Vehicle, notification system, method and program

Abstract

To give a warning about running out of battery of an information processing apparatus at an appropriate timing.SOLUTION: A smartphone 20 which can function as a digital key causes a user to set a battery remaining charge threshold as a notification target and a vehicle state for notifying of a drop in the battery remaining charge, and transmits, to a digital key control ECU 70, when the battery remaining charge has fallen to the threshold or lower, battery low-battery charge information and information indicating the vehicle state for notifying of the drop in the battery remaining charge. The ECU 70 determines whether the current vehicle state is a vehicle state for notifying of a drop in the battery remaining charge, and transmits a low-battery warning request when the determination is affirmative, then a meter display unit 94 sounds a buzzer 98 through a collation ECU56, and displays a warning message in a meter display 96.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle, a notification system, a notification method, and a notification program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a digital key system that realizes vehicle control, such as locking and unlocking the vehicle doors, by operating an information processing device, such as a smartphone, that can function as a digital key. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2021-120530 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a digital key system, if the battery of an information processing device such as a smartphone that can function as a digital key runs out, the vehicle cannot be controlled, so there is a demand to prevent the battery of the information processing device from running out.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned facts, and aims to provide a vehicle, a notification system, a notification method, and a notification program that can alert users to a running out of battery in an information processing device at an appropriate time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The vehicle of the first aspect includes an acquisition unit that acquires information regarding a remaining battery charge of an information processing device that can operate as a digital key used to control the vehicle, and a notification unit that issues a predetermined notification when the remaining battery charge of the information processing device is determined to be below a predetermined threshold based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit and the vehicle is in a predetermined vehicle state.

[0007] In the first aspect, a predetermined notification is made when the remaining battery charge of the information processing device is determined to be below a predetermined threshold and the vehicle is in a preset vehicle state, so that attention can be drawn to the information processing device's running out of battery at an appropriate time.

[0008] In a second aspect, in the first aspect, the vehicle state is set in advance via the information processing device, and the acquisition unit acquires information representing the preset vehicle state from the information processing device.

[0009] According to the second aspect, the vehicle state at the time when the predetermined notification is made can be set via the information processing device, so that attention to the dead battery of the information processing device can be called at a more appropriate timing.

[0010] A third aspect is the first or second aspect, further including a determination unit that determines whether the vehicle is in a preset vehicle state.

[0011] According to the third aspect, by determining whether or not the vehicle is in a preset vehicle state, it is possible to call attention to the dead battery of the information processing device at a more appropriate timing.

[0012] As a fourth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, the acquisition unit acquires the information from the information processing device via communication conforming to the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard.

[0013] Since a smartphone is generally equipped with a functional unit that performs communication in compliance with the Bluetooth standard, according to the fourth aspect, it becomes possible to apply a general smartphone as an information processing device.

[0014] In a fifth aspect, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the notification unit sounds a buzzer as the predetermined notification.

[0015] According to the fifth aspect, by providing an auditory stimulus, it is possible to call attention to the running out of battery of the information processing device at an appropriate timing.

[0016] As a sixth aspect, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the notification unit displays, as the predetermined notification, a warning to prompt charging of the information processing device on a meter display.

[0017] According to the sixth aspect, by providing a visual stimulus, it is possible to draw attention to the running out of battery of the information processing device at an appropriate timing.

[0018] A notification system according to a seventh aspect includes an information processing device capable of operating as a digital key used to control a vehicle, an acquisition unit that acquires information regarding a remaining battery charge of the information processing device, and a vehicle including a notification unit that provides a predetermined notification when the remaining battery charge of the information processing device is determined to be below a predetermined threshold based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit and the vehicle is in a predetermined vehicle state.

[0019] According to the seventh aspect, similarly to the first aspect, it is possible to call attention to the dead battery of the information processing device at an appropriate timing.

[0020] In an eighth aspect, in the seventh aspect, the vehicle state is set in advance via the information processing device, and the acquisition unit acquires the preset vehicle state from the information processing device.

[0021] According to the seventh aspect, the vehicle state at the time when the predetermined notification is made can be set via the information processing device, so that attention to the dead battery of the information processing device can be called at a more appropriate timing.

[0022] A ninth aspect is the seventh or eighth aspect, further including a determination unit that determines whether the vehicle is in a preset vehicle state.

[0023] According to the ninth aspect, by determining whether or not the vehicle is in a preset vehicle state, it is possible to call attention to the dead battery of the information processing device at a more appropriate timing.

