Information processing device

Abstract

To provide an information processing device that can appropriately evaluate the risk level of malfunctions in vehicles. [Solution] The information processing device 10 is mounted on the vehicle 100. The information processing device 10 comprises a processing circuit 11 and a storage device 12. The processing circuit 11 acquires data from the vehicle 100, specifically the number of wiper 18 operations, which correlates with the amount of water absorbed by the vehicle 100, at predetermined intervals. Based on the number of wiper 18 operations, the processing circuit 11 acquires the amount of water absorbed by the vehicle 100. The processing circuit 11 acquires parking period data, which indicates the parking period of the vehicle 100. The processing circuit 11 acquires location information, which indicates the location of the vehicle 100, at predetermined intervals. The storage device 12 stores information about the external environment of the vehicle 100. Based on the amount of water absorbed, parking period data, location information, and external environment information, the processing circuit 11 evaluates the malfunction risk level, which is the degree to which a malfunction may occur in the vehicle 100.

Description

Technical Field

[0004] , , , ,

[0005] , , , , ,

[0003] , ,

[0001] This invention relates to an information processing device mounted on a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] When salt adheres to a vehicle, salt damage such as rust or corrosion occurs. Patent Document 1 discloses a salt damage evaluation system that evaluates the salt damage risk for a vehicle based on the vehicle's position information and a salt damage risk map representing the degree of salt damage risk for each location. <​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​An information processing device for solving the above problems is an information processing device mounted on a vehicle, comprising a processing circuit and a storage device. The processing circuit acquires data correlated with the amount of water absorbed by the vehicle from the vehicle at predetermined intervals. The processing circuit acquires the amount of water absorbed by the vehicle based on the data correlated with the amount of water absorbed. The processing circuit acquires parking period data, which is data indicating the parking period of the vehicle. The processing circuit acquires location information, which is information indicating the location of the vehicle, at predetermined intervals. The storage device stores information regarding the external environment of the vehicle. Based on the amount of water absorbed, the parking period data, the location information, and the information regarding the external environment, the processing circuit evaluates the malfunction risk level, which is the degree to which a malfunction may occur in the vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The above-described information processing device can appropriately evaluate the malfunction risk level in the vehicle on which it is installed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle equipped with an information processing device according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a map showing an example of the relationship between the number of wiper activations stored in the memory device shown in Figure 1 and the amount of water the vehicle is exposed to. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the sequence of processes performed by the processing circuit shown in Figure 1 to evaluate the amount of water the vehicle is exposed to. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the sequence of processes performed by the processing circuit shown in Figure 1 to evaluate the vehicle's parking period and the period the vehicle stayed in a high-risk area. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the sequence of processes performed by the processing circuit shown in Figure 1 to determine whether or not to notify the vehicle of maintenance recommendations based on its malfunction risk level. [Figure 6]Figure 6 is a table showing an example of evaluating the failure risk level using the processing circuit shown in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Below, one embodiment of an information processing device installed in a vehicle will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. <Configuration of information processing device 10 and vehicle 100> As shown in Figure 1, the information processing device 10 comprises a processing circuit 11 that executes a program and performs various processes, and a storage device 12 in which the program is stored. The processing circuit 11 includes a processor. The information processing device 10 is mounted on a vehicle 100.

[0009] Vehicle 100 includes, in addition to the information processing device 10, a communication device 13, a display 14, an ignition switch 15, a location information acquisition system 16, a wiper control system 17, wipers 18, and a water submersion sensor 19. The information processing device 10, the communication device 13, the display 14, the ignition switch 15, the location information acquisition system 16, the wiper control system 17, and the water submersion sensor 19 are connected to each other by an in-vehicle network 20.

[0010] The communication device 13 is implemented as hardware such as a network adapter, various communication software, or a combination thereof. The display 14 functions as a display unit that shows information to the user of the vehicle 100.

[0011] The ignition switch 15 is a switch that switches the vehicle 100 between an started state and a stopped state. The ignition switch 15 is turned on or off by the user of the vehicle 100. When the ignition switch 15 is turned on, the vehicle 100 enters an started state. When the ignition switch 15 is turned off, the vehicle 100 enters a stopped state. The information processing device 10 stores the time when the ignition switch 15 was turned on and the time when the ignition switch 15 was turned off in the storage device 12.

