JP7013518B2 - Communication equipment, vehicles and vehicle management systems - Google Patents

Description

The present invention mainly relates to a communication device.

One aspect of vehicle sales service is based on a loan contract. The owner who purchased the vehicle based on the loan contract is required to make regular payments, and if the payment is delinquent, the owner's use of the vehicle may be restricted (see Patent Document 1). ). Such technology can be utilized in various service forms such as vehicle rental service.

Patent No. 6238038

Further technical improvements may be required to improve the reliability of the above-mentioned services.

An exemplary object of the present invention is to improve reliability in various service forms of a vehicle.

One aspect of the present invention relates to a communication device, wherein the communication device is a communication device mounted on a vehicle, and has a detection unit for detecting an output voltage value from a battery mounted on the vehicle and the detection unit. When the reduction mode of the output voltage value detected by the above meets the standard, a transmission unit that transmits a signal indicating that fact to an external device using the power of the sub-battery mounted on the communication device. When the reduction mode of the output voltage value satisfies the standard, the absolute value of the reduction amount per unit time includes the case where the absolute value of the reduction amount is larger than the reference value, and the absolute value of the reduction amount is the reference. When the value becomes larger than the value twice or more within a predetermined time, the transmitting unit suppresses the transmission of the signal .

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the reliability of various service forms of a vehicle with a relatively simple configuration.

The schematic diagram which shows an example of the structure of a vehicle management system. The block diagram which shows an example of the connection mode between a function limiting device and a communication device. A timing chart showing an example of the detection result by the detection unit. A timing chart showing an example of the detection result by the detection unit.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the invention. Two or more of the plurality of features described in the embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. In addition, the same or similar configuration will be given the same reference number, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

(First Embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of the vehicle management system SY according to the first embodiment. The system SY includes one or more vehicles 1 and a vehicle management device 2. One or more vehicles 1, terminals owned by their owners (for example, owners A and B) (for example, mobile terminals such as smartphones), and vehicle management device 2 can communicate with each other via network N. And.

The vehicle 1 is a saddle-type vehicle in this embodiment, but may be a passenger-type vehicle as another embodiment. A saddle-mounted vehicle refers to a type in which a driver rides across the vehicle body, and the concept includes a typical two-wheeled vehicle (including a scooter-type vehicle) and a three-wheeled vehicle (one front wheel and two rear wheels). Alternatively, a front two-wheeled and rear one-wheeled vehicle), an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) such as a four-wheeled buggy, and the like are also included.

The vehicle 1 includes a power source 11, a starting operation mechanism 12, a starting device 13, a driving operation mechanism 14, a control device 15, a communication device 16, and a battery 17. In this embodiment, an internal combustion engine (engine) is used as the power source 11, but as another embodiment, an electric motor such as a three-phase induction motor may be used as the power source 11.

The start operation mechanism 12 is configured to be able to input an operation for starting the power source 11, and outputs, for example, a signal based on an operation input by the driver to a control device 15 described later. Examples of operation input to the start operation mechanism 12 include a rotation operation using a predetermined key (ignition key, etc.) corresponding to the vehicle 1, a pressing operation using a pressing switch (start switch, remote key, etc.), and the like. Can be mentioned.

Based on the signal from the control device 15 (the signal from the start operation mechanism 12 received via the control device 15), the start device 13 starts the power source 11 and puts it into an operating state, and also enters the operating state. It is possible to stop the power source 11. A known ignition device including an igniter or the like may be used for the starting device 13.

The driving operation mechanism 14 includes, for example, a known acceleration operator, braking operator, and steering operator, and outputs, for example, a signal based on an operation input by the driver to a control device 15 described later. The control device 15 controls the traveling of the vehicle 1 based on the signal from the driving operation mechanism 14. From the driver's point of view, the driver can operate the vehicle 1 by using the driving operation mechanism 14. For example, the driver may use the acceleration controls to start or accelerate the vehicle 1, use the braking controls to decelerate or stop the vehicle 1, and use the steering controls to turn the vehicle 1. Can be done.

The control device 15 is an ECU (electronic control unit) capable of controlling the operation of the entire vehicle 1, and exchanges signals with and from each component of the vehicle 1 via a predetermined signal line, for example. Is possible. As an example, the control device 15 can receive a signal corresponding to the operation input to the start operation mechanism 12 and cause the start device 13 to start the power source 11 based on the signal. As another example, the control device 15 can receive a signal corresponding to the operation input to the driving operation mechanism 14 and control the traveling of the vehicle 1 based on the signal.

