JP2023094108A - Communication device, application program providing device, information processing system, and data providing method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a communication device, an application program providing device, an information processing system, and a data providing method that improve usability of data by a plurality of nodes.SOLUTION: In an information processing system 100, a communication device 1 has a storage unit 3 and a control unit 4. The storage unit 3 allows a plurality of connected nodes to take in data. The control unit 4 causes the storage unit 3 to store data. The control unit 4 converts data obtained from the plurality of connected nodes 10 into data that can be used by each node 10. The control unit 4 stores the converted data in the storage unit 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a communication device, an application program providing device, an information processing system, and a data providing method.

Conventionally, there is known a method of making vehicle data accessible via a vehicle network in a manner that does not depend on the type of vehicle, the manufacturer, or the year of manufacture (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-2002-331882

The format of data that can be used may be different between the connected nodes. As such, data obtained from a node may be difficult to use by other nodes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication device, an application program providing device, an information processing system, and a data providing method that improve usability of data by a plurality of nodes. .

A communication device according to an aspect of an embodiment includes a storage unit and a control unit. The storage unit allows a plurality of connected nodes to fetch data. The control unit causes the storage unit to store data. A control unit converts data obtained from a plurality of connected nodes into data that can be used by each node. The control unit stores the converted data in the storage unit.

According to an aspect of an embodiment, data availability by multiple nodes can be improved.

FIG. 1 is a diagram explaining an overview of a data provision method according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the information processing system according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a database that an external device has. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining data generation related to output TOPIC. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining installation processing according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating data storage processing according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining shortage notification processing according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, a communication device, an application program providing device, an information processing system, and a data providing method according to embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by this embodiment.

First, the outline of the data provision method according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. A data provision method according to the embodiment is executed by the communication device 1 . FIG. 1 is a diagram explaining an overview of a data provision method according to an embodiment. The communication device 1 is mounted on a vehicle, for example. The communication device 1 is not limited to a device mounted on a vehicle. The communication device 1 distributes data to the node 10 by, for example, the Publish/Subscribe method. The communication device 1 distributes data to the node 10 using MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport), for example. The communication device 1 functions as a broker.

The node 10 according to the embodiment includes various devices mounted on a vehicle and connected to the communication device 1 by wire or wirelessly. The node 10 includes various devices that are brought into the vehicle by passengers or brought into close proximity and connected to the communication device 1 by wire or wirelessly. Also, the node 10 includes various devices that are incorporated when the vehicle is manufactured. The node 10 includes a device newly installed by a user or the like after the vehicle is manufactured or sold. Although the size of each node 10 differs depending on the structure of the vehicle, various devices (nodes 10) incorporated at the time of manufacturing the vehicle include, for example, an engine control device, a steering device, a braking device, an air conditioner, and the like. Devices (nodes 10) newly installed by users or the like include, for example, navigation devices, drive recorder devices, and audio/visual devices. Devices (nodes 10) brought into the vehicle by passengers (or placed in close proximity) include smart phones, mobile phones, smart watches, game consoles (with communication functions), desktop PCs, notebook PCs, and There are tablet PCs, etc. It should be noted that the examples of various devices incorporated at the time of vehicle manufacture, the examples of additionally installed devices, and the examples of devices brought into the vehicle were classified, but the illustrated devices are not limited to these categories, and belong to other categories. In some cases. For example, a navigation device may be built into a vehicle when it is manufactured.

Furthermore, various devices of other vehicles and infrastructure devices such as traffic lights can also serve as the node 10 as long as they can communicate with the communication device 1 .

For this reason, the data formats and the like in each node 10 may be different, and if the formats and the like are different, the data cannot be used effectively.

The node 10 includes various sensors necessary for realizing basic functions of the node 10 . For example, the node 10 is a vehicle speed sensor, a vital sensor, a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the passenger compartment, and a CO2 sensor that detects the CO2 concentration of the passenger compartment. A vital sensor is a sensor that acquires biological information, and includes, for example, an electroencephalogram sensor that detects brain waves, a pulse sensor that detects pulse, and the like.

The node 10 includes an ECU (Electronic Control Unit). The ECU controls the operation of the node 10 (device) on which the ECU is mounted. The ECUs are, for example, a power train ECU, a driving support system ECU, a multimedia system ECU, and an air conditioner ECU.

