Information processing device

Abstract

To provide an improved technique for rescuing a living body left inside a vehicle.SOLUTION: An information processing device 10 is provided, comprising a communication unit 11, and a control unit 13 configured to respond to detection of a living body left inside a first vehicle 20 by determining at least one second vehicle 30 to be instructed to check inside the first vehicle 20 from among a plurality of preset second vehicles 30 that are traveling. When the communication unit 21 receives confirmation information indicating the inside of the first vehicle 20 has been checked from any one of the determined at least one second vehicle 30, the control unit 13 determines to grant an incentive to a user of the second vehicle 30 that has sent the confirmation information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, techniques for rescuing a living body left unattended in a vehicle have been known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle control device that issues an alarm when a living body is left unattended in a vehicle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] There is room for improvement in the conventional techniques for rescuing a living body left unattended in a vehicle.

[0005] In view of this point, an object of the present disclosure is to improve the technique for rescuing a living body left unattended in a vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a communication unit and a control unit that determines at least one second vehicle for instructing confirmation inside the first vehicle from among a plurality of second vehicles traveling in advance when a living body left unattended in the first vehicle is detected. When the control unit receives, from at least any one of the determined at least one second vehicle, confirmation information indicating that the inside of the first vehicle has been confirmed by the communication unit, the control unit determines to give an incentive to the user of the second vehicle that transmitted the confirmation information.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the technology for rescuing a living body left unattended in a vehicle can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the system 1 according to the present embodiment includes an information processing device 10, a first vehicle 20, and a plurality of second vehicles 30. The system 1 may include a plurality of first vehicles 20.

[0011] The information processing device 10, the first vehicle 20, and the second vehicle 30 can communicate with each other via the network 2. The network 2 may be any network including a mobile communication network and the Internet.

[0012] When a living body left unattended in the first vehicle 20 is detected, the information processing device 10 determines at least one second vehicle 30 that instructs confirmation inside the first vehicle 20 from among a plurality of preset second vehicles 30 running. The information processing device 10 transmits an instruction signal for instructing confirmation inside the first vehicle 20 to the determined second vehicle 30 via the network 2.

[0013] The information processing device 10 is a dedicated computer configured to function as a server, a general-purpose personal computer, a cloud computing system, or the like.

[0014] The first vehicle 20 may be any automobile. When the first vehicle 20 detects a living body left unattended inside the first vehicle 20, it transmits a signal indicating the abandonment of the living body to the information processing device 10 via the network 2.

[0015] The second vehicle 30 is a vehicle preset as a target to which the information processing device 10 transmits an instruction signal. The second vehicle 30 is, for example, a vehicle such as a taxi used in a car-sharing service, or a school bus for pick-up and drop-off at a nursery or kindergarten.

[0016] (Configuration of the information processing device) The information processing device 10 includes a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a control unit 13.

[0017] The communication unit 11 is configured to include at least one communication module connectable to the network 2. The communication module is, for example, a communication module compliant with a standard such as a wired LAN (Local Area Network) or a wireless LAN. The communication unit 11 is connected to the network 2 via a wired LAN or a wireless LAN by the communication module.

[0018] The storage unit 12 is configured to include at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or a combination of at least two of these. The storage unit 12 may function as a main memory device, an auxiliary memory device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 12 stores data used for the operation of the information processing device 10 and data obtained by the operation of the information processing device 10.

[0019] The control unit 13 is configured to include at least one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination of these. The control unit 13 executes processes related to the operation of the information processing device 10 while controlling each part of the information processing device 10.

[0020] (Configurations of the first vehicle and the second vehicle) The first vehicle 20 is equipped with an in-vehicle device 21. The in-vehicle device 21 includes a communication unit 22, a positioning unit 23, a detection unit 24, a memory unit 25, and a control unit 26. The second vehicle 30 is equipped with an in-vehicle device 31. The in-vehicle device 31 includes a communication unit 32, a positioning unit 33, an input unit 34, an output unit 35, a memory unit 36, and a control unit 37.

[0021] The communication units 22 and 32 are configured to include at least one communication module connectable to the network 2. The communication module is, for example, a communication module compatible with a mobile communication standard such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), or 5G (5th Generation).

[0022] The positioning unit 23 can acquire the position information of the first vehicle 20 on which the in-vehicle device 21 is mounted. The positioning unit 33 can acquire the position information of the second vehicle 30 on which the in-vehicle device 31 is mounted. The positioning units 23 and 33 are configured to include at least one reception module compatible with a satellite positioning system. The reception module is, for example, a reception module compatible with GPS (Global Positioning System).

