Mode setting device

Abstract

The goal is to make it easier to reflect the user's immediate needs while automatically setting frequently used modes as the default mode. [Solution] The mode setting device comprises an input device and a processor with respect to the vehicle's driving function. The input device accepts manual selection of a mode by the user regarding the driving function. The processor automatically sets the driving function mode to the default mode when the vehicle system starts up. The processor performs an automatic mode update process that automatically updates the default mode to the first mode if the first mode among multiple driving function modes is selected by the user a predetermined number of times or more consecutively.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a mode setting device for a driving function of a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a multi-function switch device. In order to be able to reliably register the operation mode with high usage frequency as the default operation mode, the multi-function switch device automatically registers one of a plurality of operation modes as the default operation mode based on the operation status of the operation means (e.g., the number of selections of each operation mode).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] According to the method of automatically registering the default operation mode described in Patent Document 1, it may be overly affected by the past selection history and it may be difficult to reflect the user's most recent needs.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a mode setting device that can automatically set a mode with high usage frequency as the default mode while making it easy to reflect the user's most recent needs.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A mode setting device according to a first aspect of this disclosure comprises an input device and a processor with respect to the vehicle's driving function. The input device accepts manual selection of a mode by the user with respect to the driving function. The processor automatically sets the mode of the driving function to the default mode when the vehicle's system is started. The processor executes an automatic mode update process that automatically updates the default mode to the first mode when the first mode among a plurality of modes for the driving function is selected by the user a predetermined number of times or more consecutively.

[0007] A mode setting device according to a second aspect of this disclosure comprises an input device and a processor with respect to the vehicle's driving function. The input device accepts manual selection of a mode by the user with respect to the driving function. The processor automatically sets the mode of the driving function to the default mode when the vehicle's system is started. The processor executes an automatic mode update process that automatically updates the default mode to the first mode when the user's selection rate of the first mode among multiple modes for the driving function reaches a predetermined value. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The automatic mode update process described in this disclosure enables the automatic setting of a default mode that more easily reflects the user's immediate needs without being overly influenced by past usage frequency. Furthermore, since the automatic update only occurs when the same mode (first mode) is selected consecutively, it becomes possible to automatically set the most frequently used mode as the default mode without being overly influenced by occasional, changing needs. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing an example configuration of a mode setting device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This flowchart shows an example of the flow of the automatic mode update process according to the first example of the embodiment. [Figure 3] This flowchart shows an example of the flow of the automatic mode update process according to a second example of the embodiment. [Figure 4] This flowchart shows an example of the flow of the automatic mode update process according to the third example of the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0011] 1. Configuration of the mode setting device Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example configuration of the mode setting device 1 according to this embodiment. The mode setting device 1 is mounted on a vehicle and performs mode setting related to the vehicle's driving function F. The mode setting device 1 includes an electronic control unit (ECU) 10 and an HMI (Human Machine Interface) device 20.

[0012] The ECU 10 includes a processor 12 and a storage device 14. The processor 12 performs various processes related to mode setting (mode management) for the driving function F. These processes include the "automatic mode update process" described later. Examples of processors include CPUs, GPUs, ASICs, FPGAs, etc. The storage device 14 stores various information. Examples of storage devices include volatile memory, non-volatile memory, HDDs, SSDs, etc. The functions of the ECU 10 may be realized through the cooperation of the processor 12, which executes a computer program, and the storage device 14. The computer program is stored in the storage device 14. Alternatively, the computer program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium.

[0013] The HMI device 20 includes an input device 22 and an output device 24. The input device 22 accepts manual selection of mode M by the user with respect to the driving function F. Examples of the input device 22 include a touch panel, buttons, etc. The output device 24 displays information necessary for the user to select a mode. Examples of the output device 24 include a touch panel, display, meter panel, etc.

[0014] A user (e.g., driver) riding in the vehicle can operate the HMI device 20 (input device 22) to manually select their desired mode M for the driving function F of their interest. Thus, the driving function F that is subject to mode setting by the mode setting device 1 is a function that can be customized according to the user's manual operation.

