An in-vehicle apparatus includes a communicator, a display, and a processor. The communicator communicates with a first portable device. The display displays a pattern image including first setting data indicating a connection setting to a server. The processor requests the first portable device communicably coupled to the communicator to establish a communication connection to the server based on the first setting data acquired by capturing the pattern image and download a data file from the server.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-065307 filed on Apr. 13, 2023, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The disclosure relates to an in-vehicle apparatus to be applied to a vehicle.

In-vehicle apparatuses are often subjected to software updates. For example, International Patent Application Publication WO2014/087613A1 discloses a technique in which a smartphone downloads updating data that is suitable for a vehicle from a server apparatus and transfers the downloaded data to an in-vehicle apparatus.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the disclosure provides an in-vehicle apparatus to be applied to a vehicle. The in-vehicle apparatus includes a communicator, a display, and a processor. The communicator is configured to communicate with a first portable device. The display is configured to display a pattern image including first setting data indicating a connection setting to a server. The processor is configured to request the first portable device communicably coupled to the communicator to establish a communication connection to the server based on the first setting data acquired by capturing the pattern image and download a data file from the server.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

There is a general demand for an electronic device with high user convenience, and an in-vehicle apparatus with high user convenience has been expected.

It is desirable to provide an in-vehicle apparatus with enhanced user convenience.

FIG.1illustrates a configuration example of a communication system1according to an example embodiment. The communication system1may include a vehicle9and a server100.

The vehicle9may be, for example, an automobile. The vehicle9includes an in-vehicle apparatus10. The in-vehicle apparatus10is configured to control travel of the vehicle9. The in-vehicle apparatus10may be configured to communicate with the server100via the Internet (not illustrated) through mobile communication such as 4th generation (4G) mobile communication or 5th generation (5G) mobile communication, or through wireless network communication such as wireless local area network (LAN) communication.

A smartphone30may be owned by an occupant of the vehicle9. In this example, there may be multiple smartphones30inside the vehicle9. InFIG.1, two smartphones30are illustrated. Each of the smartphones30may be configured to communicate with the in-vehicle apparatus10through, for example, wireless network communication such as wireless LAN communication. Further, the smartphone30may be configured to communicate with the server100via the Internet (not illustrated) through, for example, mobile-phone communication such as 4G mobile-phone communication or 5G mobile-phone communication or through wireless network communication such as wireless LAN communication.

The server100may be coupled to the Internet (not illustrated). In this example, the server100may manage software used in the vehicle9. When the software used in the vehicle9is upgraded, for example, the server100may send the in-vehicle apparatus10a notification indicating that updating software is in the server100and may transmit a data file of the updating software to the smartphone30in response to a request from the smartphone30.

In the communication system1having such a configuration, the in-vehicle apparatus10displays a QR code (registered trademark) when receiving, from the server100, the notification indicating that the updating software adapted to update the software used in the in-vehicle apparatus10is in the server100. The QR code may include data indicating a connection setting to the server100and data indicating a connection setting to the in-vehicle apparatus10. For example, each of the smartphones30may acquire the connection setting to the server100and the connection setting to the in-vehicle apparatus10by capturing the QR code in response to an operation of the occupant who is the owner of the smartphone30. Thereafter, based on the connection setting to the in-vehicle apparatus10, the smartphone30may establish a communication connection to the in-vehicle apparatus10. Further, each of the smartphones30may send the in-vehicle apparatus10data on a communication speed of the smartphone30in the communication between the smartphone30and the server100. Based on the communication speeds of the smartphones30, for example, the in-vehicle apparatus10may sequentially assign respective data files included in the updating software to the smartphones30. The smartphones30may each establish a communication connection to the server100based on the connection setting to the server100and may sequentially download the assigned data files from the server100. Thereafter, the smartphones30may transfer the downloaded data files to the in-vehicle apparatus10. The in-vehicle apparatus10may update the software by performing an install operation based on the data files transferred from the smartphones30. As described above, the communication system1may download the software using the QR code. It is therefore possible to enhance the user convenience.

FIG.2illustrates a configuration example of the in-vehicle apparatus10. InFIG.2, two smartphones30and the server100are illustrated. The in-vehicle apparatus10may include a communicator11, a display12, an operation input unit13, a storage14, and a processor20.

The communicator11may include, for example, one or more communication devices. The communicator11may be configured to communicate with the server100via the Internet (not illustrated) through mobile communication or wireless network communication, for example. The communicator11may be further configured to communicate with the smartphones30through wireless network communication, for example.

The display12may include a display panel such as a liquid crystal display panel or an organic electroluminescent (EL) display panel. The display12may be configured to display information to be notified to the occupant or a QR code to be described later.

The operation input unit13may include, for example, a touch sensor and various buttons. The operation input unit13may be configured to receive an operational input performed by the occupant.

The storage14may include a non-volatile storage device such as a flash memory or a hard disk drive (HDD). The storage14may be configured to store software and various kinds of data.

