JP2004032017A - Vehicle information gathering method, program and vehicle information service providing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To gather efficiently vehicle information required for providing information useful for vehicle users to the users. <P>SOLUTION: A system for gathering the vehicle information and for providing vehicle information service comprises a management computer 12, a server 13, microcomputers 15 provided in a plurality of the vehicles 14, and a mobile phone 16 of a owner of the vehicle 14. The mobile phone 16 is equipped with a short range radio interface 18 and the microcomputer 19. Also, the vehicle 14 is equipped with the short range radio interface 20. The microcomputers 15 can communicate with the microcomputer 19 of the mobile phone 16 via the short range radio interface 18, 20. The microcomputers 15 are coupled to a variety of sensors 21 mounted in the car 14 and to a diagnosis instrument 22. The management computer 12 gathers the vehicle information via public lines 23 and via the mobile phone 16. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vehicle information collecting method, a program, and a vehicle information service providing method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, automobiles have been required to improve not only its basic performance and safety but also its convenience. In recent years, mobile phones (hereinafter simply referred to as mobile phones) have been developed and spread, and it is common for those who ride in cars to have mobile phones, and the functions of mobile phones have also been advanced. . As an example, in recent years, a mobile phone equipped with a short-range wireless interface having a communication range of about 10 m and capable of transmitting and receiving data without using a cable with a notebook computer or a personal digital assistant (PDA) has been proposed. ing.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In order to maintain the functions of the vehicle, various types of maintenance including prevention of running out of fuel are required. The vehicle is equipped with a self-diagnosis (diagnosis) device to make it easier to determine whether maintenance is required. Have been. However, there is a case where the vehicle runs without noticing that the fuel level is low and runs out of fuel during the running, or a case where the tire replacement is neglected without notice even when the tire replacement time comes. Further, even if a self-diagnosis device is provided, the information is often not sufficiently utilized.
[0004]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a first object of the present invention is to efficiently collect vehicle information necessary to provide useful information to a vehicle user. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for collecting vehicle information. A second object is to provide a program used for the vehicle information collecting method, and a third object is to provide a vehicle capable of efficiently providing information useful to a user of a vehicle to a plurality of users. An object of the present invention is to provide an information service providing method.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the first object, the invention according to claim 1 includes a short-range wireless interface using vehicle information obtained from various sensors mounted on the vehicle by a short-range wireless interface mounted on the vehicle. A mobile phone is transmitted, and the vehicle information transmitted to the mobile phone is periodically collected by a management computer via a public line. Here, "periodically" does not only mean that the mobile phone is always accessed at regular time intervals, but also includes at least one access during a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes). "
According to the present invention, by providing a short-range wireless interface to a widely used mobile phone and a vehicle, vehicle information such as a remaining fuel amount, a running state, and diagnosis information is periodically transmitted to a management computer via a public line. Will be collected. Therefore, vehicle information can be easily collected by the management computer. Further, by processing the collected vehicle information by a computer, various information can be easily obtained.
[0006]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the management computer periodically accesses the mobile phone identified by a vehicle ID number registered in the management computer to obtain the vehicle information. From multiple vehicles.
[0007]
In the present invention, the mobile phone transmitting the vehicle information to the management computer is identified by the vehicle ID number registered in the management computer, and is periodically accessed from the management computer. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the frequency of obtaining vehicle information from being reduced due to the user forgetting to access the management computer.
[0008]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer for collecting vehicle information obtained from various sensors mounted on a vehicle via a mobile phone equipped with a short-range wireless interface and a public line. A program for periodically connecting the computer to the mobile phone via a public line, and determining whether the mobile phone can communicate with a short-range wireless interface mounted on a vehicle. And causing the mobile phone to obtain vehicle information via the short-range wireless interface if communication is possible, and transmitting the vehicle information to the computer via a public line. .
