Information processing apparatus

Abstract

To enable a user to comfortably use a vehicle.SOLUTION: When an utterance instructing to enable a function of an aroma diffuser provided in a front portion in a vehicle is acquired from a user in the vehicle, an information processing apparatus specifies a position of a seat of the user who has made the utterance. Then, the information processing apparatus changes air volume of an air conditioner provided in a front portion in the vehicle so as to become stronger as the position of the specified seat becomes more rearward in the vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a control device for a vehicle sharing system in which a plurality of people jointly use a vehicle having an aroma diffuser that generates an aroma in the vehicle interior. The control device acquires user preference information as information related to the aroma preferred by the user who starts using the vehicle and the use start date and time when the user starts using the vehicle. Then, before the use start date and time, the control device causes the aroma preferred by the user to be generated from the aroma diffuser into the vehicle interior based on the user preference information.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to enable a user to use a vehicle comfortably.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The information processing apparatus according to the present disclosure when acquiring an utterance instructing to enable the function of an aroma diffuser provided in a front portion inside the vehicle from a user of the vehicle, specifies the position of the seat of the user who made the utterance; and changes the air volume of an air conditioner provided in the front portion inside the vehicle so as to increase it as the position of the specified seat is more rearward inside the vehicle; and includes a control unit configured to execute the above.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] According to the present disclosure, a user can comfortably use a vehicle.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Assume a case where a user in a vehicle makes a statement instructing to enable a function of diffusing a fragrance with respect to an aroma diffuser provided in a front portion inside the vehicle. At this time, the farther the seat of the user who makes a statement instructing to enable the function of the aroma diffuser (hereinafter, may be referred to as the "speaking user") is located rearward inside the vehicle, the greater the distance from the aroma diffuser provided in the front portion inside the vehicle becomes. Therefore, it is assumed that the farther the seat of the speaking user is located rearward inside the vehicle, the more difficult it is for the fragrance diffused from the aroma diffuser to reach the speaking user. Further, even if the fragrance reaches, it is assumed that the farther the seat of the speaking user is located rearward inside the vehicle, the more time it takes for the fragrance diffused from the aroma diffuser to reach the speaking user. Then, the use of the vehicle by the speaking user who wants to enjoy the fragrance may not be comfortable. Therefore, the information processing device according to the present disclosure solves such a problem.

[0009] When the control unit of the information processing apparatus according to the present disclosure acquires an utterance instructing to enable the function of the aroma diffuser from the uttering user, it specifies the position of the seat of the uttering user. Here, an air conditioner is provided in the front part inside the vehicle. That is, the aroma diffuser and the air conditioner are provided in the front part inside the vehicle. Therefore, the scent diffused by the aroma diffuser can be diffused inside the vehicle together with the air generated by the air conditioner. Thus, the control unit of the information processing apparatus changes the air volume of the air conditioner mounted in the front part inside the vehicle so as to increase as the specified seat position is closer to the rear of the vehicle.

[0010] In this way, the information processing apparatus changes the air volume of the air conditioner so as to increase as the seat of the uttering user is closer to the rear. As a result, the scent diffused from the aroma diffuser is more likely to be diffused inside the vehicle together with the air generated by the air conditioner than when the air volume of the air conditioner is not increased. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the scent diffused by the diffuser from being less likely to reach the uttering user. Also, the scent diffused by the diffuser can be delivered to the uttering user earlier. On the other hand, as the seat of the uttering user is closer to the front, the air volume of the air conditioner is changed so as to decrease. Thereby, the scent can be delivered to the uttering user without unnecessarily increasing the air volume. In this way, the user can use the vehicle comfortably.

[0011] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The hardware configuration, module configuration, functional configuration, etc. described in each embodiment are not intended to limit the technical scope of the disclosure only to those without special description.

[0012] (Embodiment) The in-vehicle environment system 1 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of the in-vehicle environment system 1. The in-vehicle environment system 1 includes an in-vehicle device 100, an air conditioner 200, a diffuser 300, and a plurality of microphones 400. In the in-vehicle environment system 1, the in-vehicle device 100, the air conditioner 200, the diffuser 300, and the plurality of microphones 400 are interconnected by an in-vehicle network.

