Information processing device

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of improving user convenience when remotely operating a vehicle.SOLUTION: A control unit of an information processing device acquires a temporal condition specified by a user of a vehicle. The temporal condition may be a condition for immediately deactivating the communication function of the vehicle related to remote operation, a condition for specifying a period during which the communication function of the vehicle related to remote operation is temporarily deactivated, or a condition for specifying days of the week and / or time zones during which the communication function related to remote operation is periodically deactivated. The control unit of the information processing device puts the communication function into a deactivated and / or standby state according to the acquired temporal condition.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] This disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Techniques for remotely operating an air conditioner mounted in a vehicle are known (see, 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 this disclosure is to provide a technique capable of improving the convenience of a user when remotely operating a vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] One aspect of this disclosure is an information processing apparatus. In that case, the information processing apparatus may, for example, obtain a timing condition that is a condition specified by a user of the vehicle and that specifies a timing for putting the communication function of the vehicle related to remote operation into a stopped state and / or a standby state, put the communication function into a stopped state and / or a standby state according to the obtained timing condition, and include a control unit that executes the above.

[0006] Another aspect of this disclosure may be an information processing method in which a computer executes the processing of the above information processing apparatus, a program for causing the computer to execute the information processing method, or a non-temporary storage medium that stores the program in a computer-readable form.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] This disclosure provides a technology that can improve user convenience when remotely operating a vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows the schematic configuration of the system in the embodiment. [Figure 2] This diagram schematically shows an example of a screen for setting timing conditions in an embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure schematically shows an example of temporal condition data in an embodiment. [Figure 4] This flowchart shows an example of a first processing routine executed in the communication terminal in the embodiment. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows an example of a second processing routine executed in the communication terminal in the embodiment. [Figure 6] This flowchart shows an example of a third processing routine executed in the communication terminal in a modified example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] In recent years, users have been able to control the air conditioning system and door locks of parked vehicles via smartphones and other devices. Services that allow remote operation of in-vehicle equipment such as actuators (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "remote services") are becoming increasingly popular. Vehicles that are eligible for remote services are equipped with communication functions for sending and receiving signals related to remote operation. However, if the communication function remains in standby mode (a state in which signals related to remote operation can be received) while the vehicle is in a stopped state (ignition switch or power switch is off), it may lead to insufficient charge in the vehicle's battery or accelerate battery degradation.

[0010] In response to this, one possible solution is to automatically switch the vehicle's communication function from standby mode to a disabled state (a state in which signals related to remote operation cannot be received) after a certain period of time (for example, several days) has elapsed since the vehicle stopped operating (when the ignition switch or power switch was switched from on to off). However, even if the user does not use the vehicle (does not use the remote service) during the aforementioned period, the vehicle's communication function will remain in standby mode, potentially leading to unnecessary battery consumption. Furthermore, it is conceivable that some users may wish to use the remote service after the aforementioned period has elapsed. Therefore, measures are needed to improve user convenience while suppressing unnecessary battery consumption.

[0011] Therefore, in the information processing device relating to the present disclosure, the control unit acquires a temporal condition which is a condition specified by the vehicle user that specifies the time when the vehicle's communication function related to remote operation is put into a stopped state and / or standby state. Here, the temporal condition in the present disclosure may be a condition that immediately puts the communication function into a stopped state, a condition that specifies a period during which the communication function is put into a stopped state on an ad-hoc basis, or a condition that specifies the days of the week and / or time periods during which the communication function is put into a stopped state on an ad-hoc basis.

[0012] The control unit of the information processing device relating to this disclosure puts the communication function of the vehicle involved in remote operation into a stopped state and / or standby state according to the acquired temporal conditions. If the temporal condition is a condition for immediately stopping the communication function of the vehicle involved in remote operation, the control unit should immediately stop the communication function of the vehicle involved in remote operation upon acquiring the said temporal condition.

[0013] Furthermore, if the timing condition specifies a period during which the communication function of a vehicle involved in remote control is temporarily shut down, the control unit should shut down the communication function of the vehicle involved in remote control when the start of the said period arrives, and put the communication function of the vehicle involved in remote control into standby mode when the end of the said period arrives. In the case of a vehicle in which the communication function of remote control is automatically shut down after a certain period has elapsed since the vehicle stopped operating, the options for the start of the said period may be limited. For example, the options for the start of the said period may be limited to a time before a certain period has elapsed since the vehicle last stopped operating. This makes it possible to prevent the communication function of the vehicle involved in remote control from automatically shutting down before the start of the period specified by the user, when the vehicle in which the communication function of remote control is automatically shut down after a certain period has elapsed since the vehicle stopped operating is targeted.

