JP2017169104A - Vehicle communication device and vehicle communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle communication device and a vehicle communication system capable of improving user convenience.SOLUTION: Provided is a vehicle communication device 31 mounted on a vehicle 30 that executes predetermined processing on the basis of a processing command signal Sb received correspondingly to transmission of a polling signal P. A base station 20 receives a processing request signal Sa from a user terminal 10, and transmits the processing command signal Sb to the vehicle communication device 31 in response to the reception of the polling signal P. The vehicle communication device 31 is configured to change a polling interval Tp to an extension time period depending on a vehicle condition. The polling signal P includes information on a vehicle state so that the base station 20 can transmit to the user terminal 10 a response signal Sd that includes the information on the vehicle state related to request processing on the basis of the polling signal P that has been already received, in response to the reception of the processing request signal Sa from the user terminal 10, in a state where the polling interval Tp is changed to the extension time period.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle communication device and a vehicle communication system, and more particularly to a vehicle communication device and a vehicle communication system in which communication is performed between the outside of the vehicle and the vehicle communication device.

  Conventionally, polling is employed in vehicle communication. In polling with execution of a predetermined process, the vehicle generally transmits a polling signal periodically, and transmits a request signal from an external communication device until a predetermined polling waiting time elapses after the transmission of each polling signal. Wait for reception. And if a request signal is received within this polling waiting time, a vehicle will perform a predetermined process.

  Such polling is applied to, for example, a smart entry system of a vehicle, and a door unlock process is performed when a user's wireless portable key responds to a polling signal transmitted from the vehicle. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  For this polling, an in-vehicle battery is used as a drive power source. For this reason, when the engine is stopped when the in-vehicle battery is not charged, when a predetermined period elapses after the power is turned off (ignition off), processing for stopping polling is performed to save power (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  In addition, polling can be applied to a remote control system in which vehicle state information is acquired or a vehicle operation (door lock operation or the like) is performed from a remote location by a user terminal (personal computer, smartphone, dedicated controller, or the like). For example, a user can transmit a request signal for door lock to a vehicle via a predetermined base station (communication information management center) from a user terminal via a communication line.

  In this case, the vehicle receives a request signal from the base station during the polling standby time. Based on the received signal, the vehicle performs a door lock process and then returns a polling signal including information indicating the door lock state. The user can confirm that the door is locked by receiving a notification based on the polling signal via the base station.

  However, in such a remote control system, if polling is stopped for power saving measures under predetermined vehicle conditions, vehicle state information cannot be acquired or operated at all. In order to avoid such an inconvenience, for example, it is considered to lengthen the polling execution period by increasing the polling signal transmission interval (polling interval) as time passes.

JP 2008-127913 A

  As described above, the vehicle can receive the request signal only from the transmission of each polling signal until the predetermined polling waiting time elapses. For this reason, if the polling interval is set to a long time, even if the user transmits a request signal from the user terminal, the vehicle cannot immediately receive this request signal, and the polling waiting time for the next polling signal In response to this signal, a predetermined vehicle operation is executed in response.

  Therefore, even when the polling interval is returned to the normal short interval when the request signal is received, the user does not transmit the request signal until the predetermined processing is executed in the vehicle. It takes a long time for the user to confirm the execution result of. For example, when the polling interval is changed to 1 hour, the user must wait at most about 1 hour from the transmission of the request signal to the confirmation of the execution result.

  Thus, if the time from the transmission of the request signal to the confirmation of the execution result is long, the user feels it difficult to use the remote control system. Specifically, the user repeatedly confirms the presence / absence of the execution result notification from the base station, and repeats transmission of the request signal on the assumption that there is a problem with the communication line, etc. Or

