vehicle

Abstract

To enhance a user's sense of security when receiving charging service.SOLUTION: A vehicle comprises a camera mounted in the vehicle to take images of the inside of the vehicle, a detection mechanism for detecting unlocking of the vehicle by a predesignated worker, and a control part for making the camera take images of a predetermined area when it is detected that the vehicle has been unlocked by the worker.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle receiving a charging service. [Background technology]

[0002] A system has been proposed for reserving a charging service provided by a business operator when the battery charge level of a vehicle powered by electricity falls below a predetermined value (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The service described in the prior art involves a business operator's power supply vehicle dispatching to the location of the vehicle requiring charging, and an operator of the power supply vehicle inserting a charging plug into the vehicle's charging port to charge the battery. According to such prior art, a third party can charge the vehicle's battery even while the user is away from the vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-121885 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when a user is away from the vehicle, a worker of a charging service provider needs to open the door of the user's vehicle and unlock the power port in order to charge the user's vehicle. This can cause anxiety for users, who may be concerned that the worker may perform unauthorized operations in the vehicle other than those required for charging while the user is away.

[0005] The purpose of the present disclosure, made in consideration of the above circumstances, is to improve the sense of security of users when receiving charging services. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A vehicle according to one embodiment of the present disclosure that solves the above problem is characterized by comprising a camera mounted on the vehicle that captures images of the interior of the vehicle, a detection mechanism that detects the unlocking of the vehicle by a pre-designated worker, and a control unit that causes the camera to begin capturing images of a predetermined range when the detection mechanism detects that the vehicle has been unlocked by the worker. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the sense of security of users when receiving charging services. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a system including a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the vehicle shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which an operator is riding in the vehicle of FIG. 1, with a part of the vehicle compartment cut away. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the vehicle in FIG. 1 is being charged by a charging vehicle. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing a process in which a control unit of the vehicle in FIG. 1 accepts settings of an imaging range from a user terminal. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of an imaging process executed by a control unit of the vehicle in FIG. 1 when receiving a charging service. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (System configuration) Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the drawings used in the following description are schematic. The dimensions and ratios in the drawings do not necessarily correspond to the actual dimensions and ratios.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram of a system 1 that dispatches a power supply vehicle 70 (see Fig. 4) that provides a charging service to a vehicle 10 of a user upon request from the user. The system 1 includes the vehicle 10, a server 20, a user terminal 30, and an operator terminal 40, as well as a network 50 that connects these components so that they can communicate with each other. There are one or more vehicles 10, one or more user terminals 30, and one or more operator terminals 40.

[0011] The vehicle 10 is an externally chargeable electric vehicle, such as a battery electric vehicle (BEV) or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).

[0012] The server 20 is a computer operated by a business that provides charging services. The server 20 can receive charging requests from an information terminal installed in the user's vehicle 10 or a user terminal 30 carried by the user. Charging requests include requests for immediate charging and requests for reserving charging at a specified time. Based on the charging request from the user, the server 20 assigns a worker 60 (see FIG. 3) and a power supply vehicle 70 (see FIG. 4) to be dispatched to the user's vehicle 10. The processing performed by the server 20 may be distributed and executed by multiple computers.

[0013] The user terminal 30 is an information processing device such as a personal computer (PC), smartphone, or portable information terminal owned by the user. The user terminal 30 includes a display for displaying information, an input unit for inputting information, a processor for executing various arithmetic operations, and a memory for storing information and programs. The user terminal 30 may be equipped with an application provided by a service provider for receiving the charging service. If the charging service is provided as a membership-based service, the user uses the user terminal 30 to register information about the vehicle 10 in advance with the server 20. The registered information about the vehicle 10 includes information such as the vehicle registration number, model and color of the vehicle 10, information for communicating with the vehicle 10, and the like. The user can use the user terminal 30 to request charging of the vehicle 10 from the server 20. The request for charging to the server 20 may include identification information of the user registered with the server 20, the time and location of charging, and identification information of the vehicle 10 registered with the server 20, and the like.

[0014] The worker terminal 40 is a mobile information terminal such as a smartphone carried by a worker 60 of a business providing a charging service. The worker terminal 40 includes a display for displaying information, an input unit for inputting information, a processor for executing various arithmetic processes, and a memory for storing information and programs. The worker terminal 40 can receive schedule information for charging using the power supply vehicle 70 from the server 20. The schedule information received by the worker terminal 40 includes the time and location for charging one or more vehicles 10, as well as identification information of the vehicle 10, such as the registration number, model, and color. The worker terminal 40 may also receive a digital key for unlocking the vehicle 10.

