JP2014222468A - Communication system, communication adaptor, and communication method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication system that allows a communication adapter to operate smoothly.SOLUTION: A communication system includes: a server that distributes a software module; a portable terminal that can communicate with the server and has a relay function; and a communication adapter that operates on the basis of the software module obtained from the server by using the relay function of the portable terminal. Hardware configuration information about the communication adapter is transmitted from the communication adapter to the server via the portable terminal; the server selects a software module on the basis of the hardware configuration information; and the software module selected by the server is transmitted from the server to the communication adapter via the portable terminal.

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system, a communication adapter used in the communication system, and a communication method.

  Conventionally, a communication system including an Internet terminal that acquires the latest version of software from a server has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-11-265279

  By the way, as an in-vehicle device, for example, when an external device such as a USB device is connected, one that operates in conjunction with the external device can be considered. In this type of vehicle-mounted device, new software corresponding to the connected external device may be required. In this case, the user temporarily downloads new software from the Internet terminal to a recording medium such as a USB memory, connects the recording medium to the vehicle-mounted device, and introduces the new software into the vehicle-mounted device.

  However, in this configuration, there is a possibility that the user may feel troublesome to introduce new software into the vehicle-mounted device via the recording medium. Therefore, when an external device is connected to the vehicle-mounted device, it is required to link the external device and the vehicle-mounted device more smoothly.

  Then, an object of this invention is to provide the communication system which can operate an onboard equipment smoothly.

A communication system according to the present invention operates based on a server that distributes software modules, a portable terminal that can communicate with the server and has a relay function, and the software module acquired from the server using the relay function of the portable terminal Hardware configuration information that is information about the communication adapter is sent from the communication adapter to the server via the mobile terminal, and the server obtains the hardware configuration information, based on the hardware configuration information. A software module is selected, and the software module selected by the server is sent from the server to the communication adapter via the portable terminal.
The present invention can be realized not only as such a characteristic communication system, but also as a method having steps characteristic processing performed in such a communication system, or causing a computer to execute such steps. Or can be realized as a program. Moreover, it is realizable as a semiconductor integrated circuit which implement | achieves a part or all of the said communication system. Furthermore, the program can be stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

  According to the present invention, the communication adapter can be operated smoothly, and the user-friendliness can be improved.

1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment. It is a block diagram of the communication adapter which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram of the portable terminal which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram of a server concerning an embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows operation | movement of the communication system which concerns on embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows operation | movement of the communication system which concerns on embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows operation | movement of the communication system which concerns on embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows operation | movement of the communication system which concerns on embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows operation | movement of the communication system which concerns on embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the management method of the bundle which concerns on a modification.

[Summary of Embodiment]
The gist of the embodiment of the present invention includes at least the following.
(1) A communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention from a certain point of view includes a server that distributes software modules, a portable terminal that can communicate with the server and has a relay function, and a relay function of the portable terminal from the server. A communication adapter that operates based on the acquired software module, hardware configuration information that is information about the communication adapter is sent from the communication adapter to the server via the mobile terminal, and the server converts the hardware configuration information to the hardware configuration information. A software module is selected based on the software module, and the software module selected by the server is sent from the server to the communication adapter via the portable terminal. The “relay function” means a function that, when receiving a signal, transmits a signal that shows the same information as the information indicated by the signal and has a different wireless communication method.
According to this configuration, for example, a software module serving as a base that operates in conjunction with an external device is sent from the server to the communication adapter via the portable terminal. Accordingly, the communication adapter can smoothly acquire a new software module corresponding to the external device connected to the communication adapter without using a recording medium or the like. Accordingly, since the communication adapter and the external device are smoothly linked, it is possible to improve the ease of use for the user.

(2) In the communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the communication adapter is connectable to an external device and operates in conjunction with the external device based on the software module. The server may include external device information that is information related to the external device connected to the communication adapter, and the server may select a software module necessary for an operation performed in conjunction with the external device.
According to this configuration, when an external device is connected to the communication adapter, a software module serving as a base that operates in conjunction with the external device is sent from the server to the communication adapter via the portable terminal. Accordingly, the communication adapter can smoothly acquire a new software module corresponding to the external device connected to the communication adapter without using a recording medium or the like. Accordingly, since the communication adapter and the external device are smoothly linked, it is possible to improve the ease of use for the user.

(3) Moreover, the communication system which concerns on embodiment of this invention performs the information processing based on the information which the said portable terminal acquired from the said communication adapter, and displays the information obtained by performing the said information processing. There may be.
According to this configuration, the amount of processing performed by the communication adapter can be reduced by the mobile terminal performing information processing based on information acquired from the communication adapter. Therefore, the processing load applied to the communication adapter can be reduced.

(4) In the communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the communication adapter is mounted on a vehicle, and vehicle information about the vehicle is sent from the communication adapter to the server via the portable terminal. Good. Further, the server may further select the software module based on the vehicle information.
According to this configuration, since the server selects the software module in consideration of not only the hardware configuration information but also the vehicle information, the communication adapter can acquire the optimal software module for the vehicle.

(5) Further, in the communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle includes an in-vehicle network, the communication adapter can acquire information on the vehicle type of the vehicle from the in-vehicle network, and the vehicle information is The information regarding a vehicle type may be included.
According to this configuration, since the server selects a software module in consideration of information on the vehicle type, the communication adapter can obtain an optimal software module from the viewpoint of the vehicle type of the vehicle. The “vehicle type” corresponds to the type of drive source of the vehicle such as an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, and a gasoline engine vehicle.

(6) In addition, in the communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the external device is added to the communication adapter, additional information indicating that the external device is added is transmitted from the communication adapter to the mobile terminal. It may be sent to the server via Further, the server may select the software module when additional information is acquired.
According to this configuration, the server recognizes that an external device has been connected based on the additional information. Thus, if the additional information is configured to have a smaller amount of information than the hardware configuration information, the time required for the server to recognize that the external device is connected can be shortened.

(7) Further, in the communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the hardware configuration information is transmitted from the communication adapter based on at least one of activation of the communication adapter and elapsed time after activation of the communication adapter. It may be sent to the server via a portable terminal.
According to this configuration, even if the communication adapter does not have the software module in advance, the communication adapter acquires the software module immediately after the communication adapter is started or when a predetermined time elapses after the communication adapter is started. it can. Therefore, it is not necessary for the user to perform a work for preliminarily holding the software module required by the communication adapter in the communication adapter, so that the user's ease of use can be improved.

