JP5076882B2 - User identification system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a system for identifying a user.

  Conventionally, when an operation information input from a user is accepted, the system is installed in a vehicle as a system for identifying which user the operation information is input from. In order to prohibit the user from performing the operation, a user identification system for identifying whether the user who performed the input operation is a driver or another occupant is known.

  For example, in the device described in Patent Document 1, an electrode is provided inside an operation key provided around the device, and when an occupant touches the operation key with a finger to operate the operation key, the electrode and the finger , The capacitor is formed between the electrode and the finger.

  In this apparatus, an electrode is also provided inside the passenger seat, and an AC voltage is applied between the electrode inside the operation key and the electrode inside the passenger seat. Therefore, when an occupant sitting in the passenger seat touches the operation key, a closed circuit using an AC power source is formed with the occupant's body as a part of the circuit. On the other hand, since no electrode is provided inside the driver's seat, when the driver touches the operation key, a closed circuit by an AC power source is not formed.

  And this apparatus is comprised so that the electrostatic capacitance of the capacitor may be measured when the operation key is operated. If the occupant sitting in the passenger seat is operating, the above-described closed circuit is formed, and a positive capacitance is measured. On the other hand, if the driver operates, a closed circuit is not formed, so that the capacitance is measured as almost zero.

  Therefore, when the input device is operated, the user identification system determines that the operation is performed by a passenger in the front passenger seat when a capacitance equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold is measured, and accepts the input operation. When the following capacitance is measured, it is determined that the operation is performed by a driver's seat occupant, and an input operation is not accepted. Incidentally, communication using such a human body as a part of a signal transmission path is called human body communication.

  By the way, as an input device mounted on a vehicle, a remote controller (hereinafter referred to as a remote controller) by infrared communication is known in addition to an input device composed of operation keys provided around an instrument panel. However, when an input is performed by operating the remote controller, naturally, a closed circuit is not formed, and thus the user cannot be identified by the above-described principle.

  For this reason, the identification of the user who operates the remote controller has been conventionally performed by another method. The method is that the light-receiving unit that receives the infrared rays emitted from the remote control estimates the driver or passenger who operated the remote control by identifying the direction from which the infrared rays were emitted. is there.

In addition, as a technique for human body communication, a data transmission system that performs communication by current using the human body and the ground as a part of a closed circuit is known (for example, see Patent Document 2).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-248466 No. 2002-9710

  However, the method for measuring the capacitance of the capacitor described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that the accuracy of identification is lacking. The first cause is that the capacitance of the capacitor formed by the electrode attached to the input device and the finger is different from that of the user's body and vehicle components. It is smaller than the capacitance of the capacitor, and accurate measurement is difficult.

  The second cause is that it is difficult to determine the threshold because the capacitance easily changes depending on the skin condition of the user. The third cause is that when the voltage fluctuates due to disturbance, the calculation result of the capacitance calculated under the condition that the voltage is constant includes an error.

  Another conventional problem is that the configuration of the in-vehicle device becomes redundant. To explain this, considering the convenience of the user, the in-vehicle device is preferably configured to be operated by both the remote controller and the operation keys provided around the in-vehicle device. Then, as described above, the in-vehicle device must be configured to realize the two methods of the method of measuring the capacitance of the capacitor and the method of estimating the direction of the received infrared ray. If it does in this way, naturally the structure of a vehicle-mounted apparatus will become a redundant thing.

  In addition, since the data transmission system described in Patent Document 2 uses the ground as a part of the circuit, in order to operate this system, the user rides on an electrode plate placed on the ground, and is in an energized state with the ground. It is necessary to ensure. As described above, in the conventional technique, the application range of the system is limited because of the necessity of grounding.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a user identification system having a wide range of application that can identify a user operating an input device with an accurate and simple technique. .

The user identification system of the present invention made to achieve such an object identifies the position of a user who operates an input device operated by physical contact. The first user identification system includes a signal generation output unit, a reception unit, and an identification unit. The operation of each unit will be described. The signal generation / output unit generates a transmission signal and outputs the generated transmission signal to the body of a nearby user.

  The receiving means is provided around the input device and receives a transmission signal via the body of the user who operates the input device. Then, the identification unit identifies the position of the user who operates the input device based on the reception result of the reception unit.

  In this user identification system, a transmission path of a non-closed circuit configuration is formed as a transmission path of a transmission signal between a signal generation output means and a reception means via a user who operates an input device. A signal is transmitted and received between the signal generating / outputting means and the receiving means through the transmission path of the non-closed circuit configuration using the user operating the input device as a medium.

  That is, since the user identification system of the present invention is not configured as a closed circuit unlike the prior art, the degree of freedom of installation of each means is great and can be applied to various uses. More specifically, the user does not need to get on the electrode plate, and can be used at any position. Further, it is not necessary to limit the input device as in the prior art. That is, the present invention can be applied to a system in which the input device is a remote controller. In addition, according to the present invention, unlike the conventional case, identification is not performed by measurement of capacitance, but is performed by transmission / reception of a signal, so that it is resistant to disturbance and enables highly accurate user identification.

As a result, according to the present invention, identification of a user who is operating the input device can be realized by an accurate and simple technique, and a user identification system with a wide application range can be provided.
By the way, the contents of the “transmission path with a non-closed circuit configuration using the user as a medium” mentioned here are in a state where the receiving means is not connected to the transmitting means (signal generation output means) via the ground or the like. The transmission path is configured to be connected to a transmission means (signal generation output means) through a human body so as to be able to exchange signals. Conventionally, an application invention of human body communication has been made by a technique used in a state where both the transmission device and the reception device are grounded. Of course, this technology is not applicable to remote controllers.

  Therefore, in the present invention, a system in which human body communication and a remote controller are combined can be configured by adopting a method in which the receiving means does not need to be grounded or connected to the signal generating / outputting means. Further, if the signal generation / output means is also configured so as not to require grounding, the degree of freedom in design may be further increased.

  Incidentally, “a transmission path of a non-closed circuit configuration is formed between the signal generation output means and the reception means as a transmission path of the transmission signal via a user who operates the input device, The transmission signal is transmitted / received between the signal generation output means and the reception means through the transmission path of the non-closed circuit configuration using a user who operates the input device as a medium. An expression that an open circuit is formed between the signal generation output means and the reception means as a transmission path of the transmission signal through a user who operates the apparatus, and the transmission signal is transmitted and received through the open circuit. In other words, it can be paraphrased.

In addition, the above-described user identification system may be specifically configured as follows . The second user identification system, Ru are installed in a plurality of seats are provided space. In this user identification system, the signal generation output means is provided corresponding to a part of the plurality of seats, and is arranged so that a transmission signal can be output to a user's body seated in the corresponding seat. Has been.

  Further, the identification means is configured to identify the seat on which the user is seated as the position of the user who operates the input device, and the transmission output from the signal generation output means when the input device is operated. When the signal is received by the receiving means, the seat on which the user operating the input device is seated is identified as a part of the seat provided with the signal generating / outputting means. On the other hand, when the receiving means has not received the transmission signal output from the signal generation / output means, the seat on which the user operating the input device is seated is a seat other than the part of the seats. Identify it.

  That is, this user identification system is configured to identify whether the seat on which the user operating the input device is sitting is a specific seat among a plurality of seats or not. Therefore, according to the present invention, the number of receiving means can be reduced, and it is only necessary to determine whether or not the transmission signal has been received by the identifying means. Therefore, the user identification system can be configured with a simple configuration at low cost. be able to.

On the other hand, if it is desired to identify for each seat which seat the user operating the operating means is sitting on, the user identification system may be configured as follows . In the third user identification system, the signal generation output means is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of seats provided. Each signal generation output means is configured to generate a unique transmission signal, and is arranged to output this transmission signal to the body of the user who is seated in the seat assigned to the signal generation output means.

  Then, the identification unit specifies the signal generation output unit of the transmission source of the transmission signal received by the reception unit when the operation is performed on the input device, and the user operating the input device is seated It is configured to identify the seats that are present.