The function of the control device 15 can be realized by both hardware and software. For example, the function of the control device 15 may be realized by the CPU (central processing unit) executing a program on a computer using a memory. Alternatively, the function of the control device 15 may be realized by a known semiconductor device such as a PLD (programmable logic device) or an ASIC (semiconductor integrated circuit for a specific application).

Although the control device 15 is shown here as a single element, the control device 15 may be divided into two or more elements as needed.

Here, the control device 15 includes a function limiting device 151. Although the details will be described later, the function limiting device 151 can limit at least a part of a plurality of functions of the vehicle 1 by using the electric power of the battery 17. For example, the function limiting device 151 can suppress the start of the power source 11 by the starting device 13.

The battery 17 is provided so as to be able to supply electric power to at least the function limiting device 151, and is shown as a separate body from other elements in the present embodiment for ease of understanding, but as another embodiment, the control device 15 or a function is provided. It may be built in the limiting device 151. As the battery 17, a secondary battery that can be charged based on the power of the power source 11 is used, and examples thereof include a lead storage battery, a lithium ion battery, and a nickel hydrogen battery.

The communication device 16 includes a TCU (telematics control unit) or the like that performs signal processing for communicating with the network N, and the TCU includes an antenna for realizing communication with the network N. In other words, from the viewpoint of the control device 15, the control device 15 can communicate with the vehicle management device 2 described later via the network N by the communication device 16. A part of the function of the TCU may be provided in the control device 15, and a part of the function of the control device 15 may be provided in the TCU.

The vehicle management device 2 is a server for managing the vehicle 1, and the manager who manages the vehicle can provide a predetermined service using the vehicle 1 by the vehicle management device 2. An example of the service is vehicle sales based on a loan contract, and an example of a manager in that case is a company or organization such as a bank, but the manager may be an individual. In the present embodiment, the vehicle management device 2 includes a processing unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a communication interface unit 23.

The processing unit 21 is a processor including a CPU and a memory, and the storage unit 22 is a relatively large-capacity HDD (hard disk tribe). The storage unit 22 may be distributed and arranged on the network N (may be realized on a so-called cloud).

For example, the processing unit 21 can communicate with the vehicle 1 via the network N by the communication interface unit 23, store information about the vehicle 1 in the storage unit 22, or read the information from the storage unit 22. Further, the processing unit 21 can also communicate with the terminal of the owner A of the vehicle 1, and can store information about the owner A in the storage unit 22 or read it from the storage unit 22. The information about the vehicle 1 and the information about the owner A are correlated with each other, and a database DB about the vehicle 1 and its owner A is formed. Similarly, a database DB is formed for each of the other owner B in operation and the other owner (not shown).

In such a system SY, the vehicle management device 2 can communicate with the vehicle 1 and the owner A and the like to perform predetermined management. Examples of services that can be realized by the system SY include vehicle sales services, vehicle rental services, and the like, and examples of management by the vehicle management device 2 include permission or restriction of the owner to use the vehicle 1. The restriction on the use of the vehicle 1 as used herein means restricting the functions of at least a part of the vehicle 1, and includes the case where the functions of the vehicle 1 can be partially used. The system SY can also be expressed as a vehicle utilization service system.

For example, when a vehicle is sold between the manager and the owner A based on the loan contract, the vehicle management device 2 of the manager tells the owner A while the appropriate payment is made by the owner A. It is possible to permit the use of the vehicle 1 and limit the use when there is a payment delinquency. As an example, the vehicle management device 2 manages the payment status by the owner A on the database DB, and if there is a payment delinquency, a signal requesting that the vehicle 1 be disabled, for example, a power source 11 A signal requesting that the start of the vehicle be restricted is transmitted to the vehicle 1 of the owner A. In this vehicle 1, the function limiting device 151 can suppress the start of the power source 11 by the starting device 13 in response to the control device 15 receiving the above signal from the vehicle management device 2 by the communication device 16. ..

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a part of the connection mode of each element in the vehicle 1, mainly the connection mode between the function limiting device 151 and the communication device 16. In the present embodiment, the communication device 16 includes a sub-battery 161, a detection unit 162, a transmission unit 163, and a reception unit 164, and is electrically connected to the function restriction device 151 so that the power of the battery 17 can be received from the function restriction device 151. To.

The sub-battery 161 is an auxiliary battery different from the battery 17, and is configured to be rechargeable using the electric power of the battery 17. As described above, the battery 17 is provided so as to be able to supply electric power to at least the function limiting device 151. Therefore, as long as the communication device 16 is appropriately electrically connected to the function limiting device 151, the sub-battery 161 can output a predetermined voltage. Here, the sub-battery 161 is configured to be able to supply electric power for a predetermined time (for example, about 1 minute, about 10 seconds, etc.) even when the electrical connection between the function limiting device 151 and the communication device 16 is disconnected. Just do it. As the sub-battery 161 that can realize this, a secondary battery having a relatively small size can be typically used, but a capacitor having a relatively large capacity may be used instead.