(8) Further, in the communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the possessed software module information related to the software module possessed by the communication adapter is transmitted from the communication adapter to the server via the portable terminal. A software module may be selected based on hardware configuration information and possessed software module information.
According to this configuration, the server selects a software module based on the hardware configuration information and the owned software module information. Accordingly, if the server does not send the software module held by the communication adapter based on the owned software module information, it is possible to prevent unnecessary transmission of the software module between the server and the portable terminal. . Therefore, it is possible to reduce communication traffic between the server and the mobile terminal.

(9) Further, in the communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the server detects the update of the software module, an update notification indicating that the software module is updated is transmitted from the server via the portable terminal. It may be sent to a communication adapter.
According to this configuration, the communication adapter can have the latest software module.

(10) Further, in the communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the communication adapter acquires the update notification, the possessed software module information regarding the software module retained by the communication adapter is transmitted from the communication adapter via the portable terminal. It may be sent to the server. Further, when the server acquires the owned software module information, the necessity of sending the updated software module to the communication adapter may be confirmed based on the owned software module information. Further, when the server determines that the updated software module needs to be sent, the updated software module may be sent from the server to the communication adapter via the portable terminal.
According to this configuration, the server sends the updated software module only to the communication adapter that has determined that the updated software module needs to be sent, using the relay function of the mobile terminal. As a result, it is possible to prevent unnecessary transmission of software modules between the server and the portable terminal, so that communication traffic between the server and the portable terminal can be reduced.

(11) In the communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention, when a new application is added to the mobile terminal, after acquiring possessed software module information regarding the software module retained by the communication adapter from the communication adapter, Based on the possessed software module information, it may be determined whether the communication adapter possesses all the software modules corresponding to the new application. Further, when it is determined that the communication adapter does not have at least one software module corresponding to the new application, software indicating that a software module not owned by the communication adapter is requested among the software modules corresponding to the new application. A module request may be sent to the server. Furthermore, when the server acquires a software module request, a software module that is not owned by the communication adapter among software modules corresponding to the new application may be sent from the server to the communication adapter via the portable terminal. .
According to this configuration, when a new application is added to the mobile terminal, the communication adapter acquires a software module corresponding to the new application from the server. This eliminates the need for the user to perform a task for causing the communication adapter to hold the software module corresponding to the new application, thereby improving the usability of the user.

(12) In the communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the external device is connected to the communication adapter, the server selects a mobile terminal application corresponding to the external device, and the selected mobile terminal The application may be sent to the mobile terminal.
According to this configuration, when an external device is connected to the communication adapter, the server selects a mobile terminal application corresponding to the external device and sends it to the mobile terminal. This eliminates the need for the user to perform an operation for adding a mobile terminal application corresponding to an external device on the mobile terminal, thereby improving the usability of the user.

(13) In addition, the communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention has a function of detecting a communication interruption that occurs during a period in which the mobile terminal sends a software module from the server to the communication adapter. May be. Further, when the mobile terminal detects the communication interruption, it requests the server to send again the same software module as the software module sent during the communication interruption period to the communication adapter. May be.
According to this configuration, when a communication interruption occurs during a period in which the software module is being sent from the server to the communication adapter, the same software module as that software module is again sent from the server to the communication adapter. Thereby, it can suppress that a communication adapter stops operating normally due to the communication interruption at the time of sending a software module from a server to a communication adapter.

(14) Further, in the communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the portable terminal may acquire owned software module information regarding the software module held by the communication adapter from the communication adapter and send the acquired software module information to the server. Good. And a server may select the software module which a communication adapter requires based on possession software module information.
According to this configuration, even if the communication adapter does not have a software module in advance, the server selects a software module required by the communication adapter based on the held software module information sent from the mobile terminal, and performs communication. Send to adapter. Therefore, it is not necessary for the user to perform the work for preliminarily holding the software module required by the communication adapter in the communication adapter, so that the ease of use for the user can be improved.

(15) Further, the communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention may have a function of giving an electronic certificate to the software module when the server sends the software module. In addition, the portable terminal has a function of performing a decryption process for decrypting the electronic certificate on the software module acquired from the server, and a function of sending the software module to the communication adapter when decrypted normally. It may have.
According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the software module sent from the transmission source pretending to be a server from being sent to the communication adapter.

(16) In the communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the server further has a function of giving a hash value to the electronic certificate.
The mobile terminal calculates a hash value of the electronic certificate given to the software module acquired from the server, and when the hash value obtained by calculation and the hash value given by the server match, The software module acquired from the server may have a function of sending to the communication adapter.
According to this configuration, it is possible to easily prevent the software module sent from the transmission source pretending to be a server from being sent to the communication adapter.

(17) The communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention may have a function of displaying information indicating that the mobile terminal is communicating with at least one of the server and the communication adapter. Good.
According to this configuration, the user can easily grasp the communication status between the mobile terminal and the server or the communication adapter.

(18) In the communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the mobile terminal may communicate with at least one of the communication adapter and the server based on a communication instruction from a user. .
According to this configuration, since the user can control the communication status between the mobile terminal and the server or the communication adapter, it is possible to improve the usability of the user.

(19) A communication adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention viewed from another viewpoint operates based on a software module acquired from a server. And a communication adapter acquires a software module from a server by sending the hardware configuration information which is the information regarding a communication adapter to a server.

(20) A communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention from another viewpoint includes a server that distributes software modules, a portable terminal that can communicate with the server and that has a relay function, and a relay function between the server and the portable terminal. And a communication adapter that operates based on the software module obtained by using. The communication method includes a step in which the communication adapter sends hardware configuration information, which is information related to the communication adapter, to the server using the relay function of the mobile terminal, and the server sends a software module based on the hardware configuration information. Selecting and sending the selected software module to the communication adapter using the relay function of the portable terminal.

[Details of the embodiment]
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<1> Configuration FIG. 1 shows an outline of a communication system according to the present embodiment.
This communication system includes a communication adapter 1, a mobile terminal 2, and a server 3. The communication adapter 1 and the portable terminal 2 are arranged in a vehicle 300 such as an automobile.

