Vehicle Systems

The vehicle system addresses the inefficiency of launching mobile device content by using onboard detectors to automatically activate desired applications based on terminal placement, improving convenience during vehicle operation.

JP7783235B2Active Publication Date: 2025-12-09YAZAKI CORP
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2023178209
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-10-16
Publication Date
2025-12-09
Estimated Expiration
2043-10-16

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The cumbersome process of searching and launching desired content on mobile devices during vehicle operation, particularly when passengers want to use navigation or audio applications while driving, is inefficient and inconvenient.

Method used

A vehicle system with onboard detectors and a portable terminal that automatically detects the placement of the mobile terminal and activates desired content based on its location, allowing easy launch before driving or while the vehicle is stopped.

Benefits of technology

Enables easy activation of desired content on a mobile terminal by installing it at a predetermined detection unit, enhancing convenience and reducing the need for manual content search during vehicle operation.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To provide a vehicle system that can easily start a desired content of a portable terminal before starting-up of a vehicle or during stopping of the vehicle.SOLUTION: A vehicle system 1 includes: an in-vehicle device 11 mounted in a vehicle 10; and a portable terminal 20 that can be carried by an occupant of the vehicle 10. The in-vehicle device 11 can hold the portable terminal 20 and includes: a plurality of detection units 12 configured to detect the installation of the portable terminal 20; a determination unit 13 configured to determine the detection unit 12 on which the portable terminal 20 is mounted from the plurality of detection units 12; a vehicle communication unit 14 configured to transmit to the portable terminal 20 installation position information of the portable terminal 20 determined by the determination unit 13; and a vehicle control unit 15 configured to control a unit of vehicle equipment 16 in response to a signal received from the portable terminal 20. The portable terminal 20 includes a terminal control unit 22 configured to start a content corresponding to the installation position information received from the vehicle communication unit 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, vehicle systems (in-vehicle equipment systems) equipped with vehicle equipment such as navigation equipment and a mobile terminal such as a smartphone have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The vehicle system of Patent Document 1 is configured such that when the vehicle is in a predetermined state, predetermined information is sent from the in-vehicle device to the mobile terminal, and the mobile terminal that receives the predetermined information executes an application-related process related to an application, and the execution of the application-related process makes it easy to execute an application on the mobile terminal that can obtain information related to the vehicle being in the predetermined state. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-162140 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, there has been an increasing trend of using content (e.g., applications) such as navigation and audio installed on mobile devices while driving a vehicle such as an automobile. However, since there is a large amount of content in the mobile device that is different from the content that can be used while driving, such as navigation and audio, it has become cumbersome to search for and launch desired content. Furthermore, in Patent Document 1, content is launched based on the vehicle state, and when a passenger wants to use the content, the passenger must search for and launch the desired content from among the many available contents, as described above.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a vehicle system that can easily launch desired content on a mobile terminal before starting to drive the vehicle or while the vehicle is stopped. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a vehicle system according to the present invention is characterized as follows. A vehicle system including an on-board device mounted in a vehicle and a portable terminal that can be carried by a passenger of the vehicle, The in-vehicle device a plurality of detectors capable of holding the mobile terminals and detecting placement of the mobile terminals; are arranged at predetermined locations close to the plurality of vehicle devices in the vehicle. a determination unit that determines which of the plurality of detection units has the mobile terminal installed therein; Installation location information of the mobile terminal determined by the determination unit The signal corresponding to is sent to the mobile device and receiving a signal requesting control of the vehicle device from a communication unit of the mobile terminal. a vehicle communication unit for received from the mobile terminal The control request Depending on the signal The above-mentioned according to the desired application a vehicle control unit that controls vehicle equipment, The mobile terminal corresponding to the installation position information received from the vehicle communication unit Depending on the signal, the desired application It has a terminal control unit that starts the content. death, The mobile terminal is installed at a detection unit at a predetermined location close to the vehicle device according to a desired purpose from among the plurality of detection units, and the content according to the desired purpose on the mobile terminal is activated. do, It is a vehicle system. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, when a mobile terminal is installed in at least one of the multiple detection units, the vehicle communication unit transmits installation location information of the mobile terminal determined by the determination unit to the mobile terminal, and the mobile terminal launches content corresponding to the installation location information received from the vehicle communication unit. Therefore, a vehicle occupant can launch desired content on the mobile terminal by installing the mobile terminal in a predetermined detection unit depending on the purpose. In other words, according to the present invention, desired content on the mobile terminal can be easily launched before starting to drive the vehicle or while the vehicle is stopped.

