Patent Grant
8874280
This application is a National Stage Entry of PCT/JP2011/070246 filed Sep. 6, 2001, which claims priority from Japanese Patent Application 2010-216252 filed Sep. 27, 2010, the contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety.
The present invention relates to a technology of checking a configuration of a vehicle.
In general, a philosophy of configuring a vehicle such as an automobile with a combination of modules exists, and, for example, there exists Patent literature 1. A scheme in which when modules configure a network inside the vehicle, respective modules certify each other by using an encryption key is disclosed in Patent literature 1. Further, a scheme in which controllers on a network certify each other, thereby allowing illegal parts to be excluded is disclosed in Patent literature 2.
In addition, the technology of taking a smooth control without duplicated functions, in consideration of a function of each module, is disclosed in Patent literature 3, and the technology of obtaining certification of each module (each software-based vehicle part) by a certification center is disclosed in Patent literature 4.
PTL 1: JP 2005-341528A
PTL 2: JP 2007-214696A
PTL 3: JP 2006-193016A
PTL 4: Japanese Translation of PCT International Application 2006-524377A
However, the above-described technologies assume a method of excluding the modules that have not been certified or cannot be certified, whereby a user does not use the modules other than the certified module, and hence a degree of freedom of selecting the modules is narrow. For example, when a user is about to realize a favorite riding feeling etc., there is a case in which it cannot be realized with a combination of the certified modules.
The present invention has been accomplished in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technology of solving the above-mentioned problems, namely, a technology of increasing a degree of freedom of selecting the modules.
The present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is an information processing system for checking a vehicle configured by combining a plurality of vehicle modules, is characterized in including a first judgment means that judges whether or not each vehicle module has been certified, a second judgment means that judges whether or not the aforementioned combination of a plurality of the vehicle modules can be certified, and a determination means that determines conditions necessary for the aforementioned combination of a plurality of the vehicle modules to receive certification.
So as to achieve the above-mentioned object, the vehicle relating to the present invention is characterized in including the above-mentioned system.
The present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is a method of checking a vehicle configured by combining a plurality of vehicle modules, is characterized in including a judgment step of judging whether or not each vehicle module has been certified, a judgment step of judging whether or not the aforementioned combination of a plurality of the vehicle modules can be certified, and a determination step of determining conditions necessary for the aforementioned combination of a plurality of the vehicle modules to receive certification.
So as to achieve the above-mentioned object, the program relating to the present invention, which is a program for checking a vehicle configured by combining a plurality of vehicle modules, is characterized in causing a computer to execute a judgment step of judging whether or not each vehicle module has been certified, a judgment step of judging whether or not the aforementioned combination of a plurality of the vehicle modules can be certified, and a determination step of determining conditions necessary for the aforementioned combination of a plurality of the vehicle modules to receive certification.
The present invention makes it possible to select the modules configuring the vehicle in a wider manner.
Hereinafter, the exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be illustratively explained in details by referencing the accompanied drawings. However, the constituent element described in the following exemplary embodiments is only an exemplification, and there is no intention of limiting the technological scope of the present invention to hereto. Additionally, in the following description, the so-called “vehicle” is a concept of a vehicle including all moving devices irrespective of the number of wheels.
(First Exemplary Embodiment)
As the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an information processing system 100 for checking the vehicle configured of a combination of a plurality of the vehicle modules will be explained by employing
The module judgment unit 110 judges whether or not each vehicle module configuring a vehicle 150 has been certified. Further, the combination judgment unit 120 judges whether or not the combination of a plurality of the vehicle modules can be certified. In addition, the condition determination unit 130 determines conditions necessary for the combination of a plurality of the vehicle modules to receive certification.
In such a manner, not only the certification of the vehicle modules is judged one by one, but also the appropriateness of the above combination is judged, and furthermore, the condition necessary for obtaining the certification is determined, whereby the vehicle modules configuring the vehicle can be selected in more simplified manner.
(Second Exemplary Embodiment)
As the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle configured of a plurality of the vehicle modules, and the check system, being one example of the information processing system, that checks the above vehicle will be explained by employing
[Configuration]
The check system 200 is connected to the vehicle driving system 250 in the inside or the outside of the vehicle. As the check system 200, a general-purpose computer may be employed. In this case, the check system 200 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a communication controller 203, a RAM 204, and a large capacity storage unit 205. The CPU 201, which is a central processing unit, executes various programs, thereby to control an entirety of the check system 200 all the more.
