vehicle

Abstract

The present invention provides a vehicle that reduces the time a user spends on maintenance. The vehicle (10) includes: a maintenance-needed detection unit (26) for detecting whether the vehicle requires maintenance; and an automatic driving control unit (60) for moving the vehicle to a maintenance site where maintenance is to be performed by automatic driving without relying on the driver's driving when the maintenance is detected. Thus, since the vehicle (10) requiring maintenance is automatically driven to the maintenance site, the user does not need to drive the vehicle (10) to the maintenance site. Therefore, the time a user spends on maintenance can be reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle capable of automatic driving. Background Art

[0002] When a malfunction occurs in a vehicle such as an automobile, a malfunction indicator lamp (so-called MIL) is usually turned on or flashes (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-24677 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Technical issues

[0007] If the fault warning light is on or flashing, the user of the vehicle, when the vehicle is able to move by itself, will take the vehicle to a maintenance location (e.g., a dealer) in order to maintain the fault location. However, taking the vehicle to a maintenance location or retrieving the vehicle after maintenance will cost the user time.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle capable of reducing a user's time associated with maintenance.

[0009] Technical Solution

[0010] In order to solve the above problems, the vehicle of the present invention is equipped with: a maintenance detection unit for detecting whether the vehicle needs maintenance; and an automatic driving control unit for moving the vehicle to a maintenance location for maintenance through automatic driving without relying on the driving of the passengers when maintenance is detected.

[0011] Furthermore, the automatic driving control unit may move the vehicle to a maintenance location when the user is not using the vehicle.

[0012] In addition, the vehicle may also include: a time required for warehousing derivation unit, which, when maintenance is detected to be required, derives the time required for warehousing as the time required for sending the vehicle to the maintenance site based on the travel time to the maintenance site and the maintenance time as the time required for maintenance; a non-use period derivation unit, which derives the non-use period during which the user plans not to use the vehicle; and a planned warehousing period setting unit, which sets the planned warehousing period as the period during which the vehicle is planned to be sent to the maintenance site within the non-use period longer than the time required for warehousing.

[0013] In addition, the vehicle may also have an unplanned period exporting unit for exporting an unplanned period as an unplanned period for the maintainer to perform maintenance on the vehicle, and the warehousing planned period setting unit may set a maintenance execution period as a period for planned maintenance execution within the warehousing planned period within an unplanned period that is longer than the time required for maintenance.

[0014] In addition, the vehicle may further include: a storage unit in which a first identifier is pre-stored; and an authentication control unit that allows the unlocking of the vehicle door when the first identifier stored in the storage unit has a predetermined relationship with the second identifier sent from the smart key instructing the unlocking of the vehicle door. The authentication control unit may, when it detects that maintenance is required, store the second identifier of the smart key used by the maintainer who performs maintenance on the vehicle as the first identifier in the storage unit during the maintenance of the vehicle, or store an identifier common with the first identifier stored in the storage unit as the second identifier in the smart key used by the maintainer who performs maintenance on the vehicle.

[0015] Technical Effects

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the time a user spends on maintenance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the vehicle maintenance system according to the present embodiment.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing an example of a maintenance table.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating the time required for warehousing.

[0020] Figure 4 This diagram illustrates the relationship between the time required for warehousing and the period of non-use.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the time required for maintenance and the period during which maintenance is possible.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing an example of a planned warehousing period.

[0023] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the flow of operations of the vehicle control unit when the need for maintenance is detected.

[0024] Explanation of symbols

[0025] 10: Vehicles

[0026] 26: Maintenance inspection department required

[0027] 28: Storage

[0028] 60: Autonomous Driving Control Department

[0029] 64: Export of time required for storage

[0030] 66: Export section during non-use period

[0031] 68: Unplanned period export department

[0032] 70: Inventory planning period setting department

[0033] 72: Authentication Control Department DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The following describes embodiments of the present invention in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values ​​shown in these embodiments are merely examples to facilitate understanding of the invention and, unless otherwise specified, do not limit the present invention. It should be noted that in this specification and the accompanying drawings, elements having substantially the same function or configuration are designated with the same reference numerals to avoid repeated description, and elements not directly related to the present invention are omitted from illustration.

[0035] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a vehicle maintenance system 1 according to this embodiment. Vehicle maintenance system 1 includes a vehicle 10 to be maintained, a terminal device 12 used by the administrator (user) of vehicle 10, a maintenance site server 14 installed at a maintenance site, and a smart key 16. The following details configurations and / or processes relevant to this embodiment, while descriptions of configurations and / or processes not relevant to this embodiment are omitted.

