-vehicle information notification device configured as described above, when relatively low importance information (current output information) is being notified, and relatively high importance information (high importance information) exists. The information content based on the high importance information is notified after the current output information as long as it is within the allowable range of the notification timing of the high importance information, instead of replacing the information to be notified rigidly.

  Therefore, according to this configuration, it is possible to suppress a situation in which the information being notified is cut off in the middle, and it is possible to notify the driver of important information content at a notification timing within an allowable range. Thus, necessary information can be effectively transmitted without making the driver feel as uncomfortable as possible.

  In addition, as described in claim 7, when the effective period represented by the deadline information included in the high importance information is shorter than the remaining time corresponding to the current output information, the notification control process Stop notification of the information content based on the output information, store the portion corresponding to the remaining time in the information content based on the current output information in the storage means, and store the information content after notification of the information content based on the high importance information You may make it alert | report the memory content by a means.

  According to the in-vehicle information notification device configured as described above, when the information to be notified is replaced, the same information content is notified to the driver in order to record the information notified so far so that it can be reproduced from the next stop. The necessary information can be efficiently communicated to the driver.

  In addition, as described in claim 8, the notification control process may notify that the notification of the information content based on the current output information is stopped before the notification of the information content based on the high importance information. . In this case, even if there is a situation in which the information being reported is cut off halfway, the information that will be notified next without causing the driver to have an uneasy feeling by grasping the intention. Can pay attention to.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle control system to which the present invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the software structure of ECU of the vehicle of this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a HMI management apparatus in detail. It is the schematic for demonstrating function importance information and apparatus priority information. It is a flowchart which shows the alerting | reporting control process which CPU of an HMI management apparatus performs.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
[overall structure]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle control system 1 to which the present invention is applied.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle control system 1 includes an HMI (Human Machine Interface) management device 3 that is installed inside a vehicle and manages information notified to the driver of the vehicle. The HMI management device 3 also has an engine electronic control device (hereinafter referred to as “engine ECU”) 30, a brake electronic control device (hereinafter referred to as “brake ECU”) 32, and travel control electronic control via a LAN communication bus (network). Device (hereinafter referred to as “travel control ECU”) 34, meter electronic control device (hereinafter referred to as “meter ECU”) 36, failure diagnosis electronic control device (hereinafter referred to as “failure diagnosis ECU”) 38, navigation electronic control device (hereinafter referred to as “ Navi ECU ”) 40, audio visual electronic control device (hereinafter“ AVECU ”) 42, and external communication electronic control device (hereinafter“ external communication ECU ”) 44.

  Each ECU is mainly configured by a known microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as “microcomputer”), and includes at least a bus controller for performing communication via a LAN communication bus. Further, the microcomputer of each ECU has a software configuration such as application A, application B, control unit,... As shown in FIG.

  Here, the application A and the application B represent two types of function programs (in other words, application programs) assigned to the ECU for vehicle control. The control unit represents a control program for filtering signals exchanged between the applications A and B with other devices on the network and switching execution / stop of the applications A and B.

  And if the said ECU produces | generates the output information for alerting | reporting to a driver | operator at the time of execution of application A and B, function ID, time limit information, and setting which can identify the function corresponding to application A and B to these output information Information is added and transmitted to the HMI management apparatus 3. Actually, there are not only two types of application programs (applications) called apps A and B, but also a plurality of three or more types of apps, and these apps are created in advance divided into functional units in vehicle control, It is mounted on the ECU.

  By the way, of the information added to the output information together with the function ID, the deadline information is the maximum effective time required from when the output information is transmitted by these applications (and thus when received by the HMI management device 3) to the driver. It is information representing a period, and the setting information is information representing a notification period necessary from the start of notification to the driver to the end of notification.

[Configuration of each device]
When the HMI management device 3 receives various output information from each ECU via the network, the HMI management device 3 determines in what order the output information is notified to the driver, and the command information in which the determination items are reflected Is transmitted to a predetermined ECU. Note that the command information is written at least to the effect that the driver is notified of the output information, and the ECU that receives the command information notifies the information content based on the output information at the received timing. It is like that.

