Processing device and processing method

Abstract

The present invention improves safety more appropriately. This processing device 13 detects for an unattended object (child P1) in a vehicle 1, and comprises: a determination unit that determines the presence or absence of an unattended object; and a control unit that, if the determination unit has determined that an unattended object is present, executes notification control for sending a notification to a user (guardian P2), wherein the control unit executes the notification control on the basis of risk level information, which is information relating to the level of risk of the object.

Description

[0001] [Document name] Statement

[0002] [Title of invention] Processing device and processing method

[0003] [Technical Field]

[0004]

[001] The present invention relates to a processing device and a processing method.

[0005] [Background technology]

[0006]

[002] For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a technology has been proposed for detecting whether an object such as a child has been left behind in a vehicle in order to improve safety in the vehicle. With this technology, for example, a warning is issued to the guardian or other person of a child who has been left behind in the vehicle, thereby improving safety.

[0007] [Prior art documents]

[0008] [Patent documents]

[0009]

〇 0 0 3

[0010] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-142718

[0011] Summary of the Invention

[0012] [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0013] [0 0 0 4] Notifications following the detection of abandonment are made, for example, using a terminal carried by a user such as a parent or guardian. When a notification is made following the detection of abandonment, the user may assume that the child has not actually been abandoned and that the notification is due to a false detection, and may ignore the notification. For example, the above situation may occur when the user mistakenly believes that the child has gotten off the vehicle and is acting separately from the user. Such a situation can reduce safety.

[0014]

[0005] In view of these problems, the present invention aims to provide a processing device and a processing method that can more appropriately improve safety.

[0015] [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] [0 0 0 6] In order to solve the above problem, the processing device is a processing device that detects whether an object has been left inside a vehicle, and includes a determination unit that determines whether an object has been left behind, and a control unit that executes notification control to notify the user when the determination unit determines that an object has been left behind, and the control unit executes notification control based on risk level information, which is information regarding the risk level of the object.

[0017] [0 0 0 7] In order to solve the above problem, the processing method is a processing method for detecting whether an object has been left behind in a vehicle, in which a determination unit of the processing device determines whether an object has been left behind, and a control unit of the processing device executes notification control to notify the user when the determination unit determines that an object has been left behind, and the control unit executes notification control based on risk level information, which is information regarding the risk level of the object.

[0018] [Effects of the Invention]

[0019]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve safety more appropriately.

[0020] [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021]

〇 0 0 9

[0022] [Figure 1] Schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] [Figure 3] A flowchart showing a first example of the processing flow performed by a processing device related to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a second example of the flow of processing performed by the processing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] [Figure 5] A flowchart showing a third example of the processing flow performed by a processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028]

[0010] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific values ​​shown in the embodiments are merely examples to facilitate understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are designated by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanation, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

[0029]

[0011] <Vehicle configuration> With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the configuration of a vehicle 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0030]

[0012] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a vehicle 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle 1 includes a vehicle interior sensor 11, a temperature sensor 12, and a processing device 13.

[0031]

[0013] The cabin sensor 11 detects the state inside the cabin of the vehicle 1. An example of the cabin sensor 11 is a radar. In the following, an example in which the cabin sensor 11 is a radar will be described. However, as will be described later, the cabin sensor 11 may be a sensor other than a radar. The cabin sensor 11 is provided inside the cabin of the vehicle 1. For example, the cabin sensor 11 is provided near the rearview mirror inside the cabin of the vehicle 1, facing downward and rearward. In particular, the cabin sensor 11 can detect occupants in the vehicle 1, as will be described later.

[0032]

[0014] The temperature sensor 12 detects the temperature inside the vehicle 1. For example, the temperature sensor 12 is provided inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle 1.

[0033]

[0015] The processing device 13 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), which is an arithmetic processing device, a ROM (Read Only Memory), which is a memory element that stores programs used by the CPU, calculation parameters, etc., and a RAM (Read Only Memory), which is a memory element that temporarily stores parameters that change as the CPU executes. The processing device 13 may be, for example, a single device, or may be divided into multiple devices. When the processing device 13 is divided into multiple devices, the various functions described below may be shared among multiple devices.

[0034]

[0016] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the processing device 13. As shown in Fig. 2, the processing device 13 includes, for example, a determination unit 13a and a control unit 13b. The processing device 13 acquires information from each device in the vehicle 1. For example, the processing device 13 acquires information from a vehicle interior sensor 11 and a temperature sensor 12. In this specification, acquiring information may include extracting or generating information (for example, performing calculations), etc.

