Information sharing system, on-vehicle diagnosis terminal, and display terminal

• US 9,701,214 B2
• Filed: 04/20/2015
• Issued: 07/11/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Niterra Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: NGK Spark PLUG Company Limited
• Inventors: Yuasa, Go, Ramirez, Michael J., Tsuzuki, Masashi
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaawat, Mussa A
• Assistant Examiner(s): KERRIGAN, MICHAEL V
• Application Number:
  US14/690,939
• Publication Number:
  US 20150302668A1
• Time in Patent Office: 813 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/12 responding to state of charge [SoC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/104 Peer-to-peer [P2P] networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

An information sharing system including a plurality of on-vehicle diagnosis terminals and one or more of display terminals sharing diagnostic information over wireless communication. The respective terminals store, in a storing unit, data sets, also stored in another terminal with which communication was established, and a stored clock time. The terminals include a communication-establishing unit that includes a searching unit and an establishing unit. The searching unit is configured to search an planned-connection terminal capable of establishing communication with the terminal, and that does not yet have a stored clock time, or the stored clock time that is stored in the on-vehicle diagnosis terminal and from which a predetermined time has passed, and the establishing unit is configured to establish communication with the planned-connection terminal.

Claims

1. An information sharing system comprising a plurality of on-vehicle diagnosis terminals, and one or a plurality of display terminals, the on-vehicle diagnosis terminals and the one or the plurality of display terminals comprising a terminal that comprises a communication unit comprising a first communication unit and a second communication unit, each configured to perform peer-to-peer wireless communication,

the on-vehicle diagnosis terminals comprising:

the first communication unit; and

a diagnostic information-acquiring unit configured to acquire diagnostic information on an electric vehicle equipped with the on-vehicle diagnosis terminal,

the one or the plurality of display terminals comprising;

the second communication unit; and

a display configured to display the diagnostic information of the electric vehicles equipped with the on-vehicle diagnosis terminals,

the on-vehicle diagnosis terminals and the one or the plurality of display terminals sharing the diagnostic information among the terminals of the electric vehicles equipped with the on-vehicle diagnosis terminals, over wireless communication, which is performed using the first and second communication units,

wherein the on-vehicle diagnosis terminals comprise;

a first clock unit that keeps a common time that is unified in the information sharing system;

an own-vehicle data-storing unit configured to store an own-vehicle data set that comprises a data set comprising a unique identifier that is uniquely assigned to the on-vehicle diagnosis terminal, the diagnostic information acquired by the diagnostic information-acquiring unit of the on-vehicle diagnosis terminal, and an acquisition clock time in the common time at which the diagnostic information is acquired; and

an other-vehicle data-storing unit configured to store other-vehicle data sets that comprise the data sets of other electric vehicles that are acquired through the first communication unit of the on-vehicle diagnosis terminal,

wherein the one or the plurality of display terminals comprise;

a second clock unit that keeps the common time; and

a data-storing unit configured to store the data sets of the electric vehicles that are acquired through the second communication unit of the display terminal,

wherein the on-vehicle diagnosis terminals comprise;

a first communication-establishing unit configured to establish peer-to-peer wireless communication with the communication units of the terminals capable of establishing wireless communication with the on-vehicle diagnosis terminal;

a first newly-storing unit configured to make the other-vehicle data-storing unit of the on-vehicle diagnosis terminal store a data set comprising a unique identifier that is not stored in the other-vehicle data-storing unit of the on-vehicle diagnosis terminal among the data sets related to first terminals where wireless communication has been established with the on-vehicle diagnosis terminal;

a first renewing-and-storing unit configured to make the other-vehicle data-storing unit of the on-vehicle diagnosis terminal renew and store the data set that comprises a unique identifier which is the same as a unique identifier of the other-vehicle data set already stored in the other-vehicle data-storing unit of the on-vehicle diagnosis terminal, and a newer acquisition clock time among the data sets stored in the first terminals; and

a first clock time-storing unit configured to renew and store, every time the data sets stored in each first terminal are stored in the other-vehicle data-storing unit of the on-vehicle diagnosis terminal, a first stored clock time in the common time for every first terminal, the first stored clock time being the time of storage,

wherein the one or the plurality of display terminals comprise;

