Notification device

Abstract

To appropriately perform notification that prompts usage of an assistive tool.SOLUTION: A notification device 1 comprises: an occupant detection unit 11a capable of detecting an occupant Mc in a vehicle; a notification unit 23 for performing notification to the occupant Mc; and a determination unit 11b for determining whether the occupant Mc is using an assistive tool 5. The occupant detection unit 11a acquires identification information related to the assistive tool 5 from the occupant Mc. The determination unit 11b determines whether the occupant Mc is a usage target of the assistive tool 5 on the basis of the identification information. The notification unit 23 performs notification processing for prompting usage of the assistive tool 5 when the occupant Mc is determined as the usage target of the assistive tool 5.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a notification device that determines the presence or absence of an occupant, the occupant's physique, and the state of the seat belt (Child Restraint System; CRS) for each seat in the vehicle from an image taken inside the vehicle, and urges the occupant to fasten the seat belt based on the determination result (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Furthermore, when the notification device described in Patent Document 1 detects a seat in which a child seat is installed, it changes the operating conditions so that the pretensioner of that seat is not activated. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-222145 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, for small children, it is desirable to use a support device such as a child car seat, and in recent years, the obligation to use child car seats has been expanding in various countries. However, conventional technology is unable to provide a notification urging the driver to install a child car seat when a child is seated in a seat that does not have a child car seat installed. The present application aims to solve the above-mentioned problems by providing appropriate notifications to encourage the use of assistive devices, thereby further improving traffic safety and contributing to the development of sustainable transportation systems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure is a notification device that includes an occupant detection unit that can detect occupants in a vehicle, a notification unit that notifies the occupant, and a determination unit that determines whether the occupant is using an assistive device, wherein the occupant detection unit acquires identification information related to the assistive device from the occupant, the determination unit determines whether the occupant is a target for use of the assistive device based on the identification information, and the notification unit performs a notification process to encourage the occupant to use the assistive device if it is determined that the occupant is a target for use of the assistive device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to appropriately issue a notification encouraging the use of an assistive device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a vehicle equipped with a notification device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the basic operation of the notification device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating step S3 in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the flowchart of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle equipped with a notification device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the basic operation of the notification device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating step S7a in step 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a partial modification of the basic operation of the notification device. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a partial modification of the basic operation of the notification device 1. In FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the flowchart of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle 100 equipped with a notification device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The notification device 1 includes some of the functions of an ECU 10 (Electronic Control Unit) provided in a vehicle 100, an imaging device 21 that captures images of the interior of the vehicle, a weight sensor 22 attached to the seat, and a notification unit 23 that notifies information to passengers in the vehicle. The vehicle is provided with seats consisting of a front seat 2F that constitutes the front seat and a rear seat 2R that constitutes the rear seat.

[0009] The photographing device 21 is a camera that photographs occupants and is capable of photographing occupants inside the vehicle. The photographing device 21 of this embodiment is attached to the interior ceiling and is capable of photographing an occupant on the rear seat 2R (hereinafter referred to as occupant Mc). The position and number of the photographing devices 21 may be changed as appropriate.

[0010] The weight sensor 22 is a sensor that can detect the weight of an occupant Mc on the rear seat 2R. As shown in Fig. 1, when the occupant Mc is a small child, there are two cases: the child alone is present on the rear seat 2R, and the child and an auxiliary device 5 such as a child seat are present on the rear seat 2R. The weight sensor 22 detects the weight of the child alone when the child alone is present on the rear seat 2R, and detects the total weight of the auxiliary device 5 and the child when the auxiliary device 5 and the child are present on the rear seat 2R.

[0011] In this embodiment, the photographing device 21 and the weight sensor 22 are arranged assuming that a child (occupant Mc), who is the intended user of the assisting device 5, is seated on the rear seat 2R. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the positions and numbers of the photographing device 21 and the weight sensor 22 may be changed as appropriate. For example, a photographing device 21 capable of photographing a child on the front seat 2F (for example, the passenger seat) and a weight sensor 22 capable of detecting the weight of the child on the front seat 2F (for example, the passenger seat) and the assisting device 5 may be provided. The auxiliary device 5 that restrains a child (occupant Mc) in the vehicle 100 is called a Child Restraint System (CRS), a Child Restraint, or a child restraint system, and will be referred to as CRS 5 in the following description.

[0012] The notification unit 23 is a device that notifies the occupant, and in this embodiment, includes a display device that can notify at least the occupant on the front seat 2F. The occupant on the front seat 2F is, for example, a guardian of a child on the rear seat 2F. The notification unit 23 may further include an audio output device capable of outputting audio, and may perform notification using both a display and audio. A wide range of known devices capable of notifying occupants may be applied to the notification unit 23, and the position and number of the notification units 23 may also be changed as appropriate.

