Vehicle item suggestion system

Abstract

We propose vehicle-related items tailored to the vehicle's usage patterns. [Solution] The vehicle item suggestion system includes a computer. The computer has a processor and a storage device that stores a table 78 which links information on items applicable to the vehicle and recommended conditions. The computer's processor acquires usage trend information representing the vehicle's usage trends based on vehicle usage information obtained from devices installed in the vehicle. If the usage trend information satisfies the recommended conditions in table 78, it acquires information on the items linked to those recommended conditions in table 78 as recommended item information and transmits a command to display the information on the recommended items on at least one of a display device installed in the vehicle's interior and the vehicle user's mobile terminal device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification discloses a proposal system for vehicle items.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, after a user purchases an automobile, hardware and software items such as devices and functions are added to the automobile.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an automobile insurance premium calculation system that detects the operating state of an automobile by a user or the wearing state of equipment for protecting the body of an automobile occupant, and calculates an automobile insurance premium in consideration of the detection result.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] > In order for a user to select upgrade items (vehicle items) that match the usage tendency of their own vehicle, in-depth knowledge of the vehicle and the items is required. Also, there is a possibility that the user may not notice items that are of value. Furthermore, it is difficult for automobile manufacturers to propose optimal items based on the usage tendencies of individual users, and as a result, it is conceivable that there may be a loss of sales opportunities for items and a decrease in user satisfaction

[0006] Therefore, this specification discloses a proposal system that proposes vehicle items according to the usage tendency of a vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The vehicle item suggestion system disclosed herein comprises a computer having a processor and a storage device that stores a table linking information on items applicable to a vehicle and recommended conditions. The computer's processor acquires usage trend information representing the usage trends of the vehicle based on vehicle usage information obtained from devices installed in the vehicle, and if the usage trend information satisfies the recommended conditions in the table, it acquires information on the items linked to those recommended conditions in the table as recommended item information, and transmits a command to display the recommended item information on at least one of a display device installed in the vehicle's cabin and a mobile terminal device of the vehicle's user.

[0008] In the proposed system for vehicle items of this disclosure, the computer may be configured to include a server capable of communicating with the vehicle, a control device mounted on the vehicle, or both the server and the control device.

[0009] In the proposed system for vehicle items of this disclosure, the vehicle usage information may be a plurality of vehicle speed data obtained by acquiring the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle's speed sensor at regular time intervals while the vehicle is in motion. The usage trend information may be the average vehicle speed (V), which is the average value of the plurality of vehicle speed data over a certain period in the past (e.g., one week, one month, etc.), the recommended condition in the table may be that the average vehicle speed (V) exceeds a predetermined threshold (Vth) (V>Vth), and the information of the item linked to the recommended condition in the table may be information of an item that supports high-speed driving of the vehicle. When the recommended condition in the table is met (V>Vth), the computer processor may transmit a command to at least one of the display device installed in the vehicle's cabin and the vehicle's user's mobile terminal device to display information of an item that supports high-speed driving of the vehicle.

[0010] In the proposed vehicle item system of this disclosure, the vehicle usage information may be the number of times the highway has been used, obtained based on information from the vehicle's navigation system indicating whether or not the vehicle is traveling on a highway. The usage trend information may be the most recent number of highway uses (N), which is the number of times the highway has been used in a certain past period (e.g., one week, one month, etc.), the recommendation condition in the table may be that the most recent number of highway uses (N) exceeds a predetermined number (Nth) (N>Nth), and the item information linked to the recommendation condition in the table may be information about items that support the vehicle's driving on highways. If the recommendation condition in the table is met (N>Nth), the computer processor may transmit a command to at least one of the display device installed in the vehicle's cabin and the vehicle's user's mobile terminal device to display information about items that support the vehicle's driving on highways.

