Information processing device and program

Abstract

To provide an improved technique used for vehicle manuals.SOLUTION: An information processing device 20 provided herein acquires contract information of a user based on an authentication result of the user. The information processing device 20 then acquires feature information regarding available features and unavailable features of the vehicle based on the contract information. The information processing device 20 then outputs the feature information to a terminal device 10 in a manner that distinguishes between the available features and unavailable features.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a technique used in vehicle manuals. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for selecting an item to be checked from all items in a vehicle manual and displaying the selected item on a terminal interface. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2016-12913 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventional manuals provide a common interface for all users, and users select the items they want to check (the functions installed in the vehicle they are using), which makes them less convenient. Also, it is not possible to check what functions are installed in the vehicle they are using and what functions are not installed. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the technology used in vehicle manuals.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to improve the technology used in vehicle manuals. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: A computer for printing vehicle manuals authenticating a user and obtaining contract information of said user; Acquiring function information of the installed functions and uninstalled functions of the vehicle based on the contract information; and outputting the function information in a manner that distinguishes between the installed functions and the uninstalled functions; The operation includes:

[0007] An information processing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: An information processing device that outputs a vehicle manual to a terminal device or an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, acquiring contract information of the user based on the user authentication result; acquiring function information of the installed functions and uninstalled functions of the vehicle based on the contract information; a control unit that outputs the function information to the terminal device or the in-vehicle device in a manner that distinguishes between the installed functions and the uninstalled functions. Equipped with. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, technology used in vehicle manuals is improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a terminal device. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the information processing device. [Figure 5] 1 is an example of an image diagram of a manual output in the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described.

[0011] (Outline of the embodiment) An overview of a system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The system 1 includes a plurality of terminal devices 10 and an information processing device 20. Each of the terminal devices 10 and the information processing device 20 is communicably connected to a network 30 including, for example, the Internet and a mobile communication network.

[0012] The terminal device 10 is a computer such as a PC (Personal Computer), a smartphone, or a tablet terminal. In this embodiment, the terminal device 10 is used when a user refers to a vehicle manual. The terminal device 10 may be an in-vehicle device installed in the user's vehicle.

[0013] "Vehicles" include, for example, gasoline-powered automobiles, battery electric vehicles (BEVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), and other two-wheeled vehicles such as motorcycles, passenger cars, buses, trucks, etc., but are not limited to these and may be any vehicle that humans can ride in.

[0014] The information processing device 20 is, for example, one or more computers such as a server device, etc. The information processing device 20 is capable of communicating with each of the terminal devices 10 via the network 30.

[0015] First, an overview of this embodiment will be described, and details will be provided later. The information processing device 20 acquires contract information of the user based on the user authentication result. Next, the information processing device 20 acquires function information of the installed functions and uninstalled functions of the user's vehicle based on the contract information. The information processing device 20 then outputs the function information to the terminal device 10 in a manner that distinguishes between installed functions and uninstalled functions.

[0016] The above processing may also be implemented by a program that causes a computer to function. The computer serving as the terminal device 10 authenticates the user in accordance with the program and acquires the user's contract information. Next, the terminal device 10 acquires function information on the installed and uninstalled functions of the user's vehicle based on the contract information. The terminal device 10 then outputs the function information in a manner that distinguishes between installed and uninstalled functions.

[0017] Because vehicles are equipped with many functions, manuals tend to be complex and voluminous. Furthermore, while each user can choose whether or not to install certain vehicle functions, conventional manuals provide a common interface for all users. As a result, users may not know which functions are installed in their vehicle and which functions are not, potentially making the manual difficult to read. In contrast, according to this embodiment, function information is output in the manual in a manner that distinguishes between installed and uninstalled functions in the user's vehicle based on the user's contract information. This makes it easier for users to identify which functions are installed and which functions are not installed in their vehicle, resulting in a manual that is easy to read for each user. Therefore, according to this embodiment, technology used in vehicle manuals is improved in that it can provide manuals that are easy to read for each user.

[0018] Next, each component of the system 1 will be described in detail.

[0019] (Terminal Device Configuration) As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal device 10 includes a communication unit 11, an output unit 12, an input unit 13, a storage unit 14, a control unit 15, and an image capturing unit 16.

[0020] The communication unit 11 includes one or more communication interfaces connected to the network 30. The communication interfaces correspond to mobile communication standards such as, but not limited to, 4G (4th Generation) or 5G (5th Generation). In this embodiment, the terminal device 10 communicates with the information processing device 20 via the communication unit 11 and the network 30.

