JP4080107B2 - In-vehicle control device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vehicle-mounted control device and a vehicle-mounted display device, and more particularly to a vehicle-mounted control device and a vehicle-mounted display device that input information related to a vehicle and appropriately output the information.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, development of an in-vehicle LAN (local area network) for unified management / control of information inside and outside a vehicle has been promoted. The in-vehicle LAN transmits body system information, vehicle control information, and multimedia information. Here, the body system information is information such as vehicle meters, lights, power seats, power windows, and door locks, and the vehicle control information is information related to wheel speed, engine rotation, shift position, suspension, and the like. The multimedia information is information such as navigation information, information from a CCD camera, video information, audio information, and information obtained from external communication.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
An object of the present invention is to provide an in-vehicle control device and an in-vehicle display device that can efficiently transmit information when an in-vehicle LAN is constructed.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, an in-vehicle control device is a vehicle control device for connecting in-vehicle information devices and control devices via a network, and a plurality of input lines for inputting information relating to the vehicle. And a plurality of gates connected to each of the plurality of input lines, and a plurality of output lines connected to each of the plurality of gates, each of the plurality of gates being based on a setting by a user or a vehicle situation Control means for controlling whether information from the input line connected to the gate is output to the output line connected to the gate based on the priority level threshold set in Each gate is assigned a priority level, and the control means controls based on the priority level threshold and the priority level. It is carried out.
[0005]
According to the present invention, since it is possible to control whether or not information related to an input vehicle is output based on a threshold value of a priority level, an on-vehicle control device capable of efficiently transmitting information is provided. It becomes possible to do.
[0006]
Preferably, the control means, by setting the priority level of the threshold based on the authentication of an external authorization access from the outside, limited, to input control determines prohibition.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a front view of a center cluster 100 of a vehicle in which an in-vehicle control device according to one embodiment of the present invention is incorporated. Referring to the figure, a display unit (display) 103 is incorporated in center cluster 100.
[0012]
The display 103 is based on an emergency warning screen, a sports travel screen (screen for displaying the travel status of the vehicle), a diagnosis screen (screen for displaying vehicle abnormalities and maintenance status) based on the current status of the vehicle and user operations. ), Navigation screens, and Internet browser screens.
[0013]
In the in-vehicle control apparatus according to the present embodiment, on-vehicle information devices and control devices are connected by a network (LAN (including light, electric wire, and wireless)), and an information base outside the vehicle is used using a wireless communication or broadcasting network. By connecting to the station, each device is managed and controlled in a unified manner.
[0014]
For example, it is possible to diagnose the state of a vehicle (remote diagnosis) via a communication means such as a mobile communication network and infrastructure from outside the vehicle, such as a mobile phone network, and to connect to the Internet from within the vehicle, It is possible to inform the driver and dealer of the car abnormality. Furthermore, it is possible to display images on the front and rear of the vehicle on the display 103 based on information from the camera.
[0015]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the center cluster 100.
Referring to the figure, center cluster 100 is provided with a display unit 103, a printed circuit board (including a CPU) 105 in which an in-vehicle control device is incorporated, and a connector 107 for connecting to other parts of the vehicle. It has been.
[0016]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle control mechanism. Referring to the figure, in the present embodiment, an in-vehicle controller is provided in a center cluster (a device having an HMI (human machine interface) such as display 103) (portion indicated by (B) in the figure). However, it is good also as providing a vehicle-mounted control apparatus in the position shown by (A) and (C)-(E).
[0017]
In the figure, (A) shows an ECU (Electrical Control Unit) having a power distribution unit such as a junction box, a relay, a fuse, etc., and (C) controls the meter display of the vehicle in a right-hand drive vehicle. (D) indicates an ECU that controls body system information and the like, and (E) indicates an ECU that cooperates with the ECU of (A).
[0018]
Moreover, you may divide and provide the vehicle-mounted control apparatus in this Embodiment in several positions. For example, it may be divided into (A) and (E), and a gateway described later may be provided.
[0019]
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration when the in-vehicle control device is provided in the ECU 200 without being provided in the center cluster. The ECU 200 is provided with a multipolar electrical connector 203 from which information can be exchanged.
[0020]
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the ECU of FIG. Referring to the drawing, ECU 200 includes an upper box 205, a lower box 209, and a printed circuit board 207 provided therein.
[0021]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the vehicle control system. In this block diagram, the in-vehicle control device is divided into a command gateway (command GW) 301a and an open gateway (open GW) 301b.
[0022]
The command gateway is a gateway for body system information and vehicle control information, and the open gateway is a gateway that manages an interface with the outside.
[0023]
A wheel speed sensor 305, an engine speed controller 307, a shift position controller 309, and a suspension 311 are connected to the command gateway 301a, and control system information is exchanged among them. Further, a meter 313, a light 315, a power seat 317, a power window 319, and a door lock 321 are connected to the command gateway 301a to exchange body system information.
