JP2009208741A - Supporting system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a supporting system capable of allowing a person to ride in a vehicle parked in a garage and to easily load/unload the luggage therein/therefrom. <P>SOLUTION: The supporting system comprises an ultrasonic sensor 27 for acquiring position information of a person with respect to a parked vehicle V, a camera 25, and a main control means to which measurement information is transmitted. When the main control means discriminates that a person reaches the terminal position Z along the traffic line M after it is discriminated that the person is present at the starting position X, the main control means supports the person for riding in the vehicle and for loading/unloading the luggage by unlocking a door and opening the door. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a support system, and more particularly, to a system that supports a driver's getting on and off.

  As a system for assisting in getting on a vehicle, a person holding a portable device (smart key) releases a door lock by bringing a finger into contact with the door knob of the vehicle (see Patent Document 1), a wireless device such as a cellular phone, etc. There is an apparatus that performs a hospitality operation to enter a vehicle of a person who possesses a terminal (see Patent Document 2).

  In patent document 1, when the person who possesses the smart key lightly operates the door handle of the vehicle, a request signal is transmitted from the vehicle side to obtain an ID signal from the smart key, and this portable device (smart key) A smart entry system is shown that unlatches and allows the door to be opened when the ID signal returned from the ID matches.

  Patent Document 2 shows that a user has a terminal device such as a mobile phone that can acquire its own position information by GPS or the like, and the position information transmitted from the terminal device to the vehicle and the position information of the vehicle. A process for acquiring the relative distance is performed. When the user approaches the parked vehicle up to a set distance by this process, a process of transmitting and displaying the parking position information to the terminal device is performed. When the user further approaches the vehicle, if it is determined that the terminal device is sent to the vehicle, the approach direction is determined, and the process of operating the horn or operating the headlight is performed. It is shown.

JP, 2006-214152, A (paragraph numbers [0038], [0040], FIG. 9, FIG. 11) JP 2006-69296 A (paragraph numbers [0034] to [0039], FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, FIG. 7)

  When an owner gets on a vehicle parked in a garage on the premises of the home, or when the owner's family loads luggage on this vehicle, in a vehicle equipped with the entry system described in Patent Document 1, a smart key is used. Even if you hold the door, you may need to operate the door handle slightly to release the door lock, and then operate the door handle to release the latch and open the door. .

  In addition, when the owner's family performs an operation of loading a load into the vehicle, it becomes necessary to carry a smart key only for loading the load. In particular, when carrying a load in both hands, it is necessary to temporarily place the load on the ground in order to operate the door handle, and there is room for improvement.

  In the technique of Patent Document 2, it is not only necessary for the owner or the owner's family to have a terminal device, but there is a sense of overspec as the processing in the vehicle parked in the garage in the premises of the house.

  In addition to these issues, after the car is parked in the garage at home, when the driver goes to the entrance of the house, driving such as unlocking the home or turning on the home lamp is operated. Must do. Thus, when heading home after getting off, it is time-consuming even though it is necessary to perform a certain operation after getting off.

  An object of the present invention is to rationally configure a vehicle at a predetermined position, such as a vehicle parked in a garage on the premises of a home, and a system that facilitates operations required in a residential facility.

  A feature of the present invention is provided with a position detection unit that acquires position information of a person, and includes a movement detection unit that detects a person moving along a set flow line based on the position information of the position detection unit, When a person who moves along the flow line is detected by the movement detection unit, the movement detection unit includes a support execution unit that supports operation in at least one of the vehicle and the residential facility.

  For example, when an owner gets into a vehicle parked in a garage at home, a flow line (route) approaching the vehicle parked from the entrance of the home is determined. Similarly, when the owner gets off the vehicle and then heads to the entrance of the house, the owner's flow line is determined. Such a flow line is different from the flow line when a suspicious person enters the premises of a house. For this reason, when the movement detection unit detects that the person is moving along the flow line from the position information of the position detection means, the support execution unit operates at least one of the vehicle and the residential facility. As a result of this support, a system has been constructed that reduces the number of operations to be performed by the person and facilitates the operations required in the vehicle at the predetermined location and the living facility.

  In the present invention, when the flow line is set corresponding to the parked vehicle, and the person detects approach or separation along the flow line in the movement detection unit, the support execution is performed. The point is that the person supports getting on and off the vehicle. According to this configuration, when the movement detector detects that the person moves along the flow line and approaches or separates from the vehicle, the door locking mechanism is unlocked or the locking mechanism is set to the locked state. And the operations performed by the owner can be reduced.