In the data providing method according to the embodiment, data is acquired from a plurality of nodes 10 (S1). Then, the data acquired from the plurality of nodes 10 is converted into data that can be used by nodes 10 other than the acquisition source (nodes that require the data) (S2).

The converted data is stored in the storage unit 3 (S3). The storage unit 3 stores the converted data in association with the TOPIC (data item) of the node 10 from which the data was acquired. The converted data is stored in the storage unit 3 in a state in which the node 10 that needs (can use) the data can use it.

The converted data is distributed from the storage unit 3 to the node 10 (S4). The storage unit 3 is configured so that a plurality of nodes 10 can take in data. The data delivered to node 10 is used for processing in node 10 .

With the above-described processing, in the data provision method according to the embodiment, data acquired by a sensor or the like of a certain node 10 is utilized by another node 10, so that the operations and functions of the node 10 are advanced. be done. As a result, user convenience is improved. For example, the body temperature data of the user measured by the smart watch (an example of the node 10) is obtained in a data format that can be used by the vehicle air conditioner. Then, advanced control that realizes a more comfortable interior space is performed, such as vehicle air conditioning control that considers the user's condition based on the vehicle room temperature data measured by the sensor of the vehicle air conditioner and the acquired user's body temperature data. It becomes possible.

Next, the information processing system 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the information processing system 100 according to the embodiment. The information processing system 100 includes a communication device 1 and an external device 20 .

The external device 20 is, for example, a server device. The external device 20 is an application program providing device. The external device 20 has a database 21 and a provision control unit 22 . In the database 21 , possession information of various sensors possessed by the node 10 is stored for each type data of the node 10 . The database 21 stores TOPICs of various sensors. The database 21 stores required TOPICs, output TOPICs, and output nodes for each application program (hereinafter referred to as "application"). A required TOPIC is a TOPIC for data required for an application to generate data (output TOPIC data). The output TOPIC is the TOPIC for data generated by the application. The output node is the node 10 that executes processing using the data of the output TOPIC. Multiple TOPICs may be set for one node 10 .

For example, the external device 20 has a database 21 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the database 21 that the external device 20 has. For example, the required TOPICs in application "AA" are "room temperature", "heart rate", and "pulse rate". The output TOPIC in application "AA" is "optimum temperature". Also, the output node in the application "AA" is "air conditioner ECU". In other words, the application "AA" is an application that generates "optimum temperature" data for the "air conditioner ECU" based on the "room temperature", "heart rate", and "pulse rate" data. The data formats of the necessary TOPIC and the output TOPIC are determined. The application converts the data (required TOPIC data) of the node 10 that outputs data in the corresponding format into data in a format (output TOPIC data) that can be used by the node 10 that uses the data. Also, the output node may be a plurality of nodes 10 . For example, output nodes in the application "AA" may include a different node 10 from "air conditioner ECU".

Also, a plurality of applications in which different output TOPICs and different output nodes are associated with the same combination of necessary TOPICs may be stored in the database 21 .

The provision control unit 22 includes, for example, a computer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM, a hard disk drive, an input/output port, and various circuits. The provision control unit 22 may include multiple computers.

The CPU of the computer functions as the provision control unit 22 by reading and executing a program stored in a storage device such as a ROM, for example. Part or all of the provision control unit 22 may be configured by hardware such as ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

The provision control unit 22 selects an application based on the node information regarding the plurality of nodes 10 and provides it to the communication device 1 . When the type data of the node 10 authenticated by the communication device 1 is received from the communication device 1 , the provision control unit 22 selects an application based on the type data of the node 10 and provides the application to the communication device 1 . do. The application corresponding to the combination of the type data of the node 10 is set in advance. For example, the provision control unit 22 has a list of applications (configured by table data) corresponding to the combination of the type data of the node 10, and the like. The provision control unit 22 selects an application from the received type data of the node 10 and a list of applications.

The provision control unit 22 provides the communication device 1 with the necessary TOPIC and the output TOPIC regarding the application. The provision control unit 22 provides the TOPIC of the node 10 . The provision control unit 22 provides the communication device 1 with TOPIC of various sensors possessed by the node 10 for each type data of the node 10 .