[0024]
Furthermore, a display unit 103, an operation panel 303 that receives input from a user, and an audio output unit 304 are connected to the command gateway 301a.
[0025]
A mobile phone 323 and a PDA (personal data assistant) 325 are connected to the open gateway 301b. The open gateway 301b is connected with a video device 327, an audio device 329, an external communication device 331, a navigation device 333, and a CCD camera 335, and exchanges multimedia information with these devices. Do. Further, a night vision camera, a game machine, or a home appliance may be connected.
[0026]
As described above, the command gateway 301a and the open gateway 301b are connected to the in-vehicle information device and the control device, and only necessary information is transferred from a necessary place to a necessary place according to the situation.
[0027]
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a detailed structure of the command gateway 301a and the open gateway 301b.
[0028]
Referring to the figure, a CPU 401, a body (vehicle body) network controller 403, a PCI controller 405, and an information network controller 407 are connected to the command gateway 301a. Each block is connected by a CPU bus or a PCI bus.
[0029]
The body network controller 403 inputs / outputs body system information. The CPU 401 is connected to the display unit 103 and the operation panel 303.
[0030]
The open gateway 301b includes a CPU 409, a PCI controller 411, a digital broadcast controller 413, an information system network controller 415, a card controller 417, and a communication card 419.
[0031]
The digital broadcast controller 413 is connected to the digital broadcast tuner 331 and exchanges information with the outside. The card controller is connected to the high-speed mobile phone 323 via the communication card 419 and exchanges information with the outside. The DV video camera (CCD camera) 335 is connected to the information system network controller 415.
[0032]
The command gateway 301a and the open gateway 301b are connected to each other by an in-vehicle LAN.
[0033]
As shown in the figure, each of the gateways 301a and 301b uses one CPU 401 and 409, and the external I / O bus is PCI. Information system network controllers 407 and 415 are connected to the PCI bus. Data from the information system network controllers 407 and 415 or data to the information system networks 407 and 415 is performed via DMA. Further, protocol conversion such as DV or MPEG2 encoding / decoding of transfer data is performed by each of the CPUs 401 and 409.
[0034]
The body gateway network controller 403 is mounted on the command gateway 301a. Data that has passed through the information system network controller 407 is converted by the CPU 401 and then transferred to a device connected via the body system network controller 403. Further, data flowing in the body network is monitored by the CPU 401 and the status is accumulated.
[0035]
Access to the in-vehicle LAN from the outside is performed via the high-speed mobile phone 323 via the communication card 419 and the card controller 417 of the open gateway 301b. In the open gateway 301b, after converting the access protocol from the outside, the data is transferred to the command gateway 301a through the in-vehicle LAN (iLAN). The CPU 401 of the command gateway 301a authenticates whether or not this access from outside the vehicle is valid, and if it is valid, sends this iLAN information to the body network that is the vehicle control network. If access is unfair, access is prohibited without sending information to the body network, thereby ensuring communication confidentiality.
[0036]
Further, when the DV video camera 335 is connected, whether or not to display this video information on the display 103 connected to the command gateway 301a is checked. If the vehicle is stopped, the video information is displayed on the display 103, but if the vehicle is moving, the CPU 401 does not transfer the information.
[0037]
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a software configuration of the in-vehicle control device.
In the software configuration, a real-time OS (RTOS) is mounted on a hardware platform. On top of that, a common device driver that controls communication of the body network and the information network is mounted, and data flowing through the network is handled. A device driver for a display monitor and a navigation system is mounted on the same level.
[0038]
In addition, a message system for controlling communication data according to the situation and an access controller software module are configured. Data from the mobile phone is transferred to the car controller by this module. At this time, since the communication data is only transferred, it is not sent to the application.
[0039]
Above the message system is a registry that registers devices connected to the LAN and manages access restrictions. In addition, as a software, an access restriction manager that controls the access controller in the message system, an event manager that manages / controls events sent from each device, and secures communication bandwidth for stream data such as video and audio. A stream manager that performs arbitration and a resource manager that manages resources such as CPU power, memory size, and communication bandwidth of each device and gateway are provided.
[0040]
Further, a device control module for remotely managing and controlling the state of each device is provided, which is added, activated, stopped, etc. by the device control manager. Above these layers is an API (Application Program Interface) on which various application programs operate. The DV camera data is sent to the application through these layers, where the DV protocol is interpreted and the video information is extracted. Then, after conversion into the form of data that can be displayed, the video information is finally passed to the display monitor device driver through these hierarchies and becomes visible to the user.
[0041]
Data flow is controlled by an access controller in the message system. The access restriction manager manages this access controller.
