Vehicle

Abstract

To notify a user of information on a temperature change in a cabin when an air conditioner mounted on a vehicle is operated.SOLUTION: The vehicle 1 includes the air conditioner 500 that controls the temperature in the vehicle cabin to the set temperature set by the user, the temperature change calculation unit 111 that calculates the temperature change until reaching the set temperature based on the temperatures outside and inside the vehicle cabin, and the control unit 112 that notifies the user of the information on the temperature change. The control unit 112 visualizes the information on the temperature change in the vehicle cabin of the vehicle 1 and notifies the user of the information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, vehicles equipped with a function for remotely operating an air conditioner mounted on the vehicle have come into practical use. For example, one such technology is disclosed that controls at least one of the ventilation and air conditioning devices in the vehicle cabin when the air conditioning device installed in the vehicle is remotely operated to lower the temperature inside the vehicle cabin (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-256092 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the above-mentioned technology has the problem that the user is not notified of information regarding the temperature change inside the vehicle until the temperature set by the user is reached, so the user cannot determine when to get into the vehicle.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a vehicle that notifies the user of information regarding temperature changes in the vehicle cabin when the air conditioning system installed in the vehicle is operated. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Form 1: One or more embodiments of the present invention propose a vehicle comprising an air conditioning device that controls the temperature inside the vehicle cabin to a set temperature set by a user, a temperature change calculation unit that calculates the temperature change until the temperature inside the vehicle cabin reaches the set temperature based on the temperatures outside and inside the vehicle cabin, and a control unit that notifies the user of information regarding the temperature change.

[0007] Form 2: One or more embodiments of the present invention propose a vehicle including a controller and an air conditioning device that controls the temperature inside the vehicle cabin to a set temperature set by a user, the controller including one or more processors and one or more memories communicatively connected to the one or more processors, the one or more processors calculating the temperature change until the temperature inside the vehicle cabin reaches the set temperature based on the temperatures outside and inside the vehicle cabin, and notifying the user of information regarding the temperature change. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to provide an advantage that, when an air conditioner mounted on a vehicle is operated, it is possible to notify a user of information regarding a temperature change inside the vehicle cabin. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 3 is a diagram showing an example of a display mode of screen information displayed on a user terminal when a user sets the temperature setting of an air conditioner of a vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a controller and a processor of a vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 3 is a diagram showing an example of information regarding temperature change calculated by the vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5]3 is a diagram showing an example of a display mode of information relating to temperature change that is displayed on a user terminal by a vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a controller and a processor of a vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display form of information relating to temperature change that is displayed on a user terminal by a vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a controller and a processor of a vehicle according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display mode of information relating to temperature change that is displayed on a user terminal by a vehicle according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a vehicle according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] <Embodiment> A vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 14. FIG.

[0011] First Embodiment A vehicle 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. FIG.

[0012] <Vehicle 1 Configuration> As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle 1 according to this embodiment includes a controller 100, a communication unit 200, an exterior temperature sensor 300, an interior temperature sensor 400, and an air conditioner 500. The detailed configuration of the controller 100 will be described later.

[0013] In this embodiment, the communication unit 200 includes, for example, a known wireless communication module, and functions as an interface for communicating with the user terminal 600 via the network N. An example of the network N is the Internet. Examples of the user terminal 600 include a smartphone and a tablet. In this embodiment, the communication unit 200 further includes a known short-range wireless communication module such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wifi (registered trademark), and functions as an interface for communicating with the user terminal 600. In this embodiment, the communication unit 200 communicates with the user terminal 600 without going through the network N, for example, when communication with the user terminal 600 is possible by the above-mentioned short-range wireless communication. In this embodiment, the communication unit 200 outputs, for example, an operation request and set temperature information for the air conditioner 500 received from the user terminal 600 to the controller 100. In this embodiment, the communication unit 200 transmits information relating to temperature changes in the vehicle interior to the user terminal 600 under the control of the controller 100, for example. The user terminal 600 that communicates with the communication unit 200 will be described below.

[0014] In this embodiment, the user operates the user terminal 600, for example, to transmit an operation request for the air conditioner 500 and set temperature information to the vehicle 1. In this embodiment, for example, when application software for setting the temperature of the air conditioner 500 is started by a user operation, the user terminal 600 displays a screen for inputting the set temperature as shown in FIG. When the user has completed inputting the set temperature for the vehicle interior, he or she touches the send button displayed on the temperature setting input screen to cause the set temperature information to be sent to the vehicle 1. In this embodiment, for example, when it is determined that the send button has been touched, the user terminal 600 transmits an operation request and set temperature information for the air conditioner 500 to the vehicle 1. In this embodiment, when the user terminal 600 receives information regarding temperature changes in the vehicle interior via the communication unit 200 of the vehicle 1, for example, the user terminal 600 displays the information regarding temperature changes in the vehicle interior on a display unit (not shown) provided on the user terminal 600. Information regarding temperature changes in the vehicle interior will be described later.