[0024] A tenth aspect is based on any one of the seventh to ninth aspects, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the information from the information processing device via communication compliant with the Bluetooth standard.

[0025] Since smartphones are generally equipped with a functional unit that performs communication in compliance with the Bluetooth standard, according to the tenth aspect, it becomes possible to apply a general smartphone as an information processing device.

[0026] An eleventh aspect is based on any one of the seventh to tenth aspects, wherein the notification section sounds a buzzer as the predetermined notification.

[0027] According to the eleventh aspect, by providing an auditory stimulus, it is possible to call attention to the dead battery of the information processing device at an appropriate timing.

[0028] A twelfth aspect is based on any one of the seventh to eleventh aspects, wherein the notification unit displays, as the predetermined notification, a warning for encouraging charging of the information processing device on a meter display.

[0029] According to the twelfth aspect, by providing a visual stimulus, it is possible to draw attention to the running out of battery of the information processing device at an appropriate timing.

[0030] A thirteenth aspect is a transmission unit which, in any of the seventh to twelfth aspects, transmits information regarding the remaining charge of the battery to the vehicle when it is determined that the remaining charge of the battery has become equal to or less than a first threshold, and also transmits information regarding the remaining charge of the battery to the vehicle when it is determined that the remaining charge of the battery, which had once become equal to or less than the first threshold, has recovered to a second threshold higher than the first threshold and then become equal to or less than the first threshold again, while not transmitting information regarding the remaining charge of the battery to the vehicle when it is determined that the remaining charge of the battery, which had once become equal to or less than the first threshold, has returned to the first threshold without recovering to the second threshold.

[0031] According to the thirteenth aspect, when the remaining battery charge of the information processing device fluctuates around the first threshold, it is possible to prevent the notification unit from continuously issuing notifications at a high frequency.

[0032] A notification method according to a fourteenth aspect includes acquiring information regarding a remaining battery charge of an information processing device capable of operating as a digital key used to control a vehicle, and causing a computer mounted on the vehicle to execute processing including making a predetermined notification when the remaining battery charge of the information processing device is determined to be below a predetermined threshold based on the acquired information and the vehicle is in a predetermined vehicle state.

[0033] According to the fourteenth aspect, like the first aspect, it is possible to call attention to the running out of battery of the information processing device at an appropriate timing.

[0034] A notification program according to a fifteenth aspect causes a computer mounted on a vehicle to execute processing including acquiring information regarding a remaining battery charge of an information processing device capable of operating as a digital key used to control the vehicle, and making a predetermined notification when the remaining battery charge of the information processing device is determined to be below a predetermined threshold based on the acquired information and the vehicle is in a predetermined vehicle state.

[0035] According to the fifteenth aspect, like the first aspect, it is possible to call attention to the running out of battery of the information processing device at an appropriate timing. Effect of the Invention

[0036] The present disclosure has an effect of drawing attention to a dead battery of an information processing device at an appropriate timing. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0037] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a notification system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of the appearance of a smartphone. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the smartphone, the verification ECU, and the digital key control ECU. [Figure 4] 11 is a flowchart showing a notification setting process executed on the smartphone. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is an image diagram showing an example of a notification setting screen displayed on the smartphone. [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart showing a transmission process executed by the smartphone. [Figure 7] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the remaining battery charge of a smartphone and the timing of outputting an alarm; [Figure 8] 6 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the digital key control ECU, the verification ECU, and the meter display unit when a low battery level is notified from the smartphone. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is an image diagram showing an example of a warning displayed on a meter display. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0038] An example of an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. A notification system 10 shown in Fig. 1 includes a vehicle 50 equipped with an in-vehicle system 52 and a smartphone 20 carried by each user who uses the vehicle 50. The smartphone 20 is an example of an information processing device in the present disclosure.

[0039] The smartphone 20 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 22 and a memory 24 such as a read only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM). The smartphone 20 also includes a non-volatile storage unit 26 such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD), a first wireless communication unit 28 that controls wireless communication with a server (not shown), and a second wireless communication unit 30 that controls wireless communication with the vehicle 50 (for example, wireless communication conforming to the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) standard). The smartphone 20 also includes a touch panel 32 (see also FIG. 2) and a battery remaining amount detection unit 33 that detects the remaining amount of a battery built into the smartphone 20. The CPU 22, the memory 24, the storage unit 26, the first wireless communication unit 28, the second wireless communication unit 30, the touch panel 32, and the battery remaining amount detection unit 33 are connected to each other via an internal bus 34 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0040] In this embodiment, a digital key application program 36 and digital key information (not shown) for operating the smartphone 20 as a digital key are downloaded from a server to the smartphone 20 and pre-stored (installed) in the storage unit 26. By using the digital key application program 36 and the digital key information, it becomes possible to operate the smartphone 20 as a digital key.

