Information processing apparatus and method

Abstract

To reduce power consumption of a battery by a cooler box mounted in a vehicle.SOLUTION: When a vehicle is in a parked state, an information processing device mounted on the vehicle is configured to acquire information on a state of a cooler box mounted in the vehicle, and perform processing related to notification of information on the state of the cooler box to a user terminal associated with the vehicle. The information processing device determines whether or not to notify the user terminal of the information on the state of the cooler box mounted in the vehicle according to a parking position of the vehicle and whether or not an object is contained in the cooler box.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle equipped with a cooler box.

Background Art

[0002] When the ignition switch of a vehicle is turned off, if there is no merchandise in the in-vehicle refrigerator, the power supply to the in-vehicle refrigerator is stopped, and if there is merchandise in the in-vehicle refrigerator, a power supply control device is disclosed that controls the power supply from the battery to keep the temperature in the refrigerator below a predetermined value (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[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 an information processing device and method capable of reducing the power consumption of a battery by a cooler box mounted on a vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure is when the vehicle is in a parked state, obtaining information regarding the state of a cooler box mounted on the vehicle, and performing processing related to notification of information regarding the state of the cooler box to a user terminal associated with the vehicle, and a control unit that executes an information processing device including

[0006] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a computer When the vehicle is parked, information regarding the status of the cooler box installed in the vehicle is obtained, The process involves notifying a user terminal associated with the vehicle of information regarding the status of the cooler box, This is how to do it. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the battery by a cooler box installed in a vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of the system configuration of the cooler box information notification system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of the vehicle's hardware configuration. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of the functional configuration of a vehicle and a central server. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of a flowchart for controlling the shutdown of a vehicle's cooler box. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an example of a flowchart for the notification control process of cooler box information in vehicle 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] If a vehicle is equipped with a cooler box, drivers may forget to turn it off. Operating the cooler box while parked can drain the battery, potentially leaving the battery depleted and preventing the vehicle from being driven.

[0010] In one aspect of this disclosure, in view of the above-mentioned problems, information regarding the status of a cooler box is notified to a user terminal when a vehicle equipped with a cooler box is parked. More specifically, one aspect of this disclosure is an information processing device comprising a control unit that, when the vehicle is parked, performs the following: acquiring information regarding the status of a cooler box installed in the vehicle, and performing the processing of notifying a user terminal associated with the vehicle of the information regarding the status of the cooler box.

[0011] An information processing device is, for example, an information processing device mounted on a vehicle, or a server that exists independently of the vehicle. An information processing device mounted on a vehicle is, for example, a vehicle-specific communication device such as a DCM (Data Communication Module), or an ECU (Electronic Control Unit). A server is, for example, a dedicated computer or a PC. The control unit may be, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and a circuit such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0012] A cooler box installed in a vehicle is a device capable of controlling the temperature inside. This cooler box includes refrigerators, warmers, freezers, and warm / coloured refrigerators. Information regarding the cooler box installed in a vehicle includes, for example, information indicating the operating status of the cooler box and information indicating whether or not there are items inside the cooler box.

[0013] The parking state of the vehicle is, for example, a state where the ignition switch or power switch of the vehicle is turned off, or a state where a predetermined time has elapsed since the ignition switch or power switch of the vehicle was turned off. The user terminal associated with the vehicle is, for example, a terminal used by the owner or driver of the vehicle. The user terminal associated with the vehicle is, for example, a computer such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a wearable terminal, and a PC (Personal Computer).

[0014] For example, when the information processing device is a device mounted on the vehicle, the information processing device acquires information regarding the state of the cooler box from the cooler box and sensors mounted on the cooler box. Also, in this case, as processing regarding notification of information regarding the state of the cooler box to the user terminal associated with the vehicle, the information processing device transmits information regarding the state of the cooler box to another device such as a server capable of communicating with the user terminal, and requests notification to the user terminal.