[0015] The network 50 includes a wide area network such as the Internet. The vehicle 10, the server 20, the user terminal 30, and the worker terminal 40 are connected to the wide area network via access lines. Examples of access lines include, but are not limited to, a third generation mobile communication system (3G), a fourth generation mobile communication system (4G) such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), a fifth generation mobile communication system (5G), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access).

[0016] (Vehicle configuration) 2 and 3, vehicle 10 includes a control unit 11, a communication unit 12, a memory unit 13, a camera 14, a battery 15, a charging port 16, a charging port operation unit 17, and a detection mechanism 18. In addition to these components, vehicle 10 also includes a drive mechanism, a braking mechanism, a control mechanism, sensors, safety equipment, and the like that are typically included in vehicle 10. Vehicle 10 may further include an information terminal for requesting charging from server 20. In the following description, it is assumed that the user uses user terminal 30, rather than an information terminal provided in vehicle 10.

[0017] The control unit 11 includes at least one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or GPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA or an ASIC. The control unit 11 executes various processes described below when the vehicle 10 is charged using a charging service. Some of the processes executed by the control unit 11 may be executed by an external information processing device such as a server 20. Even when an external information processing device executes some of the processes of the control unit 11, control of each part of the vehicle 10 is executed via the control unit 11. Therefore, the processes executed by the control unit 11 in cooperation with the external information processing device are considered to be processes executed by the control unit 11.

[0018] The communication unit 12 includes at least one external communication interface connected to the network 50. The external communication interface is, for example, an interface compatible with a mobile communication standard such as LTE, 4G, or 5G. The communication unit 12 receives data used in the operation of the vehicle 10 and transmits data obtained by the operation of the vehicle 10 to an external device (for example, the server 20). The communication unit 12 may further include a communication interface for performing short-range wireless communication with the worker terminal 40. Examples of short-range wireless communication include Near Field Communication (NFC), Bluetooth (registered trademark), and Infrared Data Association (IrDA), etc.

[0019] The storage unit 13 includes one or more memories. The memories may be, for example, semiconductor memories, magnetic memories, optical memories, etc., but are not limited to these. Each memory included in the storage unit 13 may function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 13 stores any information used in the operation of the vehicle 10. For example, the storage unit 13 may store system programs, application programs, embedded software, etc. The storage unit 13 can sequentially store images captured by the camera 14.

[0020] The camera 14 is an imaging device that captures images of the interior of the vehicle 10. The camera 14 includes an imaging element. The imaging element includes a charge-coupled device image sensor (CCD image sensor) and a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor. The camera 14 is disposed, for example, on the upper interior side of the front windshield of the vehicle 10. The location of the camera 14 is not limited to this. The camera 14 can change the range from which it acquires images. For example, the camera 14 may be equipped with a wide-angle lens to capture a wide range and change the range from which an image is cropped from the entire captured image. The image cropping may be performed by the control unit 11 rather than the camera 14. In this application, the range of an image cropped from a wider imaging range may also be referred to as the imaging range. The camera 14 may have a relatively narrow imaging area and may be equipped with a drive mechanism that changes the orientation of the optical axis O of the optical system to change the imaging range. The drive mechanism may be a motor or the like controlled by the control unit 11.

[0021] The battery 15 is configured to include a secondary battery that can be repeatedly charged and discharged, such as a lithium-ion secondary battery or a nickel-metal hydride secondary battery. The vehicle 10 may employ other power storage devices, such as a multilayer capacitor, instead of a secondary battery. The battery 15 includes a control circuit that controls the current, voltage, temperature, etc. The battery 15 is configured to be able to acquire the remaining battery capacity of the secondary battery and transmit it to the control unit 11. The battery 15 may be placed anywhere in the vehicle 10, such as under the rear seat or in the luggage compartment.

