Vehicle control device and vehicle

Abstract

To provide a vehicle control device for making travel time more comfortable than before. [Solution] The vehicle control device (10) includes a control unit (11) that controls the vehicle control device (10) and an information acquisition unit (15) that acquires information about an occupant seated in a seat (S) of the vehicle (1), and the control unit (11) executes a judgment process based on the acquired information about the occupant to determine whether a trigger condition for directing the occupant's gaze from inside the vehicle to outside the vehicle is met, and if the judgment process determines that the trigger condition is met, the vehicle control device (10) causes a vehicle accessory (20) to execute a predetermined event for directing the occupant's gaze from inside the vehicle to outside the vehicle.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Various innovations have been made in vehicles such as automobiles to make long-distance travel more comfortable. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an invention in which the seat is mounted on a rotatable fixed base, allowing the seat to be turned around. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-036003 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, there is room for further improvement in making long-distance travel more comfortable.

[0005] An object of one aspect of the present disclosure is to realize a vehicle control device that can execute vehicle control to make travel time more comfortable than ever before. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A vehicle control device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a vehicle control device that controls vehicle accessories mounted on a vehicle, and includes a control unit that controls the vehicle control device, and an information acquisition unit that acquires information about an occupant seated in a seat of the vehicle. The control unit executes a judgment process based on the acquired information about the occupant to determine whether a trigger condition for directing the gaze of the occupant seated in the seat from inside the vehicle to outside the vehicle is met, and if the judgment process determines that the trigger condition is met, causes the vehicle accessory to execute a predetermined event for directing the gaze of the occupant from inside the vehicle to outside the vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to realize a vehicle control device that can execute vehicle control to make travel time more comfortable than ever before. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a vehicle control system using a vehicle control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram of a vehicle control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a vehicle control device. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a predetermined event according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a predetermined event according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a predetermined event according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a vehicle control system using a vehicle control device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] (Vehicle control system overview) The vehicle control system shown in FIG. 1 includes a vehicle control device 10, a server 2, and a user terminal 3. The vehicle control device 10 is disposed inside the vehicle 1 and controls vehicle accessories 20 mounted on the vehicle 1. Details of the vehicle accessories 20 will be described later. The vehicle 1 in this embodiment is, for example, a car, a bus, a taxi, etc. The vehicle 1 may also include a vehicle 1 capable of fully autonomous driving.

[0012] The server 2 is located outside the vehicle control device 10. The server 2 has a function of transmitting information about an occupant seated in the seat S of the vehicle 1 to the vehicle control device 10. The server 2 may have a memory for storing information about the occupant. The "information about the occupant" may include, for example, information about the time spent operating a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, laptop, or tablet held by the occupant, which is an example of a user terminal 3; information about the time elapsed since the occupant sat in the seat S; information about content in which the occupant is interested; and personal information about the occupant. Personal information includes individual information about the occupant, such as the occupant's age and date of birth, information indicating behavioral patterns, information about car sickness, and information indicating hobbies and preferences. The information about the occupant is not necessarily limited to the information described above. The occupant may be of any age, and may include children.

[0013] The vehicle control device 10, the server 2, and the user terminal 3 are connected to each other via a network 4 such as a wireless communication network or the Internet. Note that there may be a plurality of vehicle control devices 10, a plurality of servers 2, and a plurality of user terminals 3.

[0014] (Vehicle control device overview) 2 is a block diagram of a vehicle control device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle control device 10 includes a control unit 11, a memory 12, a storage unit 13, an input / output interface 14, an information acquisition unit 15, a position information acquisition unit 16, and an image processing unit 17.

[0015] Each component is connected to each other via an internal bus (not shown) so as to be able to communicate with each other. The vehicle control device 10 may be configured as a so-called vehicle ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

[0016] The memory 12 is composed of a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and stores programs executed by the control unit 11 and information about occupants used in the programs.

[0017] The control unit 11 has, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a main memory device, reads a program from a ROM, and executes the program using a RAM as a work area. The storage unit 13 has, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), etc. Various programs and various data are stored in the storage unit 13.

[0018] The input / output interface 14 is an interface for performing wired or wireless communication. The input / output interface 14 is connected to the vehicle accessories 20, the projection unit 22, the seating sensor 23, the camera 21, and the GPS antenna 160. Each component is connected to the vehicle control device 10 via the input / output interface 14, and data communication is possible between each component and the vehicle control device 10.

