JP2005104453A - Information broadcasting equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible for all devices mounted on a vehicle and those installed outside the vehicle to easily share vehicle information. <P>SOLUTION: Broadcasting ECU10 is designed to extract necessary data from data that flows through inner vehicle LAN5 in a suitable manner, to recompose the extracted data for the broadcasting frame having a selected format, and to repeatedly forward recomposed data to the power source cable network 3 at each timing of broadcasting. Meanwhile, vehicle-mounted equipment 20, 30 arranged to receive broadcasting frames through the power source cable network 3 extract necessary data only from the broadcasting frames received and perform the control and processing to fulfill functions of equipment 20, 30, based on extracted data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information broadcasting apparatus that provides information in a broadcast format to each device mounted on a vehicle.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in vehicles, in order to enhance control and enhance services, in-vehicle devices such as an electronic control unit (ECU) are connected to each other via a communication signal line so that a local area network (so-called in-vehicle LAN) ) And sharing information between in-vehicle devices (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-144659 A (FIG. 3)

  However, in-vehicle devices that are not connected to the in-vehicle LAN, external devices that are attached later, and devices that are installed outside the vehicle cannot use the information flowing through the in-vehicle LAN. Even if the device has, it is necessary to separately provide the function, which hinders cost reduction, weight reduction, and downsizing.

  In order to avoid such duplication of functions, when all devices requiring connection are connected to the in-vehicle LAN, there is a problem in that the load on the in-vehicle LAN increases and the communication speed decreases. . In order to reduce the load on the in-vehicle LAN, it may be possible to divide the network into a plurality of sub-networks by providing a gateway. However, in this case, there is a problem that the configuration of the in-vehicle LAN becomes complicated.

  In particular, in recent years, with the advancement of vehicle control and in-vehicle information, the sensor ECU for grasping the driving environment and the vehicle situation, and in-vehicle devices that perform various controls using information from these sensor ECUs, that is, Since the in-vehicle devices that should be connected to the in-vehicle LAN are rapidly increasing, the above-mentioned problem is becoming more serious.

  In addition, when an external device brought from outside the vehicle is configured to be connected to the in-vehicle LAN, there is a problem that security may be lowered, such as a computer virus being brought into the in-vehicle LAN via the external device. .

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to enable all devices mounted on a vehicle to easily share necessary information in order to solve the above problems.

  In the information broadcasting apparatus of the first invention made to achieve the above object, the broadcasting means is information relating to the vehicle using a transmission medium different from the signal line constituting the local area network installed in the vehicle. Vehicle information is provided to each device mounted on the vehicle and devices installed outside the vehicle in a broadcast format.

  In other words, in a vehicle equipped with the information broadcasting apparatus of the present invention, each device installed in the vehicle and a device installed outside the vehicle may receive information provided in a broadcast format even when not connected to the local area network. By receiving, vehicle information can be shared.

  In addition, since a device that uses vehicle information does not need a transmitter and only includes a receiver, the configuration for acquiring vehicle information is smaller than when connecting to a local area network. Can be suppressed.

  As described above, according to the present invention, each device mounted on the vehicle can easily share vehicle information, so that duplication of functions in each device can be avoided, and the entire vehicle can be reduced in cost, weight and size. Can be achieved.

  Further, according to the present invention, since a device that only uses vehicle information does not need to be connected to a local area network, the number of devices connected to the local area network can be reduced, and the load on the network can be reduced.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, since an external device using vehicle information does not access the local area network, a computer virus or the like is not brought in by the external device, and the security of the local area network is improved. Vehicle information can be provided safely without threatening.

  By the way, it is desirable that the vehicle information provided by the broadcasting means includes at least vehicle state data indicating the state of the vehicle, and the vehicle state data may be collected by the data collecting means.

In particular, it is desirable that the vehicle state data collected by the data collecting means includes at least one of data relating to the behavior of the vehicle or data indicating a failure state of the device.
That is, by making such data available to each device, it is possible for each device to provide advanced control according to the running state and the failure status of other devices, and the functions provided by each device. Enhancement, usability and reliability can be improved.

  In addition, the data collecting means may collect these vehicle state data directly from sensors or the like installed in various places of the vehicle, but a part or all of them are connected to the local area network via the local area network. You may comprise so that it may collect from collected apparatus. In this case, data can be collected without using a new sensor or the like by using data on the existing local area network.

  The data collecting means may be configured to add time data indicating the acquisition time or the expiration date of the vehicle state data to the collected vehicle state data. That is, since the vehicle state data collected by the data collecting means changes with the passage of time, such time data can be used to control with low accuracy and reliability based on old data that has expired. Can be prevented from being executed.

Next, the vehicle information provided by the broadcasting unit may include at least unique data that is unique to the vehicle.
The unique data includes, for example, a vehicle type identification code for identifying the type of vehicle, a vehicle body identification code for identifying individual vehicle bodies, and preferably includes at least one of these.