The communication adapter 1 includes a plurality (three in FIG. 1) of slots 15a, 15b, and 15c for connecting USB (Universal Serial Bus) devices (external devices). In FIG. 1, the USB devices 111 and 112 are connected to the slots 15a and 15b, respectively, and the slot 15c is vacant.
Here, it is assumed that the USB device 111 is a communication device that can communicate with the optical vehicle detector (light beacon) 4. In this case, when the vehicle 300 passes through the sensing area of the optical beacon 4, bidirectional communication is performed between the USB device 111 and the optical beacon 4. The vehicle 300 includes a CAN (Controller Area Network). The communication adapter 1 is connected to the CAN via the cable 130. Note that the vehicle 300 is not limited to CAN as long as it is an in-vehicle network. Further, the vehicle 300 may include an in-vehicle LAN (Local Area Network) other than CAN. In this case, the communication adapter 1 is connected to the in-vehicle network including the in-vehicle LAN via the cable 130.

The mobile terminal 2 is composed of a mobile phone such as a smartphone. The mobile terminal 2 is wirelessly connected to the communication adapter 1 and is also connected to a WAN (Wide Area Network) 200 via the base station 201.
The server 3 distributes an OSGi bundle (hereinafter referred to as “bundle”). Here, the “bundle” means a software module (computer program) that conforms to the OSGi (Open Services Gateway Initiative) standard. This server 3 is connected to the WAN 200.
Hereinafter, each of the communication adapter 1, the portable terminal 2, and the server 3 which comprise a communication system is explained in full detail.

<Communication adapter>
FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the communication adapter 1.
The communication adapter 1 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a CAN interface 13, and a wireless communication unit 14.
The control unit 11 includes a computer. Each function of the control unit 11 is realized by a computer executing a predetermined computer program. Here, the computer includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, an I / O interface, and a bus that connects these components to each other. Note that the control unit 11 is not necessarily limited to one configured from one computer, and may be configured from a plurality of computers.

The control unit 11 includes a virtual machine VM that operates on the operating system OS. The virtual machine VM performs processing corresponding to each bundle B11, B12, B13, B21, B22, B23. Here, the bundle B21 corresponds to an application that performs processing related to CAN control, the bundle B22 corresponds to an application that performs processing related to security control, and the bundle B23 corresponds to an application that performs processing related to control of the USB device 111. It shall correspond. Further, the bundles B11, B12, and B13 are for performing processing necessary for each vehicle type. In addition, the process corresponding to each bundle B11, B12, B13, B21, B22, B23 shown here is an example, and is not limited to these. FIG. 2 conceptually shows how the virtual machine VM is realized.
The storage unit 12 stores bundles B11, B12, B13, B21, B22, and B23 used by the control unit 11.

  The CAN interface 13 is connected to each ECU (Engine Control Unit) 131, 132, 133 mounted on the vehicle 300 via a cable 130 conforming to the CAN standard. The ECUs 131, 132, and 133 perform, for example, control of the ignition mechanism of the vehicle 300, control of the fuel system, and control of the intake and exhaust systems. Each of the ECUs 131, 132, and 133 sends various parameters to the communication adapter 1 through the cable 130. Examples of the various parameters include a parameter indicating the remaining amount of battery if the vehicle 300 is an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, and a parameter indicating the remaining amount of gasoline if the vehicle 300 is a gasoline vehicle. Various parameters vary depending on the type of vehicle 300 on which the communication adapter 1 is mounted. Here, the “vehicle type” corresponds to the type of drive source of the vehicle such as an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, and a gasoline engine vehicle.

  The wireless communication unit 14 performs wireless communication with the mobile terminal 2 by a short-range wireless method. Here, examples of the “short-range wireless method” include a method based on the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard and the IEEE 802.11 standard.

<Mobile device>
FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the mobile terminal 2.
The portable terminal 2 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 23, an audio processing unit 25, a microphone 26, a speaker 27, a display unit 24, and a wireless communication unit 22.
The display unit 24 includes, for example, a display and a drive circuit, and displays characters and the like.
The voice processing unit 25 outputs a voice signal from the speaker 27 and sends a transmission signal to the wireless communication unit 22. Here, the audio signal is an analog signal obtained by D / A converting the received signal acquired from the wireless communication unit 22. The transmission signal is a digital signal obtained by A / D conversion of the audio signal input from the microphone 26.

The wireless communication unit 22 performs wireless communication with the communication adapter 1 and the base station 201.
The wireless communication unit 22 includes a non-short-range wireless communication unit 22a and a short-range wireless communication unit 22b. The non-short-range wireless communication unit 22a performs wireless communication with the base station 201. The short-range wireless communication unit 22b performs wireless communication with the communication adapter 1 by a short-range wireless method.

  The storage unit 23 stores a communication application and a display application in advance. Here, the communication application is for the mobile terminal 2 to perform wireless communication with the communication adapter 1 and the base station 201. Specifically, the mobile terminal 2 can communicate with the base station 201 and the communication adapter 1 by the control unit 21 controlling the wireless communication unit 22 based on the communication application.

The control unit 21 includes a computer. Each function of the control unit 21 is realized by a computer executing a predetermined computer program. Here, the computer includes a CPU, a memory, an I / O interface, and a bus that connects these components to each other. The control unit 21 controls the audio processing unit 25, the display unit 24, and the wireless communication unit 22.
In addition, the relay function (also referred to as “tethering function”) of the mobile terminal 2 is realized by the control unit 21 controlling the wireless communication unit 22 based on the communication application. Here, the “relay function” means a function that, when receiving a signal, transmits a signal that shows the same information as the information indicated by the signal and has a different wireless communication method. Hereinafter, the process performed by the mobile terminal 2 to exhibit this relay function is referred to as “relay process”. For example, in the portable terminal 2, when the non-short-range wireless communication unit 22a receives a signal from the base station 201, the short-range wireless communication unit 22b transmits a signal indicating the same information as the received signal to the short-range wireless method. To the communication adapter 1.
In this way, the communication adapter 1 can acquire a bundle (for example, bundles B11, B12, B13, B21, B22, B23) from the server 3 by using the tethering function of the mobile terminal 2. Thereby, compared with the structure which the communication adapter 1 communicates directly with the server 3 and acquires a bundle, the load of the communication processing of the communication adapter 1 is reduced.

The display application is for displaying characters and the like on the display unit 24. Specifically, in the mobile terminal 2, characters or the like are displayed on the display unit 24 by the control unit 21 controlling the display unit 24 based on the display application.
The portable terminal 2 can perform information processing using the information acquired from the communication adapter 1 and can display information obtained by performing the information processing on the display unit 24. Here, the mobile terminal 2 generates an image corresponding to the display application from the information obtained by performing the above-described information processing, and displays the generated image on the display unit 24. The mobile terminal 2 can also display information acquired from the server 3 on the display unit 24 in the same manner. Details of these operations of the portable terminal 2 will be described in detail in <2-5> described later.

