Vehicle Personalization Setting System and Vehicle Personalization Setting Method

Abstract

To provide a vehicle personalization setting system and a vehicle personalization setting method configured to allow a user to use as quickly as possible a personalization setting function of a vehicle device even if personalization setting information cannot be obtained from the outside of a vehicle.SOLUTION: An external information acquisition unit 4c acquires, from the outside of a vehicle, subscription purchase status information of vehicle equipment 30 for each individual, stored in the outside, on the basis of an individual recognized by an individual recognition unit 4b. A storage unit 3a stores the subscription purchase status information of the vehicle equipment 30 provided in the vehicle and set in the past. A setting unit 3d reads out and sets the subscription purchase status information of the vehicle equipment 30 of the individual stored in the storage unit 3a in the vehicle until acquisition of the subscription purchase status information of the vehicle equipment 30 of the individual stored in the outside of the vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle personalization setting system and a vehicle personalization setting method.

Background Art

[0002] The personalization function is a function for changing setting values of various items of a vehicle for each individual and managing personalization setting information such as subscriptions (hereinafter abbreviated as subs) of functions used in vehicle devices. For example, a vehicle audio device or the like is mounted in a vehicle as a vehicle device, and a subscription service related to music distribution applied to this vehicle audio device may be set by the personalization function.

[0003] The personalization function is also currently proposed to change various setting values for each recognized driver after recognizing the currently driving driver. As documents related to the setting function of the expiration date of the function, Patent Documents 1 and 2 can be cited. For example, according to the technique described in Patent Document 1, a technique for performing a process for charging a calculated fee to a seller is provided. For example, expiration date information indicating an expiration date is transmitted to a terminal device, the expiration date and the current time are compared, and when the time corresponding to the expiration date is after the current time, execution of communication is prohibited.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Due to various circumstances such as deterioration of the communication environment, there are cases where the reflection of personalized setting information is delayed when the personalized setting information cannot be obtained from an external server. For example, if the personalized setting information for each individual is managed by a vehicle external server instead of on the local side within the vehicle, it takes time to obtain the management information. Then, when changing the personalized setting information for each individual or enabling the personalized setting function, it takes time, which may cause disadvantages to the user.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle personalized setting system and a vehicle personalized setting method that enable a user to use the personalized setting function of vehicle devices as quickly as possible even when it may be impossible to obtain personalized setting information from outside the vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] According to the invention described in claim 1, it is directed to a vehicle personalized setting system that sets personalized setting information for at least one or more vehicle devices for each individual recognized by an individual recognition unit. The external information acquisition unit acquires, from outside the vehicle, the personalized setting information for each individual's vehicle devices stored externally based on the recognized individual. The storage unit stores the personalized setting information of the vehicle devices that have been set in the past and provided within the vehicle.

[0008] According to the invention described in claim 1, until the personalized setting information of the individual's vehicle devices stored outside the vehicle is acquired, the setting unit reads and sets the personalized setting information of the individual's vehicle devices stored in the storage unit within the vehicle. Therefore, it becomes possible to set the personalized setting information of the individual stored in the storage unit. As a result, even when it may be impossible to obtain personalized setting information from an external server, the user can use the personalized setting function of the vehicle devices as quickly as possible.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, several embodiments of the vehicle personalization setting system 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. In each of the embodiments described below, components that perform the same or similar operations are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as necessary.

[0011] (First Embodiment) The first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. The vehicle personalization setting system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes an HCU 3 installed inside the vehicle 2 and an ECU 4 for personal recognition connected by a network, and also includes an off-vehicle management server 6 outside the vehicle 2.

[0012] The user boarding the vehicle 2 possesses a portable terminal 8 such as a smartphone, a tablet, or a notebook computer. The portable terminal 8 is a terminal that can be carried into the vehicle interior by the user and is equipped with an interface for operation input, a display, etc., and is a terminal capable of various operation inputs and notification processes. The portable terminal 8 is configured to include a microcomputer having a processor, a memory, and an I / O, and also includes a wireless communication unit 8a for wirelessly communicating with an external management server 6 etc. through a communication network 7, and a short-range wireless communication unit 8b for performing short-range communication with a short-range wireless communication unit 11 by a wireless LAN such as WiFi (registered trademark) or a short-range communication technology such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). This portable terminal 8 also constitutes the system 1.

[0013] The HCU 3, ECU 4, external management server 6, and portable terminal 8 inside and outside the vehicle 2 can be communicatively connected through the communication network 7, and thereby the system 1 is constituted. The communication network 7 is based on a wired communication network, a wireless communication network, etc.

