JP2023169051A - Communication device, communication system, and data storage method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a communication device, a communication system, and a data storage method that can appropriately determine data to be used from data acquired from a plurality of nodes.SOLUTION: A communication device according to an embodiment is a communication device to which a plurality of nodes can be connected, and includes a controller. The controller captures data from the connected nodes, stores the captured data in a bulletin board which is a storage unit that can be used by a plurality of applications, estimates feature information indicating characteristics of the data to store it in association with the data, and selects data to be used in processing of an application from the data stored in the bulletin board during execution of the application, based on a correspondence between designation information designated as conditions of data used by the application and the feature information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a communication device, a communication system, and a data storage method.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a method is known in which vehicle data can be accessed via a vehicle network in a manner that does not depend on the vehicle model, manufacturer, or year of manufacture. Furthermore, in this type of technology, there is a technology in which stored data is shared and used by a plurality of devices (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2017-170267 Publication

Here, a plurality of nodes connected to the network may each be equipped with the same type of sensor. However, with the conventional technology, for example, when the same type of sensor data is acquired from different nodes, it may be difficult to appropriately determine which sensor data to use. Note that such problems are not limited to sensor data, and can occur with various types of data.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a communication device, a communication system, and a data storage method that can appropriately determine data to be used from among data acquired from a plurality of nodes. purpose.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objects, a communication device according to the present invention is a communication device to which a plurality of nodes can be connected, and includes a controller. The controller captures data from the connected nodes, stores the captured data in a bulletin board that is a storage unit that can be used by multiple applications, estimates characteristic information indicating the characteristics of the data, and applies the data to the data. When the application is executed, the data used in the processing of the application is stored in association with the data stored in the bulletin board, and the correspondence between the specified information specified as a condition for the data used by the application and the characteristic information is determined. Select based on.

According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately determine which data to use from among data acquired from a plurality of nodes.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a communication method according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the communication device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a data selection method using feature information. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data selection method using feature information. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a data selection method using feature information. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of processing executed by the communication device according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing executed by the communication device according to the embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of a communication device, a communication system, and a data storage method disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

First, an overview of a communication system according to an embodiment will be described using FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an overview of a communication system according to an embodiment. Note that in FIG. 1, constituent elements (structural representation) and functional elements (functional representation) are used in a mixed manner as appropriate to make the overall operation of the communication system easier to understand.

As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system S includes a communication device 1, a plurality of nodes 10, and a server device 50. The communication device 1 and the plurality of nodes 10 are connected to a network such as, for example, a controller area network (CAN) of a vehicle communication network or Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and transmit and receive various information. Further, the communication device 1 and the server device 50 are connected to a network such as the Internet, and transmit and receive various information.

The node 10 is connected to the communication device 1 to transmit or receive various data, and is connected to various devices that independently realize certain functions (use of data from the communication device 1 or transfer data to the communication device 1). ), various sensors that provide measurement data to the communication device 1, output devices such as display devices and speaker devices that notify (display, etc.) data from the communication device 1, and data that indicates the content of user operations. This is an input device such as a touch panel that provides the communication device 1 with the following information.

The node 10 is a device that is brought into the vehicle by a passenger or brought into close proximity to the vehicle (located around the vehicle) and is communicatively connected to the communication device 1, a device that is incorporated during vehicle manufacturing, or a device that is installed in the vehicle. There are devices that are newly installed by users after manufacturing and sales. Although the scale of each node 10 differs depending on the structure of the vehicle, various devices (nodes 10) that are incorporated during vehicle manufacture include, for example, an engine control device, a steering device, a braking device, and an air conditioner device.

Additionally, devices (nodes 10) that are newly installed by users and the like include, for example, navigation devices, drive recorder devices, audio/visual devices, and the like. Devices (nodes 10) brought into the vehicle by passengers (or brought into close proximity) include smartphones, mobile phones, smart watches, game consoles (with communication functions), desktop PCs, notebook PCs, and There are tablet PCs, etc.

Further, various sensors (other than those built into various devices) include, for example, a humidity sensor (for checking the interior environment of the vehicle), and the like. Examples of the output device and the output device include a centralized operation panel and a rear seat display.

Although we have categorized the various devices that are incorporated into the vehicle during vehicle manufacturing, those that are additionally installed, and the devices that are brought into the vehicle, the illustrated devices are not limited to these categories and belong to other categories. In some cases. For example, navigation devices may be installed during vehicle manufacture. Furthermore, various devices of other vehicles, infrastructure equipment such as traffic lights, etc. can also serve as the node 10 within a range where they can communicate with the communication device 1.

Further, a specific node 10 includes various sensors necessary for realizing various functions of the node 10 as components. Various sensors included in the node 10 include, for example, a vehicle speed sensor, a vital sensor, a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the vehicle interior, a CO2 sensor that detects the CO2 concentration of the vehicle interior, and a GPS (Global Positioning System) that detects the position of the vehicle. Such as a position sensor. Note that the 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.

Further, the node 10 that independently realizes a certain function includes an ECU (Electronic Control Unit), a so-called controller, as a component. The ECU controls the operation of the node 10 (device) on which the ECU is mounted. The ECU is, for example, a power train ECU, a driving support ECU, a multimedia ECU, or an air conditioner ECU.