  The present invention includes an authentication processing unit that authenticates a person who moves along the flow line, and allows support by the support execution unit when the authentication processing unit determines that the person is registered in advance. You may do it. According to this configuration, even if a suspicious person accidentally approaches the vehicle along a preset flow line, the support execution unit does not support according to the determination result of the authentication processing unit.

  In the present invention, the authentication processing unit may authenticate the person based on the characteristics of the person photographed by the camera and the characteristics of the person registered in advance. According to this configuration, authentication is realized based on the characteristics of the person photographed by the camera.

  In the present invention, the authentication processing unit may authenticate a person by comparing information received from a smart key with preset information. According to this configuration, authentication of a person is realized by smart key information.

  According to the present invention, the position detecting unit may determine the positional relationship between the vehicle and the person based on the reception area of the smart key radio waves at the vehicle or a plurality of antennas provided outside the vehicle, and acquire position information. good. According to this configuration, by using a plurality of antennas that receive radio waves from the smart key, it is determined that the smart key exists in the reception area of each antenna, and the smart key is placed in the reception area where the plurality of antennas overlap. The presence of the smart key can be determined as position information from these determination results.

  In the present invention, the position detection unit may acquire position information of a person based on a result of photographing with the vehicle or a camera provided outside the vehicle. According to this configuration, it is possible to acquire position information where a person exists from a position relatively separated from the ultrasonic sensor and the infrared sensor.

  In the present invention, the position detection unit may acquire position information of a person based on measurement values of a plurality of distance sensors provided in the vehicle. According to this configuration, position information where a person exists can be acquired using a distance sensor.

  According to the present invention, even if the support execution unit performs at least one control of an operation of unlocking the lock mechanism of the vehicle door, an operation of the lock mechanism to a locked state, and an opening of the vehicle door. good. According to this configuration, any one of the unlocking operation, the operation to the locked state, and the door opening is realized.

  The present invention includes a starting point detection unit that detects that a starting point position is set at an end of the flow line and that a person is present at the starting point position, and the support system is detected at a timing when the person is detected by the starting point detection unit. A mode switching unit for switching the control mode may be provided. According to this configuration, when the starting point detection unit detects a situation where a person is present at the starting point position, the mode switching unit switches the mode of the support system. That is, it is possible to switch the system from the sleep mode to the operation mode, or from the mode for functioning security to the mode for stopping the function.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
〔overall structure〕
1 and 2 show an outline of a vehicle V made up of a passenger car. This vehicle V has an interior space surrounded by a floor 1, a roof 2, a front window 3, left and right front doors 4, left and right rear doors 5, and a hatch-type back door 6 at the rear end position. Is formed.

  A driver's seat 7, a passenger seat 8, and a rear seat 9 are provided on the floor 1 of the interior space, and a door mirror 10 is provided outside the left and right front doors 4. The front door 4 and the rear door 5 are provided with side windows 4W and 5W made of transparent glass so as to be freely opened and closed. The back door 6 includes a back window 6W made of transparent glass. Hereinafter, the front door 4, the rear door 5, and the back door 6 are collectively referred to as a door D.

  At the front end of the vehicle V, headlights 11 are provided at the left and right end positions, and winkers 12 are provided at the front end portions of the left and right fenders. A brake lamp 13 and a blinker 12 are provided at the left and right end positions of the back door 6.

  Front ends of the front door 4 and the rear door 5 are supported on the frame of the vehicle V through a hinge 15 so as to be freely opened and closed. A latch mechanism La, a lock mechanism Lo, and a lock switching mechanism Lx are provided inside the door. Yes. Door handles H are provided on the outer surfaces of the front door 4 and the back door 6. Further, an inner handle 16 and a lock knob 17 are provided on the inner side of the front door 4 and the back door 6.

  The latch mechanism La has a structure that holds the closed state when the door D is closed. The latch mechanism La operates the door handle H or the inner handle 16 when the lock mechanism Lo is unlocked. To release the holding state and allow the door to be opened.

  When the lock mechanism Lo is set to the locked state, the latch mechanism La maintains the latched state to prevent the door from being opened regardless of which of the door handle H and the inner handle 16 is operated.

