Notification device

Abstract

To provide a notification device which enables a crew member to be concentrated on driving by performing a notification to a third person only in a case where the crew member desires the notification to the third person, and omitting a conversation with the third person in the case of the notification.SOLUTION: A notification device comprises: a reception section which receives an abnormality notification from a crew member of a vehicle; and a notification section by which, in a case where the reception section receives the abnormality notification, a third person is notified of location information of the vehicle stored in the vehicle, vehicle information including an image around the vehicle and an abnormal state of the vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a notification device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a driving support control device. This driving support control device determines whether a surrounding vehicle is performing dangerous driving based on surrounding vehicle information including the relative positional relationship between the vehicle and the surrounding vehicles. Then, when the degree of danger of the dangerous driving satisfies a first predetermined condition, the driving support control device transmits notification information indicating a notification accompanied by a request for dispatch to a third party including a police station or a security company. The notification information includes information for identifying the vehicle, the current position information of the vehicle, and information indicating the request for dispatch.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The driving support control device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem that there is a possibility of reporting to a third party when the occupant does not recognize that it is dangerous driving. Also, it is desirable to omit the conversation during an emergency. However, since this driving support control device simply transmits notification information to a third party, there is a problem that the occupant needs to talk to the third party when checking the current situation.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above facts, and an object thereof is to provide a notification device that can notify a third party only when the occupant desires to notify the third party, and can omit the conversation with the third party during the notification, so that the occupant can concentrate on driving.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The notification device according to the first aspect includes a reception unit that receives an abnormality notification from an occupant of a vehicle, and a notification unit that, when the reception unit receives the abnormality notification, notifies a third party of vehicle information including the position information of the vehicle stored in the vehicle and an image around the vehicle, and that the vehicle is in an abnormal situation.

[0007] In the notification device according to the first aspect, the reception unit receives an abnormality notification from an occupant of the vehicle, and the notification unit, when the reception unit receives the abnormality notification, notifies a third party of vehicle information including the position information of the vehicle stored in the vehicle and an image around the vehicle, and that the vehicle is in an abnormal situation. According to the notification device according to the first aspect, the third party can be notified only when the occupant desires to notify the third party, and the conversation with the third party can be omitted during the notification, so that the occupant can concentrate on driving.

[0008] The notification device according to the second aspect further includes an acquisition unit that acquires the distance between the vehicle and surrounding vehicles around the vehicle in the notification device according to the first aspect. The notification unit, when the reception unit receives the abnormality notification and the distance acquired by the acquisition unit is less than a predetermined threshold value, notifies the third party of the vehicle information and that the vehicle is in an abnormal situation. According to the notification device according to the second aspect, it is possible to prevent notifying a third party when the occupant accidentally makes an abnormality notification even when the distance between the vehicle and surrounding vehicles is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value and notification to the third party is not necessary.

[0009] The notification device according to the third aspect, in the notification device according to the second aspect, the notification unit notifies the occupant to change the lane in which the vehicle is traveling when the distance acquired by the acquisition unit is less than a predetermined threshold value and the reception unit has not received the abnormality notification. According to the notification device according to the third aspect, the possibility of being rear-ended by surrounding vehicles can be reduced.

[0010] The notification device according to the fourth aspect is the notification device according to any one of the first to third aspects, and further includes a control unit that performs control to close at least one of the vehicle door key and the window when the reception unit receives the abnormality notification. According to the notification device according to the fourth aspect, the possibility that the occupant is harmed can be reduced.

[0011] The notification device according to the fifth aspect is the notification device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, and when the reception unit receives the abnormality notification, the notification unit notifies the occupant to stop the vehicle after changing the lane in which the vehicle is traveling or to move further away from the surrounding vehicles around the vehicle. According to the notification device according to the fifth aspect, it is possible to move further away from the surrounding vehicles and protect the safety of the occupant.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to the present disclosure, the third party can be notified only when the occupant wishes to notify the third party, and since the conversation with the third party can be omitted during the notification, the occupant can concentrate on driving.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the notification system 10 of this embodiment includes a vehicle 12 and a center server 30. The vehicle 12 is equipped with an in-vehicle device 20. The in-vehicle device 20 is an example of a notification device. The center server 30 is an example of a device owned by a police station or a security company as a third party.

