Vehicle control device

Abstract

To suppress wetting of an in-vehicle space when operating movable components.SOLUTION: A cockpit DC can execute processing to perform a light show by outputting music from a speaker and operating movable components. The cockpit DC can also execute rainfall determination processing (step S2) to determine whether it is raining. When it is determined that rain is falling (step S2: YES), the cockpit DC outputs music from the speaker without operating opening / closing components that may be turned into a second state in which the in-vehicle space communicates with the exterior space (step S3) among the movable components when performing the light show.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle control device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an invention of an interior lighting device for an automobile that is activated when a passenger gets in or out of the vehicle, and that turns on or off a plurality of lighting fixtures in sequence in a predetermined manner. Additionally, some vehicle control devices are equipped with a light show function that entertains users and onlookers by outputting music from speakers in a predetermined manner and operating movable parts such as doors. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-351949 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when the vehicle is controlled in such a predetermined manner, inconveniences may arise depending on the circumstances around the vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A vehicle control device for solving the above problem is applied to a vehicle having movable parts that can be in a first state that isolates the interior space from the exterior space of the vehicle, and a second state that connects the interior space to the exterior space of the vehicle, and is a control device that controls the movable parts and is capable of executing a rainfall determination process that determines whether it is raining, and if it is determined in the rainfall determination process that it is raining, does not control the movable parts to the second state. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the interior space of the vehicle from getting wet when the movable parts are operated. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of a vehicle control device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of a vehicle. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation stop process during a light show in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation stop process during a light show in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] (First embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. <Control device configuration> First, the configuration of the control device of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 1, a vehicle 100 is equipped with on-board devices such as a driving assistance DC 200, a cockpit DC 300, and a body DC 400. Note that "DC" is an abbreviation for Domain Controller. These on-board devices are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other. The driving assistance DC 200, the cockpit DC 300, and the body DC 400 constitute a vehicle control device 500.

[0009] The Driving Assistance DC200 is an electronic control unit that provides driving assistance functions such as automatic braking and sudden acceleration prevention. The Cockpit DC300 is an electronic control unit that provides multimedia-related functions such as navigation and audio. The Body DC400 is an electronic control unit that controls various electrical components such as lights, doors, and mirrors.

[0010] <Configuration of driving assistance DC> The driving assistance DC 200 is electrically connected to the camera sensor device 10. 2, the camera sensor device 10 includes a front camera 11, a rear camera 12, a left camera 13, and a right camera 14. In the following description, the front camera 11, the rear camera 12, the left camera 13, and the right camera 14 may be collectively referred to as "camera 15."

[0011] The front camera 11 is attached to the center of the front end of the vehicle 100 so as to capture images of the scenery in front of the vehicle 100. The rear camera 12 is attached to the center of the rear end of the vehicle 100 so as to capture images of the scenery behind the vehicle 100. The left camera 13 is attached to the left end of the vehicle 100 so as to capture images of the scenery on the left side of the vehicle 100. The right camera 14 is attached to the right end of the vehicle 100 so as to capture images of the scenery on the right side of the vehicle 100.

[0012] The driving assistance DC 200 can acquire information about the image of the surroundings of the vehicle 100 captured by the camera 15 via the camera sensor device 10. <Cockpit DC Configuration> The cockpit DC 300 is electrically connected to a display 41 , a speaker 42 , and an operation unit 43 of the vehicle 100 .

[0013] The display 41 includes a display unit (not shown) that can display various types of information. The display 41 displays various types of information on the display unit based on instructions from the cockpit DC300.

[0014] The speaker 42 is configured to be able to output sound. In this specification, the term "sound" is intended to include not only a single tone but also any voice or music. The speaker 42 outputs sound based on instructions from the cockpit DC 300.

[0015] The operation unit 43 is configured to be capable of performing various operations. The operation unit 43 may be a touch panel type operation unit integrated with the display 41, or may be an operation unit independent of the display 41. The cockpit DC300 is configured to be able to input an operation signal indicating that the operation unit 43 has been operated. The cockpit DC300 can execute various controls based on the operation signal input from the operation unit 43.

