Notification system

Abstract

In a notification system, a determination unit determines whether or not a predetermined change pertaining to a travel plan of a vehicle needs to be executed. A speed of the vehicle and a temperature of a predetermined portion of the vehicle are automatically controlled to approach target values. The predetermined change is a first automatic change in the target value by an absolute difference not less than a predetermined threshold, or a second automatic change in the travel plan during travel of the vehicle. The notification unit provides a notification to the occupant in response to a determination that the predetermined change related to the travel plan needs to be executed before the predetermined change is executed. The notification includes a cause of execution of the predetermined change related to the travel plan and information about the predetermined change related to the travel plan.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications This application is based on and claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-194468, filed on November 6, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to a notification system for vehicles. Background Technology

[0003] Japanese Patent Publication No. 3814050 discloses an emergency automatic braking device for a vehicle that automatically actuates the brakes in an emergency. In this device, upon the occurrence of an emergency, the system first notifies the user of the emergency situation and then automatically actuates the brakes. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In recent years, technologies such as automatic speed control have emerged for purposes such as energy conservation and comfortable driving. However, the execution of such automatic speed control is not desired by one or more occupants. This can cause discomfort to one or more occupants, potentially compromising their comfort.

[0005] The technology disclosed in the patent publication provides a notification function for the purpose of occupant safety and assurance. Unfortunately, when performing automatic speed control that is not desired by the occupants, the technology does not take into account reducing occupant discomfort. After careful consideration, the inventors have identified the aforementioned problem.

[0006] In view of the above problems, this disclosure aims to provide a notification system that can reduce occupant discomfort when one or more controls that are not desired by the occupants are executed in the automatic control of a vehicle.

[0007] An exemplary aspect of this disclosure provides a notification system for a vehicle. The notification system includes a determination unit configured to determine whether a predetermined change related to a predetermined driving plan for the vehicle needs to be performed. The vehicle is controlled to drive according to the driving plan, such that at least one of the vehicle's speed and the temperature of a predetermined portion of the vehicle is automatically controlled to approach a target value. The predetermined change related to the driving plan is at least one of a first automatic change to the target value based on the driving plan with an absolute difference not less than a predetermined threshold, and a second automatic change to the driving plan during vehicle operation.

[0008] The notification system includes a notification unit configured to provide a notification to the occupants of the vehicle in response to a determination that a predetermined change related to a driving plan needs to be performed before the predetermined change is executed. The notification includes: (i) at least one reason for performing the predetermined change related to the driving plan; and (ii) information regarding the predetermined change related to the driving plan.

[0009] The above-described configuration of the notification system enables the occupant to be aware, based on a notification executed by the notification unit, of: (i) the planned changes related to the travel plan to be made; and (ii) at least one reason for making the planned changes related to the travel plan, before making any planned changes related to the travel plan.

[0010] Therefore, even if the execution of planned changes related to the travel plan is not what the passengers expect, it can reduce the discomfort caused to the passengers due to the occurrence of planned changes related to the travel plan.

[0011] Throughout this disclosure, the use of parenthesized reference numerals for various elements is provided merely as an example of the correspondence between the elements and the specific structures in the embodiments described below. Therefore, this disclosure is not limited to the use of such reference numerals. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Other aspects of this disclosure will become apparent from the following description of embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 This is a schematic side view of a vehicle to which the notification system of the first embodiment of the present disclosure is applied.

[0013] Figure 2 It is shown schematically in Figure 1 A block diagram showing typical components installed in a vehicle and typical components of a cloud communicatively connected to the vehicle.

[0014] Figure 3 It is a time series diagram showing a combination of multiple charts, each chart schematically illustrating an example of the transition of a corresponding one of the target vehicle speed, target battery temperature, target cabin temperature, and the predicted charge rate of the high-voltage battery.

[0015] Figure 4 This is a flowchart schematically illustrating a control routine for formulating a driving plan for a vehicle, including a planned driving path for the vehicle according to the first embodiment.

[0016] Figure 5 It is a two-dimensional schematic diagram showing the planned driving route, roads, charging facilities where the vehicle can be charged, and the vehicle's current location.

[0017] Figure 6This is a flowchart schematically illustrating a notification control routine to be executed by the notification system according to the first embodiment.

[0018] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the functional components included in the notification system according to the first embodiment.

[0019] Figure 8 It is an illustrative representation of... Figure 6 The flowchart shown is a notification control routine to be executed by the notification system according to the second embodiment of this disclosure, corresponding to the notification control routine shown. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following exemplary embodiments, substantially the same or equivalent components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0021] First Embodiment Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The notification system 10 according to the first embodiment is an in-vehicle notification system that can be applied to, for example, an electric vehicle, vehicle 30. The electric vehicle 30 according to the first embodiment will also be referred to as a battery electric vehicle (BEV), and vehicle (BEC) 30 does not include an engine, but includes a high-voltage battery, i.e., a secondary battery 34, and is able to drive based on the electrical energy obtained from the high-voltage battery 34.

[0022] For example, the notification system 10 of the first embodiment is configured to perform a predetermined notification to the passenger compartment 30a of the vehicle 30 to reduce passenger discomfort. That is, the notification system 10 is configured to perform a predetermined notification to the passenger 80, such as the driver of the vehicle 30.

[0023] As a hardware component, the notification system 10 includes an onboard computer 32, an onboard communication device 33, a manager 51, a cloud computer 52, and a cloud communication device 53. The onboard computer 32 and the onboard communication device 33, located in the vehicle 30, are connected to each other to communicate information. The manager 51, the cloud computer 52, and the cloud communication device 53, i.e., the cloud server 50, located in the cloud and installed externally on the vehicle 30, are connected to each other to communicate information.

[0024] Cloud 50, or cloud server, refers to an external information processing environment that can be communicatively connected to vehicle 30, for example, via a wireless network NW. Cloud 50 can be implemented as a physical server, a group of servers, a virtualization environment, or any combination thereof, provided that the functions described herein are implemented.

[0025] The vehicle-mounted communication device 33 is configured to enable multiple components connected to it via wired or wireless connections to communicate information with each other. Similarly, the cloud communication device 53 is configured to enable multiple components connected to it via wired or wireless connections to communicate information with each other.

[0026] Specifically, the vehicle-mounted communication device 33 of vehicle 30 and the cloud communication device 53 of cloud 50 are wirelessly connected to each other. This enables each component of vehicle 30 and the manager 51 of cloud 50 to communicate information with each other via wireless network NW. Wireless network NW includes, for example, 4G or 5G wireless communication lines and the Internet.

[0027] The vehicle-mounted computer 32, the manager 51, and the cloud computer 52 are each configured as microcomputers, each equipped with a CPU 32a, 51a, 52a and a memory 32b, 51b, 52b, including, for example, RAM, ROM, and non-volatile rewritable memory. Each of the vehicle-mounted computer 32, manager 51, and cloud computer 52 reads and executes a computer program, i.e., computer program instructions, stored in its respective ROM or non-volatile rewritable memory. Each of the ROM and non-volatile rewritable memory serves as a non-transient tangible storage medium. Executing the computer program enables the execution of methods corresponding to the computer program. That is, each of the vehicle-mounted computer 32, manager 51, and cloud computer 52 performs various control processes according to its respective computer program.

[0028] Each of the onboard computer 32, the manager 51, and the cloud computer 52 can independently perform control processing. Additionally, because the onboard computer 32, the manager 51, and the cloud computer 52 can communicate with each other, they can collaborate to execute a control process as if they were a single computer.

[0029] like Figure 2 As shown, in addition to the onboard computer 32 and onboard communication equipment 33 described above, the vehicle 30 according to the first embodiment also includes a high-voltage battery 34, an electric motor 35, a drive inverter 36, a refrigeration cycle system 37, an electric compressor 38, a water circuit system 39, and an electric heater 40. Additionally, the vehicle 30 includes an added load inverter 42, an auxiliary DC-DC converter 43, a charger 44, and an HMI (human-machine interface) 45.

[0030] The high-voltage battery 34 is a rechargeable secondary battery and is composed of, for example, a lithium-ion battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery, or a nickel-metal hydride battery. The high-voltage battery 34 serves as a vehicle power source, supplying current to each electrical device installed in the vehicle 30, including the drive inverter 36.

[0031] The electric motor 35 is a traction motor that drives the drive wheels of the vehicle 30 to rotate. Specifically, the electric motor 35 is configured to receive power supplied from the drive inverter 36 to correspondingly rotate the drive wheels of the vehicle 30, thereby propelling the vehicle 30. The drive inverter 36 is configured to convert direct current from the high-voltage battery 34 into alternating current and supply the converted alternating current to the electric motor 35, thereby causing the electric motor 35 to rotate.

[0032] The refrigeration cycle system 37 includes, for example, multiple heat exchangers, an expansion valve, and a flow path switching valve. The refrigeration cycle system 37 and the electric compressor 38 constitute a refrigeration cycle loop for refrigerant circulation. In the refrigeration cycle loop, the circulation of refrigerant enables the execution of a vapor compression refrigeration cycle. By executing the refrigeration cycle, temperature regulation of the high-voltage battery 34, the electric motor 35, and the drive inverter 36, as well as air conditioning of the passenger compartment 30a, can be performed.

[0033] The electric compressor 38 is configured to operate based on electricity supplied from the high-voltage battery 34 to draw in refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle loop, compress the refrigerant, and then discharge the compressed refrigerant. That is, based on the operation of the electric compressor 38, the refrigerant circulates in the refrigeration cycle loop, and the circulation of the refrigerant enables the transfer of heat from one of the multiple heat exchangers to another.

