JP2007046342A - Remote controller - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remote controller which is improved in safety in remote operation of an on-vehicle machine. <P>SOLUTION: The remote controller is for use in a remote control system in which, upon issuance of an on-vehicle machine driving request from an operation terminal 12 via a center 14 to the on-vehicle machine 10, based on operation of the operation terminal 12 by the user of a vehicle, the remote operation of the on-vehicle machine is executed. Herein, when the on-vehicle machine driving request is issued to the on-vehicle 10, before actual execution of the remote operation of the on-vehicle machine, attention attraction of the execution of the remote operation to vehicle passengers and persons around the vehicle is carried out on a basis of a buzzer howl or voice output, by driving a voice/warning output section 32. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a remote control device, and more particularly to a remote control device suitable for remotely operating a vehicle-mounted device when a request for driving the vehicle-mounted device is made in accordance with the operation of an operation terminal by a vehicle user.

Conventionally, a remote operation system for remotely driving (remote operation) on-vehicle equipment such as locking / unlocking of a vehicle door, etc. mounted on a vehicle by a vehicle user performing a predetermined operation on an operation terminal owned by the vehicle user. Is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This system includes an operation terminal such as a mobile phone possessed by a vehicle user, an in-vehicle device included in a vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle device that can be remotely operated, and a center that manages information between the operation terminal and the in-vehicle device. It is equipped with. In this system, when an operation requesting a remote operation of the in-vehicle device is performed by the vehicle user on the operation terminal, a message indicating that the remote operation of the in-vehicle device is requested is transmitted from the operation terminal to the center. When the center receives a remote operation request from the operation terminal, the center transmits a remote operation command for requesting the vehicle to drive the in-vehicle device. When the vehicle receives a remote operation command from the center, the vehicle executes the remote operation of the in-vehicle device according to the request. Therefore, according to the above system, even when the vehicle user is located away from the vehicle, it is possible to remotely operate the in-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle by operating the operation terminal. It has become.
JP 2003-41821 A

  However, in a vehicle that has received a remote operation command from the center, if the in-vehicle device is suddenly remotely operated in accordance with the remote operation command, the remote operation of the in-vehicle device is, for example, opening / closing of a window, opening / closing of a slide roof, etc. If this is accompanied by a movement of the vehicle, an unexpected situation may occur in the passengers who ride in the vehicle and the people around the vehicle.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a remote operation device that takes safety into consideration when performing remote operation of in-vehicle devices.

  The above object is a remote operation device that performs a remote operation of the in-vehicle device when a request for driving the in-vehicle device is made from the operation terminal in accordance with the operation of the operation terminal by a vehicle user. When a request is made, it is achieved by a remote operation device including an alerting means for alerting that the remote operation is executed before executing the remote operation of the in-vehicle device.

  In the invention of this aspect, when a drive request for an in-vehicle device is made, a warning is issued that the remote operation is executed before the remote operation of the in-vehicle device is executed. In this way, if alerting is performed in the vehicle before the remote operation is performed, it is possible to indirectly notify the vehicle occupant and the people around the vehicle before the remote operation of the in-vehicle device is performed. Therefore, the safety in executing the remote operation of the in-vehicle device is improved.

  In this case, in the above-described remote operation device, when the drive request for the in-vehicle device is made, the alerting means is provided only when a precondition for performing the remote operation of the in-vehicle device is satisfied. If the above-mentioned alerting is performed before the remote operation is performed, unnecessary alerting can be avoided when the remote operation of the in-vehicle device is not performed due to the failure of the precondition. .

  In the above-described remote operation device, the alerting means may continue the alerting even after the execution of the remote operation of the in-vehicle device requested to be driven.

  Further, in the above-described remote operation device, if the alerting means performs buzzer sound or voice output toward the inside of the vehicle or outside the vehicle as the alert, the remote operation of the in-vehicle device is performed before the execution. In addition, it is possible to indirectly notify the vehicle occupant and the people around the vehicle through hearing.

  Furthermore, in the above-described remote operation device, when the window closing drive request is made as the in-vehicle device, the alerting means opens the window as the alerting before executing the window closing remote operation. In this case, it is possible to indirectly notify the vehicle occupant and persons around the vehicle through the sense of touch before the window is closed.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when performing remote operation of vehicle equipment, safety can be improved.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a remote operation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system according to the present embodiment includes an in-vehicle device 10 mounted on a vehicle, and an operation terminal 12 such as a mobile phone, a personal computer, or a PDA that is carried and carried by an authorized vehicle user such as a driver or owner of the vehicle. The center 14 manages information between the in-vehicle device 10 and the operation terminal 12. The remote operation system according to the present embodiment executes a remote operation for remotely driving an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle by operating the operation terminal 12 by an authorized vehicle user, particularly after the vehicle user gets off. It is a system for.