[0021] The output unit 12 includes one or more output devices that output information. Examples of the output devices include, but are not limited to, a display that outputs information as a video or a speaker that outputs information as a sound. Alternatively, the output unit 12 may include an interface for connecting an external output device.

[0022] The input unit 13 includes one or more input devices that detect an input operation by a user. Examples of the input devices include, but are not limited to, physical keys, capacitive keys, a mouse, a touch panel, a touch screen integrated with the display of the output unit 12, or a microphone. Alternatively, the input unit 13 may include an interface for connecting an external input device.

[0023] The storage unit 14 includes one or more memories. The memories may be, for example, semiconductor memories, magnetic memories, optical memories, etc., but are not limited to these. Each memory included in the storage unit 14 may function, for example, as a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 14 stores any information used in the operation of the terminal device 10. In this embodiment, the storage unit 14 may store a vehicle manual for the user who uses the terminal device 10. The storage unit 14 may also store user contract information. For example, the storage unit 14 may also store system programs, application programs, embedded software, etc. For example, the information stored in the storage unit 14 may be updated with information obtained from the network 30 via the communication unit 11, for example.

[0024] "User contract information" refers to information related to the contract for a vehicle purchased by a user. The user contract information may include any information related to the contract for the vehicle, including, but not limited to, the model or model number of the vehicle, the vehicle identification number of the vehicle, and information on the installed features of the vehicle.

[0025] "Information about the vehicle's installed functions" is information indicating which of the functions provided to the vehicle are actually installed. The information about the vehicle's installed functions may be expressed by indicating all of the names or function IDs of the installed functions, or may be expressed by using a symbol such as "○" to indicate that each of the functions provided to the vehicle is installed, but is not limited to these. The information may be expressed and recorded in any format that can indicate which functions are actually installed.

[0026] The control unit 15 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor may be, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process, but is not limited to these. The programmable circuit may be, for example, but is not limited to, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). The dedicated circuit may be, for example, but is not limited to, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit 15 controls the operation of the terminal device 10.

[0027] The photographing unit 16 includes one or more cameras capable of photographing the surrounding scenery. In this embodiment, the photographing unit 16 is used to scan the functions (devices) installed in the vehicle.

[0028] (Configuration of information processing device) As shown in FIG. 3, the information processing device 20 includes a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit .

[0029] The communication unit 21 includes one or more communication interfaces connected to the network 30. The communication interfaces correspond to, for example, a mobile communication standard, a wired LAN (Local Area Network) standard, or a wireless LAN standard, but are not limited to these and may correspond to any communication standard. In this embodiment, the information processing device 20 communicates with each terminal device 10 via the communication unit 21 and the network 30.

[0030] The storage unit 22 includes one or more memories. Each memory included in the storage unit 22 may function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 22 stores any information used in the operation of the information processing device 20. For example, the storage unit 22 may store system programs, application programs, embedded software, map information, etc. In this embodiment, the storage unit 22 stores contract information of each user who uses each of the multiple terminal devices 10 that communicate with the information processing device 20. The storage unit 22 may also store manuals for each vehicle purchased by each user.

[0031] The control unit 23 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor may be, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process, but is not limited to these. The programmable circuit may be, for example, but is not limited to, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). The dedicated circuit may be, for example, but is not limited to, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit 23 controls the overall operation of the information processing device 20.

[0032] (Operation flow of information processing device) The operation of the information processing device 20 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0033] S100: The control unit 23 of the information processing device 20 acquires contract information of the user based on the result of user authentication.

[0034] Specifically, when referring to the manual, the user uses the terminal device 10 to authenticate with the information processing device 20. The authentication method may be, for example, password authentication using account information, biometric authentication, two-factor authentication or multi-factor authentication, single sign-on (SSO), or key authentication, but is not limited to these. If the authentication is successful, the control unit 23 acquires the contract information of the user linked to the account information from the contract information of each user stored in the storage unit 22.

[0035] "Account information" is information that identifies a user. A user's account information may be one for one user or one for one vehicle. The account information includes an account ID used to uniquely identify the account information. If there is one account information for one user, the account information may include information on one or more vehicles owned by the user. If there is one account information for one vehicle, the account information may include information on the user who owns the vehicle. The account ID may be represented by alphanumeric characters, an email address, or Japanese characters such as kanji or hiragana, but may be represented by any expression, including but not limited to these.