  The brake ECU 32 transmits the brake pedal state determined based on the information from the M / C sensor (not shown) to the travel control ECU 34 and the like in addition to the detection information (steering angle and yaw rate) from the steering sensor and yaw rate sensor (not shown). Then, the target acceleration, the brake request, etc. are received from the travel control ECU 34, and the brake actuator for opening and closing the pressure increase control valve / pressure reduction control valve provided in the brake hydraulic circuit is driven according to the received information and the determined brake state. Thus, the brake force is configured to be controlled. Further, when it is detected that the parking brake (PKB) or the side brake is in an on state when the vehicle starts, PKB warning information for notifying the driver of the state is transmitted to the HMI management device 3 and the like.

  The engine ECU 30 transmits detection information (vehicle speed, engine control state, accelerator operation state) from a vehicle speed sensor, a throttle opening sensor, and an accelerator pedal opening sensor (not shown) to the travel control ECU 34 and the like. By receiving an acceleration, a fuel cut request, etc., and outputting a drive command to a throttle actuator or the like that adjusts the throttle opening of the internal combustion engine according to the operating state specified from the received information, the internal combustion engine The driving force is configured to be controlled.

  The travel control ECU 34 receives an object such as a vehicle or a roadside object, a traveling road shape, etc. from a radar device (not shown), an outside camera, etc., a vehicle speed and an engine control state from the engine ECU 30, a steering angle, a yaw rate, a brake control state, etc. from the brake ECU 32. To do. In addition, a control command for adjusting an inter-vehicle distance to a preceding vehicle to an appropriate distance according to a set value by a cruise control switch, a lane keeping assist (LKA) switch, etc. (not shown) As a control command, a target acceleration, a fuel cut request, and the like are transmitted to the engine ECU 30, and a target acceleration, a brake request, and the like are transmitted to the brake ECU 32. Further, for example, LKA setting information indicating that LKA has been set by the above switches, or LKA warning information indicating that the vehicle is likely to depart from the driving lane is displayed as the HMI management device 3 or the like. Send to.

  The meter ECU 36 is connected to a combination meter 361 in which a speedometer, a tachometer, a turning light, various warning light indicators, and the like are combined. Based on information received from each ECU, the current vehicle speed, engine speed, travel distance, travel A warning lamp indicating the open state of the door and the power window is displayed on the combination meter 361 based on information received from a door ECU (not shown). Note that the combination meter 361 is provided with an HMI area for displaying information received from the HMI management apparatus 3.

  The failure diagnosis ECU 38 receives detection information on the remaining amount of the fuel tank, the tire air pressure, and the remaining amount of the battery from a fuel sensor, an air pressure sensor, a battery sensor, etc. (not shown), and if the remaining amount of the fuel tank falls below a predetermined amount, Fuel warning information indicating that the fuel level is zero, fuel shortage information indicating that the fuel tank is zero, air pressure alarm information indicating that the tire pressure is below the specified pressure, and battery level is zero When it becomes (overheat), the battery exhaustion information indicating that is transmitted to the HMI management device 3. Further, based on various information received from other ECUs on the network, the failure of the device to be controlled or the ECU itself is diagnosed, and when it is determined that there is a failure, the failure information indicating the failure location is displayed as the HMI management device 3. Send to. Furthermore, if an inappropriate operation of the driver, such as starting the engine during refueling, is detected, inappropriate operation information indicating that is transmitted to the HMI management device 3.

  The navigation ECU 40 includes a map data input device for inputting map data (not shown), a position detector for outputting various detection signals for calculating the position, orientation, moving distance, etc. of the vehicle, as well as various types of users. A mechanical switch (hereinafter, “mechanical SW”) 401 that accepts operations, a touch panel device 402 that accepts various user operations and displays various information, an audio output device 403 for outputting various sounds, and the like are connected. Yes.

  Then, the navigation ECU 40 calculates the current position of the target vehicle as a set of coordinates and traveling directions based on the detection signal from the position detector, and represents the current location that represents the map image near the current position read via the map data input device. Before executing the process of outputting information, route guidance information indicating the route calculation result for obtaining the optimum route from the current location to the destination, peripheral information indicating the current location or information around the destination, etc. A permission request is transmitted to the HMI management device 3. Next, when command information is received from the HMI management device 3, information corresponding to the command information (current location information, route guidance information, peripheral information) is output via the touch panel device 402 and the audio output device 403. Has been. Further, when a user operation that does not correspond to the process being executed is input via the mechanical SW 401, unknown operation information indicating that an unknown operation has been detected is transmitted to the HMI management apparatus 3.