  The in-vehicle device 10 includes an in-vehicle electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as an in-vehicle ECU) 20 mainly composed of a computer that controls various controls. The in-vehicle ECU 20 operates according to a software program stored in advance in a storage device such as a ROM. The in-vehicle ECU 20 has a storage device that stores the identification information of the own vehicle and the telephone number and URL of the center 14 described above. The in-vehicle ECU 20 is connected to a transceiver 22 such as a data communication module (DCM) that can perform wireless communication with the center 14 through a predetermined communication network. The transceiver 22 has a function of transmitting information on the vehicle-mounted device 10 side to the center 14 via the communication network and a function of receiving information transmitted from the center 14 via the communication network to the vehicle-mounted device 10. Yes. The in-vehicle ECU 20 exchanges transmission data and reception data with the transceiver 22.

  A front controller 24 is connected to the in-vehicle ECU 20, and a window opening / closing ECU 26, a door control ECU 28, and a hazard ECU 30 are connected as units for driving in-vehicle devices mounted on the vehicle. The front controller 24 is connected to a sound / alarm output unit 32 such as a horn, a buzzer, or a speaker provided inside or outside the vehicle. The voice / alarm output unit 32 is a device that performs voice / alarm output by a buzzer or a speaker toward a vehicle occupant, or performs voice / alarm output by a horn, a buzzer, or an external speaker toward a person around the vehicle. The front controller 24 outputs the sound / alarm as described above by driving the sound / alarm output unit 32 in accordance with a command from the in-vehicle ECU 20.

  Further, the window opening / closing ECU 26 has a power window motor 34 for opening / closing a window provided in each vehicle door, the door control ECU 28 has a door lock motor 36 for locking / unlocking each vehicle door, and the hazard ECU 30 has a vehicle. Hazard flasher relays 38 for blinking the hazard lights are respectively connected. As will be described later in detail, when the remote control request for driving the in-vehicle device from the center 14 is received by the transceiver 22, the in-vehicle ECU 20 appropriately sends to the window opening / closing ECU 26, the door control ECU 28, or the hazard ECU 30. Command to exercise its functions.

  The window opening / closing ECU 26, the door control ECU 28, and the hazard ECU 30 each have the power window motor 34, the door lock motor 36, or the hazard flasher relay 38 when a command for remotely operating the in-vehicle device is supplied from the in-vehicle ECU 20. By driving, the window is opened or closed, and the vehicle door is locked or unlocked, or the hazard light is blinked or extinguished.

  The operation terminal 12 includes an electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as a portable ECU) 40. The portable ECU 40 is equipped with a computer and operates according to a software program stored in advance in a storage device such as a ROM. The mobile ECU 40 has a storage device that stores the identification information of the vehicle (the vehicle-mounted device 10) corresponding to the own operation terminal 12, the identification information of the own operation terminal 12, and the telephone number and URL of the center 14 described above. The portable ECU 40 is connected to a transceiver 42 having a data communication antenna capable of performing wireless communication with the center 14 through a predetermined communication network. The transceiver 42 has a function of transmitting information on the operation terminal 12 side to the center 14 via the communication network and a function of receiving information transmitted from the center 14 via the communication network to the operation terminal 12. Yes. The portable ECU 40 exchanges transmission data and reception data with the transceiver 42.

  The portable ECU 40 is connected to an input / output unit 44 that is manually input by the vehicle user and that performs display output and audio output toward the vehicle user. The operation terminal 12 has a web browser, can browse files and data stored in an external web server via a communication network by an input operation to the input / output unit 44, and is provided by the center 14. Various types of information, specifically, a web screen for requesting remote operation of an in-vehicle device described later can be acquired.

  The center 14 includes a host computer 50 capable of high-speed calculation. The host computer 50 operates according to a software program stored in advance in a storage device such as a ROM. A large capacity database 52 is connected to the host computer 50. The database 52 stores customer information such as identification information of a regular user of a vehicle who is a user who uses the center 14, a mail address and a telephone number of the operation terminal 12, and identification information and a telephone number of the vehicle.