[0009]
When the program of the present invention is used in a computer, the computer connects to the mobile phone via a public line and determines whether or not the mobile phone can communicate with a short-range wireless interface mounted on the vehicle. If communication is possible, the mobile phone obtains vehicle information via the short-range wireless interface and transmits the vehicle information to the computer via a public line. Therefore, if used for a management computer, vehicle information can be easily collected regularly using a mobile phone.
[0010]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a vehicle information collected by the vehicle information collecting method according to the first or second aspect is compiled into a database by a computer, and at least the vehicle is managed by the management computer. Information on maintenance is supplied to the user via the mobile phone. Here, the “information on vehicle maintenance” includes the remaining amount of fuel (for example, gasoline).
[0011]
According to the present invention, the collected vehicle information is compiled into a database by a computer. The database may be created by the management computer itself or by another computer. Then, information on vehicle maintenance is supplied to the user from the management computer. For example, information indicating that the remaining fuel amount is small or the tire replacement time is near is supplied, and the user can take appropriate action based on the information.
[0012]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, the management computer supplies information on a dealer of consumables used in the vehicle and a vehicle maintenance company together with the information on the maintenance of the vehicle. I do. According to the present invention, since information about the sales agent and the maintenance company of the consumable supplies is supplied together with the information about the maintenance, the user can easily cope with the maintenance.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, a system for collecting vehicle information and providing a vehicle information service includes a management computer 12 provided in a vehicle information management company 11, a server 13, and a microcomputer 15 provided in a plurality of vehicles 14. And a mobile phone 16 of the vehicle owner.
[0014]
The mobile phone 16 includes a mobile phone function unit 17, a short-range wireless interface 18, and a battery (not shown). The mobile phone function unit 17 is a unit for making the mobile phone 16 function as a telephone, and includes a microcomputer 19. The short-range wireless interface 18 is configured by a Bluetooth (Bluetooth) chip capable of short-range wireless communication of about 10 meters. The microcomputer 19 is electrically connected to the short-range wireless interface 18.
[0015]
The vehicle 14 is also provided with a short-range wireless interface 20, and the microcomputer 15 of the vehicle 14 is electrically connected to the short-range wireless interface 20. The microcomputer 15 can communicate with the microcomputer 19 of the mobile phone 16 via the short-range wireless interfaces 18 and 20. The microcomputer 15 is connected to various sensors 21 (only one is shown) mounted on the vehicle 14 and a diagnosis device 22 via an input interface (not shown). The sensors include, for example, a fuel remaining amount sensor, an odometer, an engine oil sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, an engine speed meter, a door open / close detection sensor, a window open / close detection sensor, a wiper operation detection sensor, a light lighting detection sensor, a brake drive detection sensor, There are air conditioner operation detection sensors, vehicle position detection sensors, and the like.
[0016]
The microcomputer 15 includes a nonvolatile memory 15a, and a predetermined ID code set for each vehicle 14 is recorded in the memory 15a. The microcomputer 19 also includes a non-volatile memory 19a, and the same ID code as that described above is recorded in the memory 19a.
[0017]
When the traveling of the vehicle 14 is stopped in a state where the mobile phone 16 is in the vehicle 14, the microcomputer 15 transmits the diagnosis information (diagnosis information) and the remaining fuel amount information of the diagnosis device 22 to the 16 at that time. Then, the microcomputer 19 of the mobile phone 16 stores the information in the memory 19a. Therefore, in a state where the mobile phone 16 may move out of the communicable area with the microcomputer 15 of the vehicle 14 via the short-range wireless interfaces 18 and 20, the latest diagnostic information and the remaining fuel information are stored in the memory 19a. Is stored. From this state, it is unlikely that the remaining fuel amount or the diagnostic information will change between the time the user carries the mobile phone 16 away from the vehicle 14 and returns to the vehicle 14.