  The AV ECU 42 is also used as a TV or AM / FM radio tuner (not shown), a player that plays media such as a CD / DVD, a mechanical switch (hereinafter referred to as “mechanical SW”) 421 that accepts various user operations, and the navigation ECU 40. The touch panel device 402, the audio output device 403, and the like are connected to each other, and before performing processing to output an image, audio, or the like input from the tuner / player, a permission request for notification of the information is transmitted to the HMI management device 3. . When the command information is received from the HMI management device 3, information (television, radio, video, music, etc.) corresponding to the command information is output via the touch panel device 402 and the audio output device 403. Yes. In addition, when a user operation that does not correspond to the process being executed is input via the mechanical SW 421, unknown operation information indicating that an unknown operation has been detected is transmitted to the HMI management apparatus 3.

  The outside-vehicle communication ECU 44 inserts an information receiver or an ETC card (IC card) that receives road traffic information such as traffic jams and traffic regulations, natural disaster information such as weather and disasters in various places, and sales information such as supermarkets and department stores. An ETC interface, an ETC communication device for communicating with a roadside device installed at a toll gate, a mobile interface connected to a mobile phone, and a mechanical switch (hereinafter referred to as a “mechanical SW” that accepts various user operations) ] 441, a touch panel device 402 that also serves as the navigation ECU 40, an audio output device 403, and the like are connected.

  And before performing the process which outputs the image, the audio | voice etc. which were input from the information receiver, the ETC communication apparatus, and the said interface, the vehicle exterior communication ECU44 transmits the permission request | requirement with respect to the notification of the information to the HMI management apparatus 3, and HMI When command information is received from the management device 3, information corresponding to the command information (road traffic information, natural disaster information, sale information, ETC card non-insertion information, telephone / email notification information, telephone call information, etc.) is displayed on the touch panel. It is configured to output via the device 402 and the audio output device 403. In addition, when a user operation that does not correspond to the process being executed is input via the mechanical SW 441, unknown operation information indicating that an unknown operation has been detected is transmitted to the HMI management apparatus 3.

  That is, in principle, the ECUs 36, 40, 42, 44 having notification devices such as the touch panel device 402, the voice output device 403, and the combination meter 361 notify the driver when executing the application program configured in units of functions. Is generated (hereinafter referred to as “broadcast information”), request information for requesting the output permission is transmitted to the HMI management apparatus 3. On the other hand, the ECUs 30, 32, 34, and 38 that do not have the notification device transmit the notification information itself to the HMI management device 3.

  The command information transmitted from the HMI management device 3 to the ECUs 36, 40, 42, 44 includes a control command (permission command) that permits the output of the notification information, the notification information itself, or message information other than the notification information (described later). The ECU 36, 40, 42, 44 outputs information (notification information, message information) based on the command information received from the HMI management device 3 via the notification device. .

  The command information includes a control command (stop command) for stopping the notification information being output via the notification device, a control command (storage command) for storing the notification information being stopped, and a notification device. Control information (reproduction command) for outputting (reproducing) the stored content through the ECU 36, 40, 42, 44 may control the output of the notification device according to the command information received from the HMI management device 3. To do.

[Configuration of HMI management device]
Here, a detailed configuration of the HMI management apparatus 3 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, the HMI management device 3 includes a storage device 11 (ROM, RAM, flash memory, etc.) for storing various control programs and data, a CPU 13 for executing a program stored in the storage device 11, A microcomputer 20 having an IO port 15 for inputting / outputting various signals, a timer 17 for timing, and the like, and a bus controller 19 connected to the IO port 15 are provided.

  Of these, when receiving various types of notification information or request information (that is, output information) from the ECU on the network, the bus controller 19 inputs the received information to the microcomputer 20 via the IO port 15. When various command information is input from 20 through the IO port 15, the command information is transmitted to the ECU designated by the microcomputer 20.