  The center 14 is connected to a transceiver 54 having a data communication antenna capable of performing wireless communication with the in-vehicle device 10 and the operation terminal 12 through a communication network. The transceiver 54 transmits the information on the center 14 side to the in-vehicle device 10 and the operation terminal 12 via the communication network, and the information transmitted from the in-vehicle device 10 and the operation terminal 12 via the communication network to the center 14. It has a function to receive. The host computer 50 of the center 14 exchanges transmission data and reception data with the transceiver 54.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the remote control system of this embodiment will be described. The vehicle user closes or opens the vehicle door window completely or to some extent, especially after getting off, to prevent theft, to forget to operate, to prevent the temperature inside the vehicle from rising, etc. If it is desired to lock or unlock the vehicle door, or blink or turn off the hazard light, the input / output unit 44 of the operation terminal 12 is operated to start the web browser.

  The center 14 stores a format necessary for remotely operating an in-vehicle device included in the vehicle by operating the operation terminal 12. When a predetermined operation is performed by a vehicle user while the web browser is activated, the operation terminal 12 is wirelessly connected to the center 14 via a communication network to request remote operation of the center 14. Request the center 14 to provide a web screen. When the center 14 receives the above request from the operation terminal 12, the center 14 provides the operation terminal 12 with a web screen for requesting a remote operation. The operation terminal 12 acquires a web screen for requesting remote operation from the center 14 according to the above processing.

  This web screen is provided with an item of remote operation of an in-vehicle device that can be remotely controlled by operating the operation terminal 12. The operation terminal 12 determines which remote operation of the in-vehicle device is desired by the vehicle user based on the presence / absence of a check in a check box provided for each remote operation item of the in-vehicle device that can be remotely controlled. Determine. When the transmission request is made in the state where any of the above check boxes is checked by the operation of the vehicle user, the operation terminal 12 confirms that the remote operation of the in-vehicle device corresponding to the check is desired. The remote operation request information is transmitted from the transmitter / receiver 42 to the center 14 in order to notify it.

  When the center 14 provides a web screen for requesting a remote operation to the operation terminal 12 and then receives remote operation request information transmitted from the operation terminal 12 by the transceiver 54, the in-vehicle device that should perform the remote operation And the vehicle terminal 10 of the vehicle corresponding to the operation terminal 12 is wirelessly connected via the communication network, and the remote operation of the specific vehicle-mounted device is requested by the operation on the operation terminal 12. The remote operation command shown is transmitted to the in-vehicle device 10. When receiving the remote operation command transmitted from the center 14, the in-vehicle device 10 specifies the in-vehicle device that should perform the remote operation, and if necessary, drives the in-vehicle device according to the remote operation request. Execute.

  As described above, in the remote operation system according to the present embodiment, when the operation terminal 12 is operated and a remote operation request is made from the operation terminal 12 to the vehicle-mounted device 10 via the center 14, the vehicle-mounted device mounted on the vehicle. Remote remote operation is executed. For this reason, the vehicle user can drive the in-vehicle device by operating the operation terminal 12 even when the vehicle user is not on the vehicle or at a place away from the vehicle. Therefore, according to the system of the present embodiment, even when the vehicle user forgets to manually operate the in-vehicle device before or after getting off, the in-vehicle device is brought into a desired state by operating the operation terminal 12. It is possible to migrate.

  By the way, in the remote operation system described above, since the vehicle user generally performs remote operation of the in-vehicle device at a position far away from the vehicle, the vehicle user particularly closes the window with movement on the vehicle body. When operating the operation terminal 12 to realize the opening, it is difficult to obtain sufficient prior confirmation for performing the remote operation. For this reason, assuming that such remote operation of the in-vehicle device is suddenly performed, an unexpected situation may occur due to the sudden remote operation for an occupant or a person surrounding the vehicle. May be impaired.

  Therefore, the system of the present embodiment is characterized in that safety is taken into consideration when performing remote operation of the in-vehicle device. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 2, the characteristic part of a present Example is demonstrated. FIG. 2 shows a flowchart executed in the remote control system of this embodiment.

  In this embodiment, when a vehicle user desires remote operation of an in-vehicle device, the vehicle user first starts up a web browser by operating the input / output unit 44 of the operation terminal 12 and wirelessly via the center 14 and the communication network. The center 14 is requested to provide a web screen for remote operation request through communication connection. After acquiring the web screen for the remote operation request provided from the center 14, the operation terminal 12 is checked on a check box related to the remote operation of one or more in-vehicle devices on the web screen according to the operation by the vehicle user. When a transmission request is made in the state (step 100), remote operation request information is transmitted to the center 14 to notify the center 14 that the remote operation is desired (step 102).