[0015] In this embodiment, the outside-cabin temperature sensor 300 is, for example, a temperature sensor installed outside the cabin of the vehicle 1, and outputs outside-cabin temperature information, which is temperature information outside the cabin of the vehicle 1. In this embodiment, the outside-compartment temperature sensor 300 outputs, for example, outside-compartment temperature information to the controller 100 and an air conditioner 500, which will be described later.

[0016] In this embodiment, the vehicle interior temperature sensor 400 is, for example, a temperature sensor installed in the vehicle interior of the vehicle 1, and outputs vehicle interior temperature information, which is temperature information inside the vehicle interior. In this embodiment, the vehicle interior temperature sensor 400 outputs, for example, vehicle interior temperature information to the controller 100 and an air conditioner 500, which will be described later.

[0017] The air conditioner 500 controls the temperature inside the vehicle cabin to a set temperature set by the user. In this embodiment, for example, when an operation request and set temperature information for the air conditioning device 500 are input from the controller 100, the air conditioning device 500 controls the temperature inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle 1 based on the outside passenger compartment temperature information input from the outside passenger compartment temperature sensor 300, the inside passenger compartment temperature information input from the inside passenger compartment temperature sensor 400, and the set temperature information input from the controller 100. In this embodiment, the air conditioner 500 switches between operation modes such as a cooling mode and a heating mode, and controls the temperature inside the vehicle cabin to a set temperature set by the user. In this embodiment, the air conditioner 500 controls, for example, switching between outside air introduction and inside air circulation, switching of the air outlet, and the airflow rate, thereby controlling the temperature inside the vehicle cabin to a set temperature set by the user.

[0018] <Configuration of controller 100> The controller 100 includes one or more processors and one or more memories communicatively connected to the one or more processors. As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the controller 100 includes a processor 110 and a memory 120. The configuration of the processor 110 will be described later.

[0019] The memory 120 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like, which are not shown. The memory 120 stores, for example, a control program and various data input from the processor 110. In this embodiment, the memory 120 stores, in advance, for example, output performance information of the air conditioner 500 and the like.

[0020] <Configuration of the processor 110> As shown in FIG. 3, the processor 110 includes a temperature change calculation unit 111 and a control unit 112. Each unit of the processor 110, the memory 120, and the communication unit 200 input and output various types of information via the bus line BL.

[0021] The temperature change calculation unit 111 calculates the temperature change until the temperature inside the vehicle compartment reaches the set temperature, based on the temperatures outside and inside the vehicle compartment. In this embodiment, when a temperature change calculation request and set temperature information are input from the control unit 112 described later via the bus line BL, the temperature change calculation unit 111 calculates the temperature change until the set temperature is reached based on the outside vehicle cabin temperature information input from the outside vehicle cabin temperature sensor 300, the inside vehicle cabin temperature information input from the inside vehicle cabin temperature sensor 400, and the set temperature information input from the control unit 112. In this embodiment, the temperature change calculation unit 111 calculates the temperature change inside the vehicle cabin for each elapsed time (for example, every minute) after a temperature change calculation request is input from the control unit 112, as shown in FIG. 4, for example. In this embodiment, the temperature change calculation unit 111 calculates the heating or cooling effect (amount of heat fluctuation per hour) of the air conditioner 500 based on, for example, information related to the output performance of the air conditioner 500 stored in the memory 120. In this embodiment, the temperature change calculation unit 111 calculates, for example, the heat loss of the vehicle 1. In this embodiment, the temperature change calculation unit 111 calculates the amount of change in the temperature inside the vehicle compartment per hour, for example, based on the above-mentioned calculation result and the influence of the temperature outside the vehicle compartment. In this embodiment, the temperature change calculation unit 111 outputs the calculation result to the control unit 112, which will be described later, via, for example, the bus line BL. The temperature change calculation unit 111 is not limited to the above-mentioned calculation method, as long as it can calculate the temperature change until the temperature inside the vehicle compartment reaches the set temperature.

[0022] In this embodiment, when an operation request and set temperature information for the air conditioner 500 are input from the user terminal 600 via the communication unit 200, the control unit 112 outputs the operation request and set temperature information for the air conditioner 500 to the air conditioner 500. In this embodiment, when a request to operate the air conditioner 500 and set temperature information are input from the user terminal 600 via the communication unit 200, the control unit 112 outputs a request to calculate a temperature change and the set temperature information to the temperature change calculation unit 111. The control unit 112 notifies the user of information regarding temperature changes in the vehicle interior. In this embodiment, the control unit 112 generates display information that visualizes the calculation results input from the temperature change calculation unit 111, and transmits the generated display information to the user terminal 600 via the communication unit 200.