  That is, in this user identification system, the identification unit identifies the seat by specifying the position of the signal generation output unit installed for each seat. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to identify which seat the user operating the input device is sitting on.

The user identification system may be specifically configured as follows . In the fourth user identification system, each signal generation / output unit generates a transmission signal including specific code information as the specific transmission signal. As described above, if the transmission signal includes unique code information, the transmission source of the transmission signal can be easily specified on the receiving side by referring to the code information.

By the way, a user identification system may be comprised so that the position of the user who operates the input device operated by a physical contact may be identified by the structure different from a 1st user identification system.

The fifth user identification system includes signal generation output means, reception means, and identification means. The signal generation / output unit is provided around the input device, and generates a transmission signal and outputs the transmission signal to a nearby user's body. And a receiving means receives a transmission signal via the user's body which adjoins. The identification unit identifies the position of the user who operates the input device based on the reception result of the reception unit.

Further, in the user identification system, a transmission path of a non-closed circuit configuration is formed as a transmission path of a transmission signal between a signal generation output means and a reception means via a user who operates an input device, The signal is transmitted and received between the signal generating / outputting means and the receiving means through a transmission path having a non-closed circuit configuration using a user who operates the input device as a medium. Thus, even if the positional relationship between the transmission side and the reception side of the transmission signal is reversed, the same effect as that of the first user identification system is obtained.

Note that the contents of the “transmission path having a non-closed circuit configuration using the user as a medium” described here replace the signal generation output means and the reception means with respect to those described in the first user identification system. Contents.

Moreover, this user identification system may be specifically configured as follows . Sixth user identification system, Ru are installed in a plurality of seats are provided space. And a receiving means is provided corresponding to some seats among the plurality of seats provided.

When the receiving unit receives a transmission signal when an operation is performed on the input device, the identification unit is configured such that the seat on which the user operating the input device is seated is the receiving unit. Are identified as some seats. Further, when the receiving means has not received the transmission signal, the seat on which the user operating the input device is seated is identified as a seat other than the part of the seats. The user identification system configured as described above also has the same effect as the second user identification system .

On the other hand, if it is desired to identify for each seat which seat the user operating the input device is sitting on, the user identification system may be configured as follows . In the seventh user identification system, the receiving means is provided corresponding to each of a plurality of seats provided, and when receiving a transmission signal, a notification signal unique to the corresponding seat is input to the identification means. It has been done.

In this user identification system, the identification means specifies the reception means that receives the transmission signal when an operation is performed on the input device based on the input notification signal, and operates the input device. Identify the seat on which the user is seated. Therefore, according to this invention, there exists an effect similar to a 3rd user identification system .

The user identification system may be specifically configured as follows . The eighth user identification system is configured such that each receiving unit generates a notification signal including specific code information as a specific notification signal. According to this user identification system, the position of the receiving means can be easily specified by extracting code information included in the notification signal.

A ninth user identification system includes processing execution means in the sixth to eighth user identification systems , and the processing execution means executes processing based on operation information input through the input device , and transmits the processing information. signal state, and are intended to include the operation information to the input device, receiving means, the operation information included from the signal generation output means to the transmission signal received via the user's body, is transferable configured to process execution means der thing was Ru.

  That is, in this user identification system, the operation information input to the input device is not input directly to the process execution unit, but is input through the reception unit. According to this configuration, the operation of the processing execution unit can be changed based on which seat the user sitting on operates the input device. For example, when the receiving means is provided only in a specific seat, only the user sitting in the specific seat can cause the processing execution means to execute the process via the input device. The user sitting on the seat can be prohibited from operating the input device.

  In addition, when all the seats are provided with receiving means and each receiving means is configured to be able to notify the processing execution means that it has received the transmission signal by a unique notification signal, Processing based on the input information and the specific notification signal can be executed by the processing execution means.

The tenth user identification system includes the second to fourth and sixth to eighth user identification systems installed in a vehicle having a seat other than the driver's seat and the driver's seat. seat operation to that user is seated, is obtained by identifiably configuration which of seats other than the driver's seat and the driver's seat. Therefore, according to this invention, it can be identified whether the user who is operating the input device is a driver or not.

The eleventh user identification system is configured such that signal generation output means or reception means is attached to a seat provided in a vehicle. By arranging the signal generation / output means or the reception means in this way, it becomes easy to secure the degree of adhesion between the signal generation / output means or the reception means and the user necessary for establishing human body communication.

The twelfth user identification system is applied to a vehicle having a seat belt corresponding to each seat, and signal generation output means or reception means is attached to the seat belt. By arranging the signal generation / output means or the reception means in this way, it becomes easy to secure the degree of adhesion between the signal generation / output means or the reception means and the user, and the user is motivated to wear the seat belt. It will help to ensure the safety of vehicle occupants.

The thirteenth user identification system is provided with processing execution means, determination means, and prohibition means with respect to the tenth to twelfth user identification systems. The process execution means executes a process based on operation information input through the input device. The determination means determines whether the vehicle is traveling. The prohibiting means is operated for a period during which the determining means determines that the vehicle is running and the identifying means identifies that the user seated by the user operating the input means is the driver's seat. Processing by the processing execution means based on the operation information input from the user seated on the seat is prohibited.

  According to this user identification system, the driver can be prevented from operating the input device while traveling. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the operation of the input device causes a side-by-side operation.

In the fourteenth user identification system, in the first to thirteenth user identification systems, the input device transmits operation information input to the own device by wireless communication using electromagnetic waves toward a predetermined remote operation target. It is a remote controller which performs. Thus, if a user identification system is comprised, the position of the user who operates a remote control can be identified. Incidentally, the electromagnetic wave referred to here includes at least radio waves and infrared rays.

The fifteenth user identification system is a non-closed circuit in the fifth to ninth user identification systems when the input device transmits the operation information input to the own device to a predetermined remote operation target. The remote controller is configured to transmit information through a transmission path having a configuration. That is, the same effect as the 14th user identification system is acquired. Furthermore, since communication is not performed using electromagnetic waves such as directional infrared rays, communication is possible regardless of the direction in which the remote controller is pointed.

Further, the sixteenth user identification system is the first to fifteenth user identification system, in which the signal generation output means modulates the reference signal with a specific pattern signal to generate a transmission signal, and the user who approaches this It is configured to output to the body. In this user identification system, the identification unit demodulates the transmission signal received by the reception unit, and detects reception of the transmission signal output from the signal generation output unit based on the demodulation result.

  If the transmission signal is transmitted as a modulated wave as in this user identification system, the possibility of transmission / reception of the transmission signal failing due to noise resistance can be reduced, and a specific pattern signal can be transmitted at an appropriate frequency and intensity. The power can be saved by being able to output with.

Further, in the seventeenth user identification system, in the fourth user identification system, each signal generation and output means modulates the reference signal with a pattern signal representing the code information assigned to itself, and converts the unique code information. It is configured to generate a transmission signal including it and output it to the body of a user close to it. In this user identification system, the identification unit demodulates the transmission signal received by the reception unit, and identifies the position of the user based on the code information included in the transmission signal. As described above, if the transmission signal includes unique code information, the transmission source of the transmission signal can be easily specified on the receiving side by referring to the code information.

Also, the 18 user identification system, the eighth user identification system, the receiving means, a reference signal, and modulates a pattern signal representing the code information allocated to itself, notifies that contains the unique code information The signal is generated and transferred to the identification means. In this user identification system, the identification unit demodulates the transmitted notification signal and identifies the position of the user based on the code information included in the notification signal. As described above, according to the user identification system that transmits the notification signal using the modulated wave, the possibility that the transmission / reception of the notification signal may fail can be reduced.

In the first to eighteenth user identification systems, the signal generation output unit can output the transmission signal in the form of any combination of current, electric field, or magnetic field. And it is desirable for a receiving means to receive a transmission signal with the form of arbitrary combinations of an electric current, an electric field, or a magnetic field irrespective of the form which the signal generation output means output. With any of these combinations, it is possible to realize human body communication using a transmission path having a non-closed circuit configuration, and it is possible to identify a user who operates a remote controller.