[0042]
When a device is connected to the LAN, the event manager receives the event and registers it in the registry to manage the connected device. A device control module controls the connected device, and all applications for controlling the device are executed via the device control module.
[0043]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration when the Internet is connected to the in-vehicle LAN. When connecting to the Internet, the open gateway 301b converts the information system network protocol to the TCP / IP Internet protocol. When viewed from the Internet side, one IP address is assigned to the vehicle. Through the open gateway 301b, each device in the vehicle from there cannot be directly controlled from the IP communication layer. Such control is managed by the open gateway 301b. FIG. 9 shows an example in which the data server 501 exchanges information with the application 503 via the open gateway 01b.
[0044]
Next, the operation of the application will be described.
Here, description will be given by taking as an example, video display of a video camera, opening / closing a car window by telephone from the outside, and displaying emergency data via a body network on a display.
[0045]
1. Video display from video camera (1) When a DV video camera is connected, the event manager registers it in the registry.
[0046]
(2) The DV video camera device control manager is activated.
(3) The stream manager reserves the stream bandwidth.
[0047]
(4) The DV format video stream data from the DV video camera is relayed by the open gateway 301b.
[0048]
(5) The PCI controller of the command gateway 301a DMA-transfers the stream data to the memory.
[0049]
(6) The CPU expands the DV format and extracts the stream data.
(7) The CPU converts the stream data into a display format and passes it to the display library.
[0050]
(8) Video is displayed via the display monitor device driver.
2. Processing to open and close the vehicle window from the outside with a mobile phone (1) Request access to the gateway through the in-vehicle mobile phone.
(2) Execute a process for determining whether external access can be permitted.
(3) A mobile phone is connected to the in-vehicle LAN.
[0051]
(4) The mobile phone device control manager is activated.
(5) The command from the mobile phone is interpreted by the CPU of the command gateway 301a.
[0052]
(6) Issue a body network command to the body device control manager.
[0053]
(7) Issue commands to the body network via the body network common device driver.
[0054]
3. Processing for displaying emergency data via vehicle body network while displaying video on display (1) Emergency data is input from body network while displaying video.
[0055]
(2) Start the event manager and control the access controller of the message system.
[0056]
(3) Stop the video data and display the emergency data via the display monitor device driver.
[0057]
4). Internet connection (see Figure 9)
(1) Connect to the Internet via telephone.
[0058]
(2) The open gateway 301b converts the TCP / IP protocol.
[0059]
(3) Transfer in the car using a unique protocol.
(4) Control in the car using a unique address system.
[0060]
(5) Control is performed by the command gateway 301a.
5. Security (1) Access from the outside is restricted by the open gateway 301b.
[0061]
(2) Restrict data delivery in the message system access controller of the command gateway 301a.
[0062]
6). Network management (1) Network information management data is stored in each gateway.
[0063]
(2) Transfer management data using a dedicated protocol.
(3) The status is displayed when the terminal is connected via the information network.
[0064]
FIG. 10 is a block diagram for explaining the function of the command gateway 301a. The command gateway 301a includes gates G1 to G5 connected to each of a plurality of input lines for inputting information about the vehicle, and spare gates G1 'to G5' for the respective gates. This figure shows the control of the flow of information when information from the in-vehicle device is displayed on the monitor viewed by the user. Threshold values of priority levels of the gates G1 to G5 are set using attributes such as user settings and vehicle status (running / stopped or vehicle speed, day or night, or external authentication) as parameters. . That is, priority levels L _{n-1 to} L ₀ are set for the gates G1 to G5, and it is determined to which priority level gates are valid according to user settings, external conditions, authentication mechanisms, and the like. Is done.
[0065]
When the threshold level of the set priority level is compared with the priority level of the information about to pass through each gateway G1 to G5, and the threshold level of the set priority level is higher than the priority level of the information The information passes through the gateway, but if it is low , control is performed so that it does not pass. The same processing is performed in the open gateway 301b.
[0066]
The priority level of information on in-vehicle devices is managed by a table, and the priority level of each device can be easily changed by rewriting the table according to the setting of the user. For example, stop providing Internet information while the vehicle is running, or stop displaying the navigation screen when a drop in air pressure (vehicle abnormality) is detected while the navigation screen is displayed. The gateway can be used for such purposes as displaying or accessing the in-vehicle device from the outside only when the authentication from the outside is confirmed. That is, input control for determining permission, restriction, or prohibition of access from the outside may be performed.
[0067]
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of control of the in-vehicle control device. Referring to the figure, information handled by the in-vehicle control device includes information on television, information on navigation, and information on emergency screen, and it is assumed that priority levels L2, L1, and L0 are set respectively. This indicates that the information on the emergency screen has the highest priority, and the priority is lower in the order of navigation and television.