[0013] The ECU 10 includes a processor 11, a memory 12, an input / output interface circuit, etc. The memory 12 stores a control program 12p used by the processor 11 and various data.

[0014] The processor 11 is an arithmetic processing device that controls each part of the notification unit 23 and performs arithmetic processing. By reading and executing a program 12p, the processor 11 functions as an occupant detection unit 11a that detects an occupant Mc in the vehicle, a determination unit 11b that determines whether the detected occupant Mc is a target (suitable person) for use with the assistive device 5, and the like. The occupant detection unit 11a includes a weight detection unit 11a1 that can detect the weight of the occupant Mc based on the detection result of the weight sensor 22, and an occupant image detection unit 11a2 that can detect an image of the occupant Mc and the age of the occupant Mc based on image data from the photographing device 21.

[0015] The occupant image detection unit 11a2 utilizes well-known image recognition technology to have the functions of detecting whether or not an occupant Mc is present based on image data from the photographing device 21, detecting a facial image of the occupant Mc, and estimating the age from the facial image. The occupant detection unit 11a and the determination unit 11b are not limited to being configured by software processing, but may be configured by hardware or by a combination of hardware and software processing.

[0016] In this embodiment, when the occupant detection unit 11a and the determination unit 11b detect the presence of a child who is a target user of the CRS 5, which is a child seat, the notification unit 23 issues a notification to the occupant encouraging them to use the CRS 5. By issuing a notification encouraging them to use the CRS 5, when an occupant Mc who is a target user of the CRS 5 is riding in the rear seat 2R, as shown by the symbol α in FIG. 1, it is possible to encourage a guardian or the like in the vehicle (for example, an occupant in the front seat 2F) to use the CRS 5.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the basic operation of the notification device 1 (corresponding to the assistive device notification process). 2, when the vehicle power supply is ON (e.g., the ignition is ON) (step S1; YES), the processor 11 acquires the weight Wt of the occupant Mc using the weight detection unit 11a1 (step S2). Next, the processor 11 determines whether the weight Wt of the occupant Mc is less than a predetermined weight ma using the determination unit 11b (step S3), and if the weight Wt is less than the predetermined weight ma, determines that there is a possibility that a child not using the CRS 5 is present (step S3; YES).

[0018] 3, the predetermined weight ma is set to a value in the range of less than or equal to the total weight (e.g., mean, median, lower limit, or a value therearound) of "children (=CRS subjects) who qualify as users of CRS5 + CRS5" and more than or equal to the weight (e.g., upper limit, mean, median, or a value therearound) of the "CRS subjects." In other words, the predetermined weight ma is set to a threshold value that can distinguish between the weight of a CRS subject including CRS5 and the weight of a CRS subject not including CRS5. This makes it possible to identify whether or not there is a CRS subject who is not using CRS5 by comparing the detected weight Wt with a predetermined weight ma.

[0019] However, if the weight of the luggage placed on the rear seat 2R corresponds to that of a CRS target person who is not using CRS5, the judgment in step S3 shown in Figure 2 will be positive, and therefore this judgment alone cannot accurately identify the presence of a CRS target person who is not using CRS5.

[0020] 2, if the determination in step S3 is affirmative (step S3; YES), the processor 11 acquires an image Gd consisting of image data captured by the image capture device 21 using the occupant image detection unit 11a2 (step S4), and determines whether an occupant Mc is present based on the image Gd (step S5). As a result, the determinations in steps S3 and S5 enable highly accurate determination of whether a CRS target person who is not using CRS 5 is present in the vehicle.

[0021] On the other hand, if the vehicle power supply is not ON (step S1; NO), or if the detected weight Wt is equal to or greater than the predetermined weight ma (step S3; NO), or if it is determined based on the image Gd that the occupant Mc is not present in the vehicle (step S5; NO), the processor 11 terminates the auxiliary device notification processing shown in Figure 2. 2 can be repeatedly executed at a predetermined interruption period while the vehicle power is ON, thereby continuously monitoring whether there is a CRS subject who is not using the CRS 5. In addition, the entry and exit of the occupant Mc may be detected via the opening and closing of the door of the vehicle 100, and the auxiliary device notification process shown in FIG. 2 may be executed each time the opening and closing of the door is detected.

[0022] If a CRS target person who is not using the CRS5 is present in the vehicle (step S5; YES), the processor 11 estimates the age Ag of the occupant Mc based on the acquired image Gd using the occupant image detection unit 11a2 (step S6). Next, the processor 11 determines whether the estimated age Ag is less than a predetermined age (less than 6 years old in this embodiment) using the determination unit 11b (step S7). If the age Ag is less than 6 years old (step S7; YES), the processor 11 performs a notification process to encourage the use of the CRS5 using the notification unit 23 (step S8). In this case, the notification unit 23 may, for example, display a message such as "We recommend using a child seat" or notify the user by voice. The content of the notification process may be changed as appropriate.

