JP2014036340A - Communication device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an on-vehicle communication device that can automatically switch a communication network if a communication area is changed.SOLUTION: A control unit 31 in an on-vehicle terminal 30 is connected with a plurality of communication modules 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, and 37 each of which is able to communicate with a plurality of carrier networks included in a network 20. The control unit 31 checks a current position determined based on a signal from a GPS satellite 51 with communication areas registered with a table 70 (S5). According to this result, the control unit 31 selects a communication module including the current position of the on-vehicle terminal 30 in its communication area from the plurality of communication modules 32-37 (S6). If the selected communication module is not out of its communication area but in the communication area, the control unit 31 starts data communication with a manager backward system 10 via the network 20 using the selected communication module (S9).

Description

  The present invention relates to an in-vehicle communication device that performs data communication via a communication network.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a representative example of telematics, an in-vehicle information system that provides traffic information and navigation information in real time to an in-vehicle terminal mounted on an automobile via a wide-area communication network is known.

  In addition, the range in which the in-vehicle communication device communicates via the wide area communication network depends on the manufacturer of the communication carrier (carrier), and the communication area may differ depending on each manufacturer. In addition, when vehicles equipped with in-vehicle terminals cross national borders, replacement of SIM (subscriber identity module) cards or replacement of equipment was necessary to support carrier networks that correspond to the communication areas of each country. .

  As this type of prior art, a communication device that can communicate with a plurality of carrier networks using a plurality of communication modules is known (see Patent Document 1). This communication device is connected to a host device, converts a different IP address for each carrier network, and switches the carrier network connection.

JP 2006-261757 A

  However, in the conventional communication apparatus, when the connection of the carrier network is switched using a plurality of communication modules, it has not been considered to automatically switch the connection of the carrier network depending on the location or communication area (area). That is, the switching of the carrier network connection depends on the application of the host device.

  Therefore, when a vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle terminal crosses the border, in order to perform data communication with the carrier network in each communication area, the crew must manually switch the carrier network, which is troublesome. .

  In addition, communication has been interrupted due to changes in the communication area, which has hindered real-time communication.

  On the other hand, it is conceivable to perform data communication using the global roaming function without switching the carrier network, but in that case, the communication cost is expected to increase.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an in-vehicle communication device capable of automatically switching a communication network even when a communication area changes.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the vehicle-mounted communication device according to the present invention is characterized by the following (1) to (4).
(1) An in-vehicle communication device that performs communication via a communication network,
A plurality of communication units connected to a plurality of communication networks, respectively, capable of communicating in communication areas corresponding to the plurality of communication networks;
A position acquisition unit for acquiring position information of the in-vehicle communication device;
A selection unit that selects a communication unit whose position based on the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit is included in the communication area as a communication unit that performs the communication from the plurality of communication units;
Be provided.
(2) A vehicle-mounted communication device having the configuration (1) above,
A storage unit for storing the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit;
When the position acquisition unit cannot acquire position information, the selection unit selects a communication unit that is stored in the storage unit and includes a position based on the position information last acquired by the position acquisition unit in the communication area. To do.
(3) A vehicle-mounted communication device having the configuration (1) or (2),
A priority setting unit that sets priorities for the plurality of communication units;
When there are a plurality of communication units whose position information is included in the communication area, the selection unit selects a communication unit having a high priority set by the priority setting unit.
(4) The vehicle-mounted communication device having any one of the above configurations (1) to (3),
The selection unit selects another communication unit when a communication unit selected from the plurality of communication units cannot communicate.

  According to the in-vehicle communication device having the configuration of (1) to (4) above, the communication unit whose position of the in-vehicle communication device is included in the communication area is selected. Can be switched.

  According to the present invention, since the communication unit in which the position of the in-vehicle communication device is included in the communication region is selected from the plurality of communication units, the communication network can be automatically switched even if the communication region changes. . Moreover, good real-time communication is possible without requiring manual operation. Furthermore, the communication cost is reduced.