[0035]

[0017] The determination unit 13a performs various determinations. In particular, the determination unit 13a determines whether or not a subject such as a child has been left behind in the vehicle 1. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a situation may occur in which a child P1 remains in the vehicle 1, and the guardian P2 of the child P1 gets off the vehicle 1, leaves the vehicle 1, and heads toward a destination such as a commercial facility. The determination unit 13a determines whether or not the child P1 has been left behind in the vehicle 1.

[0036]

[0018] In the following, a child P1 corresponds to the person who is left behind. The age of the passenger who is left behind is not particularly limited, and is, for example, an age corresponding to that of a young child. However, the passenger who is left behind may also be an elderly person or a physically disabled person. Furthermore, the person who is left behind is not limited to a person, but may also be an animal such as a pet. Details of the determination by the determination unit 13a as to whether a child P1 has been left behind will be described later.

[0037]

[0019] The control unit 13b executes various controls. In particular, when the determination unit 13a determines that a child P1 has been left behind, the control unit 13b executes notification control to notify the guardian P2, who is the user of the vehicle 1. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the guardian P2 carries a terminal 2 such as a smartphone. The processing device 13 is capable of communicating with the terminal 2 carried by the guardian P2. For example, in the notification control, the control unit 13b issues a notification using the terminal 2 carried by the guardian P2. Specifically, the control unit 13b sends a control command to the terminal 2 to cause the terminal 2 to notify that the child P1 has been left behind. The terminal 2 can notify the guardian P2 that the child P1 has been left behind by using, for example, at least one of sound, vibration, and display, so that the guardian P2 can recognize that the child P1 has been left behind.

[0038]

[0020] Hereinafter, the guardian P2 corresponds to a user who is notified by the notification control that a child has been left behind. The user who is notified by the notification control that a child has been left behind is, for example, an adult who has gotten off the vehicle 1 (more specifically, the last adult to get off the vehicle 1). In other words, such an adult can be considered to be the guardian P2. Details of the notification control by the control unit 13b will be described later.

[0039]

[0021] <Operation of Processing Apparatus> The operation of the processing apparatus 13 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 3 to 5.

[0040] 〇

[0041]

[0022] As described above, the processing device 13 detects that the child P1 has been left behind in the vehicle 1 and issues a warning to the guardian P2 when the child P1 has been left behind. When the warning is issued when the child P1 has been left behind, the guardian P2 may mistakenly believe that the child P1 has not actually been left behind and that the warning is due to a false detection, and may ignore the warning. For example, this situation may occur when the guardian P2 mistakenly believes that the child P1 has gotten off the vehicle and is acting separately from the guardian P2. This situation may reduce safety.

[0042]

[0023] In this embodiment, as will be described below, the control unit 13b of the processing device 13 executes notification control based on risk information, which is information relating to the risk level of the child P!. This makes it possible to more appropriately improve safety, as will be described later. Below, a first example, a second example, and a third example will be described in order as examples of the processing performed by the processing device 13.

[0043]

[0024] Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing a first example of the processing flow performed by the processing device 13. Step S101 in Fig. 3 corresponds to the start of the processing flow shown in Fig. 3. Step S106 in Fig. 3 corresponds to the end of the processing flow shown in Fig. 3. The processing flow shown in Fig. 3 starts, for example, when vehicle 1 stops, the door of vehicle 1 opens, and then the door of vehicle 1 closes and locks. For example, the processing flow shown in Fig. 3 starts repeatedly at preset time intervals.

[0044]

[0025] As will be described later, in the first example of Fig. 3, temperature information, which is information about temperature, is used as risk information, which is information about the risk level of child P1. Specifically, the temperature information used is information about whether the temperature inside vehicle 1 is outside the appropriate range. As will be described later, the temperature information is not limited to this example.

[0045]

[0026] When the processing flow shown in Figure 3 starts, in step S102, the judgment unit 13a judges whether or not a child P1 has been left behind in the vehicle 1.

