JP2003042046A - Server for remote control for vehicle, remote control method for vehicle, program for remote control for vehicle, and on-vehicle remote control device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a server for remote control for a vehicle capable of performing suitable warming operation according to the using state of a vehicle by a user. SOLUTION: This invention is a server 2 for remote control for a vehicle remotely starting a vehicle engine and provided with a starting time receiving means to receive the preset starting time of the vehicle; a condition deciding means to decide a warming executing condition; and an engine starting signal transmitting means to start the engine by transmitting a signal to start the engine at a timing optimum to a starting time according to a warming executing condition to the vehicle 8.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote control server for a vehicle, a remote control method for a vehicle, a remote control program for a vehicle, and an on-vehicle remote control device, and more particularly to remotely start an engine of the vehicle. Vehicle remote control server and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a remote controller, a timer, etc. have been used to operate a vehicle engine in a parking lot as a user (driver).
It is known that the vehicle automatically starts the engine from a remote place and performs warm-up operation without getting into the vehicle and directly starting. Recently, it is also known to use a communication line such as the Internet to start the engine of a vehicle from a remote location to perform warm-up operation. As described above, it has been known that the engine is warmed up by remote control and that the engine is warmed up at a specific time.

[0003]

However, the warm-up operation of the engine using the conventional remote controller, the timer, etc. and the warm-up operation of the engine by the remote operation using the Internet etc. are merely made by the user (driver). Since it is carried out based only on, the conditions necessary for performing suitable warm-up operation such as the outside temperature near the vehicle are not considered at all. Further, for example, when the departure time of the vehicle is determined every day, it is troublesome for the user (driver) to start the engine by remote operation and perform warm-up operation each time.

Therefore, the present invention has been made on the basis of a conventional request, and a remote control server for a vehicle and a vehicle remote control server capable of performing a suitable warm-up operation according to a user's usage condition of the vehicle. An object of the present invention is to provide a remote control method, a vehicle remote control program, and an in-vehicle remote control device.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a first invention of the present invention is a remote control server for a vehicle for remotely starting an engine of the vehicle, which is preset for the vehicle. Departure time receiving means for receiving the departure time
And a condition determination means for determining the warm-up execution condition, and an engine start signal transmission means for starting the engine by transmitting a signal for starting the engine to the vehicle at an optimal timing for the departure time according to the warm-up execution condition. Is characterized by.

Further, the present invention preferably has a confirmation means for confirming the engine start timing with the user of the vehicle before the engine start signal transmission means transmits the engine start signal to the vehicle. Further, in the present invention, preferably, the engine start signal transmission means is further adapted to change the engine start timing or the engine speed according to the position of the vehicle. Further, in the present invention, preferably, the warm-up execution condition by the condition determination means is
It is the outside temperature near the vehicle, and the condition determination means obtains this outside temperature directly from the vehicle or from other than the vehicle.

A second aspect of the present invention is a remote vehicle operating method for remotely starting an engine of a vehicle by a remote operating server, which comprises a departure time receiving step of receiving a preset departure time of the vehicle. A condition determination step of determining the warm-up execution condition, an engine start signal transmission step of starting the engine by transmitting a signal to the vehicle to start the engine at an optimal timing with respect to the departure time according to the warm-up execution condition,
It is characterized by having.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a preset departure time of the vehicle is received, a warm-up execution condition is determined, and the engine is set at an optimum timing with respect to the departure time according to the determined warm-up execution condition. Is a vehicle remote control program for controlling a computer of a vehicle remote control server for remotely starting an engine of a vehicle so as to transmit a signal to start the engine to the vehicle.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is a vehicle-mounted remote control device in which an engine is remotely started by a remote control server, and a preset departure time of the vehicle is transmitted to the remote control server of the vehicle. A departure time transmitting means, an engine start signal receiving means for receiving from the remote operation server a signal for starting the engine at an optimum timing with respect to the departure time set by the remote operation server according to the warm-up execution condition, and And an engine manual means for starting the engine in response to the engine start signal.

The present invention preferably further comprises current position outside air temperature transmitting means for transmitting the current position of the vehicle and the outside air temperature in the vicinity of the vehicle to the remote control server, and the warm-up execution condition is this outside air temperature.

The present invention preferably further comprises a confirmation means for confirming the engine start timing before receiving the engine start signal from the remote control server. The invention preferably further comprises means for transmitting a garage opening signal to the garage drive, in synchronism with engine startup, for opening the garage in which the vehicle is stored.