[0013] The air conditioner 200 is an air conditioner provided inside the vehicle 10. The air conditioner 200 is provided in the front part inside the vehicle 10. Specifically, the air conditioner 200 is provided on the dashboard of the vehicle 10. The air conditioner 200 receives information for controlling the air conditioner (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "air conditioner information") from the in-vehicle device 100 via the in-vehicle network. The air conditioner 200 performs operations such as switching the ON / OFF of the air conditioner function and adjusting the output so as to achieve the specified temperature and air volume according to the air conditioner information.

[0014] The diffuser 300 is an aroma diffuser provided inside the vehicle 10. The diffuser 300 has a function of spraying a fragrance inside the vehicle 10. Thereby, the diffuser 300 can diffuse the fragrance inside the vehicle 10. Further, the diffuser 300 can switch the sprayed fragrance and diffuse the fragrance specified by the user of the vehicle 10 inside the vehicle 10. Here, the diffuser 300 is provided on the dashboard of the vehicle 10 together with the air conditioner 200. Therefore, the fragrance diffused from the diffuser 300 is diffused inside the vehicle 10 together with the air generated by the air conditioner 200.

[0015] The microphone 400 is a microphone provided inside the vehicle 10. When the microphone 400 acquires the speech of the user of the vehicle 10, it transmits the speech data (voice data) of the user of the vehicle 10 to the in-vehicle device 100 via the in-vehicle network. Here, a plurality of microphones 400 are provided inside the vehicle 10. In the example shown in FIG. 1, each microphone 400 is installed at a seat inside the vehicle 10 ( It is provided in front of the hatched part) in FIG. 1.

[0016] The in-vehicle device 100 is a device provided inside the vehicle 10. The in-vehicle device 100 analyzes the speech content from the speech data of the user of the vehicle 10 received from the microphone 400. Then, the in-vehicle device 100 controls various devices inside the vehicle 10, such as the execution of functions. Here, assume a case where the user of the vehicle 10 gives an instruction to activate the function of diffusing the fragrance to the diffuser 300 by making a speech. At this time, the farther back the seat of the user who gives the speech instructing to activate the function of diffusing the fragrance (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "speaking user") is inside the vehicle 10, the greater the distance from the diffuser 300. Therefore, the farther back the seat of the speaking user is inside the vehicle 10, the more difficult it is for the fragrance diffused from the diffuser 300 to reach the speaking user. Also, even if the fragrance reaches, the farther back the seat of the speaking user is inside the vehicle 10, the more time it takes for the fragrance diffused from the diffuser 300 to reach the speaking user. Then, the use of the vehicle by the speaking user who wants to enjoy the fragrance may not be comfortable.

[0017] Therefore, the in-vehicle device 100 refers to the speech data of the user of the vehicle 10 received from the microphone 400 and identifies the position of the seat of the speaking user. Then, the in-vehicle device 100 changes the air volume of the air conditioner 200 so that it becomes stronger as the position of the seat of the identified speaking user is farther back in the vehicle 10. As a result, the fragrance diffused from the diffuser 300 mounted on the front part inside the vehicle 10 is more likely to be diffused inside the vehicle together with the wind generated from the air conditioner 200 than when the air volume of the air conditioner 200 is not increased. Details of the method by which the in-vehicle device 100 identifies the position of the seat of the speaking user and the method of changing the air volume of the air conditioner 200 will be described later.

[0018] The in-vehicle device 100 includes a computer having a processor 110, a main memory unit 120, an auxiliary storage unit 130, and a communication interface (communication I / F) 140. The processor 110 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The main memory unit 120 is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory). The auxiliary storage unit 130 is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory). Further, the auxiliary storage unit 130 is, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or a disk recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD disk, or a Blu-ray disk. Further, the auxiliary storage unit 130 may be a removable medium (portable storage medium). Here, examples of the removable medium include a USB memory or an SD card. The communication I / F 140 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) interface board.