  The present invention has been briefly described above. Further, the details of the present invention will be further clarified by reading through a mode for carrying out the invention described below (hereinafter referred to as “embodiment”) with reference to the accompanying drawings. .

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle information system 1 in the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a table 70 indicating specifications and priorities of a plurality of communication modules. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the in-vehicle terminal 30.

  An in-vehicle communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The vehicle-mounted communication apparatus of this embodiment is applied to the vehicle-mounted terminal used for the vehicle information system which is a typical example of telematics.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle information system 1 in the embodiment. The vehicle information system 1 includes an administrator rear system 10, a network 20, and an in-vehicle terminal 30.

  The administrator back system 10 provides traffic information and navigation information to the in-vehicle terminal 30 via the network 20 in real time, and receives driving data from the in-vehicle terminal 30. The administrator back system 10 includes a control unit 11, a communication unit 12, an input unit 13, a display unit 14, and a database (DB) 15.

  The control unit (processing unit) 11 governs overall control of the administrator back system 10. The communication unit 12 performs data communication with the in-vehicle terminal 30 via the network 20. The input unit (operation unit) 13 receives an operation by an administrator. The display unit 14 displays driving data, traffic information, and the like received from the in-vehicle terminal 30 on the screen. The database 15 stores map information and the like.

  The network 20 is a wide area communication network including carrier networks (communication networks) provided by a plurality of communication carriers, and relays data communication between the administrator back system 10 and the in-vehicle terminal 30.

  The in-vehicle terminal 30 is mounted on a vehicle (not shown), receives traffic information and navigation information from the manager rear system 10, and sends various driving data to the manager rear system 10. The in-vehicle terminal 30 is configured around a control unit 31 that controls the entire in-vehicle terminal 30. A plurality of communication modules 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, and 37 that can communicate with a plurality of carrier networks included in the network 20 are connected to the control unit 31.

  The plurality of communication modules 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, and 37 are connected to a carrier network provided by each carrier (communication carrier) via a plurality of communication antennas 32 a, 33 a, 34 a, 35 a, 36 a, and 37 a, respectively. Connectable. The plurality of communication modules 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, and 37 perform data communication with the administrator back system 10 through the network 20 including these carrier networks. Note that the communication antennas 32a, 33a, 34a, 35a, 36a, and 37a can be used together as long as they conform to the applicable frequency with each communication module and the radio wave law of each country or region. For example, the communication module 32 and the communication module 34 may be configured to use the communication antenna 32a together.

  In addition, an IC card 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 for storing data such as a telephone number and an IP address is detachably connected to the plurality of communication modules 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37. Is done. As the IC card, a SIM card (Subscriber Identity Module Card) in which contractor information (telephone number or the like) issued by a communication carrier is recorded is used. When the communication module itself holds such information, an IC card is not necessary. The specifications of the communication modules 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, and 37 will be described later.

  The control unit 31 includes a GPS control unit 41, a display unit 42, a nonvolatile memory 43, a volatile memory 44, an external interface (I / F) 45 and 46, a digital input I / F 47, a rotation I / F 48, a speed. The I / F 49 and the power supply unit 50 are connected.

  The GPS control unit 41 receives a signal from the GPS satellite 51 via the GPS antenna 41a arranged outside the housing of the in-vehicle terminal 30, and measures the current position (latitude, longitude, altitude) of the in-vehicle terminal 30. To do.

  The display unit 42 displays traffic information, navigation information, and the like provided from the administrator rear system 10 in real time. The nonvolatile memory 43 stores a control program (to be described later) executed by the CPU in the control unit 31, and a table 70 (see FIG. 2) in which specifications and priorities of a plurality of communication modules are registered. The volatile memory 44 is used as a working memory and stores the current position (GPS position) measured by the GPS control unit 41 in time series.