[0011] In the proposed vehicle item system of this disclosure, the vehicle usage information may be a plurality of set temperature data obtained by acquiring the set temperature of the vehicle's air conditioning system at regular time intervals when the vehicle's ignition switch is turned on. The usage trend information may be an average set temperature (T), which is the average value of the plurality of set temperature data over a certain period in the past (e.g., one week, two weeks, etc.), the recommended condition in the table may be that the average set temperature (T) exceeds a predetermined temperature (Tth) (T>Tth), and the item information linked to the recommended condition in the table may be information on an item that increases the perceived temperature of the vehicle's occupants. When the recommended condition in the table is met (T>Tth), the computer processor may transmit a command to at least one of the display device installed in the vehicle's cabin and the vehicle's user's mobile terminal device to display information on an item that increases the perceived temperature of the vehicle's occupants. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The technology disclosed herein makes it possible to propose vehicle items to users that are tailored to their vehicle usage patterns. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram of a vehicle item suggestion system. [Figure 2] (A) is a diagram showing an example of a usage trend table, and (B) is a diagram showing an example of an item table. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart showing the server's processing flow. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In all drawings, the same or equivalent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0015] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a proposed system 10 for vehicle items. The proposed system 10 comprises a server 14, a vehicle 12, and a mobile terminal device 16. The vehicle 12 is an automobile. The mobile terminal device 16 is a smartphone, tablet, personal computer, etc. The mobile terminal device 16 is carried by, for example, the user of the vehicle 12. The server 14, the vehicle 12, and the mobile terminal device 16 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a network 18 such as the Internet. The vehicle 12 and the mobile terminal device 16 may be connected to the network 18 by wireless communication.

[0016] Server 14 is a computer having a processor 40 and a storage device 42. Server 14 may be configured by combining multiple physically separated computers. The storage device 42 stores a usage trend table 74 and an item table 78.

[0017] Vehicle 12 is equipped with a control device 20, a display device 22, a vehicle speed sensor 24, a navigation device 26, and an air conditioning device 28.

[0018] The control device 20 is a computer having a processor 30 and a storage device 32. The control device 20 may be, for example, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit). The control device 20 may be configured to include a microcomputer. The control device 20 may include a plurality of processors 30 or may include a plurality of storage devices 32. Further, the control device 20 may be configured by combining a plurality of physically separated computers. Vehicle usage information 70 is stored in the storage device 32.

[0019] The air conditioner 28 includes an operation panel (not shown). The operation panel has a reception unit such as a button or a touch panel for receiving a set temperature in the interior of the vehicle 12 from the user.

[0020] The mobile terminal device 16 includes a processor 50, a storage device 52, and a display device 54.

[0021] FIG. 2(A) is a diagram showing an example of a usage tendency table 74. The usage tendency table 74 associates vehicle identification information with vehicle information of the vehicle specified by the vehicle identification information. The vehicle information includes a model and usage tendency information. For example, when the vehicle 12 shown in FIG. 1 has the vehicle identification information "ABC0012345" shown in the usage tendency table 74 of FIG. 2(A), the vehicle 12 is specified from the usage tendency table 74 to have a model of "XXXX1233". Note that the vehicle information may include an IP address or the like for accessing each of the vehicle 12 and the mobile terminal device 16.

[0022] FIG. 2(B) is a diagram showing an example of the item table 78. The item table 78 associates the vehicle type with the items applicable to the vehicle of that type (referred to as applicable items). In the above example, since the type of the vehicle 12 shown in FIG. 1 is "XXXX1233", from the item table 78 (see FIG. 2(B)), the items applicable to the vehicle 12 are identified as "Cruise Control", "Rear Blind Spot Monitor", "Rear Cross Traffic Alert", "Seat Heater", etc. Also, as shown in FIG. 2(B), recommended conditions are associated with each of the plurality of applicable items.