In a fifth aspect of the present invention, a preset departure time of the vehicle is transmitted to a remote control server of the vehicle, and the optimum departure time is set by the remote control server according to the warm-up execution condition. A remote control program for a vehicle for controlling a computer of a remote control device mounted on a vehicle so that a signal for starting an engine is received from a remote control server at various timings and the engine is started by the engine start signal. .

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a basic configuration diagram showing a remote control system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the parking lot introduction system 1 has an information center 2 which is a parking lot introduction server, and this information center 2 is connected to a later-described information center 2 via a network 4 such as the Internet. A user (driver) 6 who is a member is connected. Here, the user 6 includes a mobile navigation device (vehicle-mounted computer) 8 mounted in a vehicle owned by the user 6 and a personal computer (home P) at home.
C) 10, mobile phone, and personal digital assistant (PDA) 1
4 etc. are included.

Further, a vehicle maker 16, a dealer 18, a rental car dealer 20 and the like are connected to the information center 2 via a network 4. The network 4 also includes traffic information such as traffic regulation information and traffic congestion information, and
Traffic information center 2 that provides weather information (including outside temperature)
2 are connected so that the information center 2 can easily obtain traffic information and weather information via the network 4.

The information center 2 comprises a host computer (not shown) and a database (not shown) for storing various data. The database of the information center 2 stores various data for remotely operating the vehicle described later to start the engine to perform warm-up operation, but in addition to this, an "information center contract" described later (see FIG. 3). Map information, advertisement information, music information, VID in order to provide various information prescribed in
EO information, vehicle abnormality check program, regular inspection /
A consumable parts notification program, a remote operation (remote warming) program, etc. are also stored together.

The mobile navigation device (on-vehicle computer) 8 includes a CPU 30 which is a control means for guiding the vehicle to a destination (route guidance) based on the input data and a driver's operation, and the information center 2. A transmission / reception device 32 for transmitting and receiving signals between them is provided. The receiving device 32 is specifically a mobile phone. The mobile navigation device 8 further includes a storage device (specifically, an HDD) 3 that stores information received from the information center 2.
4, a display 36 for displaying information received from the information center 2, and a DVD-ROM 3 storing map information.
8, an operation switch 40 for the user to set a destination, a departure time of the vehicle, and the like, and an alarm device 42 that warns when information cannot be received from the information center 2.

The mobile navigation device 8 is a GPS which constitutes a position detecting means for detecting the current position of the vehicle.
The receiver 44, the vehicle speed sensor 46, and the gyro sensor 48 are provided. Here, the GPS receiver 44 receives radio waves from the satellite to detect the current position, the vehicle speed sensor 46 detects the speed of the vehicle to obtain the moving distance, the gyro sensor 48 detects the moving direction of the vehicle, Each of these sensors 4
The current position of the vehicle is accurately detected based on the detected values of 4, 46 and 48. Further, the mobile body navigation device 8 includes an outside air temperature sensor 50 and a remote control device 52.
Is equipped with. The outside air temperature sensor 51 includes the outside air temperature sensor 50 that detects the outside air temperature near the vehicle, and can provide the outside air temperature near the vehicle to the information center 2. The remote control operating device 52 is for starting the engine by an engine start signal received from the information center 2, as described later. Further, this remote control device 52 also has a function of transmitting a garage opening signal to a garage drive device (not shown) in synchronization with the start of the engine and opening a garage (not shown) in which the vehicle is stored. Have

The user 6 needs to make a paying "information center contract" in advance in order to receive the engine start signal from the information center 2 so that the engine can be started remotely. This "information center contract" is, in principle,
It is done in writing when you purchase a vehicle from your dealer. However, the present invention is not limited to this. At the time of purchasing a vehicle, the mobile navigation device 8 itself may make a contract with the information center 2 via the network 4. You may make a contract via four.

FIG. 3 shows an example of this "information center contract", and the contents of this contract will be specifically described below with reference to FIG. This "information center contract" is roughly divided into (1) navigation contract (NAVI contract)
And (2) music distribution contract or (7) remote warm-up contract. First, the navigation contract (NAVI contract) will be described. This navigation contract includes distribution of "map information" to the mobile navigation device, which is a basic contract, and distribution of "advertising information", which is an option.
The basic contract includes an initial device purchase cost of 15,000 yen and a monthly fee of 5 depending on the selection of options described below.
000 yen is included.

