In-vehicle charger, portable terminal, and in-vehicle charging system

Abstract

To provide an in-vehicle charger, a portable terminal, and an in-vehicle charging system that can be switched to a selection mode for a seat corresponding to a charging base even when a portable terminal mounted on the charging base is held in a selection mode for another seat not corresponding to the charging base.SOLUTION: An in-vehicle charging system includes two portable terminals 20 that include seat selection mode setting units for setting a seat selection mode which enables remote control of in-vehicle devices separately disposed for a plurality of seats. The in-vehicle charging system includes an in-vehicle charger that includes a plurality of charging bases disposed to correspond respectively to the plurality of seats. The portable terminal 20 includes: detection units 86, 87 configured to detect, when the portable terminal is mounted on one of the charging bases, that the charging base is for which seat of the seats; and a controller 60 configured to set, based on the detection results from the detection units 86, 87, the mounted portable terminal to the seat selection mode corresponding to the charging base on which the portable terminal is mounted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an on-board charging device, a mobile terminal, and an on-board charging system. [Background technology]

[0002] In vehicles used for transportation of senior officials in the back seats, in-vehicle equipment such as air conditioners, audio equipment, video equipment, etc. are often provided exclusively for the back seats (see Patent Document 1). The right and left rear seats are each provided with an in-vehicle device for adjusting the seat height and the inclination of the seat back.

[0003] A dedicated mobile terminal is provided for each seat so that the person sitting in the right or left rear seat can operate the in-vehicle devices installed in each seat. The reason for providing dedicated mobile terminals for the right and left seats is to individually operate the in-vehicle devices for adjusting the seat height and the seat back tilt for each seat.

[0004] In addition, Patent Document 1 gives an example in which the mobile terminals are dedicated to each seat. However, it is conceivable that each mobile terminal may be configured to allow selection of either the right seat only mode or the left seat only mode by button operation, or by touch operation if the mobile terminal has a touch display.

[0005] When either of the dedicated modes is selected, the selected dedicated mode is maintained, and the in-vehicle devices for adjusting the seat height, the seat back inclination, etc., dedicated to that seat can be individually operated using the mobile terminal.

[0006] In addition, the specifications of each mobile terminal are often the same so that it can be attached to any of the charging stations provided for each seat. When the mobile terminal is attached to any of the charging stations and the connection terminal of the mobile terminal is connected to the charging electrode of the charging station, the secondary battery of the mobile terminal is charged. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-107956 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] For example, a mobile terminal held in the left-seat-only mode may be mistakenly attached to a charging stand provided for the right seat. Then, a person sitting in the right seat may operate the mobile terminal, believing that the mobile terminal attached to the charging stand is set to the right-seat-only mode. In this case, the person sitting in the right seat may operate the mobile terminal with the intention of operating the in-vehicle device dedicated to that seat, but the in-vehicle device dedicated to the left seat may end up being started. Conversely, if a mobile terminal held in the right-seat-only mode is mistakenly attached to a charging stand provided for the left seat, the same problem as above may occur.

[0009] In this way, the problem of a mobile terminal held in a seat-specific mode being attached to a charging stand provided for a seat other than the seat-specific mode also occurs when the number of seats and charging stands is three or more.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide an in-vehicle charging device, a portable terminal, and an in-vehicle charging system that can switch to a selection mode that matches a seat corresponding to the charging stand, even if the portable terminal attached to the charging stand is held in a selection mode for another seat that is not corresponding to the charging stand. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to solve the above problems, the in-vehicle charging system of the present invention is an in-vehicle charging system comprising one or more portable terminals equipped with a seat selection mode setting unit that sets a seat selection mode enabling remote operation of in-vehicle devices provided respectively for a plurality of seats, and an in-vehicle charging device including a plurality of charging stands provided corresponding to the plurality of seats, wherein the portable terminal has a detection unit that, when attached to one of the plurality of charging stands (hereinafter, a portable terminal attached to a charging stand is referred to as an attached portable terminal), detects which seat the attached charging stand is for, and a control unit that sets the seat selection mode corresponding to the charging stand to which the attached portable terminal is attached depending on the detection result by the detection unit.

[0012] With the above configuration, the attached portable terminal is set to a selection mode for selecting a seat corresponding to the attached charging base. Therefore, the attached portable terminal can remotely control the in-vehicle device of the seat in the selection mode for selecting a seat corresponding to the attached charging base. As a result, the usability of the attached portable terminal when operating the in-vehicle device of the seat is improved.

