JP7734875B2 - Communication system control device and communication system control method - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a communication method control device that specifies a communication method in a communication system that includes a communication device for a vehicle that can use multiple communication methods.

In recent years, there has been progress in the development of products related to vehicle driving assistance and autonomous driving using wireless communications. It is expected that such products will be applied to a wide variety of services in the future, not just driving assistance and autonomous driving services. Currently, the main communication methods available for vehicles are DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communications) and LTE (Long Term Evolution) (registered trademarks). In the future, it is expected that the number of communication methods available for vehicles will increase, and that vehicles will be able to switch between multiple communication methods.

For this reason, the ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems) Promotion Council's communications guidelines, ITS FORUM RC-014 (ITS Application Sublayer Specification Guidelines), are studying the standardization of communications protocols that conceal multiple communication methods from applications.

In addition, the following Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that connects to a communication terminal via multiple communication paths and switches the communication path used in a session based on information about the communication application that established the session and system information about the operating system that runs the communication application.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-83459

Furthermore, when there are multiple services that use communication methods such as Wi-Fi and LTE, congestion can occur in communications using specific communication methods, raising concerns about increased communication delays and reduced communication speeds. While congestion can be avoided if the communication method can be switched appropriately, switching communication methods is not possible when communication middleware is interposed between the service and the communication method. Even with the technology described in Patent Document 1 above, when communication middleware is interposed in the protocol that constitutes the communication terminal, it is not possible to switch the communication method used for transmitting data for the service. Furthermore, it is necessary to conceal the communication method so that the service can switch communication methods without having to select the communication method.

This disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a communication method control device that can specify the communication method when sending data from an application that provides a service, even if communication middleware exists between the service providing unit and the communication unit.

The communication method control device according to the present disclosure includes a service providing unit that executes an application that provides a service including at least one of driving assistance, autonomous driving, and traffic/entertainment information provision; a communication unit that can use a plurality of communication methods; communication middleware that exists between the service providing unit and the communication unit, that transmits data of the service including an identifier of the service using the communication unit, and that is composed of at least one layer; and a protocol management unit that is accessible to the service providing unit, the communication middleware, and the communication unit, and that specifies the communication method to be used for transmitting the data of the service, and the protocol management unit specifies the communication method to be used for transmitting the data of the service by specifying to the communication middleware a communication method to be associated with the identifier of the service .

The communication method control device disclosed herein allows a communication method to be specified when transmitting data from an application providing a service, even if communication middleware exists between the service providing unit and the communication unit.

The objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

1 is a configuration diagram of a communication system control system including a communication system control device according to a first embodiment; 1 is a configuration diagram of a communication system control device according to a first embodiment; 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of priority control of the communication system control device according to the first embodiment; FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of communication system selection by the communication system control device according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an initial setting process of the communication system control device according to the first embodiment; 4 is a flowchart showing a data transmission process of the communication system control device according to the first embodiment; 4 is a flowchart showing a data reception process of the communication system control device according to the first embodiment; 4 is a flowchart showing a communication system switching process of the communication system control device according to the first embodiment; 5 is a flowchart showing a management information distribution process of the communication system control device according to the first embodiment; 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a protocol configuration in the communication system control device according to the first embodiment; 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a protocol configuration in the communication system control device according to the first embodiment; 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process in which the communication system control device according to the first embodiment distributes management information; FIG. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a communication system control device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a communication system control device according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a communication system control device according to a fourth embodiment.

Embodiments of the technology disclosed herein will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. In each of the drawings shown below, identical or corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals. Therefore, redundant descriptions of identical or corresponding elements will be omitted.

First Embodiment
1 and 2 are configuration diagrams of a communication system control system including a communication system control device according to embodiment 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the communication system control system includes at least one vehicle-mounted device 1, at least one roadside device 2, and a server 3.

The vehicle-mounted device 1 is a communication device mounted on a vehicle. The roadside device 2 is a communication device installed on or beside a road. The vehicle-mounted device 1 communicates with the roadside device 2 and the server 3 while the vehicle is traveling, allowing the user to use driving assistance services, etc. The vehicle-mounted device 1 may be a portable user device brought into the vehicle, such as a smartphone or smartwatch. The server 3 may be, for example, a cloud server or an edge server.

The communication method control device is installed in one of the following devices: the vehicle-mounted device 1, the roadside device 2, and the server 3. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the communication method control device is installed in the vehicle-mounted device 1 and the roadside device 2 and controls the communication method for communication between the vehicle-mounted device 1 and the roadside device 2.

Hereinafter, the vehicle-mounted device 1, roadside device 2, and server 3 will be collectively referred to as "terminals." Furthermore, in describing the communication system control device, the device on which the communication system control device is installed will be referred to as the "own terminal," other terminals located in the vicinity of the own terminal will be referred to as "peripheral terminals," and other terminals to which data is sent (destination) will be referred to as the "destination terminal."

Figure 2 is a configuration diagram of a communication system control device related to embodiment 1. As shown in Figure 2, the communication system control device includes a processor 10, a storage device 12, and an external interface 11.

