Vehicle occupant protection control device and vehicle occupant protection control method

Abstract

To provide a vehicle occupant protection control device and a vehicle occupant protection control method allowing for controlling an occupant protection device according to an occupant even when the occupant uses the vehicle for the first time.SOLUTION: A vehicle occupant protection control device 10 includes: a reception unit configured to receive a use desire related to vehicle allocation service; a user information acquisition unit configured to identify a user on the basis of use desire information, and acquire user information from a storage unit that has stored the user information in advance; a parameter determination unit configured to determine at least one operation parameter of an occupant protection device on the basis of information including physical information in the user information and vehicle information of a use-scheduled vehicle; an authentication information acquisition unit configured to acquire authentication information of the user from an authentication device provided in each seat of the use-scheduled vehicle; and a parameter application unit configured to apply the determined operation parameter to the occupant protection device in a seat corresponding to the authentication device when the authentication information matches the user information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle occupant protection control device and a vehicle occupant protection control method. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses an occupant protection control device that acquires occupant information recorded on a driver's license via a reader, estimates the condition of the occupant's bones based on the occupant information and statistical information on bone density, and controls the operation of an occupant protection device based on the estimated bone condition. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-55063 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the device described in Patent Document 1 above references information stored in the vehicle and information on the driver's license, so it cannot be applied to vehicles that are being ridden for the first time, such as in ride-hailing services, and there is room for improvement.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In consideration of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle occupant protection control device and a vehicle occupant protection control method that can control an occupant protection device according to the occupant even when the occupant is riding in a vehicle for the first time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The vehicle occupant protection control device of claim 1 includes a reception unit that receives a request to use a vehicle dispatch service, a user information acquisition unit that identifies a user based on the desired use information and acquires user information about the user from a pre-stored memory unit, a parameter determination unit that determines operating parameters of an occupant protection device based on information including physical information from the user information and vehicle information of the vehicle to be used, a parameter transmission unit that transmits the determined operating parameters to the vehicle to be used, an authentication information acquisition unit that acquires authentication information of the user from an authentication device provided in each seat of the vehicle to be used, and a parameter application unit that applies the determined operating parameters to the occupant protection device in the seat corresponding to the authentication device when the authentication information matches the user information.

[0007] In the vehicle occupant protection control device according to claim 1, the reception unit receives a request from a user to use a vehicle dispatch service. The user information acquisition unit identifies the user from the usage information and acquires user information about the user from the storage unit. The parameter determination unit determines operating parameters of the occupant protection device based on information in the user information, including physical information, and vehicle information about the vehicle the user plans to use. The parameter transmission unit transmits the determined operating parameters to the vehicle the user plans to use. This allows the operating parameters of the occupant protection device to be set according to the user, even if the vehicle is a first-time vehicle for the user, such as when using a vehicle dispatch service.

[0008] Furthermore, the authentication information acquisition unit acquires the user's authentication information from an authentication device installed in each seat of the vehicle to be used. Then, if the authentication information matches the user information, the parameter application unit applies the determined operating parameters to the occupant protection device in the seat corresponding to the authentication device. This allows the operating parameters of the occupant protection device to be set quickly. Furthermore, since operating parameters can be set for each seat, even when multiple occupants are riding in the vehicle, the operating parameters of the occupant protection device in each seat can be set for each occupant. Note that the term "occupant protection device" as used herein broadly includes devices for protecting occupants, such as seat belt devices and airbag devices.

[0009] The vehicle occupant protection control device according to claim 2 is the device of claim 1, wherein, when the authentication information does not match the user information, preset standard parameters are applied to the occupant protection device.

[0010] In the vehicle occupant protection control device according to claim 2, when the authentication information and the user information do not match, the operating parameters of the occupant protection device are set to standard parameters, thereby avoiding a situation where the occupant's physique and the operating parameters differ greatly.