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and in a vehicle communication device and a vehicle communication system for executing predetermined processing on the vehicle side in response to a processing request from a user terminal, An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle communication device and a vehicle communication system capable of improving usability.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention transmits a polling signal to a base station at every predetermined polling interval, and based on a processing command signal received from the base station in response to transmission of the polling signal. A vehicle communication device mounted on a vehicle that executes a predetermined process, wherein the base station receives a process request signal from a user terminal and generates a process based on the process request signal in response to receiving the polling signal The command communication signal is transmitted to the vehicle communication device, and the vehicle communication device is configured to change the polling interval from the reference interval to an extension interval longer than the reference interval according to the vehicle condition. In the changed state, in response to the reception of the processing request signal from the user terminal, the base station needs at least processing based on the polling signal already received. A response signal containing information of a vehicle state associated with the signal so as to be able to transmit to the user terminal, the polling signal is characterized in that it comprises the information of the vehicle state.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, when the polling interval is changed from the reference interval to the extended interval longer than the reference interval according to the vehicle condition, in response to the processing request signal of the user terminal, A response signal including at least vehicle state information related to the processing request signal can be transmitted to the user terminal. That is, when the polling interval is set to the extended interval, it may take a long time for the vehicle communication device to receive the processing request from the user. As a result, the processing request is not executed for a long time on the vehicle side, There was a problem that notification of execution results to the user would be delayed accordingly. However, in the present invention, prior to execution of the requested processing in the vehicle, the user can receive at least the vehicle state information related to the processing request signal, so that the user receives the vehicle state information. It is possible to confirm that the processing request signal has been transmitted normally and that the request processing is in an execution ready state. Thereby, in this invention, usability can be made favorable in execution of remote control.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the response signal includes necessity inquiry information for confirming whether or not the processing in the vehicle is necessary based on the processing request signal.
According to the present invention configured as described above, the response signal includes not only the vehicle state information but also the necessity inquiry information about the necessity of execution of the process requested by the user. Accordingly, the user can determine whether or not the requested process needs to be executed with reference to the vehicle state information.

Preferably, in the present invention, the polling signal includes information related to the polling interval, and the base station uses the information related to the transmission time of the next polling signal generated based on the polling signal already received as the response signal. include.
According to the present invention configured as described above, since the response signal includes information on the transmission time of the next polling signal, the user can predict the time when the requested process is executed. As a result, the user can determine whether or not the requested process needs to be executed in consideration of the estimated execution time in addition to the vehicle state information.

Preferably, in the present invention, when the base station does not receive a response signal to the response signal from the user terminal within a predetermined period from the transmission of the response signal, the base station stops executing the processing in the vehicle based on the processing request signal. Is transmitted to the user terminal.
According to the present invention configured as described above, when the base station does not receive a response signal to the response signal within a predetermined time, it is considered that the user has determined that the requested process is unnecessary, and the execution of the process is stopped. An execution stop notification signal can be transmitted as much as possible. As a result, it is possible to prevent the processing request signal from continuing to be engaged with the base station while the processing requested by the user is not performed, and the user can confirm that the processing is not performed.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the vehicle condition is a length of time that has elapsed since communication access to the vehicle communication device is lost.
According to the present invention configured as described above, a decrease in the remaining battery capacity of the in-vehicle battery is suppressed by increasing the polling interval according to the length of the elapsed time after the last communication access to the vehicle communication device. be able to.

In the present invention, preferably, the vehicle condition is the magnitude of the voltage of the in-vehicle battery.
According to the present invention configured as described above, the polling interval can be increased according to the actual voltage level of the in-vehicle battery.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention transmits a polling signal at every predetermined polling interval, and executes a predetermined process based on a processing command signal received corresponding to the transmission of the polling signal. A vehicle communication device mounted on the vehicle, a base station that receives a processing request signal from the user terminal and transmits a processing command signal generated based on the processing request signal to the vehicle communication device in response to receiving the polling signal; The vehicle communication device is configured to change the polling interval from the reference interval to an extended interval longer than the reference interval in accordance with vehicle conditions. Including the information, the base station has already received in response to receiving the processing request signal from the user terminal in a state where the polling interval is changed to the extended interval. Based on which was polling signal, it is characterized by transmitting a response signal containing information of a vehicle state associated with at least the processing request signal in the information of the vehicle to the user terminal.

  According to the vehicle communication device and the vehicle communication system of the present invention, it is possible to improve the usability of the user when executing predetermined processing on the vehicle side in response to a processing request from the user terminal.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the vehicle communication system of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the base station of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the vehicle communication apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of a process of the vehicle communication system of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the transition between each mode of the polling mode in the vehicle communication system of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the setting process of the polling mode in the vehicle communication system of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of a process in the mode of the polling interval longer than normal mode in the vehicle communication system of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of a process in the mode of the polling interval longer than normal mode in the vehicle communication system of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the setting process of the polling mode in the vehicle communication system which concerns on the modification of embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
First, a system configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle communication system, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a base station, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle communication device.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle communication system 1 of this embodiment includes a user terminal 10, a base station 20 as a communication information management center, and a vehicle 30, which are communication lines such as the Internet and telephone lines. 3 is communicably connected via the terminal 3.

