Control device, system, vehicle, and control method

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a control device, a system, a vehicle, and a control method. The control device that controls a vehicle having a power supply function facing a user has a control section that causes the vehicle's headlights to blink under certain conditions when a power outage is detected.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device, a system, a vehicle, and a control method. BACKGROUND

[0002] In Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-117178, a vehicle that supplies power to an external machine when a disaster occurs is disclosed. SUMMARY

[0003] When a power outage occurs due to a disaster or the like, and the power supply function of the vehicle is useful, if the user does not know or forgets that the power supply function is present in the vehicle, the power supply function of the vehicle cannot be effectively utilized.

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to promote effective utilization of the power supply function of the vehicle.

[0005] The control device according to the present disclosure controls a vehicle having a power supply function for a user, in which

[0006] The control device includes a control unit that causes a vehicle light of the vehicle to blink on and off under a certain condition when a power outage is detected.

[0007] The control method according to the present disclosure controls a vehicle having a power supply function for a user, in which

[0008] The control method includes causing a vehicle light of the vehicle to blink on and off under a certain condition by a control unit when a power outage is detected.

[0009] According to the present disclosure, effective utilization of the power supply function of the vehicle can be promoted. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals denote like elements, and wherein:

[0011] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the structure of a control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating the connection between an on-vehicle device of a vehicle and other parts according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Hereinafter, several embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0016] In the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same symbols. In the description of each embodiment, the description will be appropriately omitted or simplified with respect to the same or similar parts.

[0017] One embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0018] The structure of the system 10 to which the present embodiment pertains will be described with reference to Figure 1

[0019] The system 10 to which the present embodiment pertains is provided with at least one control device 20, a first vehicle 31 that is at least one vehicle having a power supply function to a user, and a second vehicle 32 that is at least one other vehicle. The control device 20 is capable of communicating with the first vehicle 31 and the second vehicle 32 via a network 40.

[0020] The control device 20 is provided in a facility such as a data center. The control device 20 is a computer such as a server belonging to a cloud computing system or other computing system.

[0021] The first vehicle 31 is used by a first user 11. The first user 11 is, for example, an owner of the first vehicle 31. The first vehicle 31 is parked in a parking space at the first user's 11 home when not in use. The first vehicle 31 is an HEV, a PHEV, or a BEV in the present embodiment, but can also be an FCEV. "HEV" is an abbreviation for hybrid electric vehicle. "PHEV" is an abbreviation for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. "BEV" is an abbreviation for battery electric vehicle. "FCEV" is an abbreviation for fuel cell electric vehicle.

[0022] The second vehicle 32 is used by a second user 12. The second user 12 is, for example, an owner of the second vehicle 32. The second vehicle 32 is parked in a parking space at the second user's 12 home when not in use. The second user's 12 home is in the vicinity of the first user's 11 home. The second vehicle 32 has a power supply function to a user in the present embodiment, similarly to the first vehicle 31. The second vehicle 32 is also an HEV, a PHEV, or a BEV in the present embodiment, but can also be an FCEV.

[0023] ​The network 40 includes the Internet, at least one WAN, at least one MAN, or any combination thereof. "WAN" is an abbreviation for wide area network. "MAN" is an abbreviation for metropolitan area network. The network 40 can also include at least one wireless network, at least one optical network, or any combination thereof. The wireless network is, for example, an ad hoc network, a cellular network, a wireless LAN, a satellite communication network, or a terrestrial microwave network. "LAN" is an abbreviation for local area network.

[0024] Referring to Figure 1 , the outline of the embodiment will be explained.

[0025] The control device 20 acquires the first image Dla taken by the first vehicle 31. The control device 20 recognizes the extinguished electric light included in the acquired first image Dla. The control device 20 refers to the definition data D2, and determines whether the power failure has occurred. The definition data D2 is data that defines whether the recognized electric light should be lit at the time period when the first image Dla is taken.

[0026] According to the embodiment, when the power failure occurs due to a disaster or the like, the power failure can be detected by the vehicle having the power supply function even if the power failure information is not obtained from the center. That is, the power failure can be detected independently.

[0027] The control device 20 controls the first vehicle 31. Specifically, the control device 20 causes the vehicle light 56 of the first vehicle 31 to be turned on and off under a certain condition Cx when the power failure is detected. The control device 20 causes the horn 57 of the first vehicle 31 to sound under a certain condition Cy when the power failure is detected.

[0028] According to the embodiment, when the power failure occurs due to a disaster or the like, the first user 11 can be made to notice the first vehicle 31 even if the first user 11 does not know or forget that the first vehicle 31 has the power supply function. As a result, the first user 11 can be made to know or remember that the first vehicle 31 has the power supply function. Therefore, the effective use of the power supply function of the vehicle of the first vehicle 31 can be promoted.

[0029] Referring to Figure 2 , the structure of the control device 20 according to the embodiment will be explained.

[0030] The control device 20 includes a control section 21, a storage section 22, and a communication section 23.

[0031] The control section 21 includes at least one processor, at least one programmable circuit, at least one dedicated circuit, or any combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or a GPU, or a dedicated processor dedicated to a specific processing. The "CPU" is an abbreviation of central processing unit. The "GPU" is an abbreviation of graphics processing unit. The programmable circuit is, for example, an FPGA. The "FPGA" is an abbreviation of field-programmable gate array. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an ASIC. The "ASIC" is an abbreviation of application specific integrated circuit. The control section 21 controls each part of the control device 20 and performs processing relating to the operation of the control device 20.