[0014] Furthermore, if the timing condition specifies the days of the week and / or time periods on which the communication functions of the vehicle involved in remote operation should be periodically shut down, the control unit should shut down the communication functions each time the specified day and / or time period arrives, and put the communication functions into standby mode each time the specified day and / or time period ends. Here, if the timing condition specifies the days of the week on which the communication functions of the vehicle involved in remote operation should be periodically shut down, the control unit should shut down the communication functions of the vehicle involved in remote operation when the specified day arrives, and put the communication functions of the vehicle involved in remote operation into standby mode when the specified day ends. The control unit can repeatedly put both communication functions into standby mode. Furthermore, if the time condition specifies a time period during which the communication functions of the vehicle involved in remote operation should be periodically deactivated, the control unit can repeatedly deactivate the communication functions of the vehicle involved in remote operation when the specified time period arrives and put the communication functions of the vehicle involved in remote operation into standby mode when the specified time period ends. In addition, if the time condition specifies a day of the week and time period during which the communication functions of the vehicle involved in remote operation should be periodically deactivated, the control unit can repeatedly deactivate the communication functions of the vehicle involved in remote operation when the specified time period on the specified day of the week arrives and put the communication functions of the vehicle involved in remote operation into standby mode when the specified time period on the specified day of the week ends.

[0015] According to the information processing device described herein, the communication function of a vehicle that is remotely controlled can be disabled at a time specified by the user. This allows the user to specify a time when the vehicle is not in use, thereby preventing the communication function from remaining in standby mode during that time. As a result, it becomes possible to improve user convenience while suppressing unnecessary consumption of battery power.

[0016] Furthermore, the control unit of the information processing device relating to this disclosure may further perform the following actions: determine candidate time conditions based on the user's past usage history of the vehicle; output information allowing the user to choose whether to agree to the candidates; and set the candidates as time conditions based on the user's agreement. This reduces the effort required for the user to set time conditions. As a result, it becomes possible to further improve user convenience.

[0017] The information processing device related to this disclosure is a computer that performs processing related to the remote operation of a vehicle. For example, the information processing device related to this disclosure may be a computer installed in a vehicle (for example, a car navigation system or a head unit).

[0018] <Embodiment> Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described based on the drawings. The configurations of the following embodiments are examples, but the embodiments described below are merely examples of the present disclosure in every aspect. Various improvements or modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In implementing the present disclosure, specific configurations according to the embodiments may be appropriately adopted. Although the data appearing in this embodiment is described in natural language, more specifically, it is specified by a pseudo language, command, parameter, machine language, etc. recognizable by a computer.

[0019] (Configuration of the System) FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the configuration of a system to which the present disclosure is applied. The system according to the present embodiment includes a vehicle 10, a user terminal 20, and a server 30, and provides a remote service to the user of the vehicle 10. The remote service is a service in which the user remotely operates the vehicle 10 through the user terminal 20. [[ID=I3]]

[0020] The vehicle 10, the user terminal 20, and the server 30 are connected through a network N1. The network N1 is, for example, a WAN (Wide Area Network) such as a worldwide public communication network like the Internet, or another communication network. Also, the network N1 may include a telephone communication network such as a mobile phone and other wireless communication networks such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark). In FIG. 1, only one vehicle I0 and one user terminal 20 are shown, but a plurality of vehicles 10 and user terminals 20 under the management of the server 30 may be included in the system.

[0021] The vehicle 10 operates the in-vehicle device 12 described below according to a remote command signal transmitted from the server 30 It has the function to operate 0. Furthermore, the vehicle 10 in this embodiment has the function to switch between a standby state (a state in which it can receive remote command signals transmitted from the server 30) and a stopped state (a state in which it cannot receive remote command signals transmitted from the server 30) of the communication terminal 100 described later, according to the timing conditions specified by the user.

