Information processing apparatus and information processing method

Abstract

The invention provides an information processing device and an information processing method which can improve the convenience of a user when a vehicle is remotely operated. The information processing device controls a vehicle in which a communication function related to remote operation transitions to a stopped state in response to a first period elapsed from the stop of the operation of an internal combustion engine. In the information processing device, the control unit executes an automatic start-up process for transmitting a start-up command for operating the internal combustion engine for a predetermined time to the vehicle in response to the elapse of a second period shorter than the first period from the stop of the operation of the internal combustion engine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus and an information processing method. Background Art

[0002] There is known a technique for operating an air conditioner mounted on a vehicle in a remote operation manner (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-120022 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a technique capable of improving the convenience of a user when remotely operating a vehicle.

[0008] Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] One aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing apparatus that controls a vehicle in which a communication function related to remote operation changes to a stop state according to a situation where a first period has elapsed since the operation of an internal combustion engine has stopped. In this case, the information processing apparatus may include, for example, a control unit configured to execute an automatic start process, which is a process of transmitting a start instruction for causing the internal combustion engine to operate for a predetermined time to the vehicle according to a situation where a second period shorter than the first period has elapsed since the operation of the internal combustion engine has stopped.

[0010] Another aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing method for controlling a vehicle in which a communication function related to remote operation changes to a stop state according to a situation where a first period has elapsed since the operation of an internal combustion engine has stopped. In this case, the information processing method may also be implemented, for example, such that a computer executes an automatic start process, which is a process of transmitting a start instruction for causing the internal combustion engine to operate for a predetermined time to the vehicle according to a situation where a second period shorter than the first period has elapsed since the operation of the internal combustion engine has stopped.

[0011] In addition, another aspect of the present disclosure may be a program for causing a computer to execute the above-described information processing method, or a non-transitory storage medium storing the program in a computer-readable form.

[0012] Effects of the Invention

[0013] According to the present disclosure, a technology capable of improving the convenience of a user when remotely operating a vehicle can be provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 A diagram showing a schematic configuration of a system in an embodiment.

[0015] Figure 2 A diagram schematically showing an example of the hardware configuration of each of a vehicle, a user terminal, and a server included in the system in an embodiment.

[0016] Figure 3 A diagram schematically showing an example of a remote operation menu screen in an embodiment.

[0017] Figure 4 A diagram schematically showing an example of an automatic start processing operation screen in an embodiment.

[0018] Figure 5 A diagram schematically showing an example of a request signal in an embodiment.

[0019] Figure 6 A diagram schematically showing an example of vehicle data in an embodiment.

[0020] Figure 7 A block diagram showing an example of the software configuration of a server in an embodiment.

[0021] Figure 8 A diagram schematically showing an example of a remote air-conditioning command signal in an embodiment.

[0022] Figure 9 A flowchart showing an example of a processing routine executed in a server triggered by receiving a request signal in an embodiment.

[0023] Figure 10 A flowchart showing an example of a processing routine executed in a server at a predetermined cycle in an embodiment.

[0024] Figure 11 A diagram schematically showing an example of an automatic start processing operation screen in a modification.

[0025] Figure 12 A diagram schematically showing an example of a request signal in a modification.

[0026] Figure 13 A diagram schematically showing an example of vehicle data in a modification.

[0027] Figure 14A flowchart showing an example of a processing routine that is executed in a server at a predetermined cycle in a modification example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] In recent years, in vehicles equipped with an internal combustion engine (e.g., internal combustion engine vehicles, HEVs (Hybrid Electric Vehicle), PHEVs (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), etc.), a service in which a user remotely operates in-vehicle devices such as an air conditioner and a door lock actuator of the vehicle during parking via a terminal such as a smartphone (hereinafter, sometimes also referred to as "remote service") has been spreading. The vehicle that is the object of the remote service is equipped with a communication terminal (e.g., DCM (Data Communication Module), etc.) for receiving signals related to remote operation. Such a communication terminal operates using a storage battery (secondary battery) as a power source. The storage battery is charged by the electric power generated during the operation of the internal combustion engine. Therefore, when the vehicle is in a parked state (internal combustion engine operation stopped state), if the communication terminal continuously stands by in a standby state (a state capable of receiving signals related to remote operation), the remaining amount of the storage battery may become too small, thereby affecting the operation of the communication terminal.

[0029] In response to this, the following countermeasure is considered, that is, at the time point when a predetermined period (first period) has elapsed since the operation of the internal combustion engine stopped, the communication terminal is changed from the standby state to the stopped state (a state incapable of receiving signals related to remote operation). However, when the above countermeasure is adopted, when the user wants to use the remote service, the communication terminal may become unable to receive signals related to remote operation. As a result, the convenience of the user who uses the remote service may be impaired.

[0030] Therefore, the information processing apparatus according to the present disclosure controls the vehicle in such a manner that the internal combustion engine is started after the operation of the internal combustion engine stops and before the communication function of the vehicle changes to the stopped state. Specifically, in the information processing apparatus according to the present disclosure, the control unit executes the following processing (automatic start processing), that is, a processing of automatically sending an instruction (start instruction) for operating the internal combustion engine for a predetermined time to the vehicle according to the situation where a second period shorter than the first period has elapsed since the operation of the internal combustion engine stopped.

[0031] The vehicle that is the control object of the information processing apparatus according to the present disclosure is a vehicle in which the communication function related to remote operation changes to a stopped state according to the situation after a first period has elapsed since the operation of the internal combustion engine has stopped. The information processing apparatus according to the present disclosure is a computer that performs processing related to the remote operation of the vehicle. In one example, the information processing apparatus according to the present disclosure may also be a server connected to the vehicle via a network. In one example, the predetermined time may also be the time required until the charge amount (e.g., SOC (State Of Charge)) of the battery mounted on the vehicle becomes equal to or greater than a threshold value. The battery at this time may also be a battery that enables the communication function of the vehicle to function, and is a secondary battery that is charged using the electric power generated during the operation of the internal combustion engine. In addition, the start instruction may also be an instruction regarded as a remote operation accompanying the start of the internal combustion engine among the remote operations that the vehicle can receive. In one example, the start instruction may also be an instruction for causing the remote air conditioner to operate. The remote air conditioner is an instruction for causing the internal combustion engine and the air conditioner device to operate in a remote operation manner when the vehicle is in a parked state (the power switch or the ignition switch is in the off state). Thus, if it is a vehicle corresponding to the remote air conditioner, the automatic start processing can be applied.

[0032] According to the present disclosure, before the communication function of the vehicle changes to the stopped state after the operation of the internal combustion engine has stopped, a start instruction is sent from the information processing apparatus to the vehicle. Thus, the vehicle can receive the start instruction. And the vehicle can operate the internal combustion engine for a predetermined time according to the received start instruction. When the internal combustion engine is operated for a predetermined time, the starting point of the first period is reset and the battery is charged, so that the period during which the communication function of the vehicle can standby in a standby state can be extended.

[0033] In addition, in the automatic start processing according to the present disclosure, the control unit can repeatedly execute the sending of the start instruction to the vehicle. That is, after the internal combustion engine is operated for a predetermined time according to the start instruction, according to the situation where a second period has elapsed since the operation of the internal combustion engine has stopped, the control unit can also send a start instruction to the vehicle again. Thus, the communication function of the vehicle can continuously standby in a standby state. As a result, when the user of the vehicle wants to use the remote service, it is possible to suppress the situation where the communication function of the vehicle falls into a state where it cannot receive signals related to remote operation.