[0012] The location information acquisition system 16 acquires the location information of the vehicle 100 at predetermined intervals. The location information acquisition system 16 outputs the acquired location information of the vehicle 100 to the in-vehicle network 20. The information processing device 10 acquires the location information of the vehicle 100 output by the location information acquisition system 16 via the in-vehicle network 20. The location information acquisition system 16 is not limited to a specific system. GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), RTK (Real Time Kinematic), etc., can be used as the location information acquisition system 16.

[0013] The wiper control system 17 controls a wiper 18 for wiping raindrops from the windows of the vehicle 100. The wiper control system 17 includes a drive unit for driving the wiper 18. The drive unit includes a motor and a link mechanism that converts the rotation of the motor into a reciprocating motion of the wiper 18. Driven by the drive unit, the wiper 18 reciprocates between a stop position and a return position. The wiper control system 17 counts the number of times the wiper 18 operates. When the wiper 18 completes one reciprocal motion between the stop position and the return position, the wiper control system 17 increments the wiper 18's operation count by one. When the ignition switch 15 is turned off, the wiper control system 17 resets the wiper 18's operation count to 0.

[0014] The wiper control system 17 outputs the counted number of wiper 18 operations to the in-vehicle network 20. The processing circuit 11 of the information processing device 10 acquires the number of wiper 18 operations output by the wiper control system 17 via the in-vehicle network 20.

[0015] The water immersion sensor 19 is a sensor attached to the vehicle 100. The water immersion sensor 19 is attached to the bottom surface of the vehicle 100. The water immersion sensor 19 may be attached at a position other than the bottom surface of the vehicle 100. When the water immersion sensor 19 detects water immersion, it outputs a detection signal indicating water immersion toward the in-vehicle network 20. The processing circuit 11 of the information processing device 10 acquires the detection signal output by the water immersion sensor 19 via the in-vehicle network 20.

[0016] The processing circuit 11 of the information processing device 10 that has acquired the detection signal output by the water immersion sensor 19 changes the water immersion flag SUB from "0" to "1". The water immersion flag SUB is a flag indicating whether the vehicle 100 has been immersed in water. The fact that the water immersion flag SUB is "0" means that the vehicle 100 has not been immersed in water. The fact that the water immersion flag SUB is "1" means that the vehicle 100 has been immersed in water. The water immersion flag SUB set to "1" is maintained at "1" until it is reset. The water immersion flag SUB is reset to "0" when the vehicle 100 undergoes maintenance.

[0017] The water immersion sensor 19 is a conductive sensor including a circuit having a pair of electrodes insulated from each other. When the circuit is conducted due to the pair of electrodes being immersed in water, the water immersion sensor 19 outputs a detection signal indicating water immersion of the vehicle 100 toward the in-vehicle network 20.

[0018] The water immersion sensor 19 is not limited to a conductive sensor. The water immersion sensor 19 may be a pressure sensor that detects water pressure. The water immersion sensor 19 may be an optical sensor that detects water around the sensor using light reflection or light refraction.

[0019] The information processing device 10 acquires information on the external environment of the vehicle 100 via the communication device 13 and a wireless communication line (not shown). The storage device 12 of the information processing device 10 stores information on the external environment. The information on the external environment includes the distance from the coastline at the point where the vehicle 100 is traveling. The information on the external environment includes weather information represented by the precipitation amount in the area where the vehicle 100 is traveling. The information on the external environment includes the usage status of snow-melting agents in the area where the vehicle 100 is traveling.

[0020] <Setting of the water accumulation flag FLF> The processing circuit 11 of the information processing device 10 acquires data correlated with the water accumulation amount FL of the vehicle 100 at a predetermined cycle. The processing circuit 11 acquires the number of operations of the wiper 18 as data correlated with the water accumulation amount FL of the vehicle 100. The greater the amount of water accumulation FL on the vehicle 100 due to rainfall, the greater the number of operations of the wiper 18. Therefore, the number of operations of the wiper 18 can be regarded as data correlated with the water accumulation amount FL of the vehicle 100.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 2, the relationship between the number of operations of the wiper 18, which is data correlated with the water accumulation amount FL, and the water accumulation amount FL of the vehicle 100 will be described. FIG. 2 is a map with the number of operations of the wiper 18, which is data correlated with the water accumulation amount FL, on the horizontal axis and the water accumulation amount FL of the vehicle 100 on the vertical axis. The storage device 12 stores the map shown in FIG. 2.

[0022] The solid line L1 shows the relationship between the number of times the wiper 18 operates and the amount of water FL absorbed by the vehicle 100 when the submersion flag SUB is "0". The dashed line L2 shows the relationship between the number of times the wiper 18 operates and the amount of water FL absorbed by the vehicle 100 when the submersion flag SUB is "1". The processing circuit 11 determines the amount of water FL absorbed by the vehicle 100 to be "Y1" by referring to the solid line L1 if the submersion flag SUB is "0" and the number of times the wiper 18 operates is "X". The processing circuit 11 determines the amount of water FL absorbed by the vehicle 100 to be "Y2" by referring to the dashed line L2 if the submersion flag SUB is "1" and the number of times the wiper 18 operates is "X". "Y2" is a larger value than "Y1". The processing circuit 11 determines that, when the submersion flag SUB is "1", the amount of water FL absorbed by the vehicle 100 is greater than when the submersion flag SUB is "0", even if the number of wiper 18 operations is the same.

[0023] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the process by which the processing circuit 11 acquires the water exposure amount FL of the vehicle 100 based on data correlated with the water exposure amount FL of the vehicle 100. The processing circuit 11 repeatedly performs the series of processes shown in Figure 3 while the wiper control system 17 is driving the wipers 18.

[0024] As shown in Figure 3, when this series of processes is started, the processing circuit 11 determines whether the submersion flag SUB is "1" in the process of step S11. If the submersion flag SUB is "1" (step S11: YES), the processing circuit 11 proceeds to step S12.

[0025] In step S12, the processing circuit 11 performs a process to increase the amount of water FL absorbed by the vehicle 100. Specifically, in step S13, the processing circuit 11 changes its settings so that it refers to the dashed line L2 on the map shown in Figure 2. As a result, the processing circuit 11 determines that if the vehicle 100 has been submerged in water before, the amount of water FL absorbed by the vehicle 100 is greater than if the vehicle 100 has never been submerged in water, even if the number of wiper 18 operations is the same. After that, the processing circuit 11 proceeds to step S13.

[0026] If the submersion flag SUB is "0" (step S11: NO), the processing circuit 11 proceeds to step S13 without executing the processing in step S12. In this case, the processing circuit 11 refers to the solid line L1 in the map shown in Figure 2 during the processing in step S13.

[0027] In step S13, the processing circuit 11 uses the map shown in Figure 2 to determine whether the water exposure amount FL of the vehicle 100 is greater than or equal to a default value LIM. The default value LIM can be any water exposure amount FL that may increase the risk of malfunction of the vehicle 100 due to corrosion.

[0028] If the submersion flag SUB is "1" (step S11: YES), the processing circuit 11 refers to the dashed line L2 and determines that the amount of water absorbed FL is greater than or equal to the default value LIM if the number of times the wiper 18 has been operated is "X2" or more. If the submersion flag SUB is "0" (step S11: NO), the processing circuit 11 refers to the solid line L1 and determines that the amount of water absorbed FL is greater than or equal to the default value LIM if the number of times the wiper 18 has been operated is "X1" or more. "X2" is the number of times the wiper 18 has been operated less than "X1".

[0029] If the processing circuit 11 determines that the water exposure amount FL of the vehicle 100 is equal to or greater than the default value LIM (step S13: YES), it proceeds to step S14. In the processing of step S14, the processing circuit 11 changes the water exposure amount flag FLF from "0" to "1". After that, the processing circuit 11 completes the series of processes shown in Figure 3.

[0030] The water exposure flag FLF indicates whether the water exposure level FL of vehicle 100 is greater than or equal to the default value LIM. A water exposure flag FLF of "0" means that the water exposure level FL of vehicle 100 is less than the default value LIM. A water exposure flag FLF of "1" means that the water exposure level FL of vehicle 100 is greater than or equal to the default value LIM. Once set to "1", the water exposure flag FLF remains "1" until it is reset. The water exposure flag FLF is reset to "0" when vehicle 100 undergoes maintenance.

[0031] If the processing circuit 11 determines in step S13 that the water exposure amount FL of the vehicle 100 is less than the default value LIM (step S13: NO), it terminates the series of processes shown in Figure 3 without executing the process shown in step S14. In this case, the water exposure amount flag FLF is set to "0".

[0032] <Setting of Parking Period Flag (PAF) and High-Risk Area Flag (HLF)> Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the process flow by which the processing circuit 11 sets the parking period flag PAF based on the parking period data of the vehicle 100, and the process flow of setting the high-risk area flag HLF based on the location information of the vehicle 100 and information about the external environment. The series of processes shown in Figure 4 are executed when the ignition switch 15 is turned ON.

[0033] As shown in Figure 4, when this series of processes is started, the processing circuit 11 acquires parking period data in step S21. The processing circuit 11 acquires the period from the time the ignition switch 15 was last turned off to the time the ignition switch 15 was last turned on as parking period data indicating the parking period of the vehicle 100. After that, the processing circuit 11 proceeds to step S22.

[0034] In step S22, the processing circuit 11 refers to the parking period data to determine whether the vehicle 100 has been parked for a predetermined period or longer. The predetermined period can be set to any period during which the risk of malfunction of the vehicle 100 may increase due to the progression of corrosion. For example, the predetermined period may be set to 2 days. If the parking period of the vehicle 100 is longer than the predetermined period (step S22: YES), the processing circuit 11 proceeds to step S23. In step S23, the processing circuit 11 changes the parking period flag PAF from "0" to "1". After that, the processing circuit 11 proceeds to step S24.

[0035] The Parking Period Flag (PAF) indicates whether the parking period of vehicle 100 is equal to or greater than the default period. A Parking Period Flag (PAF) of "0" means that the parking period of vehicle 100 is less than the default period. A Parking Period Flag (PAF) of "1" means that the parking period of vehicle 100 is equal to or greater than the default period. Once set to "1", the Parking Period Flag (PAF) remains "1" until it is reset. The Parking Period Flag (PAF) is reset to "0" when vehicle 100 undergoes maintenance.

[0036] If the parking period of the vehicle 100 is less than the predetermined period (step S22: NO), the processing circuit 11 proceeds to step S24 without executing the process shown in step S23. In this case, the parking period flag PAF is set to "0".

[0037] In step S24, the processing circuit 11 starts acquiring location information from the location information acquisition system 16. The processing circuit 11 acquires the location information of the vehicle 100 and associates it with the time. After that, the processing circuit 11 proceeds to step S25.

[0038] In step S25, the processing circuit 11 determines whether or not the ignition switch 15 has been turned off. If the ignition switch 15 has been turned off (step S25: YES), the processing circuit 11 proceeds to step S26.

[0039] In step S26, the processing circuit 11 terminates the acquisition of location information. After that, the processing circuit 11 proceeds to step S27. If the ignition switch 15 is not turned off (step S25: NO), the processing circuit 11 continues to acquire location information. That is, the processing circuit 11 continues to acquire location information until the ignition switch 15 is turned off.

[0040] In step S27, the processing circuit 11 determines whether the vehicle 100 has stayed in a high-risk area for a predetermined period of time or longer, based on the location information of the vehicle 100 acquired in step S24 and the information on the external environment stored in the storage device 12. High-risk areas include areas closer to the coastline than a predetermined distance. High-risk areas include areas with rainfall exceeding a predetermined amount. High-risk areas include areas where de-icing agents are used. The predetermined period can be set to any period during which the risk of malfunction of the vehicle 100 may increase due to the occurrence or progression of corrosion.

[0041] If vehicle 100 stays in a high-risk area for a predetermined period of time or longer (step S27: YES), the process proceeds to step S28. In step S28, the processing circuit 11 changes the high-risk area flag HLF from "0" to "1". After that, the processing circuit 11 completes the series of processes shown in Figure 4.

[0042] The High Risk Area Flag (HLF) indicates whether vehicle 100 has stayed in a high-risk area for a period of time equal to or greater than a predetermined period. A High Risk Area Flag (HLF) of "0" means that vehicle 100 has stayed in a high-risk area for a period of time less than the predetermined period. A High Risk Area Flag (HLF) of "1" means that vehicle 100 has stayed in a high-risk area for a period equal to or greater than the predetermined period. Once set to "1", the High Risk Area Flag (HLF) remains at "1" until it is reset. The High Risk Area Flag (HLF) is reset to "0" when vehicle 100 undergoes maintenance.

[0043] If the period during which vehicle 100 stayed in a high-risk area is less than the predetermined period (step S27: NO), the processing circuit 11 terminates the series of processes shown in Figure 4 without executing the process shown in step S28. In this case, the high-risk area flag HLF is set to "0".

[0044] <Assessment of defect risk level> The processing circuit 11 of the information processing device 10 evaluates the malfunction risk level, which is the degree to which a malfunction may occur in the vehicle 100, based on the water exposure amount FL, parking period data, location information, and information about the external environment. Furthermore, if the malfunction risk level is above a predetermined level, the information processing device 10 notifies the vehicle 100 of information recommending maintenance.

[0045] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the process by which the processing circuit 11 of the information processing device 10 decides whether or not to notify information recommending maintenance based on the failure risk level. The processing circuit 11 executes a series of processes shown in Figure 5 at a predetermined cycle. When this series of processes is started, the processing circuit 11 determines in step S31 whether or not the failure risk level is above a predetermined level.

[0046] Figure 6 is a table showing an example of how the processing circuit 11 evaluates the failure risk level. The processing circuit 11 of the information processing device 10 evaluates the failure risk level as the sum of the values ​​of the water exposure flag FLF, the parking period flag PAF, and the high-risk area flag HLF.

[0047] For example, if the water exposure flag FLF is "0", the parking period flag PAF is "0", and the high-risk area flag HLF is "0", the processing circuit 11 evaluates the malfunction risk level to be "0". For example, if the water exposure flag FLF is "0", the parking period flag PAF is "1", and the high-risk area flag HLF is "0", the processing circuit 11 evaluates the malfunction risk level to be "1". For example, if the water exposure flag FLF is "1", the parking period flag PAF is "1", and the high-risk area flag HLF is "0", the processing circuit 11 evaluates the malfunction risk level to be "2". For example, if the water exposure flag FLF is "1", the parking period flag PAF is "1", and the high-risk area flag HLF is "1", the processing circuit 11 evaluates the malfunction risk level to be "3".

[0048] The default level for the malfunction risk level can be set to any level at which a malfunction may occur in vehicle 100. The following explanation assumes that the default level is set to when the malfunction risk level is "2" or higher. A malfunction risk level of "2" or higher means that two or more of the following flags are set to "1": water exposure flag FLF, parking period flag PAF, and high-risk area flag HLF.

[0049] In the process of step S31 shown in Figure 5, if the failure risk level is above a predetermined level (step S31: YES), that is, if the failure risk level is "2" or "3", the processing circuit 11 proceeds to step S32.

[0050] In step S32, the processing circuit 11 decides to notify the vehicle 100 of information recommending maintenance. In this case, the processing circuit 11 executes the process of displaying the information recommending maintenance of the vehicle 100 on the display 14. The information processing device 10 displays the information recommending maintenance of the vehicle 100 on the display 14 in order to notify the vehicle 100 of the information recommending maintenance. After that, the processing circuit 11 completes the series of processes shown in Figure 5.

[0051] If the failure risk level is below a predetermined level (step S31: NO), that is, if the failure risk level is "1" or "0", the processing circuit 11 terminates the series of processes shown in Figure 5 without executing the process shown in step S32.

[0052] <Operation of this embodiment> Vehicle 100 that has been exposed to water is more susceptible to corrosion than vehicle 100 that has not been exposed to water. The amount of water FL of vehicle 100 is data related to the occurrence of corrosion in vehicle 100. The processing circuit 11 of the information processing device 10 obtains the number of wiper 18 operations from vehicle 100, which is data correlated with the amount of water FL of vehicle 100, in order to obtain the amount of water FL of vehicle 100. The data obtained from vehicle 100 that is correlated with the amount of water FL of vehicle 100 is data specific to vehicle 100.

[0053] Vehicle 100 that has been parked for a long period after being exposed to water is more susceptible to corrosion than vehicle 100 that has been parked for a short period. The parking period data for vehicle 100 is data related to the progression of corrosion in vehicle 100. The processing circuit 11 of the information processing device 10 acquires the parking period data from vehicle 100. The parking period data is data specific to vehicle 100. That is, in addition to the location information of vehicle 100 and information about the external environment of vehicle 100 that may be common to other vehicles, the processing circuit 11 evaluates the failure risk level, which is the degree to which a malfunction may occur in vehicle 100, based on multiple data specific to vehicle 100.

[0054] <Effects of this embodiment> (1) The information processing device 10 can appropriately evaluate the malfunction risk level in the vehicle 100 on which the information processing device 10 is installed.

[0055] (2) The vehicle 100 is equipped with wipers 18. The processing circuit 11 of the information processing device 10 uses the number of times the wipers 18 operate as data correlated with the amount of water FL. The processing circuit 11 uses the number of times the wipers 18, which are equipped in many vehicles, operate as data correlated with the amount of water FL of the vehicle 100. Therefore, the processing circuit 11 of the information processing device 10 can acquire data correlated with the amount of water FL of the vehicle 100 without adding any new sensors to the vehicle 100 to acquire data correlated with the amount of water FL.

[0056] (3) The vehicle 100 is equipped with a submersion sensor 19. The submersion sensor 19 is a sensor for determining whether or not the vehicle 100 is submerged in water. When the submersion sensor 19 detects that the vehicle 100 is submerged in water, the processing circuit 11 of the information processing device 10 executes a process to raise the water level FL of the vehicle 100.

[0057] Depending on the type of data correlated with the amount of water FL, it may not be possible to determine whether or not the vehicle 100 was submerged. In particular, if the number of wiper 18 operations is used as data correlated with the amount of water FL of the vehicle 100, the processing circuit 11 of the information processing device 10 may not be able to determine whether or not the vehicle 100 was actually submerged. If the number of wiper 18 operations is used as data correlated with the amount of water FL, the processing circuit 11 may evaluate the amount of water FL of a vehicle 100 that passed through a flooded underpass as the same amount of water FL as the amount of water FL of a vehicle 100 that did not pass through the underpass.

[0058] The processing circuit 11 of the information processing device 10 evaluates the water exposure FL of one vehicle 100 that was submerged as being greater than the water exposure FL of the other vehicle 100 that was not submerged, for two vehicles 100 with the same data value correlated with the water exposure amount FL. This allows the processing circuit 11 of the information processing device 10 to evaluate the water exposure amount FL of the vehicles 100 more appropriately.

[0059] (4) The information processing device 10 notifies the vehicle 100 of information recommending maintenance if the malfunction risk level is above a predetermined level. The information processing device 10 recommends maintenance of the vehicle 100 based on the malfunction risk level of the vehicle 100 on which the information processing device 10 is installed. This allows the information processing device 10 to prevent malfunctions caused by the progression of corrosion in the vehicle 100.

[0060] (5) The vehicle 100 is equipped with a display 14. The information processing device 10 displays information recommending maintenance on the display 14. The information processing device 10 can recommend maintenance of the vehicle 100 to the user of the vehicle 100 by displaying information recommending maintenance on the display 14 of the vehicle 100 when the malfunction risk level of the vehicle 100 is above a predetermined level.