a second communication-establishing unit configured to establish peer-to-peer wireless communication with the communication units of the terminals capable of establishing wireless communication with the display terminal;

a second newly-storing unit configured to make the data-storing unit of the display terminal store a data set comprising a unique identifier that is not stored in the data-storing unit of the display terminal among the data sets stored in second terminals that comprise the terminals where wireless communication has been established with the display terminal;

a second renewing-and-storing unit configured to renew and store the data set that comprises a unique identifier which is the same as the unique identifier of a data set stored in the data-storing unit of the display terminal, and a newer acquisition clock time among the data sets stored in the second terminals; and

a second clock time-storing unit configured to renew and store, every time the data sets stored in each second terminal are stored in the data-storing unit of the display terminal, a second stored clock time in the common time for every second terminal, the second stored clock time being the time of storage,

wherein the first communication-establishing units of the on-vehicle diagnosis terminals comprise;

a first searching unit configured to search a first planned-connection terminal among the terminals, the first planned-connection terminal being capable of establishing wireless communication with the on-vehicle diagnosis terminal, the first planned-connection terminal comprising one of not having a first stored clock time stored in the on-vehicle diagnosis terminal, or a first stored clock time that is stored in the on-vehicle diagnosis terminal and from which a first predetermined time has passed at the time of searching; and

a first establishing unit configured to establish peer-to-peer wireless communication with the communication unit of the first planned-connection terminal, and

wherein the second communication-establishing units of the display terminals comprise;

a second searching unit configured to search a second planned-connection terminal among the terminals, the second planned-connection terminal being capable of establishing wireless communication with the display terminal, the second planned-connection terminal comprising one of not having a second stored clock time stored in the display terminal, or a second stored clock time that is stored in the display terminal and from which a second predetermined time has passed at the time of searching; and

a second establishing unit configured to establish peer-to-peer wireless communication with the communication unit of the second planned-connection terminal.

2. The information sharing system as claimed in claim 1,

wherein the first searching units of the on-vehicle diagnosis terminals comprise:

a first communicable terminal list-making unit configured to search first communicable terminals capable of establishing wireless communication with the on-vehicle diagnosis terminal, and to make a first communicable terminal list; and

a first selecting unit configured to select one first planned-connection terminal from the first communicable terminal list, and

wherein the second searching units of the display terminals comprise;

a second communicable terminal list-making unit configured to search second communicable terminals capable of establishing wireless communication with the display terminal, and to make a second communicable terminal list; and

a second selecting unit configured to select one second planned-connection terminal from the second communicable terminal list.

3. The information sharing system as claimed in claim 2,

wherein the on-vehicle diagnosis terminals comprise a third selecting unit configured to select, when the wireless communication with the communication unit of the first planned-connection terminal could not be established with use of the first establishing unit, another planned-connection terminal from the first communicable terminal list, and

wherein the display terminals comprise a fourth selecting unit configured to select, when the wireless communication with the communication unit of the second planned-connection terminal could not be established with use of the second establishing unit, another second planned-connection terminal from the second communicable terminal list.

4. The information sharing system as claimed in claim 3,

wherein also for the case when wireless communication with the communication unit of the first planned-connection terminal could be established with use of the first establishing unit, each of the on-vehicle diagnosis terminals is configured to, when selecting a different planned-connection terminal, use the third selecting unit, and

wherein also for the case when wireless communication with the communication unit of the second planned-connection terminal could be established with use of the second establishing unit, each of the display terminals is configured to, when selecting a different second planned-connection terminal, use the fourth selecting unit.

5. The information sharing system as claimed in claim 2,

wherein the first selecting units of the on-vehicle diagnosis terminals comprise:

a first passage list-making unit configured to make, from the first communicable terminal list, a first passage terminal list of first passage terminals comprising one of not having a first stored clock time stored in the on-vehicle diagnosis terminal, or a first stored clock time that is stored in the on-vehicle diagnosis terminal and from which, at the time of list creation, the first predetermined time has passed; and

a first terminal selecting unit configured to select one first planned-connection terminal from the first passage terminal list, and

wherein the second selecting units of the display terminals comprise;

a second passage list-making unit configured to make, from the second communicable terminal list, a second passage terminal list of second passage terminals comprising one of not having a second stored clock time stored in the display terminal, or a second stored clock time that is stored in the display terminal and from which, at the time of list creation, the second predetermined time has passed; and

a second terminal selecting unit configured to select one second planned-connection terminal from the second passage terminal list.

