Mode setting device

Abstract

The objective of this invention is to enable a system that readily reflects the user's recent needs and automatically sets frequently used modes as the default mode. The mode setting device is related to the vehicle's driving functions and includes an input device and a processor. The input device accepts the user's manual selection of modes related to the driving functions. The processor automatically sets the driving function mode to the default mode when the vehicle's system is started. The processor performs an automatic mode update process as follows: if the user has continuously selected the first mode among multiple driving function modes a predetermined number of times, the default mode is automatically updated to the first mode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a mode setting device related to the driving function of a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a multi-functional switch device. In order to ensure that frequently used operating modes can be registered as the default operating modes, the multi-functional switch device automatically registers one of multiple operating modes as the default operating mode based on the operating status of the operating mechanism (e.g., the number of times each operating mode is selected).

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-350570 Summary of the Invention

[0004] The automatic registration method for the default operating mode described in Patent Document 1 is sometimes overly influenced by past selection history and fails to reflect the user's recent needs.

[0005] The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a mode setting device that can reflect the user's recent needs and can automatically set the frequently used mode as the default mode.

[0006] The mode setting device according to the first aspect of the present invention is related to the driving function of a vehicle and includes an input device and a processor. The input device accepts manual selection of a mode by the user regarding the driving function. The processor automatically sets the driving function mode to the default mode when the vehicle system is started. The processor performs the following automatic mode update process: if the user selects the first mode among multiple driving function modes a predetermined number of times consecutively, the default mode is automatically updated to the first mode.

[0007] The mode setting device according to the second aspect of the present invention is related to the driving function of a vehicle and includes an input device and a processor. The input device accepts manual selection of a mode by the user regarding the driving function. The processor automatically sets the driving function mode to the default mode when the vehicle system is started. The processor performs the following automatic mode update process: when the user's selection rate of the first mode among multiple modes related to the driving function reaches a predetermined value, the default mode is automatically updated to the first mode.

[0008] Invention Effects

[0009] According to the automatic mode update process of the present invention, a default mode that easily reflects the user's recent needs can be automatically set without being overly influenced by past usage frequency. Furthermore, since automatic updates are only performed when the same mode (mode 1) is selected consecutively, the frequently used mode can be automatically set as the default mode without being overly influenced by real-time changing individual needs. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a structural example of the mode setting device involved in the implementation method.

[0011] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the automatic pattern update process involved in the first embodiment.

[0012] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the automatic pattern update process involved in the second embodiment.

[0013] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the automatic pattern update process involved in the third embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0014] The embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0015] 1. Structure of the mode setting device Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a structural example of the mode setting device 1 according to this embodiment. The mode setting device 1 is mounted on a vehicle and performs mode setting for the vehicle's driving function F. The mode setting device 1 includes an electronic control unit (ECU) 10 and a human machine interface (HMI) device 20.

[0016] ECU 10 includes a processor 12 and a storage device 14. The processor 12 performs various processes related to mode setting (mode management) of the driving function F. These processes include "automatic mode update processing" described later. Examples of processors include CPUs, GPUs, ASICs, FPGAs, etc. The storage device 14 stores various information. Examples of storage devices include volatile memory, non-volatile memory, HDDs, SSDs, etc. The functions of ECU 10 can also be achieved through the cooperation of the processor 12 executing a computer program and the storage device 14. This computer program is stored in the storage device 14. Alternatively, the computer program can also be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium.

[0017] HMI device 20 includes an input device 22 and an output device 24. The input device 22 allows the user to manually select mode M regarding driving function F. Examples of the input device 22 include a touch panel, buttons, etc. The output device 24 displays the information required by the user to select the mode. Examples of the output device 24 include a touch panel, a display, an instrument panel, etc.

[0018] A user (e.g., a driver) riding in the vehicle can operate the HMI device 20 (input device 22) to manually select the desired mode M for the driving function F that they are interested in. In this way, the driving function F, which is the subject of mode setting by the mode setting device 1, is a function that can be customized according to the user's manual operation.