[0011] The vehicle occupant protection control device of claim 3 is the same as claim 1, wherein the occupant protection device includes a seat belt device that restrains an occupant in a vehicle seat, and the operating parameters include a force limiter load in the seat belt device.

[0012] In the vehicle occupant protection control device according to claim 3, when the authentication information matches the user information, the force limiter load of the seat belt device in the seat corresponding to the authentication device can be changed to suit the body of the occupant.

[0013] The vehicle occupant protection control device according to claim 4 is the same as claim 1, wherein the occupant protection device includes an airbag that is inflated and deployed around the seat, and the operating parameters include the opening diameter of a vent hole formed in the airbag.

[0014] In the vehicle occupant protection control device according to claim 4, when the authentication information matches the user information, the opening diameter of the vent hole of the airbag device in the seat corresponding to the authentication device can be changed to fit the body of the occupant.

[0015] The vehicle occupant protection control method of claim 5 receives a request to use a vehicle dispatch service, identifies a user based on the desired use information, acquires user information about the user from a pre-stored memory unit, determines operating parameters of an occupant protection device based on information in the user information including physical information and vehicle information of the vehicle to be used, transmits the determined operating parameters to the vehicle to be used, acquires authentication information of the user from an authentication device provided in each seat of the vehicle to be used, and if the authentication information matches the user information, applies the determined operating parameters to the occupant protection device in the seat corresponding to the authentication device.

[0016] In the vehicle occupant protection control method according to claim 5, the operating parameters of the occupant protection device can be set for a vehicle in which a user is riding for the first time, such as in a vehicle dispatch service. Furthermore, if the authentication information matches the user information, the determined operating parameters are applied to the occupant protection device in the seat corresponding to the authentication device, allowing the operating parameters of the occupant protection device to be set quickly. Furthermore, since the operating parameters can be set for each seat, even when multiple occupants are riding in the vehicle, the operating parameters of the occupant protection device in each seat can be set for each occupant. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] As described above, the vehicle occupant protection control device and vehicle occupant protection control method according to the present invention can control the occupant protection device according to the occupant even when the vehicle is being driven for the first time. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a system to which a vehicle occupant protection control device according to an embodiment is applied; [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a vehicle occupant protection control device according to an embodiment; [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a vehicle occupant protection control device according to an embodiment; [Figure 4]5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of an operation parameter application process performed by the vehicle occupant protection control device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing another example of the flow of the operation parameter application process performed by the vehicle occupant protection control device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, a vehicle occupant protection control device 10 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] 1, a control system S including a vehicle occupant protection control device 10 according to this embodiment (hereinafter referred to as "control device 10" as appropriate) is configured to include the control device 10, a server 12 as a storage unit, a mobile terminal 14, and a vehicle V. The control device 10, the server 12, the mobile terminal 14, and the vehicle V are connected via a network N and are capable of communicating with each other.

[0021] The control device 10 is installed, for example, outside the vehicle V, and is configured to be able to change the operating parameters of the occupant protection devices installed in the vehicle V via a network N. The control device 10 is also configured to be able to acquire various information from a server 12 via the network N. The control device 10 may be connected to multiple vehicles V via the network N. The control device 10 may also be installed in the vehicle V, but it is preferable that the control device 10 be installed outside the vehicle V in order to reduce the processing load during driving.

[0022] Various data are stored in the server 12. In the present embodiment, as an example, the server 12 stores user information, which is information about users who use the ride-hailing service. The user information includes the user's identification number, as well as name, age, sex, driver's license information, and physical information. The physical information includes information such as height, weight, and bone density.

[0023] When a person who wishes to use the vehicle dispatch service starts using the service, he or she registers for use using the mobile terminal 14. The information entered by the person who wishes to use the service at the time of registration is stored in the server 12 as user information together with an identification number.

[0024] The mobile terminal 14 is a terminal carried by a user, such as a smartphone or a tablet device.