<Server>
FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the server 3.
The server 3 includes a storage unit 31, a WAN connection unit 32, an input unit 33, and a control unit 34.
The storage unit 31 is constituted by a storage device such as a hard disk, for example. The storage unit 31 stores a plurality of bundles B. The plurality of bundles B are classified according to the function of the communication adapter 1 and the vehicle type of the vehicle 300 on which the communication adapter 1 is mounted.
The input unit 33 is, for example, for inputting the latest version of the bundle to the control unit 34 when the bundle is upgraded. For example, the input unit 33 may be a user interface or a connection port for inputting data sent from an external terminal to the control unit 34.

The control unit 34 includes a computer. Each function of the control unit 34 is realized by a computer executing a predetermined computer program.
The control unit 34 includes a bundle selection unit 34a, an update bundle detection unit 34b, an update target determination unit 34c, and a bundle update unit 34d.
When the latest version bundle is input from the input unit 33, the bundle update unit 34d converts a bundle corresponding to the latest version bundle among the various bundles stored in the storage unit 31 into the latest version bundle. Update (update).

The bundle selection unit 34 a selects a bundle required by the communication adapter 1 from various bundles B stored in the storage unit 31 based on information acquired from the communication adapter 1 or the portable terminal 2 through the WAN 200.
As shown in the lower side of FIG. 4, for example, it is assumed that the processing performed by the application in the communication adapter 1 includes “CAN control”, “security control”, “communication with an optical beacon”, and the like. On the other hand, it is assumed that there are “vehicle type α”, “vehicle type β”, “vehicle type γ”, and the like as vehicle types of the vehicle 300 on which the communication adapter 1 is mounted. And when the bundle selection part 34a is requested | required of the bundle for implement | achieving the function which communicates with an optical beacon in the communication adapter 1 mounted in the vehicle 300 of "vehicle type (beta)", bundle B12, bundle B23, Is selected.
Then, the bundle selection unit 34 a sends the selected bundle to the WAN connection unit 32.

The update bundle detection unit 34 b detects an updated bundle from the various bundles B stored in the storage unit 31. Then, the update bundle detection unit 34b sends a notification (bundle update notification) indicating that the updated bundle has been detected to the WAN connection unit 32.
Based on the information acquired from the communication adapter 1 or the portable terminal 2, the update target determination unit 34c determines whether or not a bundle that is an update target exists among the bundles held by the communication adapter 1. Here, when the update target determination unit 34c determines that there is a bundle to be updated, the updated bundle is acquired from the storage unit 31. Then, the update target determination unit 34 c sends the acquired bundle to the WAN connection unit 32.
The WAN connection unit 32 is for connecting the WAN 200 and the control unit 34. The WAN connection unit 32 sends the bundle and bundle update notification acquired from the control unit 34 to the WAN 200.

<2> Operation Next, the operation of the communication system according to the present embodiment will be described.
<2-1> Operation when USB Device is Connected to Communication Adapter First, the case where the USB device 111 is connected to the communication adapter 1 will be described. Here, the USB device 111 is a communication device capable of communicating with the optical beacon 4 as described above. Here, the communication adapter 1 requires a bundle B23 (see FIG. 2) corresponding to an application that performs processing related to control of the USB device 111 (processing related to communication with an optical beacon). If the vehicle type of the vehicle 300 is “β”, a bundle B12 (see FIG. 2) corresponding to the vehicle type β is required.
Here, a case where the bundles B12 and B23 corresponding to the USB device 111 are not stored in the storage unit 12 of the communication adapter 1 in advance, that is, a case where the communication adapter 1 does not have the bundles B12 and B23 in advance will be described. .
FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system according to the present embodiment.

  When the USB device 111 is inserted into the slot 15a (step S101), the communication adapter 1 sends hardware configuration information, vehicle information, bundle information, and additional information to the mobile terminal 2 (step S102). Here, the “hardware configuration information” is information including information on the USB device 111 and information on the CPU, memory, various interfaces, etc. mounted on the communication adapter 1. “Vehicle information” is configured from information obtained from a vehicle network such as CAN. “Bundle information” is information about bundles that the communication adapter 1 currently holds. “Additional information” indicates that the USB device 111 is connected, and has a smaller amount of information than hardware configuration information and the like.

  The “vehicle information” includes, for example, information related to the type of information that can be acquired from CAN, information related to the vehicle type of the vehicle 300, information related to route guidance of the vehicle 300, and the like. Further, the information related to CAN includes, for example, information indicating the scale of CAN corresponding to the class of the vehicle 300. Information relating to route guidance of the vehicle 300 includes information indicating the remaining amount of battery when the vehicle 300 is an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, and information indicating the remaining amount of gasoline when the vehicle 300 is a gasoline vehicle.

  On the other hand, when acquiring the hardware configuration information, the vehicle information, the bundle information, and the additional information, the mobile terminal 2 performs a relay process (step S103), and then sends each information to the server 3 through the base station 201 and the WAN 200 ( Step S104).

When the server 3 acquires the hardware configuration information, the vehicle information, the bundle information, and the additional information from the portable terminal 2, the bundle B23, which corresponds to the USB device 111 and the vehicle type β, based on the acquired hardware configuration information and the vehicle information. B12 is selected (step S105). That is, the server 3 selects the bundles B23 and B12 required by the communication adapter 1 based on the hardware configuration information and the vehicle information acquired from the communication adapter 1 via the portable terminal 2.
Here, the server 3 first identifies the function realized by the communication adapter 1 in conjunction with the USB device 111 from the hardware configuration information. Next, the server 3 specifies the vehicle type of the vehicle 300 on which the communication adapter 1 is mounted from the vehicle information. Thereafter, the server 3 selects the function and the vehicle type of the identified communication adapter 1 from a plurality of bundles classified by the function of the communication adapter 1 and the vehicle type of the vehicle 300 on which the communication adapter 1 is mounted (see FIG. 4). Based on the above, the bundles B23 and B13 are selected. In this way, the communication adapter 1 can obtain an optimal bundle according to the vehicle type of the vehicle 300 on which the USB device 111 and the own device are mounted.