[0019] (Information acquisition department) The information acquisition unit 15 acquires information about an occupant seated in the seat S of the vehicle 1 via the input / output interface 14. The information about the occupant may be acquired from the server 2 or from the user terminal 3. The information about the occupant acquired from the user terminal 3 includes, for example, a search history searched for on the user terminal 3, a usage history of applications installed on the user terminal 3, a video viewing history, and the like.

[0020] (Location information acquisition unit) The position information acquisition unit 16 acquires position information indicating the vehicle position, which is the current position of the vehicle. Specifically, the position information acquisition unit 16 acquires position information detected by a Global Navigation Satellite System(s) (GNSS) such as a Global Positioning System (GPS). In this embodiment, the position information acquisition unit 16 calculates the position information of the vehicle 1 based on a signal received from a GPS satellite by a GPS antenna 160 provided in the vehicle.

[0021] (Image processing unit) The image processing unit 17 acquires image data of the outside of the vehicle 1 through the camera 21 and performs processing to convert the image data of the outside of the vehicle 1 captured by the camera 21 into an outside-vehicle image P (see FIG. 4) to be displayed on a display screen (display DP: see FIG. 6). The image data converted into the outside-vehicle image P is displayed on the display DP via an in-vehicle network such as a CAN (controller area network). Note that the outside-vehicle image P may be projected onto the vehicle accessory 20 in addition to being displayed on the display DP. In this case, the image processing unit 17 may perform processing to convert the image data of the outside of the vehicle 1 captured by the camera 21 into an outside-vehicle image P to be projected onto the vehicle accessory 20.

[0022] (Vehicle equipment) The vehicle accessories 20 will be described with reference to Figs. 4 to 6. Figs. 4 to 6 are diagrams showing an example of a predetermined event. The predetermined event will be described later. The vehicle accessories 20 are accessories provided in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 1. As shown in Fig. 4, the vehicle accessories 20 are, for example, seats S (including the first seat S1 to the third seat S3), doors DR (which may include door frames), pillars PL, front window FW, rear window RW, side windows SW, panoramic window PW (including a roof window), and dashboard DB.

[0023] The vehicle accessory 20 is, for example, a rotation mechanism 200 that pivots around a seat S on which an occupant sits, as shown in Fig. 5. The vehicle accessory 20 is, for example, a display DP provided on the inner surface of the vehicle 1, as shown in Fig. 6. The display DP is an example of the "display screen" of the present invention.

[0024] The display DP may be configured as, for example, a transmissive display DP. If the display DP is configured as a transmissive display DP, a clear view can be achieved when no video or image is displayed on the display DP. Details of the rotation mechanism 200 will be described later.

[0025] The vehicle equipment 20 has, for example, a projection film (not shown) attached to the surface visible to the occupant sitting in the seat S, and is configured to be able to project images from a projection unit 22 installed inside the vehicle 1.

[0026] The projection film is not an essential component, and if the surface of the vehicle accessory 20 is made of a material suitable for projection, the projection film does not have to be attached. Also, in the case of a vehicle accessory 20 that has a function of displaying image data, such as a display, the projection film does not have to be attached.

[0027] The vehicle accessories 20 are not limited to the above-described configurations, and any interior accessories provided in the cabin of the vehicle 1 can be included in the vehicle accessories 20.

[0028] (camera) The camera 21 is an example of an imaging unit, and captures images of the periphery of the vehicle 1. The periphery of the vehicle 1 includes both the front-rear direction and the left-right direction of the vehicle 1. In other words, the camera 21 is configured to be able to capture 360° images in the horizontal direction of the vehicle 1. It is not necessary to use a single camera 21 to capture images of the periphery of the vehicle 1, and images may be captured by multiple cameras 21. The camera 21 may be, for example, a so-called "front camera" and a "rear camera" that are disposed in front and behind the vehicle 1. The camera 21 is, for example, a digital camera that uses a solid-state imaging element such as a CCD or CMOS. The camera 21 is not limited to a digital camera as long as it is able to capture images of the periphery of the vehicle 1.

[0029] (projection section) The projection unit 22 is a device that projects an image of the outside of the vehicle 1 captured by the camera 21 onto the vehicle accessories 20 of the vehicle 1 based on a command from the control unit 11. The projection unit 22 may be installed at any location inside the vehicle 1. There is at least one projection unit 22, and multiple projection units 22 may be installed.

