Vehicle equipment

Abstract

This increases the likelihood that necessary measures will be taken if a child is left unattended in a vehicle. [Solution] When the vehicle device 1 detects the presence of a living organism inside the vehicle 2 and a predetermined first condition is met, it notifies both the main mobile terminals 6A and 6B and the auxiliary terminals 6C, 6D, and 6E of information indicating the presence of a living organism inside the vehicle 2.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle device that detects that a living body (for example, an occupant such as an infant) is unintentionally left behind in a vehicle (stranded), and notifies the mobile terminal of the vehicle owner upon detection.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the vehicle device of Patent Document 1, if the vehicle owner does not carry the mobile terminal at the time of notification of stranded detection, the occurrence of stranding is not communicated to the vehicle owner. In this case, necessary measures for stranding, for example, unlocking and opening the vehicle door to take the stranded living body out of the vehicle, will not be performed.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to increase the possibility that necessary measures will be taken when stranding occurs inside a vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] One aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle device comprising: a communication unit capable of communicating with at least one main mobile terminal that is permanently authorized to lock and unlock the doors of a vehicle, and a secondary terminal that is not permanently authorized to lock and unlock the doors of the vehicle; a biometric detection unit that detects the presence of a living organism inside the vehicle; and a notification unit that, when at least the biometric detection unit detects the presence of the living organism and a predetermined first condition is met, notifies both the main mobile terminal and the secondary terminal of biometric presence information indicating that a living organism has been detected inside the vehicle, via the communication unit.

[0007] The primary mobile device, which is granted permanent locking and unlocking authority over the vehicle doors, is intended for use by the vehicle owner and other users (drivers) who operate the vehicle. On the other hand, the auxiliary device, which is not granted permanent locking and unlocking authority over the vehicle doors, is intended for use by users who do not drive the vehicle (e.g., family members of the driver). When the biometric detection unit detects the presence of a living being and the first condition is met, the notification unit notifies both the primary mobile device and the auxiliary device of the biometric presence information, thereby increasing the likelihood that the user will notice that a living being has been left behind in the vehicle and take necessary measures to address the situation. For example, even if the vehicle owner does not have the primary mobile device and is unaware that biometric presence information has been notified, if the user of the auxiliary device notices the notification of biometric presence information, they can take necessary measures to address the situation.

[0008] The vehicle device according to claim 1, wherein the first condition is that the bio-detection unit detects the presence of the living organism, the notification unit notifies the main mobile terminal of the information regarding the presence of the living organism, and a first waiting period has elapsed.

[0009] By first notifying the primary mobile device of the biometric presence information, and then, after a first waiting period has elapsed, notifying both the primary and auxiliary devices of the biometric presence information, it is possible to minimize the notification of biometric presence information to auxiliary devices intended for use by users who do not drive the vehicle (e.g., family members of the vehicle owner). In other words, it is possible to increase the likelihood of taking necessary measures against abandonment while suppressing the increase in communication volume between the vehicle equipment and the auxiliary devices.

[0010] The safety control unit may further include a safety control unit that activates the in-vehicle environment safety control device provided by the vehicle after the notification unit has notified both the main mobile terminal and the auxiliary terminal of the biological presence information and a second waiting period has elapsed.

[0011] This configuration ensures that, after notifying both the primary and secondary mobile devices of the presence of a biological organism, protection of the unattended organism is automatically performed until the necessary measures are taken.

[0012] The in-vehicle environmental safety control device may be an air conditioning system.

[0013] The aforementioned auxiliary terminal may be a portable terminal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the vehicle device of the present invention, it is possible to increase the likelihood that necessary measures will be taken when a person is left unattended inside a vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram of a vehicle system including a vehicle device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Block diagram of a vehicle device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Block diagram of a mobile device. [Figure 4] Conceptual diagram of a mobile device information table. [Figure 5] A flowchart illustrating the operation of a vehicle device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0016] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0017] Figure 1 illustrates a vehicle system including a vehicle device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle device 1 is mounted on a vehicle 2 which is an automobile in the present embodiment. With additional reference to Figure 2, among the apparatuses included in the vehicle 2, the control targets of the vehicle device 1 include a door lock device 3, an engine control device 4, and an air conditioner 5.

