Control device

Abstract

The invention relates to a control device. In a control device, a specifying unit specifies, as a first vehicle function, a vehicle function having a relatively high frequency of use among vehicle functions allocated to each of a plurality of operation units mounted in a vehicle. The proposal unit proposals to a user of the vehicle that the specified first vehicle function is assigned to a second operation unit different from the first operation unit to which the first vehicle function has been assigned in advance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device for allocating vehicle functions to operating parts. Background Art

[0002] A steering wheel switch function assignment device is known that can freely assign functions according to the driver's preferences to steering wheel switches (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-308136). In this device, a steering wheel switch function code assigned to a steering wheel switch group can be selected from a plurality of steering wheel switch function codes by the user operating an operation switch.

[0003] In the technology of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-308136, the user needs to actively select the vehicle function assigned to the steering wheel switch. Since the user does not know which vehicle function will improve convenience when assigned, there is a possibility that the assigned function is hardly used. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the convenience of use. Summary of the invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a technology capable of improving the convenience in a control device that allocates vehicle functions to operating parts.

[0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a control device according to one aspect of the present invention includes:

[0006] a determination unit that determines, as a first vehicle function, a vehicle function with a relatively high utilization frequency among the vehicle functions assigned to each of the plurality of operation units mounted on the vehicle; and

[0007] The proposing unit proposes to a user of the vehicle to assign the determined first vehicle function to a second operating unit different from a first operating unit to which the first vehicle function is previously assigned.

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technology capable of improving the convenience in a control device that allocates vehicle functions to operating parts. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Hereinafter, features, advantages, technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like components, wherein:

[0010] Figure 1 It is a top view of the steering wheel according to the embodiment.

[0011] Figure 2 It is a diagram showing the functional configuration of a control system according to an embodiment.

[0012] Figure 3 Yes means Figure 2Flow chart of the processing of the control device.

[0013] Figure 4 Yes means Figure 2 Flowchart of other processing of the control device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] The control device of the embodiment records the utilization frequencies of a plurality of vehicle functions of the vehicle in advance, determines a vehicle function with a relatively high utilization frequency among the plurality of vehicle functions, and proposes to the user of the vehicle that the determined vehicle function be allocated to an operating unit such as a steering wheel switch. The user is, for example, the driver of the vehicle. When the user agrees to the proposal, the control device allocates the proposed vehicle function to the operating unit. Since the vehicle function with a relatively high utilization frequency is allocated to the steering wheel switch or the like which is easy to operate, convenience can be improved.

[0015] The operation unit of the candidate for the allocation target of the vehicle function is, for example, an operation unit set at a position that is easy for the user to operate. The following describes an example in which the operation unit of the candidate for the allocation target of the vehicle function is a steering wheel switch. In addition, the operation unit of the candidate for the allocation target of the vehicle function may also include an operation unit other than a steering wheel switch.

[0016] Figure 1 1 is a top view of the steering wheel 10 of the embodiment. The steering wheel 10 is connected to the steering shaft of the vehicle, and rotates the steering shaft by the steering operation of the driver who is the user of the vehicle. The vehicle can also be an autonomous driving vehicle. The steering wheel 10 includes a ring portion 12, a central portion 14, a plurality of spoke portions 16, and operating portions 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d. Hereinafter, the operating portions 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d are appropriately collectively referred to as the operating portion 20. The operating portion 20 is also referred to as a steering wheel switch. In the embodiment, four operating portions 20 are illustrated, but the number of operating portions 20 may be less than "4" or more than "4".

[0017] The ring portion 12 is formed in an annular shape and is gripped by the driver. The central portion 14 is located at the center of the ring portion 12 and is connected to the steering shaft. A plurality of spoke portions 16 extend in the radial direction and connect the ring portion 12 and the central portion 14.