[0041] This eliminates the need for a physical exchange of a smart key between the owner of the vehicle 50 and the user when the user rents the vehicle 50 from the owner of the vehicle 50, and allows the key of the vehicle 50 to be shared only by sending and receiving electronic information even when the user is in a remote location. Also, the owner of the vehicle 50 can benefit from the ability to operate the smartphone 20 as a digital key, as long as he or she carries the smartphone 20 when going out, there is no need to take the smart key with him or her.

[0042] In addition, the storage unit 26 also stores pairing information (not shown) as a result of pairing between the smartphone 20 and the vehicle 50 side being executed.

[0043] The smartphone 20 functions as the setting unit 42 and the transmission unit 44 shown in FIG. 3 by reading the digital key application program 36 from the storage unit 26 and expanding it into the memory 24, and the digital key application program 36 expanded into the memory 24 being executed by the CPU 22.

[0044] The setting unit 42 displays a notification setting screen on the touch panel 32 of the smartphone 20, and allows the user of the smartphone 20 to set the threshold battery remaining charge to be notified and each piece of vehicle condition information for notifying the user of a low battery charge (details will be described later).

[0045] The transmitter 44 transmits information about the remaining battery charge to the vehicle 50 when it determines that the remaining battery charge B of the smartphone 20 has become equal to or less than the first threshold. The transmitter 44 also transmits information about the remaining battery charge to the vehicle 50 when it determines that the remaining battery charge, which once became equal to or less than the first threshold, has recovered to a second threshold higher than the first threshold, and then has become equal to or less than the first threshold again. On the other hand, the transmitter 44 does not transmit information about the remaining battery charge to the vehicle 50 when it determines that the remaining battery charge, which once became equal to or less than the first threshold, has returned to the first threshold again without recovering to the second threshold.

[0046] The in-vehicle system 52 includes a system bus 54, and a verification ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 56, a digital key control ECU 70, an in-vehicle device 94, and a meter display unit 94 are connected to the system bus 54 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0047] The in-vehicle devices 94 are mounted on the vehicle 50 and include devices such as a door lock device and a back door (or trunk) opening / closing device as devices that can be controlled by the smartphone 20. The in-vehicle devices 94 also include devices such as a shift device and a vehicle speed sensor as devices that output information related to the vehicle state.

[0048] The verification ECU 56 includes a CPU 57, a memory 58 such as a ROM and a RAM, and a non-volatile storage unit 60 such as an HDD or an SSD. The verification ECU 56 also includes a wireless communication unit 62 that is provided corresponding to the vehicle 50 and controls wireless communication with a smart key (not shown) held by the owner of the vehicle 50, and a communication unit 64 that controls communication via the system bus 54. The CPU 57, the memory 58, the storage unit 60, the wireless communication unit 62, and the communication unit 64 are connected to each other via an internal bus 66 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0049] A verification program 68 is pre-stored in the storage unit 60. The verification ECU 56 reads the verification program 68 from the storage unit 60 and loads it in the memory 58, and the verification program 68 loaded in the memory 58 is executed by the CPU 57, thereby functioning as part of the determination unit 92 and part of the notification unit 90 shown in Fig. 3. The verification ECU 56 acquires information such as a shift position and a vehicle speed as information regarding the vehicle state from devices such as a shift device and a vehicle speed sensor, which are examples of devices that output information regarding the vehicle state, among the in-vehicle devices 94.

[0050] The digital key control ECU 70 includes a CPU 72, a memory 74 such as ROM and RAM, a non-volatile storage unit 76 such as an HDD or SSD, a wireless communication unit 78 that controls wireless communication with the smartphone 20, and a communication unit 80 that controls communication via the system bus 54. The CPU 72, the memory 74, the storage unit 76, the wireless communication unit 78, and the communication unit 80 are connected to each other via an internal bus 82 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0051] A digital key control program 84 is pre-stored in the storage unit 76. The digital key control ECU 70 reads the digital key control program 84 from the storage unit 76 and loads it in the memory 74. The digital key control ECU 70 functions as an acquisition unit 88 shown in Fig. 3 and also as part of a determination unit 92 and a notification unit 90 by having the digital key control program 84 read from the storage unit 76 and loaded into the memory 74 by the CPU 72.