[0008] The present invention has been briefly described above. The details of the present invention will become clearer by reading the following detailed description of the invention (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a vehicle system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the plurality of detecting units shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the vehicle system illustrated in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a table showing an example of contents of mobile terminals corresponding to the plurality of detectors shown in FIG. 2 in the vehicle system shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A vehicle system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] 1, the vehicle system 1 is configured to include an in-vehicle device 11 mounted on a vehicle 10 and a portable terminal 20 that can be carried by a passenger in the vehicle 10, and communication is performed between the in-vehicle device 11 and the portable terminal 20. Note that the "content" of the present invention, which will be described later, refers to, for example, an application executed on the portable terminal 20 (a so-called "smartphone app"), a function provided by the portable terminal 20, etc.

[0012] The vehicle 10 includes an on-board device 11 and various vehicle equipment 16, and the on-board device 11 includes multiple detection units 12, a judgment unit 13, a communication unit 14, and a control unit 15 (see FIG. 1).

[0013] 2, the plurality of detectors 12 include detectors 12a to 12k, and are arranged at predetermined locations in the vehicle. The detector 12 is, for example, a holder with a sensor, and holds the mobile terminal 20 and detects that the mobile terminal 20 is installed.

[0014] The determination unit 13 is a device capable of determining the installation location of the mobile terminal 20, and determines the detection unit 12 in which the mobile terminal 20 is installed from among the plurality of detection units 12.

[0015] The communication unit 14 is capable of communicating with a communication unit 21 of the mobile terminal 20, which will be described later, via a wired or wireless connection. In this example, the communication unit 14 transmits installation location information of the mobile terminal 20 determined by the determination unit 13 to the communication unit 21 of the mobile terminal 20, and further receives a signal requesting control of the vehicle device 16 from the communication unit 21 of the mobile terminal 20.

[0016] The control unit 15 has a memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that operates according to a program stored in the memory, and controls the vehicle equipment 16 in response to a control request signal received from the mobile terminal 20.

[0017] Vehicle equipment 16 is various devices that can be controlled by control unit 15, such as a HUD (Head Up Display) device, an in-vehicle camera, a vehicle key (such as a lock for a so-called smart key), an airbag, and a car audio device.

[0018] The mobile terminal 20 includes a communication unit 21, a control unit 22, and various terminal devices 23 (see FIG. 1). The mobile terminal 20 is, for example, a device such as a smartphone.

[0019] The communication unit 21 can communicate with the communication unit 14 of the in-vehicle device 11 via wired or wireless communication. In this example, the communication unit 21 receives installation location information of the mobile terminal 20 from the communication unit 14 of the in-vehicle device 11, and further transmits a signal requesting control of the vehicle equipment 16 to the communication unit 14 of the in-vehicle device 11.

[0020] The control unit 22 has a memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that operates according to a program stored in the memory, and activates content corresponding to the installation location information received from the communication unit 14 of the in-vehicle device 11. The control unit 22 also activates content in the mobile terminal 20 corresponding to the installation location information to control the terminal device 23, and further activates content in the mobile terminal 20 corresponding to the installation location information to generate a signal requesting the vehicle control unit 15 to control the vehicle device 16.

[0021] The terminal device 23 is a device that can be controlled by the control unit 22, and is, for example, a light, a camera, a display (such as a touch panel type), a speaker, a microphone, and the like.