Returning to FIG. 2 , the communication device 1 includes a communication section 2 , a storage section 3 and a control section 4 . The communication unit 2 is realized by, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Card) or the like. The communication unit 2 communicates with each node 10 by wire or wirelessly. The communication unit 2 wirelessly communicates with the external device 20 .

Wired communication is performed by, for example, CAN (Controller Area Network), Ethernet (registered trademark), LIN (Local Interconnect Network), USB (Universal Serial Bus), and the like. Wireless communication is performed by, for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), LTE (Long Term Evolution), BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy), Zigbee (registered trademark), UWB (Ultra Wide Band), and the like.

The storage unit 3 is implemented by a semiconductor memory device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a flash memory, or the like.

Storage unit 3 includes bulletin board 3A and container unit 3B. The bulletin board 3A is composed of a storage area allocated to the storage unit 3. FIG. Bulletin board 3A stores TOPIC. Bulletin board 3A stores the data acquired from node 10 in association with the TOPIC related to the data. The data stored in the bulletin board 3A is data acquired from the node 10 and converted based on an application by the control unit 4, which will be described later. The data after conversion is data standardized so that each node 10 can use it. In other words, the application is software that converts the data acquired from the node 10 into such standardized data. The data stored in bulletin board 3A may include data other than data generated by an application, for example, data in the same format as the standardized format without conversion processing. The data created by the application is stored in the storage unit 3 in association with the output TOPIC to which the data created by the application corresponds. The bulletin board 3A is configured so that a plurality of nodes 10 connected to the communication device 1 can acquire data.

The container section 3B is composed of a storage area allocated to the storage section 3, and a plurality of containers 3C predetermined by design are formed. One application is stored in one container 3C. The application is acquired from the external device 20 and set (stored) in the container 3C. In addition, unnecessary applications are erased from the container 3C, and the container 3C becomes an empty container. That is, applications are set in a plurality of containers 3C up to the number of containers, and when there is no necessary application, all the containers 3C become empty containers. If there is room in the container 3C, an application that is no longer needed can be deleted when an empty container is required for setting a new application.

The control unit 4 includes an acquisition unit 4A, an authentication unit 4B, a conversion unit 4C, a determination unit 4D, a generation unit 4E, a notification unit 4F, and an instruction unit 4G. The control unit 4 includes, for example, a computer having a CPU, ROM, RAM, hard disk drive, input/output ports, and various circuits. The control unit 4 may include multiple computers.

The CPU of the computer, for example, by reading and executing a program stored in a storage device such as a ROM, obtains the acquisition unit 4A of the control unit 4, the authentication unit 4B, the conversion unit 4C, the determination unit 4D, the generation unit 4E, the notification It functions as a section 4F and an instruction section 4G. A part or all of the control unit 4 may be configured by hardware such as ASIC and FPGA. The control unit 4 functions as a container engine that stores/deletes an application for the container 3C of the container unit 3B and executes the application.

The acquisition unit 4A acquires various types of information and data from each node 10 . Specifically, the acquiring unit 4</b>A acquires authentication information for authenticating each node 10 and distribution request information from each node 10 . The acquisition unit 4A acquires type data regarding each authenticated node 10 from the plurality of nodes 10 . The type data regarding the node 10 is information for identifying the node 10 .

The acquisition unit 4A acquires information about various applications (applications that can be stored in the container 3C (container-compatible applications)) provided by the external device 20 . The application-related information includes the application, the required TOPIC for the application, and the output TOPIC. The application information includes application update information. That is, the application information includes application update information. The acquisition unit 4</b>A acquires TOPIC of various sensors that the node 10 has from the external device 20 .

The acquisition unit 4</b>A acquires data collected by the nodes 10 from the plurality of nodes 10 , that is, various data detected by various sensors installed in the nodes 10 .

Further, the acquisition unit 4A acquires update information of the node 10 from the external device 20, such as version information of built-in software, information of additional sensors, and the like. The acquisition unit 4A acquires an instruction signal for setting the application in the container 3C from the user's terminal device. The acquisition unit 4A acquires an instruction signal for updating the application set in the container 3C from the user's terminal device.

