MOBILE OBJECT SETTING SYSTEM AND MOBILE OBJECT SETTING METHOD

Abstract

To provide a mobile object setting system and a mobile object setting method capable of more appropriately linking an in-vehicle device and an electronic key to improve the convenience of a vehicle in relation to a vehicle control system that automatically adjusts a vehicle environment in conjunction with an in-vehicle device having a user management function.SOLUTION: There is provided a mobile object setting system including a setting device configured to perform a process of setting equipment provided in a mobile object and a plurality of terminal devices capable of communicating with the setting device. The setting device includes: a storage unit configured to store setting information of the equipment and manage the setting information in association with a user of the mobile object; an identification unit configured to identify the user of the mobile object; a detection unit configured to detect a specific action to be performed when the user of the mobile object boards the mobile object; and a setting unit configured to acquire, from the storage unit, the setting information of the equipment associated with the user identified by the identification unit, and set the equipment on the basis of the acquired setting information. The identification unit receives a selection manipulation of the user until a predetermined manipulation is performed after the specific action is detected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a mobile object setting system and a mobile object setting method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a so-called smart entry function has been known that allows vehicle doors to be locked and unlocked without removing a portable device, such as an electronic key, by verifying a key ID (portable device-specific information), which is information unique to each portable device. Regarding such a smart entry function, a technology has been proposed in which personal information stored in a user's electronic key is transmitted to a vehicle-side device via wireless communication, and the vehicle-side device reads setting information associated with the received personal information and automatically adjusts the vehicle environment (e.g., seat position) based on the setting information (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Some conventional smart entry functions allow different setting information to be associated with multiple electronic keys. Recently, a technology for automatically adjusting the vehicle environment has also been developed in which an in-vehicle device connected to a vehicle ECU (Electronic Control Unit) manages users and automatically adjusts the vehicle environment based on the setting information of the logged-in user. In this case, a user can flexibly change the vehicle environment settings by changing the logged-in user, thereby improving the convenience of the vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-214972 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, some users do not necessarily want to configure the vehicle environment in detail, and may want to start using the vehicle simply by operating the electronic key without operating the in-vehicle device. Therefore, it is desirable to improve the convenience of the vehicle by more appropriately linking the in-vehicle device and the electronic key.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a vehicle control system that automatically adjusts the vehicle environment in cooperation with an in-vehicle device having a user management function, and a vehicle setting system and method that can more appropriately link the in-vehicle device with an electronic key to improve vehicle convenience, thereby further improving traffic safety and contributing to the development of a sustainable transportation system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1): A mobile body setting system according to one embodiment of the present invention is a mobile body setting system comprising a setting device for setting equipment possessed by a mobile body, and a plurality of terminal devices capable of communicating with the setting device, wherein the setting device comprises a memory unit for storing setting information for the equipment, the memory unit for managing the setting information by linking it to a user of the mobile body, an identification unit for identifying the user of the mobile body, a detection unit for detecting a specific action performed by the user of the mobile body when boarding the mobile body, and a setting unit for acquiring setting information for the equipment linked to the user identified by the identification unit from the memory unit and configuring the equipment based on the acquired setting information, wherein the identification unit accepts a selection operation from the user between the time the detection unit detects the specific action and the time a predetermined operation is performed.

[0007] (2): In the above aspect (1), the predetermined operation is an operation to start the moving object.

[0008] (3): In the above aspect (2), the setting unit determines the user in response to the specified operation being performed, and configures the device based on the setting information linked to the determined user.

[0009] (4): In the above aspect (1), the identification unit identifies the user of the mobile body based on the user information received from the user's terminal device, and when it receives a selection operation from the user, it overwrites the user information of the user before the change stored in the terminal device with the user information of the user after the change.

[0010] (5): In the above aspect (1), the setting unit sets the position of the seat of the moving body based on the setting information of the user from the time the specific action is detected until the specified operation is performed, and sets the equipment other than the seat after the specified operation is performed.

[0011] (6): In the above aspect (1), the setting unit sets the position of the seat of the moving body based on the setting information received from the terminal device when the user does not perform a selection operation.

[0012] (7): In the above aspect (6), the memory unit stores the setting information of the previous user of the mobile body, and the setting unit sets the equipment other than the seat based on the setting information of the previous user if the user does not perform a selection operation.

[0013] (8): In the above aspect (1), the identification unit is a display device having a display unit that displays a list of users registered in the setting device, and an input unit that accepts an operation to select one of the users displayed on the display unit.

[0014] (9) In the above aspect (1), the specifying unit includes a voice output unit that outputs a voice that prompts the user to perform a selection operation.

[0015] (10): A mobile body setting system according to one embodiment of the present invention is a mobile body setting system comprising a setting device for setting equipment possessed by a mobile body, and a plurality of terminal devices capable of communicating with the setting device, wherein the setting device comprises a memory unit for storing setting information for the equipment, the memory unit for managing the setting information by linking it to a user of the mobile body, an identification unit for identifying the user of the mobile body, a detection unit for detecting a specific action performed by the user of the mobile body when boarding the mobile body, and a setting unit for acquiring setting information for the equipment linked to the user identified by the identification unit from the memory unit and configuring the equipment based on the acquired setting information, wherein the terminal devices store setting information corresponding to any of the users of the mobile body, and when the user of the mobile body is identified by the identification unit, the terminal devices overwrite the previously stored setting information with the setting information of the identified user.

