Information processing method and program

Abstract

To enable a user to notice that an information processing device for use in locking a door of a vehicle is left behind even when the presence of the device in the vehicle cannot be confirmed.SOLUTION: A vehicle includes a confirmation part 122 for confirming whether an information processing device used for locking a door of a vehicle is in the vehicle when locking the door, a determination part 124 for determining whether vibration or movement of the information processing device is detected within a predetermined time after the door is locked if the confirmation part does not confirm that the information processing device is in the vehicle, and an operation part 126 for operating an alarm when the determination part does not detect the vibration or movement of the information processing unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle, an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic key system that prevents an electronic key from being locked inside a vehicle when the vehicle doors are locked. In this electronic key system, when a predetermined operation to lock the vehicle doors is performed, a vehicle-side receiving means of an on-board device receives an unlock signal transmitted by the electronic key based on the determination that the electronic key is inside the vehicle, and a door lock control means unlocks the doors based on the receipt of the unlock signal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-56614 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When an information processing device used for locking doors is left in a vehicle, an alarm may be activated to make the user aware that the information processing device has been left behind.

[0005] In this case, even if an information processing device used to lock the doors is left inside the vehicle, the information processing device may be erroneously detected as not being inside the vehicle. When such a false detection occurs, an alarm is not activated even though the information processing device is actually left inside the vehicle, and therefore the user may not realize that the information processing device has been left behind.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to make a user aware that an information processing device used to lock the doors has been left behind, even if it cannot be confirmed that the information processing device is present in the vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The vehicle according to the first aspect includes a confirmation unit that, when locking the vehicle doors, confirms whether an information processing device used to lock the doors is inside the vehicle, a determination unit that, if the confirmation unit does not confirm that the information processing device is inside the vehicle, determines whether vibration or movement of the information processing device is detected within a predetermined time after the doors are locked, and an operation unit that activates an alarm if the determination unit does not detect vibration or movement of the information processing device.

[0008] In the vehicle according to the first aspect, when locking the vehicle doors, a confirmation unit confirms whether an information processing device used to lock the doors is inside the vehicle. If the confirmation unit does not confirm that the information processing device is inside the vehicle, a determination unit determines whether vibration or movement of the information processing device is detected within a predetermined time after the doors are locked. Then, if the determination unit does not detect vibration or movement of the information processing device, an activation unit activates an alarm. Here, the "information processing device used to lock the doors" refers to an information processing device to which a digital key is registered and which is capable of locking the doors by operating the information processing device. According to this vehicle, even if it cannot be confirmed that the information processing device used to lock the doors is inside the vehicle, the user can be made aware that the information processing device has been left behind.

[0009] A vehicle according to a second aspect is the vehicle according to the first aspect, wherein the determination unit detects movement of the information processing device based on a change in radio wave intensity transmitted from the information processing device to the vehicle.

[0010] A vehicle according to a second aspect detects movement of the information processing device based on changes in the intensity of radio waves transmitted from the information processing device to the vehicle. Here, "the intensity of radio waves transmitted from the information processing device to the vehicle" refers to the intensity of radio waves transmitted during communication between the information processing device and the vehicle. The vehicle can detect movement of the information processing device by utilizing the intensity of radio waves transmitted from the information processing device to the vehicle.

[0011] In a vehicle described in a third aspect, in the vehicle described in the first or second aspect, the confirmation unit determines whether the information processing device is inside the vehicle when a user holding a physical key used to lock the door locks the door by touching the door handle.

[0012] A vehicle according to a third aspect determines whether the information processing device is inside the vehicle when a user holding a physical key used to lock the doors touches a door handle to lock the doors. Here, the "physical key used to lock the doors" refers to a key that can lock the doors by operating the key. According to this vehicle, the user can be made aware that the information processing device has been left behind during a door locking operation that may result in the information processing device being left behind.

[0013] The information processing device described in the fourth aspect is an information processing device used to lock the doors of a vehicle, and is equipped with a confirmation unit that confirms whether the information processing device is inside the vehicle when locking the doors of the vehicle, a judgment unit that determines whether vibration or movement of the information processing device is detected within a predetermined time after the doors are locked if the confirmation unit does not confirm that the information processing device is inside the vehicle, and an operation unit that activates an alarm if vibration or movement of the information processing device is not detected by the judgment unit.

[0014] In the information processing device according to a fourth aspect, when the vehicle doors are locked, the confirmation unit confirms whether the information processing device is inside the vehicle. If the confirmation unit does not confirm that the information processing device is inside the vehicle, the determination unit determines whether vibration or movement of the information processing device is detected within a predetermined time after the doors are locked. If the determination unit does not detect vibration or movement of the information processing device, the activation unit activates an alarm. According to this information processing device, even if it cannot be confirmed that the information processing device used to lock the doors is inside the vehicle, it is possible to make the user aware that the information processing device has been left behind.

[0015] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing device according to the fourth aspect, the activation unit activates an alarm in the vehicle. This information processing device makes it easier for the user to notice that the information processing device has been left behind.

[0016] An information processing device according to a sixth aspect is the information processing device according to the fourth or fifth aspect, wherein the confirmation unit determines whether the information processing device is inside the vehicle when a user holding a physical key used to lock the doors locks the doors by touching a door handle. According to this information processing device, it is possible to make the user realize that the information processing device has been left behind during a door locking operation in which the information processing device may be left behind.

[0017] In the information processing method described in the seventh aspect, when locking the doors of a vehicle, a confirmation unit confirms whether an information processing device used to lock the doors is inside the vehicle, and if the confirmation unit does not confirm that the information processing device is inside the vehicle, a determination unit determines whether vibration or movement of the information processing device has been detected within a predetermined time after the doors are locked, and an activation unit activates an alarm if the determination unit does not detect vibration or movement of the information processing device.