The authentication unit 4B authenticates the node 10 connected to the communication device 1. FIG. For example, when the power of the communication device 1 is turned on, the authentication unit 4B authenticates the node 10 connected to the communication device 1 based on the authentication information of the node 10 for authenticating each node 10 . Node 10 authentication information is provided by each node 10 . The authentication unit 4B authenticates the newly connected node 10 when the node 10 is newly connected.

Authentication unit 4B sets data stored in bulletin board 3A to be distributed to each node 10 . Specifically, the authentication unit 4B sets the data stored in the bulletin board 3A to be delivered to the node 10 based on the delivery request information provided by the node 10 when the node 10 is authenticated. The distribution request information may be information requesting distribution of data relating to all TOPICs stored on bulletin board 3A, or may be information requesting distribution of data relating to some TOPICs stored on bulletin board 3A. good. The distribution request information may include information designating the TOPIC to be distributed.

The authentication unit 4B causes the bulletin board 3A to store the TOPIC. The authentication unit 4B stores the TOPICs (required TOPIC, output TOPIC, and node 10 TOPIC) provided from the external device 20 in the bulletin board 3A.

The conversion unit 4C converts the data acquired from the node 10 into data that each node 10 can use. The conversion unit 4C causes the bulletin board 3A of the storage unit 3 to store the converted data. The conversion unit 4C stores the converted data in association with the corresponding TOPIC. When new data is acquired from the node 10, the conversion unit 4C converts the new data into data that can be used by each node 10, and stores the converted new data in the bulletin board 3A in association with the corresponding TOPIC. Let That is, the conversion unit 4C updates the data associated with the TOPIC on the bulletin board 3A.

The determination unit 4</b>D determines whether or not the node 10 that acquires the TOPIC data necessary for generating the output TOPIC data by the application is connected to the communication device 1 .

The determination unit 4D determines whether or not the nodes 10 connected to the communication device 1 lack the nodes 10 that perform processing using the data of the output TOPIC.

Determination unit 4D determines whether or not an instruction signal to install an application has been received. The determination unit 4D determines whether or not an instruction signal to update the application has been received.

The generation unit 4E uses an application to generate data regarding the output TOPIC based on the data acquired from the node 10 . Specifically, the generation unit 4E reads an application corresponding to the type data of the node 10 acquired from the node 10 from the container unit 3B. The generation unit 4E uses an application to generate data regarding the output TOPIC based on the data of the TOPIC stored in the bulletin board 3A of the storage unit 3. FIG. That is, the generation unit 4E selects an application according to data to be generated, and executes the application to generate data related to the output TOPIC.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, bulletin board 3A stores data relating to TOPICs of "vehicle speed", "room temperature", "heart rate", and "pulse rate". An application "AA" for generating data of the output TOPIC "optimal room temperature" is stored in the container 3C of the container section 3B. The application "AA" is an application that generates the data of the output TOPIC "optimal room temperature" from the data of the TOPICs "room temperature", "heart rate", and "pulse rate". FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining data generation related to output TOPIC. The generation unit 4E uses the application "AA" to calculate the data of the output TOPIC "optimal room temperature" from the data of the TOPIC "room temperature", "heart rate", and "pulse rate", and generate the output TOPIC "optimal room temperature". Generates "room temperature" data.

The generation unit 4E causes the bulletin board 3A of the storage unit 3 to store the data related to the generated output TOPIC in association with the output TOPIC.

The generation unit 4E may use the output TOPIC data stored in the bulletin board 3A to generate another output TOPIC data. For example, in FIG. 4, the data for the output TOPIC "optimal room temperature" may be used to generate data for another output TOPIC.

The notification unit 4</b>F transmits node information regarding the plurality of nodes 10 to the external device 20 . That is, the notification unit 4</b>F transmits the type data of the authenticated node 10 to the external device 20 .

The notification unit 4F notifies the terminal device of the user of the information regarding the application acquired from the external device 20 .

The notification unit 4F notifies the terminal device of the user of information that is lacking when executing the application. When the output TOPIC data required for the connected node 10 is generated using an application, the notifying unit 4F notifies the user of the missing information when the required TOPIC data required for generation is insufficient. Notify the terminal device. The lacking information includes information about the node 10 to be additionally connected or information about the sensor to be additionally connected in the node 10 in order to obtain the lacking data, that is, to satisfy the lacking data.

