Information processing device

Abstract

To provide a technique which can safely operate a user terminal without depending on a post-installation apparatus.SOLUTION: A controller of an information processing unit detects operation of a specific switch among a plurality of existing switches to operate each of a plurality of existing apparatuses in a vehicle through a specified method that does not exert a function of a corresponding apparatus. The controller of the information processing unit transmits a command to a user terminal a user related to the vehicle uses to perform a specified operation according to detection of the operation of the specific switch through the specified method.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] A technique is known in which a dedicated controller is retrofitted to a vehicle and a user terminal is operated through the operation of the controller (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a technique capable of safely operating a user terminal without depending on a retrofitted device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The present disclosure can be regarded as an information processing apparatus mounted on a vehicle. In that case, the information processing apparatus, for example, detects that a specific switch among a plurality of existing switches for operating each of a plurality of devices already installed in the vehicle has been operated in a predetermined method in which the function of the corresponding device is not exerted, and in response to detecting the operation of the specific switch by the predetermined method, transmits a command for causing a predetermined operation to be performed on a user terminal associated with a user who drives the vehicle. and includes a control unit configured to execute the above.

[0006] This disclosure can also be interpreted as an information processing method in which the processing of the information processing device described above is executed by a computer installed in a vehicle. Alternatively, it can be interpreted as an information processing program for causing a computer installed in a vehicle to execute the information processing method described above, or as a non-temporary storage medium for storing said information processing program. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] This disclosure provides a technology that enables secure operation of user terminals without relying on add-on equipment. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This diagram shows an overview of the system in one embodiment. [Figure 2] This diagram schematically shows an example of the vehicle configuration in an embodiment. [Figure 3] This diagram schematically shows an example of the software configuration of an in-vehicle terminal in an embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure schematically shows an example of operation data in an embodiment. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows the processing flow executed in the in-vehicle terminal in the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] As part of traffic safety measures, user devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets) while driving a vehicle are prohibited. Regulations are being put in place to control the operation of portable devices such as mobile phones and other mobile terminals. In response to this, a technology has been proposed that, as with conventional technology, involves retrofitting a dedicated controller to the vehicle and operating the user terminal by operating physical switches on that controller.

[0010] In conventional technology, users need to obtain a dedicated controller separately from the vehicle. Furthermore, depending on the vehicle model, it may not be possible to install the controller in a location easily accessible to the driver. Therefore, a method is needed to safely operate the user terminal without relying on an aftermarket controller.

[0011] Therefore, in the information processing device according to this disclosure, the control unit detects that a specific switch among a plurality of existing switches for operating each of a plurality of devices already installed in the vehicle has been operated in a predetermined manner in which the function of the corresponding device is not performed. The plurality of devices already installed in the vehicle include, for example, power window actuators, door lock actuators, and transmission shift actuators. The existing switches corresponding to these include, for example, power window switches, door lock switches, and paddle shifters. The predetermined method in which the function of the corresponding device is not performed includes operating the power window switch to close (or open) when the window is fully closed (or fully open), operating the door lock switch to lock (or unlock) when the door is locked (or unlocked), and operating the paddle shifter to shift up (or shift down) when the transmission is in the highest (or lowest) gear.

[0012] When operation of a specific switch in a predetermined manner is detected, the control unit of the information processing device according to this disclosure transmits a command to a terminal associated with the user driving the vehicle (user terminal) to perform a predetermined action. The predetermined action may, for example, be sending an email to a pre-registered recipient. The content of the email may be pre-registered content.

[0013] The recipient and content of the email may be changed depending on the vehicle's location at the time the specific switch is operated in the prescribed manner. For example, if the vehicle is within a specified distance from the user's home, the recipient and content of the email may be to inform the user's family and that they have returned home. As another example, if the vehicle is within a specified distance from a specific facility, the recipient and content of the email may be to inform the user of the person they are meeting and the vehicle's location.