[0014] A vehicle application program is installed in the memory of the portable terminal 8. By the portable terminal 8 executing the vehicle application, the user can issue a control command regarding the vehicle 2 or acquire information regarding the vehicle 2 from the HCU 3 or ECU 4 on the vehicle side. At this time, the user can set personalized setting information regarding the vehicle device 30 by operating the portable terminal 8. The vehicle device 30 here includes, but is not limited to, a vehicle audio device.

[0015] The external management server 6 stores the subscription purchase status information in the database 9 as the aforementioned personalized setting information. For example, when the user inputs the subscription purchase status information from the portable terminal 8 to the external management server 6 through the communication network 7, the external management server 6 inputs the subscription purchase status information and stores it in the database 9 and updates it at any time.

[0016] In the database 9, the subscription purchase status information for each individual user is stored in association with personal information such as name and its identification number. The subscription purchase status information is information indicating the purchase status of the individual's subscription service, and includes function purchase information such as various functions purchased or borrowed by the individual, and expiration date information indicating the expiration date thereof.

[0017] Examples of the subscription service include a music distribution subscription service for in-vehicle audio equipment and a video distribution subscription service that can be displayed on the center information. When the user has a mobile terminal 8 such as a smartphone or a personal computer, the user inputs predetermined personal information into a form provided by the management provider of a predetermined off-vehicle management server 6 through the communication network 7 from the device, and by the user's acceptance of the contract terms, a purchase or lease contract for the subscription service can be concluded with the subscription service provider with an expiration date.

[0018] When the user purchases or leases a subscription service for the in-vehicle device 30 from the mobile terminal 8, the subscription purchase status information regarding the subscription service is registered in the database 9 of the off-vehicle management server 6 in association with the user through the communication network 7. The subscription purchase status information is stored in the database 9 with personal identification information, billing information, expiration date information, etc.

[0019] In this embodiment, as this type of personalization function, it is applied to the subscription function, but it is not limited thereto. The subscription purchase status information is shown as the personalization setting information according to the present application, but the personalization setting information is not limited thereto. For example, as the personalization setting information, not only information regarding the subscription service, but also personalization setting information for each individual inside the vehicle 2, such as temperature setting information for each individual of the air conditioner inside the vehicle, and preference information for each individual of music and television, etc. can be applied.

[0020] The ECU 4 for personal recognition is configured by mounting a processor such as an MCU core, a storage unit 4a, I / O, and a bus for connecting these components, and executes various processes by executing a control program stored in the storage unit 4a. MPU is an abbreviation for Micro-Processing-Unit. The storage unit 4a indicates a non-transitory tangible storage medium that non-temporarily stores programs and data readable by a computer. The non-transitory tangible storage medium is realized by a semiconductor memory or the like.

[0021] The ECU 4 for personal recognition is configured by connecting the detection unit 10 and has a function as a personal recognition unit 4b that identifies an individual who has boarded the vehicle 2. The detection unit 10 detects the state inside and outside the vehicle 2 or the state of the user boarding the vehicle 2. The detection unit 10 is configured using various sensors or switches, and detects the state of the vehicle 2 or the state of the user using the detection state of the sensor or the switch state as a parameter.

[0022] The detection unit 10 may include a remote sensor that receives a door lock locking / unlocking instruction or remote engine start from a smart key or the like, a door lock switch that locks / unlocks the door lock, a door lock sensor that operates the door lock switch from inside the vehicle, a door sensor that detects the open / closed state of the vehicle door, a seating sensor that detects whether a user is seated on the vehicle seat, a seat belt sensor that detects whether the user is wearing a seat belt, a seat position sensor that detects the front-rear position of the vehicle seat, a shift position sensor that detects the shift range, a switch for adjusting the angle of the door mirror, a sensor and switch for the courtesy light or auto light, and a steering sensor that detects whether the steering wheel is being steered by the user.

[0023] In addition, the detection unit 10 may also include an ignition switch or a power switch for controlling the start / stop of the engine or the electrical system, a vehicle speed sensor for detecting the speed of the vehicle 2, an air conditioner switch for instructing the set temperature inside the vehicle and the blowing environment of the air conditioner, a parking brake sensor for detecting the state of the parking brake, a sensor for detecting the depression of the accelerator pedal or an electronic throttle sensor, a pedal stroke sensor or a brake pedal position sensor of the brake pedal, a touch panel mounted on the surface of the CID that enables the operation of in-vehicle infotainment applications, a front view camera, a side view camera, a corner view camera, a rear view camera, an electronic mirror, a laser radar using LiDaR, a peripheral monitoring sensor for monitoring the periphery of the vehicle 2 using a millimeter-wave radar, and the like.