Moreover, the server 3 starts the operation | movement for bundle selection, when acquisition of additional information is recognized. And this additional information has little information amount compared with hardware configuration information or vehicle information. Accordingly, the server 3 can recognize the connection of the USB device 111 in a shorter time than the configuration of recognizing that the USB device 111 is connected by recognizing acquisition of hardware configuration information, vehicle information, and the like. .
Therefore, the time required for the server 3 to recognize that the USB device 111 is connected can be reduced.

Next, the server 3 confirms whether or not the communication adapter 1 has the selected bundles B23 and B12 based on the bundle information (step S106). Here, as described above, the communication adapter 1 does not have the bundles B23 and B12. Accordingly, the server 3 determines that the selected bundle B23, B12 is not held by the communication adapter 1 (step S107), and then the server 3 sends the selected bundle B23, B12 to the portable terminal 2 (step S107). S108).
If the communication adapter 1 has bundles B23 and B12 in advance, the communication adapter 1 does not need to acquire the bundles B23 and B12 from the server 3, so the server 3 ends the process. In this way, when the communication adapter 1 has the bundles B23 and B12 in advance, the hardware configuration information and the like and the bundles B23 and B12 are not transmitted between the mobile terminal 2 and the server 3. Therefore, communication traffic between the portable terminal 2 and the server 3 can be reduced.

When the portable terminal 2 acquires the bundles B23 and B12 from the server 3, the portable terminal 2 performs a relay process (step S109), and then sends the bundles B23 and B12 to the communication adapter 1 (step S110).
When the communication adapter 1 acquires the bundles B23 and B12 selected from the mobile terminal 2, the communication adapter 1 adds the acquired bundles B23 and B12 to the storage unit 12 of the own device (step S111).

<2-2> Operation when the communication adapter periodically makes a bundle update request to the server Next, the communication adapter 1 periodically makes a bundle update request to the server 3 The operation in this case will be described. Here, it is assumed that the bundle B21 related to CAN control has been updated.
FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system according to the present embodiment.

  When determining that the bundle update request time is reached (step S201), the communication adapter 1 sends hardware configuration information and vehicle information to the portable terminal 2 (step S202). Here, the “bundle update request time” is set, for example, every predetermined period (for example, every week or every month). That is, the communication adapter 1 sends hardware configuration information based on the elapsed time after activation of the communication adapter. Note that the timing at which the communication adapter 1 sends the hardware configuration information may be, for example, when the communication adapter 1 is activated.

  On the other hand, when acquiring the hardware configuration information and the vehicle information, the portable terminal 2 performs a relay process (step S203), and then sends each piece of information to the server 3 through the WAN 200 (step S204). As described above, the communication adapter 1 sends the hardware configuration and the vehicle information to the server 3 using the relay function of the mobile terminal 2 every predetermined period.

When the server 3 acquires the hardware configuration information and the vehicle information from the mobile terminal 2, the server 3 checks whether there is an updated bundle (step S205).
If it is determined that there is an updated bundle (step S206), the server 3 determines whether there is an update target bundle among the bundles held by the communication adapter 1 based on the hardware information and the vehicle information. It is confirmed whether or not (step S207). Here, it is assumed that the bundle B21 is an update target.

  If it is determined that the bundle B21 held by the communication adapter 1 is an update target (step S208), the server 3 sends the updated bundle B21 to the mobile terminal 2 (step S209). That is, the server 3 selects the bundle B21 to be updated based on the hardware configuration information and the vehicle information acquired from the communication adapter 1 using the relay function of the mobile terminal 2.

  When the portable terminal 2 acquires the updated bundle B21, the portable terminal 2 performs a relay process (step S210), and then sends the bundle B21 to the communication adapter 1 (step S211).

  Then, when the communication adapter 1 acquires the updated bundle B21B1 from the mobile terminal 2, the communication adapter 1 updates the originally owned bundle B21 to the acquired bundle B21 (step S212).

<2-3> Operation when Server Detects Bundle Update Next, the operation when the server 3 detects a bundle update will be described. Here, it is assumed that the bundle B21 related to CAN control has been updated.
FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system according to the present embodiment.

  When the server 3 detects an update of the bundle B21 (step S301), the server 3 sends a notification that the bundle has been updated (bundle update notification) to the portable terminal 2 through the WAN 200 (step S302).

  When the portable terminal 2 acquires the bundle update notification, the portable terminal 2 performs a relay process (step S303), and then sends the bundle update notification to the communication adapter 1 (step S304). That is, the server 3 sends a bundle update notification to the communication adapter 1 via the mobile terminal 2.

  When the communication adapter 1 acquires the bundle update notification from the mobile terminal 2, the communication adapter 1 acquires the bundle information of the own device (step S305). Specifically, information on the type of bundle held by the own device is acquired. And the communication adapter 1 sends bundle information to the portable terminal 2 (step S306).

  When acquiring the bundle information, the portable terminal 2 performs a relay process (step S307), and then sends the bundle information to the server 3 through the WAN 200 (step S308).

  When the server 3 acquires the bundle information, the server 3 determines whether or not the bundle held by the communication adapter 1 that is the source of the bundle information is an update target based on the acquired bundle information (step S309). In other words, the server 3 confirms the necessity of sending the updated bundle to the communication adapter 1 that is the source of bundle information.

Here, it is assumed that the server 3 determines that the bundle B21 held by the communication adapter 1 that is the bundle information transmission source is an update target, that is, it is necessary to send the updated bundle to the communication adapter 1 ( Step S310). In this case, the server 3 sends the updated bundle to the portable terminal 2 through the WAN 200 (step S311).
If the server 3 determines that the bundle held by the communication adapter 1 that is the bundle information source is not an update target, the server 3 terminates the operation as it is.

  In this way, the server 3 sends the updated bundle using the relay function of the mobile terminal 2 only to the communication adapter 1 that determines that the updated bundle needs to be sent. Thereby, it is possible to prevent unnecessary transmission of bundles between the server 3 and the mobile terminal 2, so that communication traffic between the server and the mobile terminal can be reduced.

  When acquiring the updated bundle B21, the portable terminal 2 performs a relay process (step S312), and then sends the bundle B21 to the communication adapter 1 (step S313).

  When the communication adapter 1 acquires the updated bundle B21, the communication adapter 1 updates the originally owned bundle B21 to the acquired bundle B21 (step S314).

<2-4> Operation when a new application is installed in the mobile terminal Next, an operation when a new application is installed (added) in the mobile terminal 2 will be described.
FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system according to the present embodiment.