The server device 50 stores various applications (hereinafter referred to as applications) that are programs that implement various functions, and provides appropriate applications to the communication device 1. These applications are applications that use data output from various nodes 10, for example, data from sensors built into the nodes 10. Each application is associated with data types necessary for using the application and data types output by the application (control data, instruction data (so-called commands), etc.), and is stored in the server device 50. The information is stored in the application DB 52.

The server device 50 also stores the type (identification information) of the node 10, the type of sensor (measurement data) possessed by the node 10, and external data (control data, command data (so-called command)) that can be used by the node 10. etc.) A database in which the types are associated is stored as the node information DB 54. That is, based on the combination of nodes 10, the server device 50 can select an appropriate application for the combination of nodes 10 using the node information DB 54 and the application DB 52.

The communication device 1 is mounted on a vehicle and performs transmission and reception of various data with the node 10 and the server device 50, data processing, and the like. The communication device 1 includes a communication section 2, a container 421, a bulletin board 41, and a control section 3.

The communication unit 2 performs data communication between the communication device 1 and the server device 50 and data communication between the communication device 1 and each node 10. The container 421 stores an application and is composed of writable and erasable memory. Furthermore, each container 421 is configured by appropriately dividing the memory area, and each container 421 stores one application.

The bulletin board 41 stores sensor measurement values and their processed data from each node 10, and is composed of a memory. Further, the bulletin board 41 can be accessed from the node 10, and the node 10 can write the measured values of the sensors possessed by the node 10, and the node 10 can read and use data stored in the bulletin board 41. be able to.

Note that the container 421 and bulletin board 41 are configured with nonvolatile memory (flash memory, backup power supply, etc.) so that stored data is retained even when the communication device 1 is off.

The control unit 3 is a so-called controller that performs various controls of the communication device 1, for example, the operation of the communication unit 2, the container 421, the bulletin board 41, etc., data processing, data transmission/reception, writing/erasing, etc., and includes a microcomputer, etc. Consists of. The control unit 3 also has the function of a container engine that executes applications stored in the container 421.

The communication device 1 uses, for example, MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) based on the Publish/Subscribe method to distribute data to a node 10 or a container engine that executes an application, which will be described later. access and retrieve data). Specifically, in the communication system S, a communication device 1 that is a provider acquires data from a node 10 that is a publisher, and distributes the data to a container engine or node 10 that executes an application that is a subscriber.

Note that the application uses data acquired from the node 10 to perform, for example, processing related to various controls in the node 10 mounted on the vehicle. That is, the application performs processing by importing and using data posted on the bulletin board, and controls the node 10 based on the processing results.

With such an application, the node 10 can realize more advanced or other functions using the measured values of sensors possessed by other nodes 10 (sensors that the node 10 does not possess). For example, the air conditioner, which is the node 10, can perform optimal air conditioner control by using not only the vehicle interior temperature determined by its own vehicle interior temperature sensor, but also the vehicle interior humidity determined by the vehicle interior humidity sensor possessed by another node 10. Note that such control is executed by a corresponding application stored in the container 421 to control the node 10 (in this example, the air conditioner). Further, if the air conditioner has a corresponding function, the air conditioner can also read the data on the bulletin board 41 and perform the process.

Further, the application is appropriately selected and acquired from the server device 50 depending on the node 10 connected to the communication device 1. Specifically, identification information of each node 10 connected to the communication device 1 is transmitted to the server device 50. The server device 50 performs a verification process on the node information DB 54 using the received identification information of each node 10, and grasps the data type (content) that the communication device 1 can acquire from each node 10. Then, the server device 50 performs a collation process on the application DB using these data types (contents) ascertained, selects an appropriate application that can be used by the communication device 1, and provides (sends) the selected application to the communication device 1. Then, the communication device 1 stores the provided (received) application in the container 421 and uses it (the container engine executes the application).

The basic configuration and functions of the communication system S (communication device 1) have been outlined above. Next, the characteristic functions of the control unit 3 and bulletin board 41 in the communication device 1 will be explained. Note that the detailed configuration of the communication device 1 will be explained later in the explanation using FIG. 2, etc.

The authentication function (realized by the processing of the control unit 3) authenticates the node 10. Specifically, the authentication function acquires authentication information for authenticating the node 10 from the node 10, grasps the type of the node 10 (identification number, etc.) based on the authentication information, and determines whether communication connection is possible ( (determine whether the device is a target device or a legitimate device, etc.) and make various settings for communication.

The communication adjustment function (realized by the processing of the control unit 3) adjusts the communication method with each node 10 based on the communication load on the communication device 1. For example, the communication adjustment function is a function that performs control such as waiting for communication of low priority data, lowering communication frequency, etc. when the communication load of the communication device 1 is high. Note that data with a low priority is, for example, data that is not requested by an application that is being executed.

The container engine (realized by the processing of the control unit 3) executes the application stored in the container of the communication device 1. Specifically, when receiving an application execution request from a node 10, the container engine executes the application corresponding to the node 10. Then, as the application is executed, the container engine imports from the bulletin board data that is necessary for the processing performed by the application and satisfies conditions specified by characteristic information, which will be described later. The container engine then outputs the application execution results to the node 10.

The bulletin board 41 is composed of a storage area allocated to the storage unit 4 of the communication device 1, and stores data obtained from each node 10. Specifically, the communication device 1 converts the data acquired from each node 10 into a format that can be used as is or by each node 10 other than the acquisition source (node 10 that requires the data). Post (memorize) on the bulletin board 41. More specifically, the communication device 1 standardizes the data acquired from the nodes 10 so that each node 10 can use the data, and posts (stores) the data on the bulletin board 41.