[0024] In addition, the detection unit 10 can also detect the state of the user by using an occupant monitor. The occupant monitor detects the state of the occupants in the vehicle 2 or the operation state of various operating devices. The occupant monitor includes a camera that captures the state of the occupants in the driver's seat, the passenger seat, or the rear seat with an image sensor, detects the state of the occupants, and outputs an imaging signal. The driver's occupant state monitor is called DSM. DSM is the abbreviation of Driver Status Monitor.

[0025] The ECU 4 for personal recognition is communicatively connected to the HCU 3 and other ECUs (not shown) through a network or the like. Thereby, coordinated control of the entire vehicle 2 is realized. The ECU 4 is configured to be connectable to an external communication network 7 through the DCM 5. The DCM 5 is the abbreviation of Data Communication Module and represents a module for communicating through the mediation of in-vehicle and out-of-vehicle devices.

[0026] By executing the program stored in the storage unit 4a, the ECU 4 realizes the function as a personal recognition unit 4b that recognizes an individual based on the detection information of the detection unit 10. Also, by executing the program stored in the storage unit 4a, the ECU 4 realizes the function as an external information acquisition unit 4c that enables the acquisition of the subscription purchase status information for each individual stored externally based on the individual recognized by the personal recognition unit 4b.

[0027] Also, the HCU 3 constitutes an ECU of the display operation interface system. HCU is the abbreviation of Human Machine Interface Control Unit. The HCU 3 also includes a processor, a storage unit 3a, I / O, and a bus connecting these, and executes various controls by executing the program stored in the storage unit 3a. The storage unit 3a indicates a non-transitory tangible storage medium that non-temporarily stores a computer-readable program and data. The non-transitory tangible storage medium is realized by a semiconductor memory or the like. A database 13 in which the subscription purchase status information is sequentially updated is constructed in the storage unit 3a.

[0028] The storage unit 3a stores in the database 13 the subscription purchase status information of the vehicle equipment 30 provided inside the vehicle 2 and set in the past. When the user operates the operation input unit 3e connected to the HCU 3 to customize the subscription purchase status information of the vehicle equipment 30 built in the vehicle 2, the HCU 3 inputs the subscription purchase status information and stores it in the database 13 of the storage unit 3a and updates it at any time.

[0029] Note that the subscription purchase status information stored in the database 9 by the off-vehicle management server 6 and the subscription purchase status information stored in the database 13 of the storage unit 3a of the HCU 3 inside the vehicle 2 are updated regularly (for example, every few days, every month, etc.) by communicating between the HCU 3 and the off-vehicle management server 6 via the ECU 4 and the DCM 5 when the communication status by the DCM 5 is in a good communication environment. Thus, in the present embodiment, copy information of the subscription purchase status information can be held in the database 13 of the storage unit 3a of the HCU 3.

[0030] Further, when the HCU 3 acquires the personal identification result by the personal recognition unit 4b from the ECU 4 for personal recognition, it is used as identification information for selecting the subscription purchase status information held in the storage unit 3a.

[0031] The HCU 3 realizes a function as a delay determination unit 3b that determines the delay status of personal recognition by the personal recognition unit 4b by executing the program stored in the storage unit 3a. Further, the HCU 3 realizes a function as a change setting unit 3c that changes and sets the acquisition content of the subscription purchase status information acquired from the outside by the external information acquisition unit 4c according to the delay status of personal recognition by the delay determination unit 3b by executing the program stored in the storage unit 3a.

[0032] Further, when a person is identified by the personal recognition unit 4b, the HCU 3 collates with the person corresponding to the subscription purchase status information acquired from the outside, and when the corresponding person is collated, it realizes a function as a setting unit 3d that sets the subscription purchase status information of the vehicle device 30 of the collated person. A short-range wireless communication unit 11 is connected to the HCU 3, and communication is possible between the short-range wireless communication unit 11 and the short-range wireless communication unit 8b of the mobile terminal 8.

[0033] The characteristic functions and effects of this embodiment will be described for the above basic configuration. The normal flow is shown in Fig. 2. The HCU 3 executes the process shown in Fig. 2 at a predetermined timing to reflect the subscription purchase status information in the vehicle device 30. For example, it is desirable to execute immediately after starting by the power switch of the vehicle 2.

