Vehicle notification device

Abstract

This can prevent forgetting to change the settings of related equipment when changing the settings of specific equipment (21). [Solution] A vehicle notification device (100) includes a change unit (111) that changes the settings of specific equipment (21), which is a predetermined specific piece of equipment among the equipment provided in a vehicle (1), and a notification unit (116) that, when the setting of the specific equipment (21) is changed, notifies an occupant (P) of the vehicle (1) to encourage the occupant to change the settings of related equipment, which is the equipment related to the specific equipment (21).

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In recent years, efforts to provide access to sustainable transport systems that take into consideration vulnerable transport users such as the elderly, people with disabilities, and children have been gaining momentum. To achieve this, we are focusing on research and development to further improve transport safety and convenience through the development of vehicle livability. As one example of developments related to vehicle comfort, Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle equipped with a seat installed inside the vehicle, at least a portion of which is movable, a projection device capable of projecting images onto the walls inside the vehicle, and a control unit that acquires the state of the seat, controls the projection position of the projection device, and changes the projection position of the projection device according to the state of the seat. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-083204 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A vehicle is provided with specific equipment and related equipment whose settings may need to be changed when the settings of the specific equipment are changed, such as the seat and projection device described in Patent Document 1. However, there is a risk that the occupant may forget to change the settings of the related equipment in accordance with the change in the settings of the specific equipment. The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problem by preventing forgetting to change the settings of related equipment when changing the settings of specific equipment, thereby contributing to the development of sustainable transportation systems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One aspect of the present invention is a vehicle notification device that includes a change unit that changes the settings of specific equipment, which is a predetermined specific piece of equipment installed in a vehicle, and a notification unit that, when the setting of the specific equipment is changed, notifies an occupant of the vehicle to encourage them to change the settings of related equipment, which is equipment related to the specific equipment. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent forgetting to change the settings of related equipment when changing the settings of specific equipment. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle notification device provided in a vehicle. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the occupant information DB. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the operation screen. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the change recommendation screen. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the second change recommendation screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle notification device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] (Embodiment) [1. Configuration] The configuration of a vehicle 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle 1. As shown in FIG. The vehicle 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is a four-wheel vehicle. The vehicle 1 includes a driver's seat 21, a passenger seat 13, and a rear seat 14. The vehicle 1 in Fig. 1 shows a situation in which an occupant P, who is the driver, is seated in the driver's seat.

[0009] The vehicle 1 has a right front door 15, a left front door 16, and two rear doors 17. By opening the right front door 15, the right front door 15, the left front door 16, and the two rear doors 17, it is possible to enter and exit the passenger compartment of the vehicle 1.

[0010] The vehicle 1 is provided with a vehicle notification device 100 that issues a notification urging the driver to change the settings of equipment related to the driver's seat 21 when the settings of the driver's seat 21 are changed. The driver's seat 21 is configured so that the settings such as the up-down position and front-to-back position of the seat cushion, as well as the angle of the backrest, can be changed. The driver's seat 21 is a seat in which the occupant P who drives the vehicle 1 sits, and can also be referred to as an electric seat or a driver's seat. The driver's seat 21 corresponds to an example of "specific equipment."

[0011] The driver's seat 21 is provided with a seat operator 21A that is operated by the occupant P to change the settings of the driver's seat 21. The seat operator 21A may be a switch or a lever. The seat operator 21A corresponds to an example of an "operator."

[0012] The vehicle 1 is equipped with a steering wheel 22, side mirrors 23, a HUD (Head Up Display) 24, a rearview mirror 29, louvers 12, and a meter 27, which are examples of related equipment whose functionality for the occupant P decreases when the settings of the driver's seat 21 are changed. The steering wheel 22, side mirrors 23, HUD 24, rearview mirror 29, louvers 12, and meter 27 correspond to examples of "related equipment."

[0013] If the steering wheel 22 is not positioned properly relative to the driver's seat 21, the operability of the steering wheel 22 by the occupant P will be reduced. In particular, the steering wheel 22 is equipment for steering the vehicle 1 while the vehicle 1 is traveling. The steering wheel 22 corresponds to an example of "specific related equipment" related to the traveling of the vehicle 1 by the occupant P.

[0014] If the side mirrors 23 are not positioned appropriately relative to the driver's seat 21, the visibility of the situation outside the vehicle for the occupant P will be reduced. In particular, the side mirrors 23 are equipment for checking the situation outside the vehicle while the vehicle 1 is traveling. The side mirrors 23 correspond to an example of "specific related equipment," which is specific equipment related to the traveling of the vehicle 1 by the occupant P.

[0015] If the HUD 24 is not positioned appropriately relative to the driver's seat 21, the display will be difficult for the occupant P to see. Furthermore, if the positional relationship between the rearview mirror 29 and the driver's seat 21 is not appropriate, the visibility of the rear side of the vehicle interior space and the rear outside the vehicle will be reduced. Furthermore, if the louvers 12 are not positioned appropriately relative to the driver's seat 21, the wind will blow against parts of the body that the occupant P does not want to be blown, reducing comfort.