[0034] In addition, in the automatic start-up process according to the present disclosure, the number of times the start-up instruction is sent can also be limited to less than a predetermined number of times. That is to say, performing the automatic start-up process according to the present disclosure may also include the following: determining whether the actual value of the past number of times the start-up instruction has been sent is less than a predetermined number of times based on the situation that a second period has elapsed since the internal combustion engine stopped operating; and sending the start-up instruction to the vehicle based on the determination that the actual value is less than the predetermined number of times. Thereby, the number of times the start-up instruction is sent in the automatic start-up process can be limited to less than a predetermined number of times. That is, the number of times the internal combustion engine is started in the automatic start-up process can be limited to less than a predetermined number of times. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the excessive consumption of fuel of the internal combustion engine due to the execution of the automatic start-up process.

[0035] Here, the execution timing of the automatic start-up process, the second period, and the predetermined number of times can also be arbitrarily determined by the user. In this case, the control unit of the information processing device according to the present disclosure may also be configured to further perform the following process: receiving a request signal from a first terminal used by the user of the vehicle, the request signal being a signal requesting the execution of the automatic start-up process and including information specifying the second period and the predetermined number of times; and starting to execute the automatic start-up process according to the second period and the predetermined number of times specified by the request signal. Thereby, the user can consider the period during which the vehicle is not used and the remaining fuel amount of the vehicle, etc., to determine the execution timing, the second period, and the predetermined number of times of the automatic start-up process. As a result, the automatic start-up process can be executed in a manner suitable for the vehicle usage method implemented by the user.

[0036] In addition, in the automatic start-up process according to the present disclosure, an expiration date may also be set. That is to say, performing the automatic start-up process according to the present disclosure may also include the following: determining whether the expiration date of the automatic start-up process has not expired based on the situation that a second period has elapsed since the internal combustion engine stopped operating; and sending the start-up instruction to the vehicle based on the determination that the expiration date has not expired. Thereby, the execution of the automatic start-up process can be limited until the expiration date. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the excessive consumption of fuel of the internal combustion engine due to the execution of the automatic start-up process.

[0037] Here, the execution time, the second period, and the expiration date of the automatic start process can also be arbitrarily determined by the user. In this case, the control unit of the information processing apparatus according to the present disclosure may also be configured to further execute the following process: receiving a request signal from a first terminal used by a user of the vehicle, the request signal being a signal for requesting the execution of the automatic start process and including information specifying the second period and the expiration date; and starting to execute the automatic start process according to the second period and the expiration date specified by the request signal. Thus, the user can specify the execution time, the second period, and the expiration date of the automatic start process in consideration of the period when the vehicle is not used and the remaining fuel amount of the vehicle, etc. As a result, the automatic start process can be executed in a manner suitable for the usage method of the vehicle implemented by the user.

[0038] In addition, in a manner where the execution time, the second period, and the predetermined number of times (or the expiration date) of the automatic start process are arbitrarily determined by the user, the control unit may also be configured to further execute the following process: according to the situation of receiving the above request signal, sending a notification indicating the start of the execution of the automatic start process to a second terminal used by a shared user of the vehicle. The shared user is a user who shares the vehicle with the above user (for example, family members, etc.). Thus, the shared user can be made aware of the start of the execution of the automatic start process.

[0039] <Embodiment>

[0040] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described based on the drawings. The structures of the following embodiments are illustrative, but the embodiments described below are merely illustrative of the present disclosure in all aspects. Various improvements or modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In the implementation of the present disclosure, specific structures corresponding to the embodiments can also be appropriately adopted. In addition, although the data appearing in this embodiment is described in natural language, more specifically, it can be specified by a computer-recognizable pseudo language, command, parameter, machine language, etc.

[0041] (System Overview)

[0042] Figure 1 FIG. schematically shows an example of a system to which the present disclosure is applied. The system according to the present embodiment is configured to include a vehicle 10, a user terminal 20, and a server 30. In addition, although Figure 1 only one vehicle 10 and one user terminal 20 are respectively illustrated in, a plurality of vehicles 10 and user terminals 20 under the management of the server 30 can be included in the system.

[0043] The vehicle 10 is an automobile equipped with the internal combustion engine 130 described later. In one example, the vehicle 10 can be an internal combustion engine vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle 10 is not limited to an internal combustion engine vehicle and can also be an HEV or PHEV equipped with the internal combustion engine 130. Furthermore, the vehicle 10 is equipped with the communication terminal 100 described later and communicates with the server 30 through this communication terminal 100. In the present embodiment, the vehicle 10 receives the work instruction signal sent from the server 30 through the communication terminal 100. The work instruction signal is a signal that includes instructions associated with remote operation. As instructions associated with remote operation, examples include an execution instruction for remote air conditioning and an execution instruction for remote door locks. Remote air conditioning is an operation of remotely starting the internal combustion engine 130 and operating the air conditioning device 120 and the generator 140 described later. Remote door lock is an operation of locking or unlocking the doors of the vehicle 10 remotely. The vehicle 10 operates the devices mounted on the vehicle 10 according to the work instruction received from the server 30.

[0044] In addition, the communication terminal 100 of the vehicle 10 in the present embodiment is configured to operate using the battery 105 described later as a power source. The battery 105 is a secondary battery that is charged using the electric power generated by the generator 140 described later during the operation of the internal combustion engine 130. Accordingly, the communication terminal 100 of the vehicle 10 in the present embodiment is configured to change from the standby state (a state capable of receiving the work instruction signal sent from the server 30) to the stop state (a state unable to receive the work instruction signal sent from the server 30) according to the situation where the first period has elapsed since the operation of the internal combustion engine 130 stopped. This is because when the internal combustion engine 130 is in the stopped state (the state where the battery 105 is not charged), if the standby state of the communication terminal 100 continues for a long time, it may cause the remaining amount of the battery 105 to become too small, thereby affecting the operation of the communication terminal 100.

[0045] The user terminal 20 is a computer used by the user of the vehicle 10 and has a function of accepting remote operations performed by the user and a function of sending a remote operation signal including information related to the received remote operation (for example, the operation method of in-vehicle devices that are the object of remote operation, etc.) to the server 30. Additionally, in the present embodiment, the user terminal 20 also has a function of accepting an execution request for the automatic start process described later performed by the user and a function of sending a request signal including the execution request for the automatic start process to the server 30. Details of the automatic start process will be described later.

[0046] The server 30 is one or more computers that perform processing related to the remote operation of the vehicle 10. The server 30 has a function of sending a work instruction signal for causing an in-vehicle device of an object to work according to a work method included in a remote operation signal to the vehicle 10 when a remote operation signal sent from the user terminal 20 is received. In addition, in the present embodiment, the server 30 has a function of performing an automatic start-up process when a request signal sent from the user terminal 20 is received.

[0047] (Automatic start-up process)

[0048] Here, the automatic start-up process in the present embodiment will be described. The automatic start-up process is a process of automatically sending a work instruction signal for causing the internal combustion engine 130 to operate for a predetermined time from the server 30 to the vehicle 10 when a second period has elapsed since the operation of the internal combustion engine 130 has stopped. The second period is a period shorter than the first period. As described above, the first period is the period required from when the internal combustion engine 130 stops operating until the communication terminal 100 changes to the stop state. In the present embodiment, the second period is arbitrarily set by the user of the vehicle 10. The method of setting the second period will be described later.

