JP4639924B2 - In-vehicle device - Google Patents

Description

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

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

The apparatus / system disclosed in Patent Literature 1 allows a user to remotely perform vehicle operations such as closing a window and turning off a hazard lamp using a mobile phone.
JP 2004-102939 A

  However, in the conventional apparatus / system disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that an operation that is considered inappropriate in light of the vehicle state at that time may be executed.

  For example, an object such as a human being or an animal that can move autonomously or move around the body exists in or around the vehicle, and the requested operation is an operation involving physical movement of a part of the vehicle. In some cases, the movement of the person or animal and the movement of a part of the vehicle may cause interference.

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

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

  Further, for example, when there is a person or animal that cannot be unlocked by door operation by itself (local door operation), if the door lock is executed remotely, the person or animal is trapped in the vehicle interior. It will be.

  Furthermore, for example, when a hazard lamp is lit (flashing) to alert a surrounding vehicle that the vehicle is stopped due to a vehicle failure or the like, a remote that does not recognize such a situation It is not preferable that the operator turns off the hazard lamp that is lit (flashing).

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

In order to achieve the above object, one embodiment of the present invention provides:
An in-vehicle device that is mounted on a vehicle and causes the host vehicle to perform an operation requested in response to a remote operation request from a vehicle user,
Detection means for detecting a person or an animal present in the passenger compartment or around the own vehicle;
Permission means for permitting execution of an operation requested by a vehicle user when no human or animal is detected in the vehicle interior or the vicinity of the host vehicle by the detection means, and execution of the operation based on the operation when detected. Including determination means for determining whether or not
The determination means is an in-vehicle device characterized in that when the operation satisfies a predetermined condition, the execution of the operation is permitted and is not satisfied .

  In this aspect, the detection means uses, for example, image recognition by a camera that captures a still image or a moving image, detection of seat belt wear, measurement of seat load, or an object detection sensor using radio waves or light. Thus, a person or an animal present in the passenger compartment or around the own vehicle is detected.

In this embodiment, the predetermined condition is, for example, when the operation requested by the vehicle user is 1) operation of an air conditioner, 2) lighting (flashing) of a hazard lamp , or 4) vehicle Satisfied when the operation is permitted by a person in the room and / or when a person or animal in the passenger compartment is requested during sleep.

  According to this aspect, when the presence of a person or an animal is detected in the vehicle interior or the vicinity of the vehicle, the remote operation that is beneficial to the person or the animal is allowed in consideration of the presence. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately prevent an inappropriate vehicle remote operation from being executed while maintaining the convenience of the remote operation.

  In this aspect, when the predetermined condition is 4), the in-vehicle device further includes A) an input unit used for designating a remote operation permitted by a person in the passenger compartment, or B) A voice output means for outputting a voice message asking whether or not a predetermined remote operation is permitted for a person in the vehicle interior, and a reply voice of the person in the vehicle compartment for the voice message output by the voice output means. It is preferable that the information processing apparatus further includes a determination unit that determines whether or not a predetermined remote operation is permitted by a person who is collected and analyzed in the passenger compartment. Here, the voice message in the case of the above B) may be generated mechanically, or the words spoken by the vehicle user may be transmitted as they are using communication such as a mobile phone.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  The in-vehicle device 104 further includes a vehicle state monitoring unit 202 that monitors and detects the entire vehicle state of the host vehicle such as lighting (flashing) of a hazard lamp and the presence or absence of a person or animal in the vehicle interior or the vicinity of the vehicle. The vehicle state monitoring unit 202 uses, for example, image recognition by a camera that captures a still image or a moving image, detection of seat belt wear, measurement of seat load, or an object detection sensor using radio waves or light. Detects people or animals in the room or around the vehicle.

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

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

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

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

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

  When the communication unit 201 receives an operation command from the center 102 (“YES” in S301), the control unit 204, through the vehicle state monitoring unit 202, performs predetermined preconditions regarding vehicle operation execution (for example, IG off, ACC off, The door is closed, the key is not in the passenger compartment, etc.), and whether or not there are people or animals (such as dogs and cats) in the passenger compartment or around the vehicle is detected. Determine (S302).

  If neither a person nor an animal is detected in the vehicle interior or the vicinity of the vehicle (“NO” in S302), the control unit 204 may adversely affect the person or animal regardless of which vehicle operation is executed. It is determined that there is not, and the operation execution unit 203 is caused to execute the operation requested for remote operation as it is (S310).

  On the other hand, when the presence of a person and / or animal is detected in the vehicle interior and / or the vicinity of the vehicle (“YES” in S302), the control unit 204 then determines that the vehicle operation requested to be remotely operated by the vehicle user is an air conditioner. It is determined whether or not the operation is (air conditioner; AC) (S303).