[0016] <Body DC Configuration> The body DC400 includes a light control unit 50, a door control unit 60, a mirror control unit 70, a window control unit 80, a sunroof control unit 90, and a rain sensor device 99.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, the light control unit 50 is electrically connected to various lights of the vehicle 100, including a left headlight 51, a right headlight 52, a left blinker 53, a right blinker 54, a left taillight 55, and a right taillight 56. In the following description, the various lights including the lights 51 to 56 are collectively referred to as "lights 57." The lights 57 are configured to be able to blink. The light control unit 50 blinks the lights 57 based on an instruction from the body DC 400.

[0018] The door control unit 60 is electrically connected to various doors of the vehicle 100, including the first door 61 to the fifth door 65. In the following description, the various doors, including the first door 61 to the fifth door 65, are collectively referred to as "doors 66." The doors 66 are configured to be able to be opened and closed manually, and also to be able to be opened and closed under the control of the door control unit 60. The door control unit 60 opens and closes the doors 66 based on instructions from the body DC400.

[0019] The first door 61 is pivotally supported on the front left side of the vehicle 100 so as to be able to rotate relative to the vehicle 100 to open and close. The second door 62 is pivotally supported on the front right side of the vehicle 100, the third door 63 is pivotally supported on the rear left side of the vehicle 100, the fourth door 64 is pivotally supported on the rear right side of the vehicle 100, and the fifth door 65 is pivotally supported on the rear side of the vehicle 100 so as to be able to rotate relative to the vehicle 100 to open and close.

[0020] The mirror control unit 70 is electrically connected to a left side mirror 71 and a right side mirror 72 of the vehicle 100. In the following description, the left side mirror 71 and the right side mirror 72 are collectively referred to as "side mirrors 73." The side mirrors 73 are configured to be rotatable under the control of the mirror control unit 70. The mirror control unit 70 rotates the side mirrors 73 based on instructions from the body DC400. The side mirrors 73 are an example of movable parts of the vehicle 100.

[0021] The left side mirror 71 is pivotally supported on the first door 61 at the front left side of the vehicle 100. The right side mirror 72 is pivotally supported on the second door 62 at the front right side of the vehicle 100.

[0022] The window control unit 80 is electrically connected to the first window 81 to the fourth window 84. In the following description, the first window 81 to the fourth window 84 are collectively referred to as the "window 85." The window 85 is configured to be able to open and close under the control of the window control unit 80. The window control unit 80 opens and closes the window 85 based on an instruction from the body DC400. That is, the window 85 in this embodiment is a power window electrically controlled by the window control unit 80.

[0023] The first window 81 is configured to be openable and closable on the front left side of the vehicle 100. The second window 82 is configured to be openable and closable on the front right side of the vehicle 100, the third window 83 is configured to be openable and closable on the rear left side of the vehicle 100, and the fourth window 84 is configured to be openable and closable on the rear right side of the vehicle 100.

[0024] The sunroof control unit 90 is electrically connected to the sunroof 91. The sunroof 91 is configured to be able to open and close under the control of the sunroof control unit 90. The sunroof control unit 90 opens and closes the sunroof 91 based on a command from the body DC 400. The sunroof 91 is configured to be able to be opened and closed freely on the ceiling portion of the vehicle 100.

[0025] The doors 66, the windows 85, and the sunroof 91 can each be in a first state in which they separate the interior space from the exterior space, and in a second state in which they connect the interior space to the exterior space. That is, the doors 66, the windows 85, and the sunroof 91 are examples of movable parts of the vehicle 100, and in particular correspond to first movable parts that can be in a first state in which they separate the interior space from the exterior space, and in a second state in which they connect the interior space to the exterior space. In the following description, the doors 66, the windows 85, and the sunroof 91 may be collectively referred to as "opening and closing parts." In addition, in the following description, controlling each of the opening and closing parts of the doors 66, the windows 85, and the sunroof 91 to the second state may be referred to as "opening," and controlling each of the opening and closing parts to the first state may be referred to as "closing."

