JP6883530B2 - Communications system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a communication system including an on-board unit and a data center.

Conventionally, a communication system that wirelessly transmits and stores vehicle operation data temporarily recorded in an on-board unit mounted on a vehicle to a data center at predetermined timings is widely known (for example, a patent). See Documents 1-3). A transportation company that uses this communication system requests the data center to view the operation data of a plurality of vehicles (taxi, truck, and other commercial vehicles) owned by the company, thereby performing the operation data from its operation terminal to the data center. Can be obtained and the operating status of the plurality of vehicles can be managed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-163583 JP-A-2010-224686 JP-A-2016-4498

It is widely known that the on-board unit gives an alarm at a predetermined alarm level when an index value (vehicle speed or the like) indicating a running state of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined threshold value. A transportation company that uses the above-mentioned communication system sets the above-mentioned threshold value and alarm level individually for each vehicle on its own operation terminal, and sets the setting contents indirectly or by data via a data center. By transmitting directly to each in-vehicle device without going through the center, the above-mentioned threshold value and alarm level can be set individually for each vehicle.

In recent years, there has been a tendency to equip vehicles with on-board units in a wide variety of vehicle types and in various regions and countries. In such a situation, it is a heavy burden for the worker to individually set the above-mentioned threshold value and the alarm level for each vehicle and transmit the contents on the operation terminal of the company. ..

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an operation system capable of setting / changing the mode of an alarm given by an in-vehicle device without imposing a burden on an operator. ..

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the communication system according to the present invention is characterized by the following (1) to (4).
(1)
An on-board unit that is mounted on a vehicle, records operation data related to the vehicle, and has a wireless communication function.
A data center that has a wireless communication function and acquires and stores the operation data from the on-board unit by wireless communication with the on-board unit.
It is a communication system equipped with
The on-board unit
When the index value indicating the running state of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined threshold value, an alarm is issued at a predetermined alarm level.
The data center
Based on the stored operation data, at least one of the threshold value and the alarm level is changed, and the changed content is transmitted to the vehicle-mounted device.
The on-board unit
When the change content is received from the data center, the alarm is issued based on the threshold value and the alarm level based on the change content.
The data center
Based on the operational data stored, if the warning level is not the maximum, change the warning level, when the alarm level is maximum, while being configured to change the threshold value is stored Based on the operation data, the number of times the alarm is issued by the in-vehicle device within a predetermined period is specified, and at least one of the threshold value and the alarm level is changed based on the number of times of the alarm. It must be a communication system configured in this way.
(2)
In the communication system described in (1) above,
The data center
Based on the stored operation data, it is determined whether or not the vehicle is located in a predetermined place, and at least one of the threshold value and the alarm level is changed based on the determination result. Being a communication system.
(3)
In the communication system according to (1) or (2) above,
The data center
Based on the stored operation data, the vehicle type of the vehicle equipped with the on-board unit is specified, and at least one of the threshold value and the alarm level is changed based on the vehicle type. Being a communication system.
(4)
In the communication system according to any one of (1) to (3) above.
The data center
Based on the stored operation data, the country in which the vehicle equipped with the on-board unit is located is specified, and at least one of the threshold value and the alarm level is set in consideration of the law of the specified country. Must be a communication system configured to change.

According to the communication system having the configuration of (1) above, at least the mode (threshold and alarm level) of the alarm given by the on-board unit based on the operation data of the vehicle acquired and stored by the data center by wireless communication from the on-board unit. One) is automatically set and changed by the data center, and the changed contents are automatically transmitted to the on-board unit. The on-board unit automatically sets / changes the mode of the alarm based on the transmitted change content, and issues an alarm based on the mode of the alarm set / changed in this way. Therefore, it is possible to set / change the mode of the alarm given by the on-board unit without imposing a burden on the operator. Further, the mode of the alarm given by the on-board unit is automatically set / changed according to the number of times the on-board unit gives an alarm within a predetermined period. Therefore, depending on the frequency of the alarm, the alarm can be issued in an appropriate alarm mode in consideration of the frequency of the alarm.