[0049] In the automatic start-up process in the present embodiment, as the work instruction signal for causing the internal combustion engine 130 to operate for a predetermined time, a work instruction signal for causing the remote air conditioner to execute (hereinafter, also sometimes referred to as "remote air conditioner instruction signal") can be used. It is assumed that the execution time (predetermined time) of the remote air conditioner is included in the remote air conditioner instruction signal at this time. In addition, when the vehicle 10 corresponds to a remote operation for starting the internal combustion engine 130 without operating the air conditioner device 120, a work instruction signal corresponding to the remote operation can also be used.

[0050] When the above automatic start-up process is executed in the server 30, before the first period has elapsed since the operation of the internal combustion engine 130 has stopped (when the second period has elapsed since the operation of the internal combustion engine 130 has stopped), a remote air conditioner instruction signal is sent from the server 30 to the vehicle 10. That is, after the operation of the internal combustion engine 130 has stopped and before the communication terminal 100 changes from the standby state to the stop state, a remote air conditioner instruction signal is sent from the server 30 to the vehicle 10. As a result, the vehicle 10 can receive the remote air conditioner instruction signal. As a result, the vehicle 10 can execute the remote air conditioner according to the remote air conditioner instruction signal. Specifically, the vehicle 10 can start the internal combustion engine 130 and operate the air conditioner device 120 and the generator 140. Further, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the internal combustion engine 130, the vehicle 10 can stop the operation of the internal combustion engine 130 and stop the operation of the air conditioner device 120 and the generator 140.

[0051] When the vehicle 10 executes remote air conditioning in the above-described manner, it is possible to reset the starting point of the first period and charge the storage battery 105 that is the power source of the communication terminal 100. As a result, it is possible to extend the period during which the communication terminal 100 of the vehicle 10 stands by in a standby state.

[0052] In addition, in the automatic start process of the present embodiment, the process of automatically sending a remote air conditioning command signal from the server 30 to the vehicle 10 is repeatedly executed. That is, after the internal combustion engine has been operated for a predetermined time in accordance with the remote air conditioning command signal, according to the situation where a second period has elapsed since the operation of the internal combustion engine stopped, the server 30 automatically sends a remote air conditioning command signal to the vehicle 10 again. Thereby, the communication terminal 100 of the vehicle 10 can continuously stand by in a standby state. As a result, when the user of the vehicle 10 wants to use the remote service, it is possible to suppress the situation where the communication terminal 100 of the vehicle 10 falls into a state where it cannot receive a signal from the server 30.

[0053] In addition, if the process of automatically sending a remote air conditioning command signal from the server 30 to the vehicle 10 is continuously and repeatedly executed, it is possible that the remaining fuel amount (the amount of fuel stored in the fuel tank mounted on the vehicle 10) becomes too small, thereby affecting the driving of the vehicle 10 and the like. Therefore, in the automatic start process of the present embodiment, the number of times of automatically sending a remote air conditioning command signal from the server 30 to the vehicle 10 is limited to a predetermined number of times or less. In the present embodiment, the predetermined number of times is arbitrarily set by the user of the vehicle 10. The method of setting the predetermined number of times will be described later. When the number of times of automatically sending the remote air conditioning command signal is limited to a predetermined number of times or less, it is possible to suppress the situation where the remaining fuel amount becomes too small due to the execution of the automatic start process.

[0054] (Hardware Structure of the System)

[0055] Regarding the respective hardware structures of the vehicle 10, the user terminal 20, and the server 30 included in the system of the present embodiment, it will be based on Figure 2 to be described. Figure 2 FIG. is a diagram schematically showing an example of the respective hardware structures of the vehicle 10, the user terminal 20, and the server 30 included in the system of the present embodiment.

[0056] (Vehicle)

[0057] First, an example of the hardware structure of the vehicle 10 will be described. As described above, the vehicle 10 in the present embodiment is an internal combustion engine vehicle. As Figure 2As shown, such a vehicle 10 is configured to include a communication terminal 100, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit), an air conditioner 120, an internal combustion engine 130, and a generator 140. The communication terminal 100, the ECU 110, the air conditioner 120, the internal combustion engine 130, and the generator 140 are interconnected with each other via an in-vehicle network based on standards such as CAN (Controller Area Network), LIN (Local Interconnect Network), or FlexRay.

[0058] In addition, in Figure 2 , only the hardware structure elements associated with the automatic start-up process are extracted and illustrated, Figure 2 and hardware structure elements other than those shown in

[0059] Figure 2 can be mounted on the vehicle 10. For example, the vehicle 10 may also be equipped with devices that may be the object of remote operation, such as a door lock actuator and an electric window actuator. Figure 2 As shown, such a communication terminal 100 includes a processor 101, a main storage device 102, an auxiliary storage device 103, a communication I / F 104, and a battery 105. The processor 101, the main storage device 102, the auxiliary storage device 103, the communication I / F 104, and the battery 105 are interconnected with each other via a bus.

[0060] The processor 101 is an arithmetic processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The processor 101 controls the communication terminal 100 by loading the program stored in the auxiliary storage device 103 into the main storage device 102 and executing it.

[0061] The main storage device 102 is configured to include semiconductor memories such as, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). The main storage device 102 provides a storage area and a working area for loading programs stored in the auxiliary storage device 103. In addition, the main storage device 102 is used as a buffer for arithmetic processing performed by the processor 101.

[0062] The auxiliary storage device 103 is, for example, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The auxiliary storage device 103 can include a removable medium, that is, a removable recording medium. The removable medium is, for example, a magnetic disk recording medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, a CD (Compact Disc), or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc). The auxiliary storage device 103 stores various programs and data used by the processor 101 when executing each program.

[0063] Among the programs stored in the auxiliary storage device 103, in addition to the OS (Operating System), there are also dedicated programs for causing the processor 101 to execute processing associated with remote operations. In addition, part or all of the information stored in the auxiliary storage device 103 can also be stored in the main storage device 102. Moreover, part of the information stored in the main storage device 102 can also be stored in the auxiliary storage device 103.

[0064] The communication I / F 104 is configured to include an interface for connecting the communication terminal 100 to the in-vehicle network and an interface for connecting the communication terminal 100 to the external network N1. In the present embodiment, the communication I / F 104 communicates with the ECU 110 via the in-vehicle network. In addition, in the present embodiment, the communication I / F 104 communicates with the server 30 via the external network N1. The external network N1 is, for example, a worldwide public communication network such as the Internet, that is, a WAN (Wide Area Network), or other communication networks. The communication I / F 104 connects the communication terminal 100 to the network N1 by a mobile communication method (for example, 5G (5th Generation) or 6G (6th Generation), etc.) or a wireless communication method such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0065] The storage battery 105 is a secondary battery that serves as the power source of the communication terminal 100. The storage battery 105 is charged using the electric power generated by the generator 140 during the operation of the internal combustion engine 130. Additionally, the power source of the communication terminal 100 may be a storage battery that serves as the power source of the electrical components of the vehicle 10, instead of Figure 2 the dedicated storage battery 105 as exemplified above.

[0066] In the communication terminal 100 configured as described above, when the processor 101 receives a work instruction signal sent from the server 30 via the communication I / F 104, the received work instruction signal is sent by the processor 101 to the ECU 110 via the communication I / F 104 and the in-vehicle network. Further, in the communication terminal 100 of the present embodiment, when a first period (for example, about 7 to 9 days) has elapsed since the operation of the internal combustion engine 130 stopped, the processor 101 causes the communication terminal 100 to transition from the standby state to the stop state. Additionally, after the communication terminal 100 transitions from the standby state to the stop state, if a user gets into the vehicle 10 and starts the internal combustion engine 130 (for example, turns on the power switch or the ignition switch), the processor 101 causes the communication terminal 100 to transition from the stop state to the standby state by a wake-up signal being sent from the ECU 110 described later to the communication terminal 100.