  Each device that uses vehicle information can provide, for example, control and service suitable for the configuration and characteristics of the vehicle specified by the vehicle type identification code when the vehicle type identification code is included in the vehicle information. On the other hand, when the vehicle information includes a vehicle body identification code, for example, it is possible to improve security by configuring the device so that it does not operate unless a registered vehicle type identification code is received. .

  The broadcasting means is preferably configured to add an error detection code for detecting an error occurring during transmission of the vehicle information to the vehicle information to be provided. In this case, the reliability of the vehicle information provided by broadcasting can be improved by discarding the vehicle information in which an error is detected by the error detection code.

Further, the broadcasting means may be configured to add format identification information indicating the type and transmission order of the vehicle information to the vehicle information to be provided.
That is, if a plurality of formats are prepared and an optimum format is appropriately selected for the vehicle to be mounted, vehicle information can be efficiently provided in accordance with the vehicle type, the customized state, and the like.

  By the way, the information broadcasting apparatus of the present invention may be provided with an operation state notification means for notifying each device connected to the local area network via the local area network.

  In this case, the device connected to the local area network operates a configuration for receiving vehicle information only when the information broadcasting apparatus is normally broadcasting based on the operation state notified from the information broadcasting apparatus. By reducing the power consumption by grasping the format used for broadcasting in advance, processing related to the format identification information is omitted when receiving the broadcast, thereby reducing the processing load when receiving vehicle information. Can be achieved.

  Next, in the information broadcasting apparatus of the second invention, the broadcasting means uses the transmission medium different from the signal line constituting the local area network to transmit the reference time information indicating the current time to each device mounted on the vehicle. Provide in broadcast format.

  In other words, in a vehicle equipped with the information broadcasting apparatus of the present invention, each device mounted on the vehicle receives reference time information provided in a broadcast format even if it is not connected to the local area network, Processing and control synchronized with each other can be executed.

  As the reference time information, the output of a timer provided for timing may be used. For example, the time information used by the GPS receiver for distance measurement or the time information obtained by receiving a standard radio wave is used. It may be used. When the reference time information is generated using GPS or standard radio waves in this way, accurate time can be grasped without providing a highly accurate time measuring means, and each device is not only in the vehicle but also outside the vehicle. It is also possible to execute processing and control synchronized with the device.

  In addition, the broadcast means includes, in the provided reference time information, an error detection code for detecting an error occurring during transmission of the reference time information, and a frame timing detection code used for extracting the reception timing of the reference time information. It is desirable to configure so as to add.

  That is, by adding an error detection code, the reliability of the reference time information provided by broadcasting can be improved, and by adding a frame timing detection code, the reference time information is extracted by each device. The configuration for doing so can be simplified.

By the way, in the information providing apparatus of the first and second inventions described above, the broadcasting means may use a power line as a transmission medium or may use radio.
In these cases, since it is not necessary to lay a new signal line for broadcasting, it can be realized at low cost. In particular, when a power line is used, not only can existing assets be used effectively, but all devices connected to the power line can share vehicle information and reference time information. In addition, when wireless is used, vehicle information and reference time information can be shared by simply bringing the device into the vehicle without connecting it to the vehicle. That is, even with an external device to be retrofitted, it is possible to easily provide advanced control and enhanced services using vehicle information and reference time information.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the vehicle information broadcasting system of the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle information broadcasting system 1 of the present embodiment is a broadcasting electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as “broadcast ECU”) 10 as a broadcasting device mounted on a vehicle and providing information in a broadcasting format. The vehicle includes a plurality of in-vehicle devices 20 and 30 that are installed in various places of the vehicle and that execute various controls and processes based on information provided by the broadcast ECU.

  The broadcast ECU 10 and the in-vehicle devices 20 and 30 are both connected to a power line network 3 that supplies a DC power supply voltage from a battery (not shown), and the power line network 3 is broadcast by the broadcast ECU 10. So that it can be used as a transmission medium when performing so-called power line communication.

  The broadcast ECU 10 and some in-vehicle devices 20 are connected to an in-vehicle local area network (LAN) 5 capable of bidirectional communication, and communicate with each other according to a preset protocol (CAN protocol in this embodiment). It is configured.

Hereinafter, the in-vehicle device 20 connected to the in-vehicle LAN 5 is also referred to as a LAN connection device, and the in-vehicle device 30 not connected to the in-vehicle LAN is also referred to as a LAN non-connection device.
Examples of the LAN connection device 20 include various ECUs that detect or generate data useful for many devices 20 and 30. Specifically, a control system ECU that performs control related to a running state, a radar, Information system ECU (for example, navigation device) provided with means (key, touch panel, pointing device, etc.) for inputting various commands in addition to sensor ECU for detecting data for grasping the situation inside and outside the vehicle by various sensors Etc.

