JP4470803B2 - In-vehicle device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention generally relates to an in-vehicle device that is mounted on a vehicle and causes the host vehicle to perform an operation requested in response to a remote operation request from a vehicle user, and particularly appropriately prevents inappropriate vehicle remote operation. The present invention relates to an in-vehicle device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an apparatus / system that is mounted on a vehicle and that causes the host vehicle to perform an operation requested in response to a remote operation request from a vehicle user is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The apparatus / system disclosed in Patent Literature 1 allows a user to remotely perform vehicle operations such as closing a window and turning off a hazard lamp using a mobile phone.

On the other hand, in the well-known vehicle power window device in which the window glass of the vehicle is moved up and down by the driving force of the motor, the window glass is immediately detected when the foreign object is caught while the window glass is raised. In many cases, an anti-pinch mechanism that stops the raising of the window and reverses the rotation direction of the motor and starts the window glass to descend is provided (for example, see Patent Documents 2 and 3).
JP 2004-102939 A JP 2003-090171 A JP 2004-027589 A

  However, the conventional apparatus / system disclosed in Patent Document 1 is requested without confirming that there is no person or animal in the vehicle interior or around the vehicle when a remote operation request is made or during execution of the requested operation. This is a problem in that the vehicle operation is executed.

  If an object that can move autonomously or move, such as a person or animal, exists in or around the vehicle, and the requested operation is an operation that involves physical movement of a part of the vehicle, this The movement of a person or animal and the movement of a part of the vehicle may cause interference.

  In particular, if the requested operation is a shut-off operation that physically moves a part of the vehicle and physically separates a given open space area into two space areas, a person or animal moves and these parts of the body move. If it exists across the two spatial regions to be formed, it may interfere with a part of the vehicle and hinder the blocking operation.

  Here, the operation accompanied by the physical movement of a part of the vehicle is, for example, an opening / closing operation of a power window, a slide roof, a power slide door, a power back door, a trunk, etc., and a part of the vehicle is physically moved. The shut-off operation that physically separates a predetermined open space region into two space regions is, for example, an operation of closing a power window, a slide roof, a power slide door, a power back door, a trunk, and the like.

  Thus, in the conventional apparatus, there is a possibility that an inappropriate remote operation may be executed in view of the presence of a person or an animal in the vehicle interior or the vehicle periphery.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and it is a main object of the present invention to provide an in-vehicle device that appropriately prevents an inappropriate vehicle remote operation.

  One aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object is an in-vehicle device that is mounted on a vehicle and causes the host vehicle to perform an operation requested in response to a remote operation request from a vehicle user. Detection means for detecting a person or animal existing in the vicinity, and an operation requested by the vehicle user is a blocking operation for physically moving a part of the vehicle to physically separate a predetermined open space area into two space areas. In this case, the vehicle-mounted apparatus includes an operation stopping unit that stops the execution of the blocking operation when the detection unit detects the presence of a person or an animal in the vehicle interior or the vicinity of the host vehicle during the blocking operation.

  In this one aspect, the detection means uses, for example, an image pickup means (for example, a camera) for picking up a still image or a moving image, a detection means for detecting door opening, or the like. Is detected.

  Further, in this aspect, the blocking operation for physically moving a part of the vehicle and physically separating a predetermined open space area into two space areas includes, for example, a power window, a slide roof, a power slide door, and a power back. This is an operation to close the door, trunk, etc.

  According to this aspect, when a person or animal is present in the passenger compartment or around the own vehicle, the vehicle user requests the execution of the shut-off operation as described above by remote control or after the request. When such a person or animal appears, the physical movement of a part of the vehicle is stopped, so that the movement of such a person or animal and the movement of a part of the vehicle based on a remote control request are compatible. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of an interference situation.

  In this aspect, the operation stopping means reverses the movement of the part in the reverse direction when it is detected that the part of the vehicle has come into contact with a foreign object during the blocking operation (generally, If the vehicle has a function (referred to as a pinching prevention mechanism, etc.), wait for the contact of a part of the vehicle with a part of the person or animal existing in the vehicle interior or the periphery of the vehicle. The operation requested by the vehicle user is the above-described shut-off operation based on the insight that the person who operates the function can rather secure the freedom of movement of the person or animal, and the shut-off operation is being executed. In addition, it is preferable not to stop the execution of the blocking operation even when the detection means detects the presence of a person or an animal in the vehicle interior or the vicinity of the host vehicle.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the vehicle-mounted apparatus which prevents appropriately execution of inappropriate vehicle remote control can be provided.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  A vehicle remote control system according to an embodiment of the present invention and an in-vehicle device used in the system will be described with reference to FIGS.

  A vehicle remote control system 100 according to the present embodiment is a vehicle 101 that is a target of remote control, and a communication station that is managed and operated by, for example, a vehicle manufacturer (manufacturer), a car retailer (dealer), or a specialist. A center 102 and a communication terminal 103 carried by a vehicle user (owner) are included.