[0022] The user terminal 20 is a computer used by the user of the vehicle 10, and has the function of receiving remote operations performed by the user, and the function of transmitting remote operation signals to the server 30, which include information about the received remote operations (for example, the operation method of the in-vehicle equipment that is the target of the remote operation). Such a user terminal 20 may, in one example, be a device carried by the user (for example, a smartphone or tablet device).

[0023] Server 30 is one or more computers that perform processing related to the remote operation of the vehicle 10. Server 30 has the function of receiving a remote operation signal transmitted from the user terminal 20 and transmitting a remote command signal to the vehicle 10 to operate the target in-vehicle equipment using the operating method included in the remote operation signal.

[0024] (Vehicle configuration) In this embodiment, the vehicle 10 is equipped with a communication terminal 100, an ECU 110, and in-vehicle equipment 120. The communication terminal 100, ECU 110, and in-vehicle equipment 120 are based on standards such as CAN (Controller Area Network), LIN (Local Interconnect Network), or FlexRay. They are interconnected via an in-vehicle network based on this system.

[0025] The communication terminal 100 of the vehicle 10 can be configured as a computer having a processor (CPU or GPU, etc.), main memory (RAM and ROM, etc.), and auxiliary memory (EPROM, hard disk drive, and removable media, etc.). In one example, the communication terminal 100 may include a DCM (Data Communication Module), a head unit, and a navigation system. The system may be configured by combining communication systems and the like. In this embodiment, the communication terminal 100 corresponds to the information processing device according to the disclosure. As shown in Figure 1, such a communication terminal 100 has a control unit 101, a storage unit 102, an input / output device 103, a timer 104, a battery 105, and a communication I / F 106.

[0026] The control unit 101 implements various functions of the communication terminal 100 by executing a dedicated program stored in the memory unit 102. The control unit 101 can be implemented by a hardware processor such as a CPU or DSP. The control unit 101 may also be configured to include RAM, ROM (Read Only Memory), cache memory, etc. Details of the functions implemented by the control unit 101 will be described later.

[0027] The memory unit 102 is configured to include an auxiliary storage device and stores various types of information. The memory unit 102 may also be a storage area constructed within the auxiliary storage device. The information stored in the memory unit 102 includes the OS, programs related to remote operation, and data used by those programs. The data stored in the memory unit 102 includes temporal condition data related to the conditions (temporal conditions) for when the communication terminal 100 is put into a stopped state. Details of the temporal condition data will be described later.

[0028] The input / output device 103 receives input operations from the vehicle user and presents information to the user. The input / output device 103 includes, for example, a touch panel or push buttons that can input characters or other symbols, and an input device such as a microphone that can input voice. Furthermore, the input / output device 103 includes an output device such as a display or speaker. In one example, the input / output device 103 may be configured to include an input / output touch panel display and a speaker.

[0029] The timer 104 outputs a timer activation signal when the time set by the control unit 101 arrives. The timer activation signal may, in one example, be a signal that includes information indicating the date, day of the week, and time the timer activation signal was output.

[0030] Battery 105 is a secondary battery that powers the communication terminal 100. If vehicle 10 is equipped with an internal combustion engine, battery 105 is charged using the electricity generated when the internal combustion engine is running. If vehicle 10 is a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) equipped with a drive battery, battery 105 is charged using the power from the drive battery.

[0031] The communication interface 106 includes a communication interface for connecting the communication terminal 100 to the in-vehicle network, and a wireless communication interface for connecting the communication terminal 100 to the external network N1. In one example, the communication interface 106 may include a communication interface for mobile communication (e.g., 3G, LTE, 5G, 6G, etc.) and a wireless communication interface for short-range wireless communication. The communication interface 106 of this embodiment communicates with the ECU 110 of the vehicle 10 through the in-vehicle network. Furthermore, the communication interface 106 of this embodiment communicates with the server 30 through the external network N1.

[0032] The ECU 110 of vehicle 10 is a computer that controls the in-vehicle equipment 120 installed in vehicle 10. The in-vehicle equipment 120 includes an air conditioning system, door lock actuators, power window actuators, etc., installed in vehicle 10. The ECU 110 operates the in-vehicle equipment 120 according to remote command signals received by the communication terminal 100 from the server 30.