The processor20may include, for example, one or more processing units and one or more semiconductor memories. The processor20may be configured to control the travel of the vehicle9. The processor20may perform a process by executing software installed in the in-vehicle apparatus10. The processor20may include a travel control unit21, an update confirmation unit22, a QR code generation unit23, a communication connection management unit24, a download control unit25, and an update processing unit26.

The travel control unit21may be configured to control the travel of the vehicle9by controlling operations of a power source such as a motor or an engine, a steering device, and a braking device of the vehicle9, for example. For instance, the travel control unit21may control the travel of the vehicle9based on a driving operation performed by a driver using a steering wheel, an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal, or the like.

The update confirmation unit22may be configured to confirm whether the updating software adapted to update the software used in the in-vehicle apparatus10is in the server100. For example, the update confirmation unit22may confirm whether the updating software is in the server100by confirming whether the notification indicating that the updating software is in the server100has been received from the server100. The notification indicating that t the updating software is in the server100may include data on the names of the data files of the updating software and data on the file sizes of the data files.

The QR code generation unit23may be configured to generate a QR code to be displayed on the display12. The QR code may be a pattern image including the data indicating the connection setting to the server100and the data indicating the connection setting to the in-vehicle apparatus10. The data indicating the connection setting to the server100may be data indicating the connection setting to be used by the smartphone30to establish the communication connection to the server100. The data indicating the connection setting to the server100may include, for example, a uniform resource locator (URL) of the server100, a username, a password, and the like. The data indicating the connection setting to the in-vehicle apparatus10may be data indicating the connection setting to be used by the smartphone30to establish the communication connection to the in-vehicle apparatus10. The data indicating the connection setting to the in-vehicle apparatus10may include, for example, an identifier, a password, and the like of the in-vehicle apparatus10. Accordingly, the smartphone30may be configured to capture the QR code and acquire the connection setting to the server100and the connection setting to the in-vehicle apparatus10based on the result of capturing.

The communication connection management unit24may be configured to manage the communication connection of the smartphone30to the in-vehicle apparatus10. For example, the communication connection management unit24may manage the smartphone30establishing the communication connection to the in-vehicle apparatus10in association with the communication speed of the smartphone30in the communication between the smartphone30and the server100. The communication speed may be, for example, an actual communication speed of the smartphone30obtained upon actual communication between the smartphone30and the server100, or a communication speed estimated based on a standard of wireless communication used for the communication between the smartphone30and the server100. Examples of the standard of wireless communication may include 4G, 5G and wireless LAN. For example, the communication connection management unit24may estimate that the communication speed of the wireless LAN is higher than or equal to the communication speed of 4G. Further, for example, the communication connection management unit24may estimate that the communication speed of 5G is higher than the communication speed of the wireless LAN.

The download control unit25may be configured to control an operation performed by the smartphone30to download the data file from the server100when the smartphone30establishes the communication connection to the in-vehicle apparatus10. For example, upon the communication between the multiple smartphones30and the in-vehicle apparatus10, the download control unit25may sequentially assign the respective data files included in the updating software to the smartphones30based on the communication speeds of the smartphones30. For example, the download control unit25may assign a data file having a large file size to the smartphone30having a high communication speed, and a data file having a small file size to the smartphone30having a low communication speed. Further, the download control unit25may be configured to control an operation adapted to transfer the data file downloaded by the smartphone30to the in-vehicle apparatus10.

The update processing unit26may be configured to update the software used in the in-vehicle apparatus10by performing the installation operation based on the plurality of data files transferred from the smartphones30.

FIG.3illustrates a configuration example of the smartphone30. The smartphone30may include a communicator31, a touch panel32, a storage33, an imager34, and a processor35.

The communicator31may include, for example, one or more communication devices. The communicator31may be configured to communicate with the server100via the Internet (not illustrated) through mobile communication or wireless network communication, for example. The communicator31may be further configured to communicate with the in-vehicle apparatus10through wireless network communication, for example.

The touch panel32may be configured to display information and receive an operational input performed by the user who is the occupant.

The storage33may include a non-volatile storage device such as a flash memory. The storage33may be configured to store software and various kinds of data.

The imager34may include a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS), for example. The imager34may be configured to capture an image of a subject. In this example, the imager34may be configured to capture the QR code displayed on the display12of the in-vehicle apparatus10.

The processor35may include, for example, one or more processing units and one or more semiconductor memories. The processor35may be configured to control an operation of the smartphone30.

In one embodiment, the communicator11may serve as a “communicator”. In one embodiment, the display12may serve as a “display”. In one embodiment, the operation input unit13may serve as an “operation input unit”. In one embodiment, the processor20may serve as a “processor”. In one embodiment, the server100may serve as a “server”.

Next, operations and workings of the communication system1according to the example embodiment are described.