For example, if the node 10 that acquires the TOPIC data required to generate the output TOPIC data or the sensor in the node 10 is not connected to the communication device 1, the notification unit 4F notifies the node 10 that is lacking. Notify the user's terminal device.

The notification unit 4F notifies the terminal device of the user of the nodes 10 that are lacking when executing the processing related to the output TOPIC. If the node 10 connected to the communication device 1 cannot execute the processing related to the output TOPIC, the notification unit 4F notifies the terminal device of the user of the missing node 10 . That is, when the node 10 that performs processing using the data of the output TOPIC is not connected to the communication device 1, the notification unit 4F notifies the terminal device of the user of the missing node 10. FIG.

The notification unit 4F notifies the update information of the node 10. FIG. The notification unit 4</b>F notifies the update information of the node 10 when the update information of the node 10 is acquired from the external device 20 . For example, if the software of the node 10 connected to the communication device 1 is updated so that the node 10 can perform processing using the data of the output TOPIC, the notification unit 4F notifies update information. For example, the notification unit 4F notifies the terminal device of the user of the update information. The notification unit 4F may notify the update information of the node 10 regardless of the presence or absence of processing using the data of the output TOPIC.

The notification unit 4F notifies application update information. The notification unit 4F notifies the terminal device of the user of application update information.

The notification unit 4F distributes the data stored in the bulletin board 3A to the node 10. FIG. Based on the distribution request information of the node 10, the notification unit 4F reads the TOPIC data corresponding to the distribution request information from the bulletin board 3A. Then, the notification unit 4F distributes the read data to the node 10 from which the distribution request information was obtained. The data delivered to node 10 includes data relating to output TOPICs generated using the application. The notification unit 4F outputs the data stored in the bulletin board 3A to the node 10 based on the distribution request information of the node 10. FIG.

The instruction unit 4G installs the application selected by the external device 20 when an application installation instruction is received from the terminal device of the user, more specifically, when an instruction signal to install the application is received. The installed application is stored in the container 3C of the container section 3B.

The instruction unit 4G updates the application when an instruction to update the application is received from the terminal device of the user, more specifically, when an instruction signal for updating the application is received.

Next, the installation process according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining installation processing according to the embodiment. The installation process is executed when the communication device 1 is activated. Note that the installation process may be executed at a predetermined timing after the communication device 1 is activated. Predetermined timing includes, for example, the timing at which the user instructs and the timing at which the new node 10 is added. Also, the installation process does not have to be executed when the communication device 1 is booted if the connected node 10 has not changed since the previous boot.

The control unit 4 authenticates the connected node 10 (S10). The control unit 4 acquires authentication information from the node 10 and authenticates the node 10 .

The control unit 4 acquires type data of each authenticated node 10 (S11). The control unit 4 transmits the type data of each node 10 to the external device 20 (S12).

The control unit 4 acquires the application selected by the external device 20 (S13). Specifically, the control unit 4 acquires the application selected by the external device 20 , the necessary TOPIC related to the application, the output TOPIC, and the TOPIC of the node 10 .

The control unit 4 causes the bulletin board 3A to store the required TOPIC, the output TOPIC, and the TOPIC of the node 10 (S14).

The control unit 4 notifies the terminal device of the user of the acquired information about the application (S15).

The control unit 4 determines whether or not an instruction signal to install the application has been received from the terminal device of the user (S16). When the instruction signal to install the application is received (S16: Yes), the control unit 4 installs the application (S17). That is, the control unit 4 stores the application in the container 3C of the container unit 3B.

If the instruction signal to install the application is not received (S16: No), that is, if the instruction signal to deny installation of the application is received, the control unit 4 ends the process without installing the application.

Note that the required TOPIC and the output TOPIC regarding the application may be stored in the bulletin board 3A after the application is installed.

Next, data storage processing according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating data storage processing according to the embodiment. This data storage processing is performed every predetermined cycle after the communication device 1 is activated. It is assumed that node 10 is authenticated.

The control unit 4 acquires data from the node 10 (S20). The control unit 4 acquires data from the multiple nodes 10 .

The control unit 4 converts the acquired node 10 into data that can be used by each node 10 (S21). The control unit 4 normalizes the acquired node 10 . The control unit 4 causes the bulletin board 3A to store the converted data in association with the corresponding TOPIC (S22).