[0018] In an information processing method according to a seventh aspect, when locking the doors of a vehicle, a confirmation unit confirms whether an information processing device used to lock the doors is inside the vehicle. If the confirmation unit does not confirm that the information processing device is inside the vehicle, a determination unit determines whether vibration or movement of the information processing device is detected within a predetermined time after the doors are locked. Then, if the determination unit does not detect vibration or movement of the information processing device, an activation unit activates an alarm. According to this information processing method, even if it cannot be confirmed that the information processing device used to lock the doors is inside the vehicle, it is possible to make the user aware that the information processing device has been left behind.

[0019] An information processing method described in an eighth aspect is an information processing method in an information processing device used to lock the doors of a vehicle, in which a confirmation unit confirms whether the information processing device is inside the vehicle when locking the doors of the vehicle, a determination unit determines whether vibration or movement of the information processing device has been detected within a predetermined time after the doors are locked if the confirmation unit does not confirm that the information processing device is inside the vehicle, and an activation unit activates an alarm if the determination unit does not detect vibration or movement of the information processing device.

[0020] In an information processing method according to an eighth aspect, a confirmation unit confirms whether the information processing device is inside the vehicle when locking the doors of the vehicle, a determination unit determines whether vibration or movement of the information processing device has been detected within a predetermined time after the doors are locked if the confirmation unit does not confirm that the information processing device is inside the vehicle, and an operation unit activates an alarm if the determination unit does not detect vibration or movement of the information processing device. According to this information processing method, even if it cannot be confirmed that the information processing device used to lock the doors is inside the vehicle, it is possible to make the user aware that the information processing device has been left behind.

[0021] The program described in the ninth aspect is a program for causing a computer to execute the following: when locking the doors of a vehicle, check whether an information processing device used to lock the doors is inside the vehicle; if it is not confirmed that the information processing device is inside the vehicle, determine whether vibration or movement of the information processing device is detected within a predetermined time after the doors are locked; and if vibration or movement of the information processing device is not detected, activate an alarm.

[0022] According to a program described in a ninth aspect, when a computer locks the doors of a vehicle, the computer checks whether an information processing device used to lock the doors is inside the vehicle, and if it is not confirmed that the information processing device is inside the vehicle, the computer determines whether vibration or movement of the information processing device is detected within a predetermined time after the doors are locked, and if vibration or movement of the information processing device is not detected, the computer activates an alarm. According to this program, even if it is not confirmed that the information processing device used to lock the doors is inside the vehicle, it is possible to make the user aware that the information processing device has been left behind.

[0023] The program described in the tenth aspect is a program for causing a computer provided in an information processing device used to lock the doors of a vehicle to check whether the information processing device is inside the vehicle when locking the doors of the vehicle, and if it is not confirmed that the information processing device is inside the vehicle, determine whether vibration or movement of the information processing device has been detected within a predetermined time after the doors are locked, and if vibration or movement of the information processing device is not detected, activate an alarm.

[0024] According to the program of the tenth aspect, when the computer locks the doors of the vehicle, it checks whether the information processing device is inside the vehicle, and if it is not confirmed that the information processing device is inside the vehicle, it determines whether it has detected vibration or movement of the information processing device within a predetermined time after the doors are locked, and if it has not detected vibration or movement of the information processing device, it activates an alarm. According to the program, even if it is not confirmed that the information processing device used to lock the doors is inside the vehicle, it is possible to make the user aware that the information processing device has been left behind. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] According to the present invention, even if it is not possible to confirm that the information processing device used to lock the doors is present inside the vehicle, the user can be made aware that the information processing device has been left behind. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle system according to first and second embodiments. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a vehicle according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a CPU of a control ECU in the vehicle-mounted device of the first embodiment; FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a CPU of a digital key control ECU in the vehicle-mounted device of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a smartphone according to a first embodiment. [Figure 6] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a misplacement prevention process executed by a CPU of a digital key control ECU in the vehicle-mounted device of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a misplacement prevention process executed by a CPU of a digital key control ECU in the vehicle-mounted device of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of vibration information transmission processing executed by a CPU of the control device in the smartphone of the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a processing flow in the vehicle system of the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a smartphone according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a CPU of a control device in a smartphone according to a second embodiment. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a locking completion notification process executed by a CPU of a digital key control ECU in the vehicle-mounted device of the second embodiment. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a misplacement prevention process executed by a CPU of a control device in a smartphone according to a second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a processing flow in the vehicle system of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] A vehicle system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0028] [First embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle system 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0029] (Overall composition) 1, a vehicle system 10 according to this embodiment includes a vehicle 12 and a smartphone 14 as an information processing device for controlling the vehicle 12. The vehicle system 10 also includes a physical key 50, which is a portable device dedicated to the vehicle 12 for controlling the vehicle 12.

[0030] The vehicle 12 is configured to be able to directly receive local communications from the smartphone 14 and the physical key 50 without using a network. This communication includes wireless and infrared communications.

[0031] The door lock device 28 locks and unlocks the driver's door, passenger door, rear door, and back door. A user holding a physical key 50 can lock and unlock each door using the door lock device 28 by touching the door handle 13, operating the physical key 50, or operating the smartphone 14.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle-mounted device 11 mounted on the vehicle 12 includes a control ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 20, a digital key control ECU 21, an LF (Low Frequency) communication unit 22, an RF (Radio Frequency) communication unit 24, a display unit 25, a BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) communication unit 26, and an alarm unit 27.

[0033] The LF communication unit 22 is a communication unit that performs wireless communication in the LF band and transmits a request signal to the physical key 50. In this embodiment, the LF communication unit 22 is installed in the driver's door, passenger's door, rear door, and back door.

[0034] The RF communication unit 24 is a communication unit that performs wireless communication in the RF band, and receives a response signal from the physical key 50 .

[0035] The BLE communication unit 26 is a communication unit that performs wireless communication using Bluetooth (registered trademark), and performs communication with a BLE communication unit 14C, which will be described later.