The ROM 202, which is a read only memory, stores various parameters etc. in addition to a boot program that the CPU 201 firstly should execute. Further, the RAM 204, which is a random access memory, has a development region of the program read out from the large capacity storage unit 205, and a temporary storage region for storing data to be employed by the above program, derived data, data inputted via the communication controller 203, and the like. The large capacity storage unit 205 stores various databases and the program modules. Further, the communication controller 203 controls communication with the vehicle driving system 250, and communication with a vehicle certification center 260 and a vehicle module data center 270 via a network.
On the other hand, the vehicle driving system 250 includes a control chip 251, and a plurality of vehicle modules 252. Each of these vehicle modules 252 includes an ECU (Electrical Control Unit). Respective ECUs, which are connected to a network, can mutually communicate and yet can communicate with the control chip 251. Each vehicle module has a tamper-resistant certification chip embedded therein, and a mechanism in which the control chip 251 can judge whether or not each vehicle module has been certified is employed. Or, the ECU of the vehicle module may be caused to have an already-certified ID such as an MAC address that is uniquely decided. Employing such a mechanism makes it possible to realize traceability of the parts, and to prevent the parts from being stolen.
In such a system, the check system 200 controls the vehicle module 252 via the control chip 251 in a linkage with the vehicle driving system 250. In particular, the check system 200 checks, for each of the vehicle modules 252, whether or not the above vehicle module is a certificated vehicle module, whether no problem with a performance exists, and whether no problem with compatibility of a plurality of the vehicle modules exists. In addition, the check system 200 checks whether or not each vehicle module exhibits an appropriate performance as the vehicle configured by combining the vehicle modules. Further, when this check system 200 finds a problem, it notifies to the user countermeasures (exchange of the vehicle module, installment, update, and control setting of a driver software, and the like) that a user can take in order to solve the above problem.
[Flow of the Process]
The control chip 251 registers the acquired vehicle module information into the storage unit 403 (S603), and requests the check system 200 to check a new vehicle module (S604).
The check system 200 appropriately requests the vehicle certification center 260 for a certification reference (S605), downloads the certification reference from the vehicle certification center 260 (S606), and registers it into a vehicle certification reference database 312. Additionally, herein, an example of inquiring of the external vehicle certification center 260 is shown; however, the present invention is not limited hereto, and the vehicle certification reference database 312 inside the large capacity storage unit 205 may be referenced.
Next, in a step S607, the CPU 201 of the check system 200 executes a simulation subroutine 301 of the vehicle certification program 300, thereby to perform a simulation in a new combination of the vehicle modules. In this simulation, the CPU 201 of the check system 200 employs a vehicle simulation parameter 311 stored into the vehicle certification database 310. For example, when the new vehicle module is a battery, the CPU 201 actually rotates the motor at a predetermined rotational number, and checks an output, a caloric value, and generated noise thereof. At this time, tires may be rotated, or tires may not be rotated. Or, when the new vehicle module is an audio, the CPU 201 starts the above audio, and checks the consumption power, the caloric value, and the generated noise. It is assumed that all these check items are prepared in the vehicle certification reference database 312. Additionally, when a reliability of the vehicle module information registered in the step S603 is high, and sufficient data about the newly introduced vehicle module is arranged, the CPU 201 perform the simulation in a software manner by employing an operational model prepared for each single body of the vehicle module. Further, when the newly introduced vehicle module has been certificated, and it has been already certificated that no problem with its operation and a compatibility with other vehicle modules exists, the CPU 201 may permit the use thereof without performing the simulation. In that case, when combinations of the already-certified vehicle modules are stored into the vehicle certification reference database 312 of
Continuously, the CPU 201 of the check system 200 executes a certification subroutine 302, thereby allowing a numerical value, being a simulation result, to be compared with a reference value stored into the vehicle certification reference database 312. And, the above result is stored as a vehicle simulation result 321 of
In a step S608, a result of the simulation is presented to a user. At this time, the certification acquisition method determination program determines how to solve the items that have not satisfied the certification reference by referencing the control setting change table 313 shown in
In a step S609, the certification result is preserved in the large capacity storage unit 205 as vehicle certification propriety data 322, and besides, is transmitted to the control chip 251. When the downloaded software patch exists, the above software patch is transmitted to the control chip 251. The control chip 251 updates the integration control program 431 and the driver of each vehicle module with the transmitted software patch. Or, when the certification is OK, the control chip 251 transmits a certification code to the newly introduced vehicle module (S610).