Next, when making an option contract, various kinds of information described below can be selected, and the monthly amount of 5000 yen fluctuates. That is, "advertising information distribution permission" is contracted, "restaurant advertising distribution contract", "cardilla advertising distribution contract", "department store advertising distribution contract", "sports shop advertising distribution contract", "home appliances & PC shop advertising distribution contract" , "Leisure Facility Distribution Contract" and "Accommodation Facility Distribution Contract", and select
If you sign a "restaurant advertisement distribution contract", the monthly contract fee of 5000 yen will be reduced by 500 yen. When contracting for other items, similarly, the amount of money shown in FIG. 3 is reduced.

Next, when these option contracts are made and full-time distribution is carried out, the monthly amount of the basic contract including the reduction due to the options remains unchanged.
If you sign up for delivery only on "Saturday / Sunday / Holiday", the monthly amount of the basic contract will be increased by 35%. Also, when the time zone is designated (from 10:00 to 17:00), the amount is likewise increased by 10%. Regarding the advertisement information distribution method, when "icon & message display" is performed, the monthly amount of the basic contract including the reduction by option is left unchanged, and when "superimpose display when approaching" is performed, If the contract monthly amount is reduced by 5% and "navigation device startup advertisement display" is performed, the contract amount is also reduced by 5%.
When "display & voice display" is performed, the monthly amount of the basic contract is reduced by 10%.

Further, when making an advertisement information distribution contract,
If you contract to use the navigation device for 10 hours or more per week, the above-mentioned monthly fee of 5000 yen will be reduced to half, 2500 yen. As a result, the contractor (driver) actively views the advertisement information.
However, if the navigation device is not used for 10 hours or more per week, the penalty (100 yen /
As one hour, the reduced monthly amount (2,500 yen) is increased by an amount equivalent to the time less than 10 hours. By making a navigation contract in this way, the cost of the mobile navigation device 18 (15000 yen described above) can be kept at a considerably low price, and the information center 2 can be paid a contract fee equivalent to the number of contracts every month. Since it comes in, it is possible to secure operating funds for the information center.

Regarding distribution of advertisement information, since each contractor (user) can select the type of advertisement to be distributed according to his / her preference and necessity, unnecessary advertisement is displayed on the display. Never. Further, since only the required advertisement is delivered, the driver can effectively use this advertisement information and can reduce the monthly fee of the navigation contract. In this regard, the information center 2 will reduce the contract fee with each contractor (user) if each contractor selects the option, but in response to this, the advertisement requester (company) will make an advertisement. Since the fee can be collected, the total amount will increase,
From this point, working capital can be effectively secured.

Although the monthly fee is increased depending on the delivery receiving time, the contractor (user) can use the mobile navigation device 18 that matches his / her lifestyle even if the fee is slightly increased. On the other hand, for the information center 2, in the case of full-time distribution, the advertisement fee from the advertisement client is increased by that amount, and in the case of delivery only on a limited day or time, the advertisement fee is reduced. However, since the monthly income of each contractor is increased, it is possible to secure a preferable total income.

Furthermore, when making an advertisement information distribution contract, "1
If you use a navigation device for more than a predetermined time (10 hours) per week, "the monthly fee has been significantly reduced.
The driver will actively look at the advertising information. Furthermore, if the navigation device is not used for a predetermined time (10 hours) or more per week, a penalty will be imposed on each contractor, which will increase the monthly amount paid by the contractor and the advertisement requester. However, it is possible to request a relatively high advertising fee on the assumption that it is used for a predetermined time (10 hours) or more per week.

Next, (1) navigation contract (NAVI
Explain contract details other than (contract). There are "music distribution contract", "VIDEO distribution contract", "Internet & mail contract", "vehicle abnormality check contract", "regular inspection / consumable parts notification contract" and "remote warm-up contract",
Contracts can be made as appropriate according to each person's preferences and needs. In this case, in addition to the monthly fee of 5000 yen for the above-mentioned navigation contract (which may vary depending on the option contract), an individual monthly contract fee is charged. The contents of these contract contents are stored in the database of the information center 2 described above. Each contractor (driver)
Can enjoy various contents depending on its preference and need, although payment of a contract fee is required. In addition, the information center 2 can further secure operating funds more effectively with these contract fees as income.

Next, the contents of the "remote warm-up contract" will be described in detail with reference to FIG. This "remote warm-up contract" is a contract for a service for starting the engine by remote operation and performing warm-up operation at a suitable timing that is a predetermined time before the departure time set by the user. This contract is free per month and requires an "Internet & email contract". Here, in FIG.
Indicates each step. As shown in FIG. 4, when performing remote warm-up operation, the vehicle side (mobile body navigation device 8, personal computer 10 at home, mobile phone 12, PD)
Various information (signals) are transmitted and received between the information center (server) side (including A14 etc.).