Although the details will be described later, the detection unit 162 can detect the output voltage value of the battery 17 received from the function limiting device 151, and the transmission unit 163 can detect the detection result of the detection unit 162 when the predetermined condition is satisfied. A signal indicating that is transmitted to the vehicle management device 2.

The receiving unit 164 receives a restriction instruction signal (referred to as signal SIG1) instructing the restriction of the function from the vehicle management device 2. In response to the reception of the restriction instruction signal SIG1, the function limiting device 151 suppresses the start of the power source 11 by deactivating the starting device 13.

Further, the receiving unit 164 can also receive a restriction release instruction signal (referred to as a signal SIG2) instructing the release of the function restriction from the vehicle management device 2. In response to the reception of the restriction release instruction signal SIG2, the function limiting device 151 enables the power source 11 to be started by activating the starting device 13.

Here, an embodiment in which the start of the power source 11 is restricted by the function limiting device 151 is exemplified, but the target of the function restriction is not limited to this example, and for example, at least a part of the driving operation ( For example, the acceleration operation) may be restricted.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing the detection result by the detection unit 162. In the figure, the vertical axis indicates the output voltage value V1 of the battery 17, and the horizontal axis indicates the time axis. For example, in the period T1, it is assumed that the output voltage value V1 decreases relatively slowly due to the use of the battery 17 accompanying the traveling of the vehicle 1, for example. For example, in the period T2, it is assumed that the battery 17 is not substantially used and the output voltage value V1 is maintained substantially constant.

On the other hand, in the period T3, it is assumed that the output voltage value V1 drops sharply. This occurs because the electrical connection between the function limiting device 151 and the communication device 16 is disconnected (for example, the communication device is unintentionally removed from the vehicle). In such a case, it becomes impossible to continue providing the service by the system SY, and this needs to be notified to the vehicle management device 2.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the detection unit 162 detects that the absolute value of the decrease amount ΔV1 of the output voltage value V1 per unit time is larger than the reference value ΔV _REF , a signal (signal SIG3) indicating that fact is detected. ) Is transmitted to the vehicle management device 2 by the transmission unit 163. That is, when the lowering mode of the output voltage value V1 satisfies the standard, the signal SIG3 notifies the vehicle management device 2.

Here, the transmission unit 163 is electrically connected to the sub-battery 161. As described above, the sub-battery 161 can supply electric power for a predetermined time even when the electrical connection between the function limiting device 151 and the communication device 16 is disconnected. Therefore, when the absolute value of the reduction amount ΔV1 becomes larger than the reference value ΔV _REF , the transmission unit 163 signals the vehicle management device 2 using the power of the sub-battery 161 (without using the power of the battery 17). SIG3 can be transmitted. As a result, the administrator can recognize that the electrical connection between the function limiting device 151 and the communication device 16 has been disconnected.

The signal SIG3 may incidentally be further transmitted to the terminal of the owner of the vehicle 1. As a result, the owner can further recognize that the electrical connection between the function limiting device 151 and the communication device 16 has been disconnected.

Alternatively, the signal SIG 3 may be transmitted when an acceleration equal to or higher than the reference is further applied to the communication device 16. This makes it possible to prevent a situation in which the signal SIG3 is unintentionally transmitted due to vibration or the like while the vehicle 1 is traveling.

According to the present embodiment, the transmission unit 163 is electrically connected to the sub-battery 161 that can supply electric power for a predetermined time even when the electrical connection between the function limiting device 151 and the communication device 16 is disconnected. .. Therefore, when the reduction mode of the output voltage value V1 detected by the detection unit 162 satisfies the standard, the communication device 16 externally transmits a signal SIG3 indicating that fact by using the power of the sub-battery 161 by the transmission unit 163. It is transmitted to the vehicle management device 2 which is a device. For example, if the communication device 16 is unintentionally removed from the vehicle 1, the vehicle management device 2 is notified of the fact. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the reliability in various service forms including the services exemplified here.

In the present embodiment, the embodiment in which the communication device 16 is electrically connected to the function limiting device 151 capable of limiting the function of the vehicle 1 is exemplified, but the communication device 16 can be applied to other uses. .. That is, the communication device 16 can be used for various purposes by operating by receiving the electric power of the battery and electrically connecting the electric power to any in-vehicle device capable of supplying the electric power to the communication device 16.