First, an operation of the communication system1is described with reference toFIGS.1to3. When the server100sends the in-vehicle apparatus10the notification indicating that the updating software is in the server100, the display12of the in-vehicle apparatus10may display the QR code. For example, each of the smartphones30may acquire the connection setting to the server100and the connection setting to the in-vehicle apparatus10by capturing the QR code in response to an operation of the occupant who is the owner of the smartphone30, and may establish the communication connection to the in-vehicle apparatus10based on the connection setting to the in-vehicle apparatus10. Further, each of the smartphones30may send the in-vehicle apparatus10the data on the communication speed of the smartphone30in the communication between the smartphone30and the server100. Based on the communication speeds of the smartphones30, for example, the in-vehicle apparatus10may sequentially assign the respective data files included in the updating software to the smartphones30. The smartphones30may each establish the communication connection to the server100based on the connection setting to the server100and may sequentially download the assigned data files from the server100. Thereafter, the smartphones30may transfer the downloaded data files to the in-vehicle apparatus10. The in-vehicle apparatus10may update the software by performing the installation operation based on the data files transferred from the smartphones30.

FIG.4illustrates an exemplary operation of the in-vehicle apparatus10. For example, when the vehicle9is started up, the in-vehicle apparatus10may perform the following process.

First, the update confirmation unit22of the in-vehicle apparatus10may confirm whether the notification indicating that the updating software adapted to update the software used in the in-vehicle apparatus10is in the server100has been received from the server100(Step S101). When no updating software is in the server100(Step S101: N), the process may be terminated.

When the updating software is in the server100(Step S101: Y), the display12may display a message asking the occupant whether to update the software used in the in-vehicle apparatus10, based on a command from the update confirmation unit22(Step S102).

When confirming the message displayed on the display12, the occupant may operate the operation input unit13of the in-vehicle apparatus10to instruct whether to update the software. When the operation input unit13receives an instruction not to update the software (Step S103: N), the process may be terminated.

When the operation input unit13receives an instruction to update the software (Step S103: Y), the QR code generation unit23may generate the QR code including the data indicating the connection setting to the server100and the data indicating the connection setting to the in-vehicle apparatus10, and the display12may display the QR code (Step S104).

When confirming the QR code displayed on the display12, the occupant may operate the touch panel32of the smartphone30to capture the QR code. In response to the operation by the occupant, the imager34of the smartphone30may capture the QR code. When there is one occupant in the vehicle9, the smartphone30of the occupant may capture the QR code, for example. When there are multiple occupants in the vehicle9, the smartphone30of each of the occupants may capture the QR code, for example. The QR code may include the data indicating the connection setting to the server100and the data indicating the connection setting to the in-vehicle apparatus10. Thus, based on the QR code, the processor35of the smartphone30may acquire the connection setting to the server100and the connection setting to the in-vehicle apparatus10. Thereafter, the communicator31of the smartphone30may establish the communication connection to the in-vehicle apparatus10based on the connection setting to the in-vehicle apparatus10.

The communication connection management unit24may receive the communication connection from the one or more smartphones30and may acquire the data on the communication speed of each of the one or more smartphones30in the communication with the server100(Step S105). Thereafter, the communication connection management unit24may manage the smartphone30establishing the communication connection to the in-vehicle apparatus10in association with the communication speed of the smartphone30.

Next, the download control unit25may sequentially assign the respective data files included in the updating software to the one or more smartphones30, and may cause the one or more smartphones30to sequentially download the assigned date files from the server100(Step S106). When the multiple smartphones30are communicating with the in-vehicle apparatus10, the download control unit25may assign the respective data files to the smartphones30based on the communication speeds of the smartphones30acquired in Step S105, for example. The notification which indicates that the updating software is in the server100and which is received by the in-vehicle apparatus10in Step S101may include the data on the names of the data files of the updating software and the data on the file sizes of the data files. Based on these pieces of data, the download control unit25may assign a data file having a large file size to the smartphone30having a high communication speed, and a data file having a small file size to the smartphone30having a low communication speed, for example. In this case, the smartphone30having the high communication speed may download the data file having the large file size, and the smartphone30having the low communication speed may download the data file having the small file size.

Next, the download control unit25may cause the one or more smartphones30to transfer the plurality of downloaded data files, thereby acquiring the plurality of data files from the one or more smartphones30(Step S107). In this way, the in-vehicle apparatus10may acquire the updating software.

Thereafter, the update processing unit26may update the software used in the in-vehicle apparatus10by performing the installation operation based on the data files transferred from the smartphones30(Step S108).

Thereafter, the process may be terminated.

Next, an exemplary operation of the communication system1is described in detail with reference to some example cases.

Described first is Case C1in which one smartphone30(smartphone30A) establishes the communication connection to the in-vehicle apparatus10.

FIGS.5A and5Beach illustrate an exemplary operation of the communication system1in Case C1.