[0013] Furthermore, when a user attaches a portable terminal to the charging stand, the user does not need to take the time to check whether or not the portable terminal is in the seat selection mode corresponding to the charging stand. In addition, the multiple charging bases may be capable of being charged from a vehicle power source when a vehicle power switch is turned on, and when the attached portable terminal is attached to the charging base before the vehicle power switch is turned on and the vehicle power switch is turned on, the control unit may set the attached portable terminal to the seat selection mode corresponding to the charging base to which it is attached, depending on a detection result by the detection unit.

[0014] With the above configuration, when the vehicle power switch is turned on with the mobile terminal attached to the charging stand before the vehicle power switch is turned on, the seat selection mode setting unit is set to a selection mode that selects a seat corresponding to the charging stand according to the detection result by the detection unit. Therefore, when the mobile terminal is attached to the charging stand with the vehicle power switch off, when the vehicle power switch is later turned on, it becomes possible to remotely operate the in-vehicle device of the seat in the selection mode that selects the seat corresponding to the attached charging stand.

[0015] In addition, the multiple charging bases are capable of being charged from a vehicle power source when a vehicle power switch is turned on, and when the attached portable terminal is attached to a charging base after the vehicle power switch is turned on, the control unit may set the seat selection mode corresponding to the charging base to which the attached portable terminal is attached, in accordance with a detection result by the detection unit.

[0016] With the above configuration, when the mobile terminal is attached to the charging base after the vehicle power switch is turned on, the selection mode is set to select a seat corresponding to the charging base according to the detection result by the detection unit. Therefore, when the mobile terminal 20 is attached to the charging base after the vehicle power switch is turned on, the in-vehicle device of the seat can be remotely operated in the selection mode that selects the seat corresponding to the attached charging base.

[0017] In addition, the multiple charging stands may have a pair of charging electrodes arranged differently for each seat, and the multiple portable terminals may have a group of connection terminals connectable to the pair of charging electrodes arranged differently for each seat, and a detection unit of the attached portable terminal may detect the current flowing through or the voltage applied to a circuit connected to the group of connection terminals to determine which pair of charging electrodes is provided for which seat the portable terminal is being charged from.

[0018] With the above configuration, the detection unit can detect which seat the charging stand on which the mobile terminal is attached is for by detecting the current flowing through or the voltage applied to the circuit connected to the group of connection terminals.

[0019] In addition, the multiple charging stand may be provided with a detectable part that serves as a unique mark for each charging stand, and the detection part of the mobile terminal may detect which seat the charging stand is for based on the detection result of the detectable part that serves as the unique mark.

[0020] In addition, the in-vehicle charging device of the present invention is capable of charging multiple portable terminals separately, and is equipped with a seat selection mode setting unit that sets a seat selection mode that enables remote operation of an in-vehicle device provided separately for each of a number of seats, and includes a number of charging stands provided corresponding to each of the multiple seats, and each of the multiple charging stands has a pair of charging electrodes that are positioned differently from each other for each seat.

[0021] The vehicle-mounted charging stand having the above-described configuration can form part of the vehicle-mounted charging system. In addition, the portable terminal of the present invention is equipped with a seat selection mode setting unit that sets a seat selection mode that enables remote operation of in-vehicle devices provided in each of a plurality of seats, and is equipped so that it can be attached to a plurality of charging bases provided for each seat, and has a detection unit that, when attached to one of the plurality of charging bases, detects which seat the charging base is for, and a control unit that sets the seat selection mode corresponding to the attached charging base depending on the detection result by the detection unit.

[0022] The portable terminal having the above configuration can constitute a part of the in-vehicle charging system. Effect of the Invention

[0023] According to the present invention, even if a mobile terminal attached to a charging stand is held in a selection mode for another seat that is not compatible with the charging stand, the mobile terminal can be switched to a selection mode that matches the seat that is compatible with the charging stand. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a seat layout diagram of the vehicle according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of an in-vehicle charging system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2A is a front view of the mobile terminal according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2B is a front view of the mobile terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2A is a plan view of a charging stand for a left seat in the first embodiment, and FIG. 2B is a plan view of a charging stand for a right seat in the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an in-vehicle system of a vehicle according to a first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an electrical block diagram of the portable device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 5 is a flowchart of a charging stand determination program executed by a controller of the portable terminal of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a schematic explanatory diagram of an in-vehicle charging system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a front view of a mobile terminal according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13A is a plan view of a charging stand for a left seat according to a second embodiment, and FIG. 13B is a plan view of a charging stand for a right seat according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an electrical block diagram of a mobile terminal according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] (First embodiment) Hereinafter, a first embodiment of an in-vehicle charging device, a portable terminal, and an in-vehicle charging system according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 7.