[0032] The storage section 22 is at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or any combination thereof. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a RAM or a ROM. The "RAM" is an abbreviation of random access memory. The "ROM" is an abbreviation of read only memory. The RAM is, for example, an SRAM or a DRAM. The "SRAM" is an abbreviation of static random access memory. The "DRAM" is an abbreviation of dynamic random access memory. The ROM is, for example, an EEPROM. The "EEPROM" is an abbreviation of electrically erasable programmable read only memory. The storage section 22 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. In the storage section 22, data used in the operation of the control device 20 and data obtained by the operation of the control device 20 are stored.

[0033] The communication section 23 includes at least one communication interface. The communication interface is, for example, a LAN interface. The communication section 23 receives data used in the operation of the control device 20 and transmits data obtained by the operation of the control device 20.

[0034] The functions of the control device 20 are realized by execution of the program related to the present embodiment by the processor as the control section 21. That is, the functions of the control device 20 are realized by software. The program causes the computer to execute the operation of the control device 20, and the computer functions as the control device 20. That is, the computer functions as the control device 20 by executing the operation of the control device 20 according to the program.

[0035] The program can be stored in advance in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The non-transitory computer-readable medium is, for example, a flash memory, a magnetic recording device, an optical disk, a magneto-optical recording medium, or a ROM. The distribution of the program is performed, for example, by selling, transferring, or renting a removable medium such as an SD card, a DVD, or a CD-ROM on which the program is stored. "SD" is an abbreviation for Secure Digital. "DVD" is an abbreviation for digital versatile disc. "CD-ROM" is an abbreviation for compact disc readonly memory. The program can also be stored in advance in a storage device of a server, and the program can be distributed from the server to other computers. The program can also be provided as a program product.

[0036] The computer temporarily stores, for example, the program stored in the removable medium or the program transmitted from the server in the main storage device. Also, the computer reads the program stored in the main storage device with the processor, and executes the processing according to the read program with the processor. The computer can also directly read the program from the removable medium, and execute the processing according to the program. The computer can also sequentially execute the processing according to the accepted program each time the program is transmitted from the server to the computer. The processing can also be executed by a so-called ASP type of service that realizes the functions by executing only the instructions and the result acquisition without transmitting the program from the server to the computer. "ASP" is an abbreviation for application service provider. The program includes information for processing by an electronic computer and is regarded as a program. For example, data that has the nature of specifying the processing of the computer although it is not a direct instruction to the computer corresponds to "information regarded as a program".

[0037] A part or all of the functions of the control device 20 can also be realized by a programmable circuit or a dedicated circuit as the control section 21. That is, a part or all of the functions of the control device 20 can also be realized by hardware.

[0038] Referring to Figure 3 , the structure of the first vehicle 31 related to the present embodiment will be described.

[0039] The first vehicle 31 is provided with an in-vehicle device 50. The in-vehicle device 50 is, for example, a microcomputer or an ECU. "ECU" is an abbreviation of electronic control unit.

[0040] The in-vehicle device 50 is connected with a communication device 51, a camera 52, an illuminance sensor 53, a GNSS receiver 54, a battery 55, a vehicle lamp 56, a horn 57, a display 58, and a speaker 59 of the first vehicle 31. The "GNSS" is an abbreviation for global navigation satellite system. The communication device 51 has a function of transmitting and receiving data with a communication interface corresponding to a mobile communication standard such as LTE, 4G standard, or 5G standard, a V2X communication standard such as DSRC or cellular V2X, a short-range wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), or a wireless LAN interface. The "LTE" is an abbreviation for Long Term Evolution. The "4G" is an abbreviation for 4th generation. The "5G" is an abbreviation for 5th generation. The "DSRC" is an abbreviation for dedicated short range communications. The "V2X" is an abbreviation for vehicle-to-everything. The camera 52 and the illuminance sensor 53 are the same as those of a general HEV, PHEV, or BEV. The GNSS receiver 54 has a function of measuring the position of the first vehicle 31 with a GNSS such as GPS, QZSS, BDS, GLONASS, or Galileo. The "GPS" is an abbreviation for Global Positioning System. The "QZSS" is an abbreviation for Quasi-Zenith Satellite System. The satellite of the QZSS is called quasi-Zenith satellite. The "BDS" is an abbreviation for Bei Dou Navigation Satellite System. The "GLONASS" is an abbreviation for Global Navigation Satellite System. The battery 55, the vehicle lamp 56, the horn 57, the display 58, and the speaker 59 are the same as those of a general HEV, PHEV, or BEV. In the case where the first vehicle 31 is an FCEV, a fuel cell is provided instead of the battery 55. The vehicle lamp 56 is a headlamp in the present embodiment, but can be a tail lamp, a brake lamp, a hazard lamp, or an interior lamp. The display 58 is, for example, an LCD or an organic EL display. The "LCD" is an abbreviation for liquid crystal display. The "EL" is an abbreviation for electro luminescence.

[0041] The structure of the second vehicle 32 is the same as that of the first vehicle 31, and thus the description is omitted.

[0042] The operation of the system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 4 The operation of the system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to

[0043] In step S1, the control section 21 of the control device 20 acquires the first image D1a captured by the first vehicle 31. This process can be performed in any procedure, but in the present embodiment, it is performed in the following procedure.