  In the vehicle communication system 1, the user can transmit a request signal (processing request signal) related to the vehicle 30 from the user terminal 10 to the base station 20. On the other hand, the vehicle 30 periodically polls the base station 20. A polling signal is transmitted by polling. This polling signal also serves as a vehicle state information notification signal for notifying vehicle state information.

  In response to receiving the polling signal from the vehicle 30, the base station 20 transmits a processing command signal created based on the request signal received from the user terminal 10 to the vehicle 30. The processing command signal may be the same as the request signal (processing request signal). When receiving the processing command signal, the vehicle 30 executes the processing content.

  The vehicle 30 notifies the vehicle state information (that is, the execution status of the process) by transmitting a polling signal to the base station 20. Furthermore, the base station 20 transmits an execution result notification signal including vehicle state information related to the processing request signal to the user terminal 10 based on the received polling signal. Thereby, the user can confirm the execution content for the desired request process.

  The user terminal 10 is an information communication device such as a personal computer, a smartphone, or a dedicated controller, and can communicate information with the base station 20 via the communication line 3. That is, the user can transmit a processing request signal from the user terminal 10 to the base station 20 and can receive an execution result notification signal from the base station 20. The information communication between the user terminal 10 and the base station 20 can be performed by requesting a desired process by accessing a WEB page provided by the base station 20 by the user using the user terminal 10, for example. The information can be obtained. In addition to such a WEB page system, a request signal, an execution result notification signal, and the like may be transmitted between the user terminal 10 and the base station 20 by e-mail or an arbitrary communication system.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the base station 20 includes a base station communication device 21 configured by a server computer or the like. The base station communication device 21 includes a control unit 22 having a processor, and a communication line 3. A transmission / reception unit 23 that performs information communication with the outside, a memory 24 that stores various programs and data, and other input / output devices and display devices (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the vehicle 30 includes a vehicle communication device 31 for performing wireless information communication with the base station 20. The vehicle communication device 31 includes a control unit 32, a transmission / reception unit 33 for wireless communication with the base station communication device 21 via the communication line 3, a memory 34 for storing various programs and data, and a vehicle 30. Position detection of the I / O unit 35 for performing in-vehicle communication with other units (control device, etc.) and various switches in the vehicle 30 (for example, in the case of a door lock, a locked position or an unlocked position) ), A monitor unit 36 for detecting a malfunction of the vehicle 30 and measuring a voltage value of the in-vehicle battery 40, a positioning unit 37 for measuring the position of the vehicle 30, and the like.

  The vehicle communication device 31 is powered by the in-vehicle battery 40. The in-vehicle battery 40, which is a secondary battery, supplies power to the control device including the vehicle communication device 31, and is charged under predetermined conditions while the engine of the vehicle 30 is operating. Further, when the vehicle power is turned off due to the engine 30 or the ignition of the vehicle 30 being turned off, the in-vehicle battery 40 stops supplying power to most of the control devices. However, the vehicle communication device 31 is continuously or intermittently provided for a predetermined period. Is supplied with power.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the outline of the process of the vehicle communication system 1 of this embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of processing of the vehicle communication system. The vehicle communication device 31 repeatedly transmits the polling signal P toward the base station communication device 21 at the polling interval Tp. This polling signal P (P _k , P _{k + 1} ,...) Includes unique identification information stored in the memory 34 for identifying the vehicle 30 through communication, vehicle state information indicating the vehicle state, and the like. Yes.

  The vehicle state information includes the position of various switches of the vehicle 30, the voltage value of the in-vehicle battery 40, the location on the map of the vehicle 30, and the polling interval information regarding the polling interval Tp. The vehicle state information is generated based on the detection result by the monitor unit 36, the measurement result by the positioning unit 37, and the like. The polling interval information is a numerical value (for example, the number of seconds) that directly specifies the time of the polling interval Tp set according to the polling mode. The positions of various switches of the vehicle 30 include the positions of vehicle windows, doors, door locks, lights, lamps, various operation levers, sunroofs, control wheels, seats, brakes, accelerators, and the like.

  The user can transmit the processing request signal Sa from the user terminal 10 to the base station communication device 21. For example, the user accesses a WEB page provided by the base station communication device 21 from the user terminal 10 and selects a desired process (for example, a door) from among a plurality of processes that can be executed for the vehicle 30 specified by the unique identification information. By selecting (lock processing), the processing request signal Sa can be transmitted to the base station communication device 21. In addition to the WEB page method, the processing request signal Sa may be transmitted from the user terminal 10 to the base station communication device 21 by e-mail or an arbitrary communication method.