[0030] The projection unit 22 may be installed so that it can be automatically deployed and retracted from a wall surface inside the vehicle by, for example, an electric actuator. The projection unit 22 may be configured, for example, by a known projector. The projection unit 22 projects image data captured by the camera 21 onto the vehicle accessory 20.

[0031] (seat sensor) A plurality of seating sensors 23 that detect whether or not an occupant is seated are provided on the seat S installed in the vehicle 1. The seating sensors 23 may be built into the seat S, for example.

[0032] The seating sensor 23 detects the presence of an occupant by detecting the load on the surface of the seat S. The seating sensor 23 is electrically connected to the vehicle control device 10, and a detection signal detected by the seating sensor 23 is sent to the control unit 11.

[0033] The vehicle control device 10 has been outlined above, but the control unit 11 may be configured to store map data in a storage unit, accept input of information about the departure point and destination from the occupant by any method, and search for a route from the departure point to the destination. The vehicle 1 may also be configured to include a known navigation device. In this case, a route from the departure point to the destination may be searched for based on information input to the navigation device.

[0034] (Processing flow of vehicle control device) The processing flow of the vehicle control device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 3 to Fig. 6. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the processing flow of the vehicle control device. Fig. 4 to Fig. 6 are diagrams showing examples of predetermined events.

[0035] In step S10, the control unit 11 accepts a destination input. Upon accepting the destination input, the control unit 11 searches for a route from the departure point to the destination.

[0036] In step S20, the control unit 11 determines whether the drive from the departure point to the destination corresponds to a long drive based on the route search information. A "long drive" is a long trip in the vehicle 1, specifically a trip with a driving time of two hours or more.

[0037] It should be noted that it is not essential to determine whether or not a trip qualifies as a long drive, and the present invention can be applied even to trips of less than two hours. Furthermore, the determination of whether or not a trip qualifies as a long drive may be based not only on the trip time but also on the trip distance.

[0038] A driving distance equivalent to a long drive is, for example, 300 km or more. In this embodiment, a description will be given assuming a long drive in a private car by a family of three or four. However, this family structure is an example, and the family may be two people or may be five or more people.

[0039] If the control unit 11 determines based on the route search information that the journey from the departure point to the destination is a long drive (S20: YES), the control unit 11 acquires information about the occupants in step S30. On the other hand, if the control unit 11 determines based on the route search information that the journey from the departure point to the destination is not a long drive (S20: NO), the processing of the vehicle control device 10 ends.

[0040] In step S40, the control unit 11 determines whether a trigger condition is satisfied. The "trigger condition" is a condition for directing the line of sight of the occupant seated in the seat S from the interior of the vehicle 1 to the exterior of the vehicle 1, based on the acquired information about the occupant.

[0041] Examples of trigger conditions are as follows:

[0042] A certain time has passed since the occupant sat in vehicle 1 (Condition A) A predetermined time has elapsed since the occupant got into the vehicle 1 and operated the user terminal 3 (Condition B). The vehicle 1 is approaching a specific location related to information about the occupant based on the location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 16 (Condition C). The trigger conditions may be changed as appropriate depending on the configuration of the vehicle 1, the configuration of the occupants, the destination, and the like.

[0043] Condition A may be, for example, measured based on the transmission time or reception time of the detection signal detected by the seating sensor 23, and if a predetermined time has passed since the occupant was seated, the control unit 11 may determine that the trigger condition is met.

[0044] In addition, after the occupant boards the vehicle 1, the time since the ignition is turned on is measured, and if that time exceeds a predetermined time, the control unit 11 may assume that the predetermined time has passed since the occupant sat down, and determine that the trigger condition is met.

[0045] The fact that an occupant has boarded the vehicle 1 is detected, for example, by a distance sensor provided on the seat S, which detects the distance to the user terminal 3 by short-range communication with the user terminal 3 when the occupant boards the vehicle 1. If this distance is less than a predetermined distance, the distance sensor detects the boarding of the occupant. Otherwise, the distance sensor 189 may not detect the boarding.

[0046] Condition B may be, for example, that the server 2 and the user terminal 3 communicate with each other via the network 4 and acquire the operation time of the user terminal 3. In this case, an application that enables acquisition of the operation time of the user terminal 3 may be executed in the user terminal 3. When acquiring the operation time of the user terminal 3, the control unit 11 may determine, based on the acquired operation time, whether the time during which the occupant has operated the user terminal 3 has exceeded a predetermined time.