[0036] The display unit 25 is, for example, a liquid crystal monitor provided on an instrument panel, a meter panel, or the like, for displaying images relating to the current location, the driving route, and warning information.

[0037] The alarm unit 27 is, for example, a speaker, and is provided on the instrument panel, the center console, the front pillar, the dashboard, or the like.

[0038] The control ECU 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 20A, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 20B, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 20C, and an input / output I / F (Interface) 20D. The CPU 20A, the ROM 20B, the RAM 20C, and the input / output I / F 20D are connected to each other via an internal bus (not shown) so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0039] The CPU 20A is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls each part. That is, the CPU 20A reads out a program from the ROM 20B and executes the program using the RAM 20C as a work area.

[0040] The ROM 20B stores various programs and various data.

[0041] The RAM 20C temporarily stores programs or data as a working area. The input / output I / F 20D is an interface for communicating with the LF communication unit 22, the RF communication unit 24, the display unit 25, the alarm unit 27, and the door lock device 28, respectively.

[0042] The control ECU 20 may include a storage as a memory unit in addition to or instead of the ROM 20B. This storage is configured by, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD).

[0043] As shown in FIG. 3, in the control ECU 20 of this embodiment, a CPU 20A executes a program to function as a physical key collating unit 110, a display control unit 112, and an alarm control unit 114.

[0044] The physical key matching unit 110 performs a matching process for the physical key 50 by matching the ID of the physical key 50 with pre-registered ID information based on wireless communication with the physical key 50 via the LF communication unit 22 and the RF communication unit 24. Specifically, the physical key matching unit 110 transmits a response request signal to the physical key 50 having the same ID as the pre-registered ID information via the LF communication unit 22, and determines that matching of the physical key 50 has been successful when a response signal from the physical key 50 is received via the RF communication unit 24.

[0045] If the physical key 50 is successfully verified, the physical key verification unit 110 performs vehicle control including locking and unlocking the doors of the door lock device 28, turning on the power to the vehicle 12, and starting the engine based on wireless communication with the physical key 50 via the LF communication unit 22 and the RF communication unit 24.

[0046] The display control unit 112 controls the display of the display unit 25. The alarm control unit 114 controls the activation of an alarm by the alarm unit 27.

[0047] The digital key control ECU 21 includes a CPU 21A, a ROM 21B, a RAM 21C, and an input / output I / F 21D. The CPU 21A, the ROM 21B, the RAM 21C, and the input / output I / F 21D are interconnected via an internal bus (not shown) so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0048] The functions of the CPU 21A, ROM 21B, RAM 21C, and input / output I / F 21D are the same as those of the CPU 20A, ROM 20B, RAM 20C, and input / output I / F 20D described above.

[0049] In this embodiment, the ROM 21B stores an information processing program 102.

[0050] The input / output I / F 21D is an interface for communicating with the BLE communication unit 26 and the door lock device 28.

[0051] The digital key control ECU 21 may include a storage unit as a memory in addition to or instead of the ROM 21 B. This storage unit may be configured with, for example, an HDD or SSD.

[0052] Compared to physical keys, it is more difficult to accurately detect whether a smartphone with a registered digital key is inside the vehicle. Therefore, if a smartphone with a registered digital key is inside the vehicle, it may be possible to lock the vehicle doors, which could lead to the smartphone being left behind.

[0053] Specifically, smartphones create a coverage area using radio waves in the Bluetooth band (2.4 GHz). These radio waves tend to travel in a very straight line, making it difficult to create an area that covers the entire interior of a vehicle, which has many metal objects.

[0054] In addition, vehicle control using a digital key uses Bluetooth radio waves from smartphones, and there is a large variation in radio wave strength between models, making it difficult to create an area that covers the entire vehicle interior for all models.

[0055] Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the vehicle-mounted device 11 cannot confirm that the smartphone 14 to which the digital key 140 is registered is inside the vehicle 12, an alarm will be activated if vibrations from the smartphone 14 are not detected within a specified time after the door is locked.

[0056] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, in the digital key control ECU 21 of this embodiment, the CPU 21A executes the information processing program 102 to function as a digital key matching unit 120, a confirmation unit 122, a determination unit 124, and an operation unit 126.

[0057] The digital key verification unit 120 performs authentication processing of the digital key by verifying the ID of the digital key registered in the smartphone 14 with pre-registered ID information based on wireless communication with the smartphone 14 via the BLE communication unit 26. If authentication of the digital key is successful, the digital key verification unit 120 executes vehicle control including locking and unlocking the doors of the door lock device 28, turning on the power to the vehicle 12, and starting the engine.

[0058] The confirmation unit 122 confirms whether or not the smartphone 14 is inside the vehicle 12 when locking the doors of the vehicle 12. Specifically, when a user holding the physical key 50 locks the doors by touching the door handle 13, the confirmation unit 122 determines whether or not the smartphone 14 is inside the vehicle 12 based on the radio wave intensity of the Bluetooth radio waves transmitted from the smartphone 14 to the vehicle 12.

[0059] If the confirmation unit 122 does not confirm that the smartphone 14 is inside the vehicle 12, the determination unit 124 determines whether or not vibration of the smartphone 14 has been detected within a predetermined time after the doors were locked. Specifically, if the confirmation unit 122 does not confirm that the smartphone 14 is inside the vehicle 12, the determination unit 124 determines whether or not vibration of the smartphone 14 has been detected within a predetermined time after the doors were locked, based on vibration information transmitted from the smartphone 14 and indicating vibration of the smartphone 14 within a predetermined time after the doors were locked.

[0060] When the determination unit 124 does not detect vibration of the smartphone 14, the operation unit 126 causes the alarm unit 27 to issue an alarm. Furthermore, when the confirmation unit 122 confirms that the smartphone 14 is inside the vehicle 12, the operation unit 126 causes the alarm unit 27 to issue an alarm. For example, the alarm unit 27 sounds a buzzer to notify the user that the smartphone 14 has been left behind.