[0018] A plurality of operating parts 20 are provided on the front side of each of the left and right spoke parts 16. The plurality of operating parts 20 are arranged at a position where the driver can operate without removing his hand from the ring part 12. Therefore, it is easy for the driver to operate the operating parts 20. For example, a vehicle function such as a control function of an audio device, a control function of an air conditioner, or a driving assistance function of the vehicle is pre-assigned to each of the plurality of operating parts 20. As driving assistance of the vehicle, for example, adaptive cruise control (ACC), lane keeping assist (LKA), etc. can be cited. If the operating part 20 is operated, the vehicle function assigned to the operated operating part 20 is executed. The operating part 20 can be operated to be turned on or off. The operating part 20 can change the set value of the vehicle speed or volume, etc. The plurality of operating parts 22 include mechanical buttons and mechanical switches, etc. As the plurality of operating parts 20, various well-known steering wheel switches can be used.

[0019] Figure 2 The functional configuration of the control system 100 according to the embodiment is shown. The control system 100 is mounted on a vehicle. The control system 100 includes operation units 20 a , 20 b , 20 c , and 20 d , a plurality of operation units 22 , a control device 30 , a display unit 40 , and a sound output unit 42 .

[0020] When each of the plurality of operating units 20 is operated, information indicating that it is operated is supplied to the control device 30. The control device 30 can change the vehicle function assigned to each of the plurality of operating units 20. The plurality of operating units 20 are operating units of allocation destination candidates for the vehicle function.

[0021] The multiple operating parts 22 are operating parts other than the steering wheel switches. A vehicle function is pre-assigned to each of the multiple operating parts 22. The vehicle function pre-assigned to the operating part 20 is also assigned to the operating part 22. For example, in addition to the control function of the audio device, the control function of the air conditioner, and the driving assistance function of the vehicle, the vehicle function also includes the opening and closing function of the electric window, the hazard warning light function, the wiper function, etc. In this way, the multiple operating parts 22 include the electric window switch, the hazard warning light switch, the wiper switch, etc. The multiple operating parts 22 include mechanical buttons, mechanical switches, touch panel sensors corresponding to buttons or switches displayed as images on the display unit 40, etc. Various well-known operating parts can be used as the operating part 22.

[0022] The plurality of operating units 22 are operating units that are candidate for allocation of vehicle functions. That is, the control device 30 cannot change the vehicle functions allocated to each of the plurality of operating units 22. As described above, a part of the plurality of operating units 22 may be operating units that are candidate for allocation of vehicle functions. For example, a touch panel sensor corresponding to a prescribed button or switch displayed as an image on the display unit 40, i.e., the driver's side of the center display, may also be an operating unit that is a candidate for allocation of vehicle functions. The operating unit 22 at this position is also an operating unit that is set at a position that is easy for the user to operate.

[0023] When each of the plurality of operation units 22 is operated, it supplies information indicating that the operation has been performed to the control device 30 .

[0024] The display unit 40 includes, for example, a touch display provided in the vehicle cabin, including a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel. The display unit 40 may also be, for example, a center display capable of displaying images of a car navigation system, etc. The sound output unit 42 includes a speaker provided in the vehicle cabin for outputting sound.

[0025] The control device 30 includes an acquisition unit 50, a determination unit 52, a learning unit 54, a proposal unit 56, a control unit 58, a reception unit 60, and a prompting unit 62. The configuration of the control device 30 can be implemented in hardware by a CPU, a memory, or other LSI of any computer, and can be implemented in software by a program loaded into the memory, etc., but the functional modules implemented by their cooperation are described here. Therefore, those skilled in the art can understand that these functional modules can be implemented in various forms by only hardware, only software, or a combination of them.

[0026] The acquisition unit 50 acquires the utilization frequency of the plurality of vehicle functions and the utilization frequency of the plurality of operation units 20 in a predetermined target period based on the operation information of the plurality of operation units 20 and the plurality of operation units 22. The acquisition unit 50 supplies the acquired information to the determination unit 52. The utilization frequency is determined based on, for example, the number of times the ignition switch is turned on. The predetermined target period may be, for example, about several tens of hours, and can be appropriately determined through experiments or simulations.