  When the center 14 receives the remote operation request information transmitted from the operation terminal 12, the center 14 corresponds to the operation terminal 12 or the vehicle corresponding to the operation terminal 12 that the remote operation of the specific in-vehicle device is requested. (Step 120) and a remote operation command indicating that a remote operation of a specific in-vehicle device is requested by an operation on the operation terminal 12 to the in-vehicle device 10 of the vehicle corresponding to the operation terminal 12 Transmit (step 122).

  When the in-vehicle device 10 receives a remote operation command from the center 14, before executing the remote operation of the in-vehicle device based on the remote operation command, first, prerequisites necessary for performing the remote operation are established. It is confirmed whether or not to perform (step 140). Prerequisites necessary for carrying out the remote operation of the in-vehicle device include, for example, the reception time of the remote operation command in the vehicle and the remote operation request time of the vehicle user (input operation time at the operation terminal 12 or at the center 14). The remote operation request reception time, etc.) is less than the predetermined time, or contradictory remote operations (for example, opening and closing of windows) are not requested at almost the same time, in the vehicle or around the vehicle In-vehicle device operation (local operation) on the vehicle is not performed at almost the same time, the vehicle ignition switch or accessory switch is not turned on, there are no people or vehicle keys in the vehicle, remote operation There is a case where the vehicle state to be realized by the execution of is not the same as the current vehicle state.

  When the in-vehicle device 10 confirms that the above preconditions are satisfied, the in-vehicle device 10 then performs the remote operation for a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds) before executing the remote operation of the in-vehicle device based on the remote operation command. A reminder to be executed is executed (step 142). Note that this alert is a physical operation on the vehicle body among remote operations of all in-vehicle devices (specifically, in this embodiment, window opening / closing, door locking / unlocking, and turning on / off of the hazard light). It is sufficient that it is performed only when a remote operation with a specific movement (in this embodiment, specifically, window opening or window closing) is executed.

  When executing the above alerting, the in-vehicle device 10 specifically instructs the in-vehicle ECU 20 to drive the voice / alarm output unit 32 as the above alerting to the front controller 24. When such a command is issued, the voice / alarm output unit 32 receives a drive command from the front controller 24 to output a predetermined voice / alarm by a buzzer or a speaker to a vehicle occupant, or a person around the vehicle. A predetermined sound / alarm is output by a horn, buzzer, or external speaker. The voice / alarm output may be output in different formats depending on the contents of the remote operation executed immediately thereafter. For example, the alarm sound may be changed, the output sound may be changed as appropriate, or the output target may be changed as appropriate, such as the output of only the wireless buzzer or the sound output only.

  The in-vehicle device 10 has the above premise when the above alert is completed when a window opening or closing with movement on the vehicle body is requested as a remote operation, and when a request for a remote operation without movement on the vehicle body is requested. When confirming that the condition is satisfied, the in-vehicle ECU 20 issues a command to the ECU having jurisdiction over the control of the in-vehicle device to be remotely operated according to the remote operation command to execute the remote operation of the in-vehicle device. . When such a command is issued, the ECUs 26 to 30 drive the respective actuators 34 to 38 to execute a remote operation of the in-vehicle device (step 144).

  When the in-vehicle device 10 executes the remote operation of the in-vehicle device as described above, the result of the remote operation (specifically, whether the remote operation has been completed normally or has been completed without being completed normally) And the result is notified to the center 14 (step 146). When the center 14 is notified of the remote operation result from the in-vehicle device 10 after transmitting the remote operation command to the in-vehicle device 10, the center 14 accepts the result (step 124), and then the remote operation result by e-mail or the like. Is notified to the operation terminal 12 (step 126).

  When receiving the remote operation result notified from the center 14, the operation terminal 12 displays the result on the display of the input / output unit 44 or outputs the sound from the speaker so as to make the vehicle user recognize (step 104). In this case, the vehicle user carrying the operation terminal 12 can recognize the result of the remote operation after requesting the remote operation of the in-vehicle device.

  As described above, in the remote control system according to the present embodiment, when a remote operation of an in-vehicle device accompanied by a physical movement on the vehicle body is requested from the operation terminal 12 to the in-vehicle device 10 via the center 14, the remote operation is performed. Before executing the operation, it is possible to alert a vehicle occupant or a person around the vehicle that the remote operation is executed by a buzzer sounding or sound output by driving the sound / alarm output unit 32.