[0023] On the other hand, if the age Ag is 6 years or older (step S7; NO), the processor 11 does not perform the notification process to encourage the use of the CRS 5. As a result, as shown in Fig. 4, the notification process to encourage the use of the CRS 5 is performed only when an occupant Mc under the age of 6 is present, and the notification process to encourage the use of the CRS 5 is not performed when an occupant Mc aged 6 years or older is present. Currently, the obligation to wear CRS5 is expanding in various countries, and in Japan, it is now mandatory for children under the age of six (infants). Therefore, in Japan, by executing a notification process to encourage the use of CRS5 only when there is an occupant Mc under the age of six in the vehicle, compliance with the obligation to wear CRS5 can be promoted and safety can be improved. On the other hand, since the notification process is not executed when an occupant Mc who is not required to wear CRS5 is riding in the vehicle, it is possible to avoid situations where CRS5 use is excessively forced.

[0024] Here, the information acquired in the first embodiment, i.e., the weight Wt of the occupant Mc, the image Gd of the occupant Mc, and the age Ag of the occupant Mc, corresponds to the "identification information related to the assistive device" of the present invention. That is, in the first embodiment, the determination unit 11b determines whether or not a CRS target person who is not using the CRS 5 is in the vehicle based on the weight Wt, the image Gd, and the age Ag, and if a CRS target person who is not using the CRS 5 is in the vehicle, the notification unit 23 performs a notification process to encourage the use of the CRS 5. This allows the notification process to be properly performed to prompt the installation of the CRS 5, thereby enabling the CRS 5 to properly protect the occupant Mc.

[0025] The configuration of the notification unit 23 and the assistive device notification process may be changed as appropriate. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle 100 equipped with a notification device 1 according to the second embodiment. The second embodiment includes a radar sensor 24 capable of acquiring 3D point cloud data of the occupant Mc using radar light, but does not include the weight sensor 22 of the first embodiment. The ECU 10 also includes an occupant image detection unit 11a2 and an occupant height detection unit 11a3 capable of detecting the height of the occupant Mc based on point cloud data indicating the external shape of the occupant Mc, by the processor 11 reading and executing the program 12p. The notification device 1 of the second embodiment also does not include the weight detection unit 11a1 of the first embodiment. Note that the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0026] The radar sensor 24 is attached to the interior ceiling of the vehicle 100 and is capable of acquiring 3D point cloud data of at least the occupant Mc sitting on the rear seat 2R. The occupant height detection unit 11a3 is capable of detecting the height of the head of the occupant Mc based on the acquired point cloud data. The position and number of the radar sensor 24 may be changed as appropriate, and for example, 3D point cloud data of the occupant Mc sitting on the front seat 2F (e.g., the passenger seat) may be acquired. Also, instead of the radar sensor 24, other sensors such as a stereo camera may be used to acquire 3D point cloud data of the occupant Mc within a range that provides the required accuracy.

[0027] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the basic operation (corresponding to the assisting tool notification process) of the notification device 1 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, when the vehicle power supply is ON (e.g., the ignition is ON) (step S1; YES), the processor 11 acquires an image Gd consisting of the photographing data of the photographing device 21 using the occupant image detection unit 11a2 (step S2a), and determines whether or not an occupant Mc is present based on the acquired image Gd (step 3a).

[0028] If it is determined that an occupant Mc is present (step S3a; YES), the processor 11 estimates the age Ag of the occupant Mc based on the acquired image Gd using the occupant image detection unit 11a2 (step S4a), and determines whether the estimated age Ag is less than 6 years old using the determination unit 11b (step S5a). If the age Ag is less than 6 years old (step S5a; YES), the processor 11 detects the head height Hm of the occupant Mc using the occupant height detection unit 11a3 (step S6a), and determines whether a CRS target person who is not using CRS 5 is present based on the head height Hm (step S7a).

[0029] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating step S7a. 7, the head height Ha of a CRS subject when the CRS5 is not in use is lower than the head height Hb of a CRS subject when the CRS5 is in use. In the processing of step S7a, a predetermined height Hc is set that can distinguish between the head height Ha of a CRS subject when the CRS5 is not in use and the head height Hb of a CRS subject when the CRS is in use, and if the detected head height Hm is less than the predetermined height Hc, it is determined that there is a CRS subject who is not using the CRS5.

[0030] Since there is variation in the height of CRS subjects and the size of the CRS5, the specified height Hc can be set to an appropriate value within a range that takes these factors into consideration and provides sufficient accuracy.For example, by setting the specified height Hc to the lower limit of the head height Hb of a CRS subject when using a CRS5, if the head height Hm is less than the specified height hc, it becomes easier to identify with high accuracy that the CRS subject is not using a CRS5.