[0034] The water circuit system 39 includes a pump and one or more heat exchangers, which together form a water circuit for circulating a liquid medium such as cooling water. For example, at least one heat exchanger, positioned across both the water circuit and the refrigeration cycle circuit, allows heat exchange between the liquid medium in the water circuit and the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle circuit. That is, the water circuit cooperates with the refrigeration cycle circuit to perform (i) temperature regulation of each thermal management target device connected to the water circuit, such as the high-voltage battery 34, the electric motor 35, and the drive inverter 36; and (ii) air conditioning in the vehicle compartment 30a.

[0035] An electric heater 40 is disposed, for example, in a vehicle air conditioning unit and is configured to generate heat based on electricity supplied from a high-voltage battery 34. Specifically, the electric heater 40 is configured to heat the air blown from the vehicle air conditioning unit into the vehicle compartment 30a within the vehicle air conditioning unit.

[0036] As described above, the refrigeration cycle system 37, electric compressor 38, water circuit system 39, and electric heater 40 work together to perform air conditioning in the passenger compartment 30a, temperature regulation of the high-voltage battery 34, and temperature regulation of the electric motor 35 and power inverter 36. Thus, the refrigeration cycle system 37, electric compressor 38, water circuit system 39, and electric heater 40 constitute a temperature control device 46 that performs various temperature adjustments in the vehicle 30.

[0037] The load inverter 42 is an inverter used to supply power to one or more electrical loads that can be installed on the vehicle 30, i.e., the installed electrical loads. The load inverter 42 is configured to convert the voltage across the high-voltage battery 34, i.e., the high voltage, into a voltage suitable for one or more installed electrical loads, and to supply power to one or more installed electrical loads based on the converted voltage. For example, one or more installed electrical loads may include household appliances, such as a portable refrigerator connected to an AC 100V socket provided in the vehicle 30.

[0038] The auxiliary DC-DC converter 43 is configured to convert high-voltage power, i.e., the high voltage across the terminals of the high-voltage battery 34, into low-voltage power with a predetermined low voltage, such as DC 12V or DC 48V. The auxiliary DC-DC converter 43 is configured to supply the converted low-voltage power to each of the multiple auxiliary devices that are general electrical loads of the vehicle 30.

[0039] The charger 44 includes a charging socket and circuitry for controlling the power supply, into which a charging plug for supplying power from outside the vehicle 30 can be inserted. The charger 44 is configured to regulate the voltage of the power supplied from outside the vehicle 30 and then supply the regulated power to the high-voltage battery 34. This allows the high-voltage battery 34 to be charged.

[0040] The high-voltage battery 34, electric motor 35, drive inverter 36, refrigeration cycle system 37, electric compressor 38, water circuit system 39, electric heater 40, load inverter 42, auxiliary DC-DC converter 43 and charger 44, as described above, are electrically connected to the vehicle computer 32.

[0041] The on-board computer 32 is configured to output a control signal indicating the final command value to the controlled device, while preventing the battery of the vehicle 30 from being undercharged.

[0042] The HMI unit 45 consists of an interface unit 45a and a controller 45b, and has input functions for receiving various data items from the occupant 80 as a user via the interface unit 45a, and output functions for providing various information to the occupant 80 via the interface unit 45a. An example of the HMI unit 45 includes a touch panel display as the interface unit 45a, which has display functions as both output and input functions, and is installed on the dashboard in the passenger compartment 30a.

[0043] Examples of input information from occupant 80 via interface unit 45a of HMI unit 45 include the destination for the driving plan formulated by cloud computer 52, which will be described later, and requests from occupant 80 related to the driving plan. Examples of requests from occupant 80 include the expected value of the remaining energy of high-voltage battery 34 when vehicle 30 arrives at the destination, or the expected level of the remaining energy of high-voltage battery 34, such as low, medium, or high.

[0044] Examples of output information output to occupant 80 via interface unit 45a of HMI unit 45 include information indicating a recommended driving route in the driving plan. Additionally, examples of output information output to occupant 80 via interface unit 45a of HMI unit 45 include charging facilities CG that can be utilized in the driving plan (see...). Figure 5 The corresponding position and the sequence of the target speed Vct of the vehicle 30 to be used in the driving plan.

[0045] The driving plan formulated and determined by the cloud computer 52 will be referred to as the driving plan PN.

[0046] Information to be supplied to the onboard computer 32, but not to the occupant 80, is transmitted from the cloud 50 to the vehicle 30 for reception by the onboard computer 32. Examples of information to be supplied to the onboard computer 32 include a target temperature for controlling the temperature of the high-voltage battery 34 in preparation for charging. The remaining energy of the high-voltage battery 34 will also be simply referred to as the charging level or remaining charge level. The charging facility CG will also be referred to as a charging station. The high-voltage battery 34 can be charged from each charging facility CG. Figure 2 The charger 44 shown is used for charging.

[0047] Vehicle 30 also includes an information acquisition unit 90. The information acquisition unit 90 is connected to the onboard computer 32 and the onboard communication device 33, and is configured to acquire vehicle status information, such as vehicle speed, current vehicle location, or battery status, from at least one of various sensors (VS), navigation devices (ND), GPS (Global Positioning System), or API services (APIs) set in the cloud 50. API is an abbreviation for "Application Programming Interface".

[0048] The manager 51 of the cloud 50 is used to aggregate information sent and received between (i) the vehicle communication device 33 of the vehicle 30, (ii) the API service 54 set in the cloud 50, and (iii) the cloud computer 52.

[0049] The cloud computer 52 is configured to receive various information, including information input from the HMI unit 45 via the manager 51, and to calculate, for example, a driving plan related to the energy consumption of the vehicle 30 to the requested destination, based on the occupant's purpose. If calculating the driving plan requires information about the vehicle 30, that information is appropriately transmitted from the vehicle 30 to the cloud 50. For example, information can be input from the HMI unit 45 to the cloud 52 as described above.

[0050] Examples of information about vehicle 30 include various information items that indicate (i) the current level of remaining energy of high-voltage battery 34, (ii) the temperature value of high-voltage battery 34, and (iii) the current position Pa of vehicle 30.

[0051] API service 54 is implemented, for example, in a server within cloud 50. When API service 30 is defined in cloud 50, one of its functions is to serve as a mechanism that allows hardware / software components within cloud 50 to communicate with (i) other internal cloud components and (ii) external hardware / software components through a predefined set of definitions and protocols.

[0052] For example, the current position Pa of vehicle 30 can be obtained from information acquisition unit 90, such as from at least one of vehicle 30's GPS, navigation device ND, and various sensors VS of vehicle 30. Figure 3 A combination of charts with a common horizontal axis representing the position of vehicle 30 in the planned driving path Lr is shown. The vertical axes of the individual charts represent the target vehicle speed Vct, the target battery temperature Tbt, the target cabin temperature Trt, and the predicted charge rate of the high-voltage battery 34, in other words, the state of charge (SOC). The driving plan PN, calculated and completed by the cloud computer 52, is transmitted to the vehicle computer 32 via the manager 51, cloud communication device 53, wireless network NW, and vehicle communication device 33. When the functions related to the calculation of the driving plan PN are distributed among multiple computers, the manager 51 also has the function of integrated control of multiple computers. This driving plan PN corresponds to, for example, the plan disclosed herein.

[0053] Specifically, the cloud computer 52 and the manager 51 of the cloud 52 are configured collaboratively to... Figure 4 The flowchart shown is used to formulate a driving plan for vehicle 30. Cloud computer 52 is programmed to initiate operation in response to manual input from the occupant via HMI unit 45. Figure 4 The control routine is shown in the flowchart. The driving plan PN is the driving plan for vehicle 30 determined before vehicle 30 actually drives.

[0054] like Figure 3 and Figure 5As shown, the driving plan PN consists of several information items, including, for example: (i) the planned driving route Lr recommended in the driving plan; (ii) at least one charging facility CG selected for parking during the planned driving route Lr; (iii) the change in the target speed Vct of vehicle 30 during the driving of vehicle 30; and (iv) the change in the target temperature of each on-board device. The at least one charging facility CG will also be referred to as at least one parking charging facility CGa.

[0055] Specifically, the driving plan PN according to the first embodiment includes: (I) Plan the driving route Lr; (II) Information regarding at least one parking charging facility CGa; (III) The change of the target speed Vct of vehicle 30 from the starting point (see attached reference numeral Xst) to the ending point (see attached reference numeral Xed) of the planned driving path Lr; (IV) The change in target car temperature Trt from the starting point Xst to the ending point Xed of the planned driving route Lr; (V) The transition of the target battery temperature Tbt from the starting point Xst to the ending point Xed of the planned driving path Lr; (VI) Predicted SOC of high-voltage battery 34 from the starting point Xst to the ending point Xed of the planned driving path Lr.

[0056] Target vehicle speed Vct represents the target speed of vehicle 30, and target cabin temperature Trt represents the target temperature of the cabin 30a of vehicle 30 to be regulated by the air conditioning in cabin 30a. Target battery temperature Tbt represents the target temperature of high-voltage battery 34. Predicted SOC of high-voltage battery 34 represents the predicted SOC of high-voltage battery 34 predicted by cloud computer 52.

[0057] When the control routine begins, in step S101, the cloud computer 52 receives information input via the occupant information input operation through the HMI unit 45. Here, the occupant 80's information input operation refers to the occupant 80 inputting information to the controller 45b in the HMI unit 45 through the interface unit 45a of the HMI unit 45, with the cloud computer 52 configured to use this input information as a reference for executing the driving plan. For example, as an information input operation, the occupant 80 inputs the destination of the driving plan through the interface unit 45a of the HMI unit 45.