  When the new application is installed (step S401), the portable terminal 2 sends a bundle information request to the communication adapter 1 to acquire bundle information regarding the bundle held by the communication adapter 1 (step S402).

  When the communication adapter 1 acquires the bundle information request, the communication adapter 1 acquires the bundle information of its own device (step S403). Specifically, the communication adapter 1 acquires bundle information stored in the storage unit 12. Then, the communication adapter 1 sends its own bundle information to the portable terminal 2 (step S404).

  When acquiring the bundle information, the mobile terminal 2 determines whether or not the communication adapter 1 has all the bundles corresponding to the new application based on the acquired bundle information (step S405).

Here, it is assumed that the mobile terminal 2 determines that the communication adapter 1 does not have at least one bundle corresponding to the new application (step S406). For example, it is assumed that the mobile terminal 2 determines that it does not have a bundle B22 corresponding to a new application (for example, an application related to security control). In this case, the mobile terminal 2 sends a bundle request for requesting the bundle B22 corresponding to the new application to the server 3 through the WAN 200 (step S407).
If the mobile terminal 2 determines that the communication adapter 1 has all the bundles corresponding to the new application, the operation ends.

  When acquiring the bundle request, the server 3 selects the bundle B22 based on the acquired bundle request (step S408). Then, the server 3 sends the selected bundle to the mobile terminal 2 (step S409).

  When the portable terminal 2 acquires the bundle B22 selected by the server 3, it performs a relay process (step S410), and then sends the bundle B22 to the communication adapter 1 (step S411).

  And communication adapter 1 will add bundle B22 to storage part 12 of an own machine, if bundle B22 is acquired (Step S412).

<2-5> Operation when mobile terminal performs information processing using information acquired from communication adapter Next, operation when mobile terminal 2 performs information processing using information acquired from communication adapter 1 Will be described. Here, it is assumed that a USB device 111 that is a communication device capable of communicating with the optical beacon 4 is connected to the communication adapter 1.
FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system according to the present embodiment.

When the communication adapter 1 performs processing related to USB device control using the bundle B23 (step S501), control information for controlling the USB device 111 is sent to the USB device 111 (step S502). Then, the USB device 111 operates in conjunction with the communication adapter 1 and communicates with the optical beacon 4 (see FIG. 1) (step S503).
Then, the optical beacon information distributed from the optical beacon 4 is input from the USB device 111 to the communication adapter 1. As this optical beacon information, for example, offset information of traffic lights installed on the road, traffic jam information, and the like can be mentioned.

Next, when the communication adapter 1 performs processing related to CAN control using the bundle B12 (step S505), the communication adapter 1 acquires various parameters from the CAN using the bundle B11 (step S506).
Thereafter, the communication adapter 1 sends the optical beacon information acquired from the USB device 111 and various parameters acquired from the CAN to the mobile terminal 2 (step S507). As described above, the various parameters are, for example, parameters indicating the remaining battery level if the vehicle 300 is an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. Various parameters vary depending on the type of vehicle 300 on which the communication adapter 1 is mounted.

On the other hand, when acquiring the optical beacon information and various parameters, the portable terminal 2 performs a relay process (step S508), and thereafter performs information processing using the optical beacon information and various parameters (step S509). Here, for example, if the optical beacon information is traffic light offset information, the mobile terminal 2 provides a driving support service in the vicinity of the traffic light (for example, a speed instruction according to the timing when the traffic light turns red). Perform driving support service processing. Alternatively, the mobile terminal 2 performs a remaining battery level calculation process for calculating the remaining battery level using various parameters.
And the portable terminal 2 performs the display process for displaying the information obtained by the information processing performed with an own machine (step S510). Here, the display unit 24 of the mobile terminal 2 displays an optimum speed, a remaining battery level, and the like corresponding to the timing when the traffic light changes to red.

As described above, the mobile terminal 2 performs information processing (for example, driving support service processing and battery remaining amount calculation processing) using information acquired from the communication adapter 1, and uses the information obtained by performing the information processing. indicate.
Thus, in the communication system according to the present embodiment, the mobile terminal 2 and the server 3 perform information processing based on the information acquired from the communication adapter 1. Thereby, since the processing amount performed by the communication adapter 1 can be reduced, the processing load applied to the communication adapter 1 can be reduced.

<3> Summary After all, in the communication system according to the present embodiment, when the USB device 111 is connected to the communication adapter 1, the bundle B23 serving as a base operating in conjunction with the USB device 111 is transferred from the server 3 to the portable terminal 2 to the communication adapter 1. Thus, the communication adapter 1 can smoothly acquire a new bundle corresponding to the USB devices 111 and 112 connected to the communication adapter 1 without using a recording medium or the like. Therefore, since the USB devices 111 and 112 and the communication adapter 1 are smoothly linked, the user-friendliness can be improved.

  In the communication system according to the present embodiment, even if the communication adapter 1 does not have a bundle in advance, the communication adapter 1 can acquire the bundle if at least a certain time has elapsed. Therefore, it is not necessary for the user to perform a work for preliminarily holding the bundle required by the communication adapter 1 in the communication adapter 1, so that the ease of use for the user can be improved.

  Furthermore, in the communication system according to the present embodiment, the server 3 sends the updated bundle using the relay function of the portable terminal 2 only to the communication adapter 1 that has determined that the updated bundle needs to be sent. Therefore, unnecessary bundle transmission can be prevented between the server 3 and the portable terminal 2, and communication traffic between the server 3 and the portable terminal 2 can be reduced.

  In the communication system according to the present embodiment, when a new application is added to the mobile terminal 2, the communication adapter 1 acquires a bundle corresponding to the new application from the server 3. This eliminates the need for the user to perform a task for causing the communication adapter 1 to hold a bundle corresponding to the new application, thereby improving the usability of the user.

[Modification]
(1) In the embodiment, the USB device 111 has been described as having a function of communicating with an optical beacon. However, the function of the USB device 111 is not limited to this. For example, the USB device 111 may have a function of performing wireless communication with an external wireless communication device.

(2) In the embodiment, when the USB device 111 is connected to the communication adapter 1, the server 3 has the bundle corresponding to the USB device 111 and the vehicle type β (for example, bundles B23 and B12). The example of confirming whether or not there has been described. However, the entity that performs the process of confirming whether the communication adapter 1 has the bundles B22 and B12 is not limited to the server 3. For example, the mobile terminal 2 may perform processing for confirming whether or not the communication adapter 1 has the bundles B22 and B12. In this case, for example, the portable terminal 2 may perform the following operation.