The data stored in the bulletin board 41 is classified into TOPICs corresponding to the types of data. In the example shown in FIG. 1, three location information (GPS) data are classified into a TOPIC for location information, and one heartbeat (HeartRate) data is classified into a TOPIC for heartbeat.

The data stored in the bulletin board 41 is distributed to the container engine (accessed by the container engine) and used as the container engine executes the application when there is an application execution request from the node 10 as described above. Furthermore, the data stored in the bulletin board 41 is distributed to (accessed by) the node 10 and used as the node 10 executes its own application.

The information addition function (realized by the processing of the control unit 3) adds characteristic information indicating the characteristics of data posted on the bulletin board. FIG. 1 shows an example in which the name of the sensor included in the node 10, the detection accuracy of the sensor, and the detection frequency of the sensor are added to data as characteristic information.

For example, in "[GPS_4_0.5]34.1234,135.1234", "[GPS_4_0.5]" corresponds to the feature information, and "34.1234,135.1234" corresponds to the data detected by the actual sensor. , that is, corresponds to position information.

Specifically, the characteristic information "[GPS_4_0.5]" indicates that the sensor name is GPS (Global Positioning System), the detection accuracy is up to the last four digits, and the detection frequency is every 0.5 seconds. It shows that there is.

In other words, the feature information added by the information addition function is metadata of the data acquired from the node 10. Note that the characteristic information added by the information addition function may be obtained from the node 10 that is the acquisition source, or may be obtained from an external server (having a database storing metadata of data corresponding to the node 10 types), etc. The communication device 1 may further estimate the information.

For example, the information addition function estimates the detection accuracy and detection frequency of the sensor based on the results of continuously acquiring data from the node 10 in chronological order a predetermined number of times. Note that details of the method for estimating feature information will be described later.

Then, as the application is executed, the node 10 or the container engine takes in data whose characteristic information satisfies the conditions required by the application from the data on the bulletin board 41 (to which characteristic information has been added) and uses it for processing.

For example, regarding GPS position data, assume that the bulletin board 41 stores data of a feature [GPS_4_0.5], a feature [GPS_5_0.8], and a feature [GPS_6_1.0].

In this case, for example, if the application executed by the node 10 requests that the detection accuracy be at least the last six digits and the detection frequency be within 1.0 seconds regarding GPS, the data condition is "[GPS_6_1 .0]'' satisfies the conditions required by the application, the application selects and acquires such data as data to be used for processing, and uses it for processing.

In addition, in this case, for example, if the application executed by the container engine requires the detection accuracy to be at least the last four digits and the detection frequency to be within 0.5 seconds regarding GPS, as the data condition, [GPS_4_0.5]" satisfies the conditions required by the application, so the application selects and acquires such data as data to be used for processing, and uses it for processing.

As described above, according to the communication method in the in-vehicle system according to the embodiment, by adding characteristic information to data and storing it on the bulletin board, an application that refers to the characteristic information of the data and executes it from among the same type of data. You can select the appropriate data.

Next, a configuration example of the communication device 1 according to the embodiment will be described using FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the communication device 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the communication device 1 includes a communication section 2, a control section 3, and a storage section 4. The control unit 3 includes an acquisition unit 31 , a conversion unit 32 , an addition unit 33 , a container engine 34 , a communication adjustment unit 35 , and an authentication unit 36 . The storage unit 4 includes a bulletin board 41, a container unit 42, and a designated information storage unit 43.

The communication unit 2 has the communication function described above and is communicably connected to each node 10. The communication unit 2 uses, for example, wired systems such as CAN, Ethernet (registered trademark), LIN (Local Interconnect Network), USB (Universal Serial Bus), etc., and wireless systems such as Wi-Fi, LTE (Long Term Evolution), etc. It is realized by BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy), Zigbee (registered trademark), UWB (Ultra-Wide Band), etc., and communicates with each node 10 by wire or wirelessly.

The control unit 3 is a so-called controller, and includes, for example, a computer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a flash memory, an input/output port, etc., and various circuits. Ru.

The CPU of the computer functions as the acquisition unit 31, conversion unit 32, addition unit 33, container engine 34, communication adjustment unit 35, and authentication unit 36 of the control unit 3 by reading and executing programs stored in the ROM. .

Furthermore, at least one or all of the acquisition unit 31, conversion unit 32, addition unit 33, container engine 34, communication adjustment unit 35, and authentication unit 36 of the control unit 3 may be implemented using an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or FPGA. (Field Programmable Gate Array) or the like, or by having multiple CPUs, ASICs, etc. share functions (for example, by configuring the container engine 34 with a separate CPU).

Furthermore, the storage unit 4 is composed of a RAM or a flash memory. The storage unit 4 is configured with a bulletin board 41, a container unit 42, a designated information storage unit 43, and a storage unit for various programs by setting an appropriate storage area, etc., and stores measurement data from various sensors of each node 10, various applications, etc. Various information such as programs can be stored. Note that the communication device 1 may acquire the above-mentioned programs and various information via another computer, server, or portable recording medium connected via a wired or wireless network.

The bulletin board 41 posts (stores) data acquired from the node 10 with characteristic information of the node 10 from which the data was acquired. Furthermore, access to the bulletin board 41 is appropriately controlled so that each node 10 and container engine 34 can register, update, and read data.