[0018]
The management computer 12 includes a modem (not shown) and can communicate with each mobile phone 16 via a public line 23. The management computer 12 is configured to be able to distribute the ID code to the mobile phone 16 via the public line 23, and the management computer 12 communicates with the mobile phone 16 in which the ID code is registered in advance. The distribution and registration of the ID code to the mobile phone 16 is such that when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the microcomputer 19 of the mobile phone 16 downloads the ID code set on the management computer 12 side. The predetermined condition is, for example, to transmit a condition for confirming that the owner of the mobile phone 16 is the owner of the vehicle 14 in accordance with an instruction from the management computer 12.
[0019]
A memory (not shown) of the management computer 12 stores a program used by a computer that collects vehicle information obtained from various sensors 21 mounted on the vehicle 14 via the mobile phone 16 and the public line 23. ing. The program includes a procedure for periodically connecting the computer to the mobile phone 16 via the public line 23 and determining whether the mobile phone 16 can communicate with the short-range wireless interface 20 mounted on the vehicle 14. And the steps to be performed. In addition, the program causes the mobile phone 16 to acquire the vehicle information via the short-range wireless interface 18 and transmit the vehicle information to the computer via the public line 23 if the communication is possible. When the mobile phone 16 is out of the communicable range with the vehicle 14 by the short-range wireless interfaces 18 and 20, only the latest vehicle information stored in the memory 19 a of the microcomputer 19 of the mobile phone 16 is public. A procedure for causing the computer to transmit via the line 23 is executed. The call charge between the management computer 12 and the mobile phone 16 is borne by the vehicle information management company 11.
[0020]
A server 13 as a computer connected to the management computer 12 processes the vehicle information (data) collected by the management computer 12, converts it into a database in various forms, and holds the database. As the processing mode of the vehicle information, there is a process for determining whether or not it is necessary to refuel immediately, based on the remaining fuel data or the remaining engine oil data, and a process for determining when to replace the engine oil. In the process of determining whether or not it is necessary to refuel immediately, a more appropriate determination process is performed in consideration of vehicle position information and vehicle speed information. For example, during high-speed driving or highway driving, the timing at which fuel supply is required is advanced even with the same remaining fuel amount.
[0021]
As a processing mode of the vehicle information, there is a processing of determining a tire replacement time. The tire replacement time is determined based on the traveling distance, the frequency of use of the brake, and the like. Further, as the processing mode of the vehicle information, there are an average speed and a driving time per day.
[0022]
As a processing mode of the vehicle information, there is an analysis of the diagnostic information for each vehicle 14. The database is stratified into items requiring early maintenance and items that are not so urgent. For example, the end of the tail lamp is an important item, although it is difficult for the user to notice, and the tail lamp is replaced early by notifying the end of the tail lamp.
[0023]
The vehicle information processing also includes a process of determining a road condition based on vehicle speed information and traveling position information of a plurality of vehicles 14. That is, if the speed of each vehicle 14 traveling in the predetermined area is low, it is determined that the vehicle is congested. It is also possible to perform local weather information determination processing based on wiper operation information, light lighting information, and travel position information. For example, if many vehicles 14 are illuminated in spite of a certain time before sunset, the area can be determined to be rainy or cloudy, and many vehicles 14 operate the wipers. If it is, the area can be determined to be rainy.
[0024]
The management computer 12 includes a service provider computer 24 registered in advance in the vehicle information management company 11 among a supplier of consumables used in the vehicle and a maintenance company of the vehicle (hereinafter, referred to as a service provider). It is connected via a public line 23. The management computer 12, the public line 23 and the computer 24 form a computer network connecting the vehicle information management company 11 and the service provider. The management computer 12 transmits, via the public line 23, vehicle information necessary for the computer 24 of each service provider, out of the vehicle information stored in the database at the server 13. That is, necessary vehicle information is transmitted via the computer network.
[0025]
The management computer 12 supplies at least information on maintenance of the vehicle 14 to the user via the mobile phone 16 from the vehicle information in the database. Here, the “information on vehicle maintenance” includes the remaining amount of fuel (for example, gasoline). The management computer 12 periodically supplies the information to the user who needs it via the public line 23 and the mobile phone 16. This supply (transmission) is performed before or after collection of vehicle information when connected to the mobile phone 16 to collect vehicle information from the vehicle 14.