First, when the software used in the vehicle9is upgraded, for example, the server100may send the in-vehicle apparatus10the notification indicating that the updating software is in the server100(Step S201). The communicator11of the in-vehicle apparatus10may receive the notification indicating that the updating software is in the server100, and the update confirmation unit22may confirm that the notification has been received.

Next, based on the command from the update confirmation unit22, the display12of the in-vehicle apparatus10may display a message asking an occupant A whether to update the software used in the in-vehicle apparatus10(Step S202). In this example, the occupant A may perform an operation instructing to update the software using the operation input unit13of the in-vehicle apparatus10. Based on the operation performed by the occupant A to instruct to update the software, the QR code generation unit23of the in-vehicle apparatus10may generate a QR code, and the display12may display the QR code (Step S203).

Based on an operation performed by the occupant A using the touch panel32of the smartphone30A, the imager34of the smartphone30A may capture the QR code displayed on the display12of the in-vehicle apparatus10(Step S204). Based on the captured QR code, the processor35of the smartphone30A may acquire the connection setting to the server100and the connection setting to the in-vehicle apparatus10(Step S205). Thereafter, the communicator31of the smartphone30A may establish the communication connection to the in-vehicle apparatus10based on the connection setting to the in-vehicle apparatus10, and may send the data on the communication speed of the smartphone30A in the communication with the server100(Step S206). The communicator11of the in-vehicle apparatus10may receive the data on the communication speed. The communication connection management unit24may manage the smartphone30A in association with the communication speed of the smartphone30A.

Next, the download control unit25of the in-vehicle apparatus10may assign one of the data files included in the updating software to the smartphone30A (Step S207). Thereafter, the in-vehicle apparatus10may request the smartphone30A to download the assigned data file (Step S208).

The smartphone30A may establish the communication connection to the server100based on the connection setting to the server100and may request the server100to transmit the assigned data file (Step S209). In response to the request from the smartphone30A, the server100may transmit the data file assigned to the smartphone30A (Step S210). In this way, the smartphone30A may download the data file assigned in Step S207from the server100. Thereafter, the smartphone30A may send the in-vehicle apparatus10a notification indicating that the assigned data file has been downloaded (Step S211).

The communication system1may repeat the process including Step S207to Step S211until the smartphone30A downloads all the data files included in the updating software (see Steps S212to S216, for example).

Thereafter, the download control unit25of the in-vehicle apparatus10may confirm that the smartphone30A has downloaded all the data files included in the updating software (Step S221). Thereafter, the download control unit25may request the smartphone30A to transfer all the downloaded data files (Step S222). In response to the request from the in-vehicle apparatus10, the smartphone30A may transfer all the downloaded data files to the in-vehicle apparatus10(Step S223). The communicator11of the in-vehicle apparatus10may receive these data files.

Thereafter, the update processing unit26of the in-vehicle apparatus10may update the software used in the in-vehicle apparatus10by performing the installation operation based on the data files transferred from the smartphone30A (Step S224).

Thereafter, the process may be terminated. In one embodiment, the smartphone30A may serve as a “first portable device”.

Described next is Case C2in which two smartphones30(smartphones30A and30B) establish the communication connection to the in-vehicle apparatus10at substantially the same time.

FIGS.6A and6Beach illustrate an exemplary operation of the communication system1in Case C2.

First, when the software used in the vehicle9is upgraded, for example, the server100may send the in-vehicle apparatus10the notification indicating that the updating software is in the server100(Step S301). The communicator11of the in-vehicle apparatus10may receive the notification indicating that the updating software is in the server100, and the update confirmation unit22may confirm that the notification has been received.

Next, based on the command from the update confirmation unit22, the display12of the in-vehicle apparatus10may display the message asking the occupant A whether to update the software used in the in-vehicle apparatus10(Step S302). In this example, the occupant A may perform the operation instructing to update the software using the operation input unit13of the in-vehicle apparatus10. Based on the operation performed by the occupant A to instruct to update the software, the QR code generation unit23of the in-vehicle apparatus10may generate a QR code, and the display12may display the QR code (Step S303).

Based on the operation performed by the occupant A using the touch panel32of the smartphone30A, the imager34of the smartphone30A may capture the QR code displayed on the display12of the in-vehicle apparatus10(Step S304). Based on the captured QR code, the processor35of the smartphone30A may acquire the connection setting to the server100and the connection setting to the in-vehicle apparatus10(Step S305). Thereafter, the communicator31of the smartphone30A may establish the communication connection to the in-vehicle apparatus10based on the connection setting to the in-vehicle apparatus10, and may send the data on the communication speed of the smartphone30A in the communication with the server100(Step S306). The communicator11of the in-vehicle apparatus10may receive the data on the communication speed. The communication connection management unit24may manage the smartphone30A in association with the communication speed of the smartphone30A.