[0016] The vehicle 1 includes a speaker 26 and a touch panel 25 such as a DA (Display Audio) device. The speaker 26 is an example of a "notification means." The touch panel 25 is an example of a "display means."

[0017] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the vehicle notification device 100. As shown in FIG. Connected to the vehicle notification device 100 are a communication device 40, a driver's seat 21, side mirrors 23, a HUD 24, a touch panel 25, a speaker 26, a meter 27, an in-vehicle camera 28, and an air conditioning device 41. Note that the devices connected to the vehicle notification device 100 are not limited to these devices, and other types of devices may also be connected.

[0018] The communication device 40 is a communication means having a transmitter and a receiver and a control unit for controlling communication. The communication device 40 executes communication with a mobile communication terminal 90 carried by an occupant P, as shown in FIG.

[0019] The HUD 24 and the touch panel 25 display various information under the control of the vehicle notification device 100 . The speaker 26 outputs various sounds under the control of the vehicle notification device 100 . The in-vehicle camera 28, under the control of the vehicle notification device 100, captures an image of the vehicle interior space in a range that captures at least a part of the occupant P, and outputs the captured image to the vehicle notification device 100. The air conditioning device 41 is a device that conditions the air in the vehicle interior space and includes a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, a four-way valve, and a control unit that controls the air conditioning of the air conditioning device 41. The air that has undergone heat exchange by the air conditioning device 41 is circulated into the vehicle interior space through the louvers 12 described above.

[0020] The vehicle notification device 100 includes a processor 110 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processor Unit), a memory 120, and an interface circuit for connecting other devices and sensors. The memory 120 corresponds to an example of a "storage unit."

[0021] The memory 120 is a storage device that stores programs and data. The memory 120 stores a control program 121, an occupant information DB (database) 122, and data to be processed by the processor 110. The memory 120 has a non-volatile storage area. The memory 120 may also have a volatile storage area and constitute a work area for the processor 110. The memory 120 is constituted by, for example, a read-only memory (ROM) or a random access memory (RAM).

[0022] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the occupant information DB 122. As shown in FIG. The occupant information DB 122 records driving position information 123 and occupant information 124 for each specific occupant P registered in the vehicle 1. A specific occupant P is the owner of the vehicle 1, a co-owner who uses the vehicle 1 in common with the owner, etc. A specific occupant P corresponds to an example of a "specific occupant."

[0023] The driving position information 123 includes information on the settings of the driver's seat 21 and the steering wheel 22 for each occupant ID (identifier) ​​that uniquely identifies a specific occupant P. The information on the settings of the driver's seat 21 and the steering wheel 22 is determined in advance by the occupant P.

[0024] The occupant information 124 includes preference information 125 indicating the preferences of the occupant P and characteristic information 126 indicating the physical characteristics of the occupant P.

[0025] The preferences of the occupant P refer to the occupant P's preferences for the settings of related equipment, such as whether or not he often looks at the HUD 24 while the vehicle 1 is traveling, whether or not he is concerned about the wind from the air conditioning unit 41 blowing on his face, whether or not he is concerned about the flickering of the meter 27, and whether or not he often adjusts the rearview mirror 29. The preference information 125 is set in advance by the occupant P and recorded in the occupant information DB 122 in advance. In this embodiment, in accordance with the preferences of the occupant P, for each piece of equipment, whether or not to notify the occupant P by the notification unit 116 (described later) to prompt the occupant P to change the setting when the setting of the driver's seat 21 is changed is recorded in the occupant information DB 122 as the preference information 125.

[0026] The physical characteristics of the occupant P are the physique of the occupant P. For example, the physique of the occupant P is the sitting height of the occupant P. The characteristic information 126 has the numerical value of the sitting height of the occupant P as information on the physique of the occupant P. The information on the physique of the occupant P is recorded in advance in the occupant information DB 122, for example, by prior measurement from an image captured by the in-vehicle camera 28 or by prior setting by the occupant P.

[0027] The processor 110 functions as a seat change unit 111, a steering change unit 112, a mirror change unit 113, a HUD change unit 114, a setting specification unit 115, a notification unit 116, an occupant identification unit 117, an update unit 118, and a display control unit 119 by reading and executing the control program 121 stored in the memory 120.

[0028] The seat change unit 111 changes the position setting of the operator's seat 21 in accordance with the operation of the seat operator 21A operated by the occupant P to change the setting of the operator's seat 21 or the input via the touch panel 25. The seat changing unit 111 controls the driving of an electric motor (not shown) provided in the operator's seat 21 to change the angle of the backrest and the front-rear position of the seat cushion of the operator's seat 21 . The seat changing unit 111 also functions as a functional unit that detects an operation by the occupant P to instruct a change in the setting of the driver's seat 21. The seat changing unit 111 corresponds to an example of a "changing unit."