At first, as a step S701, the CPU 201 acquires the vehicle module information 432 via the control chip 251 with regard to the vehicle module. The CPU 201 may acquire information on all vehicle modules beside the newly introduced vehicle module. Next, in a step S703, the CPU 201 checks the certification of each vehicle module to judge whether or not the not-certified vehicle module exists. When the not-certified vehicle module does not exist, the CPU 201 judges whether or not a combination of a plurality of the vehicle modules configuring the above vehicle has been certified (S717). When it has already confirmed that the combination of the vehicle modules can be also traveled without any problem, for example, when the vehicle module that a vehicle manufacturer recommends is introduced, the operation proceeds to a step S719 to report its effect to the control chip 251.
When the not-certified vehicle module exists, or when a combination with other vehicle modules has not been certificated even though the vehicle module has been certificated as a single body, the operation proceeds to a step S705 to execute the simulation, and its result is accumulated as a vehicle simulation result 321. And, in a step S707, the CPU 201 compares the vehicle simulation result 321 with the vehicle certification reference database 312 to judge whether it satisfies a reference. In a step S709, the CPU 201 judges whether a comparison between the vehicle simulation result 321 and all certification references is completed. The step S707 is repeated until a comparison with all certification references is completed, and the operation proceeds to a step S711 to judge whether or not the certification is OK as an entirety of the vehicle when a comparison with all certification references is completed. As a result, the operation proceeds from the step 711 to a step 719 to report its effect to the control chip 251 when the certification is OK as an entirety of the vehicle.
When it was impossible to clear the certification with regard to some items, the CPU 201 presents its result to the user in a step 713, and besides, reports the control setting, the alternated vehicle module, existence of the software patch, and the like so as to clear the certification. When it is possible to cope therewith by the setting and a change of the software, the CPU 201 changes the control setting and updates the software based on an instruction by the user in a step S715.
For example, one example of a screen for displaying the check result is shown in
On the other hand, the consumption power of the motor, a maximum continuous travel time, and the like are shown in a check result display screen 1001 of
The check result of the brake performance is shown in a check result display screen 1101 of
The check result of the noise to be generated from the vehicle module is shown in a check result display screen 1201 of
When the CPU 401 receives key information (for example, information preserved in an electric driver's license) in a step S801, it judges whether or not the certification by the check system 200 has been completed as an entirety of the vehicle in a step S803. Next, in a step S809, the CPU 401 judges whether the driving of the above vehicle by the above driver should be permitted by collating with the content of the electric driver's license and the like. For example, the CPU 401 judges whether a motor output is within a range of a user's driving qualification. When the CPU 401 has judged that the driving can be permitted, the operation proceeds to a step S811 to start the travel. When the driving cannot be permitted, the operation proceeds to a step S813 to make the travel of the vehicle impossible, and its reason is presented to the user.
As explained above, this exemplary embodiment makes it possible to select the vehicle modules configuring the vehicle in a more simplified manner because the certification of the vehicle module is judged one by one, an appropriateness of the above combination is furthermore judged, and the condition necessary for obtaining the certification is determined in addition hereto.
Additionally, in the above-mentioned exemplary embodiment, when the vehicle module that does not meet the certification reference exists, the download of the software, the exchange of the hardware, and the like are proposed to the user; however, other change options may be suggested when they satisfy the reference. For example, a modification such that a parameter set applicable to the current combination of the vehicle modules is downloaded to customize a riding feeling of the vehicle and the like is thinkable.
(Third Exemplary Embodiment)
The third exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be explained by employing
In a table 1300 shown in
Likewise, the interior color and the vehicle driving sound are also prepared for each vehicle module combination. In addition, any travel mode of a fuel efficiency-weighted mode and a travel-weighted mode can be selected with the vehicle module combination 1; however, the setting is made so that such a selection cannot be made in vehicle module combination 2 and the vehicle module combination 3.
As explained above, the customization width is set for each vehicle module combination, whereby the user can select the vehicle module combination and among all, the vehicle module itself in consideration of such a customization width.
