Entertainment device for a vehicle

Abstract

To provide an improved entertainment device capable of notifying an occupant of the reason of execution of vehicle control by allowing the occupant to utter the intention of the vehicle control if the occupant wants to know the reason of the execution of the executed vehicle control.SOLUTION: An entertainment device 10 for a vehicle 50 provided with a vehicle control device 20 for executing vehicle control corresponding to a prescribed condition when the prescribed condition is determined to be established includes a reception device 30 for receiving an inquiry by a voice of an occupant with a microphone 32, and a notification device 40 for acquiring information on the reason of execution from the vehicle control device and notifying the occupant of the reason of execution with a speaker 42 on the basis of the acquired information when the reception device receives the inquiry about the reason of execution of the executed vehicle control.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an entertainment device for a vehicle such as an automobile. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known an entertainment device that analyzes voice commands from a user in a vehicle such as an automobile and controls the operation of a device used by the user based on the analysis result. For example, the following Patent Document 1 describes an entertainment device configured so that voice data from a device used by the user is also transmitted to the cloud. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-166075 A Summary of the Invention

[0004] [Problem to be solved by the invention] Vehicles such as automobiles are equipped with various vehicle control devices, and each vehicle control device controls the vehicle based on information acquired by sensors, etc. For example, a driving assistance control device controls the steering angle of steered wheels so that the vehicle travels along the lane based on the position of the vehicle detected by a camera sensor, etc., and information about the surroundings of the vehicle.

[0005] Many vehicle controls, such as driver assistance controls, are performed based on the passenger's commands. Started When it is determined that a certain preset condition is met, the program is automatically executed. Ended Therefore, Ended Depending on the vehicle control being performed, even if that control Execution of Even if the occupants are notified by a display or other means that the operation has been performed, End Sometimes I want to know why.

[0006] However, in the conventional entertainment devices such as the one described in the above publication, the passengers do not have to ask themselves, "Why is that?" Finish execution of "Did you do it?" End The problem is that the passengers' desire to know the reason cannot be satisfied.

[0007] The main object of the present invention is to provide a attitude Execution of vehicle control End If the occupant wishes to know the reason, the occupant can speak out his / her intention and the vehicle control execution will be informed. End To provide an entertainment device improved so as to be able to notify a reason.

[0008] [Means for solving the problems and effects of the invention] According to the present invention, While vehicle control is in progress If it is determined that a certain condition is met ,car Both Control of execution Exit An entertainment device (10) for a vehicle (50) including a vehicle control device (20) for The entertainment device is a microphone (32). A reception device (30) for receiving an inquiry by voice of a passenger, and attitude Execution of vehicle control End When an inquiry about the reason is received, the vehicle control device provides the occupant with information on the execution of the operation. End A notification device (40) for notifying the reason. fruit, the vehicle control device (20) is configured to transmit a signal indicating the end of the execution of the vehicle control to the notification device (40) when the execution of the vehicle control is ended, and the notification device is configured to turn on the microphone (32) for a preset time period when the notification device receives the signal; An entertainment device for a vehicle is provided.

[0009] According to the above configuration, attitude Execution of vehicle control End When the inquiry about the reason is received by the reception device, the execution of the operation is notified to the occupant based on the information obtained from the vehicle control device. End The reason will be notified by the notification device.

[0010] Therefore, the occupant is End By asking about the reason, End Execute after receiving notice of reason End In addition, since inquiries can be made by voice, troublesome operations such as key operation on a keypad are not required. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, when the execution of vehicle control is completed, a signal indicating this is sent to the notification device, and when the notification device receives the signal, the microphone is turned on for a preset time. Therefore, the microphone does not need to be turned on all the time, and the passenger can inquire about the reason for the end of the control by voice without operating the microphone switch. Also, since the microphone is turned on only for a preset time, it is possible to reduce power consumption and the risk of malfunction due to erroneous recognition of unnecessary inquiries, compared to when the microphone is always on.

[0011] [Mode of the invention] In one embodiment of the present invention, a receiving device (30) is implemented. attitude Execution of vehicle control End When the inquiry about the reason is received, the notification device (40) notifies the vehicle control device (20) of the execution. End The device is configured to obtain information regarding the reason.

