JP2016071552A - Information terminal and information processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the convenience of an information terminal in a start stage by enabling the early termination of start processing of the information terminal after a user gets in a vehicle.SOLUTION: The transmission/reception of data is executed between an information terminal and a server while the information terminal is physically mounted with an ECU mounted in a vehicle. A user is made to visually recognize contents at an early stage, and a command input or the like in the information terminal is performed at an early stage by displaying a designation image in the middle of start processing without waiting for a success in transmission/reception of the entire data between the information terminal and the server.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing system including a client and a server having a mutual communication function with the client.

  Information related to a plurality of apps is transmitted and stored from the smartphone to the wristwatch-type wrist terminal, and an activation command for the app selected from the plurality of apps is transmitted from the wrist terminal, and the smartphone responds to the activation command. There has been proposed a technique for enhancing the startup performance of the smartphone by ending the sleep mode and starting the operation by the selected application (see Patent Document 1).

JP, 2014-140145, A

  However, after the smartphone user gets into the vehicle, if the activation process with the authentication on the smartphone is delayed, it takes a long time to start driving the vehicle using the function of the smartphone application. there is a possibility.

  In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide an information terminal or the like that can end the start-up process early after the user gets into the vehicle.

  An information terminal according to the present invention is an information terminal configured to transmit and receive a specified data group to and from a server in a startup stage, and the information terminal is physically connected to a device mounted on a vehicle. The transmission and reception of the first specified data group, which is a part of the specified data group, with the server is started on the condition that it is connected, and the transmission and reception of the first specified data group with the server is successful. It is configured to display the designated image different from the standby image as a requirement, and then transmit / receive the remaining second designated data group among the designated data group to / from the server. .

  According to the information terminal having the configuration, after the user gets into the vehicle and physically connects the information terminal to the in-vehicle device, the information terminal starts transmission / reception of the first designated data group with the server. The designated image can be displayed during the start-up process without waiting for the successful transmission / reception of the data group with the server in response to the completion of the transmission / reception of the first designated data group. The activation of the information terminal is a concept including activation of an application installed in the information terminal. The transmission / reception process of the first designated data group may be a synchronous process (the order of transmission / reception data is guaranteed), and the transmission / reception process of the second designated data group may be an asynchronous process (the order of the transmission / reception data is Can be changed). By displaying the designated image at an early stage, it is possible to cause the user to visually recognize the contents at an early stage, and to determine the intention regarding the command input to the information terminal at an early stage. As a result, it is possible to improve the usability of the information terminal at the stage of starting the information terminal after the user gets into the vehicle.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the second specified time required for transmitting / receiving the second specified data group to / from the server is equal to the first specified time required to transmit / receive the first specified data group to / from the server. While shortening, the first designated data group and the second designated data group are less than the standard time required for the user to visually recognize the designated image and determine the action on the information terminal according to the visual recognition. Is defined.

  Even if the designated image is displayed after the first designated time has elapsed since the start of the activation process of the information terminal, since the activation process is in progress without completing the transmission / reception of the second designated data group, the command input is still Since it may not be permitted, it is preferable that the second designated time is short. On the other hand, it is preferable that the amount of data allocated to the second designated data group in the designated data group is large in order to shorten the first designated time. Therefore, the second designated time is kept within the standard time required for the user to visually recognize the designated image and determine the action for the information terminal according to the visual recognition, thereby balancing these circumstances.

  In one aspect of the present invention, a server that has the shortest communication time between the information terminal and each of the plurality of servers is selected from a plurality of servers, and the designated data group is transmitted to and received from the one server. It is configured.

  According to the information terminal of the configuration, the server that is the transmission / reception partner of the designated data group is appropriately selected so that the first designated time and the second designated time are appropriately balanced from the viewpoint of improving the usability.

  In one aspect of the present invention, transmission / reception of the designated data group including data related to the vehicle is started with the server on the condition that communication with a device mounted on the vehicle is successful, and the vehicle The first designated data group and the second designated data group are defined such that the occupation rate in the first designated data group of data related to is lower than the occupation rate in the second designated data group .

  According to the information terminal of the said structure, when performing the target information calculation process with mutual communication with an information terminal and vehicle-mounted apparatus in a leading or auxiliary manner, it is more authentic than information related to the vehicle. Necessary data can be preferentially included in the first designated data group. Thereby, the designated image is displayed at an early stage, the user can make the designated image visible at an early stage, and the intention to input a command to the information terminal can be decided at an early stage. As a result, the usability of the information terminal at the startup stage can be improved.

1 is a configuration explanatory diagram of an information processing system as an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a function explanatory diagram of an information processing system as an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. Explanatory drawing regarding the data communication aspect between an information terminal and a server. Explanatory drawing regarding the example of an image display of an information terminal.