[0046]

[0027] In step S102, the determination unit 13a can determine whether a child P1 has been left behind, for example, based on the detection result of the cabin sensor 11. For example, the radar serving as the cabin sensor 11 can detect the distance between an object in the cabin of the vehicle 1 and the cabin sensor 11. Therefore, the cabin sensor 11 can detect chest contractions of the occupant of the vehicle 1 caused by the occupant's breathing. Therefore, the determination unit 13a can detect an object experiencing such chest contractions as an occupant based on the detection result of the cabin sensor 11, and further determine whether the detected occupant is a child P1 based on the amplitude and period of the chest contractions. Then, the determination unit 13 a can determine that a child P1 has been left behind when there is no adult in the vehicle 1 but the child P1 remains. As will be described later, the method of determining whether a child P1 has been left behind is not limited to the above example.

[0047]

[0028] If it is determined that child P1 has been left behind (step S102 / YES), proceed to step S103. On the other hand, if it is determined that child P1 has not been left behind (step S102 / NO), the processing flow shown in Figure 3 ends.

[0048]

[0029] If the answer to step S102 is YES, then in step S103, the judgment unit 13a judges whether the temperature inside the vehicle 1 is outside the appropriate range.

[0049]

[0030] The appropriate range in step S!03 corresponds to an index for determining whether the child P1 left behind in the vehicle 1 is at high risk. For example, if the temperature inside the vehicle 1 is higher than the upper limit of the appropriate range, it can be determined that the temperature inside the vehicle 1 is excessively high and the child P1 left behind in the vehicle 1 is at high risk. Also, for example, if the temperature inside the vehicle 1 is lower than the lower limit of the appropriate range, it can be determined that the temperature inside the vehicle 1 is excessively low and the child P1 left behind in the vehicle 1 is at high risk. In other words, if the temperature inside the vehicle 1 is outside the appropriate range, the determination unit 13a can determine that the child P1 left behind in the vehicle 1 is at high risk.

[0050]

[0031] If it is determined that the temperature inside the vehicle 1 is within the appropriate range (step S103 / NO), proceed to step S104. Then, in step S104, the control unit 13b executes first notification control as notification control. On the other hand, if it is determined that the temperature inside the vehicle 1 is outside the appropriate range (step S103 / YES), proceed to step S105. Then, in step S105, the control unit 13b executes second notification control as notification control. After step S104 or step S105, the processing flow shown in FIG. 3 ends.

[0051]

[0032] The first notification control in step S104 and the second notification control in step S105 are notification controls having different modes, etc. In other words, in the first example of Fig. 3, the control unit 13b executes the first notification control or the second notification control having different modes, etc. depending on whether the temperature inside the vehicle 1 is outside the appropriate range.

[0052] For example, the strength of perceptibility of the notification differs between the first notification control and the second notification control. In this way, the control unit 13 b may change the strength of perceptibility of the notification in the notification control depending on whether the temperature inside the vehicle 1 is outside the appropriate range. Perceptibility is an index that indicates how easily the notification in the notification control is recognized by the guardian P2.

[0053]

[0034] Specifically, in the second notification control, a notification with stronger perceptibility is performed compared to the first notification control. For example, in the second notification control, the volume of the notification by sound from terminal 2 may be louder compared to the first notification control. Also, for example, in the second notification control, the strength of the vibration in the notification by vibration from terminal 2 may be stronger compared to the first notification control. Also, for example, in the second notification control, the display range of the notification by display on terminal 2 may be wider, the display brightness may be higher, or the display color may be different compared to the first notification control.

[0054]

[0035] For example, the duration of the notification may differ between the first notification control and the second notification control. In this way, the control unit 13 b may change the duration of the notification in the notification control depending on whether the temperature inside the vehicle 1 is outside the appropriate range.

[0055]

[0036] Specifically, in the second notification control, a notification is made for a longer duration than in the first notification control. For example, in the second notification control, the duration of the sound output from the terminal 2 indicating that the person has been left behind may be longer than in the first notification control. Also, for example, in the second notification control, the duration of the vibration output from the terminal 2 indicating that the person has been left behind may be longer than in the first notification control. Also, for example, in the second notification control, the duration of the display on the terminal 2 indicating that the person has been left behind may be longer than in the first notification control.

[0056]

[0037] For example, the conditions for canceling the notification may differ between the first notification control and the second notification control. In this way, the control unit 13 b may change the conditions for canceling the notification in the notification control depending on whether the temperature inside the vehicle 1 is outside the appropriate range.