  For example, the signal generation output means can be configured to output the transmission signal to the adjacent user's body by forming an electromagnetic field based on the generated transmission signal on the adjacent user's body. However, the “electromagnetic field” here is a term including one or both of an electric field and a magnetic field.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the user identification system 1 of the present embodiment is mounted on a four-wheeled vehicle (hereinafter referred to as an automobile) from above. This automobile includes a driver's seat, a passenger seat, a rear seat, a plurality of ECUs 60 that control in-vehicle devices (not shown) such as audio devices and air conditioners, and inputs for inputting various commands to these in-vehicle devices. The apparatus includes a remote controller 20 and an instrument panel (hereinafter referred to as instrument panel) 30, and a user identification system 1. The user identification system 1 includes a signal generation / output device 10, a reception / transfer device 40, and a control device 50.

  The remote controller 20 transmits information to the control device 50 by wireless communication using infrared rays. The instrument panel 30 includes a display device 31 for displaying various information, a light receiving unit 33 that receives infrared rays transmitted from the remote controller 20, and various operation keys that can be pressed by a user with a finger. In addition, the instrument panel 30 is configured to be able to transmit user operation information input through its own operation keys to the control device 50 by wire, and the display device 31 and the light receiving unit 33 are connected to the control device 50. Is configured.

  On the other hand, each signal generation output device 10 constituting the user identification system 1 is provided in each seat, and the reception transfer device 40 is provided in the remote controller 20 and the instrument panel 30. The control device 50 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and controls the operation of the in-vehicle device by executing a program by the CPU. Specifically, the control device 50 is configured to be able to acquire operation information input from operation keys provided on the remote controller 20 or the instrument panel 30, and controls the operation of the in-vehicle device based on the acquired operation information.

  In addition, the control device 50 controls the ECU 60 to control the above-described in-vehicle device based on the operation information input through the operation keys of the instrument panel 30 and the operation information input from the remote controller 20 via the light receiving unit 33. , A command is transmitted by a CAN (Controller Area Network) protocol, and information is displayed on the display device 31.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the user operates the remote controller 20 while sitting on the seat. In FIG. 2, information transmission paths are schematically shown by dotted arrows. More specifically, in this user identification system 1, on the assumption that the user has the remote control 20 in his / her hand, the signal generation output device 10 passes through the user's body to the reception transfer device 40 in the remote control 20. The seat information indicating the position of the seat on which the signal generation output device 10 is provided is transmitted. Then, operation information input by a user operating an operation key provided on the remote controller 20 is transmitted from the reception transfer device 40 in the remote controller 20 to the control device 50 in the form of infrared rays, and seat information is also transmitted. Transferred.

  In addition, when the user operates the operation key of the instrument panel 30 (not shown), the seat information is transmitted from the signal generation output device 10 to the reception transfer device 40 in the instrument panel 30 through the user's body. . The operation information input by the user operating the operation keys of the instrument panel 30 is input from the reception transfer device 40 in the instrument panel 30 to the control device 50 through the line, and the seat information is transferred.

  The control device 50 controls the operation of the in-vehicle device based on the seat information and the operation information input in this manner. For example, the operation information input from the driver is discarded while the vehicle is traveling. The operation of the in-vehicle device based on the operation information is prohibited.

  The signal generation / output device 10 may be provided not on the seat but on the seat belt. FIG. 3A shows a mode in which the signal generation output device 10 is provided in a seat belt of a type that is worn on a shoulder from a shoulder to a waist, and FIG. 3B shows a type of seat belt that is wound around a waist. ing.

  The signal generation / output device 10 may be affixed or sewn to the surface of the seat belt, or may be sandwiched between seat belt fabrics and embedded therein as shown in FIG. In any case, it is desirable that the signal generation / output device 10 is provided so as to be located near the user's body when the seat belt is worn.

  Next, the configuration and operation of the above-described user identification system 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the user identification system 1 of the present embodiment.

  The reception transfer device 40 is incorporated in the remote controller 20 and the instrument panel 30 as described above, and there are two. However, the reception transfer device 40 provided in each of the remote control 20 and the instrument panel 30 has a different output interface. Basically the same configuration. Therefore, in FIG. 4, only one reception transfer device 40 provided in each of the remote controller 20 and the instrument panel 30 is shown in common.

  Further, since the signal generation / output device 10 is provided corresponding to each seat as described above, a plurality of signal generation / output devices 10 exist. However, the signal generation / output device 10 of each seat basically has the same configuration, and therefore FIG. Here, only one is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the signal generation / output device 10 provided for each seat includes a seat signal generation circuit 101, a reference oscillation circuit 103, a modulation circuit 105, a filter circuit 107, an amplification circuit 109, and a coil 111. Is done. A seat-specific code is assigned as seat information to the signal generation / output device 10 of each seat, and the seat signal generation circuit 101 generates an electrical signal (pattern signal) representing a seat code assigned to the own device. Generated as a seat signal. The code as the seat information is for the control device 50 to identify later which seated user has operated the input device. The reference oscillation circuit 103 generates and outputs a reference signal as a carrier wave that is modulated by the seat signal.

  On the other hand, the modulation circuit 105 generates a modulation signal by modulating (frequency modulation, amplitude modulation, etc.) the reference signal input from the reference oscillation circuit 103 with the seat signal input from the seat signal generation circuit 101. . The modulated signal is input to the filter circuit 107.

The filter circuit 107 is a bandpass filter, and attenuates a predetermined range of frequency components (in other words, noise components) included in the modulation signal input from the modulation circuit 105.
Then, the modulated signal from which the noise component has been removed through the filter circuit 107 is sent to the amplifier circuit 109. The amplifier circuit 109 amplifies the received modulation signal and sends it to the coil 111. The coil 111 converts the received modulation signal into a form of a magnetic field generated around the coil 111 as a transmission signal.

  Each circuit constituting the signal generation / output device 10 is configured to always operate when a prime mover such as an automobile engine or motor is operating. In the signal generation output device 10, the output intensity of the magnetic field output from the coil 111 so that the magnetic field propagates to any part of the body surface of the user sitting in the seat in which the coil 111 is embedded, The position of the coil and the frequency of the transmission signal are designed.

  That is, the signal generation output device 10 applies a magnetic field based on the modulation signal to the body of the user sitting on the seat in which the coil 111 of the device 10 is embedded when a prime mover such as an automobile engine or motor is moving. This modulation signal is output as a transmission signal to the adjacent user's body in the form of a magnetic field.

  When a user who generates a magnetic field on the body surface touches an operation key on either the remote controller 20 or the instrument panel 30, the reception and transfer device 40 receives a signal from the signal generation / output device 10 in the form of a magnetic field generated on the user's body surface. Receive the transmitted signal.

  From here, the reception transfer apparatus 40 is demonstrated. The reception transfer device 40 includes an amplification circuit 401, a filter circuit 403, a local oscillation circuit 405, a frequency conversion circuit 407, an amplification circuit 409, a detection circuit 411, a synthesis circuit 413, and a coil 415.

  The coil 415 is provided adjacent to each operation key, and is provided so as to be able to receive a transmission signal in the form of a magnetic field generated on the body surface of the user in contact with the corresponding operation key. That is, the coil 415 receives a transmission signal in the form of a magnetic field transmitted from the signal generation output device 10 through the user's body in the form of an electrical signal, and inputs the reception signal to the amplification circuit 401.

  Then, when the received signal is input, the amplifier circuit 401 amplifies it and sends it to the filter circuit 403. The filter circuit 403 is configured as a band-pass filter, attenuates a predetermined frequency component (noise component) of the reception signal input from the amplification circuit 401, and inputs the subsequent reception signal to the frequency conversion circuit 407.

  On the other hand, the local oscillation circuit 405 outputs a local oscillation signal and inputs it to the frequency conversion circuit 407. The frequency conversion circuit 407 subtracts the reception signal input from the filter circuit 403 by the local oscillation signal input from the local oscillation circuit 405, thereby converting the reception signal into an intermediate frequency signal. , Input to the amplifier 409. The amplifier circuit 409 amplifies the input intermediate frequency signal and sends it to the detection circuit 411.