  The lock mechanism Lo is switched between a locked state and a released state by a manual operation of the lock knob 17 on the inside of the vehicle or an operation of an actuator (not shown) of the lock switching mechanism Lx.

  The back door 6 is supported by the frame of the vehicle V via the hinge 20 so that the back door 6 can be opened in a form in which the lower end position is flipped upward. Further, an open actuator 21 having an electric motor or the like is provided for performing an opening operation, and a gas spring 22 is provided to assist the opening operation.

  A door handle H is provided on the outer surface of the back door 6, and a latch mechanism La, a lock mechanism Lo, and an opening / closing switching mechanism N are provided inside the back door 6. The back door 6 may also be provided with an inner handle for releasing the latched state.

  The latch mechanism La has a structure that holds the closed state when the back door 6 is closed. When the lock mechanism Lo is unlocked, the latch mechanism La is released by operating the door handle H. Allow the door to open. The lock mechanism Lo is switched between a locked state and a released state by operation of an actuator (not shown) of the open / close switching mechanism N. Similarly, the latch mechanism La of the back door 6 is switched between the latched state and the released state by the operation of an actuator (not shown) of the opening / closing switching mechanism N.

  The vehicle V includes a main control unit C that controls the lock mechanism Lo of the door D, the open / close switching mechanism N of the back door 6, and the open actuator 21.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the main control unit C is set in advance from the starting position X of the front door of the home A in a situation where the vehicle V is parked in the garage P of the owner's home A site. If it is determined that the vehicle has approached the vehicle V along the flow line M and has reached the end point position Z, control for assisting the person in getting on and off and loading and unloading the luggage is executed.

  In order to perform the processing for executing such support, the main control unit C, sensors for transmitting information from the outside to the main control unit C, a program for performing processing in the main control unit C, and support are realized. The support system of the present invention is configured by hardware such as an actuator to be operated.

  On both sides and the rear end of the vehicle V, cameras 25 for photographing outside the vehicle are provided. The camera 25 guides the light beam from the optical lens to a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD, and acquires image information having a frame number of several frames per second or more. In addition, you may use what was equipped in order to assist the parking of the vehicle V as this camera 25. FIG.

  An area that can be photographed by the camera 25 is shown as an angle of view θ in the figure, and is configured to photograph a person existing within the angle of view θ.

  A plurality of antennas 26 that transmit and receive radio waves to and from the smart key SK (see FIG. 5) are provided at a plurality of locations on the vehicle V. When the smart key SK is present in the transmission / reception area formed for each antenna 26, a request signal is transmitted from the vehicle body side, and the smart key SK transmits ID information corresponding to the request signal, thereby realizing authentication.

  In the main control unit C, after the authentication, a control for releasing the lock state of the lock mechanism Lo of the door D is performed by a simple operation such as bringing a finger into contact with the door handle H of the vehicle V carrying the smart key SK. Do. A control system for releasing the lock is not shown in the drawing.

  Ultrasonic sensors 27 serving as distance sensors for measuring the distance between the vehicle V and an obstacle are provided at the left and right end positions of the rear portion of the vehicle V. This ultrasonic sensor 27 is used not only for the obstacle but also for measuring the distance to the person in the parking state. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, it is configured to be able to determine the presence or absence of a person at the starting position X by the principle of triangulation by overlapping the measurement areas S by ultrasonic waves.

  The camera 25 for photographing a person and the position acquisition unit 41 shown in FIG. Further, the ultrasonic sensor 27 for acquiring the position information of the person and the position acquisition unit 41 shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the antenna 26 is not used as a position detection unit. However, the position of the antenna 26 and the position acquisition unit 41 shown in FIG. 5 is the same as that described in the following “another embodiment (b)”. It is also possible to configure the detection means.

[Control system]
As shown in FIG. 5, the main control unit C includes an image processing unit 31 that processes image information from the camera 25, and a transmission / reception unit 32 that transmits and receives information via a plurality of antennas 26. An input / output interface (I / O) 33 for receiving information from is provided.

  In the main control unit C, a signal system for sending information from the input / output interface 33 to the microprocessor via the data bus and processing set by sending information via the data bus of the microprocessor are performed. An information processing system is provided.

