Information processing apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to an information processing apparatus. A vehicle is provided with: one or more interface devices; and a member on which an image obtained by encoding digital data for guiding the use method of the interface device to a user is printed, the member being disposed in the vicinity of the corresponding interface device.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of an application with an application date of November 24, 2021, application number 202111410715.0, and invention name “Vehicle, vehicle system and information processing device”. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to automobiles. Background Art

[0003] There is a trend to digitize the operating instructions of industrial products. In this regard, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-162155 discloses an invention related to an electronic manual system that can display a manual of a car using a portable terminal. Summary of the invention

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to improve the convenience of an electronic manual.

[0005] A first aspect of the present disclosure is a vehicle having: one or more interface devices; and a member having printed thereon an image obtained by encoding digital data for guiding a user on how to use the interface device, the member being arranged near the corresponding interface device.

[0006] The second scheme of the present disclosure is a vehicle system including a vehicle and a portable terminal. Specifically, the vehicle has: one or more interface devices; and a component printed with an image obtained by encoding digital data for guiding a user on how to use the interface device, and the portable terminal has a control unit that performs: optically reading the component to obtain the digital data; and outputting guidance related to the corresponding method of using the interface device based on the digital data.

[0007] The third scheme of the present disclosure is an information processing device, comprising a control unit, which performs the following operations: optically reading an image obtained by encoding digital data of an electronic manual used to identify a vehicle to obtain the digital data; if the electronic manual represented by the digital data is not stored in the device, obtaining the electronic manual according to the digital data; and if the electronic manual represented by the digital data is stored in the device, outputting the stored electronic manual.

[0008] In addition, as another aspect, there may be a program for causing a computer to execute the method executed by the above-mentioned information processing apparatus, or a computer-readable storage medium storing the program in a non-temporary manner.

[0009] According to the present disclosure, the convenience of the electronic manual can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

[0011] Figure 1 It is a system configuration diagram of a vehicle system according to an embodiment.

[0012] Figure 2 It is a block diagram showing components included in a vehicle.

[0013] Figure 3 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of a power socket.

[0014] Figure 4 It is a block diagram showing components of a user terminal.

[0015] Figure 5 It is a diagram for explaining information encoded into a two-dimensional code in the first embodiment.

[0016] Figure 6 This is a display example of an electronic manual provided by a user terminal.

[0017] Figure 7 is a flowchart of a process performed by a user terminal.

[0018] Fig. 8A - Figure 8C It is a diagram showing a modified example of the appearance of the power socket.

[0019] Fig. 9 It is a diagram for explaining information encoded into a two-dimensional code in the second embodiment.

[0020] Fig.10 It is a diagram showing a modified example of the appearance of the power socket. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] One solution of the present disclosure is a vehicle having a plurality of interface devices. Specifically, the vehicle is characterized in that: the vehicle has one or more interface devices; and a member having printed thereon an image obtained by encoding digital data for guiding a user on how to use the interface device, the member being arranged near the corresponding interface device.

[0022] An interface device is a device that inputs or outputs information or power. Examples of interface devices include an operation panel, a touch panel, or a display device provided on a vehicle-mounted device. In addition, an interface device may also be a socket that supplies power to the outside of the vehicle, a connector that connects an external device, or the like.

[0023] Among such interface devices in a vehicle, there are interface devices that are not used daily. Such interface devices include, for example, a socket (power outlet) that supplies power to the outside of the vehicle in an emergency such as a power outage. However, when a user wants to use an interface device that is not used daily, there may be a problem that the user does not know how to use it.

[0024] In order to learn how to use the device, it is necessary to refer to the vehicle manual, but if the manual is electronic, it is necessary to start by downloading the electronic manual, and the required information cannot be obtained immediately. Even if the electronic manual is already at hand, it is difficult to find the required part in the large manual.

[0025] In a vehicle according to one aspect of the present disclosure for solving this problem, a member having an image printed thereon encoding digital data for guiding a user on how to use the interface device is attached near a corresponding interface device.