[0023] A display mode of the display information (information about temperature changes in the vehicle interior) that the control unit 112 causes the user terminal 600 to display will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the control unit 112 displays, for example, the set temperature information received from the user terminal 600 (for example, 22° C.). In this embodiment, for example, when the control unit 112 outputs an operation request to the air conditioner 500, it causes the outside-vehicle temperature information acquired from the outside-vehicle temperature sensor 300 to be displayed (for example, 32° C.). In this embodiment, for example, when the control unit 112 outputs an operation request to the air conditioner 500, it causes the vehicle interior temperature information acquired from the vehicle interior temperature sensor 400 to be displayed (for example, 35° C.). In this embodiment, the control unit 112 displays, for example, the time required for the temperature inside the vehicle compartment to reach the set temperature set by the user (for example, 8 minutes). In this embodiment, the control unit 112 displays, for example, a display showing the vehicle interior temperature at each elapsed time input from the temperature change calculation unit 111, and a graph of the vehicle interior temperature at each elapsed time. The display showing the temperature inside the vehicle compartment at each elapsed time may be, for example, a table showing the temperature inside the vehicle compartment at each elapsed time. In this embodiment, the control unit 112 displays, for example, the time information when the start-up request for the air conditioner 500 is received from the user terminal 600 (e.g., 7:30) and the time information when the temperature inside the vehicle interior reaches the set temperature set by the user (e.g., 7:38). In this embodiment, the control unit 112 displays a comment such as, for example, "The set temperature is expected to be reached in about 8 minutes. Please prepare so that you can board the vehicle at 7:38."

[0024] <Processing flow for vehicle 1> The processing flow of the vehicle 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0025] The control unit 112 determines whether or not a request to operate the air conditioner 500 has been received from the user terminal 600 (step S110). If the control unit 112 determines that it has not received a request to operate the air conditioner 500 from the user terminal 600 ("NO" in step S110), it returns the process and transitions to a standby state. When the control unit 112 determines that a request to operate the air conditioner 500 has been received from the user terminal 600 ("YES" in step S110), the control unit 112 moves the process to step S120.

[0026] The control unit 112 causes the temperature change calculation unit 111 to calculate the temperature change in the vehicle interior (step S120), and then causes the process to proceed to step S130.

[0027] The control unit 112 transmits information about the temperature change in the vehicle interior to the user terminal 600 via the communication unit 200 (step S140), and ends the process. The user terminal 600 displays the information about the temperature change in the vehicle interior received from the vehicle 1 on the display unit of the user terminal 600.

[0028] <Actions and Effects> As described above, the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment includes an air conditioning unit 500 that controls the temperature inside the vehicle cabin to a set temperature set by the user, a temperature change calculation unit 111 that calculates the temperature change until the temperature inside the vehicle cabin reaches the set temperature based on the temperatures outside and inside the vehicle cabin, and a control unit 112 that notifies the user of information regarding the temperature change. In other words, when the air conditioning unit 500 is operated, the vehicle 1 calculates the temperature change until the temperature inside the vehicle cabin reaches the set temperature set by the user based on the temperatures outside and inside the vehicle cabin, and displays information about the temperature change inside the vehicle cabin on the user terminal 600. This allows the vehicle 1 to provide the user with information regarding the time it will take for the temperature inside the vehicle compartment to reach the set temperature. The user can determine when to get into the vehicle 1 because information about temperature changes in the vehicle interior is displayed on the user terminal 600.

[0029] The control unit 112 of the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment visualizes information relating to the temperature inside the vehicle 1 and notifies the user of the information. The vehicle 1 causes the user terminal 600 to display the set temperature set by the user as information relating to the temperature change. The vehicle 1 causes the user terminal 600 to display, as information relating to the temperature change, the temperature inside the vehicle 1 at the time when the operation request for the air conditioner 500 is received from the user terminal 600. The vehicle 1 displays, as information relating to temperature change, for example, the time required for the temperature inside the vehicle compartment to reach a set temperature set by the user. The vehicle 1 causes the user terminal 600 to display, as information relating to the temperature change, the temperature outside the passenger compartment of the vehicle 1 at the time when the operation request for the air conditioner 500 is received from the user terminal 600. The vehicle 1 displays, as information relating to temperature change, for example, a display showing the temperature inside the vehicle compartment for each elapsed time since the air conditioner 500 was activated, and a diagram visualizing the temperature inside the vehicle compartment for each elapsed time. The vehicle 1 displays, as information regarding the temperature change, for example, the time information when it receives a request to operate the air conditioner 500 from the user terminal 600 and the time information when the temperature inside the vehicle cabin reaches the set temperature set by the user. This allows the temperature change inside the vehicle cabin to be visualized and displayed on the user terminal 600, allowing the user to grasp the temperature change inside the vehicle cabin in detail. This allows the user to easily determine whether or not to get into the vehicle 1.