The control unit 22 of the base station communication device 21 receives the processing request signal Sa and temporarily stores it in the memory 24. When the polling signal P _n including the unique identification information specified by the processing request signal Sa is received from the vehicle 30, the control unit 22 responds to the polling signal P _n within the polling waiting time Tw. A processing command signal Sb generated based on Sa is transmitted to the vehicle 30. The process command signal Sb instructs the vehicle 30 to perform the request process of the process request signal Sa.

  When the control unit 32 of the vehicle communication device 31 receives the processing command signal Sb within the polling waiting time Tw, the control unit 32 analyzes the processing command signal Sb and performs processing specified by the processing command signal Sb (for example, door lock processing). (See “Process execution” in FIG. 4). Specifically, the control unit 32 transmits a control signal to another control device via the I / O unit 35 to drive the door lock driving device to enter the door lock state.

After the process is executed, the control unit 32 transmits a polling signal P _{n + 1} (or a polling signal at an appropriate timing after the process is executed). When receiving the polling signal P _{n + 1} , the control unit 22 of the base station communication device 21 transmits an execution result notification signal Sc related to the process related to the process request signal Sa (or the process command signal Sb) to the user terminal 10.

For example, the base station communication device 21 updates the vehicle state information of the vehicle 30 in the provided WEB page based on the received polling signal P _{n + 1} . Then, the user can know the result of the processing request by confirming the vehicle state of the vehicle 30 on the WEB page provided by the base station communication device 21 using the user terminal 10. In addition to the WEB page method, the control unit 22 of the base station communication device 21 may transmit the execution result notification signal Sc to the user terminal 10 by e-mail or an arbitrary communication method. For example, in the above-described example, the execution result notification signal Sc notifies that the door has been changed to the door locked state or the door unlocked state (not changed to the door locked state).

  Next, the polling mode transition process of the vehicle communication device 31 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the transition between the polling modes. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the polling mode setting process.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the polling mode, in addition to the normal mode, the first mode and the second mode in which the polling interval Tp is set longer than the normal mode in order to suppress a decrease in the remaining battery capacity of the in-vehicle battery 40. , Including stop mode.

The vehicle communication device 31 changes the polling mode according to the vehicle condition by repeatedly executing the process of FIG. Referring to FIG. 6, when the control unit 32 detects the operation of the vehicle 30 (step S10 in FIG. 6; Yes), the polling mode is set to the normal mode (step S11). In the normal mode, the polling interval Tp is set to a reference interval Tpa (for example, 10 milliseconds). When a predetermined time T ₁ (for example, 1 hour) has not elapsed since the last operation detection of the vehicle 30, the polling mode is maintained in the normal mode.

  The controller 32 determines that the vehicle 30 is in operation when there is communication access to the vehicle communication device 31. Specifically, the control unit 32 monitors the status of in-vehicle communication via the I / O unit 35, and a specific control device executes in-vehicle communication in response to a user operation or an external communication signal. When it is received (for example, detection of an ignition on signal (during engine operation)), it is determined that the vehicle 30 is operating. Therefore, it is determined that the vehicle 30 is continuously operated while the engine is operating. Further, the control unit 32 determines that the vehicle 30 is operating also when it detects the reception of the processing command signal Sb in the ignition-off state.

On the other hand, when the predetermined time T _{1 has} elapsed since the operation of the vehicle 30 is not determined, but the predetermined time T ₂ (for example, 48 hours) has not elapsed (step S12; Yes), the polling mode is changed to the first mode. It is set (step S13). Specifically, the elapsed time from when the vehicle 30 is powered off (that is, the ignition off) is T _{1 to} T ₂ , or the time elapsed since the processing command signal Sb is no longer received from the base station communication device 21. when is the T ₁ through T _2, the control unit 32 sets the polling mode to the first mode. In the first mode, the polling interval Tp is set to a first extension interval Tpb (for example, 10 minutes) longer than the reference interval Tpa (Tpa <Tpb).

Further, until a predetermined time T ₃ (eg, 480 hours) has passed since the transition to the first mode (step S14; Yes), the polling mode is set to the second mode (step S15). In the second mode, the polling interval Tp is set to a second extension interval Tpc (for example, 1 hour) longer than the first extension interval Tpb (Tpb <Tpc). Further, when the predetermined time T _{3 has} elapsed since the transition to the second mode (step S14; No), the polling mode is shifted to the stop mode (step S16). In stop mode, no polling is performed.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, when the control unit 32 determines that the vehicle 30 is operating in the first mode and the second mode (for example, the vehicle communication device 31 is the base station communication device 21). The polling mode immediately returns to the normal mode when the processing command signal Sb is received from the user. Further, in the stop mode, for example, when an ignition on signal is generated, the polling mode immediately returns to the normal mode.