  When a remote operation is requested by the vehicle user using the communication terminal 103, the center 102 transmits an operation command to the in-vehicle device 104 of the vehicle 101. The in-vehicle device 104 executes the requested vehicle operation according to the operation command received from the center 102.

  The user communication terminal 103 is, for example, a mobile phone that can be connected to the Internet. Alternatively, as an alternative, a computer terminal such as a PDA or notebook PC having a communication function may be used.

  Next, the configuration of the in-vehicle device 104 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the in-vehicle device 104 according to the present embodiment.

  The in-vehicle device 104 includes a communication unit 201 that receives an operation command from the center 102 using wireless communication. The communication unit 201 is preferably designed and set to transmit to the center 102 that the requested vehicle operation has been completed after the requested vehicle operation has been executed.

  The in-vehicle device 104 further includes a vehicle state monitoring unit 202 that monitors and detects a vehicle state such as opening / closing of a door and the presence of a person or an animal in the vehicle interior or the vicinity of the vehicle. The vehicle state monitoring unit 202 detects a person or an animal present in the vehicle interior or the vicinity of the host vehicle using, for example, an imaging unit (for example, a camera) that captures a still image or a moving image.

  The in-vehicle device 104 further includes an operation execution unit 203 that executes various vehicle operations such as opening / closing of a power window and turning off / on of a hazard lamp.

  The in-vehicle device 104 further includes a control unit 204 that comprehensively controls these components. The control unit 204 is, for example, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

  In this embodiment, the remote operation request made by the vehicle user is as follows: 1) An operation (for example, a hazard lamp is turned on) that the user forgets (assumed) when the in-vehicle device 104 is parked (IG off). (Flashing) or the window is left open, etc.) and is designed and set to notify the user via the center 102 (for example, in the form of e-mail). Passive based on a forget-to-operate notification that requires a remote operation for the vehicle user to respond appropriately (for example, turn off a hazard lamp that is left on or close an open window) 2) For example, a vehicle user may turn on a hazard lamp to find his vehicle in a large parking lot. ) Or may be active which is actively requested from the vehicle user side without inducement by the notification or the like, such as a remote operation request car finder function of the.

  Next, the flow of processing by the in-vehicle device 104 according to the present embodiment having such a configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of processing by the in-vehicle device according to the present embodiment.

  The in-vehicle device 104 waits for an operation command for commanding execution of vehicle operation from the center 102 (S301).

  When the communication unit 201 receives an operation command from the center 102 (“YES” in S301), the control unit 204 transmits a predetermined precondition regarding vehicle operation execution through the vehicle state monitoring unit 202 (for example, a vehicle whose door is not open). After confirming that there is no occupant in the room, no key is inserted, etc., the operation execution unit 203 is caused to execute the specified vehicle operation according to the received operation command (S302).

  In this way, while executing the vehicle operation requested by the vehicle user via the center 102, the control unit 204 then monitors and detects whether or not a stop condition that makes the precondition not satisfied is satisfied. In this embodiment, as an example of the stop condition, two items are monitored and detected: the door is opened (S303), and the presence of a person or animal in the vehicle interior or the vicinity of the vehicle (S304). Shall. The detection of the door opening in S303 is that when a door opening is detected, a person is about to enter the vehicle interior or to get out of the vehicle interior, or at least there is a person close to the vehicle so that the door can be opened. Based on the insight that can be estimated, the presence of a person is detected, and the target is the same as in S304.

  When the vehicle state monitoring unit 202 detects that the door is opened (“YES” in S303), it is determined that the stop condition is satisfied, and the process proceeds to S305. If it is detected that a person or an animal is present in the vehicle interior or the vicinity of the vehicle (“YES” in S304), it is similarly determined that the stop condition is satisfied, and the process proceeds to S305. That is, if any stop condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to S305. If any stop condition is not satisfied ("NO" in S304), the process proceeds to S308, and the vehicle operation is continued.

  If it is determined that any one of the stop conditions is satisfied (“YES” in S303 or “YES” in S304), then the vehicle operation currently being executed in response to the request from the vehicle user physically moves a part of the vehicle. It is determined whether or not the operation is an operation for physically separating a predetermined open space area into two space areas (S305).

  Here, the operation of physically moving a part of the vehicle to physically separate a predetermined open space area into two space areas (temporarily referred to as “blocking operation”) is, for example, a power window, a slide roof , Closing the power slide door, power back door, trunk, etc.

  If the vehicle operation being executed is, for example, a door lock or a hazard lamp is lit (flashing) and is not the above-described shut-off operation (“NO” in S305), there is a person or animal in the vehicle compartment or around the vehicle. In step S308, it is determined that there is no possibility of interference between a part of the vehicle and a part of the human or animal body, and the execution of the operation is continued.