The container unit 42 is configured with a storage area allocated to the storage unit 4, and includes a plurality of containers 421 in which applications can be installed (stored). Each container 421 stores one application. In other words, it is possible to install as many applications as there are configured containers 421. The application is acquired from an external device (not shown) (such as an external server for providing applications (server device 50 shown in FIG. 1)) and set (stored) in the empty container 421 (empty container). Additionally, applications that are no longer needed are deleted from the container 421, and the container 421 becomes an empty container. Note that an application may be deleted from the container 421 each time it is no longer needed, and if there is space in the container 421 (if there is another empty container), an empty container is required to install a new application. You may also delete apps that are no longer needed.

The specification information storage unit 43 stores specification conditions for characteristic information regarding data requested by an application installed in the container 421. When the application is installed in the container 421, the specification information is acquired from the external device that is the installation source and is stored in the specification information storage section 43. That is, the specification information is provided together with the application program from the external device that is the installation source, the application (the program) is stored in the container 421, and the specification information is stored in the specification information storage section 43. Note that it is also possible to apply a configuration in which the specified information storage section 43 is provided in the container 421, that is, a configuration in which an application program and the specified information of the application are stored in a separable manner in the container 421. Further, details of the designation information will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

Next, the control section 3 (the acquisition section 31, the conversion section 32, the addition section 33, the container engine 34, the communication adjustment section 35, and the authentication section 36) will be explained in detail.

The acquisition unit 31 acquires various information from various external devices via the communication unit 2. Specifically, the acquisition unit 31 acquires data via the communication unit 2 from the node 10 connected to the communication device 1 through various networks. Specifically, the acquisition unit 31 acquires sensor data detected by a sensor included in the node 10.

The acquisition unit 31 also uses a terminal device (an input operation device (touch panel, etc.) of the communication device 1) by a user, or a node 10 having an operation input function to the communication device 1 (for example, a terminal device of a user connected to the communication device 1). Based on an application installation operation input to a mobile terminal (smartphone, etc.)), an installation instruction to install the application into the container 421 is obtained from the terminal device. The acquisition unit 31 also acquires an update instruction for updating the application stored in the container 421 from the user's terminal device. Further, when a new node 10 is connected to the communication device 1, the acquisition unit 31 acquires information from the node 10 regarding the node 10, such as type information of the node 10, communication for communication connection with the node 10, etc. Connection information, sensor information regarding the sensor included in the node 10, etc. are acquired.

The acquisition unit 31 acquires an installation target application from an external device (server device 50) and stores it in the container 421. Specifically, when acquiring an installation instruction or when a new node 10 is connected, the acquisition unit 31 transmits information about the connected node 10 to an external device that provides the application. The acquisition unit 31 then acquires an application provided from an external device according to the connected node 10 and stores it in the container 421. Note that the acquisition unit 31 may select an application to be installed (stored in the container 421) from among the applications acquired by the acquisition unit 31 by a user's selection operation. Alternatively, the acquisition unit 31 selects an app to be installed based on a user's selection operation from an appropriate app list sent from an external device before providing the app, sends information on the selected app to the external device, and sends information about the selected app to the external device. A method of having the user provide an application to be installed is also applicable.

Further, the acquisition unit 31 acquires an application to be upgraded based on a user's input operation or application upgrade information from an external device, etc., and updates the application stored in the container 421 (update processing).

Further, when installing an application from an external device, the acquisition unit 31 acquires specification information regarding specification conditions for data used by the application from the external device, and stores it in the storage unit 4 as specification information. Further, when updating the application, the acquisition unit 31 acquires update information of the specified information from an external device and updates the specified information stored in the storage unit 4. Note that the acquisition unit 31 may directly acquire the designation information from the node 10.

The acquisition unit 31 also acquires authentication information for authenticating the node 10 from the nodes 10 that are communicatively connected (communicable), such as information on the device type of the node 10, an identification number, a communication method, and a code necessary for communication. and other information. It should be noted that the acquisition unit 31 is configured to detect a node connected to the communication device 1 when authentication is required, for example, when the power of the communication device 1 is turned on or when a new node 10 is connected to the communication device 1. Authentication information is acquired from each node 10.

The conversion unit 32 converts the data acquired from the node 10 by the acquisition unit 31 into a format that can be used by each node 10 other than the node 10 that is the acquisition source. Specifically, the conversion unit 32 converts the acquired data so that the standards (data identification name, format, etc.) are unified.

The adding unit 33 adds characteristic information of the node 10 from which the data is obtained to the data converted by the converting unit 32. The characteristic information is, for example, the name of the node 10, the name of the sensor included in the node 10, the detection accuracy of the sensor, the detection frequency of the sensor, the device type of the node 10, the installation method of the node 10, etc., and is basically acquired. Information estimated from information included in identification information, authentication information, etc. regarding the node 10 acquired by the unit 31 from the node 10 (including cases where the identification information, authentication information, etc. include characteristic information itself and extract the information) be. That is, when the power of the communication device 1 is turned on, or when a new node 10 is connected to the communication device 1, characteristic information of the node 10 (or related information related to the characteristic information) is acquired from the node 10, The adding unit 33 uses this acquired feature information (or feature information obtained by estimation processing based on related information). Note that, based on the type (identification information) of the node 10, the characteristic information of the node 10 may be acquired from the server device 50 (which owns a database of characteristic information associated with the node type).