[0033] Next, we will explain in detail the functions implemented by the control unit 101 of the communication terminal 100. Note that the functions described below are ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits). Alternatively, it can be implemented using hardware circuits such as FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays). It's okay.

[0034] The control unit 101 has the function of transmitting remote command signals received from the server 30 to the ECU 110, and the function of automatically switching the communication terminal 100 from standby to stopped state when a certain period of time (for example, about 9 days) has elapsed since the vehicle 10 stopped operating (when the ignition switch or power switch was switched from on to off). In addition, it has the function of accepting time conditions specified by the user, and the function of switching the standby state and stopped state of the communication terminal 100 according to the time conditions specified by the user.

[0035] Here, we will describe the function that accepts time-specific conditions specified by the user. The control unit 101 outputs a time-specific condition setting screen through the input / output device 103. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of a time-specific condition setting screen. The first setting screen in Figure 2 is the screen that is output first when the user inputs an operation to call up the time-specific condition setting screen to the input / output device 103. In the example shown in Figure 2, the first setting screen includes an immediate stop button G21, which is a GUI component for specifying the conditions for immediately stopping the communication terminal 100; a period stop button G22, which is a GUI component for calling up a screen for setting a period (second setting screen) for stopping the communication terminal 100 on an occasional basis; and a period stop button G33, which is a GUI component for calling up a screen (third setting screen) for setting a period for stopping the communication terminal 100 periodically.

[0036] When the first setting screen is output to the input / output device 103, and the operation to select the period stop button G22 is input to the input / output device 103, the control unit 101 outputs the second setting screen to the input / output device 103. In the example shown in Figure 2, the second setting screen includes pull-down menus G31-G32 for selecting the start date and time of the period for which the communication terminal 100 will be temporarily stopped, pull-down menus G33-G34 which are GUI components for selecting the end date and time of the period for which the communication terminal 100 will be temporarily stopped, and the selected period The system includes an execution button G35, which is a GUI component for temporarily stopping the communication terminal 100. The date and time options presented in the pull-down menus G31-G32 for selecting the start date and time of the period for temporarily stopping the communication terminal 100 may be limited to dates and times within the aforementioned period from the last time the vehicle 10 was stopped. In the example shown in Figure 2, the second setting screen is configured to allow selection of both the date and time for the start and end dates of the period for temporarily stopping the communication terminal 100, but it may also be configured to allow selection of only the date (by omitting GUI components G32 and G34 in Figure 2).

[0037] When the first setting screen is output to the input / output device 103, and the operation to select the periodic stop button G23 is input to the input / output device 103, the control unit 101 outputs the third setting screen to the input / output device 103. In the example shown in Figure 2, the third setting screen includes a checkbox G41, which is a GUI component for selecting the days of the week on which the communication terminal 100 should be periodically stopped; pull-down menus G42-G43, which are GUI components for selecting the time period on which the communication terminal 100 should be periodically stopped; and an execute button G44, which is a GUI component for executing the periodic stop of the communication terminal 100 on the selected days and / or time period. Note that on the third setting screen, it is not necessary for both the days of the week and the time period on which the communication terminal 100 should be periodically stopped to be selected; it is sufficient for at least one of the days of the week and the time period to be selected.

[0038] Next, we will explain the function that switches the communication terminal 100 between the standby state and the stopped state according to the time conditions specified by the user. First, in the first setting screen explained using Figure 2, if the immediate stop button G21 is operated, the control unit 101 immediately switches the communication terminal 100 from the standby state to the stopped state.

[0039] Furthermore, if the execution button G35 is operated after the start and end times for the period in which the communication terminal 100 is temporarily shut down are selected in the second setting screen as explained using Figure 2, the control unit 101 first registers the time condition data in the storage unit 102. Here, a specific example of the time condition data stored in the storage unit 102 will be explained using Figure 3. Figure 3(A) is an example of the time condition data when the communication terminal 100 is temporarily shut down. The time condition data in Figure 3(A) includes a start time field and an end time field for the period in which the communication terminal 100 is temporarily shut down. The start time field registers information indicating the date and time of the start time selected on the second setting screen. The end time field registers information indicating the date and time of the end time selected on the second setting screen.