[0012] According to the above aspect, attitude Execution of vehicle control End When the inquiry about the reason is accepted by the accepting device, the notifying device notifies the vehicle control device of the execution. End The notification device obtains information about the reason for the execution of the query. End Since only the information regarding the reason needs to be obtained from the vehicle control device, it is possible to perform a large number of vehicle control operations without knowing whether an inquiry has been made or not. End There is no need to obtain the reason in advance from the vehicle control device and store it in the storage device.

[0013] In another aspect of the present invention, the entertainment device (10) executes R The vehicle control device includes a storage device (46) for storing information related to vehicle control, and the notification device (40) notifies the occupant of an execution of the vehicle control based on the information stored in the storage device. End It is configured to inform you of the reason.

[0014] According to the above aspect, R Information regarding vehicle control is stored in a storage device, and a command to be executed is given to a passenger based on the information stored in the storage device. EndThe reason is notified by the notification device. End Since there is no need to obtain information about the reason from the vehicle control device, the driver can be informed of the execution. End The reasons may be notified promptly.

[0015] In yet another aspect of the present invention, the notification device (40) notifies the occupant of an action to be taken based on information stored in the memory device (46). End If the reason cannot be notified, the vehicle control device (20) End It is configured to obtain the reason.

[0016] According to the above aspect, the execution command is given to the occupant based on the information stored in the storage device. End If it is not possible to notify the reason, the vehicle control unit End Therefore, the amount of information stored in the storage device can be small, and the storage capacity of the storage device can be reduced.

[0017] In yet another aspect of the present invention, the notification device (40) is configured to perform at least a voice command. End It is configured to inform you of the reason.

[0018] According to the above aspect, End The reason is at least announced by voice. End The crew can interactively decide on the execution, as opposed to, for example, being informed of the reason only visually. End The driver can understand the reason, especially the ten points End Since there is no need to shift one's gaze to the display device to see the reason, the risk of being distracted from driving can be reduced.

[0019] In yet another aspect of the present invention, the memory device (28, 46) stores a predetermined number of the most recent vehicle control and execution information. End The reason is configured to be stored.

[0020] According to the above aspect, the storage device stores a predetermined number of the latest vehicle control and execution End Old vehicle control and its execution, which only needs to remember the reason and cannot be queried by the occupants End This makes it possible to eliminate the reason, and therefore reduce the storage capacity of the storage device.

[0021] In another aspect of the present invention, when an inquiry from a passenger includes an expression specifying a vehicle control, the notification device (40) notifies the passenger of the execution of the specified vehicle control. End It is configured to inform you of the reason.

[0022] According to the above aspect, when an inquiry from a passenger includes an expression that specifies a vehicle control, the specified vehicle control is executed. End The reason will be notified. attitude Even if there are multiple vehicle controls, the passengers want to know the reason for the execution of the vehicle control. End You can find out why.

[0023] In yet another aspect of the present invention, the notification device 40 notifies the user when a query is unclear and when execution is complete. End When the reason is unknown, a notice to that effect is given.

[0024] According to the above aspect, when the query is unclear and execution End When the reason is unknown, a notification to that effect is provided, which reduces the likelihood that the passenger will suspect that, for example, an abnormality has occurred in the entertainment device, compared to a case in which the notification to the effect that the reason is unknown is not provided.

[0025] In the above description, in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, the names and / or symbols used in the embodiments described below are added in parentheses to the configurations of the invention corresponding to those embodiments. However, each component of the present invention is not limited to the components of the embodiments corresponding to the names and / or symbols added in parentheses. Other objects, other features, and associated advantages of the present invention will be easily understood from the description of the embodiments of the present invention described below with reference to the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an entertainment device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 5 is a flowchart showing a control routine for acceptance and notification in the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an entertainment device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing a control routine for acceptance and notification in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] [First embodiment] The entertainment device 10 according to the first embodiment is applied to a vehicle 50 equipped with a vehicle control device 20, and has the configuration shown in FIG. 1. The entertainment device 10 includes a reception device 30 that receives voice inquiries from passengers, and a notification device 40. The notification device 40 notifies the reception device 30 that is executed by the vehicle control device 20. attitude Execution of vehicle control End When an inquiry about the reason is received, the vehicle control device 20 End Obtain the reason and give the crew the execution instructions End It is configured to inform you of the reason.

[0029] 1, the vehicle control device 20 includes one or more sensors 22, such as a camera sensor that captures an image of the area ahead of the vehicle 50, a control execution device 24, a vehicle control electronic vehicle control ECU 26, and a storage device 28. The control execution device 24 may be a device that executes any vehicle control, such as a steering device that steers steered wheels, a braking device, a drive device, and various auxiliary devices, all of which are not shown in the figure. Note that the "vehicle control electronic control unit" is abbreviated to "vehicle control ECU."