[0029] The steering change unit 112 changes the setting of the position of the steering wheel 22 in accordance with an input via the touch panel 25 operated by the occupant P to change the setting of the steering wheel 22. The steering change unit 112 changes the settings of the front-rear position and height of the steering wheel 22 by controlling the drive of an adjustment mechanism (not shown) provided in the steering wheel 22. The adjustment mechanism may be a so-called tilt mechanism or a so-called telescopic mechanism.

[0030] When an instruction to change to a setting corresponding to the driving position information 123 is received, the seat changing unit 111 and the steering changing unit 112 follow the instruction and change the driver's seat 21 and the steering wheel 22 to a setting corresponding to the driving position information 123. The setting corresponding to the driving position information 123 is a setting of the positions of the driver's seat 21 and the steering wheel 22 that is predetermined in correspondence with a specific occupant P, as shown in FIG.

[0031] The setting instructions corresponding to the driving position information 123 will be described in detail later, but are transmitted from the occupant identification unit 117 when the occupant identification unit 117 identifies that a specific occupant P will be riding in the vehicle 1.

[0032] The mirror change unit 113 changes the position setting of the side mirror 23 in accordance with input via the touch panel 25 operated by the occupant P to change the setting of the side mirror 23. The mirror change unit 113 changes the settings of the up / down, left / right, and front / rear angles of the side mirror 23 by controlling the drive of an electric motor (not shown) connected to the side mirror 23.

[0033] The HUD change unit 114 changes the settings of the HUD 24 in accordance with input via the touch panel 25 operated by the occupant P to change the settings of the HUD 24. The HUD change unit 114 changes the settings of the height and illumination angle of the HUD 24 by controlling the drive of an electric motor (not shown) provided in the HUD 24. The HUD change unit 114 also changes the brightness setting of the display of the HUD 24 by controlling the brightness of a light-emitting unit (not shown) provided in the HUD 24.

[0034] The setting specification unit 115 specifies recommended settings and second recommended settings for the steering wheel 22 and the side mirrors 23 that correspond to the settings of the driver's seat 21, based on the occupant information 124 about the occupant P specified by the occupant identification unit 117 and the degree of change in the settings of the driver's seat 21 by the seat changing unit 111. The recommended settings and second recommended settings are stored in the memory 120 in advance.

[0035] The degree of change in the setting of the driver's seat 21 by the seat change unit 111 is, for example, a change value indicating how much the angle of the backrest of the driver's seat 21 has been changed by the seat change unit 111, or how much the front-to-back or height position of the seat surface has been changed.

[0036] The recommended settings are settings that are recommended in conjunction with a change in the setting of the driver's seat 21, regarding the settings of specific related equipment related to the driving of the vehicle 1 by the occupant P.

[0037] For example, a case will be described in which the setting is changed so that the backrest of the driver's seat 21 reclines backward. In this case, the distance between the occupant P and the steering wheel 22 increases, so the recommended setting is to lower the steering wheel 22 so that the steering wheel 22 is closer to the occupant P.

[0038] Also, for example, in this case, since the eye position of the occupant P shifts downward, the recommended setting is to change the angle of the side mirror 23 on the driver's seat 21 side downward.

[0039] In this way, in order to prevent the functionality of related equipment for occupant P from being reduced in response to changes in the position settings of driver's seat 21, recommended settings are appropriately determined in advance based on the relationship between the physique information of occupant P indicated by characteristic information 126 contained in occupant information 124 and the degree of change in the settings of driver's seat 21.

[0040] Furthermore, if the occupant P is a specific occupant P recorded in the occupant information DB 122, the setting identification unit 115 identifies a second recommended setting for the HUD 24 if the HUD 24 is to notify the occupant P via the notification unit 116 based on the preference information of the occupant P indicated by the preference information 125 included in the occupant information 124. The second recommended setting corresponds to an example of a "recommended setting."

[0041] For example, if the setting is changed so that the backrest of the driver's seat 21 is tilted backward, the position of the eyes of the occupant P will shift downward, so the second recommended setting would be to raise the illumination angle of the HUD 24 or to raise the height of the HUD 24.

[0042] When the setting specifying unit 115 specifies the recommended setting and the second recommended setting, it generates recommended setting information indicating information on the specified recommended setting and the second recommended setting, and outputs the information to the notification unit 116.

[0043] When the seat change unit 111 detects a change in the settings of the driver's seat 21, the notification unit 116 causes the display control unit 119 to display a change recommendation screen G2 and a second change recommendation screen G3, which will be described later, to notify the occupant P that they should change the settings of related equipment whose functionality will be reduced as a result of the change in the settings of the driver's seat 21.