[0044] The camera 52 of the first vehicle 31 captures an image including a traffic signal lamp or a street lamp or the like existing in the periphery of the first vehicle 31 at the time of movement of the first vehicle 31, at the time of temporary stop, or at the time of parking in a parking space of the first user's 11 home. The image can be either a still image or a moving image. The GNSS receiver 54 of the first vehicle 31 measures the position of the first vehicle 31 at the time of capturing the image by the camera 52. The on-vehicle device 50 of the first vehicle 31 acquires the image captured by the camera 52 and the positioning result indicating the position measured by the GNSS receiver 54. The on-vehicle device 50 causes the communication machine 51 to transmit the acquired image and the positioning result as the first image D1a and the first position data D3a, respectively. The communication machine 51 transmits the first image D1a and the first position data D3a to the control device 20 via mobile communication. The communication section 23 of the control device 20 receives the first image D1a and the first position data D3a from the first vehicle 31. The control section 21 of the control device 20 acquires the first image D1a and the first position data D3a received by the communication section 23.

[0045] In step S2, the control section 21 of the control device 20 identifies the extinguished electric lamp included in the first image D1a acquired in step S1. Specifically, the control section 21 identifies the extinguished traffic signal lamp or street lamp as the extinguished electric lamp included in the first image D1a by analyzing the first image D1a. As a method of image analysis, a known method can be used. Machine learning such as deep learning can also be used.

[0046] In step S3, the control section 21 of the control device 20 refers to the definition data D2 to determine whether a power outage has occurred. The definition data D2 is data that defines whether the electric lamp identified in step S2 should be lit at the time period when the first image D1a is captured. The definition data D2 is stored in the storage section 22 of the control device 20 in advance in the present embodiment, but can be stored in an external storage device and referred to via the communication section 23.

[0047] In the present embodiment, the definition data D2 includes data defining the location where each light is installed and the period during which the light should be on, for a road or an intersection installed in the same region as the home of the first user 11. For example, assume that a certain traffic light Ll is defined by the definition data D2 to be installed in the vicinity of the position indicated by the first position data D3a acquired in step S l, and that the traffic light Ll should be on at all times. Assume that in step S2, the traffic light Ll is recognized as a light that is off. In this case, the traffic light Ll is off even though it should be on at all times. Therefore, the control section 21 of the control device 20 determines that a power outage has occurred. Alternatively, assume that a certain street light L2 is defined by the definition data D2 to be installed in the vicinity of the position indicated by the first position data D3a acquired in step S l, and that the street light L2 should be on at night. Assume that in step S2, the street light L2 is recognized as a light that is off. In the case where the time at which the first image Dla was captured is nighttime, such as 0 o'clock at night, the street light L2 is off even though it should be on. Therefore, the control section 21 determines that a power outage has occurred. In the case where the time at which the first image Dla was captured is daytime, such as 12 o'clock at noon, the street light L2 can be off. Therefore, the control section 21 determines that a power outage has not occurred.

[0048] As a light that is off included in the first image Dla, a building such as an office building in which all the lights are off can be recognized instead of or in addition to a traffic light or a street light that is off. In such a modified example, the definition data D2 includes data defining the location and the business hours for each building that exists in the same region as the home of the first user 11. For example, assume that an office building L3 is defined by the definition data D2 to exist in the vicinity of the position indicated by the first position data D3a acquired in step S l, and that the business hours of the office building L3 are from 7 o'clock to 22 o'clock. In step S2, the office building L3 is recognized as a light that is off. That is, assume that all the windows of the office building L3 are recognized to be off. In the case where the time at which the first image Dla was captured is during the period from 7 o'clock to 22 o'clock, the office building L3 is off for all the windows even though at least one window should be on. Therefore, the control section 21 of the control device 20 determines that a power outage has occurred. In the case where the time at which the first image Dla was captured is earlier than 7 o'clock or later than 22 o'clock, the office building L3 can be off for all the windows. Therefore, the control section 21 determines that a power outage has not occurred.

[0049] The control device 20 can also determine whether a power failure has occurred using an image captured by the second vehicle 32 at a time close to the time at which the first image Dla is captured. In this case, in step S1, the communication section 23 of the control device 20 receives a second image Dlb captured by the second vehicle 32 at the same time period as the time at which the first image Dla is captured from the second vehicle 32. The communication section 23 receives second position data D3b indicating the position of the second vehicle 32 from the second vehicle 32 together with the second image Dlb. The control section 21 of the control device 20 acquires the second image Dlb and the second position data D3b received by the communication section 23. In step S2, the control section 21 analyzes the second image Dlb acquired in step S1, thereby recognizing a light such as a streetlight or a traffic signal lamp included in the second image Dlb that is extinguished. In step S3, the control section 21 refers to the definition data D2 to determine whether a power failure has occurred. The control section 21 determines that a power failure has occurred in a case where all the lights included in the plurality of images received in step S1 that should be lit at the time period in which the plurality of images are captured are extinguished.

[0050] For example, assume that in step S2, the streetlight L2 is recognized as a light included in the first image Dla that is extinguished, and the traffic signal lamp Ll is recognized as a light included in the second image Dlb that is extinguished. In a case where the time period in which the first image Dla and the second image Dlb are captured is nighttime, the streetlight L2 and the traffic signal lamp Ll are extinguished although both should be lit. Therefore, the control section 21 of the control device 20 determines that a power failure has occurred. In a case where the time period in which the first image Dla and the second image Dlb are captured is daytime, the streetlight L2 can be extinguished, but the traffic signal lamp Ll is extinguished although it should be lit. Therefore, the control section 21 determines that a power failure has occurred.