[0025] The vehicle V is equipped with a vehicle seat 20 as occupant protection devices, a seat belt device 22, and an airbag device 24. The vehicle seat 20 is configured to include a seat cushion that can support the buttocks and thighs of an occupant, a seat back that can support the back of the occupant, and a headrest that can support the head of the occupant. The vehicle seats 20 are arranged in the driver's seat, passenger seat, and rear seat, respectively, and are connected to the control device 10 so as to be able to communicate with each other via a seat ECU (not shown) or the like.

[0026] The seat belt device 22 is mounted on the vehicle seat 20, and when worn by an occupant, restrains the occupant in the vehicle seat 20. As an example, the seat belt device 22 of this embodiment is equipped with a three-point seat belt (webbing) including a shoulder belt that restrains the occupant's upper body and a lap belt that restrains the occupant's waist.

[0027] The seat belt device 22 also includes a retractor (not shown) so that one end of the seat belt is wound up by the retractor. The retractor is further provided with a pretensioner (not shown) so that the pretensioner is activated in the event of a collision of the vehicle V, forcibly winding up the seat belt and restraining the occupant in the vehicle seat 20.

[0028] Furthermore, the seatbelt device 22 is provided with a force limiter mechanism (not shown). For example, the force limiter mechanism is provided in a retractor, and is a mechanism that adjusts tension so that the occupant is not excessively restrained when a pretensioner is activated. A force limiter load is set in the force limiter mechanism, and the force limiter mechanism is configured to activate when the tension acting on the seatbelt exceeds the force limiter load. Note that the force limiter mechanism may also be provided on the buckle side of the seatbelt device 22. Furthermore, the above-mentioned seatbelt, retractor, pretensioner, and force limiter mechanism are known technologies, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0029] The airbag device 24 is a device that inflates and deploys around the vehicle seat 20 to restrain an occupant when the vehicle V collides or when a collision is predicted, and is communicably connected to the control device 10 via an airbag ECU (not shown) or the like. For example, the airbag device 24 is configured to include a driver's seat airbag device, a passenger seat airbag device, a rear seat airbag device, a side airbag device, and the like.

[0030] The driver's seat airbag device is an airbag device that inflates and deploys from the steering wheel toward the rear of the vehicle to restrain the driver's seat occupant. The passenger's seat airbag device is an airbag device that inflates and deploys from the instrument panel toward the rear of the vehicle to restrain the passenger in the passenger's seat. The rear seat airbag device is an airbag device that inflates and deploys from the rear of the front seat toward the rear of the vehicle to restrain the passenger in the rear seat. The side airbag device is an airbag device that inflates and deploys from the side of the vehicle seat 20 toward the front of the vehicle in the event of a side collision of the vehicle to restrain the passenger. Note that the driver's seat airbag device, passenger's seat airbag device, rear seat airbag device, and side airbag device are known technologies, so detailed structural explanations will be omitted.

[0031] Here, the airbag device 24 of this embodiment includes an inflator that supplies gas to the airbag and a vent hole for discharging the gas inside the airbag. In this embodiment, the opening diameter of the vent hole is changeable. For the mechanism for adjusting the opening diameter of the vent hole, the techniques disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-315446, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-196402, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-075116, and International Publication No. 2016 / 168124 can be applied.

[0032] The vehicle V also includes an authentication device 25 for authenticating the user. An authentication device 25 is provided in each seat of the vehicle V. For example, if the vehicle V is a five-seater, an authentication device 25 is provided in each of the driver's seat, passenger seat, right rear seat, left rear seat, and center rear seat.

[0033] For example, the authentication device 25 may be a biometric authentication device such as iris authentication, fingerprint authentication, face authentication, or voice authentication. Also, the authentication device 25 may be a knowledge authentication device in which the user inputs a password, or an authentication device that performs authentication using a digital key or the like.

[0034] The control system S of this embodiment is configured as described above, and the control device 10 is configured to be able to set operating parameters for the occupant protection device of the seat that the user plans to use in the ride-hailing service according to the user's physical information.

