Information processing device

Abstract

To improve a technique related to opening / closing control of a powered window of a vehicle.SOLUTION: Information processing device 10 comprises a control part 11 which associates attribute information on an occupant who may get in a vehicle 1 with setting information on a powered window and stores them, and which acquires the attribute information on the occupant sitting on a seat of the vehicle 1, and performs drive control of the powered window corresponding to the seat, by using the setting information corresponding to the acquired attribute information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, technologies related to opening and closing control of power windows in vehicles have been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that when the ignition is on, opening and closing control and opening degree setting of the power window are automatically performed based on temperature, aerosol amount, air quality, weather, and the like.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, Patent Document 1 has not considered control of the power window according to the occupant. That is, there has been room for improvement in the technology related to opening and closing control of the power window of the vehicle.

[0005] In view of such circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to improve the technology related to opening and closing control of the power window of the vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure stores, in association with each other, attribute information of an occupant who can board the vehicle and setting information of the power window, acquires attribute information of an occupant seated on the seat of the vehicle, and a control unit that performs drive control of the power window corresponding to the seat using the setting information corresponding to the acquired attribute information is provided.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the technology relating to the opening and closing control of a vehicle's power windows is improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the technology according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart showing the operation of an information processing device. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart showing an example of a user interface. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below.

[0010] (Summary of the embodiment) Referring to Figure 1, an overview of the technology according to the embodiment of this disclosure will be described. The technology according to the embodiment of this disclosure comprises a vehicle 1 and an information processing device 10 mounted on the vehicle 1.

[0011] Vehicle 1 is, for example, an automobile, but is not limited to any other vehicle. An automobile is, for example, a gasoline automobile, an electric vehicle (EV), a hybrid vehicle (HV), a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV), or a fuel cell vehicle (FCV), but is not limited to these.

[0012] The information processing device 10 is any device used by the occupants of the vehicle 1. For example, a dedicated in-vehicle device can be used as the information processing device 10. The information processing device 10 may also be a general-purpose electronic device such as a smartphone or tablet terminal.

[0013] First, an overview of this embodiment will be described, and details will be described later. The information processing device 10 stores in advance attribute information of occupants who may ride in the vehicle and power window setting information in association with each other. The information processing device 10 acquires attribute information of occupants who are seated in the seats of the vehicle. Then, the information processing device 10 uses the setting information corresponding to the acquired attribute information to control the operation of the power window corresponding to that seat.

[0014] Thus, according to this embodiment, the information processing device 10 acquires attribute information of occupants who may ride in the vehicle, and uses setting information corresponding to that attribute information to drive and control the power window corresponding to that seat. Therefore, the technology for controlling the opening and closing of a vehicle's power windows is improved in that it is possible to adaptively perform power window drive control according to the attributes of occupants who may ride in the vehicle.

[0015] Next, each component of the information processing device 10 according to the embodiment of this disclosure will be described in detail.

[0016] (Configuration of information processing device) As shown in Figure 2, the information processing device 10 comprises a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an input unit 13, a display unit 14, and a communication unit 15.

[0017] The control unit 11 includes at least one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (central processing unit) or a GPU (graphics processing unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for specific processing. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an FPGA (field-programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit). While controlling each part of the information processing apparatus 10, the control unit 11 executes processing related to the operation of the information processing apparatus 10.

[0018] The storage unit 12 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or a combination of at least two of these. The semiconductor memory is, for example, a RAM (random access memory) or a ROM (read only memory). The RAM is, for example, a SRAM (static random access memory) or a DRAM (dynamic random access memory). The ROM is, for example, an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read only memory). The storage unit 12 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. In the storage unit 12, data used for the operation of the information processing apparatus 10 and data obtained by the operation of the information processing apparatus 10 are stored.

[0019] The input unit 13 includes at least one input interface. The input interface is, for example, a physical key, a capacitive key, a pointing device, or a touch screen provided integrally with the display. The input interface may also be, for example, a sound sensor that receives voice input, or a camera that receives gesture input. The input unit 13 receives an operation for inputting data used in the operation of the information processing apparatus 10. Instead of being provided in the information processing apparatus 10, the input unit 13 may be connected to the information processing apparatus 10 as an external input device. As the connection method, for example, any method such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), HDMI (Registered Trademark) (High-Definition Multimedia Interface), or Bluetooth (Registered Trademark) can be used.