If the characteristic information of the node 10 cannot be obtained, a method in which the adding unit 33 estimates the characteristic information using data acquired from the node 10 is also possible. For example, the addition unit 33 estimates characteristic information such as the detection accuracy and detection frequency of the sensor in the node 10 based on the result of continuously acquiring data from the node 10 in chronological order a predetermined number of times. This eliminates the need to make changes such as designing a new function for generating and transmitting feature information on the node 10 side, and the load on the node 10 manufacturer side can be reduced. Note that the details of the feature information added by the adding unit 33 and the estimation method will be described later with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

The container engine 34 performs processing for realizing various functions by executing the application stored in the container 421 and acquiring various data stored in the bulletin board 41 as necessary. Specifically, first, the container engine 34 reads specification information corresponding to the application to be executed from the specification information storage section 43. Then, the container engine 34 selects and imports data of characteristic information that satisfies the specification conditions of the read specification information from among the data posted on the bulletin board 41. Then, the container engine 34 performs various processes of the application using the imported data, and controls the node 10 by transmitting instruction commands, control data, etc. to the node 10 based on the processing results.

As a specific example, an air conditioner application that controls an air conditioner installed in a vehicle will be described. This application is an application that generates an optimal temperature setting using data on the room temperature, heart rate, and pulse rate, and controls the vehicle air conditioner, which is the node 10, using the optimal temperature setting. Note that an in-vehicle air conditioner, a driver physical condition monitoring device, and a drowsy driving prevention device are connected to the communication device 1 as nodes 10, and along with the connection of these nodes 10, an air conditioner application is stored in the container 421. shall be. In addition, the in-vehicle air conditioner has a built-in room temperature sensor A that measures the temperature inside the vehicle, and the driver physical condition monitoring device has a built-in heartbeat sensor B and body temperature sensor C that measure the driver's heartbeat and body temperature. It is assumed that the driving prevention device has a built-in heartbeat sensor D that measures the heartbeat of the driver. Further, the specified information regarding the air conditioner application stored in the specified information storage unit 43 indicates that the measurement data of room temperature sensor A, body temperature sensor C, and heart rate sensor D satisfy the conditions, but that the heart rate sensor B does not satisfy the conditions. Assume that the condition is an air conditioner application condition.

In such a case, the acquisition unit 31 of the communication device 1 measures each of the room temperature sensor A, heart rate sensor B, body temperature sensor C, and heart rate sensor D, which are the sensors of the in-vehicle air conditioner, driver physical condition monitoring device, and drowsy driving prevention device. Get data. The conversion unit 32 converts the measurement data of each sensor acquired by the acquisition unit 31 into a format to be posted on the bulletin board 41. Further, the adding unit 33 adds characteristic information (measurement data of each sensor) corresponding to the measurement data converted by the conversion unit 32 based on the characteristic information of each node 10 acquired by the authentication unit 36 when each node 10 is connected. accuracy, frequency, etc.) and post it on the bulletin board 41. Note that the data posted on the bulletin board 41 is updated at any time according to the measurement operation of each sensor and the data acquisition operation of the acquisition unit 31 at the data measurement (update) frequency indicated by the characteristic information.

By executing the air conditioner application, the container engine 34 fetches data used in processing by the air conditioner application from the bulletin board 41. At this time, the container engine 34 reads the specified information regarding the air conditioner application from the specified information storage section 43, and takes in data having characteristic information that satisfies the conditions of the specified information. That is, in the case of this example, the container engine 34 imports the data of these sensors from the bulletin board 41 because the data is the room temperature sensor A, the body temperature sensor C, and the heart rate sensor D that satisfy the specified information conditions regarding the air conditioner application.

Then, the container engine 34 calculates the optimum temperature based on the room temperature data, body temperature data, and heartbeat data of the room temperature sensor A, body temperature sensor C, and heartbeat sensor D that have been taken in. Then, the container engine 34 outputs the calculated optimal temperature data to the air conditioner, which is the node 10, as a set temperature (control target temperature). As a result, the air conditioner ECU, which is the control unit of the air conditioner, controls the air conditioner by setting the set temperature as the optimum temperature calculated by the air conditioner application.

Furthermore, if settings have been made to post this optimal temperature data on the bulletin board 41, the acquisition unit 31 acquires this optimal temperature data. Further, the conversion unit 32 converts the optimum temperature data into a format to be posted on the bulletin board 41. Then, the adding unit 33 adds characteristic information (generated based on the characteristic information of the data of the used sensor) and posts it on the bulletin board 41 so that each node 10 and each application can use it.

As a result, the air conditioner, which is node 10, takes into account the car's room temperature and the driver's physical condition (body temperature data, heart rate data), which is more advanced than normal temperature control that keeps the room temperature close to the set temperature set by the driver. It becomes possible to control the room temperature.

In addition, in cases where the air conditioner that is the node 10 does not have a temperature sensor (inside the vehicle) or when the accuracy of the temperature sensor is low, the air conditioner application simply outputs the measurement data of the temperature sensor of the other node 10 to the air conditioner. It may be something that you do. In other words, the container engine 34 (operated by an application) selects a specified information condition (for example, temperature It is also possible to select data (for example, room temperature data) that satisfies the error (error of 0.5 degrees) and provide the data as is to the node 10 to be controlled.

Note that, when there is no data on the bulletin board 41 that has feature information that satisfies the conditions of the specified information stored in the specified information storage unit 43, the container engine 34 (the content of the application) selects the feature that satisfies the condition with the highest rate. Data with information (data with feature information closest to the condition) may be selected.