[0026] The digital data for guiding the use of the interface device may be, for example, data indicating the location of the electronic manual on the Internet (URL, URI, etc.), or data indicating the recorded location in the electronic manual (data indicating a page number or a link to a bookmark). By attaching an image (e.g., a two-dimensional code) encoding such digital data near the interface device, the user can be guided to the electronic manual.

[0027] The electronic manual is available either as a document file or as supporting software divided by model or by manufacturer.

[0028] Furthermore, the digital data may include first data indicating a distribution location on a network of an electronic manual corresponding to the vehicle.

[0029] For example, when the electronic manual is provided as a document file, the first data may also be a URL indicating the location of the document. In addition, when the electronic manual is provided as software, the first data may also be an identifier or URL of a distribution location (e.g., an App store) of the software.

[0030] Furthermore, the digital data may include second data indicating a location in an electronic manual corresponding to the vehicle where a method of using a corresponding interface device is described.

[0031] For example, when the electronic manual is provided as a document file, the second data may be data indicating a page number in the document or a link to a bookmark.

[0032] Furthermore, the digital data may include both first data indicating a distribution location of an electronic manual corresponding to the vehicle on a network and second data indicating a portion of the electronic manual where a method of using a corresponding interface device is described.

[0033] One aspect of the present disclosure is a vehicle system including the aforementioned vehicle and a portable terminal.

[0034] The portable terminal includes a control unit that performs: optically reading the member to acquire the digital data; and outputting guidance on a method of using the corresponding interface device based on the digital data.

[0035] In this way, the portable terminal reads an image (for example, a two-dimensional code) obtained by encoding digital data, and the electronic manual can be referenced on the portable terminal.

[0036] Furthermore, the control unit included in the portable terminal may be configured to obtain the electronic manual according to the first data when the electronic manual is not stored in the portable terminal.

[0037] Furthermore, the control unit included in the portable terminal may output the stored electronic manual when the electronic manual is stored in the portable terminal.

[0038] Furthermore, the control unit included in the portable terminal may output a portion represented by the second data in the stored electronic manual when the electronic manual is stored in the portable terminal.

[0039] According to the above configuration, the portable terminal can use the same two-dimensional code to perform a desired action among multiple actions such as "obtaining an electronic manual", "activating an electronic manual", and "accessing a desired page". Thus, appropriate information in the electronic manual can be quickly provided to the user.

[0040] Furthermore, “activating the electronic manual” may refer to a process of opening the electronic manual provided as a document file, or may refer to a process of activating supporting software that provides the electronic manual.

[0041] In addition, one aspect of the present disclosure is the aforementioned portable terminal.

[0042] Specifically, it has a control unit that performs the following operations: optically reading an image obtained by encoding digital data of an electronic manual for identifying a vehicle to obtain the digital data; if the electronic manual represented by the digital data is not stored in the device, obtaining the electronic manual according to the digital data; and if the electronic manual represented by the digital data is stored in the device, outputting the stored electronic manual.

[0043] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The structures of the following embodiments are illustrative only, and the present disclosure is not limited to the structures of the embodiments.

[0044] (First embodiment)

[0045] Reference Figure 1 The vehicle system of the first embodiment will be described in detail. The vehicle system of the present embodiment includes a vehicle 1 and a user terminal 100 .

[0046] The vehicle 1 is a hybrid vehicle having a function of supplying power to the outside of the vehicle. The vehicle 1 has a driving battery pack (hybrid battery pack) and a power socket as an interface device for supplying power stored in the hybrid battery pack to the outside of the vehicle.

[0047] The user terminal 100 is a portable terminal carried by a user of the vehicle 1. The user terminal 100 has a function of optically reading a two-dimensional code attached to the vehicle 1 and a function of providing an electronic manual of the vehicle 1 based on the read two-dimensional code.

[0048] A two-dimensional code encoding digital data of an electronic manual for guiding the vehicle is attached to the vehicle 1 , and the user terminal 100 reads the two-dimensional code so that the user of the vehicle can access the electronic manual of the vehicle 1 .

[0049] Describe the components of the system in detail.

[0050] Figure 2 It is schematically shown Figure 1 The block diagram of an example of the structure of the vehicle 1 shown in FIG. The vehicle 1 is configured to include a hybrid battery unit 11 , a motor generator 12 , a power control unit 13 , a hybrid ECU 14 , an inverter 15 , and a power inlet 16 .

[0051] In this example, a hybrid ECU that controls charging and discharging is exemplified as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) mounted in the vehicle 1 . However, the vehicle 1 may also be equipped with an ECU other than controlling charging and discharging of the battery pack, such as an engine ECU or a body ECU.

[0052] The hybrid battery assembly 11 is a battery assembly that supplies electric power for driving the vehicle 1. The hybrid battery assembly 11 supplies electric power to the motor generator 12 and is charged with electric power generated by the motor generator 12. As the hybrid battery assembly 11, for example, a secondary battery such as a nickel-metal hydride battery or a lithium-ion battery can be used.

[0053] The motor generator 12 is a motor generator that functions as a motor or a generator. The motor generator 12 is connected to a drive shaft via a power split mechanism, and can convert electric power into kinetic energy or convert kinetic energy into electric power.

[0054] The power control unit 13 is a unit that converts electric power for driving, and specifically, is configured to include an inverter that converts electric power from direct current to alternating current, a converter that controls voltage, and the like.

[0055] The hybrid ECU 14 is an electronic control unit that controls electric driving. The hybrid ECU 14 controls the driving of the drive shaft using the electric power stored in the hybrid battery assembly 11, the recovery of electric power using the regenerative brake, etc. In addition, the hybrid ECU 14 controls the supply of the electric power stored in the hybrid battery assembly 11 to the outside as needed.

[0056] Furthermore, when the vehicle 1 is a plug-in hybrid vehicle, the hybrid ECU 14 can also perform charging control of the hybrid battery unit 11 by an external power source and the like.

[0057] The inverter 15 converts the electric power stored in the hybrid battery unit 11 from direct current to alternating current in order to supply the electric power to the outside.

[0058] The power inlet 16 is a means for supplying electric power to the outside of the vehicle. The power inlet 16 has a power connector (socket), and by inserting a plug, electric power can be supplied to the outside of the vehicle.

[0059] The vehicle 1 can be switched from a running mode to a mode of supplying electric power to the outside of the vehicle by a predetermined operation by the user. This control is performed by the hybrid ECU 14. However, if a user who is not accustomed to this operation wants to switch the mode, he must refer to the vehicle manual to check the operation method.

[0060] Therefore, in the present embodiment, a two-dimensional code affixed near an interface device (ie, the power socket 16 ) that outputs electric power is used to guide the user to the electronic manual of the vehicle.

[0061] Figure 3 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of a power inlet 16 provided in the vehicle 1. The power inlet 16 is disposed in, for example, a luggage space (luggage room), and can be used by opening a protective cover.

[0062] A QR code is attached near the power socket 16 as shown in the figure. The user terminal 100 described later reads the code, so that the user terminal 100 can provide the user with an electronic manual (especially instructions on how to use the power socket). The details of the information encoded into the QR code and the method for the user terminal 100 to provide the electronic manual will be described later.

[0063] Next, the user terminal 100 will be described.

[0064] Figure 4 It is schematically shown Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of the user terminal 100 .

[0065] The user terminal 100 can be formed by a general-purpose computer. That is, the user terminal 100 can be formed as a computer having a processor such as a CPU, a GPU, a main storage device such as a RAM, a ROM, an EPROM, a hard disk drive, a removable medium, and other auxiliary storage devices. An operating system (OS), various programs, various tables, etc. are stored in the auxiliary storage device, and the programs stored therein are executed to realize various functions consistent with the predetermined purpose as described later. However, some or all of the functions can also be realized by hardware circuits such as ASIC and FPGA.

[0066] The user terminal 100 is a portable computer carried by a user of the vehicle 1. The user terminal 100 may also be a smartphone, a tablet terminal or other portable computers. The user terminal 100 includes a control unit 101, a storage unit 102, a communication unit 103, an input / output unit 104 and a camera 105.