[0030] When a request to operate the air conditioner 500 is received from a user terminal 600 carried by a user, the control unit 112 of the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment causes the user terminal 600 to display information relating to a temperature change. For example, in cold seasons, the user operates the user terminal 600 at home to activate the air conditioner 500 of the vehicle 1, and gets into the vehicle 1 after the temperature inside the vehicle cabin has warmed up. That is, the vehicle 1 provides, for example, information about temperature changes in the vehicle interior to a user waiting at home. This allows the user to easily determine when to board the vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 displays on the user terminal 600, for example, a comment such as "The set temperature is expected to be reached in approximately 8 minutes. Please prepare so that you can board the vehicle at 7:38." This allows the user to get into the vehicle 1 at the optimal time when the set temperature is reached. The user is prompted to get into the vehicle 1 at the time when the set temperature will be reached, which allows the user to minimize waiting time at home, for example. This makes it possible to minimize the amount of wasted energy consumed between the time the temperature inside the vehicle cabin reaches the set temperature and the time the vehicle 1 starts moving, thereby reducing CO2 emissions, power consumption, fuel consumption, etc. For example, the vehicle 1 causes the user terminal 600 to display a display showing the temperature inside the vehicle compartment for each elapsed time since the air conditioner 500 was activated, and a diagram visualizing the temperature inside the vehicle compartment for each elapsed time. This allows the user to determine whether the temperature inside the vehicle has reached an acceptable temperature even if it has not yet reached the set temperature, and therefore allows the user to get into vehicle 1 at any time before the set temperature is reached.

[0031] <Second embodiment> A vehicle 1A according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that components with the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment have the same functions, and therefore detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0032] <Vehicle 1A Configuration> As shown in FIG. 7, a vehicle 1A according to this embodiment includes a controller 100A, a communication unit 200, an exterior temperature sensor 300, an interior temperature sensor 400, and an air conditioner 500.

[0033] <Configuration of Controller 100A> The controller 100A includes one or more processors, and one or more memories communicatively connected to the one or more processors. As shown in FIG. 8, the controller 100A in this embodiment includes a processor 110A and a memory 120.

[0034] <Configuration of Processor 110A> As shown in FIG. 8, the processor 110A includes a temperature change calculation unit 111 and a control unit 112A. Each unit of the processor 110A, the memory 120, and the communication unit 200 input and output various types of information via the bus line BL.

[0035] In this embodiment, for example, when an operation request and set temperature information for the air conditioner 500 are input from the user terminal 600 via the communication unit 200, the control unit 112A outputs the operation request and set temperature information for the air conditioner 500 to the air conditioner 500. In this embodiment, for example, when a request to operate the air conditioner 500 and set temperature information are input from the user terminal 600 via the communication unit 200, the control unit 112A outputs a request to calculate a temperature change and the set temperature information to the temperature change calculation unit 111. In this embodiment, the control unit 112A generates display information that visualizes the calculation results input from the temperature change calculation unit 111, for example.

[0036] When the temperature outside the vehicle cabin is lower than a predetermined temperature, the control unit 112A calculates the temperature change amount of the temperature inside the vehicle cabin per predetermined time, and when the temperature change amount per predetermined time is equal to or less than the predetermined change amount, the control unit 112A notifies the user of the generated display information (information regarding the temperature change) and information urging the user to get in before the set temperature is reached. In this embodiment, for example, when a request to operate the air conditioning device 500 and set temperature information are input from the user terminal 600, the control unit 112A refers to the outside cabin temperature information input from the outside cabin temperature sensor 300 and determines whether the temperature outside the cabin is lower than a predetermined temperature (for example, -20°C). In this embodiment, the control unit 112A refers to information regarding the temperature change inside the vehicle cabin input from the temperature change calculation unit 111, and determines, for example, whether the amount of temperature change over 10 minutes after the air conditioning device 500 starts operating is, for example, 15°C or less. In this embodiment, when the control unit 112A determines that the temperature outside the vehicle cabin is lower than a predetermined temperature (e.g., -20°C) and determines that the amount of temperature change per predetermined time (e.g., 10 minutes after the air conditioning unit 500 starts operating) is less than or equal to the predetermined amount of change (e.g., 15°C), it transmits to the user terminal 600 via the communication unit 200 information regarding the visualized temperature change inside the vehicle cabin and information urging the user to get in before the set temperature set by the user is reached.