[0040] After the control unit 101 has finished registering the temporal condition data shown in Figure 3(A) in the storage unit 102, it sets the timer 104. Specifically, the control unit 101 sets the operating timing of the timer 104 so that a timer activation signal is output when the start time and end time registered in the start time field and end time field of the temporal condition data shown in Figure 3(A) arrive. Subsequently, in response to the timer 104 outputting a timer activation signal, the control unit 101 compares the date and time the timer activation signal was output with the temporal condition data in the storage unit 102. If the date and time the timer activation signal was output matches the date and time registered in the start time field of the temporal condition data, the control unit 101 switches the communication terminal 100 from standby to stopped. If the date and time the timer activation signal was output matches the date and time registered in the end time field of the temporal condition data, the control unit 101 switches the communication terminal 100 from stopped to standby.

[0041] Furthermore, in the third setting screen explained using Figure 2, if the execution button G44 is operated after the days of the week and / or time period for periodically stopping the communication terminal 100 is selected, The control unit 101 first registers time condition data in the storage unit 102. In this case, the start time field of the time condition data registers information indicating the start time of the day of the week selected on the third setting screen and the time period selected on the third setting screen, as illustrated in Figure 3(B). The end time field registers information indicating the end time of the day of the week selected on the third setting screen and the time period selected on the third setting screen. If multiple days of the week are selected on the third setting screen, the time condition data may include records corresponding to each of the multiple days of the week, as illustrated in Figure 3(C).

[0042] Once the control unit 101 has finished registering the time condition data shown in Figure 3(B) in the storage unit 102, it sets the operating timing of the timer 104 so that a timer activation signal is repeatedly output each time the start time and end time registered in the start time field and end time field of the time condition data shown in Figure 3(B) arrive. Subsequently, in response to the timer 104 outputting a timer activation signal, the control unit 101 compares the day of the week and time on which the timer activation signal was output with the time condition data in the storage unit 102. If the day of the week and time on which the timer activation signal was output matches the day of the week and time registered in the start time field of the time condition data, the control unit 101 switches the communication terminal 100 from standby state to stopped state. If the day of the week and time on which the timer activation signal was output matches the day of the week and time registered in the end time field of the time condition data, the control unit 101 switches the communication terminal 100 from stopped state to standby state. This process of switching the communication terminal 100 between standby and stopped states is repeatedly executed each time the day of the week and time period selected on the third settings screen arrives.

[0043] (Process flow) Next, the processing flow executed in the communication terminal 100 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 is a flowchart of the first processing routine executed in the communication terminal 100 in response to an input / output device 103 being input by the user of the vehicle 10 to specify a time condition. Figure 5 is a flowchart of the second processing routine executed in the communication terminal 100 in response to the timer 104 outputting a timer activation signal.

[0044] When the user of vehicle 10 inputs an operation to specify time conditions to the input / output device 103, the control unit 101 of the communication terminal 100 executes the first processing routine shown in Figure 4. The "operation to specify time conditions" refers to any of the following: selecting the immediate stop button G21 on the first setting screen illustrated in Figure 2; selecting the start and end times and then selecting the execute button G35 on the second setting screen illustrated in Figure 2; or selecting the day of the week and time zone and then selecting the execute button G44 on the third setting screen illustrated in Figure 2.

[0045] In the first processing routine shown in Figure 4, the control unit 101 first determines whether the time condition specified by the user of the vehicle 10 is a condition to immediately stop the communication terminal 100 (step S101). If the operation to specify the time condition is the operation to select the immediate stop button G21 on the first setting screen illustrated in Figure 2, the control unit 101 determines that the time condition specified by the user of the vehicle 10 is a condition to immediately stop the communication terminal 100 (affirmative determination in step S101). However, if the operation to specify the time condition is the operation to select the execute button G35 after selecting the start time and end time on the second setting screen illustrated in Figure 2, or the operation to select the execute button G44 after selecting the day of the week and time zone on the third setting screen illustrated in Figure 2, the control unit 101 determines that the time condition specified by the user of the vehicle 10 is not a condition to immediately stop the communication terminal 100 (negative determination in step S101).

[0046] If the determination in step S101 is positive, the control unit 101 executes the process in step S102. In step S102, the control unit 101 immediately switches the communication terminal 100 from standby state to stopped state.