[0022] Next, an example of the operation of the vehicle system 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to Fig. 3. When the ignition of the vehicle 10 is turned on (IG-ON), or when an operation by a passenger of the vehicle 10 or a passenger is detected, the vehicle system 1 starts up, and the in-vehicle device 11 determines whether or not the installation of the mobile terminal 20 has been detected by the multiple detection units 12 (Sp1). If the installation of the mobile terminal 20 is not detected, that is, if the passenger has not installed the mobile terminal 20 on the detection unit 12 ("No" in Sp1), the process returns to Sp1.

[0023] When the installation of the portable terminal 20 is detected, i.e., when the passenger installs the portable terminal 20 at the desired detection unit 12 ("Yes" in Sp1), the in-vehicle device 11 acquires the installation position of the portable terminal 20 from among the multiple detection units 12 using the determination unit 13 (Sp2). Then, communication is performed between the communication unit 14 of the vehicle 10 and the communication unit 21 of the portable terminal 20, and the in-vehicle device 11 transmits the installation position information of the portable terminal 20 acquired by the determination unit 13 to the portable terminal 20 (Sp3).

[0024] When the mobile terminal 20 receives the installation location information from the in-vehicle device 11, the control unit 22 starts up the content of the mobile terminal 20 corresponding to the installation location information (Sp4), and controls the terminal device 23 (Sp5).

[0025] Then, the control unit 22 determines whether or not it is necessary to control the vehicle device 16 to execute the content (Sp6). If it is not necessary to control the vehicle device 16 (No in Sp6), the process returns to Sp1 at a predetermined timing, for example, when the detection unit 12 detects that the mobile terminal 20 has been removed or that the content operation has ended.

[0026] If control of the vehicle equipment 16 is required ("Yes" in Sp6), the control unit 22 generates a signal requesting control of the vehicle equipment 16 to the control unit 15 of the vehicle 10, communication is carried out between the communication units 14 and 21, and the mobile terminal 20 transmits the control request signal generated by the control unit 22 to the in-vehicle device 11 (Sp7).

[0027] Then, the in-vehicle device 11 controls the vehicle equipment 16 in response to the control request signal received via the communication unit 14 (Sp8). After that, the process returns to Sp1 at a predetermined timing, such as when the detection unit 12 detects that the mobile terminal 20 has been removed or when the content operation has ended. This makes it possible to easily start desired content on the mobile terminal 20 before starting to drive the vehicle 10 or while the vehicle is stopped.

[0028] Next, a specific example will be described in accordance with an example of the operation of the vehicle system 1 described above. Before describing the specific example, an example of the content of the mobile terminal 20 corresponding to the plurality of detection units 12a to 12k is as shown in Fig. 4. Note that an example of the arrangement of the plurality of detection units 12a to 12k corresponds to the example of the arrangement in Fig. 2. The specific example will be described taking as an example a case where the mobile terminal 20 is installed in the detection unit 12a and the detection unit 12k.

[0029] First, an example of the operation of the vehicle system 1 when the mobile terminal 20 is installed on the detection unit 12a will be described. When the mobile terminal 20 is installed on the detection unit 12a, the detection unit 12a detects the installation of the mobile terminal 20 (Sp1). Then, the determination unit 13 acquires the installation location of the mobile terminal 20 (i.e., the detection unit 12a) (Sp2), communication is performed between the communication units 14 and 21, and installation location information is transmitted from the in-vehicle device 11 to the mobile terminal 20 (Sp3). Then, the mobile terminal 20 activates a light function (such as a light app) (Sp4) and turns on the light (Sp5). Then, the control unit 22 determines whether or not control of the vehicle equipment 16 is necessary to execute the content (Sp6), and as a result, determines that control of the vehicle equipment 16 is not necessary ("No" in Sp6), and returns to the processing of Sp1 at a predetermined timing.