[0015] The in-vehicle device 20 of the vehicle 12 and the center server 30 are interconnected via a network CN1, respectively.

[0016] (Center server) As shown in FIG. 2, the center server 30 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 30A, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 30B, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 30C, and a communication I / F 30E. The CPU 30A, the ROM 30B, the RAM 30C, and the communication I / F 30E are communicably connected to each other via an internal bus 30I.

[0017] The CPU 30A is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls each part. That is, the CPU 30A reads a program from the ROM 30B and executes the program using the RAM 30C as a working area.

[0018] The ROM 30B stores various programs and various data.

[0019] The RAM 30C temporarily stores a program or data as a working area.

[0020] The communication I / F 30E is a wireless communication module for communicating with the vehicle 12. For example, communication standards such as 5G, LTE, and Wi-Fi (registered trademark) are used for the wireless communication module. The communication I / F 30E is connected to the network CN1.

[0021] (Vehicle) As shown in FIG. 3, the vehicle 12 according to the present embodiment includes an in-vehicle device 20, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 22, a GPS (Global Positioning System) device 23, an input switch 24, a monitor 25, a speaker 26, a camera 27, and a sensor 28.

[0022] The in-vehicle device 20 includes a CPU 20A, a ROM 20B, a RAM 20C, a storage 20D, a wireless communication I / F 20E, an in-vehicle communication I / F 20F, and an input / output I / F 20G. The CPU 20A, the ROM 20B, the RAM 20C, the storage 20D, the wireless communication I / F 20E, the in-vehicle communication I / F 20F, and the input / output I / F 20G are communicably connected to each other via an internal bus 20I. The functions of the CPU 20A, the ROM 20B, the RAM 20C, and the wireless communication I / F 20E are the same as those of the CPU 30A, the ROM 30B, the RAM 30C, and the communication I / F 30E of the above-described center server 30.

[0023] The storage 20D is composed of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), and stores various programs including an operating system and various data. A processing program is stored in the storage 20D of the present embodiment. The processing program is a program for realizing each function of the in-vehicle device 20. Further, images around the vehicle 12 and position information of the vehicle 12 are stored in the storage 20D of the present embodiment. The processing program, the images around the vehicle 12, and the position information of the vehicle 12 may be stored in the ROM 20B.

[0024] The in-vehicle communication I / F 20F is an interface for connecting to the ECU 22. The ECU 22 includes an engine ECU, a brake ECU, a body ECU, a camera ECU, a multimedia ECU, etc., in addition to a door lock ECU 22A and a window ECU 22B. The communication standard based on the CAN protocol is used for the interface. The in-vehicle communication I / F 20F is connected to an external bus 20H.

[0025] When a door lock signal is input from the vehicle-mounted device 20, the door lock ECU 22A outputs a drive signal to the actuator of the door lock mechanism to lock the door (close the door).

[0026] When a close signal is input from the vehicle-mounted device 20, the window ECU 22B outputs a drive signal to the actuator of the window lock mechanism to close the window of the vehicle 12.

[0027] The input / output I / F 20G is an interface for communicating with the GPS device 23, the input switch 24, the monitor 25, the speaker 26, the camera 27, and the sensor 28. Note that the GPS device 23, the input switch 24, the monitor 25, the speaker 26, the camera 27, and the sensor 28 may be connected to the vehicle-mounted device 20 via the ECU 22.

[0028] The GPS device 23 is a device that measures the current position of the vehicle 12. The GPS device 23 includes an antenna (not shown) that receives signals from GPS satellites. The current position of the vehicle 12 measured by the GPS device 23 is stored in the storage 20D as position information.