First, in S1, the departure time of the vehicle is set on the vehicle side, and the setting signal is transmitted to the information center. Specifically, it may be set by the setting switch 40 of the mobile navigation device 8, or may be set by the personal computer 10, mobile phone 12, PDA 14 or the like at home. In addition, the departure time of the vehicle may be registered in advance in the information center, instead of setting the departure time of the vehicle each time. Specifically, the content of "departure at 8:30 am between Monday and Friday" is registered.

Next, in S2, the information center side confirms that it is a predetermined time (a value larger than the maximum warm-up time) before the set departure time of the vehicle, and then proceeds to S3 to check the vehicle. A confirmation signal is transmitted to the vehicle side in order to confirm the position and the ambient temperature near the vehicle. On the vehicle side, in S4,
Vehicle position and outside air temperature near the vehicle As an output signal, the detected value of the outside air temperature sensor 50 that detects the outside air temperature near the vehicle,
Send to the information center. In addition, the vehicle position and the outside temperature,
It may be possible to receive it from the vehicle side in advance and omit S4. Further, even when the vehicle position and the outside temperature are acquired in advance, a confirmation signal may be transmitted to the vehicle side for reconfirmation. Further, the vehicle position may be received from the vehicle when the vehicle stops at the parking lot and the engine is turned off. Regarding the outside air temperature, since the vehicle may be parked outside the garage or outside the parking lot or the like, the detected value of the outside air temperature sensor 50 that detects the outside air temperature near the vehicle as described above. Although it is preferable that the vehicle temperature is obtained from the vehicle side, the outside temperature near the vehicle may be estimated based on the weather information from the traffic information center 22 without confirming the vehicle side.

On the information center side, in step S5, the warm-up start time, which is the engine start timing, is set based on the outside temperature (warm-up execution condition). On the information center side, next, S
In step 6, it is determined whether it is the warm-up start time. When it is determined that it is the start time, a signal including the warm-up start time is transmitted to the vehicle side, and the user side
Make sure that the engine starts at the warm-up start time. At this time, the user receives the signal including the warm-up start time by the mobile phone 12 or the PDA 14. If it is not desirable to start the engine at this warm-up start time, the user may notify the information center to stop the remote warm-up or delay it by a desired time. You can do it.

Next, on the information center side, in S8,
A warm-up start signal is transmitted to the vehicle side, and the vehicle side starts the engine by the remote operation device 52 (see FIG. 2) to start warm-up operation. Further, in synchronization with the engine start, a garage opening signal is transmitted to the garage driving device to open the garage in which the vehicle is stored. It should be noted that in the present embodiment, S7 is omitted, and when the warming-up start time is reached, S6 is directly executed without confirmation from the user.
Alternatively, the process may proceed to step 8 to transmit the warm-up start signal to the vehicle side.

In the remote warming-up shown in FIG. 4, the outside air temperature near the vehicle is used as the warming-up execution condition for setting a suitable engine start timing (warming-up start time). Execution conditions can be used. For example, the warmer air start time is set longer as the outside temperature is lower, the warmer air start time is set longer in winter than in summer, and
When the vehicle position is in the urban area, the warm-up start time is shortened and / or the engine speed is lowered. Furthermore, the departure time may be set for each departure of the vehicle, or may be set in advance in the information center for each day of the week. Further, the information center may always confirm the warm-up start time on the vehicle side at a certain time.

In the present embodiment, the information center grasps various usage situations of the vehicle of the user (member) and sets the engine start timing (warm-up start time) in accordance with the situation. It is possible to perform suitable warming according to the usage status of. Further, since the engine start timing (warm air start time) is set based on the warm air execution condition such as the outside temperature, the engine can be started at the optimum engine start timing. In addition, since the user is asked to confirm the engine start timing (warm air start time) before starting the engine, the user can clearly recognize that fact and can also cancel or change the warm air operation. It is possible to accurately grasp the situation of remote control.

Further, when the vehicle is in an urban area, the warm-up time is shortened and the engine speed is lowered, so that the adverse effects of ambient noise can be minimized. Further, since the garage is opened in synchronization with the engine start, there is no safety problem.
Furthermore, since the outside air temperature, which is the warm-up execution condition, is obtained from the vehicle side or the weather information from the traffic information center, the optimum engine start timing can be set.