[0036] The vehicle 10 is a car that can automatically travel to a destination without the driver being in control. The vehicle 10 includes a vehicle communication unit 20 , a driving assistance unit 22 , a door lock unit 24 , a maintenance-need detector 26 , a storage unit 28 , and a vehicle control unit 30 .

[0037] The vehicle communication unit 20 can perform wireless communication with each of the terminal device 12 , the maintenance site server device 14 , and the smart key 16 .

[0038] The terminal device 12 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, etc. The terminal device 12 is used (possessed) by the user of the vehicle 10. The terminal device 12 includes a terminal communication unit 40, an input / output unit 42, and a terminal control unit 44.

[0039] The terminal communication unit 40 can communicate wirelessly with the vehicle communication unit 20 of the vehicle 10. The input / output unit 42 is, for example, a touch panel, and has an input function for receiving user input operations and an output function for displaying various information.

[0040] The terminal control unit 44 is composed of a semiconductor integrated circuit including a central processing unit (CPU), a ROM storing programs, a RAM as a work area, etc. The terminal control unit 44 functions as a user schedule management unit 46 by executing a schedule management application.

[0041] The user schedule management unit 46 manages the schedule input by the user via the input / output unit 42. Specifically, the user's schedule information input by the user is stored in a storage area such as RAM that functions as the user schedule management unit 46. The user's future activity plan and time are registered in association with each other in the user's schedule information.

[0042] In addition, the user's plan information may include, for example, plans to use the vehicle 10 for commuting, and other purposes, and may be associated with time and registered. In addition, the user's plan information may also include periods during which the user plans not to use the vehicle 10 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as non-use periods).

[0043] The maintenance site server device 14 includes a server communication unit 50 and a server control unit 52. The server communication unit 50 can communicate with the vehicle communication unit 20 of the vehicle 10 wirelessly.

[0044] The server control unit 52 is composed of a semiconductor integrated circuit including a central processing unit (CPU), a ROM storing programs, and a RAM as a work area. A maintenance table 54 is stored in a storage area such as the RAM of the server control unit 52 .

[0045] Figure 2 This figure shows an example of a maintenance table 54. Maintenance table 54 associates the maintenance details of vehicle 10 performed at a maintenance location, the required maintenance time (the time required for maintenance), a maintainer (in-charge maintainer) capable of performing the maintenance tasks, and a maintainer identifier that identifies the maintainer. The maintenance details correspond to the location and / or details of the vehicle 10 failure and maintenance. Furthermore, the maintainer identifier matches the identifier set in the smart key 16 used (held) by the maintainer.

[0046] If the maintenance table 54 is used, the required maintenance time, maintainer, and maintainer identifier required for the maintenance can be derived from the maintenance content. Figure 2The specific contents of the maintenance content, maintenance required time, maintainer, and maintainer identifier are just examples, and the present invention is not limited to this example.

[0047] return Figure 1 The server control unit 52 functions as a maintainer schedule management unit 56 by executing a schedule management application. The maintainer schedule management unit 56 manages the schedules of one or more maintainers working at the maintenance site. Specifically, a storage area such as RAM, which functions as the maintainer schedule management unit 56, stores schedule information for each maintainer. This maintainer schedule information can be directly input into the maintenance site server device 14 via an input / output unit (not shown) of the maintenance site server device 14, or indirectly input into the maintenance site server device 14 via an input / output unit (not shown) of a terminal device held by the maintainer.

[0048] The maintainer's schedule information associates the maintainer's future action plan (eg, maintenance plan) with time. Utilizing the maintainer's schedule information allows understanding the period during which the maintainer can perform maintenance and scheduling new maintenance for the maintainer.

[0049] Although not shown in the figure, the driving assistance unit 22 of the vehicle 10 includes a drive mechanism such as an engine, a braking mechanism such as a brake, a steering mechanism such as a steering gear, and various sensors such as an acceleration sensor and / or a speed sensor. Furthermore, although not shown in the figure, the driving assistance unit 22 may also include a camera that captures the external environment, such as the direction of travel, and an external environment recognition device that recognizes the external environment based on the images captured by the camera. When an instruction to start autonomous driving is given, the driving assistance unit 22, under the control of the vehicle control unit 30, controls the vehicle, such as accelerating, decelerating, and turning.

[0050] The storage unit 28 is a nonvolatile storage device such as a hard disk drive and / or a flash memory. An identifier for identifying the vehicle is pre-stored in the storage unit 28. Hereinafter, the identifier stored in the storage unit 28 may be referred to as a first identifier.