[0019] Examples of driving functions F include the vehicle's drive modes, eco-driving function (a function that automatically stops and restarts the internal combustion engine for the purpose of idling), snow mode, vehicle stability control (VSC), and brake hold function.

[0020] In this invention, the "mode selection" for the user regarding the driving function F is equivalent to selecting one mode from multiple driving modes (e.g., normal mode, sport mode, and eco mode). Furthermore, the "mode selection" is also equivalent to selecting the activation / deactivation of a specific driving function F (e.g., eco driving function, snow mode function, VSC, brake hold function).

[0021] 2. Automatic mode update processing

[0022] In this embodiment, the processor 12 of the mode setting device 1 automatically sets the mode M of the driving function F to the default mode Md when the vehicle system is started (in other words, when the ECU 10 is started). It should be noted that the default mode Md is set at system startup regardless of which mode M was selected at the end of the vehicle's last trip.

[0023] Here, if the default mode Md can be automatically set to a mode that appropriately matches the user's needs, the user's convenience related to the use of the driving function F can be improved. However, in methods that simply set the mode that the user uses most frequently as the default mode (for example, refer to Patent Document 1), sometimes the user's past selection history is too influential and it is difficult to reflect the user's recent needs.

[0024] Therefore, in this embodiment, the processor 12 is configured to perform the following "automatic mode update process". Hereinafter, examples 1 to 3 of the automatic mode update process will be described.

[0025] 2-1.Example 1

[0026] In the automatic mode update process involved in the first example, when the user selects mode M1 (the first mode) among multiple modes M for a certain driving function F a predetermined number of times N or more, the processor 12 automatically updates the default mode Md to mode M1.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the automatic mode update process involved in the first embodiment of this invention. The process in this flowchart begins when the vehicle's system is started (in other words, when the ECU 10 is started). It should be noted that this process is performed, for example, once during one trip of the vehicle.

[0028] In step S100, the processor 12 determines whether the specified execution condition X of the automatic mode update process is met. Execution condition X is, for example, the period P1 from the vehicle's system startup to the vehicle's first start. That is, the automatic mode update process executes on period P1. Alternatively, execution condition X may be, for example, the period P2 from the vehicle's first start followed by a temporary stop to its restart after that temporary stop, or it may be, for example, a specified period P3 from the first start. That is, the automatic mode update process may also execute on either period P2 or the specified period P3.

[0029] If the execution condition X for the automatic pattern update process is not met (step S100; No), the process of step S100 is repeated. On the other hand, if the execution condition X is met (step S100; Yes), the process proceeds to step S102.

[0030] In step S102, the processor 12 determines, based on the signal from the input device 22, whether the user selected one of the multiple modes M (mode M1) during the period when execution condition X was met. If mode M1 was not selected (step S102; No), the process ends. Conversely, if mode M1 was selected (step S102; Yes), the process proceeds to step S104.

[0031] In step S104, the processor 12 determines whether the mode selected by the user (user-selected mode) M1 is different from the current storage mode Mm. More specifically, the current storage mode Mm refers to the mode currently stored in the storage device (non-volatile memory) 14, which is the default mode Md of the driving function F (also referred to as the object function Ft for convenience) that is the object of this automatic mode update process.

[0032] If the user-selected mode M1 is different from the current storage mode Mm (step S104; Yes), the processor 12 updates the storage mode Mm to the current user-selected mode M1 (step S106). That is, the current user-selected mode M1 is stored as the new storage mode Mm in the storage device 14.

[0033] The storage device (non-volatile memory) 14 stores a mode counter C that counts the number of times the user selects mode M according to each mode M of the object function Ft. In step S108 after step S106, the processor 12 resets the mode counter C1 of the mode M1 selected by the user this time to 0.

[0034] On the other hand, if the user-selected mode M1 is consistent with the current storage mode Mm (step S104; no), the processor 12 increments the mode counter C by 1. After step S108 or S110, the process proceeds to step S112.