  The detection circuit 411 demodulates the signal input from the amplifier circuit 409, extracts a seat signal included in the received signal (specifically, an intermediate frequency signal), and sends the seat signal to the synthesis circuit 413. The synthesis circuit 413 also receives code information of operation keys operated by the user as operation signals. Then, the combining circuit 413 generates a notification signal by combining the seat signal and the operation signal.

  In addition, the synthesis circuit 413 includes an output interface, and outputs a notification signal to the control device 50 via the output interface. In the case of the remote controller 20, this output interface is an infrared interface that outputs a notification signal in the form of infrared rays. In the case of the instrument panel 30, it is an interface that outputs a notification signal to a line (communication line). The notification signal output from the reception transfer device 40 of the remote controller 20 is input to the control device 50 through the light receiving unit 33, and the notification signal output from the reception transfer device 40 of the instrument panel 30 is input to the control device 50 through a line. The

  Note that it is conceivable that the user operates the remote controller 20 in a state where the user and the signal generation / output device 10 are separated from each other and no transmission signal is output to the user. In that case, in order to avoid malfunction, the remote controller 20 may be configured not to generate a notification signal. Specifically, the synthesis circuit 413 may be configured as follows.

  That is, if the synthesis circuit 413 receives an operation signal from the operation key and does not receive a seat signal from the detection circuit 411, the synthesis circuit 413 may be configured not to generate a notification signal and do nothing. .

  Next, an identification process executed mainly by the control device 50 will be described with reference to FIG. This process identifies whether or not the process corresponding to the operation content indicated by the operation information should be executed in accordance with the seat information received from the detection circuit and the information on whether or not the vehicle is traveling acquired from the in-vehicle network. is there.

  When receiving the notification signal from the reception transfer device 40, the control device 50 separates the notification signal into a seat signal and an operation signal, reads the seat information (code) from the seat signal, and reads the operation information from the operation signal (S505). ).

  Next, it is determined whether the read operation information is operation information that requires processing according to the seat (S510). In the present embodiment, a part of the operation information (code) input through the remote controller 20 or the instrument panel 30 is determined in advance as operation information that requires processing according to the seat. To do.

  The operation information that needs to be processed according to the seat here is, for example, operation information for adjusting the ambient temperature or air volume by an air conditioner or adjusting the volume of a speaker. When such operation information is input, the control device 50 determines Yes in S510.

  Here, the process according to a seat is demonstrated. For example, it is assumed that the operation information is operation information regarding adjustment of the ambient temperature or air volume by an air conditioner, and volume adjustment of a speaker installed corresponding to each seat. For such processing, an operation corresponding to the seat on which the user is seated may be desired.

  Therefore, for example, if the operation information is operation information input from a user seated in the driver's seat and the operation information is about the adjustment of the ambient temperature, the adjustment of the ambient temperature near the driver's seat is realized. The command is sent to the ECU 60 that controls the air conditioner. Such control according to the seat can be realized by using a cord and is already known. In the user identification system 1 of the present embodiment, such an operation is realized by a process described later.

  Returning to the description of the identification process, if the control device 50 determines that the read operation information is not operation information that requires processing according to the seat (S510: No), then the seat information indicates the code of the driver's seat. It is determined whether it is shown (S515). If it is determined that the driver's seat code is indicated (S515: Yes), vehicle information is acquired from the in-vehicle network to determine whether or not the vehicle is traveling (S520). Specifically, when the vehicle speed information and vehicle information indicating whether or not the brake is operating are acquired and the vehicle speed is almost zero and the brake is operating, the vehicle is not running. In other states, it is determined that the vehicle is running.

  If it is determined that the host vehicle is traveling (S520: Yes), the control device 50 discards the operation information input through the operation key of the remote controller 20 or the instrument panel 30, and ends the identification process.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the host vehicle is not running (S520: No), an instruction code corresponding to the input operation information is specified (S525). Then, by transmitting the specified instruction code to the ECU 60 that is the instruction target (S530), the ECU 60 is caused to execute a process corresponding to the operation information, and the identification process is completed.

  However, when the process corresponding to the instruction code includes a process that can be executed in the control device 50, the control device 50 executes the process corresponding to the instruction code also in the own device. Further, when the process corresponding to the instruction code is a process that can be executed by the control device 50 alone, the control apparatus 50 does not transmit the specified instruction code to the ECU 60, and in S530, the process corresponding to the instruction code. Execute. Thereafter, the identification process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the seat information does not indicate the driver's seat code (S515: No), the control device 50 specifies the instruction code corresponding to the input operation information (S533), and the specified instruction code is determined. By transmitting it to the instruction target ECU (S535), the ECU 60 is caused to execute processing corresponding to the operation information. Note that, when the process corresponding to the instruction code includes a process that can be executed in the control apparatus 50, and the operation when the process corresponding to the instruction code is a process that can be executed by the control apparatus 50 alone. Is the same as the processing in S530.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the operation assisting function is set to “requires operation” in advance by the user (S540). If it is determined that the operation assistance function has been set to “operation required” in advance by the user (S540: Yes), the operation assistance function is activated (S545), and the identification process ends. If it is determined that the operation assistance function is set to “operation unnecessary” in advance by the user (S540: No), the identification process is terminated without activating the operation assistance function.

  Note that the operation assistance function here refers to a user who is unfamiliar with operating the input device, highlighting specific information with a different color, displaying comments in a balloon, operating methods and operation results This is a function that provides voice guidance. That is, in S535, the processing corresponding to the specified code is executed by the ECU 60 or the own device, and in S545, the display object (character string, icon, etc.) corresponding to the input operation information is highlighted on the display device 31. And a comment is displayed in a balloon around it, and the operation method and operation result are guided by voice.

  In this way, in this embodiment, the driver is accustomed to the operation while the passenger in the passenger seat or the rear seat is regarded as not accustomed to the operation, and the operation assisting function is switched on / off. That is, the control device 50 executes the operation assist function only when the seat information indicates the code of the passenger seat or the rear seat.

  Returning to the description of the identification process, when the control device 50 determines that the input operation information is operation information that requires processing according to the seat (S510: Yes), the seat information indicates the code of the driver's seat. It is determined whether it is shown (S550).

If it is determined that the driver's seat is indicated (S550: Yes), it is determined whether or not the vehicle is traveling (S555). If it is determined that the vehicle is traveling (S555: Yes), the operation information Is discarded and the identification process is completed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the host vehicle is not traveling (S555: No), a command code for the driver's seat corresponding to the input operation information is specified (S565). Then, the process proceeds to S530, and the process described above is executed by the ECU 60 or by the own apparatus, thereby realizing the process corresponding to the input operation information and corresponding to the driver's seat.
Thereafter, the identification process is finished.

  When it is determined that the seat information does not indicate the driver's seat code (S550: No), the control device 50 further determines whether the seat information indicates the passenger seat code (S570).

  If it is determined that the seat information indicates the code of the passenger seat (S570: Yes), the instruction code for the passenger seat corresponding to the input operation information is specified (S575), and the process proceeds to S535. The process corresponding to the input operation information and corresponding to the passenger seat is realized by causing the ECU 60 to execute the process or by the own apparatus.

  If it is determined that the seat information does not indicate the passenger seat code (S570: No), the control device 50 identifies the rear seat command code corresponding to the input operation information (S580), and S535. The process described above is executed by the ECU 60 or by the own apparatus, thereby realizing the process corresponding to the input operation information and corresponding to the rear seat.

  As described above, the user identification system 1 in the present embodiment realizes a function for prohibiting the driver's input operation during traveling. Further, when the user desires an action corresponding to the seat, the user is not required to input information for specifying his / her seat into the input device.