[0047] In addition, a camera 21 installed inside the vehicle 1 may detect the line of sight and / or the direction of the passenger's face, and based on the detection results, the control unit 11 may determine whether the operation time of the user terminal 3 has elapsed for a predetermined period of time.

[0048] In this case, the control unit 11 measures whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the camera 21 detected that the line of sight of the occupant and / or the direction of the occupant's face is directed toward the user terminal 3.

[0049] Then, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the camera 21 detected the line of sight and / or the direction of the occupant's face, the control unit 11 may determine that the predetermined time has elapsed since the occupant operated the user terminal 3. In this way, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the trigger condition is satisfied.

[0050] Condition C may be, for example, that the server 2 and the user terminal 3 communicate with each other via the network 4 and acquire information about the occupant. Examples of the acquired information about the occupant include "past visit history of the occupant" and "search history of the occupant on the user terminal 3."

[0051] For example, if the crew member has many visits to aquariums in their past visit history, it is estimated that the crew member is interested in aquariums. Also, if the crew member's search history on the user terminal 3 is information related to aquariums and marine life, it is estimated that the crew member is interested in aquariums.

[0052] In this way, when it is determined based on information about the occupant that the location that is highly relevant to the occupant is an aquarium, if the vehicle 1 is approaching the aquarium based on the location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 16, the control unit 11 determines that the trigger condition is met.

[0053] There may be a plurality of locations highly relevant to the occupant based on information about the occupant, and among the plurality of locations highly relevant to the occupant, different priorities may be set, for example, so that information searched most recently has a higher priority and information searched several days ago has a lower priority. Note that the process of estimating a specific location related to information about the occupant may be performed using known AI (Artificial Intelligence) technology.

[0054] If the control unit 11 determines in step S40 that the trigger condition is satisfied (S40: YES), then in step S50, the control unit 11 causes the vehicle accessory 20 to execute a predetermined event. On the other hand, if the control unit 11 determines in step S40 that the trigger condition is not satisfied (S40: NO), the control unit 11 executes the determination process of step S40 again.

[0055] The "predetermined event" executed in step S50 will now be described with reference to Figures 4 to 6. Figures 4 to 6 are diagrams showing an example of a predetermined event. The structure of the vehicle 1 shown in Figure 4 is not particularly limited, but as an example, the vehicle 1 has three rows of seats. The front row seat S may be referred to as the first seat S1, the middle row (second row) seat S as the second seat S2, and the rear row seat S as the third seat S3.

[0056] 4 shows a state in which an image of the scenery outside the vehicle 1 (outside vehicle image P) captured by the camera 21 is projected onto the entire side of the vehicle 1, including the side windows, pillars PL, etc. For example, if a specific location related to information about the occupant is a tourist attraction with beautiful scenery, the image of the scenery outside the vehicle 1 is projected onto the interior of the vehicle 1, as shown in FIG.

[0057] The landscape image may be projected so that the actual scenery seen by the occupant through the side window and the projected landscape image appear to overlap. Because the landscape image is projected over the entire side surface of the vehicle 1, the occupants seated in the first seat S1, the second seat S2, and the third seat S3 can view the projected landscape image from their respective seats S. Note that the landscape image projected inside the vehicle 1 is not limited to being projected so that the actual scenery seen by the occupant through the side window and the projected landscape image appear to overlap. For example, when the occupant looks at the external scenery from inside the vehicle 1, the landscape image projected inside the vehicle 1 may be projected onto the pillar PL, in which case the vehicle exterior image P corresponding only to the portion of the scenery obscured by the pillar PL may be projected side by side in a continuous manner. Note that the pillar PL is just one example, and the image may similarly be projected onto anything that blocks the external scenery.

[0058] 5, the vehicle 1 may be provided with a rotation mechanism 200 that supports the seat S rotatably about a rotation axis that is perpendicular to the floor F of the vehicle 1, and the rotational displacement of the seat S may make it easier to direct the gaze outside the vehicle 1. The rotation mechanism 200 may include, for example, a rotation axis that is perpendicular to the seat portion of the seat S and a bearing for the rotation axis. The rotation mechanism 200 may be configured to be rotatable by an actuator (not shown) such as a motor that drives the rotation mechanism 200.