The processor 10 realizes the functions of the service providing unit 101, protocol management unit 102, communication middleware 103, and communication method selection unit 104, which will be described later. The processor 10 is also connected to other hardware (i.e., the external interface 11 and the storage device 12) via signal lines and controls this other hardware.

Specifically, the processor 10 is an integrated circuit (IC) that executes instructions written in a program to perform processes such as data transfer, calculation, processing, control, and management. Generally, the processor 10 has an arithmetic circuit, as well as registers and cache memory in which instructions and information are stored. Examples of processors 10 include a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), and a graphics processing unit (GPU).

The storage device 12 is a storage medium that stores the profile information 106. Examples of the storage device 12 include RAM (Random Access Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage device 12 may also be a portable storage medium such as an SD (Secure Digital) (registered trademark) memory card, CF (CompactFlash), NAND flash, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a compact disk, a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disk, or a DVD.

The external interface 11 is a means by which the service providing unit 101 and protocol management unit 102 send and receive data to and from peripheral terminals (vehicle-mounted device 1, roadside device 2, or server 3). The external interface 11 can use multiple communication methods and is equipped with a communication unit 105 that communicates with peripheral terminals. The communication unit 105 is equipped with a receiver that receives data from the peripheral terminal and a transmitter that transmits data to the peripheral terminal. Examples of communication methods that the external interface 11 can use include cellular methods such as LTE (registered trademark) and the 5th Generation Mobile Communication System (5G), as well as communication methods such as DSRC and Cellular-V2X (Vehicle-to-x) that are dedicated to vehicle communication.

Although only one processor 10 is shown in FIG. 2, the communication method control device may have multiple processors 10. In this case, the multiple processors 10 may cooperate with each other to execute programs that realize the functions of the service providing unit 101, protocol management unit 102, communication middleware 103, and communication method selection unit 104.

Here, we will explain the service providing unit 101, protocol management unit 102, communication middleware 103 and communication method selection unit 104 realized by the processor 10.

The service providing unit 101 executes an application that provides at least one of the following services: driving assistance, automated driving, and traffic/entertainment information provision.

The service providing unit 101 registers, updates, and deletes service information, which is information about services or applications that can be provided, in the protocol management unit 102.

The service providing unit 101 requests the communication middleware 103 to perform initialization processing in order to use the communication middleware 103, and receives communication information, which is information necessary to use the communication middleware 103, from the communication middleware 103 after the initialization processing has been completed. The service providing unit 101 also registers the communication information received from the communication middleware 103 in the protocol management unit 102. For example, if the communication middleware 103 uses the ITS Application Sublayer (ITS-ASL) described below, the communication information includes information such as the destination/source port number, the destination/source local port number, the destination link address, the communication type indicating unicast or broadcast, whether retransmission is required, and the identifier of the communication transaction.

When a data transmission request occurs in an application, the service providing unit 101 notifies the protocol management unit 102 of the occurrence of the data transmission request and requests the communication middleware 103 to transmit the data to be transmitted. At that time, the service providing unit 101 requests the communication middleware 103 to transmit the data using the communication information of the destination notified by the protocol management unit 102. Furthermore, when the service providing unit 101 receives data from the communication middleware 103, it executes reception processing according to the received data. Hereinafter, data to be transmitted may be referred to as "transmitted data" and received data as "received data."

The protocol management unit 102 can access the service providing unit 101, communication middleware 103, communication method selection unit 104, communication unit 105, and profile information 106, and manages the services and communication methods that the system can provide. Specifically, the protocol management unit 102 obtains information on communication methods available to its own terminal from the communication unit 105 or profile information 106. The protocol management unit 102 also requests the communication method selection unit 104 to select a communication method by which a service will transmit data for that service (service data) (i.e., to select a communication method that satisfies the communication quality required for that service), and receives the selection result. The protocol management unit 102 specifies to the communication middleware 103 the communication method to be associated with the service identifier (service identifier) (i.e., the communication method of the communication port used by the service). When the communication middleware 103 manages the communication method and the communication port in association with each other, the protocol management unit 102 notifies the service providing unit 101 of the communication port associated with the communication method to be used for data transmission.

The communication middleware 103 is interposed between the service providing unit 101 and the communication unit 105 and transmits data including a service identifier (e.g., a port number). The communication middleware 103 is composed of at least one layer.

When the communication middleware 103 receives a request for initialization processing from the service providing unit 101, it performs initial settings for using the service information and returns communication information to be used for communication to the service providing unit 101. The communication information includes the destination port number, source port number, destination address, etc., but the content of the communication information is not limited to these.

When communication middleware 103 receives transmission data from service providing unit 101, it requests communication unit 105 to transmit the transmission data using the communication method specified by protocol management unit 102. Furthermore, when communication middleware 103 receives received data from communication unit 105, it performs reception processing within communication middleware 103 and determines whether to notify service providing unit 101 or protocol management unit 102, or to discard the received data.

When the communication middleware 103 is requested by the protocol management unit 102 to transmit its own terminal's management information (such as information on communication methods that can be used by the terminal), it sends data transmission requests to all communication methods that it can support. Furthermore, when multiple services simultaneously request data transmission, the communication middleware 103 may perform priority control as shown in Figure 3.