[0018] The door lock device 3 has a latch mechanism (not shown) disposed on a door 2a of the vehicle 2, and a striker (not shown) disposed on a vehicle body 2b. The latch mechanism retains the striker to lock the door 2a, and the latch mechanism releases the striker to unlock the door 2a. The door lock device 3 includes a lock state monitoring sensor 3a that detects the locked / unlocked state of the door 2a. Further, the door lock device 3 is provided with a door state monitoring sensor 3b that detects the open / closed state of the door 2a.

[0019] The vehicle device 1 functions as a vehicle locking / unlocking device in cooperation with the door lock device 3.

[0020] The engine control device 4 executes engine control including at least starting and stopping of an engine (not shown) of the vehicle 2.

[0021] The air conditioner 5 detects the temperature inside the vehicle 2, and performs air conditioning based thereon so that the temperature inside the vehicle 2 becomes a suitable temperature for living organisms. The air conditioner 5 constitutes an example of the in-vehicle environment safety control device in the present invention. The vehicle device 1 constitutes a safety control unit in the present invention through the cooperation of the engine control device 4 and the air conditioner 5.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, the vehicle system includes a vehicle device 1, a server 7, and, in this embodiment, five mobile terminals: specifically, two Type 1 mobile terminals 6A and 6B, two Type 2 mobile terminals 6C and 6D, and one Type 3 mobile terminal 6E. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between Type 1 mobile terminals 6A and 6B, Type 2 mobile terminals 6C and 6D, and Type 3 mobile terminal 6E, they may be collectively referred to as mobile terminal 6. Type 1 mobile terminals 6A and 6B are examples of main mobile terminals in the present invention, and Type 2 mobile terminals 6C and 6D and Type 3 mobile terminal 6E are examples of auxiliary terminals in the present invention.

[0023] The vehicle device 1 can typically communicate with the server 7 via a network 8, including the Internet, and can utilize cloud services provided by the server 7.

[0024] The Type 1 mobile terminals 6A and 6B are intended for use by a user who is a potential occupant of vehicle 2 and who regularly locks and unlocks the doors using the door lock device 3. Typically, this user is the driver of vehicle 2.

[0025] The Type 2 mobile terminals 6C and 6D are intended for use by people who may be occupants of vehicle 2, but who only lock and unlock the door lock device 3 when an unattended vehicle is detected, as described below, rather than constantly. Such users include, for example, family members living with the driver.

[0026] The third type mobile terminal 6E is intended for use by people who may be occupants of vehicle 2 but do not use the door locking device 3 to lock or unlock the doors. Such users are, as with the second type mobile terminals 6C and 6D, for example, family members of the driver who live separately.

[0027] The Type 1 mobile terminals 6A and 6B are capable of constant short-range wireless communication with the vehicle device 1 (both UWB communication and BLE communication, as described later). The Type 1 mobile terminals 6A and 6B can communicate with the vehicle device 1 via the network 8.

[0028] For the Type 2 mobile terminals 6C and 6D, short-range wireless communication with the vehicle device 1 is not always possible, but only when abandoned vehicle detection is detected, as will be described in detail later. The Type 2 mobile terminals 6C and 6D can communicate with the vehicle device 1 via the network 8.

[0029] Although the third-class mobile terminal 6E is not permitted to communicate with the vehicle device 1 via short-range wireless communication, it can communicate with the vehicle device 1 via the network 8.

[0030] Referring to Figure 2, the vehicle device 1 comprises a vehicle-side communication unit 11 and a vehicle-side control device 12.

[0031] The vehicle-side communication unit 11 constitutes the communication unit in the present invention. The vehicle-side communication unit 11 includes a vehicle-side UWB communication unit 13, a vehicle-side BLE communication unit 14, and a vehicle-side NW communication unit 15.

[0032] The vehicle-side BLE communication unit 14 is a communication module configured to enable short-range wireless communication (hereinafter referred to as BLE communication) compliant with Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) etc. between it and Type 1 and Type 2 mobile terminals 6A to 6D, and includes an antenna, modulator, demodulator, and amplifier.

[0033] The vehicle-side UWB communication unit 13 comprises a first UWB communication unit 13a and a second UWB communication unit 13b. The first UWB communication unit 13a and the second UWB communication unit 13b are communication modules configured to enable ultra-wideband wireless communication (hereinafter referred to as UWB communication) of 3.1 GHz or higher with Type 1 and Type 2 mobile terminals 6A to 6D, respectively.

[0034] In this embodiment, the first UWB communication unit 13a includes two wireless communication devices 13c located at two locations on the ceiling inside the vehicle 2, and the second UWB communication unit 13b includes four wireless communication devices 13d located on the front, rear, left, and right sides outside the vehicle 2b.

[0035] The wireless communication devices 13c and 13d include an antenna, modulator, demodulator, and amplifier, and function as UWB communication devices (anchors) capable of UWB communication with Type 1 and Type 2 mobile terminals 6A to 6D.

[0036] As described above, Type 1 mobile terminals 6A and 6B are always capable of short-range wireless communication with the vehicle device 1, while Type 2 mobile terminals 6C and 6D are not always capable of short-range wireless communication with the vehicle device 1, but are only capable of short-range wireless communication with the vehicle device 1 when abandoned vehicle detection is detected. When the vehicle device 1 receives signals from the Type 1 and Type 2 mobile terminals 6A to 6D notifying (advertising) their presence, and BLE communication is established between the vehicle-side BLE communication unit 14 and the Type 1 and Type 2 mobile terminals 6A to 6D, that is, when the Type 1 and Type 2 mobile terminals 6A to 6D enter an area where they can communicate with the vehicle-side BLE communication unit 14, the wireless communication devices 13c and 13d perform ranging using UWB communication and output distance measurement information indicating the distance between them and the Type 1 and Type 2 mobile terminals 6A to 6D.

[0037] In this UWB communication for ranging, radio signals are periodically transmitted and received between the radio communication devices 13c and 13d and the Type 1 and Type 2 mobile terminals 6A to 6D. The Type 1 and Type 2 mobile terminals 6A to 6D calculate the propagation time of the radio signals between the Type 1 and Type 2 mobile terminals 6A to 6D and the radio communication devices 13c and 13d during these transmissions and transmissions and transmit this information to the radio communication devices 13c and 13d. Based on the received propagation time, the radio communication devices 13c and 13d measure the distance between the Type 1 and Type 2 mobile terminals 6A to 6D and the radio communication devices 13c and 13d and output the distance measurement information to the vehicle-side control device 12.

[0038] The vehicle-side NW communication unit 15 is a communication module that connects to the network 8 by means of Wi-Fi, 5G, LTE, satellite internet, etc., and performs communication with Type 1 to Type 3 mobile terminals 6A to 6E via the network 8.

[0039] The in-vehicle radio communication device 13c of the first UWB communication unit 13a functions not only as a UWB communication device but also as a radar device capable of transmitting radar (UWB radar). The radio communication device 13c of the first UWB communication unit 13a periodically transmits radio waves. The radio communication device 13c of the first UWB communication unit 13a irradiates the vehicle interior with radio waves (radar waves) and receives reflected waves from the irradiated object.

[0040] The vehicle-side control device 12 is, for example, an electronic control computer (ECU), and includes a control unit 12a composed of a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), and a storage unit 12b composed of memory such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0041] The control unit 12a works in cooperation with software to realize predetermined functions and controls. The storage unit 12b stores the software related to the functions and controls executed by the control unit 12a, as well as the information necessary for such functions and controls.

[0042] The functions and controls performed by the control unit 12a include the following:

[0043] The control unit 12a acquires the movement trajectories of the first and second type mobile terminals 6A to 6D from the distance measurement information of the first and second type mobile terminals 6A to 6D input from the wireless communication devices 13c and 13d of the first and second UWB communication units 13a and 13b, and switches the door lock device 3 from locked to unlocked if the movement trajectory is predetermined. Accordingly, the vehicle-side control device 12 functions as a vehicle locking and unlocking device in cooperation with the door lock device 3 and the vehicle-side communication unit 11.