According to the communication system having the configuration of (2) above, the on-board unit issues an alarm depending on whether or not the vehicle is located in a predetermined place (specifically, in a predetermined area, in a predetermined country, etc.). Mode is automatically set / changed. Therefore, depending on the region or country where the vehicle is located, the warning can be given in an appropriate warning mode in consideration of the region or country.

According to the communication system having the configuration of (3) above, the mode of the alarm given by the on-board unit is automatically set and changed according to the vehicle type (passenger car, truck, etc.) of the vehicle on which the on-board unit is mounted. Therefore, depending on the vehicle type, it is possible to issue an alarm in an appropriate warning mode in consideration of the vehicle type.

According to the communication system having the configuration of (4) above, the mode of the alarm given by the on-board unit is automatically set / changed in consideration of the law of the country in which the vehicle is located. Therefore, depending on the law of the country in which the vehicle is located, the warning can be given in an appropriate warning mode in consideration of the law.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an operation system capable of setting / changing the mode of an alarm given by an in-vehicle device without imposing a burden on an operator.

The present invention has been briefly described above. Further, the details of the present invention will be further clarified by reading through the embodiments described below (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the vehicle-mounted device shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the data center shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing flow when the data center shown in FIG. 1 changes the mode of the alarm.

<Embodiment>
Hereinafter, the communication system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 1 includes an on-board unit 10 having a wireless communication function and a data center 20 having a wireless communication function.

The communication system 1 transmits the vehicle operation data temporarily recorded in the vehicle-mounted device 10 mounted on the vehicle to the data center 20 at predetermined timings via the wide area communication network 40 and the Internet communication network 50. It is designed to be saved. The operation data includes various data related to vehicle operation such as speed information, position information, engine rotation speed information, vehicle type, and alarm execution status by the on-board unit 10.

The communication system 1 is typically used by a shipping company. A transportation company that uses communication system 1 uses browsing software (browser) 31 from its office PC 30 to request browsing of operation data of a plurality of vehicles (business vehicles such as taxis and trucks) owned by the company. Then, by performing the operation at the data center 20 via the Internet communication network 50, it is possible to obtain the operation data and manage the operation state of the plurality of vehicles.

(On-board unit 10)
Hereinafter, first, the configuration of the vehicle-mounted device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the in-vehicle device 10 includes a microcomputer (CPU) 11, a display unit 12, a memory (SRAM) 13, a memory (ROM) 14, a serial interface (I / F) 15, a communication interface 16, and an external device. It includes a display 17, a communication module 18, a communication interface 19, an operation unit 61, an audio output unit 62, a speaker 63, a signal processing unit 64, and a GPS receiver 65.

The microcomputer 11 performs various controls necessary for realizing the functions of the entire vehicle-mounted device 10 by executing a program built in in advance or a program existing on the memory 14.

The display unit 12 has a function of displaying visible information having a relatively small amount of information, and can display numerical values such as vehicle speed, time, and position under the control of the microcomputer 11.

The memory 13 is volatile, and data can be freely read and written by the access of the microcomputer 11. The memory 13 is used to temporarily hold various data including vehicle operation data.

The memory 14 is non-volatile, and data can be freely read and written by the access of the microcomputer 11. The memory 14 is used to hold software necessary for realizing various functions of the vehicle-mounted device 10, such as a program such as firmware and a constant data group such as a hazard map.

The external display 17 has a function of displaying various visible information in a state in which the crew can easily see it. The external display 17 is connected to the microcomputer 11 via the serial interface 15. The external display 17 is used, for example, to display the status of the vehicle-mounted device 10, a character message useful for safe driving, a message for prompting an input operation to the vehicle-mounted device 10, and the like.

The communication module 18 is necessary to secure a wireless communication line for data communication by performing wireless communication with, for example, a predetermined wide area communication network 40 provided by a mobile communication operator by using the communication antenna 19. It is equipped with various communication functions. The communication module 18 is connected to the microcomputer 11 via the communication interface 16.