[0016] (11): A mobile body setting method according to one embodiment of the present invention is a setting method for a mobile body by a mobile body setting system including a setting device for setting equipment possessed by the mobile body and a plurality of terminal devices capable of communicating with the setting device, wherein the setting device manages setting information for the equipment by linking it to a user of the mobile body, identifies the user of the mobile body, detects a specific action performed by the user of the mobile body when boarding the mobile body, acquires setting information for the equipment linked to the identified user, and configures the equipment based on the acquired setting information, and accepts a selection operation from the user between the detection of the specific action and the performance of a specified operation.

[0017] (12): A mobile body setting method according to one embodiment of the present invention is a setting method for a mobile body by a mobile body setting system including a setting device for setting equipment possessed by the mobile body and a plurality of terminal devices capable of communicating with the setting device, wherein the setting device manages setting information for the equipment by linking it to a user of the mobile body, identifies the user of the mobile body, detects a specific action performed by the user of the mobile body when boarding the mobile body, acquires setting information for the equipment linked to the identified user, and configures the equipment based on the acquired setting information, and the terminal devices store setting information corresponding to one of the users of the mobile body, and when the user of the mobile body is identified, overwrites the previously stored setting information with the setting information of the identified user. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to (1) to (12), the present invention relates to a vehicle control system that automatically adjusts the vehicle environment in conjunction with an on-board device having a user management function, and can more appropriately link the on-board device with an electronic key to improve the convenience of the vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a vehicle control system 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of account management information 92. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by a control unit 70. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram (part 1) showing an operation example of the vehicle control system 1 according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram (part 2) showing an operation example of the vehicle control system 1 according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of a mobile object setting system and a mobile object setting method of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0021] [1. Overall configuration of vehicle control system] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a vehicle control system 1 according to an embodiment. The vehicle control system 1 includes a plurality of mobile wireless terminals 10 and an in-vehicle device 30 mounted on a vehicle to be controlled (hereinafter referred to as "the vehicle"). The mobile wireless terminal 10 is an example of an "electronic key" for a vehicle. The mobile wireless terminal 10 and the in-vehicle device 30 can communicate with each other via wireless communication, and the in-vehicle device 30 causes the vehicle to perform a predetermined operation upon communication with the mobile wireless terminal 10. This mechanism allows a user to use the mobile wireless terminal 10 to cause the vehicle to perform operations such as unlocking the doors or starting the engine. The vehicle control system 1 is an example of a "mobile object setting system," and the in-vehicle device 30 is an example of a "setting device." The vehicle is an example of a mobile object, and the setting target in the mobile object setting system may be a mobile object other than a vehicle, such as a ship or an aircraft.

[0022] The portable wireless terminals 10A and 10B are examples of multiple portable wireless terminals 10, and have the same functional configuration. Here, two portable wireless terminals 10 are illustrated, assuming a main key and a spare key, but the number of portable wireless terminals 10 may be one, or three or more. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the portable wireless terminals 10A and 10B will be collectively referred to as the portable wireless terminal 10. Furthermore, below, when it is necessary to distinguish between the portable wireless terminals 10A and 10B in the same functional configuration, the reference numerals of the respective functional units may be suffixed with "A" or "B" to distinguish them. For example, "communication unit 12A" refers to the communication unit 12 of the portable wireless terminal 10A. The portable wireless terminal 10 is an example of a "terminal device."

[0023] [2. Configuration of mobile wireless terminal] The portable wireless terminal 10 is, for example, a so-called FOB key (key fob) or a thin card key. These portable wireless terminals 10 are small enough to fit in a wallet, for example. The portable wireless terminal 10 is, for example, several centimeters to 10 cm long, several centimeters to 10 cm wide, and several millimeters to several centimeters thick. In the following embodiment, the portable wireless terminal 10 is described as an FOB key as an example, but it may also be another electronic key. Furthermore, the portable wireless terminal 10 may be a mobile phone such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like to which the above-mentioned functions have been added by installing an application program.

[0024] The portable wireless terminal 10 includes, for example, a communication unit 12, a control unit 14 including an integrated circuit and the like, a memory unit 16, a power receiving unit 18, a power source 20, and a mechanical key 22 housed in a housing 11. The communication unit 12 performs predetermined processing such as amplification and demodulation on received radio waves, and generates radio waves to be transmitted. The memory unit 16 stores in advance identification information (user ID, described below) of one of the users of the vehicle and vehicle environment setting information associated with the identification information.

[0025] The control unit 14 normally controls the mobile wireless terminal 10 to a sleep state, which is a power-saving state. When the control unit 14 receives a request signal from the in-vehicle device 30, it controls the mobile wireless terminal 10 to change from the sleep state to an active state. The control unit 14 causes the communication unit 12 to transmit a response signal (outside or inside the vehicle cabin) that is a response signal in response to the reception of the request signal (outside or inside the vehicle cabin) transmitted from the in-vehicle device 30.