[0030] Next, an example of the operation of the vehicle system 1 when the mobile terminal 20 is installed in the detection unit 12k will be described. When the mobile terminal 20 is installed in the detection unit 12k, the installation of the mobile terminal 20 is detected by the detection unit 12k (Sp1). Then, the determination unit 13 acquires the installation position of the mobile terminal 20 (i.e., the detection unit 12k) (Sp2), communication is performed between the communication units 14 and 21, and installation position information is transmitted from the in-vehicle device 11 to the mobile terminal 20 (Sp3). Then, the mobile terminal 20 activates the authentication system (authentication function, etc.) (Sp4) and controls the terminal device 23 (display, camera, etc.) required for the authentication operation (Sp5). Then, the control unit 22 determines whether or not control of the vehicle device 16 is necessary to execute the content (Sp6). As a result, the control unit 22 determines that control of the vehicle device 16 (in this example, the vehicle key) is necessary ("Yes" in Sp6), generates a signal requesting control of the vehicle key to the control unit 15 of the vehicle 10, and communication is performed between the communication units 14 and 21, and the control request signal is sent from the mobile terminal 20 to the in-vehicle device 11 (Sp7). Then, the in-vehicle device 11 controls the vehicle key to unlock the vehicle key lock (Sp8). Thereafter, the process returns to Sp1 at a predetermined timing.

[0031] Here, the content that is activated at the location where the mobile terminal 20 is installed is not limited to that shown in FIG. 4, but can be customized to suit the preferences of the driver (user), for example, by changing the way in which the installation location and content are linked from the existing setting, or by adding new content.

[0032] As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the mobile terminal 20 is installed on at least one of the detection units 12a to 12k among the plurality of detection units 12, the communication unit 14 transmits installation location information of the mobile terminal 20 determined by the determination unit 13 to the communication unit 21 of the mobile terminal 20, and the control unit 22 of the mobile terminal 20 activates content corresponding to the installation location information received from the communication unit 14. Therefore, a vehicle occupant can activate desired content on the mobile terminal 20 by installing the mobile terminal 20 on a predetermined detection unit 12 depending on the purpose. That is, according to the present embodiment, desired content on the mobile terminal 20 can be easily activated before the vehicle 10 starts driving or while the vehicle is stopped.

[0033] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the control unit 22 activates the content of the mobile terminal 20 corresponding to the installation location information, generates a signal requesting control of the vehicle equipment 16 to the control unit 15, and communicates the control request signal via the communication units 21 and 14, so that the vehicle equipment 16 operates in accordance with the content of the mobile terminal 20, thereby improving convenience when riding in the vehicle 10.

[0034] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the control unit 22 activates the content of the mobile terminal 20 corresponding to the installation location information and controls the terminal device 23, so that the terminal device 23 operates in accordance with the content of the mobile terminal 20, thereby improving convenience when riding in the vehicle 10.

[0035] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the content is an application executed on the mobile terminal 20 and a function provided by the mobile terminal 20, the desired application or function can be linked to the detection unit 12, and the desired application or function of the mobile terminal 20 can be easily executed before the vehicle 10 starts driving or while the vehicle is stopped.

[0036] <Other forms> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately modified, improved, etc. Furthermore, the material, shape, size, number, location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary and not limited as long as they can achieve the present invention.

[0037] Here, the features of the above-described embodiment of the vehicle system according to the present invention will be briefly summarized and listed below in [1] to [4].

[0038] [1] A vehicle system (1) including an on-board device (11) mounted on a vehicle (10) and a portable terminal (20) that can be carried by a passenger of the vehicle (10), The in-vehicle device (11) a plurality of detectors (12) capable of holding the mobile terminals (20) and detecting the placement of the mobile terminals (20); a determination unit (13) that determines the detection unit (12a to 12k) on which the mobile terminal is installed from among the plurality of detection units (12); a vehicle communication unit (14) that transmits installation location information of the mobile terminal (20) determined by the determination unit (13) to the mobile terminal (20); a vehicle control unit (15) that controls a vehicle device (16) in response to a signal received from the mobile terminal (20), The mobile terminal (20) a terminal control unit (22) that activates content corresponding to the installation location information received from the vehicle communication unit (14); Vehicle Systems (1).