[0051] In a case where it is determined in step S3 that a power failure has not occurred, the process of step S1 is performed again. In a case where it is determined in step S3 that a power failure has occurred, the control section 21 of the control device 20 causes the vehicle light 56 of the first vehicle 31 to blink on and off under a certain condition Cx and causes the horn 57 of the first vehicle 31 to sound under a certain condition Cy after step S4. That is, the control section 21 causes the vehicle light 56 of the first vehicle 31 to blink on and off under the condition Cx when a power failure is detected. The control section 21 causes the horn 57 of the first vehicle 31 to sound under the condition Cy when a power failure is detected.

[0052] The condition Cx and the condition Cy can also be conditions that can be satisfied at the same time, but in the present embodiment, the conditions are opposite conditions. Specifically, the condition Cx includes a time at which a power failure is detected being nighttime, and in contrast, the condition Cy includes a time at which a power failure is detected being daytime.

[0053] In step S4, the control section 21 of the control device 20 determines which one of the condition Cx and the condition Cy is established. Specifically, the control section 21 determines which one of the time when the power failure is determined to have occurred is nighttime and daytime. In the present embodiment, nighttime refers to the time from sunset to sunrise, and daytime refers to the time other than nighttime, but the definitions of nighttime and daytime can be changed as appropriate.

[0054] The condition Cx can also include, as an alternative or additional condition, that the brightness of the surroundings of the first vehicle 31 is less than a threshold value. The condition Cy can also include, as an alternative or additional condition, that the brightness of the surroundings of the first vehicle 31 is equal to or greater than a threshold value. In such a modification, the illuminance sensor 53 of the first vehicle 31 measures the brightness of the surroundings of the first vehicle 31. The on-vehicle device 50 of the first vehicle 31 acquires the measurement result indicating the brightness measured by the illuminance sensor 53. The on-vehicle device 50 causes the communication machine 51 to transmit the acquired measurement result as brightness data D4. The communication machine 51 transmits the brightness data D4 to the control device 20 via mobile communication. The communication section 23 of the control device 20 receives the brightness data D4 from the first vehicle 31. The control section 21 of the control device 20 acquires the brightness data D4 received by the communication section 23. The control section 21 compares the brightness indicated by the acquired brightness data D4 with a threshold value. That is, the control section 21 determines which one of the condition Cx and the condition Cy is established, using the brightness of the surroundings of the first vehicle 31 as a reference, instead of or in addition to the time.

[0055] The condition Cx can also include, as an alternative or additional condition, that the first user 11 is at home. In such a modification, the communication section 23 of the control device 20 receives data indicating whether or not the first user 11 is at home from a sensor provided at the home of the first user 11. Alternatively, the communication section 23 receives data indicating the position of the first user 11 from a mobile device such as a portable telephone, a smartphone, or a tablet of the first user 11. The control section 21 of the control device 20 refers to the data received by the communication section 23 to determine whether or not the first user 11 is at home. That is, the control section 21 determines whether or not the condition Cx is established, using the position of the first user 11 as a reference, instead of or in addition to the time.

[0056] The condition Cy can also include, as an alternative or additional condition, that the first user 11 is at home. That is, the control section 21 of the control device 20 can determine whether or not the condition Cy is established, using the position of the first user 11 as a reference, instead of or in addition to the time.

[0057] The condition Cx can also be included as an alternative or additional condition, including the first vehicle 31 entering the field of view of the first user 11. In such a modification, the communication section 23 of the control device 20 receives data indicating whether the first user 11 is at home and, if so, which room from a sensor provided at the first user's 11 home. The control section 21 of the control device 20 refers to the data received by the communication section 23 to determine whether the first user 11 is at home and, if so, which room. The control section 21 also determines whether the first vehicle 31 is parked at a parking space at the first user's 11 home by referring to the first position data D3a acquired in step S1. The control section 21 also determines whether the first vehicle 31 is visible from the room in which the first user 11 is located by referring to data indicating the layout of the first user's 11 home when it is determined that the first user 11 is at home and that the first vehicle 31 is parked at a parking space at the first user's 11 home. That is, the control section 21 determines the position of the first user 11 and determines whether the first vehicle 31 enters the field of view of the first user 11 in accordance with the determined position. As a further modification, the control section 21 can determine the orientation of the face of the first user 11 and determine whether the first vehicle 31 enters the field of view of the first user 11 in accordance with the determined orientation. For example, data indicating the orientation of the face of the first user 11 can be acquired from a sensor provided at the first user's 11 home.

[0058] When it is determined in step S4 that the condition Cx is satisfied, the processing of step S5 is executed. When it is determined in step S4 that the condition Cy is satisfied, the processing of step S7 is executed.

[0059] In step S5, the control section 21 of the control device 20 causes the communication section 23 to transmit instruction data D5x. The instruction data D5x is data instructing the first vehicle 31 to blink the vehicle light 56. The communication section 23 transmits the instruction data D5x to the first vehicle 31. The communication machine 51 of the first vehicle 31 receives the instruction data D5x from the control device 20 via mobile communication. The on-vehicle device 50 of the first vehicle 31 blinks the vehicle light 56 in accordance with the instruction data D5x received by the communication machine 51.