  As this information processing system, a position acquisition unit 41, an area specifying unit 42, an authentication processing unit 43, an authentication information storage unit 44, a movement detection unit 45, an end point detection unit 46, a flow line information storage unit 47, and a support execution unit 48 are provided. ing. Of these, what excludes the authentication processing unit 43 and the flow line information storage unit 47 is assumed to be configured by software, but may be configured by a combination of software and hardware.

  The position acquisition unit 41 performs processing for acquiring position information of a person based on the image information from the image processing unit 31. The area specifying unit 42 specifies an area where a person carrying the smart key SK is present based on information received from the transmitting / receiving unit 32.

  The authentication processing unit 43 authenticates a person based on the image information from the image processing unit 31 and the face and body shape of the person stored in the authentication information storage unit 44. Note that the process of performing authentication using a person's face is realized by a known technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 8-63597 and 2000-48184.

  Similarly, the authentication processing unit 43 performs authentication based on the information on the smart key SK from the transmission / reception unit 32 and information such as an ID stored in the authentication information storage unit 44. The authentication information storage unit 44 stores the characteristics of the owner and the owner's family by registration. The authentication information storage unit 44 stores information such as an ID given to the smart key SK.

  The movement detection unit 45 acquires a region where the person moves based on the image information from the image processing unit 31, and compares the region with the flow line information stored in the flow line information storage unit 47 to determine whether the person is moving. It is determined whether or not the movement along the flow line M is being performed. Similarly, the end point detection unit 46 acquires a region where the person moves based on the image information from the image processing unit 31 and the end point position Z stored in the flow line information storage unit 47. Make a comparison.

  The support execution unit 48 performs control for support by selecting a control target among the door mirror 10, the headlight 11, the blinker 12, the brake lamp 13, the lock switching mechanism Lx, the opening / closing switching mechanism N, and the open actuator 21. .

  Further, the door mirror 10, the headlight 11, the winker 12, the brake lamp 13, the lock switching mechanism Lx, and the open actuator 21 are collectively referred to as the support control target T. When the support execution unit 48 executes control, the drive control unit 49 outputs a control signal to the support control target T by a signal from the input / output interface 33.

  In this control system, the distance measuring unit 35 measures the distance to the person based on the signal from the ultrasonic sensor 27, and the starting point detecting unit 36 determines whether the person at the starting point position X exists based on the information from the distance measuring unit 35. To determine.

  Furthermore, a mode switching unit 37 that switches the main control unit C from the sleep mode to the operation mode when the starting point detection unit 36 determines that a person is present at the starting point position X is provided.

[Control form]
The control form of the main control unit C can be shown as in the flowchart of FIG.

  That is, when the start point detection unit 36 determines that a person is present at the start point position X based on information from the distance measurement unit 35 that processes information from the ultrasonic sensor 27, the main control unit C is set to sleep. In the state where the processing capability is enhanced by switching from the mode to the operation mode, the image information from the camera 25 is acquired and the person is authenticated (steps # 101 to # 103).

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a starting position X is assumed at a position slightly outside from the entrance door of home A. Therefore, when a person comes out of the entrance door, the person is detected by the ultrasonic sensor 27. When the starting point detection unit 36 determines that a person is present at the starting point position X, the mode switching unit 37 switches the main control unit C from the sleep mode to the operation mode. Immediately after this, the image information from the camera 25 is acquired, and the authentication processing unit 43 authenticates the person based on the acquired image information.

  In this embodiment, the mode switching unit 37 switches the sleep mode. For example, in a vehicle equipped with a security system, the processing target may be set to the security system. That is, when the starting point detection unit 36 determines that a person is present at the starting point position X, the mode switching unit may stop the mode in which the security system functions. This realizes boarding and loading / unloading of goods without impairing the function of preventing the vehicle V from being stolen by the security system.

  In addition, a communication system that downloads road information and music information by connecting to a control device of the vehicle body V and an external database or the like in the stopped state, and a charging system that charges the power system of the vehicle body V in the stopped state Then, these communication systems and charging systems may be controlled by the mode switching unit 37. With this configuration, when the owner gets on the vehicle V, the mode switching unit 37 is controlled so as to switch to a mode for blocking access of the communication system or to switch to a mode for stopping charging of the charging system. Will do.

  In this authentication, not only face authentication but also the height and body shape of a person are set as information for authentication. In order to realize this authentication, not only the owner of the vehicle V but also the face information of the owner's family and the height and body type information are registered in advance. Even when the face cannot be identified, a process of specifying a person based on information on height and body shape is performed. That is, even when face authentication cannot be performed, authentication is realized if the height and body shape match the registered authentication information.