The operation unit 61 has a plurality of operation buttons (not shown) that can be operated by the crew. The microcomputer 11 can detect the input operation of the crew by reading the change in the state of each operation button of the operation unit 61.

The voice output unit 62 can synthesize a pseudo voice signal from a text message. The pseudo voice signal generated by the voice output unit 62 is output as a voice message from the speaker 63. For example, it is possible to output a voice message for urging the crew to drive safely, a voice message for efficient vehicle operation, a voice message for urging an input operation, and the like.

The signal processing unit 64 can process a plurality of signals SG1, SG2, and SG3 representing the operating state of the vehicle and give them to the microcomputer 11. Specifically, a signal indicating the on / off state of the ignition of the vehicle, a pulse signal indicating the vehicle speed, a pulse signal indicating the engine speed, and the like are input as signals SG1, SG2, and SG3.

The GPS receiver 65 receives radio waves from a plurality of GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites, and can calculate a receiving point, that is, a vehicle position (latitude / longitude) based on the information of the received time.

Therefore, the microcomputer 11 can grasp the on / off state of the ignition, the vehicle speed, the engine speed, and the like based on the signal input from the signal processing unit 64, and can obtain the current position of the vehicle from the output of the GPS receiver 65. You can also figure it out. Further, for example, based on the detection result of the button operation of the operation unit 61 or the like, it is possible to grasp the "actual vehicle" and the "empty vehicle" indicating the difference in the operating state of the vehicle. Further, the microcomputer 11 can automatically store the information in the memory 14 or transfer the information to the data center 20 via the wide area communication network 40.

(Data center 20)
Next, the configuration of the data center 20 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the data center 20 includes a server main body 21, a large-capacity storage device 22, a user management unit 24, an in-vehicle device management unit 25, a user-side communication interface 26, and an in-vehicle device-side communication interface 27. Means.

The server main body 21 is composed of a predetermined computer, and data is required between the vehicle-mounted device side communication interface 27 and the vehicle-mounted device 10 of each vehicle via the Internet communication network 50 and the wide area communication network 40. Communicate. Further, the server main body 21 performs data communication with each user's office PC 30 as necessary via the user-side communication interface 26 and the Internet communication network 50.

Further, the server main body 21 performs various processes according to a predetermined processing procedure or according to the result of analyzing the request input from the office PC 30. For example, data can be acquired from each on-board unit 10 at a required timing, the acquired data can be stored in the large-capacity storage device 22, a predetermined analysis process can be performed on the acquired data, and the acquired data can be used for office work. It can be transferred to the PC30. It is also possible to transfer the message transmitted by the office PC 30 to the vehicle-mounted device 10.

The large-capacity storage device 22 can store a large amount of data acquired from each of a large number of vehicle-mounted devices 10, or can store analysis result data.

The user management unit 24 holds information necessary for managing users who use the services of the data center 20. That is, the user management unit 24 holds a user ID required to identify each user registered in advance, a unique password for each user required for authentication, and the like.

When each user first accesses the server main body 21 of the data center 20, it is necessary to identify the user who uses the service and perform authentication. At this time, by collating the information such as the user ID and password input from the office PC 30 to the server main body 21 with the information held on the user management unit 24, it is possible to identify whether or not the user is a legitimate user. it can.

The on-board unit management unit 25 holds information (specifically, an on-board unit management table, etc.) necessary for each user to grasp each on-board unit 10 mounted on the vehicle owned or managed by each user. ing. By using the on-board unit management unit 25, the server main body 21 can grasp each on-board unit 10 under the control of the user for each user.

(Communication system 1)
The on-board unit 10 is configured to give an alarm at a predetermined alarm level when the "index value representing the running state of the vehicle" exceeds a predetermined threshold value. Specifically, the alarm by the vehicle-mounted device 10 can be performed by generating an alarm sound by the speaker 63, displaying a message by the external display 17, or the like.