[0067] Next, the air conditioner 120 is a mechanical air conditioner that uses the power of the internal combustion engine 130 to cool or heat the passenger compartment of the vehicle 10. Additionally, the air conditioner 120 may be an electric air conditioner that uses the electric power generated by the generator 140 to cool or heat the passenger compartment of the vehicle 10.

[0068] The generator 140 generates electricity by converting the kinetic energy generated by the internal combustion engine 130 into electric energy. Additionally, the generator 140 may perform so-called regenerative power generation that converts the kinetic energy of the drive wheels into electric energy when the vehicle 10 is decelerating.

[0069] The ECU 110 is a computer that controls in-vehicle devices such as the air conditioner 120, the internal combustion engine 130, and the generator 140. In the present embodiment, when the ECU 110 receives a work instruction signal sent from the communication terminal 100, the in-vehicle devices are operated according to the work instruction signal. Here, if the work instruction signal is a signal for executing remote air conditioning, the ECU 110 starts the internal combustion engine 130 and operates the air conditioner 120 and the generator 140. Thereby, the passenger compartment of the vehicle 10 can be cooled or heated, and the storage battery 105 of the communication terminal 100 can be charged.

[0070] (User terminal)

[0071] Next, a hardware structure example of the user terminal 20 will be described. The user terminal 20 in the present embodiment is a computer used by a user of the vehicle 10. The user terminal 20 can be, for example, a smart phone, a tablet terminal, a wearable computer, or a PC (Personal Computer). As Figure 2 shown, the user terminal 20 in the present embodiment is configured to include a processor 201, a main storage device 202, an auxiliary storage device 203, an input / output device 204, and a communication I / F 205. The processor 201, the main storage device 202, the auxiliary storage device 203, the input / output device 204, and the communication I / F 205 are interconnected by a bus.

[0072] In addition, in Figure 2 , only the hardware structure elements associated with the remote operation are extracted for illustration, Figure 2 and hardware structure elements other than those shown in

[0073] may be included in the user terminal 20. Since the processor 201, the main storage device 202, and the auxiliary storage device 203 of the user terminal 20 are the same as the processor 101, the main storage device 102, and the auxiliary storage device 103 of the communication terminal 100, respectively, their descriptions are omitted. However, in the auxiliary storage device 203 of the user terminal 20, a dedicated program (application program) for causing the processor 201 to execute functions associated with the remote operation is stored.

[0074] The input / output device 204 receives input operations performed by the user and presents information to the user. The input / output device 204 is configured to include, for example, a touch panel display and other control circuits. In the present embodiment, the input / output device 204 outputs a menu screen for the remote operation and receives operations input on the menu screen. Further, the input / output device 204 outputs an operation screen for the remote operation selected on the above menu screen and receives operations input on the operation screen.

[0075] The communication I / F 205 is configured to include an interface for connecting the user terminal 20 to the network N1. The communication I / F 205 connects the user terminal 20 to the network N1 by a mobile communication method, a wireless communication method such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), or a LAN. In the present embodiment, the communication I / F 205 communicates with the server 30 through the network N1.

[0076] In the user terminal 20 configured in the above-described manner, when an operation to start a dedicated application corresponding to the remote air conditioner is input to the input / output device 204, the processor 201 causes the input / output device 204 to output a menu screen for remote operation. The menu screen for remote operation is a screen that presents a list of items that can be operated remotely to the user. In one example, as Figure 3 shown, the menu screen for remote operation may include a GUI component for selecting the remote air conditioner ( Figure 3 the remote air conditioner button G31 in), a GUI component for selecting the remote door lock ( Figure 3 the remote door lock button G32 in), and a GUI component for selecting the automatic start process ( Figure 3 the automatic start process button G33 in), etc.

[0077] In a state where the menu screen for remote operation as described above is displayed on the input / output device 204, when an operation to select any one item is input to the input / output device 204, the processor 201 causes the input / output device 204 to output an operation screen for the selected item. As an example, in a state where the menu screen exemplified as Figure 3 is displayed on the input / output device 204, when an operation to select the automatic start process (for example, a tap or click Figure 3 the operation of the automatic start process button G33 in) is input to the input / output device 204, the processor 201 causes the input / output device 204 to output an operation screen for the automatic start process.

[0078] Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the operation screen for the automatic start process. Figure 4 The operation screen for the automatic start process exemplified in may include a GUI component for selecting the second period ( Figure 4 the drop-down menu G34 in), a GUI component for selecting the predetermined number of times ( Figure 4 the drop-down menu G35 in), a GUI component for inputting the contact address of the shared user (for example, the email address of the terminal used by the shared user) ( Figure 4 the input field G36 in), a GUI component for executing the automatic start process ( Figure 4 the execute button G37 in), and a GUI component for canceling the operation of the automatic start process ( Figure 4 the cancel button G38 in), etc. In addition, in Figure 4 the options for the second period that can be selected in the exemplified drop-down menu G34 are periods shorter than the above-mentioned first period. As an example, if the first period is 9 days, in Figure 4The options for the second period that can be selected in the illustrated drop-down menu G34 are from 1 day to 8 days. In addition, the shared user is a user who shares the vehicle 10 with the user (e.g., family members, etc.). It is not necessary to input the contact address of the shared user.

[0079] In a state where the operation screen of the automatic start process is displayed on the input / output device 204, after selecting the second period and the predetermined number of times and inputting the contact address of the shared user, when an operation for executing the automatic start process (an operation of tapping or clicking Figure 4 the execution button G37 in) is input into the input / output device 204, the processor 201 generates a request signal. As an example, as Figure 5 shown, the request signal is a signal including the vehicle ID of the vehicle 10, the second period selected in the operation screen of the automatic start process, the predetermined number of times selected in the operation screen of the automatic start process, and the shared user information, etc. The shared user information is information indicating the contact address of the shared user. In addition, in a state where the operation screen of the automatic start process is displayed on the input / output device 204, after selecting the second period and the predetermined number of times, when an operation for executing the automatic start process (an operation of tapping or clicking Figure 4 the execution button G37 in) is input into the input / output device 204 without inputting the contact address of the shared user, the processor 201 generates a request signal that does not include the shared user information. The request signal generated in this way is sent to the server 30 through the communication I / F 205.

[0080] (Server)

[0081] Next, a hardware structure example of the server 30 will be described. The server 30 in the present embodiment is a computer used by a provider of remote air-conditioning services. The provider of remote air-conditioning services is, for example, a manufacturer of the vehicle 10 or an operator commissioned by the manufacturer, etc. As Figure 2 shown, the server 30 is configured to include a processor 301, a main storage device 302, an auxiliary storage device 303, and a communication I / F 304.

[0082] In addition, in Figure 2 , only the hardware structure elements associated with the remote service are extracted for illustration, Figure 2 and hardware structure elements other than those shown in can be included in the server 30.

[0083] Since the processor 301, main storage device 302, and auxiliary storage device 303 of the server 30 are the same as the processor 101, main storage device 102, and auxiliary storage device 103 of the communication terminal 100 respectively, their descriptions are omitted. However, in the auxiliary storage device 303 of the server 30, in addition to dedicated programs for causing the processor 301 to execute processing associated with the OS and remote services, data such as vehicle data 331 is also stored.

[0084] Here, the vehicle data 331 stored in the auxiliary storage device 303 will be described. In the vehicle data 331 in the present embodiment, data of the vehicle 10 that is the object of the automatic start processing and is under the management of the server 30 is stored. Figure 6 For, a diagram schematically showing an example of the vehicle data 331. In Figure 6 In the example shown, the vehicle data 331 contains a plurality of records by vehicle (hereinafter, also sometimes referred to as "records by vehicle"). A plurality of records by vehicle are respectively generated when the server 30 receives a request signal sent from the user terminal 20. Each of the plurality of records by vehicle has fields such as a vehicle ID, a second period, a predetermined number of times, a last date, an actual value, a next date, and a shared user.

[0085] In the vehicle ID field, information for respectively identifying a plurality of vehicles 10 that are the objects of the automatic start processing is registered. The information registered in the vehicle ID field may also be information for identifying the communication terminal 100 of each vehicle 10.

[0086] In the second period field, a second period corresponding to each of the plurality of vehicles 10 that are the objects of the automatic start processing is registered. The information registered in the second period field is the same as the second period included in the request signal sent from the user terminal 20 corresponding to each vehicle 10 to the server 30.

[0087] In the predetermined number of times field, a predetermined number of times corresponding to each of the plurality of vehicles 10 that are the objects of the automatic start processing is registered. The information registered in the predetermined number of times field is the same as the predetermined number of times included in the request signal sent from the user terminal 20 corresponding to each vehicle 10 to the server 30.

[0088] In the last date field, the date (last date) when a remote air conditioning instruction signal was last sent to each vehicle 10 through the execution of the automatic start processing is registered. In addition, when a corresponding record by vehicle is newly generated, it is sufficient to register the date from that time point back to the date when the operation of the last internal combustion engine 130 stopped in the last date field.

[0089] In the actual value field, the actual value of the number of times a remote air-conditioning command signal has been sent to each vehicle 10 in the past by executing the automatic start process is registered.

[0090] In the next date field, the date (next date) on which a remote air-conditioning command signal will be sent to each vehicle 10 next by executing the automatic start process is registered. The information registered in the next date field may also be the date obtained by adding the second period registered in the second period field to the previous date registered in the previous date field.

[0091] In the shared user field, the contact addresses (for example, the email addresses of the terminals used by the shared users) of the shared users of each of the multiple vehicles 10 that are the objects of the automatic start process are registered. The information registered in the shared user field is the same as the shared user information included in the request signal sent from the user terminal 20 corresponding to each vehicle 10 to the server 30. Additionally, when the shared user information is not included in the request signal, the shared user field may be an empty column.

[0092] Here, returning to Figure 2 the description, the communication I / F 304 of the server 30 is a communication interface for connecting the server 30 to the network N1. In one example, the communication I / F 304 may be configured to include a network interface board and a wireless communication interface for wireless communication, etc. In the present embodiment, the communication I / F 304 communicates with the user terminal 20 and the communication terminal 100 via the network N1.

[0093] In addition, the hardware structure of the server 30 can appropriately omit, replace, and add structural elements according to the embodiment. For example, the server 30 may also include multiple processors. Furthermore, the server 30 may be configured to include multiple computers. Further still, the server 30 may be configured to include an external storage device connected via the network N1.

[0094] (Software Structure of the Server)

[0095] Next, regarding the software structure of the server 30, it will be described based on Figure 7 to explain. Figure 7 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the software structure of the server 30. The server 30 operates as a computer by the processor 301 executing a program stored in the auxiliary storage device 303, and the computer includes an acceptance unit F31, a notification unit F32, a determination unit F33, and an instruction unit F34 as software modules.

[0096] In addition, part or all of the reception unit F31, the notification unit F32, the determination unit F33, and the instruction unit F34 may also be implemented by a hardware circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0097] The reception unit F31 receives a request signal transmitted from the user terminal 20 via the communication I / F304. According to the situation of receiving the request signal, the reception unit F31 accesses the vehicle data 331 of the auxiliary storage device 303 and newly adds a vehicle record corresponding to the vehicle 10 that is the object of the request signal (the vehicle 10 that is the object of the automatic start process). At this time, in the vehicle ID field, the second period field, the predetermined number field, and the shared user field, the vehicle ID, the second period, the predetermined number, and the shared user information included in the request signal are respectively registered. In addition, if the request signal does not include the shared user information, the shared user field will be set as a blank column. Further, in the last date field, the date traced back from the time point of receiving the request signal to the last stop of the operation of the internal combustion engine 130 is registered. For the date traced back from the time point of receiving the request signal to the last stop of the operation of the internal combustion engine 130, it can be obtained as long as the reception unit F31 communicates with the communication terminal 100 of the target vehicle 10 via the communication I / F304. The actual value field is set as a blank column. In the next date field, the date obtained by adding the second period to the date registered in the last date field (the date traced back from the time point of receiving the request signal to the last stop of the operation of the internal combustion engine 130) is registered.

[0098] When the vehicle record corresponding to the vehicle 10 that is the object of the request signal is added to the vehicle data 331, the notification unit F32 sends a start execution notification to the contact address registered in the shared user field (for example, the email address of the terminal used by the shared user). The start execution notification is a notification indicating that the execution of the automatic start process has started. Such a start execution notification is sent to the terminal of the shared user via the communication I / F304 of the server 30. In addition, when the shared user field is a blank column, the notification unit F32 will not send the start execution notification.

[0099] The determination unit F33 accesses the vehicle data 331 of the auxiliary storage device 303 at a predetermined cycle (for example, every day), and determines whether there is a vehicle 10 for which the next date has arrived (a vehicle record in which the date registered in the next date field matches the current date). When it is determined that there is a vehicle 10 for which the next date has arrived, the determination unit F33 determines whether the actual value registered in the actual value field of the vehicle record corresponding to the vehicle 10 is less than the number of times registered in the predetermined number field. At this time, if the number of times registered in the actual value field is not less than the predetermined number registered in the predetermined number field, the determination unit F33 deletes the vehicle record corresponding to the vehicle from the vehicle data 331. Thereby, the execution of the automatic start process for the vehicle is ended. On the other hand, if the number of times registered in the actual value field is less than the number of times registered in the predetermined number field, the processor 301 of the server 30 operates as the instruction unit F34.

[0100] The instruction unit F34 generates a remote air conditioner instruction signal corresponding to the vehicle 10 for which the next date has arrived. As Figure 8 shown, the remote air conditioner instruction signal is a signal including information specifying the in-vehicle device to be the object (in this case, the air conditioner 120) and the operating time of the in-vehicle device to be the object (in this case, the predetermined time). The predetermined time included in the remote air conditioner instruction signal is the operating time (engine running time) of the air conditioner 120 required for charging until the remaining amount of the battery 105 of the communication terminal 100 (for example, SOC (State Of Charge)) becomes above the threshold value. As an example, the threshold value mentioned here may also be the remaining amount of the battery 105 that allows the communication terminal 100 to continue operating in the standby state for more than the first period. In addition, in one example, the predetermined time may also be the operating time (engine running time) of the air conditioner 120 required for charging until the remaining amount of the battery 105 changes from 0% to above the threshold value. In another example, the predetermined time may also be the operating time (engine running time) of the air conditioner 120 required for charging until the remaining amount of the battery 105 becomes above the threshold value from the remaining amount at the time when the next date has arrived. The remote air conditioner instruction signal generated by the instruction unit F34 is transmitted to the communication terminal 100 of the vehicle 10 for which the next date has arrived through the communication I / F 304.

[0101] In addition, when the instruction unit F34 finishes sending a remote air-conditioning instruction signal to the communication terminal 100 of the vehicle 10 whose next date has arrived, it accesses the vehicle data 331 in the auxiliary storage device 303 and updates the information registered in the vehicle record corresponding to the vehicle 10. Specifically, the instruction unit F34 changes the date registered in the last date field of the vehicle record to the date (current date) when the current remote air-conditioning instruction signal was sent. In addition, the instruction unit F34 increases the count registered in the performance value field of the vehicle record by one. Further, the instruction unit F34 calculates a new next date by adding the second period registered in the second period field of the vehicle record to the current date. Then, the instruction unit F34 changes the date registered in the next date field of the vehicle record to the calculated new next date.

[0102] In addition, the software structure of the server 30 is not limited to Figure 7 the example shown. According to the embodiment, omission, replacement, and addition of software structure elements can be appropriately performed. In one example, the receiving unit F31 may also be configured to receive a remote operation signal sent from the user terminal 20. In this case, the receiving unit F31 may also be configured to hand over the received remote operation signal to the instruction unit F34. And the instruction unit F34 may also be configured to send a work instruction signal for operating the target in-vehicle device according to the working method included in the remote operation signal to the communication terminal 100 of the vehicle 10 that is the target of the remote operation signal.

[0103] (Flow of processing)

[0104] Next, regarding the flow of processing executed by the server 30 in the present embodiment, it will be described based on Figure 9 and Figure 10 as follows. Figure 9 FIG. is a flowchart showing an example of a processing routine executed in the server 30 triggered by receiving a request signal sent from the user terminal 20. Figure 10 FIG. is a flowchart showing an example of a processing routine executed by the server 30 within a predetermined period (for example, every day). Although Figure 9 and Figure 10 are executed by the processor 301 of the server 30, here, the software module of the server 30 is used as the execution subject for description.

[0105] First, in Figure 9In the processing routine of the server 30, when a request signal transmitted from the user terminal 20 is received through the communication I / F 304 of the server 30, the processor 301 of the server 30 operates as the receiving unit F31 by executing the program of the auxiliary storage device 303. The receiving unit F31 receives the request signal transmitted from the user terminal 20 through the communication I / F 304 (step S101). When the receiving unit F31 finishes the processing of step S101, it executes the processing of step S102.

[0106] In step S102, the receiving unit F31 registers the information of the vehicle 10 (the vehicle 10 to be the object of the automatic start process) to be the object of the request signal received in step S101 in the vehicle data 331 of the auxiliary storage device 303. Specifically, the receiving unit F31 first accesses the vehicle data 331 of the auxiliary storage device 303 and adds a new vehicle record. Next, the receiving unit F31 registers the vehicle ID, the second period, the predetermined number of times, and the shared user information contained in the request signal in the vehicle ID field, the second period field, the predetermined number of times field, and the shared user field of the added vehicle record, respectively. In addition, the receiving unit F31 communicates with the communication terminal 100 of the object vehicle 10 via the communication I / F 304, thereby obtaining the date traced back to the last stop of the operation of the internal combustion engine 130 from the current time point. Then, the receiving unit F31 registers the date obtained from the communication terminal 100 in the last date field of the added vehicle record. Furthermore, the receiving unit F31 registers the date obtained by adding the second period to the date obtained from the communication terminal 100 in the next date field of the added vehicle record. In addition, the receiving unit F31 sets the actual value field of the added vehicle record to a blank column. In addition, if the request signal received in step S101 does not include the shared user information, the receiving unit F31 also sets the shared user field of the added vehicle record to a blank column. When the receiving unit F31 finishes executing the processing of step S102, the processor 301 of the server 30 acts as the notification unit F32 and executes the processing of step S103.

[0107] In step S103, the notification unit F32 determines whether shared user information is registered in the shared user field of the vehicle record added in step S102. In other words, it determines whether there is a shared user who shares the vehicle 10 with the user of the user terminal 20. When shared user information is not registered in the shared user field of the vehicle record added in step S102 (when the shared user field is blank), the notification unit F32 determines that there is no shared user who shares the vehicle 10 with the user of the user terminal 20 (a negative determination in step S103). In this case, the process ends. Figure 9Execution of the processing routine. On the other hand, when shared user information is registered in the shared user field recorded by vehicle in the one appended in step S102, the notification unit F32 determines that there is a shared user who shares the vehicle 10 with the user of the user terminal 20 (positive determination in step S103). In this case, the notification unit F32 executes the process of step S104.

[0108] In step S104, the notification unit F32 sends a start execution notification through the communication I / F304 to the contact address (terminal of the shared user) registered in the shared user field recorded by vehicle in the one appended in step S102. The start execution notification is a notification indicating the start of the execution of the automatic start process for the vehicle 10 that is the object of the request signal. When the notification unit F32 finishes executing the process of step S104, it ends Figure 9 the execution of the processing routine.

[0109] Next, the processor 301 of the server 30 executes Figure 10 the processing routine at a predetermined cycle. Figure 10 The processes of steps S201 - S207 in the processing routine are executed for each of one or more vehicles 10 registered in the vehicle data 331 of the auxiliary storage device 303.

[0110] In Figure 10 the processing routine, first, the processor 301 of the server 30 acts as the determination unit F33 by executing the program stored in the auxiliary storage device 303. The determination unit F33 accesses the vehicle record of the vehicle 10 that is the object in one or more vehicle records registered in the vehicle data 331 to obtain the next date registered in the next date field (step S201). When the determination unit F33 finishes executing the process of step S201, it executes the process of step S202.

[0111] In step S202, the determination unit F33 determines whether the next date obtained in step S201 has arrived. That is, the determination unit F33 determines whether the next date obtained in step S201 is the same as the current date. When the next date obtained in step S201 is the same as the current date (positive determination in step S202), the determination unit F33 will execute the process of step S203. In addition, when the next date obtained in step S201 is not the same as the current date (negative determination in step S202), the processes after step S201 will be executed for other vehicles 10 (vehicles 10 that have not yet become the object of steps S201 - S207) registered in the vehicle data 331.

[0112] In step S203, the determination unit F33 acquires the actual value and the predetermined number of times registered in the actual value field and the predetermined number of times field recorded for the vehicle 10 that is the object. When the determination unit F33 finishes executing the process of step S203, it executes the process of step S204.

[0113] In step S204, the determination unit F33 compares the actual value and the predetermined number of times acquired in step S203, thereby determining whether the actual value is less than the predetermined number of times. When the actual value is less than the predetermined number of times (affirmative determination in step S204), the processor 301 of the server 30 acts as the instruction unit F34, thereby executing the process of step S205.

[0114] In step S205, the instruction unit F34 generates a remote air conditioner instruction signal corresponding to the vehicle 10 that is the object. As described Figure 8 above, the remote air conditioner instruction signal is a signal that includes information specifying the air conditioner device 120 as the in-vehicle terminal that is the object and the operating time of the air conditioner device 120. The operating time included in the remote air conditioner instruction signal may also be the same as the predetermined time. The predetermined time is the operating time (operation time of the internal combustion engine 130) of the air conditioner device 120 required for charging until the remaining amount of the battery 105 of the communication terminal 100 becomes equal to or more than the threshold value. When the instruction unit F34 finishes executing the process of step S205, it executes the process of step S206.

[0115] In step S206, the instruction unit F34 transmits the remote air conditioner instruction signal generated in step S205 to the communication terminal 100 of the vehicle 10 that is the object through the communication I / F 304. When the instruction unit F34 finishes executing the process of step S206, it takes other vehicles 10 registered in the vehicle data 331 (vehicles 10 that have not yet become the object of steps S201 - S207) as the object, and thereby executes the processes after step S201.

[0116] In addition, when a negative determination is made in step S204 (when the actual value is not less than the predetermined number of times), the determination unit F33 executes the process of step S207. In step S207, the determination unit F33 accesses the vehicle data 331 in the auxiliary storage device 303 and deletes the vehicle record corresponding to the vehicle 10 that is the object. When the determination unit F33 finishes executing the process of step S207, it takes other vehicles 10 registered in the vehicle data 331 (vehicles 10 that have not yet become the object of steps S201 - S207) as the object, and thereby executes the processes after step S201.

[0117] When the processing of steps S201 - S207 is executed for each of all the vehicles 10 registered in the vehicle data 331, the processor 301 of the server 30 ends Figure 10 the execution of the processing routine.

[0118] (Function and effect of the embodiment)

[0119] In the embodiment described above, when the user of the vehicle 10 sends a request signal to the server 30 through the user terminal 20, the automatic start processing will be executed for the vehicle 10. In the automatic start processing, before the communication terminal 100 transitions to the stop state after the operation of the internal combustion engine 130 of the vehicle 10 stops, a remote air - conditioning command signal will be automatically sent from the server 30 to the vehicle 10. Thus, the vehicle 10 can execute remote air - conditioning according to the remote air - conditioning command signal. When remote air - conditioning is executed in the vehicle 10, the internal combustion engine 130 is started, and the air - conditioning device 120 and the generator 140 operate. Then, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the internal combustion engine 130, the operation of the internal combustion engine 130 stops, and the operation of the air - conditioning device 120 and the generator 140 stops. As a result, the starting point of the first period is reset, and the battery 105 of the communication terminal 100 is charged for a predetermined time.

[0120] In addition, in the automatic start processing of the present embodiment, whenever a second period has elapsed since the operation of the internal combustion engine 130 stopped, a remote air - conditioning command signal is automatically sent from the server 30 to the vehicle 10. Thus, the communication terminal 100 of the vehicle 10 can continue to standby in the standby state. As a result, when the user of the vehicle 10 wants to use the remote service, the situation where the communication terminal 100 of the vehicle 10 falls into a state where it cannot receive signals from the server 30 can be suppressed. However, in the automatic start processing of the embodiment, the number of times of sending the remote air - conditioning command signal is limited to a predetermined number set by the user. Thus, the situation where the remaining fuel amount becomes too small due to the execution of the automatic start processing can be suppressed.

[0121] Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the situation that damages the convenience of the user using the remote service can be suppressed.

[0122] <Modification example>

[0123] In the above - mentioned embodiment, an example of limiting the number of times of sending the remote air - conditioning command signal in the automatic start processing to a predetermined number or less was described. In contrast, an example of limiting the execution of the automatic start processing until the expiration date will be described. The expiration date is the date when, when it is exceeded, the execution of the automatic start processing will end. In addition, in this modification example, the structure different from the above - mentioned embodiment will be described, and the description of the same structure will be omitted.

[0124] The user terminal 20 in this modification example is configured to accept the specification of the expiration date by the user. That is, in the user terminal 20 in this modification example, in the state where the remote operation menu screen (for example, refer to Figure 3 .) is displayed on the input / output device 204, when an operation for selecting the automatic start process (for example, tapping or clicking Figure 3 the operation of the automatic start process button G33 in Figure 11 ) is input in the input / output device 204, the processor 201 outputs an operation screen for the automatic start process as shown in

[0125] Figure 11 FIG. which shows an example of the operation screen for the automatic start process in this modification example. As shown in Figure 11 , the operation screen for the automatic start process in this modification example may include GUI components for selecting the second period ( Figure 11 the drop-down menu G34 in Figure 11 ), GUI components for selecting the expiration date ( Figure 11 the drop-down menu G351 in Figure 11 ), GUI components for inputting the contact address of the shared user (for example, the email address of the terminal used by the shared user, etc.) ( Figure 11 the input field G36 in Figure 3 ), GUI components for executing the automatic start process (

[0126] the execute button G37 in Figure 11 ), and GUI components for canceling the operation of the automatic start process ( Figure 11 the cancel button G38 in Figure 12As shown, the request signal in this modified example is a signal that includes the vehicle ID of vehicle 10, the second period selected on the operation screen of the automatic start processing, the expiration date selected on the operation screen of the automatic start processing, and shared user information, etc. The request signal generated by the processor 201 of the user terminal 20 is sent to the server 30 through the communication I / F 205.

[0127] Next, regarding the vehicle data 331 stored in the auxiliary storage device 303 of the server 30 in this modified example, it will be described based on Figure 13 as follows. Figure 13 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the vehicle data 331 in this modified example. As Figure 13 shown, each vehicle record of the vehicle data 331 in this modified example has fields for vehicle ID, second period, expiration date, last date, next date, and shared user. The information registered in each of the vehicle ID field, second period field, last date field, next date field, and shared user field is the same as that in the foregoing embodiment (for example, refer to Figure 6 .). In the expiration date field, the expiration dates corresponding to the multiple vehicles 10 that are the objects of the automatic start processing are registered. The information registered in the expiration date field is the same as the expiration date included in the request signal sent from the user terminal 20 corresponding to each vehicle 10 to the server 30.

[0128] Next, the software structure of the server 30 in this modified example will be described. Similar to the foregoing embodiment, in the server 30 in this modified example, an acceptance unit F31, a notification unit F32, a determination unit F33, and an instruction unit F34 are provided as software modules. The acceptance unit F31, the notification unit F32, and the instruction unit F34 in this modified example are the same as the acceptance unit F31, the notification unit F32, and the instruction unit F34 in the foregoing embodiment.

[0129] In this modification example, the determination unit F33 accesses the vehicle data 331 of the auxiliary storage device 303 at a predetermined cycle to determine whether there is a vehicle 10 for which the next date has arrived. Then, when it is determined that there is a vehicle 10 for which the next date has arrived, the determination unit F33 determines whether the expiration date registered in the expiration date field recorded for each vehicle corresponding to the vehicle 10 has not expired (whether the current date is before the expiration date). At this time, if the expiration date registered in the expiration date field has expired, the determination unit F33 deletes the vehicle record for each vehicle corresponding to the vehicle from the vehicle data 331. Thereby, the execution of the automatic start process for the vehicle is ended. On the other hand, if the expiration date registered in the expiration date field has not expired, the processor 301 of the server 30 operates as the instruction unit F34.

[0130] (Flow of the process)

[0131] Here, regarding the flow of the process executed by the server 30 in this modification example, it will be described based on Figure 14 as follows. Figure 14 FIG. is a flowchart showing an example of a processing routine executed in the server 30 at a predetermined cycle (for example, every day). In addition, in the Figure 14 processing routine, for the same processing as the aforementioned Figure 10 processing routine, the same symbols are marked and the description thereof is omitted.

[0132] In the Figure 14 processing routine, when an affirmative determination is made in step S202 (when it is determined that the next date has arrived), the determination unit F33 executes the process of step S2031. In step S2031, the determination unit F33 acquires the expiration date registered in the expiration date field of the vehicle record for each vehicle that is the object. When the determination unit F33 finishes executing the process of step S2031, it executes the process of step S2041.

[0133] In step S2041, the determination unit F33 determines whether the expiration date acquired in step S2031 has not expired. That is, it determines whether the current date is before the expiration date. When the expiration date acquired in step S2031 has not expired (when an affirmative determination is made in step S2041), the processor 301 of the server 30 operates as the instruction unit F34 and executes the process of step S205. On the other hand, when the expiration date acquired in step S2031 has expired (when a negative determination is made in step S2041), the determination unit F33 executes the process of step S207.