[0031] 7 illustrates a case where it is determined whether or not there is a CRS subject who is not using the CRS 5 based on the head height relative to the bottom surface of the rear seat 2R, but this is not limiting. For example, it may be determined whether or not there is a CRS subject who is not using the CRS 5 based on the vertical center position of the head, the position (height) of the eyes, or the position (height) of the nose. In short, the head height may be set appropriately within a range that allows it to be determined whether or not there is a CRS subject who is not using the CRS 5.

[0032] Returning to FIG. 6, if it is determined that there is a CRS subject who is not using the CRS 5 (step S7a; YES), the processor 11 performs a notification process to prompt the CRS 5 to be used by the notification unit 23 (step S8). As shown in Figure 6, if the vehicle power is not ON (step S1; NO), if there is no occupant Mc based on the image Gd (step S3a), if the age Ag is 6 years or older (step S5a; NO), or if there is no CRS target person who is not using CRS5 (step S7a; NO), the processor 11 does not perform notification processing to encourage the use of CRS5.

[0033] In the second embodiment, the image Gd indicating whether or not an occupant Mc is present, the age Ag, and the head height Hm of the occupant Mc correspond to the "identification information related to the assistive device" of the present invention. That is, in the second embodiment, the determination unit 11b determines whether or not a CRS target who is not using the CRS 5 is in the vehicle based on the image Gd, the age Ag, and the head height Hm, and if a CRS target who is not using the CRS 5 is in the vehicle, the notification unit 23 can perform notification processing to encourage the use of the CRS 5. This allows for an appropriate notification to prompt the driver to attach the CRS 5, and similarly to the first embodiment, advantageous effects such as the CRS 5 being able to appropriately protect the occupant Mc can be obtained.

[0034] In the second embodiment, the weight sensor 22 is not required, and therefore there is no need to prepare a rear seat 2R equipped with a weight sensor. Furthermore, by utilizing the radar sensor 24, the height Hm of the occupant Mc's head is detected as information that changes depending on whether or not the CRS 5 is in use, and this height Hm is used as one piece of identification information for determining whether or not a CRS target person who is not using the CRS 5 is in the vehicle. This makes it easier to ensure sufficient accuracy in determining whether or not a CRS target person who is not using the CRS 5 is in the vehicle.

[0035] The configurations and basic operations (corresponding to the assistive device notification process) of the first and second embodiments can be modified as appropriate. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a modified example of a part of the basic operation (corresponding to the auxiliary device notification process) of the notification device 1. As shown in Fig. 8, the processor 11 uses image recognition technology with the occupant image detection unit 11a2 to detect the fastening position of the seat belt 7 for the occupant Mc (step S1b), and determines whether the fastening position of the seat belt 7 for the occupant Mc is inappropriate (or can also be said to be incompatible) (step S2b).

[0036] 8, if the occupant Mc is smaller than the intended user of the seat belt 7, the seat belt 7 will deviate from the appropriate position for the occupant Mc, so it can be determined that the occupant is not intended to use the seat belt 7, that is, the seat belt 7 can be determined to be inappropriate. On the other hand, if the occupant Mc has a body size that is appropriate for the intended user of the seat belt 7, the seat belt 7 is in the appropriate position for the occupant Mc, so it can be determined that the occupant is intended to use the seat belt 7, that is, the seat belt 7 can be determined to be appropriate. By having the determination unit 11b make this determination, it can be determined whether the seat belt 7 is inappropriate or not based on the wearing position of the seat belt 7.

[0037] If the seat belt 7 is inappropriate (step S2b; inappropriate), the processor 11 causes the notification unit 23 to perform notification processing to prompt the use of the CRS 5 (step S8). On the other hand, if the seat belt 7 is appropriate (step S2b; appropriate), the processor 11 ends the basic operation. As a result, when an occupant Mc who is not eligible to use the seat belt 7 gets on board, a notification process can be executed to encourage the use of the CRS 5, and when an occupant Mc who is eligible to use the seat belt 7 gets on board, the notification process to encourage the use of the CRS 5 can be prevented from being executed, thereby avoiding a situation where the use of the CRS 5, etc. is excessively forced.

[0038] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a partial modification of the basic operation (corresponding to the auxiliary tool notification process) of the notification device 1. In Fig. 9, the occupant height detection unit 11a3 can detect the height Lm of the occupant Mc present on the rear seat 2R. The configuration of the occupant height detection unit 11a3 is not particularly limited, but for example, the image capture device 21 may be disposed so as to capture an image of the entire body of the occupant Mc when the occupant Mc enters or exits the vehicle 100, and the occupant height detection unit 11a3 may use image recognition technology to estimate the height Lm of the occupant Mc from the entire body image of the occupant Mc in the image Gd of the image capture device 21. Alternatively, the radar sensor 24 may be disposed so as to be able to acquire 3D point cloud data including at least the head of the occupant Mc when entering or exiting the vehicle 100, and the occupant height detection unit 11a3 may detect the height Lm of the occupant Mc based on the point cloud data.