[0051] The smart key 16 (also called a registration key) is capable of wireless communication with the vehicle 10. The smart key 16 can instruct the locking and unlocking of the doors of the vehicle 10. Furthermore, an identifier for identifying the smart key 16 is pre-stored in the smart key 16. Hereinafter, the identifier stored in the smart key 16 will sometimes be referred to as the second identifier. The second identifier of the smart key 16, which is officially associated with the vehicle 10, matches the first identifier stored in the storage unit 28 of the vehicle 10. As described later, the first and second identifiers are used to verify whether the smart key 16 is an officially associated key for the vehicle 10.

[0052] The door lock unit 24 locks the doors of the vehicle 10 upon receiving a predetermined lock signal corresponding to an instruction from the smart key 16 from the vehicle control unit 30. Furthermore, the door lock unit 24 unlocks the doors of the vehicle 10 upon receiving a predetermined unlock signal corresponding to an instruction from the smart key 16 from the vehicle control unit 30.

[0053] The maintenance-need detection unit 26 detects whether the vehicle 10 requires maintenance based on various sensors (not shown) on the vehicle 10. For example, the maintenance-need detection unit 26 is linked to the vehicle 10's malfunction indicator light (MIL) and detects that the vehicle requires maintenance if the various warning lights illuminate or flash. It should be noted that the maintenance-need detection unit 26 is not limited to detecting the illumination or flashing of the malfunction indicator light. If the maintenance-need detection unit 26 detects that the vehicle requires maintenance, it transmits maintenance-need information indicating this to the vehicle control unit 30.

[0054] Examples of maintenance-required information include, but are not limited to, malfunction of the vehicle's air conditioning system, need for an oil change in the engine oil, insufficient washer fluid, malfunction of lights such as turn signals, tire blowouts, and engine failure. Furthermore, maintenance-required information is not limited to malfunctions and may also include, for example, the timing and / or content of maintenance such as a regular vehicle inspection (so-called vehicle checkup).

[0055] The vehicle control unit 30 is composed of a semiconductor integrated circuit including a central processing unit (CPU), a ROM storing programs, and RAM serving as a work area. By executing these programs, the vehicle control unit 30 functions as an automatic driving control unit 60, a self-driving capability derivation unit 62, a parking time derivation unit 64, an inactivity period derivation unit 66, an unplanned period derivation unit 68, a parking plan period setting unit 70, and an authentication control unit 72.

[0056] The automatic driving control unit 60 acquires various driving-related information, including the external environment, the vehicle's acceleration, speed, engine speed, driving lane, map information from a navigation device (not shown), traffic information, and the driving route. Furthermore, the automatic driving control unit 60 may acquire various other vehicle information, such as the vehicle's position, acceleration, and torque. The automatic driving control unit 60 then comprehensively evaluates the acquired information and controls the driving assistance unit 22 to automatically drive the vehicle.

[0057] When maintenance is detected, the self-propelled capability deriving unit 62 determines whether the vehicle can move to the maintenance site by itself based on the maintenance content indicated by the maintenance required information. For example, a self-propelled capability list that associates the content of the maintenance required information with the ability to move to the maintenance site is pre-stored in the self-propelled capability deriving unit 62. The self-propelled capability deriving unit 62 applies the maintenance required information to the self-propelled capability list to determine whether the vehicle can move to the maintenance site. For example, when the maintenance required information indicates a malfunction of the vehicle's air conditioning unit and / or a change of the engine oil, the self-propelled capability deriving unit 62 determines that the vehicle can move to the maintenance site by itself. In contrast, when the maintenance required information indicates a tire blowout and / or an engine malfunction, the self-propelled capability deriving unit 62 determines that the vehicle cannot move to the maintenance site by itself.

[0058] When it is detected that maintenance is necessary, if the vehicle cannot move on its own, the vehicle control unit 30 requests the maintenance location server device 14 or the like to dispatch a maintainer to the vehicle.

[0059] Furthermore, when maintenance is detected to be necessary, if the vehicle is capable of self-propelled driving, the automatic driving control unit 60 moves the vehicle to a maintenance site where maintenance is to be performed by automatic driving without relying on the driver's control.

[0060] Furthermore, if maintenance is detected, the automatic driving control unit 60 moves the vehicle to the maintenance location when the user is not using the vehicle, provided the vehicle is capable of self-propelled operation. Moving the vehicle by automatic driving when the user is not using the vehicle will be described in detail below.