[0061] (Physical key) The physical key 50 is an electronic device that can be carried by the user of the vehicle 12. The physical key 50 includes a microcomputer, an LF communication unit, and an RF communication unit.

[0062] The LF communication unit is a communication unit that performs wireless communication in the LF band, and receives a response request signal from the LF communication unit 22. The RF communication unit is a transmission unit that performs wireless communication in the RF band, and transmits a response signal to the RF communication unit 24.

[0063] The microcomputer compares the ID information included in the response request signal received from the LF communication unit 22 with the unique ID of the physical key 50, and if they match, causes the RF communication unit to transmit a response signal. Furthermore, when the microcomputer receives a user operation on an operation unit (not shown) provided on the physical key 50 for locking or unlocking the doors of the door lock device 28, turning on the power to the vehicle 12, or starting the engine, the microcomputer causes the RF communication unit to transmit a signal corresponding to the user operation to the RF communication unit 24 of the in-vehicle device 11.

[0064] (Smartphone) The smartphone 14 is a communication terminal carried by a user. The smartphone 14 of this embodiment is configured to accept user operations for locking and unlocking the doors of the door lock device 28, turning on the power of the vehicle 12, and starting the engine when a match with a registered digital key is successful through communication with the in-vehicle device 11. As shown in FIG. 5, the smartphone 14 includes a control device 70, a touch panel 14A, a communication unit 14B, a BLE communication unit 14C, and a vibration sensor 14D.

[0065] The control device 70 includes a CPU 72, which is an example of a processor that is hardware, a ROM 73, a RAM 74, a storage 75, and an input / output I / F 76. The CPU 72, the ROM 73, the RAM 74, the storage 75, and the input / output I / F 76 are connected to each other via a bus 78.

[0066] The functions of the CPU 72, ROM 73, RAM 74, and input / output I / F 76 are the same as those of the CPU 20A, ROM 20B, RAM 20C, and input / output I / F 20D described above. Note that, as the storage 75 of this embodiment, a microSD card may be used in addition to the storage inside the smartphone 14.

[0067] The CPU 72 reads a program from the ROM 73 and executes the program using the RAM 74 as a work area. In this embodiment, the digital key 140 is registered in the storage 75. The ROM 73 stores a vehicle control application program for controlling the vehicle through user operations using the digital key 140.

[0068] The control device 70 of this embodiment is connected to the touch panel 14A, the communication unit 14B, the BLE communication unit 14C, and the vibration sensor 14D via the input / output I / F 76. Note that the touch panel 14A, the communication unit 14B, the BLE communication unit 14C, and the vibration sensor 14D may be directly connected to the bus 78.

[0069] When the vehicle control application program is executed, the CPU 72 displays icons for locking and unlocking the doors of the door lock device 28, turning on the power of the vehicle 12, and starting the engine on the touch panel 14A. When the user operates the icon, a signal commanding the vehicle control corresponding to the operated icon (locking or unlocking the doors of the door lock device 28, turning on the power of the vehicle 12, or starting the engine) is transmitted to the BLE communication unit 26 of the in-vehicle device 11 via the BLE communication unit 14C.

[0070] In addition, when a user holding the physical key 50 locks the door by touching the door handle 13, the BLE communication unit 14C receives a locking completion notification from the vehicle 12, and the CPU 72 transmits vibration information representing the output of the vibration sensor 14D within a predetermined time to the vehicle 12 via the BLE communication unit 14C.

[0071] (Processing flow) Next, the processing flow in the vehicle system 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

[0072] First, when an operation to stop the engine is received from a user in the vehicle 12, the CPU 21A of the digital key control ECU 21 of the vehicle-mounted device 11 executes the information processing program 102 to perform the misplacement prevention processing shown in Figures 6 and 7.

[0073] First, in step S100, the CPU 21A determines whether or not the BLE communication unit 26 is connected to the BLE communication unit 14C of the smartphone 14 via wireless communication using Bluetooth (registered trademark). If the BLE communication unit 26 is not connected to the BLE communication unit 14C of the smartphone 14, the CPU 21A ends the misplacement prevention process. On the other hand, if the BLE communication unit 26 is connected to the BLE communication unit 14C of the smartphone 14, the CPU 21A proceeds to step S102. Note that if there is a smartphone 14 that has been connected at least once while the vehicle 12 was traveling, the CPU 21A may proceed to step S102.

[0074] In step S102, the CPU 21A requests the control ECU 20 to display a notification to prevent the smartphone 14 from being left behind. Then, the control ECU 20 controls the display unit 25 to display the notification to prevent the smartphone 14 from being left behind. For example, the control ECU 20 causes the display unit 25 to display a message saying, "Please hold on to your smartphone." Note that the smartphone 14 may be requested to display the notification to prevent the smartphone 14 from being left behind, and the message may be displayed on the touch panel 14A of the smartphone 14. Furthermore, if the verification with the physical key 50 is successful, the notification to prevent the smartphone 14 from being left behind may not be displayed.

[0075] In step S104, the CPU 21A determines whether a door locking operation has been received from the user. For example, when the user leaves the vehicle 12 and a door locking operation using the smartphone 14 or the physical key 50 is received by the user, the process proceeds to step S106. The in-vehicle device 11 also causes the door lock devices 28 to lock the doors.

[0076] In step S106, the CPU 21A as the confirmation unit 122 determines whether or not the door locking operation received in step S104 is a locking operation of a door that is the target for activating an alarm to prevent leaving something behind.