After step S <b> 102, the portable terminal 2 sends a bundle information request notification requesting the communication adapter 1 to request bundle information (bundle information) held by the communication adapter 1.
Next, when the portable terminal 2 acquires bundle information from the communication adapter 1, based on the acquired bundle information, the communication adapter 1 has a bundle B23, B12 corresponding to the USB device 111 and the vehicle type β. Confirm.
Subsequently, when it is determined that the communication adapter 1 has the bundles B23 and B12, the mobile terminal 2 ends the operation as it is.
According to this configuration, not the communication adapter 1 but the mobile terminal 2 performs processing to check whether or not the communication adapter 1 has the bundles B23 and B12 corresponding to the USB device 111 and the vehicle type β. Therefore, the processing load of the communication adapter 1 can be reduced as compared with the configuration in which the processing is performed by the communication adapter 1.

(3) In the embodiment, the example in which the server 3 sends the bundles B23 and B12 corresponding to the USB device 111 and the vehicle type β to the communication adapter 1 when the USB device 111 is connected to the communication adapter 1 has been described. However, when a USB device is connected to the communication adapter 1, the target sent from the server 3 is not limited to the bundle.
For example, when a USB device is newly connected to the communication adapter 1, the server 3 may send the mobile terminal application to the mobile terminal 2. Examples of the mobile terminal application include an application corresponding to a USB device newly connected to the communication adapter 1. For example, it is assumed that the USB device connected to the communication adapter 1 has a function of detecting an impact applied to the vehicle 300. In this case, the server 3 may send a mobile terminal application for displaying the degree of impact on the mobile terminal 2 to the mobile terminal 2.
According to this configuration, when a USB device is connected to the communication adapter 1, the server 3 selects a mobile terminal application corresponding to the USB device and sends it to the mobile terminal 2. This eliminates the need for the user to perform an operation for adding an application for a mobile terminal corresponding to a USB device on the mobile terminal 2, thereby improving the usability of the user.

(4) In the embodiment, an example in which the server 3 determines the necessity of sending the updated bundle to the communication adapter 1 when the server 3 detects the update of the bundle has been described. However, the entity that determines the necessity of sending the bundle is not necessarily limited to the server 3. For example, the communication adapter 1 or the mobile terminal 2 may determine the necessity of sending the bundle.
According to this configuration, when the communication adapter 1 or the mobile terminal 2 does not require an updated bundle, hardware configuration information or the like is not sent from the mobile terminal 2 to the server 3. In this way, unnecessary bundle transmission between the server 3 and the portable terminal 2 can be prevented, so that communication traffic between the server 3 and the portable terminal 2 can be reduced.

(5) In the embodiment, the example in which the communication adapter 1 sends the bundle information to the server 3 based on the bundle update notification from the server 3 has been described. However, the embodiment is not limited to this configuration. For example, the mobile terminal 2 may periodically acquire bundle information regarding the bundle held by the communication adapter from the communication adapter 1 and send it to the server. Then, the server 3 selects a bundle required by the communication adapter 1 based on the bundle information acquired from the mobile terminal 2 and sends the selected bundle to the communication adapter using the relay function of the mobile terminal 2. You can do it. Here, the portable terminal 2 sends a bundle information request indicating that the bundle information is periodically requested to the communication adapter 1. When the communication adapter 1 acquires the bundle information request, the bundle information is sent to the portable terminal 2. You may make it send.
According to this configuration, even if the communication adapter 1 does not have a bundle in advance, the server 3 selects a bundle required by the communication adapter 1 based on the bundle information sent from the mobile terminal 2, and performs communication. Send to adapter 1. Therefore, it is not necessary for the user to perform the work for preserving the bundle required by the communication adapter 1 in the communication adapter 1 in advance, so that the user's ease of use can be improved.

(6) Moreover, in the communication system which concerns on embodiment, the portable terminal 2 may have a function which detects the communication interruption generate | occur | produced during the period which is sending the bundle from the server 3 to the communication adapter 1. When the mobile terminal 2 detects the communication interruption, the mobile terminal 2 requests the server 3 to send the same bundle to the communication adapter 1 again as the bundle sent during the period when the communication interruption occurred. You can make it as required.
According to this configuration, when communication interruption occurs during the period in which the bundle is sent from the server 3 to the communication adapter 1, the same bundle as the bundle is sent from the server 3 to the communication adapter 1 again. Thereby, it can suppress that communication adapter 1 stops operating normally due to communication interruption at the time of sending a bundle from server 3 to communication adapter 1.

(7) In the communication system according to the embodiment, when the server 3 sends the bundle to the communication adapter 1, the server 3 may have a function of giving an electronic certificate to the bundle. Then, the mobile terminal 2 may perform a decryption process for decrypting the electronic certificate on the bundle acquired from the server 3, and send only the normally decrypted bundle to the communication adapter 1.
According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the bundle sent from the transmission source pretending to be the server 3 from being sent to the communication adapter 1.

Further, the server 3 may have a function of giving a digest value to the bundle. And when the portable terminal 2 calculates the digest value given to the bundle obtained from the server 3 and the digest value obtained by the calculation matches the digest value given by the server 3, it is obtained from the server 3. It may have a function of sending the bundle to the communication adapter 1. Examples of the digest value include a hash function and a MAC function.
According to this configuration, it is possible to easily prevent the bundle sent from the transmission source pretending to be the server 3 from being sent to the communication adapter 1.

(8) In the communication system according to the embodiment, the mobile terminal 2 may have a function of displaying information indicating that the mobile terminal 2 is communicating with at least one of the communication adapter 1 adapter and the server 3. Here, the information indicating that the mobile terminal 2 is communicating with both the communication adapter 1 and the server 3 is the information indicating that the mobile terminal 2 is communicating with either the communication adapter 1 or the server 3. May be different.
According to this configuration, the user can easily grasp the communication status between the mobile terminal 2, the server 3, and the communication adapter 1.

(9) Moreover, in the communication system which concerns on embodiment, the portable terminal 2 may communicate with the communication adapter 1 and the server 3 based on the communication instruction | indication from a user. This communication instruction may be generated, for example, when the user operates the touch panel.
According to this configuration, the user can control the communication status between the mobile terminal 2, the server 3, and the communication adapter 1, so that the user's ease of use can be improved.