The communication middleware 103 is not limited to any particular type, but it is expected to use, for example, the "ITS Application Sublayer Specification Guidelines" specified in ITS FORUM RC-014 or the "Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC) Application Sublayer" specified in ARIB STD-T88. The ITS application sublayer aims to improve user convenience and build a platform that is not bound by the specifications of lower communication layers. The ITS application sublayer conceals the lower communication layers. Since the functions provided differ depending on the corresponding lower communication layer, the ITS application sublayer is not expected to use multiple lower communication layers simultaneously. In this embodiment, a protocol management unit 102 is provided in the communication system control device to enable the simultaneous use of multiple lower communication layers and to switch between lower communication layers.

The communication method selection unit 104 selects the communication method to be used for transmitting data based on the communication quality of the communication unit 105, the priority of the application (i.e., the priority of the service), etc., and notifies the protocol management unit 102 of the selection result. Specifically, the communication method selection unit 104 acquires the communication quality of the communication unit 105, the priority of the service, etc. via the protocol management unit 102. The communication method selection unit 104 also acquires management information for its own terminal and management information for the communication partner terminal, and selects the communication method to be used from among communication methods that can be used by both its own terminal and the communication partner terminal.

Possible selection algorithms for the communication method selection unit 104 to select a communication method include, for example, a method of selecting a communication method with the lowest reference communication channel utilization rate, a method of selecting a communication method that satisfies the communication quality required by the service, and a method of selecting a communication method that satisfies the communication range required by the service, as shown in Figure 4. However, the selection algorithm is not limited to these.

When multiple use cases provide services simultaneously, using only a specific communication method increases bandwidth utilization, causing congestion and resulting in long communication delays and slow communication speeds. Therefore, rather than using only a specific communication method, it is necessary to distribute communication between each use case across multiple communication methods. Typically, systems are built using communication methods that meet the communication quality required by each use case. However, if the number of use cases or users increases in the future, the originally designed system may fail. Furthermore, if a new communication method emerges in the future, the use cases of the existing system may be unable to use the new communication method. To ensure stable system operation and enable the use of new communication methods even when the number of use cases and users increases in the future, a function for switching communication methods is required, taking into account the communication quality of the communication method and the priority of the application.

The communication unit 105 of the external interface 11 can use at least one communication method, and transmits transmission data to a peripheral terminal or a destination terminal, and receives data from a peripheral terminal. Received data received by the communication unit 105 is notified to the communication middleware 103. The communication unit 105 can support any of the following communication methods: unicast (individual communication) for sending to a specific address, multicast for sending to a specific group, and broadcast for sending to all addresses, and transmits transmission data to a specified address using a method specified by the communication middleware 103 or the service providing unit 101.

The profile information 106 stored in the storage device 12 is system information including the type of communication method that can be used by the communication unit 105, communication characteristics, and priority. In addition, service information managed by the protocol management unit 102, information on communication ports used by the services, etc. may also be stored in the storage device 12.

With reference to Figures 5 to 3, the operation of the communication system control device according to embodiment 1, i.e., the communication system control method according to embodiment 1, will be described. The operation of the communication system control device according to embodiment 1 is realized by the processor 10 executing a communication system control program.

Referring to Figure 5, an example of initial setting of the communication method control device relating to embodiment 1 is explained.

In step S101, the service providing unit 101 registers service information in the protocol management unit 102. In addition, in step S101, update and deletion processes are also performed on already registered service information.

In step S102, the service providing unit 101 requests initialization processing to use the communication middleware 103.

In step S103, the communication middleware 103 performs initial settings for using the service information and returns communication information to be used for communication to the service providing unit 101. If the initial settings fail, the communication middleware 103 notifies the service providing unit 101 of the error result.

In step S104, the service providing unit 101 registers the communication information received from the communication middleware 103 in the protocol management unit 102. The protocol management unit 102 may register the communication information as profile information 106, or may manage the communication information internally.

In step S105, the protocol management unit 102 acquires information on communication methods that can be used by the terminal from the communication unit 105. The protocol management unit 102 may acquire information on communication methods that can be used by the terminal from the profile information 106. When the protocol management unit 102 acquires information on communication methods that can be used by the terminal, it performs a process of transmitting management information that includes the information.

Referring to Figure 6, the data transmission processing sequence in the communication system control device of embodiment 1 is explained.

In step S201, the service providing unit 101 waits for a data transmission request to occur in the application.

In step S202, the service providing unit 101 determines whether a data transmission request has occurred. If a data transmission request has occurred, the process proceeds to step S203; if a data transmission request has not occurred, the process returns to step S201 and waits again.

In step S203, the service providing unit 101 notifies the protocol management unit 102 of the occurrence of a data transmission request. At this time, the service providing unit 101 also notifies the protocol management unit 102 of the service identifier and the communication port information notified by the communication middleware 103 during initial setup.

In step S204, the service providing unit 101 requests the communication middleware 103 to send the transmission data. At this time, the service providing unit 101 also notifies the communication middleware 103 of the service identifier and the communication port information notified by the communication middleware 103 during initial setup.

In step S205, the protocol management unit 102 requests the communication method selection unit 104 to select a communication method to be used for transmitting service data.