  On the other hand, as an example of the LAN unconnected device 30, control or processing using data detected and generated by the LAN connected device 20 is executed, but the device itself detects data required by the other devices 20 and 30. There is an ECU that does not generate the radar, and for example, a radar detector ECU.

Here, the format of a broadcast frame used in broadcasting via the power line network 3 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, a broadcast frame is added to a data part made up of one or more vehicle information blocks that are the substance of data to be provided to each device 20, 30, and before the data part (the head of the frame). Added to the header part of format identification data for specifying the type and arrangement of vehicle information blocks included in the data part, and after the data part (the end of the frame) to detect bit errors occurring during frame transmission. For example, a footer portion including error detection data (for example, a CRC code).

  The data stored in each vehicle information block is classified into vehicle state data indicating the state of the vehicle that changes from moment to moment and unique data indicating information unique to the vehicle, and in particular, classified into vehicle state data. For the data, a time stamp (TS) is added as time data indicating the time when the data was acquired or the expiration date of the data.

  The data classified into the vehicle state data includes, specifically, data indicating the behavior of the vehicle (vehicle speed, acceleration, steering angle, etc.), information affecting the behavior of the vehicle (tire pressure, number of passengers, etc.) And data indicating the operating status and failure status of individual devices. On the other hand, data classified as unique data includes a vehicle type identification code for identifying the type of vehicle, a vehicle body identification code for identifying the host vehicle and other vehicles, and the like.

Next, the configuration of the broadcast ECU 10, the LAN connection device 20, and the LAN unconnected device 30 will be described.
First, as shown in FIG. 1, the broadcast ECU 10 receives a DC power supply voltage via the power supply line network 3 and superimposes a signal on the DC power supply voltage and a power supply circuit 11 that supplies power to each part of the broadcast ECU 10. Thus, a signal is transmitted from the transmission I / F unit 13 that transmits a signal via the power line network 3, the LAN controller 15 that transmits and receives a signal via the in-vehicle LAN 5, and a sensor directly connected to the broadcast ECU 10. The transmission I / F unit includes an input unit 17 for inputting the data and data collected by communication with the LAN connection device 20 via the LAN controller 15 and data collected via the input unit 17. 13 includes a broadcast control unit 19 that executes information collection / broadcasting processing and the like provided to each of the in-vehicle devices 20 and 30 in a broadcast format.

  The broadcast control unit 19 supplies a broadcast frame header and data to the transmission I / F unit 13. Then, the transmission I / F unit 13 generates an error detection code based on the supplied header part and data part, and transmits the error detection code as a footer part after the data part. Further, at the time of this transmission, the transmission I / F unit 13 is configured to perform amplitude phase modulation and quadrature modulation and transmit a modulated signal using a preset frequency band.

  Next, the LAN connection device 20 receives a DC power supply voltage via the power supply network 3 and extracts a power supply circuit 21 that supplies power to each part of the device 20 and a signal superimposed on the DC power supply voltage. The receiving I / F unit 23 for receiving, the LAN controller 25 for transmitting and receiving signals via the in-vehicle LAN 5, the broadcasting ECU 10 via the in-vehicle LAN 5, providing the broadcasting data, the communication through the in-vehicle LAN 5, Based on the data control unit 27 that executes processing such as obtaining data necessary for the device 20 by receiving the broadcast via the power line network 3, the device 20 is based on the data obtained by the data control unit 27, and the like. And a functional unit 29 that executes control and processing for fulfilling the above functions.

  In addition, the LAN unconnected device 30 has a configuration in which the LAN controller 25 is deleted from the LAN connected device 20. The power supply circuit 31 and the reception I / F unit 33 are configured in the same manner as the LAN connected device 20. , A data control unit 37 and a function unit 39 are provided. However, since the data control unit 37 is not connected to the in-vehicle LAN 5, the data control unit 37 is configured to acquire data necessary for the device 30 only by receiving a broadcast via the power line network 3.

  Note that the reception I / F units 23 and 33 of the devices 20 and 30 demodulate the signal received via the power line network 3 in the reverse procedure of the transmission I / F unit 13 and broadcast obtained by demodulation. An error check is performed on the frame using the error detection code stored in the footer portion. If an error is detected, the received broadcast frame is discarded, and if no error is detected, only the header part and the data part are supplied to the data control parts 27 and 37.

Next, information collection / broadcast processing executed by the broadcast control unit 19 of the broadcast ECU 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
This process is activated when a broadcast frame format is selected and a setting for broadcasting (broadcast ON) is selected via an input screen of a navigation device that is one of the LAN connection devices 20, When the setting to stop broadcasting (broadcast OFF) is selected, it stops.

  When this process is started, as shown in FIG. 3, first, it is determined whether or not data is received via the in-vehicle LAN (S110). If the data is received, It is determined whether or not the vehicle state data is included (120). If not included, the process returns to S110.