[0026]
The management computer 12 supplies information on the service provider to the user together with information on the maintenance of the vehicle. The management computer 12 supplies service information provided by a service provider registered in advance to the user. The management computer 12 supplies the provided service information transmitted from the service provider computer 24 via the public line 23 to the user.
[0027]
Examples of the service information provided by the service provider include bargain information on tires and car supplies when the service provider is a car supply store and an advertising agency, and tires when the service provider is a gas station. There is bargain information on engine oil, gasoline, etc. When the service provider is a car dealer, a car maker, a used car dealer, or an advertising agency, the provided service information includes automatic maintenance of a car, automatic inspection of a car, advertisement of a car part, and a new car.
[0028]
When the information service provider is a road corporation, a security company, or an insurance company, there are road information, insurance commercials, and the like.
Next, the operation of the system configured as described above will be described.
The management computer 12 collects vehicle information using the mobile phone 16 according to the flowchart of FIG. 2 and supplies the vehicle information to the user.
[0029]
The management computer 12 first accesses the mobile phone 16 in which the ID code has been registered via the public line 23 in step S1. When accessing the predetermined mobile phone 16, in step S2, the management computer 12 determines whether the mobile phone 16 is in the vehicle area, that is, whether the mobile phone 16 can communicate with the short-range wireless interface 20 mounted on the vehicle 14. Determine whether or not. If it is in the vehicle area, the process proceeds to step S3.
[0030]
In step S3, the management computer 12 causes the microcomputer 19 of the mobile phone 16 to obtain the vehicle information via the short-range wireless interfaces 18 and 20, and transmits the vehicle information to the management computer 12 via the public line 23. The vehicle information includes a current position, a running condition (vehicle speed, engine speed, light on / off, presence / absence of wiper operation, etc.), diagnostic information, gasoline remaining amount, and the like. When the transmission of the vehicle information from the mobile phone 16 is completed, that is, when the acquisition of the vehicle information from the mobile phone 16 is completed, the management computer 12 proceeds to step S4. In step S <b> 4, the management computer 12 transmits service information to the mobile phone 16 together with information on maintenance of the vehicle (maintenance information). Thereafter, the management computer 12 proceeds to step S5, sets the next vehicle information acquisition time, and completes a series of vehicle information collection work and vehicle information service provision work.
[0031]
In step S2, if the mobile phone 16 is not within the vehicle area, the management computer 12 proceeds to step S6 and causes only the latest vehicle information stored in the memory 19a to be transmitted. This information includes gasoline remaining amount and diagnostic information. Thereafter, the management computer 12 proceeds to step S4.
[0032]
Then, at the next vehicle information acquisition time, the management computer 12 performs the vehicle information collection work and the vehicle information service providing work as described above.
The server 13 processes the vehicle information collected by the management computer 12 and creates a database. Each time the management computer 12 collects vehicle information, the database is updated. Then, in step S4, the management computer 12 obtains vehicle information and service information based on the latest data from the updated database and transmits the information to the user.
[0033]
The service provider registered in advance accesses the management computer 12 by the computer 24 as necessary to obtain vehicle information. In addition, it sends its own service information to the management computer 12.
[0034]
This embodiment has the following effects.
(1) Vehicle information (for example, remaining amount of fuel, running state, diagnostic information, etc.) obtained from various sensors 21 mounted on the vehicle 14 is transmitted via the mobile phone 16 mounted on the vehicle 14 and the public line 23. The information is periodically collected by the management computer 12. Therefore, vehicle information can be easily collected, and various information can be easily obtained by processing the collected vehicle information by a computer. Further, by providing the short-range wireless interfaces 18 and 20 in the mobile phone 16 and the vehicle 14 which are widely used, vehicle information can be easily collected by the management computer 12.