[0014] Furthermore, the recipient and content of the email may be changed depending on the type of switch. For example, the recipient and content of the email may be changed depending on whether the switch is a power window switch, a door lock switch, or a paddle shifter. In addition, the recipient and content of the email may be changed depending on the type of method used. For example, the recipient and content of the email may be changed depending on whether the operation is to close the power window switch while the window is fully closed or to open the power window switch while the window is fully open.

[0015] According to the information processing device described herein, a user terminal can be operated by operating switches already installed in the vehicle in a predetermined manner, eliminating the need to retrofit a dedicated controller to the vehicle. This makes it possible to safely operate the user terminal without relying on a retrofitted controller. Furthermore, since the user can operate the user terminal using existing switches that they are familiar with, the information processing device described herein is expected to further enhance convenience and safety.

[0016] The following describes specific embodiments of this disclosure with reference to the drawings. The hardware configuration, module configuration, functional configuration, etc. described in the following embodiments are open unless otherwise specified. This is not intended to limit the technical scope of the indication to only those.

[0017] <Embodiment> In this embodiment, an example of applying the information processing apparatus according to the present disclosure to a system for providing a service (hereinafter, may also be referred to as "terminal operation service") that operates the user terminal 300 using an existing switch in a vehicle will be described.

[0018] (Overview of the System) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of the system in this embodiment. The system in this embodiment includes a vehicle 10, a server 200, and a user terminal 300. The vehicle 10 (in-vehicle terminal 100 described later), the server 200, and the user terminal 300 are connected through an out-vehicle network. The out-vehicle network is, for example, a WAN such as a worldwide public communication network like the Internet, or other communication networks.

[0019] The vehicle 10 is an automobile driven by the user of the user terminal 300. As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle 10 in this embodiment includes an in-vehicle terminal 100, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 110, an in-vehicle switch 120, and in-vehicle devices 130. The in-vehicle terminal 100, the ECU 110, the in-vehicle switch 120, and the in-vehicle devices 130 are connected through an in-vehicle network such as a network based on a standard such as CAN (Controller Area Network), LIN (Local Interconnect Network), or FlexRay.

[0020] The in-vehicle devices 130 are devices already existing in the vehicle 10. As an example, the in-vehicle devices 130 include a power window actuator 131, a door lock actuator 132, a shift actuator 133, and the like. The power window actuator 131 is an actuator that opens and closes the window of the vehicle 10. The door lock actuator 132 is an actuator that locks and unlocks the doors of the vehicle 10. The shift actuator 133 is an actuator that shifts the transmission of the vehicle 10.

[0021] ​The in-vehicle switches 120 are a set of existing switches for operating each of the in-vehicle devices 130. For example, the in-vehicle switches 120 include a power window switch 121 for operating the power window actuator 131, a door lock switch 122 for operating the door lock actuator 132, and a paddle shift 123 for operating the shift actuator 133.

[0022] In this embodiment, the existing equipment and switches are those installed by the manufacturer during the production of the vehicle 10. The existing equipment and switches are not limited to those exemplified in Figure 2 and can be appropriately changed depending on the vehicle type, etc.

[0023] The ECU 110 is a computer that controls the in-vehicle equipment 130 in response to the operation of the in-vehicle switch 120. In this embodiment, the ECU 110 also has a function to transmit operation information to the in-vehicle terminal 100 when the in-vehicle switch 120 is operated. The operation information includes information indicating the type of the in-vehicle switch 120 that was operated (corresponding to the "target switch" in this disclosure) (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "type information") and information indicating the operation method (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "operation method information").

[0024] The operation method information may include status information indicating the state of the in-vehicle device 130 at the start of operation of the in-vehicle switch 120, and operation content information indicating the content of the operation of the in-vehicle switch 120. Note that the state of the in-vehicle device 130 at the start of operation of the in-vehicle switch 120 can be rephrased as the state of the device to be driven by the in-vehicle device 130 at the start of operation of the in-vehicle switch 120. It is also possible to do the following. For example, the state of the power window actuator 131 may be the open or closed state of the window to be driven (e.g., fully open, fully closed, half-open, etc.). In this case, the state information may be information indicating whether the window of the vehicle 10 is fully open, fully closed, or half-open. The open or closed state of the window of the vehicle 10 may be determined by the ECU 110 in response to a detection signal from a pulse sensor or the like incorporated in the power window actuator 131, as an example.