[0037] The display mode of information that the control unit 112A causes the user terminal 600 to display will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the control unit 112A displays, for example, the set temperature received from the user terminal 600 (for example, 22° C.). In this embodiment, for example, when the control unit 112A outputs an operation request to the air conditioner 500, it causes the outside-compartment temperature information acquired from the outside-compartment temperature sensor 300 to be displayed (for example, −25° C.). In this embodiment, for example, when the control unit 112A outputs an operation request to the air conditioner 500, it causes the air conditioner 500 to display the vehicle interior temperature information acquired from the vehicle interior temperature sensor 400 (for example, −25° C.). In this embodiment, the control unit 112A displays, for example, the time required for the temperature inside the vehicle compartment to reach the set temperature set by the user (for example, 40 minutes). In this embodiment, the control unit 112A displays, for example, a display showing the vehicle interior temperature at each elapsed time input from the temperature change calculation unit 111, and a graph of the vehicle interior temperature at each elapsed time. The display showing the temperature inside the vehicle compartment at each elapsed time may be, for example, a table showing the temperature inside the vehicle compartment at each elapsed time. In this embodiment, the control unit 112A displays, for example, the time information when the start request for the air conditioner 500 is received from the user terminal 600 and the time information when the temperature inside the vehicle interior reaches the set temperature set by the user. In this embodiment, the control unit 112A displays a comment such as, for example, "The current temperature outside the vehicle cabin is -25°C. Because the temperature outside the vehicle cabin is very low, it will take a very long time for the temperature inside the vehicle cabin to reach the set temperature. We recommend that you get into the vehicle before the set temperature is reached. By getting into the vehicle before the set temperature is reached, fuel efficiency / electricity efficiency can be significantly improved and CO2 emissions can be further reduced."

[0038] <Processing flow for vehicle 1A> The processing flow of the vehicle 1A will be described with reference to FIG.

[0039] The control unit 112A determines whether or not a request to operate the air conditioner 500 has been received from the user terminal 600 (step S210). When the control unit 112A determines that it has not received a request to operate the air conditioner 500 from the user terminal 600 ("NO" in step S210), it returns the process and transitions to a standby state. When the control unit 112A determines that a request to operate the air conditioner 500 has been received from the user terminal 600 ("YES" in step S210), the control unit 112A moves the process to step S220.

[0040] Control unit 112A causes temperature change calculation unit 111 to calculate the temperature change in the vehicle interior (step S220), and then causes the process to proceed to step S230.

[0041] The control unit 112A determines whether the temperature outside the vehicle compartment is lower than a predetermined temperature based on the outside vehicle compartment temperature information acquired from the outside vehicle compartment temperature sensor 300 (step S230). When the control unit 112A determines that the temperature outside the vehicle compartment is lower than a predetermined temperature based on the outside vehicle compartment temperature information acquired from the outside vehicle compartment temperature sensor 300 ("YES" in step S230), the control unit 112A shifts the process to step S240. When the control unit 112A determines that the temperature outside the vehicle compartment is higher than a predetermined temperature based on the outside vehicle compartment temperature information acquired from the outside vehicle compartment temperature sensor 300 ("NO" in step S230), the control unit 112A shifts the process to step S260.

[0042] Based on the temperature change in the vehicle interior calculated in step S220, control unit 112A determines whether the amount of temperature change per predetermined time is equal to or less than a predetermined amount of change (step S240). If the control unit 112A determines that the temperature change per predetermined time is less than or equal to a predetermined change amount based on the temperature change inside the vehicle cabin calculated in step S220 ("YES" in step S240), it transitions the processing to step S250. If control unit 112A determines that the amount of temperature change per predetermined time is not less than a predetermined amount of change based on the temperature change inside the vehicle cabin calculated in step S220 ("NO" in step S240), it shifts the processing to step S260.

[0043] If the control unit 112A determines that the temperature change in the vehicle interior calculated in step S220 is not less than a predetermined amount ("YES" in step S240), it transmits information regarding the temperature change in the vehicle interior and information encouraging the user to get in before the set temperature is reached to the user terminal 600 via the communication unit 200 (step S250), and terminates the processing.

[0044] If the control unit 112A determines, based on the outside cabin temperature information acquired from the outside cabin temperature sensor 300, that the temperature outside the cabin is not lower than a predetermined temperature ("NO" in step S230), or if it determines, based on the temperature change inside the cabin calculated in step S220, that the temperature change per predetermined time is not less than a predetermined change ("NO" in step S240), it transmits information regarding the temperature change inside the cabin to the user terminal 600 via the communication unit 200 (step S260) and terminates the processing.

[0045] <Actions and Effects> As described above, when the temperature outside the vehicle cabin is lower than a predetermined temperature, the control unit 112A of the vehicle 1A according to this embodiment calculates the amount of change in temperature calculated by the temperature change calculation unit 111 per predetermined time, and when the amount of temperature change per predetermined time is equal to or less than the predetermined amount of change, notifies the user of information encouraging them to get in before the set temperature set by the user is reached. When the air conditioning unit 500 is operated in a vehicle 1A that is parked in extremely cold conditions (for example, below -20°C), the influence of the outside air temperature may result in a very long time being required for the temperature inside the vehicle cabin to reach the set temperature. Furthermore, when the temperature outside the vehicle compartment is very low, the output performance of the air conditioner 500 may not be able to reach the temperature set by the user. In other words, for example, when the temperature outside the vehicle cabin is below -20°C, vehicle 1A calculates the amount of change in the temperature inside the vehicle cabin per specified time, and if it determines based on the calculation results that the temperature inside the vehicle cabin is not likely to rise, it displays information on user terminal 600 encouraging the user to get into vehicle 1A before the temperature reaches the set temperature set by the user. Vehicle 1A displays on user terminal 600, for example, a graph visualizing information about temperature changes inside the vehicle cabin, and a comment such as, "The current temperature outside the vehicle cabin is -25°C. Because the temperature outside the vehicle cabin is very low, it will take a very long time for the temperature inside the vehicle cabin to reach the set temperature. We recommend that you get into the vehicle before the set temperature is reached. By getting into the vehicle before the set temperature is reached, fuel / electricity efficiency can be significantly improved and CO2 emissions can be further reduced." This allows the user to recognize that it will take a long time for the temperature inside the vehicle cabin to reach the set temperature. The vehicle 1A displays on the user terminal 600 a comment encouraging the user to get into the vehicle 1A before the temperature reaches the set temperature set by the user, and recommends that the user depart early. This makes it possible to minimize the energy consumed before starting to drive, for example, thereby reducing CO2 emissions, power consumption, fuel consumption, and the like.

[0046] <Third embodiment> A vehicle 1B according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that components with the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment have the same functions, and therefore detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0047] <Configuration of vehicle 1B> As shown in FIG. 11, a vehicle 1B according to this embodiment includes a controller 100B, a communication unit 200, an exterior temperature sensor 300, an interior temperature sensor 400, and an air conditioner 500.

[0048] <Configuration of controller 100B> The controller 100B is configured to include one or more processors, and one or more memories communicatively connected to the one or more processors. As shown in FIG. 12, the controller 100B in this embodiment is configured to include a processor 110B and a memory 120.

[0049] <Configuration of Processor 110B> As shown in FIG. 12, the processor 110B includes a temperature change calculation unit 111 and a control unit 112B. The various components of the processor 110B, the memory 120, and the communication unit 200 input and output various types of information via the bus line BL.

[0050] In this embodiment, for example, when an operation request and set temperature information for the air conditioner 500 are input from the user terminal 600 via the communication unit 200, the control unit 112B outputs the operation request and set temperature information for the air conditioner 500 to the air conditioner 500. In this embodiment, when a request to operate the air conditioning device 500 and set temperature information are input from the user terminal 600 via the communication unit 200, the control unit 112B outputs a request to calculate a temperature change and the set temperature information to the temperature change calculation unit 111. In this embodiment, the control unit 112B generates display information that visualizes the calculation results input from the temperature change calculation unit 111, for example.

[0051] If the control unit 112B determines, based on the temperature change calculated by the temperature change calculation unit 111, that the temperature inside the vehicle cabin will not reach the set temperature within a predetermined time, it notifies the user of the generated display information (information regarding the temperature change) and information encouraging the user to get in before the set temperature is reached. In this embodiment, the control unit 112B refers to the calculation result of the temperature change inside the vehicle cabin input from the temperature change calculation unit 111 and determines, for example, whether the temperature inside the vehicle cabin will reach the set temperature set by the user within a predetermined time (for example, 20 minutes) from the start of operation of the air conditioning device 500. In this embodiment, for example, if the control unit 112B determines that the temperature inside the vehicle cabin will not reach the set temperature set by the user within a predetermined time (e.g., 20 minutes) after the air conditioning unit 500 starts operating, it transmits to the user terminal 600 via the communication unit 200 information regarding the visualized temperature change inside the vehicle cabin and information urging the user to get in before the set temperature set by the user is reached.

[0052] The display mode of information that the control unit 112B causes the user terminal 600 to display will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the control unit 112B displays, for example, the set temperature received from the user terminal 600 (for example, 22° C.). In this embodiment, for example, when the control unit 112B outputs an operation request to the air conditioner 500, it causes the outside-vehicle temperature information acquired from the outside-vehicle temperature sensor 300 to be displayed (for example, 38° C.). In this embodiment, for example, when the control unit 112B outputs an operation request to the air conditioner 500, it causes the vehicle interior temperature information acquired from the vehicle interior temperature sensor 400 to be displayed (for example, 45° C.). In this embodiment, the control unit 112B displays, for example, the time required for the temperature inside the vehicle compartment to reach the set temperature set by the user (for example, 40 minutes). In this embodiment, the control unit 112B displays, for example, the time information when a request to start the air conditioner 500 is received from the user terminal 600 and the time information when the temperature inside the vehicle interior reaches the set temperature set by the user. In this embodiment, the control unit 112B displays a comment such as, for example, "The current temperature outside the vehicle cabin is 38°C. Because the temperatures outside and inside the vehicle cabin are very high, it will take more than 20 minutes for the temperature inside the vehicle cabin to reach the set temperature. We recommend that you get into the vehicle before the set temperature is reached. By getting into the vehicle before the set temperature is reached, fuel efficiency / electricity efficiency can be significantly improved and CO2 emissions can be further reduced."

[0053] <Processing flow for vehicle 1B> The processing flow of the vehicle 1B will be described with reference to FIG.

[0054] The control unit 112B determines whether or not a request to operate the air conditioner 500 has been received from the user terminal 600 (step S310). When the control unit 112B determines that it has not received a request to operate the air conditioner 500 from the user terminal 600 ("NO" in step S310), it returns the process and transitions to a standby state. When the control unit 112B determines that a request to operate the air conditioner 500 has been received from the user terminal 600 ("YES" in step S310), the control unit 112B moves the process to step S320.

[0055] Control unit 112B causes temperature change calculation unit 111 to calculate the temperature change in the vehicle interior (step S320), and then causes the process to proceed to step S330.

[0056] Control unit 112B refers to the temperature change in the vehicle interior temperature calculated in step S320, and determines whether the temperature in the vehicle interior reaches the set temperature set by the user within a predetermined time (step S330). The control unit 112B refers to the temperature change in the vehicle interior temperature calculated in step S320, and if it determines that the temperature in the vehicle interior will reach the set temperature set by the user within a predetermined time ("YES" in step S330), it transitions the processing to step S340. The control unit 112B refers to the temperature change in the vehicle interior temperature calculated in step S320, and if it determines that the temperature in the vehicle interior will not reach the set temperature set by the user within the specified time ("NO" in step S330), it transitions the processing to step S350.

[0057] The control unit 112B refers to the temperature change in the vehicle interior temperature calculated in step S320, and if it determines that the temperature in the vehicle interior will reach the set temperature set by the user within the specified time ("YES" in step S330), it transmits information regarding the temperature change in the vehicle interior to the user terminal 600 via the communication unit 200 (step S340) and terminates the processing.

[0058] The control unit 112B refers to the temperature change in the vehicle interior temperature calculated in step S320, and if it determines that the temperature in the vehicle interior will not reach the set temperature set by the user within the specified time ("NO" in step S330), it transmits information regarding the temperature change in the vehicle interior and information urging the user to get in before the set temperature set by the user is reached to the user terminal 600 via the communication unit 200 (step S350), and terminates the processing.

[0059] <Actions and Effects> As described above, when the control unit 112B of the vehicle 1B according to this embodiment determines, based on the temperature change calculated by the temperature change calculation unit 111, that the temperature inside the vehicle cabin will not reach the set temperature within a predetermined time, it notifies the user of information encouraging them to get in before the set temperature is reached. For example, if a vehicle is parked in the scorching heat of summer or during snowfall in winter, it may take a very long time for the temperature inside the vehicle to reach the set temperature due to factors such as the outside temperature. Therefore, vehicle 1B refers to the temperature change inside the vehicle cabin calculated by temperature change calculation unit 111, and if it determines that the temperature inside the vehicle cabin will not reach the set temperature set by the user within a predetermined period of time, it displays on user terminal 600 information regarding the temperature change inside the vehicle cabin and information encouraging the user to get into vehicle 1B before the set temperature set by the user is reached. Vehicle 1B displays on user terminal 600, for example, a graph visualizing information about temperature changes inside the vehicle cabin, and a comment such as, "The current temperature outside the vehicle cabin is 38°C. Because the temperatures outside and inside the vehicle cabin are very high, it will take more than 20 minutes for the temperature inside the vehicle cabin to reach the set temperature. We recommend that you get into the vehicle before the set temperature is reached. By getting into the vehicle before the set temperature is reached, fuel / electricity efficiency can be significantly improved and CO2 emissions can be further reduced." This allows the user to recognize that it will take a long time for the temperature inside the vehicle cabin to reach the set temperature. The vehicle 1B displays on the user terminal 600 a comment encouraging the user to get into the vehicle 1B before the temperature reaches the set temperature set by the user, and recommends that the user depart early. This makes it possible to minimize the energy consumed before starting to drive, for example, thereby reducing CO2 emissions, power consumption, fuel consumption, and the like.

[0060] <Variation 1> For example, when the above-mentioned vehicles 1, 1A, and 1B determine that the temperature inside the vehicle cabin has reached a set temperature based on the vehicle cabin temperature information acquired from the vehicle cabin temperature sensor 400, they notify the user terminal 600 of the information that the set temperature has been reached. This minimizes the amount of energy wasted between the time the temperature inside the vehicle reaches the set temperature and the time the vehicle starts moving, thereby reducing CO2 emissions, power consumption, fuel consumption, etc. The user is notified at the user terminal 600 that the set temperature has been reached, so that the user can reduce unnecessary waiting time.