[0035] (Hardware configuration of the control device 10) 2, the control device 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit: processor) 30, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 32, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 34, a storage 36, and a communication interface (communication I / F) 38. Each component is connected to each other via an internal bus 40 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0036] The CPU 30 is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls each part. That is, the CPU 30 reads programs from the ROM 32 or storage 36 and executes the programs using the RAM 34 as a work area. The CPU 30 also controls the above-mentioned components and performs various arithmetic processing in accordance with the programs recorded in the ROM 32 or storage 36.

[0037] The ROM 32 stores various programs and various data. The RAM 34 temporarily stores programs or data as a working area. The storage 36 is configured by an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), and is a non-temporary recording medium that stores various programs including an operating system and various data. In this embodiment, the ROM 32 or the storage 36 stores programs for performing various processes.

[0038] The communication I / F 38 is an interface through which the control device 10 communicates with the server 12, the vehicle V, and other devices, and uses standards such as CAN (Controller Area Network), Ethernet (registered trademark), LTE (Long Term Evolution), FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface), and Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0039] (Functional configuration of the control device 10) The control device 10 uses the above hardware resources to realize various functions. The functional configuration realized by the control device 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0040] 3, the control device 10 includes, as functional components, a reception unit 42, a user information acquisition unit 44, a vehicle information acquisition unit 46, a parameter determination unit 48, a parameter transmission unit 50, an authentication information acquisition unit 52, and a parameter application unit 54. Each functional component is realized by the CPU 30 reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 32 or the storage 36.

[0041] The reception unit 42 receives requests to use the vehicle dispatch service. For example, a user who wishes to use the service starts a predetermined application using the mobile terminal 14 and inputs the route, time of use, desired vehicle type, desired driver, etc., which sends a signal to the control device 10 and the reception unit 42 receives the request. Note that the request may be made only by users who have completed their user registration. In this case, the reception unit 42 does not receive requests to use the service from users who have not completed their user registration.

[0042] The user information acquisition unit 44 identifies the user based on the desired usage information, and acquires user information about the user from the server 12. Specifically, the user information acquisition unit 44 acquires the user's identification number from the desired usage information about the desired usage received by the reception unit 42, and acquires the user information of the user corresponding to this identification number from the server 12. For example, the identification number may be a login ID (identification) used by the user when using the service.

[0043] The vehicle information acquisition unit 46 identifies the vehicle to be used based on the desired use information and acquires the vehicle information. Specifically, the vehicle information acquisition unit 46 acquires information about the vehicle model desired by the user from the desired use information accepted by the acceptance unit 42, and acquires vehicle information about this vehicle model. Here, the vehicle information acquired is information about the occupant protection devices installed in each seat.

[0044] The parameter determination unit 48 determines the operation parameters of the occupant protection device based on the information including the physical information and the vehicle information. Specifically, the parameter determination unit 48 determines the operation parameters based on the physical information of the user acquired by the user information acquisition unit 44 and the vehicle information acquired by the vehicle information acquisition unit 46.

[0045] For example, the parameter determination unit 48 determines the operating parameters of the occupant protection device according to the bone density of the user. If the bone density of the user is lower than a predetermined threshold, the parameter determination unit 48 determines the operating parameters of the occupant protection device so as to reduce the load on the user. In other words, if the occupant protection device is a force limiter mechanism, the parameter determination unit 48 reduces the force limiter load below the standard setting value so as to reduce the load on the user. This causes the force limiter mechanism to operate at a lower load than when the force limiter load is the standard setting value.

[0046] Furthermore, when the occupant protection device is an airbag device and the user's bone density is lower than a predetermined threshold, the parameter determination unit 48 increases the opening diameter of the vent hole from the standard setting value to reduce the load on the user, thereby reducing the internal pressure of the airbag compared to when the opening diameter of the vent hole is the standard setting value.