6. The information sharing system as claimed in claim 5,

wherein the on-vehicle diagnosis terminals comprise a third terminal selecting unit configured to select, when wireless communication with the communication unit of the first planned-connection terminal could not be established with use of the first establishing unit, another planned-connection terminal from the first passage terminal list, and

wherein the display terminals comprise a fourth terminal selecting unit configured to select, when wireless communication with the communication unit of the second planned-connection terminal could not be established with use of the second establishing unit, another second planned-connection terminal from the second passage terminal list.

7. The information sharing system as claimed in claim 6,

wherein also for the case when the wireless communication with the communication unit of the first planned-connection terminal could be established with use of the first establishing unit, each of the on-vehicle diagnosis terminals is configured to, when selecting a different planned-connection terminal, use the third terminal selecting unit, and

wherein also for the case when the wireless communication with the communication unit of the second planned-connection terminal could be established with use of the second establishing unit, each of the display terminals is configured to, when selecting a different second planned-connection terminal, use the fourth terminal selecting unit.

8. The information sharing system as claimed in claim 1,

wherein the one or the plurality of display terminals comprise a plurality of display terminals, and

wherein each of the second communication-establishing units of the display terminals establishes wireless communication with any one of the first communication units of the on-vehicle diagnosis terminals and the second communication units of the display terminals.

9. The information sharing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the diagnostic information-acquiring units of the on-vehicle diagnosis terminals comprise an SOC information-acquiring unit configured to acquire information on the state of charge of a battery mounted to the electric vehicle equipped with the diagnostic information-acquiring unit.

10. The information sharing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the first clock units and the second clock units keeps a local time used only in the information sharing system as the common time.

11. An on-vehicle diagnosis terminal for use in an information sharing system comprising a plurality of on-vehicle diagnosis terminals, and one or a plurality of display terminals, the on-vehicle diagnosis terminals and the one or the plurality of display terminals comprising a terminal that comprises a communication unit including one of first and second communication units configured to perform peer-to-peer wireless communication,

wherein the on-vehicle diagnosis terminals comprise:

the first communication unit; and

a diagnostic information-acquiring unit configured to acquire diagnostic information on an electric vehicle equipped with the on-vehicle diagnosis terminal,

wherein the one or the plurality of display terminals comprise;

the second communication unit; and

a display configured to display the diagnostic information on the electric vehicles equipped with the on-vehicle diagnosis terminals,

the on-vehicle diagnosis terminals and the one or the plurality of display terminals sharing the diagnostic information on the electric vehicles equipped with the on-vehicle diagnosis terminals over wireless communication among the terminals, which is performed using the communication units,

wherein the on-vehicle diagnosis terminal used in the information sharing system comprises;

a first clock unit that keeps common time that is unified in the information sharing system;

an own-vehicle data-storing unit configured to store an own-vehicle data set that comprises a data set comprising a unique identifier that is uniquely assigned to the on-vehicle diagnosis terminal, the diagnostic information acquired by the diagnostic information-acquiring unit of the on-vehicle diagnosis terminal, and an acquisition clock time in the common time at which the diagnostic information is acquired;

an other-vehicle data-storing unit configured to store other-vehicle data sets that comprise the data sets on other electric vehicles that are acquired through the first communication unit of the on-vehicle diagnosis terminal;

a first communication-establishing unit configured to establish peer-to-peer wireless communication with the communication units of the terminals capable of establishing wireless communication with the on-vehicle diagnosis terminal;

a first newly-storing unit configured to make the other-vehicle data-storing unit of the on-vehicle diagnosis terminal store a data set comprising a unique identifier that is not stored in the other-vehicle data-storing unit of the on-vehicle diagnosis terminal among the data sets stored in first terminals that comprise the terminals where wireless communication has been established with the on-vehicle diagnosis terminal;