  On the other hand, if the received data includes vehicle state data, the vehicle state data is extracted (S130), and a time stamp indicating the current time or the expiration date of the data is generated (S140). The vehicle information composed of the status data and the time stamp is stored in the storage area for storing the vehicle information (S150), and the process returns to S110.

  A storage area is secured for each broadcast data format, and the vehicle information is stored in all corresponding areas. In the storage area for each format, when the format identification number constituting the header portion of the format and the vehicle information to be provided include unique data, the unique data is also stored in advance. It shall be.

  If it is determined in S110 that no data is received via the in-vehicle LAN, it is determined whether or not it is a broadcast timing (S160). If it is not a broadcast timing, the process returns to S110.

  On the other hand, at the broadcast timing, the header part (format identification number) and data part (vehicle information block) of the broadcast frame stored in the storage area corresponding to the selected frame format are sent to the transmission I / F part 13. (S170), and the process returns to S110.

Next, reception processing executed by the data control units 27 and 37 of the in-vehicle devices 20 and 30 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
This process is activated when the reception I / F units 23 and 33 receive a broadcast frame.

  When this process is started, as shown in FIG. 4, first, the header part and the data part of the received broadcast frame are fetched from the reception I / F parts 23 and 33 (S210). Then, the format identification number of the header part is checked (S220), and it is determined whether or not the data part contains data (vehicle information) useful for the devices 20 and 30 (S230). If it is not included, the process is terminated as it is.

  On the other hand, if useful data is included in the data part, it is extracted from the data part (S240). If the extracted data contains vehicle state data, a time stamp check is performed for each of the vehicle state data. (S250). In this time stamp check, the time indicated in the time stamp is compared with the current time, and if the data exceeds the expiration date, the data is discarded.

  Then, as a result of the time stamp check, the data confirmed to be within the expiration date and the unique data not originally given the time stamp are provided as valid data to the function units 29 and 39 (S260). ), This process is terminated.

  As described above, in the vehicle information broadcasting system 1 of the present embodiment, the broadcast ECU 10 appropriately extracts necessary data from the data flowing through the in-vehicle LAN 5, and re-extracts the extracted data into a broadcast frame having the selected format. It is configured so that it is repeatedly sent to the power line network 3 at every broadcast timing. On the other hand, the in-vehicle devices 20 and 30 that receive broadcast frames via the power line network 3 extract only necessary data from the received broadcast frames, and perform functions of the devices 20 and 30 based on the data. Control and processing are executed.

  Therefore, according to the vehicle information broadcasting system 1 of the present embodiment, even if the in-vehicle device 30 is not connected to the in-vehicle LAN 5, as long as it is connected to the power line network 3, the other in-vehicle device 20 detects or generates it. It is possible to share vehicle information including vehicle state data and unique data.

  As a result, each of the in-vehicle devices 20 and 30 uses these vehicle information to provide advanced control according to the traveling state and traveling environment of the own vehicle identified from the vehicle state data, the failure state of other devices, and the like. In addition, it is possible to provide control and services that are adapted to the vehicle's unique configuration and characteristics specified by the unique data, and it is possible to enhance the functions provided by each device, improve usability and reliability.

  Further, since in-vehicle devices that only use vehicle information do not need to be connected to the in-vehicle LAN 5, all the in-vehicle devices may be configured as the LAN unconnected device 30, and the in-vehicle devices (LAN connected devices) 20 connected to the in-vehicle LAN 5 Thus, the load on the in-vehicle LAN 5 can be greatly reduced.

  Further, in the vehicle information broadcasting system 1 of the present embodiment, it is not necessary to access the in-vehicle LAN 5 when using the vehicle information. Therefore, a computer virus is brought into the in-vehicle LAN 5 by an external device that uses the vehicle information. Can be reliably prevented. That is, vehicle information can be safely provided without threatening the security of the in-vehicle LAN 5.

  Furthermore, since each vehicle-mounted device 20 and 30 can share vehicle information easily, duplication of the function in each vehicle-mounted device 20 and 30 can be avoided, and cost reduction, weight reduction, and size reduction can be achieved as a whole vehicle. it can.

  Moreover, each of the in-vehicle devices 20 and 30 that use the vehicle information only needs to have a receiver as a configuration for acquiring the vehicle information, and the configuration can be kept small compared to the case of connecting to the in-vehicle LAN 5. Can do.

  In the present embodiment, error detection data is given to the broadcast frame, and when a bit error occurs during transmission, the broadcast frame is discarded. Reliable vehicle information can be acquired.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, since the vehicle state data is given a time stamp, the in-vehicle devices 20 and 30 that use the vehicle state data have accuracy and reliability based on old data that has expired. It is possible to prevent low control or the like from being executed.