[0060] The control section 21 of the control device 20 causes the vehicle light 56 to continue blinking until the first user 11 performs an operation to stop the blinking of the vehicle light 56 in step S6. The control section 21 presents guidance to the first user 11 regarding the use of the power supply function of the first vehicle 31 after stopping the blinking of the vehicle light 56 in step S9. The processing of step S6 and step S9 can be executed in any procedure, but in the present embodiment, it is executed in the following procedure.

[0061] The on-vehicle device 50 of the first vehicle 31 displays a message indicating the situation of the power outage, and a "stop blinking" button on the display 58. In a case where the first user 11 performs an operation of pressing the "stop blinking" button via a touch screen provided integrally with the display 58, the on-vehicle device 50 causes the communicator 51 to transmit the report data D6x. The report data D6x is data reporting that the operation of stopping the blinking of the vehicle light 56 has been performed. The communicator 51 transmits the report data D6x to the control device 20 via mobile communication. The communication section 23 of the control device 20 receives the report data D6x from the first vehicle 31. The control section 21 of the control device 20 causes the communication section 23 to transmit the instruction data D7x in response to the report data D6x received by the communication section 23. The instruction data D7x is data instructing to stop the blinking of the vehicle light 56 of the first vehicle 31, and presenting guidance to the first user 11 on the use of the power supply function of the first vehicle 31. The communication section 23 transmits the instruction data D7x to the first vehicle 31. The communicator 51 of the first vehicle 31 receives the instruction data D7x from the control device 20 via mobile communication. The on-vehicle device 50 of the first vehicle 31 stops the blinking of the vehicle light 56 in accordance with the instruction data D7x received by the communicator 51, and presents guidance to the first user 11 on the use of the power supply function. As a method of presenting the guidance, any method can be used, but in the present embodiment, a method of displaying the guidance on the display 58, a method of voice outputting the guidance from the speaker 59 of the first vehicle 31, or both are used.

[0062] In the present embodiment, the guidance on the use of the power supply function of the first vehicle 31 includes an explanation on the method of using the power supply function such as where to insert the power plug of the external machine. The guidance can also include a notification of the amount of power that can be supplied by the power supply function. The amount of power that can be supplied can be calculated by the on-vehicle device 50 of the first vehicle 31 from the remaining amount of the battery 55 of the first vehicle 31. The guidance can also include a notification of a machine such as a rice cooker, a vacuum cleaner, or a smartphone that can be powered by the power supply function. The machine that can be powered can be determined by the on-vehicle device 50 from the remaining amount of the battery 55.

[0063] When the first user 11 is at home or the like and does not ride in the first vehicle 31, if it is found that the vehicle light 56 of the first vehicle 31 is blinking unintentionally, it is considered that the first user 11 approaches the first vehicle 31 in order to turn off the vehicle light 56. Therefore, an opportunity to notify the first user 11 of the power supply function of the first vehicle 31 without making a sound can be created. When a sound is made at night to notify the first user 11, the surrounding residents can be disturbed, but in the present embodiment, such a situation can be avoided.

[0064] The first user 11 is notified of the power supply function of the first vehicle 31 reliably by presenting the guidance when the operation of stopping the blinking of the vehicle light 56 is performed.

[0065] In step S7, the control section 21 of the control device 20 causes the communication section 23 to transmit instruction data D5y. The instruction data D5y is data that instructs the first vehicle 31 to sound the horn 57. The communication section 23 transmits the instruction data D5y to the first vehicle 31. The communication machine 51 of the first vehicle 31 receives the instruction data D5y from the control device 20 via mobile communication. The on-vehicle device 50 of the first vehicle 31 sounds the horn 57 in accordance with the instruction data D5y received by the communication machine 51.

[0066] The control section 21 of the control device 20 causes the horn 57 to continue to sound until the first user 11 performs the operation of stopping the sounding of the horn 57 in step S8. The control section 21 presents guidance to the first user 11 on the use of the power supply function of the first vehicle 31 after stopping the sounding of the horn 57 in step S9. The processes of step S8 and step S9 can be performed in any procedure, but are performed in the following procedure in the present embodiment.

[0067] The on-vehicle device 50 of the first vehicle 31 displays a message indicating the situation of the power outage and a "stop sounding" button on the display 58. In the case where the first user 11 performs the operation of pressing the "stop sounding" button via the touch screen provided integrally with the display 58, the on-vehicle device 50 causes the communication machine 51 to transmit report data D6y. The report data D6y is data that reports that the operation of stopping the sounding of the horn 57 has been performed. The communication machine 51 transmits the report data D6y to the control device 20 via mobile communication. The communication section 23 of the control device 20 receives the report data D6y from the first vehicle 31. The control section 21 of the control device 20 causes the communication section 23 to transmit instruction data D7y in response to the report data D6y received by the communication section 23. The instruction data D7y is data that instructs the first vehicle 31 to stop the sounding of the horn 57 and presents guidance to the first user 11 on the use of the power supply function of the first vehicle 31. The communication section 23 transmits the instruction data D7y to the first vehicle 31. The communication machine 51 of the first vehicle 31 receives the instruction data D7y from the control device 20 via mobile communication. The on-vehicle device 50 of the first vehicle 31 stops the sounding of the horn 57 and presents guidance to the first user 11 on the use of the power supply function in accordance with the instruction data D7y received by the communication machine 51. The method of presenting the guidance and the content of the guidance are as described above.

