Vehicle-mounted equipment control device and vehicle-mounted equipment control method

Abstract

The vehicle-mounted device control device (10) performs a first authentication based on a signal transmitted from a wireless device held by a user, performs a second authentication based on the user's biometric data, reads out first setting data from a storage device (30) based on the first authentication, controls the vehicle-mounted device or a function of the vehicle-mounted device using the first setting data, reads out second setting data from the storage device (30) based on the second authentication, and controls the vehicle-mounted device or a function of the vehicle-mounted device using the second setting data.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle-mounted equipment control device and a vehicle-mounted equipment control method. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known an invention that authenticates a driver's face and switches the mode of a mobile phone based on the result of the authentication (Patent Document 1).

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2005 / 069675 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] It is considered to control an in-vehicle device based on the face authentication result using the invention described in Patent Document 1. However, since face authentication can be performed after the occupant gets on the vehicle, it takes time to complete the control of the in-vehicle device.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an in-vehicle device control apparatus and an in-vehicle device control method capable of controlling an in-vehicle device or a function of the in-vehicle device in advance.

[0009] Solutions for solving problems

[0010] An in-vehicle device control device according to one embodiment of the present invention performs a first authentication based on a signal transmitted from a wireless device held by a user, performs a second authentication based on the user's biometric data, reads first setting data from a storage device based on the first authentication, controls the in-vehicle device or a function of the in-vehicle device using the first setting data, and reads second setting data from the storage device based on the second authentication, controls the in-vehicle device or a function of the in-vehicle device using the second setting data.

[0011] Effects of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to control an in-vehicle device or a function of the in-vehicle device in advance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 It is a configuration diagram of an in-vehicle device control system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing an example of in-vehicle equipment corresponding to the authentication method.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for detecting seating.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the in-vehicle device control device 10 .

[0017] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing another example of an in-vehicle device corresponding to an authentication method.

[0018] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the modification example.

[0019] Figure 7 This diagram explains the relationship between in-vehicle devices and environmental data. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts and their description will be omitted.

[0021] Reference Figure 1 The following describes a configuration example of the vehicle-mounted device control system according to this embodiment. Figure 1 As shown, the in-vehicle device control system includes a user A, a terminal device 40 held by the user A, and an in-vehicle device control device 10 mounted on a vehicle 1 .

[0022] like Figure 1 As shown, the in-vehicle device control device 10 includes a camera 11 , a communication I / F 12 , an IVI 13 , a meter 14 , a steering wheel 15 , a HUD (Head-Up Display) 16 , a seat 17 , a rearview mirror 18 , an air conditioner 19 , a storage device 30 , and a controller 20 .

[0023] Camera 11 is installed inside the vehicle. More specifically, camera 11 is positioned so that it can capture the driver's face. The driver here refers to the passenger seated in the driver's seat. Camera 11 includes a sensor such as a CCD (charge-coupled device) or a CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor). Images captured by camera 11 are output to controller 20.

[0024] The communication I / F 12 is implemented as hardware such as a network adapter, various communication software, or a combination thereof, and is configured to enable wireless communication. The communication I / F 12 communicates with a terminal device 40 held by user A. As an example, terminal device 40 is a smart key. A smart key is used to remotely unlock and lock vehicle doors. When user A presses the unlock switch on the smart key, a signal is transmitted to vehicle 1. Upon receipt of this signal by the communication I / F 12, all doors of vehicle 1 are unlocked. A smart key is also referred to as a smart remote control key.

[0025] The terminal device 40 is not limited to a smart key. It can also be a smartphone. If the terminal device 40 is a smartphone, known techniques can be used to enable the smartphone to have a door unlocking function. This allows the smartphone to have the same functionality as a smart key. When user A presses the virtual door unlock button displayed on the smartphone, a signal is transmitted to the vehicle 1. Upon receipt of this signal by the communication I / F 12, all doors of the vehicle 1 are unlocked.