[0034] When the user turns on the ignition switch or the power switch, the HCU 3, the ECU 4, the DCM 5, etc. are activated. After that, the ECU 4 activates the personal recognition function by the personal recognition unit 4b in S1 and recognizes the user sitting on the seat of the vehicle 2. When the user is recognized by the function of the personal recognition unit 4b, the ECU 4 acquires the personal recognition result in S2, but repeats the personal recognition process in this S2 until the personal recognition result is successfully acquired in S3.

[0035] If the ECU 4 successfully acquires the personal recognition result in S2, it determines YES in S3 and acquires the subscription purchase status information from the vehicle exterior management server 6 in S4. Then, if the subscription purchase status information is acquired, the subscription function is activated in S6 and the subscription service can be made available.

[0036] As a result, the user can enjoy various services such as music distribution services in the vehicle 2. If the subscription purchase status information cannot be acquired from the vehicle exterior management server 6 in S6, it determines NO in S6 and ends without activating the subscription function.

[0037] However, for example, when the personal recognition unit 4b does not match the pre-registered user even after collation by image recognition, the personal recognition process may be repeated many times in S2 and S3. Therefore, it is desirable to improve the processing content as follows.

[0038] For example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, it is desirable to parallelize the processing load between the HCU 3 and the ECU 4, change the processing content according to the delay situation of recognizing an individual, and change and set the acquisition content of the subscription purchase status information acquired from the external off-vehicle management server 6.

[0039] First, as described above, when the user turns on the ignition switch or the power switch, the HCU 3, the ECU 4, the DCM 5, etc. are activated. After that, the ECU 4 activates the personal recognition function by the personal recognition unit 4b at S1 and recognizes the user sitting on the seat of the vehicle 2.

[0040] When the user is recognized by the personal recognition unit 4b, the ECU 4 acquires the recognition result of the individual at S2, and repeats the recognition process of the individual at this S2 until the recognition result of the individual is successfully acquired at S3. At this time, for example, when the collation by image recognition by the personal recognition unit 4b does not match the pre-registered user, the recognition process of the individual may be repeated many times at S2 and S3.

[0041] When the ECU 4 determines that the recognition result of the individual is successfully acquired at S3, it transmits the recognition result of the individual to the HCU 3 at S10.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 4, the HCU 3 waits for the recognition result of the individual from the ECU 4 at S10, and determines the delay situation of recognizing the individual by the personal recognition unit 4b by the function of the delay determination unit 3b at S11. That is, the HCU 3 determines whether it is faster than a predetermined time to acquire the recognition result of the individual from the ECU 4. As for the determination method of whether it is faster than this predetermined time, if it is immediately after the start of the vehicle 2, the time from the start timing may be counted, or if the timing of starting the personal recognition process from the ECU 4 is transmitted as information after the start of the vehicle 2, the time from this reception timing may be counted. Also, it may be determined whether it is fast starting from other time timings.

[0043] When HCU3 determines that it is faster than the predetermined time to obtain the personal authentication result in S11, it issues an acquisition command to ECU4 for the subscription purchase status information of the user individual in S12. When ECU4 receives this acquisition command, ECU4 obtains the subscription purchase status information from the vehicle external management server 6 through DCM5 by the external information acquisition unit 4c. ECU4 transfers this subscription purchase status information to HCU3. HCU3 waits in S13 until it obtains the subscription purchase status information from the side of ECU4, and when it obtains it, it determines YES in S13.

[0044] In S14, HCU3 collates the individual associated with the subscription purchase status information with the personal recognition result previously obtained from ECU4. If the collation result is good, it determines YES in S14 and activates the subscription function in S7. As a result, the user can enjoy the subscription service.

[0045] However, when HCU3 determines that it is slower than the predetermined time to obtain the personal authentication result in S11, it changes and sets the acquisition content of the subscription purchase status information obtained externally by the external information acquisition unit 4c. In this case, instead of obtaining the subscription purchase status information of one individual, it is desirable to issue an acquisition command to ECU4 for the subscription purchase status information of as many users as possible in S15. The reason for this is that since the acquisition of the personal authentication result becomes slow, the aim is to obtain the subscription purchase status information of a plurality of users in advance and then quickly authenticate the subscription function by collating individuals later.