[0039] As shown in Figure 9, the processor 11 estimates the age Ag of the occupant Mc based on the acquired image Gd using the occupant image detection unit 11a2 (step S6), and if the estimated age Ag is under 6 years old (step S7; YES), the notification unit 23 performs a first notification process to encourage the use of CRS5 (step S8c).

[0040] On the other hand, if the estimated age Ag is 6 years or older (step S7; NO), the processor 11 detects the height Lm of the occupant Mc using the occupant height detection unit 11a3 (step S10c), and determines whether the height Lm of the occupant Mc is less than a predetermined height La using the judgment unit 11b (step S11c). The predetermined height La is set to the upper limit of height for which the seat belt 7 is not suitable, or a value around that limit. As shown in Fig. 10, the predetermined height La is set, for example, to the upper limit of height (e.g., 140 cm) for which the seat belt 7 cannot be used. This predetermined height La also includes the height of people aged 6 or over, for whom wearing a CRS 5 is not mandatory.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 10, for an occupant Mc under the age of 6, an appropriate CRS can be a CRS 5 for children under the age of 6. For an occupant Mc aged 6 or older and having a height of La or less, an appropriate assisting device 5 can be a child car seat or junior car seat that can accommodate children up to the height La, or an infant assisting belt that can accommodate children up to the height La. For an occupant Mc whose height exceeds La, an appropriate assisting device 5 is a seat belt 7.

[0042] The first notification process shown in Fig. 9 is a notification process for encouraging occupant Mc under the age of six to use an appropriate CRS 5, for example, by displaying a message such as "We recommend using a child seat." This makes it possible to encourage the use of an appropriate CRS 5 from among multiple types of CRSs, and also promote compliance with the obligation to wear a CRS 5. On the other hand, if the height Lm of the occupant Mc is less than the predetermined height La (step S7; YES), the processor 11 causes the notification unit 23 to perform a second notification process to prompt the use of another CRS (step S12c).

[0043] The second notification process is different from the first notification process and is a process for encouraging the use of a CRS compatible with heights up to La. For example, the second notification process displays a message such as, "We recommend using a child car seat, junior car seat, or infant restraint belt compatible with heights up to La." This makes it possible to encourage the use of an appropriate CRS during the recommended CRS wearing period, which is the period from age 6 onwards up to height La as shown in FIG. 10.

[0044] It is preferable that the first notification process be executed with a higher notification intensity than the second notification process. The notification intensity refers to the strength of the notification that attracts the interest or attention of the occupant (e.g., the guardian of the occupant Mc). For example, the notification intensity can be changed by changing the content of the message to be displayed, the font type, the font size, the message decoration and background, the audio such as sound effects, and the volume.

[0045] By executing the first notification process with a higher notification intensity than the second notification process, when an occupant Mc who is required to wear CRS 5 gets on board, it is possible to strongly recommend the use of CRS 5. Also, when an occupant Mc who is not required to wear CRS but who prefers to wear CRS gets on board, it is possible to suggest or advise the use of the preferred CRS, thereby avoiding a situation where CRS use is excessively forced.

[0046] 9, the notification process to prompt the use of CRS is not executed for an occupant Mc whose height exceeds La. This makes it possible to avoid a situation where the use of CRS is prompted when an occupant Mc who is a target of CRS use is not in the vehicle. In another embodiment, an occupant height detection unit 11a3 can be used to detect the height of the occupant Mc (head height Hm, vertical center position of the head, position (height) of the eyes and nose) which changes depending on whether or not the CRS5 is being used, and if it is determined that the height of the occupant Mc is above a predetermined height that makes it possible to identify whether or not the height of the occupant Mc is using the CRS5, a notification process to encourage the use of the CRS5 may not be performed.

[0047] As described above, the notification device 1 includes an occupant detection unit 11a, a notification unit 23, and a determination unit 11b that determines whether or not the occupant Mc is using the CRS5. The occupant detection unit 11a acquires identification information related to the CRS5 from the occupant Mc (for example, at least one of the weight Wt of the occupant Mc, the image Gd of the occupant Mc, and the age Ag of the occupant Mc). The determination unit 11b determines whether or not the occupant Mc is eligible to use the CRS5 based on the identification information. If the notification unit 23 determines that the occupant Mc is eligible to use the CRS5, it performs a notification process to encourage the occupant Mc to use the CRS5. This configuration makes it possible to appropriately notify drivers to use the CRS 5, thereby enabling the CRS 5 to appropriately protect the occupant Mc. This in turn can further improve traffic safety and contribute to the development of a sustainable transportation system.

[0048] In addition, the occupant detection unit 11a is equipped with an occupant height detection unit 11a3 that can detect the height of the occupant Mc (e.g., equivalent to at least one of the head height Hm and the height Lm), and the above-mentioned identification information is information related to the auxiliary device 5 other than the height of the occupant Mc (e.g., at least one of the weight Wt of the occupant Mc, the image Gd of the occupant Mc, and the age Ag of the occupant Mc).The determination unit 11b further determines whether the occupant Mc is a target for use of the CRS 5 based on the height of the occupant Mc, and the notification unit 23 performs a notification process to encourage the use of the CRS (equivalent to steps S10c to S12c shown in FIG. 9) when it is determined that the occupant Mc is not a target for use of the CRS 5 (equivalent to step S7; NO shown in FIG. 9) and when it is determined that the occupant Mc is a target for use of a CRS (equivalent to a child seat or the like that is compatible with up to height La shown in FIG. 10) based on the height of the occupant Mc. According to this configuration, it is possible to appropriately notify the driver to use the CRS, and it is possible to appropriately protect the occupant Mc by the CRS.

[0049] In addition, the occupant detection unit 11a can detect the wearing position of the seat belt 7 for the occupant Mc, and the judgment unit 11b determines whether the seat belt 7 is appropriate for the occupant Mc based on the wearing position, and if it determines that the seat belt 7 is not appropriate for the occupant Mc, it determines that the occupant Mc is eligible to use a CRS 5 other than the seat belt 7. According to this configuration, if the seat belt 7 is not suitable for the body of the occupant Mc, that is, if the occupant Mc is smaller than the intended user of the seat belt 7, the use of a CRS 5 other than the seat belt 7 can be encouraged, thereby enabling appropriate protection of the occupant Mc.

[0050] In addition, when the judgment unit 11b determines that the occupant Mc is a target for use of the CRS5 based on the identification information, the notification unit 23 performs a first notification process to encourage the use of the CRS5, and when the judgment unit 11b determines that the occupant Mc is not a target for use of the CRS5 and that the height of the occupant Mc is less than a predetermined height Hc, the notification unit 23 performs a second notification process different from the first notification process. According to this configuration, different notifications can be given when the occupant Mc is determined to be a target for use of the CRS 5 based on the identification information and when the occupant Mc is determined to be a target for use of the CRS based on the height of the occupant Mc. This makes it possible to suggest or advise the occupant Mc on the use of a preferred CRS.

[0051] Moreover, the first notification process is a notification process that encourages the use of CRS5 (e.g., a child seat), and the second notification process is a notification process that encourages the use of another CRS (e.g., a child seat, junior seat, or infant support belt that is suitable for a relatively tall person) when the height of the occupant Mc is below a predetermined height. This configuration can encourage the occupant Mc to use the CRS more appropriately. The CRS 5 is an example of the "first assistive device" of the present invention, and another CRS is an example of the "second assistive device" of the present invention.

[0052] In addition, by executing the first notification process with a higher notification intensity than the second notification process, the notification unit 23 can provide appropriate notifications, such as strongly recommending the use of CRS5 in the case of occupant Mc who is obligated to wear CRS5.

[0053] In addition, the occupant detection unit 11a further includes a weight detection unit 11a1 capable of detecting the weight Wt of the occupant Mc including the CRS 5, and the judgment unit 11b judges whether the weight Wt is equal to or greater than a predetermined weight ma that can distinguish whether it is the total weight of the CRS 5 and the occupant Mc or the weight of the occupant Mc alone, and if it is judged that the weight Wt is equal to or greater than the predetermined weight ma, the notification unit 23 does not perform notification processing to encourage the use of the CRS 5. According to this configuration, when the occupant Mc is using the CRS 5, it is possible to avoid a situation in which a notification process is performed to prompt the occupant Mc to use the CRS 5.

[0054] In addition, the occupant detection unit 11a further includes an occupant height detection unit 11a3 that can detect the height of the occupant Mc (for example, at least one of the head height Hm, the vertical center position of the head, and the position (height) of the eyes and nose) that changes depending on whether or not the CRS5 is being used, and the notification unit 23 does not perform notification processing to encourage the use of the CRS5 when the judgment unit 11b determines that the height Hm of the occupant Mc is equal to or greater than a predetermined height that makes it possible to identify whether or not the height of the occupant Mc is using the CRS5. According to this configuration, when the occupant Mc is using the CRS 5, it is possible to avoid a situation in which a notification process is performed to prompt the occupant Mc to use the CRS 5. Here, the head height Hm of the occupant Mc is the height of the head of the occupant Mc relative to the seat in the vehicle, and can be said to be a height equivalent to the seated height of the occupant Mc. Therefore, the height Hm of the occupant Mc can be easily detected even when the occupant Mc is seated in the seat in the vehicle.