[0061] The parking time deriving unit 64 derives the parking time required, which is the time required to transport the vehicle to the maintenance site for maintenance. The parking time deriving unit 64 derives the parking time required based on the vehicle's travel time to the maintenance site and the maintenance time required, which is the time required for maintenance indicated by the required maintenance information.

[0062] Figure 3 This is a diagram that illustrates the time required for warehousing. Figure 3 As shown, the time required for storage is the time required for maintenance plus the round-trip travel time (travel time to the maintenance site and travel time from the maintenance site). For example, if maintenance takes 3 hours and travel time takes 2 hours, it will take 5 hours to transport the vehicle 10 to the maintenance site.

[0063] For example, the warehousing time derivation unit 64 derives the travel route between the user's home and the maintenance site, and derives the round-trip travel time based on the travel route. The maintenance site is, for example, a frequently visited maintenance location such as a dealership, but is not limited to this example. Furthermore, when the vehicle is not used for an extended period, it is often left at the user's home. Thus, the travel time is derived based on the travel route between the user's home and the maintenance site, but is not limited to this example.

[0064] Furthermore, the entry-required time deriving unit 64 transmits the maintenance required information to the maintenance location server 14 via the vehicle communication unit 20. The server control unit 52 applies the maintenance details indicated by the maintenance required information to the maintenance table 54 and transmits the maintenance required time corresponding to the maintenance details indicated by the maintenance required information to the vehicle 10. This allows the entry-required time deriving unit 64 to obtain the maintenance required time for the maintenance details indicated by the maintenance required information. The entry-required time deriving unit 64 then derives the entry-required time based on the maintenance required time thus obtained and the round-trip travel time.

[0065] exist Figure 1 In the example, the non-use period derivation unit 66 derives the non-use period, which is the period during which the user plans not to use the vehicle. Specifically, the non-use period derivation unit 66 obtains the user's schedule information from the user schedule management unit 46 of the terminal device 12 via the vehicle communication unit 20. The non-use period derivation unit 66 then derives the non-use period based on the obtained user schedule information. It should be noted that the user's non-use period may also be derived by the terminal control unit 44, and the non-use period derivation unit 66 may obtain the user's non-use period derived by the terminal control unit 44.

[0066] The unplanned period derivation unit 68 derives an unplanned period, which is a period during which the maintenance person (maintenance person) who performs maintenance on the vehicle has no plan. For example, the unplanned period is a period during which the maintenance person has no maintenance plan for other vehicles in his future plans.

[0067] The unplanned period derivation unit 68 obtains the schedule information of the maintainer (responsible maintenance person) who will perform maintenance on the vehicle from the maintainer schedule management unit 56 of the maintenance site server device 14 via the vehicle communication unit 20. Based on the acquired schedule information of the responsible maintenance person, the unplanned period derivation unit 68 derives the responsible maintenance person's unplanned period. It should be noted that the unplanned period of the responsible maintenance person may also be derived by the server control unit 52, and the unplanned period derivation unit 68 may obtain the unplanned period of the responsible maintenance person derived by the server control unit 52.

[0068] The planned parking period setting unit 70 sets a planned parking period during which the vehicle is scheduled to be transported to a maintenance facility for maintenance. The planned parking period setting unit 70 sets the planned parking period during one or more non-use periods that are longer than the time required for parking.

[0069] Figure 4 This is a graph that illustrates the relationship between the time required for warehousing and the period of non-use. Figure 4 An example of the user's plan to use the vehicle 10 in the future and the plan not to use the vehicle 10 is shown in FIG. Figure 4 As shown, if the vehicle 10 is moved to the maintenance site when the unused period is shorter than the required storage time (double-headed arrow D10), there is a high probability that the vehicle 10 will not return during the unused period. Therefore, the unused period shorter than the required storage time is set as a non-storage period during which the vehicle 10 cannot be transported to the maintenance site.

[0070] In contrast, if the vehicle 10 is moved to the maintenance site during an unused period exceeding the required storage time (double-headed arrow D12), the vehicle 10 can complete maintenance and return during the unused period. Therefore, the unused period exceeding the required storage time is defined as the period during which the vehicle 10 can be transported to the maintenance site. The planned storage period setting unit 70 sets the planned storage period within this period (the unused period exceeding the required storage time).

[0071] Furthermore, the warehousing plan period setting unit 70 sets a maintenance execution period as a period during which maintenance is scheduled to be executed in an unplanned period longer than the required maintenance time in one or more unplanned periods.