[0025] Furthermore, the state of the door lock actuator 132 may be the state of the door being driven (the locking / unlocking device incorporated into the door) (for example, locked state (lock information), unlocked state, etc.). In this case, the state information may be information indicating whether the door of the vehicle 10 is in a locked state or an unlocked state. For example, the state of the door of the vehicle 10 may be determined by the ECU 110 in response to a detection signal such as a position sensor incorporated into the door or the door lock actuator 132.

[0026] Furthermore, the state of the shift actuator 133 may be the shift position of the transmission being driven (which of the multiple gears it is in). In this case, the state information may be information indicating the shift position of the vehicle 10's transmission. For example, the shift position of the vehicle 10's transmission may be determined by the ECU 110 in response to a detection signal from the shift actuator 133 or a shift position sensor incorporated in the transmission.

[0027] Furthermore, the operation content information indicates how the in-vehicle terminal 100 being operated was operated by the user. For example, if the in-vehicle switch 120 being operated is a power window switch 121, the operation content information may indicate either a close operation or an open operation. Similarly, if the in-vehicle switch 120 being operated is a door lock switch 122, the operation content information may indicate either a lock operation or an unlock operation. Similarly, if the in-vehicle switch 120 being operated is a paddle shifter 123, the operation content information may indicate either a shift up operation or a shift down operation.

[0028] The in-vehicle terminal 100 is a computer mounted in the vehicle 10 and is an example of an "information processing device" according to this disclosure. As shown in Figure 2, the in-vehicle terminal 100 in this embodiment is configured to include a processor 101, a main memory 102, an auxiliary memory 103, and a communication interface 104.

[0029] The processor 101 is a arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The processor 101 is stored in the auxiliary storage device 103. The stored program is loaded into the main memory 102 and executed, and the in-vehicle terminal 100 is controlled through this execution.

[0030] The main memory 102 is composed of semiconductor memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). The main memory 102 provides a storage area and a working area for loading programs stored in the auxiliary storage device 103. The main memory 102 is also used as a buffer for arithmetic processing by the processor 101.

[0031] The auxiliary storage device 103 is, for example, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), or H It is a DD (Hard Disk Drive). The auxiliary storage device 103 is a removable media, that is It may include a portable recording medium. Removable media are disk recording media such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, CD (Compact Disc), or DVD (Digital Versatile Disc). The auxiliary storage device 103 contains various programs and each The auxiliary storage device 103 stores data used by the processor 101 when executing a program. The programs stored in the auxiliary storage device 103 include the OS (Operating System) as well as dedicated programs that cause the processor 101 to execute processes related to the operation of the user terminal 300. The data stored in the auxiliary storage device 103 also includes operation data D101, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the auxiliary storage device 103 that stores the operation data D101 corresponds to the "storage unit" in this disclosure.

[0032] The communication interface 104 connects the in-vehicle terminal 100 to an external network. In one example, the communication interface 104 uses a mobile communication system (e.g., LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-Advanced, 5G (5th Generation), or 6G (6th Generation), etc.) or a wireless communication system such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) to connect to an external network. The communication interface 104 connects to the server 200 via the network. The communication interface 104 also connects the in-vehicle terminal 100 to the in-vehicle network. The communication interface 104 communicates with the ECU 110 via the in-vehicle network.

[0033] In this embodiment, when the in-vehicle terminal 100 receives operation information transmitted from the ECU 110, it verifies, based on the operation information and operation data D101 stored in the auxiliary storage device 103, whether the operation of the target in-vehicle switch 120 corresponds to an operation of a specific switch using a predetermined method. The specific switch is at least one of the in-vehicle switches 120, which is an in-vehicle switch 120 designated in advance by the user. The predetermined method is an operation method in which the function of the in-vehicle device 130 corresponding to the specific switch is not activated. Details of the specific switch and the predetermined method will be described later. If the operation of the target in-vehicle switch 120 corresponds to an operation of the specific switch using a predetermined method, the in-vehicle terminal 100 sends a command to the server 200 to cause the user terminal 300 to perform a predetermined operation. The predetermined operation is an operation registered in advance by the user, and details will be described later.

[0034] Returning to the explanation of Figure 1, the server 200 is a computer operated by the provider of terminal operation services. In this embodiment, the server 200 has the function of receiving commands transmitted from the in-vehicle terminal 100 and transmitting the received commands to the user terminal 300.

[0035] The user terminal 300 is a portable computer (for example, a smartphone, tablet, or mobile phone) used by the user driving the vehicle 10. In this embodiment, the user terminal 300 has the function of receiving commands transmitted from the server 200 and performing the predetermined operations described above in accordance with the received commands.

[0036] (Software configuration of in-vehicle terminals) Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the software configuration of the in-vehicle terminal 100 in this embodiment. The processor 101 of the in-vehicle terminal 100 executes instructions included in the program of the auxiliary storage device 103. As a result, the in-vehicle terminal 100 operates as a computer equipped with an operation information acquisition unit F101, an operation verification unit F102, and a command unit F103 as software modules. At least a portion of the operation information acquisition unit F101, the operation verification unit F102, and the command unit F103 may be implemented by hardware circuits such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0037] The operation information acquisition unit F101 acquires operation information transmitted from the ECU 110 via the communication interface 104. As described above, the operation information includes type information (information indicating the type of the in-vehicle switch 120 that was operated) and operation method information (information indicating the operation method of the in-vehicle switch 120 that was operated). The operation information is passed to the operation verification unit F102, which will be described later.

[0038] The operation verification unit F102 verifies, based on the operation information received from the operation information acquisition unit F101, whether the operation of the vehicle-mounted switch 120 that was operated corresponds to the operation of a specific switch in a predetermined manner. This verification is performed by comparing the information contained in the operation information with the information registered in the operation data D101 of the auxiliary storage device 103.

[0039] Here, a specific example of operation data D101 will be described. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of operation data D101. In this embodiment, operation data D101 is an example of "linking information" related to this disclosure and includes at least one record for each type of in-vehicle switch 120 corresponding to a specific switch. Each record has multiple fields such as a type field, an operation method field, and an operation field.

[0040] The type field registers information indicating the type of in-vehicle switch 120 assigned to a specific switch. In the example shown in Figure 4, the type field registers the name of the in-vehicle switch 120 assigned to the specific switch (for example, "power window switch," "door lock switch," and "paddle shifter," etc.), but identifiers other than names may also be registered.

[0041] The operation method field stores information defining a predetermined method. In the example shown in Figure 4, the operation method field is divided into two subfields: a state field which stores information defining the state of the in-vehicle device 130 when a particular switch is first operated, and an operation content field which stores information defining the operation content of a particular switch.

[0042] In the example shown in Figure 4, if the specific switch is the power window switch 121, the status field registers information indicating that the windows of the vehicle 10 are fully closed, and the operation content field registers information indicating that the power window switch 121 is closed. In this case, a method of closing the power window switch 121 while the windows of the vehicle 10 are fully closed (an operation method in which the function of closing the windows by the power window actuator 131 is not activated) is registered as a predetermined method.

[0043] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 4, if the specific switch is the door lock switch 122, information indicating that the doors of the vehicle 10 are locked is registered in the status field, and information indicating the lock operation of the door lock switch 122 is registered in the operation content field. In this case, a method of locking the door lock switch 122 while the doors of the vehicle 10 are locked (an operation method in which the function of locking the doors by the lower actuator is not activated) is registered as a predetermined method.

[0044] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 4, if a specific switch is the paddle shift 123, information indicating that the vehicle 10's transmission is in the highest gear is registered in the status field, and information indicating that the paddle shift 123 is shifted up is registered in the operation content field. In this case, a method of shifting up the paddle shift 123 while the vehicle 10's transmission is in the highest gear (an operation method in which the function of shift actuator 133 to shift up the transmission is not activated) is registered as a predetermined method.