In step S206, the communication method selection unit 104 selects the communication method to be used for transmitting the service data based on the communication quality of the communication unit 105, the priority of the application, etc., and notifies the protocol management unit 102.

In step S207, the protocol management unit 102 specifies to the communication middleware 103 the communication method of the communication port used by the service.

In step S208, the communication middleware 103 requests the communication unit 105 to transmit the transmission data from the service providing unit 101 using the communication method specified by the protocol management unit 102.

In step S209, the communication unit 105 transmits the transmission data to the peripheral terminal or the destination terminal. The communication method at this time is either unicast, multicast, or broadcast according to the specified communication method.

The above process is executed repeatedly.

Referring to Figure 7, the data reception processing sequence in the communication system control device of embodiment 1 is explained.

In step S301, the communication unit 105 waits to receive data from a peripheral terminal.

In step S302, the communication unit 105 determines whether data has been received, and if so, proceeds to step S303; if not, returns to step S301 and waits again.

In step S303, the communication unit 105 notifies the communication middleware 103 of the received data.

In step S304, the communication middleware 103 performs internal reception processing and determines whether to notify the service. The communication middleware 103 determines, for example, whether the destination port numbers correspond, whether the received data is duplicated, and combines any divided received data before notifying the service.

In step S305, the communication middleware 103 determines whether to notify the service providing unit 101 or the protocol management unit 102 of the received data based on the destination port number or service identifier of the received data. If it is determined that the data should be notified, the process proceeds to step S306; if it is determined that the data should not be notified, the process returns to step S301.

In step S306, the communication middleware 103 notifies the protocol management unit 102 or service providing unit 101, which is the destination of the received data, of the received data.

In step S307, the service providing unit 101 or the protocol management unit 102 processes the received data.

The above process is executed repeatedly.

Referring to Figure 8, the communication method selection processing sequence in the communication method control device of embodiment 1 is explained.

In step S401, the protocol management unit 102 periodically acquires the communication status from the communication unit 105. The acquired communication status includes information such as the communication bandwidth utilization rate, communication delay, and transmission speed. The protocol management unit 102 acquires the communication status for all communication methods available to the communication unit 105.

In step S402, the protocol management unit 102 notifies the communication method selection unit 104 of the acquired communication status.

In step S403, the protocol management unit 102 determines whether a data transmission request has been received from the service providing unit 101. If a transmission request has been received, the process proceeds to step S404; if a data transmission request has not been received, the process returns to step S401.

In step S404, the protocol management unit 102 requests the communication method selection unit 104 to select a communication method for transmitting service data.

In step S405, the communication method selection unit 104 selects the communication method to be used for transmission based on the communication quality of the communication unit 105, the priority of the application, etc.

In step S406, the protocol management unit 102 determines whether to change the communication method from the one used last time. If the communication method is to be changed, proceed to step S408; if not, proceed to step S407.

In step S407, the communication method selection unit 104 notifies the protocol management unit 102 of the communication method.

In step S408, the protocol management unit 102 requests the service providing unit 101 to send data in order to transmit redundant data. In other words, when changing the communication method, the protocol management unit 102 requests the transmission of the same data for both the communication method before the change and the communication method after the change. This prevents data from being missed when switching communication methods.

In step S409, the service providing unit 101 requests the communication middleware 103 to transmit the specified data. Here, the service providing unit 101 is requested to transmit redundant data, but the protocol management unit 102 may also directly request the communication middleware 103 to transmit service data.

The above process is executed repeatedly.

Referring to Figure 9, the management information distribution processing sequence in the communication method control device of embodiment 1 is explained.

In step S501, the protocol management unit 102 registers the services provided by the service providing unit 101 and obtains information on the communication methods that can be used by the terminal from the communication unit 105.

In step S502, the protocol management unit 102 generates management information from the information obtained in step S501 and requests the communication middleware 103 to send the management information.

In step S503, the communication middleware 103 requests the communication unit 105 to transmit data using all available communication methods.

In step S504, the communication unit 105 transmits the transmission data to the peripheral terminal or the destination terminal. In this case, broadcasting is used.

Figure 10 shows an example of a protocol configuration for switching communication methods and transmitting data. Here, an example is shown in which the communication middleware 103 is configured in three layers. Note that this figure does not show the process of selecting the communication method.

In the protocol configuration shown in FIG. 10, the following steps (1) to (5) are performed.
(1) The service providing unit 101 requests the communication middleware 103 to perform initialization processing and obtains communication information from the communication middleware 103 .
(2) The service providing unit 101 registers the service identifier and communication information of the service to be provided in the protocol management unit 102 .
(3) When a data transmission request occurs, the service providing unit 101 notifies the protocol management unit 102 of the occurrence of the data transmission request.
(4) The service providing unit 101 requests the communication middleware 103 to transmit the transmission data.
(5) The protocol management unit 102 selects a communication method for transmitting the data of the service, and specifies the selected communication method to the communication middleware 103 .

The communication middleware 103 conceals the communication methods of the upper and middle layers from the service provider 101, and the service provider 101 cannot directly specify the communication method to the protocol management unit 102. However, because the lower layers of the communication middleware 103 are linked to the communication method, the protocol management unit 102 can specify the communication method to the lower layers, thereby enabling switching of the communication method.