[0030] When the vehicle control ECU 26 determines that a predetermined condition is satisfied based on the information detected by the sensor 22, the vehicle control ECU 26 controls the control execution device 24 to ,car Both controls (including control mode changes, alarms, etc.) of execution Exit The vehicle control ECU 26 controls the vehicle of execution Start and end When this is done, a signal indicating this is output to the entertainment electronic control unit 34 of the entertainment device 10 via a communication path device 52 such as a CAN (Controller Area Network).

[0031] In addition, the vehicle control ECU 26 executes attitude Among the vehicle controls implemented by the occupants, End For controls for which reasons may be asked, End The storage device 28 stores the reason for the operation of the vehicle control ECU 26 and the reason for the operation of the vehicle control ECU 26. Thus, the storage device 28 is connected to the vehicle control ECU 26, but also functions as a part of the entertainment device 10. The storage device 28 stores the reason for the operation of the vehicle control ECU 26 and the reason for the operation of the entertainment device 10. End By deleting the reason information, the last predetermined number of vehicle control and execution End The storage device 28 is configured to store the reason for the vehicle control. of execution Ended The time when the image was recorded may also be stored.

[0032] The reception device 30 includes a microphone 32 that converts input voice into an electric signal and outputs it, and an entertainment electronic control unit 34 that receives the electric signal from the microphone 32. The "entertainment electronic control unit" is abbreviated as "ET-ECU." The ET-ECU 34 receives vehicle control information from the vehicle control ECU 26. of execution Ended When the signal indicating that the voice has been turned on is received, the microphone 32 is turned on for a preset time period and the meaning of the voice input through the microphone is analyzed. too Alternatively, the microphone 32 may be a microphone provided in a navigation device (not shown) or the like.

[0033] The notification device 40 includes the ET-ECU 34, a speaker 42 that converts an electrical signal input from the ET-ECU 34 into sound and outputs the sound, and a display device 44. The speaker 42 may be a speaker such as an audio device or a display audio device not shown in the figure. The display device 44 may be a display device such as a navigation device or a display audio device. The ET-ECU 34 is capable of communicating with the vehicle control ECU 26 of the vehicle control device 20 via a communication path device 52.

[0034] ET-ECU34 is a vehicle control of execution Ended When the vehicle control unit receives a signal indicating that the vehicle has been of execution Ended If it is determined that it is necessary to notify the occupant of the fact that the vehicle has been stopped, the ET-ECU 34 outputs a command signal to the display device 44. The display device 44 is a vehicle control of execution Ended When the ET-ECU 34 determines that it is necessary to notify the occupant by audio information, the ET-ECU 34 outputs an electrical signal to the speaker 42. The speaker 42 is a vehicle control of execution EndedThe ET-ECU 34 notifies the occupant by voice information indicating that the vehicle has been operated. attitude Execution of vehicle control End If it is determined that the inquiry about the reason has been accepted, the execution of the vehicle control related to the inquiry is End Reason information is requested from the vehicle control device 20.

[0035] The vehicle control ECU 26 of the vehicle control device 20 executes End Upon receiving a request for reason information, the vehicle control and execution information is retrieved from the storage device 28. End Obtain the reason information and control the vehicle and its execution. End The reason information is supplied to the ET-ECU 34 of the notification device 40 via the communication path device 52. The ET-ECU 34 determines whether or not to execute vehicle control based on the supplied information. End An electrical signal indicating the reason is output to the speaker 42, and the speaker 42 outputs a voice to inform the occupants of the execution. End Notify the reason.

[0036] In addition, the display device 44 is used to control the vehicle. End Notification and execution of vehicle control by speaker 42 End At least one of the notifications may be omitted. End Instead of a notification, or by the display device 44, End In addition to notifying the driver of the reason, a voice is emitted from the speaker 42 to inform the driver of the vehicle control. End of The user may be notified of the execution by voice. End In lieu of notice of cause or by voice End In addition to notifying the reason, the display device 44 displays the execution End The reason may be displayed.