(Constitution)
The information processing system as an embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of information terminals 1 (clients) and a server 2 that can communicate with each other via a network.

  The information terminal 1 is composed of any information terminal such as a tablet-type terminal or a smartphone that is designed in size, shape, and weight so that it can be carried by a user. The information terminal 1 includes an input device 11, an output device 12, a communication device 13, and a control device 14.

  The input device 11 is configured by a position input device that constitutes a touch panel. The input device 11 may additionally be constituted by a voice input device (microphone). The input device 11 may be configured by a detection device that detects a mode of a user input operation (speech content or gesture) by a non-contact method such as an imaging device. The output device 12 is configured by a display device such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL constituting a touch panel. The output device 12 may additionally be constituted by an audio output device (speaker). In the information terminal 1, the communication device 13 has a function of transmitting / receiving various information to / from the server 2 and each facility.

  The control device 14 is configured by a computer (comprising an arithmetic processing device (one or a plurality of processors) and a storage device). The information terminal 1 (or control device 14) displays information received from the server 2 on the in-vehicle display by wirelessly or wiredly communicating with the ECU 100 (electronic control unit) mounted on the vehicle X. For example, the target information calculation process is executed in cooperation with each other. The ECU 100 includes a computer and is configured to control operations of various in-vehicle devices such as an in-vehicle display. The information terminal 1 may have a function of positioning the current point (latitude and longitude) using GPS and a gyro sensor as necessary.

  The constituent elements of the present invention are configured to execute information arithmetic processing when the arithmetic processing device that is a constituent element of the control device reads an app and necessary information from a storage device (memory) and Therefore, it means that the information calculation processing is designed or programmed.

  The server 2 may be composed of a plurality of servers that can communicate with each other. Part or all of the server 2 may be configured by equipment (such as an electronic control unit or a computer) mounted on the vehicle.

(function)
The function of the information processing system as one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  A terminal identifier (such as a terminal number or a telephone number) for identifying the information terminal 1 configured by a smartphone or the like and a vehicle identifier (such as a vehicle body number) for identifying the vehicle X are associated with each other and registered in advance in the server 2. (FIG. 2 / STEP 202).

  After the user gets into the cabin space of the vehicle X, the vehicle key such as the IGN key or the ACC key is switched from OFF to ON (FIG. 2 / STEP002). In response to this, electric power is supplied from the in-vehicle battery to the ECU 100. The user physically connects the information terminal 1 to the ECU 100 with a cable and a connector (FIG. 2 / STEP 102). The user operates the information terminal 1 to switch from OFF to ON (FIG. 2 / STEP 104). In response to this, the information terminal 1 and the ECU 100 start mutual communication (FIG. 2 / STEP 106).

  Thus, (1) the information terminal 1 is in the ON state, (2) the ECU 100 is in the ON state (a state in which power is supplied from the vehicle-mounted battery), and (3) the information terminal 1 is connected to the ECU 100. Are connected physically, the information terminal 1 and the ECU 100 mounted on the vehicle X start mutual communication. “Physical connection” means, for example, that a communication female terminal (USB terminal) included in the information terminal 1 is connected to a communication male terminal included in the vehicle X, so that wired communication is possible according to a predetermined communication standard. Means to be connected.

  Thereby, the information terminal 1 receives data related to the vehicle X stored in the storage device that is a component of the ECU 100. The data related to the vehicle X includes a vehicle identifier. An identifier for identifying the vehicle X or a vehicle-mounted device such as a navigation device, and information detected by various vehicle-mounted sensors such as the cumulative travel distance of the vehicle X may be included.

  Prior to the activation of the application in the information terminal 1, the mutual communication between the information terminal 1 and the ECU 100 may be omitted.

  When the information terminal 1 is in the ON state, the home screen is displayed on the output device 12 (FIG. 2 / STEP 108). The home screen includes a plurality of icons representing each of a plurality of applications installed in the information terminal 1. It is determined whether one application is selected through selection of one icon through the input device 11 (FIG. 2 / STEP 110). When it is determined that the application is not selected (FIG. 2 / STEP 110... NO), the home screen is continuously displayed on the output device 12 (FIG. 2 / STEP 108). A screen may be displayed. When it is determined that one application has been selected (FIG. 2 / STEP 110... YES), a login screen for using the function of the selected application (for example, navigation application) is displayed on the output device 12 (FIG. 2 / STEP 112). ). It is determined whether or not the user has entered information necessary for authentication of the information terminal 1 or the user himself / herself through the input device 11 according to the login screen (FIG. 2 / STEP 114). When it is determined that the authentication information has not been input (FIG. 2 / STEP 114... NO), the login screen is continuously displayed on the output device 12 (FIG. 2 / STEP 112). A home screen or a sleep screen may be displayed. When it is determined that the authentication information has been input (FIG. 2 / STEP 114... YES), a standby screen indicating a standby state of information input and information output in the information terminal 1 is displayed on the output device 12 (FIG. 2 / STEP 116).