[0026] In the following description, the terminal device 40 is described as a smart key, but as described above, the terminal device 40 may also be a smartphone.

[0027] The controller 20 is an electronic control unit (ECU) having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), a CAN (Controller Area Network) communication circuit, and the like. A computer program for causing the controller 20 to function as the vehicle-mounted device control device 10 is installed. By executing the computer program, the controller 20 functions as a plurality of information processing circuits included in the vehicle-mounted device control device 10. Although an example is shown here in which the plurality of information processing circuits included in the vehicle-mounted device control device 10 are implemented by software, it is of course also possible to prepare dedicated hardware for performing each of the information processing steps shown below to constitute the information processing circuit. Alternatively, the plurality of information processing circuits may be constituted by independent hardware. The controller 20 includes an authentication unit 21 and a control unit 22 as the plurality of information processing circuits.

[0028] The authentication unit 21 is used to authenticate the identity of the user. In this embodiment, two authentications are performed.

[0029] First, let's explain the first authentication. This is performed using a smart key. The authentication unit 21 authenticates the user based on an identification signal transmitted from the smart key. The identification signal transmitted from the smart key is pre-stored in the storage device 30. When the identification signal is transmitted from the smart key, the authentication unit 21 refers to the storage device 30 to identify the transmitted identification signal. Hereinafter, the identification signal transmitted from the smart key may sometimes be referred to as a "key ID." The key ID and information about the user who owns the smart key associated with the key ID are pre-stored in the storage device 30 in association with each other.

[0030] Determining the identification signal sent from the smart key means determining who the user is who has unlocked the vehicle door. In the example described here, the user who has unlocked the vehicle door is authenticated as user A.

[0031] Next, the second authentication is described. This second authentication is based on facial recognition. The authentication unit 21 authenticates the user based on the image transmitted from the camera 11. The user's face is reflected in this image. The user's facial data is pre-stored in the storage device 30. The user's facial data is registered in a database. The registered facial data may, for example, be that of the owner of vehicle 1 and their family members. Alternatively, if vehicle 1 is loaned out for a fee, the registered facial data may be that of a user who frequently utilizes the loan service.

[0032] When an image is transmitted from camera 11, authentication unit 21 checks the database to see if the facial data shown in the image is registered in storage device 30. If the facial data matches the database, authentication unit 21 authenticates the user. In the example described here, the user sitting in the driver's seat is authenticated as User A.

[0033] In the following description, authentication based on the smart key may be referred to as “first authentication,” and authentication based on facial data may be referred to as “second authentication.” The authentication unit 21 outputs information on the authentication result to the control unit 22 .

[0034] The control unit 22 controls the devices and their functions installed in the vehicle 1 based on the authentication result obtained by the authentication unit 21. For example, the devices installed in the vehicle 1 include an IVI 13, an instrument panel 14, a steering wheel 15, a head-up display 16, a seat 17, a rearview mirror 18, and an air conditioner 19. Hereinafter, the devices installed in the vehicle 1 are referred to as "in-vehicle devices."

[0035] The control process of the vehicle-mounted device is described. First, the control unit 22 determines the vehicle-mounted device and the function of the vehicle-mounted device that becomes the control target in association with the first authentication. The vehicle-mounted device and the function of the vehicle-mounted device associated with the first authentication are pre-stored in the storage device 30. Here, refer to Figure 2To illustrate the vehicle-mounted device and the function of the vehicle-mounted device associated with the first authentication. As an example, Figure 2 As shown, the in-vehicle devices associated with the first authentication are IVI 13, seat 17, rearview mirror 18, steering wheel 15, instrument 14, HUD 16 and air conditioning device 19. IVI (in-vehicle infotainment) refers to a device consisting of hardware and software that provides entertainment and route guidance, including radio, audio, video, etc. In this embodiment, IVI 13 has a login function. Users can use customized functions by logging in to IVI 13 using their own ID. HUD (Head-Up Display) is a device that uses the front windshield as a display screen. In this embodiment, the expression "in-vehicle devices and functions of in-vehicle devices" can also be changed to "in-vehicle devices or functions of in-vehicle devices."

[0036] Next, the functions of the in-vehicle devices will be described. For example, the functions of the IVI 13 include settings for font size, screen brightness, volume, sound effects, map browsing, icons, route guidance, radio, playlists, and Bluetooth connectivity. Map browsing settings include, for example, the angle from which you can view the map. Route guidance settings include, for example, settings related to toll road access and minimum distance. Radio settings include, for example, settings for your favorite radio stations.

[0037] The functions of the seat 17 include adjusting the position or angle. The functions of the rearview mirror 18 include adjusting the position or angle. The functions of the steering wheel 15 include setting the position or angle. The functions of the instrument 14 include setting the browsing, setting the content, etc. The setting of the content includes displaying information related to the driving lane, displaying surrounding information, etc. The functions of the HUD 16 include setting the browsing, setting the content, etc. The functions of the air conditioning unit 19 include setting the temperature of the air conditioner or heater. In this embodiment, "controlling the function of the vehicle-mounted equipment" means controlling such functions.

[0038] In this embodiment, the user can set the in-vehicle devices and the functions of the in-vehicle devices associated with the first authentication according to their preferences. Moreover, the setting data set by the user for the in-vehicle devices and the functions of the in-vehicle devices are stored in the storage device 30 in association with the user information. In other words, setting data exists for each user. When the control unit 22 authenticates user A through the first authentication, it reads the setting data related to the in-vehicle devices and the functions of the in-vehicle devices associated with the first authentication from the setting data of the authenticated user A. Then, the control unit 22 controls the in-vehicle devices based on the setting data. According to this embodiment, the in-vehicle devices are controlled before user A gets on the vehicle. As a result, the IVI 13, the instrument 14, the steering wheel 15, the HUD 16, the seat 17, the rearview mirror 18, and the air conditioning device 19 can be in an adjusted state when user A gets on the vehicle. That is, according to this embodiment, advance control of the in-vehicle devices is achieved.

[0039] When user A gets on the vehicle 1, the camera 11 captures the face of user A. Whether user A gets on the vehicle 1 is determined by the seat sensor. Figure 3 As shown, when user A boards vehicle 1, seat sensor 50 detects pressure. Upon detecting pressure, it is determined that user A has boarded vehicle 1. Upon determining that user A has boarded vehicle 1, camera 11 captures user A's face. Then, facial data processing is performed.

[0040] Furthermore, determining whether user A has boarded the vehicle is not limited to using a seating sensor. Any method that can detect user A's boarding of the vehicle will suffice. For example, a door opening / closing sensor can also be used to determine whether user A has boarded the vehicle. In this case, if the door is detected to be open and then closed, user A is determined to have boarded the vehicle, and camera 11 captures user A's face.

[0041] After that, the control unit 22 determines the vehicle-mounted device and its function that are to be controlled in association with the second authentication. The vehicle-mounted device and its function that are to be controlled in association with the second authentication are stored in advance in the storage device 30. Figure 2 An example of an in-vehicle device and its function associated with the second authentication is described below. The in-vehicle device associated with the second authentication is the IVI 13. Furthermore, the function of the in-vehicle device associated with the second authentication includes automatic login for the IVI 13. In controlling the second authentication, the user's setting data includes automatic login for the IVI 13.

[0042] According to this embodiment, the functions of the IVI 13, instrument panel 14, steering wheel 15, HUD 16, seat 17, rearview mirror 18, and air conditioning system 19 are adjusted before user A gets on the vehicle, and the IVI 13 is automatically logged in after user A gets on the vehicle.

[0043] also, Figure 2 The switching to the guest mode shown is a control performed when the user identified by the first authentication and the user identified by the second authentication are not the same user. Details will be described later.