[0044] In addition, when the settings of the driver's seat 21 are changed by means other than the touch panel 25 that mainly performs notifications, the notification unit 116 makes the content of the notification different from when the settings of the driver's seat 21 are changed via the touch panel 25. Specifically, when a change in the settings of the driver's seat 21 is made using the seat operator 21A equipped on the driver's seat 21, the notification unit 116 outputs a voice via the speaker 26 to prompt the occupant P to look at the touch panel 25, thereby prompting the occupant P to change the settings of related equipment. The voice is, for example, a read-out sentence such as, "Look at the touch panel and change other settings as well." According to this, when the occupant P changes the settings of the driver's seat 21 using the seat operator 21A, it is highly likely that the occupant P is not looking in the direction of the touch panel 25. However, by notifying the occupant P through voice output, it becomes easier to convey the notification displayed on the screen, which will be described later, to the occupant P.

[0045] The occupant identification unit 117 identifies and authenticates whether the occupant P is a specific occupant P based on key information transmitted from the mobile communication terminal 90 carried by the occupant P. The key information is information indicating that the mobile communication terminal 90 is linked to a specific occupant ID. 1, the occupant identification unit 117 recognizes that a specific occupant P is getting into the vehicle 1 through communication between the communication device 40 and the mobile communication terminal 90. In FIG. 1, the two-dot chain line indicates the specific occupant P carrying the mobile communication terminal 90 and approaching the vehicle 1 to get into the vehicle 1. For example, if the vehicle 1 is locked, the occupant identification unit 117 recognizes that a specific occupant P is getting into the vehicle, and identifies and authenticates the occupant P, and an ECU (engine control unit) (not shown) provided in the vehicle 1 unlocks the vehicle 1. Examples of the mobile communication terminal 90 include a smart key, a FOB (Free On Board) key, a smartphone, and a smart watch.

[0046] When the occupant identification unit 117 identifies a specific occupant P, it identifies the driving position information 123 and the occupant information 124 of the corresponding occupant P from the occupant information DB 122 . The occupant identifying unit 117 corresponds to an example of an "occupant information specifying unit."

[0047] When the occupant identification unit 117 acquires the driving position information 123, it sends instructions to the seat changing unit 111 and the steering wheel changing unit 112 to set the driver's seat 21 and the steering wheel 22 as indicated by the driving position information 123.

[0048] The update unit 118, which will be described in detail later, updates the settings of the driver's seat 21 and steering wheel 22 in the occupant information DB 122 to the current settings of the driver's seat 21 and steering wheel 22 in accordance with input via the touch panel 25.

[0049] The display control unit 119 displays the screen and receives input from the occupant P via the touch panel 25. The display control unit 119 displays an operation screen G1 on which the settings of the driver's seat 21, the steering wheel 22, the side mirrors 23, and the HUD 24 can be changed.

[0050] 4 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen G1 displayed by the display control unit 119 via the touch panel 25. The up / down and left / right directions of the operation screen G1 on the touch panel 25 correspond to the up / down and left / right directions on the drawing.

[0051] The operation screen G1 is a screen that receives input from the occupant P to change the settings of the driver's seat 21, the steering wheel 22, the side mirrors 23, and the HUD 24.

[0052] The operation screen G1 displays, at the upper left, a set button B1, which is a software button having the character string "1," and a set button B2, which is a software button having the character string "2." For example, after changing the settings of the driver's seat 21, if the set button B1 is pressed and then the set button B2 is pressed within a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds), the update unit 118 updates the driving position information 123 to the changed settings of the driver's seat 21. The set button B1 and the set button B2 are a set button and a memory button used in a so-called driving position system for saving the settings of the driver's seat 21.

[0053] The operation screen G1 displays, from top to bottom, a seat selection button B3, which is a software button having the string "driver's seat", a mirror selection button B4, which is a software button having the string "side mirror", a steering selection button B5, which is a software button having the string "steering", and a HUD selection button B6, which is a software button having the string "HUD".

[0054] The seat selection button B3 is a button for switching to a screen that displays operator icons, which are software buttons that can change the settings of the operator seat 21 by a predetermined operation (for example, a swipe operation or a flick operation). The steering selection button B5 is a button for switching to a screen that displays control icons, which are software buttons that can change the settings of the steering wheel 22 by a predetermined operation (for example, a swipe operation or a flick operation). The HUD selection button B6 is a button for switching the settings of the HUD 24 to a screen that displays control icons, which are software buttons that can be changed by a predetermined operation (for example, a swipe operation or a flick operation).

[0055] The mirror selection button B4 is a button for switching to a screen displaying an operator icon IC1, which is a software button that can change the setting of the side mirror 23 by a predetermined operation (for example, a swipe operation or a flick operation).

[0056] 4 shows a state in which the mirror selection button B4 is selected. In this state, the frame of the mirror selection button B4 is larger than that of the seat selection button B3, steering selection button B5, and HUD selection button B6, and is displayed in solid lines. This makes it easy for the occupant P to recognize that this is the operation screen G1 for changing the settings of the side mirrors 23.

[0057] Furthermore, the operation screen G1 displays a left mirror selection button B7, which is a software button having the character string "L" to select the operation of the left side mirror 23L, and a right mirror selection button B8, which is a software button having the character string "R" to select the operation of the right side mirror 23R.