The control unit 4 uses the application stored in the container unit 3B to calculate data regarding the output TOPIC (S23).

The control unit 4 causes the bulletin board 3A to store the data calculated using the application in association with the corresponding output TOPIC (S24). If the application does not calculate the data related to the output TOPIC, the data is not stored in the bulletin board 3A (the corresponding output TOPIC is in a no-data state, so-called null).

The control unit 4 distributes the data stored in the bulletin board 3A to each node 10 (S25). The control unit 4 distributes the data stored in the bulletin board 3A to each node 10 based on the distribution request information.

Next, shortage notification processing according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining shortage notification processing according to the embodiment. The shortage notification process is performed when the communication device 1 is activated. Insufficient notification processing is executed following installation processing. Note that the shortage notification process may be executed during the installation process.

The control unit 4 determines whether or not there is information that is lacking when executing the application (S30). The control unit 4 determines whether or not there is insufficient required TOPIC data when the application is used to generate output TOPIC data required by the node 10 .

If there is information lacking when executing the application (S30: Yes), the control unit 4 notifies the terminal device of the user of the information lacking when executing the application (S31). For example, the control unit 4 displays the node type that can output the missing information, or adds the sensor type to the connected node so that the node can output the missing information. indicate. If there is no missing information when executing the application (S30: No), the control unit 4 proceeds with the process.

The control unit 4 determines whether or not the number of nodes 10 that perform processing using the data of the output TOPIC is insufficient for the nodes 10 connected to the communication device 1 (S32). If the number of nodes 10 that perform processing using the data of the output TOPIC is insufficient for the nodes 10 connected to the communication device 1 (S32: Yes), the control unit 4 connects the insufficient nodes 10 to the terminal device of the user. (S33). If the number of nodes 10 that perform processing using the data of the output TOPIC is sufficient for the nodes 10 connected to the communication device 1 (S32: No), the control unit 4 terminates the processing.

Note that step S32 may be performed prior to step S30. Moreover, step S30 and step S32 may be performed as another shortage notification process.

For example, the application "AA" shown in FIG. 4 is stored in the container section 3B. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, when the application "AA" generates the "optimum temperature" data "bs" which is the output TOPIC, the "optimum temperature" data "bs" is delivered to the air conditioner ECU. The air conditioner ECU controls the air conditioner based on the distributed data "bs". Although such control is performed, the control contents of the air conditioner differ depending on the purpose of calculating the "optimum temperature", specifically, the calculation method. That is, the air conditioner can perform control suitable for the purpose. For example, if the application "AA" is an application intended to control an air conditioner to prevent car sickness, the application can be used to determine whether the passenger is in the car based on the "room temperature", "heart rate", and "pulse" data. To calculate the optimum temperature in a vehicle interior that does not cause motion sickness. The air conditioner ECU controls the air conditioner based on the optimum temperature that does not cause motion sickness. As a result, the passenger's motion sickness is suppressed.

Air conditioner control applications having other purposes include, for example, air conditioner control applications aimed at preventing drowsiness. Specifically, when aiming to prevent drowsiness, ``drowsiness'' is estimated from ``heart rate'' and ``pulse'', and based on the ``drowsiness'' and ``room temperature'', ``drowsiness prevention'' and ``comfort'' are considered. Optimal temperature” is calculated and stored in the bulletin board 3A in association with the output TOPIC. Then, the air conditioner performs control based on the "optimal temperature" suitable for preventing drowsiness. In other words, the application is software that calculates data according to the purpose of control as the value of the output TOPIC and stores the data in the output TOPIC, thereby allowing the node to perform control suitable for the purpose.

The application for suppressing car sickness may be an application compatible with an audio node that plays music for passengers to relax in the vehicle interior, an application compatible with an electric seat node that adjusts the angle of the seat, etc. In addition, air conditioning, audio, and an application that supports cooperative control of each node of the electric seat (a multi-node cooperative control application). Specifically, an application that supports coordinated control of air conditioning, audio, and electric seat nodes is based on "heart rate," "pulse," and "room temperature," and is suitable for suppressing car sickness. "Temperature", "Music Genre", and "Seat Angle" are calculated and stored in each output TOPIC. Then, the air conditioner, audio system, and electric seat are controlled based on the "optimum temperature", "music genre", and "seat angle" stored in the output TOPIC.