[0058] In addition, the occupant 80 can also input the following through the interface unit 45a of the HMI unit 45: (i) the expected value or expected level of the remaining energy of the high-voltage battery 34 when the vehicle 30 arrives at the destination; (ii) whether the use of toll roads is permitted or prohibited in the driving plan; and (iii) preference information indicating the occupant 80's preferences.

[0059] Examples of preference information include information about adjusting the intensity of air conditioning in the carriage 30a and / or information indicating whether travel time or energy efficiency is prioritized in the travel plan.

[0060] Various methods for occupants to perform input operations via the interface unit 45a of the HMI unit 45 include, for example, operations by the occupant on one or more visual switches and / or one or more expandable visual bars displayed on the touchscreen of the touchscreen of the touchscreen display when a touch panel display is provided as the interface unit 45a. Input information input to the controller 45b of the HMI unit 45 is transmitted from the controller 45b to the cloud computer 52 via the in-vehicle communication device 33 and the wireless network NW.

[0061] exist Figure 4 After the operation in step S101, the control routine proceeds to step S102.

[0062] In step S102, the cloud computer 52 obtains basic information about the driving plan, which determines (i) for example Figure 4 The driving plan of the vehicle 30 shown includes: (ii) the planned driving path Lr; (iii) the sequence of target vehicle speeds during the driving of the vehicle 30; and (iv) the sequence of target temperatures for each on-board device. Examples of basic driving plan information include information on the current location Pa and destination of the vehicle 30 as input in step S101, and external information including (i) information indicating the ambient temperature around the vehicle 30 and (ii) information indicating traffic congestion around the vehicle 30.

[0063] Examples of basic driving plan information also include vehicle information indicating the condition of vehicle 30, such as vehicle speed information indicating the speed of vehicle 30 and battery information indicating the current state of high-voltage battery 34 (e.g., SOC and temperature).

[0064] In step S102, the cloud computer 52 obtains external information, for example, from the API service 54.

[0065] In addition to planning the driving route Lr, Figure 5 The road RD around vehicle 30, the charging facility CG that vehicle 30 can charge, the current position Pa of vehicle 30 (i.e., the current position Pa of vehicle) and the driving direction Df of vehicle 30 (i.e., the driving direction Df of vehicle) are also shown.

[0066] exist Figure 4 After the operation in step S102, the control routine proceeds to step S103.

[0067] In step S103, the cloud computer 52, based on the basic information of the driving plan obtained in step S102, formulates and determines the driving plan PN of vehicle 30, including the planned driving path Lr. For example, the cloud computer 52 uses, for example, a known optimization algorithm to determine the driving plan PN. For example, when multiple driving path candidates are provided by the existing API service 54, the cloud computer 52 selects one driving path candidate from the multiple driving plan candidates and determines the selected driving path candidate as the planned driving path Lr of the driving plan. The planned driving path Lr of vehicle 30 from the current position Pa to the destination consists of multiple predetermined road segments. The starting point Xst of the planned driving path Lr is set to the current position Pa of vehicle 30, and the ending point Xed of the planned driving path Lr is set to the destination input by the occupant 80.

[0068] In step S103, as part of the driving plan PN, the cloud computer 52 determines: (i) at least one charging facility CG where the vehicle 30 can stop along the planned driving path Lr for battery charging, as at least one parking charging facility CGa; and (ii) the amount of charging energy at at least one parking charging facility CGb. Furthermore, in step S103, as part of the driving plan PN, the cloud computer 52 determines various parameters, including, for example: (i) a sequence of target vehicle speed Vct values ​​at each segment of the planned driving path Lr; (ii) a sequence of target battery temperature Trt values ​​at each segment of the planned driving path Lr; and (iii) a sequence of target passenger compartment temperature Tbt values ​​at the corresponding segment of the planned driving path Lr. Evaluation functions are defined for each parameter so that a higher evaluation corresponds to a larger value, and various parameters are determined to maximize the evaluation function value. Examples of evaluation functions include functions defined as increasing with improvements in driving time, energy efficiency, remaining energy of the high-voltage battery 34, and / or the risk of insufficient battery charging.

[0069] Specifically, in step S103, the cloud computer 52 determines the driving plan PN, enabling the vehicle 30 to drive based on the driving plan PN, while ensuring that the SOC of the high-voltage battery 34 is not less than a predetermined allowable lower limit Ls (see...). Figure 3 More specifically, in step S103, cloud computer 52 calculates the distance from the starting point Xst to the ending point Xed (see...). Figure 3 The cloud computer 52 calculates a sequence of predicted SOC Spr values ​​for the high-voltage battery 34 at each segment of the planned driving path Lr. Then, the cloud computer 52 determines a driving plan PN such that all predicted SOC Spr values ​​of the high-voltage battery 34 are kept not less than a predetermined allowable lower limit Ls.

[0070] For example, cloud computer 52 calculates the predicted State of Charge (SOC) for each segment of the planned driving path Lr based on (i) the driving energy efficiency of vehicle 30, i.e., energy consumption rate, (ii) the planned driving path Lr, and (iii) the target cabin temperature Trt. The driving energy efficiency of vehicle 30 is expressed, for example, in kilometers per kilowatt-hour (km / kWh), representing the distance that vehicle 30 can travel on one unit of electrical energy consumed. The allowable lower limit Ls can be experimentally set in advance as a fixed value to prevent insufficient battery charging of vehicle 30, or a variable value based on the preference information of occupant 80 obtained in step S102.

[0071] exist Figure 4 After the operation in step S103, the control routine proceeds to step S104.

[0072] In step S104, the cloud computer 52 will Figure 3 and Figure 5 The driving plan PN determined in step S103 is sent to the manager 51, which then sends the driving plan to the vehicle 30 via the wireless network NW.

[0073] In addition to the planned driving path Lr, the driving plan PN also includes, for example: (i) the location Xcga of at least one parking charging facility CGa where the vehicle 30 can stop along the planned driving path Lr for battery charging; (ii) the amount of charging energy at at least one charging facility CG; (iii) a sequence of target vehicle speed Vct values ​​at each segment of the planned driving path Lr; (iv) a sequence of cabin temperature Vrt values ​​at each segment of the planned driving path Lr; (v) a sequence of target battery temperature Vbt values ​​at each segment of the planned driving path Lr; and (vi) a sequence of predicted SOC Spr values ​​for the high-voltage battery 34.

[0074] exist Figure 4 After the operation in step S104, the control routine proceeds to step S105.

[0075] In step S105, the manager 51 causes the onboard computer 32 and the HMI unit 45 to perform control according to the driving plan PN. For example, this enables the onboard computer 32 to initiate autonomous driving of the vehicle 30 according to the driving plan PN in response to receiving a predetermined manual operation from the driver on the interface unit 45a of the HMI unit 45. The autonomous driving of the vehicle 30 is, for example, any of Level 3, Level 4, and Level 5 autonomous driving, in which the onboard computer 32 automatically controls the speed and steering of the vehicle 30 according to the driving plan PN.

[0076] Specifically, when autonomous driving of vehicle 30 begins, onboard computer 32 controls motor 35 and drive inverter 36 to make vehicle 30 travel in a sequence of speeds approaching the target speed Vct of driving plan PN. In other words, onboard computer 31 controls motor 35 and drive inverter 36 to make the speed of vehicle 30 at each segment of the planned driving path Lr change to the corresponding value of the target speed Vc of driving plan PN at the corresponding segment. Additionally, when autonomous driving of vehicle 30 begins, onboard computer 32 controls temperature control device 46 to make the temperature in passenger compartment 30a approach a sequence of values ​​of the target passenger compartment temperature Trt of driving plan PN. In other words, onboard computer 32 controls temperature control device 46 to make the temperature in passenger compartment 30a at each segment of the planned driving path Lr change to the target passenger compartment temperature Trt of driving plan PN at the corresponding segment. Similarly, when the vehicle 30 begins autonomous driving, the onboard computer 32 controls the temperature control device 46 to bring the temperature of the high-voltage battery 34 close to a sequence of values ​​for the target battery temperature Tbt of the driving plan PN. In other words, the onboard computer 32 controls the temperature control device 46 to bring the temperature of the high-voltage battery 34 at each segment of the planned driving path Lr to the corresponding value of the target battery temperature Tb of the driving plan PN at that segment.

[0077] As described above, during autonomous driving of vehicle 30, the speed of vehicle 30 and the temperature of high-voltage battery 34 are automatically controlled. Additionally, each of the target vehicle speed Vct, target passenger compartment temperature Trt, and target battery temperature Tbt is automatically controlled according to driving plan PN. According to this disclosure, passenger compartment 30a of vehicle 30 corresponds to a predetermined portion of vehicle 30, and the temperature in passenger compartment 30a corresponds to the temperature of the predetermined portion of vehicle 30 as described in this disclosure.

[0078] The notification system 10 of the first embodiment functionally includes functions for performing... Figure 6 The flowchart shows the decision unit 12, notification unit 13, and change unit 14 of the notification control routine (see...). Figure 7 According to the first embodiment, the determination unit 12, notification unit 13, and change unit 14 are included in the manager 51 of the cloud 50 in the notification system 10.