(Second Embodiment)
In the above-mentioned first embodiment, when the lowering mode of the output voltage value V1 detected by the detection unit 162 satisfies the standard, the signal SIG3 indicating that is transmitted to the vehicle management device 2 has been exemplified. In certain cases, the transmission of the signal SIG3 may be suppressed.

For example, in a repair shop, the communication device 16 may be removed from the vehicle 1 for maintenance. Therefore, the transmission of the signal SIG3 may be suppressed at a specific position. This can be achieved, for example, by providing the vehicle 1 with a vehicle position specifying device for specifying the position. As the vehicle position specifying device, a known device such as GPS (Global Positioning System) may be used.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to suppress the transmission of the signal SIG3 while the vehicle 1 is present at the position registered in advance, that is, the unintended notification to the vehicle management device 2 is not performed.

(Third Embodiment)
In the above-mentioned first embodiment, as an example of the case where the reduction mode of the output voltage value V1 satisfies the reference, the case where the absolute value of the reduction amount ΔV1 of the output voltage value V1 is larger than the reference value ΔV _REF is illustrated, but it is specified. In this case, the transmission of the signal SIG3 may be suppressed.

FIG. 4 shows a timing chart showing the detection result by the detection unit 162 in the same manner as in FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 4, in the period T3, the absolute value of the change amount (increase / decrease amount) ΔV1'of the output voltage value V1 per unit time becomes larger than the reference value ΔV _REF ' twice within a predetermined time. When the above is repeated, the transmission of the signal SIG3 may be suppressed. In other words, when the decrease in the output voltage value V1 is temporary, this may be caused by vibration or the like during traveling of the vehicle 1. Therefore, in such a case, it can be said that it is preferable to suppress the transmission of the signal SIG3. For this, for example, the detection result of the detection unit 162 is held for at least a predetermined time (for example, about 1 second), and the control device 15 performs arithmetic processing on the change mode of the output voltage value V1 over the predetermined time. It is feasible.

Alternatively, since the output voltage value V1 may return to the original voltage value within a predetermined time, when the absolute value of the change amount ΔV1'is larger than the reference value ΔV _REF'is repeated an even number of times within the predetermined time. , The transmission of the signal SIG3 may be suppressed.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the signal SIG3 is unintentionally transmitted due to vibration or the like during traveling of the vehicle 1.

(others)
In the above description, for the sake of facilitation of understanding, each element is shown by a name related to its functional aspect, but each element is not limited to the one having the contents described in the embodiment as the main function. However, it may be provided as an auxiliary. For example, although the vehicle 1 is exemplified as a typical example in the present specification, it can be said that the content of the embodiment can be applied to a vehicle without wheels (ship, etc.), that is, can be applied to various moving objects.

(Summary of embodiments)
The first aspect relates to a communication device (for example, 16), which is a communication device that can be electrically connected to an in-vehicle device (for example, a function limiting device 151) that operates by receiving the power of a battery (for example, 17). A sub-battery different from the battery (for example, 161), a detection unit (for example, 162) for detecting the output voltage value of the battery received from the in-vehicle device, and a reduction mode of the output voltage value detected by the detection unit. When the standard is satisfied, a transmission unit (for example, 163) for transmitting a signal (for example, SIG3) indicating that fact to an external device using the power of the sub-battery is provided. As a result, when the communication device is unintentionally removed from the in-vehicle device, the external device (for example, the administrator) is notified of the fact. Therefore, according to the first aspect, it is possible to improve the reliability of various service forms.

In the second aspect, when the decrease mode of the output voltage value satisfies the standard, the absolute value of the decrease amount (for example, ΔV1) of the output voltage value per unit time is larger than the reference value (for example, ΔV _REF ). It is characterized by including. This makes it possible to appropriately realize the first aspect.

The third aspect is characterized in that, when the reduction mode of the output voltage value satisfies the standard, the case where the reduced output voltage value does not return to the original voltage value within a predetermined time is included. As a result, unintended notification to the external device due to vibration or the like while the vehicle is running is not performed.

In the fourth aspect, the transmission unit further transmits the signal to the terminal of the owner of the vehicle on which the vehicle-mounted device is mounted. This notifies the owner if the communication device is unintentionally removed from the vehicle.

A fifth aspect is characterized in that, when the vehicle on which the in-vehicle device is mounted is present at a pre-registered position (for example, a repair shop), the transmission unit suppresses the transmission of the signal. As a result, when the communication device is removed from the vehicle at the position registered in advance, an unintended notification to the external device is not performed.