[0026] On the other hand, the side mirror 73 does not assume the second state in which the interior space of the vehicle is connected to the exterior space of the vehicle. That is, the side mirror 73 is an example of a movable part of the vehicle 100, and in particular corresponds to a second movable part that does not assume the second state in which the interior space of the vehicle is connected to the exterior space of the vehicle.

[0027] The rainfall sensor device 99 is attached to the windshield of the vehicle 100. The rainfall sensor device 99 irradiates the windshield with infrared light. The rainfall sensor device 99 then receives the reflected infrared light. The rainfall sensor device 99 then detects raindrops on the windshield based on the amount of infrared light received.

[0028] The body DC400 can acquire information about the detection result of raindrops by the rainfall sensor device 99. <Processing when running a light show> The cockpit DC 300 is capable of performing a light show execution process for causing the vehicle 100 to perform a light show. The light show is performed in a manner in which music is output from the speaker 42 according to a predetermined program pattern and various electrical components of the vehicle 100 are operated.

[0029] The light show execution process can be executed in response to an operation of the operation unit 43. The cockpit DC300 performs control to execute a light show by performing the light show execution process based on an operation signal input from the operation unit 43. In this embodiment, the light show execution process corresponds to a specific process.

[0030] In the light show execution process, the cockpit DC 300 controls the speaker 42 to output predetermined music. Also, in the light show execution process, the cockpit DC 300 outputs information to the body DC 400 instructing the operation of various electrical components of the vehicle 100 at predetermined timing during the light show. Information instructing the operation of various electrical components of the vehicle 100 includes, for example, information instructing the blinking of the lights 57 and information instructing the operation of the doors 66, side mirrors 73, windows 85, and sunroof 91. The body DC 400 operates the various electrical components of the vehicle 100 based on the information input from the cockpit DC 300. That is, in the light show execution process, the control device 500 operates various movable parts including the doors 66, side mirrors 73, windows 85, and sunroof 91, and controls the blinking of the lights 57 of the vehicle 100. Furthermore, when the light show starts, the cockpit DC300 controls the display 41 to display an in-progress notification that the light show is in progress.

[0031] After that, the cockpit DC 300 ends the light show by ending the light show execution process when the predetermined program pattern ends. At this time, the cockpit DC 300 controls the speaker 42 to stop outputting the predetermined music. The cockpit DC 300 also controls the display 41 to end the notification that the light show is running.

[0032] <Deactivation of moving parts during a light show> When a light show is executed, the cockpit DC 300 performs a light show execution operation stop process that stops the operation of moving parts included in various electrical components of the vehicle 100. The light show execution operation stop process is executed for a certain period while the light show is being executed.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, in the light show execution operation stop processing, the cockpit DC300 determines whether the light show has ended (step S1). If the light show has not ended (step S1: NO), the cockpit DC300 determines whether it is raining (step S2). The processing of step S2 in the light show execution operation stop processing corresponds to rainfall determination processing. Specifically, the cockpit DC300 receives input from the driving assistance DC200 information about an image of the surroundings of the vehicle 100 captured by the camera 15 and acquired via the camera sensor device 10. The cockpit DC300 also receives input from the body DC400 information about the raindrop detection result acquired from the rainfall sensor device 99. The cockpit DC300 then determines whether it is raining based on the information received from the driving assistance DC200 and the body DC400.

[0034] If it is determined that it is raining (step S2: YES), the cockpit DC 300 controls the opening and closing components to stop issuing operation instructions (step S3). Specifically, if it is determined that it is raining, the cockpit DC 300 does not output information instructing the operation of the doors 66, the windows 85, and the sunroof 91 to the body DC 400 in the light show execution process. In other words, if it is determined that it is raining, the cockpit DC 300 does not control the opening and closing components to the second state that connects the interior space and the exterior space in the light show execution process.

[0035] Then, the cockpit DC 300 causes the display 41 to execute an operation stop notification, which is a notification that operation instructions to each opening and closing component have been stopped (step S4). Specifically, the cockpit DC 300 causes the display 41 to display that the operation of each opening and closing component has been stopped because it is raining.