[0057]

[0038] Specifically, in the second notification control, the operation to cancel the notification requires more effort or time than in the first notification control. For example, if the operation to cancel the notification in the first notification control is an operation performed on the terminal 2, the operation to cancel the notification in the second notification control may be an operation performed on the terminal 2 that requires more effort or time than the operation to cancel the notification in the first notification control. Also, for example, if the operation to cancel the notification in the first notification control is an operation performed on the terminal 2, the operation to cancel the notification in the second notification control may be an operation performed on the vehicle 1 after returning to the current position of the vehicle 1.

[0058]

[0039] Note that the strength of perceptibility due to the notification, the duration of the notification, and the conditions for canceling the notification may all be different between the first notification control and the second notification control, or only any part of the strength of perceptibility due to the notification, the duration of the notification, and the conditions for canceling the notification may be different.

[0059]

[0040] As described above, in the first example of FIG. 3, when the determination unit 13a determines that the child P! has been left behind, the control unit 13b executes notification control to notify the guardian P2, who is the user of the vehicle 1. The control unit 13b then executes notification control based on temperature information, which is information about temperature (in the above example, information about whether the temperature inside the vehicle 1 is outside the appropriate range). Specifically, the control unit 13b executes first notification control or second notification control, which have different modes, depending on whether the temperature inside the vehicle 1 is outside the appropriate range. This makes it possible to change the mode of notification control depending on the level of danger to the child P! left behind in the vehicle 1, thereby preventing the guardian P2 from believing that a notification has been issued due to a false detection of abandonment and ignoring the notification. Therefore, safety can be improved more appropriately.

[0060]

[0041] Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing a second example of the processing flow performed by the processing device 13. Step S201 in Fig. 4 corresponds to the start of the processing flow shown in Fig. 4. Step S206 in Fig. 4 corresponds to the end of the processing flow shown in Fig. 4. The processing flow shown in Fig. 4, like the processing flow shown in Fig. 3 described above, starts, for example, when the vehicle 1 stops, the door of the vehicle 1 opens, and then the door of the vehicle 1 closes and the door is locked. For example, the processing flow shown in Fig. 4 starts repeatedly at preset time intervals.

[0061]

[0042] As will be described later, in the second example of Fig. 4, timing information, which is information about the timing at which the determination unit 13a determines that the child P1 has been left behind, is used as danger level information, which is information about the danger level of the child P1. Specifically, the timing information used is information about whether the child P1 has been determined to be left behind two or more times within a predetermined period of time. Note that, as will be described later, the timing information is not limited to this example.

[0062]

[0043] When the processing flow shown in Fig. 4 starts, in step S202, the determination unit 13a determines whether or not a child P1 has been left behind in the vehicle 1. Step S202 is the same as step S102 in Fig. 3 described above.

[0063]

[0044] If it is determined that child P1 has been left behind (step S202 / YES), proceed to step S203. On the other hand, if it is determined that child P1 has not been left behind (step S202 / NO), the processing flow shown in Figure 4 ends.

[0064]

[0045] If the answer to step S202 is YES, then in step S203, the judgment unit 13a judges whether or not it has been determined that child P1 has been left behind more than twice within a specified period of time.

[0065]

[0046] The determination result of step S203 corresponds to an index for determining whether the child P1 left behind in the vehicle 1 is at high risk. For example, if it is determined that the child P1 has been left behind two or more times within a predetermined time, it can be determined that the situation in which the child P1 has been left behind in the vehicle 1 has continued for a long time and that the child P1 left behind in the vehicle 1 is at high risk.

[0066]

[0047] If it is determined that the child P1 has not been left behind more than twice within the predetermined time (step S203 / NO), the process proceeds to step S204. Then, in step S204, the control unit 13b executes first notification control as notification control. On the other hand, if it is determined that the child P1 has been left behind more than twice within the predetermined time (step S203 / YES), the process proceeds to step S205. Then, in step S205, the control unit 13b executes second notification control as notification control. After step S204 or step S205, the processing flow shown in FIG. 4 ends.

[0067]

[0048] The first notification control in step S204 and the second notification control in step S205 are the same as the first notification control in step S104 and the second notification control in step S105 in FIG. 3 described above.