[0134] (Function and effect of the modification example)

[0135] In this modified example, when the expiration date set by the user is exceeded, the execution of the automatic start process will end. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the situation where the remaining fuel amount becomes too small due to the execution of the automatic start process.

[0136] <Others>

[0137] The above-described embodiments and modified examples are ultimately just one example, and the present disclosure can be appropriately changed and implemented without departing from its gist. For example, although in the above-described embodiments and modified examples, an example in which the second period and the predetermined number of times (or expiration date) are arbitrarily set by the user has been described, at least one of the second period and the predetermined number of times (or expiration date) may also be automatically determined by the server 30. In addition, in addition to the second period and the predetermined number of times (or expiration date) described above, the time period for sending the remote air-conditioning instruction signal from the server 30 to the vehicle 10 may also be arbitrarily set by the user. Further, after the remote air-conditioning instruction signal is sent from the server 30 to the vehicle 10, a signal indicating whether the remote air-conditioning has been successfully executed may be sent from the vehicle 10 to the server 30. And this signal may also be sent from the server 30 to the user terminal 20 (and the terminals sharing the user).

[0138] In addition, the processes and means described in the present disclosure can be freely combined and implemented as long as there is no technical contradiction. Further, the process described as being implemented by one device can also be executed by multiple devices in a shared manner. In addition, the process described as being implemented by different devices can also be executed by one device without any problem.

[0139] In addition, the present disclosure can also be implemented in the following manner, that is, a computer program installed with the functions described in the above embodiments is supplied to the server 30, and one or more processors included in the server 30 read and execute the computer program to implement it. Such a computer program can be provided to a computer either through a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium connectable to the system bus of the computer, or can be provided to the computer via a network. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is a recording medium that can accumulate information such as data and programs by electrical, magnetic, optical, mechanical, or chemical actions and can be read from a computer or the like. Such a recording medium can be, for example, any type of disk such as a magnetic disk (e.g., a floppy disk (registered trademark), a hard disk drive (HDD), etc.) or an optical disk (e.g., a CD-ROM, a DVD disk, a Blu-ray disk, etc.). The recording medium can also be a medium such as a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), an EPROM, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), a magnetic card, a flash memory, an optical card, or an SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0140] Symbol Explanation

[0141] 10, Vehicle;

[0142] 100, Communication Terminal;

[0143] 105, Storage Battery;

[0144] 110, ECU;

[0145] 120, Air Conditioning Device;

[0146] 130, Internal Combustion Engine;

[0147] 140, Generator;

[0148] 20, User Terminal;

[0149] 30, Server;

[0150] 301, Processor;

[0151] 302, Main Storage Device;

[0152] 303, Auxiliary Storage Device;

[0153] 331, Vehicle Data;

[0154] 304, Communication I / F;

[0155] F31, Reception Unit;

[0156] F32, Notification unit;

[0157] F33, Judgment unit;

[0158] F34, Command unit.

Claims

1. An information processing device for controlling a communication function related to remote operation of a vehicle that has been switched to a stopped state in response to a first period of time after an internal combustion engine has stopped operating, the information processing device comprising a control unit, The control unit is configured to execute an automatic start process, wherein a start instruction for operating the internal combustion engine for a predetermined time is sent to the vehicle in response to a lapse of a second period shorter than the first period since the internal combustion engine was stopped.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: Executing the automatic startup process includes the following steps, namely: determining whether the actual number of times the start command has been sent in the past is less than a predetermined number of times based on the lapse of a second period since the operation of the internal combustion engine was stopped; The start command is transmitted to the vehicle in response to a determination that the actual performance value is less than the predetermined number of times.

3. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein: The control unit is configured to further execute the following processing, namely: receiving a request signal from a first terminal used by a user of the vehicle, the request signal being a signal requesting execution of the automatic start process and being a signal including information specifying the second period and the predetermined number of times; The automatic start process starts to be executed according to the second period and the predetermined number of times specified by the request signal.

4. The information processing device according to claim 3, wherein: The control unit is configured to further execute a process of transmitting a notification indicating the start of execution of the automatic start process to a second terminal used by a shared user of the vehicle in response to receipt of the request signal.

5. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: Executing the automatic startup process includes the following steps, namely: determining whether the validity period of the automatic start process has not expired based on the lapse of a second period since the operation of the internal combustion engine was stopped; In response to the determination that the validity period has not expired, the start command is sent to the vehicle.

6. The information processing device according to claim 5, wherein: The control unit is configured to further execute the following processing, namely: receiving a request signal from a first terminal used by a user of the vehicle, the request signal being a signal requesting execution of the automatic start process and being a signal including information specifying the second period and the validity period; The automatic start process starts to be executed according to the second period and the validity period specified by the request signal.

7. The information processing device according to claim 6, wherein: The control unit is configured to further execute a process of transmitting a notification indicating the start of execution of the automatic start process to a second terminal used by a shared user of the vehicle in response to receipt of the request signal.

8. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The vehicle is equipped with a battery for enabling the communication function, and the battery is charged with electric power generated during operation of the internal combustion engine. The predetermined time is a time required until the charge amount of the storage battery reaches or exceeds a threshold value.

9. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The start command includes a command for starting the internal combustion engine to operate an air conditioner mounted on the vehicle.

10. An information processing method for controlling a vehicle in which a communication function related to remote operation is switched to a stopped state in response to a first period of time after the operation of an internal combustion engine is stopped, wherein: The computer executes an automatic start process of sending a start command for operating the internal combustion engine for a predetermined time to the vehicle in response to a lapse of a second period shorter than the first period since the operation of the internal combustion engine was stopped.

11. The information processing method according to claim 10, wherein: Executing the automatic startup process includes the following steps, namely: determining whether the actual number of times the start command has been sent in the past is less than a predetermined number of times based on the lapse of a second period since the operation of the internal combustion engine was stopped; The start command is transmitted to the vehicle in response to a determination that the actual performance value is less than the predetermined number of times.

12. The information processing method according to claim 11, wherein: The computer also performs the following processing, namely: receiving a request signal from a first terminal used by a user of the vehicle, the request signal being a signal requesting execution of the automatic start process and being a signal including information specifying the second period and the predetermined number of times; The automatic start process starts to be executed according to the second period and the predetermined number of times specified by the request signal.

13. The information processing method according to claim 12, wherein: The computer further executes a process of transmitting a notification indicating the start of execution of the automatic start process to a second terminal used by a shared user of the vehicle in response to receipt of the request signal.

14. The information processing method according to claim 10, wherein: Executing the automatic startup process includes the following steps, namely: determining whether the validity period of the automatic start process has not expired based on the lapse of a second period since the operation of the internal combustion engine was stopped; In response to the determination that the validity period has not expired, the start command is sent to the vehicle.

15. The information processing method according to claim 14, wherein: The computer also performs the following processing, namely: receiving a request signal from a first terminal used by a user of the vehicle, the request signal being a signal requesting execution of the automatic start process and being a signal including information specifying the second period and the validity period; The automatic start process starts to be executed according to the second period and the validity period specified by the request signal.

16. The information processing method according to claim 15, wherein: The computer further executes a process of transmitting a notification indicating the start of execution of the automatic start process to a second terminal used by a shared user of the vehicle in response to receipt of the request signal.

17. The information processing method according to claim 10, wherein: The vehicle is equipped with a battery for enabling the communication function, and the battery is charged with electric power generated during operation of the internal combustion engine. The predetermined time is a time required until the charge amount of the storage battery reaches or exceeds a threshold value.

18. The information processing method according to claim 10, wherein: The start command includes a command for starting the internal combustion engine to operate an air conditioner mounted on the vehicle.

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