In this embodiment, the transmission I / F unit 13 and S160 to S170 correspond to broadcasting means, and the LAN controller 15 and S110 to S150 correspond to data collection means.
[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the broadcast control unit 19 of the broadcast ECU 10 performs a monitoring process in addition to the broadcast process, and the data control unit 27 of the LAN connection device 20 executes a simplified reception process and a reception process. Except that the setting process is executed and the operation of the reception I / F unit 23 of the LAN connection device 20 is partially different, it is completely the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus the differences will be mainly described.

  First, in the present embodiment, the reception I / F unit 23 of the LAN connection device 20 is activated / stopped according to a command from the data control unit 27 and vehicle information set by the data control unit 27 when a broadcast frame is received. Only the block is extracted and provided to the data control unit 27.

Next, the monitoring process executed by the broadcast control unit 19 of the broadcast ECU 10 will be described along the flowchart shown in FIG.
This process is repeatedly started at a preset monitoring cycle.

When this process is started, as shown in FIG. 5, first, the operation (self-operation) of each part in the broadcast ECU 10 is checked, and the check result is stored (S310).
Next, the setting of the broadcast state (broadcast ON / OFF) selected via the input screen of the navigation device and the setting of the format of the broadcast frame are checked, and the check result is stored (S320).

  And the monitoring data which consists of the check result of the self-operation memorize | stored in S310 and the check result of each setting memorize | stored in S320 is transmitted to all the LAN connection apparatuses 20 via in-vehicle LAN5 (S330), This process ends.

Next, the reception setting process executed by the data control unit 27 of the LAN connection device 20 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
This process is started when monitoring data from the broadcast ECU 10 is received via the in-vehicle LAN 5.

  When this processing is started, as shown in FIG. 6, first, it is determined whether or not the operation of the broadcast ECU 10 is normal from the received monitoring data based on the self-operation check result (S410). If it is abnormal, the operation of the reception I / F unit 23 is stopped (S480), and this process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the operation of the broadcast ECU 10 is normal, it is determined whether or not there has been a change from the previous broadcast state by referring to the check result of the broadcast state from the monitoring data (S420). If there is, it is determined whether or not the change is a change from broadcast OFF to broadcast ON (S430).

  If the change is from broadcast OFF to broadcast ON, the stopped reception I / F unit 23 is activated (S440), the process proceeds to S460, and conversely, the change from broadcast ON to broadcast OFF is possible. If so, the operating reception I / F unit 23 is stopped (S480), and this process is terminated.

  If it is determined in S420 that there is no change in the broadcast state, it is determined whether or not the currently set broadcast state is broadcast ON (S450). This process ends.

  On the other hand, if the currently set broadcast state is broadcast ON, it refers to the format setting from the monitoring data to determine whether there has been a change from the previous setting (S460), and the format change is made. If not, the process ends.

  If the format is changed, the setting of the vehicle information block to be extracted when the reception I / F unit 23 receives the broadcast frame is changed according to the changed format (S470), and the process is terminated. To do.

  That is, when the operation of the broadcast ECU 10 is abnormal, the reception I / F unit 23 is unconditionally stopped, and when the operation of the broadcast ECU 10 is normal, the reception I / F unit 23 operates according to the setting of the broadcast state. The start / stop is controlled, and when the broadcast frame format is changed, the setting of the reception I / F unit 23 is changed correspondingly, and the reception I / F unit 23 controls the data control unit 27. Only necessary data (vehicle information) is provided.

Next, the reception process executed by the data control unit 27 of the LAN connection device 20 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
Note that this processing is activated when the reception I / F unit 23 receives a broadcast frame, as in the case of the first embodiment.

  When this process is started, as shown in FIG. 7, first, data (vehicle information) useful for the device 20 extracted by the reception I / F unit 23 from the data portion of the received broadcast frame is extracted. The data is taken from the reception I / F unit 23 (S510), and if the fetched data includes vehicle state data, a time stamp check is performed for each of the vehicle state data (S520). The contents of the time stamp check are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Then, as a result of the time stamp check, the data confirmed to be within the expiration date and the unique data not originally given the time stamp are provided as valid data to the functional unit 29 (S530), This process ends.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the broadcast ECU 10 is configured to transmit monitoring data including its own operation state and settings related to broadcasting to the LAN connection device 20.

  For this reason, the LAN connection device 20 can be configured to operate the reception I / F unit 23 only when the broadcast ECU 10 is normally broadcasting based on the monitoring data. Wasteful power consumption can be reduced.

  In addition, since the LAN connection device 20 can know in advance the format of the broadcast frame from the monitoring data, the process of analyzing the format identification information (S220 to S240) can be omitted in the broadcast frame reception process. The processing load on the data control unit 27 can be reduced.

In the present embodiment, the LAN controller 15 and S310 to S330 correspond to an operation state notification unit.
In the first and second embodiments, the broadcast ECU 10 is configured to perform wired broadcasting via the power line network 3, but may be configured to perform wireless broadcasting.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, in the broadcast ECU 10a, the transmission I / F unit 13a is configured to transmit a broadcast frame via an antenna. In the in-vehicle devices 20a and 30a, the reception I / F units 23a and 33a are configured. May be configured to receive broadcast frames via the antenna.