In the sixth aspect, the transmitting unit further transmits the signal when an acceleration equal to or higher than a reference is applied to the communication device. As a result, unintended notification to the external device due to vibration or the like while the vehicle is running is not performed.

In a seventh aspect, the vehicle-mounted device is a function limiting device (for example, 151) that limits a predetermined function of a vehicle on which the vehicle-mounted device is mounted by using the electric power of the battery, and the communication device is the communication device. It is characterized by further comprising a receiving unit (for example, 164) for receiving a restriction instruction signal (for example, SIG1) instructing to limit the function from the external device. This makes it possible to appropriately limit the functions of the vehicle.

In the eighth aspect, the function limiting device is characterized in that the function is restricted in response to the reception unit receiving the restriction instruction signal. This makes it possible to appropriately realize the seventh aspect.

In the ninth aspect, the function limiting device is characterized in that at least a part (for example, an acceleration operation) of the driving operation of the vehicle is restricted. This makes it possible to appropriately limit the functions of the vehicle.

In a tenth aspect, the sub-battery is configured to be rechargeable using the electric power of the battery. This makes it possible to appropriately realize the first aspect.

The eleventh aspect relates to a vehicle (for example, 1), wherein the vehicle includes the above-mentioned communication device (for example, 16) and a power source (for example, 11). That is, the above-mentioned various service forms can be utilized for a typical vehicle.

In the twelfth aspect, the in-vehicle device is a function limiting device that limits the start of the power source by using the electric power of the battery. This makes it possible to limit the start of the vehicle if the communication device is unintentionally removed from the in-vehicle device.

In the thirteenth aspect, the battery is built in the in-vehicle device. This makes it possible to appropriately realize the first aspect.

In the fourteenth aspect, the vehicle is a saddle-mounted vehicle (for example, 1). That is, the above-mentioned various service forms can be utilized for a typical saddle-mounted vehicle.

A fifteenth aspect relates to a vehicle management system (for example, SY), wherein the system includes the above-mentioned vehicle (for example, 1) and a vehicle management device (for example, 2) as the external device. This makes it possible to realize the above-mentioned various service forms.

The invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the invention.

1: Vehicle, 151: Function limiting device, 16: Communication device, 161: Sub battery, 162: Detection unit, 163: Transmission unit, 17: Battery.

Claims (15)

A communication device mounted on a vehicle
A detector that detects the output voltage value from the battery mounted on the vehicle, and
When the reduction mode of the output voltage value detected by the detection unit satisfies the standard, the transmission unit transmits a signal indicating that fact to the external device using the power of the sub-battery mounted on the communication device. And with
When the decrease mode of the output voltage value satisfies the standard, the absolute value of the decrease amount of the output voltage value per unit time is larger than the reference value, and the absolute value of the decrease amount is larger than the reference value. When the increase is repeated two or more times within a predetermined time, the transmitter suppresses the transmission of the signal.
A communication device characterized by that. When the absolute value of the amount of decrease in the output voltage value per unit time becomes larger than the reference value an even number of times within a predetermined time, the transmitter suppresses the transmission of the signal.
The communication device according to claim 1. The first or second aspect of the present invention, wherein when the decrease mode of the output voltage value satisfies the standard, the decreased output voltage value does not return to the original voltage value within a predetermined time. Communication device. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the transmission unit further transmits the signal to the terminal of the owner of the vehicle. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein when the vehicle is present at a position registered in advance, the transmission unit suppresses transmission of the signal. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the transmission unit further transmits the signal when an acceleration equal to or higher than a reference is applied to the communication device. The vehicle includes a function limiting device that limits a predetermined function of the vehicle by using the electric power of the battery.
The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the communication device further includes a receiving unit that receives a restriction instruction signal instructing to limit the function from the external device. .. The communication device according to claim 7 , wherein the function limiting device limits the function in response to the receiving unit receiving the limiting instruction signal. The communication device according to claim 7 or 8 , wherein the function limiting device limits at least a part of the driving operation of the vehicle. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , wherein the sub-battery is configured to be rechargeable using the electric power of the battery. A vehicle comprising the communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and a power source. Further provided with a function limiting device for limiting a predetermined function of the vehicle by using the electric power of the battery.
11. The vehicle according to claim 11 , wherein the function limiting device is a device that limits the start of the power source by using the electric power of the battery. The vehicle according to claim 11 or 12 , wherein the battery is built in the vehicle. The vehicle according to any one of claims 11 to 13 , wherein the vehicle is a saddle-mounted vehicle. The vehicle according to any one of claims 11 to 14 , and the vehicle.
A vehicle management system including a vehicle management device as the external device.

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