Within the communication middleware 103, requests to transmit transmission data are made in the order of upper layer to middle layer, and then middle layer to lower layer. The lower layer of the communication middleware 103 requests the communication unit 105 to transmit the transmission data using the communication method specified by the communication method selection unit 104.

Figure 11 shows another example of a protocol configuration for switching communication methods and transmitting data. The protocol configuration in Figure 11 differs from the protocol configuration in Figure 10 in that, instead of specifying the communication method from the protocol management unit 102 to the communication middleware 103, the service providing unit 101 is notified of communication information (such as port number information) linked to the communication method.

In the protocol configuration shown in FIG. 11, the following steps (1) to (3) are performed.
(1) When a data transmission request occurs, the service providing unit 101 notifies the protocol management unit 102 of the occurrence of the data transmission request.
(2) The protocol management unit 102 selects a communication method for transmitting data of the service, and notifies the service providing unit 101 of communication information linked to the selected communication method.
(3) The service providing unit 101 requests the communication middleware 103 to transmit transmission data based on the communication information notified from the service providing unit 101 .

Within the communication middleware 103, requests to send transmission data are made in the order of upper layer to middle layer and then middle layer to lower layer. The lower layer of the communication middleware 103 requests the communication unit 105 to send the transmission data using the communication method associated with the communication information.

Figure 12 shows an example of a process in which a communication method control device distributes management information to other terminals, including a list of services that can be provided by the terminal itself and a list of communication methods that can be used by the terminal itself.

The protocol management unit 102 receives registration of services that can be provided from the service providing unit 101 and obtains information on available communication methods from the profile information 106. The protocol management unit 102 requests the communication middleware 103 to send management information. At this time, the protocol management unit 102 requests the transmission of management information for all available communication methods.

Figure 12 shows two patterns in which the protocol management unit 102 requests the transmission of management information from an upper layer of the communication middleware 103, and from a middle layer of the communication middleware 103.However, either pattern may be used, or the request may be made to a lower layer of the communication middleware 103.

It is desirable for management information to be distributed periodically, but it may also be distributed only when management information is newly registered, updated, or deleted. Management information is also distributed when the communication method available to the terminal changes.

In embodiment 1, an example is shown in which the communication middleware 103 is configured in three layers, but it may also be configured in more than three layers, or in one or two layers.

In addition, in the first embodiment, an example was shown in which the lower layer of the communication middleware 103 was linked to the communication method, but the middle layer or the upper to lower layers may be linked to the communication method. Alternatively, the inside of the communication middleware 103 may not be linked to the communication method, and the protocol management unit 102 may specify the communication method to be used to the communication unit 105.

In addition, in embodiment 1, an example was shown in which a port number was used as the identifier of the service specified to the communication middleware 103, but other identifiers may also be used, such as an application identifier, IP address, or Ethernet type.

In addition, in embodiment 1, a configuration was shown in which the communication method selection unit 104 selects the communication method, but for example, the function of the communication method selection unit 104 may be provided in the protocol management unit 102, communication middleware 103, or communication unit 105.

As described above, according to the communication method control device described in embodiment 1, even when communication middleware 103 exists between the service providing unit 101 and the communication unit 105, when sending data from an application of the service providing unit 101, the communication method to be used can be specified.

In addition, even if the communication middleware 103 does not have the function to switch communication methods, it is possible to switch the communication method to be used, which has the advantage that the existing communication middleware 103 can be used as is. Furthermore, since the communication method can be switched depending on the communication status of each communication method, it is possible to expect the provision of services that always use a communication method with good communication quality.

<Second Embodiment>
13 is a configuration diagram of a communication system control device according to embodiment 2. In embodiment 2, a plurality of communication system control devices are installed in one terminal.

The communication method control device of embodiment 2 is the communication method control device of embodiment 1 with the addition of a device cooperation unit 107. The device cooperation unit 107 connects to the protocol management unit 102 and the service providing unit 101. In addition, the communication methods that can be used by the communication middleware 103 and the communication unit 105 differ depending on the communication method control device.

The device collaboration unit 107 enables switching of communication methods by each communication method control device, even when there are multiple communication method control devices. The device collaboration unit 107 acquires management information including information on services and communication methods from the protocol management unit 102, and transmits this information to the device collaboration units 107 of other communication method control devices to share it.

In addition, the device collaboration unit 107 integrates the management information of its own communication method control device with the management information received from other communication method control devices, and transmits the integrated management information via the communication middleware 103 and the communication unit 105 using a communication method that can be used by its own communication method control device.

When the protocol management unit 102 receives management information from a peripheral terminal, it transmits the management information of the peripheral terminal to the device collaboration unit 107 and shares it. Furthermore, the protocol management unit 102 shares communication quality information acquired from the communication unit 105 with the protocol management units 102 of other communication method control devices via the device collaboration unit 107.

When transmitting data, the service providing unit 101 requests the protocol management unit 102 to transmit the data. The protocol management unit 102 requests the communication method selection unit 104 to select a communication method. If the selected communication method cannot be used by its own communication method control device, the protocol management unit 102 requests the transmission of data using that communication method via the device collaboration unit 107. The device collaboration unit 107 transmits the transmission data from the service providing unit 101 of another communication method control device via the protocol management unit 102 or the service providing unit 101.

In addition, when the service providing unit 101 or the protocol management unit 102 receives data from another terminal, if the destination is another communication method control device, it notifies the protocol management unit 102 or the service providing unit 101 of the destination communication method control device of the received data via the device collaboration unit 107.

In embodiment 2, a configuration is shown in which the device collaboration unit 107 communicates with the device collaboration unit 107 of another communication method control device, but communication between the device collaboration unit 107 and the device collaboration unit 107 of another communication method control device may be performed via the communication unit 105, or may also be performed via the communication middleware 103.

As described above, with the communication method control device described in embodiment 2, even when multiple communication method control devices are installed in a single terminal, the device cooperation unit 107 can cooperate with the multiple communication method control devices to realize communication method switching. Furthermore, by having each communication method control device cooperate with other communication method control devices, it is possible to provide a service using a communication method that is not supported by the communication method control device that provides the service.

In addition, if you want to use a communication method that is not supported by a specific communication method control device, you can use the communication unit 105 of another communication method control device, making it possible to dynamically switch communication methods.

<Third Embodiment>
14 is a configuration diagram of a communication system control device according to embodiment 3. In embodiment 3 as well, a plurality of communication system control devices are mounted on one terminal.

The communication method control device of embodiment 3 is configured by adding a protocol collaboration unit 108 to the communication method control device of embodiment 1. The protocol collaboration unit 108 connects to the protocol management unit 102 and the service providing unit 101. The communication methods available to the communication middleware 103 and the communication unit 105 differ for each communication method control device. Furthermore, the service providing unit 101 is mounted on a device separate from the communication method control device.

The protocol coordination unit 108 provides the service providing unit 101 with APIs (Application Program Interfaces) for initialization processing, data transmission requests, data reception notifications, etc. The protocol coordination unit 108 mediates communication between the service providing unit 101 and the communication middleware 103, and communication between the service providing unit 101 and the protocol management unit 102.

The basic operation of the service providing unit 101 is the same as in embodiment 1. However, the service providing unit 101 registers, updates, and deletes the services that can be provided to the protocol management units 102 of the multiple communication method control devices via the protocol collaboration units 108 of the multiple communication method control devices. In addition, the service providing unit 101 requests initialization processing from the communication middleware 103 of the multiple communication method control devices via the protocol collaboration units 108 of the multiple communication method control devices, and acquires communication information from the communication middleware 103 of the multiple communication method control devices.

When data is to be sent from the service providing unit 101, the service providing unit 101 requests the protocol coordination units 108 of multiple communication method control devices to send the transmission data. The protocol coordination units 108 of each communication method control device send the transmission data to the communication middleware 103.

The protocol coordination unit 108 notifies the protocol management unit 102 of the occurrence of a data transmission request. The protocol coordination unit 108 also transmits the communication information of the protocol management unit 102 to the protocol coordination units 108 of other communication method control devices to share it.

If the protocol management unit 102 determines that the transmission data should not be sent using the communication method of its own communication method control device, it notifies the communication middleware 103 to stop data transmission and notifies the service providing unit 101 of transmission cancellation via the protocol collaboration unit 108.

Furthermore, if the communication method selection unit 104 selects a communication method that cannot be used by its own communication method control device, the protocol management unit 102 requests transmission from a communication method control device that can use the selected communication method via the protocol collaboration unit 108. The protocol collaboration unit 108 requests data transmission from the communication middleware 103 on behalf of the service provision unit 101.

In embodiment 3, a configuration is shown in which the protocol collaboration unit 108 communicates with the service providing unit 101, but communication between the protocol collaboration unit 108 and the service providing unit 101 may be performed via the communication unit 105, or may also be performed via the communication middleware 103.

Furthermore, in the third embodiment, an example is shown in which the service providing unit 101 requests the protocol coordination units 108 of all communication method control devices to transmit data when transmitting data, but the request may also be made to a specific communication method control device. In this case, the protocol management unit 102 may determine whether transmission is possible using the communication method of the communication method control device. If transmission is not possible, the service providing unit 101 is notified via the protocol coordination unit 108 that the communication method is not available, and the service providing unit 101 requests transmission from another communication method control device.

As described above, according to the communication method control device of embodiment 3, even when multiple communication method control devices are installed in one terminal, the protocol coordination unit 108 coordinates the service providing units 101 and protocol management units 102 of the multiple communication method control devices, thereby making it possible to dynamically switch the communication method for transmitting data while concealing the communication method from the service.

<Fourth Embodiment>
15 is a configuration diagram of a communication system control device according to embodiment 4. The communication system control device of embodiment 4 is configured by adding an intermediary unit 109 to the communication system control device of embodiment 1. The intermediary unit 109 mediates processing between the protocol management unit 102 and the communication middleware 103, processing between the service providing unit 101 and the communication middleware 103, and processing between the protocol management unit 102 and the communication unit 105.

