Patent Description:
A terminal device that forms an autonomous distributed network and communicates with another device, and then communicates with a base station via the another device when communication with the base station is impossible is known (for example, <CIT> (<CIT>)). <CIT> discloses an emergency information collection system for quickly and automatically fetching only proper emergency information affecting the traveling of its own vehicle based on the fact that an emergency vehicle is traveling in the periphery.

Cases exist in which energy facilities, water supply facilities, or the like, experience a shortage of electric power, or communication facilities or the like experience a shortage of communication lines due to the occurrence of abnormal situations such as natural disasters or accidents. Here, when communication with the base station is performed via the another device as described in <CIT>, the electric power or the communication lines required for such fundamental facilities may be under pressure depending on the number of devices that form the autonomous distributed network.

The present invention provides a technology that can reduce pressure on at least one of communication lines and power consumption when an abnormal situation occurs.

A vehicle comprising an in-vehicle communication device according the present invention is defined in the claims.

An aspect of the invention provides a communication control method for a vehicle as defined in the claims.

An aspect of the present invention is a non-transitory storage medium storing a program. The program is executable by a vehicle communication device and is defined in the claims.

With each aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce pressure on at least one of communication lines and power consumption when an abnormal situation occurs.

<FIG> is an overall view of an information processing system S of the present embodiment. The information processing system S includes a vehicle <NUM>, a server apparatus <NUM>, and a wireless base station <NUM>. The vehicle <NUM> is, for example, an automobile, but is not limited thereto and may be any vehicle. In the present embodiment, as an example, the vehicle <NUM> will be described as a vehicle located in Japan. The server apparatus <NUM> according to the present embodiment transmits an abnormal situation notification to a predetermined vehicle <NUM>. Examples of the abnormal situation notification may include a request for conserving electric power (for example, a request for saving electric power) transmitted by an electric power company or an emergency warning transmitted by the Japanese government, but are not limited thereto. Examples of the emergency warning may include an emergency earthquake warning transmitted by the Japan Meteorological Agency, or emergency information transmitted by the Japanese Cabinet Secretariat using a national early warning system (J-ALERT). Further, when the vehicle <NUM> is located in a country other than Japan, the abnormal situation notification may appropriately include various warnings transmitted by the government, a public organization, or the like in the country in which the vehicle <NUM> is located.

In <FIG>, one vehicle <NUM>, one server apparatus <NUM> and one wireless base station <NUM> are illustrated for convenience of description. However, the information processing system S may include one or more vehicles <NUM>, server apparatuses <NUM>, and wireless base stations <NUM>. For example, the wireless base station <NUM> may include a plurality of wireless base stations connected to one another in a wired manner. The vehicle <NUM> and the wireless base station <NUM> are configured to communicate with each other via a wireless network including, for example, a mobile communication network and the Internet. The server apparatus <NUM> and the wireless base station <NUM> are configured to communicate with each other via a network in a wired or wireless manner. As such, the vehicle <NUM> is configured to communicate with the server apparatus <NUM> via the wireless base station <NUM>.

First, an overview of a process performed by the information processing system S according to the present embodiment will be described. When detecting the occurrence of an abnormal situation, the server apparatus <NUM> transmits the abnormal situation notification to the vehicle <NUM> via the wireless base station <NUM>. The vehicle <NUM> reads a communication condition in the received abnormal situation notification, and, based on the communication condition, restricts at least a part of data communication with the wireless base station <NUM>.

According to the present embodiment as described above, since the vehicle <NUM> restricts the at least a part of the data communication with the wireless base station <NUM> when an abnormal situation occurs, it is possible to reduce pressure on at least one of communication lines and power consumption of fundamental facilities or the like.

An internal configuration of each of the vehicle <NUM> and the server apparatus <NUM> will be described in detail.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the vehicle <NUM> includes an image capturing device <NUM>, a storage unit <NUM>, a control unit <NUM>, and an in-vehicle communication device <NUM>.

The image capturing device <NUM> includes a so-called in-vehicle camera, and captures an image of the outside (for example, front, side, rear, and the like) of the vehicle <NUM>. The image capturing device <NUM> may generate a continuous image of the outside of the vehicle <NUM> while the vehicle <NUM> is traveling or is stopped, and record the generated image in the storage unit <NUM>. As an alternative example, any communication terminal such as a smartphone may function as the image capturing device <NUM>.