[0037] When an inquiry from a passenger includes an expression that specifies a specific vehicle control among a plurality of vehicle controls that have been executed, such as "control of ..." or "control ... minutes ago," the vehicle control ECU 26 of the vehicle control device 20 notifies the driver of the execution of the specified vehicle control. EndIn addition, the vehicle control ECU 26 of the vehicle control device 20 notifies the user of the reason when the inquiry is unclear or the execution is incomplete. End If the reason is unclear, a notice to that effect, such as "I don't know," is given.

[0038] When a preset start-up command is spoken by the occupant and an electrical signal corresponding to the start-up command is input from the microphone 32, the ET-ECU 34 starts a reception and notification control routine according to the flowchart shown in Fig. 2. The start-up command may be, for example, a word such as "Hey, Mr. A," and the user may be able to register the start-up command as a desired word.

[0039] The vehicle control ECU 26 and the ET-ECU 34 are each an electronic control device having a microcomputer as a main part. Each microcomputer includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a non-volatile memory, an interface, etc. The CPU is adapted to realize various functions by executing instructions (programs, routines) stored in the ROM. In particular, the storage device 28 may be the RAM of the microcomputer of the vehicle control ECU 26 instead of an external storage device.

[0040] Next, the control routine of acceptance and notification in the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 2. The control routine according to the flowchart shown in Fig. 2 is repeatedly executed by the CPU of the ET-ECU 34 at a predetermined control period. In the following description, the control of acceptance and notification will be simply referred to as "control". The same applies to the control routine of acceptance and notification in the second embodiment described later.

[0041] First, in step S10, the CPU executes attitude Regarding vehicle control, EndThe CPU determines whether or not an inquiry regarding the reason has been made. If the CPU makes an affirmative determination, the control proceeds to step S40, and if the CPU makes a negative determination, the control proceeds to step S20.

[0042] In step S20, the CPU determines whether a time equal to or longer than a preset reference time has elapsed since the start of this control routine. If the CPU determines that the time has not elapsed, it returns control to step S10. If the CPU determines that the time has not elapsed, it turns off the microphone 32 in step S30.

[0043] In step S40, the CPU determines whether or not a time equal to or longer than a preset reference time has elapsed since the start of control according to this control routine, similar to step S20. If the CPU determines that the time has not elapsed, the control proceeds to step S60, and if the CPU determines that the time has not elapsed, the control proceeds to step S50, where the microphone 32 is turned off.

[0044] In step S60, the CPU End Reason information is requested from the vehicle control device 20.

[0045] In step S70, the CPU receives vehicle control and execution information from the vehicle control ECU 26. End The CPU determines whether or not reason information has been supplied. If a negative determination is made, the CPU returns control to step S60, and if a positive determination is made, the CPU proceeds to step S80.

[0046] Note that when a predetermined time or more has elapsed since the first negative determination was made in step S70, or when negative determinations have been made a reference number of times or more consecutively in step S70, control may proceed to step 100.

[0047] In step S80, the CPU End If the determination is negative, the CPU 100 determines whether the reason is unknown or not. If the determination is negative, the CPU 100 determines whether the execution of vehicle control is EndAn electrical signal indicating the reason is output to the speaker 42, and the speaker 42 outputs a voice to inform the occupants of the execution. End In response to this, if the CPU makes a positive determination, it notifies the user of the reason for the execution in step S100. End An electrical signal indicating that the reason is unknown is output to the speaker 42, and a voice is generated from the speaker 42 to inform the occupants of the action to be taken. End Notify that the reason is unknown.

[0048] In addition, the CPU also determines whether or not the inquiry is unclear in step S80. When the CPU determines that the inquiry is unclear, in step S100, the CPU outputs an electric signal indicating that the inquiry is unclear to the speaker 42, and thereby notifies the occupant that the inquiry is unclear by a sound emitted from the speaker 42.

[0049] [Second embodiment] The entertainment device 10 according to the second embodiment is also applied to a vehicle 50 equipped with a vehicle control device 20, and has the configuration shown in FIG. 3. The entertainment device 10 includes a reception device 30 that receives inquiries by voice from a passenger, and a notification device 40. The notification device 40 notifies the reception device 30 that is executed by the vehicle control device 20. attitude Execution of vehicle control End When an inquiry about the reason is received, the vehicle control device 20 notifies the occupant of the execution of the operation based on information acquired from the vehicle control device 20 and stored in the storage device 46 described later. End It is configured to inform you of the reason.