  Further, in this case, since the in-vehicle device that uses the vehicle information does not need to be connected to the power line 3, the reception I / F as in the in-vehicle device (LAN unconnected device) 30 b shown in FIG. Instead of the unit 33, a reception I / F unit 33 b that receives a broadcast frame via an antenna may be provided, and a battery 31 b may be provided instead of the power supply circuit 31.

Such an in-vehicle device 30b is suitable for an in-vehicle device to be retrofitted because it is possible to use vehicle information without connecting to the vehicle.
Furthermore, when the radio broadcast area by the broadcast ECU 10 is about a few meters in radius centered on the vehicle, the device using the vehicle information is not necessarily mounted on the vehicle. That is, in this case, it is possible to configure devices and systems that provide various services using vehicle information from the outside of the vehicle.
[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment will be described.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a time information broadcasting system to which the present invention is applied.
As shown in FIG. 9, the time information broadcasting system 2 is mounted on a vehicle and provides a time broadcasting electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as “time broadcasting ECU”) as an information broadcasting device that provides reference time information representing the current time in a broadcasting format. 50) and a plurality of in-vehicle devices 60 and 70 that are installed in various places of the vehicle and execute various controls and processes using reference time information provided by the time broadcast ECU 50.

  The time broadcast ECU 50 and the in-vehicle devices 60 and 70 are all connected to a power line network 3 that supplies a DC power supply voltage from a battery (not shown), and the power line network 3 is connected to the time broadcast ECU 50. Is used as a transmission medium for broadcasting, so that so-called power line communication is possible.

  Some of the in-vehicle devices 60 are connected to an in-vehicle local area network (LAN) 5 capable of bidirectional communication, and are configured to communicate with each other according to a preset protocol (CAN protocol in the present embodiment). ing.

Hereinafter, the in-vehicle device 60 connected to the in-vehicle LAN 5 is also referred to as a LAN connection device, and the in-vehicle device 70 not connected to the in-vehicle LAN is also referred to as a LAN non-connection device.
Here, the format of a broadcast frame used in broadcasting via the power line network 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the broadcast frame is added to the data portion in which the reference time information, which is the substance of the data provided to each device 60 and 70, is stored, and before the data portion (the head of the frame). Error detection data (detected for bit errors occurring during frame transmission) added after the header part and data part (end of the frame) consisting of a synchronization code for specifying the timing of receiving the beginning of the frame. For example, a footer part consisting of a CRC code).

The reference time information stored in the data part indicates the current time in units of 1 ms.
Next, the configuration of the time broadcast ECU 50, the LAN connection device 60, and the LAN unconnected device 70 will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 9, the time broadcast ECU 50 receives a DC power supply voltage via the power line network 3 and supplies power to each part of the time broadcast ECU 50, and signals to the DC power supply voltage. By superimposing, a transmission I / F unit 53 that transmits a signal via the power line network 3, an input unit 17 for inputting a signal from a sensor or the like directly connected to the broadcast ECU 10, and a microcomputer The time information used when measuring the distance from the GPS receiver 7 mounted on the vehicle to the satellite is acquired, the reference time information representing the current time is generated based on the time information, and the transmission I / F unit And a broadcast control unit 57 that executes broadcast processing to be provided in a broadcast format to each of the in-vehicle devices 60 and 70 via the network 53.

  The broadcast control unit 57 supplies the data portion of the broadcast frame to the transmission I / F unit 53. Then, the transmission I / F unit 53 generates an error detection code based on the supplied data part, and further uses the synchronization code preset before the supplied data part as a header part before the data part. At the same time, the generated error detection code is added as a footer part after the data part and transmitted to the power line 3. Further, at the time of this transmission, the transmission I / F unit 53 is configured to perform amplitude phase modulation and orthogonal modulation, and transmit a modulated signal using a preset frequency band.

  Next, the LAN connection device 60 receives the DC power supply voltage via the power line network 3 and extracts a power circuit 61 that supplies power to each part of the device 60 and a signal superimposed on the DC power supply voltage. Communication between the receiving I / F unit 63 for receiving, the LAN controller 65 for transmitting / receiving signals via the in-vehicle LAN 5, and other LAN connection devices via the in-vehicle LAN 5, and receiving broadcasts via the power line network 3 Based on the data obtained by the data control unit 67 and the data control unit 67 that executes processing such as obtaining data necessary for the device 60, control and processing for performing the function of the device 60 are performed. And a function unit 69 to be executed.

  The LAN unconnected device 70 has a configuration in which the LAN controller 65 is deleted from the LAN connected device 60, and the power supply circuit 71 and the reception I / F unit 73 are configured in the same manner as that of the LAN connected device 60. , A data control unit 77 and a function unit 79 are provided. However, since the data control unit 77 is not connected to the in-vehicle LAN 5, the data control unit 77 is configured to perform only by receiving broadcasts via the power line network 3.