  Next, with reference to FIG.7 and FIG.8, the effect | action of the vehicle communication system 1 of this embodiment is demonstrated. 7 and 8 are explanatory diagrams showing the flow of processing in the polling interval mode longer than the normal mode. In the present embodiment, as described above, the polling interval is changed in accordance with vehicle conditions in order to suppress a decrease in the remaining battery capacity of the in-vehicle battery 40 due to polling when the engine is stopped. Yes. Therefore, when the polling interval is set to a time interval longer than that in the normal mode, the period from when the user terminal 10 transmits the processing request signal Sa to when the user terminal 10 receives the execution result notification signal Sc is long. Become. For this reason, the user may feel inconvenience that a state in which a response to the processing request cannot be obtained continues for a long period of time.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, as described below, when the polling interval Tp is set to a time interval longer than that in the normal mode, the request processing is executed in response to the transmission of the processing request signal Sa. Prior to this, the response signal Sd is provided from the base station communication device 21 to the user terminal 10. The response signal Sd includes necessity inquiry information for confirming whether or not the request process of the process request signal Sa is necessary (for example, a word “Do you want to execute the process?”).

FIG. 7 shows a situation where the polling mode is the first mode (Tp = Tpb) or the second mode (Tp = Tpc). When the polling signal P _n is transmitted, the next polling signal P _{n + 1} is transmitted after the elapse of the polling interval Tp. Here, when the processing request signal Sa is received from the user terminal 10 at a time during which the response cannot be performed within the polling waiting time Tw of the polling signal P _n , the base station communication device 21 returns a response signal Sd to the user terminal 10. Note that the first extension interval Tpb and the second extension interval Tpc are much longer than the polling standby time Tw.

In addition, the response signal Sd includes vehicle state information related to the processing request signal Sa. That is, the base station communication device 21 obtains part or all of the vehicle state information based on the vehicle state information included in the polling signal P _n (or a previous polling signal in addition to this). It is included in the response signal Sd. In particular, vehicle state information related to the received processing request signal Sa is included in the vehicle state information. For example, when the processing request signal Sa requests a door lock process, the response signal Sd includes at least a door lock position (locking position or unlocking position).

Further, the response signal Sd may include information related to the transmission time of the next polling signal P _{n + 1} . That is, the base station communication apparatus 21, as the information about the transmission time of the next polling signal P _{n + 1,} to calculate the time td1 from the reception of the processing request signal Sa to the reception of the next polling signal P _{n + 1.}

Specifically, the control unit 22 of the base station communication device 21 confirms that the polling mode is the first mode or the second mode based on the polling interval information included in the polling signal P _n received immediately before. Determining (that is, determining whether the polling interval Tp is the first extension interval Tpb or the second extension interval Tpc), calculating the expected reception time of the next polling signal P _{n + 1} , and further, from the expected reception time The time td1 can be calculated by subtracting the reception time of the processing request signal Sa.

The control unit 22 of the base station communication device 21 transmits to the user terminal 10 a response signal Sd including vehicle state information related to the processing request signal Sa and information related to the transmission time of the next polling signal P _{n + 1} . For example, the WEB page provided by the base station communication device 21 is updated, and the vehicle state related to at least the processing request signal Sa and the time td1 can be displayed on the WEB page by reflecting the response signal Sd.

Further, instead of or in addition to the time td1, an expected reception time of the next polling signal P _{n + 1} may be provided. The response signal Sd may be transmitted from the base station communication device 21 to the user terminal 10 by e-mail or an arbitrary communication method without being limited to such a WEB page method.

Since it is a short time from the next polling signal transmission until the requested process is executed, the next polling signal transmission time is substantially the same as the requested process execution time. The response signal Sd including information related to the transmission time of the polling signal P _{n + 1} can be regarded as an execution time notification signal for the processing request signal Sa.

When the user receives the response signal Sd, the vehicle state information related to the processing request signal Sa and information related to the transmission time of the next polling signal P _{n + 1} (that is, information related to the time when the request processing is executed) ), It is possible to determine whether or not the request process needs to be executed. The user returns a response signal Se from the user terminal 10 toward the base station 20 as an answer to the necessity of execution. This reply process can also be configured by the above-described WEB page method or any communication method including electronic mail.