[0015] Examples of driving functions F include the vehicle's drive mode, eco-run function (a function that automatically stops and restarts the internal combustion engine for the purpose of idle stop), snow mode function, vehicle stability control (VSC), brake hold function, etc.

[0016] In this disclosure, "mode selection" by the user regarding the driving function F corresponds to selecting one mode from among multiple drive modes (e.g., normal mode, sport mode, and eco mode). Alternatively, "mode selection" can also correspond to selecting whether to turn a certain driving function F (e.g., eco-run function, snow mode function, VSC, brake hold function) on or off.

[0017] 2. Automatic mode update process The processor 12 of the mode setting device 1 according to this embodiment automatically sets the mode M of the driving function F to the default mode Md when the vehicle system starts up (in other words, when the ECU 10 starts up). In addition, regardless of which mode M was selected at the end of the vehicle's last trip, the default mode Md is set when the system starts up.

[0018] If the default mode Md can be automatically set to one that appropriately matches the user's needs, the user's convenience in using the driving function F can be improved. However, simply setting the mode that the user uses most frequently as the default mode (see, for example, Patent Document 1) may be too influenced by the user's past selection history and may not adequately reflect the user's most recent needs.

[0019] Therefore, in the present embodiment, the processor 12 is configured to execute the following "mode automatic update process". Hereinafter, the first to third examples of the mode automatic update process will be described.

[0020] 2-1. First example In the mode automatic update process according to the first example, when the mode M1 (first mode) among a plurality of modes M related to a certain driving function F is continuously selected by the user a predetermined number of times N or more, the processor 12 automatically updates the default mode Md to the mode M1.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the mode automatic update process according to the first example of the present embodiment. The process of this flowchart starts when the vehicle system is started (in other words, when the ECU 10 is started). In addition, the process is executed once, for example, during one trip of the vehicle.

[0022] In step S100, the processor 12 determines whether a predetermined execution condition X of the mode automatic update process is satisfied. The execution condition X is, for example, a period P1 from when the vehicle system is started until the first start of the vehicle. That is, the mode automatic update process is executed for the period P1. Alternatively, the execution condition X may be, for example, a period P2 from the immediate stop after the first start of the vehicle until the restart after the immediate stop, or, for example, a predetermined period P3 from the first start. That is, the mode automatic update process may be executed for the period P2 or the predetermined period P3.

[0023] When the execution condition X of the mode automatic update process is not satisfied (step S100; No), the process of step S100 is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, when the execution condition X is satisfied (step S100; Yes), the process proceeds to step S102.

[0024] In step S102, the processor 12 determines, based on the signal from the input device 22, whether or not a mode (mode M1) among the multiple modes M was selected by the user while the execution condition X was met. If mode M1 was not selected (step S102; No), the process proceeds to the end. On the other hand, if mode M1 was selected (step S102; Yes), the process proceeds to step S104.

[0025] In step S104, the processor 12 determines whether the mode selected by the user (user-selected mode) M1 is different from the current memory mode Mm. More specifically, the current memory mode Mm referred to here is the default mode Md of the driving function F (for convenience, also referred to as the target function Ft) that is the subject of this automatic mode update process, and is currently stored in the memory device (non-volatile memory) 14.

[0026] If the user-selected mode M1 is different from the current storage mode Mm (step S104; Yes), the processor 12 updates the storage mode Mm to the current user-selected mode M1 (step S106). That is, the current user-selected mode M1 is stored in the storage device 14 as the new storage mode Mm.

[0027] The storage device (non-volatile memory) 14 stores a mode counter C for each individual mode M of the target function Ft, which counts the number of times the user has selected mode M. In step S108, following step S106, the processor 12 resets the mode counter C1 of the mode M1 currently selected by the user to 0.

[0028] On the other hand, if the user-selected mode M1 matches the current memory mode Mm (step S104; No), the processor 12 increments the mode counter C. After step S108 or S110, the process proceeds to step S112.

[0029] In step S112, the processor 12 determines whether the value of the mode counter C is greater than or equal to a predetermined number of times N. The predetermined number N is not particularly limited, but for example, it is 2 to 4 times. If the value of the mode counter C is less than the predetermined number of times N (step S112; No), the process proceeds to the end. That is, the automatic mode update process for the current trip of the vehicle is completed.