[0035]
(2) Since the collected vehicle information is stored in a database in the server 13, the load on the management computer 12 is reduced as compared with a configuration in which the management computer 12 processes the vehicle information and converts it into a database. It is possible to smoothly collect information and provide service information and the like.
[0036]
(3) The management computer 12 periodically accesses the mobile phone 16 identified by the vehicle ID number registered in the management computer 12 and collects the vehicle information from a plurality of vehicles 14. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the frequency of obtaining vehicle information from being reduced due to the user forgetting to access the management computer 12. Since the management computer 12 accesses the information collection interval, the information collection interval can be freely set on the management computer 12 side.
[0037]
(4) By installing the vehicle information collecting program in the computer, the function as the management computer 12 can be easily provided, and the vehicle information can be easily collected regularly using the mobile phone 16.
[0038]
(5) The vehicle information collected by the management computer 12 is converted into a database by the server 13, and the management computer 12 supplies at least information on maintenance of the vehicle 14 to the user via the mobile phone 16. Therefore, the user can take appropriate measures on fuel supply, tire replacement, and the like based on the information.
[0039]
(6) The management computer 12 supplies information on the sales of consumables used in the vehicle 14 and information on the maintenance company of the vehicle, together with information on the maintenance of the vehicle 14. Therefore, the user can easily cope with the maintenance.
[0040]
(7) The management computer 12 supplies service information provided by a service provider registered in advance. Therefore, service providers (service providers) have more opportunities to provide their own services to users who need consumables or maintenance.
[0041]
(8) The management computer 12 converts the collected vehicle information into a database in the server 13, and transmits necessary vehicle information to a service provider for vehicles registered in advance via a computer network. Therefore, the service provider relating to the vehicle can easily know the type of service required by the user, and can effectively use the service when providing its own service. For example, at a gas station, sales can be increased by directly soliciting gasoline sales to owners of vehicles with low gasoline levels. In particular, when the vehicle is running near its own gas station, the effect is large.
[0042]
(9) Even when the mobile phone 16 is not in the vehicle area, the management computer 12 can obtain the latest vehicle information including the gasoline remaining amount and the diagnostic information stored in the memory 19a when accessing the mobile phone 16. . Therefore, effective vehicle information can be obtained even when the mobile phone 16 is not in the vehicle area.
[0043]
(10) Since there is no burden on the user for the call charge when accessing from the management computer 12, the cost burden on the user is reduced as compared with the case where the user bears even a part of the call charge. It is easy to conclude a contract with the user for collecting vehicle information or providing service information.
[0044]
(11) Since the Bluetooth chips are used as the short-range wireless interfaces 18 and 20, the short-range wireless interfaces 18 and 20 are easily available.
[0045]
The embodiment is not limited to the above, and may be embodied as follows, for example.
Access to the management computer 12 for collecting vehicle information is not limited to the mobile phone 16, but may be, for example, a telephone installed in the vehicle 14. That is, communication with a vehicle-mounted telephone may be performed instead of the mobile telephone 16. The telephone mounted on the vehicle is connected to the microcomputer 15 via the in-vehicle LAN (local area network) without providing the short-range wireless interfaces 18 and 20. Therefore, there is no need to provide the short-range wireless interfaces 18 and 20. Also, unlike the case of the mobile phone 16, since the telephone does not move from inside the vehicle 14, the management computer 12 always collects information of the various sensors 21 mounted on the vehicle 14 by accessing the telephone. Can be.
[0046]
The access interval between the management computer 12 and the mobile phone 16 may be set to be different between daytime and nighttime. Generally, the vehicle 14 is used during the daytime and the vehicle information changes greatly. However, the vehicle 14 is not used at nighttime and the data reliability is high even if vehicle information is not frequently collected. If the number of accesses is reduced, the cost of collecting vehicle information can be reduced.
[0047]
The management computer 12 may perform the analysis of the vehicle information, the creation of the database, and the storage of the database instead of the server 13. In this case, the management computer 12 executes the processing of the vehicle information obtained in step S3 or step S6 and converts it into a database before step S4 in the flowchart in FIG. Select etc. However, when the number of target vehicles for collecting vehicle information is large, it is preferable to use the server 13.