[0067] The control unit 101 is a component that controls the user terminal 100. The control unit 101 includes, for example, an information processing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).

[0068] The control unit 101 includes an acquisition unit 1011 as a functional module. This functional module can also be realized by the CPU executing a program stored in a storage device such as a ROM.

[0069] The acquisition unit 1011 decodes the two-dimensional code read by the camera 105 described later, and provides the electronic manual of the vehicle to the user based on the obtained information. The detailed operation will be described later. In this embodiment, the acquisition unit 1011 uses an application (support software) provided by the manufacturer of the vehicle 1 to realize its function.

[0070] The storage unit 102 is a component for storing information and is composed of a storage medium such as RAM, a magnetic disk, and a flash memory. The storage unit 102 stores various programs executed by the control unit 101, data used by the programs, etc. In addition, the storage unit 102 stores an electronic manual of the vehicle 1 downloaded from the network.

[0071] The communication unit 103 is an interface device for connecting the user terminal 100 to a mobile communication network. The communication unit 103 can communicate with a wide area network (eg, the Internet) using, for example, a mobile communication network, a wireless LAN, or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0072] The input / output unit 104 is a component that accepts input operations performed by the user and prompts information to the user. Specifically, it includes a touch panel and its control components, a liquid crystal display and its control components. The touch panel and the liquid crystal display include a touch panel display in this embodiment. In addition, the input / output unit 104 may also have a speaker for outputting sound, etc.

[0073] The camera 105 is an optical unit including an image sensor for acquiring an image.

[0074] Next, the details of the two-dimensional code attached to the vehicle 1 and the operation of the user terminal 100 that reads the two-dimensional code will be described.

[0075] Figure 5 1 is a diagram for explaining information encoded in a two-dimensional code attached near the power socket 16. As shown in the figure, the two-dimensional code is obtained by encoding the following three types of character strings.

[0076] (1) A character string identifying the model of vehicle 1 (model identifier)

[0077] (2) A character string indicating the location of the electronic manual corresponding to vehicle 1 (location)

[0078] (3) A character string (pointer) indicating the location in the electronic manual that explains how to use external power supply.

[0079] The model identifier is an identifier that uniquely identifies a model of a vehicle. The model identifier is used, for example, to identify whether an electronic manual is stored in the user terminal 100 .

[0080] The location is, for example, a character string indicating the location of the electronic manual on the Internet, typically a URL (Uniform Resource Locator), a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier), etc. For example, when the electronic manual is provided as a document file, the location may also be a URL indicating the location of the document. In addition, when the electronic manual is provided as software, the location may also be an identifier or URL of the distribution location of the software (e.g., an App store).

[0081] The pointer is data indicating a location in the electronic manual of the vehicle 1 that explains how to use the power socket 16 (i.e., the external power supply method). The pointer may be a page number or a chapter number of the electronic manual. In addition, when a plurality of bookmarks are defined in the electronic manual, the pointer may be an identifier of the corresponding bookmark.

[0082] The user terminal 100 (acquisition unit 1011 ) that reads such a two-dimensional code performs the following operation.

[0083] (1) First, it is determined whether the electronic manual of the vehicle indicated by the model identifier has been downloaded. If the corresponding electronic manual has not been obtained, the electronic manual located on the network is obtained according to the location.

[0084] (2) If the corresponding electronic manual has been obtained, the electronic manual is opened. For example, if the electronic manual is an application, the application is started. Alternatively, if the electronic manual is a document file, a reader associated with the document file is started to read the document file.

[0085] (3) Furthermore, a predetermined location pointed by the pointer is displayed from among a plurality of pages of the electronic manual.

[0086] By continuously performing these operations, the user can refer to a desired portion of the electronic manual simply by reading the two-dimensional code.

[0087] Figure 6 This is an example of an electronic manual of the vehicle 1 displayed by the user terminal 100 .

[0088] Figure 7 This is a flowchart of a process executed by the user terminal 100 (control unit 101 ). This process is started by the acquisition unit 1011 when the user performs a reading operation of a two-dimensional code.

[0089] First, in step S11, a two-dimensional code is read via the camera 105. The read two-dimensional code is decoded according to a predetermined procedure and converted into a character string.

[0090] Next, in step S12, the model identifier, location, and pointer are extracted from the character string obtained by the conversion.

[0091] Next, in step S13, it is determined whether the electronic manual of the vehicle indicated by the model identifier has been downloaded. Here, if it has not been downloaded, the process transfers to step S16, and the electronic manual is downloaded according to the location. In addition, if an operation by the user is required (for example, an operation to install an application, etc.), a guidance urging the operation can also be output.

[0092] If the electronic manual has been downloaded in step S13, the process transfers to step S14, and the electronic manual is opened. For example, if the electronic manual is an application, the application is started. In addition, if the electronic manual is a document file, a reader associated with the document file is started to read the document file.

[0093] Then, in step S15, the target page in the electronic manual is displayed according to the pointer. In addition, if the page can be designated when the electronic manual is activated, the processing of steps S14 and S15 may be performed at once.

[0094] As described above, in the vehicle system of this embodiment, a two-dimensional code for guiding the user on how to use the interface device is attached near the interface device of the vehicle 1. The user who visually views the interface device must visually view the two-dimensional code, so he can recognize that he can refer to the electronic manual by reading the code. Furthermore, the user terminal 100 that reads the two-dimensional code performs multiple actions such as "obtaining the electronic manual", "starting the electronic manual", and "accessing the required page". In this way, the interface device can be explained to the user without complicated operations.

[0095] (Modification of the first embodiment)

[0096] In a first embodiment, if Figure 3 As shown, a two-dimensional code is attached next to the insertion port of the plug, but the attachment position of the two-dimensional code is not limited to this position.

[0097] For example, you can Fig. 8A As shown, a QR code may be attached to the back of a protective cover provided at the insertion port of the plug, or Figure 8B As shown, the two-dimensional code is arranged so as to surround the insertion port of the plug. In addition, when the latter method is adopted, it is necessary to pay attention to the need to improve the error correction level of the two-dimensional code to a certain level or more.

[0098] According to such a method, the existence of the two-dimensional code can be conveyed to the user more clearly.

[0099] In the first embodiment, only the two-dimensional code corresponding to the power socket is illustrated, but the corresponding two-dimensional code may be affixed to each of the plurality of interface devices of the vehicle 1. The plurality of interface devices may be, for example, a control panel of an onboard device (navigation device, air conditioner), a centralized switch provided on the steering gear, a power inlet (charging port), etc.

[0100] In addition, in the first embodiment, the Figure 5 The QR code is a QR code that encodes the three types of data shown in the figure. However, when the model of the vehicle handled by the user terminal 100 is of one type, the model identifier is not necessary. In addition, the data contained in the QR code can also be set as the location and the pointer or any of them. For example, in the case where it is known in advance that an electronic manual corresponding to the predetermined model is stored in the user terminal 100, a QR code containing only a pointer can also be used. In addition, in the case of only guiding the user to the publication place of the electronic manual, a QR code containing only a model identifier and a location can also be used.

[0101] In addition, for example, Figure 8C In that case, the two-dimensional code that only includes the position and the two-dimensional code that only includes the pointer are respectively configured. In this case, the former can also be configured at a position in the car, and the latter can be configured near the corresponding interface device.

[0102] (Second embodiment)

[0103] Generally speaking, a QR code can be read by application software pre-installed in a smartphone, etc. For example, the OS (operating system) of a general smartphone has a function of passing the decoded URL to the browser when a QR code is detected from a camera image.

[0104] However, if Figure 5 The two-dimensional code containing a plurality of information shown cannot be read without dedicated application software. That is, the system of the first embodiment cannot be used in a portable terminal that has not installed the corresponding application software.

[0105] Therefore, in the second embodiment, this problem is solved by embedding the above three types of data into the URL. Fig. 9 This is an example of information encoded into a two-dimensional code in the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the model identifier, the location, and the pointer are encoded into a URL. In the example shown in the figure, symbol 901 represents the location, symbol 902 represents the model identifier, and symbol 903 represents the pointer. That is, the model identifier and the pointer are described as query parameters.

[0106] The user terminal 100 accesses the decoded URL via a browser. The web server (ie, the server that distributes the electronic manual) that receives the sent query parameter performs any of the following operations.

[0107] (1) Interpret the query parameters and output the corresponding page of the electronic manual of the corresponding model

[0108] For example, in Fig. 9 In the example of , the 28th page of the electronic manual corresponding to the model "V001" is output. Thus, the user can refer to the corresponding page of the electronic manual on the user terminal 100. When this method is adopted, the electronic manual is downloaded to the user terminal 100 in units of pages.

[0109] (2) No explanation of query parameters, only electronic manuals

[0110] The web server regards the query added to the URL as virtual and recognizes only the location portion. Thus, the user terminal 100 can download the entire electronic manual described in the location. In addition, in this example, the electronic manual is provided as support software.

[0111] Afterwards, the user starts the support software and reads the same QR code again. The support software that reads the QR code identifies the model identifier and pointer contained in the URL and outputs the corresponding information in the stored electronic manual. Fig. 9 In the case of the example of , the 28th page of the electronic manual corresponding to the model "V001" is output. In this case, the support software only interprets the query parameter part included in the URL.

[0112] In addition, when the method (2) is used, the user needs to read the QR code twice. Therefore, the article guiding the sequence can also be recorded near the QR code. For example, by recording Fig.10 The information shown can convey to the user how to use the QR code.

[0113] As described above, in the second embodiment, the necessary information is embedded in the URL and encoded into a two-dimensional code. According to the above configuration, both the operations of "obtaining the electronic manual" and "presenting the necessary part in the electronic manual" can be performed without any prior preparation.

[0114] (Variation)

[0115] The above-described embodiment is merely an example, and the present invention can be implemented with appropriate modifications without departing from the gist of the invention.

[0116] For example, the processes and components described in the present disclosure can be freely combined and implemented as long as no technical contradiction occurs.

[0117] In the description of the embodiment, a configuration is exemplified in which a user is guided to an electronic manual using a two-dimensional code. However, a two-dimensional code may be generated by encoding the vehicle description itself.

[0118] In addition, a process described as being performed by one device may be shared and executed by a plurality of devices. Alternatively, a process described as being performed by different devices may be performed by one device. In a computer system, it is possible to flexibly change the hardware structure (server structure) by which each function is implemented.

[0119] The present disclosure can also be implemented in the following manner: a computer program having the functions described in the above embodiments is provided to a computer, and one or more processors of the computer read out the program and execute it. Such a computer program can be provided to the computer via a non-temporary computer-readable storage medium that can be connected to the system bus of the computer, or it can be provided to the computer via a network. Non-temporary computer-readable storage media include, for example, any type of disk (floppy disk (floppy (registered trademark) disk), hard disk drive (HDD), etc.), optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD optical disk and Blu-ray disc, etc.), read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), EPROM, EEPROM, magnetic card, flash memory, optical card, and any type of medium suitable for storing electronic commands.

Claims

1. An information processing device, comprising a control unit, the control unit executing: optically reading an image obtained by encoding digital data of an electronic manual for identifying a vehicle, and acquiring the digital data; If the electronic manual represented by the digital data is not stored in the present device, acquiring the electronic manual according to the digital data; and When the electronic manual represented by the digital data is stored in the present device, the stored electronic manual is output.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The digital data includes first data indicating a distribution location of an electronic manual corresponding to the vehicle on a network.

3. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein: When the electronic manual is not stored in the terminal, the control unit acquires the electronic manual according to the first data.

4. The information processing device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The digital data further includes second data indicating a location in an electronic manual corresponding to the vehicle where a method of using a corresponding interface device is described.

5. The information processing device according to claim 4, wherein: When the electronic manual is stored in the terminal, the control unit outputs a portion of the stored electronic manual indicated by the second data.

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