[0036] The account information may include, for example, information used for authenticating the user, such as password information. The account information may also include the number of successful or unsuccessful authentication attempts. In addition to the user's contract information, the account information may also be linked to information related to the user, such as the user's driving information.

[0037] When a user uses the terminal device 10 to perform authentication for the first time with respect to the information processing device 20, the control unit 23 may transmit contract information of the user to the terminal device 10.

[0038] Specifically, when a user uses a terminal device 10 to correctly authenticate themselves to the information processing device 20, the control unit 23 checks whether or not this is the first authentication using the terminal device 10. If this is the first authentication using the terminal device 10, the control unit 23 transmits the user's contract information to the terminal device 10 via the communication unit 21 and the network 30. When the control unit 15 of the terminal device 10 receives the user's contract information via the communication unit 11, the control unit 15 stores the user's contract information in the storage unit 14.

[0039] The control unit 23 may transmit the user's vehicle manual to the terminal device 10 in addition to the user's contract information.

[0040] Specifically, if this is the first authentication using the terminal device 10, the control unit 23 checks the model or model number of the vehicle, or the vehicle identification number of the vehicle, included in the contract information of the user stored in the storage unit 22. Then, the control unit 23 transmits manual information corresponding to the model or model number of the vehicle, or the vehicle identification number of the vehicle, to the terminal device 10 via the communication unit 21 and the network 30. When the control unit 15 of the terminal device 10 receives the manual information via the communication unit 11, it stores the manual information in the storage unit 14.

[0041] Furthermore, once a user has been properly authenticated to the information processing device 20 using the terminal device 10, the control unit 15 of the terminal device 10 may perform authentication from the next time onwards.

[0042] S101: The control unit 23 of the information processing device 20 acquires function information on the installed functions and uninstalled functions of the vehicle based on the contract information.

[0043] Specifically, the control unit 23 checks the model or model number of the vehicle or the chassis number of the vehicle included in the user's contract information acquired in S100, and determines a manual corresponding to the model or model number of the vehicle or the chassis number of the vehicle. Next, the control unit 23 uses information on the installed functions of the user's vehicle included in the user's contract information to acquire function information on the installed functions and uninstalled functions of the vehicle.

[0044] S102: The control unit 23 of the information processing device 20 outputs the function information to the terminal device 10 in a manner that distinguishes between installed functions and uninstalled functions.

[0045] Specifically, the control unit 23 transmits the information of the manual determined in S101 together with function information of the installed functions and uninstalled functions of the vehicle to the terminal device 10 via the communication unit 21 and the network 30. When the control unit 15 of the terminal device 10 receives the information of the manual and the function information of the installed functions and uninstalled functions of the vehicle, it displays the function information in the manual on the screen of the display of the terminal device 10 in a manner that distinguishes between installed functions and uninstalled functions.

[0046] The output function information may include at least one of the function name, description, image, and video, but is not limited to these and may include any function information. For example, the output function information may include the function name, description, and image as shown in FIG.

[0047] Outputting in a distinguishable manner may be performed in any manner, including but not limited to, by using different colors, different display locations or display orders on the screen, symbols, etc. Outputting in a distinguishable manner may be performed, for example, by displaying uninstalled functions after a label that reads "Not Installed" in a color similar to the background color, and displaying installed functions after a label that reads "Installed" in a color different from the background color, so that installed functions and uninstalled functions can be distinguished. As described below, it is desirable to display the descriptions of the function information for installed functions and uninstalled functions in the same format.

[0048] As described above, the information processing device 20 acquires the user's contract information based on the user authentication result. Next, the information processing device 20 acquires function information on the installed functions and uninstalled functions of the user's vehicle based on the contract information. The information processing device 20 then outputs the function information to the terminal device 10 in a manner that distinguishes between installed functions and uninstalled functions.

[0049] According to this configuration, the function information is output in the manual in a manner that distinguishes between functions installed and not installed in the user's vehicle based on the user's contract information. This makes it easier for users to check which functions are installed and which functions are not installed in their vehicle, making the manual easier for each user to read. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the technology used in vehicle manuals is improved in that the manual can be made easier for each user to read.