  The reception I / F units 63 and 73 of the devices 60 and 70 demodulate the signal received via the power line network 3 in the reverse procedure of the transmission I / F unit 53, and the demodulation result and the synchronization pattern The broadcast frame (especially, the timing for receiving the head of the data portion) is detected by obtaining the correlation with When a broadcast frame is detected by the matched filter, an error check is executed using the error detection code stored in the footer section. If an error is detected, the received broadcast frame is discarded. If no error is detected, only the data portion is supplied to the data control units 67 and 77.

  That is, in the time broadcast ECU 50, the transmission I / F unit 53 repeatedly transmits a broadcast frame using the reference time information stored in the transmission buffer as a data unit, and the broadcast control unit 57 acquires from the GPS receiver 7. Based on the time information, the stored value of the transmission buffer, that is, the reference time information stored in the data portion of the broadcast frame is sequentially updated.

Next, the broadcast process executed by the broadcast control unit 57 of the time broadcast ECU 50 will be described along the flowchart shown in FIG.
Note that this process is started when a setting for executing broadcasting (broadcast ON) is selected via an input screen of a navigation device that is one of the LAN connection devices 60, and a setting for stopping broadcasting (broadcast OFF). It is repeatedly executed until is selected.

  When this process starts, as shown in FIG. 11A, first, time information is acquired from the GPS receiver 7 (S610), and reference time information representing the current time is generated based on the time data (S620). ). At this time, after acquiring the time information, a delay time required for the broadcast frame storing the reference time information based on the time information to be transmitted to the power line network 3 via the transmission I / F unit 53 is obtained. Correction is also performed.

Then, this reference time information is transferred to the transmission buffer of the transmission I / F unit 53 (S630), and this process is terminated.
Next, the reception processing executed by the data control units 67 and 77 of the in-vehicle devices 60 and 70 will be described along the flowchart shown in FIG.

This process is started each time the reception I / F units 63 and 73 extract the data part of the received broadcast frame.
When this process starts, as shown in FIG. 11B, first, reference time information stored in the data part extracted by the reception I / F parts 63 and 73 is fetched (S710), and the fetched reference time is obtained. Time correction of the information is executed (S720), and using the corrected reference time information, the time measurement values of the timers included in the function units 69 and 79 are reset (S730), and this process ends.

In the time correction, correction is performed for a delay time required from the reception I / F units 63 and 73 receiving the broadcast frame until the resetting of the timer for measurement is completed.
That is, in the in-vehicle devices 60 and 70, the reception I / F units 63 and 73 repeatedly receive the broadcast frame broadcast from the time broadcast ECU 50, and the data control units 67 and 77 are stored in the data portion of the broadcast frame. On the basis of the reference time information, the clock values of the clock timer used by the function units 69 and 79 for processing and control are sequentially corrected.

  As described above, according to the time information broadcasting system 2 of the present embodiment, the in-vehicle devices 60 and 70 are not limited as long as they are connected to the power line network 3 regardless of the connection to the in-vehicle LAN 5. The reference time information can be shared with the in-vehicle device.

  As a result, the in-vehicle devices 60 and 70 can execute processing and control in synchronization with each other using the reference time information, and the devices can cooperate to provide advanced control and services. The functions provided by each device can be enhanced.

  In addition, since in-vehicle devices that only use the reference time information do not need to be connected to the in-vehicle LAN 5, all the in-vehicle devices may be configured as the LAN unconnected devices 30, and the in-vehicle devices (LAN connection devices) 20 connected to the in-vehicle LAN 5. , And consequently the load on the in-vehicle LAN 5 can be greatly reduced.

  In this embodiment, error detection data is given to a broadcast frame, and when a bit error occurs during transmission, the broadcast frame is discarded. Reliable reference time information can be acquired.

In the present embodiment, the transmission I / F unit 13 and the broadcast control unit 19 come to the broadcasting means.
Incidentally, in the third embodiment, the time broadcast ECU 50 is configured to perform wired broadcast via the power line network 3, but may be configured to perform wireless broadcast.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 12, in the time broadcast ECU 50a, the transmission I / F unit 53a is configured to transmit a broadcast frame via the antenna, and in the in-vehicle devices 60a and 70a, the reception I / F unit 63a, What is necessary is just to comprise so that 73a may receive a broadcast frame via an antenna.

  Further, in this case, the in-vehicle device that uses the reference time information does not need to be connected to the power line network 3, and therefore, as in the in-vehicle device (LAN unconnected device) 70b shown in FIG. A reception I / F unit 73b that receives a broadcast frame via an antenna may be provided instead of the F unit 73, and a battery 71b may be provided instead of the power supply circuit 71.