In addition, if there is no data on the bulletin board 41 that has characteristic information that satisfies the conditions of the specified information stored in the specified information storage unit 43, the container engine 34 (the content of the application) stores the characteristic information that is closest to the conditions. If the data does not exist on the bulletin board 41, a request for additional connection of a node 10 (sensor) capable of outputting data satisfying the condition may be notified to the user using a terminal device or the like.

The container engine 34 also performs processing to delete applications that are no longer needed from the container 421. Note that applications that are no longer needed include, for example, applications in which the node 10 that outputs processing results no longer exists (has become disconnected from the communication device 1), and nodes 10 that provide data necessary for processing. An application that no longer exists (has become disconnected from the communication device 1), etc.

The communication adjustment unit 35 performs communication adjustment with each node 10 connected to the network. Specifically, the communication adjustment unit 35 adjusts the timing of communication with each node 10, etc. based on the communication load on the communication device 1. For example, when the communication load of the communication device 1 is high (the number of communicating nodes 10 is more than a predetermined number, or the amount of data being communicated is more than a predetermined amount) (or when the amount of data being communicated is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount), the communication of low-priority data is waited for. Examples of low-priority data include data that is not requested by the application, data with low sensor detection accuracy, data with low sensor detection frequency, and data related to functions with low importance/urgency.

The authentication unit 36 authenticates the node 10 connected to the communication device 1. Specifically, the authentication unit 36 authenticates each node 10 based on the authentication information acquired by the acquisition unit 31, and performs storage of various data regarding the node, communication settings, communication connection settings, etc.

Next, a data selection method using characteristic information of the node 10 (sensor data) will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. 3 to 5 are diagrams showing a data selection method using feature information.

In FIG. 3, the name of the sensor (sensor name), detection accuracy, and detection frequency are added to the measurement data of the sensor as characteristic information of the node 10, and the name of the sensor (sensor name) is added as a condition in the specified information regarding the application to be executed. , an example in which detection accuracy and detection frequency are specified.

As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 3 stores data having characteristic information that satisfies the sensor name, detection accuracy, and detection frequency specified by the specification information regarding the execution target application stored in the specification information storage unit 43. Select from the bulletin board 41.

In the example shown in Figure 3, the characteristics of the data "[GPS_6_0.5] 34.123456, 135.123456" (Sensor name: GPS sensor, Detection accuracy: 6 digits after the decimal point, Detection frequency (interval): 0.5 seconds ) satisfies the data conditions of the execution target application (Sensor name: GPS sensor, Detection accuracy: 6 or more digits after the decimal point, Detection frequency (interval): 0.5 seconds or less), this data is selected. In addition, in the example shown in Figure 3, the data characteristics of "[HeartRate_1_10]65" (sensor name: heart rate sensor, detection accuracy: 1 digit after the decimal point, detection frequency (interval): 10 seconds) are the data conditions of the execution target application. (Sensor name: heart rate sensor, detection accuracy: 0 digits after the decimal point, detection frequency (interval): within 30 seconds), so this data is selected.

In addition, if the data of "[GPS_6_0.5]34.123456, 135.123456" does not exist, that is, the name of the sensor conditionally specified by the specification information regarding the execution target application stored in the specification information storage unit 43. , when there is no data on the bulletin board 41 that has feature information that satisfies the detection accuracy and detection frequency, the control unit 3 selects data with feature information that is close to the conditions specified by the specification information, such as "[GPS_6_1.0]34.123450". , 135.123450" (the detection frequency (interval) is 1.0 seconds, and the condition of 0.5 seconds or less is slightly not met, but the other conditions are met), or "[GPS_4_0.5] 34.1234, 135.1234 ” (detection accuracy is 4 digits after the decimal point, slightly less than the condition 6 digits after the decimal point, but other conditions are met).

In such a case, a priority is given to each condition item (detection accuracy and detection frequency) in the specified information, and the data of the feature information that is closest to the condition of the item with such high priority is selected. For example, when the priority of detection accuracy is set higher than the detection frequency, the control unit 3 selects the detection accuracy that is closest to the specified information condition (in this example, there are two pieces of data, so the closest one is). [GPS_6_1.0] 34.123450, 135.123450" data.

As a result, when executing the application, even if there is no data on the bulletin board 41 that satisfies the conditions requested by the application, the container engine 34 imports data with favorable conditions that have a high rate of satisfying the conditions, and the application Therefore, relatively suitable control can be performed.

Next, FIG. 4 shows an example in which the sensor name (sensor name) and the device name (device name) are specified as conditions in the specified information regarding the execution target application (no conditions for detection accuracy and detection frequency specified). .

As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 3 sends data on the bulletin board 41 that has characteristic information that satisfies the sensor name and device name specified by the specified information regarding the execution target application stored in the specified information storage unit 43. Choose from among them.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, the data characteristics (sensor name: GPS sensor, device name: car navigation) of "[GPS_car navigation] 34.1234, 135.1234" are the data conditions of the execution target application (sensor name: GPS sensor, Select this data to meet the requirements (device name: car navigation system). In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the data characteristics of "[HeartRate_smartwatch]65" (sensor name: HeartRate (heart rate sensor), device name: smart watch) are the data conditions of the execution target application (sensor name: heart rate sensor). , device name: smartwatch) to select this data.