The storage unit <NUM> is a device that records and stores various types of information, and includes one or more memories. The "memory" is, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, or an optic memory, but is not limited thereto. Each memory included in the storage unit <NUM> may function as, for example, a primary storage device, a secondary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit <NUM> stores any information associated with an operation of the vehicle <NUM>. The storage unit <NUM> may store a result of analyzing and processing the information by the control unit <NUM>. The storage unit <NUM> may store various types of information on an operation or control of the vehicle <NUM>, such as a program for controlling a subject vehicle.

The control unit <NUM> includes one or more processors. The "processor" may be a general-purpose processor, or a processor dedicated to a specific process. For example, an electronic control unit (ECU) mounted on the vehicle <NUM> may function as the control unit <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> controls the overall operation of the vehicle <NUM>. For example, the control unit <NUM> controls the image capturing device <NUM>, the storage unit <NUM>, and the in-vehicle communication device <NUM>, simultaneously with performing the entire control on the traveling and operation of the vehicle <NUM>.

The in-vehicle communication device <NUM> includes a communication module that performs communication between the vehicle <NUM> and the server apparatus <NUM>. The in-vehicle communication device <NUM> may include a communication module that performs vehicle-to-vehicle communication between the vehicle <NUM> and another vehicle without passing through the server apparatus <NUM>, as needed. The in-vehicle communication device <NUM> may include a communication module connected to the network or a communication module corresponding to a mobile communication standard, such as Fourth Generation (<NUM>) or Fifth Generation (<NUM>) mobile communication. For example, a data communication module (DCM), or the like, mounted on the vehicle <NUM> may function as the in-vehicle communication device <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the server apparatus <NUM> includes a server communication unit <NUM>, a server storage unit <NUM>, and a server control unit <NUM>.

The server communication unit <NUM> includes a communication module that performs communication between the server apparatus <NUM> and the vehicle <NUM>, or between the server apparatus <NUM> and a client. The server communication unit <NUM> may include a communication module connected to the network. The server communication unit <NUM> can receive information transmitted from the vehicle <NUM>, simultaneously with transmitting information or an instruction to the vehicle <NUM>.

The server storage unit <NUM> is a device that records and stores various information, and includes one or more memories. The "memory" is, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, or an optic memory, but is not limited thereto. Each memory included in the server storage unit <NUM> may function as, for example, a primary storage device, a secondary storage device, or a cache memory. The server storage unit <NUM> stores, for example, information transmitted from the vehicle <NUM>. The server storage unit <NUM> may store various programs associated with the overall operation and control of the server control program or the information processing system S.

The server control unit <NUM> includes one or more processors. The "processor" may be a general-purpose processor, or a processor dedicated to a specific process. The server control unit <NUM> controls the server communication unit <NUM> and the server storage unit <NUM>, simultaneously with performing the entire control on the overall operation of the server apparatus <NUM> and the information processing system S.

The wireless base station <NUM> includes an antenna and a communication device for transmitting and receiving radio waves of the mobile communication terminal. The wireless base station <NUM> according to the present embodiment communicates with the vehicle <NUM> within a cell, and transmits and receives any information such as an abnormal situation notification. When the vehicle <NUM> moves out of the cell, the wireless base station <NUM> can execute a handover and transfer the communication with the vehicle <NUM> to another wireless base station <NUM>.

Hereinafter, a process performed by the vehicle <NUM> and the server apparatus <NUM> will be described in detail. The server apparatus <NUM> detects the occurrence of an abnormal situation. The server apparatus <NUM> may automatically determine that an abnormal situation has occurred based on information acquired via the network, or upon receiving a predetermined operation by an operator who recognizes the occurrence of the abnormal situation.

The server apparatus <NUM> may determine the communication condition depending on the abnormal situation that has occurred. For example, upon detecting an earthquake that has occurred in an area near Prefecture A, the server apparatus <NUM> may determine a communication condition indicating that the data communication is permitted only from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM> the next day in order to reduce daytime power consumption in Prefecture A. The communication condition may be determined automatically or according to the operation by the operator. A configuration of the communication condition will be described below in detail.

The server apparatus <NUM> transmits, to the vehicle <NUM>, an abnormal situation notification including the communication condition. Upon receiving the abnormal situation notification, the wireless base station <NUM> transmits the abnormal situation notification to the vehicle <NUM> within the cell.