[0044] Next, refer to Figure 4 An operation example of the vehicle-mounted device control device 10 is described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0045] When user A is about to board vehicle 1, user A remotely unlocks the vehicle doors using a smart key. When the communication I / F 12 receives the key ID from the smart key, all doors of vehicle 1 are unlocked (step S101).

[0046] The authentication unit 21 references the storage device 30 to identify the key ID received in step S101. The key ID is associated with the user information. Therefore, by identifying the key ID, the user is automatically identified. Here, it is assumed that the user who unlocked the vehicle door is authenticated as user A (step S103). The authentication unit 21 outputs the authentication result to the control unit 22.

[0047] In step S105, the control unit 22 identifies the in-vehicle devices and their functions that are to be controlled in association with the first authentication. For example, the in-vehicle devices associated with the first authentication include the IVI 13, the seat 17, the rearview mirror 18, the steering wheel 15, the meter 14, the HUD 16, and the air conditioner 19. The functions of the in-vehicle devices associated with the first authentication have been described above, and therefore their explanation is omitted.

[0048] The process proceeds to step S107, where the control unit 22 references the storage device 30 to read out, from the setting data of user A, who has been authenticated through the first authentication, setting data related to the in-vehicle devices and their functions that are the targets of control in association with the first authentication. The process proceeds to step S109, where the control unit 22 controls the in-vehicle devices and their functions based on the read setting data.

[0049] If the seating sensor 50 detects that the user A has boarded the vehicle 1 ("YES" in step S111), the process proceeds to step S113. On the other hand, if the user A has not been detected boarding the vehicle 1 ("NO" in step S111), the process waits.

[0050] In step S113, camera 11 captures user A's face and outputs the image to authentication unit 21. Authentication unit 21 references storage device 30 to determine whether facial data shown in the image is registered in the database. If facial data is registered in the database ("Yes" in step S115), processing proceeds to step S117. On the other hand, if facial data is not registered in the database ("No" in step S115), processing proceeds to step S133.

[0051] Here, an example of a case where the answer is "No" in step S115 is described. The case where the answer is "No" in step S115 refers to a case where the vehicle 1 is a paid lent vehicle. In this case, the key ID is the same regardless of who the user is. For a paid lent vehicle, it is considered that fewer users register facial data than for a private vehicle. In the case of "No" in step S115, the control unit 22 switches the function of the vehicle-mounted device to the visitor mode (refer to Figure 2 ). As an example, switching to the guest mode means setting the settings of the IVI 13 (volume, map browsing, etc.) to the default settings.

[0052] If the facial data is registered in the database, the authentication unit 21 identifies the user. Here, it is assumed that the user who gets on the vehicle 1 is authenticated as user A (step S117).

[0053] The process proceeds to step S119, where it is determined whether the user is the same user. Here, "the user is the same user" means that the user identified based on the key ID in step S103 and the user identified based on the facial data in step S117 are the same user. In other words, if the user identified in step S103 and the user identified in step S117 are not the same user, it is determined that the users are not the same user.

[0054] As described so far, the user authenticated in step S103 is user A. Furthermore, the user authenticated in step S117 is also user A. Therefore, the processing result of step S119 is "Yes".

[0055] In step S121, the control unit 22 identifies the in-vehicle devices and their functions that are the targets of control in association with the second authentication. The process then proceeds to step S123, where the control unit 22 reads user A's setting data related to the in-vehicle devices and their functions associated with the second authentication. The process then proceeds to step S125, where the control unit 22 controls the in-vehicle devices and their functions associated with the second authentication based on user A's setting data.

[0056] Next, we'll explain the case where the result of step S119 is "No." One example is the case where the user boarding vehicle 1 is a family member of user A. Family members typically share the vehicle. In a shared vehicle, there's naturally only one key. Therefore, in step S103, even if the user operating the key isn't user A, since the user associated with the key ID is user A, they are authenticated as user A.