[0027] Based on the received utilization frequencies of the plurality of vehicle functions, determination unit 52 determines a relatively frequently utilized vehicle function as a first vehicle function. Determination unit 52 determines a vehicle function that is second most frequently utilized than the first vehicle function as a second vehicle function.

[0028] The determination unit 52 determines the first vehicle function and the second vehicle function by excluding vehicle functions whose proposals have been rejected by the user a predetermined number of times in the past. The predetermined number of times may be greater than "1" and may be appropriately determined through experiments or simulations. Thus, vehicle functions with a high probability of being rejected may not be proposed for allocation.

[0029] The determination unit 52 further excludes the vehicle functions of the operation unit 20 assigned to the plurality of assignment target candidates to determine the first vehicle function and the second vehicle function. For example, the determination unit 52 determines the vehicle function with the highest utilization frequency among the plurality of vehicle functions excluding the audio device control function and the air conditioner control function assigned to the operation unit 20 as the first vehicle function.

[0030] In the case where the utilization frequency of a vehicle function with a relatively high utilization frequency is lower than a predetermined frequency threshold, the determination unit 52 may not determine the vehicle function as the first vehicle function. The frequency threshold may be, for example, once every 10 hours, and may be appropriately determined through experiments or simulations. Thus, it is possible not to propose allocation of a vehicle function that is hardly used. In this case, the acquisition unit 50 acquires the utilization frequencies of the plurality of vehicle functions in the next predetermined target period.

[0031] Hereinafter, an example will be described in which the first vehicle function is a hazard warning light function and the second vehicle function is an opening and closing function of a power window.

[0032] The determination unit 52 determines the operation unit 20 with a relatively low usage frequency among the plurality of allocation target candidate operation units 20 as the second operation unit. For example, when the user frequently uses the operation units 20a and 20b but rarely uses the operation units 20c and 20d, the determination unit 52 determines the operation unit 20c as the second operation unit.

[0033] The specifying unit 52 supplies the specified information of the first vehicle function and the second vehicle function and the information of the second operation unit to the suggesting unit 56 .

[0034] The learning unit 54 obtains the operation information of the vehicle, and pre-learns the timing suitable for making a suggestion to the user (hereinafter also referred to as the suggestion timing) based on the obtained operation information. The learned suggestion timing is different for each user. The operation information of the vehicle includes the operation information of the operation unit 20 and the operation unit 22, and the operation information related to the driving operation. The operation information related to the driving operation includes the operation information of the ignition switch, the accelerator pedal, the brake pedal, the gear lever, the parking brake, etc.

[0035] When one or more specific operations are performed and the next operation is not performed for a certain period of time, the learning unit 54 can learn that the specific operation is performed when it is appropriate to make a suggestion to the user. The certain period of time can be, for example, tens of seconds to several minutes, and can be appropriately determined through experiments or simulations. The learning unit 54 can perform machine learning on the model inferred as the suggestion timing.

[0036] For example, if the user tends not to perform any vehicle operation for tens of seconds to several minutes after turning on the ignition switch, the learning unit 54 may learn that turning on the ignition switch is a suitable time to make a suggestion to the user. In this case, the user is less likely to be annoyed by the suggestion after turning on the ignition switch, and is likely to easily consider whether to accept the suggestion.

[0037] In addition, for example, if the user tends not to perform any vehicle operation for tens of seconds to minutes after setting the shift lever from the drive position to the parking position, the learning unit 54 can learn that it is a suitable time to propose to the user to set the shift lever from the drive position to the parking position. In this case, the user may think that the parking time will be relatively long due to waiting for a traffic light, etc., and the shift lever may be set to the parking position. The user is unlikely to be annoyed by the proposal and may easily consider whether to accept the proposal.

[0038] Proposing unit 56 proposes to the vehicle user at a proposal timing to assign the determined first vehicle function to a second operating unit different from the first operating unit to which the first vehicle function is pre-assigned. Proposing unit 56 makes the proposal via at least one of display unit 40 and audio output unit 42 .

[0039] The proposal timing includes a predetermined proposal timing and a proposal timing learned by the learning unit 54. The predetermined proposal timing is a timing that does not depend on the user and is irrelevant to the learning result of the learning unit 54. The predetermined proposal timing is, for example, a timing when the ignition switch of the vehicle is turned off. When the user turns off the ignition switch, it is less likely that the proposal will be annoying and it is easier for the user to consider whether to accept the proposal.

[0040] The display unit 40 may display, for example, a suggestion in text: "The hazard warning light function is frequently used. Should the hazard warning light function be assigned to the steering wheel switch C?" The voice output unit 42 may output the suggestion in voice. It is assumed that "steering wheel switch C" represents the operating unit 20c. The display unit 40 may also display an image indicating the position of the second operating unit. Thus, the user can easily understand the position of the second operating unit.

[0041] Since it is proposed to allocate the vehicle function to the operation unit 20 with a relatively low frequency of use among the multiple operation units 20, it is possible to make a proposal with a relatively high probability of being agreed to by the user. There is a possibility that the user can efficiently use each of the multiple operation units 20. The user does not need to know the unused operation units 20 in advance, which is convenient. Since it is not proposed to allocate the vehicle function to the operation unit 20 with a relatively high frequency of operation, it is possible to suppress a proposal with a high probability of reducing convenience if it is agreed.

[0042] When a proposal is made, the accepting unit 60 accepts an operation input indicating that the user agrees or rejects the proposal. The operation input may be an operation input to a touch panel sensor corresponding to an image of an agree button or a reject button displayed on the display unit 40. The operation input may also be an operation input based on the user's voice via a microphone in the vehicle compartment (not shown).

[0043] When the receiving unit 60 receives an operation input indicating agreement to the proposal, that is, when the user agrees to the proposal, the control unit 58 assigns the first vehicle function to the second operating unit. That is, the control unit 58 changes the vehicle function assigned to the second operating unit to the first vehicle function. When the second operating unit is operated after the allocation change, the control unit 58 supplies information indicating that the second operating unit has been operated to a control device such as an electronic control unit (ECU) corresponding to the first vehicle function. Therefore, when the operating unit 20c corresponding to the second operating unit is operated, the hazard warning light function is executed instead of the driving assistance function. When the user agrees to the proposal, the control unit 58 does not change the allocation of the first operating unit to which the first vehicle function has been assigned in advance. Therefore, even if the hazard warning light switch as the first operating unit is operated, the hazard warning light function is executed.

[0044] When the accepting unit 60 accepts an operation input indicating rejection of the proposal, or when the accepting unit 60 does not accept an operation input indicating acceptance of the proposal within a predetermined period, that is, when the user rejects the proposal, the control unit 58 does not assign the first vehicle function to the second operating unit. In other words, the control unit 58 does not change the vehicle function assigned to the second operating unit. The predetermined period can be appropriately determined by experiments or simulations.

[0045] When the proposal related to the first vehicle function is rejected by the user, if the number of rejections is less than the prescribed number of times, the proposal unit 56 proposes to the user again at the next proposal timing to assign the first vehicle function to the second operation unit. If the prescribed number of times is "2", even if it is rejected once, for example, when the user turns off the ignition switch after turning on the ignition switch next time, the same proposal is executed again. Thus, even if the user rejects the first proposal due to an operation error, the same proposal can be made, which is highly convenient.

[0046] When the proposal related to the first vehicle function is rejected by the user for a predetermined number of times, the proposal unit 56 no longer performs the proposal related to the first vehicle function. This can prevent the user from getting annoyed. When the proposal related to the first vehicle function is rejected by the user for a predetermined number of times, the proposal unit 56 makes a new proposal to the user that the determined second vehicle function is assigned to a second operating unit different from the third operating unit to which the second vehicle function is pre-assigned. The proposal unit 56 proposes a new assignment without waiting for the next proposal opportunity.

[0047] For example, when the predetermined number of times is "2", if the user rejects the suggestion related to the hazard warning light function twice, the suggestion unit 56 proposes, immediately after the second suggestion, that the opening and closing function of the next frequently used power window be assigned to the operating unit 20c as the second operating unit different from the power window switch as the third operating unit. This can broaden the user's choices and improve convenience.

[0048] When receiving unit 60 receives an operation input indicating approval of the proposal related to the second vehicle function, control unit 58 assigns the second vehicle function to the second operating unit.

[0049] If the user rejects the proposal related to the second vehicle function, the control unit 58 does not assign the second vehicle function to the second operating unit. If the proposal related to the second vehicle function is rejected by the user, if the number of rejections is less than a predetermined number of times, the proposal unit 56 proposes to the user again to assign the second vehicle function to the second operating unit at the next proposal timing. If the proposal related to the second vehicle function is rejected by the user a predetermined number of times, the proposal unit 56 does not execute the proposal related to the second vehicle function.

[0050] In addition, the accepting unit 60 may accept an operation input from the user to designate an operation unit 20 of an allocation target candidate that is to be excluded. In this case, the determining unit 52 may exclude the operation unit 20 of the allocation target candidate designated by the user from the operation units 20 of the plurality of allocation target candidates and determine the operation unit 20 with a relatively low operation frequency among the remaining plurality of operation units 20 of the allocation target candidates as the second operation unit.

[0051] For example, the user can specify an operation unit 20 that is used infrequently but is always used and for which the user does not want to change the allocation of vehicle functions. Alternatively, the user can specify a predetermined operation unit 20 that is in a position that is difficult to operate and is not used due to the user's gripping method of the steering wheel 10. In this way, appropriate suggestions can be made that match the user's usage status.

[0052] In addition, the receiving unit 60 may receive an operation input from the user to designate a vehicle function to be excluded from the allocation. In this case, the determining unit 52 may exclude the vehicle function designated by the user from the plurality of vehicle functions and determine the first vehicle function and the second vehicle function from the remaining plurality of vehicle functions.

[0053] For example, the user can specify a vehicle function that is pre-assigned to a specific operation unit 22 located at a position that is easy for the user to operate. This is because there is little need to assign such a vehicle function to a steering wheel switch. Thus, appropriate suggestions that match the user can be made.

[0054] It should be noted that the receiving unit 60 can also receive an operation input from the user to start registration of a vehicle function. The start of registration of a vehicle function means starting a process of assigning a vehicle function actively selected by the user to the operation unit 20 selected by the user.

[0055] When the accepting unit 60 accepts the operation input for starting registration of the vehicle function, the presenting unit 62 presents the past allocation proposal history to the user via the display unit 40. The past proposal history includes allocation proposals rejected by the user and allocation proposals accepted by the user. The presenting unit 62 also presents information indicating whether each of the one or more proposals is rejected or accepted.

[0056] When the prompting unit 62 prompts the suggestion history, the accepting unit 60 accepts the operation input for registration of the vehicle function. The operation input for registration of the vehicle function is the operation input of the operating unit 20 that specifies the vehicle function and the allocation destination of the vehicle function. When the accepting unit 60 accepts the operation input for registration of the vehicle function, the control unit 58 allocates the vehicle function specified by the operation input to the specified operating unit 20.

[0057] Since the user can check the past allocation proposal history, it is easy to study which vehicle function to allocate to the operation unit 20. For example, since the utilization frequency of a vehicle function that the user rejected in the past is high, the user may want the allocation of this vehicle function.

[0058] Next, the overall operation of the control system 100 based on the above configuration will be described. Figure 3 Yes means Figure 2Flowchart of the processing of the control device 30.

[0059] The control device 30 obtains the utilization frequency of a plurality of vehicle functions (S10), and determines a vehicle function with a relatively high utilization frequency (S12). As described above, in S12, vehicle functions whose proposals have been rejected by the user a predetermined number of times in the past are excluded. The control device 30 determines whether it is a proposal time (S14). If it is not a proposal time (S14: No), the control device 30 returns to the processing of S14. If it is a proposal time (S14: Yes), the control device 30 proposes to the user to allocate the determined vehicle function to the operation unit 20 of the allocation target candidate (S16).