[0059] Furthermore, the rotation mechanism 200 may be configured to include, for example, a turntable that fully supports the bottom surface of the seat S and be rotatable by an actuator such as a motor that rotates the turntable. Furthermore, the rotation mechanism 200 may be slidably attached to a slide rail 201 that slides the seat S shown in Fig. 5. The rotation mechanism 200 is not limited to the configuration described above, and any mechanism that can rotate the seat S may be used.

[0060] The seat S rotates so that the line of sight faces the nearest side window SW, based on the position where the seat S is installed. In other words, the seat S installed on the left side rotates toward the side window SW installed on the left side in the traveling direction of the vehicle 1.

[0061] Furthermore, the seat S installed on the right side rotates toward the side window SW provided on the right side in the traveling direction of the vehicle 1. However, the direction of rotation of the seat S is not limited to this. The seat S installed on the right side may rotate toward the side window SW provided on the left side in the traveling direction of the vehicle 1, or the seat S installed on the left side may rotate toward the side window SW provided on the right side in the traveling direction of the vehicle 1.

[0062] Figure 6 shows the state in which the second seat S2 is rotated 180 degrees from a forward-facing position, so that the occupant seated in the second seat S2 faces the occupant seated in the third seat S3.

[0063] When a predetermined event is executed in the seat position of seat S shown in Figure 6, the predetermined event may be executed for either the occupant sitting in the second seat S2 or the occupant sitting in the third seat S3, and may be shared with other occupants.

[0064] Furthermore, a predetermined event may be executed for the occupant seated in the first seat S1 and shared with other occupants. Alternatively, a predetermined event may be executed for the occupant seated in the first seat S1 and shared only with the occupant seated in the second seat S2. In other words, how the predetermined event is shared with the occupants in the vehicle can be set as appropriate.

[0065] In this way, when multiple occupants are seated, it may be determined which occupant should have a predetermined event executed based on the numerically-coded priority.

[0066] In FIG. 6, an aquarium-related image is displayed on displays DP provided on the entire inner surface of the vehicle 1, including the rear window RW, panoramic window PW (including the roof window), side windows SW, pillars PL, etc.

[0067] The images projected at the predetermined event may be still images or moving images. Also, for example, in cooperation with a facility such as an aquarium, videos or commercial images that are distributed in advance as a predetermined event may be projected.

[0068] In this way, the rotational displacement of the seat S and the projection of an image or video onto the vehicle accessory 20 may be executed in combination as a predetermined event.

[0069] After the predetermined event is executed in step S50, in step S60, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the vehicle 1 has arrived at the destination. If the control unit 11 determines that the vehicle 1 has arrived at the destination (S60: YES), the processing flow of the vehicle control device 10 ends.

[0070] On the other hand, if the control unit 11 determines that the vehicle 1 has not arrived at the destination (S60: NO), it executes the processing of step S40 again. Note that even if the vehicle 1 has not arrived at the destination, if input information indicating the end of the processing flow of the vehicle control device 10 is received from the occupant, the processing of the vehicle control device 10 may be ended. The input information indicating the end of the processing flow may be received, for example, by switching on / off a switch for executing a function of the vehicle control device 10.

[0071] (Variation) A modification of this embodiment will now be described.

[0072] In addition to the above-described predetermined events, for example, a message such as "You've been looking at the screen for a long time, so take a look at the scenery outside and refresh yourself" may be sent to the user terminal 3 by communicating with the user terminal 3 via the network 4. For example, if the camera 21 installed inside the vehicle 1 determines that the occupant's gaze is directed at the smartphone screen for a predetermined time or more (for example, two hours or more), the above message may be sent to the occupant's smartphone.

[0073] Also, trigger conditions and predetermined events may be combined in advance for each condition and executed. For example, if trigger condition A is satisfied, the seat S is rotated. If trigger condition B is satisfied, a message is displayed on the user terminal 3. If trigger condition C is satisfied, in addition to rotating the seat S, an image or video is projected onto the vehicle accessory 20.

[0074] When trigger condition A and trigger condition B are met simultaneously, the trigger condition and the specified event may be executed in any appropriate combination, such as omitting the specified event of rotating and shifting the sheet S and displaying a message on the user terminal 3.

[0075] In addition, in the present embodiment, a long drive in a private car by a family of three or four has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in a bus tour that combines long-distance travel with sightseeing, in addition to information about the passengers, a predetermined event may be executed in accordance with the tour curriculum (program) to direct the tour guests' gaze from inside the car to outside the car.