[0044] The control unit 12a detects whether a living being (for example, an infant or other passenger) is not present in the vehicle for unintended reasons, i.e., whether an unattended person has been left behind, based on information regarding the presence or absence of reflected radio waves (radar waves) irradiated into the vehicle interior, input from the wireless communication device 13c of the first UWB communication unit 13a, and the estimated positions of the first and second type mobile terminals 6A to 6D based on the distance measurement information of the first and second type mobile terminals 6A to 6D, input from the wireless communication devices 13c and 13d of the first and second UWB communication units 13a and 13b. Accordingly, the vehicle-side control device 12, in cooperation with the vehicle-side UWB communication unit 13, constitutes the living being detection unit in the present invention.

[0045] As will be described in detail later, when a situation such as abandoned vehicle detection occurs, the control unit 12a notifies the vehicle-side communication unit 11 of the necessary information to the Type 1 to Type 3 mobile terminals 6A to 6E. Therefore, the vehicle-side control device 12, in cooperation with the vehicle-side communication unit 11, constitutes the notification unit in this invention.

[0046] Referring to Figure 3, the mobile terminal 6 comprises a terminal-side communication unit 21, a terminal-side control device 22, a display 23, a speaker 24, and a vibrator 25.

[0047] The terminal-side communication unit 21 includes a terminal-side UWB communication unit 21a, a terminal-side BLE communication unit 21b, and a terminal-side NW communication unit 21c.

[0048] The terminal-side UWB communication unit 21a is a communication module that performs UWB communication with the vehicle-side UWB communication unit 13. The terminal-side BLE communication unit 21b is a communication module that performs BLE communication with the vehicle-side BLE communication unit 14. These communication modules include an antenna, modulator, demodulator, and amplifier.

[0049] The terminal-side NW communication unit 21c is a communication module that connects to the network 8 by means of Wi-Fi, 5G, LTE, satellite internet, etc., and performs communication with the vehicle-side NW communication unit 15 via the network 8.

[0050] The terminal-side control device 22 includes a control unit 21a, which is composed of a processor such as a CPU or MPU, and a storage unit 22b, which is composed of memory such as ROM or RAM.

[0051] The control unit 22a works in cooperation with software to realize predetermined functions and controls. The storage unit 22b stores the software related to the functions and controls performed by the control unit 22a, as well as the information necessary for such functions and controls.

[0052] In addition to performing short-range wireless communication and network communication with the vehicle device 1 (vehicle-side communication unit 11) as described above, the control realized by the control unit 22a includes the presence or absence of a visual display on the display 23 and the manner of said visual display, the presence or absence of sound from the speaker 24 and the manner of said sound, and the presence or absence of vibration from the vibrator 25 and the manner of said vibration.

[0053] The mobile device 6 is typically a smartphone, but may also be a key-shaped electronic device with an embedded IC chip, a tablet-type electronic device other than a smartphone, or a wearable device such as glasses or a wristwatch.

[0054] When an abandoned vehicle is detected, the vehicle device 1 notifies the driver of information (biometric presence information) that an abandoned vehicle has been found to be present at the time of the incident. Furthermore, as described later, it performs a stepwise process to increase the likelihood that necessary measures will be taken when an abandoned vehicle occurs. The information necessary to perform such a stepwise process is stored in the server 7, for example, in the form of a mobile terminal information table 100 shown in Figure 4. The vehicle device 1 downloads the mobile terminal information table 100 via the network 8 and stores it in the storage unit 12a, or it can refer to it without downloading. The mobile terminal information table 100 may also be stored only in the storage unit 12a of the vehicle device 1.

[0055] The mobile terminal information table 100 in Figure 4 includes information about the mobile terminal 6, such as its identification information (terminal identification information), terminal type (whether it is a Type 1 to Type 3 mobile terminal), the authority to lock and unlock the door lock device 3, and the attributes of the user who is the user of the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal information table 100 may also include other information. The terminal identification information is, for example, the MAC address of the mobile terminal 6. For simplicity, in Figure 4, the codes 6A to 6E assigned to each mobile terminal 6 in Figure 1 are shown as the terminal identification information in the mobile terminal information table 100.