[0030] On the other hand, if the value of the mode counter C is greater than or equal to a predetermined number of times N (when the predetermined number of times N is reached) (step S112; Yes), the processor 12 updates the default mode Md of the target function Ft stored in the storage device (non-volatile memory) 13 to the storage mode Mm updated in step S106 (step S114). After that, the process proceeds to the end. In other words, the automatic mode update process for the current trip of the vehicle is completed. Furthermore, the updated default mode Md will be used as the initial mode of the target function Ft when the system is started for the next trip.

[0031] According to the automatic mode update process described in the first example above, if mode M1 is selected by the user a predetermined number of times N or more consecutively as mode M for a certain driving function F, the default mode Md is automatically updated to mode M1. This makes it possible to automatically set the default mode Md to reflect the user's recent needs without being overly influenced by past usage frequency. Furthermore, since the automatic update only occurs when the same mode (e.g., mode M1) is selected consecutively, it becomes possible to automatically set the most frequently used mode as the default mode Md without being overly influenced by occasional needs that change from time to time. In addition, the automatic mode update process makes it possible to easily understand user preferences and reduce initial operations before driving without using sensors to acquire the user's biometric information or advanced learning control.

[0032] Furthermore, as described above, the execution condition X for the automatic mode update process may be, for example, the period P1 from the time the vehicle's system starts up until the vehicle's first start. Alternatively, the execution condition X may be, for example, the period P2 from the moment of temporary stop immediately after the vehicle's first start until the moment of restart immediately after the temporary stop, or a predetermined period P3 from the time of the first start. Here, the selection (switching) of mode M performed by the user after the vehicle has started to move can be said to be an operation performed in response to changes in the driving environment at that time. Therefore, by using the execution condition X described here, user operations based on such changes in the driving environment are excluded from the target for understanding the user's preferences regarding mode selection. This makes it less likely that user operations based on such changes in the driving environment will be reflected in the automatic setting of the default mode Md. In addition, user operations performed after the vehicle has traveled for a certain period of time are particularly likely to be operations performed in response to changes in the driving environment at that time. Therefore, by using period P2 or a predetermined period P3 as the execution condition X, it is possible to more reliably suppress the reflection of user operations based on such changes in the driving environment in the automatic setting of the default mode Md.

[0033] 2-2. Second Example In the automatic mode update process according to the second example, the processor 12 automatically updates the default mode Md to mode M1 when the selectivity rate R of mode M1 (first mode) among multiple modes M related to the user's driving function F reaches a predetermined value.

[0034] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the automatic mode update process according to the second example of this embodiment. The process in this flowchart differs from the process shown in Figure 2 in the following respects.

[0035] In Figure 3, if mode M1 is selected while the execution condition X for the automatic mode update process is met (step S102; Yes), the process proceeds to step S200. In step S200, the processor 12 increments the mode counter C1 of the current user-selected mode M1. Next, the processor 12 updates the memory mode Mm to the current user-selected mode M1 (step S106). After that, the process proceeds to step S202.

[0036] In step S202, the processor 12 determines whether the selectivity rate R of the user-selected mode M1 for the current trip has reached a predetermined value. More specifically, the selectivity rate R corresponds to the ratio of the number of times mode M1 is selected by the user to the total number of times mode M is selected by the user in a series of consecutive trips, including the current trip. If the selectivity rate R is less than the predetermined value (step S202; No), the process proceeds to the end.

[0037] On the other hand, if the selectivity R reaches a predetermined value (selectivity ≥ predetermined value) (step S202; Yes), the processor 12 updates the default mode Md of the target function Ft to the memory mode Mm updated in step S106 (step S114). After that, the process proceeds to the end. After step S114, the processor 12 may reset the mode counter C of each mode M to 0.

[0038] The automatic mode update process described in the second example above also yields the same effect as the automatic mode update process described in the first example.