[0068]

[0049] As described above, in the second example of Fig. 4, when the determination unit 13a determines that the child P1 has been left behind, the control unit 13b executes notification control to notify the guardian P2, who is the user of the vehicle 1. The control unit 13b executes notification control based on timing information, which is information about the timing at which the determination unit 13a determined that the child P1 has been left behind (in the above example, information about whether or not it has been determined that the child P1 has been left behind two or more times within a predetermined time). Specifically, the control unit 13b executes first notification control or second notification control, which have different aspects, depending on whether or not it has been determined that the child P1 has been left behind two or more times within a predetermined time. This allows the notification control mode to be changed depending on the danger level of the child P1 left behind in the vehicle 1, preventing the guardian P2 from believing that the notification is due to a false detection of the child being left behind and ignoring the notification, thereby more appropriately improving safety.

[0069]

[0050] Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing a third example of the processing flow performed by the processing device 13. Step S301 in Fig. 5 corresponds to the start of the processing flow shown in Fig. 5. Step S309 in Fig. 5 corresponds to the end of the processing flow shown in Fig. 5. The processing flow shown in Fig. 5, like the processing flow shown in Fig. 3 described above, starts, for example, when the vehicle 1 stops, the door of the vehicle 1 opens, and then the door of the vehicle 1 closes and the door is locked. For example, the processing flow shown in Fig. 5 starts repeatedly at preset time intervals.

[0070]

[0051] As will be described later, in the third example of Fig. 5, the risk information, which is information about the risk level of the child P1, uses both temperature information, which is information about temperature, and timing information, which is information about the timing at which the determination unit 13a determines that the child P1 has been left behind. Specifically, the temperature information uses information about whether the temperature inside the vehicle 1 is outside the appropriate range, and the timing information uses information about whether it has been determined that the child P1 has been left behind two or more times within a predetermined period of time. As will be described later, the temperature information and timing information are not limited to this example.

[0071]

[0052] When the processing flow shown in Fig. 5 starts, in step S302, the determination unit 13a determines whether or not a child P1 has been left behind in the vehicle 1. Step S302 is the same as step S102 in Fig. 3 described above.

[0072]

[0053] If it is determined that child P1 has been left behind (step S302 / YES), proceed to step S303. On the other hand, if it is determined that child P1 has not been left behind (step S302 / NO), the processing flow shown in Figure 5 ends.

[0073]

[0054] If the determination in step S302 is YES, in step S303, the determination unit 13a determines whether or not the child P1 has been found abandoned two or more times within a predetermined time period. Step S303 is the same as step S203 in FIG. 4 described above.

[0074]

[0055] If it is determined that child P1 has not been left behind more than twice within the specified time (step S303 / NO), proceed to step S304. On the other hand, if it is determined that child P1 has been left behind more than twice within the specified time (step S303 / YES), proceed to step S307.

[0075]

[0056] If the determination in step S303 is NO, in step S304, the determination unit 13a determines whether the temperature inside the vehicle 1 is outside the appropriate range. Step S304 is the same as step S303 in Figure 3 described above.

[0076]

[0057] If it is determined in step S304 that the temperature inside the vehicle 1 is within the appropriate range (step S304 / NO), proceed to step S305. Then, in step S305, the control unit 13b executes first notification control as notification control. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S304 that the temperature inside the vehicle 1 is outside the appropriate range (step S304 / YES), proceed to step S306. Then, in step S306, the control unit 13b executes second notification control as notification control. After step S305 or step S306, the processing flow shown in FIG. 5 ends.

[0077]

[0058] The first notification control in step S305 and the second notification control in step S306 are the same as the first notification control in step S104 and the second notification control in step S105 in Figure 3 described above.

[0078]

[0059] If the determination in step S303 is YES, in step S307, the determination unit 13a determines whether the temperature inside the vehicle 1 is outside the appropriate range. Step S307 is the same as step S103 in FIG. 3 described above. That is, step S307 is the same as step S304.

[0060] If the determination in step S307 is that the temperature inside the vehicle 1 is within the appropriate range (step S307 / NO), the process proceeds to step S306. Then, in step S306, the control unit 13b executes second notification control as notification control. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S307 that the temperature inside the vehicle 1 is outside the appropriate range (step S307 / YES), the process proceeds to step S308. Then, in step S308, the control unit 13b executes third notification control as notification control. After step S306 or step S308, the process flow shown in FIG. 5 ends.

[0079]

[0061] The third notification control in step S308 is a notification control having a different aspect from the first notification control in step S305 and the second notification control in step S306.

[0080] For example, the third notification control has a different level of perceptibility compared to the first and second notification controls. