Information processing device

Abstract

To release start-lock of a vehicle, with simple operation.SOLUTION: An information processing device 100, which is loaded on a vehicle 10, comprises a control part 110 which memorizes a predetermined operation pattern constituted of one or more operations to a driving device for driving operation provided on the vehicle 10 or a predetermined input pattern that is a gesture that is inputted to a touch panel of an on-vehicle device loaded on the vehicle 10, and releases start-lock of the vehicle 10 when sensing that operation corresponding to the predetermined operation pattern is performed or that the gesture corresponding to the predetermined input pattern is inputted to the touch panel.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to vehicle security. [Background technology]

[0002] There are technologies for enhancing the security level of vehicles. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a security control device that collates an ID code set in a portable device with an ID code stored in a memory and controls a door lock drive device or an engine control unit based on the result of the collation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-226389 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to release the start lock of a vehicle with a simple operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure is An information processing device mounted on a vehicle, The control unit stores a predetermined operation pattern consisting of one or more operations on a driving device, which is a device for driving operations provided in the vehicle, or a predetermined input pattern, which is a gesture input to a touch panel of an in-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle, and releases a start lock of the vehicle when it detects that an operation matching the predetermined operation pattern has been performed or that a gesture matching the predetermined input pattern has been input to the touch panel. It is an information processing device.

[0006] Another aspect is a program for causing a computer to execute the information processing method, or a computer-readable storage medium that non-temporarily stores the program. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the start lock of a vehicle can be released with a simple operation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a start-up lock release performed by an in-vehicle device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating components of an in-vehicle device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 4 is a flowchart of a process executed by a control unit of the in-vehicle device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (overview) 2. Description of the Related Art Vehicles are known that allow a system to be activated based on an operation performed by a user.

[0010] For example, the in-vehicle device allows the vehicle to be started when a PIN (Personal Identification Number) entered on the display matches a PIN stored in advance in the in-vehicle device. When an application is launched on a terminal such as a smartphone and an operation is performed to request starting of the vehicle, the in-vehicle device releases the start lock and starts the vehicle system. In the following description, the start lock refers to a lock that prohibits starting of the vehicle's driving system.

[0011] However, if the vehicle 10 requires the user to enter a PIN on the display of the in-vehicle device to unlock the start lock, the vehicle 10 must be equipped with some kind of display that has an input reception function. If the vehicle 10 does not have a display, the PIN-based start function cannot be provided. Even if the vehicle has a display, the in-vehicle device must display a software keyboard on the display for entering the PIN. However, displaying the software keyboard may take time. Furthermore, the user's input of the PIN using the software keyboard itself is cumbersome.

[0012] Furthermore, when the user is required to perform a predetermined operation in a smartphone application to release the startup lock, the application must be started, which is time-consuming for the user.

[0013] To solve these problems, it is preferable that the in-vehicle device be able to release the vehicle start lock with a simpler operation than conventional methods. Furthermore, it is even more desirable that the method for releasing the start lock does not require a specific device (e.g., a display or a smartphone application) for releasing the start lock. For example, it is expected that the above-mentioned demands will be met if the in-vehicle device can release the vehicle start lock by detecting some kind of operation on a vehicle operation device that is naturally provided in the vehicle.

[0014] An information processing device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: This information processing device is mounted on a vehicle and has a control unit that performs the following operations: storing a predetermined operation pattern consisting of one or more operations on a driving device, which is a device for driving operations equipped on the vehicle, or a predetermined input pattern, which is a gesture input to a touch panel of an in-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle; and releasing the start lock of the vehicle when it detects that an operation matching the predetermined operation pattern has been performed or that a gesture matching the predetermined input pattern has been input to the touch panel.

[0015] The predetermined operation pattern refers to one or more operations on a driving device provided in a vehicle, such as a steering wheel, a brake pedal, a turn signal, etc. For example, the predetermined operation pattern may be turning the steering wheel to the left a predetermined number of times, or pressing the brake pedal a predetermined number of times, etc.

[0016] The predetermined input pattern is a gesture input to a touch panel display or the like provided in the information processing device. For example, the predetermined operation pattern may be a gesture of tracing a predetermined figure displayed on the touch panel display in a specific order.

[0017] The start lock is a state in which the vehicle's driving system is prohibited from starting. When the start lock is released, the driving system is permitted to start, and the driving system can be started by a predetermined operation (such as turning on the main switch or the ignition switch).

[0018] An information processing device according to an aspect of the present disclosure unlocks a start-up lock of a vehicle when a predetermined operation pattern or a predetermined input pattern is detected.

[0019] In this way, the information processing device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can accept a request to release the start lock from a user through a predetermined operation, thereby simplifying the user's operations required when starting a vehicle.

[0020] Specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the hardware configuration, module configuration, functional configuration, etc. described in each embodiment are not intended to limit the technical scope of the disclosure to those configurations.

[0021] (Embodiment) [Outline of processing performed by the on-board device] An overview of an information processing device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of processing executed by an in-vehicle device. The information processing device according to this embodiment is realized, for example, as an in-vehicle device 100. The in-vehicle device 100 is typically a terminal equipped with a display or the like, and providing various types of information to a user of the vehicle 10. In this embodiment, the in-vehicle device 100 controls start-up lock of the vehicle 10.

[0022] The in-vehicle device 100 releases the start-up lock of the vehicle 10 when a predetermined operation is received from the user.

[0023] For example, it is assumed that the in-vehicle device 100, in order to release the start lock, requests the user to input a PIN into the display 140. However, the task of inputting a PIN into the display 140 is cumbersome. Therefore, it is desirable that the in-vehicle device 100 be able to release the start lock by accepting a predetermined operation other than the cumbersome operation of inputting a PIN into the display 140.

[0024] Therefore, the in-vehicle device 100 accepts, as an operation to release the start lock, a predetermined operation on a driving device, such as the steering wheel 11, the turn indicators 12, or the pedals 13, which is a device for driving the vehicle 10 and is assumed to be provided on a general vehicle 10. Specifically, the predetermined operation may be turning the steering wheel 11 in either direction (right or left) a predetermined number of times, operating the turn indicators 12 to the right or left, pressing the brake pedal a predetermined number of times, or a combination thereof.

[0025] It is also conceivable that the in-vehicle device 100 may require the user to perform an operation on an application on the associated smartphone to release the start lock. However, it may take time for the user to launch the smartphone application, which may be considered cumbersome. In such a case, as described above, the user may be able to reduce the cumbersomeness of the operation to release the start lock by accepting a predetermined operation on a device for operating the vehicle 10 as an operation to release the start lock.

[0026] Furthermore, inputting a PIN into the display 140 is a time-consuming operation for the user. When the in-car device 100 accepts a PIN, it must also perform processing such as displaying a software keyboard for PIN input, which requires a certain amount of processing. Therefore, the in-car device 100 accepts a gesture 200 of a predetermined pattern via the display 140, rather than a PIN that is time-consuming to input. For the user, inputting the gesture 200 is easier than inputting a PIN, and the in-car device 100 does not need to display a software keyboard that requires a certain amount of processing.

[0027] In this way, the in-vehicle device 100 recognizes an operation on the device for driving the vehicle 10 or an input of the gesture 200 on the display 140 as an operation for unlocking the start lock of the vehicle 10. It is accepted as an operation for subtraction.

[0028] As described above, the in-vehicle device 100 can unlock the start-up lock of the vehicle 10 by accepting a simple operation by the user, without requiring any special device.

[0029] [Configuration of on-board equipment] Next, a description will be given of the hardware and software configurations of the devices constituting the in-vehicle device 100. Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating the components of the in-vehicle device 100 according to the embodiment.

[0030] The in-vehicle device 100 can be configured as a computer having a processor (CPU, GPU, etc.), a main memory device (RAM, ROM, etc.), and an auxiliary memory device (EPROM, hard disk drive, removable media, etc.). The auxiliary memory device stores an operating system (OS), various programs, various tables, etc., and by executing the programs stored therein, various functions (software modules) that match predetermined purposes, as described below, can be realized. However, some or all of the functions may be realized as hardware modules using hardware circuits such as ASICs, FPGAs, etc.

[0031] The in-vehicle device 100 includes a control unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a communication unit .

[0032] The control unit 110 is realized by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) and a memory. The control unit 110 includes, as functional modules, a reception unit 111, a determination unit 112, and an unlocking unit 113. These functional modules may be realized by the control unit 110 executing a program.