[0022] The charging port 16 is a connection portion for charging the battery 15 from an external source. The charging port 16 includes a charging inlet that connects to a connector 72 (see FIG. 4) of a charging cable 71 from an external charging device. The charging port 16 is equipped with an openable charging port cover 16a that protects the charging inlet from the outside when charging is not in progress. The charging port cover 16a is locked when charging is not in progress to protect the charging port 16. When charging the vehicle 10, the charging port cover 16a must be in the open position. The charging port 16 may be located anywhere on the vehicle 10, such as above the front grille, front fender, rear fender, or rear bumper. In FIG. 4, the charging port 16 is located above the front grille.

[0023] Charging port operation unit 17 is a lever, switch, or the like provided inside the vehicle cabin for unlocking charging port cover 16a of charging port 16. Charging port operation unit 17 may also be referred to as a charging port unlock lever. Charging port operation unit 17 is located in a position that can be operated from the driver's seat of vehicle 10, and may be located, for example, next to the steering wheel of vehicle 10 or below the instrument panel.

[0024] The detection mechanism 18 detects the unlocking and locking of the doors of the vehicle 10 by a pre-designated worker 60 and notifies the control unit 11. The detection mechanism 18 may be a sensor that detects the unlocking of the doors. The detection mechanism 18 may be a program incorporated in an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that controls the door locks of the vehicle 10, and may be configured to send a signal to notify the control unit 11 of the unlocking when the locks are unlocked.

[0025] (Charging procedure) When a user uses the service of a business operator that provides charging services, the user can operate the user terminal 30 to launch an application and transmit to the server 20 information on the time, location, and vehicle 10 for which charging is requested.

[0026] The server 20 determines a charging schedule for a plurality of vehicles 10 by one or more workers 60 and one or more power supply vehicles 70, based on charging requests received from one or more users. The server 20 transmits the charging schedule of each worker 60 to the worker terminal 40 carried by the worker 60. The charging schedule of the worker 60 includes the power supply vehicle 70 to be used, the charging time, location, and identification information of the vehicle 10 to be charged, etc. The server 20 may transmit information required to unlock the vehicle 10 to be charged, such as a digital key, to the worker terminal 40.

[0027] According to the charging schedule, worker 60 gets into power supply vehicle 70 and heads to the location where user's vehicle 10 is parked. When worker 60 arrives at the location where user's vehicle 10 is parked, worker 60 unlocks vehicle 10 and gets into vehicle 10 as shown in FIG. 3 . Worker 60 operates charging port operating unit 17 inside vehicle 10 to unlock charging port cover 16a of charging port 16.

[0028] After unlocking the charging port cover 16a, the worker 60 extends the charging cable 71 from the power supply vehicle 70 and connects the connector 72 at the end of the charging cable 71 to the charging port 16 of the vehicle 10, as shown in FIG. 4. Then, the worker 60 starts charging the vehicle 10 with the power supply vehicle 70.

[0029] As described above, to start charging, worker 60 needs to unlock vehicle 10. However, the user of vehicle 10 may feel uneasy about vehicle 10 being unlocked when the user is not present. For this reason, vehicle 10 is configured so that, when worker 60 unlocks vehicle 10, camera 14 starts capturing an image of a predetermined range under the control of control unit 11.

[0030] Capturing an image of a predetermined range includes both cutting out an image of the predetermined range from an entire image captured using wide-angle camera 14 and capturing an image of the predetermined range by moving the direction of optical axis O of camera 14. The predetermined range may be, for example, the range in which at least one of the right hand and left hand of worker 60 is present. In this case, control unit 11 analyzes the image captured by camera 14, recognizes the position of at least one of the right hand and left hand, and captures an image of that position.

[0031] The control unit 11 may be configured to recognize a human right hand and a left hand from a captured image through machine learning. For this purpose, the storage unit 13 of the vehicle 10 may store a trained model that has been trained by machine learning using images of various people's hands as training data. The control unit 11 may input an image acquired from the camera 14 to the trained model, recognize the right hand and the left hand in the image, and output their positions.

[0032] The control unit 11 may accept a designation of an imaging range as a predetermined range in advance. A user can designate the imaging range using the user terminal 30. The control unit 11 captures an image of the interior of the vehicle 10 based on the designation of the imaging range that has been accepted.

[0033] (How to set the imaging range) A method by which the control unit 11 accepts a designation of an imaging range will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5. This process is initiated by the user in advance, before the vehicle 10 is charged by the power supply vehicle 70. The method disclosed in this specification can be executed by a processor included in the control unit 11 according to a program. Such a program can be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include, but are not limited to, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a flash memory, a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, etc. The same applies to the imaging method shown in FIG. 6, which will be described later.

[0034] When the user operates the user terminal 30 to start an application and start specifying the imaging range, a start instruction is transmitted from the user terminal 30 to the vehicle 10. This start instruction may be transmitted via the server 20. As a result, the control unit 11 of the vehicle 10 receives the instruction to start setting the imaging range via the communication unit 12 (step S101).

[0035] Upon receiving the instruction to start setting the imaging range, the control unit 11 controls the camera 14 to capture an image of the inside of the vehicle 10 so that the user can confirm the imaging range, and transmits the image to the user terminal 30 via the communication unit 12 (step S102). The user terminal 30 displays the image captured by the camera 14 received from the vehicle 10 on the display.

[0036] Next, the control unit 11 determines whether the user manually switches the imaging range to be sequentially displayed to the user (step S103). The imaging range switching method may be a switching method selected in advance by the user and stored in the storage unit 13. The control unit 11 may read out this pre-selected switching method from the storage unit 13 and set the switching method. Alternatively, the user may select the imaging range switching method using the user terminal 30 and transmit the selected method to the vehicle 10 every time the user sets the imaging range.

[0037] When manual switching is selected as the method for switching the imaging range (step S103: Yes), control unit 11 accepts a change in the imaging range of camera 14 from user terminal 30 via communication unit 12. In this case, the user operates the input unit of user terminal 30 to instruct a change in the orientation of camera 14. For example, the user may instruct a change in the imaging range by moving their finger on a captured image displayed on a touch panel display. Control unit 11 acquires the user's instruction to change the imaging range via communication unit 12, and changes the imaging range of camera 14 in accordance with the instruction (step S104).

[0038] The user can specify the imaging range while viewing the image displayed on the display using the user terminal 30. If the user has a location of interest, the user can display the location and check it. For example, if the user has left valuables on the dashboard 10a of the vehicle 10, the user can display an image of the dashboard 10a. The user can specify a specific location, such as the dashboard 10a or the glove compartment, as the imaging range.

[0039] The user may specify multiple imaging ranges using the user terminal 30. When multiple imaging ranges are specified from the user terminal 30, the control unit 11 may repeatedly display the multiple imaging ranges by switching between them in order when the worker 60 unlocks the vehicle 10 for charging.

[0040] When manual switching is not selected as the method for switching the imaging range (step S103: No), control unit 11 causes camera 14 to change the imaging range in a predetermined order (step S105). For example, control unit 11 controls the imaging range of camera 14 to capture images sequentially, starting from an area close to charging port operation unit 17 that operates charging port 16, to an area far from charging port operation unit 17. Control unit 11 then causes communication unit 12 to sequentially transmit the captured images to user terminal 30 so that the user can confirm the imaging range. While viewing the images sequentially displayed on the display of user terminal 30, the user specifies the imaging range of an image that the user determines is necessary as the imaging range.

[0041] The control unit 11 of the vehicle 10 receives the imaging range specified by the user using the user terminal 30 as an instruction to set the imaging range (step S106).

[0042] The control unit 11 of the vehicle 10 determines the imaging range in accordance with the received setting instruction, and stores the determined imaging range in the storage unit 13 (step S107).

[0043] In this way, the user can use the user terminal 30 to set, for the vehicle 10, the image capturing range of the interior of the vehicle cabin when the vehicle 10 receives a charging service.

[0044] (Image capture process when receiving charging service) A method for capturing an image of the worker 60 when the vehicle 10 is unlocked to receive a charging service will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0045] First, when an operator 60 of a charging service provider unlocks the vehicle 10, the control unit 11 detects this using the detection mechanism 18 (step S201). Methods for unlocking the vehicle 10 include a method in which the server 20 transmits a digital key for the vehicle 10 to the operator terminal 40, and the operator 60 holds the operator terminal 40 over a predetermined location on the vehicle 10 to transmit the digital key to the vehicle 10 via short-range wireless communication. In addition to the method using a digital key, the server 20 may acquire location information for the vehicle 10 and the operator terminal 40, and when the two pieces of location information approximately match, transmit a signal to the vehicle 10 instructing it to unlock. This method assumes that both the vehicle 10 and the operator terminal 40 have means for detecting location information, such as a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver, and are configured to transmit their current locations to the server 20. The vehicle 10 may be unlocked using any other method. The detection mechanism 18 can detect that the vehicle 10 has been unlocked using any unlocking method. When detecting that the worker 60 has unlocked the vehicle 10, the control unit 11 may activate the camera 14.