[0015] For example, when the information processing device is a server existing independently of the vehicle, the information processing device acquires information regarding the state of the cooler box by receiving it from a communication device mounted on the vehicle. Also, as processing regarding the notification, the information processing device notifies the user terminal of information regarding the state of the cooler box.

[0016] Also, regardless of whether the information processing device is a device or server mounted on the vehicle, the processing regarding the notification may also include processing for determining whether to perform the notification. Yes.

[0017] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, when the vehicle is in a parked state, information regarding the state of the cooler box is notified to the user terminal. For example, when the user forgets to stop the cooler box, the user can recognize that the cooler box is operating through this notification. Subsequently, by the user performing an operation to stop the cooler box, power consumption of the battery by the cooler box can be suppressed.

[0018] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the control unit may acquire the position information of the vehicle and determine whether to notify the user terminal according to whether the position information of the vehicle indicates a predetermined location registered in advance. For example, the control unit may determine to perform the notification when the position information of the vehicle indicates a predetermined location registered in advance, and may determine not to perform the notification when the position information of the vehicle does not indicate a predetermined location registered in advance. Alternatively, for example, the control unit may determine not to perform the notification when the position information of the vehicle indicates a predetermined location registered in advance, and may determine to perform the notification when the position information of the vehicle does not indicate a predetermined location registered in advance.

[0019] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, since the notification of information regarding the state of the cooler box mounted on the vehicle can be limited according to the location where the vehicle is parked, the annoyance to the user caused by the notification can be reduced.

[0020] In one aspect of the present disclosure, as a process regarding the notification, the control unit may determine to perform the notification to the user terminal when there is an object in the cooler box, and when the cooler box is empty and operating, and may determine not to perform the notification to the user terminal when the cooler box is empty and stopped. Thus, when it is not essentially necessary to draw the user's attention to the cooler box mounted on the vehicle, the notification to the user terminal is not performed, so that the annoyance to the user caused by the notification can be reduced.

[0021] In one aspect of this disclosure, if the cooler box is operating when the vehicle is parked, the control unit may continue operating the cooler box until the vehicle's battery level falls below a predetermined value, and then stop the cooler box once the battery level falls below the predetermined value. This prevents the battery from becoming depleted when the vehicle is next driven due to power consumption from the operation of the cooler box while the vehicle is parked.

[0022] This disclosure can also be identified, in one other aspect, as a method by which a computer performs the processing performed by the information processing device described above. This disclosure can also be identified, in one other aspect, as a program for causing a computer to perform the above method, and a non-temporary, computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded.

[0023] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The configurations of the following embodiments are illustrative, and this disclosure is not limited to the configurations of these embodiments.

[0024] <First Embodiment> Figure 1 shows an example of the system configuration of the cooler box information notification system 100 according to the first embodiment. The cooler box information notification system 100 includes a vehicle 1, a central server 2, and a user terminal 3. The vehicle 1, central server 2, and user terminal 3 are connected to a network N1. Network N1 is, for example, a public network such as the Internet.

[0025] In the first embodiment, vehicle 1 is assumed to be an engine-driven vehicle. However, vehicle 1 is not limited to an engine-driven vehicle, and may be an electric vehicle driven by an electric motor. Vehicle 1 is equipped with a cooler box 1C.

[0026] In the first embodiment, when the vehicle 1 is parked, it detects that the cooler box 1C has been forgotten to be stopped or its contents forgotten, and notifies the user terminal 3 via the central server 2. When the central server 2 receives a notification request from the vehicle 1, it sends the notification to the user terminal 3. Upon receiving the notification, the user on the user terminal 3 can, for example, go to the vehicle 1 or remotely operate from the user terminal 3 to stop the cooler box 1C or remove items from the cooler box 1C.

[0027] In the first embodiment, after parking the vehicle 1, the cooler box 1C is notified to the user terminal 3 if it has been forgotten to turn off or remove its contents, thereby prompting the user on the user terminal 3 to turn off the cooler box 1C and reducing the power consumption of the vehicle 1's battery.