[0020] The display unit 14 includes at least one display output interface. The output interface is, for example, a display that outputs information as video. The display is, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display) or an organic EL (electro luminescence) display. The display unit 14 displays and outputs data obtained by the operation of the information processing apparatus 10. Instead of being provided in the information processing apparatus 10, the display unit 14 may be connected to the information processing apparatus 10 as an external output device. As the connection method, for example, any method such as USB, HDMI (Registered Trademark), or Bluetooth (Registered Trademark) can be used. The display unit 14 may be provided at a position visible from the driver's seat of the vehicle 1.

[0021] The communication unit 15 includes at least one external communication interface. The communication interface may be either a wired or wireless communication interface. In the case of wired communication, the communication interface may be, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) interface or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface. In the case of wireless communication, the communication interface may be, for example, an interface compatible with mobile communication standards such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th generation), or 5G (5th generation), or an interface compatible with short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). The communication unit 15 receives data used for the operation of the information processing device 10 and transmits data obtained by the operation of the information processing device 10.

[0022] The functions of the information processing device 10 are realized by executing a program according to this embodiment on a processor corresponding to the information processing device 10. In other words, the functions of the information processing device 10 are realized by software. The program causes the computer to perform the operations of the information processing device 10, thereby causing the computer to function as the information processing device 10. That is, the computer functions as the information processing device 10 by performing the operations of the information processing device 10 according to the program.

[0023] In this embodiment, the program can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium includes non-temporary computer-readable media, such as magnetic recording devices, optical discs, magneto-optical recording media, or semiconductor memory. The program can be distributed, for example, by selling, transferring, or lending portable recording media such as DVDs (digital versatile discs) or CD-ROMs (compact disc read-only memory) on which the program is recorded. Alternatively, the program may be distributed by storing it on the storage of an external server and transmitting it from the external server to other computers. The program may also be provided as a program product.

[0024] Some or all of the functions of the information processing device 10 may be implemented by a dedicated circuit corresponding to the control unit 11. In other words, some or all of the functions of the information processing device 10 may be implemented by hardware.

[0025] (Operation of information processing device) Referring to Figure 3, the operation of the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment will be described. The storage unit 12 of the information processing device 10 stores attribute information of occupants who may ride in the vehicle and power window setting information in association with each other in advance. Here, the attribute information includes arbitrary information of the occupant related to the power window settings. For example, the attribute information may include identification information such as the user name, and user category information such as adult, child, pet, etc. The power window setting information includes the setting of the upper limit of the power window opening, the setting that allows manual opening and closing only from the driver's seat, notification settings, etc.

[0026] Step S100: The control unit 11 of the information processing device 10 acquires attribute information of occupants seated in the seats of the vehicle 1. The seats from which attribute information is acquired may be all seats or some seats. In this embodiment, the control unit 11 acquires attribute information for all seats of the vehicle 1. In other words, in this embodiment, the control unit 11 acquires attribute information for each occupant seated in each seat of the vehicle 1.

[0027] Any method can be used to acquire the crew's attribute information. For example, the control unit 11 may automatically acquire the crew's attribute information from sensors, etc., via the communication unit 15. Alternatively, the control unit 11 may acquire the crew's attribute information based on the user's input operation to the input unit 13.

[0028] For example, any user interface can be used for the input operation. Figure 4 shows an example of such a user interface 100. The user interface 100 includes objects 110, 120, 130, and 140 that represent the power windows corresponding to each seat of the vehicle 1. Each object is displayed in a selectable state by tapping or other operations. In Figure 4, object 130 is selected. When object 130 is selected, attribute information of the occupant of the seat corresponding to that power window (rear right seat) can be entered. For example, when object 130 is selected, a popup 131 is displayed, and the occupant's attribute information may be entered via the popup 131. The popup 131 includes icons 132, 133, 134, and 135 that correspond to the occupant's attribute information. When icon 132 is selected, "adult" is set as the occupant's attribute information for that seat. When icon 133 is selected, "child" is set as the occupant's attribute information for that seat. When icon 134 is selected, "pet" is set as the occupant's attribute information for that seat. When icon 134 is selected, the attribute information of the occupant of that seat can be customized as desired. For example, the username can be set as the occupant's attribute information.

[0029] Step S200: The control unit 11 uses the setting information corresponding to the attribute information acquired in step S100 to control the operation of the power window corresponding to the seat.

[0030] Here, the correspondence between attribute information and power window setting information may be stored in the storage unit 12, for example, in the form of a table. Table 1 shows an example of a correspondence table.