[0023] Note that the cruise control is a function for automatically maintaining the speed of the vehicle 12. The blind spot monitor is a function for notifying the user of another vehicle approaching from the diagonally rearward of the vehicle 12 by means of a warning light or the like. The rear cross traffic alert is a function for notifying the user of another vehicle approaching the rear of the vehicle 12 by means of an indicator light or the like.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, vehicle use information 70 is stored in the storage device 32 of the vehicle 12. The vehicle use information 70 includes, for example, a plurality of vehicle speed data obtained by acquiring the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 24 of the vehicle 12 at regular time intervals while the vehicle 12 is traveling. Also, the vehicle use information 70 may include, for example, the number of times the highway has been used obtained based on information from the navigation device 26 of the vehicle 12 as to whether the vehicle 12 is traveling on the highway. Further, the vehicle use information 70 may include, for example, a plurality of set temperature data obtained by acquiring the set temperature of the air conditioner 28 of the vehicle 12 at regular time intervals when the ignition switch of the vehicle 12 is on.

[0025] The control device 20 of the vehicle 12 acquires the vehicle use information 70 from the devices mounted on the vehicle 12 and stores it in the storage device 32. The control device 20 of the vehicle 12 transmits the vehicle use information 70 to the server 14 via the network 18 at a predetermined timing. The server 14 receives the vehicle use information 70 and acquires usage trend information from the vehicle use information

[0026] If the vehicle usage information 70 consists of multiple vehicle speed data as described above, the server 14 calculates the average vehicle speed V, which is the average value of the multiple vehicle speed data over a certain period in the past (e.g., one week, one month, etc.), and uses this as usage trend information. The server 14 then records the average vehicle speed V in the usage trend table 74 (see Figure 2(A)) in association with the vehicle identification information corresponding to the vehicle 12.

[0027] Furthermore, if the vehicle usage information 70 is the number of times the expressway has been used as described above, the server 14 uses the most recent expressway usage count N, which is the number of times the expressway has been used in a certain period of time in the past (for example, one week, one month, etc.), as usage trend information. The server 14 then records the most recent expressway usage count N in the usage trend table 74, linked to the vehicle identification information corresponding to the vehicle 12.

[0028] Furthermore, if the vehicle usage information 70 consists of multiple set temperature data as described above, the server 14 calculates the average set temperature T, which is the average value of the multiple set temperature data over a certain period in the past (for example, one week, two weeks, etc.), and uses this as usage trend information. The server 14 then records the average set temperature T in the usage trend table 74, linked to the vehicle identification information corresponding to the vehicle 12.

[0029] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of server 14. Server 14 starts the processing shown in Figure 3 at a predetermined timing. In step S10, server 14 obtains usage trend information linked to vehicle identification information corresponding to vehicle 12 from usage trend table 74 (see Figure 2(A)).

[0030] In step S12, the server 14 retrieves the model number (e.g., XXXX1233) associated with the vehicle identification information corresponding to vehicle 12 from the usage trend table 74, and retrieves the recommended conditions associated with that model number in the item table 78 (see Figure 2(B)). Then, the server 14 checks whether the usage trend information obtained in step S10 satisfies the retrieved recommended conditions. If the recommended conditions are not met (S12: No), the process in Figure 3 is terminated. If the recommended conditions are met (S12: Yes), the process proceeds to step S14.

[0031] In step S14, the server 14 acquires information on applicable items associated with the recommended conditions that have been met, as recommended item information. The server 14 then transmits a command via the network 18 to at least one of the display device 22 installed inside the vehicle 12 and the user's mobile terminal device 16 in the vehicle 12 to display the recommended item information. The control device 20 of the vehicle 12 receives the command from the server 14 and displays the recommended item information on the display device 22. The mobile terminal device 16 also receives the command from the server 14 and displays the recommended item information on the display device 54.

[0032] Specifically, if the usage trend information is the average vehicle speed V as described above, the recommended condition in the item table 78, as shown in Figure 2(B), is that the average vehicle speed V exceeds a predetermined threshold Vth (V>Vth). Furthermore, the information of the item (recommended item) associated with that recommended condition is information of an item that supports high-speed driving of the vehicle. Such an item is, for example, "cruise control". If the recommended condition is met (V>Vth), the server 14 sends a command to at least one of the vehicle's display device 22 and the mobile terminal device 16 to display information of an item that supports high-speed driving of the vehicle 12 (information of the recommended item). Then, at least one of the vehicle's control device 20 and the mobile terminal device 16 displays the information of the recommended item in response to the command from the server 14. With this configuration, for example, it is possible to suggest items that enable more comfortable high-speed driving to users who frequently drive at high speeds.