When the base station communication device 21 receives the response signal Se within a predetermined time limit T _lim (for example, 2 minutes) from the transmission of the response signal Sd, the base station communication device 21 further returns a confirmation signal Sf to the user terminal 10 in response thereto. To do. The confirmation signal Sf is for notifying whether or not the request processing related to the processing request signal Sa is to be executed based on the answer signal Se. Accordingly, the confirmation signal Sf notifies the user of the same corresponding to the case where the reply signal Se is a reply of “execute” or “not execute”.

Further, the confirmation signal Sf may include an expected time for executing the processing. That is, the base station communication device 21 may include information on the transmission time of the next polling signal in the confirmation signal Sf. In this case, the base station communication device 21 calculates information related to the transmission time of the next polling signal P _{n + 1} as in the case of transmission of the response signal Sd. However, in this case, the information about the transmission time of the next polling signal P _{n + 1,} reply signal Se reception time (or transmission schedule time of the confirmation signal Sf) receives a polling signal P _{n + 1} from the following Until the time td2 or the expected reception time of the polling signal P _{n + 1} .

  In the following, a case will be described in which the response signal Se is a response to “execute”. If the response signal Se is a response indicating “not to execute”, the processing related to the processing request signal Sa ends.

Control unit 32 of the vehicle communication device 31, when the polling interval Tp has elapsed from the previous transmission of the polling signal P _n, and transmits a polling signal P _{n + 1.} The control unit 22 of the base station communication device 21 transmits the processing command signal Sb generated based on the processing request signal Sa to the vehicle 30 within the polling waiting time Tw in response to the polling signal P _{n + 1} .

When receiving the process command signal Sb within the polling waiting time Tw, the control unit 32 of the vehicle communication device 31 immediately executes the process specified by the process command signal Sb (“process execution” in FIG. 7). After the process is executed, the control unit 32 transmits a polling signal P _{n + 2} (or a polling signal at an appropriate timing after the process is executed). When receiving the polling signal P _{n + 2} , the control unit 22 of the base station communication device 21 transmits an execution result notification signal Sc related to the process related to the process request signal Sa (or the process command signal Sb) to the user terminal 10.

Note that when the vehicle communication device 31 receives the processing command signal Sb, the polling mode is changed to the normal mode (see FIGS. 5 and 6). Therefore, since the polling interval Tp from the polling signal P _{n + 1} to the next polling signal P _{n + 2} is returned to the reference interval Tpa, the execution result notification signal Sc is transmitted after the polling signal P _{n + 1} is transmitted. The time until the process is performed is significantly shorter than the first extension interval Tpb and the second extension interval Tpc, and is substantially the same as the time required for executing the processing based on the processing command signal Sb.

  When the calculated time td2 is shorter than a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute), the control unit 22 of the base station communication device 21 may be configured not to transmit the confirmation signal Sf to the user terminal 10. . That is, when the time td2 is short, the confirmation signal Sf and the execution result notification signal Sc are continuously transmitted in a short time, and therefore the transmission of the confirmation signal Sf is substantially unnecessary.

FIG. 8 shows a case where the base station communication device 21 does not receive the response signal Se within a predetermined time limit T _lim (for example, 2 minutes). For example, when the user receives the response signal Sd and determines that the request processing is unnecessary, the user does not have to send the response signal Se indicating “not execute”. For example, when the door lock process is requested, the user does not need to transmit the answer signal Se if the vehicle 30 is already confirmed to be in the door lock state by referring to the response signal Sd.

If the base station communication device 21 does not receive the answer signal Se within a predetermined time limit T _lim (for example, 2 minutes), the base station communication device 21 transmits an execution stop notification signal Sg to the user terminal 10. The execution stop notification signal Sg notifies the user that the request processing related to the processing request signal Sa is not executed. When transmitting the execution stop notification signal Sg, the base station communication device 21 does not transmit the processing command signal Sb based on the received processing request signal Sa even if it receives the next polling signal P _{n + 1} . The process related to the process request signal Sa is terminated.