Such an in-vehicle device 70b is suitable for an in-vehicle device to be retrofitted because it is possible to use vehicle information without connecting to the vehicle.
As mentioned above, although several embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It is possible to implement in various aspects.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the wireless or power line network 3 is used as a transmission medium used for broadcasting a broadcast frame, but a wired network dedicated to broadcasting may be used instead.

  In the third embodiment, the broadcast control unit 57 generates the reference time information based on the time information used by the GPS receiver 7 for distance measurement, but it is obtained via the receiver that receives the standard radio wave. The reference time information may be generated based on the time information (for example, Japan Standard Time).

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the information broadcasting system of 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of a broadcast frame. In 1st Embodiment, it is a flowchart which shows the content of the information collection / broadcast process which the broadcast control part of broadcast ECU performs. In 1st Embodiment, it is a flowchart which shows the content of the reception process which the data control part of vehicle equipment performs. In 2nd Embodiment, it is a flowchart which shows the content of the monitoring process which the broadcast control part of broadcast ECU performs. In 2nd Embodiment, it is a flowchart which shows the content of the reception setting process which the data control part of a LAN connection apparatus performs. In 2nd Embodiment, it is a flowchart which shows the content of the reception process which the data control part of a LAN connection apparatus performs. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the modification of 1st and 2nd embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the information broadcasting system of 3rd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of a broadcast frame. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the broadcast process which the broadcast control part of time broadcasting ECU performs, and the reception process which the data control part of vehicle equipment performs. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the modification of 3rd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle information broadcast system, 2 ... Time information broadcast system, 3 ... Power line network, 5 ... In-vehicle LAN, 7 ... GPS receiver, 10, 10a ... In-vehicle apparatus (broadcast ECU) 11, 21, 31, 51, 61, 71 ... power supply circuit, 13, 13a, 53, 53a ... transmission I / F unit, 15, 25, 65 ... LAN controller, 17 ... input unit, 19, 57 ... broadcast control unit, 20, 20a, 60, 60a ... In-vehicle equipment (LAN connection equipment), 23, 23a, 33, 33a, 33b, 63, 63a, 73, 73a, 73b ... Reception I / F section, 27, 37, 67, 77 ... Data control section, 29, 39 , 69, 79... Functional unit, 30, 30 a, 30 b, 70, 70 a, 70 b... On-vehicle equipment (LAN unconnected equipment), 31 b, 71 b.

Claims (17)

An information broadcasting device installed in a vehicle,
Broadcasting means for providing vehicle information, which is information relating to the vehicle, to each device mounted on the vehicle and devices installed outside the vehicle in a broadcast format using a transmission medium different from the signal lines constituting the local area network An information broadcasting apparatus comprising: Data collecting means for collecting vehicle state data indicating the state of the vehicle;
The information broadcasting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle information provided by the broadcasting unit includes at least vehicle state data collected by the data collecting unit.   The information broadcasting according to claim 2, wherein the vehicle state data collected by the data collecting means includes at least one of data relating to behavior of the vehicle or data indicating a failure state of the device. apparatus.   The information broadcasting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the data collection unit collects at least a part of the vehicle state data via the local area network.   The information broadcasting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the data collection unit adds time data indicating an acquisition time or an expiration date of the vehicle state data to the collected vehicle state data.   The information broadcasting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle information provided by the broadcasting means includes at least unique data that is unique to the vehicle.   The information broadcasting according to claim 6, wherein the unique data includes at least one of a vehicle type identification code for identifying the type of the vehicle and a vehicle body identification code for identifying individual vehicle bodies. apparatus.   The information broadcasting according to claim 1, wherein the broadcasting means adds an error detection code for detecting an error occurring during transmission of the vehicle information to the vehicle information to be provided. apparatus.   The information broadcasting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the broadcasting unit adds format identification information indicating a type of the vehicle information and a transmission order to the vehicle information to be provided.   The operation state notifying means for notifying each device connected to the local area network of the operation state of the information broadcasting apparatus via the local area network is provided. The information broadcasting apparatus described. An information broadcasting device installed in a vehicle,
Information comprising: broadcast means for providing reference time information representing the current time in a broadcast format to each device mounted on the vehicle using a transmission medium different from the signal lines constituting the local area network Broadcast equipment.   The information broadcasting apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the broadcasting unit uses time information used by the GPS receiver for distance measurement as the reference time information.   12. The information broadcasting apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the broadcasting unit uses time information obtained by receiving a standard radio wave as the reference time information.   The information according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the broadcasting means adds an error detection code for detecting an error occurring during transmission of the reference time information to the reference time information. Broadcast equipment.   The information broadcasting apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the broadcast unit adds a frame timing detection code used for extracting a reception timing of the reference time information to the reference time information.   The information broadcasting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the broadcasting unit uses a power line as a transmission medium.   16. The information broadcasting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the broadcasting unit uses radio as a transmission medium.

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