[0035] In step S112, the processor 12 determines whether the value of the mode counter C is greater than or equal to a predetermined number N. The predetermined number N is not specifically limited, for example, it is 2 to 4 times. As a result, if the value of the mode counter C is less than the predetermined number N (step S112; no), the process ends. That is, the automatic mode update process based on the vehicle's current trip ends.

[0036] On the other hand, if the value of the mode counter C is greater than or equal to a predetermined number of times N (when the predetermined number of times N is reached) (step S112; Yes), the processor 12 updates the default mode Md of the object function Ft stored in the storage device (non-volatile memory) 13 to the stored mode Mm updated in step S106 (step S114). Then, the process ends. That is, the automatic mode update process for the current trip of the vehicle ends. Furthermore, the default mode Md updated in this trip is used as the initial mode of the object function Ft when the system is started for the next trip.

[0037] According to the automatic mode update process described in Example 1 above, if a user selects mode M1 as mode M for a certain driving function F a predetermined number of times N or more, the default mode Md is automatically updated to mode M1. Therefore, the default mode Md can be automatically set to easily reflect the user's recent needs without being overly influenced by past usage frequency. Furthermore, since automatic updates only occur when the same mode (e.g., mode M1) is selected consecutively, the frequently used mode can be automatically set as the default mode Md without being overly influenced by single, real-time changing needs. Additionally, according to the automatic mode update process, there is no need to use sensors for acquiring user biometric information or advanced learning control, allowing for a simple understanding of user preferences and reducing initial pre-driving operations.

[0038] Furthermore, as described above, the execution condition X for the automatic mode update process can be, for example, the period P1 from the vehicle's system startup to the vehicle's first start. Alternatively, the execution condition X can be, for example, the period P2 from a temporary stop after the vehicle's first start to a restart after that temporary stop, or a predetermined period P3 from the first start. Here, it can be said that the selection (switching) of mode M by the user after the vehicle starts moving is an operation based on changes in the real-time driving environment. Therefore, by utilizing the execution condition X described here, user operations based on such changes in the driving environment are excluded from the object of understanding user preferences related to mode selection. Thus, it is possible to prevent user operations based on such changes in the driving environment from being reflected in the automatic setting of the default mode Md. It should be further noted that user operations performed after the vehicle has traveled a certain distance are considered to be more likely to be operations based on changes in the real-time driving environment. Therefore, by using period P2 or the predetermined period P3 as the execution condition X, it is possible to more reliably suppress user operations based on such changes in the driving environment from being reflected in the automatic setting of the default mode Md.

[0039] 2-2.Example 2

[0040] In the automatic mode update process involved in the second example, when the selection rate R of mode M1 (the first mode) among multiple modes M for driving function F by the user reaches a predetermined value, the processor 12 automatically updates the default mode Md to mode M1.

[0041] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the automatic pattern update process involved in the second example of this embodiment. The processing in this flowchart is similar to... Figure 2 The processing shown is different.

[0042] exist Figure 3If mode M1 is selected during the execution condition X of the automatic mode update process (step S102; Yes), the process proceeds to step S200. In step S200, the processor 12 increments the mode counter C1 for the currently selected mode M1 by 1. Then, the processor 12 updates the stored mode Mm to the currently selected mode M1 (step S106). Then, the process proceeds to step S202.

[0043] In step S202, the processor 12 determines whether the selection rate R of the user's current selection of mode M1 reaches a predetermined value. More specifically, the selection rate R is equivalent to the proportion of the number of times mode M1 is selected relative to the total number of times mode M is selected by the user in multiple consecutive trips, including this trip. If the selection rate R is less than the predetermined value (step S202; No), the process ends.

[0044] On the other hand, if the selection rate R reaches a predetermined value (selection rate ≥ predetermined value) (step S202; Yes), the processor 12 updates the default mode Md of the object function Ft to the storage mode Mm updated in step S106 (step S114). Then, the process ends. In addition, after step S114, the processor 12 can reset the mode counter C of each mode M to 0.

[0045] The automatic pattern update process described in the second example above can achieve the same effect as the automatic pattern update process described in the first example.