[0055] The present invention is not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0056] For example, in each of the above embodiments, the vehicle 100 may be configured to be able to set whether the vehicle is being driven for personal use or for commercial use, and the determination unit 11b may determine whether the occupant Mc is a target for use of the CRS 5 when the vehicle is being driven for personal use, but may not determine whether the occupant Mc is a target for use of the CRS 5 when the vehicle is being driven for commercial use. This allows the notification process to prompt the vehicle to use the CRS 5 to be performed only when the vehicle is being driven for personal use and the occupant Mc is not a target for use of the CRS 5, thereby preventing excessive notification process prompting the vehicle to use the CRS 5 from being performed when the vehicle is being driven for commercial use. This allows the notification prompting the vehicle to use the CRS to be performed appropriately, enabling the CRS to appropriately protect the occupant Mc.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the present invention has been described as being applied to the notification device 1 and vehicle 100 shown in Fig. 1 etc., but is not limited to this. The types, combinations, and numbers of sensors included in the notification device 1 may be changed as appropriate. The division of processing units and the processing order of each flowchart are not limited to the examples shown in the drawings.

[0058] The program 12p may also be stored in an external device or apparatus and acquired via communication. The program 12p may also be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The recording medium may be a magnetic or optical recording medium or a semiconductor memory device. Specific examples include portable or fixed recording media such as flexible disks, various optical disks, magneto-optical disks, flash memories, and card-type recording media. The recording medium may also be a non-volatile storage device such as a RAM, ROM, or HDD, which is an internal storage device provided in the image display device.

[0059] [Configuration supported by the above embodiment] The above embodiment is a specific example of the following configuration.

[0060] (Configuration 1) A notification device comprising an occupant detection unit capable of detecting occupants in a vehicle, a notification unit that notifies the occupant, and a judgment unit that judges whether the occupant is using an assistive device, wherein the occupant detection unit acquires identification information related to the assistive device from the occupant, the judgment unit judges whether the occupant is a target for use of the assistive device based on the identification information, and the notification unit performs a notification process to encourage the occupant to use the assistive device if it is judged that the occupant is a target for use of the assistive device. This configuration allows for appropriate notification to encourage the use of assistive devices, enabling the assistive devices to adequately protect the occupant's assistive devices, which in turn further improves traffic safety and contributes to the development of a sustainable transportation system.

[0061] (Configuration 2) The notification device described in Configuration 1, wherein the occupant detection unit includes an occupant height detection unit capable of detecting the height of the occupant, the identification information is information related to the assistive device other than the height of the occupant, the determination unit further determines whether the occupant is a target for use of the assistive device based on the height of the occupant, and the notification unit performs notification processing to encourage use of the assistive device when it is determined that the occupant is not a target for use of the assistive device and is determined that the occupant is a target for use of the assistive device based on the height of the occupant. According to this configuration, it is possible to appropriately notify the driver to use the assistive device, and the assistive device can appropriately protect the occupant.

[0062] (Configuration 3) The occupant detection unit is capable of detecting the wearing position of the seat belt for the occupant, and the judgment unit determines whether the seat belt is appropriate for the occupant based on the wearing position, and if it determines that the seat belt is not appropriate for the occupant, it determines that the occupant is a candidate for using the auxiliary device other than the seat belt. According to this configuration, when an occupant whose body size is smaller than that of a seat belt is in the vehicle, the occupant can be encouraged to use an auxiliary device other than a seat belt, thereby ensuring appropriate protection of the occupant.

[0063] (Configuration 4) The notification device described in Configuration 2, wherein the notification unit performs a first notification process when the determination unit determines that the occupant is a target for use of the assistive device based on the identification information, and performs a second notification process different from the first notification process when the determination unit determines that the occupant is not a target for use of the assistive device and that the height of the occupant is less than a predetermined height. According to this configuration, different notifications can be given depending on whether the occupant is determined to be a candidate for the assistive device based on the identification information or the occupant is determined to be a candidate for the assistive device based on the occupant's height, making it possible to suggest or advise the occupant on the use of a preferred assistive device.

[0064] (Configuration 5) A notification device as described in Configuration 4, wherein the first notification process is a notification process that encourages the use of a first assistive device, and the second notification process is a notification process that encourages the use of a second assistive device that is suitable when the height of the occupant is below a predetermined height. This configuration can encourage the occupant to use the assistive device more appropriately.

[0065] (Configuration 6) The notification device according to Configuration 5, wherein the notification unit executes the first notification process with a higher notification intensity than the second notification process. According to this configuration, for example, in the case of a passenger who is obligated to wear a support device, it is possible to provide an appropriate notification, such as strongly recommending the use of the support device.

