JP2013108805A - In-vehicle device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an in-vehicle device that responds to a change in traffic regulation to be applied to each area.SOLUTION: An ECU (in-vehicle device)10 includes an acquiring part 16 for acquiring traffic regulation from the outside, and an updating part 18 for updating a control function of vehicle equipment so as to follow the traffic regulation. The traffic regulation is acquired from the outside to update the control function of the vehicle equipment to follow the traffic regulation, thereby responding to a change in the traffic regulation applied to each area. When a vehicle 1 moves from a first area to a second area having different traffic regulation, the acquiring part 16 may acquire the traffic regulation on the second area from the outside.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle-mounted device that can comply with traffic regulations applied to each region.

  Conventionally, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-122281, an in-vehicle device that provides information necessary for a driver when traveling in a region having a traffic rule different from the traffic rule of the region where the driver lives is provided. Are known.

JP 2008-122281 A

  By the way, the traffic laws and regulations applied to each region such as a country unit and a state unit are often changed according to economic circumstances, traffic circumstances, and the like. The traffic regulations stipulate technical standards for the control functions of vehicle equipment as well as traffic rules for vehicle travel requirements, and these technical standards are also subject to change.

  For this reason, when a vehicle moves from the first area to a second area where the traffic regulations are different, there is a possibility that the control function of the vehicle equipment cannot sufficiently cope with the change of the traffic regulations concerning the second area.

  Therefore, the present invention intends to provide an in-vehicle device that can cope with a change in traffic regulations applied to each region.

  The in-vehicle device according to the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires traffic regulations from the outside, and an update unit that updates a control function of the vehicle equipment so as to conform to the traffic regulations. Thereby, it is possible to cope with a change in the traffic regulations applied for each region by acquiring the traffic regulations from the outside and updating the control function of the vehicle equipment so as to conform to the traffic regulations. Here, the traffic regulation may prescribe | regulate the technical standard regarding the control function of vehicle equipment.

  The acquisition unit may acquire the traffic regulations related to the second area from the outside when the vehicle moves from the first area to the second area where the traffic regulations are different. Thereby, when moving to the second area where the traffic regulations are different, it is possible to cope with a change in the traffic regulations applied to the second area.

  The in-vehicle device further includes a determination unit that determines whether the control function conforms to traffic regulations, and the update unit has a control function that conforms to the traffic regulations when the control function does not conform to the traffic regulations. It may be updated. Thereby, unnecessary update can be prevented.

  The in-vehicle device further includes a prediction unit that predicts that the vehicle moves to the second area, and the update unit updates the control function so as to comply with the traffic regulations before the vehicle moves to the second area. Also good. Thereby, it is possible to cope with a change in traffic regulations before moving to the second area.

  The prediction unit may predict that the vehicle moves to the second region based on the set route of the vehicle. Thereby, it can respond to the change of traffic regulation with a margin before moving to the 2nd area.

  The determination unit may determine whether the control function conforms to traffic regulations based on the execution result of the control function. As a result, the control function can be surely adapted to traffic regulations.

  The determination unit determines whether the control function conforms to traffic regulations for at least one of the in-vehicle apparatus and other in-vehicle apparatuses connected to the in-vehicle apparatus, and the update unit conforms to the traffic regulations. For non-conforming devices, the control function may be updated to conform to traffic regulations. As a result, the control function can be adapted to traffic regulations for at least one of the in-vehicle device and other in-vehicle devices.

  The in-vehicle device may further include a notification unit that prompts the driver to perform the countermeasure when the control function cannot be updated so as to comply with traffic regulations. Thereby, it is possible to avoid inconvenience that occurs when the control function cannot be updated.

  The in-vehicle device may further include a notification unit that alerts the driver when the control function is not updated so as to comply with the traffic regulations. Thereby, the inconvenience which arises when the control function is not updated can be avoided.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the vehicle-mounted apparatus which can respond to the change of the traffic regulation applied for every area can be provided.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the vehicle-mounted system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a vehicle-mounted system. It is a schematic diagram which shows operation | movement of the vehicle-mounted system in case a control function can be updated so that it may adapt to the latest traffic regulation. It is a schematic diagram which shows operation | movement of a vehicle-mounted system in case a control function cannot be updated so that it may adapt to the latest traffic regulation.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  First, the configuration of an in-vehicle system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The in-vehicle system includes an ECU 10 (in-vehicle device) having an HMI (Human Machine Interface) function, such as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 10 for navigation, and at least one other ECU 30 (another in-vehicle device) that can communicate with the ECU 10. Is included.