  When the requested remote operation is an air conditioner operation (“YES” in S303), the control unit 204 may not sufficiently grasp the current vehicle environment because the vehicle user who requested the operation is remote. In view of the high performance, the operation execution unit 203 is allowed to execute the air conditioner operation with a restriction (S308).

  Specifically, in S <b> 308, the control unit 204 forcibly operates the air conditioner in the “AUTO (auto)” mode through the operation execution unit 203 so as not to overcool or overheat the vehicle interior. In other words, the designation of cooling / heating and the designation of the set temperature from the vehicle user are ignored.

  Even if the presence of a person or animal is uncertain / unclear, it is preferable to select this restricted execution for safety. Further, when the air conditioner is automatically set in the AUTO mode in S308 as described above, it is preferably transmitted to the vehicle user via the center 102 to that effect.

  Further, the AUTO mode automatically set in S308 may be designed and set so that the vehicle user cannot change it by further remote operation so as not to overcool or overheat the vehicle interior accidentally, Alternatively, if the vehicle user still wants to change the AUTO mode after recognizing that it has been automatically set to the AUTO mode because the presence of a person and / or animal has been detected as described above, it is sufficient. It may be designed and set to be acknowledged after confirmation.

  Further, when the air conditioner is operated in the AUTO mode in S308, or when no human being or animal is detected, the control unit 204 is operated when the air conditioner is operated in the AUTO mode in S310 as specified by the vehicle user. It is preferable to detect and confirm a) opening / closing states of doors, trunks, windows, siding roofs, etc., b) outside air temperature / vehicle interior temperature, and c) number of passengers / boarding position, etc.

  For example, with respect to the above a), if any one of them is opened, the effectiveness of the air conditioner deteriorates, and it takes more time than necessary to bring the vehicle interior to the desired temperature, and the power consumption also increases. Therefore, when the vehicle state monitoring unit 202 detects that any one of the above a) is opened, the control unit 204 uses the communication unit 201 to notify the vehicle user via the center 102. Then, it is preferable to prompt the vehicle user to execute a remote operation for closing the opened window or the like.

  Further, for example, in the case of b), depending on the temperature difference between the inside and outside, there is a case where the outside temperature is brought closer to the desired temperature when the outside air is introduced without applying the air conditioner. Therefore, it is preferable that the control unit 204 controls the air conditioner through the operation execution unit 203 while taking into account the temperature difference between the inside and outside.

  For example, for c), it is preferable that the control unit 204 controls the air volume and direction of the air conditioner according to the number of passengers and the seating position.

  In addition, the control unit 204 can control the air conditioner so that the desired temperature is appropriately realized in a preferable manner according to the performance and equipment of the air conditioner. For example, the dehumidification mode and the negative ion generation mode may be used by appropriately incorporating them in the AUTO mode, or on / off switching control may be performed in the case of an air conditioner that does not have the AUTO mode. Also, for example, calendar information, weather forecast information, etc. are acquired using, for example, wireless communication, and future temperature changes are predicted from these information, and the air conditioner is controlled in consideration of this prediction. Also good.

  On the other hand, when the requested remote operation is not the operation of the air conditioner (“NO” in S303), the control unit 204 then passes through the vehicle state monitoring unit 202 and the person and / or animal whose presence is detected is sleeping. It is determined whether or not there is (S304). For example, this determination is performed by continuously detecting for a short period of time, detecting whether or not the object to be detected is moving, and determining that the object is sleeping when it has not moved for a predetermined time. It is realized by the method.

  When it is determined that the person and / or animal whose presence has been detected is sleeping (“YES” in S304), the control unit 204 determines which vehicle if the detected person and / or animal does not move. Even if the operation is executed, it is determined that there is no possibility of adversely affecting humans and animals, and the operation execution unit 203 is caused to execute the operation requested for remote operation as it is (S310).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the person and / or animal whose presence has been detected is not sleeping (“NO” in S304), the control unit 204 then determines that the vehicle operation requested for remote operation by the vehicle user is a hazard lamp. It is determined whether or not it is lit (flashing) (S305).

  When the requested remote operation is lighting (flashing) of the hazard lamp (“YES” in S305), the control unit 204 may not adversely affect the detected person and / or animal, but rather the vehicle Since it is possible to alert the surrounding vehicle that the vehicle is stopped, it is determined that the operation is beneficial to the detected person and / or animal, and the operation execution unit 203 turns on (flashes) the hazard lamp (S310).

  On the other hand, when the requested remote operation is not lighting (flashing) of the hazard lamp (“NO” in S305), the control unit 204 then performs the remote operation in which the vehicle operation requested by the vehicle user was previously executed. It is determined whether or not the cancel operation is to be canceled (S306).

  When the requested remote operation is a cancel operation (“YES” in S306), the control unit 204 is an operation to return to the state before the previous remote operation is executed, and the detected person and / or animal The operation execution unit 203 executes the cancel operation as it is (S310).