  The starting point position X, the flow line M, and the end point position Z are stored in the authentication information storage unit 44 by the operator setting in advance. Similarly, the information on the owner of the vehicle V, the face of the owner's family, and information on the height and body shape are also stored in the authentication information storage unit 44 by the operator in advance.

  In particular, the starting point position X, the flow line M, and the end point position Z do not need to be fixed. For example, each time the vehicle V is parked, it may be changed based on the parking position. Specifically, the situation in which the posture of the vehicle V changes, such as when the vehicle V is introduced forward with respect to the parking position, or when the vehicle V is introduced backward, or there are a plurality of vehicles V with a garage. The starting position X, the flow line M, and the end position Z may be set each time in response to a situation where there is a space where the parking position can be changed and the parking position may change. In order to perform such setting, it is possible to use position information by GPS (Global Positioning System) provided in the vehicle V and information on the attitude of the vehicle V.

  Next, if the authentication is successful, the determination of which of the plurality of preset flow lines M is followed is continued until the end point position Z is reached (# 104 to # 107).

  In the process of comparing the area where the person moves and the preset flow line M, the position information of the person specified by the area specifying unit 42 based on the image information and the flow line information storage unit 47 are stored. The movement detector 45 compares the flow line information. Although two flow lines M are shown in the drawing, there may be only one flow line M, and there may be three or more flow lines M.

  That is, as an example of the process in which the region specifying unit 42 acquires the position information of the person based on the image information, the position of the person in the image information, the size of the person in the image information, and the background of the person in the image information Relative position information is used. In addition, when the person approaches the vehicle V, the size of the person in the image information is increased. On the contrary, when the person moves away from the vehicle V, the size of the person in the image information is reduced. Change of information is also used.

  Also, in the process of determining that the person has moved along the preset flow line M and reached the end point position Z, the position information specified by the area specifying unit 42 based on the image information is the same as described above. The end point detection unit 46 compares the end point position Z information stored in the flow line information storage unit 47.

  Next, when it is determined that the person has reached the end point position Z, notification processing and support processing are performed corresponding to the end point position Z (steps # 108 and # 109).

  In this notification process (step # 108), the support execution unit 48 activates any one of the headlight 11, the blinker 12, and the brake lamp 13 based on the information determined that the end point position Z has been reached. The person is made to recognize that the control is executed, and immediately after this, the control for assisting the unlocking of the door is executed.

  Specifically, the end point position Z is set in the vicinity of the driver seat 7 in the flow line M toward the driver seat 7 for the owner to get on. When it is determined that the person has moved along the flow line M and the person has reached the end point position Z, the support execution unit 48 blinks the turn signal 12 for a set number of times as a notification process, and stores the door mirror 10. Switch from posture to protruding posture. Immediately after this, the support execution unit 48 activates the lock switching mechanism Lx to release the lock mechanism Lo of the front door 4 on the side of the driver's seat 7.

  When the lock is released, it can be recognized from the mechanical sound that the lock is released, and the front door 4 can be opened and the vehicle can be boarded without performing an operation for unlocking.

  The flow line M when the owner or the owner's family loads and unloads the luggage from the back door 6 has an end point position Z set immediately behind the back door 6. When the movement detection unit 45 and the end point detection unit 46 determine that the owner or the owner's family has moved along the flow line M and reached the end point position Z, the support execution unit 48 performs the notification process. The blinker 12 and the brake lamp 13 are blinked a set number of times.

  Immediately after this, the support execution unit 48 operates the open / close switching mechanism N, unlocks the lock mechanism Lo of the back door 6, releases the latch of the latch mechanism La, operates the open actuator 21, and opens the back door 6. Open.

  In this manner, when the person approaches the back door 6 according to the preset flow line M, the back door 6 is automatically opened even when the owner or the owner's family holds the luggage in both hands. Facilitates loading and unloading of luggage.

[Another Embodiment of Judgment of Flow Line]
In the present invention, instead of the process of acquiring the region where the person moves based on the image information of the camera 25 and determining the flow line M, the processing mode may be set as follows. Moreover, in this different embodiment, the same number and code | symbol as embodiment are attached | subjected to what is common in the said embodiment.