  In the user identification system 1, a non-closed circuit transmission path is formed through the user's body as a signal transmission path between the signal generation output device 10 and the reception transfer apparatus 40 without grounding the reception transfer apparatus 40. Like to be. That is, human body communication is realized between the signal generation output device 10 and the reception transfer device 40 without forming a closed loop between the signal generation output device 10 and the reception transfer device 40 by grounding. Therefore, according to this user identification system 1, the remote controller 20 can be applied as an input device. Further, by incorporating the same reception transfer device 40 in both the remote controller 20 and the instrument panel 30, both can be identified by the same method, and the configuration of the device is simplified.

  Here, two references for implementing human body communication using a non-closed circuit transmission line are introduced. If these documents are referenced as necessary, human body communication using a non-closed circuit transmission line can be performed.

  The first is as follows. Keisuke Hachisuka, Yusuke Terauchi, Yoshinori Kishi, Ken Sasaki, Terunao Hamada, Hiroshi Hosaka, Katsuyuki Fujii, Noriaki Takahashi, Koichi Ito, “Simplified circuit modeling and fabrication of intrabody communication devices”, Sensors and Actuators A: Physical, ( The Netherlands), Elsevier, June 27, 2006, 130-131, p322-330.

  The second is as follows. Katsuyuki Fujii, Noriaki Takahashi, Koichi Ito, Keisuke Hachisuka, Yusuke Terauchi, Yoshinori Kishi, Ken Sasaki, Kiyoshi Itao, "Study on the Transmission for Wearable Device Using the Human Body as a Transmission Channel", IEICE-Transactions on Communications (UK), Oxford University Press, June 2005, Volume 6, E88-B, p2401-2410.

  Next, Example 2 will be described. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the user identification system 2 of the present embodiment is mounted on an automobile from above. The vehicle includes a driver's seat, a passenger seat, a rear seat, an in-vehicle device (not shown) such as an audio device and an air conditioner, a plurality of ECUs 60 that control these in-vehicle devices, and various commands to these in-vehicle devices. A remote controller 22 and an instrument panel 32 which are input devices for inputting, and a user identification system 2 are provided. The user identification system 2 includes a signal generation output device 12, a reception transfer device 42, and a control device 52.

  The remote controller 22 and the instrument panel 32 transmit information to the control device 52 using human body communication. The instrument panel 32 includes a display device 31 for displaying various information and various operation keys. The instrument panel 32 is configured to be able to transmit user operation information input through its own operation keys to the control device 52 using human body communication. Details of transmission of information using human body communication will be described later.

  On the other hand, each signal generation output device 12 constituting the user identification system 2 is provided inside the remote control 22 and the instrument panel 32. The reception transfer device 42 is provided inside each seat, and is configured to transfer information to the control device 52.

  The control device 52 has basically the same configuration as the control device 50 described in the first embodiment. However, the control device 52 is different from the control device 50. That is, the operation information and the seat information are acquired from the reception transfer device 42 through the body, not from the remote controller 22 and the instrument panel 32. Therefore, the instrument panel 32 is not provided with a light receiving unit that receives infrared rays, and the control device 52 is not configured to acquire operation information and seat information through the light receiving unit.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the user operates the remote controller 22 while sitting on the seat. In FIG. 7, the information transmission path is schematically shown by dotted arrows. More specifically, in this user identification system 2, on the assumption that the user has the remote control 22 in his hand, the signal generation output device 12 passes the user's body to the reception transfer device 42 in the seat. Operation information input by the user is transmitted to the remote controller 22. Then, the operation information input by the user operating the operation key of the remote controller 22 is transmitted from the reception transfer device 42 in the seat to the control device 52 via the body, and the seat information is transferred.

  When the user operates the operation key of the instrument panel 32 (not shown), the operation information is transmitted from the signal generation / output device 12 to the reception transfer device 42 in the seat via the user. Then, the operation information input by the user operating the operation keys of the instrument panel 32 is input from the reception transfer device 42 in the seat to the control device 52 through the body, and the seat information is transferred.

  The control device 52 controls the in-vehicle device based on the seat information and the operation information input in this manner, for example, discards the operation information input from the driver while the vehicle is running, The operation of the in-vehicle device based on the information is prohibited.

  Incidentally, the reception transfer device 42 may be provided not on the seat but on the seat belt. This state is represented by replacing the signal generation output device 10 with the reception transfer device 42 in FIG. In this case, information is transferred from the reception transfer device 42 to the control device 52. In order to use an in-vehicle network or a body as this route, it may be realized by routing wiring on the surface or inside of the seat belt. Moreover, you may make it transmit by infrared rays or an electromagnetic wave.

  Next, the configuration and operation of the above-described user identification system 2 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the user identification system 2 to which the present invention is applied.

  As described above, the signal generation / output device 12 is incorporated in the remote control 22 and the instrument panel 32, and there are two. However, the signal generation / output device 12 provided in each of the remote control 22 and the instrument panel 32 has different output interfaces. Other than the above, the configuration is basically the same. Therefore, in FIG. 8, only one signal generation / output device 12 provided in each of the remote controller 22 and the instrument panel 32 is shown in common.

  In addition, since there are a plurality of reception transfer devices 42 corresponding to each seat as described above, the reception transfer devices 42 of each seat basically have the same configuration. Only one is omitted.

  First, the components of the signal generation / output device 12 will be described. The signal generation / output device 12 includes an operation signal generation circuit 121, a reference oscillation circuit 123, a modulation circuit 125, a filter circuit 127, an amplification circuit 129, and a coil 131.

  Next, the operation of each component of the signal generation / output device 12 will be described. When the operation signal generation circuit 121 acquires operation information from the user via an operation key, the operation signal generation circuit 121 generates an electric signal including the acquired operation information as an operation signal. The reference oscillation circuit 123 oscillates a reference signal as a carrier wave.

  The modulation circuit 125 generates a modulation signal by modulating (frequency modulation, amplitude modulation, etc.) the reference signal input from the reference oscillation circuit 123 with the operation signal input from the operation signal generation circuit 121. Then, the modulation signal is sent to the filter circuit 127. The filter circuit 127 is a bandpass filter, and attenuates a predetermined range of frequency components (noise components) included in the modulation signal.

  The modulated signal that has passed through the filter circuit 127 is sent to the amplifier circuit 129. Then, the amplifier circuit 129 amplifies the received modulation signal and sends it to the coil 131. The coil 131 converts the received modulation signal into a form of a magnetic field generated around the coil 131 as a transmission signal.

  Each coil 131 is provided adjacent to each operation key. Further, in the signal generation output device 12, the output intensity of the magnetic field output from the coil 131, the position of the coil, and the frequency of the transmission signal so that the magnetic field propagates to the body part (for example, fingertip) operating the operation key. Is designed. Therefore, the magnetic field generated around the coil 131 propagates to the body surface of the user who operates the operation key.

In this way, the reception transfer device 42 receives a transmission signal transmitted from the signal generation output device 12 in the form of a magnetic field generated on the body surface of the user.
Now, the description of the reception transfer device 42 will be started. The reception transfer device 42 of this embodiment includes an amplification circuit 421, a filter circuit 423, a local oscillation circuit 425, a frequency conversion circuit 427, an amplification circuit 429, a detection circuit 431, a synthesis circuit 433, a coil 435, and a seat signal generation circuit 437. Is done. Hereinafter, the operation of each component will be described in order.

  Coil 435 receives the transmitted signal in the form of a magnetic field generated on the body surface to the user and converts it into a received electrical signal in the form of an electrical signal. The amplifier circuit 421 amplifies the received electrical signal and sends it to the filter circuit 423. The filter circuit 423 is configured as a band pass filter, attenuates a predetermined frequency component (noise component) of the received electric signal received, and sends the attenuated frequency component to the frequency conversion circuit 427.

  On the other hand, the local oscillation circuit 425 oscillates a local oscillation signal and sends it to the frequency conversion circuit 427. When the frequency conversion circuit 427 receives the reception electrical signal and the local oscillation signal, the frequency conversion circuit 427 subtracts the local oscillation signal from the reception electrical signal, generates an intermediate frequency signal, and sends this to the amplification circuit 429.