[0077] Specifically, when a user holding physical key 50 touches doorknob 13, the operation is considered to be a locking operation for a door that activates a misplacement prevention alarm. If the door locking operation received in step S104 is a locking operation for a door that activates a misplacement prevention alarm, CPU 21A proceeds to step S108. On the other hand, if the door locking operation received in step S104 is not a locking operation for a door that activates a misplacement prevention alarm, CPU 21A terminates the misplacement prevention process. For example, if the door locking operation received is a door locking operation using physical key 50, a door locking operation using smartphone 14, or a door locking operation using a mechanical key built into physical key 50 that mechanically locks and unlocks door lock device 28, CPU 21A terminates the misplacement prevention process.

[0078] In step S108, the CPU 21A, functioning as the confirmation unit 122, determines whether the smartphone 14 is inside the vehicle 12 based on the radio wave intensity of the Bluetooth radio waves transmitted from the smartphone 14 to the vehicle 12. Specifically, if the radio wave intensity of the Bluetooth radio waves transmitted from the smartphone 14 to the vehicle 12 is equal to or less than a threshold, the CPU 21A determines that the smartphone 14 is outside the vehicle 12, and proceeds to step S114. On the other hand, if the radio wave intensity of the Bluetooth radio waves transmitted from the smartphone 14 to the vehicle 12 is greater than the threshold, the CPU 21A determines that the smartphone 14 is inside the vehicle 12, and proceeds to step S110.

[0079] In step S110, the CPU 21A, functioning as the operating unit 126, requests the control ECU 20 to activate the alarm unit 27. Then, the control ECU 20 controls the alarm unit 27 to sound a buzzer to notify the user that the smartphone 14 has been left behind.

[0080] In step S112, the CPU 21A requests the door locking device 28 to unlock the doors. The door locking device 28 executes unlocking of each door. Then, the CPU 21A proceeds to step S120.

[0081] In step S114, the CPU 21A transmits a locking completion notification to the smartphone 14 via the BLE communication unit 26.

[0082] At this time, when the smartphone 14 receives the locking completion notification, the CPU 72 of the smartphone 14 executes a vehicle control application program to perform vibration information transmission processing shown in FIG.

[0083] In step S130, the CPU 72 acquires vibration information that is the output of the vibration sensor 14D.

[0084] In step S132, the CPU 72 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the locking completion notification was received. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the CPU 72 returns to step S130. On the other hand, if the predetermined time has elapsed since the locking completion notification was received, the CPU 72 proceeds to step S134.

[0085] In step S134, the CPU 72 transmits time series data consisting of the vibration information acquired in step S130 above to the vehicle 12 via the BLE communication unit 14C within a predetermined time after receiving the locking completion notification, and terminates the vibration information transmission process.

[0086] 6, the CPU 21A, as the determination unit 124, determines whether or not vibration of the smartphone 14 has been detected within a predetermined time since the door was locked, based on the time-series data of the vibration information received from the smartphone 14. For example, if the time-series data of the vibration information received from the smartphone 14 includes vibration information representing vibrations of a certain magnitude or greater, it determines that vibration of the smartphone 14 has been detected within the predetermined time since the door was locked, and the CPU 21A ends the misplacement prevention process. On the other hand, if the time-series data of the vibration information received from the smartphone 14 does not include vibration information representing vibrations of a certain magnitude or greater, it determines that vibration of the smartphone 14 has not been detected within the predetermined time since the door was locked, and the CPU 21A proceeds to step S118.

[0087] In step S118, the CPU 21A, functioning as the operating unit 126, requests the control ECU 20 to activate the alarm unit 27. Then, the control ECU 20 controls the alarm unit 27 to sound a buzzer to notify the user that the smartphone 14 has been left behind.

[0088] In step S120, the CPU 21A, functioning as the activation unit 126, determines whether a certain time has passed since the alarm unit 27 activated an alarm, or whether an operation has been performed on the physical key 50 or the smartphone 14. If a certain time has passed since the alarm unit 27 activated an alarm, or if an operation has been performed on the physical key 50 or the smartphone 14, the process proceeds to step S122.

[0089] In step S122, the CPU 21A, functioning as the operation unit 126, requests the control ECU 20 to stop the alarm by the alarm unit 27. Then, the control ECU 20 performs control to stop the alarm by the alarm unit 27. Then, the CPU 21A ends the misplacement prevention process.

[0090] Next, an example of the processing flow when the above-described misplacement prevention processing and vibration information transmission processing are executed will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of Fig. 9. Here, an example will be described in which the user leaves the vehicle 12, the user holding the physical key 50 touches the door handle 13, it is determined that the smartphone 14 is not inside the vehicle 12, and the smartphone 14 does not vibrate.

[0091] First, in step S140, the control ECU 20 and the digital key control ECU 21 cause the door lock device 28 to lock the door in response to the operation of the user holding the physical key 50 touching the door handle 13.

[0092] Then, in step S142, the digital key control ECU 21 transmits a locking completion notification to the smartphone 14.

[0093] In step S144, the digital key control ECU 21 waits for a predetermined time after locking the doors.

[0094] In step S146, the digital key control ECU 21 requests vibration information from the smartphone 14.

[0095] In step S148, the smartphone 14 transmits the time-series data of the vibration information.

[0096] In step S150, the digital key control ECU 21 determines whether to activate an alarm based on the time-series data of the vibration information. Here, since the smartphone 14 is not vibrating, it is determined that an alarm should be activated.

[0097] In step S152, the digital key control ECU 21 requests the control ECU 20 to cause the alarm unit 27 to issue an alarm.

[0098] In step S154, the control ECU 20 controls the alarm unit 27 to sound a buzzer to notify the user that the smartphone 14 has been left behind.

[0099] (Summary of the first embodiment) In the vehicle 12 of this embodiment, if the digital key control ECU 21 does not confirm that the smartphone 14 is inside the vehicle 12 when locking the vehicle doors, and does not detect vibrations from the smartphone 14 within a predetermined time after the doors are locked, an alarm is activated. As a result, even if it is not confirmed that the smartphone 14 to which the digital key is registered is inside the vehicle 12, an alarm is activated if the smartphone 14 is thought to have been left behind, making it possible to alert the user that the smartphone 14 has been left behind.