a first renewing-and-storing unit configured to make the other-vehicle data-storing unit of the on-vehicle diagnosis terminal renew and store the data set that comprises the unique identifier which is the same as the unique identifier of the other-vehicle data set stored in the other-vehicle data-storing unit of the on-vehicle diagnosis terminal, and has a newer acquisition clock time among the data sets stored in the first terminals; and

a first clock time-storing unit configured to renew and store, every time the data sets stored in each first terminal are stored in the other-vehicle data-storing unit of the on-vehicle diagnosis terminal, a first stored clock time in the common time for every first terminal, the first stored clock time being the time of storage, and

wherein the first communication-establishing unit of each of the on-vehicle diagnosis terminals comprises;

a first searching unit configured to search a first planned-connection terminal among the terminals, the first planned-connection terminal being capable of establishing wireless communication with the on-vehicle diagnosis terminal, the first planned-connection terminal comprising one of not having a first stored clock time stored in the on-vehicle diagnosis terminal, or a first stored clock time that is stored in the on-vehicle diagnosis terminal and from which a first predetermined time has passed at the time of searching; and

a first establishing unit configured to establish peer-to-peer wireless communication with the communication unit of the first planned-connection terminal.

12. A display terminal for use in an information sharing system comprising a plurality of on-vehicle diagnosis terminals, and one or a plurality of display terminals, the on-vehicle diagnosis terminals and the one or the plurality of display terminals comprising a terminal that comprises a communication unit including one of first and second communication units configured to perform peer-to-peer wireless communication,

wherein the on-vehicle diagnosis terminals comprise:

the first communication unit;

a diagnostic information-acquiring unit configured to acquire diagnostic information on an electric vehicle equipped with the on-vehicle diagnosis terminal;

a first clock unit that keeps common time that is unified in the information sharing system;

an own-vehicle data-storing unit configured to store an own-vehicle data set that comprises a data set comprising a unique identifier that is uniquely assigned to the on-vehicle diagnosis terminal, the diagnostic information acquired by the diagnostic information-acquiring unit of the on-vehicle diagnosis terminal, and an acquisition clock time in the common time at which the diagnostic information is acquired; and

an other-vehicle data-storing unit configured to store other-vehicle data sets that comprise the data sets on other electric vehicles that are acquired through the first communication unit of the on-vehicle diagnosis terminal,

wherein the one or the plurality of display terminals comprise;

the second communication unit; and

a display configured to display the diagnostic information on the electric vehicles equipped with the on-vehicle diagnosis terminals,

the on-vehicle diagnosis terminals and the one or the plurality of display terminals sharing the diagnostic information on the electric vehicles equipped with the on-vehicle diagnosis terminals over wireless communication among the terminals, which is performed using the communication units,

wherein the display terminal used in the information sharing system comprises;

a second clock unit that keeps the common time;

a data-storing unit configured to store data sets on the electric vehicles that are acquired through the second communication unit of the display terminal;

a second communication-establishing unit configured to establish peer-to-peer wireless communication with the communication units of the terminals capable of establishing wireless communication with the display terminal;

a second newly-storing unit configured to make the data-storing unit of the display terminal store a data set comprising a unique identifier that is not stored in the data-storing unit of the display terminal among the data sets stored in second terminals that comprise the terminals where wireless communication has been established with the display terminal;

a second renewing-and-storing unit configured to make the data-storing unit of the display terminal renew and store the data set that comprises the unique identifier which is the same as the unique identifier of the data set stored in the data-storing unit of the display terminal, and has a newer acquisition clock time among the data sets stored in the second terminals; and

a second clock time-storing unit configured to renew and store, every time the data sets stored in each second terminal are stored in the data-storing unit of the display terminal, a second stored clock time in the common time for every second terminal, the second stored clock time being the time of storage, and

wherein the second communication-establishing unit of the display terminal comprises;

a second searching unit configured to search a second planned-connection terminal among the terminals, the second planned-connection terminal being capable of establishing wireless communication with the display terminal, the second planned-connection terminal comprising one of not having a second stored clock time stored in the display terminal, or a second stored clock time that is stored in the display terminal and from which a second predetermined time has passed at the time of the searching; and

a second establishing unit configured to establish peer-to-peer wireless communication with the communication unit of the second planned-connection terminal.