[0046] When HCU3 issues an acquisition command to ECU4 for the subscription purchase status information of multiple users, ECU4 acquires the subscription purchase status information of multiple users from the off-vehicle management server 6. ECU4 sequentially transfers the subscription purchase status information of the users acquired from the off-vehicle management server 6 to HCU3. Then HCU3 can receive the subscription purchase status information of multiple users in S16. When HCU3 determines that it has received the personal recognition result from ECU4 in S16, in S17, it collates the individual associated with the sequentially acquired subscription purchase status information with the personal recognition result of the individual determined to have been received in S16.

[0047] If the collation result is good as a result of collating individuals, HCU3 determines YES in S17 and activates the subscription function in S7. However, if the collation result is not good as a result of collating individuals, HCU3 uses the default in S18 without activating the subscription function. In this case, for example, the user cannot receive the subscription service, but the vehicle device 30 can be used normally.

[0048] <Summary of this embodiment> According to this embodiment, in order to change and set the amount of subscription purchase status information acquired from the outside according to the delay situation of personal recognition, for example, even if personal recognition is delayed, the user can use the subscription function of the vehicle device 30 as quickly as possible.

[0049] Also, when it is determined that there is a delay in personal recognition, HCU3 can pre-acquire the subscription purchase status information of a large number of individuals by using the subscription purchase status information of multiple individuals acquired from the external off-vehicle management server 6. Then, when an individual is recognized by the personal recognition unit 4b, it collates with the multiple individuals acquired by the external information acquisition unit 4c, and HCU3 can set the subscription purchase status information of the corresponding individual from among the multiple individuals. Thereby, even if the recognition of the individual is delayed, the user can use the subscription function of the vehicle device 30 as quickly as possible.

[0050] <Modification Example> In the foregoing embodiment, in order to obtain as much subscription purchase status information as possible from the off-vehicle management server 6, the subscription purchase status information of a plurality of individuals is obtained in parallel. However, it may be configured to obtain the subscription purchase status information of at least one individual.

[0051] That is, while the personal recognition unit 4b is recognizing an individual, if the external information acquisition unit 4c acquires the subscription purchase status information of at least one individual from the off-vehicle management server 6, the subscription purchase status information can be acquired in parallel while the individual is being recognized. This is because even if only parallel processing is executed, the processing can be performed quickly.

[0052] Also in this case, when an individual is recognized by the personal recognition unit 4b, it is collated with the individual corresponding to the subscription purchase status information acquired from the outside. When the corresponding individual is collated, the setting unit 3d may set the subscription purchase status information of the vehicle device 30 of the collated individual. Thereby, even if the personal recognition is delayed, the user can use the subscription function of the vehicle device 30 as quickly as possible.

[0053] (Second Embodiment) The second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. For example, although the subscription purchase status information can be obtained from the off-vehicle management server 6, the ECU 4 for personal recognition may have a low specific reliability of identifying an individual or may not be able to recognize the individual.

[0054] Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the specific reliability of the individual recognized by the personal recognition unit 4b is lower than a predetermined level, the HCU 3 recognizes the individual by another second recognition unit 3f different from the personal recognition unit 4b, and implements the function as the setting unit 3d that sets the subscription purchase status information of the vehicle device 30 of the recognized individual from among the subscription purchase status information acquired by the external information acquisition unit 4c. In the foregoing embodiment, the form in which the HCU 3 executes the recognition process of the "second recognition unit 3f" is described. However, it may be configured such that another in-vehicle device, for example, the ECU 4 executes the process of the "second recognition unit 3f".

[0055] As shown in FIG. 5, even if the processes of S1 to S3 described in the foregoing embodiment are performed and the acquisition of the personal recognition result is successful, the specific reliability of the individual may be low. For example, the specific reliability of an individual can be indicated as a percentage. When the ECU 4 collates the image recognition result of the driver's face by the detection unit 10 with the face data of a pre-registered individual, the specific reliability changes based on the degree of coincidence. At this time, even when the HCU 3 has successfully acquired the recognition result of this individual, when the specific reliability is low, it is advisable to recognize the individual using the second recognition unit 3f.

[0056] As shown in S21 of FIG. 5, when the HCU 3 determines that the specific reliability is not lower than a predetermined value, it can evaluate the reliability as high. Therefore, even if it is determined as NO in S21 and the subscr function is directly activated in S7, it may be acceptable. However, when the HCU 3 determines in S21 of FIG. 5 that the specific reliability is lower than a predetermined value, as shown in an example in S22 of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, on the condition that the second recognition unit 3f recognizes the individual and the reliability of the specific recognition degree becomes high, the subscr function activation process is performed in S7.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 6, the HCU 3 causes the user to perform password authentication through the operation input interface in S23, and determines in S24 whether it matches the password managed by the storage unit 3a. If the passwords match, the HCU 3 determines YES in S24, and it is advisable to prompt the two-step authentication process with the authentication server 20 connected to the communication network 7.