[0045] The prescribed method is not limited to the example shown in Figure 4 and can be flexibly modified depending on the embodiment. For example, if the specific switch is the power window switch 121, the prescribed method may be an operation method in which the power window switch 121 is opened when the window is fully open. However, considering convenience in bad weather such as rain, the power window switch 121 may be opened when the window is fully closed. A preferred method for closing the door lock switch 121 is a predetermined method. Alternatively, if the specific switch is the door lock switch 122, the predetermined method may be to unlock the door lock switch 122 while the door is unlocked. However, considering the safety of the vehicle 10 while it is in motion, a preferred predetermined method is to lock the door lock switch 122 while the door is locked. Furthermore, if the specific switch is the paddle shift 123, the predetermined method may be to downshift the paddle shift 123 while the transmission is in the lowest gear.

[0046] The type of in-vehicle switch 120 and the predetermined method to be set for a specific switch shall be specified (selected) in advance by the user. In this case, the in-vehicle terminal 100 may present the user with a list of types of in-vehicle switches 120 and predetermined methods that can be selected as a specific switch, and allow the user to specify (select) any type and predetermined method from the list.

[0047] Next, the operation field registers information indicating the action (predetermined action) to be performed by the user terminal 300 when a specific switch is operated in a predetermined manner. In the example shown in Figure 4, sending an email is registered as the predetermined action in the operation field. In this case, the recipient and content (body) of the email are also registered in the operation field. The recipient and content of the email may be registered in advance by the user. For example, the recipient and content of the email may be registered by the user to the in-vehicle terminal 100 through the user terminal 300. As another example, the recipient and content of the email may be registered by the user to the in-vehicle terminal 100 through an in-vehicle input device (e.g., a touch panel display of a display audio or car navigation system). Furthermore, as yet another example, the recipient and content of the email may be registered by the user to the in-vehicle terminal 100 through a dedicated website provided by the server 200. In this case, the user may register different recipients and content in the in-vehicle terminal 100 for each type of in-vehicle switch 120 designated as a specific switch.

[0048] In the example shown in Figure 4, multiple types of in-vehicle switches 120, such as the power window switch 121, the door lock switch 122, and the paddle shifter 123, are registered as specific switches. However, only one type of in-vehicle switch 120 may be registered as a specific switch. Also, in the example shown in Figure 4, sending an email is given as an example of a predetermined operation to be performed by the user terminal 300. However, other operations (for example, making a phone call to a person specified by the user, or reading aloud the contents (body) of an email received by the user terminal 300) may also be used.

[0049] Returning to the explanation in Figure 3, the operation verification unit F102 verifies whether the operation method of the target switch corresponds to the operation method of a specific switch by comparing the information contained in the operation information with the information contained in the operation data D101 exemplified in Figure 4. In this verification, the operation verification unit F102 first verifies the type of the target in-vehicle switch 120 using the type information contained in the operation information. Specifically, the operation verification unit F102 accesses the operation data D101 in the auxiliary storage device 103 and determines whether there is a record in the type field in which information matching the type information contained in the operation information is registered. If a record in the type field in which information matching the type information contained in the operation information is registered is included in the operation data D101, the operation verification unit F102 determines that it has succeeded in verifying the type of the target in-vehicle switch 120. On the other hand, if a record in the type field in which information matching the type information contained in the operation information is not included in the operation data D101, the operation verification unit F102 determines that it has failed to verify the type of the target in-vehicle switch 120.

[0050] If the type of the in-vehicle switch 120 to be operated is successfully verified, the operation verification unit F102 uses the operation method information contained in the operation information to verify the type of in-vehicle switch 120 to be operated. The operation method for 0 is verified. Specifically, the operation verification unit F102 first determines whether the state information included in the operation method information matches the information registered in the state field of the target record (a record in which information matching the type information included in the operation information is registered in the type field). For example, if the operation data D101 shown in Figure 4 is stored in the auxiliary storage device 103 and the vehicle switch 120 to be operated is a power window switch 121, then if the state information indicates that the window is fully closed, it can be determined that the state information included in the operation method information matches the information registered in the state field of the target record.