  An external device 52 such as a switch or a handy numeric keypad is connected to the external I / F 45. An external device 53 and an external device 54 such as an acceleration sensor are connected to the external I / F 46. Signals from various sensors mounted on the vehicle are input to the digital input I / F 47. An engine rotation sensor 56 is connected to the rotation I / F 48. A speed sensor 59 is connected to the speed I / F 49. The power supply unit 50 is connected to a vehicle power supply (battery) 58 and supplies power to each unit in the in-vehicle terminal 30.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a table 70 indicating specifications and priorities of a plurality of communication modules. This table 70 is stored in the nonvolatile memory 43. In the table 70, for each communication module, data such as a communication method, a communication area (area), and a priority (priority order) of a contracted carrier (carrier) are registered (priority setting unit). . Specifically, in the communication module 32, an IMT-DS (International Mobile Telecommunications-direct spread) method is adopted as a communication method, and areas a, b, c, d, and e are registered as communication regions. Also, the value 3 is registered as the priority.

  For the communication module 33, LTE (Long Term Evolution) or LTE-Advanced is adopted as a communication method, and areas a, b, c, d, and e are registered as communication areas. Also, the value 1 is registered as the priority.

  As for the communication module 34, mobile WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) or IMT-MC (multi carrier) is adopted as a communication method. In addition, areas b, c, d, e, and f are registered as communication areas. Also, the value 4 is registered as the priority.

  As for the communication module 35, IMT-SC (Single Carrier) or GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) is adopted as a communication method, and areas a, c, and e are registered as communication areas. Also, the value 2 is registered as the priority.

  About the communication module 36, TD-LTE (Time Division-Long Term Evolution) or IMT-TC (Time Code) is employ | adopted as a communication system, and area a and f are registered as a communication area. Also, the value 5 is registered as the priority.

  As for the communication module 37, IMT-FT (FDMA / TDMA) is adopted as a communication method, and area a is registered as a communication area. Also, the value 6 is registered as the priority.

  The priority of each communication module registered in the table 70 may be set automatically by the in-vehicle terminal in consideration of the order of communication speed, the order of any manufacturer of the in-vehicle terminal, the order of communication cost, and the like. The user may arbitrarily set manually. The priority is higher as the value is lower. Moreover, even if it is the same communication module, a priority may be set to a different value for every communication area, and the breadth of selection of a communication module spreads.

  Operation | movement of the vehicle-mounted terminal 30 which has the said structure is shown. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the in-vehicle terminal 30. This control program is stored in the volatile memory 44 and is executed by the CPU in the control unit 31.

  For example, when a communication event (event) such as creation / holding of data occurs after a certain period of time has elapsed (step S1), the control unit 31 determines the current position of the in-vehicle terminal 30 such as latitude and longitude. Acquisition of position information is started (step S2).

  The control unit 31 determines whether or not the GPS control unit 41 is receiving a signal from the GPS satellite 51 and is measuring the GPS position (latitude, longitude) (step S3). When positioning is in progress, the measured GPS position is recorded in the volatile memory 44 (storage unit). On the other hand, when the positioning is not in progress, the control unit 31 adopts the location (GPS position) measured last as recorded in the volatile memory 44 as the current position, assuming that the GPS position cannot be acquired at present (step S4). . The processes in steps S2, S3, and S4 correspond to a position acquisition unit.

  The control unit 31 determines whether the current position measured when the GPS control unit 41 is positioning in step S3 or the current position adopted in step S4 and the communication area registered in the table 70 in the nonvolatile memory 43. (Area) is collated (step S5).

  As a result of the collation in step S5, the control unit 31 selects a communication module in which the current position of the in-vehicle terminal 30 is included in the communication area from the plurality of communication modules 32 to 37 (step S6). Here, when there are a plurality of communication modules whose current position is included in the communication area, the priority registered in the table 70 is determined, and the communication module with the highest priority is selected. The process in step S6 corresponds to a selection unit.