Likewise, based on an operation performed by an occupant B using the touch panel32of the smartphone30B, the imager34of the smartphone30B may capture the QR code displayed on the display12of the in-vehicle apparatus10(Step S307). Based on the captured QR code, the processor35of the smartphone30B may acquire the connection setting to the server100and the connection setting to the in-vehicle apparatus10(Step S308). Thereafter, the communicator31of the smartphone30B may establish the communication connection to the in-vehicle apparatus10based on the connection setting to the in-vehicle apparatus10, and may send the data on the communication speed of the smartphone30B in the communication with the server100(Step S309). The communicator11of the in-vehicle apparatus10may receive the data on the communication speed. The communication connection management unit24may manage the smartphone30B in association with the communication speed of the smartphone30B.

Next, the download control unit25of the in-vehicle apparatus10may assign one of the data files included in the updating software to each of the smartphones30A and30B based on the communication speeds of the smartphones30A and30B (Step S310). When the communication speed of the smartphone30A is higher than that of the smartphone30B, for example, the download control unit25may assign a data file having a large file size to the smartphone30A, and a data file having a small file size to the smartphone30B. Thereafter, the in-vehicle apparatus10may request the smartphone30A to download the assigned data file (Step S311) and may request the smartphone30B to download the assigned data file (Step S321).

The smartphone30A may establish the communication connection to the server100based on the connection setting to the server100and may request the server100to transmit the assigned data file (Step S312). In response to the request from the smartphone30A, the server100may transmit the assigned data file to the smartphone30A (Step S313). In this way, the smartphone30A may download the data file assigned in Step S310from the server100. Thereafter, the smartphone30A may send the in-vehicle apparatus10the notification indicating that the assigned data file has been downloaded (Step S314).

Likewise, the smartphone30B may establish the communication connection to the server100based on the connection setting to the server100and may request the server100to transmit the assigned data file (Step S322). In response to the request from the smartphone30B, the server100may transmit the assigned data file to the smartphone30B (Step S323). In this way, the smartphone30B may download the data file assigned in Step S310from the server100. Thereafter, the smartphone30B may send the in-vehicle apparatus10the notification indicating that the assigned data file has been downloaded (Step S324).

The communication system1may repeat the process described above until the smartphones30A and30B download all the data files included in the updating software (see Steps S315and S325, for example). When the communication speed of the smartphone30A is higher than that of the smartphone30B in this process, for example, a data file having a large file size may be assigned to the smartphone30A, and a data file having a small file size may be assigned to the smartphone30B. Accordingly, the smartphone30A may download the data file having the large file size, and the smartphone30B may download the data file having the small file size, for example.

Thereafter, the download control unit25of the in-vehicle apparatus10may confirm that the smartphones30A and30B have downloaded all the data files included in the updating software (Step S331).

Thereafter, the download control unit25may request the smartphone30A to transfer all the downloaded data files (step S332). In response to the request from the in-vehicle apparatus10, the smartphone30A may transfer all the downloaded data files to the in-vehicle apparatus10(Step S333). The communicator11of the in-vehicle apparatus10may receive these data files.

Likewise, the download control unit25may request the smartphone30B to transfer all the downloaded data files (Step S334). In response to the request from the in-vehicle apparatus10, the smartphone30B may transfer all the downloaded data files to the in-vehicle apparatus10(Step S335). The communicator11of the in-vehicle apparatus10may receive these data files.

Thereafter, the update processing unit26of the in-vehicle apparatus10may update the software used in the in-vehicle apparatus10by performing the installation operation based on the data files transferred from the smartphones30A and30B (Step S336).

Thereafter, the process may be terminated. In one embodiment, the smartphone30A may serve as the “first portable device”. In one embodiment, the smartphone30B may serve as a “second portable device”.

Described next is Case C3in which two smartphones30(smartphones30A and30B) establish the communication connection to the in-vehicle apparatus10. In this example, the smartphone30A may establish the communication connection first, following which the smartphone30B may establish the communication connection.

FIGS.7A and7Beach illustrate an exemplary operation of the communication system1in Case C3.

First, when the software used in the vehicle9is upgraded, for example, the server100may send the in-vehicle apparatus10the notification indicating that the updating software is in the server100(Step S401). The communicator11of the in-vehicle apparatus10may receive the notification indicating that the updating software is in the server100, and the update confirmation unit22may confirm that the notification has been received.

Next, based on the command from the update confirmation unit22, the display12of the in-vehicle apparatus10may display the message asking the occupant A whether to update the software used in the in-vehicle apparatus10(Step S402). In this example, the occupant A may perform the operation instructing to update the software using the operation input unit13of the in-vehicle apparatus10. Based on the operation performed by the occupant A to instruct to update the software, the QR code generation unit23of the in-vehicle apparatus10may generate a QR code, and the display12may display the QR code (Step S403).