(10) In the communication system according to the embodiment, the example in which the server 3 uses the vehicle information acquired from the communication adapter 1 for selecting a bundle has been described. However, the method of using the vehicle information is limited to this. It is not a thing. For example, the server 3 may have a database relating to vehicle type, energy consumption, vehicle speed, or the like. Then, the server 3 may update various databases based on the vehicle information acquired from the communication adapter 1.
According to this configuration, it is possible to comprehend traffic conditions by collecting the databases held by the server 3.

(11) Further, in the communication system according to the embodiment, an example has been described in which a plurality of bundles are managed separately by the application operating on the communication adapter 1 and the vehicle type of the vehicle 300 (see FIG. 4). However, the bundle management method is not limited to this, and for example, management may be performed so that one type of bundle is determined from one type of application and one type of vehicle.
FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing a bundle management method according to this modification.
As shown in FIG. 10, it is assumed that applications include “CAN control”, “security control”, “communication with an optical beacon”, and the like. On the other hand, it is assumed that the vehicle type of the vehicle 300 includes “vehicle type α”, “vehicle type β”, “vehicle type γ”, and the like.
In this case, when a bundle for operating an application that communicates with an optical beacon is requested from the communication adapter 1 mounted on the vehicle 300 of “vehicle type β”, the bundle selection unit 34a is expressed as “vehicle type β”. The bundle B3 is selected based on “communication with an optical beacon”.

[Appendix]
The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined not by the above-mentioned meaning but by the scope of claims for patent, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of claims for patent.

1 communication adapter 2 mobile terminal 3 server 4 optical beacon 111, 112 USB device (external device)
130 cable 131, 132, 133 ECU
200 WAN
300 vehicles

Claims (20)

A server for distributing software modules;
A portable terminal capable of communicating with the server and having a relay function;
A communication adapter that operates based on the software module acquired from the server using the relay function of the mobile terminal, and
Hardware configuration information that is information about the communication adapter is sent from the communication adapter to the server via the portable terminal,
The server selects a software module based on the hardware configuration information,
The software module selected by the server is sent from the server to the communication adapter via the portable terminal. The communication adapter can be connected to an external device and operates in conjunction with the external device based on the software module,
The hardware configuration information includes external device information that is information related to the external device connected to the communication adapter,
The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the server selects a software module necessary for an operation performed in conjunction with the external device based on the external device information. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the portable terminal performs information processing using information acquired from the communication adapter and displays information obtained by performing the information processing. The communication adapter is mounted on a vehicle,
Vehicle information about the vehicle is sent from the communication adapter to the server via the portable terminal,
The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the server further selects the software module based on the vehicle information. The vehicle includes an in-vehicle network,
The communication adapter is capable of acquiring information on the vehicle type of the vehicle from the in-vehicle network,
The communication system according to claim 4, wherein the vehicle information includes information related to the vehicle type. When the external device is added to the communication adapter, additional information indicating that the external device has been added is sent from the communication adapter to the server via the mobile terminal,
The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the server selects the software module upon acquiring the additional information. The hardware configuration information is sent from the communication adapter to the server via the portable terminal based on at least one of activation of the communication adapter and elapsed time after activation of the communication adapter. The communication system according to any one of 6. Holding software module information on the software module held by the communication adapter is sent from the communication adapter to the server via the portable terminal,
The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the server selects a software module based on the hardware configuration information and the owned software module information. When the server detects an update of the software module, an update notification indicating that the software module has been updated is sent from the server to the communication adapter via the portable terminal. The communication system according to claim 1. When the communication adapter acquires the update notification, possessed software module information regarding the software module possessed by the communication adapter is sent from the communication adapter to the server via the portable terminal,
When the server acquires the owned software module information, based on the owned software module information, confirms the necessity of sending an updated software module to the communication adapter,
The communication system according to claim 9, wherein when the server determines that it is necessary to send an updated software module, the updated software module is sent from the server to the communication adapter via the portable terminal. The portable terminal is
When a new application is added, after acquiring possessed software module information regarding the software module possessed by the communication adapter from the communication adapter, the software that the communication adapter corresponds to the new application based on the retained software module information Determine if you have all the modules,
When it is determined that the communication adapter does not have at least one software module corresponding to the new application, a request is made to request a software module that the communication adapter does not have among the software modules corresponding to the new application. A software module request indicating to the server,
When the server acquires the software module request, a software module that is not owned by the communication adapter among software modules corresponding to the new application is sent from the server to the communication adapter via the portable terminal. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 10. The server, when the external device is connected to the communication adapter, selects a mobile terminal application corresponding to the external device and sends the selected mobile terminal application to the mobile terminal. The communication system according to any one of 11. The portable terminal has a function of detecting a communication interruption that occurs during a period in which a software module is sent from the server to a communication adapter;
The mobile terminal, when detecting the communication interruption, requests the server to send again the same software module as the software module sent during the period when the communication interruption occurred to the communication adapter. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 12. The mobile terminal acquires the possessed software module information related to the software module possessed by the communication adapter from the communication adapter and sends it to the server,
The server selects a software module required by the communication adapter based on the owned software module information,
The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the software module selected by the server is sent from the server to the communication adapter via the portable terminal. The server has a function of giving an electronic certificate to the software module when sending the software module;
The portable terminal has a function of performing a decryption process for decrypting the electronic certificate on the software module acquired from the server, and sends the software module to the communication adapter when decrypted normally. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the communication system has a function. The server further has a function of giving a digest value to the software module,
The portable terminal calculates the digest value given to the software module obtained from the server, and obtains from the server when the digest value obtained by the calculation and the digest value given by the server match. The communication system according to claim 15, wherein the communication module has a function of sending the software module to the communication adapter. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the portable terminal has a function of displaying information indicating that communication is being performed with at least one of the server and the communication adapter. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the mobile terminal performs communication with at least one of the communication adapter and the server based on a communication instruction from a user. A communication adapter that operates based on a software module acquired from a server,
The communication adapter acquires a software module from the server by sending hardware configuration information that is information about the communication adapter to the server. A server that distributes software modules; a portable terminal that can communicate with the server and has a relay function; and a communication adapter that operates based on the software module acquired from the server using the relay function of the portable terminal. The communication method used,
Sending the hardware configuration information, which is information related to the communication adapter, to the server using the relay function of the mobile terminal;
The server selecting a software module based on the hardware configuration information, and sending the selected software module to the communication adapter using a relay function of the portable terminal.

Images