[0035]

As described above, according to the remote control server for a vehicle, the remote control method for a vehicle, the remote control program for a vehicle, and the on-vehicle remote control device according to the present invention, the use of the vehicle by the user. It is possible to perform a suitable warm-up operation depending on the situation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vehicle remote control server according to the present invention, a vehicle remote control method, a vehicle remote control program, and
It is a basic block diagram which shows embodiment of an onboard remote control device.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a mobile navigation device as a vehicle-mounted remote control device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a contract document when making an information center contract with an information center which is a remote control server for a vehicle of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a remote vehicle operation method on the vehicle side and the information center side according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Remote control system 2 Information center (remote control server) 4 network 6 users (members) 8 Mobile navigation devices 10 Home PC (Home PC) 12 mobile phones 14 Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) 22 Traffic Information Center 40 Operation switch 50 Outside temperature sensor 51 Remote control device

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Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A server for remote control of a vehicle for remotely starting an engine of a vehicle, comprising: a departure time receiving means for receiving a preset departure time of the vehicle; and a condition determining means for determining a warm-up execution condition. An engine start signal transmitting means for transmitting an engine start signal to the vehicle at an optimal timing with respect to the departure time according to the warm-up execution condition to start the engine; Operation server. 2. The remote control of the vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising confirmation means for confirming a start timing of the engine to a user of the vehicle before the engine start signal transmission means transmits the engine start signal to the vehicle. Server. 3. The remote control of the vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the engine start signal transmission means further changes the engine start timing or the engine speed according to the position of the vehicle. Server. 4. The warm-up execution condition by the condition determining means is an outside air temperature near the vehicle, and the condition determining means obtains the outside air temperature directly from the vehicle or from other than the vehicle. The server for remote control of a vehicle according to any one of Items 1 to 3. 5. A vehicle remote control method for remotely starting an engine of a vehicle by a server for remote control, comprising a departure time receiving step of receiving a preset departure time of the vehicle, and determining warm-up execution conditions. A condition determining step, and an engine start signal transmitting step for starting the engine by transmitting a signal for starting the engine to the vehicle at an optimal timing for the departure time according to the warm-up execution condition. Remote control method for vehicles. 6. The remote control method for a vehicle according to claim 5, further comprising a confirmation step of confirming a start timing of the engine with a user of the vehicle before transmitting an engine start signal to the vehicle. 7. The remote vehicle remote control system according to claim 5, wherein the engine start signal transmitting step further includes a start timing changing step of changing an engine start timing or an engine speed in accordance with the position of the vehicle. Method of operation. 8. The warm-up execution condition in the condition determining step is an outside air temperature in the vicinity of the vehicle, and in the condition determining step, the outside air temperature is obtained directly from the vehicle or other than the vehicle. Claim 5
8. A remote control method for a vehicle according to any one of items 7 to 7. 9. A signal for starting an engine at an optimum timing for the departure time is received by receiving a preset departure time of a vehicle, determining a warm-up execution condition, and determining the warm-up execution condition according to the determined warm-up execution condition. A vehicle remote control program for controlling a computer of a vehicle remote control server for remotely starting a vehicle engine so as to be transmitted to the vehicle to start the engine. 10. An on-vehicle remote control device in which an engine is remotely started by a remote control server, comprising: departure time transmission means for transmitting a preset departure time of the vehicle to the remote control server of the vehicle. Engine starting signal receiving means for receiving from the remote operating server a signal for starting the engine at an optimum timing for the departure time set by the remote operating server according to warm-up execution conditions, and the engine starting signal. An in-vehicle remote control device comprising: an engine manual means for starting an engine; 11. The present invention further includes current position outside air temperature transmitting means for transmitting the current position of the vehicle and the outside air temperature in the vicinity of the vehicle to the remote control server, and the warm-up execution condition is this outside air temperature. In-vehicle remote control device. 12. The in-vehicle remote control device according to claim 10, further comprising a confirmation means for confirming a start timing of the engine before receiving an engine start signal from the remote control server. 13. A means for transmitting a garage opening signal to a garage driving device for opening a garage in which a vehicle is stored, in synchronization with engine start, further comprising: The in-vehicle remote control device described. 14. A preset departure time of the vehicle is transmitted to a server for remote operation of the vehicle, and the engine is started at an optimum timing with respect to the departure time set by the remote operation server according to warm-up execution conditions. A vehicle remote control program for controlling a computer of an in-vehicle remote control device so as to receive a signal for starting from the remote control server and start an engine by the engine start signal.