[0050] In the second embodiment, when the vehicle control ECU 26 determines that a predetermined condition is satisfied based on the information detected by the sensor 22, the vehicle control ECU 26 controls the control execution device 24 to execute a vehicle control corresponding to the predetermined condition. of execution Exit The vehicle control ECU 26 controls the vehicle of execution Exit When this is done, a signal indicating this is output to the ET-ECU 34 via the communication path device 52.

[0051] In the second embodiment, the vehicle control ECU 26 detects the vehicle control that is executed by the occupant. End For controls for which reasons may be asked, End A signal indicating the reason is also output to the ET-ECU 34 via the communication path device 52 .

[0052] In addition, in the second embodiment, the notification device 40 includes an ET-ECU 34, a speaker 42 that converts an electrical signal input from the ET-ECU 34 into sound and outputs it, a display device 44, and a memory device 46.

[0053] The ET-ECU 34 is a control unit for controlling the vehicle and End Upon receiving a signal indicating the reason, the vehicle control performed and the End The reason information is stored in the storage device 46. The storage device 46, like the storage device 28, stores information about vehicle control and execution statuses that exceed a predetermined number of old vehicle control and execution statuses. End By deleting the reason information, the last predetermined number of vehicle control and execution End The storage device 46 may also be configured to store the time when the vehicle control was executed.

[0054] ET-ECU34 is a vehicle control of execution Ended When the vehicle control unit receives a signal indicating that the vehicle has been of execution Ended If it is determined that a notification is required, the ET-ECU 34 outputs a command signal to the display device 44. The display device 44 is a vehicle control of execution Ended The occupants are notified with visual information indicating that the situation has been resolved.

[0055] Furthermore, the ET-ECU 34 is executed by the vehicle control device 20. attitude Execution of vehicle control EndWhen it is determined that an inquiry about the reason has been received, the information stored in the storage device 46 is used to select the reason for the execution of the vehicle control inquired about. End The ET-ECU 34 searches for and acquires information on the reason for the execution of the vehicle control related to the inquiry. End Once the reason information is obtained, the execution of vehicle control End An electrical signal indicating the reason is output to the speaker 42, and the speaker 42 outputs a voice to inform the occupants of the execution. End Notify the reason.

[0056] The ET-ECU 34 selects the vehicle control execution information related to the inquiry from the information stored in the storage device 46. End When the reason information cannot be acquired, the execution of the vehicle control related to the inquiry is suspended as in the first embodiment. End The reason information is requested and obtained from the vehicle control device 20. Other points of the second embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment.

[0057] Next, the control routine for acceptance and notification in the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 4. In Fig. 4, the same steps as those shown in Fig. 2 are assigned the same step numbers as those assigned in Fig. 2.

[0058] As can be seen from a comparison of FIG. 4 with FIG. 2, steps 10 to 50 and steps 60 to 100 are performed in the same manner as the corresponding steps in the first embodiment.

[0059] In step S52 executed after step S50, the CPU selects from the information stored in the storage device 46 the vehicle control and its execution information related to the inquiry. End Find information on why.

[0060] In step S54, the CPU executes the vehicle control and the execution of the vehicle control. End Determining whether there is any information on the reason for the vehicle control execution related to the inquiry EndThe CPU determines whether or not reason information has been acquired by the search. If the CPU determines negative, the control proceeds to step S60, and steps S60 and S70 are executed as in the first embodiment. In contrast, if the CPU determines positive, the control proceeds to step S80.

[0061] As can be seen from the above description, according to the first and second embodiments, attitude Execution of vehicle control End When the inquiry about the reason is received by the reception device 30, the execution of the operation is notified to the occupant based on the information acquired from the vehicle control device 20. End The reason is notified by the notification device 40. Thus, the occupant can easily determine whether or not the vehicle control is being executed. End By asking about the reason, End Execute after receiving notice of reason End In addition, since inquiries can be made by voice, troublesome operations such as key operation on a keypad are not required.

[0062] Also, according to the first and second embodiments, End The reason is at least announced by voice. End The crew can interactively decide on the execution, as opposed to, for example, being informed of the reason only visually. End The reason can be known, and especially the driver can End Since there is no need to shift one's gaze to the display device to see the reason, the risk of being distracted from driving can be reduced.

[0063] Also, according to the first and second embodiments, the memory devices 28 and 46 store a predetermined number of the latest vehicle control and execution information. End Therefore, the old vehicle control and its execution, which cannot be queried by the occupants, are stored. End The reason can be erased and the storage capacity of the storage device can be reduced.