[0076] In addition, in this embodiment, the image of the outside of the vehicle 1 captured by the camera 21 (vehicle exterior image P) is projected onto the vehicle accessories 20 of the vehicle 1, but this is not limited to this. For example, consider a case where it is determined that the trigger condition is met based on personal information, such as the fact that the occupant is prone to car sickness when driving long distances (for example, driving for one hour or more from the departure point to the destination), among information about the occupant.

[0077] In this case, as the predetermined event, instead of projecting an image of the outside of the vehicle 1 onto the vehicle accessory 20, an image that is effective against car sickness (for example, a landscape image of a grassland with a lot of greenery) may be projected onto the vehicle accessory 20. Also, an image that is effective against car sickness may be displayed on the display DP.

[0078] (Action and effect) As described above, according to this embodiment, the following advantageous effects can be obtained.

[0079] The vehicle control device 10 according to aspect 1 of the present invention is a vehicle control device 10 that controls a vehicle accessory 20 mounted on a vehicle 1, and includes a control unit 11 that controls the vehicle control device 10, and an information acquisition unit 15 that acquires information about an occupant seated in a seat S of the vehicle 1. The control unit 11 executes a judgment process based on the acquired information about the occupant to determine whether a trigger condition for directing the gaze of the occupant seated in the seat from inside the vehicle to outside the vehicle is met, and if the judgment process determines that the trigger condition (for example, the above-mentioned conditions A to C) is met, the control unit 11 causes the vehicle accessory 20 to execute a predetermined event for directing the gaze of the occupant from inside the vehicle to outside the vehicle.

[0080] According to the above configuration, the vehicle control device 10 can execute a determination process based on information about the occupant to determine whether a trigger condition is met that causes the occupant seated in the seat S (first seat S1 to third seat S3) to turn their line of sight from inside the vehicle to outside the vehicle.

[0081] Furthermore, if it is determined that the trigger condition is satisfied, a predetermined event can be executed by the vehicle accessory 20. When the predetermined event is executed by the vehicle accessory 20, the occupant's gaze is likely to be directed from inside the vehicle to outside the vehicle, and therefore, the occupant can obtain information about the outside of the vehicle that is of great interest to the occupant.

[0082] For example, if the information outside the vehicle is about architecture or scenery, enjoying the architecture or scenery will help you understand the atmosphere and characteristics of the area, making your travel time more enjoyable. In other words, you can spend your travel time comfortably.

[0083] In addition, by directing passengers' gazes outward, it becomes an opportunity to share topics of conversation within the car, encouraging active communication within the car and making the journey more enjoyable. In other words, the journey can be made more comfortable.

[0084] The above effects make travel time more fulfilling, and the vehicle control device 10 can be realized that can execute vehicle control to make travel time more comfortable than ever before, even on long drives.

[0085] A vehicle control device 10 according to aspect 2 of the present invention may be configured such that, in the above-mentioned aspect 1, the vehicle equipment 20 is a rotation mechanism 200 that supports the seat so that it can rotate around a rotation axis perpendicular to the floor surface F of the vehicle 1, and the specified event includes rotating and shifting the seat in a direction intersecting the direction of travel of the vehicle 1.

[0086] According to the above configuration, the seats S (first seat S1 to third seat S3) can be rotated and displaced by executing a predetermined event. This further makes it easier for the occupants seated in the seats S (first seat S1 to third seat S3) to turn their gaze from the inside of the vehicle to the outside of the vehicle.

[0087] The vehicle control device 10 according to aspect 3 of the present invention may be configured in the above-described aspect 1, further comprising an imaging unit (camera 21) capable of capturing images of the outside of the vehicle 1, the vehicle equipment 20 being a display screen (display DP) provided on the inside of the vehicle 1, and the specified event including displaying an outside vehicle image P corresponding to image data of the outside of the vehicle 1 captured by the imaging unit (camera 21) on the display screen (display DP).

[0088] According to the above configuration, the vehicle outside image P can be displayed on the display DP by executing a predetermined event.

[0089] As a result, the outside image P (video / image) that the occupants find interesting is displayed on the display DP. This allows the occupants to direct their gaze to beautiful scenery or interesting places, which has a relaxing effect. Also, directing one's gaze to beautiful scenery or interesting places can help change one's mood.

[0090] Furthermore, if the display DP is configured as a transmissive display, it is also possible to enjoy the scenery outside the vehicle 1 along with the outside image P (video / image). In this way, by displaying the outside image P on the display DP, the travel time can be relaxed even on long drives.