[0023] The detection unit 24 can detect a living body left unattended in the first vehicle 20. The detection unit 24 is configured to include at least any one of, for example, a gravity sensor, an in-vehicle camera, and a temperature sensor. The detection unit 24 can detect a living body in the first vehicle 20 by at least any one of the gravity sensor, the in-vehicle camera, and the temperature sensor. For example, when the detection unit 24 detects the presence of a living body after a predetermined time has elapsed since the ignition of the first vehicle 20 was turned off, the detection unit 24 detects the living body as a living body left unattended in the first vehicle 20. The predetermined time may be set according to the usage mode of the first vehicle 20.

[0024] The input unit 34 can receive input from the user. The input unit 34 is configured to include at least one input interface capable of receiving input from the user. The input interface is, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, a touch screen provided integrally with the display of the output unit 35, or a microphone, etc.

[0025] The output unit 35 can output data. The output unit 35 is configured to include at least one output interface capable of outputting data. The output interface is, for example, a display or a speaker, etc.

[0026] The storage units 25 and 36 are configured to include at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or a combination of at least two of these. The storage units 25 and 36 may function as a main memory device, an auxiliary memory device, or a cache memory. In the storage unit 25, data used for the operation of the in-vehicle device 21 and data obtained by the operation of the in-vehicle device 21 are stored. In the storage unit 36, data used for the operation of the in-vehicle device 31 and data obtained by the operation of the in-vehicle device 31 are stored.

[0027] The control units 26 and 37 are configured to include at least one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination of these. The control unit 26 executes processes related to the operation of the in-vehicle device 21 while controlling each part of the in-vehicle device 21. The control unit 37 executes processes related to the operation of the in-vehicle device 31 while controlling each part of the in-vehicle device 31.

[0028] (Operation of the system) FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing procedure of the system 1 shown in FIG. 1.

[0029] The process of S1 is executed by the second vehicle 30 during traveling. In the second vehicle 30, the control unit 37 of the in-vehicle device 31 acquires the position information of the second vehicle 30 by the positioning unit 33. The control unit 37 transmits the position information of the second vehicle 30 to the information processing device 10 via the network 2 by the communication unit 32. The second vehicle 30 executes the process of S1 at every predetermined period during traveling. The predetermined period may be set based on the average speed etc. of the second vehicle 30.

[0030] In the process of S2, the control unit 13 of the information processing device 10 receives the position information of the second vehicle 30 from the second vehicle 30 via the network 2 by the communication unit 11 at every predetermined period.

[0031] In the process of S3, in the first vehicle 20, the control unit 26 of the in-vehicle device 21 detects a living body left unattended in the first vehicle 20 by the detection unit 24.

[0032] In the process of S4, the control unit 26 acquires the position information of the first vehicle 20 by the positioning unit 23. The control unit 26 transmits a signal indicating the abandonment of the living body together with the position information of the first vehicle 20 to the information processing device 10 via the network 2 by the communication unit 22.

[0033] In the process of S5, the control unit 13 of the information processing device 10 receives a signal indicating the abandonment of the living body together with the position information of the first vehicle 20 from the first vehicle 20 via the network 2 by the communication unit 11.

[0034] In the process of S6, the control unit 13 determines at least one second vehicle 30 from among the plurality of second vehicles 30 that are in motion and instructs confirmation within the first vehicle 20. As an example, the control unit 13 may determine the second vehicle 30 that instructs confirmation within the first vehicle 20 based on the position information of the first vehicle 20. In this case, the control unit 13 may preferentially determine as the second vehicle 30 that instructs confirmation within the first vehicle 20 a second vehicle 30 located near the first vehicle 20. The control unit 13 may determine as the second vehicle 30 that instructs confirmation within the first vehicle 20 the second vehicle 30 located closest to the first vehicle 20 among the plurality of second vehicles 30.

[0035] In the process of S7, the control unit 13 transmits, via the network 2 by the communication unit 11, the position information of the first vehicle 20 together with an instruction signal that instructs confirmation within the first vehicle 20 to the second vehicle 30 determined in the process of S6.

[0036] In the process of S8, in the second vehicle 30, the control unit 37 of the in-vehicle device 31 receives, via the network 2 from the information processing device 10, the position information of the first vehicle 20 together with the instruction signal by the communication unit 32.