[0057] If the user is a family member, facial data is registered, so the result of step S115 is "Yes." Then, in the processing of steps S115 and S117, it is determined that the user boarding vehicle 1 is not user A. Here, it is assumed that the user boarding vehicle 1 is authenticated as user B. The process proceeds to step S127, where the control unit 22 determines the onboard devices and their functions to be controlled. The onboard devices and their functions in step S127 include those associated with the first authentication and those associated with the second authentication. The control unit 22 reads user B's setting data related to these onboard devices and their functions (step S129). The control unit 22 uses user B's setting data to re-control the onboard devices and their functions associated with the first authentication (step S131). This is because, in step S109, the onboard devices and their functions associated with the first authentication were controlled using user A's setting data. User A's setting data differs from user B's setting data. Therefore, in step S131, the control unit 22 uses the setting data of user B to control the in-vehicle devices and their functions related to the first authentication again. Furthermore, the control unit 22 also uses the setting data of user B to control the in-vehicle devices and their functions related to the second authentication (step S131). This reflects the settings of user B who actually boarded vehicle 1.

[0058] The in-vehicle devices associated with the first authentication are described as the IVI 13, the seat 17, the rearview mirror 18, the steering wheel 15, the meter 14, the HUD 16, and the air conditioning device 19, but are not limited thereto. Figure 5 As shown, the IVI 13 may be included in the vehicle-mounted device associated with the second authentication instead of the vehicle-mounted device associated with the first authentication. In this way, the vehicle-mounted device associated with the first authentication and the vehicle-mounted device associated with the second authentication may be different without duplication.

[0059] (Effect)

[0060] As described above, according to the in-vehicle device control apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0061] The in-vehicle device control device 10 includes a storage device 30 mounted on the vehicle 1 and a controller 20 mounted on the vehicle 1. The storage device 30 stores in-vehicle devices or their functions associated with a first authentication, and in-vehicle devices or their functions associated with a second authentication. Furthermore, the storage device 30 stores setting data associated with the user for controlling the in-vehicle devices or their functions. The controller 20 performs the first authentication based on a signal transmitted from a wireless device held by the user, and performs the second authentication based on the user's biometric data. Based on the first authentication, the controller 20 reads the first setting data from the storage device 30 and uses the first setting data to control the in-vehicle devices or their functions. Based on the second authentication, the controller 20 reads the second setting data from the storage device 30 and uses the second setting data to control the in-vehicle devices or their functions. According to this embodiment, the in-vehicle devices or their functions are controlled before the user boards the vehicle. Thus, the IVI 13, meter 14, steering wheel 15, HUD 16, seat 17, rearview mirror 18, and air conditioner 19 can be already adjusted when the user gets in the vehicle. That is, according to this embodiment, the vehicle-mounted devices or their functions can be controlled in advance.

[0062] The first authentication is performed before the user gets on the vehicle 1, and the second authentication is performed after the user gets on the vehicle 1. Thus, the controller 20 can control the vehicle-mounted device or its function associated with the first authentication before the user gets on the vehicle.

[0063] The signal transmitted from the wireless device includes an identification signal transmitted from the wireless device via short-range communication with vehicle 1. The biometric data is facial data obtained by capturing the user's face. Short-range communication is wireless communication. The controller 20 controls the in-vehicle device or its functions by receiving this identification signal. In other words, the in-vehicle device or its functions are controlled remotely by the user. This allows the in-vehicle device or its functions to be controlled before the user even boards the vehicle.

[0064] In addition, the controller 20 identifies the user associated with the identification signal and identifies the user associated with the facial data.

[0065] The in-vehicle device or in-vehicle device function associated with the first authentication is controlled regardless of the result of the second authentication. This enables proactive control of the in-vehicle device or in-vehicle device function. The in-vehicle device or in-vehicle device function associated with the second authentication is controlled using the user's setting data determined by the first and second authentications. This enables the user's desired settings to be achieved.

[0066] If the user identified by the first authentication is different from the user identified by the second authentication, the controller 20 uses the setting data of the user identified by the second authentication to control the in-vehicle device or its function associated with the second authentication, thereby reflecting the settings of the user actually boarding the vehicle 1.