[0068]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a specific example of control in the setting of FIG. Referring to FIG. 12, it is determined whether the vehicle speed is 0 based on the information input from wheel speed sensor 305 in step S1. Here, if YES, the priority level threshold value of the information to be transmitted is set above L2 in FIG. In this state, all information on the TV screen, the navigation screen, and the emergency screen is sent via the gateway. Here, the emergency screen, the navigation screen, and the television screen may be displayed in the priority order according to the priority level, or any screen may be displayed by the user's selection. Further, for example, when emergency information is input while a television screen is displayed, control may be performed such that the screen is switched to the emergency screen.
[0069]
Returning to FIG. 12, if “NO” in the step S1, it is determined whether or not the present is an emergency situation in a step S2. If NO, the priority level threshold value is set between L2 and L1 in FIG. In this state, since the vehicle is running, the television information is stopped from being transferred via the gateway, and only the navigation screen or the emergency screen is displayed on the display.
[0070]
If YES in step S2 in FIG. 12, the priority level threshold value in FIG. 11 is set between L0 and L1. This prohibits transmission of information on the television screen and the navigation screen via the gateway, and only the emergency screen can be displayed on the display.
[0071]
Further, access control of a mobile phone as shown in FIG. 13 may be performed using a gateway.
[0072]
Referring to FIG. 13, if the apparatus is powered on in step S101, it is determined in step S103 whether a mobile phone is connected. If not connected, in step S119, a sleep state is set and the process waits. If a mobile phone is connected, the vehicle speed and brake switch status are determined by referring to the vehicle information in step S105. Here, as a condition for making a call with a mobile phone, there is a signal that the vehicle speed is 0 and a parking brake is applied, and if it is a manual vehicle, the gear is in neutral, and if it is an automatic vehicle, the shift position Suppose that P (parking range) is required. If it is determined in step S105 that a call is possible, a call is made in step S121. If a call is not possible in step S105, a call partner is notified in step S107 that it is in operation.
[0073]
In step S109, it is determined whether it is an emergency state. If YES, the display is notified in step S111, and the partner name and phone number are displayed (or output by voice). In step S113, the user selects whether or not to receive, and if it is received, the hands-free call mode is set in step S115. If the call is ended in step S117, the process returns to step S105.
[0074]
If NO in step S109 or S113, the message is registered in the message service using the service of the telecommunications company in step S123, and the reception history (time, partner name (phone number), etc.) is stored in step S125. The process returns to step S105.
[0075]
The reception history is displayed on the display according to a request from the user.
If the vehicle speed is no longer 0 during a call, a warning message may be displayed on the display or a warning may be given.
[0076]
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a screen displayed on the display 103. For example, when the navigation screen can be displayed according to the priority level, the navigation screen D1 is displayed as the base screen, and information from outside (such as traffic jam information) is displayed in the window W. In addition to the water temperature and oil temperature, which are vehicle control information, fuel consumption and gear position can be displayed on the display.
[0077]
These display contents can be controlled efficiently by the control device according to the present embodiment.
[0078]
The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a center cluster of a vehicle in which an in-vehicle control device according to one embodiment of the present invention is incorporated.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of a center cluster.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle control mechanism.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of an ECU.
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an ECU.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle control system.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a detailed structure of the gateway 301a and the gateway 301b.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of software installed in the in-vehicle control device.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration when the in-vehicle control device performs Internet connection.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram for explaining the function of the command gateway 301a.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of control of the in-vehicle control device.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a priority level threshold setting method;
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing control of a mobile phone performed by the in-vehicle control device.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a specific example of a screen displayed on the display.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 Center cluster 103 Display 301a Command gateway 301b Open gateway 303 Operation panel G1-G5 Gate

Claims (2)

A vehicle- mounted control device in which a plurality of vehicle-mounted information devices and control devices are connected via a network,
Comprising control means for performing transfer control of information to the plurality of in-vehicle information devices and control devices;
The control means includes
A plurality of input lines to which information on vehicles from the plurality of in-vehicle information devices and control devices is respectively input;
Including a plurality of gates for controlling whether or not to transfer information on the vehicle from the plurality of in-vehicle information devices and control devices to other in-vehicle information devices and control devices ,
Each of the plurality of gates is given a priority level indicating the priority of information related to the vehicle from the corresponding in-vehicle information device or control device connected to the gate,
The control means is configured to obtain information from the plurality of input lines respectively connected to the plurality of gates based on a threshold of a priority level set based on a setting by a user or a vehicle situation. respectively to control whether to transfer to the vehicle information device and control devices, in-vehicle control unit. At least one of the plurality of input lines is connected to an external device;
The control means sets the threshold value of the priority level based on authentication from the outside when accessing the other in-vehicle information device or control device from the external device, so that the external device The in-vehicle control device according to claim 1, which enables access to other in-vehicle information devices and control devices .

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