[0036] Next, the cockpit DC300 outputs information instructing the body DC400 to close each opening / closing component (step S5). When the body DC400 receives the information instructing the body DC400 to close each opening / closing component, it controls the doors 66, windows 85, and sunroof 91 to the first state in which the interior space of the vehicle is blocked from the exterior space. After that, the cockpit DC300 waits for a time period equal to or longer than the time required for each opening / closing component to close (step S6), and then repeats the processing from step S1 onwards.

[0037] On the other hand, if it is determined that it is not raining (step S2: NO), the cockpit DC300 cancels the suspension of the operation instruction to each opening / closing component (step S7). Subsequently, the cockpit DC300 terminates the operation suspension notification (step S8). After that, the cockpit DC300 waits for a certain period of time (step S9) and then repeats the processing from step S1 onwards. Note that the waiting time in step S9 may be the same as or different from the waiting time after outputting the information instructing each opening / closing component to close (step S6).

[0038] Then, when the light show has ended (step S1: YES), the cockpit DC 300 ends the operation stop process during light show execution. Note that, upon completion of the operation stop process during light show execution, the cockpit DC 300 cancels the stop of the operation instruction to each opening / closing component and controls to end the operation stop notification.

[0039] <Operation of the First Embodiment> According to the light show execution process described above, music is output from the speaker 42, various movable parts of the vehicle 100 are operated, and the lights 57 of the vehicle 100 are also flashed.

[0040] According to the above-described operation stop process during light show execution, when it is determined that it is raining, an operation instruction to the open / close components that can be in the second state connecting the interior space and the exterior space of the vehicle is stopped. Therefore, in the light show execution process, music is output from the speaker 42 without operating the open / close components. Furthermore, according to the operation stop process during light show execution, when it is determined that it is raining, each open / close component is controlled to be in the first state that blocks the interior space and the exterior space of the vehicle.

[0041] In particular, in the light show execution operation stop process, when it is determined that it is raining, the operation instruction to the open / close parts that can be in the second state connecting the interior space and the exterior space among the movable parts is stopped, but the operation instructions to movable parts other than the open / close parts are not stopped. Therefore, in the light show execution process, the open / close parts are not operated, and music is output from speaker 42, and movable parts other than the open / close parts are operated.

[0042] <Effects of the first embodiment> The effects of this embodiment will be described. (1-1) When operating the opening / closing components, if it is determined that it is raining, the operation instruction to each opening / closing component is stopped, thereby preventing the interior of the vehicle from getting wet.

[0043] (1-2) In particular, when it is determined that it is raining, the operation instructions to the doors 66, windows 85, and sunroof 91 are stopped, so that the interior space of the vehicle can be prevented from getting wet by each of these opening and closing parts being in the second state.

[0044] (1-3) Whether it is raining or not is determined during the operation stop process when the light show is running, so that the interior of the vehicle can be prevented from getting wet when entertaining users and spectators by combining the output of music and the operation of moving parts during the light show.

[0045] (1-4) Even if it is determined that it is raining, the operation command to the moving parts that are not in the second state, which connects the interior space of the vehicle with the exterior space, is not stopped. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the interior space of the vehicle from getting wet during the light show, while entertaining users and spectators by combining the output of music and the operation of the moving parts.

[0046] (1-5) In particular, the operation of the side mirrors 73 is not stopped even when it is determined that it is raining. Therefore, the light show can entertain users and spectators by combining the output of music with the operation of the side mirrors 73 while preventing the interior of the vehicle from getting wet.

[0047] (1-6) The display 41 issues an operation stop notification, which notifies the user that the operation instruction to each opening / closing component has been stopped, thereby preventing the opening / closing component from not operating during the light show, causing discomfort to users and spectators.

[0048] (1-7) When it is determined that it is raining during the operation stop process during the light show, each open / close component is closed. Therefore, when the operation instruction to each open / close component is stopped, the open / close component is in the second state, which prevents the interior of the vehicle from getting wet.