[0056] Continuing to refer to Figure 4, regarding locking and unlocking authority, Type 1 mobile terminals 6A and 6B are granted locking and unlocking authority at all times. Type 2 mobile terminals 6C and 6D are granted locking and unlocking authority not at all times, but when abandoned device is detected, more specifically when the second stage processing described later is executed (step S7 in Figure 5). Type 3 mobile terminal 6E is not granted locking and unlocking authority.

[0057] Next, the operation of the vehicle device 1 will be explained with reference to Figure 5.

[0058] If the conditions for starting abandoned vehicle detection are met in step S1, the abandoned vehicle detection in step S2 will begin.

[0059] The condition for starting the abandoned object detection in step S1 is, for example, when the door lock device 3 switches from unlocked to locked. This switch can be detected by input from the lock state monitoring sensor 3a. Alternatively, the condition for starting the abandoned object detection in step S1 may be a certain amount of time elapsed since the door 2a changed from an open state to a closed state. The open / closed state of the door 2a can be detected by input from the door state monitoring sensor 3b.

[0060] In step S2, the device is continuously monitored to determine whether two conditions are met, specifically the condition that the mobile device 6 is not present inside the vehicle 2, and the condition that a living organism is detected inside the vehicle. Distance measurement information from the first UWB communication unit 13a and the second UWB communication unit 13b is used to determine whether the former condition is met. The reflected waves of radar waves emitted into the vehicle interior by the wireless communication device 13c of the first UWB communication unit 13a are used to determine whether the latter condition is met.

[0061] The abandoned object detection in step S2 terminates in step S3 when the abandoned object detection termination condition is met. The abandoned object detection termination condition is, for example, when door 2a changes from a closed state to an open state.

[0062] If abandonment is detected in step S2, that is, if the two abandonment detection conditions mentioned above are met, the first stage processing is executed in step S4.

[0063] In the first stage of step S4, biometric presence information is notified only to Type 1 mobile terminals 6A and 6B among the mobile terminals 6. In this implementation, this notification may be made by both BLE communication by the vehicle-side BLE communication unit 14 and communication via the network 8 by the vehicle-side NW communication unit 15, or by either one of them. The terminal-side control device 22 of the Type 1 mobile terminals 6A and 6B to which biometric presence information has been notified notifies the user of the Type 1 mobile terminal 6A or 6B of the abandoned device occurrence by at least one of the following: a visual notification display on the display 23, generation of a notification sound from the speaker 24, and vibration of the vibrator 25.

[0064] After the first stage processing in step S4 is executed, in step S5, the system continuously monitors whether the abandoned vehicle detection termination condition is met, that is, whether the door 2a changes from the closed state to the open state. As shown in step S6, the monitoring in step S5 continues until a predetermined waiting time (first waiting time) has elapsed. If the abandoned vehicle detection termination condition in step S5 is met before the first waiting time in step S6 has elapsed, the control related to abandoned vehicle detection by the vehicle device 1 is terminated.

[0065] If the conditions for ending the abandoned object detection in step S5 are not met, and the waiting time in step S6 has elapsed, that is, if the condition (first condition) is met—that is, if the presence of a living organism inside the vehicle is still detected despite the execution of the first stage processing in step S4, and the first waiting time has elapsed—then the second stage processing is executed in step S7.

[0066] In the second stage of step S7, the following is performed:

[0067] The biological presence information is notified to all mobile terminals 6. Specifically, in the first stage processing of step S4, the biological presence information is notified again to the first type mobile terminals 6A and 6B, which have already been notified once, but also to the second type mobile terminals 6C and 6D and the third type mobile terminal 6E, which have not been notified in the first stage processing of step S4.

[0068] In the second stage of processing, notification of biometric presence information to the first type mobile terminals 6A and 6B is performed using either BLE communication by the vehicle-side BLE communication unit 14 or communication via the network 8 by the vehicle-side NW communication unit 15, similar to the first stage of processing in step S4.

[0069] As mentioned above, short-range wireless communication with the vehicle device 1 is not always possible for the Type 2 mobile terminals 6C and 6D. In the second stage of processing, the control unit 12a of the vehicle-side control device 12 refers to the mobile terminal information table 100 and permits short-range wireless communication to the Type 2 mobile terminals 6C and 6D, and then notifies the biometric presence information via BLE communication by the vehicle-side BLE communication unit 14 and communication via the network 8 by the vehicle-side NW communication unit 15.