[0051] Furthermore, if there are multiple target records in the operation data D101 where the type information matches the information registered in the type field, the operation verification unit F102 only needs to determine whether the status information included in the operation method information matches the information registered in the status field of each of the multiple target records.

[0052] If the operation method information determines that the status information is the same as the information registered in the status field of the target record, the operation verification unit F102 determines whether the operation content information included in the operation method information is the same as the information registered in the operation content field of the target record. For example, if the operation data D101 shown in Figure 4 is stored in the auxiliary storage device 103 and the vehicle switch 120 to be operated is a power window switch 121, then if the operation method information indicates the closing operation of the power window switch 121, it may be determined that the operation content information included in the operation method information is the same as the information registered in the operation content field of the target record.

[0053] Furthermore, if there are multiple target records among the records registered in operation data D101 in which information matching the type information is registered in the type field and information matching the status information is registered in the status field, the operation verification unit F102 only needs to determine whether the operation content information included in the operation method information matches the information registered in the operation content field of each of the multiple target records.

[0054] If the status information included in the operation method information is determined to match the information registered in the status field of the target record, and the operation content information included in the operation method information is determined to match the information registered in the operation content field of the target record, the operation verification unit F102 determines that it has succeeded in verifying the operation method of the vehicle switch 120 that was operated. On the other hand, if the status information included in the operation method information is determined to not match the information registered in the status field of the target record, and / or the operation content information included in the operation method information is determined to not match the information registered in the operation content field of the target record, the operation verification unit F102 determines that it has failed to verify the operation method of the vehicle switch 120 that was operated.

[0055] If the verification of the type of the in-vehicle switch 120 being operated and the verification of the method of operating the in-vehicle switch 120 being operated are successful, the operation verification unit F102 determines that the operation of the in-vehicle switch 120 being operated corresponds to the operation of a specific switch in a predetermined manner. In that case, the verification result (verification successful) is passed from the operation verification unit F102 to the command unit F103. At that time, information regarding the target record that remains at the end is also passed from the operation verification unit F102 to the command unit F103. The target record that remains at the end is a target record (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "compatible record") in which information matching the type information contained in the operation information is registered in the type field, information matching the state information contained in the operation method information is registered in the state field, and information matching the operation content information contained in the operation method information is registered in the operation content field.

[0056] Command unit F103 verifies the type of the vehicle-mounted switch 120 that was to be operated and the target of the operation Upon successful verification of the operation method of the in-vehicle switch 120, a command is generated to cause the user terminal 300 to perform a predetermined action. Specifically, the command unit F103 generates a command according to the information (information indicating a predetermined action) registered in the operation field of the conformance record received from the operation verification unit F102. Here, if the predetermined action registered in the operation field of the conformance record is sending an email, the command unit F103 only needs to generate a command that includes the recipient and content registered in the operation field. The command generated by the command unit F103 may include the address of the user terminal 300. The command unit F103 sends the generated command to the server 200 via the communication interface 104. In this case, the server 200 sends the command received from the in-vehicle terminal 100 to the user terminal 300. The user terminal 300 then performs a predetermined action according to the command received from the server 200.

[0057] (Process flow) Next, the processing flow executed in the in-vehicle terminal 100 in this embodiment will be explained based on Figure 5. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the processing routine executed in the in-vehicle terminal 100 triggered by the reception of operation information transmitted from the ECU 110. The main execution entity of the processing routine in Figure 5 is the processor 101 of the in-vehicle terminal 100, but here we will explain it as if the software module of the in-vehicle terminal 100 were the main execution entity.

[0058] In the processing routine shown in Figure 5, when operation information transmitted from the ECU 110 is received by the communication interface 104 of the in-vehicle terminal 100, the processor 101 of the in-vehicle terminal 100 operates as an operation information acquisition unit F101 and acquires the operation information through the communication interface 104 (step S101). Once the operation information acquisition unit F101 has finished executing the process in step S101, the processor 101 operates as an operation verification unit F102 and executes the process in step S102.