[0072] Figure 5 This is a diagram that illustrates the relationship between the time required for maintenance and the period during which maintenance can be performed. Figure 5 An example of whether the maintenance person (maintenance person in charge) has a maintenance plan in the future is shown in FIG. It should be noted that the planned period is a period in which a maintenance plan has already been registered, such as a maintenance plan for another vehicle.

[0073] like Figure 5 As shown, if maintenance of the maintenance content (target maintenance content) indicated by the required maintenance information is performed during the unplanned period (double-headed arrow D20) when the unplanned period is shorter than the required maintenance time, there is a high probability that the maintenance cannot be completed within the unplanned period. Therefore, the unplanned period that is shorter than the required maintenance time is set as a maintenance-unavailable period during which maintenance of the vehicle cannot be performed.

[0074] In contrast, if the target maintenance content is performed during the unplanned period (double-headed arrow D22) exceeding the required maintenance time, the maintenance can be completed within the unplanned period. Therefore, the unplanned period exceeding the required maintenance time is defined as a maintainable period during which maintenance can be performed on the vehicle. The warehousing planned period setting unit 70 sets the maintenance execution period within this maintainable period (unplanned period exceeding the required maintenance time).

[0075] That is, the warehousing plan period setting unit 70 sets the warehousing plan period so that the warehousing plan period falls within the warehousing possible period and the maintenance execution period within the warehousing plan period falls within the maintenance possible period.

[0076] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing an example of a planned inventory period. Figure 6 As shown, the maintenance execution period is set within the unplanned period (maintainable period) that exceeds the required maintenance time, and the storage plan period is set within the non-use period (storage-available period) that exceeds the required storage time. If the storage plan period is set in this way, the start time of the movement period before the maintenance execution period (storage start time) will be after the planned start time of the non-use period, and the end time of the movement period after the maintenance execution period (storage end time) will be before the planned end time of the non-use period.

[0077] Back to Figure 1 The storage unit 28 pre-stores a first identifier for identifying the administrator (user) who manages the vehicle. Furthermore, the smart key 16 transmits a second identifier for identifying the administrator of the smart key 16 to the vehicle 10 simultaneously with instructions to lock or unlock the vehicle doors. In a smart key 16 that is properly associated with the vehicle 10, the second identifier matches the first identifier.

[0078] The authentication control unit 72 permits locking and unlocking of the vehicle doors when the first identifier pre-stored in the storage unit 28 and the second identifier transmitted from the smart key 16 have a predetermined relationship. Specifically, the predetermined relationship means that the first identifier and the second identifier are identical, but may also be approximately identical within an allowable error. The authentication control unit 72 then transmits a lock signal to the door lock unit 24 to lock the vehicle doors if locking is permitted, and an unlock signal to the door lock unit 24 to unlock the vehicle doors if unlocking is permitted. That is, if the smart key 16 is used (held) by the administrator (user) of the vehicle 10, the vehicle 10 doors can be locked and unlocked.

[0079] It should be noted that the smart key 16 can instruct the start of the power unit (engine) of the vehicle 10 or the start of the automatic driving mode. In this case, if the second identifier sent from the smart key 16 has a predetermined relationship with the first identifier, the authentication control unit 72 can allow the start of the power unit or the start of the automatic driving mode.

[0080] Here, the vehicle 10 has its doors locked when not in use to prevent theft. Therefore, when the vehicle 10 is automatically driven to a maintenance facility, the doors of the vehicle 10 are locked. Furthermore, the maintenance personnel at the maintenance facility do not possess the smart key 16 that is officially associated with the vehicle 10 being brought to the facility. If the maintenance personnel are unable to unlock the doors of the vehicle 10, maintenance work may be hindered.

[0081] Therefore, when the authentication control unit 72 detects that maintenance is required, it stores the second identifier (eg, maintainer identifier) ​​of the smart key 16 used by the maintainer performing maintenance on the vehicle in the storage unit 28 as the first identifier while the vehicle is being maintained.

[0082] For example, when the start time of the planned warehousing period (the start time of movement to the maintenance site) arrives, the authentication control unit 72 queries the maintenance site server device 14 via the vehicle communication unit 20 for the maintainer identifier corresponding to the responsible maintainer. The server control unit 52 applies the responsible maintainer or the target maintenance details to the maintenance table 54 to derive the maintainer identifier of the responsible maintainer and transmits it to the vehicle 10 via the server communication unit 50. This allows the authentication control unit 72 to obtain the maintainer identifier of the responsible maintainer, that is, the second identifier of the smart key 16 used (held) by the responsible maintainer. The authentication control unit 72 then stores the obtained maintainer identifier (the second identifier of the smart key 16 used by the responsible maintainer) as the first identifier in the storage unit 28.