[0046] When the detection mechanism 18 detects that the vehicle 10 has been unlocked by the worker 60, the control unit 11 notifies the user terminal 30 that the vehicle 10 has been unlocked (step S202). This function of notifying that the vehicle 10 has been unlocked may be turnable on and off. When this function is on, the user can know that charging of the vehicle 10 is about to begin.

[0047] Next, the control unit 11 determines whether or not to send the image to the user terminal 30 (step S203). Whether or not to send the image to the user terminal 30 may be set in advance by the user using the user terminal 30. Information on whether or not to send the image to the user terminal 30 may be stored in advance in the storage unit 13 so that it can be referenced by the control unit 11. Furthermore, whether or not to send the image to the user terminal 30 may be selected by the user using the user terminal 30 when the user terminal 30 receives the notification in step S202. The result of the user's selection using the user terminal 30 is transmitted to the vehicle 10.

[0048] When the control unit 11 determines that an image should be transmitted (step S203: Yes), the control unit 11 enters an image transmission mode (step S204). In the image transmission mode, the control unit 11 causes the communication unit 12 to transmit images captured by the camera 14 to the user terminal 30 of the user in real time. The user terminal 30 can display the images received via the network 50 on a display. This allows the user to check images inside the vehicle 10 in real time.

[0049] On the other hand, if the control unit 11 determines not to transmit an image (step S203: No), the control unit 11 enters image recording mode (step S205). In the image recording mode, the control unit 11 stores an image captured by the camera 14 in the memory unit 13. The image stored in the memory unit 13 can be played back later using the user terminal 30 or another information terminal. Note that even in the image transmission mode, the control unit 11 can store the image in the memory unit 13 in parallel with transmitting the image to the user terminal 30.

[0050] Next, control unit 11 checks whether or not the user has set an imaging range (step S206). The imaging range is set according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, which has already been described. Whether or not an imaging range has been set may be stored in advance in storage unit 13. When control unit 11 determines by referring to storage unit 13 that an imaging range has been set (step S206: Yes), it displays an image of the imaging range specified in the flowchart of FIG. 5 (step S207). When multiple imaging ranges have been specified, control unit 11 may sequentially and repeatedly display the specified imaging ranges.

[0051] When control unit 11 determines by referring to memory unit 13 that the imaging range has not been set (step S206: No), control unit 11 displays the image in a predetermined, initially set method (step S208). The initially set method may include a method of sequentially displaying the position of worker 60's hand and the area around charging port operation unit 17. Vehicle 10 may be configured to have a plurality of predetermined imaging methods, and the user or an application of control unit 11 may be able to select one of the imaging methods.

[0052] After worker 60 operates charging port operation unit 17, control unit 11 continues capturing images using camera 14 until worker 60 gets off vehicle 10 and locks vehicle 10. When control unit 11 detects that worker 60 has gotten off vehicle 10 and locked vehicle 10 (step S209), control unit 11 may notify user terminal 30 that worker 60 has gotten off and terminate capturing images using camera 14 (step S210). Vehicle 10 may be locked by worker 60 operating worker terminal 40, or may be locked automatically when vehicle 10 detects, using a sensor built into vehicle 10, that worker 60 has gotten off and then detects that charging has started or ended.

[0053] In the above embodiment, image capture is started when the detection mechanism 18 detects that the vehicle 10 has been unlocked. However, the timing of starting image capture is not limited to this. For example, a standard time required from unlocking the vehicle 10 until charging begins may be set in advance, and the control unit 11 may start image capture when the worker 60 is inside the vehicle 10 after the standard time has elapsed.

[0054] As described above, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the detection mechanism 18 detects that the vehicle 10 has been unlocked by the worker 60 of the charging service provider, the camera 14 starts capturing an image of a predetermined range, allowing the user to check the work status of the worker 60 through the video. Furthermore, by being notified that the worker 60 is being captured by the camera 14, the worker 60 is prevented from engaging in unauthorized behavior other than charging work within the vehicle 10. This improves the security of the vehicle 10 receiving the charging service, providing a sense of security to the user receiving the charging service. Even if the user is in a remote location from the vehicle 10, the user can display the image on the display of the user terminal 30 and check it in real time. Therefore, the present system 1 is highly convenient.