  On the other hand, when the requested remote operation is not a cancel operation (“NO” in S306), the control unit 204 then detects the presence of the vehicle operation requested by the vehicle user in the vehicle interior (that is, the passenger) ) Is an operation that is specifically permitted to be executed (S307).

  Here, the method of acquiring the operation that the passenger in the passenger compartment is particularly permitted to perform is, for example, a) A voice message to the effect that "Are you sure you want to execute the operation?" From the voice output device such as a speaker, etc., and the occupant's response voice (for example, “Good”, “Stop me”, etc.) is collected by a microphone or other sound collector, and the voice is analyzed. Determine whether the passenger's answer is affirmative or negative, and if it is affirmative, determine that the passenger's permission has been obtained, or b) ask the passenger by voice in the same manner as a) above, and enter the passenger compartment Have the operator operate a given switch, determine from the switch position whether the occupant's answer is affirmative or negative, and if affirmative, determine whether the occupant's permission has been obtained, or c) Remotely control a switch like the above a) Have previously operated occupant prior request, the passenger from the switch position in the remote operation request when it is determined whether or not the permission for a given operation can be considered a technique such as. Here, in the case of the above a) and b), the voice message to the occupant may be such that the vehicle user directly talks to the occupant using mobile phone communication, for example. In the case of a), the occupant's answer voice may be transmitted to the vehicle user's communication terminal using, for example, mobile phone communication so that the vehicle user can confirm the occupant's answer.

  When the requested remote operation is an operation specifically permitted by the occupant (“YES” in S307), the control unit 204 is surprised that the occupant in the vehicle cabin is ready in advance to execute the operation. The operation execution unit 203 is caused to execute the operation (S310).

  On the other hand, when the requested remote operation is not an operation specifically permitted by the occupant or when there is no occupant in the vehicle interior (“NO” in S307), the control unit 204 performs the operation of the vehicle operation requested by the vehicle user. It is determined that the execution is not allowed, and the execution of the operation is finally prohibited (S309).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a person or animal is detected in the vehicle interior or the vicinity of the vehicle at the time of remote operation, the person who has detected the requested vehicle operation is prohibited in principle while prohibiting the remote operation. Or, if it is determined that the operation does not adversely affect the animal, by allowing the execution of the operation, it is possible to prevent the inappropriate vehicle remote operation from being performed while maintaining the convenience of the remote operation. It can be prevented appropriately.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the vehicle user performs the remote operation to the vehicle via the center has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the user communication terminal and the in-vehicle device directly do not pass through the center. It may be designed and set to communicate.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, as an example, when a person or animal is detected, an operation requested when none of the conditions listed in S303 to S307 in FIG. 3 is satisfied (request is discarded). However, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the present invention is not limited to this specific example. Whether to prohibit, permit, or allow the execution of the requested operation by remote operation depends on the consideration of the person or animal as described above and the nature of the requested operation. -It can be set arbitrarily in consideration of features.

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

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

Explanation of symbols

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

Claims (7)

An in-vehicle device that is mounted on a vehicle and causes the host vehicle to perform an operation requested in response to a remote operation request from a vehicle user,
Detection means for detecting a person or an animal present in the passenger compartment or around the own vehicle;
Permission means for permitting execution of an operation requested by a vehicle user when no human or animal is detected in the vehicle interior or the vicinity of the host vehicle by the detection means, and execution of the operation based on the operation when detected. Including determination means for determining whether or not
The in-vehicle apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether or not the operation is allowed when the operation satisfies a predetermined condition and fails when the operation satisfies the predetermined condition . The in-vehicle device according to claim 1,
The vehicle-mounted device, wherein the predetermined condition is satisfied when an operation requested by a vehicle user is an operation of an air conditioner. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1,
The in-vehicle device, wherein the predetermined condition is satisfied when an operation requested by a vehicle user is lighting (flashing) of a hazard lamp. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1,
The on-vehicle device is characterized in that the predetermined condition is satisfied when an operation requested by a vehicle user is an operation permitted by a person in the passenger compartment. The in-vehicle device according to claim 4,
An in-vehicle device further comprising input means used for designating a remote operation permitted by a person in the passenger compartment. The in-vehicle device according to claim 4,
Voice output means for outputting a voice message asking whether or not to allow a predetermined remote operation to a person in the passenger compartment;
Judgment means for collecting and analyzing voices of answers in the passenger compartment to the voice message output by the voice output means to determine whether or not the person in the passenger compartment has permitted the predetermined remote operation. An in-vehicle device characterized by comprising: The in-vehicle device according to claim 1,
The on-vehicle apparatus characterized in that the predetermined condition is satisfied when an operation requested by a vehicle user is requested during sleep of a person or animal in the vehicle interior.

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