  The amplification circuit 429 amplifies the intermediate frequency signal input from the frequency conversion circuit 427 and sends the amplified signal to the detection circuit 431. The detection circuit 431 demodulates the signal input from the amplification circuit 429, extracts an operation signal included in the received signal (specifically, an intermediate frequency signal), and sends the operation signal to the synthesis circuit 433.

On the other hand, the seat signal generation circuit 437 generates an electric signal including a code unique to each seat as a seat signal, and inputs this to the synthesis circuit 433.
Then, the synthesis circuit 433 synthesizes the operation signal input from the detection circuit 431 and the seat signal input from the seat signal generation circuit 437 to generate a notification signal. Then, the synthesis circuit 433 sends a notification signal to the control device 52 through a body using a known technique.

  Moreover, you may make it transmit a notification signal via wiring instead of a body. In this case, it is not necessary to assign a unique code to each seat. This is because it can be determined based on the wiring that the notification signal has been sent from the reception transfer device 42 provided in which seat. Specifically, a separate wiring may be prepared for each seat and connected to the reception transfer device 42.

  When the control device 52 receives the notification signal transmitted from the reception transfer device 42 in such a process through the body or the wiring and receives this notification signal, the control device 52 is the same as the processing shown in FIG. 5 described in the first embodiment. Perform identification processing. However, in S505, the notification signal received from the reception transfer device 42 is separated into a seat signal and an operation signal, and seat information (code) is read from the seat signal and operation information is read from the operation signal.

  Incidentally, in the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, there is no need to worry about a malfunction caused by the user operating the operation key in a state where the user and the reception transfer device 42 are separated from each other. This is because, in such a state, neither the operation signal nor the seat information is transmitted from the remote controller 22 or the instrument panel 32 to the control device 52.

  Since the user identification system 2 according to the second embodiment described above identifies the seating position of the operation source through human body communication via a transmission path having a non-closed circuit configuration between the signal generation output device 12 and the reception transfer device 42, It is possible to achieve an effect equivalent to that of the one user identification system 1. A feature of the second embodiment is that the remote controller 22 does not communicate with infrared rays. That is, in this embodiment, when operating the in-vehicle device through the remote controller 22, it is not necessary to point the remote controller 22 toward the infrared light receiving unit of the control device 52. Therefore, according to the user identification system 2 of the present embodiment, the operability when operating the in-vehicle device through the remote controller 22 is improved particularly for the passenger sitting in the rear seat.

  Next, Example 3 will be described. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the user identification system 3 of the present embodiment is mounted on an automobile from above. The vehicle includes a driver's seat, a passenger seat, a rear seat, an in-vehicle device (not shown) such as an audio device and an air conditioner, a plurality of ECUs 60 that control these in-vehicle devices, and various commands to these in-vehicle devices. A remote controller 24 and an instrument panel 34 which are input devices for inputting, and a user identification system 3 are provided. The user identification system 3 includes a signal generation / output device 14, a reception / transfer device 44, and a control device 54.

  The remote controller 24 transmits information to the control device 54 by wireless communication using infrared rays, and transmits wake-up information to the reception transfer device 44 through human communication via a user. The instrument panel 34 also includes a light receiving unit 33 that receives infrared rays transmitted from the remote controller 24, a display device 31 for displaying various information, and various operation keys. The instrument panel 34 is configured to be able to transmit user operation information input through its own operation keys to the control device 54 by wire.

  On the other hand, each signal generating / outputting device 14 constituting the user identification system 3 is built in the remote controller 24 and the instrument panel 34. The reception transfer device 44 is provided inside each seat and is configured to transmit seat information to the control device 54.

  In addition, the control device 54 has basically the same configuration as the control device 50 of the first embodiment, and is connected to the display device 31 and the light receiving unit 33. However, the control device 54 has two differences from the control device 50. The first difference is that, as described above, information can be acquired not only from the remote controller 24 but also from the reception transfer device 44 (details will be described later). The second difference is the content of the identification process. Details of this identification processing will be described in the last part of the description of this embodiment.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the user operates the remote controller 24 while sitting on the seat. In FIG. 10, the information transmission path is schematically shown by dotted arrows. More specifically, in this user identification system 3, on the assumption that the user has the remote control 24 in his / her hand, the signal is input from the signal generation / output device 14 to the control device 54 in the form of infrared rays. The operation information that was sent is transmitted.

  On the other hand, a wake-up signal is transmitted from the signal generation output device 14 to the reception transfer device 44 in the seat via the user. When the wake-up signal is input from the reception transfer device 44, the reception transfer device 44 transmits the seat information to the control device 54 via the body.

  Further, when the user operates the operation key of the instrument panel 34 (not shown), the operation information input by the user to the instrument panel 34 is transmitted from the signal generation output device 14 to the control device 54 by wire. On the other hand, a wake-up signal is transmitted from the signal generation output device 14 to the reception transfer device 44 in the seat via the user. Then, seat information is transmitted from the reception transfer device 44 to which the wake-up signal is transmitted to the control device 54 via the body.

  The control device 54 controls the in-vehicle device based on the seat information and the operation information input in this manner. For example, when the vehicle is traveling, the operation information input from the driver is discarded and the operation is performed. The operation of the in-vehicle device based on the information is prohibited.

  The reception transfer device 44 may be provided on the seat belt as in the second embodiment. In FIG. 3, this state is represented by replacing the signal generation / output device 10 with the reception / transfer device 44.

  Next, the configuration and operation of the user identification system 3 described above will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the user identification system 3 to which the present invention is applied.

  As described above, the signal generation / output device 14 is incorporated in the remote control 24 and the instrument panel 34, and there are two. However, the signal generation / output device 14 provided in each of the remote control 24 and the instrument panel 34 has different output interfaces. Other than the above, the configuration is basically the same. Therefore, in FIG. 11, only one signal generation / output device 14 provided in each of the remote controller 24 and the instrument panel 34 is shown in common.

  In addition, since there are a plurality of reception transfer devices 44 corresponding to each seat as described above, the reception transfer devices 44 of each seat basically have the same configuration. Only one is omitted.

  First, the components of the signal generation / output device 14 will be described. The signal generation / output device 14 includes a wakeup signal generation circuit 141, a reference oscillation circuit 143, a modulation circuit 145, a filter circuit 147, an amplification circuit 149, a coil 151, and an operation signal generation circuit 153.

  Next, the operation of each component of the signal generation / output device 14 will be described. The operation signal generation circuit 153 acquires operation information from the user via an operation key, generates an electric signal including the acquired operation information as an operation signal, and in the case of the remote control 24, this operation signal is in the form of infrared rays. In the case of the instrument panel 34, it is sent to the control device 54 in the form of an electric signal that is transmitted inside the wire.

  On the other hand, the wakeup signal generation circuit 141 is configured to be able to detect that any one of the operation keys has been operated. When this is detected, a wakeup signal including wakeup information is generated and sent to the modulation circuit 145. On the other hand, the reference oscillation circuit 143 oscillates a reference signal as a carrier wave and sends it to the modulation circuit 145. The modulation circuit 145 modulates the reference signal input from the reference oscillation circuit 143 with the wake-up signal input from the wake-up signal generation circuit 141 to generate a modulation signal. This modulated signal is sent to the filter circuit 147. The filter circuit 147 is a bandpass filter and attenuates a predetermined range of frequency components (noise components) included in the modulation signal input from the modulation circuit 145.

  The modulated signal that has passed through the filter circuit 147 is sent to the amplifier circuit 149. The amplifier circuit 149 amplifies the modulation signal input from the filter circuit 147 and sends the amplified modulation signal to the coil 151. The coil 151 converts the modulation signal input from the amplifier circuit 149 into a form of a magnetic field generated around the coil 151 as a transmission signal. Each coil 151 is provided adjacent to each operation key. Therefore, the magnetic field generated around the coil 151 propagates to the body surface of the user who operates the operation key.