[0050] Next, a procedure for displaying a vehicle manual will be described, with the terminal device 10 playing a central role. After the information processing device 20 transmits the user's contract information and the user's vehicle manual to the terminal device 10 in the above-mentioned S100, the terminal device 10 can display the manual by the following procedure.

[0051] S100: The control unit 15 of the terminal device 10 acquires the user's contract information based on the user authentication result.

[0052] Specifically, when referring to the manual, the user uses the terminal device 10 to authenticate with the information processing device 20. Note that any authentication method may be used, similar to the information processing device 20. If the authentication is successful, the control unit 15 acquires the contract information of the user linked to the account information from the contract information of each user stored in the storage unit 14.

[0053] S101: The control unit 15 of the terminal device 10 acquires function information on the installed functions and uninstalled functions of the vehicle based on the contract information.

[0054] Specifically, when the user's contract information is stored in the memory unit 14, the control unit 15 uses information on the installed functions of the user's vehicle contained in the user's contract information to obtain function information on the installed functions and uninstalled functions of the vehicle.

[0055] S102: The control unit 15 of the terminal device 10 outputs the function information to the terminal device 10 in a manner that distinguishes between installed functions and uninstalled functions.

[0056] Specifically, the control unit 15 acquires the manual stored in the memory unit 14, and uses the function information of the vehicle's installed functions and uninstalled functions acquired in S101 to display the function information in the manual on the display screen of the terminal device 10 in a manner that distinguishes between installed functions and uninstalled functions.

[0057] As described above, the terminal device 10 performs the processing instead of the information processing device 20, so that the user can refer to the manual even in a poor communication environment.

[0058] The functions of the terminal device 10 are realized by executing a program on a processor serving as the control unit 15. That is, the functions of the terminal device 10 are realized by software. The program causes a computer to execute the operations of the terminal device 10, thereby causing the computer to function as the terminal device 10. That is, the computer functions as the terminal device 10 by executing the operations of the terminal device 10 in accordance with the program.

[0059] The program can be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Examples of the non-transitory computer-readable medium include a flash memory, a magnetic recording device, an optical disk, a magneto-optical recording medium, or a ROM (read only memory). The program can be distributed by selling, transferring, or lending a portable medium such as a DVD (digital versatile disc) or a CD-ROM (compact disc read only memory) that stores the program. The program can also be distributed by storing the program in the storage of a server and transferring it from the server to another computer. The program can also be provided as a program product.

[0060] Although the present disclosure has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each component or step can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and multiple components or steps can be combined or divided into one.

[0061] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration and operation of the information processing device 20 may be distributed among multiple computers that can communicate with each other. Also, for example, an embodiment in which some or all of the components of the information processing device 20 are provided in the terminal device 10 may be possible. For example, the terminal device 10 may include some or all of the components of the information processing device 20.

[0062] Also, for example, in the above-described embodiment, when the control unit 23 outputs the previous information in a manner that distinguishes between installed and uninstalled functions, the control unit 23 may display the function information of installed functions and uninstalled functions in the same format, along with an indication of installed or uninstalled functions.

[0063] Specifically, when outputting in S102 in a manner that distinguishes between installed functions and uninstalled functions, the control unit 23 distinguishes between the two only by indicating whether the functions are installed or not, and displays the function information for the installed functions and the uninstalled functions in the same font type, size, and configuration. For example, the control unit 23 may display the function information for the uninstalled functions and the installed functions in the format shown in FIG. 5. This makes it easier for the user to identify which functions are not installed, and also allows the functions to be handled the same as installed functions when checking their contents. This increases the likelihood that the user will have more opportunities to check the uninstalled functions, which may encourage the user to purchase the uninstalled functions.

[0064] Also, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit 23 may be able to select whether to output a mixture of installed functions and uninstalled functions, output only installed functions, or output only uninstalled functions.

[0065] Specifically, for example, the control unit 23 may provide the user with an interface that allows filtering of installed and uninstalled functions on the display screen of the terminal device 10. By providing such an interface to the user, as in the above-described modified example, it becomes easier for the user to check which functions are not installed, and at the same time, the functions can be handled the same as installed functions when checking their contents. This increases the likelihood that the user will have more opportunities to check uninstalled functions, which may encourage the user to purchase uninstalled functions. The interface that allows filtering may be provided on the screen that displays function information, or may be provided on a separate screen, such as a settings screen.

[0066] Furthermore, for example, in the above-described embodiment, if the authenticated user is authenticated for the first time, the control unit 23 may output a walk-through screen to the terminal device 10 after authentication.