  The storage device 11 temporarily stores various types of information input from the bus controller 19 in addition to a program data area storing at least a program for executing a notification control process described later and control data necessary for the program. It has a buffer.

  In the program data area, as the control data, the output information received from the ECU on the network has the importance set in advance for the above-described function ID (ID that can identify the function corresponding to each application). The function importance information associated with each other and the device priority information associated with the priority set in advance in the ECU that is the transmission source of various information are stored.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the function importance level information, importance is set for each function ID group 21 composed of a plurality of different function IDs, and safety is ensured for an application (function) executed by the ECU on the network. For this reason, the aggregate of functions that output the type of information that prompts the vehicle to stop (stop notification function group) has the highest importance. Hereinafter, the operation notification function group, the state notification function group, the surrounding notification function group, and the environment notification The importance is set to be lower in the order of the function group and the related notification function group.

  The related notification function group is a collection of functions that output types of information that are less relevant to vehicle travel. The output information includes, for example, PKB warning information from the brake ECU 32, ETC card non-insertion information from the outside communication ECU 44, sale information, telephone information as information output by an application started by a person such as a driver. And information about mail (notification information, call information), peripheral information from the navigation ECU 40, various information from the AV ECU 42 (television, radio, video, music, etc.).

  The environmental notification function group is a collection of functions that output information indicating the external environment necessary for the driver's travel plan. For example, the output information is output by an application that starts due to the vehicle or the outside. The information to be included includes natural disaster information, road traffic information, and the like from the vehicle outside communication ECU 44.

  The peripheral notification function group is a collection of functions that output information around the vehicle necessary for preventing the occurrence of a problem. For example, the output information includes an application started by a person such as a driver. The output information includes route guidance information from the navigation ECU 40, current location information, and the like.

  The state notification function group is a set of functions that output information of a type that promotes recovery of the vehicle state to maintain traveling, and this output information includes, for example, an application started due to the vehicle, the outside, or the like. The output information includes air pressure alarm information, fuel warning information, failure information, and the like from the failure diagnosis ECU 38.

  The operation notification function group is a collection of functions that output information of a type that prompts operation learning of the in-vehicle device in order to correct an inappropriate operation, and this output information is caused by a person such as a driver, for example. The information output by the application starting in this way includes improper operation information from the failure diagnosis ECU 38, unknown operation information from the navigation ECU 40, the AV ECU 42, and the vehicle outside communication ECU 44.

  In addition, in the output information by the application belonging to the stop notification function group, for example, as information output by the application started due to the vehicle, the outside, or the like, the fuel exhaustion information or the battery exhaustion information (other, Tire puncture information, out-of-lamp information, etc.), emergency information from the external communication ECU 44 (information sent from an external center when a failure is detected, etc.), and the like.

  As described above, in the function importance level information, the importance level is set for each function ID group 21 including a plurality of mutually different function IDs, and information output by each application in the same function ID group 21 is important. It is set in advance so that the degree of superiority or inferiority cannot be obtained.

  On the other hand, in the device priority information, the priority is set for each ECU or for each ECU group composed of a plurality of ECUs. Even if the information is output by each application in the same function ID group 21, the output information When the ECU that is the transmission source is different, the priority is given priority according to the priority. In the present embodiment, the priority of the functions corresponding to the engine ECU 30, the brake ECU 32, and the failure diagnosis ECU 38 is the highest, and the order of importance is set to decrease in the order of the navigation ECU 40, the AV ECU 42, and the vehicle exterior communication ECU 44. ing.

  Incidentally, since the importance and priority are not categorized as described above in the detection information (vehicle speed, fuel consumption information) by the meter ECU 36 and the LKA setting information from the travel control ECU 34, the combination meter 361 or the like is always present. It is output.

[Notification control processing]
Here, the notification control process executed by the CPU 13 will be described in detail along the flowchart shown in FIG. Note that this processing starts when, for example, an ignition switch (IG switch) of the vehicle is turned on, and is repeatedly executed until the IG switch is turned off.

  First, when this process is started, in S110, it is determined whether or not output information received from the ECU is stored in the buffer of the storage device 11, and if it is stored, the process proceeds to S130 and stored. If not, the process proceeds to S120.