  The control unit 31 checks the radio wave intensity in order to confirm whether the selected communication module is within the communication area or not (step S7), and determines whether the communication module is within the communication area (step S8). If it is within the communication range, the control unit 31 starts data communication with the administrator back system 10 via the network 20 using the selected communication module (step S9). Thereafter, the control unit 31 ends this operation.

  On the other hand, if communication is not possible outside the service area in step S8, the control unit 31 determines whether there is another communication module whose current position is included in the communication area (step S10). When there is no other communication module, the control unit 31 ends this operation as it is. On the other hand, when there is another communication module, the control unit 31 selects the communication module (step S11) and returns to the process of step S7. Here, when there are a plurality of other communication modules whose current position is included in the communication area, the priority registered in the table 70 described above is determined, and the communication module having the next highest priority is selected.

  According to the in-vehicle terminal of the present embodiment, a communication module suitable for the current position is automatically selected from a plurality of communication modules. Therefore, even if the current position of the in-vehicle terminal changes, the crew member can manually operate the carrier network. Data communication can be performed without switching. Thus, even if the communication area changes, the carrier network can be automatically switched. Therefore, manual operation for switching the carrier network is not necessary.

  In addition, communication failure is reduced, and further real-time communication is possible. In addition, after selecting the communication module corresponding to the communication area, it is determined whether it is within the communication area or not, so it is not necessary to use the global roaming (international roaming) function. Data (packet) communication can be performed on the network. Thereby, communication cost can be reduced.

  The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and any configuration that can achieve the function of the configuration of the present embodiment is applicable.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the current position of the in-vehicle terminal is obtained from the GPS position based on the signal from the GPS satellite. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the in-vehicle terminal is obtained from the position of the base station that performs wireless communication. May be.

  In the above embodiment, communication such as traffic information and navigation information and vehicle driving data is performed between the in-vehicle terminal and the administrator rear system, but various communication such as voice data is performed. It may be broken.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is useful because, when performing data communication via a communication network, the communication network can be automatically switched even if the communication area changes.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle information system 10 Administrator back system 11, 31 Control part 12 Communication part 13 Input part 14 Display part 15 Database (DB)
20 network 30 in-vehicle terminal 31 control unit 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 communication module 32a, 33a, 34a, 35a, 36a, 37a communication antenna 32b, 33b, 34b, 35b, 36b, 37b IC card 41 GPS Control unit 41a GPS antenna 42 Display unit 43 Non-volatile memory 44 Volatile memory 45, 46 External interface (I / F)
47 Digital I / F
48 Rotation I / F
49 Speed I / F
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 50 Power supply part 51 GPS satellite 52,53,54 External apparatus 55 Engine rotation sensor 56 Engine rotation sensor 57 Speed sensor 58 Vehicle power supply

Claims (4)

An in-vehicle communication device that performs communication via a communication network,
A plurality of communication units connected to a plurality of communication networks, respectively, capable of communicating in communication areas corresponding to the plurality of communication networks;
A position acquisition unit for acquiring position information of the in-vehicle communication device;
A selection unit that selects a communication unit whose position based on the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit is included in the communication area as a communication unit that performs the communication from the plurality of communication units;
A vehicle-mounted communication device comprising: A storage unit for storing the position information acquired by the position acquisition unit;
When the position acquisition unit cannot acquire position information, the selection unit selects a communication unit that is stored in the storage unit and includes a position based on the position information last acquired by the position acquisition unit in the communication area. The vehicle-mounted communication device according to claim 1. A priority setting unit that sets priorities for the plurality of communication units;
The said selection part selects the communication part with a high priority set by the said priority setting part, when there are two or more communication parts in which the said positional information is contained in the said communication area, The Claim 1 or 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. The vehicle-mounted communication apparatus of description.   The in-vehicle unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the selection unit selects another communication unit when a communication unit selected from the plurality of communication units cannot communicate. Communication equipment.

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