[0058] 4 shows a state in which the right mirror selection button B8 is selected. In this state, the right mirror selection button B8 has a larger frame than the left mirror selection button B7 and is displayed in solid lines. This makes it easy for the occupant P to recognize that this is the operation screen G1 for changing the settings of the right side mirror 23.

[0059] Furthermore, the operation screen G1 displays guidance information J1 on the right side of the operator icon IC1, which indicates how to operate the operator icon IC1. The guidance information J1 has a character string that reads, "Please swipe the touch panel to adjust." The operation screen G1 displays, at the bottom right, an end button B9, which is a software button having the character string “end.” When the end button B9 is pressed, the display control unit 119 ends the display of the operation screen G1.

[0060] Next, a screen displayed by the display control unit 119 when the seat change unit 111 detects a change in the settings of the driver's seat 21 will be described.

[0061] The display control unit 119 displays a change recommendation screen G2 that prompts the driver to change the settings of the side mirrors 23 and the steering wheel 22. The display control unit 119 generates the change recommendation screen G2 based on the recommended setting information, particularly the recommended setting. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a change recommendation screen G2 displayed by the display control unit 119 via the touch panel 25. The up / down and left / right directions on the touch panel 25 of the change recommendation screen G2 correspond to the up / down and left / right directions on the drawing.

[0062] The change recommendation screen G2 displays the set button B1, the set button B2, the mirror selection button B4, and the steering selection button B5, similar to the operation screen G1 in Fig. 4. In addition, in the example of the change recommendation screen G2 shown in Fig. 5, the mirror selection button B4 is selected, and the left mirror selection button B7, the right mirror selection button B8, and the control icon IC1 are displayed.

[0063] The change recommendation screen G2 displays, to the right of the operator icon IC1, detection information J2, which is information indicating that a change in the setting of the driver's seat 21 has been detected. The detection information J2 has a character string that reads, "A change in the driver's seat position setting has been confirmed."

[0064] The change recommendation screen G2 displays, to the right of the operator icon IC1, recommendation information J3 indicating recommended settings for the side mirrors 23 and steering wheel 22, which are included in the recommended setting information generated by the setting specification unit 115. The recommendation information J3 has the text "It would be a good idea to lower the angle of the side mirrors and move the steering wheel downward."

[0065] The change recommendation screen G2 displays an end button B23, which is a software button bearing the character string "end," at the bottom right. If there is no input from the occupant P on the change recommendation screen G2 for a predetermined period of time, or if the occupant P presses the end button B9, the notification unit 116 causes the display control unit 119 to end the display of the change recommendation screen G2.

[0066] The change recommendation screen G2 is displayed when the settings of the driver's seat 21 are changed, and the display of the change recommendation screen G2 prompts the occupant P to change the settings of the side mirrors 23 and steering wheel 22, which are particularly related to the driving of the vehicle 1 and whose functions will be reduced as the settings of the driver's seat 21 are changed.

[0067] The display control unit 119 displays a second change recommendation screen G3 that prompts the driver to change the settings of equipment that is not related to the driving of the vehicle 1 but whose functionality will be reduced by changing the settings of the driver's seat 21. The display control unit 119 generates the second change recommendation screen G3 based on the preference information 125 and the recommended setting information, particularly the second recommended setting.

[0068] 6 is a diagram showing an example of the second change recommendation screen G3 displayed by the display control unit 119 via the touch panel 25. The second change recommendation screen G3 is a screen that is displayed for a predetermined time when a predetermined trigger occurs. The predetermined trigger is when the display of the change recommendation screen G2 ends because the End button B23 is pressed or a predetermined time has passed.

[0069] The second change recommendation screen G3 displays recommendation information J11 indicating the second recommended setting for the HUD 24, which is included in the recommended setting information generated by the setting specification unit 115. The recommendation information J11 has a character string that reads, "Adjust the angle of the head-up display to make it easier to see."

[0070] If it is determined that a notification regarding the air conditioner 41 is to be sent based on the preference information 125 included in the occupant information 124 recorded in the occupant information DB 122, the second change recommendation screen G3 displays prompting information J12 that prompts the user to change the settings of the louvers 12. The prompting information J12 has the text "Adjust the air conditioner to an angle that does not blow air toward your face." If it is determined that a notification regarding the air conditioner 41 is not to be sent, the second change recommendation screen G3 does not display the prompting information J12.

[0071] If it is determined based on the occupant information 124 recorded in the occupant information DB 122 that a notification regarding the meter 27 is to be sent, the second change recommendation screen G3 displays prompting information J13 that prompts the user to change the settings of the meter 27. The prompting information J13 has the text "Adjust the brightness of the meter 27." If it is determined that a notification regarding the meter 27 is not to be sent, the second change recommendation screen G3 does not display the prompting information J13.