[0026] The power source 20 is, for example, a button battery. The mobile wireless terminal 10 operates using power supplied from the power source 20. If the amount of power stored in the power source 20 (remaining power) is insufficient, the mobile wireless terminal 10 will not operate. In this case, the user must replace the button battery, for example. The power source 20 may be, for example, a battery that can be charged via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) power supply.

[0027] The mechanical key 22 is a key for mechanically unlocking or locking the door (door lock). When the user inserts the mechanical key 22 into the keyhole of the door of the vehicle and performs a predetermined operation, the door lock of the vehicle transitions to an unlocked or locked state.

[0028] [3. Configuration of in-vehicle device] The in-vehicle device 30 is mounted on the vehicle. The in-vehicle device 30 can control each part of the vehicle to perform a predetermined operation. The predetermined operation is an operation for adjusting the vehicle environment of the vehicle to a mode suited to the user. In this embodiment, the in-vehicle device 30 is capable of adjusting the seat position and at least one or more of the vehicle environments other than the seat position. In the following, the seat position is defined as the first vehicle environment, and when there is no need to particularly distinguish between them, at least one or more of the vehicle environments other than the seat position may be collectively referred to as the "second vehicle environment." In this embodiment, the second vehicle environment is not limited to a specific one.

[0029] For example, the second vehicle environment may be the state of various in-vehicle devices other than the seat position. For example, the second vehicle environment may be the angle of the side mirrors, the tilt of the seat, the position or angle of the steering wheel, etc. Furthermore, the second vehicle environment may be the operating state of an HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning), an HCS (Heated Cooled Seat), an MID (Multi-meter Information Display), a HUD (Head-Up Display), etc.

[0030] The second vehicle environment may also be settings related to the operation control of the host vehicle. For example, the second vehicle environment may be settings for unlocking or locking the doors, distance settings for Forward Collision Warning (FCW), timing settings for Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), and alert settings for various driving assistance functions such as Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS), and Rear Side Collision Prevention System (BSI). The second vehicle environment may also be settings related to infotainment devices available in the host vehicle.

[0031] The in-vehicle device 30 has a user account management function (user management function) and can switch the vehicle environment of the vehicle for each user account. More specifically, the in-vehicle device 30 manages setting information of the vehicle environment for each user account, and can switch the vehicle environment for a selected user account by executing processing based on the setting information of the user account. For example, the user management function may be implemented by an operating system. In this case, switching of the vehicle environment may be implemented as a login process for the user account. Furthermore, the automatic seat position adjustment function may be implemented as a function of the operating system or as a function of an application program running on the operating system.

[0032] The vehicle on which the on-vehicle device 30 is mounted may be, for example, a three-wheeled or four-wheeled automobile, including automobiles powered by internal combustion engines such as diesel engines or gasoline engines, electric automobiles powered by electric motors, hybrid automobiles equipped with both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, etc. The electric automobiles are driven by power discharged from batteries such as secondary batteries, hydrogen fuel cells, metal fuel cells, and alcohol fuel cells.

[0033] The in-vehicle device 30 includes, for example, an engine switch unit 32, a power supply unit 34, an information output unit 36, a door lock control unit 38, a door sensor 40, a seat control unit 42, an exterior communication unit 50, an interior communication unit 60, a control unit 70, an engine ECU 82, and an in-vehicle memory unit 90.

[0034] The engine switch unit 32 is, for example, a switch provided in a position where it can be operated by the user of the vehicle. The engine switch unit 32 is, for example, a mechanical switch. When operated by the user, the engine switch unit 32 outputs an operation signal indicating that the switch has been operated to the control unit 70. The engine switch unit 32 is an example of a "detection unit."

[0035] The power supply unit 34 is provided, for example, near the engine switch 32. When the engine switch 32 is operated, the power supply unit 34 supplies power to the mobile wireless terminal 10 located within a predetermined range from the engine switch 32 under the control of the control unit 70. For example, the power supply unit 34 and the power receiving unit 18 of the mobile wireless terminal 10 transmit and receive power using the principle of electromagnetic induction.

[0036] The information output unit 36 ​​outputs predetermined information in accordance with instructions from the control unit 70. The information output unit 36 ​​is a display unit that displays indicators and information as images. The display unit is, for example, a display unit of an instrument panel that displays the status of the vehicle (speed, etc.). The display unit may also be, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electroluminescence) display device. The display unit may also be a head-up display that reflects an image on the window of the vehicle, or a display unit provided in a navigation device. The information output unit 36 ​​may also be a display device in which a display unit and an input unit are integrated, such as a touch panel. The information output unit 36 ​​may also be a speaker that outputs sound.

[0037] The door lock control unit 38 and the seat control unit 42 are realized by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) executing a program. The door lock control unit 38 is connected to a door lock actuator (not shown), a door sensor 40, and the control unit 70. For example, when the door lock control unit 38 receives a signal from the control unit 70 instructing the vehicle's doors to be locked or unlocked, the door lock control unit 38 controls the door lock actuator to lock or unlock the doors. The door lock actuator controls the door lock to an open or closed state by driving a door lock mechanism provided in the vehicle. The door lock control unit 38 may be part of the control unit 70.