[0028] Figure 2 shows an example of the hardware configuration of Vehicle 1. Note that Figure 2 shows only the configuration related to the processing of the cooler box information notification system 100 from the hardware configuration of Vehicle 1, and the hardware configuration of Vehicle 1 is not limited to the example shown in Figure 2. Vehicle 1 includes, as its hardware configuration, a DCM 1A, an ECU 1B, a cooler box 1C, a battery 1D, a location information sensor 1E, and an IGN switch 1F. The DCM 1A and ECU 1B are connected, for example, by an in-vehicle LAN (Local Area Network). The ECU 1B, cooler box 1C, battery 1D, location information sensor 1E, and IGN switch 1F are connected, for example, by a CAN (Controller Area Network). However, the connection methods between DCM 1A, ECU 1B, cooler box 1C, battery 1D, position information sensor 1E, and IGN switch 1F are not limited to these.

[0029] The cooler box 1C is a storage container capable of controlling the internal temperature, such as a refrigerator, freezer, warming cabinet, or warming / refrigerating unit. The cooler box 1C is started and stopped by user operation, such as a switch. Alternatively, the cooler box 1C may be started and stopped remotely from the user terminal 3 via the DCM 1A. Whether the cooler box 1C is operating or stopped may be detected, for example, by the presence or absence of power supply from the battery 1D, or by the output of an operation signal when the power switch of the cooler box 1C is operated.

[0030] The cooler box 1C is equipped with an contents detection sensor 1C-1 inside. The contents detection sensor 1C-1 is a sensor that detects the presence of an object inside the cooler box. The contents detection sensor 1C-1 is, for example, a sonar sensor, a photoelectric sensor, a fiber optic sensor, or a camera. The contents detection sensor 1C-1 detects the presence or absence of an object inside the cooler box 1C and outputs the detection result to the ECU 1B.

[0031] The location information sensor 1E acquires location information of the current location of vehicle 1. The location information sensor 1E is, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver. The location information acquired is, for example, latitude and longitude. The location information sensor 1E acquires location information at a predetermined period and outputs it to the ECU 1B.

[0032] The IGN switch 1F is a switch that controls the engine and electrical system of the center server 2. In the first embodiment, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the IGN switch 1F was turned off... In the event that the vehicle 1 is parked, the parking status of the vehicle is determined. The time duration for determining the parking status is set to a value between 5 and 30 minutes, for example. When the IGN switch 1F is turned on or off, these operation signals are output to the ECU 1B, thereby detecting whether the IGN switch 1F is on or off. In the first embodiment, the on or off operation signals of the IGN switch 1F are also transmitted to the DCM 1A through the ECU 1B. If the vehicle 1 is an electric vehicle, a power switch for turning the electric motor on and off is provided instead of the IGN switch 1F.

[0033] In the first embodiment, the ECU 1B, in response to a request from the DCM 1A, acquires location information from the location information sensor 1E of the center server 2, information indicating the operating status of the cooler box 1C (whether it is running or stopped) from the cooler box 1C, information indicating the presence or absence of items inside the cooler box 1C from the contents detection sensor 1C-1, and the remaining power amount from the battery 1D, and outputs these to the DCM 1A.

[0034] In the first embodiment, when the vehicle 1 is parked, the DCM 1A detects whether the cooler box 1C has been forgotten to be stopped or its contents forgotten, and notifies the user terminal 3 via the center server 2. The DCM 1A's hardware configuration includes a processor 101, memory 102, auxiliary storage device 103, wireless communication unit 104, and an interface 105 with the in-vehicle network. The memory 102 and auxiliary storage device 103 are computer-readable recording media.

[0035] The auxiliary storage device 103 stores various programs and data used by the processor 101 when executing each program. The auxiliary storage device 103 is, for example, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), a hard disk drive, or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The programs held in the auxiliary storage device 103 include, for example, The system includes an operating system (OS), application programs, and a notification determination program. The notification determination program determines whether or not to notify the user terminal 3 of the status of the cooler box 1C when vehicle 1 is parked.