[0029] The input switch 24 is configured as a touch panel that also serves as the monitor 25. Note that the input switch 24 may be provided on the instrument panel, the center console, the steering wheel, etc., and may be a switch that inputs operations by the fingers of the occupant. In this case, the input switch 24 can adopt, for example, a push-button type numeric keypad or a touch pad.

[0030] The monitor 25 is a liquid crystal monitor provided on the instrument panel, the meter panel, etc., for displaying images related to promotion notifications and the like. As described above, the monitor 25 is provided as a touch panel that also serves as the input switch 24.

[0031] The speaker 26 is a device provided on the instrument panel, center console, front pillar, dashboard, etc., and outputs sounds related to promotion notifications and the like.

[0032] The camera 27 is a photographing device for imaging an image of the periphery of the vehicle 12. The camera 27 may be provided outside the vehicle or inside the vehicle. The image of the periphery of the vehicle 12 captured by the camera 27 is stored in the storage 20D.

[0033] The sensor 28 is, for example, a sensor that outputs electromagnetic waves other than visible light toward the periphery of the vehicle 12 and detects an object by the reflected wave of the electromagnetic wave. The sensor 28 is, for example, an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a millimeter-wave radar, or the like.

[0034] In the vehicle-mounted device 20 of the present embodiment, the CPU 20A executes a processing program to function as a reception unit 200, a control unit 210, an acquisition unit 220, and a notification unit 230 shown in FIG. 4.

[0035] The reception unit 200 has a function of receiving an abnormality notification from the occupant of the vehicle 12. In the present embodiment, the reception unit 200 receives an abnormality notification from the occupant via the input switch 24. When the notification system 10 includes a user terminal such as a smartphone carried by the occupant, the reception unit 200 may receive an abnormality notification from the user terminal via the wireless communication I / F 20E.

[0036] When the reception unit 200 receives an abnormality notification, the control unit 210 has a function of closing at least one of the key and window of the door of the vehicle 12. Specifically, the control unit 210 outputs a signal to at least one of the door lock ECU 22A and the window ECU 22B. For example, when the control unit 210 outputs a door locking signal to the door lock ECU 22A, the actuator of the door lock mechanism is driven and controlled. Then, the door of the vehicle 12 is locked. On the other hand, when the control unit 210 outputs a close signal to the window ECU 22B, the actuator of the window lock mechanism is driven and controlled. Then, the window of the vehicle 12 closes.

[0037] The acquisition unit 220 has a function of acquiring the inter-vehicle distance, which is the distance between the vehicle 12 and the surrounding vehicles around the vehicle 12. In the present embodiment, the acquisition unit 220 acquires the inter-vehicle distance from the sensor data acquired by the sensor 28. Further, the acquisition unit 220 acquires an image of the periphery of the vehicle 12 captured by the camera 27 and stores it in the storage 20D. Further, the acquisition unit 220 stores the current position of the vehicle 12 measured by the GPS device 23 in the storage 20D as position information.

[0038] When the reception unit 200 receives an abnormality notification, the notification unit 230 has a function of notifying a third party of vehicle information including the position information and the surrounding image of the vehicle 12 stored in the storage 20D of the vehicle 12, and that the vehicle 12 is in an abnormal situation. Here, the third party indicates a police station or a security company. The notification unit 230 of the present embodiment notifies the center server 30 of the vehicle information and that the vehicle 12 is in an abnormal situation, thereby notifying the police station or the security company of the vehicle information and that the vehicle 12 is in an abnormal situation. Further, in the present embodiment, when the reception unit 200 receives an abnormality notification and the inter-vehicle distance acquired by the acquisition unit 220 is less than a predetermined threshold value D1, the notification unit 230 notifies the center server 30 of the vehicle information and that the vehicle 12 is in an abnormal situation.