  The ECU 10 functions as an in-vehicle device capable of responding to changes in traffic regulations applied to each region, and can communicate with an information providing center 50 that provides legal information on the latest traffic regulations defined for each region. is there. The ECU 10 includes a storage unit 11, a travel guide unit 12, an internal communication unit 13, an external communication unit 14, a prediction unit 15, an acquisition unit 16, a determination unit 17, an update unit 18, and a notification unit 19.

  The memory | storage part 11 has memorize | stored the regulation information regarding the traffic regulation applied for every area. The traffic regulations stipulate technical standards for control functions of vehicle equipment as well as traffic rules for vehicle travel requirements. This technical standard stipulates a technical standard related to a control function of vehicle equipment such as a digital speedometer and a driver assistance device. The storage unit 11 also stores a control program for realizing the control functions of the ECU 10 and other ECUs 30, an update program for the control program, a digital map for driving guidance, information on the application subject of the traffic regulations for each region, and the like. Yes.

  Here, examples of the travel rules (so-called traffic rules) include speed limit, travel lane arrangement, and route change priority. Also, technical standards for vehicle equipment control functions include, for example, the standards of digital speedometers (requirements such as the display method of finger readings, display holding time, display visibility, etc.), the standards of constant speed travel devices (operation Status, set vehicle speed, set inter-vehicle distance, and requirements such as failure status display).

  The travel guide unit 12 specifies the current position of the vehicle 1 based on GPS (Ground Positioning System) information, or sets a planned travel route of the vehicle 1 according to an operation via the HMI 21. The travel guide unit 12 specifies an area corresponding to the current position of the vehicle 1 or the position on the set route based on the boundary information on the digital map.

  The internal communication unit 13 can communicate with other components inside the vehicle such as another ECU 30 via the communication bus 22 or the like. The external communication unit 14 can communicate with an information providing entity outside the vehicle, such as an information providing center 50 and a support center (not shown), via the in-vehicle antenna 20 and the like.

  The prediction unit 15 predicts whether the vehicle 1 moves from the first area to the second area where the traffic regulations are different. The movement to the second area is predicted based on the current position or set route of the vehicle 1 and information on the application subject of the traffic regulations for each area. Specifically, the subject of application of traffic laws differs between the first and second regions on the premise that the current location approaches the boundary between two regions that differ from each other, or that the set route exceeds the boundary between the two regions. In some cases, movement to the second region is predicted.

  The acquisition part 16 acquires the newest traffic regulation regarding a 2nd area from the outside, when the movement to a 2nd area is estimated. The latest legal information is acquired by accessing the information providing center 50 through the external communication unit 14 and stored in the storage unit 11. Specifically, the latest legal information is acquired when the update date of the legal information managed by the information providing center 50 is newer than the update date of the legal information stored in the storage unit 11 for the second region. Is done.

  The determination unit 17 determines whether the control function of the vehicle equipment conforms to the latest traffic regulations related to the second region. In this case, the suitability of the control function is determined based on the configuration information of the in-vehicle system. The determination unit 17 may determine whether the control function conforms to the latest traffic regulations from the execution result of the control function. In this case, the suitability of the control function is determined based on, for example, execution of a test routine. The determination unit 17 determines conformity of the control function for at least one of the ECU 10 and the other ECU 30. The determination regarding the other ECU 30 may be performed remotely from the ECU 10 or may be performed independently of the other ECU 30. In addition, the determination unit 17 instructs the notification unit 19 to notify the driver when there is a difference in traffic regulations that should alert the driver between the first region and the second region.

  When the control function of the vehicle equipment does not conform to the latest traffic regulations, the update unit 18 updates the control functions so as to conform to the latest traffic regulations regarding the second region. The control function is preferably updated before the movement to the second area occurs. The update unit 18 updates the control function for at least one of the ECU 10 and the other ECU 30. A control function is updated if it can be updated through control program updates (including updates that involve only simple changes in control parameters). The possibility of updating is determined based on the setting information of the control program. The control function is updated by updating a control program stored in advance in the storage unit 11 or executing an update program acquired from the support center.

  The notification unit 19 urges the driver to take a countermeasure when the control function cannot be updated so as to comply with the latest traffic regulations related to the second region. If the driver is not able to update through the update of the control program, the driver is prompted to implement the corresponding device. Countermeasures include stopping at a maintenance shop and requesting a mechanic dispatch. The implementation of response measures is preferably encouraged before the move to the second area occurs. Moreover, the alerting | reporting part 19 alert | reports to the driver that the alerting to a driver | operator is required when moving to a 2nd area. Necessary information is notified to the driver through the HMI 21 such as a display and a speaker.

  The other ECU 30 includes an internal communication unit 31 and a determination unit 32. The internal communication unit 32 can communicate with other components inside the vehicle such as the ECU 10 via the communication bus 22 or the like. The determination unit 32 determines whether the control function of the ECU 30 is suitable in accordance with an instruction from the determination unit 17 of the ECU 10. When the other ECU 30 determines the control function independently, it notifies the ECU 10 of the determination result.