[0067] Specifically, when a user is authenticated in S100, the control unit 23 checks whether the user is being authenticated for the first time. If it is the first time, the control unit 23 instructs the terminal device 10 to display a walk-through screen first after authentication in S102. Upon receiving the instruction from the information processing device 20, the control unit 15 of the terminal device 10 displays the walk-through screen before displaying the manual on the display.

[0068] In this way, when a user is authenticated for the first time, displaying a walk-through screen can help the user understand the overall flow of the manual, making the manual easier to read.

[0069] Furthermore, for example, in the above-described embodiment, when each device of the vehicle is scanned by the photographing unit 16 of the terminal device 10, the control unit 23 may output to the terminal device 10 the items in the manual for the functions of each device.

[0070] Specifically, when a user uses the photographing unit 16 of the terminal device 10 to scan any of the devices in the vehicle, the control unit 15 transmits information about the scanned device to the information processing device 20. When the control unit 23 receives the information about the scanned device from the terminal device 10, it transmits information about a manual for functions provided by the scanned device to the terminal device 10. When the control unit 15 of the terminal device 10 receives the information about the manual for functions provided by the scanned device from the information processing device 20, it displays the manual for functions provided by the scanned device on the screen of the terminal device 10. At this time, the installed functions and uninstalled functions related to the scanned device may be displayed side by side.

[0071] In this way, by allowing the user to display the manual by scanning the device that the user actually wants to use, the manual can be made easier for the user to read.

[0072] Also, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit 23 may change the configuration of the manual to be displayed on the screen of the terminal device 10 and output it based on the user's account information or other information of the user linked to the account information.

[0073] Specifically, for example, the control unit 23 may determine the user's characteristics from information about the vehicle's installed functions contained in the user's contract information, and prioritize displaying function information about installed functions and uninstalled functions that the user is likely to refer to on the screen of the terminal device 10.

[0074] Alternatively, for example, the control unit 23 may determine the user's driving characteristics from the user's driving information, and prioritize displaying on the screen function information of installed functions and uninstalled functions that the user is likely to refer to or that are considered necessary for the user.

[0075] Alternatively, for example, the control unit 23 may obtain function information that the user frequently refers to from the user's manual reference information, and display on the screen preferentially function information of the installed functions and uninstalled functions that the user frequently refers to.

[0076] In this way, by changing the configuration of the manual displayed on the screen of the terminal device 10 and outputting it based on the user information, the manual can be made easier for the user to read.

[0077] In any of the above-described modified examples, the control unit 15 of the terminal device 10 may perform part or all of the above-described processing instead of the control unit 23.

[0078] Also, for example, an embodiment is possible in which a general-purpose computer functions as the information processing device 20 according to the above-described embodiment. Specifically, a program describing the processing content for realizing each function of the information processing device 20 according to the above-described embodiment is stored in the memory of the general-purpose computer, and the program is read and executed by a processor. Therefore, the present disclosure can also be realized as a program executable by a processor, or a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing the program. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1 System 10 Terminal Equipment 11 Communications Department 12 Output section 13 Input section 14 Storage section 15 Control Unit 16 Photography Department 20 Information processing equipment 21 Communications Department 22 Memory section 23 Control Unit 30 Network

Claims

1. A computer for printing vehicle manuals authenticating a user and obtaining contract information of said user; Acquiring function information of the installed functions and uninstalled functions of the vehicle based on the contract information; and outputting the function information in a manner that distinguishes between the installed functions and the uninstalled functions; A program that causes an operation including

2. 2. The program according to claim 1, A program in which the function information that is output is at least one of a function name, a description, an image, and a video.

3. 2. The program according to claim 1, The program wherein outputting in the differentiated manner means displaying the installed or uninstalled functions together with the function information of the installed functions and the uninstalled functions in the same format.

4. 2. The program according to claim 1, The operation is making it possible to select whether to output a mixture of the installed functions and the uninstalled functions, to output only the installed functions, or to output only the uninstalled functions; The program further comprises:

5. An information processing device that outputs a vehicle manual to a terminal device or an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, acquiring contract information of the user based on the user authentication result; acquiring function information of the installed functions and uninstalled functions of the vehicle based on the contract information; a control unit that outputs the function information to the terminal device or the in-vehicle device in a manner that distinguishes between the installed functions and the uninstalled functions. An information processing device comprising:

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