In this way, the reception transfer device 44 receives the transmission signal transmitted from the signal generation output device 14 in the form of a magnetic field generated on the body surface of the user.
Now, the description of the reception transfer device 44 will be started. The reception transfer device 44 of this embodiment includes an amplification circuit 441, a filter circuit 443, a local oscillation circuit 445, a frequency conversion circuit 447, an amplification circuit 449, a detection circuit 451, a seat signal generation circuit 453, and a coil 455. Hereinafter, the operation of each component will be described in order.

  First, the coil 455 receives a transmission signal transmitted from the signal generation output device in the form of a magnetic field generated on the surface of the user's body, and converts the received magnetic field into a received electrical signal that is a signal in the form of an electrical signal. To do. The amplifier circuit 441 amplifies the received electrical signal input from the coil 455 and sends it to the filter circuit 443. The filter circuit 443 is configured as a band-pass filter, attenuates a predetermined frequency component of the received electrical signal input from the amplifier circuit 441, and sends this to the frequency conversion circuit 447.

  On the other hand, the local oscillation circuit 445 oscillates a local oscillation signal and sends it to the frequency conversion circuit 447. Then, the frequency conversion circuit 447 generates an intermediate frequency signal by subtracting the local oscillation signal from the received electrical signal input from the filter circuit 443, and sends this to the amplification circuit 449. The amplification circuit 449 amplifies the intermediate frequency signal input from the frequency conversion circuit 447 and sends the amplified signal to the detection circuit 451. The detection circuit 451 demodulates the signal input from the amplification circuit 449, extracts the wakeup signal included in the received signal (specifically, the intermediate frequency signal), and if the wakeup signal can be extracted, The signal is sent to the signal generation circuit 453.

  Further, when the wake-up signal is input from the detection circuit 451, the seat signal generation circuit 453 generates an electric signal including a code unique to each seat as a seat signal, and the seat signal is generated via a body or wiring. It transmits to the control apparatus 54 as a notification signal. Therefore, in the user identification system 3, when the user touches the operation key of the remote control 24 and the instrument panel 34 and the coil 455 receives the transmission signal including the wake-up signal, the seat signal is transmitted as a notification signal to the control device 54. It will be.

The control device 54 receives the notification signal transmitted from the reception transfer device 44 through such a process through the body or the wiring.
Further, when receiving the operation signal from the light receiving unit 33 or the instrument panel 34, the control device 54 of the present embodiment executes the identification process similar to the process illustrated in FIG. 5 described in the first embodiment. In addition, FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the identification process which the control apparatus 54 performs in a present Example.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the identification process of the present embodiment is slightly different from the identification process of the first embodiment. More specifically, in this embodiment, instead of the process shown in S505, the processes shown in S502 and S504 are executed as shown in FIG.

  That is, in this embodiment, when the identification process is started, operation information is acquired from the operation signal input from the signal generation output device 14 (S502). Further, it is determined whether or not a seat signal is input from the reception transfer device 44 (S504).

If a seat signal is input, it is determined Yes in S504, the process proceeds to S510, and the subsequent process similar to the identification process in the first embodiment is executed.
On the other hand, if no seat signal is input, it is determined No in S504, and the identification process is terminated.

  The reason why the contents of the identification process are changed as compared with the first embodiment is as follows. It is conceivable that the user operates the remote controller 24 in a state where the user and the reception / transfer device 44 are separated and the reception / transfer device 44 cannot receive the wake-up signal. In this case, the control device 54 only receives the operation signal. I cannot receive the seat signal. Therefore, in the above-described case, in order to avoid malfunction, the control device 54 needs to be configured not to accept the received operation signal and do nothing. Therefore, the identification process is changed from that of the first embodiment as described above.

  The user identification system 3 according to the third embodiment described above identifies the seating position of the operation source through human body communication using a transmission path having a non-closed circuit configuration between the signal generation output device 14 and the reception transfer device 44. It is possible to achieve an effect equivalent to that of the one user identification system 1. A feature of the third embodiment which is not included in the first and second embodiments is that no combining circuit is provided. That is, since the operation signal and the seat signal are combined and then separated, the user identification system 3 can be simply configured. Further, in the first and second embodiments, the seat signal generation circuit needs to always operate. On the other hand, since any circuit described in this embodiment starts to operate when an operation key is operated, power can be saved.

  Next, Example 4 will be described. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the user identification system 4 of the present embodiment is mounted on an automobile from above. In the present embodiment, the configuration of the user identification system 1 of the first embodiment is slightly changed. Therefore, in the following, description of the parts having the same configuration as the user identification system 1 of the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

  In addition, the difference between a present Example and Example 1 is that the signal production | generation output device 10 is provided only in the inside of a driver's seat or a seatbelt. Further, the reception transfer device 40 according to the present embodiment is configured to transmit only the operation signal to the control device 50 through the synthesis circuit 413 when only the operation signal is input without inputting the seat signal. .

  In addition, FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the identification processing executed by the control device 50 of the present embodiment. In the identification process of the present embodiment, after the process of S505 is executed as in the first embodiment, the process proceeds to S516. In S516, it is determined whether or not a seat signal is included in the notification signal. Then, if it is determined that the seat signal is included in the notification signal (S516: Yes), the seating position of the operation source user is recognized as the driver's seat, vehicle information is acquired from the in-vehicle network, and the car is running. It is determined whether or not (S520).

  If it is determined that the vehicle is traveling (S520: Yes), the control device 50 discards the operation information input through the operation key of the remote controller 20 or the instrument panel 30, and ends the identification process.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the vehicle is not traveling (S520: No), an instruction code corresponding to the input operation information is specified (S525). Then, by transmitting the specified instruction code to the ECU 60 that is the instruction target (S530), the ECU 60 is caused to execute a process corresponding to the operation information, and the identification process is completed.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the seat signal is not included in the notification signal (S516: No), the control device 50 recognizes that the seating position of the operation source user is outside the driver's seat and inputs the input operation. An instruction code corresponding to the information is specified (S533), and the specified instruction code is transmitted to the instruction target ECU (S535), thereby causing the ECU 60 to execute processing corresponding to the operation information.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the operation assisting function is set to “requires operation” in advance by the user (S540). If it is determined that the operation assistance function has been set to “operation required” in advance by the user (S540: Yes), the operation assistance function is activated (S545), and the identification process ends. If it is determined that the operation assistance function is set to “operation unnecessary” in advance by the user (S540: No), the identification process is terminated without activating the operation assistance function.

  Although the configuration and operation of the user identification system 4 according to the fourth embodiment have been described above, according to the present embodiment, the number of signal generation / output devices 10 can be reduced, and the system can be configured at low cost.

  Next, Example 5 will be described. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the user identification system 5 of the present embodiment is mounted on an automobile from above. In the present embodiment, the configuration of the user identification system 3 of the third embodiment is slightly changed. Therefore, in the following, description of the parts having the same configuration as the user identification system 3 of the third embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

  The difference between the present embodiment and the third embodiment is that the reception transfer device 44 is provided in the seat of the driver's seat or only in the seat belt, and the content of the identification process executed by the control device 54 is as follows. This is as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the identification process executed by the control device 54 in this embodiment. In the present embodiment, when starting the identification process, the control device 54 first acquires operation information from the operation signal input from the signal generation output device 14 in S508. Then, the process proceeds to S518. In S518, it is determined whether a seat signal is received from the reception transfer device 44. If it is determined that a seat signal has been received from the reception transfer device 44 (S518: Yes), the seating position of the operation source user is recognized as a driver's seat, vehicle information is acquired from the in-vehicle network, and the vehicle is running. It is determined whether or not (S520).

  If it is determined that the automobile is running (S520: Yes), the control device 54 discards the operation information input through the operation key of the remote controller 24 or the instrument panel 34 and ends the identification process.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the vehicle is not traveling (S520: No), an instruction code corresponding to the input operation information is specified (S525). Then, by transmitting the specified instruction code to the ECU 60 that is the instruction target (S530), the ECU 60 is caused to execute a process corresponding to the operation information, and the identification process is completed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the seat signal has not been received from the reception transfer device 44 (S518: No), the control device 54 recognizes that the seating position of the user of the operation source is outside the driver's seat, and the input operation information The instruction code corresponding to the operation information is specified (S533), and the specified instruction code is transmitted to the instruction target ECU (S535), thereby causing the ECU 60 to execute the process corresponding to the operation information.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the operation assisting function is set to “requires operation” in advance by the user (S540). If it is determined that the operation assistance function has been set to “operation required” in advance by the user (S540: Yes), the operation assistance function is activated (S545), and the identification process ends. If it is determined that the operation assistance function is set to “operation unnecessary” in advance by the user (S540: No), the identification process is terminated without activating the operation assistance function.