[0047] The parameter transmission unit 50 transmits the operation parameters determined by the parameter determination unit 48 to the vehicle to be used. When the vehicle V receives the operation parameters, preparations for changing the operation parameters of the occupant protection device are made. In this embodiment, the operation parameters are not changed at this stage, but the operation parameters may be changed as soon as the vehicle V receives the operation parameters.

[0048] The authentication information acquisition unit 52 acquires the authentication information of the user from the authentication device 25 provided at each seat of the vehicle to be used. When the user uses the vehicle V, authentication is performed by the authentication device 25, and the authentication information acquisition unit 52 acquires the authentication information and seat information.

[0049] If the authentication information acquired by the authentication information acquisition unit 52 matches the user information, the parameter application unit 54 applies the determined operation parameters to the occupant protection device in the seat corresponding to the authentication device 25. That is, the operation parameters transmitted to the vehicle V in advance by the parameter transmission unit 50 are applied.

[0050] On the other hand, if the authentication information acquired by the authentication information acquisition unit 52 does not match the user information, the parameter application unit 54 applies preset standard parameters to the passenger protection device.

[0051] In this embodiment, the operation parameters can be set for each seat, so that standard parameters or other operation parameters are set for seats other than the seat authenticated by the user.

[0052] (action) Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0053] An example of the operation parameter application process by the control device 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 4. These display processes are executed by the CPU 30 reading a program from the ROM 32 or storage 36, expanding it into the RAM 34, and executing it. It is assumed that the user has completed user registration, and that the server 12 stores user information such as the user's identification number, name, age, sex, driver's license information, and physical information. As an example, the case where the occupant protection device is a force limiter mechanism mounted on the seatbelt device 22 will be described.

[0054] (An example of operation parameter application processing) The CPU 30 accepts a request for use in step S102. Specifically, the CPU 30 uses the function of the accepting unit 42 to accept a request for use of the vehicle dispatch service from the user via the mobile terminal 14 or the like.

[0055] The CPU 30 acquires the user information in step S104. Specifically, the CPU 30 acquires the user information of the user from the server 12 using the function of the user information acquisition unit 44.

[0056] In step S106, CPU 30 determines whether bone density information is present. Specifically, if the user information acquired from server 12 includes bone density information, CPU 30 determines that bone density information is present and proceeds to processing in step S108. On the other hand, if CPU 30 determines that bone density information is not present in step S106, CPU 30 proceeds to processing in step S118. Below, the processing from step S108 onwards will be described, and then the processing from step S118 onwards will be described.

[0057] In step S108, the CPU 30 determines the force limiter load using the function of the parameter determination unit 48. Specifically, the CPU 30 determines the force limiter load based on at least one of the age, sex, and bone density information acquired in step S104. For example, a table associating bone density with force limiter load for each of males and females may be stored in advance in the server 12, and the force limiter load may be determined by referring to this table.

[0058] In step S110, the CPU 30 transmits information regarding the force limiter load, which is an operating parameter, to the vehicle V. Specifically, the CPU 30 transmits the information regarding the force limiter load determined in step S108 using the function of the parameter transmission unit 50 to the vehicle V that the user plans to use.

[0059] The CPU 30 determines whether or not authentication information has been acquired in step S112. Specifically, if the authentication information acquisition unit 52 acquires the user's authentication information from the authentication device 25 within a predetermined time before or after the usage start time, the CPU 30 proceeds to processing in step S114. On the other hand, if the authentication information acquisition unit 52 does not acquire the user's authentication information from the authentication device 25 within a predetermined time before or after the usage start time, the CPU 30 proceeds to processing in step S124. The processing in step S124 will be described later.

[0060] In step S114, the CPU 30 determines whether the authentication information matches the user information. Specifically, if the user identified from the authentication information matches the user information acquired in step S104, the CPU 30 proceeds to processing in step S116. On the other hand, if the CPU 30 determines that the authentication information does not match the user information, the CPU 30 proceeds to processing in step S124.