[0100] (Variation) In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which an alarm is activated in the vehicle 12 to notify the user that the smartphone 14 has been left behind, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the smartphone 14 may activate an alarm to notify the user that the smartphone 14 has been left behind. In this case, the vehicle 12 may request the smartphone 14 to activate an alarm, and the smartphone 14 may activate the alarm via a speaker.

[0101] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an example has been described in which it is determined whether vibrations of the smartphone 14 are detected within a predetermined time after the doors are locked, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be determined whether movement of the smartphone 14 is detected within a predetermined time after the doors are locked. In this case, movement of the smartphone 14 may be detected based on a change in the intensity of radio waves transmitted from the smartphone 14 to the vehicle 12. For example, if the amount of change in the intensity of radio waves transmitted from the smartphone 14 to the vehicle 12 within a predetermined time after the doors are locked is less than a threshold, it is considered that the smartphone 14 has been left behind. On the other hand, if the amount of change in the intensity of radio waves transmitted from the smartphone 14 to the vehicle 12 within a predetermined time after the doors are locked is equal to or greater than a threshold, it is considered that the smartphone 14 is outside the vehicle 12.

[0102] [Second embodiment] In the first embodiment, the in-vehicle device determines whether or not the smartphone is inside the vehicle and activates an alarm. In contrast, in the second embodiment, the smartphone itself determines whether or not the smartphone is inside the vehicle and activates an alarm, which is different from the first embodiment. Differences from the first embodiment will be described below. Note that the same components are assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0103] (Overall composition) As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle system 210 according to this embodiment includes the vehicle 12, a smartphone 214, and a physical key 50.

[0104] The digital key control ECU 21 of the vehicle-mounted device 11 mounted on the vehicle 12 transmits a locking completion notification to the smartphone 214 when the doors of the vehicle 12 are locked.

[0105] Specifically, when a user holding the physical key 50 locks the door by touching the door handle 13, the digital key control ECU 21 transmits a locking completion notification to the smartphone 214.

[0106] (Smartphone) As shown in FIG. 10, the smartphone 214 of this embodiment includes a control device 270, a touch panel 14A, a communication unit 14B, a BLE communication unit 14C, a vibration sensor 14D, and a speaker 214E.

[0107] The control device 270 includes a CPU 272, which is an example of a processor that is hardware, a ROM 273, a RAM 74, a storage 75, and an input / output I / F 76. The CPU 272, the ROM 273, the RAM 74, the storage 75, and the input / output I / F 76 are connected to one another via a bus 78.

[0108] The functions of the CPU 272, ROM 273, RAM 74, and input / output I / F 76 are the same as those of the CPU 20A, ROM 20B, RAM 20C, and input / output I / F 20D described above.

[0109] The CPU 272 reads out the information processing program 273A from the ROM 273 and executes the information processing program 273A using the RAM 74 as a work area. In this embodiment, the ROM 273 stores the information processing program 273A, which is an application program for controlling the vehicle through user operations using the digital key 140.

[0110] As shown in FIG. 11, the CPU 272 functions as a confirmation unit 212, a determination unit 213, and an operation unit 216 by executing an information processing program 273A.

[0111] The confirmation unit 212 confirms whether or not the smartphone 214 is inside the vehicle 12 when the doors of the vehicle 12 are locked. Specifically, when a user holding the physical key 50 locks the doors by touching the door handle 13, the confirmation unit 122 determines whether or not the smartphone 214 is inside the vehicle 12 based on the radio wave intensity of the Bluetooth radio waves transmitted from the vehicle 12 to the smartphone 214.

[0112] When the confirmation unit 212 does not confirm that the smartphone 214 is inside the vehicle 12, the determination unit 213 determines whether or not vibration of the smartphone 214 has been detected within a predetermined time since the doors were locked. Specifically, when the confirmation unit 122 does not confirm that the smartphone 214 is inside the vehicle 12, the determination unit 213 determines whether or not vibration of the smartphone 214 has been detected within a predetermined time since the doors were locked, based on vibration information indicating vibration of the smartphone 214 within a predetermined time since the doors were locked.

[0113] When the determination unit 213 does not detect vibration of the smartphone 214, the operation unit 216 activates an alarm from the speaker 214E. Furthermore, when the confirmation unit 212 confirms that the smartphone 214 is inside the vehicle 12, the operation unit 216 activates an alarm from the speaker 214E. For example, the speaker 214E sounds a buzzer to notify the user that the smartphone 214 has been left behind.

[0114] (Processing flow) Next, the flow of processing in the vehicle system 210 of this embodiment will be described using the flowcharts of Figures 12 and 13. Note that the same processes as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0115] First, when an operation to stop the engine by a user in the vehicle 12 is accepted, the CPU 21A of the digital key control ECU 21 of the vehicle-mounted device 11 executes a program to perform a locking completion notification process shown in FIG.

[0116] First, in step S100, CPU 21A determines whether or not BLE communication unit 26 is connected to BLE communication unit 14C of smartphone 214 via wireless communication using Bluetooth (registered trademark). If BLE communication unit 26 is not connected to BLE communication unit 14C of smartphone 214, CPU 21A ends the locking completion notification process. On the other hand, if BLE communication unit 26 is connected to BLE communication unit 14C of smartphone 214, CPU 21A proceeds to step S102.

[0117] In step S102, the CPU 21A requests the control ECU 20 to display a notification to prevent the smartphone 214 from being left behind. Then, the control ECU 20 controls the display unit 25 to display the notification to prevent the smartphone 214 from being left behind. Note that the CPU 21A may request the smartphone 214 to display the notification to prevent the smartphone 214 from being left behind, and may cause the touch panel 14A of the smartphone 214 to display the message.

[0118] In step S104, the CPU 21A determines whether a door locking operation has been received from the user. For example, when the user leaves the vehicle 12 and a door locking operation using the smartphone 214 or the physical key 50 is received by the user, the process proceeds to step S106. The in-vehicle device 11 also causes the door lock devices 28 to lock the doors.

[0119] In step S106, the CPU 21A determines whether or not the door locking operation received in step S104 is a locking operation for a door that is the target for activating an alarm to prevent leaving something behind.

[0120] Specifically, when a user holding physical key 50 touches doorknob 13, the operation is considered to be a locking operation for a door that activates a misplacement prevention alarm. If the door locking operation received in step S104 is a locking operation for a door that activates a misplacement prevention alarm, CPU 21A proceeds to step S208. On the other hand, if the door locking operation received in step S104 is not a locking operation for a door that activates a misplacement prevention alarm, CPU 21A terminates the locking completion notification process. For example, if the door locking operation received is a door locking operation using physical key 50, a door locking operation using smartphone 214, or a door locking operation using a mechanical key built into physical key 50 that mechanically locks and unlocks door lock device 28, CPU 21A terminates the locking completion notification process.

[0121] In step S208, CPU 21A transmits a locking completion notification to smartphone 214 via BLE communication unit 26.

[0122] At this time, when the smartphone 214 receives the locking completion notification, the CPU 272 of the smartphone 214 executes the vehicle control application program to perform the misplacement prevention process shown in FIG.

[0123] First, in step S210, the CPU 272 as the confirmation unit 212 determines whether the smartphone 214 is inside the vehicle 12 based on the radio wave intensity of the Bluetooth radio waves transmitted from the vehicle 12 to the smartphone 214. Specifically, if the radio wave intensity of the Bluetooth radio waves transmitted from the vehicle 12 to the smartphone 214 is equal to or lower than a threshold, the CPU 272 determines that the smartphone 214 is outside the vehicle 12, and proceeds to step S216. On the other hand, if the radio wave intensity of the Bluetooth radio waves transmitted from the vehicle 12 to the smartphone 214 is greater than the threshold, the CPU 272 determines that the smartphone 214 is inside the vehicle 12, and proceeds to step S212.

[0124] In step S212, the CPU 272 operates the operating unit 216 to activate an alarm from the speaker 214E. For example, the speaker 214E sounds a buzzer to notify the user that the smartphone 214 has been left behind.

[0125] In step S214, the CPU 272 requests the door lock device 28 to unlock the doors via the BLE communication unit 14C. The door lock device 28 executes unlocking of each door. Then, the CPU 272 proceeds to step S220.

[0126] In step S216, CPU 272 acquires vibration information that is the output of vibration sensor 14D until a predetermined time has elapsed since receiving the locking completion notification, and determines whether or not vibration of smartphone 214 has been detected within a predetermined time since the door was locked, based on time-series data consisting of the acquired vibration information. For example, if the acquired time-series data of vibration information includes vibration information indicating a vibration of a certain magnitude or greater, CPU 272 determines that vibration of smartphone 214 has been detected within a predetermined time since the door was locked, and ends the misplacement prevention process. On the other hand, if the acquired time-series data of vibration information does not include vibration information indicating a vibration of a certain magnitude or greater, CPU 272 determines that vibration of smartphone 214 has not been detected within a predetermined time since the door was locked, and proceeds to step S218.

[0127] In step S218, the CPU 272, functioning as the operating unit 216, activates the speaker 214E to issue an alarm, and sounds a buzzer to notify the user that the smartphone 214 has been left behind.

[0128] In step S220, CPU 272, functioning as operation unit 216, determines whether a certain time has passed since activation of an alarm by speaker 214E, or whether an operation has been performed on smartphone 214. If a certain time has passed since activation of an alarm by speaker 214E, or if an operation has been performed on smartphone 214, the process proceeds to step S222.

[0129] In step S222, the CPU 272 stops the alarm from the speaker 214E as the operation unit 216. Then, the CPU 272 ends the misplacement prevention process.

[0130] Next, an example of the processing flow when the locking completion notification processing and the misplacement prevention processing are executed will be described with reference to the sequence diagram in Fig. 14. Here, an example will be described in which the user goes outside the vehicle 12, the user holding the physical key 50 touches the door handle 13, it is determined that the smartphone 214 is not inside the vehicle 12, and the smartphone 214 does not vibrate.

[0131] First, in step S230, the control ECU 20 and the digital key control ECU 21 cause the door lock device 28 to lock the door in response to the operation of the user holding the physical key 50 touching the door handle 13.

[0132] Then, in step S232, the digital key control ECU 21 transmits a locking completion notification to the smartphone 214.

[0133] In step S234, the smartphone 214 acquires vibration information until a predetermined time has elapsed after the door is locked.

[0134] In step S236, the smartphone 214 determines whether to activate an alarm based on the time-series data of the vibration information. Here, since the smartphone 214 is not vibrating, it is determined that an alarm should be activated.

[0135] In step S238, the smartphone 214 activates an alarm through the speaker 214E, and sounds a buzzer to notify the user that the smartphone 214 has been left behind.

[0136] (Summary of the second embodiment) The smartphone 214 of this embodiment is configured to activate an alarm if the control device 270 does not confirm that the smartphone 214 is inside the vehicle 12 when locking the vehicle doors, and if it does not detect vibrations from the smartphone 214 within a predetermined time after the doors are locked. As a result, even if it cannot be confirmed that the smartphone 214 to which the digital key is registered is inside the vehicle 12, an alarm is activated if the smartphone 214 is thought to have been left behind, making it possible to make the user aware that the smartphone has been left behind.