[0019] In the in-vehicle device 100, the auxiliary storage unit 130 stores an operating system (OS), various programs, various information tables, and the like. Further, in the in-vehicle device 100, the processor 110 loads the program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 130 into the main memory unit 120 and executes it, whereby various functions as described later can be realized. However, some or all of the functions in the in-vehicle device 100 may be realized by a hardware circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA. Note that the in-vehicle device 100 does not necessarily have to be realized by a single physical configuration, and may be configured by a plurality of computers that cooperate with each other.

[0020] Next, the functional configuration of the in-vehicle device 100, which constitutes the in-vehicle environment system 1 according to the present embodiment, will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the functional configuration of the in-vehicle device 100 in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the in-vehicle device 100 includes a control unit 101 and a communication unit 102. The control unit 101 controls the in-vehicle device 100 It has a function of performing arithmetic processing for [purpose]. The control unit 101 can be realized by the processor 110. The communication unit 102 has a function of connecting the in-vehicle device 100 to the in-vehicle network. The communication unit 102 can be realized by the communication I / F 140.

[0021] The control unit 101 receives the speech data of the user of the vehicle 10 from the microphone 400 via the communication unit 102. The control unit 101 analyzes the speech data of the user of the vehicle 10 and identifies the speech content of the user of the vehicle 10. When the speech content of the user of the vehicle 10 is the content for instructing the diffuser 300 to enable the function of diffusing the fragrance, the control unit 101 transmits, via the communication unit 102, information instructing the start of fragrance diffusion to the diffuser 300. At this time, the control unit 101 instructs the diffuser 300 to perform the diffusion of the fragrance specified by the speaking user.

[0022] Also, the control unit 101 identifies the position of the seat of the user who spoke. Here, the speech of the user of the vehicle 10 is acquired by a plurality of microphones 400 in the vehicle 10. Therefore, the control unit 101 receives the speech data about the voice of the speaking user from the plurality of microphones 400. On the other hand, since each microphone 400 is provided in front of each seat in the vehicle 10, the microphone 400 closest to the speaking user is the microphone 400 provided in front of the seat of the speaking user. Therefore, the volume of the speech data received from the microphone 400 provided in front of the seat of the speaking user is the largest. Thus, the control unit 101 identifies the seat provided in front of the microphone 400 that transmitted the loudest speech data among the speech data received from the plurality of microphones 400 as the seat of the speaking user.

[0023] Note that in this embodiment, a plurality of microphones 400 are provided inside the vehicle 10. However, there may be only one microphone 400. In this case, the microphone 400 transmits voice data including data indicating the direction of speech to the in-vehicle device 100. The control unit 101 identifies the direction in which the speech was made from the voice data received from the microphone 400. Then, the control unit 101 refers to the direction in which the speech was made and identifies the seat of the speaking user. Also, the control unit 101 may identify the seat of the speaking user by analyzing a moving image captured inside the vehicle 10 and identifying the user making a mouth shape for making an instruction to enable the function of diffusing the fragrance as the speaking user.

[0024] The control unit 101 determines to increase the air volume of the air conditioner 200 as the seat of the speaking user is further back inside the vehicle 10. In the example shown in FIG. 1, when the seat of the speaking user is in the first row (the row where the driver's seat and the front passenger seat are provided), the control unit 101 determines the air volume of the air conditioner 200 to be "weak". Also, when the seat of the speaking user is in the second row (the seats behind the driver's seat and the seats behind the front passenger seat), the control unit 101 determines the air volume of the air conditioner 200 to be "medium". Also, when the seat of the speaking user is in the third row, the control unit 101 determines the air volume of the air conditioner 200 to be "strong".

[0025] At this time, the control unit 101 determines whether the determined air volume is stronger than the current air volume. In this case, the control unit 101 makes an affirmative determination when the function of the air conditioner 200 is OFF (the situation where the air volume is 0) and the determined air volume is "weak" or more. Also, when the current air volume is stronger than the determined air volume, the fragrance is diffused by the air volume stronger than the determined air volume. Therefore, the fragrance is effectively diffused without changing the air volume. Thus, the control unit 101 makes a negative determination when the current air volume is stronger than the determined air volume or when the air volumes are the same.