[0068] When the first user 11 is at home and does not get on the first vehicle 31, if it is found that the horn 57 of the first vehicle 31 is not intentionally sounded, it is considered that the first user 11 approaches the first vehicle 31 in order to stop the sounding of the horn 57. Therefore, an opportunity to inform the first user 11 of the power supply function of the first vehicle 31 can be created. Even in the daytime, the first user 11 hardly notices if the vehicle light 56 is blinked, so the horn 57 is effective.

[0069] The first user 11 not only when not getting on the first vehicle 31, but also even when getting on the first vehicle 31 while driving, if the horn 57 of the first vehicle 31 starts to sound unintentionally, it is considered that the operation of stopping the sounding of the horn 57 is performed. Therefore, by presenting the guidance when the operation is performed, the first user 11 can be reliably informed of the power supply function of the first vehicle 31.

[0070] As described above, in the present embodiment, the control section 21 of the control device 20 recognizes a signal light or an electric light such as a constant light from an image captured by the camera 52 of the first vehicle 31. The control section 21 determines that a power failure has occurred in a case where the recognized electric light is turned off during a period in which the electric light is normally turned on. Then, the control section 21 calls the first user 11 to the first vehicle 31 or the like by causing the vehicle light 56 of the first vehicle 31 to blink or causing the horn 57 of the first vehicle 31 to sound, and causes the first user 11 to notice the first vehicle 31. The control section 21 presents guidance to the first user 11 about the use of the power supply function when the operation of stopping the blinking of the vehicle light 56 or the sounding of the horn 57 has been performed.

[0071] According to the present embodiment, when a power failure occurs, even if no power failure information is obtained from the center, the power failure can be detected using the first vehicle 31. That is, the power failure can be detected independently. As a result, the work required for power supply, such as guidance about the method of using the power supply function of the first vehicle 31, can be performed by the system 10 alone.

[0072] The control section 21 of the control device 20 can also determine a region in which a power failure has occurred on the basis of the states of electric lights such as signal lights at a plurality of places. The control section 21 can also push a notification that power can be supplied from the first vehicle 31 to people in the determined region.

[0073] The control section 21 of the control device 20 can also notify the surroundings of the first vehicle 31 that the first vehicle 31 has a power supply function by causing the vehicle light 56 of the first vehicle 31 to blink or causing the horn 57 of the first vehicle 31 to sound when a power failure occurs.

[0074] The control section 21 of the control device 20 can also perform the operation of stopping the intermittent lighting of the vehicle light 56 in place of the first user 11 in step S6, and simply cause the vehicle light 56 to continue the intermittent lighting until the first user 11 gets on the first vehicle 31. In such a modification, in the case where an event occurs in which the camera or the weight sensor provided in the interior of the first vehicle 31 detects the first user 11, or the door of the first vehicle 31 is temporarily opened and closed, or the like, indicating that the first user 11 has gotten on the first vehicle 31, the on-vehicle device 50 of the first vehicle 31 causes the communicator 51 to transmit report data D8x. The report data D8x is data reporting that the first user 11 has gotten on the first vehicle 31. The communicator 51 transmits the report data D8x to the control device 20 via mobile communication. The communication section 23 of the control device 20 receives the report data D8x from the first vehicle 31. The control section 21 of the control device 20 causes the communication section 23 to transmit instruction data D7x in response to the report data D8x received by the communication section 23.

[0075] The control section 21 of the control device 20 can also perform the operation of stopping the intermittent lighting of the vehicle light 56 in place of the first user 11 in step S6, and simply cause the vehicle light 56 to continue the intermittent lighting until the first user 11 gets on the first vehicle 31. In such a modification, in the case where an event occurs in which the camera or the weight sensor provided in the interior of the first vehicle 31 detects the first user 11, or the door of the first vehicle 31 is temporarily opened and closed, or the like, indicating that the first user 11 has gotten on the first vehicle 31, the on-vehicle device 50 of the first vehicle 31 causes the communicator 51 to transmit report data D8x. The report data D8x is data reporting that the first user 11 has gotten on the first vehicle 31. The communicator 51 transmits the report data D8x to the control device 20 via mobile communication. The communication section 23 of the control device 20 receives the report data D8x from the first vehicle 31. The control section 21 of the control device 20 causes the communication section 23 to transmit instruction data D7x in response to the report data D8x received by the communication section 23.

[0076] The control section 21 of the control device 20 can also make the rhythm or the sounding timing or the like of the honks different in the case where the honk of the second vehicle 32 or the like, which has the same function as the first vehicle 31, is also sounded in conjunction with the honk 57 of the first vehicle 31. In this case, in step S7, the control section 21 of the control device 20 sets the honk 57 of the first vehicle 31 and the honk of the second vehicle 32 to the first mode and the second mode, respectively, which are different from each other, as the honk modes. The control section 21 causes the communication section 23 to transmit the first instruction data D5ya as the instruction data D5y. The first instruction data D5ya is data that instructs the honk 57 of the first vehicle 31 to sound in the first mode. The control section 21 causes the communication section 23 to also transmit the second instruction data D5yb. The second instruction data D5yb is data that instructs the honk of the second vehicle 32 to sound in the second mode. The communication section 23 transmits the second instruction data D5yb to the second vehicle 32. The communication machine of the second vehicle 32 receives the second instruction data D5yb from the control device 20 via mobile communication. The on-vehicle device of the second vehicle 32 causes the honk of the second vehicle 32 to sound in the second mode in accordance with the second instruction data D5yb received by the communication machine. According to this modification, it is possible to customize the honk mode of each vehicle. Therefore, it is easy to know which vehicle's honk is sounded.