Upon receiving the abnormal situation notification, the vehicle <NUM> reads the communication condition included in the abnormal situation notification. The abnormal situation notification may include one or more communication conditions. As exemplified in <FIG>, the communication condition may include, but is not limited to, at least one of an area in which data transmission is permitted (corresponding to "permitted area" in <FIG>), a time range in which the data transmission is permitted (corresponding to "permitted time range" in <FIG>), the content of data for which the data transmission is permitted (corresponding to "permitted content of data" in <FIG>), and an application permitted to be used in the data transmission (corresponding to "permitted application" in <FIG>). As such, the communication condition of the present embodiment is described in the form of a whitelist that designates a condition under which the data communication is permitted. However, as an alternative example, the communication condition may be described in the form of a blacklist that designates a condition under which the data communication is prohibited.

For example, when reading a communication condition included in an abnormal situation notification N001, the vehicle <NUM> determines whether the vehicle <NUM> is in Prefecture A, and whether the current time is included in a time range from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM> the next day. When the vehicle <NUM> is in Prefecture A and the current time is included in a time range from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM> the next day, the vehicle <NUM> reads, in the communication condition, the content of data for which the data transmission is permitted. In the case of the abnormal situation notification N001, the data transmission of location information and call data is permitted. Therefore, the vehicle <NUM> can transmit its location information to the wireless base station <NUM> and run a map application. With this configuration, a driver of the vehicle <NUM> can know his or her location. In addition, the vehicle <NUM> can communicate call data with the wireless base station <NUM> using a telephone application. With this configuration, the driver of the vehicle <NUM> can make an emergency call or make a call with another driver.

However, in the case of the abnormal situation notification N001, transmission of data other than the location information and the call data is not permitted. Therefore, the vehicle <NUM> does not transmit, for example, image or video data in a drive recorder to the wireless base station <NUM>. As such, the vehicle <NUM> reduces the frequency of the data transmission to the wireless base station <NUM> based on the communication condition, and restricts at least a part of the data communication.

The vehicle <NUM> can temporarily store and accumulate in the storage unit <NUM>, data for which communication is restricted. When the restriction of the data communication is released as described below, the vehicle <NUM> transmits the data temporarily stored in the storage unit <NUM> to the wireless base station <NUM> and resumes communication.

As described above, in the case of the abnormal situation notification N001, transmission of data other than the location information and the call data is not permitted. Therefore, the vehicle <NUM> does not transmit, for example, chat data to the wireless base station <NUM>. As such, the vehicle <NUM> reduces the frequency of data transmission to the wireless base station <NUM> and restricts at least a part of data communication.

In the case of an abnormal situation notification N002, there is no time range in which transmission is permitted in all of Japan. Thus, the vehicle <NUM> stops the data transmission to the wireless base station <NUM>. On the other hand, the vehicle <NUM> performs data reception from the wireless base station <NUM>. As such, the vehicle <NUM> restricts at least a part of the data communication with the wireless base station <NUM>.

In the case of an abnormal situation notification N003, transmission of image or video data in the drive recorder is permitted in the time range from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM> in City B. Therefore, when the vehicle <NUM> is in City B and the current time is included in the time range from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, the vehicle <NUM> generates image or video data in the drive recorder using a camera application, and transmits the generated image or video data to the wireless base station <NUM>. As such, the vehicle <NUM> restricts at least a part of the data communication with the wireless base station <NUM> by stopping transmission of data other than such image or video data.

When the vehicle <NUM> restricts at least a part of the data communication as described above, the vehicle <NUM> may search for an alternative to the restricted data communication, and, when an alternative is detected, may use it. For example, when restricting the data communication by receiving a so-called Internet radio signal, the vehicle <NUM> may receive an AM radio signal or an FM radio signal with analog modulation, as an alternative. As another example, when restricting the data communication by receiving a so-called Internet TV signal, the vehicle <NUM> may receive a digital terrestrial television signal as an alternative. The alternative may be any tool that can reduce the amount of the data communication with the wireless base station <NUM>.

When the powered off ignition power source or the powered off auxiliary power source is detected, the vehicle <NUM> may further restrict at least a part of the data communication with the wireless base station <NUM> regardless of what the communication condition is. For example, the vehicle <NUM> may stop all the data transmission to the wireless base station <NUM>, and only receive data from the wireless base station <NUM>.