Specific examples of the "index value indicating the running state of the vehicle" include the vehicle speed, the engine rotation speed, the idling duration, the continuous driving time, the number of sudden starts and accelerations and decelerations, and the like. For each index value, a single value or one selected value from a plurality of values is set as the "threshold value". As the "alarm level", a plurality of levels (stages) are set. When the alarm is given by voice, for example, the higher the alarm level, the louder the alarm volume. When the alarm is given by a message, for example, the higher the alarm level, the stronger the content of the message, or the larger (thicker) characters that describe the message.

In the communication system 1, the mode (threshold or alarm level) of the alarm issued by the vehicle-mounted device 10 based on the operation data acquired by the data center 20 from the vehicle-mounted device 10 by wireless communication and stored in the large-capacity storage device 22. Is automatically set / changed, and the changed content is automatically transmitted to the on-board unit 10. The vehicle-mounted device 10 to which the changed content is transmitted automatically sets / changes the alarm mode based on the transmitted change content, and issues an alarm based on the alarm mode set / changed in this way. ..

Hereinafter, the processing flow when the data center 20 changes the mode of the alarm will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Specifically, the process shown in FIG. 4 is executed by the server main body 21 of the data center 20 every time a predetermined period elapses. As the predetermined period, for example, one day, one week, one month, or the like can be adopted. Note that, for convenience of explanation, FIG. 4 shows a case where only "vehicle speed" is adopted as "an index value indicating a running state of a vehicle" and an alarm is given by voice.

First, from the data stored in the large-capacity storage device 22, operation data (vehicle record data) for a predetermined period acquired from the vehicle-mounted device 10 is acquired (S1), and within the predetermined period from the vehicle record data. In (S2), it is determined whether or not the vehicle is located within the designated place. The designated place typically includes a designated area or a designated country. The case where the vehicle is located within the designated place (“Yes” in S2) will be described later.

When the vehicle is located outside the designated location (“No” in S2), it is determined from the vehicle performance data whether or not the vehicle speed has exceeded the threshold value (speed over) within a predetermined period (S3). If there is no speed over (“No” in S3), it is determined whether or not the number of times the on-board unit 10 has issued an alarm is equal to or greater than the specified number of times within a predetermined period (S4).

If there is no speed over and the number of alarms is less than the specified number within a predetermined period (“No” in S3 and S4), the alarm mode (threshold value or alarm level) is changed (S5). .. Specifically, for example, the alarm volume setting is changed to a level one step lower than the current level, or the vehicle speed threshold value is changed to a value one step lower than the current value. However, if the current value of the warning volume or the current value of the vehicle speed threshold value reaches a predetermined lower limit value (the strictest value), the warning volume or the vehicle speed threshold value is not changed. ..

On the other hand, if the speed is exceeded within the predetermined period (“Yes” in S3), it is determined whether or not the alarm volume is at the maximum level (S6), and if the alarm sound is not at the maximum level (“No” in S6). ”), The alarm volume setting is changed to a level one step higher than the current level (S7). When the alarm voice is at the maximum level (“Yes” in S6), the mode of the alarm (threshold value or alarm level) is changed (S8). Specifically, for example, the vehicle speed threshold is changed to a value one step higher than the current value. However, if the current value of the vehicle speed threshold reaches a predetermined upper limit value (the least strict value), the vehicle speed threshold is not changed.

Similarly, if the number of alarms is equal to or greater than the specified number within a predetermined period (“Yes” in S4), it is determined whether or not the alarm volume is at the maximum level (S9), and if the alarm sound is not at the maximum level. (“No” in S9), the alarm volume setting is changed to a level one step higher than the current level (S10). When the alarm voice is at the maximum level (“Yes” in S9), the mode of the alarm (threshold value or alarm level) is changed (S8). Specifically, similarly to the above, for example, the threshold value of the vehicle speed is changed to a value one step higher than the current value. However, if the current value of the vehicle speed threshold reaches a predetermined upper limit value (the least strict value), the vehicle speed threshold is not changed.