[0061] In step S116, the CPU 30 changes the parameters of the occupant protection device. Specifically, the CPU 30 changes the force limiter load of the force limiter mechanism in the vehicle seat 20 on which the user is seated, using the function of the parameter application unit 54. Here, the CPU 30 changes the force limiter load to the one determined in step S108. Then, the CPU 30 ends the operation parameter application process.

[0062] On the other hand, if CPU 30 determines in step S106 that bone mineral density information is not present, it proceeds to step S118 to determine whether age information is present. Specifically, if age information is included in the user information acquired from server 12, CPU 30 determines that age information is present and proceeds to step S120. If age information is not included in the user information, CPU 30 determines that age status is not present and proceeds to step S124.

[0063] In step S120, CPU 30 determines the force limiter load using the function of parameter determination unit 48. Specifically, CPU 30 determines the force limiter load based on the age information acquired in step S104. For example, by referring to a graph showing the relationship between age and bone density, the bone density is estimated from the age information, and the force limiter load corresponding to the estimated bone density is determined.

[0064] In step S122, the CPU 30 transmits information about the force limiter load, which is an operating parameter, to the vehicle V. Specifically, the CPU 30 transmits the information about the force limiter load determined in step S120 using the function of the parameter transmission unit 50 to the vehicle V that the user plans to use. The processing from step S112 onwards is similar.

[0065] If authentication information is not acquired in step S112, if the authentication information does not match the user information in step S114, or if age information is not available in step S118, the CPU 30 proceeds to the process of step S124 and sets the operating parameters to standard parameters. Specifically, the CPU 30 sets the force limiter load to the standard parameters. Note that if the force limiter load is initially set to the standard parameters, the CPU 30 does not change the force limiter load.

[0066] As described above, the control device 10 according to this embodiment makes it possible to set the operating parameters of the passenger protection device for a vehicle in which a user gets into for the first time, such as in a vehicle dispatch service.

[0067] In particular, in this embodiment, the authentication information acquisition unit 52 acquires the user's authentication information from the authentication device 25 provided at each seat of the vehicle to be used, and if the authentication information matches the user information, the determined operating parameters are applied to the passenger protection device at the seat corresponding to the authentication device 25. This allows the operating parameters of the passenger protection device to be set quickly, since authentication is performed in a state where preparations for changing the operating parameters have been made.

[0068] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the operating parameters can be set for each seat, even when multiple occupants are in the vehicle, the operating parameters of the occupant protection device for each seat can be set for each occupant.

[0069] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if the authentication information and user information do not match, the operating parameters of the occupant protection device are set to the standard parameters, thereby avoiding a situation where the occupant's physique and operating parameters differ significantly.

[0070] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if the user information includes bone density information, the force limiter load is determined based on the bone density information, so that an appropriate force limiter load can be set according to the user's bone density.

[0071] On the other hand, even if bone density information is not available, the force limiter load is determined based on age information, so occupants with relatively low bone density, such as elderly people, can be more appropriately protected than when the force limiter load is used as a standard parameter.

[0072] 4 has been described for the case where the occupant protection device is the force limiter mechanism of the vehicle seat 20, the processing is performed in a similar manner for other occupant protection devices. For example, when changing the operation parameters of the airbag device 24 as the occupant protection device, the operation parameter application processing shown in FIG. 5 may be executed.

[0073] (Another example of the operation parameter application process) Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing another example of the flow of the operation parameter application process by the vehicle occupant protection control device according to the embodiment. Here, steps S202, S204, S206, S212, S214, and S218 in Fig. 5 are the same as steps S102, S104, S106, S112, S114, and S118 in Fig. 4, and therefore will not be described. Therefore, only the processes of steps S208, S210, S216, S220, S222, and S224 will be described below.

[0074] In step S208, CPU 30 determines the opening diameter of the vent hole in airbag device 24 using the function of parameter determination unit 48. Specifically, CPU 30 determines the opening diameter of the vent hole based on at least one of the age, sex, and bone density information acquired in step S204. For example, a table correlating bone density with the opening diameter of the vent hole for each of males and females may be stored in advance in server 12, and the opening diameter of the vent hole may be determined by referring to this table.