[0083] When the vehicle 10 is taken to a maintenance facility, the maintenance person unlocks the doors of the vehicle 10 using their smart key 16 for maintenance. Specifically, the authentication control unit 72 receives the second identifier (maintainer identifier) ​​transmitted from the maintenance person's smart key 16. Because the maintainer identifier (first identifier) ​​of the maintenance person added to the storage unit 28 matches the maintainer identifier (second identifier) ​​received from the maintenance person's smart key 16, the authentication control unit 72 permits unlocking of the vehicle doors and instructs the door lock unit 24 to unlock the doors.

[0084] Furthermore, when the planned storage period ends, the authentication control unit 72 deletes the maintainer identifier, which was additionally stored as the first identifier, from the storage unit 28. It should be noted that the authentication control unit 72 may also delete the maintainer identifier from the storage unit 28 if, for example, the current location of the vehicle is determined to be the vehicle's home via the global positioning system (GPS).

[0085] Furthermore, although the example of temporarily storing the maintainer identifier from the start to the end of the vehicle being transported to the maintenance site is given, the maintainer identifier may be stored in the storage unit 28 for a period of time, for example, from the time the vehicle arrives at the maintenance site to the time the vehicle leaves the maintenance site.

[0086] In the above description, an example is described in which the second identifier (maintainer identifier) ​​of the smart key 16 acting as a maintenance person is temporarily stored in the storage unit 28 of the vehicle 10. However, upon detecting that maintenance is necessary, the authentication control unit 72 may store an identifier common to the first identifier stored in the storage unit 28 of the vehicle as the second identifier in the smart key 16 used by the maintenance person performing maintenance on the vehicle, while the maintenance is being performed on the vehicle. In this manner, the maintenance person can, for example, unlock the doors of the vehicle 10 for maintenance purposes.

[0087] For example, the authentication control unit 72 may generate a new identifier (new identifier), store the new identifier as the first identifier in the storage unit 28 of the vehicle, and also store the new identifier in the smart key 16 of the responsible maintenance person. In this case, the authentication control unit 72 may transmit the new identifier to the maintenance location server device 14, and the maintenance location server device 14 may transmit the new identifier to the smart key 16 of the responsible maintenance person via wireless communication.

[0088] Furthermore, for example, the authentication control unit 72 may additionally store the first identifier (the first identifier that matches the second identifier of the user's smart key 16) already stored in the storage unit 28 of the host vehicle in the smart key 16 of the maintenance provider. In this case, after the maintenance is completed, the authentication control unit 72 may update the second identifier of the user's smart key 16 with the first identifier in the storage unit 28 that matches the second identifier.

[0089] Figure 7 The flowchart of FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operation flow of the vehicle control unit 30 when maintenance is detected. When the maintenance detection unit 26 detects that maintenance is required, the vehicle control unit 30 sends maintenance required information to the vehicle control unit 30. When the vehicle control unit 30 receives the maintenance required information from the maintenance detection unit 26, it performs Figure 7 A series of processing.

[0090] First, the self-propelled vehicle derivation unit 62 analyzes the maintenance required information (S100). Next, the self-propelled vehicle derivation unit 62 determines whether the vehicle can be self-propelled based on the maintenance details indicated in the maintenance required information (S110). If the vehicle cannot be self-propelled (No in S110), the self-propelled vehicle derivation unit 62 requests the maintenance site server device 14 or the like at a frequently visited maintenance site to dispatch a maintenance technician to the vehicle (S120), and the series of processes ends.

[0091] If the vehicle can self-drive (Yes in S110), the parking required time derivation unit 64 determines a maintenance location for maintenance (S130). For example, a frequently visited maintenance location is determined as the maintenance location for maintenance.

[0092] Next, the time-to-entry deriving unit 64 derives the time required for warehousing (S140). For example, the time-to-entry deriving unit 64 derives the travel time based on the travel route between the user's home and the maintenance site. Furthermore, the time-to-entry deriving unit 64 derives the maintenance time based on the maintenance details and the maintenance table 54 of the maintenance site server 14. The time-to-entry deriving unit 64 then derives the time required for warehousing based on the maintenance time and the round-trip travel time. It should be noted that the time-to-entry deriving unit 64 can also derive the responsible maintenance person in this step.

[0093] Next, the non-use period deriving unit 66 acquires the user's schedule information from the user schedule management unit 46 of the user's terminal device 12 ( S150 ). Next, the non-use period deriving unit 66 derives the non-use period during which the vehicle 10 is planned to be non-used based on the user's schedule information ( S160 ).