[0047] Furthermore, if a negative determination is made in step S101, the control unit 101 executes the process in step S103. In step S103, the control unit 101 generates time condition data based on the time conditions specified by the user of the vehicle 10 and registers the generated time condition data in the storage unit 102. Here, if the time conditions specified by the user of the vehicle 10 are conditions that specify a period during which the communication terminal 100 is temporarily shut down, the control unit 101 may generate time condition data as exemplified in Figure 3 (A) and register it in the storage unit 102. Also, if the time conditions specified by the user of the vehicle 10 are conditions that specify the days of the week and / or time periods during which the communication terminal 100 is periodically shut down, the control unit 101 may generate time condition data as exemplified in Figure 3 (B) and (C) and register it in the storage unit 102. After the control unit 101 has finished executing the process in step S103, it executes the process in step S104.

[0048] In step S104, the control unit 101 sets the timer 104 according to the temporal condition data registered in the storage unit 102. If the temporal condition specified by the user of the vehicle 10 specifies a period during which the communication terminal 100 is temporarily stopped, the control unit 101 sets the operating timing of the timer 104 so that a timer activation signal is output at each of the start and end times registered in the start and end time fields of the temporal condition data, as illustrated in Figure 3(A). If the temporal condition specified by the user of the vehicle 10 specifies the days of the week and / or time periods during which the communication terminal 100 is periodically stopped, the control unit 101 sets the operating timing of the timer 104 so that a timer activation signal is output each time a start and end time registered in the start and end time fields of the temporal condition data, as illustrated in Figure 3(B) or Figure 3(C), arrives. After completing the processing in step S104, the control unit 101 terminates the execution of the first processing routine.

[0049] If the timing conditions specified by the user of vehicle 10 are such that the conditions specify a period during which the communication terminal 100 is temporarily shut down, or the conditions specify the days of the week and / or time periods during which the communication terminal 100 is periodically shut down, then the timer 104 outputs a timer activation signal triggered by the arrival of the activation time. When the timer 104 outputs the timer activation signal, the control unit 101 of the communication terminal 100 executes the second processing routine shown in Figure 5.

[0050] In the second processing routine, the control unit 101 first compares the information contained in the timer activation signal (for example, information indicating the date, day of the week, and time when the timer activation signal was output) with the time condition data registered in the storage unit 102 to determine whether the start time registered in the start time field of the time condition data has arrived (step S201). If the information contained in the timer activation signal matches the start time registered in the start time field of the time condition data, the control unit 101 determines that the start time for the period in which the communication terminal 100 is temporarily shut down has arrived, or that the start time for the day of the week and / or time period in which the communication terminal 100 is periodically shut down has arrived (affirmative determination in step S201). On the other hand, if the information contained in the timer activation signal does not match the start time registered in the start time field of the time condition data, and the information contained in the timer activation signal matches the end time registered in the end time field of the time condition data, the control unit 101 determines that the end time has arrived for the period during which the communication terminal 100 is temporarily shut down, or that the end time has arrived for the days of the week and / or time periods during which the communication terminal 100 is periodically shut down. (Negative judgment in step S201).

[0051] If a positive determination is made in step S201, the control unit 101 executes the process in step S202. In step S202, the control unit 101 switches the communication terminal 100 from standby state to stopped state. After completing the process in step S202, the control unit 101 terminates the execution of the second processing routine.

[0052] Furthermore, if a negative determination is made in step S201, the control unit 101 executes the process in step S203. In step S203, the control unit 101 switches the communication terminal 100 from the stopped state to the standby state. After the control unit 101 has finished executing the process in step S203, it terminates the execution of the second processing routine.

[0053] According to the embodiment described above, the communication terminal 100 can be put into a deactivated state at a time specified by the user. This allows the user to specify a period when the vehicle 10 is not in use, thereby preventing the communication terminal 100 from remaining in standby mode during that period. As a result, unnecessary consumption of the battery 105 can be suppressed. Therefore, it becomes possible to keep the communication terminal 100 in standby mode as much as possible outside of the period specified by the user, thereby improving user convenience.

[0054] <Variation> Next, a modified version of this disclosure will be described. In this modified version, an example is described in which the communication terminal 100 determines candidate time conditions based on the user's past usage of the vehicle 10 and proposes the determined candidates to the user. Note that in this modified version, a configuration different from the embodiment described above will be described, and a similar configuration will not be described.