[0026] Further, the control unit 101 outputs information (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "air volume confirmation information") for confirming with the user of the vehicle 10 whether the air volume of the air conditioner 200 may be increased. The control unit 101 outputs (displays on the display or outputs as voice) the air volume confirmation information to confirm with the user of the vehicle 10 whether the air volume of the air conditioner 200 may be increased. Thereafter, the control unit 101 receives an input from the user of the vehicle 10 regarding whether to permit increasing the air volume of the air conditioner 200. Then, when it is permitted to increase the air volume of the air conditioner 200, the control unit 101 transmits, via the communication unit 102, air conditioner information specifying the determined air volume to the air conditioner 200.

[0027] Further, the control unit 101 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since it instructed the diffuser 300 to diffuse the fragrance. Here, the predetermined time is set as a time at which it is assumed that the fragrance is sufficiently diffused within the vehicle 10. Therefore, the user within the vehicle 10 perceives the diffusing fragrance. Thus, there may be a case where the user within the vehicle 10 wants to change the diffusing fragrance. Therefore, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the control unit 101 instructed the diffuser 300 to diffuse the fragrance, the control unit 101 outputs information (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "fragrance confirmation information") for confirming whether to change the fragrance. Note that since the fragrance diffuses faster within the vehicle 10 when the air volume is strong than when the air volume is weak, the predetermined time may be changed according to the air volume of the air conditioner 200.

[0028] After that, the control unit 101 receives an answer from the user of the vehicle 10 as to whether to change the fragrance. At this time, the user of the vehicle 10 makes an answer as to whether to change the fragrance and designates the fragrance to be newly diffused by speaking. In this way, the control unit 101 acquires information on whether to change the fragrance and information for designating the fragrance to be newly diffused. Also, when confirming whether to change the fragrance, the control unit 101 may confirm whether to perform ventilation inside the vehicle 10 and transmit information on performing ventilation inside the vehicle 10 to the vehicle 10 according to the answer result. When the user of the vehicle 10 instructs a change in fragrance, the control unit 101 outputs information for instructing the change in fragrance (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "fragrance change information") to the diffuser 300.

[0029] (Flowchart) Next, information processing executed by the control unit 101 of the in-vehicle device 100 in the vehicle interior environment system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the information processing executed by the control unit 101. The information processing shown in FIG. 3 starts execution when the control unit 101 receives speech data instructing to enable the function of diffusing the fragrance.

[0030] In the information processing shown in FIG. 3, first, in S101, information instructing execution of the function of diffusing the fragrance is output to the diffuser 300. At this time, if the user of the vehicle 10 has designated a fragrance, information instructing the fragrance is also output to the diffuser 300. Next, in S102, the seat of the speaking user is specified. Next, in S103, the air volume of the air conditioner 200 is determined according to the position of the seat of the speaking user. Next, in S104, it is determined whether the determined air volume is stronger than the current air volume.

[0031] If a negative determination is made in S104, since it is not necessary to increase the air volume of the air conditioner 200, the information processing shown in FIG. 3 ends. That is, the fragrance is diffused without changing the air volume. Also, if an affirmative determination is made in S104, air volume confirmation information is output in S105. That is, the user of the vehicle 10 is asked whether it is okay to increase the air volume of the air conditioner 200. Next, in S106, it is determined whether the in-vehicle device 100 is permitted to increase the air volume of the air conditioner 200. If a negative determination is made in S106, the user of the vehicle 10 has not permitted the change in air volume. Here, as reasons why the user of the vehicle 10 does not permit the change in air volume, it can be exemplified that the temperature inside the vehicle is comfortable and the user does not want to change the temperature. Then, the process shown in FIG. 3 ends.

[0032] If an affirmative determination is made in S106, air conditioner information for changing the air volume to the determined air volume is output to the air conditioner 200. As a result, the air volume of the air conditioner 200 is changed to the air volume determined in S103. Next, in S108, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the execution of the process in S101. If a negative determination is made in S108, the fragrance is not sufficiently diffused inside the vehicle 10. Therefore, the process of S108 is repeatedly executed until a predetermined time elapses.

[0033] If an affirmative determination is made in S108, the fragrance is sufficiently diffused inside the vehicle 10. Therefore, fragrance confirmation information is output in S109. That is, the user of the vehicle 10 is asked whether to change the fragrance. Next, in S110, with reference to the information received from the user of the vehicle 10 regarding whether to change the fragrance, a determination is made as to whether to change the fragrance.

[0034] ​In S110, when a negative determination is made, the user of vehicle 10 believes that there is no need to change the currently diffused scent. Also, since a predetermined time has elapsed since the diffuser 300 started diffusing the scent, the scent is sufficiently diffused within vehicle 10. Therefore, in S111, air conditioner information instructing the air volume of the air conditioner 200 to be set to the air volume before the change is output to the air conditioner 200. That is, the air volume of the air conditioner 200 is restored to the air volume before the change. Then, the process shown in FIG. 3 ends.

[0035] Also, in S110, when an affirmative determination is made, the user of vehicle 10 has instructed a scent change. Therefore, in S101, by outputting scent change information to the diffuser 300, information instructing the execution of the function of diffusing a new scent to the diffuser 300 is output. Also, in S102, the seat of the new speaker user is specified with the user who spoke about the scent change as the new speaker user. Then, the processes from S103 to S111 are executed again.

[0036] As described above, the in-vehicle environment system 1 changes the air volume of the air conditioner so that the further back the seat of the speaking user is, the stronger the air volume becomes. As a result, the fragrance diffused from the diffuser 300 is more likely to be diffused into the vehicle 10 together with the air generated from the air conditioner 200 than when the air volume of the air conditioner 200 is not increased. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the situation where the fragrance diffused by the diffuser 300 does not reach the speaking user. In addition, the fragrance diffused by the diffuser 300 can be delivered to the speaking user more quickly. On the other hand, the closer the seat of the speaking user is to the front, the weaker the air volume of the air conditioner 200 is changed. Thereby, the fragrance can be delivered to the speaking user without unnecessarily increasing the air volume. In addition, after the fragrance diffused by the diffuser 300 has sufficiently diffused into the vehicle 10, by checking whether to change the fragrance, the user who has perceived the diffusing fragrance can change the fragrance. Also in this case, the air volume of the air conditioner 200 is changed according to the seat of the user (new speaking user) who has instructed the change of the fragrance. Thereby, a new fragrance can be delivered to the new speaking user more quickly. In this way, the user of the vehicle 10 can use the vehicle 10 comfortably.

[0037] <Other Embodiments> The above-described embodiments are merely examples, and the present disclosure can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from the gist thereof. Also, the processes and means described in the present disclosure can be freely combined and implemented as long as no technical contradiction occurs.

[0038] Also, the processes described as being performed by one device may be shared and executed by a plurality of devices. Alternatively, the processes described as being performed by different devices may be executed by one device. In a computer system, how each function is realized by a hardware configuration (server configuration) can be flexibly changed.

[0039] The present disclosure can also be realized by supplying a computer program that implements the functions described in the above embodiments to a computer and causing one or more processors included in the computer to read and execute the program. Such a computer program may be provided to the computer by a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium connectable to the system bus of the computer, or may be provided to the computer via a network. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium includes any type of disk such as a magnetic disk (e.g., a floppy (registered trademark) disk or a hard disk drive (HDD)), an optical disk (e.g., a CD-ROM, a DVD disk, or a Blu-ray disk), any type of medium suitable for storing electronic instructions, such as a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), an EPROM, an EEPROM, a magnetic card, a flash memory, or an optical card.

Explanation of Signs

[0040] 1 ·· In-vehicle environment system 10 ·· Vehicle 100 ·· On-vehicle device 101 ·· Control unit 102 ·· Communication unit 200 ·· Air conditioner 300 ·· Diffuser 400 ·· Microphone

Claims

【Claim 1】 When obtaining an utterance instructing to enable the function of an aroma diffuser provided in the front part inside the vehicle from a user of the vehicle, specifying the position of the seat of the user who uttered the utterance; Changing the air volume of the air conditioner provided in the front part inside the vehicle to increase as the position of the specified seat is more rearward inside the vehicle; A control unit configured to execute; An information processing device.

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