[0058] The two-step authentication is performed, for example, by prompting the input of a code separately using an authentication application pre-installed in the mobile terminal 8 or the email address, and determining whether the authentication server 20 recognizes this input code as appropriate. If the authentication server 20 determines that it is appropriate (OK), it is determined YES in S25, and the subscr function is activated in S7. Then, the user can use the subscr function of the vehicle device 30.

[0059] In addition, another example of the second recognition unit 3f is illustrated in FIG. 7. When it is determined in S21 of FIG. 5 that the specific reliability is lower than a predetermined value, as shown in an example in S22 of FIG. 5 and FIG. 7, the HCU 3 activates the subscription function in S7 on the condition that the second recognition unit 3f recognizes an individual and the reliability of the specific recognition degree becomes high.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 7, the HCU 3 issues a command to the ECU 4 to acquire subscription purchase status information, and acquires the subscription purchase status information from the external management server 6 through the DCM 5. The HCU 3 determines whether it matches the subscription purchase status information managed on the side of the storage unit 3a of the HCU 3 serving as an in-vehicle device. If this content matches, the HCU 3 activates the subscription function in S7 and performs activation processing. Then, the user can use the subscription function of the vehicle device 30.

[0061] However, if it is determined in S27 that they do not match, the HCU 3 causes the user to perform password authentication through the operation input interface in S23, and determines whether it matches the password managed in the storage unit 3a in S24. If the passwords match, the HCU 3 determines YES in S24 and prompts for two-factor authentication processing with the authentication server 20 connected to the communication network 7.

[0062] The two-factor authentication is performed, for example, by prompting for the input of a code using an authentication app pre-installed in the mobile terminal 8 or an email address, and determining whether the authentication server 20 recognizes this input code as appropriate. If the authentication server 20 determines appropriate (OK), it determines YES in S25 and activates the subscription function in S7. Then, the user can use the subscription function of the vehicle device 30. Thereby, the accuracy of user authentication can be ensured.

[0063] However, if the HCU3 additionally authenticates an individual at S24 and S25 and the authentication result is not good, it will be used by default at S18 without activating the subscription function. In this case, for example, the user cannot receive the subscription service, but the vehicle device 30 can be normally used.

[0064] As described above, according to this embodiment, when the specific reliability of the individual recognized by the individual recognition unit 4b is lower than a predetermined value, the individual is recognized by a second recognition unit 3f different from the individual recognition unit 4b, and the subscription purchase status information of the vehicle device 30 of the recognized individual is set. Thereby, even if the reliability of the individual authentication by the individual recognition unit 4b is lower than a predetermined value, it becomes possible to authenticate with high reliability, and the subscription purchase status information of the individual regarding the vehicle device 30 can be set. As a result, the user can quickly enjoy the subscription function of the vehicle device 30 to which the subscription service is applied.

[0065] (Third Embodiment) The third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8. For example, although the subscription purchase status information can be acquired from the off-vehicle management server 6, there are cases where the ECU4 for individual recognition cannot recognize an individual. When the ECU4 cannot identify an individual by the individual recognition unit 4b, it is impossible to specify who the vehicle user is, and there are cases where the user cannot use the subscription service in the vehicle 2, which is inconvenient.

[0066] Therefore, in this embodiment, instead of the recognition process of the "second recognition unit 3f" shown in the second embodiment, the second recognition unit 3f realizes a function of acquiring personal information stored and managed in the in-vehicle unit, here the storage unit 3a of the HCU3, to identify an individual.

[0067] When the user boards the vehicle 2, the mobile terminal 8 can communicate information by pairing with the short-range wireless communication unit 11 in the vehicle 2. At this time, the mobile terminal 8 pairs with the short-range wireless communication unit 11 in the vehicle 2 through the short-range wireless communication unit 8b, so that the HCU3 can acquire identification information.

[0068] The HCU3 can store and hold pairing information such as identification information unique to the mobile terminal 8 and user information in the storage unit 3a as identification information. The identification information for identifying the mobile terminal 8 or the user who owns the mobile terminal 8 is stored in the storage unit 3a in association with the user.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 8, as a result of the HCU3 determining whether or not the personal recognition result was successfully obtained in S1 to S3, if the acquisition was not successful, it is determined as NO in S3 and the acquisition process of the personal recognition result is repeated in S2. In this embodiment, the case where the HCU3 cannot succeed in acquiring the personal recognition result even after trying a predetermined number of times in S31 is considered. In this case, it is determined as YES in S31 and the process proceeds to the process of S32.