In addition, in embodiment 4, the communication method control device is configured by dividing it into two different devices. That is, the communication method control device is composed of an upper part including a service providing unit 101, a protocol management unit 102, and a communication method selection unit 104, and a lower part including an intermediary unit 109, a communication middleware 103, and a communication unit 105, and the upper part and the lower part are connected via the intermediary unit 109.

The intermediary unit 109 functions as a wrapper, mediating the processing between the protocol management unit 102 and communication middleware 103 in embodiment 1, the processing between the service providing unit 101 and communication middleware 103, and the processing between the protocol management unit 102 and communication unit 105. The processing of the service providing unit 101, protocol management unit 102, communication middleware 103, communication method selection unit 104, and communication unit 105 is the same as in embodiment 1, and the intermediary unit 109 intervenes in the processing between them.

In embodiment 4, an example is shown in which the intermediary unit 109 is provided in a lower section of the communication system control device, but the intermediary unit 109 may also be provided in a higher section of the communication system control device, or in both the higher section and the lower section.

In addition, in embodiment 4, the intermediary unit 109 is provided between the protocol management unit 102 and the communication middleware 103, and between the protocol management unit 102 and the communication unit 105, but it may also be provided between elements other than these.

According to the communication method control device described in embodiment 4, the functions of the communication method control device can be realized even if the hardware that realizes the communication method control device is separated.

In addition, it is possible to freely combine each embodiment, and to modify or omit each embodiment as appropriate.

It is understood that the above description is illustrative in all respects and that countless variations not illustrated can be envisioned.

1 Vehicle-mounted unit, 2 Roadside unit, 3 Server, 10 Processor, 11 External interface, 12 Storage device, 101 Service providing unit, 102 Protocol management unit, 103 Communication middleware, 104 Communication method selection unit, 105 Communication unit, 106 Profile information, 107 Device collaboration unit, 108 Protocol collaboration unit, 109 Intermediation unit.

Claims (15)