[0094] Next, the storage planning period setting unit 70 derives a storage-available period based on the non-use period and the storage required time (S170). Specifically, the storage planning period setting unit 70 sets a non-use period longer than the storage required time among one or more non-use periods as a storage-available period.

[0095] Next, the unplanned period deriving unit 68 obtains the schedule information of the responsible maintainer from the maintainer schedule management unit 56 of the maintenance site server device 14 (S180). Next, the unplanned period deriving unit 68 derives the unplanned period of the responsible maintainer based on the schedule information of the responsible maintainer (S190).

[0096] Next, the warehousing plan period setting unit 70 derives the maintainable period for the maintenance person based on the unplanned period and the required maintenance time (S200). Specifically, the warehousing plan period setting unit 70 sets the unplanned period of one or more unplanned periods that is longer than the required maintenance time as the maintainable period.

[0097] Next, the warehousing plan period setting unit 70 temporarily sets a maintenance execution period within any one of the one or more maintainable periods (S210). At this time, the warehousing plan period setting unit 70 prioritizes the maintainable period closest to the current time and temporarily sets the maintenance execution period in chronological order from that maintainable period.

[0098] Next, the warehousing plan period setting unit 70 temporarily sets the warehousing plan period by adding the travel time before and after the temporarily set maintenance execution period ( S220 ).

[0099] Next, the warehousing plan period setting unit 70 determines whether the temporarily set warehousing plan period is within the warehousing available period ( S230 ).

[0100] If the planned entry period is within the available entry period (yes in S230), the planned entry period setting unit 70 determines the temporarily set maintenance execution period as the actual maintenance execution period, and determines the temporarily set planned entry period as the actual planned entry period (S240), thereby ending the series of processes. If the planned entry period is determined, the start and end times of the planned entry period are determined. It should be noted that the planned entry period setting unit 70 may also notify the maintenance location server device 14 of the determined maintenance execution period and schedule maintenance for the vehicle in the schedule information of the maintainer.

[0101] If the planned storage period is not within the storage-available period (No in S230), the planned storage period setting unit 70 determines whether there are candidates for temporary setting of the maintenance execution period (S250). If there are candidates for temporary setting of the maintenance execution period (Yes in S250), the planned storage period setting unit 70 returns to step S210 and repeats the temporary setting of the maintenance execution period.

[0102] When there is no candidate for temporary setting of the maintenance execution period (No in S250), the warehousing plan period setting unit 70 will notify the information that it is unable to set the warehousing plan period that meets the predetermined conditions (conditions such as the maintenance execution period is within the maintainable period and the warehousing plan period is within the warehousing period) through sound and / or display (S260), and end a series of processing.

[0103] Then, although not shown, when the planned warehousing period begins, the authentication control unit 72 obtains the maintainer identifier of the responsible maintainer from the maintenance site server 14 and stores it in the storage unit 28. Furthermore, the automatic driving control unit 60 starts moving the vehicle to the maintenance site by automatic driving.

[0104] As described above, in the vehicle 10 of this embodiment, when maintenance is detected, the vehicle is automatically driven, independent of the driver, to a maintenance location where the vehicle is to be maintained. Thus, the vehicle 10 requiring maintenance is automatically driven to the maintenance location, eliminating the need for the user to drive the vehicle 10 to the maintenance location.

[0105] Therefore, the vehicle 10 according to the present embodiment can reduce the user's time associated with maintenance.

[0106] Furthermore, in the vehicle 10 of the present embodiment, the vehicle is moved to a maintenance site when the user is not using the vehicle. Therefore, in the vehicle 10 of the present embodiment, maintenance of the vehicle can be performed without reducing the convenience of the user.

[0107] Furthermore, in the vehicle 10 of this embodiment, a planned parking period is set during a non-use period that is longer than the time required for parking. Therefore, in the vehicle 10 of this embodiment, the vehicle is returned after maintenance during the period when the user is not using the vehicle, thereby ensuring user convenience.

[0108] Furthermore, in the vehicle 10 of this embodiment, a maintenance execution period is set within the planned depot period during an unplanned period exceeding the required maintenance time. Therefore, in the vehicle 10 of this embodiment, the maintenance personnel can complete the vehicle's maintenance on time, thereby preventing the vehicle from being left at the maintenance site for extended periods of time. Consequently, in the vehicle 10 of this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the vehicle from being transported to the maintenance site for extended periods of time and to minimize degradation of user convenience.