Based on the operation performed by the occupant A using the touch panel32of the smartphone30A, and the imager34of the smartphone30A may capture the QR code displayed on the display12of the in-vehicle apparatus10(Step S404). Based on the captured QR code, the processor35of the smartphone30A may acquire the connection setting to the server100and the connection setting to the in-vehicle apparatus10(Step S405). Thereafter, the communicator31of the smartphone30A may establish the communication connection to the in-vehicle apparatus10based on the connection setting to the in-vehicle apparatus10, and may send the data on the communication speed of the smartphone30A in the communication with the server100(Step S406). The communicator11of the in-vehicle apparatus10may receive the data on the communication speed. The communication connection management unit24may manage the smartphone30A in association with the communication speed of the smartphone30A.

Next, the download control unit25of the in-vehicle apparatus10may assign one of the data files included in the updating software to the smartphone30A (Step S407). Thereafter, the in-vehicle apparatus10may request the smartphone30A to download the assigned data file (Step S408).

The smartphone30A may establish the communication connection to the server100based on the connection setting to the server100and may request the server100to transmit the assigned data file (Step S409). In response to the request from the smartphone30A, the server100may transmit the assigned data file to the smartphone30A (Step S410). In this way, the smartphone30A may download the data file assigned in Step S407from the server100. Thereafter, the smartphone30A may send the in-vehicle apparatus10the notification indicating that the assigned data file has been downloaded (Step S411).

In this example, the communication system1may repeat the process including Step S407to Step S411(see Step S412to Step S416, for example).

For example, the download control unit25of the in-vehicle apparatus10may assign one of the data files included in the updating software to the smartphone30A (Step S421). Thereafter, the in-vehicle apparatus10may request the smartphone30A to download the assigned data file (Step S422). The smartphone30A may establish the communication connection to the server100based on the connection setting to the server100and may request the server100to transmit the assigned data file (Step S423). In response to the request from the smartphone30A, the server100may transmit the assigned data file to the smartphone30A (Step S424). Thereafter, the smartphone30A may send the in-vehicle apparatus10the notification indicating that the assigned data file has been downloaded (Step S425).

In this example, the occupant B may start operating the smartphone30B when the smartphone30A is downloading the data file in Step S424. Based on the operation performed by the occupant B using the touch panel32of the smartphone30B, the imager34of the smartphone30B may capture the QR code displayed on the display12of the in-vehicle apparatus10(Step S431). Based on the captured QR code, the processor35of the smartphone30B may acquire the connection setting to the server100and the connection setting to the in-vehicle apparatus10(Step S432). Thereafter, the communicator31of the smartphone30B may establish the communication connection to the in-vehicle apparatus10based on the connection setting to the in-vehicle apparatus10, and may send the data on the communication speed of the smartphone30B in the communication with the server100(Step S433). The communicator11of the in-vehicle apparatus10may receive the data on the communication speed. The communication connection management unit24may manage the smartphone30B in association with the communication speed of the smartphone30B.

Next, the download control unit25of the in-vehicle apparatus10may assign one of the data files included in the updating software to the smartphone30B based on the communication speeds of the smartphone30A and the smartphone30B (Step S434). When the communication speed of the smartphone30B is lower than that of the smartphone30A, for example, the download control unit25may assign a data file having a small file size to the smartphone30B. Thereafter, the in-vehicle apparatus10may request the smartphone30B to download the assigned data file (Step S435).

The smartphone30B may establish the communication connection to the server100based on the connection setting to the server100and may request the server100to transmit the assigned data file (Step S436). In response to the request from the smartphone30B, the server100may transmit the assigned data file to the smartphone30B (Step S437). In this way, the smartphone30B may download the data file assigned in Step S434from the server100. Thereafter, the smartphone30B may send the in-vehicle apparatus10the notification indicating that the assigned data file has been downloaded (Step S438).

The communication system1may repeat the process described above. When the communication speed of the smartphone30A is higher than that of the smartphone30B in this process, for example, a data file having a large file size may be assigned to the smartphone30A, and a data file having a small file size may be assigned to the smartphone30B. Accordingly, the smartphone30A may download the data file having the large file size, and the smartphone30B may download the data file having the small file size, for example.

Thereafter, the download control unit25of the in-vehicle apparatus10may confirm that the smartphones30A and30B have downloaded all the data files included in the updating software (Step S441).

Thereafter, the download control unit25may request the smartphone30A to transfer all the downloaded data files (Step S442). In response to the request from the in-vehicle apparatus10, the smartphone30A may transfer all the downloaded data files to the in-vehicle apparatus10(Step S443). The communicator11of the in-vehicle apparatus10may receive these data files.

Likewise, the download control unit25may request the smartphone30B to transfer all the downloaded data files (Step S444). In response to the request from the in-vehicle apparatus10, the smartphone30B may transfer all the downloaded data files to the in-vehicle apparatus10(Step S445). The communicator11of the in-vehicle apparatus10may receive these data files.

Thereafter, the update processing unit26of the in-vehicle apparatus10may update the software used in the in-vehicle apparatus10by performing the installation operation based on the data files transferred from the smartphones30A and30B (Step S446).