[0033] Furthermore, if the usage trend information is the most recent number of highway uses N as described above, the recommended condition in item table 78 is that the most recent number of highway uses N exceeds a predetermined number Nth (N > Nth). The information of the items (recommended items) associated with this recommended condition is information of items that support driving the vehicle on highways. Such items include, for example, "cruise control," "aftermarket blind spot monitor," and "rear cross traffic alert." If the recommended condition is met (N > Nth), the server 14 sends a command to at least one of the vehicle's display device 22 and the mobile terminal device 16 to display information of items that support driving the vehicle on highways (information of recommended items). Then, at least one of the vehicle's control device 20 and the mobile terminal device 16 displays the information of recommended items in response to the command from the server 14. With this configuration, for example, items that enable more comfortable long-distance driving can be suggested to users who frequently drive on highways.

[0034] Furthermore, if the usage trend information is the average set temperature T described above, the recommended condition in item table 78 is that the average set temperature T exceeds a predetermined temperature Tth (T>Tth). The information of the item (recommended item) associated with that recommended condition is information of an item that increases the perceived temperature of the occupants of the vehicle 12. Such an item is, for example, a "seat heater". If the recommended condition is met (T>Tth), the server 14 sends a command to at least one of the vehicle 12's display device 22 and the mobile terminal device 16 to display information of an item that increases the perceived temperature of the occupants of the vehicle 12 (information of the recommended item). Then, at least one of the vehicle 12's control device 20 and the mobile terminal device 16 displays the information of the recommended item in response to the command from the server 14. With this configuration, for example, it is possible to suggest items that provide a more comfortable in-car environment to a user whose air conditioning system 28 is always set to a high (warm) temperature.

[0035] According to the embodiments described above, items suitable for the usage trends of the vehicle 12 are proposed to the user, thereby making the user aware of items with high utility value. In addition, the manufacturer can increase sales opportunities for the items.

[0036] In the embodiment described above, the server 14 acquired the usage trend information and performed subsequent processing. However, the vehicle 12's storage device 32 may store the usage trend table 74 and item table 78 related to the vehicle 12, and the vehicle 12's control device 20 may acquire the usage trend information and perform subsequent processing. In this case, the vehicle 12's control device 20 transmits a command to at least one of the vehicle 12's display device 22 and the mobile terminal device 16 to display information on recommended items.

[0037] Alternatively, for example, the control device 20 of the vehicle 12 may acquire usage trend information and transmit it to the server 14, and the server 14 may use that usage trend information to perform subsequent processing. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0038] 10 Proposed system, 12 Vehicle, 14 Server (computer), 16 Mobile terminal device, 18 Network, 20 Control device (computer), 22 Display device, 24 Vehicle speed sensor, 26 Navigation device, 28 Air conditioning device, 30 Processor, 32 Storage device, 40 Processor, 42 Storage device, 50 Processor, 52 Storage device, 54 Display device, 70 Vehicle usage information, 74 Usage trend table, 78 Item table.

Claims

[Claim 1] A system for suggesting vehicle items, Processor and A computer comprising a storage device that stores a table linking information on applicable items for a vehicle and recommended conditions, The processor of the aforementioned computer is Based on vehicle usage information obtained from a device installed in the vehicle, usage trend information representing the usage trends of the vehicle is acquired. If the aforementioned usage trend information satisfies the recommendation criteria of the table, the information of the item associated with the said recommendation criteria in the table is obtained as recommended item information. A command is transmitted to at least one of the following: a display device installed inside the vehicle, and a mobile terminal device of the vehicle's user, to display information about the recommended items. A system for suggesting vehicle-related items.

Images