The vehicle <NUM> may indicate, on the screen of a navigation system or a head-up display of the vehicle <NUM>, that at least a part of the data communication is restricted. For example, the vehicle <NUM> may display the content of restricted data, available applications, and the like. Here, the vehicle <NUM> can display the content in a summary or in a shortened text to prevent driver distraction.

As an example of receiving the abnormal situation notification N001, the vehicle <NUM> may repeatedly determine whether it is in Prefecture A, and whether the current time is included in the time range from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM> the next day. As such, when it is determined that the vehicle <NUM> exits Prefecture A by traveling on the road, or that the current time has passed <NUM>:<NUM> the next day, the vehicle <NUM> can transmit, to the wireless base station <NUM>, information other than the location information and the call data.

The vehicle <NUM> may receive a new abnormal situation notification from the server apparatus <NUM>. Here, the vehicle <NUM> restricts at least a part of the data communication based on the communication condition included in the received abnormal situation notification.

The vehicle <NUM> can receive, via the wireless base station <NUM>, an instruction to discard the communication condition from the server apparatus <NUM>. Upon receiving the instruction to discard from the server apparatus <NUM>, the vehicle <NUM> releases the restriction on the data communication. As such, the data communication between the vehicle <NUM> and the wireless base station <NUM> returns to the state before the restriction. The vehicle <NUM> transmits the data temporarily stored in the storage unit <NUM> to the wireless base station <NUM>, and resumes normal communication with the wireless base station <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a sequence diagram of an operation performed at any time by the information processing system S according to the present embodiment.

Step S1: Upon detecting an abnormal situation, the server apparatus <NUM> transmits an abnormal situation notification to the vehicle <NUM>.

Step S2: The vehicle <NUM> receives the abnormal situation notification from the server apparatus <NUM>.

Step S3: The vehicle <NUM> reads the communication condition in the abnormal situation notification.

Step S4: The vehicle <NUM> restricts at least a part of the data communication based on the communication condition. Since the method of restriction has been described above, the description is omitted here.

Step S5: The vehicle <NUM> searches for an alternative to the restricted data communication.

Step S6: Upon detecting an alternative (Yes in step S5), the vehicle <NUM> uses the alternative.

Step S7: Upon receiving an instruction to transmit an instruction to discard the communication condition, the server apparatus <NUM> transmits the instruction to discard the communication condition to the vehicle <NUM>.

Step S8: The vehicle <NUM> receives the instruction to discard the communication condition from the server apparatus <NUM>.

Step S9: The vehicle <NUM> discards the communication condition according to the instruction.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the abnormal situation notification is received from the wireless base station <NUM>, the control unit <NUM> restricts at least a part of the data communication with the wireless base station <NUM> based on the communication condition included in the abnormal situation notification. With this configuration, the information processing system S can, when an abnormal situation occurs, reduce pressure on at least one of communication lines and power consumption required for the fundamental facilities or the like, which is caused by communication between the vehicle <NUM> and the wireless base station <NUM>.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the communication condition includes at least one of the content of data for which the data transmission is permitted, a time range in which the data transmission is permitted, an area in which the data transmission is permitted, and an application permitted to be used in the data transmission. With this configuration, the information processing system S can closely control the communication between the vehicle <NUM> and the wireless base station <NUM>. Therefore, it is possible to flexibly change the restricted amount of the data communication depending on a shortage of at least one of communication lines and power consumption, for example, for each time range or area.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the restricted data includes an image captured by the image capturing device <NUM> provided in the vehicle <NUM>. With this configuration, since the information processing system S restricts the communication of the image data, for example, in a situation in which the communication of data other than the image data needs to be prioritized, it is possible to reduce pressure on at least one of communication lines and power consumption.

Moreover, according to the present embodiment, when at least a part of the data communication is restricted, the control unit <NUM> searches for an alternative to the restricted data communication, and, when an alternative is detected, uses it. With this configuration, even though the data communication is restricted, the information processing system S detects and uses an alternative, such that convenience for a user can be improved.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, upon receiving, from the wireless base station <NUM>, an instruction to discard the communication condition, the control unit <NUM> releases the restriction on the data communication. With this configuration, when the restriction on the data communication is unnecessary, the information processing system S can return the data communication to the original state, such that convenience for the user can be restored.