[0036] Memory 102 is a storage device that provides the processor 101 with a storage area and a work area for loading programs stored in the auxiliary storage device 103, and is also used as a buffer. Memory 102 includes, for example, semiconductor memory such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0037] The processor 101 performs various processes by loading a program held in the auxiliary storage device 103 into the memory 102 and executing it. The processor 101 is, for example, a CPU, GPU, or DSP (Digital Signal Processor). There is not limited to one processor 101, but multiple processors may be provided. The processor 101 is an example of a "control unit".

[0038] The wireless communication unit 104 connects to network N1 via a mobile communication network such as 5G, LTE, or 6G, enabling communication with the center server 2. The hardware configuration of the vehicle 1 is not limited to that shown in Figure 1. The DCM 1A may be a device equipped with a dedicated FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or other electrical circuit for performing the relevant processing.

[0039] The center server 2 includes, for example, a processor, memory, auxiliary storage, and a communication unit as its hardware configuration. The user terminal 3 includes, for example, a processor, memory, auxiliary storage, a wireless communication unit, and a touch panel display, etc. The processor, memory, and auxiliary storage device of the center server 2 and user terminal 3 are the same as those of processor 101, memory 102, and auxiliary storage device 103, respectively. The communication unit of the center server 2 may be, for example, an interface that connects to a wired network such as a LAN or optical line, or a wireless communication circuit that connects to a wireless network. The wireless communication unit of the user terminal 3 is the same as that of wireless communication unit 104. However, the hardware configurations of the center server 2 and user terminal 3 are not limited to these.

[0040] Figure 3 shows an example of the functional configuration of Vehicle 1 and Center Server 2. Vehicle 1 includes a control unit 11 and a storage unit 12 as its functional configuration. The processing of these functional components is achieved, for example, by the processor 101 of DCM 1A executing a predetermined program stored in the auxiliary storage device 103. Alternatively, these functional components may each be hardware such as an FPGA. In Figure 3, the functional components related to the processing of the cooler box information notification system 100 are extracted and shown from among the functional components of Vehicle 1.

[0041] The storage unit 12 is created in the storage area of ​​the auxiliary storage device 103. The storage unit 12 holds the excluded location information 12A. The excluded location information 12A is information about locations that are excluded from notification to the user terminal 3 regarding the status of the cooler box 1C. The excluded location information is, for example, pre-registered by the user of the user terminal 3. For example, if the user of the user terminal 3 thinks that it is unnecessary to be notified about the status of the cooler box 1C at home because they will naturally take out the contents of the cooler box 1C when they return from shopping, they will register their home as an excluded location in the excluded location information 12A. The excluded location information 12A includes, for example, latitude and longitude, or address, as location information specified by the user.

[0042] In the first embodiment, when the IGN switch 1F is detected to be off, the control unit 11 performs a cooler box stop control process and a cooler box information notification control process. The cooler box stop control process monitors the remaining power of the battery 1D while the vehicle 1 is parked, and stops the cooler box 1C when the remaining power of the battery 1D falls below a predetermined amount. Details of the cooler box stop control process will be described later.

[0043] The cooler box information notification control process determines whether or not to notify the user terminal 3 of the cooler box information based on the location information of vehicle 1 and the cooler box information. The cooler box information includes, for example, information indicating the operating status of cooler box 1C, such as whether it is running or stopped, and information indicating whether or not there are items inside the cooler box.

[0044] In the first embodiment, if there are items inside the cooler box 1C, the control unit 11 determines whether to notify the user terminal 3 of the cooler box information, regardless of the operating status of the cooler box 1C and the location of the vehicle 1. If the cooler box 1C is empty, the control unit 11 determines whether to notify the user terminal 3 of the cooler box information based on the location information of the vehicle 1. The control unit 11 determines whether to notify the user terminal 3 if the location information of the vehicle 1 is not a location registered in the excluded location information 12A, and whether to not notify the user terminal 3 if the location of the vehicle 1 is a location registered in the excluded location information 12A.