  In S120, it is determined whether or not the output information from the ECU is newly received via the bus controller 19 (and the IO port 15). When the output information is newly received, the timer 17 for timing is activated. Thus, the elapsed time from the reception of the output information is measured (S121), and the elapsed time and the output information are associated with each other and stored in the buffer of the storage device 11, and the process proceeds to S130. When there is no new reception in S121, the process returns to S110.

  In S130, it is determined whether or not a plurality of pieces of output information are stored in the buffer of the storage device 11. If a plurality of pieces of output information are stored, the process proceeds to S140. If only one is stored, the process proceeds to S180. Then, the command information for notifying the driver of the information content based on the output information is transmitted to the corresponding ECU. Then, by setting a notification flag to identify that the information content of the output information is being notified, or by measuring the elapsed time from the transmission time of the output information, it is added to the elapsed time and output information. The remaining time indicating the difference from the notification period indicated by the set information being set (that is, the remaining time until the notification of the information content of the output information is completed) is measured.

  In S140, based on the function importance information stored in the program data area of the storage device 11, the output information stored in the buffer of the storage device 11 is rearranged in descending order of importance. Specifically, for each function ID included in each output information, any one of a stop notification function group, an operation notification function group, a state notification function group, a surrounding notification function group, an environment notification function group, and a related notification function group By comparing these function ID groups 21 and determining the superiority or inferiority of all output information, the output information with higher importance is stored at the head side of the buffer. Sort as follows.

  In subsequent S150, when rearranging in S140, it is determined whether or not output information having the same function ID group 21 (that is, importance is the same) exists. If not, the process proceeds to S160. If there is a group consisting of a plurality of pieces of output information having the same importance, the output information is arranged in descending order based on the device priority information stored in the program data area of the storage device 11. Change (S151). Specifically, when the importance is the same, the transmission source (ECU) of each output information is specified, and the priority is determined by comparing these ECUs to determine whether the priority is superior or inferior. In this group, rearrangement is performed so that output information with higher priority is stored at the head of the buffer. If the priority is not superior or inferior (S152; YES), the output information is rearranged in the order received in S120 in the group having the same priority. (S153).

  In subsequent S160, for each output information stored in the buffer, the elapsed time is valid based on the valid period indicated by the deadline information added to the individual output information and the elapsed time measured in S121. It is determined whether or not there is output information that exceeds the period. If it exists (S160; YES), the output information is deleted (discarded) from the buffer (S161), and the process proceeds to S170. On the other hand, when such output information does not exist, S161 is omitted and the process proceeds to S170.

  In subsequent S170, based on the setting of the notification flag, it is determined whether or not there is output information being notified to the driver (hereinafter, “current output information”). If there is no current output information, S180 is determined. When the current output information exists, the function ID of the current output information is compared with the function ID of the output information stored at the head of the buffer, and the importance of the latter output information is determined. It is determined whether or not it is high (S171). If the determination is affirmative in S171, the validity period indicated by the time limit information added to the output information including the function ID having a high importance (hereinafter referred to as “high importance information”) and the current output information Is compared with the remaining time until the notification end in step S172, and it is determined whether the valid period of the high importance information is longer than the remaining time of the current output information (S172).

  Here, when the remaining time of the current output information is longer than the valid period of the high importance information (S172; NO), a stop command for temporarily stopping the current output information (notification information), Command information including a stop command for storing the notification information is transmitted to the corresponding ECU (S173). In addition, ECU which received this command information will memorize | store the part (non-output part) equivalent to remaining time among the alerting | reporting information currently output via a alerting | reporting apparatus in an own memory | storage device (memory).

  Then, message information indicating that notification of the current output information is to be stopped is transmitted to the corresponding ECU (S174). Thereby, ECU which received this message information outputs the information content based on message information via an alerting | reporting apparatus. Further, command information including a reproduction command for reproducing the non-output portion stored in the memory after the validity period of the high importance information has elapsed is transmitted to the corresponding ECU (S175), and the process proceeds to S180. The ECU that has received the command information may output information content indicating that the notification information that has been paused will be reproduced. For music or the like, the ECU reaches the specified volume while gradually increasing the volume. The broadcast information may be reproduced using a fade-in technique.