[0026] 1, a vehicle 10 has a driver's seat 12 and a passenger seat 14 as front seats, a right seat 16 and a left seat 18 as second row seats as rear seats, and a third row seat 40 as rear seats. The right seat 16 and the left seat 18 are equipped with armrests 17, 19.

[0027] 5, the right seat 16 is equipped with a seat slide section 16a, a seat back section 16b, a seat cushion section 16c, an ottoman section 16d, a heater section 16e, and a massage section 16f as in-vehicle devices. The left seat 18 is equipped with a seat slide section 18a, a seat back section 18b, a seat cushion section 18c, an ottoman section 18d, a heater section 18e, and a massage section 18f as in-vehicle devices.

[0028] In the following description, the group of in-vehicle devices provided on each seat may be simply referred to as the "seat slide unit, etc.". The seat slide units 16a and 18a slide the seat in the front-rear direction by an electric motor (not shown) based on the operation of the mobile terminal 20 described later. The seat back units 16b and 18b change the inclination of the seat back of the seat by an electric motor (not shown) based on the operation of the mobile terminal 20. The seat cushion units 16c and 18c change the seat height of the seat by an electric motor (not shown) based on the operation of the mobile terminal 20. The ottoman units 16d and 18d adjust the use position of the ottoman of the seat by an electric motor (not shown) based on the operation of the mobile terminal 20. The heater units 16e and 18e adjust the temperature of the seat cushion and a heater (not shown) provided on the seat back based on the operation of the mobile terminal 20. The massage units 16f and 18f perform massage by driving an electric motor (not shown) based on the operation of the mobile terminal 20.

[0029] <On-board charging system JS> 1 and 2, the in-vehicle charging system JS includes charging stands 30a, 30b provided on armrests 17, 19, and a pair of mobile terminals 20 mounted on the charging stands 30a, 30b. The charging stands 30a, 30b constitute an in-vehicle charging device 30.

[0030] (In-vehicle charging device 30) In this embodiment, the charging stations 30a, 30b are provided on the armrests, but are not limited to the armrests. For example, the charging stations may be provided around the right seat 16 and the left seat 18, such as on the back of the driver's seat and the back of the passenger seat located in front of the right seat 16 and the left seat 18, or on the inner surfaces of the right seat 16 and the left seat 18. Although not shown, a second-row console box may be provided, and the charging stations 30a, 30b may be provided in the second-row console box.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 4(a), charging base 30a provided on armrest 17 is recessed into a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. A pair of charging electrodes 32a, 32b are embedded in charging base 30a. The contact surfaces of charging electrodes 32a, 32b are exposed from bottom wall 31 of charging base 30a. Charging electrode 32a is a positive electrode. Charging electrode 32b is a negative electrode.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 4(a), the charging electrode 32a is disposed on the bottom wall 31, toward the front end and at a position shifted to the right of the center line extending from the front to the rear of the charging stand 30a. As shown in FIG. 4(a), charging electrode 32b is disposed on bottom wall 31 closer to the rear end than charging electrode 32a and so as to be located on the center line.

[0033] A power line 35 from a vehicle power supply Batt and a GND line 36 are connected to the charging electrodes 32a and 32b via a vehicle power switch 37. The vehicle power switch 37 is provided, for example, on the instrument panel 13 (see FIG. 1). Examples of operational input to the vehicle power switch 37 include a rotation operation using a predetermined key (such as an ignition key or a remote key) corresponding to the vehicle 10, or a pressing operation using a press-type switch (such as a start switch).

[0034] When the vehicle power switch 37 is turned on, charging of the mobile terminal 20 mounted on the charging stand 30a is enabled from the vehicle power supply Batt. 4(b), the charging stand 30b provided on the armrest 19 is the same size as the charging stand 30a, and is recessed into a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view. Note that the shape of the charging stand is not limited to a substantially rectangular shape, and may be any shape that allows the mobile terminal 20 to be attached.