[0064] According to the first and second embodiments, when an inquiry from a passenger includes an expression that specifies a vehicle control, the specified vehicle control is executed. End The reason will be notified. attitude Even if there are multiple vehicle controls, the occupants must choose which to execute. End I want to know the reason for vehicle control execution End You can find out why.

[0065] Furthermore, according to the first and second embodiments, when a query is unknown and before execution End When the reason is unknown, a notification to that effect is provided, which reduces the likelihood that the passenger will suspect that, for example, an abnormality has occurred in the entertainment device, compared to a case in which the notification to the effect that the reason is unknown is not provided.

[0066] Furthermore, according to the first and second embodiments, the microphone 32 receives vehicle control information from the vehicle control ECU 26. of execution Ended When a signal is received indicating that the switch has been turned on, the switch is turned on for a preset period of time. The microphone does not need to be turned on all the time, and the passenger can ask the reason for the end of the control by voice without operating the microphone switch. Compared to when the microphone 32 is always on, it is possible to reduce power consumption and reduce the risk of malfunction due to erroneous recognition of unnecessary inquiries.

[0067] In particular, according to the first embodiment, attitude Execution of vehicle control End When the inquiry about the reason is accepted by the accepting device, the notifying device notifies the vehicle control device of the execution. End The notification device obtains information about the reason for the execution of the query. End Since only the information regarding the reason needs to be obtained from the vehicle control device, it is possible to perform a large number of vehicle control operations without knowing whether an inquiry has been made or not. End There is no need to obtain the reason in advance from the vehicle control device and store it in the storage device.

[0068] Also, according to the second embodiment, attitudeThe information regarding the vehicle control is stored in the storage device 46, and the vehicle driver is instructed to execute the vehicle control based on the information stored in the storage device. End The reason is notified by the notification device. End Since there is no need to obtain information about the reason from the vehicle control device, the driver can be informed of the execution. End The reasons may be notified promptly.

[0069] Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, the execution of the command is performed on the occupant based on the information stored in the storage device 46. End If the reason cannot be notified, the vehicle control device 20 End Therefore, the amount of information stored in the storage device can be small, and the storage capacity of the storage device can be reduced.

[0070] Next, first to fifth examples will be described as specific examples of the first and second embodiments described above. Note that the specific examples of the first and second embodiments are not limited to the first to fifth examples.

[0071] [First example] The vehicle control device 20 is a driving assistance control device that performs driving assistance control to automatically control at least the steering angle of the steered wheels based on position information of the vehicle 50 supplied from a GPS device, which is one of the sensors 22, so that the vehicle 50 travels along the lane.

[0072] The specified condition is that the location information of the vehicle 50 supplied from the GPS device cannot be obtained, and the vehicle control corresponding to the specified condition is gradual deceleration of the vehicle and release of the driving assistance control by automatically controlling the braking device, which is one of the vehicle control devices.

[0073] If the question is, "Why are you decelerating slowly?" or "Why are you canceling the driving assistance control?", End The notification of the reason may be, for example, "because of poor communication, necessary information cannot be acquired from the GPS device" or "because of poor communication, normal communication with the GPS device cannot be established."

[0074] [Second example] The vehicle control device 20 is a driving assistance control device that performs driving assistance control to automatically control at least the steering angle of the steered wheels based on information about white lines detected by a camera sensor, which is one of the sensors 22, so that the vehicle 50 travels along the lane.

[0075] The predetermined condition is that the camera sensor cannot normally detect the white lines, and the vehicle control corresponding to the predetermined condition is a change in control mode from hands-off driving assistance control to hands-on driving assistance control.

[0076] If the question is, "Why hands-on?" or "Why do we need hands-on?", End The notification of the reason may be, for example, "the white line cannot be detected properly due to fading" or "the white line cannot be detected properly due to reflected light from a wet road surface."

[0077] [Third example] The vehicle control device 20 is an air conditioner that conditions the air inside the vehicle 50, and the sensor 22 is a headlight switch, an illuminance sensor that detects the brightness outside the vehicle, or a clock.

[0078] The predetermined condition is that the headlights are switched on when it is not nighttime and the vehicle 50 is traveling through a tunnel, based on the illuminance sensor or the clock, while the air conditioner is operating in the outside air intake mode. The vehicle control corresponding to the predetermined condition is a change in the control mode of the air conditioner from the outside air intake mode to the inside air recirculation mode.