[0079] The notification system 10 is configured to execute for each of the target vehicle speed Vct and target passenger compartment temperature Trt. Figure 6 The notification control routine is shown. Specifically, the notification system 10 is configured to execute in parallel with each other (i). Figure 6 The notification control routines for the target vehicle speed Vct and (ii) the target car body temperature Trt are shown. Figure 6The notification control routines for target vehicle speed Vct and target car body temperature Trt shown are essentially the same, except that the target parameter processed in the notification control routine for target vehicle speed Vct, i.e., target vehicle speed Vct, is different from the target parameter processed in the notification control routine for target car body temperature Trt, i.e., target car body temperature Trt.

[0080] The following first describes Figure 6 The notification control routine for the target vehicle speed Vct is shown. Manager 51 is programmed to execute the following command each time the target vehicle speed Vct changes according to the driving plan PN, after vehicle 30 begins autonomous driving based on driving plan PN. Figure 6 The notification control routine for the target vehicle speed Vct is shown. For example, the manager 51 is programmed to identify the target vehicle speed change time based on the vehicle 30's current position Pa and driving plan PN, thereby initiating a notification control routine at any time before each target speed change time. Figure 6 The notification control routine for the target vehicle speed Vc.

[0081] At the beginning Figure 6 In the notification control routine for the target vehicle speed Vct shown, in step S201, the determination unit 12 identifies whether a target value for a control parameter is planned to be changed. This control parameter is the target vehicle speed Vct used for automatic drive control executed according to the driving plan PN. For example, the determination unit 12 identifies whether a target value for a control parameter is planned to be changed based on, for example, the current position Pa of the vehicle 30 and the driving plan PN. In response to the determination of the target value for a planned change of the control parameter, the determination unit 12 identifies the target value of the control parameter and the target value for changing the control parameter in step S201. Specifically, the target value of the control parameter is the current value of the target vehicle speed Vct, and the target value for changing the control parameter is the changed value of the target vehicle speed Vc.

[0082] The operation in step S201 is completed so that the notification operation in subsequent step S204 can be performed with sufficient lead time before the target value of the control parameter is changed according to the driving plan PN. The target value of the control parameter that has not yet been changed will also be referred to as the current target value of the control parameter. Figure 6 After the operation in step S201, the control routine is notified to proceed to step S202.

[0083] In step S202, the determination unit 12 calculates the absolute difference Dtg between the current target value and the changed target value of the control parameter, that is, between the current value and the changed value of the target vehicle speed Vct, in other words, the absolute target value difference Dtg. An example of the absolute target value difference Dtg is shown below. Figure 6 As shown. In Figure 6 After the operation in step S202, the control routine is notified to proceed to step S203.

[0084] In step S203, the determination unit 12 determines whether the absolute target value difference Dtg is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold D1tg.

[0085] Specifically, the determination unit 12 determines whether the absolute target speed difference, corresponding to the absolute target value difference Dtg, between the current value of the target vehicle speed Vct and the changed value of the target vehicle speed Vt is greater than or equal to the predetermined target vehicle speed threshold corresponding to the predetermined threshold D1tg.

[0086] In other words, the determination unit 12 determines whether the target value of the control parameter (i.e., the current value of the target vehicle speed Vct) needs to be changed based on the driving plan PN. The absolute difference Dtg (i.e., the absolute target vehicle speed difference) is not less than the predetermined threshold D1tg (i.e., the predetermined target vehicle speed threshold).

[0087] Since the predetermined target vehicle speed threshold corresponds to the predetermined threshold D1tg, the predetermined target vehicle speed threshold represents the judgment threshold determined as threshold D1tg. Threshold D1tg is pre-set experimentally as the lower limit of the absolute target value difference Dtg that would cause discomfort to occupant 80%.

[0088] The target value of the control parameter is automatically changed according to the planning of the driving plan PN with an absolute difference Dtg that is not less than a predetermined threshold D1tg, corresponding to the predetermined change related to the driving plan PN according to this disclosure.

[0089] In other words, the automatic change of the current value of the target vehicle speed Vct based on the travel plan PN with an absolute target vehicle speed difference that is not less than a predetermined target vehicle speed threshold corresponds to the predetermined change related to the travel plan PN according to this disclosure. Therefore, the above determination in step S203 is equivalent to a determination on whether the predetermined change related to the travel plan PN needs to be performed.

[0090] In response to the determination that the absolute target value difference Dtg is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold D1tg, in other words, the absolute target speed difference between the current value of the target speed Vct and the change value of the target speed Vc is greater than or equal to a predetermined target speed threshold ("Yes" in step S203), the control routine is notified to proceed to step S204.

[0091] Otherwise, in response to the determination that the absolute target value difference Dtg is less than the predetermined threshold D1tg, in other words, the absolute target speed difference between the current value of the target speed Vct and the changed value of the target speed Vc is less than the predetermined target speed threshold ("No" in step S203), the control routine is notified to proceed to step S205.

[0092] After the affirmative determination in step S203, in step S204, the notification unit 13 notifies the occupant 80 of (i) one or more reasons for the change to be performed and (ii) information about the change before performing the change of the target value of the control parameter that is not less than the predetermined threshold D1tg.

[0093] Specifically, in step S204, before performing a change to the current value of the target vehicle speed Vct, which is accompanied by an absolute target vehicle speed difference of not less than a predetermined target vehicle speed threshold, the notification unit 13 notifies the occupant 80 of (i) one or more reasons for performing the change and (ii) information about the change.

[0094] For example, in step S204, the notification unit 13 estimates, based on information related to the planned driving path Lr (such as a sequence of speed limit changes along the path Lr and / or changes in the SOC of the high-voltage battery 34), one or more reasons having (i) speed limit changes on the road RD included in the planned driving path Lr in which the vehicle 30 travels and / or (ii) the high-voltage battery 34 maintaining the SOC at a level not lower than a predetermined level.

[0095] Information regarding the aforementioned changes in target values ​​is estimated as an increase or decrease in the target value of the control parameters.

[0096] The notification unit 13 informs occupant 80 of the aforementioned target value change so that occupant 80 can identify what physical quantity the target value of the control parameter represents. Specifically, notifying occupant 80 of the target value change enables occupant 80 to identify whether the control parameter whose target value is to be changed is the target vehicle speed Vct or the target passenger compartment temperature Trt. More specifically, when the control parameter is the target vehicle speed Vct, the notification unit 13 notifies occupant 80 that the target vehicle speed Vct is planned to increase or decrease.

[0097] For example, notification unit 13 performs a notification in step S204 using at least one of, for example, sound and visual cues. Specifically, notification unit 13 operates notification device 451 in HMI unit 45 to provide m notifications accordingly via notification device 451. This enables notifications to be provided to occupant 80 in the form of, for example, at least one of sound and visual cues.

[0098] For example, if the notification to occupant 80 is designed to be in the form of sound, then the notification device 451 includes a speaker, and the notification unit 13 operates the speaker of the notification device 451 to output the sound indicating the notification through the speaker. As another example, if the notification to occupant 80 is designed to be in the form of a visual indication, then the notification device 451 includes a display such as a monitor, and the notification unit 13 operates the display of the notification device 451 to output the visual information indicating the notification through the display.

[0099] Before changing the target value of the control parameter, i.e., before changing the current value of the target vehicle speed Vct in a later step S205, the operation in step S204 is completed with a predetermined margin of time. The predetermined margin of time represents the period of time used to avoid discomfort that the occupant 80 may experience due to the sudden change in the target vehicle speed Vct in step S205. For example, the margin of time can be several to tens of seconds, does not need to be strictly fixed, and may have a specific range.

[0100] Since the notification unit 13 can identify the time of change of the target speed Vct based on the current position Pa of the vehicle 30 and the driving plan PN, the notification unit 13 enables the operation in step S204 to be completed with a predetermined margin of time before the current value of the target speed Vct is changed. Figure 6 After the operation in step S204, the control routine is notified to proceed to step S205.

[0101] In step S205, the modification unit 14 of the manager 51 changes the target value of the control parameter, i.e., the current value of the target vehicle speed Vct, according to the driving plan PN. Since the speed of the vehicle 30 is controlled to be close to the target vehicle speed Vct, the speed of the vehicle 30 is changed to follow the change of the target vehicle speed Vt.

[0102] Figure 6 The notification control routine for the target vehicle speed Vct shown is configured to determine whether to notify the occupant 80 based on the determination result in step S203.

[0103] Specifically, in response to the determination that the absolute target speed difference between the current value of the target speed Vct and the changed value of the target speed Vct is greater than or equal to a predetermined target speed threshold, the target speed Vct notification control routine is configured to notify the occupant 80 of the change in target speed Vct before the change in target speed Vct is executed. The notification indicates the change in target speed Vct.

[0104] Otherwise, in step S204, in response to the determination that the absolute target speed difference between the current value of the target speed Vct and the changed value of the target speed Vct is less than a predetermined target speed threshold, the notification control routine for the target speed Vcd is configured to change the current value of the target speed Vct according to the driving plan PN, without executing the notification.

[0105] Next, the following description Figure 6 The notification control routine for the target compartment temperature Trt is shown. As described above, Figure 6 The notification control routine for the target compartment temperature Trt shown is... Figure 6The notification control routine for the target vehicle speed Vct is basically the same, except that the target parameter processed in the notification control routine for the target passenger compartment temperature Trt is the same as that in the target passenger compartment temperature Trt notification control routine. Figure 6 The target vehicle temperature Vct in the example is different from the target vehicle speed Vct processed in the controller process.

[0106] At the beginning Figure 6 In the notification control routine for the target passenger compartment temperature Trt shown, in step S201, the determination unit 12 identifies whether a target value for a control parameter is planned to be changed. This control parameter is the target passenger compartment temperature Trt used for automatic drive control executed according to the driving plan PN. In response to the determination of the target value for the planned change of the control parameter, the determination unit 12 identifies the target value of the control parameter and the target value for the change of the control parameter in step S201. Specifically, the target value of the control parameter is the current value of the target passenger compartment temperature Trt, and the target value for the change of the control parameter is the changed value of the target passenger compartment temperature Trt.