[0059] In step S102, the operation verification unit F102 verifies the type of the in-vehicle switch 120 that was operated using the type information contained in the operation information. Specifically, the operation verification unit F102 accesses the operation data D101 in the auxiliary storage device 103 and determines whether there is a record in the type field in which information matching the type information contained in the operation information is registered. After the operation verification unit F102 has finished executing the process in step S102, it executes the process in step S103.

[0060] In step S103, the operation verification unit F102 determines whether it succeeded in verifying the type of the in-vehicle switch 120 that was operated. If the operation data D101 does not contain a record in the type field that matches the type information contained in the operation information, the operation verification unit F102 determines that it failed to verify the type of the in-vehicle switch 120 that was operated (negative determination in step S103). In this case, the execution of this processing routine is terminated. On the other hand, if the operation data D101 contains a record in the type field that matches the type information contained in the operation information, the operation verification unit F102 determines that it succeeded in verifying the type of the in-vehicle switch 120 that was operated (positive determination in step S103). In this case, the operation verification unit F102 executes the process in step S104.

[0061] In step S104, the operation verification unit F102 verifies the operation method of the vehicle-mounted switch 120 that was the target of the operation. Specifically, the operation verification unit F102 determines whether the state information included in the operation method information matches the information registered in the state field of the target record (a record in which information matching the type information included in the operation information is registered in the type field). The operation verification unit F102 also determines whether the operation content information included in the operation method information matches the information registered in the operation content field of the target record. After the operation verification unit F102 has finished executing the process in step S104, it executes the process in step S105.

[0062] In step S105, the operation verification unit F102 determines whether it has successfully verified the operation method of the in-vehicle switch 120 that was targeted for operation. If the state information included in the operation method information does not match the information registered in the state field of the target record, and / or the operation content information included in the operation method information does not match the information registered in the operation content field of the target record, the operation verification unit F102 determines that it has failed to verify the operation method of the in-vehicle switch 120 that was targeted for operation (negative determination in step S105). In this case, the execution of this processing routine is terminated. On the other hand, if the state information included in the operation method information matches the information registered in the state field of the target record, and the operation content information included in the operation method information matches the information registered in the operation content field of the target record, the operation verification unit F102 determines that it has successfully verified the operation method of the in-vehicle switch 120 that was targeted for operation (positive determination in step S105). In this case, the processor 101 of the in-vehicle terminal 100 operates as the command unit F103 and executes the process in step S106.

[0063] In step S106, the command unit F103 generates a command to cause the user terminal 300 to perform a predetermined operation, in accordance with the successful verification of the type of the vehicle-mounted switch 120 to be operated and the verification of the operation method of the vehicle-mounted switch 120 to be operated. Specifically, the command unit F103 generates a command according to the information (information indicating a predetermined operation) registered in the operation field of the matching record (a target record in which information matching the type information contained in the operation information is registered in the type field, information matching the state information contained in the operation method information is registered in the state field, and information matching the operation content information contained in the operation method information is registered in the operation content field). After completing the processing in step S106, the command unit F103 executes the processing in step S107.

[0064] In step S107, the command unit F103 transmits the command generated in step S106 to the server 200 via the communication interface 104. Once the command unit F103 has finished executing the process in step S107, the execution of this processing routine is terminated.

[0065] (Effects and Effects of the Embodiment) In the above-described embodiment, the in-vehicle terminal 100 transmits a command to the user terminal 300 via the server 200 to cause the user terminal 300 to perform a predetermined operation in response to the operation of the in-vehicle switch 120 corresponding to a specific switch in a predetermined manner. As a result, the user terminal 300 can perform the predetermined operation in accordance with the command.

[0066] Therefore, with the in-vehicle terminal 100 in this embodiment, the user can operate the user terminal 300 by operating the in-vehicle switch 120 corresponding to a specific switch in a predetermined manner. This makes it possible for the user to operate the user terminal 300 without having to look at the user terminal 300 while driving the vehicle 10. Furthermore, since the in-vehicle switch 120 is a switch already installed in the vehicle 10, there is no need to retrofit a dedicated controller or the like to the vehicle 10. In other words, the user can safely operate the user terminal 300 without relying on a retrofitted controller or the like. Moreover, since the user can operate the user terminal 300 using the existing in-vehicle switch 120 that they are familiar with, it is expected that convenience and safety will be further enhanced.