[0055] In this modified example, the communication terminal 100 has a control unit 101 that collects actual data on when the user used the vehicle 10 (the days of the week and / or time periods when the user drove the vehicle 10) over a predetermined period in the past (for example, a period of one to two months), and stores the collected actual data in the storage unit 102. The control unit 101 determines candidate time conditions according to the actual data stored in the storage unit 102. In one example, the control unit 101 identifies the days of the week and / or time periods when the user does not use the vehicle 10 according to the actual data, and determines the identified days of the week and / or time periods as candidate time conditions. Once candidate time conditions are determined in this way, the control unit 101 outputs a screen (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "proposal screen") to the input / output device 103 for the user to select whether or not to agree to the determined candidate. In one example, the proposal screen may include text information indicating the content of the candidate (text information indicating the days of the week and / or time periods when the communication terminal 100 should be stopped), and GUI components for selecting whether or not to agree to stop the communication terminal 100 according to the candidate. Then, when an operation to agree to put the communication terminal 100 into a stopped state according to the candidate is input to the input / output device 103, the control unit 101 sets the candidate as a time condition. That is, the control unit 101 generates time condition data corresponding to the candidate and registers the generated time condition data in the storage unit 102. Furthermore, the control unit 101 sets the operating timing of the timer 104 so that a timer activation signal is repeatedly output each time the start time and end time registered in the start time field and end time field of the time condition data registered in the storage unit 102 arrive. Subsequently, in response to the timer 104 outputting a timer activation signal, the control unit 101 switches the communication terminal 100 between the standby state and the stopped state.

[0056] (Process flow) Next, the processing flow performed in the communication terminal 100 in this modified example will be explained based on Figure 6. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the third processing routine that is performed in the communication terminal 100 at a predetermined interval (for example, every month).

[0057] In the third processing routine shown in Figure 6, the control unit 101 of the communication terminal 100 first determines candidate time conditions based on the actual data stored in the storage unit 102 (step S301). In one example, the control unit 101 identifies the days of the week and / or time periods when the user does not use the vehicle 10 based on the actual data, and determines the identified days of the week and / or time periods as candidate time conditions. After completing the processing in step S301, the control unit 101 executes the processing in step S302.

[0058] In step S302, the control unit 101 outputs a suggestion screen via the input / output device 103 to propose the candidates determined in step S301 to the user. For example, the suggestion screen may include text information indicating the content of the candidates (text information indicating the days of the week and / or time periods on which the communication terminal 100 should be put into a stopped state), and GUI components for selecting whether or not to agree to put the communication terminal 100 into a stopped state according to the candidates. After the control unit 101 has finished executing the process in step S302, it executes the process in step S303.

[0059] In step S303, the control unit 101 determines whether an operation to select whether to agree to the candidate has been input to the input / output device 103 while the suggestion screen is being output to the input / output device 103. If an operation to select whether to agree to the candidate has not been input to the input / output device 103 (negative determination in step S303), the control unit 101 waits until an operation to select whether to agree to the candidate has been input to the input / output device 103. If an operation to select whether to agree to the candidate has been input to the input / output device 103 (positive determination in step S303), the control unit 101 executes the process in step S304.

[0060] In step S304, the control unit 101 determines whether the operation input to the input / output device 103 is an operation to select agreement with the candidate. If the operation input to the input / output device 103 is an operation to select disagreement with the candidate (negative determination in step S304), the control unit 101 terminates the execution of the third processing routine. On the other hand, if the operation input to the input / output device 103 is an operation to select agreement with the candidate (positive determination in step S304), the control unit 101 executes the process in step S305.

[0061] In step S305, the control unit 101 sets the candidates as time conditions. Specifically, the control unit 101 generates time condition data corresponding to the candidates and registers the generated time condition data in the storage unit 102. Furthermore, the control unit 101 sets the operating timing of the timer 104 so that a timer activation signal is repeatedly output each time the start time and end time registered in the start time field and end time field of the time condition data registered in the storage unit 102 arrive. After completing the processing in step S305, the control unit 101 terminates the execution of the third processing routine.

[0062] The modifications described above reduce the effort required for users to set time-based conditions. As a result, user convenience can be further enhanced.