[0107] exist Figure 6 After the operation in step S201, the control routine is notified to proceed to step S202.

[0108] In step S202, the determination unit 12 calculates the absolute target value difference Dtg between the current target value and the changed target value of the control parameter, that is, the absolute target car temperature difference between the current value and the changed value of the target car temperature Trt. Figure 6 After the operation in step S202, the control routine is notified to proceed to step S203.

[0109] In step S203, the determination unit 12 determines whether the absolute target value difference Dtg is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold D1tg. Specifically, the determination unit 12 determines whether the absolute target car temperature difference between the current value and the changed value of the target car temperature Trt is greater than or equal to a predetermined target car temperature threshold corresponding to the predetermined threshold D1tg. Since the predetermined target car temperature threshold corresponds to the predetermined threshold D1tg, the predetermined car temperature threshold represents the determination threshold that is determined as threshold D1tg. The threshold D1tg is experimentally set in advance as the lower limit of the absolute target value difference Dtg that would make the occupant 80 feel uncomfortable.

[0110] In response to the determination that the absolute target compartment temperature difference between the current value of the target compartment temperature Trt and the changed value of the target compartment temperature Trt is greater than or equal to a predetermined target compartment temperature threshold ("Yes" in step S203), the control routine is notified to proceed to step S204. In step S204, before performing a change in the current value of the target vehicle speed Vct accompanied by an absolute target vehicle speed difference not less than a predetermined target vehicle speed threshold, the notification unit 13 notifies the occupant 80 of (i) one or more reasons for performing the aforementioned target compartment temperature change and (ii) information about the aforementioned target compartment temperature change. For example, in step S204, the notification unit 13 estimates one or more reasons, including maintaining the high-voltage battery 34 at a level not lower than a predetermined level, based on information related to the planned driving path Lr (such as the sequence of changes in speed limits along path Lr and / or changes in the SOC of the high-voltage battery 34).

[0111] exist Figure 6 After the operation in step S204, the control routine is notified to proceed to step S205.

[0112] Otherwise, in response to the determination that the absolute target car temperature difference between the current value of the target car temperature Trt and the changed value of the target car temperature Trt is less than the predetermined target car temperature threshold ("No" in step S203), the control routine is notified to skip the operation in step S204 and proceed to step S205.

[0113] In step S205, the modification unit 14 of the manager 51 changes the current value of the target compartment temperature Trt according to the travel plan PN. Since the temperature inside compartment 30a is controlled to be close to the target compartment temperature Trt, the temperature inside compartment 30a is changed to follow the change of the target compartment temperature Trt.

[0114] exist Figure 6 In the notification control routine for the target compartment temperature Trt shown, the current value of the target compartment temperature Trt, based on the automatic plan change of the travel plan PN with an absolute target compartment temperature difference not less than a predetermined target compartment temperature threshold, corresponds to the predetermined change related to the travel plan PN according to this disclosure. Therefore, the determination in step S203 is equivalent to a determination of whether the predetermined change related to the travel plan PN needs to be executed.

[0115] The following describes the advantages implemented by the notification system 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0116] The determination unit 12 of the notification system 10 according to the first embodiment is configured to determine whether a predetermined change related to the driving plan PN needs to be performed.

[0117] According to the first embodiment, the predetermined change related to the driving plan PN represents at least one of the following: (I) in Figure 6 In the notification control routine for the target vehicle speed Vct shown, the current value of the target vehicle speed Vct is automatically changed according to the driving plan PN based on the absolute target vehicle speed difference that is not less than the predetermined target vehicle speed threshold. (II) In Figure 6 In the notification control routine for the target compartment temperature Trt shown, the current value of the target compartment temperature Trt is automatically changed according to the travel plan PN based on the absolute target compartment temperature difference that is not less than the predetermined target compartment temperature threshold.

[0118] In response to the determination that a predetermined change related to the driving plan PN needs to be performed, the notification unit 13 according to the first embodiment is configured to notify the occupant 80 of (i) one or more reasons for performing the predetermined change related to the driving plan PN and (ii) information about the predetermined change related to the driving plan PN before the execution of the predetermined change related to the driving plan PN.

[0119] This configuration of the notification system 10 enables the occupant 80 to identify (i) the reasons for (i) the planned changes to the travel plan PN to be made and (ii) the reasons for making the planned changes to the travel plan PN before making any changes based on a notification executed by the notification unit 13.

[0120] Therefore, even if the occupant 80 does not expect to make a scheduled change related to the travel plan PN, this configuration of the notification system 10 can reduce the occupant's discomfort caused by the occurrence of a scheduled change related to the travel plan PN.

[0121] Additionally, this configuration of the notification system 10 also enables the occupant 80 to identify the reason for one or more predetermined changes related to the driving plan PN before such changes are implemented, thereby further reducing the occupant's discomfort due to predetermined changes related to the driving plan PN compared to simple advance notifications, such as buzzer sound output or flashing marker display.

[0122] The vehicle 30 to which the notification system 10 is applied is, for example, an electric vehicle according to the first embodiment. Figure 3 As shown, the driving plan PN is designed to enable vehicle 30 to drive while ensuring that the state of charge (SOC) of the high-voltage battery 34 remains at or above a predetermined allowable lower limit (Ls). This allows the driving plan PN to be executed while preventing the battery of vehicle 30 from being undercharged.

[0123] The notification unit 13 of the notification system 10 according to the first embodiment is configured to... Figure 6 The notification control routine shown in step S204 uses at least one of sound and visual cues to perform the notification. Therefore, this configuration allows the occupant 80 to immediately recognize the information indicated by the notification after it has been performed.

[0124] Figure 6 The notification control routine for the target vehicle speed Vct shown is configured to determine whether a predetermined change related to the driving plan PN needs to be executed. The predetermined change related to the driving plan PN means that the current value of the target vehicle speed Vct is automatically changed according to the driving plan PN along with an absolute target vehicle speed difference that is not less than a predetermined target vehicle speed threshold.

[0125] Therefore, this configuration enables the occupant 80 to identify (i) information indicating that the target vehicle speed Vct will change and (ii) the reason for the change in target vehicle speed Vt before the change in target vehicle speed Vct is executed, based on the notification executed by the notification unit 13. Thus, even if the occupant 80 does not expect speed control to follow changes in target vehicle speed Vct, occupant discomfort caused by speed changes in vehicle 30 can be reduced.

[0126] Figure 6 The notification control routine for the target compartment temperature Trt shown is configured to determine whether a predetermined change related to the driving plan PN needs to be executed. The predetermined change related to the driving plan PN means that the current value of the target compartment temperature Trt is automatically changed according to the driving plan PN along with an absolute target compartment temperature difference that is not less than a predetermined target compartment temperature threshold.

[0127] Therefore, this configuration enables the occupant 80 to identify (i) information indicating that the target compartment temperature Trt will change and (ii) the reason for the change in target compartment temperature Tt before the change in target compartment temperature Trt is executed, based on the notification executed by the notification unit 13. Thus, even if the occupant 80 does not expect compartment temperature control to change in accordance with the target compartment temperature Trt, occupant discomfort caused by temperature changes in compartment 30a of vehicle 30 can be reduced.

[0128] According to the first embodiment, the temperature in the passenger compartment 30a corresponds to the temperature at a predetermined portion of the vehicle 30. That is, the predetermined portion of the vehicle 30 represents the portion of the vehicle 30 where temperature changes are transmitted to the occupants 80. The notification control routine is executed for a target passenger compartment temperature Trt, which is the target temperature in the passenger compartment 30a. Therefore, if an automatic temperature change in the passenger compartment 30a is likely to cause discomfort to the occupants 80, this configuration allows the occupants 80 to be appropriately notified of this possibility in step S204 of the notification control routine.

[0129] Before changing the current value of the corresponding target vehicle speed Vct and target compartment temperature Trt in step S205, the notification of the notification control routine executed in step S204 for each of the target vehicle speed Vct and target compartment temperature Trt is completed within a predetermined margin time. Therefore, this reduces the likelihood that the occupant 80 will perceive a sudden change in the corresponding target vehicle speed Vct and target compartment temperature Trt.

[0130] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of this disclosure will be described. In particular, the differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment will be mainly described below.

[0131] Descriptions of components that are identical or equivalent to those in the first embodiment described above will be omitted or simplified. This also applies to the descriptions of embodiments and variations described later.

[0132] The notification system 10 according to the second embodiment is configured to perform... Figure 8 The notification control routine shown is used instead of Figure 6 The routine shown. For example, manager 51 is programmed to execute cyclically in response to the start of autonomous driving of vehicle 30 based on driving plan PN. Figure 8 The notification control routine shown.

[0133] Notice, Figure 4 The control routine shown in the second embodiment is executed in the same manner as in the first embodiment; therefore, the driving plan PN according to the second embodiment is... Figure 4 The aforementioned control routines are determined. Additionally, as... Figure 7 As shown, the notification system 10 functionally includes a determination unit 12, a notification unit 13, and a modification unit 14. According to the second embodiment, the determination unit 12, notification unit 13, and modification unit 14 are included in the manager 51 of the cloud 50 within the notification system 10.