  In S180, command information for outputting notification contents (that is, notification information) based on output information (notification information or request information) stored at the head of the buffer of the storage device 11 is sent to the IO port 15 (and the bus controller). 19) to the corresponding ECU. Note that the corresponding ECU is set in advance according to the output information, and in this embodiment, refers to at least one of the meter ECU 36, the navigation ECU 40, the AV ECU 42, and the outside-vehicle communication ECU 44. That is, the ECU that has received the command information outputs the notification information via at least one of the combination meter 361, the touch panel device 402, and the audio output device 403. Then, a notification flag is set in the output information stored at the head of the buffer of the storage device 11 (S181), and the elapsed time from the transmission of the output information is measured, whereby the elapsed time and the output information are displayed. The remaining time representing the difference from the notification period indicated by the added setting information is measured (S182). Further, when the remaining time measured in S182 becomes zero, the output information stored at the head of the buffer of the storage device 11 is deleted (S183), and the process returns to S110.

[Operation example]
In the vehicle control system 1 configured as described above, information that does not need to be output constantly is generated by each application as notification information for essential information that requires constant output, such as vehicle speed, fuel consumption information, and LKA setting information. Without simultaneously outputting individual notification information, the driver is notified one by one according to the importance (and priority) of each application.

  For example, when the ETC card non-insertion information is generated by the application A of the outside-vehicle communication ECU 44 and the fuel warning information is generated by the application B of the failure diagnosis ECU 38, the fuel warning information having high importance is displayed in the HMI area of the combination meter 361. The information content is displayed in a large size, and the information content is output as audio via the audio output device 403, and thereafter, the ETC card non-insertion information with low importance is similarly notified.

  Further, when the disaster music information is generated by the application B of the external communication ECU 44 while the CD music is played by the application A of the AV ECU 42, the CD music is paused and the message information is notified. High importance natural disaster information is displayed on the touch panel device 402, and after the display is finished, the music on the CD is played back while fading in.

  Furthermore, when the road traffic information is generated by the application B of the outside-vehicle communication ECU while the peripheral information such as the destination is being notified by the application A of the navigation ECU 40, the expiration date of the road traffic information is notified of the peripheral information. If it is longer than the remaining time until the end time, the information content based on the road traffic information is notified after the peripheral information is notified to the end first.

[effect]
As described above, in the vehicle control system 1 of the present embodiment, when there are a plurality of pieces of notification information, the HMI management device is based on the function importance level information in which the importance level is set in advance for each function ID group 21. Since the content of the notification information is transmitted to the driver in descending order of importance, the driver can be surely learned from the important information one by one, and thus necessary information can be effectively transmitted.

  In the vehicle control system 1, when there are a plurality of pieces of notification information having the same importance, the HMI management device notifies the devices in descending order of priority based on device priority information in which priorities are set in advance for each ECU. Since the content of the information is transmitted to the driver, the driver can be informed from information that should be prioritized from the viewpoint of the control target in the group having the same importance.

  Further, in the vehicle control system 1, when there is notification information having higher importance than information being notified, the remaining time until the information being notified ends by the HMI management device, and notification information having higher importance. Since the balance between the expiration date and the balance is determined, and which is prioritized is determined, important information can be reliably transmitted to the driver without interrupting the information being informed unnecessarily.

[Correspondence between this embodiment and claims]
In the present embodiment, the bus controller 19 (and the IO port 15) is the information receiving means, the combination meter 361, the touch panel device 402, and the voice output device 403 are the notification means, the storage device 11 is the storage means, and the CPU 13 is the control means. It corresponds to.

[Other Embodiments]
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, In the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention, it is possible to implement in various aspects.

  For example, in the vehicle control system 1 of the above embodiment, the notification device such as the combination meter 361, the touch panel device 402, and the audio output device 403 is not directly connected to the HMI management device 3, but the present invention is not limited to this. A notification device may be directly connected to the management device 3.

  Further, in the vehicle control system 1 of the above embodiment, the request information is transmitted from the navigation ECU 40, the AV ECU 42, and the external communication ECU to the HMI management device 3, but the present invention is not limited to this. The broadcast information itself may be configured to be transmitted.