[0045] When the control unit 11 determines that it is necessary to notify the user terminal 3 of the cooler box information, it sends a notification request to the central server 2. Along with this notification request, for example, the identification information of vehicle 1 and the cooler box information are also sent. Details of the cooler box information notification control process will be described later.

[0046] The center server 2 includes a control unit 21 and a user information database 22 as functional components. The processing of these functional components is achieved, for example, by the center server 2's processor executing a predetermined program stored in auxiliary storage. Alternatively, these functional components may each be hardware such as an FPGA.

[0047] The control unit 21 receives a notification request from vehicle 1. Along with the notification request, it also receives, for example, identification information of vehicle 1 and cooler box information. Upon receiving the notification request, the control unit 21 identifies the user terminal 3 associated with the identification information of vehicle 1 from the user information DB 22 (described later) and notifies the user terminal 3 of the cooler box information of vehicle 1. The method of notifying the user terminal 3 of the cooler box information may be, for example, push notification or email.

[0048] The user information database 22 is created in the storage area of ​​the auxiliary storage device of the center server 2. The user information database 22 holds user information. User information includes, for example, the user identification information of user terminal 3, the identification information of user terminal 3, the identification information of vehicle 1, and contact information for user terminal 3. The contact information for user terminal 3 includes, for example, information used for push notifications and email addresses. Note that the functional configuration of vehicle 1 and center server 2 is not limited to the example shown in Figure 3.

[0049] <Processing flow> Figure 4 is an example of a flowchart for the cooler box stop control process of vehicle 1. The process shown in Figure 4 is executed repeatedly at predetermined intervals. The main entity executing the process shown in Figure 4 is the hardware such as the processor or FPGA of DCM 1A, but for convenience, the explanation will focus on the functional components. The same applies to the flowcharts from Figure 4 onward.

[0050] In OP101, the control unit 11 determines whether the IGN switch 1F has been turned off. If the IGN switch 1F has been turned off (OP101: YES), the process proceeds to OP102. If the IGN switch 1F is not turned off (OP101: NO), the process shown in Figure 4 ends.

[0051] In OP102, the control unit 11 determines whether the cooler box 1C is in operation or not. Information indicating the operating status of the cooler box 1C is obtained through the ECU 1B. If the cooler box 1C is in operation (OP102: YES), the process proceeds to OP103. If the cooler box 1C is stopped (OP102: NO), the process shown in Figure 4 ends.

[0052] In OP103, the control unit 11 determines whether the remaining power of battery 1D is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount. The remaining power of battery 1D is obtained through ECU 1B. If the remaining power of battery 1D is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount (OP103: YES), the process proceeds to OP104. In OP104, the control unit 11 determines whether the operating state of the cooler box 1C will continue. After that, the process proceeds to OP103.

[0053] If the remaining power of battery 1D is less than a predetermined amount (OP103:NO), the process proceeds to OP105. In OP105, the control unit 11 stops the cooler box 1C. After that, the process shown in Figure 4 is completed. Note that the cooler box stop control process is not limited to the process shown in Figure 4 and can be modified as appropriate depending on the implementation. For example, the control unit 11 may execute the process of OP102 after a predetermined time has elapsed, after the IGN switch 1F is turned off (OP101:YES), until the vehicle 1 is determined to be in a parked state.

[0054] Figure 5 is an example of a flowchart for the notification control process of cooler box information in vehicle 1. The process shown in Figure 5 is executed repeatedly at predetermined intervals. In OP201, the control unit 11 determines whether the IGN switch 1F has been turned off or not. If the IGN switch 1F has been turned off (OP201: YES), the process proceeds to OP202. If the IGN switch 1F is not turned off (OP201: NO), the process shown in Figure 5 ends.

[0055] In OP202, the control unit 11 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the battery 1D was turned off. If the predetermined time has elapsed since the battery 1D was turned off (OP202: YES), the control unit 11 determines the parking state of vehicle 1 and proceeds to OP203. If the predetermined time has not elapsed since the battery 1D was turned off (OP202: NO), the control unit 11 remains in standby mode until the predetermined time has elapsed.