[0067] If the user identified by the first authentication and the user identified by the second authentication are different users, the controller 20 uses the setting data of the user identified by the second authentication to re-control the in-vehicle device or its function that was previously controlled using the setting data of the user identified by the first authentication. This reflects the settings of the user actually boarding the vehicle 1.

[0068] The in-vehicle device control apparatus 10 further includes a seating sensor 50 for detecting the user's seating. When the seating sensor 50 detects the user's seating, the controller 20 starts authentication based on facial data.

[0069] The wireless device is an electronic key device or a mobile communication device. As an example, the electronic key device is a smart key. As an example, the mobile communication device is a smartphone.

[0070] The in-vehicle devices associated with the first authentication include at least one of the instrument panel 14, steering wheel 15, HUD 16, seat 17, rearview mirror 18, and air conditioning system 19. The in-vehicle devices associated with the second authentication include at least a device including a navigation function. The device including a navigation function is the IVI 13.

[0071] The functions of the in-vehicle device associated with the first authentication include at least one of the following: navigation settings for the instrument panel 14, settings related to the position or angle of the steering wheel 15, navigation settings for the head-up display (HUD) 16, settings related to the position or angle of the seat 17, settings related to the position or angle of the rearview mirror 18, and temperature settings for the air conditioner 19. The functions of the in-vehicle device associated with the second authentication include automatic registration of a device including a navigation function.

[0072] The setting data stored in the storage device 30 is data that has been set in the past by an authenticated user for the in-vehicle device.

[0073] (Variation)

[0074] Next, refer to Figures 6-7 A modification example will be described.

[0075] In the above-described embodiment, the in-vehicle device is automatically controlled after either the first or second authentication is performed. In a modified example, after either the first or second authentication is performed, the in-vehicle device is controlled only if a specified condition is met. In other words, if the specified condition is not met, the in-vehicle device is not controlled. The specified condition is described below. Furthermore, the specified condition can be determined after either the first or second authentication is performed. "After the second authentication" refers to after both the first and second authentications have been performed.

[0076] exist Figure 6 In step S201 shown, it is determined whether the setting data of user A is stored in the storage device 30. If the answer is "No" in step S201, the series of processing ends. If the answer is "Yes" in step S201, the processing proceeds to step S203.

[0077] In step S203, the controller 20 references the storage device 30 to retrieve the previous in-vehicle environmental data and the previous external vehicle environmental data. The previous time refers to the previous driving session. The in-vehicle environmental data includes occupant clothing, occupant body temperature, the number of occupants, and the temperature inside the vehicle. The external vehicle environmental data includes the date and time of the driving session, the time of day, the season, and the weather. This previous environmental data is referred to as environmental data A.

[0078] The process proceeds to step S205, where the controller 20 obtains the environmental data inside the vehicle and the environmental data outside the vehicle. These environmental data are referred to as environmental data B. The process proceeds to step S207, where environmental data A is compared with environmental data B. If the result of the comparison is that the data deviates (step S207: "Yes"), the process proceeds to step S213. On the other hand, if the data does not deviate (step S207: "No"), the process proceeds to step S209. Regarding data deviation, taking season as an example, data deviation refers to the situation where the previous data is summer and the current data is winter.

[0079] In step S209 , the controller 20 reads out the setting data of the authenticated user A. In step S211 , the controller 20 controls the in-vehicle device and its functions using the read-out setting data.

[0080] In step S213, it is determined whether other user data with similar environmental data to the current environmental data B exists. Other user data may include, for example, data on user A's family members. If the answer in step S213 is "yes," the process proceeds to step S215. In step S215, the setting data of the other user is read. In step S217, the controller 20 uses the read setting data to control the in-vehicle device and its functions.