This allows the container engine 34 to capture and process sensor data of a specific device that meets the specified information conditions according to the application when executing the application, so that suitable control by the application can be performed. can. Additionally, if a specific device that meets the conditions of the specified information is not connected as a node 10, it is also useful to notify the user of this fact (for example, that advanced functionality can be achieved by connecting the specific device). In that case, the effect of promoting sales of the specific device can be expected.

Next, in Figure 5, an example is shown in which the name of the sensor (sensor name) and the installation method (fixed/free) are specified as conditions in the specified information regarding the application to be executed (no conditions specified for detection accuracy and detection frequency, etc.) shows. Note that the characteristic data regarding the installation method (fixed/free) of the sensor in the node 10 may be obtained from the node 10, but in the case of a G sensor (acceleration sensor), the control unit 3 estimates it by the following method. It is also possible to do so.

The control unit 3 estimates the sensor installation method based on the detected value of the G sensor. Specifically, when the detected value of the G sensor has many small amplitude vibration components at a high frequency, the control unit 3 estimates that the G sensor is fixed to the vehicle ("fixed"), and detects the detected value at a low frequency. If there are many large-amplitude vibration components, it is estimated that the G sensor is not fixed to the vehicle ("free"), for example, that it is attached to the user. This is because when the G sensor is fixed inside the vehicle, it is easily affected by driving vibrations, which have many vibration components with high frequencies and small amplitudes.On the other hand, when it is attached to the passenger's arm and moves freely, driving vibrations are This is because it is absorbed by the human body, and instead is susceptible to the effects of human movement, which has many low-frequency, large-amplitude vibration components.

The control unit 3 selects data from the bulletin board 41 that has characteristic information that satisfies the sensor name and installation method specified by the specified information regarding the execution target application stored in the specified information storage unit 43.

The example shown in Figure 5 is an example in which data from two types of sensors that satisfy two conditions (sensor name: G sensor, installation method (fixed/free): fixed) are required to run the application. .

The data characteristics of "[G_fixed] 0.1, 0.1, 0" (sensor name: G sensor, installation method (fixed/free): fixed) are the data conditions of the execution target application (sensor name: G sensor , installation method (fixed/free): fixed), the container engine 34 selects and acquires this data from the bulletin board 41.

In addition, the data characteristics of "[G_freedom] -0.2, 0.2, 0.1" (sensor name: G sensor, installation method (fixed/free): free) are the data conditions of the execution target application (sensor name: G sensor, installation method (fixed/free): free), the container engine 34 also selects and acquires this data from the bulletin board 41.

Then, the container engine 34 executes the target application using the selected and acquired data of the two types of sensors, and outputs to the corresponding node 10 based on the execution result of the application.

Note that an example of an application that uses such data is an application that detects motion sickness of an occupant based on a detection value of a G sensor. In such apps, occupant motion sickness is analyzed based on the movement of the car (fixed G sensor) and the movement of the person (free G sensor). Therefore, the container engine 34 needs to process data on vehicle movement and human movement separately. Therefore, as described above, the control unit 3 controls the container so that it can distinguish between data from a G sensor fixed to the vehicle and data from a G sensor not fixed to the vehicle (fixed to a person). It operates to provide data to the engine 34 (app).

Next, the processing procedure of the process executed by the communication device 1 (control unit 3) according to the embodiment will be described using FIGS. 6 and 7. FIGS. 6 and 7 are flowcharts illustrating processing procedures executed by the communication device 1 according to the embodiment. 6 shows the data posting process from acquiring data from the node 10 to posting it on the bulletin board 41, and FIG. 7 shows the process related to the application that takes in and processes the data posted on the bulletin board 41. There is.

The data posting process shown in FIG. 6 is repeatedly executed when the communication device 1 is in operation (when the power is turned on). First, in step S101, the control unit 3 determines whether or not there has been a change in the connected node 10. If there is a change (Yes), the process moves to step S102, and if there is no change (No), the process moves to step S103. Note that when the power is turned on, it is determined that all connected nodes 10 have changed connections (new connections). In step S102, the control unit 3 performs device authentication of the node 10 where the connection has changed, and moves to step S103.

In step S103, the control unit 3 acquires data from each authenticated node 10, and moves to step S104. In step S104, the control unit 3 converts the data acquired from each node 10 into a format that can be used by each application and node 10, for example, into a standardized format, and moves to step S105. In step S105, the control unit 3 estimates the characteristic information of each node 10 (sensor) based on the (sensor) information of each node 10 obtained during the authentication process in step S102, or estimates the characteristic information of each node 10 (sensor) in the past, or The characteristic information of each node 10 (sensor) is estimated based on the sensor measurement data acquired from the sensor (sensor), and the process moves to step S106.

Subsequently, in step S106, the control unit 3 adds the feature information estimated in step S105 to the data converted in step S104, and moves to step S107. Then, in step S107, the control unit 3 posts the data to which the feature information has been added on the bulletin board 41, and ends the process.

Next, processing related to the application will be explained using FIG. 7. Processing related to this application includes installation of the application and processing based on the application, and is repeatedly executed when the communication device 1 is in operation (when the power is turned on).