(A) As shown in FIG. 7, each part of the vehicle V includes an ultrasonic sensor 27 (also functioning as a position detection unit) as a distance sensor, and the measurement areas S of the plurality of ultrasonic sensors 27 are overlapped. Thus, by overlapping the measurement areas S, when there are persons in the overlapping measurement areas S, the position acquisition unit 41 can acquire the position information of the persons as position information with high accuracy by the principle of triangulation. By providing such a position measurement system, the position information of the person and the flow line M can be compared by a process that is simple and low in weight compared to the process of acquiring the position information of the person by image processing. .

(B) As shown in FIG. 8, each part of the vehicle V includes a plurality of antennas 26, and radio wave transmission / reception regions R of the plurality of antennas 26 are overlapped. In this transmission / reception area R, only transmission / reception of radio waves with the smart key SK is performed by the transmission / reception unit 32 (position detecting means), but when the radio waves of the smart key SK can be simultaneously transmitted / received in the plurality of transmission / reception areas R, Since the smart key SK exists in the overlapping transmission / reception area R, the area where the person exists is specified as position information based on this information, and the process of comparing with the flow line M is performed.

  In such a position measurement system, the accuracy of the position information is lower than that using an ultrasonic sensor, but it is simpler and has a lower weight than the process of acquiring person position information by image processing. The process can be compared with the flow line M. In particular, authentication can be performed using radio waves received by the transmission / reception unit 32, and authentication based on image information is not required.

(C) The position detecting means for acquiring the position information of the person is constituted by a sensor arranged outside the vehicle V. As a specific example, as shown in FIG. 9, the measurement area S is reciprocated around the vertical axis so that the position of the person in the area from the starting position X to the end position Z along the flow line M can be measured. An ultrasonic sonar 51 to be swung and a processing unit F for processing information from the ultrasonic sonar 51 are provided outside the vehicle V.

  The ultrasonic sonar 51 oscillates a relatively narrow measurement region S around the vertical axis so that information on the distance at the timing of measuring the person measured by the ultrasonic sonar 51 and information on the measurement angle of the ultrasonic sonar 51 are obtained. Based on the above, the processing unit F generates person position information.

  In the processing unit F, a position information acquisition unit 52 that acquires position information based on information from the ultrasonic sonar 51, a start point detection unit 36 that determines presence / absence of a person at the start point position X based on the position information, and time elapse The movement detection unit 45 for determining whether or not the movement path of the person is along the preset flow line M based on the position information that changes according to the position information, and the person moving along the flow line M is the end point position An end point detection unit 46 that determines whether or not Z is reached, and an information transmission unit 53 that transmits detection information to the main control unit C of the vehicle V by radio waves when the end point detection unit 46 detects a person. And. The acquisition of the position information may be performed by both the sensor arranged outside the vehicle V and the vehicle V. Furthermore, in order to transmit the detected information, the detection information may be transmitted between the owner's home A and the vehicle V using wired communication such as PLC (power line communication).

  By configuring in this way, not only the power of the vehicle V is not required to acquire the position information of the person, but also the accuracy of the position information can be improved. Further, the main control unit C drives the support control target T.

  In this alternative embodiment, a camera and a plurality of infrared sensors are installed in the owner's home or on the premises, and the image information of the camera is processed, so that the person moves from the starting position X along the flow line M to the end point. You may comprise so that it can discriminate | determine that it moved to the position Z.

(C-1) In particular, an infrared sensor or an antenna 26 for receiving the radio wave of the smart key SK is provided in the vicinity of the entrance door inside the owner's home A. It is also possible to set the starting position X.

  When configured in this manner, a person approaching the vehicle V along the flow line M is detected immediately before the owner of the vehicle V or the owner's family leaves the home, and authentication of the person approaching the vehicle V is detected. It becomes a thing which does not need to be performed.

(D) In the present invention, a plurality of positions such as image information acquired by photographing with the camera 25, information measured by the ultrasonic sensor 27, position information of the smart key SK received by the antenna 26, position information acquired by the infrared sensor, etc. The processing form may be set so as to acquire an area where a person exists by combining two or more pieces of information acquired by the detection means.

(E) The time condition may be added to the determination when the flow line M is determined as in the embodiment described above or in the other embodiments (a) to (d). In other words, when a vehicle is used for commuting or work, it is often boarded at a fixed time on weekdays. For this reason, for example, when it is determined that the person has moved from the starting point position X along the flow line M to the ending point position Z in a preset time zone such as 7:00 am to 7:30 am In addition, the support process may be performed.