[0134] At the beginning Figure 8 In the notification control routine shown, in step S301, the determination unit 12 obtains the estimated driving state of vehicle 30 at the current time point from the driving plan PN, and obtains the actual driving state of vehicle 30 at the current time point. In step S301, the estimated driving state of vehicle 30 is compared with the actual driving state of vehicle 30 at the current time point.

[0135] Specifically, the determination unit 12 obtains an estimated value for each driving state parameter from the driving plan PN, which includes, for example: (i) the state of charge (SOC) of the high-voltage battery 34 at the current time; (ii) the speed of the vehicle 30 at the current time; and (iii) the position of the vehicle 30 at the current time. Additionally, the determination unit 12 obtains the actual value of each driving state parameter from various sensors of the vehicle 30 (VS) and / or the navigation device NV of the vehicle 30.

[0136] One example of a method for comparing the estimated value at the current time point with the actual value at the current time point for each driving state parameter is to calculate the deviation between the actual value and the corresponding estimated value as an evaluation score for each driving state parameter. This method then sums the evaluation scores for all driving state parameters to calculate a total score, recognizing that a larger total score indicates a greater deviation between the actual driving state of vehicle 30 at the current time point and the estimated driving state of vehicle 30 at that time point.

[0137] For example, the greater the deviation between the actual SOC value of the high-voltage battery 34 and its corresponding predicted SOC Spr, the higher the evaluation score of the SOC of the high-voltage battery 34 as a driving state parameter. As another example, as the distance between the actual value of the vehicle 30 and the estimated value of the vehicle 30's position in the planned driving path Lr increases, the position evaluation score of the vehicle 30 in the driving path Lrs increases. After the operation in step S301, the control routine is notified to proceed to step S302.

[0138] In step S302, the determination unit 12 determines whether the deviation between the actual driving state of the vehicle 30 at the current time point and the estimated driving state of the vehicle 30 at the current time point exceeds a predetermined allowable limit LM. The allowable limit LM is preset through experiments to determine whether it needs to be changed, i.e., the driving plan PN needs to be updated.

[0139] In summary, in step S302, the determination unit 12 compares the driving plan PN with the actual driving status of the vehicle 30 at the current time point to determine whether the driving plan PN needs to be changed, i.e., updated.

[0140] Specifically, the determination unit 12 determines whether the total score calculated in step S301 is higher than the predetermined determination threshold corresponding to the allowable limit LM, and in response to the determination that the total score calculated in step S301 is higher than the predetermined determination threshold, it determines in step S302 that the driving state deviation at the current time point exceeds the allowable limit.

[0141] For example, if vehicle 30 deviates from the planned driving path Lr of driving plan PN at the current time point while exceeding a certain limit, the total score becomes higher than the predetermined judgment threshold corresponding to the allowable limit LM, causing judgment unit 12 to determine that the driving state deviation at the current time point exceeds the allowable limit LM. As another example, if the actual SOC value of high-voltage battery 34 at the current time point is less than its corresponding predicted SOC Spr value at the current time point, and it is predicted that vehicle 30 cannot reach the parking charging facility CGa, then judgment unit 12 determines that the driving state deviation at the current time point exceeds the allowable limit LM.

[0142] Specifically, in response to the determination that the driving state deviation does not exceed the allowable limit LM and is within the allowable limit LM ("No" in step S302), the control routine is notified to proceed to step S303. Otherwise, in response to the determination that the driving state deviation exceeds the allowable limit LM ("Yes" in step S302), the control routine is notified to proceed to step S304.

[0143] In response to a determination that the driving state deviation exceeds the allowable limit LM, the driving plan PN will be automatically changed in a later step S305. Otherwise, in response to a determination that the driving state deviation is within the allowable limit LM, the driving plan PN will remain unchanged in a later step S305. Thus, the determination unit 12 cyclically determines whether the driving plan PN needs to be automatically changed during the driving of the vehicle 30 based on a comparison between the driving plan PN and the actual driving state of the vehicle 30.

[0144] The automatic change of the driving plan PN during the driving period of vehicle 30 corresponds to the predetermined change related to the driving plan PN according to the second embodiment of this disclosure. In other words, according to the second embodiment, in step S302, the determination unit 12 determines whether the predetermined change related to the driving plan PN needs to be performed.

[0145] Following the negative determination in step S302, in step S303, the modification unit 14 does not change the driving plan PN to keep the driving plan PN unchanged. Thereafter, the current cycle of the notification control routine is terminated, and the next cycle of the notification control routine begins.

[0146] Following the affirmative determination in step 302, before executing the change of the travel plan PN in subsequent step S305, the notification unit 13 notifies the occupant 80 in step S304 of (i) one or more reasons why the travel plan PN needs to be changed and (ii) information regarding the change of the travel plan PN. Specifically, the notification unit 13 For example, based on the comparison results in step S301, notification unit 13 estimates, as one or more reasons, a first case where vehicle 30 is traveling while deviating from the planned travel path Lr of travel plan PN by a certain degree; or a second case where the actual value of the SOC of high-voltage battery 34 is significantly less than the corresponding value of its predicted SOC Spr based on travel plan PN. That is, in step S304, one or more reasons related to the change of travel plan PN are notified. Information about the change of travel plan PN is estimated as an update of travel plan PN.

[0147] Similar to the first embodiment, the notification unit 13 uses at least one of, for example, sound and visual cues to perform, for example, the notification in step S304. Specifically, the notification unit 13 operates the notification device 451 included in the HMI unit 45 to provide a notification to the occupant 80 accordingly via the notification device 451. This allows the notification to be provided to the occupant 80 in the form of, for example, at least one of sound and visual cues. Figure 8 After the operation in step S304, the control routine is notified to proceed to step S305.

[0148] In step S305, the modification unit 14 of the manager 51 instructs the cloud computer 52 to modify, i.e., update the driving plan PN, so that the cloud computer 52 changes the driving plan PN. Specifically, the cloud computer 52 plans a new driving plan PN again, and the manager 51 causes the on-board computer 32 and the HMI unit 45 to perform control according to the newly planned driving plan PN.

[0149] For example, it can be done through Figure 4 The control routine shown is used to plan the new driving plan PN and execute control based on the new driving plan PN. Note that during execution... Figure 4 When the control routine shown is performed as the operation in step S305, the cloud computer 52 is programmed to skip the operation in step S101 while starting the operation in step S102, because the destination information such as the travel plan PN entered in step S101 has already been received therein.

[0150] In step S305, the cloud computer 52 may be configured to immediately change, i.e., update, the driving plan PN to the new driving plan PN after the notification in step S304 is completed. Specifically, according to the first embodiment, the cloud computer 52 is configured to change, i.e. update, the driving plan PN to the new driving plan PN after a predetermined allowable time has elapsed since the notification in step S304 is completed. In other words, the notification unit 13 is configured to complete the notification in step S304 within a predetermined allowable time before the moment when the driving plan PN is changed, i.e. updated, in step S305.

[0151] The predetermined margin time represents the time period used to avoid discomfort that occupant 80 might experience in step S305 due to a sudden change in the travel plan PN. For example, the margin time can be several to tens of seconds, does not need to be strictly fixed, and may have a specific range. The margin time according to the second embodiment can be set to be equal to or different from the margin time according to the first embodiment.

[0152] The following describes the advantages implemented by the notification system 10 according to the second embodiment.

[0153] According to the second embodiment, the determination unit 12 of the notification system 10 is configured to determine in step S302 whether a predetermined change related to the driving plan PN needs to be made, the predetermined change indicating an automatic change of the driving plan PN during the driving of the vehicle 30. Therefore, this allows the occupant 80 to identify one or more reasons for (i) the automatic change of the driving plan PN and (ii) the automatic change of the driving plan PN prior to its execution, through the notification in step S304.

[0154] This configuration of the notification system 10 reduces passenger discomfort caused by temperature changes in the passenger compartment 30a of the vehicle 30, even if the occupants 80 do not expect to control the compartment temperature in accordance with changes in the travel plan PN.

[0155] Other advantages achieved by the second embodiment are substantially the same as those achieved by the first embodiment described above.

[0156] Variations of the second embodiment The notification system 10 according to the second embodiment is configured to perform... Figure 8 The notification control routine shown is used instead Figure 6 The notification control routine shown is configured to execute simultaneously according to a variant of the notification system 100 based on the second embodiment. Figure 6 The notification control routine and Figure 8 The notification control routine described above.

[0157] For example, in response to the determination in step S302 that a change in the driving plan PN is required, the notification unit 13 of this variant, in step S304, notifies the occupant 80 of (i) one or more reasons for the need to change the driving plan PN and (ii) information about the change in the driving plan PN before performing the change in the driving plan PN. In step S305, changing the driving plan PN may cause a change in the target vehicle speed Vct or the target passenger compartment temperature Trt. In this case, in response to the determination in step S203 that the target vehicle speed Vct or the target passenger compartment temperature Trt is to be changed, in step S204, the notification unit 13, before performing the change in the target vehicle speed Vt or the target passenger compartment temperature Trt, notifies the occupant 80 of (i) one or more reasons for the change to the target vehicle speed Vt or the target passenger compartment temperature Trt and (ii) information about the change in the target vehicle speed Vct or the target passenger compartment temperature Trt.

[0158] according to Figure 1 The vehicle 30 in each of the first and second embodiments shown is an electric vehicle; this is merely an example. Specifically, vehicle 30 is one of a hybrid vehicle, a plug-in hybrid vehicle, and a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine as its sole driving power source.

[0159] Figure 2 The HMI unit 45 shown is located on the dashboard of the compartment 30a; this is just an example.