[0077] In the case where it is determined in step S3 that the power outage has occurred, the control section 21 of the control device 20 can also notify the first user 11 that the power outage has occurred instead of causing the vehicle light 56 of the first vehicle 31 to blink on and off or causing the horn 57 of the first vehicle 31 to sound. That is, the control section 21 can simply notify the first user 11 that the power outage has occurred when it is determined that the power outage has occurred. In this case, the control section 21 can also present guidance to the first user 11 about the use of the power supply function of the first vehicle 31 when it detects that the first user 11 is approaching the first vehicle 31, similarly to step S9. In such a modification, in the case where an event that indicates that the first user 11 has approached the first vehicle 31 has occurred, such as the communication machine 51 of the first vehicle 31 detecting the approach of a mobile device such as a portable telephone, a smartphone, or a tablet of the first user 11 via close-range wireless such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or wireless LAN communication or the camera 52 of the first vehicle 31 capturing an image of the first user 11, the on-vehicle device 50 of the first vehicle 31 causes the communication machine 51 to transmit report data D6z. The report data D6z is data that reports that the first user 11 has approached the first vehicle 31. The communication machine 51 transmits the report data D6z to the control device 20 via mobile communication. The communication section 23 of the control device 20 receives the report data D6z from the first vehicle 31. The control section 21 of the control device 20 causes the communication section 23 to transmit instruction data D7z in response to the report data D6z received by the communication section 23. The instruction data D7z is data that instructs the presentation of guidance to the first user 11 about the use of the power supply function of the first vehicle 31. The communication section 23 transmits the instruction data D7z to the first vehicle 31. The communication machine 51 of the first vehicle 31 receives the instruction data D7z from the control device 20 via mobile communication. The on-vehicle device 50 of the first vehicle 31 presents guidance to the first user 11 about the use of the power supply function in accordance with the instruction data D7z received by the communication machine 51. The method of guidance presentation and the content of the guidance are as described above, and as a modification of the method of guidance presentation, a method of displaying guidance on the mobile device of the first user 11, a method of voice outputting guidance from the mobile device of the first user 11, or both can also be used.

[0078] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, two or more blocks described in the block diagrams can be combined or one block can be divided. Instead of performing two or more steps described in the flowchart in chronological order, the steps can be performed in parallel or in a different order according to the processing capacity of the device performing the steps or as needed. In addition, modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure.

[0079] For example, the control device 20 can also be provided to the first vehicle 31. In this case, a part of the operation of the on-vehicle device 50 of the first vehicle 31 can also be performed by the control device 20. The control device 20 can also present guidance on the use of the power supply function of the first vehicle 31 directly to the first user 11 instead of presenting it to the first user 11 via the on-vehicle device 50. The on-vehicle device 50 can also be incorporated into the control device 20. In such a modification, the processes of steps S1 to S3 are performed, for example, in the following procedure.

[0080] In step S1, the camera 52 of the first vehicle 31 captures an image including a traffic signal lamp or an electric lamp such as a street lamp existing in the periphery of the first vehicle 31. The GNSS receiver 54 of the first vehicle 31 measures the position of the first vehicle 31 at the time of capturing the image by the camera 52. The control section 21 of the control device 20 acquires the image captured by the camera 52 and the positioning result indicating the position measured by the GNSS receiver 54 as the first image D1a and the first position data D3a, respectively. The communication section 23 of the control device 20 receives the second image D1b captured by the second vehicle 32 at the same time period as the time of capturing the first image D1a from the second vehicle 32 via the inter-vehicle communication. The communication section 23 receives the second position data D3b indicating the position of the second vehicle 32 from the second vehicle 32 together with the second image D1b. The control section 21 acquires the second image D1b and the second position data D3b received by the communication section 23.

[0081] In step S2, the control section 21 of the control device 20 identifies the electric lamp such as an extinguished traffic signal lamp or street lamp included in the first image D1a by analyzing the first image D1a acquired in step S1. The control section 21 identifies the electric lamp such as an extinguished traffic signal lamp or street lamp included in the second image D1b by analyzing the second image D1b acquired in step S1.

[0082] In step S3, the control section 21 of the control device 20 refers to the definition data D2 to determine whether a power failure has occurred. The control section 21 determines that a power failure has occurred in a case where all the electric lamps included in a plurality of images including the first image D1a captured in step S1 and the second image D1b received in step S1 should be lit at the time period of capturing the plurality of images are extinguished.

[0083] According to this modification, even if no power failure information is obtained from the center when a power failure occurs, the power failure can be detected by the first vehicle 31 alone. As a result, the operation required for power supply such as guidance on the method of using the power supply function of the first vehicle 31 can be implemented by the first vehicle 31 alone.

[0084] In this modification, the control section 21 of the control device 20 can also cause the honks of the respective horns to differ in honk pattern such as rhythm or honk timing, in the case where the honk of the second vehicle 32 and the like, which is a neighboring vehicle having the same function as the first vehicle 31, is also sounded, as with the horn 57 of the first vehicle 31. In this case, in step S7, the control section 21 of the control device 20 sets the honk pattern of the horn 57 of the first vehicle 31 to the first pattern. The control section 21 causes the horn 57 of the first vehicle 31 to honk in the first pattern, and causes the communication section 23 to transmit first setting data D9a. The first setting data D9a is data that sets the honk pattern of the horn of the second vehicle 32 to the second pattern, which is different from the first pattern. The communication section 23 transmits the first setting data D9a to the second vehicle 32. The communication machine of the second vehicle 32 receives the first setting data D9a from the control device 20 via the inter-vehicle communication. The on-board device of the second vehicle 32 refers to the first setting data D9a received by the communication machine, and causes the horn of the second vehicle 32 to honk in the second pattern. According to this modification, it is possible to adjust the honk pattern of the horn of each vehicle in a mutually non-repetitive manner via the inter-vehicle communication.