[0075] In step S210, CPU 30 transmits information regarding the opening diameter of the vent hole, which is an operating parameter, to vehicle V. Specifically, CPU 30 transmits information regarding the opening diameter of the vent hole determined in step S208 using the function of parameter transmission unit 50 to vehicle V that the user plans to use.

[0076] If the authentication information and the user information match, the CPU 30 changes the operation parameters in step S216. Specifically, the CPU 30 changes the opening diameter of the vent hole of the airbag device 24 in the vehicle seat 20 in which the user is seated, using the function of the parameter application unit 54. Here, the CPU 30 changes the opening diameter of the vent hole to the diameter determined in step S208. Then, the CPU 30 ends the operation parameter application process.

[0077] On the other hand, if the user information does not contain bone density information but does contain age information, CPU 30 determines the opening diameter of the vent hole using the function of parameter determination unit 48 in step S220. Specifically, CPU 30 determines the opening diameter of the vent hole based on the age information acquired in step S204. For example, by referencing a graph showing the relationship between age and bone density, CPU 30 estimates bone density from the age information and determines the opening diameter of the vent hole corresponding to the estimated bone density.

[0078] In step S222, CPU 30 transmits information regarding the opening diameter of the vent hole, which is an operating parameter, to vehicle V. Specifically, CPU 30 transmits information regarding the opening diameter of the vent hole determined in step S220 using the function of parameter transmission unit 50 to vehicle V that the user plans to use.

[0079] If the authentication information is not acquired, if the authentication information does not match the user information, or if there is no age information, the CPU 30 proceeds to the process of step S224 and sets the operating parameters to the standard parameters. Specifically, the CPU 30 sets the opening diameter of the vent hole to the standard parameters. Note that if the opening diameter of the vent hole is initially set to the standard parameters, the CPU 30 does not change the opening diameter of the vent hole.

[0080] As described above, in this embodiment, when the authentication information matches the user information, the vent hole opening diameter of the airbag device 24 in the seat corresponding to the authentication device 25 can be changed to match the physical information of the occupant.

[0081] The above describes the control device 10 according to the embodiment, but it goes without saying that it can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In the above embodiment, the case where the operating parameters of the force limiter mechanism in the seatbelt device of the vehicle seat 20 are changed has been described. However, this is not limited to this, and the operating parameters of the pretensioner may also be changed. For example, the retraction force when the pretensioner is activated and the retraction amount of the seatbelt may be changed according to the user's physical information. Furthermore, for example, the height of the adjustable anchor in the vehicle seat 20, the height of the headrest stay, and the fore-aft position and height of the vehicle seat 20 may be changed.

[0082] In the above embodiment, the case where the authentication device 25 is provided in all the seats of the vehicle V has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the vehicle may have a structure in which the authentication device 25 is provided in only some of the seats. In a typical vehicle dispatch service, the user does not sit in the driver's seat, so the authentication device 25 does not need to be provided in the driver's seat.

[0083] Furthermore, the processing performed by the CPU 30 after reading the program in the above embodiment may be performed by various processors other than the CPU 30. Examples of such processors include dedicated electrical circuits, such as programmable logic devices (PLDs) (such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)) whose circuit configuration can be changed after fabrication, and application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) that are processors with circuit configurations specifically designed to perform specific processing. The processing may be performed by one of these various processors, or by a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types, such as multiple FPGAs or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA. The hardware structure of these various processors is, more specifically, an electrical circuit that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor devices.

[0084] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, various data is stored in the storage 36, but this is not limiting. For example, a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disk), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory may be used as the storage unit. In this case, various programs and data are stored in these recording media.

[0085] Furthermore, the processing flow described in the above embodiment is 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 invention.

[0086] The following additional notes are provided regarding the above-described embodiments.