[0039] 2-3. Third Example The third example combines the following process with the automatic mode update process described in the first or second example above. Specifically, in the third example, if the number of trips Nt of a vehicle in which mode M1 (first mode), which has been automatically updated by the automatic mode update process, is used as the default mode Md reaches a predetermined trip threshold, the processor 12 returns the default mode Md to a preset initial value.

[0040] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the automatic mode update process according to the third example of this embodiment. The process in this flowchart is a combination of the process shown in Figure 2 (the first example) and the processes in the next steps S300 and S302.

[0041] Specifically, in Figure 4, if the value of the mode counter C is greater than or equal to a predetermined number of times N (when the predetermined number of times N is reached) (step S112; Yes), the process proceeds to step S300. In step S300, the processor 12 determines whether the number of trips Nt for which the mode M1, which has been automatically updated by the automatic mode update process, is used as the default mode Md has reached a predetermined trip threshold (Nt ≥ trip threshold). The trip threshold may be set to, for example, more than the predetermined number N.

[0042] If the number of trips Nt after updating the default mode Md has not yet reached the trip threshold (step S300; No), the process proceeds to step S114. On the other hand, if the number of trips Nt has reached the trip threshold (number of trips Nt ≥ trip threshold) (step S300; Yes), the processor 12 resets the default mode Md to a preset initial value (step S302). The process then proceeds to the end. Additionally, the initial value is, for example, a standard mode recommended to the user as a vehicle.

[0043] In addition, when the value of the mode counter C in mode M1 reaches a predetermined number of times N (step S112; Yes), the trip following the trip in step S114 in which the default mode Md is updated corresponds to "the first trip in which mode M1, which has been automatically updated by the automatic mode update process, is used as the default mode Md." That is, in that next trip, the trip count Nt will be 1. If the result of the determination in step S112 in that next trip is Yes and the process proceeds to step S114, then in the trip after that, the trip count Nt will be 2. The same applies thereafter.

[0044] The processes in steps S300 and S302 described above may be combined with the process shown in Figure 3 (the second example) in the same way as the process shown in Figure 4, which uses the first example as the target of the combination. That is, if the result of the determination in step S202 in Figure 3 is Yes, the process may proceed to step S300. If the result of the determination in step S300 is Yes, the process may proceed to step S302, and if the result of the determination is No, the process may proceed to S114.

[0045] As shown in the third example above, it is possible to achieve essentially the same effect as the first and second examples (making it easier to reflect the user's immediate needs while automatically setting the frequently used mode M as the default mode Md) while also encouraging the user to use the initial value of the default mode Md (i.e., the standard mode recommended for the vehicle). [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1 mode setting device, 10 electronic control units (ECUs), 12 processors, 14 memory devices, 20 HMI devices, 22 input devices, 24 output devices

Claims

1. A mode setting device for the vehicle's driving function, An input device that accepts manual selection of a mode by the user regarding the aforementioned driving function, A processor that automatically sets the mode of the driving function to the default mode when the vehicle's system is started, Equipped with, The processor executes an automatic mode update process to automatically update the default mode to the first mode when the first mode among the multiple modes related to the driving function is selected by the user a predetermined number of times consecutively. Mode setting device.

2. A mode setting device for the vehicle's driving function, An input device that accepts manual selection of a mode by the user regarding the aforementioned driving function, A processor that automatically sets the mode of the driving function to the default mode when the vehicle's system is started, Equipped with, The processor executes an automatic mode update process that automatically updates the default mode to the first mode when the user's selection rate for the first mode among the multiple modes related to the driving function reaches a predetermined value. Mode setting device.

3. A mode setting device according to claim 1 or 2, When the number of trips of the vehicle using the first mode, which has been automatically updated by the automatic mode update process, as the default mode reaches a predetermined trip threshold, the processor resets the default mode to a preset initial value. Mode setting device.

4. A mode setting device according to claim 1 or 2, The processor executes the automatic mode update process for the period from the system startup to the first start of the vehicle. Mode setting device.

5. A mode setting device according to claim 1 or 2, The processor executes the automatic mode update process for the period from the vehicle's initial stop immediately after starting to the vehicle's restart immediately after the stop, or for a predetermined period from the time of the initial start. Mode setting device.

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