[0038] The door sensor 40 is a capacitance change type touch sensor whose capacitance changes when, for example, a user touches a door handle. The door sensor 40 is normally in an OFF state. When a user touches the door handle and the capacitance changes to a predetermined value or more, the door sensor 40 turns ON and outputs an instruction signal to the control unit 70 via the door lock control unit 38 to unlock the door.

[0039] The seat control unit 42 is connected to a seat drive actuator (not shown) and the control unit 70. For example, when the seat control unit 42 receives a signal from the control unit 70 instructing a change in the position of a seat in the vehicle, it controls the seat drive actuator to move the seat forward or backward. The seat control unit 42 typically controls the driver's seat and / or passenger seat, but may also control other seats if they are electrically controllable. The seat drive actuator drives a slide mechanism provided in the vehicle to move the seat forward or backward, thereby moving the seat to a specified position. If the seat is an electrically controllable reclining seat, the seat control unit 42 may be configured to control the seat tilt in addition to the seat position. The seat control unit 42 may be part of the control unit 70.

[0040] The exterior communication unit 50 includes an exterior antenna 52 and an exterior communication unit 54 electrically connected to the exterior antenna 52. The exterior antenna 52 is provided, for example, on the driver's side door mirror or door handle of the vehicle. The exterior communication unit 54 is provided, for example, below the surface of the instrument panel. In response to receiving an instruction signal to unlock or lock the doors from the control unit 70, the exterior communication unit 50 transmits an exterior request signal to the portable wireless terminal 10 outside the vehicle, requesting transmission of a user ID. The exterior antenna 52 receives an exterior response signal transmitted from the portable wireless terminal 10. The exterior communication unit 54 acquires the exterior response signal received by the exterior antenna 52, performs processing such as amplification and decoding on the acquired exterior response signal, and outputs information contained in the exterior response signal to the control unit 70.

[0041] The interior communication unit 60 is provided, for example, below the surface of the instrument panel. The interior communication unit 60 includes an interior antenna 62 and an interior communication unit 64 electrically connected to the interior antenna 62. The interior antenna 62 transmits an interior request signal to the portable wireless terminal 10 inside the vehicle. The interior antenna 62 receives an interior response signal from the portable wireless terminal 10 inside the vehicle. The interior communication unit 64 acquires the interior response signal received by the interior antenna 62, performs processing such as amplification and decoding on the acquired interior signal, and outputs information included in the interior response signal to the control unit 70.

[0042] The control unit 70 includes, for example, a power supply control unit 72, a communication control unit 74, a usage permission unit 76, and a user management unit 78. The power supply control unit 72, the communication control unit 74, the usage permission unit 76, and the user management unit 78 are realized by, for example, a hardware processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) executing a program (software). The program may be implemented, for example, as a vehicle operating system having a control function for the vehicle, or as an application program running on the vehicle operating system. Furthermore, some or all of these components may be realized by hardware (including circuitry) such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or may be realized by a combination of software and hardware. The vehicle-mounted storage unit 90 is realized by, for example, a non-volatile storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and a volatile storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a register, or the like.

[0043] The power supply control section 72 controls the power supply unit 34 to supply power to the mobile wireless terminal 10, and enables the mobile wireless terminal 10 to transmit a user ID to its own vehicle using the supplied power.

[0044] The communication control unit 74 controls the exterior communication unit 50 or the interior communication unit 60 to communicate with the portable wireless terminal 10. When the power supply unit 34 supplies power to the portable wireless terminal 10 by electromagnetic induction and the usage permission unit 76 permits the host vehicle to start, the communication control unit 74 causes the interior communication unit 60 to transmit an interior request signal to the interior of the vehicle, and detects an interior response signal that is a response from the portable wireless terminal 10 to the transmitted interior request signal.

[0045] The usage permission unit 76 determines whether or not to permit the user to use the vehicle. Permission to use the vehicle here refers to, for example, permission to unlock the vehicle's doors or permission to start the vehicle. For example, the usage permission unit 76 compares the user ID received from the mobile wireless terminal 10 using the exterior communication unit 50 with user IDs pre-registered in the vehicle-mounted storage unit 90, and permits the vehicle's doors to be unlocked based on the comparison result. For example, the usage permission unit 76 permits the vehicle's doors to be unlocked when the received user ID matches the user ID pre-registered in the vehicle-mounted storage unit 90. This user ID is included in the exterior response signal.

[0046] Furthermore, for example, the usage permission unit 76 compares the user ID received from the mobile wireless terminal 10 using the in-vehicle communication unit 60 with the user IDs registered in advance in the in-vehicle storage unit 90, and permits the vehicle to start based on the comparison result. The usage permission unit 76 permits the vehicle to start if the received user ID matches the user ID registered in advance in the in-vehicle storage unit 90. This user ID is included in the in-vehicle response signal. The in-vehicle response signal also includes information indicating the remaining amount of power in the power source 20. Permitting the vehicle to start means permitting control to any state, such as starting the engine, starting the motor, or unlocking the steering wheel.