[0061] <Variation 2> When the above-mentioned vehicles 1, 1A, and 1B receive an operation request and set temperature information for the air conditioning device 500 from the user terminal 600, they notify the user terminal 600 of information regarding temperature changes in the vehicle cabin. However, for example, when a user in vehicle 1 operates an operation panel or the like of the air conditioning device 500 to operate the air conditioning device 500, the information regarding temperature changes in the vehicle cabin may be notified to the user terminal 600, and the information regarding temperature changes in the vehicle cabin may be displayed on a display panel (e.g., a meter display panel) provided in vehicle 1. This makes it possible to provide information about temperature changes inside the vehicle cabin to users in the vehicles 1, 1A, and 1B.

[0062] <Variation 3> The temperature change calculation unit 111 described above only needs to be able to calculate the temperature inside the vehicle cabin for each elapsed time since the air conditioner 500 has been activated, and therefore may calculate the temperature change inside the vehicle cabin using machine learning, for example. The temperature change calculation unit 111 calculates the temperature change inside the vehicle cabin using, for example, a trained model that uses the vehicle cabin temperature and the vehicle exterior temperature for each elapsed time since the air conditioner 500 was turned on as training data. This allows the temperature change inside the vehicle cabin to be calculated with high accuracy.

[0063] <Variation 4> In the vehicle 1B described above, it is determined whether the set temperature is reached within a predetermined time period, but it may be determined whether the set temperature is reached within a time period set by the user. This allows the user to set any time that is acceptable as the waiting time.

[0064] The processing of the temperature change calculation unit 111 and the control units 112, 112A, and 112B described above can be recorded on a recording medium readable by a computer system, and the program recorded on this recording medium can be read into memory and executed, thereby realizing the vehicles 1, 1A, and 1B of the present invention. The computer system here includes the OS and hardware such as peripheral devices.

[0065] If the above computer system uses a WWW (World Wide Web) system, it also includes the homepage providing environment (or display environment). The above program may be transmitted from a computer system in which the program is stored in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by transmission waves in the transmission medium. The transmission medium for transmitting the above-mentioned program refers to a medium having the function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line.

[0066] The above program may be for realizing part of the above-mentioned functions. The above program may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can realize the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

[0067] The above has described in detail an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings, but all vehicles that can be implemented by a person skilled in the art by making appropriate design modifications based on the vehicle described above as an embodiment of the present invention also fall within the scope of the present invention as long as they include the gist of the present invention. Within the scope of the concept of the present invention, a person skilled in the art may conceive of various modifications and alterations, and it is understood that these modifications and alterations also fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, any embodiment in which a person skilled in the art has appropriately added or deleted components or modified the design, or added or omitted steps or modified conditions, is included within the scope of the present invention as long as it contains the essence of the present invention.

[0068] Furthermore, other effects and advantages brought about by the aspects described in this embodiment that are clear from the description in this specification or that can be appropriately thought of by a person skilled in the art are naturally understood to be brought about by the present invention. Various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining the multiple components disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, some components may be omitted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, components from different embodiments may be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1;Vehicle 100;controller 110;processor 111: Temperature change calculation unit 112;Control unit 120;Memory 200;Communications Department 300:Exterior temperature sensor 400; Vehicle interior temperature sensor 500;Air conditioner 600 User terminal N; Network

Claims

1. an air conditioning device that controls the temperature inside the vehicle cabin to a set temperature set by a user; a temperature change calculation unit that calculates a temperature change until the temperature inside the vehicle compartment reaches the set temperature based on temperatures outside and inside the vehicle compartment; a control unit that notifies the user of information regarding the temperature change; A vehicle characterized by comprising:

2. 2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the control unit, when receiving a request to operate the air conditioning device from a user terminal carried by the user, causes the user terminal to display information regarding the temperature change.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, when the temperature outside the vehicle compartment is lower than a predetermined temperature, the control unit calculates the amount of change in the temperature per predetermined time, and, when the amount of change in the temperature per predetermined time is equal to or less than the predetermined amount, notifies the user of information urging the user to get in before the set temperature is reached.

4. The vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that, when it is determined based on the temperature change calculated by the temperature change calculation unit that the temperature inside the vehicle cabin will not reach the set temperature within a predetermined time, the control unit notifies the user of information urging the user to get in the vehicle before the set temperature is reached.

5. a controller; and an air conditioner that controls the temperature inside the vehicle cabin to a set temperature set by a user; the controller includes one or more processors and one or more memories communicatively coupled to the one or more processors; the one or more processors: calculating a temperature change until the temperature inside the vehicle compartment reaches the set temperature based on the temperatures outside and inside the vehicle compartment; The vehicle is characterized in that the user is notified of information regarding the temperature change.

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