[0072] If it is determined based on the occupant information 124 recorded in the occupant information DB 122 that a notification regarding the rearview mirror 29 is to be sent, the second change recommendation screen G3 displays prompting information J14 that prompts the user to change the settings of the rearview mirror 29. The prompting information J14 has the text "Adjust the angle of the rearview mirror." If it is determined that a notification regarding the rearview mirror 29 is not to be sent, the second change recommendation screen G3 does not display the prompting information J14. It should be noted that information for generating the promotion information J12, J13, and J14 based on the preference information 125 is stored in the memory 120 in advance.

[0073] [2. Operation] Next, with reference to FIG. 7, a process related to a notification that prompts a change in the settings of equipment related to the driver's seat 21 when the settings of the driver's seat 21 are changed by the vehicle notification device 100 will be described.

[0074] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle notification device 100. 7, the occupant identification unit 117 has already identified that a specific occupant P has boarded the vehicle, and has acquired occupant information 124 linked to the occupant P. Furthermore, based on the driving position information 123 linked to the occupant P that has boarded the vehicle and that has been acquired by the occupant identification unit 117, the seat changing unit 111 and the steering changing unit 112 have changed the settings of the driver's seat 21 and the steering wheel 22.

[0075] First, the seat changing unit 111 changes the setting of the driver's seat 21 through an operation by the occupant P (step S1). Next, the setting specifying unit 115 specifies a recommended setting and a second recommended setting based on the change value in the setting change of the driver's seat 21 by the seat changing unit 111 in step S1 and the occupant information 124 (step S2).

[0076] Next, the seat change unit 111 determines whether the setting of the operator's seat 21 has been changed by the seat operator 21A provided on the operator's seat 21 (step S3).

[0077] If the seat change unit 111 determines that the settings of the driver's seat 21 have not been changed by the seat operator 21A (step S3: NO), the notification unit 116 causes the display control unit 119 to display the change recommendation screen G2 shown in Figure 5 (step S4).

[0078] Next, the notification unit 116 determines whether or not to end the display of the change recommendation screen G2 (step S5), and if the display of the change recommendation screen G2 is not to be ended (step S5: NO), the determination of step S5 is repeated, and the display of the change recommendation screen G2 continues. As described above, the condition for ending the display of the change recommendation screen G2 is when there is no input from the occupant P on the change recommendation screen G2 for a predetermined time, or when the end button B23 is pressed.

[0079] When the display of the change recommendation screen G2 is to be ended (step S5: YES), the notification unit 116 switches from the display of the change recommendation screen G2 to the display of the second change recommendation screen G3 by the display control unit 119 (step S6). Note that the second change recommendation screen G3 disappears after being displayed for a predetermined time and is replaced by a predetermined screen.

[0080] In this way, when the settings of the driver's seat 21 are changed, a notification urging the occupant P to change the settings of the side mirrors 23 and the steering wheel 22 related to the driving of the vehicle 1 is displayed by displaying the change recommendation screen G2. Next, after the change recommendation screen G2, a second change recommendation screen G3 is displayed for a predetermined time and then disappears. With these operations, the notification urging the occupant P to change the settings of the side mirrors 23 and the steering wheel 22, which are examples of specific equipment, is given a higher priority than other equipment.

[0081] Returning to the explanation of step S3, if the seat changing unit 111 determines that the setting of the driver's seat 21 has been changed by the seat operator 21A (step S3: YES), the notification unit 116 outputs a voice from the speaker 26 urging the occupant P to look at the touch panel 25 (step S7). After step S7 is completed, the process proceeds to step S4.

[0082] (Other embodiments) The above-described embodiment is merely one example, and any modifications and applications are possible.

[0083] In the above-described embodiment, the driving position information 123 includes information on the settings of the driver's seat 21 and the steering wheel 22 for each occupant ID, but is not limited to this. The driving position information 123 may further include information such as the settings of the position and angle of the side mirrors 23, the settings of the brightness, height, and angle of the HUD 24, the settings of the brightness of the meter 27, the temperature setting of the air conditioning unit 41, and the volume setting of the speaker 26. In this case, when a specific occupant P gets in the vehicle, based on the driving position information 123, the seat changing unit 111 changes the setting of the driver's seat 21, the steering changing unit 112 changes the setting of the steering wheel 22, the mirror changing unit 113 changes the setting of the side mirror 23, and the HUD changing unit 114 changes the setting of the HUD 24. Furthermore, an ECU (not shown) included in the vehicle 1 controls changes to the settings of the meter 27, the temperature setting of the air conditioning unit 41, and the volume setting of the speaker 26.

[0084] The occupant identification unit 117 may be configured to function as a face authentication unit that identifies the occupant P by comparing a facial image of a person extracted from an image captured by the in-vehicle camera 28 with a facial image pre-recorded in the occupant information DB 122 for each occupant P. Alternatively, the facial image may be captured by an external camera provided outside the vehicle 1 instead of the in-vehicle camera 28. Alternatively, the occupant identification unit 117 may be configured to identify the occupant P based on a user name selected by operating the touch panel 25 or the like, or based on the result of comparing the entered password with a password recorded in association with the selected user name.