  Further, in the notification control process of the above embodiment, when there is output information (high importance information) including a function ID having higher importance than the current output information, the remaining time of the current output information and the high importance information Although the process (determination determination process) which determines whether the information content currently alert | reported is replaced by comparing with an expiration date is performed, it is not limited to this. For example, the replacement determination process may be performed when the importance corresponding to the high importance information is higher by a predetermined level or more than the importance corresponding to the current output information.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle control system, 3 ... HMI management apparatus, 11 ... Memory | storage device, 13 ... CPU, 15 ... IO port, 17 ... Timer for timekeeping, 19 ... Bus controller, 20 ... Microcomputer, 21 ... Function ID group, 361 ... Combination Meter, 402 ... Touch panel device, 403 ... Audio output device, 30 ... Engine ECU, 32 ... Brake ECU, 34 ... Travel control ECU, 36 ... Meter ECU, 38 ... Failure diagnosis ECU, 40 ... Navigation ECU, 42 ... AVECU, 44 ... External communication ECU.

Claims (8)

An in-vehicle information notification device mounted on a vehicle,
A function ID, which is information that is output when the function program is executed and can be identified from each electronic control device that is connected to the in-vehicle information notification device and executes a plurality of function programs configured in units of functions. Information receiving means for receiving output information including;
Informing means for informing the driver of the vehicle of information content based on the output information received by the information receiving means;
Storage means for storing at least function importance information that associates the function ID with a preset importance;
Among the output information received by the information receiving means, when there are a plurality of unreported output information by the notifying means, the function ID included in the output information and the function important stored in the storage means Control means for performing notification control processing for controlling the notification means so as to notify the information contents in order from output information including the function ID having the higher importance based on the degree information;
An in-vehicle information notifying device comprising: In the function importance information, the importance is set for each function ID group including a plurality of different function IDs.
In the case where there are a plurality of pieces of output information including function IDs having the same importance, the notification control processing includes the output information received by the information receiving unit in the order of the output information that is unreported output information by the notification unit. The in-vehicle information notification device according to claim 1, wherein the information content is notified. In the storage means, in addition to the function importance information, device priority information representing a priority set in advance for each electronic control device is stored,
In the notification control process, even when there is a plurality of output information including function IDs having the same importance, the output information is transmitted even if the information content by the notification means is unreported output information. The in-vehicle information notification device according to claim 2, wherein when the source is different, the information contents are notified in the order of the output information having the highest priority according to the device priority information stored in the storage means. .   In the information control means, the information receiving means sends high importance information that is output information including a function ID having a higher importance than current output information in which the information content by the notification means is output information being notified. The in-vehicle information notification device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the information content based on the high importance information is notified instead of the current output information. The output information includes time limit information indicating a validity period corresponding to a time from reception by the information reception unit to notification start by the notification unit,
5. The information control process according to claim 1, wherein the notification control process discards the output information whose valid period has elapsed from the time of reception by the information receiving unit, based on the time limit information. The in-vehicle information notifying device described. The output information includes setting information indicating a notification period corresponding to a time from a notification start time to a notification end time by the notification means,
The notification control process measures the remaining time until the end of notification based on the setting information for the current output information, which is the output information being notified by the notification means, and from the current output information, Even when the high-importance information that is output information including the function ID having a high importance is received by the information receiving means, the validity period represented by the time limit information included in the high-importance information is 6. When the remaining time corresponding to the current output information is longer than the remaining time, the information content based on the high importance information is notified after the information content notification based on the current output information ends. The in-vehicle information notification device described in 1.   When the effective period represented by the time limit information included in the high importance information is shorter than the remaining time corresponding to the current output information, the notification control process is performed based on the current output information. Of the information content based on the current output information is stored in the storage means, and after the information content based on the high importance information is notified, the storage by the storage means is stored. The in-vehicle information notifying device according to claim 6, wherein contents are notified.   The in-vehicle information according to claim 7, wherein the notification control process notifies that the notification of the information content based on the current output information is stopped before the notification of the information content based on the high importance information. Notification device.

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