  The information providing center 50 obtains the latest regulation information on traffic regulations applied for each region from the application body of the traffic regulations, and provides it to the in-vehicle system via the antenna 51 or the like according to the access from the in-vehicle system. The information providing center 50 may be operated by an organization that manages legal information of a single region, or may be operated by an organization that manages legal information of a plurality of regions.

  Next, the operation of the in-vehicle system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the in-vehicle system. FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are schematic diagrams showing the operation of the in-vehicle system when the control function can be updated so as to conform to the latest traffic regulations and when the control function cannot be updated.

  The ECU 10 repeats a series of processes shown in FIG. 2 at a predetermined operation cycle while the vehicle 1 is traveling. For example, when an ignition switch (not shown) of the vehicle 1 is turned on, the prediction unit 15 predicts whether the vehicle 1 moves from the first region to the second region where the traffic regulations are different (step S11). The movement to the second area is predicted based on the current position of the vehicle 1 or the set route.

  When the movement to the second area is predicted (Yes in Step S11), the acquisition unit 16 determines whether or not the latest traffic regulations regarding the second area have been acquired (Step S12). Here, when the latest regulation information has not been obtained (No in step S12), the obtaining unit 16 accesses the information providing center 50 to obtain and store the latest traffic regulation (step S13). If the latest traffic regulations have been acquired (Yes in step S12), the process proceeds to step S14.

  Next, the determination unit 17 determines whether the control function of the vehicle equipment conforms to the latest traffic regulations regarding the second region (step S14). The determination unit 17 may further determine whether the control function conforms to the latest traffic regulations based on the execution result of the control function. The suitability of the control function is determined for at least one of the ECU 10 and the other ECU 30.

  Here, when the control function is not adapted (in the case of No in step S14), the update unit 18 determines whether the control function can be updated so as to conform to the latest traffic regulations through the update of the control program. (Step S15). When the control function can be updated (Yes in step S15), the update unit 18 updates the control function through the update of the control program (step S16). Here, the update of the control function is preferably performed before the movement to the second area occurs. The control function is updated for at least one of the ECU 10 and the other ECU 30. On the other hand, when the control function cannot be updated (No in step S15), the notification unit 19 prompts the driver to perform another countermeasure (step S17). If the control function conforms to the latest traffic regulations (Yes in step S14), the process proceeds to step S18.

  Moreover, the determination part 17 determines whether a driver should be alerted with the difference in traffic regulations between 1st area and 2nd area (step S18). And when alerting is required (in the case of Yes at step S18), the alerting | reporting part 19 alert | reports that to a driver | operator (step S19). And ECU10 repeats the process of step S11-S19 until an ignition switch is turned off, for example.

  3 and 4 show a situation in which the vehicle 1 moves from the first area to the second area where the traffic regulations are different. Here, in the first area and the second area, for example, the display standards for the constant speed traveling device (technical standards for the control function of the vehicle equipment) and the speed limit for the highway (traffic rules) prescribed by the latest traffic regulations Suppose they are different.

  Specifically, as for the display standard of the constant speed traveling device, only the display of the operation status is prescribed in both the first and second regions, but in the second region, the set vehicle speed and the display between the set vehicles are further obliged. Assume that technical standards have changed. In this case, the current vehicle equipment control function conforms to the latest technical standards for the first region, but does not conform to the latest technical standards for the second region.

  Further, the speed limit on the expressway is defined as 100 km / h in both the first and second areas, but it is assumed that the travel rules are changed so as to be suppressed to 90 km / h in the second area. In this case, in order to prompt the driver to change the set vehicle speed (or to prepare for the deceleration operation associated with the automatic change of the set vehicle speed), it is determined that the driver needs to be alerted.

  FIG. 3 assumes a case where the control function can be updated so as to conform to the latest technical standards. In this case, the control function is updated before the movement to the second region occurs. Therefore, immediately before the movement to the second area occurs (or immediately after the movement occurs), the display of the constant speed traveling device is changed so as to conform to the latest technical standards regarding the second area.

  On the other hand, FIG. 4 assumes a case in which the control function cannot be updated so as to conform to the latest technical standards. In this case, before the movement to the second area occurs, the driver is urged to perform other countermeasures such as a stop by a maintenance shop. Therefore, before the movement to the second region occurs, a message prompting the implementation of another countermeasure is notified as early as possible.

  In either case of FIGS. 3 and 4, in order to respond to the change in the speed limit of the highway, the driver is prompted to change the set vehicle speed (or the set vehicle speed immediately before the movement to the second region occurs). A message is broadcast to prepare for the deceleration operation associated with the automatic change.