[0061] <Example of changes> This embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. This embodiment and the following modifications to this embodiment can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0062] The data correlated with the amount of water FL of the vehicle 100 is not limited to the number of times the wiper 18 operates. For example, the processing circuit 11 of the information processing device 10 may use the operating time of the wiper 18 as data correlated with the amount of water FL of the vehicle 100. Even in this case, the processing circuit 11 can acquire data correlated with the amount of water FL of the vehicle 100 without adding any new sensors to the vehicle 100.

[0063] The processing circuit 11 does not need to collect information to determine whether or not the vehicle 100 is submerged in water. The vehicle 100 does not need to be equipped with a submersion sensor 19. In this case, the processing circuit 11 starts the series of processes shown in Figure 3 from step S13, and in the process of step S13, it refers to the solid line L1 in the map shown in Figure 2.

[0064] The information processing device 10 does not have to notify the vehicle 100 of information recommending maintenance even if the malfunction risk level is above a predetermined level. For example, the information processing device 10 may be configured to store the malfunction risk level in the storage device 12. In this case, when performing maintenance on the vehicle 100, the information processing device 10 can provide the malfunction risk level stored in the storage device 12 as data to refer to in order to determine the content of the maintenance.

[0065] The information processing device 10 may be configured to notify a dealer of information recommending maintenance of the vehicle 100 via the communication device 13 and a wireless communication line (not shown). Upon receiving notification of the information recommending maintenance of the vehicle 100, the dealer can prepare the necessary parts for the maintenance of the vehicle 100 before the vehicle 100 is brought in for maintenance. This reduces the downtime of the vehicle 100 due to breakdowns and maintenance.

[0066] The information processing device 10 may notify the user of vehicle 100 of information recommending maintenance of vehicle 100 via the communication device 13 and a wireless communication line (not shown) to an information processing terminal held by the user of vehicle 100. The information processing terminal is, for example, a smartphone. Information processing terminals also include personal computers, wearable devices, and tablet devices. Examples of wearable devices include ring-type terminals worn on the wrist and necklace-type terminals worn around the neck. This allows the information processing device 10 to notify the user of vehicle 100 of information recommending maintenance of vehicle 100 even when the user is not in vehicle 100.

[0067] The information processing device 10 may notify the user of the vehicle 100 of maintenance recommendations via a speaker (not shown). The information processing device 10 may be configured as a circuit including one or more processors that execute various processes according to a computer program (software). Alternatively, the information processing device 10 may be configured as a circuit including one or more dedicated hardware circuits, such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or a combination thereof, that execute at least some of the various processes. The processor includes a CPU and memory such as RAM and ROM. The memory stores program code or instructions configured to cause the CPU to execute processes. Memory, or computer-readable media, includes any available media that can be accessed by a general-purpose or dedicated computer. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0068] 10...Information processing device, 11...Processing circuit, 12...Storage device, 14...Display, wiper control system, 17, 18...Wipers, 19...Water submersion sensor, 100...Vehicle, FL...Water level

Claims

1. An information processing device installed in a vehicle, It comprises a processing circuit and a memory device. The processing circuit performs the following actions: acquire data from the vehicle that correlates with the amount of water absorbed by the vehicle at a predetermined interval; acquire the amount of water absorbed by the vehicle based on the data that correlates with the amount of water absorbed; acquire parking period data which indicates the parking period of the vehicle; and acquire location information which indicates the location of the vehicle at a predetermined interval. The aforementioned storage device stores information regarding the external environment of the vehicle. The processing circuit evaluates the malfunction risk level, which is the degree to which a malfunction may occur in the vehicle, based on the amount of water received, the parking period data, the location information, and the information regarding the external environment. Information processing device.

2. The aforementioned vehicle is equipped with wipers, The processing circuit uses the number of wiper operations as data correlated with the amount of water absorbed. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The vehicle is equipped with a submersion sensor that determines whether or not the vehicle is submerged in water. The processing circuit, when the submersion sensor detects that the vehicle has been submerged, executes a process to raise the amount of water the vehicle is submerged in. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. If the aforementioned malfunction risk level is above a predetermined level, information recommending maintenance of the vehicle will be notified. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The aforementioned vehicle is equipped with a display, The display shows information recommending the maintenance. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4.

Images