[0067] <Other> The embodiments described above are merely examples, and this disclosure may be modified as appropriate without departing from its essence. For example, in the embodiments described above, an example was given in which the operation (predetermined operation) to be performed by the user terminal 300 is defined for each type of in-vehicle switch 120 designated as a specific switch, but the operation (predetermined operation) to be performed by the user terminal 300 may also be defined for each method of operating the in-vehicle switch 120 designated as a specific switch (predetermined method). For example, different predetermined actions may be defined depending on whether the power window switch 121 is closed when the window is fully closed or opened when the window is fully open. Furthermore, actions (predetermined actions) to be performed by the user terminal 300 may be defined depending on the position of the vehicle 10 at the time a particular switch is operated in a predetermined manner. For example, different predetermined actions may be defined depending on whether the position of the vehicle 10 at the time a particular switch is operated in a predetermined manner is near the user's home (for example, within a range of tens to hundreds of meters from home) or far from the user's home.

[0068] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example was given in which the verification process for the type and operation method of the in-vehicle switch 120 to be operated is performed on the in-vehicle terminal 100. However, this verification process may also be performed on the server 200. In that case, the server 200 should acquire the operation information from the in-vehicle terminal 100 and perform the verification process. Then, depending on the success of the verification process, the server 200 should send a command to the user terminal 300 to perform a predetermined operation. In that case, the server 200 corresponds to the "information processing device" according to this embodiment.

[0069] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment explained an example in which a command from the in-vehicle terminal 100 to the user terminal 300 is transmitted via the server 200, if short-range wireless communication (for example, BLE standard wireless communication or NFC, etc.) is established between the in-vehicle terminal 100 and the user terminal 300, the command may be transmitted directly from the in-vehicle terminal 100 to the user terminal 300.

[0070] Furthermore, a process described as being performed by a single device may be divided and executed by multiple devices. Conversely, a process described as being performed by different devices may be executed by a single device. In a computer system, the hardware configuration used to implement each function can be flexibly changed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 10...Vehicle, 100...In-vehicle terminal, 101...Processor, 102...Main memory 102, 103...Auxiliary memory, 104...Communication interface, F101...Operation information acquisition unit, F102...Operation verification unit, F103...Command unit, 200...Server, 300...User terminal

Claims

1. With respect to a specific switch among several existing switches for operating each of several devices already installed in a vehicle, it is detected that the specific switch has been operated in a predetermined manner so that even if the specific switch is operated again in the predetermined manner, the function of the corresponding device will not change from the predetermined state, because the function of the device corresponding to the specific switch has already been operated in a predetermined state due to the operation of the specific switch with predetermined content. Upon detecting the operation of the specific switch in the predetermined manner, a command is transmitted to a user terminal used by the user associated with the vehicle to perform a predetermined action. A control unit configured to perform the following actions: Information processing device.

2. Detecting the operation of the aforementioned specific switch by the predetermined method means When any one of the multiple existing switches is operated, the type of the target switch that is being operated and the method of operation are obtained. Depending on the type of the target switch, verify whether the target switch corresponds to the specific switch, Depending on the operation method of the target switch, verify whether the operation method of the target switch corresponds to the predetermined method, In accordance with the successful verification of the type and operating method of the target switch, it is determined that the specific switch was operated in the predetermined manner, including, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The system further includes a storage unit that stores association information relating the type of the specific switch and the predetermined method, The control unit is configured to verify the type and operation method of the target switch according to the association information of the storage unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The association information stored in the memory unit includes the type of the specific switch and the location In addition to a predetermined method, this is information that associates the predetermined operation. The control unit is configured to transmit to the user terminal the command for performing the predetermined operation included in the association information of the storage unit when it detects the operation of the specific switch in the predetermined method. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The aforementioned specific switch is a power window switch, The aforementioned predetermined method is an operation method for closing the power window switch while the vehicle windows are fully closed. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

Images