[0085] The occupant identification unit 117 may be configured to identify occupant information 124, i.e., information on physique as an example of the characteristics of the occupant P, from images captured by the in-vehicle camera 28, and calculate the sitting height, etc. In this case, even if the occupant P is not recorded in the occupant information DB 122, the setting identification unit 115 can identify the recommended settings and the second recommended settings based on the occupant information 124 related to the occupant P. Such an occupant identification unit 117 corresponds to an example of an "occupant information identification unit" that identifies the occupant information 124 of an occupant P, not limited to a specific occupant P.

[0086] The operator's seat 21 may not be provided with the seat operator 21A, and may be configured to accept changes to the settings made by the occupant P only through the operation screen G1. In this case, the notification unit 116 does not need to provide notification by voice.

[0087] Further, the operator's seat 21 may be configured not to accept changes to the settings made by the occupant P from the operation screen G1, but to accept changes to the settings only from the seat operator 21A.

[0088] In the above-described embodiment, the steering wheel 22 is configured to include an adjustment mechanism that can change the position and angle of the steering wheel 22. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the steering wheel 22 may not include the adjustment mechanism, and the vehicle notification device 100 may not include the steering change unit 112.

[0089] The vehicle 1 may be configured without the HUD 24.

[0090] In the above-described embodiment, after the end button B23 on the change recommendation screen G2 is pressed, the second change recommendation screen G3 is displayed for a predetermined time and then disappears. However, this is not limiting. For example, the change recommendation screen G2 may display a HUD selection button B6 for selecting a change in the settings of the HUD 24. In this case, the HUD selection button B6 is displayed smaller than the other mirror selection buttons B4 and steering selection button B5. This increases the priority of the notification urging the user to change the settings of the side mirrors 23 and steering wheel 22.

[0091] The processor 110 may be configured with multiple processors or may be configured with a single processor. The processor 110 may be hardware programmed to implement the above-mentioned functional units. In this case, these processors may be configured with, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0092] 2 is an example, and the specific implementation form is not particularly limited. In other words, it is not necessarily necessary to implement hardware corresponding to each unit, and it is of course possible to implement a configuration in which a single processor executes a program to realize the functions of each unit. Furthermore, some of the functions realized by software in the above-described embodiment may be implemented by hardware, or some of the functions realized by hardware may be implemented by software.

[0093] Furthermore, the step units of the operation shown in Figure 7 are divided according to the main processing content, and the present invention is not limited by the way in which the processing units are divided or the names of the processing units. The operation may be divided into more step units depending on the processing content. Furthermore, one step unit may be divided so that it includes more processing. Furthermore, the order of the steps may be changed as appropriate within the scope that does not impede the spirit of the present invention.

[0094] 3. Configurations supported by the above embodiments The above embodiment supports the following configurations.

[0095] (Configuration 1) A vehicle notification device comprising: a change unit that changes the settings of specific equipment, which is a predetermined specific equipment among the equipment installed in the vehicle; and a notification unit that, when the setting of the specific equipment is changed, notifies an occupant of the vehicle to encourage them to change the settings of related equipment, which is equipment related to the specific equipment. According to the vehicle notification device of configuration 1, it is possible to prevent forgetting to change the settings of related equipment when changing the settings of specific equipment.

[0096] (Configuration 2) The vehicle notification device according to configuration 1, wherein the related equipment is the equipment whose functionality for the occupant is reduced as a result of a change in the setting of the specific equipment. According to the vehicle notification device of configuration 2, by notifying the occupant to change the settings of related equipment whose functionality will be reduced by changing the settings of specific equipment, the vehicle interior space can be changed to the environment desired by the occupant, and it is possible to prevent the occupant from forgetting to change the settings of related equipment.

[0097] (Configuration 3) A setting specification unit that specifies recommended settings for the related equipment corresponding to the degree of change in the setting of the specific equipment based on the degree of change in the setting of the specific equipment by the change unit, and the notification unit notifies information on the recommended settings specified by the setting specification unit. According to the vehicle notification device of configuration 3, the recommended settings for related equipment are identified and notified based on the degree of change in the settings of specific equipment, thereby making it possible to grasp the desired vehicle interior space environment for the occupants.

[0098] (Configuration 4) A vehicle notification device as described in any one of configurations 1 to 3, further comprising an occupant information identification unit that identifies occupant information regarding the occupant, and the setting identification unit identifies the recommended settings for the related equipment based on the degree of change of the setting of the specific equipment by the change unit and the occupant information regarding the occupant who uses the specific equipment identified by the occupant information identification unit. According to the vehicle notification device of configuration 4, by identifying and notifying the occupant information that differs for each occupant, it is possible to make it easier for the occupant to understand the desired vehicle interior space environment.