[0079] If the question is, "Why recirculated air?", "Why recirculated air?", etc., End The notification of the reason may be, for example, "Because we are going through a tunnel, it is better not to take in outside air" or "Because we are going through a tunnel, it is better to circulate the inside air".

[0080] [Fourth Example] The vehicle control device 20 is an automatic light device that turns on and off the headlights, and the sensor 22 is an ignition switch.

[0081] The predetermined condition is that a predetermined time has elapsed since the ignition switch was turned off while the headlights were on. The vehicle control corresponding to the predetermined condition is to automatically turn off the headlights.

[0082] If the query is something like "Why did the headlights go out?" or "Why did the headlights turn off?", End The notification of the reason may be, for example, "because some time has passed since the ignition switch was turned off" or "because the ignition switch is already off."

[0083] [Fifth Example] The vehicle control device 20 is an automatic door lock device that controls the locking and unlocking of doors, and the sensor 22 is a shift position sensor.

[0084] The predetermined condition is that the shift position is switched to the P range while all the doors are locked. The vehicle control corresponding to the predetermined condition is to unlock all the doors.

[0085] If the query is "Why unlock?", "Why unlock?", etc., End The reason given may be, for example, "Because the shift position is in P range" or "Because the car will no longer move."

[0086] Although the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and that various other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention.

[0088] In the first and second embodiments, the microphone 32 is mounted on the vehicle 50, but it may be a microphone of a terminal device such as a smartphone or a smart speaker wirelessly connected to the entertainment device 10 by Bluetooth (registered trademark). In that case, the terminal device constitutes a part of the notification device 40.

[0089] Similarly, in the first and second embodiments, the speaker 42 is also mounted on the vehicle 50, but may be a speaker of a terminal device such as a smartphone or a smart speaker wirelessly connected to the entertainment device 10 by, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark). In this case, too, the terminal device constitutes a part of the notification device 40.

[0090] In the first and second embodiments, the storage devices 28 and 46 are connected to the vehicle control ECU 26 and the ET-ECU 34, respectively. However, these storage devices may be connected to the communication path device 52. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 10...entertainment device, 20...vehicle control device, 22...sensor, 24...control execution device, 26...vehicle control ECU, 28...storage device, 30...reception device, 32...microphone, 34...ET-ECU, 40...notification device, 42...speaker, 44...display device, 46...storage device, 50...vehicle

Claims

1. An entertainment device for a vehicle equipped with a vehicle control device that terminates execution of vehicle control when it is determined that a predetermined condition is satisfied during execution of the vehicle control, the entertainment device includes a reception device that receives an inquiry by voice from an occupant through a microphone, and a notification device that, when the reception device receives an inquiry about a reason for terminating execution of a vehicle control that has been executed, notifies the occupant of the reason for terminating the execution based on information acquired from the vehicle control device; The vehicle control device is configured to transmit a signal indicating that execution of vehicle control has been completed to the notification device when the execution of vehicle control has been completed, and the notification device is configured to turn on the microphone for a preset time period when the notification device receives the signal. Entertainment device for a vehicle.

2. 2. An entertainment device for a vehicle as described in claim 1, wherein when the reception device receives an inquiry about the reason for the termination of execution of a vehicle control that was being executed, the notification device is configured to obtain information regarding the reason for the termination of execution from the vehicle control device.

3. 2. An entertainment device for a vehicle as described in claim 1, wherein the entertainment device includes a storage device that stores information regarding vehicle control that was being executed, and the notification device is configured to notify an occupant of the reason for the termination of execution based on the information stored in the storage device.

4. 4. The entertainment device for a vehicle as described in claim 3, wherein the notification device is configured to obtain the reason for the termination of execution from the vehicle control device when it is unable to notify the occupant of the reason for the termination of execution based on the information stored in the memory device.

5. 5. An entertainment device for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the notification device is adapted to notify the reason for the end of execution at least by voice.

6. 6. An entertainment device for a vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the storage device is arranged to store a last predetermined number of vehicle controls and reasons for termination of execution.

7. 7. An entertainment device for a vehicle as described in claim 6, wherein the notification device is configured to notify the occupant of the reason for termination of execution of the specified vehicle control when an inquiry from the occupant includes an expression specifying a vehicle control.

8. 8. An entertainment device for a vehicle as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the notification device is configured to notify that the query is unknown and that the reason for the termination of execution is unknown.

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