[0031] [Table 1]

[0032] If the correspondence table shown in Table 1 is stored in the storage unit 12, the control unit 11 controls the operation of the power window corresponding to the seat based on the correspondence table and using the setting information corresponding to the attribute information. For example, if the attribute information is that of an adult, the control unit 11 controls the operation of the power window without restriction. In other words, in this case, the occupant of the seat can freely operate the opening degree of the power window. Also, for example, if the attribute information is that of a child, the control unit 11 controls the operation with the upper limit of the opening degree of the power window set to a first predetermined value and with a notification setting enabled. The first predetermined value can be set arbitrarily, for example, to 50%. In this way, the opening degree of the power window is restricted and the risk of a child sticking their face, hands, etc. out of the power window can be reduced. The notification setting includes, for example, a setting to notify before the power window is operated. With such a notification setting, the driver can know that the operation will be performed before a child opens the power window.

[0033] For example, if the attribute information indicates that the user is a pet, the control unit 11 controls the operation of the power window, setting the upper limit of the power window opening to a second predetermined value and enabling notification. The second predetermined value may be the same as or different from the first predetermined value. In this way, the opening of the power window is restricted and controlled, reducing the risk of the pet jumping out of the power window.

[0034] Furthermore, if, for example, the attribute information is a specific username (in this case, User A), the control unit 11 controls the operation of the power window, allowing manual opening and closing only from the driver's seat.

[0035] As described above, the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment acquires attribute information of occupants who may ride in the vehicle and uses setting information corresponding to the attribute information to drive and control the power window corresponding to the seat. Therefore, the technology for controlling the opening and closing of a vehicle's power windows is improved in that it can adaptively perform power window drive control according to the attributes of occupants who may ride in the vehicle.

[0036] While this disclosure has been described based on the drawings and embodiments, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on this disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are within the scope of this disclosure. For example, the functions, etc., included in each component or step can be rearranged in a logically consistent manner, and multiple components or steps can be combined into one or divided into two.

[0037] The control unit 11 may visually display the situation in the rear seats using the display unit 14. For example, the control unit 11 may display the degree to which the power windows are open, or whether or not a child or pet is near the power windows, using the display unit 14. In this way, the driver can easily understand what is happening in the rear seats from the driver's seat.

[0038] Here, the mapping between attribute information and setting information may be performed manually by the user according to the screen display. In other words, the user may be able to configure the mapping between attribute information and the setting information. For example, a user interface showing the mapping relationship table may be displayed on the display unit 14. Furthermore, the setting information corresponding to each attribute information may be editable as needed.

[0039] For example, specific attribute information may be automatically associated with specific setting information. Such specific attribute information may include children or pets. The specific setting information may be the setting for the upper limit of the power window opening. The specific setting information may also be a setting that allows manual opening and closing only from the driver's seat, or a setting that notifies the driver before operating the power window if a child or pet is near it.

[0040] For example, if a predetermined object is detected near vehicle 1, the control unit 11 may control the power window of the seat closest to the object to open. The predetermined object may include a parking ticket machine or a barrier gate. In this case, the control unit 11 may drive the power window according to setting information corresponding to the attribute information of the occupant of the seat of the power window. Alternatively, the control unit 11 may control the power window to open fully regardless of the attribute information of the occupant of the seat of the power window. In other words, in this case, the control unit 11 may, as an exception, control the power window of the seat closest to the object to open. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1 vehicle 10 Information Processing Devices 11 Control Unit 12 Storage section 13 Input section 14 Display section 15 Communications Department 100 User Interfaces 110, 120, 130, 140 objects 131 Pop-ups Icons 132, 133, 134, 135

Claims

1. The system stores attribute information of occupants who may be riding in the vehicle in association with power window setting information. The attribute information of the occupants seated in the seats of the aforementioned vehicle is obtained. The control unit uses the acquired attribute information to perform drive control for the power window corresponding to that seat. An information processing device comprising, wherein the setting information includes a notification setting to be notified before the power window is driven, and the control unit, if the setting information corresponding to the acquired attribute information includes the notification setting, provides a notification before the power window of the seat is driven.

2. The information processing device includes a display unit, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the display unit to display the status of the rear seats.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the user can configure the association between the attribute information and the setting information.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein specific attribute information is automatically associated with specific setting information.

5. The information processing device according to claim 4, wherein the specific setting information is the setting of the upper limit of the opening degree of the power window.

6. The system stores attribute information of passengers who may ride in the vehicle and power window setting information in association with each other. The attribute information of the occupants seated in the seats of the aforementioned vehicle is obtained. The control unit uses the acquired attribute information to perform drive control for the power window corresponding to that seat. An information processing device comprising the control unit which, when a predetermined object is detected in the vicinity of the vehicle, controls the power window of the seat closest to the predetermined object as an exception, regardless of the acquired attribute information.

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