  As described above, in the ECU (on-vehicle device) 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the traffic regulation is acquired from the outside, and the control function of the vehicle equipment is updated so as to conform to the traffic regulation. Respond to changes in applicable traffic laws.

  In addition, when the vehicle 1 moves to the second area where the traffic regulations are different, it is applied to the second area when moving to the second area where the traffic regulations are different by acquiring the traffic regulations related to the second area from the outside. Can respond to changes in traffic regulations.

  In addition, when the control function does not conform to the traffic regulations, unnecessary updates can be prevented by updating the control functions so as to conform to the traffic regulations.

  In addition, by updating the control function so that the vehicle 1 conforms to the traffic regulations before moving to the second area, it is possible to cope with a change in the traffic regulations before moving to the second area.

  Further, by predicting that the vehicle 1 moves to the second area based on the set route of the vehicle 1, it is possible to cope with the change of traffic regulations with a margin before moving to the second area.

  Further, by determining whether the control function conforms to the traffic regulations based on the execution result of the control function, the control functions can be reliably adapted to the traffic regulations.

  In addition, for a device whose control function does not conform to traffic regulations, the control function can be adapted to traffic regulations for at least one of the ECU 10 and ECU 30 by updating the control function so as to conform to the traffic regulations. .

  In addition, when the control function cannot be updated so as to comply with the traffic regulations, it is possible to avoid inconvenience that occurs when the control function cannot be updated by urging the driver to perform the countermeasure.

  When the control function is not updated so as to comply with the traffic regulations, it is possible to avoid inconvenience that occurs when the control function is not updated by alerting the driver.

  In addition, embodiment mentioned above demonstrated suitable embodiment of the vehicle-mounted apparatus which concerns on this invention, and the vehicle-mounted apparatus which concerns on this invention is not limited to what was described in this embodiment. The in-vehicle device according to the present invention may be modified from the in-vehicle device according to the present embodiment or applied to other devices without departing from the gist of the invention described in each claim.

  For example, the present invention can be similarly applied to a program for responding to a change in traffic regulations applied for each region or a computer-readable recording medium storing the program according to the method described above.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the vehicle is predicted to move to the second area and the control function is updated before the vehicle moves to the second area has been described. However, even if the control function is updated after the vehicle has moved to the second area without predicting that the vehicle will move to the second area, the in-vehicle device will respond to changes in traffic regulations that apply to each area. Can be made.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case has been described in which it is determined whether the control function of the vehicle conforms to the latest traffic regulations when movement to the second region is predicted. However, information regarding the control function may be transmitted from the vehicle to the outside such as the information providing center or the support center, it may be determined whether the control function conforms to the latest traffic regulations, and the determination result may be received by the vehicle. .

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle 10, 30 ... ECU, 50 ... Information provision center, 11 ... Memory | storage part, 12 ... Traveling guidance part, 13 ... Internal communication part, 14 ... External communication part, 15 ... Prediction part, 16 ... Acquisition part, 17 ... determination unit, 18 ... update unit, 19 ... notification unit

Claims (10)

An acquisition unit for acquiring traffic regulations from the outside;
An update unit for updating the control function of the vehicle equipment so as to conform to the traffic regulations;
A vehicle-mounted device comprising:   The in-vehicle device according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires a traffic regulation related to the second area from the outside when the vehicle moves from the first area to a second area having a different traffic regulation. A determination unit for determining whether the control function conforms to the traffic regulations;
The in-vehicle device according to claim 1, wherein the update unit updates the control function so as to conform to the traffic regulation when the control function does not conform to the traffic regulation. A prediction unit that predicts that the vehicle moves to the second area;
The in-vehicle device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the update unit updates the control function so as to conform to the traffic regulations before the vehicle moves to the second area.   The in-vehicle device according to claim 4, wherein the prediction unit predicts that the vehicle moves to the second area based on a set route of the vehicle.   The in-vehicle device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the determination unit determines whether the control function conforms to the traffic regulations based on an execution result of the control function. The determination unit determines whether the control function conforms to the traffic regulations for at least one of the in-vehicle device and another in-vehicle device connected to the in-vehicle device,
The in-vehicle device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the update unit updates the control function so that the control function conforms to the traffic regulation for a device that does not conform to the traffic regulation. .   The in-vehicle device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a notification unit that prompts a driver to perform a countermeasure when the control function cannot be updated to conform to the traffic regulations.   The in-vehicle device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a notification unit that alerts a driver when the control function is not updated so as to conform to the traffic regulations.   The in-vehicle device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the traffic regulation defines a technical standard related to a control function of the vehicle equipment.

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