Further, according to the present embodiment, when the powered off ignition power source or the powered off auxiliary power source is detected, the control unit <NUM> further restricts at least a part of the data communication. With this configuration, when the data communication with the wireless base station <NUM> is being performed even though various power sources of the vehicle <NUM> are off, the vehicle <NUM> can restrict at least a part of the data communication (for example, stopping transmission). Therefore, the vehicle <NUM> can reduce pressure on at least one of communication lines and power consumption required for the fundamental facilities or the like. In addition, electric power of the vehicle <NUM> can be further conserved.

The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims. The present invention has been described as above with reference to the drawings and the embodiment. However, it is to be noted that a person skilled in the art can easily make variations and modifications thereto, based on the present disclosure. For example, functions and the like included in each element, each step, or the like can be rearranged so as not to be logically contradictory, and a plurality of elements, steps, or the like may be combined into one or divided.

For example, in the above embodiment, the communication condition is included in the abnormal situation notification. However, in another embodiment, the communication condition does not need to be included in the abnormal situation notification, and may be stored in the storage unit <NUM> in advance. In such a case, upon receiving the abnormal situation notification from the server apparatus <NUM>, the vehicle <NUM> reads, from the storage unit <NUM>, the communication condition associated with the abnormal situation notification (for example, corresponding to the abnormal situation notification). Then the vehicle <NUM> voluntarily restricts at least a part of the data communication based on the read communication condition. Alternatively, the communication condition does not need to be included in the abnormal situation notification, and a separate notification including the communication condition may be transmitted to the vehicle <NUM> after the transmission of the abnormal situation notification.

Further, in the above embodiment, upon receiving an abnormal situation notification from the server apparatus <NUM>, the wireless base station <NUM> transmits the received abnormal situation notification to the vehicle <NUM>. However, in another embodiment, after receiving the abnormal situation notification, the wireless base station <NUM> determines the state of the communication lines and the electric power. When the wireless base station <NUM> determines that the communication lines or the electric power falls short, the wireless base station <NUM> may transmit the abnormal situation notification to the vehicle <NUM>. As such, the information processing system S may be configured to transmit the abnormal situation notification to the vehicle <NUM> in response to a request from the wireless base station <NUM>. In yet another embodiment, the server apparatus <NUM> may determine whether to transmit the abnormal situation notification depending on the type of vehicle.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the communication condition includes at least one of an area in which the data transmission is permitted, a time range in which data transmission is permitted, the content of data for which the data transmission is permitted, and an application permitted to be used in the data transmission. However, in another embodiment, the communication condition may additionally or alternatively include a reference value for the amount of the data communication between the vehicle <NUM> and the wireless base station <NUM>. The reference value is, for example, <NUM> gigabytes, but not limited thereto. When determining that the amount of the data communication with the wireless base station <NUM> within a predetermined period has reached the reference value, the vehicle <NUM> may reduce the speed of the data communication with the wireless base station <NUM> to a predetermined value. The predetermined value may be, for example, <NUM> kilobits per second. Alternatively, when determining that the amount of the data communication with the wireless base station <NUM> has reached the reference value, the vehicle <NUM> may restrict at least a part of the data communication in the manner described in the above embodiment.

Claim 1:
A vehicle (<NUM>) comprising:
an in-vehicle communication device (<NUM>) configured to communicate with a server apparatus (<NUM>) via a wireless base station (<NUM>); and
a control unit (<NUM>) configured to, when the in-vehicle communication device (<NUM>) receives an abnormal situation notification from the wireless base station (<NUM>), restrict at least a part of data communication with the wireless base station (<NUM>) based on a communication condition included in the received abnormal situation notification and associated with the abnormal situation,
wherein restricting the at least a part of the data communication with the wireless base station (<NUM>) includes at least one of transmitting data at a reduced frequency to the wireless base station (<NUM>), stopping the data transmission to the wireless base station (<NUM>), and reducing speed of the data communication to a predetermined value when it is determined that an amount of the data communication with the wireless base station (<NUM>) within a predetermined period has reached a reference value, and
wherein the communication condition includes a condition on content of data for which data transmission is permitted, and an application permitted to be used in the data transmission.