(Fourth Exemplary Embodiment)
The fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be explained by employing
It is thinkable that the operational part is subjected to aging degradation due to long-period use. Thereupon, when the certification of the vehicle is finished in the step S803 and the travel is started in a step S1400, the operation proceeds to a step S1401 to accumulate a travel log. Next, when a passage time from the travel start is measured and a predetermined time lapses, the operation proceeds from a step S1402 to a step S1403 and it is judged whether the certification process has been finished by a predetermined number of times. For example, if the above vehicle module combination has been already certified by five times, it is judged that there is no problem with the above vehicle module combination and the process is finished. At this time, the above vehicle module combination may be registered into the vehicle module database 340 etc. as a vehicle module combination having no problem with the travel. In such a manner, thereafter, the above vehicle module combination can be introduced into other drivers who select an identical combination as a combination for which the certification has been completed after a considerable large number of the actual travels.
On the other hand, when the certification process has been finished by a predetermined number of times in a step S1403, the operation proceeds to a step S1404 to perform the certification process by use of the travel log. The operation returns to a step S809 to judge again whether or not the driving should be permitted responding to its result.
Further, it is also possible to compare an operational model (initial performance) employed for the simulation with the actual operational situation and to detect the aging degradation according to magnitude of the difference. A difference of the operational situation might occur in a short term, dependent upon a change in the operational environment; however a more precise extent of the degradation can be measured if the long-term operation is monitored to introduce an entire tendency with the computation method such as root mean square.
It is detected that it is expected that a difference between the current operational situation and the operational model (initial performance) has exceeded a predetermined constant range, or exceeds a predetermined constant range from a gradient of a graph and the like. And, an exchange period of the parts of which the current operational situation has exceeded a predetermined range etc. (for example, a drop of the initial performance by 10%) or the parts of which the current operational situation is expected to exceed a predetermined range etc. is displayed in a monitor, thereby allowing the exchange period to be notified to the user.
Further, the operation of the module is restricted so that the current operational situation converges into a predetermined range (for example, a drop of the initial performance by 10%). The control by a by-wire is premised. For example, a control for making a ratio of a leg-force of a brake pedal and the brake distance constant is taken for degradation in the brake. This exemplary embodiment can be performed with the system configured of the brake pedal, a device for converting the leg-force of the pedal into an electric signal, a device for changing the above electric signal into a tightening strength of a brake pad, a brake body, and a vehicle speed sensing system (a general-purpose speed detection system is acceptable).
When the brake degrades, the brake distance is extended with a constant leg-force; however adjusting the strength of the brake for the leg-force allows a change in the brake distance due to the degradation to be offset. In the device for converting the leg-force of the pedal into the electric signal or the device for changing the above electric signal into the tightening strength of a brake pad, changing a conversion coefficient of the tightening strength of the brake pad for the leg-force allows the brake distance to be adjusted so as to converge into a constant range. The measurement of the brake distance is calculated from the vehicle speed and the brake time that have been measured since the time point of the brake operation.
As explained above, performing the certification again by employing the log during the travel in some cases and changing the control in some cases makes it possible to travel the vehicle having satisfied the conditions more assuredly.
(Fifth Exemplary Embodiment)
The fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be explained by employing
The configuration above makes it possible to realize the check system 1500 by employing the portable-type communicator even though a function of communicating with the external device does not exist inside the vehicle.
(Other Exemplary Embodiment)
Above, the exemplary embodiments of the present invention were described in details, and the system or the device having separate characteristics to be included in respective exemplary embodiments combined in various manners therein are also included in a category of the present invention.
Further, the present invention may be applied to a system that is configured of a plurality of apparatuses, and may be applied to a single device. In addition, the present invention is applicable to the case in which the check program of the vehicle for realizing a function of the exemplary embodiments is directly or remotely supplied to the system and the device. Thus, the program installed in the computer in order to realize a function of the present invention or the medium having the above program stored therein, and a WWW server for downloading the above program are also included in a category of the present invention.
This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese patent application No. 2010-216252, filed on Sep. 27, 2010, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-216252 | Sep 2010 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2011/070246 | 9/6/2011 | WO | 00 | 3/15/2013 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2012/043167 | 4/5/2012 | WO | A |
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