[0137] (Variation) In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the smartphone 214 activates an alarm to notify the user that the smartphone 214 has been left behind, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the vehicle 12 may activate an alarm to notify the user that the smartphone 214 has been left behind. In this case, the smartphone 214 may request the vehicle 12 to activate an alarm, and the vehicle 12 may activate an alarm using the alarm unit 27. Activating an alarm on the vehicle 12 side makes it easier for the user to notice that the smartphone 214 has been left behind, compared to when an alarm is activated on the smartphone 214 side.

[0138] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an example has been described in which it is determined whether vibration of the smartphone 214 is detected within a predetermined time after the doors are locked, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be determined whether movement of the smartphone 214 is detected within a predetermined time after the doors are locked. In this case, the movement of the smartphone 214 may be detected based on a change in the intensity of radio waves transmitted from the vehicle 12 to the smartphone 214. For example, if the amount of change in the intensity of radio waves transmitted from the vehicle 12 to the smartphone 214 within a predetermined time after the doors are locked is less than a threshold, it is considered that the smartphone 214 has been left behind. On the other hand, if the amount of change in the intensity of radio waves transmitted from the vehicle 12 to the smartphone 214 within a predetermined time after the doors are locked is equal to or greater than a threshold, it is considered that the smartphone 214 is outside the vehicle 12.

[0139] [remarks] In the above embodiments, the alarm is generated by sounding a buzzer, but the present invention is not limited to this. The user may be alerted by lighting up the hazard lights or other light-based alarms.

[0140] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the information processing device to which the digital key is registered is the smartphone 14, 214, but this is not limited to this, and the digital key 140 may also be registered in a device with communication capabilities such as a tablet computer or a wearable computer.

[0141] In addition, in each embodiment, the physical key 50 performs wireless communication with the in-vehicle device 11 in the LF band and RF band, but this is not limited to this. For example, the physical key 50 may perform wireless communication with the in-vehicle device 11 using Bluetooth (registered trademark), NFC, or UWB (Ultra Wide Band).

[0142] In addition, in each embodiment, the smartphone 14, 214 performs wireless communication with the vehicle-mounted device 11 using Bluetooth (registered trademark), but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the smartphone 14, 214 may perform wireless communication with the vehicle-mounted device 11 using NFC or UWB.

[0143] In the above embodiment, the vehicle 12 is described as a vehicle driven by an engine powered by gasoline, but the present invention is not limited to this. The vehicle 12 may be an electric vehicle such as a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), or a battery electric vehicle (BEV).

[0144] In the above embodiments, various processes executed by the CPU 21A, 272 by loading software (programs) may be executed by various processors other than a CPU. Examples of such processors include programmable logic devices (PLDs) whose circuit configuration can be changed after fabrication, such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and dedicated electrical circuits, such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), which are processors with circuit configurations specifically designed to execute specific processes. Furthermore, various processes may be executed by one of these various processors, or by a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types (e.g., multiple FPGAs, or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). Furthermore, the hardware structure of these various processors is, more specifically, an electrical circuit that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor devices.

[0145] In the above embodiment, each program is described as being pre-stored (installed) in a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium. For example, in the vehicle-mounted device 11, the information processing program 102 is pre-stored in the ROM 21B. In the smartphone 214, the information processing program 273A is pre-stored in the ROM 273. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Each program may be provided in a form recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. Each program may also be downloaded from an external device via a network.

[0146] The processing flow described in the above embodiment is also an example, and unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps may be added, or the processing order may be changed within the scope of the gist of the invention.

[0147] In addition, the configurations of each vehicle-mounted device, smartphone, physical key, and management server described in the above embodiment are merely examples, and may be changed depending on the situation within the scope of the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0148] 10, 210 Vehicle System 11 Onboard equipment 12 vehicles 13 Doorknob 14, 214 Smartphone (information processing device) 14A Touch Panel 14C BLE communication section 14D Vibration Sensor 21 Digital key control ECU 21A CPU 25 Display section 26 BLE Communication Department 27 Alarm section 28 Door lock device 50 physical keys 70 Control device 102 Information Processing Program (Program) 122 Verification Department 124 Judgment section 126 Operating unit 140 Digital Key 212 Verification Department 213 Judgment section 214E Speaker 216 Operating unit 270 Control Device 272 CPU 273A Information Processing Program (Program)

Claims

1. a confirmation unit, when locking a door of a vehicle, confirming whether or not an information processing device used to lock the door is located inside the vehicle; a determination unit, when the confirmation unit does not confirm that the information processing device is inside the vehicle, determines whether or not the doors are locked and whether or not the information processing device has detected vibration or movement within a predetermined time after receiving a door lock completion notification; An activation unit activates an alarm when the determination unit does not detect vibration or movement of the information processing device. Information processing methods.

2. An information processing method in an information processing device used to lock a vehicle door, comprising: a confirmation unit confirms whether or not the information processing device is inside the vehicle when locking the doors of the vehicle; a determination unit, when the confirmation unit does not confirm that the information processing device is inside the vehicle, determines whether or not the doors are locked and whether or not the information processing device has detected vibration or movement within a predetermined time after receiving a door lock completion notification; An activation unit activates an alarm when the determination unit does not detect vibration or movement of the information processing device. Information processing methods.

3. On the computer, When locking the doors of the vehicle, it is confirmed whether or not an information processing device used for locking the doors is located inside the vehicle; If it is not confirmed that the information processing device is inside the vehicle, the doors are locked, and it is determined whether or not the information processing device has detected vibration or movement within a predetermined time after receiving a door lock completion notification; If no vibration or movement of the information processing device is detected, an alarm is activated. A program to make it happen.

4. A computer included in an information processing device used to lock a vehicle door, When locking the doors of the vehicle, it is confirmed whether the information processing device is inside the vehicle or not; If it is not confirmed that the information processing device is inside the vehicle, the doors are locked, and it is determined whether or not the information processing device has detected vibration or movement within a predetermined time after receiving a door lock completion notification; If no vibration or movement of the information processing device is detected, an alarm is activated. A program to make it happen.

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