[0037] In the process of S9, the control unit 37 causes the output unit 35 to output an instruction to confirm inside the first vehicle 20 together with the position information of the first vehicle 20. For example, the control unit 37 causes the speaker of the output unit 35 to output a voice such as "Please confirm inside the first vehicle 20" or causes the display of the output unit 35 to display a character such as "Please confirm inside the first vehicle 20". Further, the control unit 27 causes the position of the first vehicle 20 to be displayed on the display of the output unit 35.

[0038] When an instruction to confirm inside the first vehicle 20 together with the position information of the first vehicle 20 is output from the output unit 35 by the process of S9, the user of the second vehicle 30 may act to try to confirm inside the first vehicle 20. For example, the driver, who is the user of the second vehicle 30, drives the second vehicle 30 and moves to the position of the first vehicle 20. When the user of the second vehicle 30 moves to the position of the first vehicle 20, the user confirms inside the first vehicle 20.

[0039] In the process of S10, in the second vehicle 30, the control unit 37 of the in-vehicle device 31 receives, through the input unit 34, confirmation information indicating that the inside of the first vehicle 20 has been confirmed. The confirmation information may be any information as long as it indicates that the inside of the first vehicle 20 has been confirmed. For example, the user of the second vehicle 30 may generate a captured image of the inside of the first vehicle 20 using their own smartphone or camera. The user of the second vehicle 30 may input the generated captured image from the input unit 34.

[0040] In the process of S11, the control unit 37 transmits, through the communication unit 32, the confirmation information received in the process of S10 to the information processing device 10 via the network 2.

[0041] In the process of S12, the control unit 13 of the information processing device 10 receives, through the communication unit 11, the confirmation information from at least any one of the at least one second vehicle 30 determined in the process of S6 via the network 2.

[0042] In the process of S13, the control unit 13 determines to give an incentive to the user of the second vehicle 30 that transmitted the confirmation information. The incentive may be set arbitrarily. The incentive may be a coupon or electronic money. The incentive may be given as points exchangeable for valuable goods or paid services.

[0043] As described above, in this embodiment, when a living body left unattended in the first vehicle 20 is detected, the information processing device 10 determines at least one second vehicle that instructs a check inside the first vehicle 20 from among a plurality of second vehicles 30 traveling in advance. When the second vehicle that instructs a check inside the first vehicle 20 is determined, the user of the second vehicle 30 can check inside the first vehicle 20 and rescue the living body left unattended, etc. Further, when the user of the second vehicle 30 transmits confirmation information indicating that the user has checked inside the first vehicle 20 to the information processing device 10, that is, when the user of the second vehicle 30 has checked inside the first vehicle 20, an incentive is given to the user of the second vehicle 30. With such a configuration, it is possible to motivate the user of the second vehicle 30 to check inside the first vehicle 20. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the technology for rescuing a living body left unattended in a vehicle can be improved.

[0044] Here, in the process of S5, when the control unit 13 of the information processing device 10 receives a signal indicating that a living body has been left unattended, it may transmit a predetermined notification to the terminal device of the user of the first vehicle 20 via the communication unit 11 using the network 2. The predetermined notification is, for example, a notification indicating that a living body has been left unattended in the first vehicle 20. With such a configuration, when a living body left unattended in the first vehicle 20 is detected, a predetermined notification can be transmitted to the terminal device of the user of the first vehicle 20. After a set time has elapsed since the control unit 13 transmitted the predetermined notification to the terminal device of the user of the first vehicle 20, it may transmit the position information of the first vehicle 20 together with an instruction signal to the second vehicle 30 determined in the process of S6 (S7). Here, the set time may be set based on the usage mode of the first vehicle 20. Further, as described below, the control unit 13 may estimate the facility where the user of the first vehicle 20 is located based on the position information of the first vehicle 20 and adjust the set time based on the usage status of the estimated facility.

[0045] As an example of adjusting the set time, the time when the user uses the convenience store is relatively short. Therefore, when a living body left unattended in the first vehicle 20 is detected while the user of the first vehicle 20 is in the convenience store, the user is considered to immediately return from the convenience store to the first vehicle 20. Thus, when the control unit 13 estimates that the facility where the user of the second vehicle 30 is located is a convenience store, the set time may be made longer than the preset set time. With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent unnecessary instruction signals from being transmitted to the second vehicle 30.

[0046] As another example of adjusting the set time, the time when the user uses the pachinko parlor is relatively long. Therefore, when a living body left unattended in the first vehicle 20 is detected while the user of the first vehicle 20 is in the pachinko parlor, the user is considered not to immediately return to the first vehicle. Thus, when the control unit 13 estimates that the facility where the user of the first vehicle 20 is located is a pachinko parlor, the set time is made shorter than the preset set time. With such a configuration, it is possible to promptly rescue the living body left unattended in the first vehicle 20.