[0056] In OP203, the control unit 11 acquires the position information of vehicle 1 through ECU 1B. In OP204, the control unit 11 acquires cooler box information through ECU 1B.

[0057] In OP205, the control unit 11 determines whether the cooler box 1C is empty or not based on the cooler box information. If the cooler box 1C is empty (OP205: YES), the process proceeds to OP206. If there is something inside the cooler box 1C (OP205: NO), the process proceeds to OP208.

[0058] In OP206, the control unit 11 determines whether the cooler box 1C is in operation based on the cooler box information. If the cooler box 1C is in operation (OP206: YES), the process proceeds to OP207. If the cooler box 1C is stopped (OP206: NO), the control unit 11 determines that it will not notify the user terminal 3 of the cooler box information, and the process shown in Figure 5 ends.

[0059] In OP207, the control unit 11 determines whether the location information of vehicle 1 is a location registered in the excluded location information 12A. If the location information of vehicle 1 is a location registered in the excluded location information 12A (OP207: YES), the control unit 11 determines whether to notify the user terminal 3 of the cooler box information, and the process shown in Figure 5 ends. If the location information of vehicle 1 is a location not registered in the excluded location information 12A (OP207: NO), the control unit 11 determines whether to notify the user terminal 3 of the cooler box information, and the process proceeds to OP208.

[0060] In OP208, the control unit 11 sends a notification request to the center server 2. Along with the notification request, the identification information of vehicle 1 and the cooler box information are also sent. After that, the process shown in Figure 5 is completed. Note that the notification control process for cooler box information is not limited to the process shown in Figure 5.

[0061] <Effects of the First Embodiment> According to the process shown in Figure 5, if a user of user terminal 3 turns off the IGN switch 1F of vehicle 1 and leaves vehicle 1, and a predetermined time has elapsed since then (OP202:YES), and there are items inside the cooler box 1C (forgotten to remove contents) (OP205:NO), or if the cooler box 1C is empty (OP205:YES), the cooler box 1C is in operation (forgotten to stop operation) (OP206:YES), and the parking location of vehicle 1 is not a location registered in the excluded location information 12A (OP207:NO), then cooler box information is notified to user terminal 3 via the center server 2. This allows the user of user terminal 3 to be reminded if they forget to stop the cooler box 1C or forget to remove its contents. If the user forgets to stop the cooler box 1C, for example, the user of the user terminal 3 can reduce the power consumption of the battery 1D by the cooler box 1C while the vehicle 1 is parked by stopping the cooler box 1C.

[0062] Furthermore, if the cooler box 1C is empty (OP205:YES), or if the cooler box 1C is in operation (stop operation forgotten) (OP206:YES), and the parking location of vehicle 1 is a location registered in the excluded location information 12A (OP207:YES), then no notification of cooler box information will be sent to the user terminal 3. This reduces the inconvenience caused by cooler box information notifications, as no notification of cooler box information will be sent when the vehicle is parked in a location specified by the user.

[0063] For example, after the user of user terminal 3 turns off the IGN switch 1F of vehicle 1, and before the predetermined time period used in OP202 has elapsed, the cooler box 1C is stopped by the cooler box stop control process shown in Figure 4 because the remaining power of battery 1D is below a predetermined amount (OP103:NO, OP105). If the cooler box 1C is empty (OP205:YES), no notification of cooler box information is sent to user terminal 3 (OP206:NO). Also, for example, even if the user of user terminal 3 forgets to stop the cooler box 1C, and does not stop the cooler box 1C even after the cooler box information is sent to user terminal 3, the cooler box 1C will stop as the remaining power of battery 1D falls below a predetermined amount over time (OP103:NO) (OP105). This prevents the battery 1D from being consumed to the point where it cannot drive vehicle 1 while parked, even if the user forgets to stop the cooler box 1C.