Also, when an application is updated in the external device 20 and a new node 10 is required, the control unit 4 notifies the user's terminal device of the new node 10 . If the updated application requires a new node 10 and the new node 10 is not connected to the communication device 1, the control unit 4 notifies the user's terminal device of the new node 10. FIG.

For example, it is assumed that an application "AA" is updated, and the updated application "AA" adds thermography to improve the accuracy of air conditioner control for suppressing car sickness. In this case, the control unit 4 notifies the terminal device of the user of information regarding the addition of the necessary TOPIC for thermography. By updating the application, "thermography" is stored in the bulletin board 3A as a TOPIC. When the thermography is connected to the communication device 1 and authenticated, the data of the "thermography" is converted into data usable by each node 10, and then stored in the bulletin board 3A. Then, using the updated application “AA”, the control unit 4 uses the “room temperature”, “heart rate”, “pulse”, and “thermography” data with higher accuracy (when there is no thermography). ) to calculate the optimum temperature in the passenger compartment so that passengers do not get carsick. The air conditioner ECU controls the air conditioner based on the optimum temperature. As a result, the passenger's motion sickness is further suppressed.

The communication device 1 has a storage section 3 and a control section 4 . A plurality of connected nodes 10 can fetch data from the storage unit 3 . The control unit 4 causes the storage unit 3 to store data. The control unit 4 converts data obtained from the connected nodes 10 into data that can be used by each node 10 . The control unit 4 stores the converted data in the storage unit 3 .

As a result, the data acquired by the node 10 is shared by other nodes 10 . Therefore, the communication device 1 can improve usability of data by the plurality of nodes 10 . For example, the communication device 1 can realize safe driving of the vehicle and a comfortable interior space by improving the usability of data in the node 10 provided in the vehicle.

The storage unit 3 has a plurality of containers 3C that store applications that generate data that can be used by each node 10 . The control unit 4 selects and executes an application stored in the container 3C according to data to be generated.

Thereby, the communication device 1 can generate new data using the application and provide the generated data to the node 10 . Therefore, the communication device 1 can improve the usability of data in the node 10 .

The control unit 4 transmits information identifying the connected node 10 to the external device 20, receives an application transmitted from the external device 20 in response to the information transmission, and stores it in the container 3C.

Thereby, the communication device 1 can acquire an application suitable for using the data of the connected node 10 . Therefore, the communication device 1 can generate output TOPIC data suitable for the connected node 10 by the application. The communication device 1 can expand the executability of processing in each node 10 using data generated by an application. That is, the communication device 1 can develop processing in the node 10 . For example, the communication device 1 can further realize safe driving of the vehicle and a comfortable interior space by developing processing in the node 10 provided in the vehicle.

When the data necessary for the application to generate the data of the output TOPIC required by the connected node 10 is insufficient, the control unit 4 selects the node 10 to be additionally connected to fill the insufficient data. information, or information of a sensor to be additionally connected in the node 10 is notified.

As a result, the communication device 1 can improve the execution performance of the application and generate the output TOPIC data required by the node 10 by allowing the user to obtain the missing information. . Therefore, the communication device 1 can expand the feasibility of processing in each node 10 using the data of the output TOPIC.

The control unit 4 notifies the node 10 of update information transmitted from the external device 20 .

As a result, the communication device 1 can execute processing in the node 10 using the data of the output TOPIC by updating the node 10 , and can develop the processing in the node 10 .

The external device 20 is connected for communication with the communication device 1 . The external device 20 is configured to convert data obtained from the connected nodes 10 into data that can be used by each node 10 and allow the connected nodes 10 to capture the converted data. The external device 20 has a provision control unit 22 . The provision control unit 22 selects an application based on the TOPIC of the plurality of nodes 10 and provides it to the communication device 1 .

Thereby, the external device 20 can provide the communication device 1 with an application corresponding to the node 10 connected to the communication device 1 . Therefore, the external device 20 can improve the usability of data in the node 10 .