[0052] The acquisition unit 88 acquires information regarding the remaining battery charge of the smartphone 20 operable as a digital key used to control the vehicle 50. The determination unit 92 determines whether or not the vehicle 50 is in a preset vehicle state based on information regarding the vehicle state acquired from devices such as a shift device and a vehicle speed sensor. The notification unit 90 issues a predetermined notification when it is determined that the remaining battery charge B of the smartphone 20 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit 88 and the determination unit 92 determines that the vehicle 50 is in a preset vehicle state.

[0053] The verification program 68 stored in the storage unit 60 of the verification ECU 56 and the digital key control program 84 stored in the storage unit 76 of the digital key control ECU 70 are examples of notification programs according to the present disclosure.

[0054] The meter display unit 94 includes a meter display 96 and a buzzer 98, and switches the display of the meter display 96 and sounds the buzzer 98 in response to an instruction from the verification ECU 56. Note that an example of the display of the meter display 96 is shown in FIG.

[0055] Next, as an operation of the present embodiment, a notification setting process executed by the smartphone 20 when an instruction to execute settings related to notifications when the remaining battery power is low is given to the smartphone 20 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. In step 150 of the notification setting process, the setting unit 42 causes the touch panel 32 to display a notification setting screen 100 as shown in Fig. 5 as an example.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, two thresholds Bth1 and Bth2 (for example, Bth1=20% and Bth2=10%) are provided as thresholds for defining the remaining battery charge reduction. The notification setting screen 100 is provided with toggle switches 102A and 102B for selecting whether or not to set each of the thresholds Bth1 and Bth2 as a notification target for the remaining battery charge reduction. In this embodiment, when the remaining battery charge B becomes equal to or less than the threshold Bth set as a notification target, it is possible to select whether to notify the remaining battery charge reduction only when the vehicle is stopped or to notify the remaining battery charge reduction at all times. The notification setting screen 100 is provided with drop-down menus 104A and 104B for selecting a vehicle state for notifying the remaining battery charge reduction for each of the thresholds Bth1 and Bth2. In this embodiment, the default is that thresholds Bth1 and Bth2 are set as the targets for notification of low battery charge, and the vehicle state for notifying of low battery charge is set to "notify only when the vehicle is stopped," but this is not limited to this.

[0057] In step 152, the setting unit 42 determines whether or not the settings related to the notification when the remaining battery power is low have been completed via the notification setting screen 100. The notification setting screen 100 is provided with a button 106 that is tapped when the settings related to the notification when the remaining battery power is low have been completed, and the determination in step 152 is made by determining whether or not this button 106 has been tapped. If the determination in step 152 is negative, step 152 is repeated until the determination is positive.

[0058] When the button 106 is tapped after the settings related to the notification when the remaining battery charge is low are completed, the determination in step 152 becomes positive and the process proceeds to step 154. In step 154, the setting unit 42 stores information related to the notification when the remaining battery charge is low set via the notification setting screen 100, i.e., the threshold value Bth for notification of low battery charge and the vehicle state for notifying of low battery charge, as setting information 40 in the storage unit 26 (see FIG. 1), and ends the notification setting process.

[0059] 6, a description will be given of a transmission process performed by the smartphone 20 while the digital key application program 36 is being executed on the smartphone 20. In step 160, the transmission unit 44 sets both flag 1 and flag 2 to 0. In addition, in step 162, the transmission unit 44 reads the setting information 40 from the storage unit 26.

[0060] In step 164, the transmitting unit 44 acquires the remaining battery level B from the battery level detection unit 33. In step 166, the transmitting unit 44 determines whether or not the threshold Bth1 of the remaining battery level is set as a notification target for a low remaining battery level in the setting information 40. If the threshold Bth1 of the remaining battery level is not set as a notification target for a low remaining battery level, the determination in step 166 is negative and the process proceeds to step 182. If the threshold Bth1 of the remaining battery level is set as a notification target for a low remaining battery level, the determination in step 166 is positive and the process proceeds to step 168.