[0035] A pair of charging electrodes 33a, 33b are embedded in the charging stand 30b. The contact surfaces of the charging electrodes 33a, 33b are exposed from the bottom wall 34 of the charging stand 30b. The charging electrode 33a is a positive electrode. The charging electrode 33b is a negative electrode.

[0036] 4(b), charging electrode 33a is disposed on bottom wall 34, toward the front end and to the right of the center line extending from the front to the rear of charging stand 30b. In other words, the position of charging electrode 33a relative to charging stand 30b is set to be the same as the position of charging electrode 32a relative to charging stand 30a.

[0037] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4(b), charging electrode 33b is disposed so as to be located in a position symmetrical with respect to charging electrode 33a, with the axis of symmetry being the center line extending from the front to the rear of charging stand 30b. Although not shown, the charging electrodes 33a and 33b are connected to a power line and a GND line from the vehicle power supply Batt via a vehicle power switch 37 (see FIG. 2). When the vehicle power switch 37 is turned on, charging of the mobile terminal 20 attached to the charging stand 30b is possible from the vehicle power supply Batt.

[0038] In this way, charging electrodes 33a, 33b of charging stand 30b are arranged differently for each seat than charging electrodes 32a, 32b of charging stand 30a. Note that "arranged differently for each seat" also includes cases where the arrangement of at least one of the sets of charging electrodes on one charging stand is different from one of the sets of charging electrodes on another charging stand.

[0039] (Mobile terminal 20) As shown in FIG. 3(a), the case 20a of the mobile terminal 20 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape so as to be sized to be detachably fitted into the charging stands 30a, 30b.

[0040] 6, the mobile terminal 20 includes, in the case 20a, a controller 60 consisting of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a display control unit 62, the touch display 26, a communication module 68, and an antenna 69. The controller 60 corresponds to a control unit.

[0041] The controller 60 controls the display of the touch display 26 via the display control unit 62. The antenna 69 is used for transmitting and receiving radio waves between the communication module 68 and an antenna (not shown) of the in-vehicle device control system 100 described later.

[0042] The controller 60 includes a ROM (not shown) for storing a control program and the like, a RAM (not shown) serving as a working memory, and a storage (not shown). The storage stores a display program, a charging base determination program, operation data, display data, and the like.

[0043] When the controller 60 executes the display program, it displays selection mode areas 26a to 26g for various in-vehicle devices on the touch display 26 via the display control unit 62, as shown in FIG.

[0044] The selection mode areas 26a and 26b are operation buttons for a selection mode for selecting a seat. When one of the selection mode areas 26a and 26b is touched, the controller 60 holds the selection mode of the touched seat. The selection mode areas 26a and 26b correspond to a seat selection mode setting unit.

[0045] The selection mode areas 26c to 26g are audio operation buttons, air conditioner operation buttons, lamp operation buttons, sunshade operation buttons, and seat operation buttons, respectively. When an audio operation button in the selection mode area 26c is touched, the controller 60 displays an operation screen (not shown) of an audio device (not shown) of an MM device (multimedia device) 70 (described later) on the touch display 26. When an air conditioner operation button in the selection mode area 26d is touched, the controller 60 displays an operation screen (not shown) of an air conditioner 240 (see FIG. 5) mounted on the vehicle on the touch display 26.

[0046] When the lamp operation button in the selection mode area 26e is touched, the controller 60 displays an operation screen (not shown) for the vehicle's interior light 200 (see FIG. 5) on the touch display 26. When the sunshade operation button in the selection mode area 26f is touched, the controller 60 displays an operation screen (not shown) for the vehicle's roof shade section 220 (see FIG. 5) on the touch display 26. When the seat operation button in the selection mode area 26g is touched, the controller 60 displays each operation screen (not shown) for the seat slide section and the like of the selected seat in the selection mode held as described above on the touch display 26.

[0047] (Regarding connection terminals 41, 42, and 43) As shown in FIG. 6, the mobile terminal 20 includes a battery 80, a voltage sensor 84, three connection terminals 41, 42, 43, detection units 86, 87, and the like within a case 20a.

[0048] The battery 80 is a secondary battery that supplies power to the controller 60 and each unit connected to the controller 60. Examples of the secondary battery include a lithium ion battery and a nickel-metal hydride battery.

[0049] The battery 80 can be charged when the connection terminals 41, 42, or the connection terminals 41, 43, are connected to the charging electrodes 32a, 32b of the charging stand 30a shown in Figure 4(a), or to the charging electrodes 33a, 33b of the charging stand 30b shown in Figure 4(b).