[0047] The user management unit 78 manages user accounts registered in the in-vehicle device 30 for users of the vehicle. Setting information for automatic adjustment of seat position (hereinafter referred to as "seat position setting information") is associated with each user account. User accounts do not necessarily have to correspond one-to-one with users. For example, a user may create multiple user accounts with different settings for seat position setting information and use them according to usage conditions, purposes, etc. For simplicity, it is assumed below that one user account is registered in the in-vehicle device 30 for each user. User account management information (hereinafter referred to as "account management information") is stored, for example, in the in-vehicle storage unit 90.

[0048] The user management unit 78 automatically adjusts the seat position according to a user account designated as a setting target (hereinafter referred to as a "target account"). More specifically, the user management unit 78 acquires seat position setting information for the target user account by referring to the account management information, and automatically adjusts the seat position based on the acquired seat position setting information. The target account may be designated by a user selecting a user account to be used as the target account from among the user accounts registered in the in-vehicle device 30. Alternatively, the target account may be mechanically determined by linking the user ID with the mobile wireless terminal 10 when the user ID is transmitted from the mobile wireless terminal 10. The user management unit 78 is an example of an "identification unit" and a "setting unit".

[0049] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific example of account management information. The account management information 92 is managed, for example, as a table in which a user ID is associated with a corresponding terminal ID and vehicle environment setting information. The user ID is identification information for a user account. The corresponding terminal ID indicates the association between a user account and the mobile wireless terminal 10. In this embodiment, two mobile wireless terminals 10A and 10B are assumed, and therefore, the corresponding terminal ID is associated with any two user IDs. In the example of FIG. 2, the corresponding terminal ID "1" indicates the mobile wireless terminal 10A, and the corresponding terminal ID "2" indicates the mobile wireless terminal 10B. The example of FIG. 2 also indicates a case in which the mobile wireless terminal 10A (here, the corresponding terminal ID "1") is associated with "default user #1," and the mobile wireless terminal 10B (here, the corresponding terminal ID "2") is associated with "default user #2."

[0050] The vehicle environment setting information includes setting information for a seat position as a first vehicle environment and setting information for a second vehicle environment. The seat position setting information is expressed, for example, as a pair of identification information for a seat to be controlled and information on a target seat position (e.g., a displacement amount from a reference position). In the example of FIG. 2, the seat position setting information for "default user #1" indicates that a seat identified by "S1" is to be controlled to a seat position "aaa." In addition, in the example of FIG. 2, the seat position setting information for "default user #2" indicates that a seat identified by "S1" is to be controlled to a seat position "bbb" and that a seat identified by "S2" is to be controlled to a seat position "ccc." In this way, the seat position setting information may include setting information for multiple seats.

[0051] The example in FIG. 2 shows a case where multiple setting patterns (here, patterns 1 to 4) are registered as the seat position setting information for "general user #1." Note that the seat position setting information for "default user #1" and "default user #2" described above are both examples where one setting pattern is registered. Which of the multiple setting patterns is adopted may be determined by a default value or by a selection operation by the user. The multiple setting patterns may be changed by a switching operation by the user, or the previously used pattern may be automatically carried over.

[0052] 2 are default user accounts pre-registered in the in-vehicle device 30 in an initial state, and are user accounts associated with the user's mobile wireless terminal 10. Here, two default user accounts are created assuming two mobile wireless terminals 10A and 10B. For example, the default user accounts are registered in the in-vehicle device 30 by the manufacturer of the vehicle or the manufacturer of the in-vehicle device, or by a car dealer that sells the vehicle or the in-vehicle device. The seat position setting information set in the default user account may be determined uniformly by a registrant (for example, a manufacturer or a car dealer), or may be determined by a registrant to reflect the user's wishes.

[0053] [4. Processing when getting on and starting the vehicle] [4.1. Process when getting in: When the door is unlocked by communication] When the user gets into the vehicle, the following process is performed: For example, when a predetermined condition is met (for example, when the control unit 70 receives an instruction signal to unlock the door), the communication control unit 74 of the control unit 70 causes the exterior communication unit 50 to transmit an exterior request signal.

[0054] When the portable wireless terminal 10 receives the exterior request signal, it transmits an exterior response signal to the exterior communication unit 50 in response to the exterior request signal.

[0055] The user management unit 78 of the control unit 70 determines whether the user ID included in the exterior response signal received by the exterior communication unit 50 matches the user ID stored in the vehicle-mounted storage unit 90. If the user IDs match, the user management unit 78 causes the door lock control unit 38 to unlock the doors of the vehicle. This allows the user to get into (board) the vehicle.

[0056] [4.2. Processing when starting; normal processing] For example, when the door is unlocked through communication as described above and an engine start operation is performed, the communication control unit 74 causes the interior communication unit 60 to transmit an interior request signal. The engine start operation is, for example, an operation in which the engine switch unit 32 is pressed while the brake pedal is depressed. When the mobile wireless terminal 10 receives the interior request signal, it transmits an interior response signal, which is a response to the interior request signal, to the interior communication unit 60.

[0057] The user management unit 78 of the control unit 70 determines whether the user ID included in the in-vehicle response signal received by the in-vehicle communication unit 60 matches the user ID stored in the in-vehicle storage unit 90. If the user IDs match, the user management unit 78 causes the engine ECU 82 to operate the engine. This allows the user to start the engine of the vehicle.

[0058] [5. Automatic adjustment function for vehicle environment] Fig. 3 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the in-vehicle device 30 for automatic adjustment of the vehicle environment. Fig. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a situation in which the flowchart of Fig. 3 is executed. The flow of the flowchart of Fig. 3 will be described below with reference to Fig. 4 as needed.

[0059] (Door lock unlocked) First, at the start of the flowchart, a user carrying the mobile wireless terminal 10A approaches the vehicle to begin using the vehicle. In this situation, the in-vehicle device 30 detects the mobile wireless terminal 10A and transmits a request signal to receive a user ID from the mobile wireless terminal 10A (S101). Next, the in-vehicle device 30 compares the received user ID with a user ID pre-registered in the in-vehicle storage unit 90 (S102), and if the two match, unlocks the vehicle's doors (S103). In response to unlocking the doors, the in-vehicle device 30 automatically adjusts the seat position (S104). More specifically, the in-vehicle device 30 acquires seat position setting information associated with the mobile wireless terminal 10A and automatically adjusts the seat position. In this case, for example, the seat is moved to a registered entry position.

[0060] (Door open and user account selection screen displayed) Next, the user opens the door of the vehicle whose door lock is unlocked. When the door sensor 40 detects this operation (S105), the in-vehicle device 30 transitions from the power-saving state to the normal state (S106). When the in-vehicle device 30 transitions to the activated state, it displays a screen prompting the user to select a user account (S107) and becomes ready to accept the user account selection operation. For example, in the activated state, the in-vehicle device 30 displays a user account selection screen G10 as illustrated in FIG. 4. The user account selection screen G10 displays a list L1 of selectable user accounts, including "Default User #1," "General User #1," and "Guest User," as well as a button interface BT1 for accepting an operation to add a new user. Note that the time required for the in-vehicle device 30 to return to the normal state from the power-saving state is short (several seconds), and the timing of the door opening detection and the timing of the in-vehicle device 30 returning to the normal state can be considered to be approximately the same. The user management unit 78 may be configured to include a voice output unit that prompts the user to select a user account by voice when the user account selection screen is displayed.

[0061] Furthermore, in the initial state after startup, the in-vehicle device 30 displays the user account selection screen G10 with the user account selected the last time the vehicle was used (hereinafter referred to as the "previously selected user") selected. The example in FIG. 4 shows a case where the previously selected user is "default user #1." In order to display this screen, the user management unit 78 of the in-vehicle device 30 stores information about the previously selected user in the in-vehicle storage unit 90. In this state, the user can select another user account that was not selected in the initial state, or can proceed to the next engine start operation without selecting another user account. In the latter case, the user account selected in the initial state (the previously selected user) will be used.

[0062] (engine start) When the in-vehicle device 30 detects that an engine start operation has been performed with any user account selected (S108), it automatically adjusts the vehicle environment, including the seat position, based on the vehicle environment setting information of the selected user account or the vehicle environment setting information of the previously selected user (S109). Here, the state in which any user account has been selected includes a state in which the previously selected user is automatically selected in the initial state and a state in which a user account different from the previously selected user is selected. In this case, the in-vehicle device 30 determines which user account's vehicle environment setting information to use for the automatic adjustment, depending on the situation before the engine start operation.

[0063] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of an operation for automatically adjusting a vehicle environment. Assume that a “default user #1,” a “default user #2,” and a “general user #1” are registered in the in-vehicle device 30, and the user uses the mobile wireless terminal 10A to use the vehicle. The first operation example is an example of an operation in which the user of the mobile wireless terminal 10A is the “default user #1,” the user account associated with the mobile wireless terminal 10A is the “default user #1,” the user account selected the previous time (previously selected user) is the “default user #1,” and the user starts the engine without changing the default user account. In this case, the in-vehicle device 30 automatically adjusts the seat position and the second vehicle environment based on the vehicle environment setting information for the “default user #1” selected initially. In this case, the user can adjust the vehicle environment of the vehicle based on the settings configured for the user without selecting (changing) a user account. In this case, since the user account has not been changed from the initial selection state, the in-vehicle device 30 does not change the association between the mobile wireless terminal 10A and the user account.

[0064] Next, the second operation example is an operation example in which the user of the mobile wireless terminal 10A is a user of "default user #1," the user account linked to the mobile wireless terminal 10A is "default user #1," the previously selected user is "general user #1," and the user performs an engine start operation without changing the user account from the initial state. In this case, the in-vehicle device 30 automatically adjusts the seat position based on the vehicle environment setting information of the "default user #1" selected in the initial state. On the other hand, the in-vehicle device 30 automatically adjusts the second vehicle environment based on the vehicle environment setting information of the "general user #1," who is the previously selected user. In this case, even if the user does not change the user account before the engine start operation, the user can at least adjust the seat position based on the settings / configuration for the user. In this case, because the user account has not been changed from the initial selection state, the in-vehicle device 30 does not change the association between the mobile wireless terminal 10A and the user account. In this case, the next time the user uses the vehicle, the current user's user account will be the previously selected user, so the current user can adjust both the first vehicle environment (seat position) and the second vehicle environment of their own vehicle with the settings they have set / configured for themselves without having to change their user account the next time they use the vehicle.