[0070] In S32, the HCU3 acquires the identification information stored and managed in the in-vehicle device side, here in the storage unit 3a of the HCU3. The identification information here indicates the identification information unique to the mobile terminal 8 included in the above-described pairing information and the identification information of the user who owns the mobile terminal 8.

[0071] When a plurality of individuals are included in the identification information acquired from the mobile terminal 8, in S33, the HCU3 causes the person who boarded the vehicle 2 via the operation input interface to select and authenticate the user. This authentication process can use password authentication or two-factor authentication as described in the above-described embodiment.

[0072] When the authentication is successful in S34, the HCU3 determines as YES in S34 and activates the subscription function in S35. The user can use the subscription function of the in-vehicle device 30.

[0073] However, if the HCU3 fails to authenticate successfully when the user selects themselves as the person boarding the vehicle 2, it only permits the use of the vehicle equipment 30 by default in S18 without activating the subscription function. In this case, for example, the user cannot receive the subscription service, but can normally use the vehicle equipment 30.

[0074] According to this embodiment, since the identification information of the user managed on the HCU3 side mounted on the vehicle 2 is acquired by the function of the second recognition unit 3f to recognize the individual, user authentication can be ensured, and even if the ECU4 for individual recognition fails to recognize the individual, the user can quickly use the subscription function.

[0075] (Fourth Embodiment) The fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 9. For example, there may be a case where the communication environment through the communication network 7 has deteriorated and the DCM5 cannot communicate with the off-vehicle management server 6, etc., and the user cannot use the subscription service in the vehicle 2, which is inconvenient for the user.

[0076] Therefore, in this embodiment, the HCU3 realizes the function as a setting unit 3d that reads and sets the individual's subscription purchase status information stored in the storage unit 3a in the vehicle 2 until the individual's subscription purchase status information stored outside the vehicle 2 is acquired.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 3 described in the first embodiment, when the ECU4 for individual recognition executes the processes of S1 to S3 and successfully acquires the recognition result of the individual, it determines YES in S3 and transmits this result to the HCU3. As shown in FIG. 9, when the HCU3 receives the individual recognition result transmitted from the ECU4 in S10a, it waits for the acquisition of the user's subscription purchase status information transmitted from the ECU4 in S4.

[0078] Subsequently, in S41, the HCU3 determines the acquisition status of the subscription purchase status information and determines whether there is a delay compared to normal, in this case, whether it is delayed more than a predetermined time. As for the method of determining whether it is delayed more than the predetermined time, if it is immediately after the start of the vehicle 2, the time from the start timing may be counted. If the timing at which the acquisition of the subscription purchase status information from the outside management server 6 starts is transmitted from the ECU4 after the start of the vehicle 2, the time from this reception timing may be counted. Also, it may be determined whether there is a delay starting from other time timings.

[0079] If the HCU3 does not cause a delay in acquiring the subscription purchase status information and can quickly acquire the subscription purchase status information, it determines NO in S41 and executes the process of S14 shown in the foregoing embodiment. In S14, the HCU3 collates the individual associated with the subscription purchase status information with the recognition result of the individual previously acquired from the ECU4. If the collation result is good, it determines YES in S14 and activates the subscription function in S7. As a result, the user can quickly enjoy the subscription function of the vehicle device 30 to which the subscription service is applied.

[0080] However, if the HCU3 causes a delay in acquiring the subscription purchase status information, it determines YES in S41. At this time, in S42, the HCU3 determines whether the subscription purchase status information matching the recognition result of the individual is stored and held in the storage unit 3a, and acquires the subscription purchase status information stored in the storage unit 3a of the HCU3. Thereafter, the HCU3 activates the subscription function in S7. As a result, the user can quickly enjoy the subscription function of the vehicle device 30.

[0081] Here, if the HCU3 cannot collate the individual in S14, it uses the default information in S18 without activating the subscription function. In this case, for example, the user cannot receive the subscription service, but the vehicle device 30 can be used normally.