[0050] The specific arrangement of the connection terminals 41, 42, and 43 will now be described. 3(b), the connection terminals 41, 42, and 43 are exposed on the back side of the case 20a of the mobile terminal 20. The connection terminal 41 is a positive electrode, and the connection terminals 42 and 43 are negative electrodes.

[0051] The connection terminal 41 is arranged so as to be connectable by being opposed to the charging electrodes 32a and 33a when the mobile terminal 20 is attached to the charging base 30a and the charging base 30b, respectively. The connection terminal 42 is arranged so as to be connectable by being opposed to the charging electrode 32b when the mobile terminal 20 is attached to the charging base 30a shown in Fig. 4(a). The connection terminal 43 is arranged so as to be connectable by being opposed to the charging electrode 33b when the mobile terminal 20 is attached to the charging base 30b shown in Fig. 4(b).

[0052] In this embodiment, the detection units 86 and 87 are configured with current sensors, but are not limited to current sensors and may be voltage sensors, magnetic sensors, etc. When a current flows through connection terminal 42 during charging when portable terminal 20 is attached to charging stand 30a, detection unit 86 outputs the detection result to controller 60. When a current flows through connection terminal 43 during charging when portable terminal 20 is attached to charging stand 30b, detection unit 87 outputs the detection result to controller 60.

[0053] <In-vehicle device control system 100> 5 is a schematic diagram of the in-vehicle device control system 100. As shown in the figure, the in-vehicle device control system 100 includes a mobile terminal 20, an MM device 70, a body ECU 120, a seat ECU 130, an air conditioner ECU 140, and the like. The in-vehicle device control system 100 also includes each of the units 16a-16f, 18a-18f, and the like of the right seat 16 and the left seat 18, which are controlled by the seat ECU 130. The in-vehicle device control system 100 also includes an interior light 200 and a roof shade unit 220, which are controlled by the body ECU 120. The in-vehicle device control system 100 also includes an air conditioner 240, which is controlled by the air conditioner ECU 140.

[0054] The MM device 70 is connected to the body ECU 120, the seat ECU 130, and the air conditioner ECU 140 via an in-vehicle communication network. An operation signal generated by performing an operation on each operation screen of the mobile terminal 20 is transmitted to the MM device 70 of the in-vehicle device control system 100 via the communication module 68. The MM device 70 transmits the transmitted operation signal to the body ECU 120, the seat ECU 130, and the air conditioner ECU 140 of the in-vehicle device control system 100. The in-vehicle devices under the control of these ECUs operate based on the transmitted operation signal.

[0055] (Operation of the first embodiment) Next, the operations of the mobile terminal 20, the in-vehicle charging device 30, and the in-vehicle charging system JS will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart of a charging stand determination program executed by the mobile terminal 20.

[0056] The charging stand determination program is executed by the controller 60 at the following times. (A) When the vehicle power switch 37 is in an OFF state, the mobile terminal 20 is attached to the charging stand 30a, 30b, and then the vehicle power switch 37 is turned ON (B) When the vehicle power switch 37 is in the on state, the mobile terminal 20 is attached to the charging stand 30a, 30b. 7, the controller 60 performs a charging station determination based on the detection results of the detectors 86 and 87 as to whether the charging current flows to the connection terminal 42 or the connection terminal 43.

[0057] If the detection result indicates that a charging current is flowing through the connection terminal 42, the controller 60 determines that the seat of the charging stand 30a on which the mobile terminal 20 is attached is the left seat 18, and proceeds to S20.

[0058] In S20, the controller 60 sets the selection mode for the left seat 18, in the same way as when the selection mode area 26a (see FIG. 3(a)) is touched, and maintains this mode, and then ends this flow chart.

[0059] If this means that a current is flowing through the connection terminal 43, the controller 60 determines that the seat of the charging stand 30b on which the mobile terminal 20 is attached is the right seat 16, and proceeds to S30. In S30, the controller 60 sets the selection mode to the right seat 16, in the same way as when the selection mode area 26b (see FIG. 3(a)) is touched, and holds this mode, and then ends this flowchart.

[0060] This embodiment has the following features. (1) The in-vehicle charging system JS of this embodiment has the following portable terminal 20. The portable terminal 20 has detection units 86, 87 that detect which seat the charging base is for, and a controller 60 (control unit) that sets the portable terminal 20 to a seat selection mode that corresponds to the attached charging base based on the detection results by the detection units 86, 87.