The case where the vehicle is located outside the designated place (“No” in S2) has been described above. On the other hand, when the vehicle is located in the designated place (“Yes” in S2), the setting is changed according to the designated place (S11). Specifically, for example, when the factory of the vehicle manufacturer corresponds to the designated place, the threshold value of the vehicle speed is a value set for a normal general road or a highway (for example, 60 km / h, 100 km / h). It is changed to a significantly smaller value (for example, 10 km / h). Alternatively, if the vehicle manufacturer's high-speed test course is applicable as the designated location, the vehicle speed threshold is significantly higher than the values set for ordinary general roads and highways (for example, 60 km / h, 100 km / h). It is changed to a large value (for example, 200 km / h).

As described above, when the current processing shown in FIG. 4 is completed, the data center 20 (server main body 21) automatically transmits the content of the change in the alarm mode due to the current processing to the vehicle-mounted device 10. The on-board unit 10 to which the changed content is transmitted automatically sets / changes the alarm mode based on the transmitted change content, and then based on the alarm mode set / changed in this way. Give an alarm.

The communication system 1 can individually set / change the mode of the alarm by the vehicle-mounted device 10 based on the vehicle motion data (vehicle performance data) for each of a plurality of vehicles owned by the transportation company using the communication system 1. it can.

(Action / effect)
As described above, according to the communication system 1 according to the present embodiment, the alarm issued by the vehicle-mounted device 10 based on the vehicle operation data acquired and stored by the data center 20 from the vehicle-mounted device 10 by wireless communication. The mode (at least one of the threshold value and the alarm level) is automatically set / changed by the data center 20, and the changed content is automatically transmitted to the vehicle-mounted device 10. The vehicle-mounted device 10 automatically sets / changes the mode of the alarm based on the transmitted change content, and issues an alarm based on the mode of the alarm set / changed in this way. Therefore, it is possible to set / change the mode of the alarm given by the vehicle-mounted device 10 without imposing a burden on the operator.

Further, the mode of the alarm given by the on-board unit 10 is automatically set / changed according to whether or not the vehicle is located in a predetermined place (specifically, in a predetermined area, in a predetermined country, etc.). To. Therefore, depending on the region or country where the vehicle is located, the warning can be given in an appropriate warning mode in consideration of the region or country.

Further, the mode of the alarm issued by the vehicle-mounted device 10 is automatically set / changed according to the number of times the alarm is issued by the vehicle-mounted device 10 within a predetermined period. Therefore, depending on the frequency of the alarm, the alarm can be issued in an appropriate alarm mode in consideration of the frequency of the alarm.

<Other aspects>
The present invention is not limited to each of the above embodiments, and various modifications can be adopted within the scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately modified, improved, and the like. In addition, the material, shape, dimensions, number, arrangement location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiment are arbitrary and are not limited as long as the present invention can be achieved.

For example, in the above embodiment, the data center 20 identifies the vehicle type of the vehicle on which the on-board unit 10 is mounted based on the operation data (vehicle performance data) for a predetermined period, and gives an alarm based on the specified vehicle type. It may be configured to change the mode (threshold or alarm level). According to this, the mode of the alarm given by the on-board unit 10 is automatically set / changed according to the vehicle type (passenger car, truck, etc.) of the vehicle on which the on-board unit 10 is mounted. Therefore, depending on the vehicle type, it is possible to issue an alarm in an appropriate warning mode in consideration of the vehicle type.

Further, in the above embodiment, the data center 20 identifies the country in which the vehicle equipped with the on-board unit 10 is located based on the operation data (vehicle performance data) for a predetermined period, and considers the law of the specified country. Then, it may be configured to change the mode (threshold value or alarm level) of the alarm. According to this, the mode of the alarm given by the vehicle-mounted device 10 is automatically set / changed in consideration of the law of the country in which the vehicle is located. Therefore, depending on the law of the country in which the vehicle is located, the warning can be given in an appropriate warning mode in consideration of the law.