[0160] For example, the notification system 10 according to each of the first and second embodiments of this disclosure may include an external terminal capable of connecting to the in-vehicle communication device 33 and the cloud communication device 53 via a wireless network NW for data communication. In this variant, one or more in-vehicle components do not constitute the HMI unit 45, and the external terminal may serve as the HMI unit 45. The external terminal may include the notification function of the notification device 451, which is a component of the HMI unit 45. The external terminal may include a portable computer, such as a tablet or smartphone, operable by an occupant 80.

[0161] Figure 2 The HMI unit 45 shown includes both input and output functions; this is merely an example. The HMI unit 45 can be implemented using only one of the input and output functions.

[0162] Figure 2 The electrical configuration of the vehicle 30 and cloud 50 according to the first embodiment is shown. This is merely an example and therefore not a limitation. Figure 2 The electrical structure shown.

[0163] Figure 2The on-board computer 32 shown does not need to be implemented by a single computer. The on-board computer 32 can be implemented by, for example, multiple computers provided for various functions.

[0164] Figure 4 The evaluation function used to determine the various parameters of the driving plan PN in step S103 is defined as increasing with increasing evaluation; this is merely an example. The evaluation function can also be defined as decreasing with increasing evaluation; in this case, the parameters can be determined to minimize the value of the evaluation function.

[0165] According to each of the first and second embodiments, during the operation of vehicle 30, the speed of vehicle 30 and the temperature in passenger compartment 30a are automatically controlled according to the driving plan PN (see...). Figure 3 This is just one example.

[0166] For example, during the travel of vehicle 30, either the speed of vehicle 30 or the temperature in the compartment 30a can be automatically controlled without regard to the travel plan PN.

[0167] The notification unit 13 according to each of the first and second embodiments is configured to notify the occupant 80 using at least one of sound and visual instructions; this is merely an example. Specifically, the notification unit 13 according to this disclosure may be configured to notify the occupant 80 using other types of stimuli such as vibration. For example, the HMI unit 45 may be configured to vibrate the seat 81 of the vehicle 30, and the notification unit 13 may be configured to instruct the HMI unit 45 to vibrate the seat 81 of the vehicle 30 to perform the notification.

[0168] Figure 6 The information to be notified regarding the change in the target value in step S204 is an increase or decrease in the target vehicle speed Vct, which is just one example. Specifically, in Figure 6 The target value change information notified in step S204 can be a change in the target vehicle speed Vct.

[0169] like Figure 3 As shown, the driving plan PN according to the first embodiment includes: (i) the transition of the target speed Vct of the vehicle 30 from the starting point Xst to the ending point Xed of the planned driving path Lr; (ii) the transition of the target cabin temperature Trt from the starting point Xst to the ending point Xed of the planned driving path Lr; (iii) the transition of the target battery temperature Tbt from the starting point Xst to the ending point Xed of the planned driving path Lr; and (iv) the transition of the predicted SOC Spr of the high-voltage battery 34 from the starting point Xst to the ending point Xed of the planned driving path Lr. However, this disclosure is not limited to the above. Specifically, the driving plan PN may not include a portion of the above transitions (i) to (iv), or may include other information.

[0170] For example, suppose vehicle 30 includes heating... Figure 1 The seat heater of the seat 81 of the occupant 80 shown can be included in the driving plan PN, which may include the transition of the target seat temperature value from the start point Xst to the end point Xed of the planned driving path Lr. The target seat temperature represents the target value of the temperature of the seat 81.

[0171] Specifically, when the autonomous driving of vehicle 30 begins, the onboard computer 32 of this variant controls the seat heaters to bring the temperature of seat 81 close to a sequence of values ​​representing the target seat temperature of the driving plan PN. This can be performed with respect to the target seat temperature. Figure 6 The notification control routine is shown. According to this disclosure, seat 81 may correspond to a predetermined portion of vehicle 30, and the temperature of seat 81 corresponds to the temperature of the predetermined portion of vehicle 30. Seat 81, serving as a predetermined portion of vehicle 30, is the portion of vehicle 30 from which temperature changes are transmitted to occupant 80.

[0172] According to each of the first and second embodiments, the autonomous driving of the vehicle 30, which begins in step S105, is configured, for example, to automatically control the speed and steering of the vehicle 30 according to the driving plan PN; this is merely an example. Specifically, the autonomous driving of the vehicle 30 according to this disclosure can be configured to automatically control the speed of the vehicle 30 while the occupant 80 manually operates the steering of the vehicle 30.

[0173] Specifically, during the autonomous driving period when vehicle 30 automatically controls its speed and steering, it is not necessary to execute [certain actions]. Figure 6 and Figure 8 The notification control routine shown. Specifically, in addition to the autonomous driving of vehicle 30, it can also execute... Figure 6 and Figure 8 The notification control routine shown can be executed, for example, during manual driving of vehicle 30 by occupant 80 as the driving entity. Figure 6 and Figure 8 The notification control routine shown.

[0174] Figure 4 The control routine shown is primarily executed by cloud computer 52, i.e., by cloud 50; this is merely an example. Figure 4 The control routine shown can be executed by, for example, the electronic control unit of vehicle 30. When an external terminal is provided, Figure 4 The control routine shown can be executed by an external terminal. Driving plan planning, including determining the planned driving route Lr and selecting at least one of the charging facilities CG to be used along the planned driving route Lr, can be implemented through any of the cloud 50, the vehicle 30, and the external terminal.

[0175] Figure 7 The determination unit 12, notification unit 13, and change unit 14 shown are included in the cloud manager 51; this is merely an example. Any part or all of these components may be included in the electronic control unit of the vehicle 30, or, if an external terminal is provided, may be included in an external terminal. Specifically, at least one of components 12, 13, and 14 may be included in any of the cloud 50, the vehicle 30, and the external terminal. This allows for increased design flexibility of the notification system 10 by utilizing the communication network environment of the vehicle 30.

[0176] Figure 4 , Figure 6 and Figure 8 The operations in each step shown in the flowchart are implemented by one or more computer programs, or they can be implemented by hardware.

[0177] While illustrative exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are described herein, this disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiments and their constructions described herein. In particular, this disclosure includes various variations and / or alternatives within the scope of this disclosure. Other combinations and forms, including one or more / fewer elements thereof, are also within the inventive principles and scope of this disclosure, in addition to the various combinations and forms.

[0178] One or more components in each exemplary embodiment are not necessarily required components, except for (i) one or more components described as one or more required components, or (ii) one or more components that are required in principle.

[0179] The specific values ​​disclosed in each exemplary embodiment, representing the range of the number of components, physical quantities and / or physical parameters, are not limited thereto, except for (i) specific values ​​that are obviously necessary or (ii) specific values ​​that are necessary in principle.

[0180] In exemplary embodiments, any references to the material, shape, relative position, etc. of components are not intended to be limiting unless otherwise specified or subject to the inherent limitations of the principles.

[0181] The sensors described in each embodiment for acquiring external environmental information (e.g., outside air temperature) of vehicle 30 can be omitted. Instead, external environmental information can be received from an internal server of vehicle 30 or cloud 50. Alternatively, sensors can be omitted, and vehicle 30 can obtain relevant information associated with the external environmental information from an external server or cloud 50, and estimate the external environmental information based on the obtained relevant information.

[0182] The notification system 10 according to this disclosure includes multiple control function units, such as Figure 7The determination unit 12, notification unit 13, and change unit 14 shown herein are control function units that perform the following functions: Figure 4 , Figure 6 and Figure 8 The operation is described in the steps of the flowchart. The control function unit and method described in this disclosure can be implemented by a dedicated computer including a memory and a processor configured to perform one or more functions implemented by one or more computer programs. The control function unit and method can also be implemented by a dedicated computer provided by one or more dedicated hardware logic circuits constituting the processor. The control function unit and method can also be implemented by a dedicated computer including (i) a combination of a memory and a processor programmed to perform one or more functions and (ii) a processor constituting one or more hardware logic circuits. The computer program can be stored as instructions to be executed by the computer in a computer-readable non-transient tangible storage medium.

[0183] As used herein, “control circuitry” includes hardware implemented to perform the described functions, including one or more processors that execute instructions, digital logic, such as ASICs (“Application-Specific Integrated Circuits”) and FPGAs (“Field-Programmable Gate Arrays”), or combinations thereof. The phrase “configured as” is used to indicate a structure that performs the described functions in operation, and in the absence of an explicit expression “means for”, it is not intended to invoke 35 U.SC §112(f).

[0184] The control circuitry may be implemented in or as part of one or more of the manager, cloud computer, vehicle computer, and HMI unit of the notification system 10. In some embodiments, different portions of the control circuitry are executed in different components and collectively perform the functions described herein.

[0185] The control circuitry may be configured to cause appropriate portions of the notification system 10 to perform one or more functions as claimed in each claim. This configuration includes the control circuitry itself performing some or all of the claimed functions.

[0186] The features of this disclosure will now be described.

[0187] [First characteristic] The notification system (30) for a vehicle according to the first feature includes a determination unit (12) configured to determine whether a predetermined change related to the planned driving schedule of the vehicle needs to be performed. The vehicle is controlled to drive according to the driving schedule, such that at least one of the vehicle's speed and the temperature of a predetermined portion of the vehicle is automatically controlled to approach a target value. The predetermined change related to the driving schedule is at least one of a first automatic change to the target value based on the driving schedule by an absolute difference not less than a predetermined threshold and a second automatic change to the driving schedule during the vehicle's operation. The notification system includes a notification unit (13) configured to provide a notification to the occupants of the vehicle in response to a determination that a predetermined change related to the driving schedule needs to be performed before the predetermined change is performed. The notification includes: (i) at least one reason for performing the predetermined change related to the driving schedule; and (ii) information about the predetermined change related to the driving schedule.