[0061] With the above configuration, a selection mode is set for a mobile terminal attached to the charging stand to select a seat corresponding to the attached charging stand, and the mobile terminal becomes able to remotely operate the vehicle-mounted device of that seat in the selection mode that selects the seat corresponding to the attached charging stand.

[0062] As a result, the usability of the attached portable terminal when operating the in-vehicle device of the seat is improved. Furthermore, when a user attaches a portable terminal to the charging stand, the user does not need to take the time to check whether or not the portable terminal is in the seat selection mode corresponding to the charging stand.

[0063] (2) In the in-vehicle charging system JS of this embodiment, the multiple charging stations 30a, 30b are capable of charging from the vehicle power supply Batt when the vehicle power switch 37 is turned on. In addition, when the mobile terminal 20 is attached to the charging station before the vehicle power switch 37 is turned on, and the vehicle power switch 37 is turned on, the controller 60 (control unit) sets the seat selection mode corresponding to the charging station according to the detection results by the detection units 86, 87.

[0064] As a result, if the vehicle power switch is turned off and the mobile terminal is attached to the charging stand, when the vehicle power switch is later turned on, the vehicle-mounted device of the seat can be remotely operated in a selection mode that selects the seat corresponding to the attached charging stand.

[0065] (3) In the in-vehicle charging system JS of this embodiment, the multiple charging stations 30a, 30b are capable of charging from the vehicle power supply Batt when the vehicle power switch 37 is turned on. When the mobile terminal 20 is attached to the charging station after the vehicle power switch 37 is turned on, the controller 60 (control unit) sets the seat selection mode corresponding to the charging station to which the mobile terminal 20 is attached, in accordance with the detection results by the detection units 86, 87.

[0066] As a result, after the vehicle power switch 37 is turned on, when the mobile terminal 20 is attached to the charging stand, in a selection mode for selecting a seat corresponding to the charging stand, it becomes possible to remotely operate the in-vehicle device of that seat.

[0067] (4) In the in-vehicle charging system JS of this embodiment, the charging stands 30a, 30b each have a pair of charging electrodes 32a, 32b, 33a, 33b that are arranged differently for each seat. The mobile terminals 20 each have a group of connection terminals that can be connected to the pair of charging electrodes 32a, 32b, 33a, 33b that are arranged differently for each seat. The detection units 86, 87 of the mobile terminals 20 each detect the current flowing through a circuit connected to the group of connection terminals to determine which pair of charging electrodes 32a, 32b, 33a, 33b is provided for which seat the mobile terminal is being charged from.

[0068] As a result, the detection unit can detect which seat the charging stand to which the mobile terminal is attached is for by detecting the current flowing through or the voltage applied to the circuit connected to the connection terminal group.

[0069] Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 11. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, detailed description of which will be omitted, and different components will be mainly described.

[0070] In the in-vehicle charging system JS of the second embodiment, the connection terminal 42 (negative electrode) is omitted in the configuration of the mobile terminal 20 as shown in Fig. 9. Note that the connection terminal 41 (positive electrode) and the connection terminal 43 (negative electrode) are arranged in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0071] Also, as shown in FIG. 11, the detection units 86, 87 of the first embodiment are omitted, and instead, a pair of detection units 38a, 38b are provided on the rear side of the case 20a of the mobile terminal 20 as shown in FIG.

[0072] The two detectors 38a, 38b are disposed apart from each other on the side opposite to the design surface of the case 20a, i.e., on the inner surface side. The detectors 38a, 38b in this embodiment are, for example, pressure sensors or microswitches, but are not limited thereto. The pair of detectors 38a, 38b are connected to a controller 60.

[0073] The detector 38a is for detecting the charging stand 30b in the right seat 16. The detector 38b is for detecting the charging stand 30a in the left seat 18. The case 20a of the mobile terminal 20 has through holes 39a and 39b formed on the rear side thereof, the through holes 39a and 39b facing the detection sections 38a and 38b, respectively.