Further, in the above embodiment, the mode (threshold value or alarm level) of the alarm may be changed in consideration of the internal regulations of the transportation company using the communication system 1. According to this, the mode of the alarm given by the vehicle-mounted device 10 is automatically set / changed in consideration of the internal regulations of the transportation company. Therefore, according to the internal regulations of the shipping company, the alarm can be issued in an appropriate alarm mode in consideration of the internal regulations.

Here, the features of the above-described embodiment of the communication system 1 according to the present invention are briefly summarized and listed below (1) to (5).
(1)
An on-board unit (10) mounted on a vehicle, which records operation data related to the vehicle and has a wireless communication function,
A data center (20) having a wireless communication function and acquiring and storing the operation data from the vehicle-mounted device (10) by wireless communication with the vehicle-mounted device (10).
The communication system (1) provided with
The on-board unit (10) is
When the index value indicating the running state of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined threshold value, an alarm is issued at a predetermined alarm level.
The data center (20) is
Based on the stored operation data, at least one of the threshold value and the alarm level is changed, and the changed content is transmitted to the vehicle-mounted device (10).
The on-board unit (10) is
A communication system (1) configured to issue the alarm based on the threshold value and the alarm level based on the change content when the change content is received from the data center (20).
(2)
In the communication system (1) described in the above (1),
The data center (20) is
Based on the stored operation data, it is determined whether or not the vehicle is located in a predetermined place (S2), and at least one of the threshold value and the alarm level is changed based on the determination result. Communication system (1) configured as described above.
(3)
In the communication system (1) according to the above (1) or (2),
The data center (20) is
Based on the stored operation data, the number of times the alarm is issued by the vehicle-mounted device (10) within a predetermined period is specified, and based on the number of times of the alarm (S4), the threshold value and the alarm are given. A communication system (1) configured to change at least one of the levels.
(4)
In the communication system (1) according to any one of (1) to (3) above.
The data center (20) is
Based on the stored operation data, the vehicle type of the vehicle equipped with the on-board unit (10) is specified, and at least one of the threshold value and the alarm level is changed based on the vehicle type. Communication system (1).
(5)
In the communication system (1) according to any one of (1) to (4) above.
The data center (20) is
Based on the stored operation data, the country in which the vehicle equipped with the on-board unit (10) is located is specified, and in consideration of the laws of the specified country, at least the threshold value and the alarm level are specified. Communication system (1) configured to modify one.

1 Communication system 10 On-board unit 20 Data center 30 Office PC

Claims (4)

An on-board unit that is mounted on a vehicle, records operation data related to the vehicle, and has a wireless communication function.
A data center that has a wireless communication function and acquires and stores the operation data from the on-board unit by wireless communication with the on-board unit.
It is a communication system equipped with
The on-board unit
When the index value indicating the running state of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined threshold value, an alarm is issued at a predetermined alarm level.
The data center
Based on the stored operation data, at least one of the threshold value and the alarm level is changed, and the changed content is transmitted to the vehicle-mounted device.
The on-board unit
When the change content is received from the data center, the alarm is issued based on the threshold value and the alarm level based on the change content.
The data center
Based on the operational data stored, if the warning level is not the maximum, change the warning level, when the alarm level is maximum, while being configured to change the threshold value is stored Based on the operation data, the number of times the alarm is issued by the in-vehicle device within a predetermined period is specified, and at least one of the threshold value and the alarm level is changed based on the number of times of the alarm. A communication system configured to. In the communication system according to claim 1,
The data center
Based on the stored operation data, it is determined whether or not the vehicle is located in a predetermined place, and at least one of the threshold value and the alarm level is changed based on the determination result. Communication system. In the communication system according to claim 1 or 2.
The data center
Based on the stored operation data, the vehicle type of the vehicle equipped with the on-board unit is specified, and at least one of the threshold value and the alarm level is changed based on the vehicle type. Communications system. In the communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The data center
Based on the stored operation data, the country in which the vehicle equipped with the on-board unit is located is specified, and at least one of the threshold value and the alarm level is set in consideration of the law of the specified country. A communication system configured to change.

Images