[0066] (Configuration 7) A notification device described in any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein the occupant detection unit further includes a weight detection unit capable of detecting the weight of the occupant including the assistive device, and the determination unit determines whether the weight is equal to or greater than a predetermined weight, and if it is determined that the weight is equal to or greater than the predetermined weight, the notification unit does not perform notification processing to encourage the use of the assistive device. According to this configuration, when an occupant is using an assistive device, it is possible to avoid a situation in which a notification process is performed to prompt the occupant to use the assistive device.

[0067] (Configuration 8) The occupant detection unit further includes an occupant height detection unit capable of detecting the height of the occupant, which changes depending on whether or not the assistive device is being used, and the notification unit does not perform notification processing to encourage the use of the assistive device when the determination unit determines that the height is equal to or greater than a predetermined height. According to this configuration, when an occupant is using an assistive device, it is possible to avoid a situation in which a notification process is performed to prompt the occupant to use the assistive device.

[0068] (Configuration 9) The notification device according to Configuration 8, wherein the height of the occupant is the height of the occupant's head relative to the seat in the vehicle. With this configuration, the height of the occupant can be easily detected even when the occupant is seated in a seat inside the vehicle.

[0069] (Configuration 10) A notification device described in any one of configurations 1 to 9, in which the vehicle can be set to a driving state for personal use or a driving state for commercial use, and the determination unit determines whether the occupant is a target for use of the assistive device when the vehicle is in the driving state for personal use. With this configuration, notification processing urging the use of assistive devices can be performed only when the vehicle is being driven for personal use and there is a passenger on board who is not eligible to use the assistive device, thereby avoiding a situation where notification processing urging the use of assistive devices excessively is performed in the case of commercial use. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1...notification device, 2F...front seat (seat), 2R...rear seat (seat), 5...assistive device (CRS), 7...seat belt, 10...ECU, 11...processor, 11a...occupant detection unit, 11a1...weight detection unit, 11a2...occupant image detection unit, 11a3...occupant height detection unit, 11b...determination unit, 12...memory, 12p...program, 21...imaging device, 22...weight sensor, 23...notification unit, 24...radar sensor, 100...vehicle, Mc...occupant.

Claims

1. an occupant detection unit capable of detecting an occupant in a vehicle; a notification unit that notifies the occupant; a determination unit that determines whether the occupant is using an assistive device, the occupant detection unit acquires identification information related to the assistive device from the occupant; The determination unit determines whether the occupant is a target for use of the assistive device based on the identification information, The notification unit performs a notification process to prompt the occupant to use the assistive device when the occupant is determined to be a target for use of the assistive device. Notification device.

2. the occupant detection unit includes an occupant height detection unit capable of detecting the height of the occupant, The identification information is information related to the assistive device other than the height of the occupant, The determination unit further determines whether the occupant is a target for use of the assistive device based on the height of the occupant, The notification unit performs a notification process to prompt the occupant to use the assistive device when it is determined that the occupant is not a target for use of the assistive device and when it is determined that the occupant is a target for use of the assistive device based on the height of the occupant. The notification device of claim 1 .

3. the occupant detection unit is capable of detecting a fastening position of a seat belt with respect to the occupant, The determination unit determines whether the seat belt is suitable for the occupant based on the wearing position, and if it determines that the seat belt is not suitable for the occupant, determines that the occupant is a target for use of the assisting device other than the seat belt. The notification device of claim 1 .

4. the notification unit performs a first notification process when the determination unit determines that the occupant is a target for use of the assistive device based on the identification information; When the determination unit determines that the occupant is not a target for use of the assistive device and that the height of the occupant is less than a predetermined height, a second notification process different from the first notification process is performed. The notification device of claim 2 .

5. the first notification process is a notification process for encouraging use of a first assistive tool, The second notification process is a notification process that prompts the use of a second assisting device that is suitable when the height of the occupant is equal to or less than a predetermined height. The notification device of claim 4.

6. The notification unit executes the first notification process with a notification intensity higher than that of the second notification process. The notification device of claim 5.

7. the occupant detection unit further includes a weight detection unit capable of detecting a weight of the occupant including the assisting device, The determination unit determines whether the weight is equal to or greater than a predetermined weight, When it is determined that the weight is equal to or greater than the predetermined weight, the notification unit does not perform a notification process to prompt the user to use the assistive device. The notification device of claim 1 .

8. The occupant detection unit further includes an occupant height detection unit capable of detecting the height of the occupant, which changes depending on whether the assistive device is used or not, When the determining unit determines that the height is equal to or greater than a predetermined height, the notifying unit does not perform a notification process to prompt the user to use the assistive device. The notification device of claim 1 .

9. The notification device according to claim 8, wherein the height of the occupant is the height of the head of the occupant relative to the seat in the vehicle.

10. The vehicle is configurable to operate in either a personal or commercial driving mode; The determination unit determines whether the occupant is a user of the assistive device in the driving state for personal use. The notification device of claim 1 .

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