[0055] Furthermore, the control unit 11 sets the predetermined range to be imaged to the range where at least one of the right hand and left hand of the worker 60 is present, so that the user can check the part that the worker 60 is touching inside the vehicle 10. This allows the user to reliably check the work that the worker 60 is performing, further increasing the user's sense of security.

[0056] Furthermore, the user can specify an imaging range as a predetermined range, and the control unit 11 can capture images of the interior of the vehicle 10 based on this imaging range, allowing the user to view images of areas of particular interest within the vehicle 10. The user can remotely specify an imaging range using the user terminal 30 and receive images captured by the camera 14 at the user terminal 30. Therefore, as long as the user has the user terminal 30, the user can view images of the interior of the vehicle 10 after it has been unlocked for charging, regardless of location. Furthermore, when the user checks the imaging range to set the imaging range from the user terminal 30, the control unit 11 can sequentially transmit images to the user terminal 30, starting with an area close to the charging port operation unit 17 and ending with an area far from the charging port operation unit 17. Furthermore, the user can select the imaging range while sequentially checking the images received at the user terminal 30. This makes it easy for the user to select the imaging range.

[0057] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and many variations and modifications are possible. For example, the functions included in each component, step, etc. can be rearranged so as not to cause logical contradictions, and multiple means or steps can be combined into one or divided. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 10 vehicles 10a Dashboard 11 Control section 12 Communications Department 13 Storage section 14 Camera 15 Battery 16 Charging port 16a Charging port cover 17 Charging port operation part 18 Detection mechanism 20 servers 30 User terminals 40 Worker terminal 50 Network 60 workers 70 Power Supply Vehicle 71 Charging cable 72 Charging plug

Claims

1. a camera mounted on a vehicle to capture images of the interior of the vehicle; a detection mechanism that detects unlocking of the vehicle by a worker who provides a pre-designated charging service; a control unit that causes the camera to start capturing an image of a predetermined range when the detection mechanism detects that the worker is inside the vehicle after a predetermined time has elapsed since the vehicle was unlocked; A vehicle equipped with:

2. The vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined range is a range in which at least one of the worker's right hand and left hand is present.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit receives a designation of an imaging range as the predetermined range, and captures an image of the interior of the vehicle based on the designated imaging range.

4. 4. The vehicle according to claim 3, further comprising a communication unit configured to be able to communicate with a user terminal carried by a user, wherein when the control unit receives a designation of the imaging range from the user terminal via the communication unit, the control unit causes the communication unit to transmit an image captured by the camera to the user terminal so that the user can confirm the imaging range.

5. 4. The vehicle according to claim 3, further comprising a communication unit configured to be able to communicate with a user terminal carried by a user, wherein when the control unit receives a designation of the imaging range from the user terminal via the communication unit, the control unit causes the communication unit to sequentially transmit images to the user terminal, starting from an area close to a charging port operation unit that operates the charging port, to an area far from the charging port operation unit, so that the user can confirm the imaging range.

6. A vehicle as described in claim 2, wherein the control unit defines the predetermined range as the range in which at least one of the worker's right hand and left hand is present as recognized from the image captured by the camera.

7. A vehicle as described in claim 1, wherein the vehicle is an electric vehicle and is equipped with a charging port for charging the battery, and the vehicle is unlocked by the worker in order for the worker to operate a charging port operating unit that operates the charging port provided inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

8. A vehicle as described in claim 1, wherein the camera captures an image of a position that can be operated by the worker from the driver's seat of the vehicle.

9. A camera mounted on a vehicle to capture images of the interior of the vehicle; a detection mechanism that detects unlocking of the vehicle by a pre-designated worker; a control unit that causes the camera to start capturing an image of a predetermined range when the detection mechanism detects that the vehicle has been unlocked by the worker; Equipped with The control unit receives a designation of an imaging range as the predetermined range, and captures an image of the interior of the vehicle based on the designated imaging range. The vehicle further includes a communication unit configured to be able to communicate with a user terminal carried by a user, and when the control unit receives a designation of the imaging range from the user terminal via the communication unit, the control unit causes the communication unit to sequentially transmit images to the user terminal, starting from an area close to a charging port operation unit that operates the charging port, to an area far from the charging port operation unit, so that the user can confirm the imaging range.

Images