[0047] As yet another example of adjusting the set time, in the process of S4, in the first vehicle 20, the control unit 26 of the in-vehicle device 21 may acquire data indicating the state inside the first vehicle 20. For example, the control unit 26 acquires data on the vehicle interior temperature by the temperature sensor of the detection unit 24 as data indicating the state inside the first vehicle 20. The control unit 26 may transmit data indicating the state inside the first vehicle 20 to the information processing device 10. In this case, in the process of S5, the control unit 13 of the information processing device 10 may receive data indicating the state inside the first vehicle 20 from the first vehicle 20. The control unit 13 may evaluate the degree of danger indicating the degree of danger to the life of the living body based on the data indicating the state inside the first vehicle 20 and the time elapsed since the living body left unattended in the first vehicle 20 was detected. The control unit 13 may shorten the set time as the evaluated degree of danger is higher.

[0048] In addition, in the process of S5, when the control unit 13 receives a signal indicating abandonment of a living body, the control unit 13 may remotely unlock the door of the first vehicle 20.

[0049] In addition, in the process of S6, the control unit 13 of the information processing device 10 may determine, among a plurality of second vehicles 30, the plurality of second vehicles 30 that are traveling within the set range from the first vehicle 20, as the second vehicles 30 for which confirmation inside the first vehicle 20 is instructed. The set range may be set based on the number of the plurality of second vehicles 30 included in the system 1 and the like. In this case, in the process of S7, the control unit 13 may transmit, via the network 2, the position information of the first vehicle 20 together with an instruction signal for instructing confirmation inside the first vehicle 20 to the plurality of determined second vehicles 30 all at once by the communication unit 11.

[0050] In addition, in the process of S6, when a plurality of taxis are included in the plurality of second vehicles 30 that are traveling within the set range from the first vehicle 20, the control unit 13 may identify a region in the set range where the demand for taxis is lower compared to other regions. The control unit 13 may determine, as the second vehicles 30 for which confirmation inside the first vehicle 20 is instructed, the taxis among the second vehicles 30 that are traveling in the identified region where the demand for taxis is lower.

[0051] In addition, in the process of S7, the control unit 13 may transmit, via the network 2, information for unlocking the door of the first vehicle 20 to the determined second vehicles 30 by the communication unit 11. With such a configuration, the user of the second vehicle 30 can unlock the door of the first vehicle 20 and promptly rescue the living body inside the first vehicle 20.

[0052] Also, in the process of S9, in the second vehicle 30, after the control unit 37 of the in-vehicle device 31 outputs an instruction to check the interior of the first vehicle 20 to the output unit 35, it may receive an input to reject the check of the interior of the first vehicle 20 from the input unit 34. In this case, the control unit 37 may transmit a rejection signal for rejecting the check of the interior of the first vehicle 20 to the information processing device 10 via the network 2 by the communication unit 32. In the information processing device 10, when the control unit 13 receives a rejection signal from the second vehicle 30 via the network 2 by the communication unit 11, it may determine a new second vehicle 30 that instructs the check of the interior of the first vehicle 20. The control unit 13 may transmit an instruction signal to the new second vehicle 30.

[0053] Also, in the process of S12, the control unit 13 of the information processing device 10 may connect the second vehicle 30 that has transmitted the confirmation information and the call center so that they can communicate with each other.

[0054] Although the present disclosure has been described based on the drawings and embodiments, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each component or each step, etc. can be rearranged so as not to be logically contradictory, and it is possible to combine or divide a plurality of components or steps, etc. into one.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0055] 1: System, 2: Network, 10: Information Processing Device, 11: Communication Unit, 12: Storage Unit, 13: Control Unit, 20: First Vehicle, 21: In-vehicle Device, 22: Communication Unit, 23: Positioning Unit, 24: Detection Unit, 25: Storage Unit, 26: Control Unit, 30: Second Vehicle, 31: In-vehicle Device, 32: Communication Unit, 33: Positioning Unit, 34: Input Unit, 35: Output Unit, 36: Storage Unit, 37: Control Unit

Claims

Claim 1 a communication unit; a control unit configured to determine at least one second vehicle from among a plurality of second vehicles traveling in advance to instruct confirmation inside the first vehicle when a living body left unattended inside the first vehicle is detected; The information processing apparatus, wherein when the communication unit receives confirmation information indicating that the inside of the first vehicle has been confirmed from at least any one of the determined at least one second vehicle, the control unit determines to give an incentive to the user of the second vehicle that transmitted the confirmation information.

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