Above has been described the configuration and operation of a user identification system 5 of the fifth embodiment, according to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the number of the receiving transfer device 44, Ru inexpensive to configure the system.

[Correspondence]
The correspondence between each means described in the specification and each step in the identification processing of the embodiment is as follows. That is, in the present embodiment, the process execution means is realized by the processes of S530 and S535, the determination means is realized by the processes of S520 and S555, and the prohibition means is executed by the processes of S515 and S520, and S550 and S555. It has been realized.
[ Others]
As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was described, embodiment of this invention is not restricted to what was demonstrated above. For example, the signal generation output device or the reception transfer device may be provided on the surface of the seat belt so as to be easily attached and detached. In this way, for example, by removing the signal generation output device or the reception transfer device from the seat belt of the seat where the child is sitting, the in-vehicle device can be made inoperable from the child, which is convenient for the guardian. Good.

  Further, the transmission signal may be an electric field or an electric current, or a signal may be formed by combining a magnetic field, an electric field and an electric current. Further, the input device to which the invention is applied may be either the instrument panel or the remote control.

  Further, the reception / transfer apparatus may be configured to appropriately or not transfer the operation signal to the control apparatus 50. For example, in the second embodiment, the reception transfer device 42 provided in the driver's seat may acquire information from the in-vehicle network and discard the operation information without transferring it during traveling. If it does in this way, the processing load of control device 50 which controls an in-vehicle device can be eased.

  In addition, the signal generation output device 10, the reception transfer device 42, and the reception transfer device 44 are embedded in the backrest portion of the seat in each of the above embodiments, but these may be embedded in the stool portion on which the buttocks are placed. However, it may be embedded in other parts. Moreover, what transmits / receives a transmission signal does not need to be a coil, and what is necessary is just to be able to transmit a signal to a human body, such as an electrode.

  Further, the operation assisting function of S545 in the identification process may be configured to be executable even for the driver. Specifically, what is necessary is just to comprise so that the process similar to S540 and S545 should be performed after S530. If comprised in this way, when the driver | operator is not used to operation of an input device, it can assist a driver | operator's operation and is convenient.

  In the fourth embodiment, the signal generation / output device 10 may be provided not only for the driver's seat but also for any seat. In the fifth embodiment, the reception transfer device 44 may be provided not only for the driver's seat but also for any seat.

  The present invention may also be applied to a karaoke remote control. Further, the present invention is not limited to a seat, and may be used for the purpose of prohibiting an operation of a user located in a specific place, and may be applied to a computer game or a machine operation panel in a dangerous work site. .

It is a figure showing a mode that the user identification system 1 was mounted in the motor vehicle. It is the figure which showed typically the transmission path | route of the information in the user identification system. It is a figure which shows a mode that the signal generation output apparatus was installed in the seatbelt. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a user identification system 1. FIG. It is a flowchart showing the identification process which the control apparatus 50 performs. It is a figure showing a mode that the user identification system 2 was mounted in the motor vehicle. It is the figure which showed typically the transmission path | route of the information in the user identification system 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a user identification system 2. FIG. It is a figure showing a mode that the user identification system 3 was mounted in the motor vehicle. It is the figure which showed typically the transmission path | route of the information in the user identification system 3. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a user identification system 3. FIG. It is a flowchart showing the identification process which the control apparatus 54 performs. It is a figure showing a mode that the user identification system 4 was mounted in the motor vehicle. It is a flowchart showing the identification process of the user identification system 4. FIG. It is a figure showing a mode that the user identification system 5 was mounted in the motor vehicle. It is a flowchart showing the identification process of the user identification system 5. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ... User identification system 10, 12, 14 ... Signal generation output device, 20, 22, 24 ... Remote control, 30, 32, 34 ... Instrument panel, 31 ... Display apparatus, 33 ... Light-receiving part , 40, 42, 44 ... reception transfer device, 50, 52, 54 ... control device, 101, 437, 453 ... seat signal generation circuit, 103, 123, 143 ... reference oscillation circuit, 105, 125, 145 ... modulation circuit, 107,127,147 ... filter circuit, 109,129,149 ... amplifier circuit, 111,131,151,415,435,455 ... coil, 121 ... operation signal generating circuit, 141 ... wake-up signal generating circuit, 401,421, 441 ... Amplifier circuit, 403,423,443 ... Filter circuit, 405,425,445 ... Local oscillator circuit, 407,427,447 ... Frequency conversion circuit, 409,429,449 ... Amplifier circuit, 411,4 31,451 ... detection circuit, 413,433,453 ... synthesis circuit

Claims (9)

A user identification system for identifying a position of a user who operates an input device installed in a space provided with a plurality of seats and operated by physical contact,
Signal generation output means provided around the input device, for generating a transmission signal, and for outputting the generated transmission signal to the body of a nearby user;
Receiving means for receiving the transmission signal via the body of a nearby user;
Identification means for identifying the position of the user operating the input device based on the reception result of the receiving means;
With
A transmission path of a non-closed circuit configuration is formed between the signal generation output means and the reception means as a transmission path of the transmission signal via a user who operates the input device. , Transmitted and received between the signal generation output means and the reception means through the transmission path of the non-closed circuit configuration using the user operating the input device as a medium ,
The receiving means is provided corresponding to a part of the plurality of seats provided,
When the receiving unit receives the transmission signal when an operation is performed on the input device, the identification unit has a seat on which the user operating the input device is seated. If the reception means does not receive the transmission signal, the seat on which the user operating the input device is seated is a seat other than the some seats. A user identification system characterized by being configured to be identified as The user identification system according to claim 1 , further comprising a process execution unit that executes a process based on operation information input through the input device.
The transmission signal includes operation information for the input device,
The receiving unit is configured to be able to transfer operation information included in the transmission signal received from the signal generation output unit through the user's body to the processing execution unit. . The user identification system according to claim 1 , wherein the user identification system is installed in a vehicle having a driver seat and a seat other than the driver seat as the plurality of seats.
A user characterized in that the identification means can identify whether a seat on which a user operating the input device is seated is a driver seat or a seat other than the driver seat. Identification system. The user identification system according to claim 3 , wherein the receiving means is attached to the seat. The vehicle includes a seat belt corresponding to each seat,
The user identification system according to claim 3 , wherein the receiving unit is attached to the seat belt. Processing execution means for executing processing based on operation information input through the input device;
Determining means for determining whether or not the vehicle is running;
A user identification system according to any one of claims 3 to 5 , comprising:
During a period in which the determination unit determines that the vehicle is running and the identification unit has identified that the seat on which the user operating the input unit is seated is a driver's seat, A user identification system comprising: prohibiting means for prohibiting processing by the processing execution means based on operation information input from a user seated in the driver's seat. The input apparatus includes any by wireless communication using electromagnetic waves, of the operation information input to the own device, of claims 1, characterized in that the remote controller to be transmitted to a predetermined remote operation target to claim 6 The user identification system according to the above. Wherein the input device, the through transmission path of the non-closed circuit configuration, the operation information input to the own device, according to claim 1 to claim 5, characterized in that a remote controller for transmitting to the addressed predetermined remote operation target The user identification system according to any one of the above. The signal generation output means is configured to generate a transmission signal by modulating a reference signal with a specific pattern signal and to output the transmission signal to a nearby user's body,
The identification unit is configured to demodulate a transmission signal received by the reception unit and detect reception of the transmission signal output from the signal generation output unit based on the demodulation result. The user identification system according to any one of claims 1 to 8 .