[0049] (1-8) In the operation stop process during light show execution, whether or not it is raining is repeatedly determined at regular intervals while the light show is being executed. If it is determined that it is raining, the operation command to each open / close component is stopped, and if it is determined that it is not raining, the stop of the operation command to each open / close component is resumed. Therefore, even if it starts raining during the execution of the light show, it is possible to prevent the interior of the vehicle from getting wet. Furthermore, if the rain stops during the execution of the light show, the operation of the open / close components can be combined thereafter to entertain users and spectators.

[0050] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. <Operation Stop Processing During Light Show in Second Embodiment> Cockpit DC300 performs a light show execution stop process at the start of the light show.

[0051] 4, in the operation stop processing during light show execution, the cockpit DC 300 determines whether it is raining (step S11). If it is determined that it is raining (step S11: YES), the cockpit DC 300 controls the display 41 to stop issuing operation instructions to each opening and closing component (step S12). Next, the cockpit DC 300 controls the display 41 to execute an operation stop notification (step S13).

[0052] Next, the cockpit DC300 outputs information to the body DC400 instructing each open / close component to close (step S14). Then, the cockpit DC300 waits until the light show ends (step S15). Thereafter, the cockpit DC300 ends the operation stop processing during light show execution. Note that, upon completion of the operation stop processing during light show execution, the cockpit DC300 releases the stop of operation instructions to the movable components for which operation instructions have been stopped, and controls to end the operation stop notification.

[0053] <Actions and Effects of the Second Embodiment> (2-1) In the operation stop process during a light show according to the second embodiment, it is determined whether it is raining at the start of the light show, and then the process waits until the light show ends. This simplifies the process for stopping the operation instruction to each open / close component, compared to when it is necessary to repeatedly determine whether it is raining at regular intervals or each time each open / close component is operated.

[0054] <Example of change> This embodiment can be modified and implemented as follows. This embodiment and the following modified examples can be implemented in combination with each other within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0055] The running notification may be interrupted or terminated when the operation stop notification is executed on the display 41. Furthermore, when the operation stop notification is executed on the display 41, the operation stop notification and the running notification may be executed in parallel.

[0056] The running notification and the stopped operation notification may be displayed on separate displays. The display 41 that issues the operation stop notification is not limited to a display provided in the vehicle 100, but may be, for example, a display on a mobile device held by the user. In this case, the cockpit DC300 may provide information about the moving part whose operation instruction has been stopped to the display of the mobile device held by the user via a wireless network.

[0057] The notification of operation stoppage and the notification of operation in progress are not limited to being displayed on the display 41, but may be given by, for example, audio output from the speaker 42 or blinking of the light 57. The operation unit 43 is not limited to being provided in the vehicle 100, and may be, for example, an operation unit of a mobile device carried by the user. In this case, the cockpit DC300 may be configured to execute a light show when it receives information indicating that the operation unit of the mobile device carried by the user has been operated via a wireless network.

[0058] The number and positions of the cameras 15 may be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, the camera sensor device 10 is not limited to being connected to the driving assistance DC200, but may also be connected to the cockpit DC300 or the body DC400, or a combination thereof. In this case, the cockpit DC300 may perform rainfall determination processing based on information input from a camera sensor device connected to the cockpit DC300 or the body DC400.

[0059] The cockpit DC 300 may perform the rainfall determination process based on either information about an image of the surroundings of the vehicle 100 or information about the raindrop detection result.

[0060] The method of rainfall determination processing may be changed as appropriate. For example, the driving assistance DC200 or the body DC400 may perform the rainfall determination processing instead of the cockpit DC300. In this case, the driving assistance DC200 or the body DC400 outputs the determination results of the rainfall determination processing to the cockpit DC300. The cockpit DC300 may then stop or cancel operation instructions to each opening / closing component based on the determination results input from the driving assistance DC200 or the body DC400.

[0061] The control device 500 may include a transceiver that transmits the location information of the vehicle 100 to an external server and receives rainfall information related to rain in the area corresponding to the location information. In this case, the control device 500 may perform rainfall determination processing based on rainfall information received from the external server via the transceiver, instead of or in addition to information related to images of the surroundings of the vehicle 100 and information related to raindrop detection results. The rainfall information may be information indicating whether it is raining in the area corresponding to the location information at the time the rainfall information is received, or information predicting whether rain will fall within a predetermined time from the time the rainfall information is received.