[0060] When the proposal is approved (Yes in S18), the control device 30 performs allocation (S20) and ends the process. When the proposal is not approved (No in S18), if the proposal has not been rejected a specified number of times (No in S22), the control device 30 returns to the process of S14. When the proposal is rejected a specified number of times (Yes in S22), if the proposal end condition is not satisfied (No in S24), the control device 30 determines the next vehicle function with high utilization frequency (S26) and returns to S16. The proposal end condition is, for example, that a specified number of proposals related to the vehicle function have been made. The specified number can be, for example, more than 2. When the proposal end condition is satisfied (Yes in S24), the control device 30 ends the process.

[0061] Figure 4 Yes means Figure 2 Flowchart of other processing of the control device 30. Figure 4 The processing is Figure 3 The processing is executed in parallel.

[0062] The control device 30 determines whether a registration start operation has been performed (S40). If a registration start operation has not been performed (No in S40), the process returns to S40. If a registration start operation has been performed (Yes in S40), the control device 30 presents the user with a proposed history of allocation (S42), and accepts a registration operation performed by the user (S44). The control device 30 performs allocation according to the registration operation (S46), and ends the process.

[0063] According to the embodiment, since it is suggested to the user that the vehicle function with a relatively high frequency of use is allocated to the operation unit 20, it is possible to make a suggestion that the user can easily agree to. The user can allocate the vehicle function with high convenience that suits the user's preference to the operation unit 20 at a position that is easy for the user to operate without knowing the user's own vehicle function utilization tendency in advance. Therefore, convenience can be improved.

[0064] The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments. The embodiments are merely illustrative. Various modifications of the combination of each component element and each processing step can be realized. Such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0065] For example, the control device 30 may not include the learning unit 54. In this case, the process can be simplified.

[0066] The acquisition unit 50 may have a learning function based on AI (artificial intelligence). The use frequencies of a plurality of vehicle functions and the use frequencies of the operation units 20 of a plurality of allocation target candidates may be learned by AI.

[0067] In addition, after the control unit 58 assigns the first vehicle function or the second vehicle function to the second operating unit, if the second operating unit is not used for a certain period of time, the acquisition unit 50 may re-acquire the usage frequency, and the determination unit 52 may re-determine the first vehicle function. Furthermore, the proposal unit 56 may re-propose to assign the newly determined first vehicle function to the second operating unit. The certain period of time can be appropriately determined by experiments or simulations. In this modified example, when the second operating unit is not used for some reason, there is a possibility that convenience can be improved by making a new proposal.

Claims

1. A control device, wherein: have: a determination unit that determines, as a first vehicle function, a vehicle function with a relatively high utilization frequency among the vehicle functions assigned to each of the plurality of operation units mounted on the vehicle; and The proposing unit proposes to a user of the vehicle to assign the determined first vehicle function to a second operating unit different from a first operating unit to which the first vehicle function is previously assigned.

2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein: further comprising a control unit that assigns the first vehicle function to the second operating unit when the user agrees to the proposal, The determination unit determines, as the second vehicle function, a vehicle function having a higher utilization frequency than the first vehicle function among the plurality of vehicle functions; The proposing unit proposes to the user to assign the determined second vehicle function to the second operating unit different from the third operating unit to which the second vehicle function is previously assigned, when the proposal is rejected by the user a predetermined number of times.

3. The control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The second operating unit is a steering wheel switch of the vehicle.

4. The control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: further comprising a learning unit for learning a timing suitable for providing a suggestion to the user based on the operation information of the vehicle, The proposing unit makes a proposal to the user at the learned timing suitable for the proposal.

5. The control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The specifying unit specifies, as the second operating unit, an operating unit having a relatively low usage frequency among a plurality of allocation target candidates mounted on the vehicle.

Images