[0039] Note that the predetermined threshold value D1 may be determined for each positional relationship between the vehicle 12 and the surrounding vehicles. Specifically, when the surrounding vehicle is traveling in the left or right direction with respect to the vehicle 12, the predetermined threshold value D1 may be set smaller than when the surrounding vehicle is traveling in the front or rear direction with respect to the vehicle 12. Further, the predetermined threshold value D1 may be determined according to the traveling speed of the vehicle 12 or the surrounding vehicle, or the type of the vehicle 12 or the surrounding vehicle.

[0040] Further, not limited to whether the inter-vehicle distance acquired by the acquisition unit 220 is less than a predetermined threshold value D1, when the reception unit 200 receives an abnormality notification, the notification unit 230 may notify the center server 30 of the vehicle information and that the vehicle 12 is in an abnormal situation.

[0041] In addition, when the notification unit 230 receives a plurality of abnormality notifications continuously, it notifies the center server 30 of the vehicle information and that the vehicle 12 is in an abnormal situation. When the notification unit 230 receives only one abnormality notification, it may not notify the center server 30 of the vehicle information and that the vehicle 12 is in an abnormal situation.

[0042] Further, the vehicle information may include character information displayed on an identification label such as a license plate of a surrounding vehicle, the lighting state of the headlights of a surrounding vehicle, the lighting state of the turn signals of a surrounding vehicle, and the sounding state of the horn of a surrounding vehicle.

[0043] In addition, when the inter-vehicle distance acquired by the acquisition unit 220 is less than a predetermined threshold value D1 and the reception unit 200 has not received an abnormality notification, the notification unit 230 has a function of notifying the occupant to change the lane in which the vehicle 12 is traveling. In this embodiment, the notification unit 230 performs the above notification via the monitor 25 and the speaker 26.

[0044] In addition, when the reception unit 200 receives an abnormality notification, the notification unit 230 has a function of notifying the occupant to stop the vehicle 12 after changing the lane in which the vehicle 12 is traveling or to move further away from the surrounding vehicles. When the reception unit 200 receives an abnormality notification and the inter-vehicle distance acquired by the acquisition unit 220 is less than a predetermined threshold value D1, the notification unit 230 may perform the above notification.

[0045] (Flow of Control) The flow of the notification process executed in the in-vehicle device 20 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5.

[0046] In step S1 of FIG. 5, the CPU 20A determines whether it has received an abnormality notification from the occupant via the input switch 24. When the CPU 20A receives an abnormality notification from the occupant (step S1: YES), it proceeds to step S2.

[0047] In step S2, the CPU 20A outputs a signal to at least one of the door lock ECU 22A and the window ECU 22B.

[0048] In step S3, the CPU 20A issues a promotion notification. Specifically, the CPU 20A notifies the occupant, via the monitor 25 and the speaker 26, to stop the vehicle 12 after changing the lane in which the vehicle 12 is traveling or to move further away from surrounding vehicles.

[0049] In step S4, the CPU 20A obtains the inter-vehicle distance from the sensor data acquired by the sensor 28.

[0050] In step S5, the CPU 20A determines whether the inter-vehicle distance is less than a predetermined threshold value D1. When the inter-vehicle distance is less than the predetermined threshold value D1 (step S5: YES), the CPU 20A proceeds to step S6. On the other hand, when the inter-vehicle distance is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold value D1 (step S5: NO), the CPU 20A returns to step S1.

[0051] In step S6, the CPU 20A obtains the current position of the vehicle 12 measured by the GPS device 23 and stores the current position in the storage 20D as position information.

[0052] In step S7, the CPU 20A obtains an image of the surroundings of the vehicle 12 captured by the camera 27 and stores it in the storage 20D.

[0053] In step S8, the CPU 20A notifies the center server 30 of the vehicle information including the position information and the surrounding image of the vehicle 12 stored in the storage 20D, as well as the fact that the vehicle 12 is in an abnormal situation, and then returns to step S1.

[0054] On the other hand, when returning to step S1 and the CPU 20A has not received an abnormality notification from the occupant (step S1: NO), it proceeds to step S9. In step S9, the CPU 20A obtains the inter-vehicle distance from the sensor data acquired by the sensor 28.