[0033] The reception unit 111 receives operations from the user on the driving device or the display 140. When the user performs some operation on the driving device of the vehicle 10, the reception unit 111 may receive the operation. Furthermore, when the user inputs some gesture 200 on the display 140, the reception unit 111 may receive the gesture.

[0034] The determination unit 112 determines whether or not the operation etc. received by the reception unit 111 matches the operation etc. stored in advance in the storage unit 120. For example, the determination unit 112 determines whether or not the pattern of operations performed by the user on the driving device of the vehicle 10 matches the pattern of operations on the driving device stored in advance in the storage unit 120. The operation pattern may be a combination of multiple operations. Furthermore, the determination unit 112 determines whether or not a certain gesture 200 performed by the user on the display 140 matches the pattern of gestures 200 stored in advance in the storage unit 120.

[0035] The operation patterns for the driving device stored in advance in the storage unit 120 are specific examples of "predetermined operation patterns." Also, the patterns of gestures 200 stored in advance in the storage unit 120 are specific examples of "predetermined input patterns."

[0036] The unlocking unit 113 unlocks the start lock of the vehicle 10 when the determining unit 112 determines that the operation or gesture received by the receiving unit 111 matches a predetermined operation pattern (predetermined input pattern) pre-stored in the storage unit 120. In the above case, the unlocking unit 113 unlocks the start lock of the vehicle 10 by turning on the main switch of the vehicle 10 or by starting the vehicle 10. The process of prohibiting the ignition switch from being turned on is stopped, and the vehicle 10 is allowed to start.

[0037] The storage unit 120 is a main storage device such as RAM or ROM, an EPROM, a hard disk drive, or an auxiliary storage device such as removable media. The auxiliary storage device stores an operating system (OS), various programs, various tables, etc., and by executing the programs stored therein, it is possible to realize functions that match the predetermined purpose of each unit of the control unit 110. However, some or all of the functions may be realized by hardware circuits such as ASICs or FPGAs.

[0038] The storage unit 120 stores data and the like used or generated in the processing performed by the control unit 110. The storage unit 120 may also store an operation pattern (operation pattern) for the driving device or a predetermined gesture 200 (input pattern) to be input to the display 140, which is used to release the start lock.

[0039] The communication unit 130 is configured with a communication circuit that performs wireless communication. The communication unit 130 may be, for example, a communication circuit that performs wireless communication using 4G (4th Generation) or a communication circuit that performs wireless communication using 5G (5th Generation). The communication unit 130 may also be a communication circuit that performs wireless communication using LTE (Long Term Evolution) or a communication circuit that performs wireless communication using LPWA (Low Power Wide Area). The communication unit 130 may be a communication circuit that performs communication using the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard.

[0040] Display 140 is a display that displays images and the like to provide information to the user. Display 140 may be a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. Display 140 may also be realized as a touch panel display. Display 140 may also display a guide graphic or the like for inputting a gesture to release the startup lock.

[0041] [Processing of on-board devices] Next, a description will be given of specific contents of the processing performed by the in-vehicle device 100. Fig. 3 is a flowchart of the processing performed by the control unit 110 of the in-vehicle device 100 according to the embodiment.

[0042] First, the process shown in (a) of Fig. 3 will be described. The process shown in (a) of Fig. 3 is a process for recording in the in-vehicle device 100 an operation for releasing the start lock of the vehicle 10.

[0043] The in-vehicle device 100 starts the process shown in FIG. 3(a) when, for example, a predetermined service is started in a predetermined application of the smartphone 300 associated with the user.

[0044] First, in step S10, the smartphone 300 starts a setting mode for an operation pattern, etc. for unlocking the start lock of the vehicle 10. When the smartphone 300 starts the setting mode for the operation pattern, etc., it transmits a setting request for the operation to unlock the start lock to the in-vehicle device 100. Here, the operation pattern, etc. for unlocking the start lock includes an operation pattern for the driving device and an input pattern of the gesture 200 input to the display 140.

[0045] Next, in step S11, the reception unit 111 of the in-vehicle device 100 transitions to a setting mode for the unlocking operation of the start-up lock. For example, the in-vehicle device 100 displays a screen for receiving a gesture 200 to be set as the unlocking operation of the start-up lock, a screen for receiving an operation 200 to be set as the unlocking operation of the start-up lock, and a screen for receiving a gesture 200 to be set as the unlocking operation of the start-up lock. A screen or the like may be displayed on the display 140 indicating that preparations for accepting the request are complete.