[0064] <Other Embodiments> The above embodiments are merely examples, and this disclosure may be modified as appropriate without departing from its essence.

[0065] In the cooler box information notification control process in the first embodiment (Figure 5), if the cooler box 1C is empty (OP205:YES), the cooler box 1C is in operation (OP206:YES), and the vehicle 1 is parked in a location registered in the excluded location information 12A (OP207:YES), then no notification of cooler box information is sent to the user terminal 3. However, the control unit 11 may determine whether to send a notification of cooler box information to the user terminal 3 if the cooler box 1C is empty (OP205:YES), the cooler box 1C is in operation (OP206:YES), and the vehicle 1 is parked in a location that has been registered in advance. If the vehicle 1 is parked in a location other than one that has been registered in advance, the control unit 11 may determine whether to send the notification.

[0066] Furthermore, even if there are items inside the cooler box 1C, if vehicle 1 is parked in a designated location, the control unit 11 may decide not to notify the user terminal 3 of the cooler box information. The designated location is, for example, a campsite or other facility where temporary parking is likely to be completed in a relatively short time. Such designated locations may be registered in advance by the user of the user terminal 3, or the control unit 11 may determine them from map information or the like.

[0067] Furthermore, even if there are items inside the cooler box 1C, the control unit 11 may decide not to notify the user terminal 3 of the cooler box information if the cooler box 1C is operating or stopped. In this way, the conditions for notifying the user terminal 3 of the cooler box information are determined by the location information of the vehicle 1, the operating status of the cooler box 1C, and the presence or absence of items inside the cooler box 1C, depending on the manner of implementation. It can be set as desired.

[0068] Furthermore, in the cooler box information notification control process in the first embodiment (Figure 5), the decision on whether or not to notify the cooler box information is made based on the operating status of the cooler box 1C, the presence or absence of items inside the cooler box 1C, and the location information of the vehicle 1, but is not limited to this. The control unit 11 may decide whether or not to notify the cooler box 1C of the cooler box information based on one or two of the following pieces of information: information indicating the operating status of the cooler box 1C, information indicating the presence or absence of items inside the cooler box 1C, and the location information of the vehicle 1.

[0069] For example, the control unit 11 may determine whether to notify the cooler box 1C when the cooler box 1C is in operation, based on information indicating the operating status of the cooler box 1C, without using information indicating the presence or absence of items inside the cooler box 1C or the location information of the vehicle 1. For example, the control unit 11 may determine whether to notify the cooler box 1C when the cooler box 1C is in operation, based on information indicating the operating status of the cooler box 1C or the presence or absence of items inside the cooler box 1C, based on the location information of the vehicle 1. Alternatively, the control unit 11 may determine whether to notify the cooler box 1C when the IGN switch 1F is turned off, without using any of the information indicating the operating status of the cooler box 1C, the information indicating the presence or absence of items inside the cooler box 1C, or the location information of the vehicle 1.

[0070] Furthermore, in the notification control process for cooler box information in the first embodiment (Figure 5), the parking state of vehicle 1 is determined by the elapsed time since the IGN switch 1F was turned off, but the determination of the parking state of vehicle 1 is not limited to this. The control unit 11 may, for example, determine the parking state of vehicle 1 when the distance between vehicle 1 and user terminal 3 exceeds a predetermined distance. The distance between vehicle 1 and user terminal 3 exceeding a predetermined distance may be determined, for example, from their respective location information, or from the received power of the radio wave signal of the wireless communication of the electronic key system provided in vehicle 1 and user terminal 3, or from the failure of said signal to reach the other. The method of wireless communication between vehicle 1 and user terminal 3 is not limited to a specific method, and may include, for example, BLE (Bluetooth® Low Energy), Wi-Fi, etc.