[0074] 10(a), charging electrode 32b of charging stand 30a is arranged so as to be located in a position symmetrical with respect to charging electrode 32a with respect to the center line extending from the front to the rear of charging stand 30a as the axis of symmetry, which is different from the first embodiment. The position of charging electrode 32a is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0075] As shown in Fig. 10(a), a protrusion 51b is provided on the bottom wall 31 of the charging stand 30a. The protrusion 51b is formed so as to be inserted into the through hole 39b shown in Fig. 9 and press the detection part 38b when the mobile terminal 20 is attached to the charging stand 30a and the connection terminals 41, 43 are connected to the charging electrodes 32a, 32b. The protrusion 51b corresponds to a detected part that serves as a unique mark of the charging stand 30a.

[0076] As shown in Fig. 10(b), a protrusion 51a is provided on the bottom wall 34 of the charging stand 30b. The protrusion 51a is formed so as to be inserted into the through hole 39a shown in Fig. 9 and press the detection part 38a when the mobile terminal 20 is attached to the charging stand 30b and the connection terminals 41, 43 are connected to the charging electrodes 33a, 33b. The protrusion 51a corresponds to a detectable part that serves as a unique mark of the charging stand 30b.

[0077] (Operation of the second embodiment) Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of the first embodiment. However, since some of the content of the flowchart of the first embodiment is different, the step numbers are numbered S100 to S300 instead of S10 to S30. This flowchart is a flowchart of a charging stand determination program executed by the mobile terminal 20.

[0078] The timing at which the charging station determination program is executed is (A) and (B) as described above, similarly to the first embodiment. In S100 of Fig. 7, the controller 60 shown in Fig. 11 performs a charging station determination. Specifically, the controller 60 performs the charging station determination based on the detection results of the detection units 38a and 38b.

[0079] When the detection result indicates that the detection unit 38b has input a detection signal due to the pressing of the protrusion 51b, the controller 60 determines that the seat of the charging stand 30a on which the mobile terminal 20 is attached is the left seat 18, and proceeds to S200.

[0080] In S200, the controller 60 sets the left seat 18 to the selection mode and holds this mode, and then ends this flow chart. When the detection result indicates that the detection unit 38a has input a detection signal due to the pressing of the protrusion 51a, the controller 60 determines that the seat of the charging stand 30b on which the mobile terminal 20 is attached is the right seat 16, and proceeds to S300.

[0081] In S300, the controller 60 sets the selection mode for the right seat 16 and holds this mode, and then ends this flow chart. This embodiment has the following features.

[0082] (1) In the in-vehicle charging system JS of this embodiment, the charging stations 30a, 30b are provided with protrusions 51a, 51b (detectable parts) that serve as unique marks for each charging station. Furthermore, the detection units 86, 87 of the mobile terminal 20 detect which seat the charging station 30a, 30b is for based on the detection results of the protrusions 51a, 51b (detectable parts) that serve as unique marks.

[0083] With the above configuration, it is possible to achieve the same effect as described in (1) of the first embodiment. This embodiment can be modified and implemented as follows.

[0084] The present embodiment and the following modified examples can be implemented in combination with each other to the extent that no technical contradiction occurs. The arrangement of the connection terminals 41, 42, 43 in the first embodiment is not limited to the arrangement in Fig. 3(b) and may be in any suitable position. The arrangement of the charging electrodes 32a, 32b, 33a, 33b may be changed according to the suitable arrangement of the connection terminals 41, 42, 43.

[0085] In the first and second embodiments, the number of charging stations is two, but it may be three or more. For example, the present invention is also applicable to vehicles such as buses that have many seats. In the first and second embodiments, the number of mobile terminals 20 is two, but it may be one. In this case, the passenger sitting in the right seat and the passenger sitting in the left seat share one mobile terminal, which is also acceptable.

[0086] In the second embodiment, the through holes 39a, 39b through which the protrusions 51a, 51b can be inserted are formed in the case 20a, but the through holes 39a, 39b may be omitted. In this case, for example, the areas of the case 20a corresponding to the detection units 38a, 38b may be formed of a flexible or elastic material so that when the protrusions 51a, 51b come into contact with the areas, the pressure is transmitted to the detection units 38a, 38b, enabling the protrusions 51a, 51b to be detected.

[0087] In the second embodiment, the protrusions 51a and 51b are used as the detected parts, but the detected parts are not limited to protrusions. For example, an IC tag that transmits a unique seat code is placed on the bottom wall of each charging stand as the detected part. Meanwhile, the mobile terminal 20 includes a reader that receives the seat code transmitted from the IC tag as the detection part. Then, when the mobile terminal 20 is attached to the charging stand, the reader receives the unique seat code transmitted from the IC tag, and sets the seat selection mode corresponding to the charging stand on which the mobile terminal is attached as the detection result of the received seat code.