[0061] In step 168, the transmitting unit 44 determines whether or not flag 1 is set to 1. If the determination in step 168 is negative, the process proceeds to step 174. In step 174, the transmitting unit 44 determines whether or not the remaining battery charge B is equal to or less than the threshold value Bth1 of the remaining battery charge. If the determination in step 174 is negative, the process proceeds to step 182. Furthermore, if the remaining battery charge B falls below the threshold value Bth1 of the remaining battery charge, the determination in step 174 is positive, and the process proceeds to step 176.

[0062] In step 176, the transmission unit 44 determines whether or not flag 1 is 0. If the determination in step 176 is positive, the process proceeds to step 178. In step 178, the transmission unit 44 transmits low battery level information, which indicates that the remaining battery level is getting low, and information that indicates the vehicle state of the notification target at a remaining battery level threshold Bth1, to the digital key control ECU 70. In addition, in step 180, the transmission unit 44 sets flag 1 to 1, and displays a warning on the touch panel 32 to prompt the user to charge the smartphone 20.

[0063] When flag 1 is set to 1 as described above, the determination in step 168 is affirmative in the subsequent processing, and the process proceeds to step 170. In step 170, the transmission unit 44 determines whether the remaining battery charge B is equal to or greater than the value obtained by adding a predetermined value α (e.g., 10%) to the remaining battery charge threshold Bth1. Note that in the transmission process of FIG. 6, the remaining battery charge threshold Bth1 is an example of a first threshold in the present disclosure, and "Bth1+α" is an example of a second threshold in the present disclosure.

[0064] If the determination in step 170 is negative, the process proceeds to step 174. In this case, flag 1 is maintained at 1, so even if the remaining battery charge B subsequently falls below the threshold value Bth1 of the remaining battery charge and the determination in step 174 is positive, the determination in step 176 is negative and therefore no transmission of information such as low remaining battery charge information is performed.

[0065] Moreover, if the determination in step 170 is positive, the process proceeds to step 172. Then, in step 172, the transmission unit 44 sets flag 1 to 0, and the process proceeds to step 174. In this case, when the remaining battery charge B subsequently falls below the remaining battery charge threshold Bth1, the determinations in steps 174 and 176 become positive, and the remaining battery charge low information and the like are transmitted.

[0066] Next, the process after step 182 of the transmission process shown in Fig. 6 will be described. In step 182, the transmission unit 44 determines whether or not the threshold Bth2 of the remaining battery capacity is set as a notification target of a low remaining battery capacity in the setting information 40. If the threshold Bth2 of the remaining battery capacity is not set as a notification target of a low remaining battery capacity, the determination in step 182 is negative and the process returns to step 164. On the other hand, if the threshold Bth2 of the remaining battery capacity is set as a notification target of a low remaining battery capacity, the determination in step 182 is positive and the process proceeds to step 184.

[0067] In step 184, the transmitting unit 44 determines whether or not flag 2 is set to 1. If the determination in step 184 is negative, the process proceeds to step 190. In step 190, the transmitting unit 44 determines whether or not the remaining battery charge B is equal to or less than the threshold value Bth2 of the remaining battery charge. If the determination in step 190 is negative, the process returns to step 164. Furthermore, if the remaining battery charge B falls below the threshold value Bth2 of the remaining battery charge, the determination in step 190 is positive, and the process proceeds to step 192.

[0068] In step 192, the transmission unit 44 determines whether or not Flag 2 is 0. If the determination in step 192 is positive, the process proceeds to step 194. In step 194, the transmission unit 44 transmits the low battery charge information and information indicating the vehicle state of the notification target at the battery charge threshold value Bth2 to the digital key control ECU 70. In addition, in step 196, the transmission unit 44 sets Flag 2 to 1 and displays a warning on the touch panel 32 to prompt the user to charge the smartphone 20.

[0069] When flag 2 is set to 1 as described above, the determination in step 184 is affirmative in the subsequent processing, and the process proceeds to step 186. In step 186, the transmission unit 44 determines whether the remaining battery charge B is equal to or greater than the value obtained by adding a predetermined value α (e.g., 10%) to the threshold value Bth2 of the remaining battery charge. Note that in the transmission process of FIG. 6, the threshold value Bth2 of the remaining battery charge is an example of a first threshold value in the present disclosure, and "Bth2+α" is an example of a second threshold value in the present disclosure.