a service providing unit that executes an application that provides services including at least one of driving assistance, autonomous driving, and traffic and entertainment information provision;
a communication unit capable of using a plurality of communication methods;
a communication middleware that exists between the service providing unit and the communication unit, transmits data of the service including an identifier of the service using the communication unit, and is composed of at least one layer;
a protocol management unit that is accessible to the service providing unit, the communication middleware, and the communication unit and that specifies a communication method to be used for transmitting the data of the service;
Equipped with
the protocol management unit specifies, to the communication middleware, a communication method to be used for transmitting the data of the service by specifying the communication method to be associated with the identifier of the service;
Communication method control device. a service providing unit that executes an application that provides services including at least one of driving assistance, autonomous driving, and traffic and entertainment information provision;
a communication unit capable of using a plurality of communication methods;
a communication middleware that exists between the service providing unit and the communication unit, transmits data of the service using the communication unit, and is composed of at least one layer;
a protocol management unit that is accessible to the service providing unit, the communication middleware, and the communication unit and that specifies a communication method to be used for transmitting the data of the service;
Equipped with
the protocol management unit notifies the service providing unit of information on a communication port associated with the specified communication method;
the service providing unit requests the communication middleware to transmit the data based on the information on the communication port.
Communication method control device. a service providing unit that executes an application that provides services including at least one of driving assistance, autonomous driving, and traffic and entertainment information provision;
a communication unit capable of using a plurality of communication methods;
a communication middleware that exists between the service providing unit and the communication unit, transmits data of the service using the communication unit, and is composed of at least one layer;
a protocol management unit that is accessible to the service providing unit, the communication middleware, and the communication unit and that specifies a communication method to be used for transmitting the data of the service;
Equipped with
the protocol management unit requests the communication middleware to deliver management information including information on services that can be provided by the service providing unit and communication methods that can be used by the communication unit;
Communication method control device. a communication method selection unit that selects a communication method to be used for transmitting the data of the service based on information on communication quality including a communication bandwidth utilization rate and a delay time in a communication method available to the communication unit and a priority of the service;
The communication system control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . a service providing unit that executes an application that provides services including at least one of driving assistance, autonomous driving, and traffic and entertainment information provision;
a communication unit capable of using a plurality of communication methods;
a communication middleware that exists between the service providing unit and the communication unit, transmits data of the service using the communication unit, and is composed of at least one layer;
a protocol management unit that is accessible to the service providing unit, the communication middleware, and the communication unit and that specifies a communication method to be used for transmitting the data of the service;
Equipped with
when the service changes the communication method used for transmitting the data, the protocol management unit requests transmission of the same data using both the communication method before the change and the communication method after the change.
Communication method control device. a service providing unit that executes an application that provides services including at least one of driving assistance, autonomous driving, and traffic and entertainment information provision;
a communication unit capable of using a plurality of communication methods;
a communication middleware that exists between the service providing unit and the communication unit, transmits data of the service using the communication unit, and is composed of at least one layer;
a protocol management unit that is accessible to the service providing unit, the communication middleware, and the communication unit and that specifies a communication method to be used for transmitting the data of the service;
Equipped with
and a device cooperation unit that, when a plurality of the communication method control devices exist in one terminal, notifies other communication method control devices of at least one of data transmitted by the protocol management unit, management information including information on services that can be provided by the service providing unit and communication methods that can be used by the communication unit, and information on communication quality of the communication methods that can be used by the communication unit.
Communication method control device. a service providing unit that executes an application that provides services including at least one of driving assistance, autonomous driving, and traffic and entertainment information provision;
a communication unit capable of using a plurality of communication methods;
a communication middleware that exists between the service providing unit and the communication unit, transmits data of the service using the communication unit, and is composed of at least one layer;
a protocol management unit that is accessible to the service providing unit, the communication middleware, and the communication unit and that specifies a communication method to be used for transmitting the data of the service;
Equipped with
the service provider is located on a separate device;
further comprising a protocol linking unit that transmits and receives data between the service providing unit and the communication middleware and between the service providing unit and the protocol management unit;
Communication method control device. a service providing unit that executes an application that provides services including at least one of driving assistance, autonomous driving, and traffic and entertainment information provision;
a communication unit capable of using a plurality of communication methods;
a communication middleware that exists between the service providing unit and the communication unit, transmits data of the service using the communication unit, and is composed of at least one layer;
a protocol management unit that is accessible to the service providing unit, the communication middleware, and the communication unit and that specifies a communication method to be used for transmitting the data of the service;
Equipped with
further comprising an intermediary unit having a function as a wrapper that mediates processing between the protocol management unit and the communication middleware, processing between the service providing unit and the communication middleware, and processing between the protocol management unit and the communication unit;
Communication method control device. a service providing unit of the communication system control device executes an application that provides a service including at least one of driving assistance, automatic driving, and traffic/entertainment information provision;
a protocol management unit of the communication system control device designates a communication system to be used for transmitting data of the service including an identifier of the service from among communication systems available to a communication unit;
the communication middleware of the communication system control device transmits data of the service by the designated communication system using the communication unit;
the protocol management unit specifies, to the communication middleware, a communication method to be used for transmitting the data of the service by specifying the communication method to be associated with the identifier of the service;
Communication method control method. a service providing unit of the communication system control device executes an application that provides a service including at least one of driving assistance, automatic driving, and traffic/entertainment information provision;
a protocol management unit of the communication system control device designating a communication system to be used for transmitting data of the service from among communication systems available to a communication unit ;
the communication middleware of the communication system control device transmits data of the service by the designated communication system using the communication unit;
the protocol management unit notifies the service providing unit of information on a communication port associated with the specified communication method;
the service providing unit requests the communication middleware to transmit the data based on the information on the communication port.
Communication method control method. a service providing unit of the communication system control device executes an application that provides a service including at least one of driving assistance, automatic driving, and traffic/entertainment information provision;
a protocol management unit of the communication system control device designating a communication system to be used for transmitting data of the service from among communication systems available to a communication unit ;
the communication middleware of the communication system control device transmits data of the service by the designated communication system using the communication unit;
the protocol management unit requests the communication middleware to deliver management information including information on services that can be provided by the service providing unit and communication methods that can be used by the communication unit;
Communication method control method. a service providing unit of the communication system control device executes an application that provides a service including at least one of driving assistance, automatic driving, and traffic/entertainment information provision;
a protocol management unit of the communication system control device designating a communication system to be used for transmitting data of the service from among communication systems available to a communication unit ;
the communication middleware of the communication system control device transmits data of the service by the designated communication system using the communication unit;
when the service changes the communication method used for transmitting the data, the protocol management unit requests transmission of the same data using both the communication method before the change and the communication method after the change.
Communication method control method. a service providing unit of the communication system control device executes an application that provides a service including at least one of driving assistance, automatic driving, and traffic/entertainment information provision;
a protocol management unit of the communication system control device designating a communication system to be used for transmitting data of the service from among communication systems available to a communication unit ;
the communication middleware of the communication system control device transmits data of the service by the designated communication system using the communication unit;
When a plurality of the communication method control devices are present in one terminal, a device cooperation unit of the communication method control device notifies the other communication method control devices of at least one of data transmitted by the protocol management unit, management information including information on services that can be provided by the service providing unit and communication methods that can be used by the communication unit, and information on communication quality of the communication methods that can be used by the communication unit.
Communication method control method. a service providing unit of the communication system control device executes an application that provides a service including at least one of driving assistance, automatic driving, and traffic/entertainment information provision;
a protocol management unit of the communication system control device designating a communication system to be used for transmitting data of the service from among communication systems available to a communication unit ;
the communication middleware of the communication system control device transmits data of the service by the designated communication system using the communication unit;
the service provider is located on a separate device;
a protocol coordination unit of the communication system control device transmitting and receiving data between the service providing unit and the communication middleware and between the service providing unit and the protocol management unit;
Communication method control method. a service providing unit of the communication system control device executes an application that provides a service including at least one of driving assistance, automatic driving, and traffic/entertainment information provision;
a protocol management unit of the communication system control device designating a communication system to be used for transmitting data of the service from among communication systems available to a communication unit ;
the communication middleware of the communication system control device transmits data of the service by the designated communication system using the communication unit;
an intermediary unit of the communication method control device operates as a wrapper that mediates processing between the protocol management unit and the communication middleware, processing between the service providing unit and the communication middleware, and processing between the protocol management unit and the communication unit;
Communication method control method.