[0065] Next, the third operation example is an operation example in which the user of the mobile wireless terminal 10A is a user of "default user #2," the user account linked to the mobile wireless terminal 10A is "general user #1," the previously selected user is "general user #1," and the user changes the user account from the initial state to "default user #2" and then performs an engine start operation. In this case, the in-vehicle device 30 automatically adjusts the seat position and the second vehicle environment based on the vehicle environment setting information of the changed "default user #2." In this case, since the user account has been changed from the initial selected state, the in-vehicle device 30 changes the user account linkage with the mobile wireless terminal 10A from "general user #1" to "default user #2." In this case, the mobile wireless terminal 10A acquires the changed user information (user ID and vehicle environment setting information) from the in-vehicle device 30 and overwrites the stored user information before the change with the changed user information. In this way, if the user of the mobile wireless terminal 10A and the association between the mobile wireless terminal 10A and the user account are not consistent, the in-vehicle device 30 automatically adjusts the vehicle environment using the vehicle environment setting information of the changed user account and updates the association between the mobile wireless terminal 10A and the user account. In this case, the next time the current user uses the vehicle, the user account will be the previously selected user account, so the current user can adjust both the first vehicle environment (seat position) and the second vehicle environment of the vehicle with the settings that have been set / configured for the current user, without having to change the user account the next time the current user uses the vehicle.

[0066] According to the embodiment of the vehicle control system 1 described above, the vehicle control system 1 automatically adjusts the vehicle environment in conjunction with an on-board device having a user management function, and can more appropriately link the on-board device with the electronic key, thereby improving the convenience of the vehicle.

[0067] As described above, the in-vehicle device 30 of the embodiment has a user management function and can manage automatic adjustment of the vehicle environment for each user account. However, in vehicles equipped with conventional in-vehicle devices that do not have such a function, automatic adjustment of the vehicle environment is managed by linking it to a mobile wireless terminal. However, among users of such conventional vehicles, there are quite a few who prefer the feel and operability of the conventional method for automatic adjustment of the vehicle environment. On the other hand, as information devices become more sophisticated, it is expected that in-vehicle devices, like the in-vehicle device 30 of the embodiment, that have a user management function and can manage various vehicle-related settings for each user account will become more common in the future. The in-vehicle device 30 of the embodiment can accommodate such advances in in-vehicle devices while achieving the same feel and operability as the conventional method for automatic adjustment of the vehicle environment.

[0068] In the above embodiment, a case was described in which a user account change operation is accepted during the period from when a door opening (an example of a specific action) is detected until an engine start operation is performed, but the start timing of this period may be when the door lock is released instead of when the door opening is detected, or when the approach of a user is detected (for example, when a request signal is sent).

[0069] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the case where the usage permission unit 76 grants permission to use the vehicle independently of the user management function has been described. However, the usage permission unit 76 may be configured to grant permission to use the vehicle in cooperation with the user management function. For example, the user IDs registered in the vehicle-mounted storage unit 90 may be managed using the account management information 92. In this case, the usage permission unit 76 may be configured to recognize the target account and the corresponding user ID by comparing the user ID with the account management information 92. In this case, the usage permission unit 76 may be configured to perform an automatic adjustment process for the vehicle environment following the granting of permission to use the vehicle.

[0070] Furthermore, the user management unit 78 of the in-vehicle device 30 may perform a login process for a user account. For example, the user management unit 78 may be configured to manage a password for each user ID, and transition to a logged-in state when the user ID and password entered by the user match those managed by the in-vehicle device 30. In this case, the automatic adjustment of the vehicle environment may be performed as part of the process of transitioning to the logged-in state.

[0071] The user management unit 78 may also be configured to switch setting patterns of the seat position setting information in response to an operation of an input device such as a switch or a button. For example, such an input device may be realized as a door switch. For example, door switches corresponding to the respective setting patterns may be provided, and the setting pattern associated with the operated door switch may be selected. The user management unit 78 may also automatically adjust the vehicle environment in response to this selection. The user management unit 78 may also be configured to provide a single door switch instead of multiple door switches, switch setting patterns each time the door switch is operated, or recognize the setting pattern to be selected based on the manner of operation (for example, the number of button operations or the duration of button depression).

[0072] The above describes the form for carrying out the present invention using an embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and various modifications and substitutions can be made within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1...vehicle control system, 10, 10A, 10B...mobile wireless terminal, 11...casing, 12...communication unit, 14...control unit, 16...storage unit, 18...power receiving unit, 20...power source, 22...mechanical key, 30...in-vehicle device, 32...engine switch unit, 34...power supply unit, 36...information output unit, 38...door lock control unit, 40...door sensor, 42...seat control unit, 50...exterior communication unit, 52...exterior antenna, 54...exterior communication unit, 60...interior communication unit, 62...interior antenna, 64...interior communication unit, 70...control unit, 72...power supply control unit, 74...communication control unit, 76...usage permission unit, 78...user management unit, 82...engine ECU, 90...in-vehicle memory unit, 92...account management information

Claims

1. A mobile object setting system including a setting device that sets devices of a mobile object, and a plurality of terminal devices that can communicate with the setting device, The setting device includes: a storage unit that stores setting information of the device, the storage unit managing the setting information in association with a user of the mobile body; an identification unit for identifying a user of the mobile object; a detection unit that detects a specific action performed by a user of the moving body when boarding the moving body; a setting unit that acquires, from the storage unit, setting information of the device associated with the user identified by the identification unit, and configures the device based on the acquired setting information; Equipped with the identification unit identifies a user of the mobile object based on user information received from the terminal device, the detection unit receives a selection operation from the user during a period from when the specific action is detected until a predetermined operation is performed; When the selection operation is accepted, the user information of the pre-change user linked to the terminal device is updated so as to be linked to the user information selected by the selection operation. Mobile configuration system.