First, in step S201, the control unit 3 determines whether a new application is being installed (as described above, there has been a change in the connection state of the node 10, and the communication device 1 It is determined whether the application to be installed has been determined (automatically determined based on various conditions or determined based on the operation of the node 10 user), and if the application to be installed has been determined (Yes), step S202 If it is not in the determined state (No), the process moves to step S204. In step S202, the control unit 3 acquires the application determined to be installed from the server device 50, stores (installs) it in the container 421, and moves to step S203. In step S203, the control unit 3 acquires the specification information of the application stored in the container 421 from the server device 50, stores it in the specification information storage unit 43, and moves to step S204.

Subsequently, in step S204, the control unit 3 executes the application installed in the container 421 in the execution request state (based on the user's application execution request operation, the application execution request of each node 10, etc.), and proceeds to step S205. Move. In step S205, the control unit 3 determines whether or not there is data on the bulletin board 41 that is data used by the application to be executed and has characteristic information that satisfies the conditions indicated by the specified information corresponding to the application, If there is data with characteristic information that satisfies the condition (Yes), the data is determined as data to be used by the application, and the process moves to step S206; if there is no data (No), the process moves to step S208.

In step S208, the control unit 3 determines whether or not there is data on the bulletin board 41 for characteristic information in which the ratio of satisfying the conditions indicated by the specified information corresponding to the application to be executed is higher than a predetermined ratio, and if there is ( (Yes) The data is determined as data to be used by the application, and the process moves to step S206. If there is no data (No), the process moves to step S209.

Then, in step S206, the control unit 3 imports the data determined as the data to be used from the bulletin board 41, and moves to step S207. In step S207, the control unit 3 executes the processing of the application using the captured data, outputs the processing result to the corresponding node 10, etc., and ends the processing.

Further, in step S209, the control unit 3 notifies the user of a request for additional connection of the node 10 having a sensor capable of outputting data that satisfies the conditions indicated by the specified information (display, etc.), and ends the process. Note that in step S209, the user may be notified that there is no data that satisfies the condition (no node that can provide data that satisfies the condition is connected), and the execution of the application may be stopped.

As described above, the communication device 1 according to the embodiment is a communication device 1 to which a plurality of nodes 10 can be connected, and includes a controller (control unit 3). The controller captures data from the connected node 10, stores the captured data in a bulletin board 41 that is a storage unit 4 that can be used by multiple applications, estimates feature information indicating the characteristics of the data, and applies the data to the data. The data stored in association with each other and used in the processing of the application is selected from the data stored in the bulletin board 41 when the application is executed, based on the correspondence between the specification information and characteristic information specified as conditions for the data used by the application. select.

As a result, when each application is executed, it is possible to compare the data request content of the application with the characteristic information of the node 10 that is the data acquisition source, and select the data to be used when executing the application. Be able to make appropriate decisions.

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

1 Communication device 2 Communication unit 3 Control unit 4 Storage unit 10 Node 31 Acquisition unit 32 Conversion unit 33 Addition unit 34 Container engine 35 Communication adjustment unit 36 Authentication unit 41 Bulletin board 42 Container unit 43 Specification information storage unit 421 Container S Communication system

Claims (9)

A communication device to which a plurality of nodes can be connected, having a controller,
The controller includes:
It imports data from a connected node, stores the imported data in a bulletin board that is a storage unit that can be used by multiple applications, estimates characteristic information indicating the characteristics of the data, and stores it in association with the data. , when an application is executed, data to be used in processing of the application is selected from data stored in the bulletin board based on the correspondence between specification information specified as a condition for data used by the application and the characteristic information;
Communication device. The controller includes:
The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the feature information is estimated based on data acquired from the node. The data acquired from the node is sensor data detected by a sensor included in the node,
The characteristic information includes information on the data type detected by the sensor acquired from the node and the detection performance of the sensor.
The communication device according to claim 1. The data acquired from the node is sensor data detected by a sensor included in the node,
The feature information includes information on sensor detection data type and detection performance regarding the node acquired from an external information providing device;
The communication device according to claim 1. The data acquired from the node is sensor data detected by a sensor included in the node,
The characteristic information is
The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising information regarding a sensor detection data type and a sensor arrangement method. It has a container that is a storage unit that stores an application, and a specified information storage unit that is a storage unit that stores the specified information,
The controller stores an application corresponding to the connected node and specification information corresponding to the application provided from an external server device providing the application in the container and the specification information storage unit.
The communication device according to claim 1. The controller includes:
If there is no data on the bulletin board that has the characteristic information that satisfies the conditions indicated by the specification information corresponding to the application to be executed, data that satisfies the conditions indicated by the specification information from among the data stored in the bulletin board is The communication device according to claim 6, wherein data of the feature information that is close to each other is selected. a communication device;
a plurality of nodes connected to the communication device;
Equipped with
The communication device includes:
It imports data from a connected node, stores the imported data in a bulletin board that is a storage unit that can be used by multiple applications, estimates characteristic information indicating the characteristics of the data, and stores it in association with the data. , when an application is executed, the data to be used in the processing of the application is selected from the data stored in the bulletin board based on the correspondence between the specification information specified as a condition of the data used by the application and the characteristic information, and the application Send the execution result to the node,
The node is
performing an operation according to an execution result of the application transmitted from the communication device;
Communications system. A data storage method for a communication device that stores data acquired from a node in a communication device to which a plurality of nodes can be connected, the method comprising:
Ingest data from connected nodes,
Estimating feature information indicating the characteristics of the data imported from the node,
storing the data imported from the node in a bulletin board that is a storage unit that can be used by a plurality of applications by associating the data imported from the node with the characteristic information;
Data storage method.

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