  According to the present embodiment, when the polling interval Tp is changed to the extended interval (Tpb or Tpc) according to the vehicle condition, the base station communication device 21 responds to the processing request signal Sa of the user terminal 10. The response signal Sd including at least the vehicle state information related to the processing request signal Sa can be transmitted to the user terminal 10. As described above, when the polling interval Tp is set to an extended interval, it may take a long time for the vehicle communication device 31 to receive a processing request from the user. As a result, the processing request is long on the vehicle side. There is a problem that the execution result is not delayed for that time, and the notification of the execution result to the user is delayed accordingly. However, according to the present embodiment, prior to execution of the requested process in the vehicle 30, the user can receive at least the vehicle state information related to the process request signal Sa. , It is possible to confirm that the processing request signal Sa has been transmitted normally and that the request processing is in an execution preparation state. Thereby, in this embodiment, usability can be improved in execution of remote control.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the response signal Sd includes necessity inquiry information for confirming the necessity of executing the process in the vehicle based on the process request signal Sa. For this reason, the response signal Sd includes not only vehicle state information but also necessity / unnecessity inquiry information regarding whether or not the processing requested by the user is necessary. Accordingly, the user can determine whether or not the requested process needs to be executed with reference to the vehicle state information.

According to the present embodiment, the polling signal P includes information related to the polling interval Tp, and the base station 20 generates the next polling signal P _{n +} generated based on the polling signal P _n that has already been received. Information about the transmission time of ₁ is included in the response signal Sd. Thereby, since the response signal Sd includes information on the transmission time of the next polling signal P _{n + 1} , the user can predict the time when the requested process is executed. As a result, the user can determine whether or not the requested process needs to be executed in consideration of the estimated execution time in addition to the vehicle state information.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the base station 20 does not receive the response signal Se for the response signal Sd from the user terminal 10 within the time limit T _lim from the transmission of the response signal Sd, and the vehicle based on the processing request signal Sa. An execution stop notification signal Sg indicating that the execution of the process at 30 is stopped is transmitted to the user terminal 10. As a result, if the base station 20 does not receive the response signal Se to the response signal Sd within the time limit T _lim , it is considered that the user has determined that the requested process is unnecessary, and the execution is canceled to stop the execution of the process. A notification signal Sg can be transmitted. As a result, it is possible to prevent the processing request signal Sa from continuing to be engaged with the base station 20 while the processing requested by the user is not performed, and the user can confirm that the processing is not performed.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the vehicle condition is the length of time that has elapsed since communication access to the vehicle communication device 31 is lost. Thereby, the fall of the battery remaining capacity of the vehicle-mounted battery 40 can be suppressed by lengthening the polling space | interval Tp according to the length of the elapsed time after the communication access to the vehicle communication apparatus 31 is lost.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the vehicle condition is the magnitude of the voltage of the in-vehicle battery 40. Thereby, polling interval Tp can be lengthened according to the magnitude | size of the voltage of the actual vehicle-mounted battery 40. FIG.

The above embodiment can be modified as follows.
In the above embodiment, the vehicle condition for the polling mode transition is the elapsed time from the detection of the operation of the vehicle 30, but the vehicle condition for the mode transition may be set as will be described with reference to FIG. . In the example shown in FIG. 9, the polling mode is changed according to the battery voltage Vb of the in-vehicle battery 40.

The control unit 32 of the vehicle communication device 31 repeatedly executes the process shown in FIG. 9, and when the battery voltage Vb measured by the monitor unit 36 is equal to or higher than the predetermined voltage V ₁ (step S20; Yes), the polling mode is set. The normal mode is set, and the polling interval Tp is set to the reference interval Tpa. On the other hand, when the battery voltage Vb is less than the predetermined voltage V ₁ (step S20; No) but is equal to or higher than the predetermined voltage V ₂ (<V ₁ ) (step S22; Yes), the control unit 32 sets the polling mode to the first mode. 1 mode is set, and the polling interval Tp is set to the first extension interval Tpb.

Although the battery voltage Vb is less than the predetermined voltage V ₂ (step S22; No), if the predetermined voltage V ₃ (<V ₂₎ or more (step S24; Yes), the control unit 32, a polling mode first 2 mode is set, and the polling interval Tp is set to the second extension interval Tpc. However, if the battery voltage Vb is less than the predetermined voltage V ₃ (step S24; No), the control unit 32 sets the polling mode to the stop mode.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although polling interval information is a numerical value which specifies the time length, other data may be sufficient as follows. For example, the polling interval information is code data (for example, “0” in the normal mode, “1” in the first mode, “2” in the second mode, “3” in the stop mode) specifying the polling mode) Also good. The code data may be included in the polling signal only when the polling interval Tp is switched.

  When using code data, the control unit 22 of the base station communication device 21 reads the unique identification information for identifying the vehicle 30 and the polling interval information (code data) from the polling signal P, and stores the vehicle table stored in the memory 24. By referencing, the polling interval Tp associated with the polling interval information (code data) of the unique identification information can be specified. Therefore, in this case, the memory 24 of the base station communication device 21 stores a plurality of code data and the time length corresponding to each code data (that is, the polling interval Tp) for each unique identification information. .

  The polling interval information may be reference interval information that specifies the reference time. For example, the reference interval information may be information indicating the time when the ignition is turned off or the time when the ignition is turned off, or information indicating the time when the processing command signal Sb is received or the time when the processing command signal Sb is received. .

  In this case, in the vehicle table stored in the memory 24 of the base station communication device 21, a polling interval Tp corresponding to the elapsed time from the reference time is set for each unique identification information. The control unit 22 of the base station communication device 21 acquires polling interval information (reference interval information) from the polling signal, stores it in the memory 24 as necessary, and the elapsed time from the reference interval when receiving the polling signal. Is calculated. The polling interval Tp corresponding to the calculated elapsed time can be identified by referring to the vehicle table of the unique identification information.

  Further, as described with reference to FIG. 9, in the embodiment in which the polling mode is changed according to the battery voltage Vb, the voltage value of the in-vehicle battery 40 included in the vehicle state information of the polling signal is used as the polling interval information. Also good. In this case, in the vehicle table stored in the memory 24 of the base station communication device 21, a polling interval Tp corresponding to the voltage value is set for each unique identification information. The control unit 22 of the base station communication device 21 can specify the polling interval Tp corresponding to the acquired voltage value by acquiring the voltage value from the polling signal and referring to the vehicle table of the unique identification information.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle communication system 3 Communication line 10 User terminal 20 Base station 21 Base station communication apparatus 22 Control part 23 Transmission / reception unit 24 Memory 30 Vehicle 31 Vehicle communication apparatus 32 Control part 33 Transmission / reception unit 34 Memory 35 I / O unit 36 Monitor unit 37 Positioning Unit 40 In-vehicle battery P Polling signal Sa Processing request signal Sb Processing command signal Sc Execution result notification signal Sd Response signal Se Reply signal Sf Confirmation signal Sg Execution stop notification signal T _lim time limit Tp Polling interval Tw Polling waiting time

Claims (7)

Mounted on a vehicle that transmits a polling signal to a base station at predetermined polling intervals and executes predetermined processing based on a processing command signal received from the base station in response to transmission of the polling signal A vehicle communication device,
The base station receives a processing request signal from a user terminal, transmits the processing command signal generated based on the processing request signal to the vehicle communication device in response to reception of the polling signal,
The vehicle communication device is configured to change the polling interval from a reference interval to an extended interval longer than the reference interval according to vehicle conditions,
In the state where the polling interval is changed to the extended interval, the base station responds to the reception of the processing request signal from the user terminal and at least the processing request based on the polling signal already received. The vehicle communication apparatus, wherein the polling signal includes the vehicle state information so that a response signal including vehicle state information related to the signal can be transmitted to the user terminal.   The vehicle response apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the response signal includes necessity inquiry information for confirming necessity of execution of processing in the vehicle based on the processing request signal. The polling signal includes information related to the polling interval;
The vehicle communication device according to claim 2, wherein the ground station includes information on a transmission time of a next polling signal generated based on the polling signal that has already been received in the response signal.   When the ground station does not receive a response signal for the response signal from the user terminal within a predetermined period from the transmission of the response signal, the ground station indicates that the execution of the processing in the vehicle based on the processing request signal is stopped. The vehicle communication device according to claim 2, wherein an execution stop notification signal is transmitted to the user terminal.   The vehicle communication device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle condition is a length of time elapsed after communication access to the vehicle communication device is lost.   The vehicle communication device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle condition is a voltage level of an in-vehicle battery. A vehicle communication device mounted on a vehicle that transmits a polling signal at predetermined polling intervals and executes predetermined processing based on a processing command signal received in response to transmission of the polling signal;
A base station that receives a processing request signal from a user terminal and transmits the processing command signal generated based on the processing request signal to the vehicle communication device in response to reception of the polling signal. Because
The vehicle communication device is configured to change the polling interval from a reference interval to an extended interval longer than the reference interval according to vehicle conditions, and the polling signal includes information on the vehicle,
The base station responds to reception of the processing request signal from the user terminal in a state where the polling interval is changed to the extended interval, and based on the polling signal already received, The vehicle communication system which transmits the response signal containing the information of the vehicle state relevant to the said process request signal at least among the said information to the said user terminal.

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