[0088] The IC tag may be a passive tag or an active tag. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 10…Vehicle 12…Driver's seat 13…Instrument panel 16…Right seat 16a…Seat slide section 16b…Seat back 16c…Seat bearing surface part 16d…Ottoman section 16e…Heater section 16F…Massage section 17…Armrest 18...Left seat 18a…Seat slide section 18b…Seat back 18c…Seat surface 18d…Ottoman section 18e…Heater section 18F…Massage section 19…Armrest 20. Mobile terminal 26…Touch display 26a...Selection mode area (seat selection mode setting section) 26b...Selection mode area (seat selection mode setting section) 30…In-vehicle charging device 30a, 30b…charging stand 32a…Charging electrode (+) 32b…Charging electrode (-) 33a…Charging electrode (+) 33b…Charging electrode (-) 37…Vehicle power switch 38a, 38b…Detection section 39a, 39b...Through hole 41...Connection terminal (+) 42…Connection terminal (-) 43...Connection terminal (-) 51a, 51b...Protrusion (detected part) 60...Controller (control unit) 62...Display control unit 68…Communication module 70…MM equipment 80…Battery 86…Detection unit 87…Detection unit 100...In-vehicle device control system 120…Body ECU 130…Seat ECU 140…Air conditioning ECU Batt…Vehicle power supply JS: In-vehicle charging system

Claims

1. one or more mobile terminals each including a seat selection mode setting unit for setting a seat selection mode that enables remote operation of an in-vehicle device provided in each of a plurality of seats; An on-board charging system including an on-board charging device including a plurality of charging stands provided corresponding to the plurality of seats, The in-vehicle charging system has a detection unit that, when the portable terminal is attached to one of the multiple charging stands (hereinafter, a portable terminal attached to a charging stand is referred to as an attached portable terminal), detects which seat the attached charging stand is for, and a control unit that sets the attached portable terminal to the seat selection mode corresponding to the charging stand to which it is attached, depending on the detection result by the detection unit.

2. The charging stations are capable of charging from a vehicle power source when a vehicle power switch is turned on, 2. The in-vehicle charging system according to claim 1, wherein, in a case where the attached portable terminal has already been attached to the charging base before the vehicle power switch is turned on, and when the vehicle power switch is turned on, the control unit sets the seat selection mode corresponding to the charging base on which the attached portable terminal is attached, in accordance with a detection result by the detection unit.

3. The charging stations are capable of charging from a vehicle power source when a vehicle power switch is turned on, 2. The in-vehicle charging system according to claim 1, wherein, when the attached portable terminal is attached to the charging base after the vehicle power switch is turned on, the control unit sets the attached portable terminal to the seat selection mode corresponding to the charging base on which the attached portable terminal is attached, in accordance with a detection result by the detection unit.

4. the charging stations each have a pair of charging electrodes arranged differently for each seat, and the portable terminals each have a group of connection terminals connectable to the pair of charging electrodes arranged differently for each seat, 4. The in-vehicle charging system according to claim 2, wherein the detection unit of the attached portable terminal detects a current flowing through or a voltage applied to a circuit connected to the group of connection terminals to determine which pair of charging electrodes is provided for which seat the portable terminal is being charged from.

5. Each of the charging stations is provided with a detectable portion that serves as a unique mark for the charging station; 4. The in-vehicle charging system according to claim 2, wherein the detection unit of the portable terminal detects which seat the charging stand is for based on a detection result of the detectable portion that serves as the unique mark.

6. An in-vehicle charging device capable of charging a plurality of mobile terminals separately, the mobile terminals including a seat selection mode setting unit that sets a seat selection mode that enables remote operation of an in-vehicle device provided in each of a plurality of seats, the in-vehicle charging device including a plurality of charging stands provided corresponding to the plurality of seats, The charging stations are in-vehicle charging devices each having a pair of charging electrodes arranged differently for each seat.

7. A mobile terminal including a seat selection mode setting unit for setting a seat selection mode that enables remote operation of an in-vehicle device provided in each of a plurality of seats, the mobile terminal being attachable to a plurality of charging stations provided for each of the seats, The portable terminal has a detection unit that, when attached to one of the multiple charging stations, detects which seat the charging station is for, and a control unit that sets the portable terminal to the seat selection mode corresponding to the attached charging station depending on the detection result by the detection unit.

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