[0070] As mentioned above, since short-range wireless communication with the vehicle device 1 is not permitted for the third-class mobile terminal 6E, the vehicle-side NW communication unit 15 notifies the biometric presence information via communication through the network 8.

[0071] In the second stage of processing, the mobile terminal 6, which has received information about the presence of a living organism from the vehicle device 1, notifies the user of the mobile terminal 6 of the occurrence of abandonment by at least one of the following: a visual notification display on the display 23, the generation of a notification sound from the speaker 24, and vibration of the vibrator 25.

[0072] As mentioned above, the Type 2 mobile terminals 6C and 6D are not always granted the authority to lock and unlock the door lock device 3. In the second stage of processing, the control unit 12a of the vehicle-side control device 12 refers to the mobile terminal information table 100 and grants the Type 2 mobile terminals 6C and 6D the authority to lock and unlock the door lock device 3.

[0073] After the execution of the second stage processing in step S7, in step S8, the system continuously monitors whether the abandoned vehicle detection termination condition is met, that is, whether the door 2a changes from the closed state to the open state. As shown in step S9, the monitoring in step S8 continues until a predetermined waiting time (second waiting time) has elapsed. If the abandoned vehicle detection termination condition in step S8 is met before the second waiting time in step S9 has elapsed, the control related to abandoned vehicle detection by the vehicle device 1 is terminated.

[0074] If the conditions for ending the abandoned vehicle detection in step S8 are not met, and the second waiting time in step S9 has elapsed, that is, if the condition (second condition) that the presence of a living organism inside the vehicle is still detected despite the execution of the second stage processing in step S7, and the second waiting time has elapsed, then the third stage processing is executed in step S10.

[0075] In the third stage of step S10, the engine control device 4 starts the engine and begins generating electricity with the alternator, and then the air conditioning unit 5 is activated.

[0076] The third stage processing continues in step S11 until the same abandoned object detection termination conditions as in steps S3, S5, and S8 are met.

[0077] The control system for detecting abandoned vehicles using the vehicle device 1 described above increases the likelihood that necessary measures will be taken when an abandoned vehicle occurs. This point will be explained below.

[0078] If an occupant (e.g., an infant) is left behind in vehicle 2, the abandonment detection in step S2 detects the occurrence and the first stage processing in step S4 is executed. As mentioned above, in the first stage processing, biometric presence information is notified only to the Type 1 mobile terminals 6A and 6B. If the driver, who is the user of the Type 1 mobile terminals 6A and 6B, is in possession of the Type 1 mobile terminals 6A and 6B, they can notice the notification from one of the displays 23, speakers 24, or vibrators 25 of the Type 1 mobile terminals 6A and 6B and take the necessary measures against abandonment, namely switching the door lock device 3 from locked to unlocked to open the door 2a and get the abandoned occupant out of vehicle 2. On the other hand, if the driver, who is the user of the Type 1 mobile terminals 6A and 6B, is not in possession of the Type 1 mobile terminals 6A and 6B, the driver will not notice the notification emitted by the Type 1 mobile terminals 6A and 6B and therefore will not be able to take the necessary measures against abandonment.

[0079] However, in this embodiment, if the conditions for termination of abandoned child detection are not met even after the first waiting time has elapsed following the execution of the first stage process in step S4 (steps S5, S6), the second stage process in step S7 is executed. In this second stage process, biometric presence information is notified not only to the first type mobile terminals 6A and 6B used by the driver, but also to the second type mobile terminals 6C and 6D and the third type mobile terminal 6E used by family members. Therefore, even if the driver, who is the user of the first type mobile terminals 6A and 6B, does not possess the first type mobile terminals 6A and 6B and is unable to notice the notification emitted by the first type mobile terminals 6A and 6B, there is a high probability that family members, who are users of the second and third type mobile terminals 6C, 6D, and 6E, will notice the notification emitted by the second and third type mobile terminals 6C to 6E. If family members, who are users of the second and third type mobile terminals 6C to 6E, become aware that an abandoned child has been left behind, they can prompt the driver, who is the user of the first type mobile terminal 6A and 6B, to take the necessary measures to address the abandoned child. Furthermore, in the second stage of processing, the Type 2 mobile terminals 6C and 6D become capable of short-range wireless communication with the vehicle device 1 and are granted the authority to lock and unlock the door lock device 3. Therefore, users of the Type 2 mobile terminals 6C and 6D can take necessary measures themselves to prevent abandonment.