[0099] (Configuration 5) A vehicle notification device as described in configuration 4, comprising a memory unit that stores the occupant information for each specific occupant who is a predetermined specific occupant, and the occupant information identification unit identifies the specific occupant who is a predetermined specific occupant and identifies the occupant information of the specific occupant by referring to the memory unit. According to the vehicle notification device of configuration 5, it is possible to identify a predetermined setting to be recommended for a specific occupant pre-recorded in the vehicle, thereby improving the accuracy of understanding the vehicle interior space environment desired by the occupant.

[0100] (Configuration 6) The notification unit notifies the occupant of the vehicle via a display means provided in the vehicle and a notification means different from the display means, urging the occupant to change the setting of the related equipment when the change unit detects that the setting of the specific equipment has been changed by an operator provided in the specific equipment. A vehicle notification device as described in any one of configurations 1 to 5. According to the vehicle notification device of configuration 6, even if the setting is changed via an operator located in a location other than the display means, it is easy to transmit a notification to the occupant urging them to change the settings of the related equipment.

[0101] (Configuration 7) A vehicle notification device according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, comprising a display control unit that controls the display of the display means and displays an operation screen for changing the settings of the specific equipment and the settings of the related equipment. According to the vehicle notification device of configuration 7, it is possible to change the settings of specific equipment and the settings of related equipment for which it is recommended that the settings be changed in conjunction with the change in the settings of the specific equipment on a single screen, making it easy to use.

[0102] (Configuration 8) The notification unit issues a notification urging the occupant to change the settings of specific related equipment, which is a specific related equipment related to the occupant's driving of the vehicle, with a higher priority than a notification urging the occupant to change the settings of equipment other than the specific related equipment. A vehicle notification device described in any one of configurations 1 to 7. According to the vehicle notification device of configuration 8, when notifying related equipment, priority is given to notifying equipment related to the occupant's driving of the vehicle, making it easier for the occupant to understand the environment of the vehicle interior space that is suitable for the occupant, particularly from the perspective of ease of driving the vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 1...vehicle, 12...louver (related equipment), 21...driver's seat (specific equipment), 21A...seat operator (operator), 22...steering wheel (related equipment, specific related equipment), 23...side mirror (related equipment, specific related equipment), 24...HUD (related equipment), 25...touch panel (display means), 26...speaker (notification means), 27...meter (related equipment), 28...in-vehicle camera, 29...room mirror (related equipment), 40...communication device, 41...air conditioning device, 90...mobile communication terminal, 100...vehicle notification device, 1 10...Processor, 111...Seat change unit (change unit), 112...Steering change unit, 113...Mirror change unit, 114...HUD change unit, 115...Setting identification unit, 116...Notification unit, 117...Occupant identification unit (occupant information identification unit), 118...Update unit, 120...Memory (storage unit), 121...Control program, 122...Occupant information DB, 123...Driving position information, 124...Occupant information, 125...Preference information, 126...Feature information, G1...Operation screen, G2...Change recommendation screen, G3...Second change recommendation screen, P...Occupant.

Claims

1. a change unit that changes the setting of a specific equipment, which is a predetermined specific equipment among the equipment provided in the vehicle; and a notification unit that, when the setting of the specific equipment is changed, notifies the occupant of the vehicle to prompt them to change the setting of related equipment that is the equipment related to the specific equipment. Vehicle notification device.

2. The related equipment is the equipment whose function for the occupant is reduced as the setting of the specific equipment is changed. The vehicle notification device of claim 1 .

3. a setting specification unit that specifies a recommended setting for the related equipment corresponding to the degree of change in the setting of the specific equipment based on the degree of change in the setting of the specific equipment by the change unit; the notification unit notifies information on the recommended settings identified by the setting identification unit. The vehicle notification device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. an occupant information identification unit that identifies occupant information related to the occupant, The setting specification unit Identifying the recommended setting of the related equipment based on the degree of change of the setting of the specific equipment by the change unit and the occupant information related to the occupant who uses the specific equipment identified by the occupant information identification unit. The vehicle notification device of claim 3.

5. a storage unit configured to store the occupant information for each specific occupant, the specific occupant being a predetermined specific occupant; The occupant information identification unit identifying the specific occupant and specifying the occupant information of the specific occupant by referring to the storage unit; The vehicle notification device of claim 4.

6. When the change unit detects that the setting of the specific equipment has been changed by an operator provided on the specific equipment, the notification unit notifies the occupant via a display means provided in the vehicle and a notification means different from the display means that urges the occupant to change the setting of the related equipment. The vehicle notification device according to claim 1 or 2.

7. a display control unit that controls the display of the display means and displays an operation screen for changing the settings of the specific equipment and the settings of the related equipment; The vehicle notification device of claim 6.

8. The notification unit issues a notification to prompt the occupant to change the setting of a specific related equipment, which is a specific related equipment related to the occupant's driving of the vehicle, with a higher priority than a notification to prompt the occupant to change the setting of an equipment other than the specific related equipment. The vehicle notification device according to claim 1 or 2.

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