[0082] On the other hand, if the subscription purchase status information that matches the personal recognition result cannot be obtained from the storage unit 3a in S42, it is determined as NO in S42, and in S44, the process waits until the subscription purchase status information can be obtained from the external off-vehicle management server 6 through the DCM 5 and the ECU 4. Then, when the HCU 3 obtains the subscription purchase status information from the ECU 4 in S44, it proceeds to S14 and repeats the same collation process as described above. If this collation result is good, the subscription function is activated in S7, and if it is not good, default information is used in S18, and the subscription function is not used.

[0083] Summarizing this embodiment, it is as follows. In this embodiment, until the personal subscription purchase status information stored in the off-vehicle management server 6 outside the vehicle 2 is obtained, the setting unit 3d obtains and sets the personal subscription purchase status information stored in the storage unit 3a in the vehicle 2. Therefore, the subscription function can be activated using the subscription purchase status information of the in-vehicle device 30 of each individual stored in the storage unit 3a.

[0084] As a result, the billing information stored in the database 9 of the off-vehicle management server 6 and the expiration date information stored on the storage unit 3a side of the HCU 3 of the vehicle 2 can be used appropriately, and the expiration date information included in the subscription purchase status information stored in the storage unit 3a of the HCU 3 can be effectively utilized. As a result, even if there are cases where the subscription purchase status information cannot be obtained from the off-vehicle management server 6, the user can use the subscription function as quickly as possible.

[0085] (Other Embodiments) The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented with various modifications, and is applicable to various embodiments without departing from the gist thereof. In the foregoing embodiment, the form in which the HCU 3 mainly executes the processing has been shown. However, part or all of the processing and functions may be executed by another in-vehicle device (for example, the ECU 4). Conversely, the functions mounted on the ECU 4 may be executed by another in-vehicle device (for example, the HCU 3).

[0086] The method by the HCU 3 or another ECU 4 described in the present disclosure may be realized by a dedicated computer configured by a processor and a memory programmed to execute one or more functions embodied by a computer program. Alternatively, the method by the HCU 3 and the ECU 4 described in the present disclosure may be realized by a dedicated computer configured by a processor constituted by one or more dedicated hardware logic circuits. Or, the control device and its method described in the present disclosure may be realized by one or more dedicated computers constituted by a combination of a processor and a memory programmed to execute one or more functions and a processor constituted by one or more hardware logic circuits. Further, the computer program may be stored in a computer-readable non-transitory tangible recording medium as instructions executed by a computer.

[0087] Although the present disclosure has been described in accordance with the foregoing embodiments, it is understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and structures. The present invention includes various modifications and modifications within an equivalent range. In addition, various combinations and forms, and further other combinations and forms including one element, more, or less thereof, are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0088] In the drawings, 1 is a vehicle personalization setting system, 3 is an HCU (in-vehicle device), 3b is a delay determination unit, 3c is a change setting unit, 3d is a setting unit, 3e is an operation input unit, 3f is a second recognition unit, 4 is an ECU (in-vehicle device), 4b is a personal recognition unit, 4c is an external information acquisition unit, and 20 is an authentication server.

Claims

1. A vehicle personalization setting system for setting personalization setting information of at least one or more vehicle devices for each individual recognized by a personal recognition unit (4a), an external information acquisition unit (4c) that acquires, from outside the vehicle, personalization setting information of vehicle devices for each individual stored externally based on the individual recognized by the personal recognition unit; a storage unit (3a) provided inside the vehicle and storing personalization setting information of vehicle devices set in the past; a setting unit (3d) that reads and sets the personalization setting information of the vehicle devices of the individual stored in the storage unit inside the vehicle until the personalization setting information of the vehicle devices of the individual stored outside the vehicle is acquired; A vehicle personalization setting system comprising the above.

2. The setting unit determines the acquisition status of the personalization setting information of the vehicle devices of the individual stored outside the vehicle, and when it is determined that a delay has occurred compared to normal, reads and sets the personalization setting information of the vehicle devices of the individual stored in the storage unit inside the vehicle. The vehicle personalization setting system according to Claim 1.

3. A vehicle personalization setting method for setting personalization setting information of at least one or more vehicle devices for each individual recognized by a personal recognition unit (4a), a process of recognizing an individual by the personal recognition unit; a process of acquiring, from outside the vehicle, personalization setting information of vehicle devices for each individual stored externally based on the recognized individual; a process of reading and setting the personalization setting information of the vehicle devices of the individual from a storage unit provided inside the vehicle and storing the personalization setting information of the vehicle devices set in the past until the personalization setting information of the vehicle devices of the individual stored outside the vehicle is acquired; A vehicle personalization setting method comprising the above.

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