[0055] In step S10, the CPU 20A determines whether the inter-vehicle distance is less than a predetermined threshold value D1. When the inter-vehicle distance is less than the predetermined threshold value D1 (step S10: YES), the CPU 20A proceeds to step S11. On the other hand, when the inter-vehicle distance is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold value D1 (step S10: NO), it returns to step S1.

[0056] In step S11, the CPU 20A notifies the occupant via the monitor 25 and the speaker 26 to change the lane in which the vehicle 12 is traveling, and then returns to step S1.

[0057] [Remarks] In the above embodiment, the in-vehicle device 20 mounted on the vehicle 12 is applied as the notification device. However, it is not limited to this example. For example, a device configured separately from the vehicle 12 may be applied as the notification device.

[0058] Also, in the above embodiment, a police station or a security company is applied as the third party. However, it is not limited to this example. Any person other than the occupant of the vehicle 12 may be applied as the third party. For example, a person who has not boarded the predetermined vehicle 12, such as a family member or a friend of the occupant of the vehicle 12, may be applied as the third party.

[0059] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the in-vehicle device 20 transmits vehicle information and the fact that the vehicle 12 is in an abnormal situation to the center server 30, thereby notifying a third party of the vehicle information and the fact that the vehicle 12 is in an abnormal situation. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. The in-vehicle device 20 may directly notify a third party of the vehicle information and the fact that the vehicle 12 is in an abnormal situation through a display device or a speaker provided outside the vehicle 12, etc.

[0060] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, various processes executed by the CPU 20A by reading software (program) may be executed by various processors other than the CPU. Examples of the processor in this case include a PLD (Programmable Logic Device) whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacture, such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), and a dedicated electric circuit which is a processor having a circuit configuration dedicated to executing specific processes, such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). Further, the above-described various processes may be executed by one of these various processors, or may be executed by a combination of two or more processors of the same type or different types (for example, a combination of a plurality of FPGAs, and a combination of a CPU and an FPGA, etc.). Further, the hardware structure of these various processors is, more specifically, an electric circuit combining circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

[0061] Also, in the above-described embodiment, an aspect in which the processing program is pre-stored (installed) in the storage 20D has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The program may be provided in a form recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. Further, the program may be in a form downloaded from an external device via a network.

[0062] The processing flow described in the above embodiment is also an example, and unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps may be added, or the processing order may be changed within the scope not departing from the gist.

[0063] In addition, each configuration of the vehicle 12 and the center server 30 described in the above embodiment is an example, and may be changed according to the situation within the scope not departing from the gist.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0064] 12 Vehicle 20 On-vehicle device (notification device) 200 Reception unit 210 Control unit 220 Acquisition unit 230 Notification unit

Claims

1. A reception unit that receives an abnormality notification from a vehicle occupant; When the reception unit receives the abnormality notification, vehicle information including the position information of the vehicle stored in the vehicle and an image around the vehicle, and a notification unit that notifies a third party that the vehicle is in an abnormal situation; Comprising: Further comprising an acquisition unit that acquires the distance between the vehicle and surrounding vehicles around the vehicle; When the reception unit receives the abnormality notification and the distance acquired by the acquisition unit is less than a predetermined threshold value, the notification unit notifies the third party of the vehicle information and that the vehicle is in an abnormal situation Notification device.

2. The notification unit according to claim 1, wherein when the distance acquired by the acquisition unit is less than a predetermined threshold value and the reception unit has not received the abnormality notification, the notification unit notifies the occupant to change the lane in which the vehicle is traveling.

3. The notification device according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that, when the reception unit receives the abnormality notification, performs control to close at least one of the key and window of the vehicle door.

4. The notification device according to claim 1, wherein when the reception unit receives the abnormality notification, the notification unit notifies the occupant to stop the vehicle after changing the lane in which the vehicle is traveling or to move further away from surrounding vehicles around the vehicle.

Images