  Therefore, according to the system of the present embodiment, the fact that the remote operation is executed before the execution of the remote operation of the in-vehicle device accompanied by the movement on the vehicle body is caused by the sound to the person who rides the vehicle or the people around the vehicle Since it can be notified indirectly through hearing by alerting, the above remote operation will not be performed without alerting those people, and the safety of remote operation of in-vehicle devices is improved Will be.

  In the system of the present embodiment, the alerting by driving the voice / alarm output unit 32 before the remote operation is performed is performed only when a precondition necessary for performing the remote operation is satisfied. If the precondition is not satisfied, the remote operation is not executed. Therefore, according to the system of the present embodiment, unnecessary alerting can be avoided when remote operation of the in-vehicle device is not executed due to the failure of the precondition.

  In the above embodiment, the in-vehicle device 10 corresponds to the “remote control device” recited in the claims, and the in-vehicle ECU 20 of the in-vehicle device 10 performs the process of step 142 in the routine shown in FIG. By executing, the “attention calling means” described in the claims is realized.

  By the way, in the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that alerting by driving of the voice / alarm output unit 32 is performed before the remote operation is performed for the remote operation of the in-vehicle device 10 being executed. It may be performed continuously during execution. According to such a configuration, the safety for remote operation of the in-vehicle device is further improved.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the alert to the remote operation being performed before the remote operation is performed in the in-vehicle device 10 is performed by the voice or alarm by driving the voice / alarm output unit 32. When the window closing drive is requested as a remote operation of the in-vehicle device, the window may be temporarily opened as a reminder before the remote operation is executed. The opening of the window may be performed from the initial position to a position opened by a predetermined amount, or may be performed to the fully opened position.

  If the window is opened before the window is closed, it is possible to notify the vehicle occupant and persons around the vehicle that the window is opened and closed without causing a great deal of danger. Therefore, according to the above-described configuration, the window closing as a remote operation is indirectly notified to the person through the tactile sense before the execution, without impairing safety to the vehicle occupant and the people around the vehicle. Therefore, it is possible to improve safety in closing the remote window.

  Further, in the above embodiment, as an in-vehicle device that should be alerted that the remote operation is performed before the remote operation is performed, opening and closing of the window with movement on the vehicle body is used. The present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to, for example, sliding roofs, sliding doors, vehicle doors, trunk opening / closing, antenna pole expansion / contraction, door mirror opening / closing, etc., as long as it involves movement on the vehicle body. It is also possible.

  In the above embodiment, the vehicle terminal is carried and carried by the vehicle user in the above-described embodiment. However, the operation terminal 12 is installed on a public telephone, a fixed telephone at home, a convenience store, etc. that the vehicle user does not always carry or carry. It is also possible to use an existing information terminal or the like. In this case, what is necessary is just to request remote operation of the in-vehicle device from the operation terminal 12 to the center 14 by performing a predetermined operation input in a state where the operation terminal 12 is in communication connection with the center 14.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the remote operation system is configured by the in-vehicle device 10 mounted on the vehicle, the operation terminal 12 carried by the vehicle user, and the center 14 for information management. In addition, the present invention may be applied to a system including the in-vehicle device 10 that does not have the center 14 and the operation terminal 12.

It is a block diagram of the remote control system which is one Example of this invention. It is a flowchart performed in the remote control system of a present Example.

Explanation of symbols

10 In-vehicle terminal 12 Operation terminal 14 Center

Claims (5)

A remote operation device that performs a remote operation of the in-vehicle device by making a drive request of the in-vehicle device from the operation terminal according to the operation of the operation terminal by a vehicle user,
A remote operation device comprising: an alerting means for alerting the user that the remote operation is executed before the remote operation of the in-vehicle device is executed when a drive request for the in-vehicle device is made.   When the driving request for the in-vehicle device is made, the alerting means is configured to execute the precautions before performing the remote operation of the in-vehicle device only when a precondition for performing the remote operation of the in-vehicle device is satisfied. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein the remote operation device performs arousing.   3. The remote control device according to claim 1, wherein the alerting unit continues the alerting even after the execution of the remote operation of the in-vehicle device for which a drive request is made. 4.   The remote control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the alerting means performs buzzer sounding or voice output toward the inside or outside of the vehicle as the alerting.   The said alerting means opens the said window as said alerting before performing remote operation of this window closing, when the drive request | requirement of a window closing is made | formed as said vehicle equipment. Remote control device.

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