Thereafter, the process may be terminated. In one embodiment, the smartphone30A may serve as the “first portable device”. In one embodiment, the smartphone30B may serve as the “second portable device”.

As described above, the in-vehicle apparatus10includes the communicator11, the display12, and the processor20. The communicator11is configured to communicate with the first portable device (smartphone30A). The display12is configured to display the QR code including the data indicating the connection setting to the server100. In one embodiment, the data indicating the connection setting to the server100may serve as “first setting data”. The processor20is configured to request the first portable device (smartphone30) communicably coupled to the communicator11to establish the communication connection to the server100based on the first setting data acquired by capturing the QR code and download the data file from the server100. Accordingly, when the occupant wants to update the software used in the vehicle9, the occupant may operate the smartphone30A to cause the smartphone30A to capture the QR code. That is, when the occupant wants to update the software used in the vehicle9, the occupant may perform an explicit operation to cause the smartphone30A to download the data file from the server100. This prevents the communication between the smartphone30A and the server100from being established at a timing unintended by the occupant. It is therefore possible to enhance the user convenience.

The use of the QR code in the in-vehicle apparatus10enables the occupant to communicably couple the smartphone30A to the server100without manually inputting the URL of the server100or the username, for example. It is therefore possible to enhance the user convenience of the in-vehicle apparatus10in downloading the software.

The QR code generated in the in-vehicle apparatus10may further include the data indicating the connection setting to the communicator11. In one embodiment, the data indicating the connection setting to the communicator11may serve as “second setting data”. The processor20may be configured to request the first portable device (smartphone30A) to establish the communication connection to the communicator11based on the second setting data acquired by capturing the QR code. This enables the occupant to communicably couple the smartphone30to the in-vehicle apparatus10without manually inputting the identifier of the in-vehicle apparatus10, for example. It is therefore possible to enhance the user convenience of the in-vehicle apparatus10.

In addition, the communicator11of the in-vehicle apparatus10may be configured to communicate with the second portable device (smartphone30B). Further, the processor20may be configured to request the second portable device (smartphone30B) communicably coupled to the communicator11to establish the communication connection to the server100based on the first setting data acquired by capturing the pattern image and download the data file from the server100. This enables the software to be downloaded by the multiple smartphones30, for example. For instance, the QR code may be left displayed while the smartphone30A is downloading the assigned data file, which enables the smartphone30B to start downloading after the smartphone30A starts downloading, as described in Case C3with reference toFIGS.7A to7C, for example. The use of the multiple smartphones30reduces a processing load on each of the multiple smartphones30, reducing the time to download the software. It is therefore possible to provide the in-vehicle apparatus10with enhanced user convenience.

The in-vehicle apparatus10may further include the operation input unit13that receives an operational input performed by the occupant of the vehicle9. The communicator11may be configured to communicate with the server100, and the display12may be configured to display the message asking the occupant whether to update the software when the communicator11receives, from the server100, the notification indicating that the updating data file is in the server100. When the operation input unit13receives an operational input indicating that the software is to be updated, the display12may display the QR code. Thus, when the occupant wants to update the software used in the vehicle9, the occupant may perform an operational input instructing to update the software by operating the operation input unit13of the in-vehicle apparatus10. That is, when the occupant wants to update the software used in the vehicle9, the occupant may perform an explicit operation to cause the display12of the in-vehicle apparatus10to display the QR code. This prevents the QR code from being displayed when the occupant does not want to download the data file. It is therefore possible to enhance the user convenience.

Further, the communicator11in the in-vehicle apparatus10may be configured to receive the downloaded data file transmitted from the first portable device (smartphone30A) communicatively coupled to the communicator11. This enables the in-vehicle apparatus10to update the software based on the downloaded data file. It is therefore possible to enhance the user convenience.

According to the example embodiment described above, the in-vehicle apparatus10includes the communicator, the display, and the processor. The communicator is configured to communicate with the first portable device. The display is configured to display the QR code including the first setting data indicating the connection setting to the server. The processor is configured to request the first portable device communicably coupled to the communicator to establish the communication connection to the server based on the first setting data acquired by capturing the QR code and download the data file from the server. It is therefore possible to enhance the user convenience.

According to the example embodiment described above, the QR code may further include the second setting data indicating the connection setting to the communicator. The processor may be configured to request the first portable device to establish the communication connection to the communicator based on the second setting data acquired by capturing the QR code. It is therefore possible to enhance the user convenience.

According to the example embodiment described above, the communicator may be further configured to communicate with the second portable device. The processor may be further configured to request the second portable device communicably coupled to the communicator to establish the communication connection to the server based on the first setting data acquired by capturing the pattern image and download the data file from the server. It is therefore possible to enhance the user convenience.

According to the example embodiment described above, the in-vehicle apparatus may further include the operation input unit that receives an operational input performed by the occupant of the vehicle. The communicator may be configured to communicate with the server, and the display may be configured to display the message asking the occupant whether to update the software when the communicator receives, from the server, the notification indicating that the updating data file is in the server. Further, the display may be configured to display the QR code when the operation input unit receives an operational input indicating that the software is to be updated. It is therefore possible to enhance the user convenience.