[0046] 2-3.Example 3

[0047] The third example is a process that combines the following process with the automatic mode update process involved in the first or second example above. That is, in the third example, when the number of trips Nt of the vehicle using the mode M1 (first mode) automatically updated by the automatic mode update process as the default mode Md reaches a predetermined trip threshold, the processor 12 restores the default mode Md to a preset initial value.

[0048] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the automatic pattern update process involved in the third example of this embodiment. The process in this flowchart involves combining the processes of steps S300 and S302 with... Figure 2 The treatment shown (Example 1) is a combination of treatments.

[0049] Specifically, in Figure 4In the process, if the value of the mode counter C is greater than or equal to a predetermined number of times N (when the predetermined number of times N is reached) (step S112; Yes), the process proceeds to step S300. In step S300, the processor 12 determines whether the number of times Nt of the process in which the mode M1, which is automatically updated through the mode automatic update process, is used as the default mode Md has reached a predetermined process threshold (Nt ≥ process threshold). The process threshold can be set, for example, to be greater than the predetermined number of times N.

[0050] If the number of trips Nt after the update of the default mode Md has not yet reached the trip threshold (step S300; No), the process proceeds to step S114. On the other hand, if the number of trips Nt reaches the trip threshold (number of trips Nt ≥ trip threshold) (step S300; Yes), the processor 12 restores the default mode Md to a preset initial value (step S302). Then, the process ends. It should be noted that the initial value is, for example, the standard mode recommended by the vehicle to the user.

[0051] To further clarify, when the value of the mode counter C of mode M1 reaches a predetermined number N (step S112; yes), the next step in step S114 after updating the default mode Md is equivalent to "the initial step of using the automatically updated mode M1 as the default mode Md." That is, in this next step, the number of steps Nt is 1. Then, if the determination result of step S112 in this next step is "yes" and the process proceeds to step S114, the number of steps Nt is 2 in the next step after that. The same applies below.

[0052] The above steps S300 and S302 can be combined with setting the combined object as the first example. Figure 4 The processing shown is similar to that of... Figure 3 The processing shown (Example 2) is combined as follows. That is, in Figure 3 If the determination result of step S202 is "yes", the process can proceed to step S300. Then, if the determination result of step S300 is "yes", the process proceeds to step S302; if the determination result is "no", the process proceeds to S114.

[0053] Based on the third example above, it is basically possible to achieve the same effect as the first and second examples (making it easy to reflect the user's recent needs and automatically setting the frequently used mode M as the default mode Md), and also prompting the user to use the initial value of the default mode Md (i.e., as the standard mode recommended by the vehicle).

[0054] Symbol Explanation

[0055] 1-Mode setting device, 10-Electronic control unit (ECU), 12-Processor, 14-Storage device, 20-HMI device, 22-Input device, 24-Output device.

Claims

1. A mode setting device related to the driving function of a vehicle, characterized in that it comprises: An input device that allows the user to manually select a mode related to the driving function; and The processor automatically sets the driving function mode to the default mode when the vehicle's system starts. The processor performs the following automatic mode update process: if the user selects the first mode among multiple modes of the driving function more than a specified number of times, the default mode is automatically updated to the first mode.

2. A mode setting device related to the driving function of a vehicle, characterized in that it comprises: An input device that allows the user to manually select a mode related to the driving function; and The processor automatically sets the driving function mode to the default mode when the vehicle's system starts. The processor performs the following automatic mode update process: when the user's selection rate of the first mode among multiple modes of the driving function reaches a predetermined value, the default mode is automatically updated to the first mode.

3. The mode setting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, If the number of trips of the vehicle using the first mode, which is automatically updated through the mode automatic update process, as the default mode reaches a predetermined trip threshold, the processor restores the default mode to a preset initial value.

4. The mode setting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The processor performs the automatic mode update process on the period from when the system starts up to when the vehicle first starts.

5. The mode setting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The processor performs the automatic mode update process on the period from the initial start of the vehicle to its temporary stop and subsequent restart, or a predetermined period from the initial start.

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