[0091] Moreover, by displaying the outside image P (video / image) on the display DP, a magnificent view can be displayed in front of the occupants' eyes, which can direct the occupants' gaze outside the vehicle and reduce the sense of claustrophobia felt by the occupants inside the vehicle 1.

[0092] The vehicle control device 10 according to aspect 4 of the present invention may be configured in the above-mentioned aspect 2 or 3, further comprising a location information acquisition unit 16 that acquires location information indicating the current location of the vehicle 1, and the trigger condition may include the vehicle 1 being approaching a specific location related to information about the occupant based on the acquired location information.

[0093] According to the above configuration, it is possible to obtain information indicating the current location of the vehicle 1. As a result, for example, when the vehicle 1 approaches a specific location that is of high interest to the occupant while the vehicle 1 is traveling, a predetermined event is executed. As a result, the outside image P of the location that is highly relevant to the occupant is projected or displayed on the vehicle accessory 20, which makes it easier for the occupant to direct their gaze from the inside of the vehicle 1 to the outside of the vehicle.

[0094] For example, if a specific event is executed based on information that occupants find highly interesting in a place they have never been to before, it can further pique their interest in new places and cultures. Furthermore, turning their gaze to a landscape they have never seen before can stimulate their creativity and ideas. This makes travel time more fulfilling, and even long drives can be enjoyed in comfort.

[0095] A vehicle according to a fifth aspect of the present invention may be configured to include a vehicle control device in any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0096] (Software implementation example) The functions of the vehicle control device 10 (hereinafter referred to as the "device") are realized by a program for causing a computer to function as the device, and by a program for causing a computer to function as each control block of the device (particularly the control unit 11 and the information acquisition unit 15).

[0097] In this case, the device includes a computer having at least one control device (e.g., a processor) and at least one storage device (e.g., a memory) as hardware for executing the program. The control device and storage device execute the program, thereby realizing the functions described in each of the above embodiments.

[0098] The program may be non-transitory and may be recorded on one or more computer-readable recording media. The recording media may or may not be included in the device. In the latter case, the program may be supplied to the device via any wired or wireless transmission medium.

[0099] In addition, some or all of the functions of each of the control blocks can be realized by logic circuits. For example, integrated circuits in which logic circuits that function as each of the control blocks are formed are also included in the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, the functions of each of the control blocks can also be realized by, for example, a quantum computer.

[0100] Furthermore, each process described in each of the above embodiments may be executed by AI (Artificial Intelligence). In this case, the AI ​​may run on the control device or on another device (for example, an edge computer or a cloud server).

[0101] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 1 vehicle 10 Vehicle control device 11 Control section 15 Information acquisition department 20 Vehicle equipment S1 1st seat S2 2nd seat S3 3rd seat

Claims

1. A vehicle control device that controls vehicle accessories mounted on a vehicle, a control unit that controls the vehicle control device; an information acquisition unit that acquires information about an occupant seated in a seat of the vehicle; Equipped with The control unit executes a determination process to determine whether a trigger condition for directing the line of sight of the occupant seated in the seat from the inside of the vehicle to the outside of the vehicle is satisfied based on the acquired information about the occupant; When it is determined that the trigger condition is satisfied in the determination process, a predetermined event is executed by the vehicle accessory to direct the line of sight of the occupant from inside the vehicle to outside the vehicle. A vehicle control device characterized by:

2. the vehicle accessory is a rotation mechanism that supports the seat so that the seat can rotate about a rotation axis that is perpendicular to a floor surface of the vehicle, the predetermined event includes rotating and shifting the seat in a direction intersecting the traveling direction of the vehicle.

2. The vehicle control device according to claim 1.

3. Further, an imaging unit capable of imaging the outside of the vehicle is provided, the vehicle accessory is a display screen provided on an interior surface of the vehicle, The predetermined event includes displaying, on the display screen, an outside image of the vehicle corresponding to image data of the outside of the vehicle captured by the imaging unit.

2. The vehicle control device according to claim 1.

4. a location information acquisition unit that acquires location information indicating a current location of the vehicle; the trigger condition includes the vehicle being approaching a specific location related to information about the occupant based on the acquired location information; 4. The vehicle control device according to claim 2 or 3.

5. A vehicle equipped with the vehicle control device according to claim 1.

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