[0071] In the first embodiment, the cooler box stop control process shown in Figure 4 and the cooler box information notification control process shown in Figure 5 are performed by the DCM 1A, but are not limited thereto. For example, the ECU 1B may perform the cooler box stop control process and the cooler box information notification control process. Alternatively, for example, a center server 2, which is a device other than the vehicle 1, may perform the cooler box stop control process and the cooler box information notification control process. In this case, the center server 2 obtains the location information of the vehicle 1, the cooler box information, the remaining power of the battery 1D, and the on or off status of the IGN switch 1F from the vehicle 1, stores information on locations specified by the user for notification, such as excluded location information 12A, in the user information DB 22, and performs the cooler box stop control process and the cooler box information notification control process.

[0072] Furthermore, the cooler box stop control process and the cooler box information notification control process may be performed in cooperation between vehicle 1 and center server 2. For example, in the process shown in Figure 5, vehicle 1 may execute processes OP201 to OP204, vehicle 1 may transmit vehicle 1's location information and cooler box information to center server 2, and center server 2 may execute processes OP205 to OP208.

[0073] The processes and methods described in this disclosure can be freely combined and implemented, provided that no technical inconsistencies arise.

[0074] Furthermore, processes described as being performed by a single device may be divided and executed by multiple devices. This is also permissible. Alternatively, processes described as being performed by different devices may be performed by a single device. In a computer system, the hardware configuration (server configuration) by which each function is implemented can be flexibly changed.

[0075] The present disclosure can also be realized by supplying a computer program implementing the functions described in the embodiments above to a computer, and having one or more processors in the computer read and execute the program. Such a computer program may be provided to the computer by a non-temporary computer-readable storage medium that can be connected to the computer's system bus, or it may be provided to the computer via a network. Non-temporary computer-readable storage mediums include, for example, any type of disk such as magnetic disks (floppy disks, hard disk drives (HDDs), etc.), optical disks (CD-ROMs, DVDs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), EPROM, EEPROM, magnetic cards, flash memory, optical cards, and any type of medium suitable for storing electronic instructions. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0076] 1. Vehicle 1A··DCM 1B··ECU 1C Cooler Box 1D Battery 1E ··Location Information Sensor 1F··IGN switch 2. Center Server 3. User terminal 11. Control Unit 12...Storage section 12A ··Exclusion location information 100 Cooler Box Information Notification System 101 Processor 102...memory 103...Auxiliary storage device 104. Wireless Communication Department 105 Interface

Claims

1. When the vehicle is parked, information regarding the status of the cooler box installed in the vehicle is obtained, The process involves notifying a user terminal associated with the vehicle of information regarding the status of the cooler box, A control unit that executes Equipped with, The information relating to the state of the cooler box includes information indicating the operating status of the cooler box, and information indicating whether or not there is anything inside the cooler box. The control unit, as processing related to the notification, The system determines whether to send the notification to the user terminal if there is an item in the cooler box, and if the cooler box is empty and in operation. If the cooler box is empty and stopped, it is determined that the notification will not be sent to the user terminal. An information processing device that performs the following actions.

2. The control unit, To obtain the location information of the aforementioned vehicle, The process for the aforementioned notification involves determining whether or not to send the aforementioned notification to the user terminal depending on whether or not the vehicle's location information indicates a predetermined location that has been registered in advance, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, which performs the following:

3. The information relating to the state of the cooler box includes information indicating the operating status of the cooler box. The control unit, If the cooler box is operating when the vehicle is parked, the cooler box will continue to operate until the vehicle's battery level falls below a predetermined value, and the cooler box will stop once the battery level falls below the predetermined value. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

4. Computers When the vehicle is parked, information regarding the status of the cooler box installed in the vehicle is obtained, The process involves notifying a user terminal associated with the vehicle of information regarding the status of the cooler box, Execute, The information relating to the state of the cooler box includes information indicating the operating status of the cooler box, and information indicating whether or not there is anything inside the cooler box. The computer, as part of the processing related to the notification, The system determines whether to send the notification to the user terminal if there is an item in the cooler box, and if the cooler box is empty and in operation. If the cooler box is empty and stopped, it is determined that the notification will not be sent to the user terminal. How to do it.

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