The information processing system 100 includes multiple nodes 10 , a communication device 1 , and an external device 20 . The communication device 1 has a control section 4 . The control unit 4 uses an application to generate data that can be used by each node 10 and causes the storage unit 3 to store the generated data. The external device 20 selects the application based on the TOPIC of the plurality of nodes 10 and provides it to the communication device 1 .

Thereby, the information processing system 100 can improve the usability of data by the plurality of nodes 10 .

Based on the authentication information of each node 10, the communication device 1 according to the modification temporarily stores information of data provided from each node 10 (TOPIC such as sensors possessed by each node 10, data such as sensors). You may Further, the communication device 1 according to the modification may temporarily store the output TOPIC of the distribution request information of each node 10 . Then, the communication device 1 according to the modification outputs the data information of the node output data (TOPIC of the node 10 or the identification data of the node 10, etc.) and the TOPIC of the delivery request information to the output TOPIC (necessary data required by the node 10). information) to the external device 20 . In the external device 20, for example, an application is searched based on the TOPIC of the node 10 and the output TOPIC. The communication device 1 according to the modification is provided with the searched application from the external device 20 . Further, the communication device 1 according to the modification may cause the bulletin board 3</b>A to store TOPICs for various sensors possessed by the authenticated node 10 based on the authentication information of the node 10 . Based on the authentication information of the node 10, the authentication unit 4B may cause the bulletin board 3A to store the TOPIC of the distribution request information as the output TOPIC.

This also allows the communication device 1 according to the modification to acquire an application suitable for using the data of the connected node 10 . Therefore, the communication device 1 can generate output TOPIC data suitable for the connected node 10 by the application. The communication device 1 can expand the executability of processing in each node 10 using data generated by an application. That is, the communication device 1 can develop processing in the node 10 .

The communication device 1 according to the modification may notify the terminal device of the user of recommended product information regarding the products of the node 10 capable of executing processing using the data of the output TOPIC. For example, the communication device 1 may notify the terminal device of the user of a homepage path where the recommended product can be purchased.

This makes it easier for the user to purchase the node 10 capable of executing processing using the data of the output TOPIC.

Further effects and modifications can be easily derived by those skilled in the art. Therefore, the broader aspects of the invention are not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments so shown and described. Accordingly, various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

1 communication device 2 communication unit 3 storage unit 3A bulletin board 3B container unit 3C container 4 control unit 10 node 20 external device 21 database 22 provision control unit 100 information processing system

Claims (10)

A communication device having a storage unit that allows a plurality of connected nodes to acquire data, and a control unit that stores data in the storage unit,
The control unit
transforms data obtained from multiple connected nodes into data that can be used by each node,
A communication device that stores the converted data in the storage unit. the storage unit has a plurality of containers storing application programs that generate data that can be used by each node;
2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein said control unit selects and executes an application program stored in said container according to data to be generated. The control unit
transmitting information identifying the connected node to an external application program providing device;
3. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein an application program transmitted from said application program providing device in response to information transmission is received and stored in a container. The control unit
transmitting data information of node output data output from a connected node and necessary data information required by the connected node to an external application program providing device;
3. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein an application program transmitted from said application program providing device in response to information transmission is received and stored in a container. When the data required by the application program to generate necessary data required by the connected node is insufficient, the control unit selects a node to be additionally connected in order to satisfy the insufficient data. 5. The communication device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, which notifies information or information of a sensor to be additionally connected in a node. 6. The communication device according to claim 5, wherein said control unit receives information about a node to be added transmitted from an application program providing device or information about a sensor to be additionally connected in a node and notifies it. 7. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said control unit notifies update information for a node transmitted from an application program providing device. A communication device configured to convert data obtained from a plurality of connected nodes into data that can be used by each node and enable the plurality of connected nodes to capture the converted data, and an application program connected for communication. a providing device,
An application program providing device, comprising a provision control unit that selects an application program based on node information about a plurality of nodes and provides the communication device with the application program. a plurality of nodes;
a communication device having a control unit that generates data that can be used by each node using an application program and stores the generated data in a storage unit;
An information processing system, comprising: an application program providing device that selects the application program based on node information about a plurality of nodes and provides the application program to the communication device. A data providing method for storing data in a storage unit from which a plurality of connected nodes can acquire data,
transforms data obtained from multiple connected nodes into data that can be used by each node;
A data providing method for storing converted data in a storage unit.

Images