[0046] Next, in step S12, the accepting unit 111 accepts input of an operation to be set as an operation to release the start lock. The accepting unit 111 accepts an operation performed by the user on the driving device or a gesture 200 input to the display 140.

[0047] Next, in step S13, the reception unit 111 stores the operation or gesture 200 received in step S12 in the storage unit 120. The reception unit 111 stores the direction, number of times, order, etc. of the operation performed by the user on the driving device, as well as the pattern of the gesture 200, etc. in the storage unit 120. The reception unit 111 then notifies the smartphone 300 that the operation to release the start lock has been set (registered).

[0048] Next, a description will be given of the process shown in (b) of Fig. 3. The process shown in (b) of Fig. 3 is a process for unlocking the start-up lock of the vehicle 10 based on an operation performed by the user.

[0049] For example, when the in-vehicle device 100 detects that the doors of the vehicle 10 have been unlocked, it starts the process shown in FIG. 3(b).

[0050] First, in step S20, the reception unit 111 of the in-vehicle device 100 receives an operation to release the start lock. The in-vehicle device 100 receives an operation on the driving device or an input of a gesture 200 on the display 140 as an operation that may be an operation to release the start lock.

[0051] Next, in step S21, the determination unit 112 determines whether the operation received in step S11 matches the start lock release operation stored in the memory unit 120 in step S13. The determination unit 112 determines whether the direction, number of times, order, etc. of the operation on the driving device, as well as the pattern, etc. of the gesture 200, match the patterns, etc. stored in the memory unit 120. This step results in a positive determination if the determination unit 112 determines that the received operation matches the start lock release operation stored in the memory unit 120.

[0052] If the determination in this step is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S22.

[0053] If the determination in this step is negative, the process ends.

[0054] When the process transitions to step S22, the unlocking unit 113 unlocks the start lock of the vehicle 10. That is, the unlocking unit 113 stops the process of prohibiting the main switch of the vehicle 10 from being turned on or the ignition switch of the vehicle 10 from being turned on, and enables the vehicle 10 to be started. Then, the unlocking unit 113 notifies the smartphone 300 that the start lock has been unlocked.

[0055] By doing so, the in-vehicle device 100 can accept a predetermined operation on the driving device or a predetermined gesture 200 input to the display 140 as an operation to release the start lock.

[0056] As described above, in this embodiment, the in-vehicle device 100 stores a predetermined operation on the driver's device or a predetermined gesture 200 input to the display 140 as a start lock release operation. Then, when in the start lock release mode, if a predetermined operation received from the user matches the stored operation, the in-vehicle device 100 releases the start lock of the vehicle 10. This allows the in-vehicle device 100 to release the start lock of the vehicle 10 with a simple operation.

[0057] (Other variations) The above-described embodiment is merely an example, and the present disclosure may be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the processes and means described in the present disclosure may be freely combined and implemented as long as no technical contradiction occurs.

[0058] The present disclosure can also be realized by providing a computer program implementing the functions described in the above embodiments to a computer, and having one or more processors in the computer read and execute the program. Such a computer program may be provided to the computer via a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium connectable to the computer's system bus or via a network. Non-transitory computer-readable storage media include, for example, any type of disk, such as a magnetic disk (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk drive (HDD), etc.), an optical disk (e.g., a CD-ROM, a DVD disk, a Blu-ray disk), a read-only memory (ROM), a random-access memory (RAM), an EPROM, an EEPROM, a magnetic card, a flash memory, an optical card, or any type of medium suitable for storing electronic instructions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 100...In-vehicle equipment 110 Control unit 111···Reception 112...Judgment section 113···Unlocking section 120...Storage section 130 Communications Department 140···Display 200 Gestures 300···Smartphone

Claims

[Claim 1] An information processing device mounted on a vehicle, Storing a predetermined operation pattern consisting of one or more operations on a driving device that is a device for driving operations equipped in the vehicle, or a predetermined input pattern that is a gesture input to a touch panel of an in-vehicle device installed in the vehicle; unlocking a start lock of the vehicle when it is detected that an operation that matches the predetermined operation pattern has been performed or that a gesture that matches the predetermined input pattern has been input to the touch panel; a control unit that executes the following: Information processing device.

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