[0081] On the other hand, if the answer is "No" in step S213, a series of processing is terminated. That is, if the answer is "No" in step S213, the vehicle-mounted device and its functions are not controlled. The reason for not controlling is explained below. Figure 7 As shown, HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning) control uses environmental data such as the occupant's clothing, the vehicle's interior temperature, and the exterior weather. If the current data deviates from the previous data (as in the summer and winter periods mentioned above), control using the previous data cannot be considered appropriate. Control using the previous data may feel unnatural to the user. Therefore, if the answer is "No" in step S213, the in-vehicle device and its functions are not controlled.

[0082] Similarly, regarding the brightness of the display, if the current data deviates from the previous data in terms of the vehicle interior brightness, the weather outside, etc., control using the previous data cannot be considered appropriate. For example, the previous data related to the weather is in the morning, while the current data is in the evening.

[0083] Similarly, for the playlist of audio, the playlist of audio when the number of passengers is one is different from the playlist of audio when the number of passengers is multiple. Similarly, for the volume of audio, the volume of audio when the number of passengers is one is different from the volume of audio when the number of passengers is multiple. For example, the volume when the number of passengers is one is louder than the volume when the number of passengers is multiple. The automatic login of IVI 13 is related to privacy. Therefore, it is preferred that the automatic login function be turned off when the number of passengers is multiple.

[0084] The aforementioned "predetermined condition" means that there exists other user data having environmental data similar to the current environmental data B. "Not satisfying the predetermined condition" means that there does not exist other user data having environmental data similar to the current environmental data B.

[0085] (Effect)

[0086] As described above, according to the modification example, the following effects can be obtained.

[0087] The controller 20 compares the setting data stored in the storage device 30 with the current environmental data B. The setting data is associated with the previous environmental data A. Specifically, the controller 20 compares the previous environmental data A with the current environmental data B. Based on the comparison results, the controller 20 determines whether to control the onboard device or its function associated with the first authentication and the onboard device or its function associated with the second authentication. If the current data deviates from the previous data, the controller 20 does not control the onboard device or its function. This prevents inappropriate control.

[0088] When the setting data is stored, the environment data is stored in the storage device 30 in association with the setting data.

[0089] The functions described in the above embodiments can be implemented by one or more processing circuits. The processing circuits include programmed processing devices such as processing devices containing electrical circuits. The processing devices include devices such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and circuit components configured to perform the described functions.

[0090] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should not be understood that the description and drawings constituting part of this disclosure limit the present invention. Based on this disclosure, various alternative embodiments, examples, and application techniques will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0091] The control of the functions of the in-vehicle device may also be renamed as the control of the parameters of the in-vehicle device.

[0092] Description of Reference Numerals

[0093] 1: Vehicle; 10: On-vehicle equipment control unit; 11: Camera; 14: Instrument; 15: Steering wheel; 16: HUD; 17: Seat; 18: Rearview mirror; 19: Air conditioning unit; 20: Controller; 21: Authentication unit; 22: Control unit; 30: Storage device; 50: Seat occupancy sensor.

Claims

1. A vehicle-mounted device control device comprising a storage device mounted on a vehicle and a controller mounted on the vehicle, wherein: The storage device stores the in-vehicle device or the function of the in-vehicle device associated with the first authentication and the in-vehicle device or the function of the in-vehicle device associated with the second authentication. The storage device stores setting data associated with a user for controlling the in-vehicle device or a function of the in-vehicle device. the controller performs the first authentication based on a signal transmitted from a wireless device held by the user, The controller performs the second authentication based on the biometric data of the user, The controller refers to the storage device based on the first authentication and reads out first setting data. The controller uses the first setting data to control the in-vehicle device or a function of the in-vehicle device, The controller refers to the storage device based on the second authentication and reads the second setting data. The controller controls the in-vehicle device or a function of the in-vehicle device using the second setting data, The first authentication is performed before the user gets on the vehicle, and the second authentication is performed after the user gets on the vehicle. The controller determines whether the user determined by the first authentication and the user determined by the second authentication are the same user, In the case where the user determined by the first authentication and the user determined by the second authentication are different users, the controller uses the setting data of the user determined by the second authentication to re-control the vehicle-mounted device or the function of the vehicle-mounted device that was controlled using the setting data of the user determined by the first authentication.