[0188] [Second characteristic] In the notification system based on the second feature depending on the first feature, the vehicle is an electric vehicle including a secondary battery (34) and operates based on electricity obtained from the secondary battery. The aforementioned driving plan is designed to ensure that the secondary battery's state of charge remains at or above a predetermined minimum allowable level (Ls) while enabling the vehicle to drive.

[0189] [Third characteristic] In a notification system based on a third feature depending on a first feature or a second feature, the notification unit is configured to provide notification to the occupant using at least one of sound and visual instructions.

[0190] [Fourth characteristic] In a notification system based on a fourth feature that depends on any one of the first to third features, the speed of the aforementioned vehicle is automatically controlled to approach a target speed (Vct) as a target value. A predetermined threshold (D1tg) is a predetermined target speed threshold defined as a threshold of the target speed. The absolute difference is the absolute target speed difference. A predetermined change related to the driving plan is a first automatic change to the target speed based on the driving plan, using an absolute target speed difference not less than the predetermined target speed threshold.

[0191] [Fifth characteristic] In a notification system based on a fifth feature that depends on any one of the first to third features, the predetermined part of the vehicle is the vehicle compartment (30a). The temperature in the compartment is automatically controlled to be close to a target compartment temperature (Trt) as a target value. A predetermined threshold (D1tg) is a predetermined target temperature threshold defined as a threshold for the target compartment temperature. The absolute difference is the absolute target compartment temperature difference. A predetermined change related to the driving plan is a first automatic change to the target compartment temperature based on the driving plan by an absolute target compartment temperature difference not less than the predetermined target temperature threshold.

[0192] [Sixth characteristic] In a notification system based on a sixth feature that depends on any one of the first to fourth features, the predetermined part is a part of the vehicle, and temperature changes in the aforementioned part are transmitted to the occupants.

[0193] [Seventh Feature] In a notification system based on a seventh feature that depends on any one of the first to third features, the predetermined change related to the driving plan is a second automatic change to the driving plan during the vehicle's driving period.

[0194] [Eighth Feature] The notification system based on an eighth feature, which depends on any one of the first to seventh features, further includes a planning determination unit (51, 52), configured to determine a driving plan based on information including (i) the vehicle's current location, (ii) the destination, (iii) the ambient temperature around the vehicle, (iv) traffic congestion around the vehicle, and (v) vehicle information including vehicle speed and the current state of charge of the secondary battery. The driving plan includes: (a) The planned driving route of the vehicle; (b) At least one charging facility selected for parking during the planned driving route; (c) The change of the vehicle's target speed during the vehicle's operation, whereby the target speed corresponds to the target value of the vehicle's speed; and (d) The change of the target temperature of a predetermined part of the vehicle, wherein the temperature of the predetermined part corresponds to the target value of the temperature of the predetermined part of the vehicle.

[0195] [Ninth Feature] The notification system, which depends on a ninth feature depending on any one of the first to eighth features, also includes a change unit (14) configured to perform at least one of a first automatic change and a second automatic change as a predetermined change related to the driving plan.

[0196] [Tenth Feature] The computer program instructions are stored according to the program product for the vehicle (30) of the tenth feature. The aforementioned computer program instructions cause the processor to perform the following operations: Determine whether any scheduled changes related to the vehicle's planned driving schedule (PN) are required. The vehicle is controlled to travel according to a driving plan, such that at least one of the vehicle's speed and the temperature of a predetermined part of the vehicle is automatically controlled to be close to a target value (Vct, Trt). The scheduled changes related to the travel plan are at least one of the following: The first automatic change to the target value is made based on the driving plan by an absolute difference (Dtg) not less than a predetermined threshold (D1tg); The driving plan is automatically changed a second time during the vehicle's operation; and Before implementing the planned change, in response to the determination that a planned change related to the driving plan needs to be implemented, the occupants (80) of the vehicle are notified, the notification including (i) at least one reason for implementing the planned change related to the driving plan and (ii) information about the planned change related to the driving plan.

[0197] [Eleventh Feature] According to the notification method for the vehicle (30) of the eleventh feature, the vehicle is controlled to drive according to a driving plan, such that at least one of the vehicle's speed and the temperature of a predetermined part of the vehicle is automatically controlled to approach a target value (Vct, Trt), the notification method comprising: (a) Determine whether pre-planned changes related to the vehicle's planned driving schedule (PN) are necessary. The scheduled changes related to the travel plan are at least one of the following: The first automatic change to the target value is made based on the driving plan using an absolute difference (Dtg) not less than a predetermined threshold (D1tg); and The driving plan is automatically changed a second time during the vehicle's operation; and (b) Prior to implementing the planned change, in response to the determination that a planned change related to the driving plan needs to be implemented, the occupants (80) of the vehicle are notified, the notification including (i) at least one reason for implementing the planned change related to the driving plan and (ii) information about the planned change related to the driving plan.

Claims

1. A notification system for a vehicle, the notification system comprising: The determination unit is configured to determine whether a predetermined change related to the vehicle's planned driving schedule needs to be executed. The vehicle is controlled to travel according to a driving plan, such that at least one of the vehicle's speed and the temperature of a predetermined part of the vehicle is automatically controlled to approach a target value. The planned changes related to the travel plan are at least one of the following: A first automatic change to the target value based on the driving plan using an absolute difference not less than a predetermined threshold; and The driving plan is automatically modified a second time during the vehicle's driving period; as well as Before implementing the predetermined change, in response to a determination that the predetermined change related to the driving plan needs to be implemented, a notification is provided to the occupants of the vehicle, the notification including (i) at least one reason for implementing the predetermined change related to the driving plan and (ii) information about the predetermined change related to the driving plan.

2. The notification system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The vehicle is an electric vehicle that includes a secondary battery and operates based on electricity obtained from the secondary battery. The driving plan is predetermined to ensure that the secondary battery's state of charge remains at a predetermined lower limit while enabling the vehicle to drive.

3. The notification system as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The notification unit is configured to provide notifications to the occupants using at least one of sound and visual instructions.

4. The notification system as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The vehicle's speed is automatically controlled to approach the target speed, which is the target value. The predetermined threshold is a predetermined target speed threshold defined as a threshold of the target speed. The absolute difference is the absolute target vehicle speed difference. The predetermined change associated with the driving plan is a first automatic change to the target speed based on the driving plan by the absolute target speed difference being not less than the predetermined target speed threshold.

5. The notification system as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The designated portion of the vehicle is the vehicle's passenger compartment. The temperature inside the carriage is automatically controlled to be close to the target carriage temperature. The predetermined threshold is a predetermined target temperature threshold defined as a threshold for the target carriage temperature. The absolute difference refers to the absolute target car body temperature difference. The planned change associated with the travel plan is a first automatic change to the target compartment temperature based on the travel plan by the absolute target compartment temperature difference being not less than the planned target temperature threshold.

6. The notification system as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The predetermined section is a part of the vehicle, and temperature changes in the section are transmitted to the occupants.

7. The notification system as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The predetermined change associated with the driving plan is a second automatic change to the driving plan during the vehicle's operation.

8. The notification system as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Also includes: The planning determination unit is configured to determine a driving plan based on information including (i) the vehicle's current location, (ii) the destination, (iii) the ambient temperature around the vehicle, (iv) traffic congestion around the vehicle, and (v) vehicle information including vehicle speed and the current charging status of the secondary battery. The driving plan includes: The planned driving path of the vehicle; At least one charging facility selected to stop during the planned driving route; The change in the target speed of the vehicle during the vehicle's operation, the target speed of the vehicle corresponding to a target value of the vehicle's speed; and The change in the target temperature of the predetermined part of the vehicle, wherein the target temperature of the predetermined part corresponds to the target value of the temperature of the predetermined part of the vehicle.

9. The notification system as described in claim 8, characterized in that, Also includes: The change unit is configured to perform at least one of the first automatic change and the second automatic change as a predetermined change related to the driving plan.

10. A software product for vehicles, The program product stores computer program instructions. The computer program instructions cause the processor to perform the following operations: Determine whether any planned changes related to the vehicle's scheduled driving operation need to be implemented. The vehicle is controlled to travel according to a driving plan, such that at least one of the vehicle's speed and the temperature of a predetermined part of the vehicle is automatically controlled to approach a target value. The planned changes related to the travel plan are at least one of the following: A first automatic change to the target value based on the driving plan using an absolute difference not less than a predetermined threshold; and The driving plan is automatically changed a second time during the vehicle's operation; and Before implementing the planned change, in response to a determination that the planned change related to the driving plan needs to be implemented, a notification is provided to the occupants of the vehicle, the notification including (i) at least one reason for implementing the planned change related to the driving plan and (ii) information about the planned change related to the driving plan.

11. A notification method for a vehicle, the vehicle being controlled to travel according to a driving plan, such that at least one of the vehicle's speed and the temperature of a predetermined portion of the vehicle is automatically controlled to approach a target value, the notification method comprising: Determine whether any planned changes related to the vehicle's scheduled driving operation need to be implemented. The planned changes related to the travel plan are at least one of the following: A first automatic change to the target value based on the driving plan using an absolute difference not less than a predetermined threshold; and The driving plan is automatically modified a second time during the vehicle's driving period; as well as Before implementing the planned change, in response to a determination that the planned change related to the driving plan needs to be implemented, a notification is provided to the occupants of the vehicle, the notification including (i) at least one reason for implementing the planned change related to the driving plan and (ii) information about the planned change related to the driving plan.

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