[0070] If the determination in step 186 is negative, the process proceeds to step 190. In this case, flag 2 is maintained at 1, so even if the remaining battery charge B subsequently falls below the threshold value Bth2 of the remaining battery charge and the determination in step 190 is positive, the determination in step 192 is negative and therefore no transmission of information such as low remaining battery charge information is performed.

[0071] Moreover, if the determination in step 186 is positive, the process proceeds to step 188. Then, in step 188, the transmission unit 44 sets flag 2 to 0, and the process proceeds to step 190. In this case, when the remaining battery charge B subsequently falls below the threshold value Bth2 of the remaining battery charge, the determinations in steps 190 and 192 become positive, and the remaining battery charge low information and the like are transmitted.

[0072] The operation of the above-mentioned transmission process will be further described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 shows a case where the threshold value Bth1 (=20%) of the remaining battery capacity and the threshold value Bth2 (=10%) of the remaining battery capacity are set as targets for notification of a decrease in the remaining capacity. In Fig. 7, the predetermined value α is 10%.

[0073] In the transition of the remaining battery capacity B shown in FIG. 7, the remaining battery capacity B first drops from about 25% to 20% (=threshold Bth1) or less. At this time, since the remaining battery capacity B drops to the threshold Bth1 or less for the first time, flag 1=0. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7 as "(1) Issue warning", low battery capacity information and the like are transmitted. Also, flag 1 is set to 1 at this time.

[0074] 7, the battery remaining capacity B subsequently recovers to 30% (=threshold Bth1+predetermined value α) or more as the battery is charged, and then falls again to 20% (=threshold Bth1) or less. At this time, flag 1 is reset to 0, triggered by the battery remaining capacity B recovering to 30% or more. Therefore, as shown by "(2) Issue warning" in FIG. 7, information such as low battery remaining capacity information is transmitted. At this time, flag 1 is set to 1.

[0075] Furthermore, in the transition of the remaining battery capacity B shown in FIG. 7, the battery is subsequently charged, but the remaining battery capacity B does not recover to 30% (=threshold Bth1+predetermined value α) or more, and the remaining battery capacity B falls again to 20% (=threshold Bth1) or less. At this time, since the remaining battery capacity B has not recovered to 30% or more, flag 1 remains at 1. For this reason, as shown by "(3) No warning" in FIG. 7, no transmission of information such as low battery capacity information is performed. In this way, according to the transmission process in FIG. 6, when the remaining battery capacity B fluctuates around 20% (=threshold Bth1), it is possible to prevent frequent and continuous transmission of information such as low battery capacity information.

[0076] In the transition of the remaining battery capacity B shown in Fig. 7, the remaining battery capacity B subsequently falls below 10% (=threshold Bth2). At this time, since this is the first time that the remaining battery capacity B falls below the threshold Bth2, flag 2 = 0. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 7 as "(4) Issue warning", low battery capacity information and the like are transmitted.

[0077] Next, with reference to FIG. 8, the processes in the digital key control ECU 70, the verification ECU 56 and the meter display unit 94 will be described.

[0078] When the digital key control ECU 70 receives the low battery level information and the vehicle status information notifying the low battery level from the smartphone 20, the digital key control ECU 70 performs a low battery level notification process shown in Fig. 8. In step 200 of the low battery level notification process, the acquisition unit 88 acquires information relating to the current vehicle status (e.g., shift position, vehicle speed, etc.) from the verification ECU 56.

[0079] In step 202, the determination unit 92 determines whether the current vehicle state represented by the information acquired in step 200 is a vehicle state that notifies the driver of a low battery charge. For example, if the vehicle state that notifies the driver of a low battery charge is "notification only while the vehicle is stopped," the determination in step 202 is positive if the shift position is in the P range and the vehicle speed is 0. Also, for example, if the vehicle state that notifies the driver of a low battery charge is "notification at all times," the determination in step 202 is unconditionally positive.

[0080] If the determination in step 202 is positive, the process proceeds to step 204. In step 204, the notification unit 90 of the digital key control ECU 70 transmits a battery low warning request to the verification ECU 56 and ends the low battery charge notification process. On the other hand, if the determination in step 202 is negative, step 204 is skipped and the low battery charge notification process ends.

[0081] When the verification ECU 56 receives a low battery warning request from the digital key control ECU 70, the verification ECU 56 performs a warning request reception process shown in Fig. 8. In this warning request reception process, in step 208, the notification unit 90 of the verification ECU 56 transmits a low battery warning display request to the meter display unit 94, and ends the warning request reception process.