[0063] <Other> The embodiments and modifications described above are merely examples, and this disclosure may be modified as appropriate without departing from its essence. Furthermore, the processes and means described in this disclosure can be freely combined and implemented as long as no technical inconsistencies arise. Moreover, processes described as being performed by a single device may be divided and executed by multiple devices. For example, among the functions implemented by the communication terminal 100 of the vehicle 10, the function of accepting time conditions specified by the user of the vehicle 10 may be implemented by the user terminal 20. In that case, the user terminal 20 implements the function of presenting a setting screen as illustrated in Figure 2 to the user, and the function of sending the time conditions specified by the user on the setting screen to the server 30. The system should be configured in this manner. Accordingly, the server 30 should be configured to implement a function that transmits the temporal conditions received from the user terminal 20 to the communication terminal 100 of the vehicle 10. The communication terminal 100 of the vehicle 10 should then switch between a standby state and a stopped state according to the temporal conditions received from the server 30.

[0064] Furthermore, among the functions implemented by the communication terminal 100 of the vehicle 10, the function for determining candidate time conditions may be implemented by the server 30. In that case, the server 30 should be configured to implement the functions of collecting actual data through the communication terminal 100 of the vehicle 10, determining candidate time conditions based on the collected actual data, and transmitting information on the determined candidates to the communication terminal 100. Also, among the functions implemented by the communication terminal 100 of the vehicle 10, the function for presenting a suggestion screen to the user may be implemented by the user terminal 20. In that case, the user terminal 20 should be configured to implement the functions of acquiring information on the candidates determined by the communication terminal 100 through the server 30 (or acquiring information on the candidates determined by the server 30 from the server 30), presenting a suggestion screen to the user based on the acquired candidate information, and transmitting the results of the user's selection on the suggestion screen (whether or not to agree to the candidates) to the server 30. Accordingly, the server 30 should be configured to implement a function that transmits the selection results received from the user terminal 20 to the communication terminal 100 of the vehicle 10. The communication terminal 100 of the vehicle 10 should then decide whether or not to set the candidates as time conditions according to the selection results received from the server 30.

[0065] Furthermore, this disclosure can also be realized by supplying a computer program implementing the functions described in the above embodiments to a communication terminal 100 of a vehicle 10, and by having one or more processors in the communication terminal 100 read and execute the computer program. Such a computer program may be provided to a 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 a computer via a network. A non-temporary computer-readable storage medium is a recording medium that stores information such as data and programs by electrical, magnetic, optical, mechanical, or chemical means and can be read from a computer or the like. Such a recording medium may be any type of disk, such as a magnetic disk (floppy disk, hard disk drive (HDD), etc.) or an optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD disk, Blu-ray disk, etc.). The recording medium may also be a medium such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), EPROM, EEPROM, magnetic card, flash memory, optical card, or SSD (Solid State Drive). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0066] 10...Vehicle, 100...Communication terminal, 101...Control unit, 102...Storage unit, 103...Input / output device, 104...Timer, 105...Battery, 106...Communication interface, 20...User terminal, 30...Server

Claims

1. To obtain a temporal condition, which is a condition specified by the vehicle user that specifies the time when the communication function of the vehicle related to remote operation is put into a stopped state and / or standby state, Depending on the acquired temporal conditions, the communication function may be put into a stopped state and / or standby state. It includes a control unit that performs the following: To obtain the aforementioned timing conditions, The candidate for the aforementioned time period is determined based on the user's past usage history of the vehicle. Outputting information to allow the user to select whether they agree to the aforementioned candidate, In accordance with the user's agreement to the aforementioned candidate, the aforementioned candidate is set as the aforementioned time condition, To obtain the aforementioned set timing conditions, including, Information processing device.

2. The aforementioned temporal condition is a condition that immediately shuts down the communication function. The control unit immediately shuts down the communication function upon receiving the aforementioned time condition. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned temporal condition is a condition that specifies a period during which the communication function is temporarily shut down. The control unit performs the following actions: when the start of the period arrives, it puts the communication function into a deactivated state, and when the end of the period arrives, it puts the communication function into a standby state. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned timing condition is a condition that specifies the days of the week and / or time periods during which the communication function is periodically shut down. The control unit performs the following actions: when the day of the week and / or the time period arrives, it puts the communication function into a deactivated state, and when the day of the week and / or the time period ends, it puts the communication function into a standby state. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

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