[0062] When rainfall determination processing is performed based on multiple pieces of information, if it is determined that it is raining based on at least one piece of information, it may be determined that it is raining even when it is not determined that it is raining based on the other pieces of information. For example, suppose that rainfall determination processing is performed based on information about an image of the vehicle 100's surroundings, information about the raindrop detection results, and rainfall information received from an external server via a transceiver. In this case, if it is determined that it is raining based on at least one piece of information, it may be determined that it is raining even when it is not determined that it is raining based on the other pieces of information.

[0063] When it is determined that it is raining, the cockpit DC300 may output ignore instruction information instructing the body DC400 to ignore operation instructions to each opening / closing component. In this case, when the body DC400 receives operation instruction information instructing the operation of a predetermined opening / closing component after receiving ignore instruction information for each opening / closing component, the body DC400 may stop the operation of the predetermined opening / closing component by ignoring the operation instruction information.

[0064] When it is determined that it is raining, the cockpit DC300 may stop issuing operation commands to the moving parts, including the moving parts that are not in the second state. For example, when it is determined that it is raining, the cockpit DC300 may stop issuing operation commands to all moving parts.

[0065] In the operation stop process during a light show, the frequency of determining whether it is raining may be changed as appropriate. For example, the cockpit DC300 may determine whether it is raining before operating an open / close component each time the open / close component is operated during a light show.

[0066] In the operation stop process during a light show, the waiting time after outputting the information instructing the closing of each open / close component (step S6 in FIG. 3) may be changed as appropriate. For example, it may be a time shorter than the time required for each open / close component to close.

[0067] During the light show, multiple types of music may be output from the speaker 42. In this case, the music to be output may be selected by operating the operation unit 43. There may be multiple types of program patterns for the light show. The program patterns for the light show may be configured to be user-configurable.

[0068] The trigger for ending the light show may be changed as appropriate. For example, the cockpit DC300 may end the light show when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the light show. Alternatively, the cockpit DC300 may end the light show based on an instruction from the operation unit 43.

[0069] The various electrical components operated in the light show may be changed as appropriate. For example, the hood, fuel filler cap, charging port, etc. of the vehicle 100 may be operated. Also, any or all of the doors, mirrors, lights, windows, and sunroof may not be operated. In other words, in the light show, at least one moving part may be operated in sync with the music output from the speaker 42. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 10...camera sensor device 15...camera 41...display 42...speaker 43...operation unit 50...light control unit 57...light 60...door control unit 66...door 70...mirror control unit 73...side mirror 80...window control unit 85...window 90...sunroof control unit 91...sunroof 99...rainfall sensor device 100...vehicle 200...driving assistance DC 300...cockpit DC 400...body DC 500...control device

Claims

1. A control device is applied to a vehicle having a movable part that can be in a first state in which an interior space of the vehicle is isolated from an exterior space of the vehicle, and a second state in which the interior space of the vehicle is connected to the exterior space of the vehicle, and controls the movable part, A rainfall determination process can be executed to determine whether it is raining, When it is determined that it is raining in the rainfall determination process, the movable part is not controlled to the second state. Vehicle control device.

2. The movable parts include at least one of a door and a power window. The vehicle control device according to claim 1 .

3. The vehicle further includes a speaker; a specific process for outputting music from the speaker and operating the movable part is executable; When it is determined that it is raining in the rainfall determination process, music is output from the speaker without controlling the movable part to the second state in the identification process. The vehicle control device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The movable part is a first movable part, the vehicle further includes a second movable part that is not in the second state; the specific processing can control to output music from the speaker and operate the first movable part and the second movable part, When it is determined that it is raining in the rainfall determination process, the identification process outputs music from the speaker and operates the second movable part without controlling the first movable part to the second state. The vehicle control device according to claim 3.

5. The second moving part is a side mirror. The vehicle control device according to claim 4.

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