[0082] Furthermore, when the meter display unit 94 receives a low battery warning display request from the verification ECU 56, as shown in step 212 in FIG. 8, it sounds the buzzer 98 and displays a warning message on the meter display 96 to encourage the user to charge the battery of the smartphone 20. This encourages the user to charge the battery of the smartphone 20. Note that the warning message may be, for example, "There are few battery residual quantities of the smartphone. Please charge it." in English (see also FIG. 9), or, for example, "The battery remaining in the smartphone is low. Please charge it." in Japanese.

[0083] As described above, the vehicle 50 according to the present embodiment includes the acquisition unit 88 and the notification unit 90. The acquisition unit 88 acquires information about the remaining battery charge of the smartphone 20 operable as a digital key used to control the vehicle 50. The notification unit 90 performs a predetermined notification when the remaining battery charge of the smartphone 20 is determined to be equal to or less than a predetermined threshold based on the information about the remaining battery charge of the smartphone 20 acquired by the acquisition unit 88 and the vehicle 50 is in a preset vehicle state. This makes it possible to call attention to the running out of battery of the smartphone 20 at an appropriate timing.

[0084] In the present embodiment, the vehicle state is preset via the smartphone 20, and the acquisition unit 88 acquires information representing the preset vehicle state from the smartphone 20. This makes it possible to call attention to the running out of battery of the smartphone 20 at a more appropriate timing.

[0085] Moreover, the vehicle 50 according to the present embodiment further includes a determination unit 92 that determines whether the vehicle 50 is in a preset vehicle state. This makes it possible to call attention to the battery running out of the smartphone 20 at a more appropriate timing.

[0086] In the present embodiment, the acquisition unit 88 acquires the information from the smartphone 20 via communication conforming to the BLE standard. This makes it possible to apply a general smartphone as an information processing device.

[0087] In the present embodiment, the notification unit 90 sounds a buzzer as the predetermined notification, thereby stimulating the user's hearing and drawing the user's attention to the battery running out of the smartphone 20 at an appropriate timing.

[0088] In the present embodiment, the notification unit 90 displays, as the predetermined notification, a warning on the meter display to prompt charging of the smartphone 20. This provides a visual stimulus to the user, thereby drawing attention to the running out of battery of the smartphone 20 at an appropriate timing.

[0089] In the present embodiment, the smartphone 20 includes a transmission unit 44 that transmits information about the remaining amount of the battery to the vehicle 50 when it is determined that the remaining amount of the battery is equal to or less than the first threshold. The transmission unit 44 also transmits information about the remaining amount of the battery to the vehicle 50 when it is determined that the remaining amount of the battery, which once became equal to or less than the first threshold, has recovered to a second threshold higher than the first threshold and then has become equal to or less than the first threshold again. Furthermore, the transmission unit 44 does not transmit information about the remaining amount of the battery to the vehicle 50 when it is determined that the remaining amount of the battery, which once became equal to or less than the first threshold, has become equal to or less than the first threshold again without recovering to the second threshold. This makes it possible to suppress frequent and continuous notifications by the notification unit 90 when the remaining amount of the battery of the smartphone 20 fluctuates around the first threshold.

[0090] In the above embodiment, the smartphone 20 has been described as an example of an information processing device in the present disclosure. However, the information processing device in the present disclosure is not limited to a form in which the touch panel 32 (display unit) on which the notification setting screen is displayed is housed in the same housing as the CPU 22, the memory 24, the non-volatile storage unit 26, etc., as in the smartphone 20. For example, in the information processing device according to the present disclosure, the display unit on which the notification setting screen is displayed may be provided separately from the housing that houses the CPU 22, the memory 24, the non-volatile storage unit 26, etc., and in this case, the display unit may be smart glasses, etc.

[0091] In the above embodiment, the communication between the smartphone 20 and the vehicle 50 (digital key control ECU 70) is wireless communication conforming to BLE. However, the wireless communication standard is not limited to BLE, and wireless communication conforming to other standards such as WiFi (registered trademark) may be performed.

[0092] In the above embodiment, the vehicle state for notifying the driver of a decrease in the remaining battery charge is selected from two options, "only when the vehicle is stopped" and "always." However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, "when the vehicle speed is below a threshold" may be added to the options as an example of a vehicle state for notifying the driver of a decrease in the remaining battery charge.