  In the case of such a configuration, it is possible to omit the person authentication only by adding a process using the time as an AND condition to the determination that the person moves along the flow line M.

[Another Embodiment of Support Processing]
In the present invention, the support processing by the support execution unit 48 may be executed as follows.

(F) In the case of the vehicle V equipped with a sliding door, the sliding door is opened to get on and load and unload luggage. By performing the opening operation of the sliding door in this way, it is possible to easily get on and load and unload the luggage even if the luggage is held in both hands. In addition, you may perform a support process so that the latch of the door D may be cancelled | released and the window of the door D may be open | released.

(G) When boarding the driver's seat 7, the engine is started to warm up the engine. In particular, when the engine is started, the air conditioning system is operated to heat and cool the interior of the vehicle. In addition, the temperature of the seat is adjusted. By starting the engine in this way, it is possible to realize a support process that is easier than the case where the device is operated using only the electric power of the battery.

(H) When boarding the driver's seat 7, the engine is started and the vehicle V is moved forward or backward by a set distance. By moving the vehicle V in a self-supporting manner in this way, for example, easy boarding is realized even in an environment where it is a little difficult to board from the front door 4 on the side of the driver's seat 7 of the vehicle V at the parking position.

(I) After getting out of the driver's seat 7 and moving along a preset flow line M as when getting off the vehicle V, the lock mechanism Lo of each door D is locked, the door mirror 10 is stored, The processing mode may be set so as to perform support control such as automatically closing the window of each door D. In order to realize such processing, a specific position outside the vehicle is set as the starting position X, and a flow line M is set. After starting movement along the flow line M, the support processing is performed. Executed.

(J) In the present invention, the lock mechanism Lo or the like provided in the vehicle V is the support control target T. In addition, the lock of the entrance door of the home A (an example of a residential facility) where the owner of the vehicle V lives, the light of the home, or the air conditioner is set as the support control target T, and the vehicle V gets off the vehicle V It is also possible to set the flow line M as the starting position X and set the end position Z near the entrance door of the home A.

  By setting the support control target T in this way, for example, when the owner moves along the flow line M and reaches the end point position Z, the entrance door is unlocked, the light is turned on, and the indoor air conditioner is turned on. Support processing that activates is realized.

(J-1) The door of the home where the owner of the vehicle V lives (an example of a residential facility), the lock of the window, the light of the home, and the air conditioner are set as the support control target T, and the entrance door of this home A starting point position X may be set nearby, and a flow line M connected thereto may be set.

  In this way, by setting the support control target T and the flow line M, for example, when the owner moves along the flow line M from the starting position X, the entrance door is locked and the window lock is locked. Support processing to lock, turn off the light, and stop the indoor air conditioner is realized.

(J-2) The door lock of the home A (an example of a residential facility) where the owner of the vehicle V resides, the lock of the window, the light of the home, and the air conditioner are set as the support control target T, and the vehicle V The door D lock mechanism Lo, the door D opening / closing actuator, the door mirror 10, the winker 12, the engine, and the like may be set as the support control target T.

  Then, in the case where a flow line M is set with the origin position X near the entrance door of the home and the end position Z near the vehicle V, for example, the owner leaves the entrance door of the home and moves to the vehicle V. In this case, the door door 10 is locked, the window is locked, the light is turned off, the indoor air conditioner is stopped, the door mirror 10 and the turn signal 12 are activated, and the vehicle V Support processing for unlocking the lock mechanism Lo and opening the door D is realized.

  In addition, in the case where a flow line M is set with a start position X near the vehicle V and an end position Z near the entrance door, for example, after the owner parks the vehicle V in the garage P, the vehicle V approaches the entrance door. When the vehicle moves to the door, a support process for supporting control such as locking the lock mechanism Lo of each door D of the vehicle V, storing the door mirror 10, and automatically closing the window of each door D is realized. Support processing that unlocks the door, turns on the light, and activates the air conditioner in the room is realized.

[Example effects]
Since it comprised in this way, when the owner of the vehicle V, the owner's family get on and off with respect to the vehicle V parked in the garage P of the home A, and the loading / unloading of a load, it can perform automatically. In other words, the movement route when boarding and loading / unloading of luggage is stored in the system as a flow line M, and when approaching the vehicle V along the fixed flow line M, the door D is unlocked. Thus, it is possible to easily get on the vehicle, and the door D is automatically opened, so that the cargo can be easily loaded and unloaded. Further, when leaving the vehicle V along a fixed flow line M, the door D can be automatically locked and the door D window can be automatically closed.