[0080] Other advantages or features of the control related to abandoned vehicle detection by the vehicle device 1 in this embodiment include, for example, the following:

[0081] Notification of biological presence information to Type 2 and Type 3 mobile terminals 6C-6E is not performed in the first stage processing of step S4, but in the second stage processing of step S7, which occurs when necessary measures against abandonment were not taken in the first stage processing. Therefore, notifications to Type 2 and Type 3 mobile terminals 6C-6E can be suppressed to the absolute minimum. In other words, it is possible to suppress the increase in communication volume between the vehicle device 1 and Type 2 and Type 3 mobile terminals 6C-6E while increasing the likelihood of taking necessary measures against abandonment.

[0082] If, after the second stage of processing in step S7, the necessary measures for abandonment are not taken even after the second waiting period has elapsed (steps S8, S9), the third stage of processing in step S10 is executed and the air conditioning system 5 is automatically activated. In other words, if the necessary measures are not taken after abandonment is detected, occupant protection is automatically performed.

[0083] The present invention is not limited to any particular embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, the detection of the presence of living organisms inside the vehicle 2 may be performed by image analysis using a conventional camera or by image analysis using an infrared camera. Furthermore, since the third type of portable terminal 6E does not perform short-range wireless communication with the vehicle device 1, it can be replaced with any device that does not fall under the category of general portable information devices such as desktop PCs or notebook PCs, as long as it is possible to communicate with the vehicle device 1 via the network 8. The vehicle 2 may also be an electric vehicle, in which case only the activation of the air conditioning system 5 is performed in the third stage processing of step S10. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0084] 1. Vehicle equipment 2 vehicles 2a Door 2b Vehicle body 3. Door locking device 3a Lock status monitoring sensor 3b Door status monitoring sensor 4. Engine control unit 5 Air conditioner 6A, 6B Type 1 Mobile Terminals 6C, 6D Type 2 Mobile Terminals 6E Type 3 Mobile Terminal 7 Servers 8 Networks 11. Vehicle-side communication unit 12 Vehicle-side control device 12a Control Unit 12b Storage section 13. Vehicle-side UWB communication unit 13a 1st UWB Communications Unit 13b 2nd UWB Communication Department 13c wireless communication equipment 13d Wireless Communication Device 14. Vehicle-side BLE communication unit 15. Vehicle-side NW communication unit 21 Terminal-side communication unit 21a Terminal-side UWB communication unit 21b Terminal-side BLE communication unit 21c Terminal-side NW communication section 22 Terminal-side control device 22a Control Unit 22b Storage section 23 displays 24 speakers 25 vibrators 100 Mobile Device Information Table

Claims

1. A communication unit capable of communicating with at least one main portable terminal that has been granted permanent locking and unlocking authority over the vehicle's doors, and capable of communicating with an auxiliary terminal that has not been granted permanent locking and unlocking authority over the vehicle's doors, A bio-detection unit that detects the presence of living organisms inside the vehicle, When the biodetection unit detects the presence of a living organism and a predetermined first condition is met, the notification unit notifies both the main mobile terminal and the auxiliary terminal of the bio-presence information indicating that a living organism has been detected in the vehicle, via the communication unit. A vehicle device equipped with the following features.

2. The vehicle device according to claim 1, wherein the first condition is that the bio-detection unit detects the presence of the living organism, the notification unit notifies the main mobile terminal of the living organism presence information, and then a first waiting time elapses.

3. The vehicle device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a safety control unit that activates the in-vehicle environment safety control device provided by the vehicle after the notification unit has notified both the main mobile terminal and the auxiliary terminal of the biological presence information and a second waiting time has elapsed.

4. The vehicle device according to claim 3, wherein the in-vehicle environment safety control device is an air conditioning device.

5. The vehicle device according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary terminal is a portable terminal.

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