[0085] As a further modification, the honk pattern of the horn 57 of the first vehicle 31 can also be set by the second vehicle 32 instead of the first vehicle 31. In this case, in step S7, the communication section 23 of the control device 20 receives second setting data D9b from the second vehicle 32. The second setting data D9b is data that sets the honk pattern of the horn 57 of the first vehicle 31 to the first pattern, which is different from the second pattern that is the honk pattern of the horn of the second vehicle 32. The control section 21 of the control device 20 refers to the second setting data D9b received by the communication section 23, and causes the horn 57 of the first vehicle 31 to honk in the first pattern. According to this modification, it is possible to adjust the honk pattern of the horn of each vehicle in a mutually non-repetitive manner via the inter-vehicle communication.

Claims

1. A control device that controls a vehicle having a power supply function for a user, wherein the control device includes a control section that causes a vehicle light of the vehicle to blink on and off under a certain condition when a power failure is detected, the control section: acquires an image captured by the vehicle; recognizes an extinguished light included in the acquired image; and determines whether the power failure has occurred with reference to definition data that defines whether the recognized light should be on at a time period when the image is captured, the control section presents guidance to the user on utilization of the power supply function after stopping the blinking on and off of the vehicle light, the condition includes entry of the vehicle into a field of view of the user, the control section determines a position of the user, and determines whether the vehicle has entered the field of view of the user based on the determined position, and the control section causes the vehicle light to continue blinking on and off until the user performs an operation to stop the blinking on and off of the vehicle light.

2. A control device that controls a vehicle having a power supply function for a user, wherein the control device includes a control section that causes a vehicle light of the vehicle to blink on and off under a certain condition when a power failure is detected, the control section: acquires an image captured by the vehicle; recognizes an extinguished light included in the acquired image; and determines whether the power failure has occurred with reference to definition data that defines whether the recognized light should be on at a time period when the image is captured, the control section presents guidance to the user on utilization of the power supply function after stopping the blinking on and off of the vehicle light, the condition includes entry of the vehicle into a field of view of the user, the control section determines a position of the user, and determines whether the vehicle has entered the field of view of the user based on the determined position, and the control section causes the vehicle light to continue blinking on and off until the user gets on the vehicle.

3. The control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the condition includes a time when the power failure is detected being nighttime.

4. The control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the condition includes brightness of a surrounding of the vehicle being less than a threshold value.

5. The control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the condition includes the user being at home.

6. The control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control section determines an orientation of a face of the user, and determines whether the vehicle has entered the field of view of the user based on the determined orientation.

7. The control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the guidance includes an explanation on a method of utilizing the power supply function.

8. The control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the guidance includes notification of an amount of power that can be supplied by the power supply function.

9. The control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the guidance includes notification of a machine that can be powered by the power supply function.

10. The control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control device further includes a communication section that communicates with the vehicle, ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The control section causes the communication section to transmit instruction data that instructs the vehicle light to blink on and off, and causes the vehicle light to blink on and off.

11. A system comprising: the control device according to claim 10; and the vehicle.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the vehicle causes a headlight to blink on and off as the vehicle light.

13. A vehicle comprising the control device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

14. The vehicle according to claim 13, wherein a headlight is caused to blink on and off as the vehicle light.

15. A control method of controlling a vehicle having a power supply function for a user, wherein the control method includes causing, by a control section, a vehicle light of the vehicle to blink on and off under a certain condition when a power failure is detected, the control method further includes: acquiring an image captured by the vehicle; recognizing an extinguished electric light included in the acquired image; and referencing definition data to determine whether the power failure has occurred, the definition data is data that defines whether the recognized electric light should be lit at a time period when the image is captured, the control method further includes presenting, by the control section, guidance about utilization of the power supply function to the user after stopping the blinking on and off of the vehicle light, the condition includes the vehicle entering a field of view of the user, the control method further includes determining, by the control section, a position of the user, and determining whether the vehicle enters the field of view of the user based on the determined position, the control method further includes causing, by the control section, the vehicle light to continue blinking on and off until the user performs an operation to stop the blinking on and off of the vehicle light.

16. A control method of controlling a vehicle having a power supply function for a user, wherein the control method includes causing, by a control section, a vehicle light of the vehicle to blink on and off under a certain condition when a power failure is detected, the control method further includes: acquiring an image captured by the vehicle; recognizing an extinguished electric light included in the acquired image; and referencing definition data to determine whether the power failure has occurred, the definition data is data that defines whether the recognized electric light should be lit at a time period when the image is captured, the control method further includes presenting, by the control section, guidance about utilization of the power supply function to the user after stopping the blinking on and off of the vehicle light, the condition includes the vehicle entering a field of view of the user, the control method further includes determining, by the control section, a position of the user, and determining whether the vehicle enters the field of view of the user based on the determined position, the control method further includes causing, by the control section, the vehicle light to continue blinking on and off until the user gets on the vehicle.

Images