  On the other hand, when the vehicle operation being executed is the shut-off operation as described above (“YES” in S305), the control unit 204 is equipped with the above-described pinching prevention mechanism for the shut-off operation in the own vehicle. It is determined whether it has been (S306).

  When the pinching prevention mechanism that reverses the movement direction of a part of the moving vehicle when the pinching of foreign matter or the possibility of pinching is detected as described above is not provided (“NO” in S306), the control unit 204 determines that there is a possibility that a part of the moving vehicle (window glass, door, etc.) and part of the detected human or animal body may interfere as part of the shut-off operation being executed. In order to avoid such a situation with certainty, the operation execution unit 203 is instructed to stop execution of the vehicle operation being executed (S309).

  On the other hand, when a pinching prevention mechanism is provided for the interruption operation being performed (“YES” in S306), the control unit 204 then detects that the pinching prevention mechanism provided detects physical contact with a foreign object and reverses it. It is determined whether it is a contact type that starts the rotation or a non-contact type that starts reversal when a foreign object is detected within a predetermined distance by using a laser or infrared rays (S307). .

  Since the contact-type pinching prevention mechanism does not operate until it actually comes into contact with a foreign object, even when it is used in this embodiment, it is not until an actual contact with a human or animal whose presence has been detected. As a result, the movement of a part of the moving vehicle is reversed. The shut-off operation provided with such a contact-type pinching prevention mechanism may be inconvenient if the movement is stopped immediately after the presence of a person or animal is detected. For example, when a part of a moving vehicle is just before contacting a part of a human or animal body. In such a situation, when the presence of a person or animal is detected, immediately stopping the movement of a part of the moving vehicle will cause the person or animal to move in an inappropriate position where the freedom of movement is limited. There is a risk of stopping.

  In order to avoid the occurrence of such a situation, rather than stopping the shut-off operation, the operation is continued and the pinching prevention mechanism is activated when a part of the moving vehicle comes into contact with a person or animal. It is considered that the person or animal can largely secure the freedom of movement.

  Based on the above insight, in this embodiment, when the pinching prevention mechanism provided is a contact type (“contact type” in S307), the vehicle operation is continued without immediately stopping the shut-off operation (S308). ).

  On the other hand, in the case of non-contact type, unlike the case of contact type, a part of a moving vehicle does not come close enough to come in contact with a part of a human or animal body, and the anti-pinch device operates at the previous stage. In the first place, even if the movement of a part of the vehicle that is moving as a part of the shut-off operation is immediately stopped, it may stop at an inappropriate position that limits the freedom of movement of people or animals. It is a mechanism that does not occur.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, when the pinching prevention mechanism provided is a non-contact type (“non-contact type” in S307), the control unit 204 causes the operation execution unit 203 to stop executing the vehicle operation being executed. An instruction is given (S309).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the presence of a person or an animal is recognized in the vehicle interior or the vicinity of the vehicle while the operation of closing the window glass or the door is performed by remote operation, in principle In exceptional cases where contact-type pinching prevention mechanisms are provided in consideration of the freedom of movement of humans or animals after avoiding interference while stopping the execution of operations and avoiding the occurrence of interference. By not stopping the execution of the operation, it is possible to appropriately stop the vehicle operation being performed according to the requested type of vehicle operation, the presence or absence of the anti-pinch device, and the type thereof, and Execution is appropriately prevented.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be applied to an in-vehicle device that is mounted on a vehicle and causes the host vehicle to execute an operation requested in response to a remote operation request from a vehicle user. The appearance, weight, size, running performance, etc. of the vehicle to be mounted are not limited.

It is a figure showing the outline of the whole vehicle remote control system concerning one example of the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the vehicle-mounted apparatus used in the vehicle remote control system which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process by the vehicle-mounted apparatus used in the vehicle remote control system which concerns on one Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Vehicle remote operation system 101 Remote operation object vehicle 102 Center 103 User communication terminal 104 In-vehicle apparatus 201 Communication part 202 Vehicle state monitoring part 203 Operation execution part 204 Control part

Claims (1)

An in- vehicle device that is mounted on a vehicle and that causes a plurality of devices mounted on the host vehicle to perform an operation requested in response to a remote operation request from a vehicle user,
Detection means for detecting a person or an animal present in the passenger compartment or around the own vehicle;
When the operation requested by the vehicle user is a blocking operation that physically moves a part of the vehicle and physically separates a predetermined open space area into two space areas, the vehicle is detected by the detecting means during the blocking operation. When the presence of a person or animal is detected indoors or around the vehicle,
When the device that is performing the shut-off operation is provided with a function of reversing the movement of the part in the reverse direction when it is detected that a part of the vehicle is in contact with a foreign object, Without stopping execution
If the device that is performing the shut-off operation is not equipped with a function of reversing the movement of the part in the reverse direction when it is detected that a part of the vehicle has come into contact with a foreign object, Stop execution,
Operation stopping means,
A vehicle-mounted device comprising:

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