2. The vehicle-mounted device control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The signal transmitted from the wireless device includes an identification signal transmitted from the wireless device through short-range communication with the vehicle, The biometric data is facial data obtained by photographing the user's face.

3. The vehicle-mounted device control device according to claim 2, characterized in that: the controller determining a user associated with the identification signal, The controller determines a user associated with the facial data.

4. The vehicle-mounted device control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: When the user determined by the first authentication and the user determined by the second authentication are different users, the controller controls the in-vehicle device or a function of the in-vehicle device associated with the second authentication using setting data of the user determined by the second authentication.

5. The vehicle-mounted device control device according to claim 3, wherein: further comprising a sensor for detecting the user's seating, When the sensor detects the user's seating, the controller starts authentication based on the facial data.

6. The vehicle-mounted device control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The controller determines whether to control the vehicle-mounted device or the function of the vehicle-mounted device associated with the first authentication and the vehicle-mounted device or the function of the vehicle-mounted device associated with the second authentication based on the result obtained by comparing the setting data stored in the storage device with the current environmental data.

7. The vehicle-mounted device control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The wireless device is an electronic key device or a mobile communication device.

8. The vehicle-mounted device control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The in-vehicle devices associated with the first authentication include at least one of an instrument panel, a steering wheel, a head-up display (HUD), a seat, a rearview mirror, and an air conditioning device. The in-vehicle devices associated with the second authentication include at least a device including a navigation function.

9. The vehicle-mounted device control device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The functions of the in-vehicle device associated with the first authentication include at least one of the browsing settings of the instrument, the settings related to the position or angle of the steering wheel, the browsing settings of the HUD, the settings related to the position or angle of the seat, the settings related to the position or angle of the rearview mirror, and the temperature setting of the air conditioning device. The functions of the in-vehicle device associated with the second authentication include automatic login of the device including the navigation function.

10. The vehicle-mounted device control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The setting data stored in the storage device is data that was set in the past by the authenticated user for the in-vehicle device.

11. The vehicle-mounted device control device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The controller stores the environmental data when the setting data is stored in the storage device.

12. A vehicle-mounted device control method for a vehicle-mounted device control device, the vehicle-mounted device control device comprising a storage device mounted on a vehicle and a controller mounted on the vehicle, the vehicle-mounted device control method being characterized by: The storage device stores the in-vehicle device or the function of the in-vehicle device associated with the first authentication and the in-vehicle device or the function of the in-vehicle device associated with the second authentication. The storage device stores setting data associated with a user for controlling the in-vehicle device or a function of the in-vehicle device. the controller performs the first authentication based on a signal transmitted from a wireless device held by the user, The controller performs the second authentication based on the biometric data of the user, The controller refers to the storage device based on the first authentication and reads out first setting data. The controller uses the first setting data to control the in-vehicle device or a function of the in-vehicle device, The controller refers to the storage device based on the second authentication and reads the second setting data. The controller controls the in-vehicle device or a function of the in-vehicle device using the second setting data, The first authentication is performed before the user gets on the vehicle, and the second authentication is performed after the user gets on the vehicle. The controller determines whether the user determined by the first authentication and the user determined by the second authentication are the same user, In the case where the user determined by the first authentication and the user determined by the second authentication are different users, the controller uses the setting data of the user determined by the second authentication to re-control the vehicle-mounted device or the function of the vehicle-mounted device that was controlled using the setting data of the user determined by the first authentication. 13 . A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, wherein the computer program, when executed by a processor, executes the vehicle-mounted device control method according to claim 12 . 14 . A computer program product comprising a computer program, wherein when the computer program is executed by a processor, the computer program executes the vehicle-mounted device control method according to claim 12 .

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