[0109] Furthermore, in the vehicle 10 of this embodiment, when maintenance is detected, the second identifier of the smart key 16 used by the maintenance personnel performing the maintenance of the vehicle is stored as the first identifier in the storage unit 28 for the duration of the vehicle maintenance. Alternatively, in the vehicle 10 of this embodiment, when maintenance is detected, an identifier common to the first identifier stored in the storage unit 28 may be stored as the second identifier in the smart key 16 used by the maintenance personnel performing the maintenance of the vehicle for the duration of the vehicle maintenance. Therefore, in the vehicle 10 of this embodiment, the maintenance personnel can unlock the doors of the vehicle 10, even if the user is not at the maintenance site. As a result, the maintenance personnel can smoothly perform maintenance work. Furthermore, in the vehicle 10 of this embodiment, by temporarily allowing the maintenance personnel to unlock the doors, etc. only for the duration of the vehicle maintenance, the convenience of the maintenance personnel can be improved while taking into account the protection and / or safety of the vehicle.

[0110] While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is apparent that the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various variations and modifications are possible within the scope of the claims and will understand that such variations and modifications fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0111] For example, in the above embodiment, when maintenance is detected, the vehicle is automatically moved to the maintenance site after the user is not using the vehicle. However, the automatic driving control unit 60 may also automatically move the vehicle to the maintenance site immediately after detecting the need for maintenance. In this case, the automatic driving control unit 60 may also automatically move the vehicle to the maintenance site after the user has disembarked at a predetermined location.

[0112] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the inactivity period derivation unit 66 derives the inactivity period based on the user's schedule information in the user schedule management unit 46. However, the specific method for deriving the inactivity period is not limited to this example. For example, the inactivity period derivation unit 66 may obtain the inactivity period by allowing the user to directly input the inactivity period via an onboard touch panel, etc. Furthermore, for example, the inactivity period derivation unit 66 may learn from multiple past instances in which the user did not use the vehicle and predict future inactivity periods.

[0113] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the travel time used to derive the required storage time is the travel time between the user's home and the maintenance site. However, the starting point of the travel time is not limited to the user's home. For example, the required storage time deriving unit 64 may refer to the user's plan information to derive (predict) the location of the vehicle immediately before the start of the non-use period and use the derived location as the starting point to derive the travel time.

[0114] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when the doors of the vehicle are unlocked using the smart key 16 of the maintenance person, the authentication control unit 72 may notify the user's terminal device 12 of the unlocked door via e-mail or the like.

[0115] In addition, in the above embodiment, when the authentication control unit 72 receives an instruction to unlock the vehicle door through the smart key 16 of the maintainer, it can also notify the user's terminal device 12 etc. via email etc. whether the approval request to unlock the vehicle door etc. is approved.

[0116] The vehicle 10 of the above embodiment may be a vehicle using an engine as a driving source, an electric vehicle using a drive motor as a driving source, or a hybrid vehicle in which an engine and a drive motor are provided in parallel.

[0117] Industrial applicability

[0118] The present invention can be used in vehicles that can drive themselves automatically.

Claims

1. A vehicle, characterized in that: have: A maintenance detection unit detects whether the vehicle needs maintenance; a storage unit pre-stored with a first identifier; a time-to-entry deriving unit for deriving, when maintenance is detected to be necessary, a time-to-entry deriving unit, wherein the time-to-entry deriving unit is a sum of a round-trip travel time to a maintenance location where maintenance is performed and a time-to-maintenance required time; a non-use period deriving unit for deriving a non-use period during which the user plans not to use the vehicle; a planned parking period setting unit configured to set a planned parking period as a period during which the vehicle is planned to be transported to the maintenance site during the non-use period that is longer than the required parking time; an automatic driving control unit configured to move the vehicle to the maintenance site by automatic driving without relying on a passenger's driving after the start time of the planned storage period; as well as an authentication control unit that permits unlocking of the vehicle door when the first identifier stored in the storage unit and the second identifier transmitted from the smart key instructing unlocking of the vehicle door have a predetermined relationship, At the beginning of the warehousing plan period, the authentication control unit will add the second identifier of the smart key used by the maintainer who performs maintenance on the vehicle as the first identifier to the storage unit, and at the end of the warehousing plan period, the authentication control unit will clear the second identifier that was added as the first identifier to the storage unit from the storage unit.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that The vehicle further includes an unplanned period deriving unit configured to derive an unplanned period as a period during which a maintainer who performs maintenance on the vehicle has no plan. The warehousing plan period setting unit sets a maintenance execution period as a period during which maintenance is planned to be executed within the warehousing plan period, during the unplanned period that is longer than the required maintenance time.

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