[0039] According to the configuration [1] above, when a mobile terminal is installed in at least one of the multiple detection units, the vehicle communication unit transmits installation location information of the mobile terminal determined by the determination unit to the mobile terminal, and the mobile terminal launches content corresponding to the installation location information received from the vehicle communication unit. Therefore, a vehicle occupant can launch desired content on the mobile terminal by installing the mobile terminal in a predetermined detection unit depending on the purpose. In other words, according to the configuration above, desired content on the mobile terminal can be easily launched before starting to drive the vehicle or while the vehicle is stopped.

[0040] [2] The vehicle system (1) described in [1] above, The terminal control unit (22) activates the content and controls the terminal device (23). Vehicle Systems (1).

[0041] According to the configuration [2] above, the terminal control unit activates the content of the mobile terminal corresponding to the installation location information and controls the terminal device, so that the terminal device operates in accordance with the content of the mobile terminal, thereby improving convenience when riding in a vehicle.

[0042] [3] The vehicle system (1) according to [1] or [2] above, the terminal control unit (22) activates the content and generates the signal requesting the vehicle control unit (15) to control the vehicle device (16); Vehicle Systems (1).

[0043] According to the configuration [3] above, the terminal control unit activates the content of the mobile terminal corresponding to the installation location information and generates a signal requesting control of the vehicle equipment to the vehicle control unit, so that the vehicle equipment operates in accordance with the content of the mobile terminal, thereby improving convenience when riding in the vehicle.

[0044] [4] A vehicle system (1) according to any one of [1] to [3] above, The content is an application executed on the mobile terminal (20) and a function provided by the mobile terminal (20). Vehicle Systems (1).

[0045] According to the configuration [4] above, since the content is an application executed on the mobile terminal and a function provided by the mobile terminal, the desired application or function can be linked to the detection unit, and the desired application or function on the mobile terminal can be easily executed before starting to drive the vehicle or while the vehicle is stopped. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1 Vehicle Systems 10 vehicles 11 Onboard equipment 12 Detection unit 13 Judgment Department 14 Communication unit (vehicle communication unit) 15 Control unit (vehicle control unit) 16 Vehicle equipment 20 Mobile devices 21 Communications Department 22 Control unit (terminal control unit) 23 Terminal Equipment

Claims

1. A vehicle system including an on-board device mounted in a vehicle and a portable terminal that can be carried by a passenger of the vehicle, The in-vehicle device a plurality of detectors capable of holding the mobile terminals and detecting placement of the mobile terminals; a determination unit that determines which of the plurality of detection units in the vehicle the mobile terminal is installed in, from among the plurality of detection units that are arranged at predetermined locations close to each of the plurality of vehicle devices in the vehicle; a vehicle communication unit that transmits to the mobile terminal a signal corresponding to the installation location information of the mobile terminal determined by the determination unit, and receives a signal requesting control of the vehicle device from the communication unit of the mobile terminal; a vehicle control unit that controls the vehicle equipment according to a desired purpose in response to the control request signal received from the mobile terminal, The mobile terminal a terminal control unit that activates content according to a desired purpose in response to a signal corresponding to the installation location information received from the vehicle communication unit; When the mobile terminal is installed at a detection unit at a predetermined location close to the vehicle device corresponding to a desired purpose among the plurality of detection units, the content corresponding to the desired purpose on the mobile terminal is activated. Vehicle systems.

2. 2. The vehicle system of claim 1, the terminal control unit activates the content and controls the terminal device of the mobile terminal; Vehicle systems.

3. 2. The vehicle system of claim 1, the terminal control unit activates the content and generates the control request signal to the vehicle control unit; Vehicle systems.

4. The vehicle system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The content is an application executed on the mobile terminal and a function provided by the mobile terminal. Vehicle systems.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • On-vehicle apparatus system, on-vehicle apparatus and portable terminal used therefor

    JP2012162140A

  • Display system for vehicle

    JP2015105074A