2. A mobile object setting system comprising a setting device for setting devices possessed by a mobile object, and a plurality of terminal devices capable of communicating with the setting device, The setting device includes: a storage unit that stores setting information of the device, the storage unit managing the setting information in association with a user of the mobile body; an identification unit for identifying a user of the mobile object; a detection unit that detects a specific action performed by a user of the moving body when boarding the moving body; a setting unit that acquires, from the storage unit, setting information of the device associated with the user identified by the identification unit, and configures the device based on the acquired setting information; Equipped with the identification unit accepts a selection operation by the user during a period from when the detection unit detects the specific behavior to when a predetermined operation is performed; the setting unit sets the position of the seat of the moving body based on the setting information of the user during the period from when the specific action is detected until when the predetermined operation is performed, and sets devices other than the seat after the predetermined operation is performed. Mobile configuration system.

3. A mobile object setting system comprising a setting device for setting devices possessed by a mobile object, and a plurality of terminal devices capable of communicating with the setting device, The setting device includes: a storage unit that stores setting information of the device, the storage unit managing the setting information in association with a user of the mobile body; an identification unit for identifying a user of the mobile object; a detection unit that detects a specific action performed by a user of the moving body when boarding the moving body; a setting unit that acquires, from the storage unit, setting information of the device associated with the user identified by the identification unit, and configures the device based on the acquired setting information; Equipped with the storage unit stores setting information of a previous user of the mobile object; the identification unit accepts a selection operation by the user during a period from when the detection unit detects the specific behavior to when a predetermined operation is performed; the setting unit sets the position of the seat of the moving body based on the setting information received from the terminal device when the user has not performed a selection operation, and sets the devices other than the seat based on the setting information of the previous user. Mobile configuration system.

4. the predetermined operation is an operation of starting the moving object, The mobile object setting system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. the setting unit determines the user in response to the predetermined operation being performed, and configures the device based on setting information associated with the determined user. The mobile object setting system according to claim 4 .

6. the specifying unit is a display device including a display unit that displays a list of users registered in the setting device, and an input unit that accepts an operation to select one user from the users displayed on the display unit. The mobile object setting system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. the specifying unit includes a voice output unit that outputs a voice prompting a user to perform a selection operation. The mobile object setting system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

8. A mobile object setting method using a mobile object setting system including a setting device that sets devices of the mobile object and a plurality of terminal devices that can communicate with the setting device, comprising: The setting device managing the setting information of the device in association with the user of the mobile body; Identifying a user of the mobile object; Detecting a specific action taken by a user of the vehicle when boarding the vehicle; acquiring setting information of the device associated with the specified user, and configuring the device based on the acquired setting information; The setting device includes: Identifying the user of the mobile object based on the user information received from the terminal device; accepting a selection operation by the user during the period from when the specific action is detected until when a predetermined operation is performed; When the selection operation is accepted, the user information of the pre-change user linked to the terminal device is updated so as to be linked to the user information selected by the selection operation. How to set up a mobile device.

9. A method for configuring a mobile object using a mobile object configuration system including a configuration device for configuring equipment of the mobile object and a plurality of terminal devices capable of communicating with the configuration device, comprising: The setting device managing the setting information of the device in association with the user of the mobile body; Identifying a user of the mobile object; Detecting a specific action taken by a user of the vehicle when boarding the vehicle; acquiring setting information of the device associated with the specified user, and configuring the device based on the acquired setting information; The setting device includes: Accepting a selection operation by the user during the period from when the specific behavior is detected until when a predetermined operation is performed; setting the position of the seat of the moving body based on the setting information of the user during the period from when the specific action is detected until when the predetermined operation is performed, and setting devices other than the seat after the predetermined operation is performed; How to set up a mobile device.

10. A method for configuring a mobile object using a mobile object configuration system including a configuration device for configuring equipment of the mobile object and a plurality of terminal devices capable of communicating with the configuration device, comprising: The setting device managing the setting information of the device in association with the user of the mobile body; Identifying a user of the mobile object; Detecting a specific action taken by a user of the vehicle when boarding the vehicle; acquiring setting information of the device associated with the specified user, and configuring the device based on the acquired setting information; The setting device includes: Accepting a selection operation by the user during the period from when the specific behavior is detected until when a predetermined operation is performed; If the user does not perform a selection operation, the position of the seat of the moving body is set based on the setting information received from the terminal device. How to set up a mobile device.

Images