  Further, when providing support in this way, the owner or the owner's family appropriately recognizes that the support is provided by blinking the blinker 12 or the brake lamp 13 or performing a notification process for operating the door mirror 10. it can.

  By registering features such as the owner of the vehicle V and the face, height, and body shape of the owner's family in the system, authentication can be performed based on these features. Further, although the height and body features are less accurate than face authentication, authentication is possible even with a small amount of information included in a part of image information. In particular, in the system of the present invention, authentication is performed in the garage P on the site of the home A, so there is no inconvenience in daily authentication.

  Further, the parking assistance camera 25 provided in the vehicle V is used, the obstacle detection ultrasonic sensor provided in the vehicle V is used, and the smart key provided in the vehicle V for authentication is used. By using the area where SK radio waves are received, a process for determining whether or not a person approaches the vehicle V along the flow line M makes it unnecessary to provide sensors.

  It is also possible to set a lock on the front door of the home, a lock on the window, an electric light, an air conditioner, etc. as the support control target T, and the owner of the vehicle V or the owner's family will follow the flow line M. By moving in the direction approaching the door, the door can be unlocked, the light can be turned on, and the indoor air conditioner can be activated. On the contrary, the owner of the vehicle V and the owner's family move along the flow line M in the direction of exiting the entrance door to lock the entrance door, lock the window, and turn off the light. It is also possible to perform support processing for stopping the air conditioner in the room.

Plan view showing arrangement of vehicle seats, etc. Partial cutaway side view of the vehicle Plan view showing the relationship between traffic lines and vehicles on the site of your home Plan view showing measurement area and flow line of ultrasonic sensor Block circuit diagram showing the control unit of the support system Flow chart of support routine The top view which shows the measurement area | region of the ultrasonic sensor of another embodiment (a) The top view which shows the receiving area of the antenna of another embodiment (b) The top view which shows the structure of another embodiment (c).

Explanation of symbols

25 Camera / position detection means 26 Position detection means (antenna)
27 Position detection means, distance sensor, start point detection unit (ultrasonic sensor)
36 starting point detection unit 37 mode switching unit 41 position detection means (position detection unit)
43 Authentication Processing Unit 45 Movement Detection Unit 48 Support Execution Unit M Flow Line V Vehicle X Starting Point SM Smart Key

Claims (10)

  A position detector that acquires position information of the person, and a movement detector that detects a person moving along the set flow line based on the position information of the position detector; A support system including a support execution unit that supports operation in at least one of a vehicle and a residential facility when a person moving along a line is detected.   When the flow line is set corresponding to the parked vehicle, and the person detects approach or separation along the flow line in the movement detection unit, the support execution unit The support system according to claim 1, wherein a support for getting on and off the vehicle is provided.   An authentication processing unit that authenticates a person who moves along the flow line, and when the authentication processing unit determines that the person is registered in advance, the support execution unit allows support. 3. The support system according to 1 or 2.   The support system according to claim 3, wherein the authentication processing unit authenticates a person based on characteristics of a person photographed by a camera and characteristics of a person registered in advance.   The support system according to claim 3, wherein the authentication processing unit authenticates a person by comparing information received from a smart key with preset information.   The position detection means determines the positional relationship between the vehicle and the person based on reception areas of the radio waves of the smart key at the vehicle or a plurality of antennas provided outside the vehicle, and acquires position information. The support system according to any one of the above.   The support system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the position detection unit acquires position information of a person based on a result of photographing with the vehicle or a camera provided outside the vehicle.   The support system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the position detection unit acquires position information of a person based on measurement values of a plurality of distance sensors provided in the vehicle.   The said support execution part performs at least 1 control of the operation of unlocking of the locking mechanism of the door of the said vehicle, the operation to the locked state of this locking mechanism, and opening of the door of a vehicle. The support system according to any one of the above.   A starting point position is set at the end of the flow line, and a starting point detecting unit that detects the presence of a person at the starting point position is provided, and at the timing when the person is detected by the starting point detecting unit, The support system as described in any one of Claims 1-9 provided with the mode switching part which performs switching.

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