[0087] (Appendix 1) a reception unit that receives requests for use of the vehicle dispatch service; a user information acquisition unit that identifies a user based on the desired use information and acquires user information relating to the user from a storage unit that has the information stored in advance; a parameter determination unit that determines operating parameters of the passenger protection device based on information including physical information among the user information and vehicle information of the vehicle to be used; a parameter transmission unit that transmits the determined operating parameters to the intended use vehicle; an authentication information acquisition unit that acquires authentication information of the user from an authentication device provided in each seat of the vehicle to be used; a parameter application unit that applies the determined operation parameters to the passenger protection device in the seat corresponding to the authentication device when the authentication information matches the user information; A vehicle occupant protection control device having: (Appendix 2) 2. The vehicle occupant protection control device according to claim 1, wherein, if the authentication information does not match the user information, preset standard parameters are applied to the occupant protection device. (Appendix 3) The occupant protection device includes a seat belt device that restrains an occupant in a vehicle seat, 3. The vehicle occupant protection control device according to claim 1, wherein the operating parameters include a force limiter load in the seat belt device. (Appendix 4) The occupant protection device includes an airbag that is inflated and deployed around the seat, 4. The vehicle occupant protection control device according to claim 1, wherein the operation parameters include an opening diameter of a vent hole formed in the airbag. (Appendix 5) Accept requests for use of the ride-hailing service, Identifying a user based on the desired use information, and acquiring user information about the user from a storage unit that has previously stored the information; determining operation parameters of the passenger protection device based on the user information including physical information and vehicle information of the vehicle to be used; Transmitting the determined operating parameters to the vehicle to be used; Acquire user authentication information from an authentication device installed in each seat of the vehicle to be used; If the authentication information matches the user information, the determined operation parameters are applied to the occupant protection device in the seat corresponding to the authentication device. Vehicle occupant protection control method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 10. Vehicle occupant protection control device 12 Server (storage unit) 20 Vehicle seats (occupant protection devices) 22 Seatbelt device (occupant protection device) 24 Airbag device (occupant protection device) 25 Authentication Device 42 Reception Department 44 User information acquisition department 48 Parameter determination unit 50 Parameter transmission unit 52 Authentication information acquisition unit 54 Parameter application section V vehicle

Claims

1. a reception unit that receives requests for use of the vehicle dispatch service; a user information acquisition unit that identifies a user based on the desired use information and acquires user information relating to the user from a storage unit that has the information stored in advance; a parameter determination unit that determines operating parameters of the passenger protection device based on information including physical information among the user information and vehicle information of the vehicle to be used; a parameter transmission unit that transmits the determined operating parameters to the intended use vehicle; an authentication information acquisition unit that acquires authentication information of the user from an authentication device provided in each seat of the vehicle to be used; a parameter application unit that applies the determined operation parameters to the passenger protection device in the seat corresponding to the authentication device when the authentication information matches the user information; A vehicle occupant protection control device having:

2. The vehicle occupant protection control device according to claim 1 , wherein, when the authentication information does not match the user information, a preset standard parameter is applied to the occupant protection device.

3. The occupant protection device includes a seat belt device that restrains an occupant in a vehicle seat, 2. The vehicle occupant protection control device according to claim 1, wherein the operating parameters include a force limiter load in the seat belt device.

4. The occupant protection device includes an airbag that is inflated and deployed around the seat, 2. The vehicle occupant protection control device according to claim 1, wherein the operational parameters include an opening diameter of a vent hole formed in the airbag.

5. Accept requests for use of the ride-hailing service, Identifying a user based on the desired use information, and acquiring user information about the user from a storage unit that has previously stored the information; determining operation parameters of the passenger protection device based on the user information including physical information and vehicle information of the vehicle to be used; Transmitting the determined operating parameters to the vehicle to be used; Acquire user authentication information from an authentication device installed in each seat of the vehicle to be used; If the authentication information matches the user information, the determined operation parameters are applied to the occupant protection device in the seat corresponding to the authentication device. Vehicle occupant protection control method.

Images