Further, primary information calculation processing including transmission / reception of the first designated data group is executed by each of the information terminal 1 and the server 2 to activate the application (FIG. 2 / STEP 118). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3 (a), the information terminal 1 (the control device 14) executes the information calculation processing Si (i = 1, 3, 5), and the information terminal 1 sends a server to the server. 2, data Di is transmitted to server 2, information calculation process Si + 1 is executed by server 2, and a series of processes in which data Di + 1 is transmitted from server 2 to information terminal 1 are repeated by information terminal 1. Information calculation processing S7 is executed. The data D1 to D6 constitute a “first designated data group”. The first designated data group includes data related to the version of the application in addition to data necessary for authentication such as a vehicle identifier, a terminal identifier, a user ID, and a password. The information calculation process Sk (k = 1 to 15) starts at time t _K− and ends at time t _{k +} . The time required for transmission / reception of each data Ds (s = 1 to 14) constituting the designated data group is represented as t _{s + 1} −−t _{s +} .

The first designated time T1 required for transmission / reception of the first designated data group between the information terminal 1 and the server 2 matches or substantially matches t ₇₊ -t ₁₋ . The first designated time T1 is controlled by selecting data constituting the first designated data group so as to be shortened as much as possible from the viewpoint of improving the usability of the information terminal 1 such as 10 [s] or less.

The designated image is displayed on the output device 12 at the end time of the primary information calculation process, that is, the end time t ₇₊ of the information calculation process S7 in the information terminal 1 (FIG. 2 / STEP 120). As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 4A, designated images IF1 to IF5 constituting an input interface or a touch switch are displayed on the output device 12 (touch panel). At this time, a mark M1 representing the current position of the information terminal 1 or the vehicle X and a mark M2 representing the POI are superimposed on the map.

  Subsequently, secondary information calculation processing including transmission / reception of the second designated data group is executed by each of the information terminal 1 and the server 2 to activate the application (FIG. 2 / STEP 122). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3 (a), the information operation processing Sj (j = 7, 9, 11, 13) is executed by the information terminal 1 (the control device 14), and the information terminal 1 The data Dj is transmitted from the server 2 to the server 2, the information calculation process Sj + 1 is executed by the server 2, and the data Dj + 1 is transmitted from the server 2 to the information terminal 1. 1 performs the information calculation process S15. The data D7 to D14 constitute a “second designated data group”. The second designated data group includes data related to the vehicle X. The occupation ratio of data related to the vehicle X in the second designated data group is higher than the occupation ratio of data related to the vehicle X in the first designated data group. This is because the necessity of data related to the vehicle X at the time of authentication is relatively low.

At the end time t ₁₅₊ of the information calculation process S15 in the information terminal 1, the application activation process is completed, and an input of a command or the like through the input interface constituted by the input device 11 and the designated image is accepted. The second designated time T2 required for transmission / reception of the second designated data group between the information terminal 1 and the server 2 coincides with or substantially coincides with t ₁₅₊ -t ₇₊ . While shortening the first designated time T1 as described above, such as the second designated time T2 being 3 [s] or less, the time from the display of the designated image until the command input to the information terminal 1 is permitted It is controlled by selecting data constituting the second designated data group so as to be shortened as much as possible. Therefore, in order for the user (driver) to use the vehicle X, it is promptly installed in the information terminal 1 while checking the operating state of other in-vehicle devices such as a power source of the vehicle X and a lamp. The functions (navigation function, etc.) of existing apps will be available.

  The presence / absence of a command input for using the function of the selected application through the input device 11 is determined (FIG. 2 / STEP 124). When it is determined that there is no command input (FIG. 2 / STEP 124... NO), the designated image is continuously displayed on the output device 12 (FIG. 2 / STEP 122). A sleep screen may be displayed. When it is determined that there is a command input (FIG. 2 / STEP 124... YES), the information terminal 1 executes a predetermined calculation process according to the function of the selected application based on the command input (FIG. 2 / STEP 126). For example, when the input device 11 (touch panel) in the designated image IF3 shown in FIG. 4A is tapped, a new image as shown in FIG. 4B is displayed on the output device 12. The The data D8 constituting the second designated data group is additional data such as image data or detailed data related to POI, and image data of the corresponding POI associated with the mark M2 is displayed according to the additional data. Good. Thereafter, the information terminal 1 searches for a route from the current position of the vehicle X to the POI corresponding to the mark M2, for example, in response to the mark M2 being designated as the destination. Then, the search route is displayed on the output device 12 in a form superimposed on the map. The user can drive the vehicle X with reference to this route. In this way, the information terminal 1 can be caused to execute a predetermined calculation process according to the navigation function of the selected application.

  Thereafter, the user operates the information terminal 1 to switch from ON to OFF, the physical connection between the information terminal 1 and the ECU 100 mounted on the vehicle X is released, or the vehicle key is switched from ON to OFF. It is determined whether or not an end condition is satisfied, such as being switched (FIG. 2 / STEP 128). When it is determined that the termination condition is not satisfied (FIG. 2 / STEP 128... NO), the processing after the command input presence / absence determination is repeated (see FIG. 2 / STEP 124). That is, in this case, the user can continuously use the function of the selected application. On the other hand, when it is determined that the end condition is satisfied (FIG. 2 / STEP128... YES), the series of processes ends.

(Comparative example)
FIG. 3B shows a comparative example in which a designated image (see FIG. 4A) is displayed on the output device 12 on the condition that all transmission / reception of D1 to D14 constituting the designated data group is successful. ing. The execution order of the information calculation process by the information terminal 1 is S1 → S3 → S9 → S11 → S13 → S15 → S5 → S7, and the execution order of the information calculation process by the server 2 is S2 → S4 → S10 → S12 → S14 → S8. → S6. The information calculation process Sk (k = 1 to 15) starts at time τ _K− and ends at time τ _{k +} . The data transmission order from the information terminal 1 to the server 2 is D1->D3->D9->D11->D13->D7-> D5, and the data transmission order from the server 2 to the information terminal 1 is D2->D8->D10->D12->D14-> D4 → D6.

That is, the time T = τ ₇₊ −τ ₁₋ until the designated image is displayed after login in the information terminal 1 corresponds to the sum of the first designated time T1 and the second designated time T2 in the embodiment (FIG. 3 (a)).

(Function and effect)
According to the information processing system as an embodiment of the present invention, unlike the comparative example, the information terminal 1 and the server 2 can be designated during the startup process without waiting for the successful transmission / reception of all data D1 to D15. An image can be displayed (see FIG. 3A / time t ₇₊ ). By displaying the designated image at an early stage, the user can recognize the contents at an early stage, and can promptly determine the intention regarding actions such as command input to the information terminal 1 (see FIG. 4A). As a result, the usability of the information terminal 1 at the startup stage can be improved.

(Other embodiments of the present invention)
The information terminal 1 may be configured to select one server 2 having the shortest communication time from the plurality of servers 2 and transmit / receive a designated data group to / from the one server 2. The communication time may be measured by the information terminal 1 as a required time when the information terminal 1 transmits / receives common data to / from each server 2 in advance. The communication time may be estimated by the information terminal 1 on the basis of the general tendency that the longer the geographical distance between the information terminal 1 and each server 2 (or its access point), the longer the communication time. By including the longitude and latitude of each server 2 in the map stored in the storage device that constitutes the control device 14, the information terminal 1 can calculate the distance in consideration of the longitude and latitude of the current position.

  According to the information terminal 1 having the configuration, the server that is the transmission / reception partner of the designated data group is appropriately selected so that the first designated time T1 and the second designated time T2 are appropriately balanced from the viewpoint of improving the usability. The

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information terminal, 2 ... Server, 11 ... Input device, 12 ... Output device, 14 ... Control device, 100 ... ECU (vehicle equipment), X ... Vehicle.

Claims (5)

An information terminal configured to transmit and receive a specified data group to and from a server at a startup stage,
As a requirement that the information terminal is physically connected to a device mounted on a vehicle, transmission / reception with the server of the first designated data group which is a part of the designated data group is started. After displaying the designated image different from the standby image on the condition that the transmission / reception of the first designated data group to / from the server is successful, the remaining second designated data group of the designated data group is displayed on the server. An information terminal configured to transmit and receive to / from. The information terminal according to claim 1,
The second specified time required for transmitting / receiving the second specified data group to / from the server is reduced to the user while reducing the first specified time required for transmitting / receiving the first specified data group to / from the server. The first designated data group and the second designated data group are defined so as to be equal to or less than a standard time required for visual recognition of the designated image and determination of an action on the information terminal according to the visual recognition. Information terminal. In the information terminal according to any one of claims 1 and 2,
It is configured to select one server having the shortest communication time between the information terminal and each of the plurality of servers from a plurality of servers, and to transmit / receive the designated data group to / from the one server. Characteristic information terminal. In the information terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The transmission of the designated data group including data related to the vehicle is started with the server on the condition that communication with the device mounted on the vehicle is successful, and the data of the data related to the vehicle is started. The information terminal characterized in that the first designated data group and the second designated data group are defined such that an occupation rate in one designated data group is lower than an occupation rate in the second designated data group .   An information processing system comprising the information terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and the server.