[0093] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a notification is given to the vehicle 50 at the timing when the battery remaining capacity B becomes equal to or less than the threshold Bth of the battery remaining capacity to be notified, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the threshold Bth of the battery remaining capacity may be notified to the vehicle 50 in advance, and the battery remaining capacity B may be periodically notified to the vehicle 50 as information on the battery remaining capacity, and the vehicle 50 may determine whether the battery remaining capacity B becomes equal to or less than the threshold Bth of the battery remaining capacity.

[0094] Also, in the above description, the verification program 68 and the digital key control program 84, which are examples of the notification program according to the present disclosure, are pre-stored in the storage units 60, 76. However, the notification program according to the present disclosure can also be provided in a form recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as an HDD, SSD, or DVD. [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] 10. Notification System 20 Smartphone (information processing device) 32 Touch Panel 33 Battery remaining capacity detection unit 36 Digital Key Application Program 40 Setting Information 42 Setting section 44 Transmitter 50 vehicles 56 Check ECU 68 Matching Program 70 Digital key control ECU 84 Digital Key Control Program 88 Acquisition Department 90 Notification Department 92 Judgment section 94 Meter display unit 96 Meter Display 98 Buzzer 100 Notification settings screen

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires information regarding a remaining battery level of an information processing device that can operate as a digital key used to control a vehicle; a notification unit that issues a predetermined notification when a remaining charge of the battery of the information processing device is determined to be equal to or less than a predetermined threshold based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit and the vehicle is in a preset vehicle state; Including, The vehicle state is set in advance via the information processing device, The acquisition unit acquires information indicating a preset vehicle state from the information processing device.

2. A vehicle as described in claim 1, further comprising a judgment unit for determining whether the vehicle is in a predetermined vehicle state or not.

3. A vehicle as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the information from the information processing device via communication compliant with the Bluetooth standard.

4. A vehicle as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the notification unit sounds a buzzer as the specified notification.

5. A vehicle as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the notification unit displays a warning encouraging charging of the information processing device on a meter display as the specified notification.

6. An information processing device capable of operating as a digital key used to control a vehicle; a vehicle including an acquisition unit that acquires information regarding a remaining battery charge of the information processing device, and a notification unit that issues a predetermined notification when the remaining battery charge of the information processing device is determined to be equal to or less than a predetermined threshold based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit and the vehicle is in a preset vehicle state; Including, The vehicle state is set in advance via the information processing device, The acquisition unit is a notification system that acquires the vehicle state set in advance from the information processing device.

7. A notification system as described in claim 6, further comprising a judgment unit that judges whether the vehicle is in a predetermined vehicle state or not.

8. A notification system as described in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the information from the information processing device via communication compliant with the Bluetooth standard.

9. A notification system as described in any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the notification unit sounds a buzzer as the specified notification.

10. A notification system as described in any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the notification unit displays a warning encouraging charging of the information processing device on a meter display as the specified notification.

11. A notification system as described in any one of claims 6 to 10, including a transmitting unit which transmits information regarding the remaining charge of the battery to the vehicle when it is determined that the remaining charge of the battery has fallen below a first threshold, and also transmits information regarding the remaining charge of the battery to the vehicle when it is determined that the remaining charge of the battery, which had once fallen below the first threshold, has recovered to a second threshold higher than the first threshold and then fallen below the first threshold again, while not transmitting information regarding the remaining charge of the battery to the vehicle when it is determined that the remaining charge of the battery, which had once fallen below the first threshold, has fallen below the first threshold again without recovering to the second threshold.

12. Obtaining information regarding a remaining battery charge of an information processing device operable as a digital key used to control a vehicle; When it is determined based on the acquired information that the remaining battery charge of the information processing device is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold and the vehicle is in a preset vehicle state, a predetermined notification is given. A notification method for causing a computer mounted on a vehicle to execute a process including the steps of: The vehicle state is set in advance via the information processing device, A notification method for acquiring information representing a preset vehicle state from the information processing device.

13. A computer installed in a vehicle, acquiring information regarding a remaining battery charge of an information processing device operable as a digital key used to control the vehicle; When it is determined based on the acquired information that the remaining battery charge of the information processing device is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold and the vehicle is in a preset vehicle state, a predetermined notification is given. A notification program for executing a process including the steps of: The vehicle state is set in advance via the information processing device, A notification program that acquires information indicating the predetermined vehicle state from the information processing device.

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