[0048]
The management computer 12 may be configured to collect vehicle information only and not supply vehicle information to a user or supply service information from a service provider. In this case, the vehicle information and service information are separately supplied to the user via the mobile phone 16 or by means such as the Internet or direct mail.
[0049]
The management computer 12 may collect vehicle information and provide information on maintenance of the vehicle to the user.
The service provider may obtain the vehicle information in a database from the management computer 12 and provide the provided service information to the user independently. In this case, the provided service information is provided via the mobile phone 16 or by means such as the Internet or direct mail.
[0050]
When collecting the vehicle information, the management computer 12 may access the management computer 12 from the user instead of accessing the user's mobile phone 16 or the vehicle-mounted telephone. In this case as well, the call charge is borne by the vehicle information management company 11, and a program for periodically accessing the management computer 12 is stored in the memory 19a of the microcomputer 19. Inconvenience caused by forgetting access can be avoided.
[0051]
-The ID code is not limited to the ID number of the vehicle, and a telephone number may be used as the ID code.
The invention (technical idea) that can be grasped from the embodiment will be described below.
[0052]
(1) In the invention according to claim 2, the owner of the management computer bears a charge for using the public line when the management computer collects vehicle information from the mobile phone using the public line.
[0053]
(2) In the invention according to claim 5, the management computer supplies service information provided by a service provider registered in advance.
(3) The vehicle information collected by the vehicle information collection method according to claim 1 or 2 is converted into a database by a computer, and the required vehicle information is transmitted to a service provider for vehicles registered in advance via a computer network. Vehicle information service providing method.
[0054]
(4) In the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5, and technical ideas (2) and (3), the vehicle information includes at least information on consumables used in the vehicle. I have.
[0055]
(5) The seller of the consumable item according to claim 5 and any one of the technical ideas (2) and (3) is a gas station.
[0056]
【The invention's effect】
As described in detail above, according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, it is possible to efficiently collect vehicle information necessary for providing useful information to a vehicle user. According to the third aspect of the invention, the vehicle information collecting method can be easily implemented by using the program. According to the fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention, useful information for the user of the vehicle can be efficiently provided to a plurality of users.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a system for collecting vehicle information and the like according to an embodiment;
FIG. 2 is a flowchart for performing vehicle information collection and the like.
[Explanation of symbols]
12: management computer, 13: server as computer, 14: vehicle, 16: mobile phone (mobile phone), 18, 20: short-range wireless interface, 21: sensor, 23: public line, 24: computer.

Claims (5)

Vehicle information obtained from various sensors mounted on the vehicle is transmitted to a mobile phone equipped with a short-range wireless interface via a short-range wireless interface mounted on the vehicle, and the vehicle information transmitted to the mobile phone is transmitted to a public line. Vehicle information collection method that is periodically collected by the management computer via the Internet. 2. The vehicle information collection method according to claim 1, wherein the management computer periodically accesses the mobile phone identified by the vehicle ID number registered in the management computer to collect the vehicle information from a plurality of vehicles. . A program used by a computer that collects vehicle information obtained from various sensors mounted on the vehicle via a mobile phone equipped with a short-range wireless interface and a public line,
A procedure for periodically connecting the computer to the mobile phone via a public line, a procedure for determining whether the mobile phone can communicate with a short-range wireless interface mounted on a vehicle, The mobile phone obtains the vehicle information via the short-range wireless interface if necessary, and transmits the vehicle information to the computer via a public line. 3. A vehicle information service providing vehicle information collected by the vehicle information collecting method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the vehicle information is supplied to a user via the mobile phone by the management computer through the management computer. Method. 5. The vehicle information service providing method according to claim 4, wherein the management computer supplies information on a dealer of consumables used in the vehicle and a vehicle maintenance company together with the information on the maintenance of the vehicle.

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