According to the example embodiment described above, the communicator may be configured to receive the downloaded data file transmitted from the first portable device communicatively coupled to the communicator. It is therefore possible to enhance the user convenience.

In the example embodiment described above, the smartphone30may capture the QR code, acquire the connection setting to the server100and the connection setting to the in-vehicle apparatus10based on the captured QR code, and establish the communication connection based on these connection settings; however, the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, as illustrated inFIG.8, the processor35may execute application software36installed in advance in the smartphone30to establish the communication connection based on the connection setting to the server100and the connection setting to the in-vehicle apparatus10that are set to the application software36.

In Modification Example 1, the smartphone30may be configured to acquire the connection setting to the server100and the connection setting to the in-vehicle apparatus10by two methods. That is, when the QR code is displayed on the display12of the in-vehicle apparatus10, the smartphone30may acquire the connection setting to the server100and the connection setting to the in-vehicle apparatus10by capturing the QR code based on the operation performed by the occupant, as in the example embodiment described above. Alternatively, the smartphone30may acquire the connection setting to the server100and the connection setting to the in-vehicle apparatus10by executing the application software36based on the operation performed by the occupant.

In the example embodiment described above, the processor20may control the travel of the vehicle9; however, the disclosure is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the processor20may perform another process related to the vehicle9. For example, the processor20may determine a route to a destination on which the vehicle9is to travel, and may perform a navigation process in which information on the route is provided to the driver who drives the vehicle9. In this case, the in-vehicle apparatus10may be configured to update software related to the navigation process.

In the example embodiment described above, the QR code may include the data indicating the connection setting to the server100and the data indicating the connection setting to the in-vehicle apparatus10; however, the disclosure is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the QR code may include, for example, the data indicating the connection setting to the server100and may not include the data indicating the connection setting to the in-vehicle apparatus10. In this case, the occupant may communicably couple the smartphone30to the in-vehicle apparatus10by manually inputting the identifier of the in-vehicle apparatus10, for example. For instance, the in-vehicle apparatus10may sequentially assign the respective data files included in the updating software to the smartphones30that have acquired the connection settings to the server100from the QR code among the one or more smartphones30communicably coupled to the in-vehicle apparatus10.

Other Modification Examples

Further, two or more of the modification examples described above may be combined.

The disclosure has been described with reference to the example embodiments and the modification examples; however, the disclosure is not limited to the example embodiments and modification examples described above, and various modifications may be made.

For example, in the example embodiments and the modification examples described above, the QR code may be used; however, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and any pattern image may be used that includes the data indicating the connection setting to the server100and the data indicating the connection setting to the in-vehicle apparatus10.

For example, in the example embodiments and the modification examples described above, the two smartphones30may be used in Cases C2and C3; however, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and three or more smartphones may be used.

For example, in the example embodiments and the modification examples described above, the smartphones30may be used; however, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and various portable devices such as tablet devices may be used.

For example, the process illustrated inFIG.4is a mere example, and some of the steps in the process may be omitted, or additional steps may be added to the process.

The effects described herein are mere examples, and the effects of the disclosure are not limited to those described herein. Other effects may thus be obtained for the disclosure.

Further, the disclosure may have the following aspects.(1) An in-vehicle apparatus to be applied to a vehicle, the in-vehicle apparatus including:a communicator configured to communicate with a first portable device;a display configured to display a pattern image including first setting data indicating a connection setting to a server; anda processor configured to request the first portable device communicably coupled to the communicator to establish a communication connection to the server based on the first setting data acquired by capturing the pattern image and download a data file from the server.(2) The in-vehicle apparatus according to (1), in whichthe pattern image further includes second setting data indicating a connection setting to the communicator, andthe processor is configured to request the first portable device to establish a communication connection to the communicator based on the second setting data acquired by capturing the pattern image.(3) The in-vehicle apparatus according to (1), in whichthe communicator is further configured to communicate with a second portable device, andthe processor is further configured to request the second portable device communicably coupled to the communicator to establish a communication connection to the server based on the first setting data acquired by capturing the pattern image and download a data file from the server.(4) The in-vehicle apparatus according to (1), further includingan operation input unit configured to receive an operational input performed by an occupant of the vehicle, in whichthe communicator is configured to communicate with the server,the display is configured to display a message asking the occupant whether to update software when the communicator receives, from the server, a notification indicating that the data file configured to update the software is in the server, andthe display is configured to display the pattern image when the operation input unit receives an operational input indicating that the software is to be updated.(5) The in-vehicle apparatus according to (1), in which the communicator is configured to receive the data file downloaded from the server and transmitted from the first portable device communicably coupled to the communicator.

According to the in-vehicle apparatus according to the example embodiments of the disclosure, it is possible to enhance the user convenience.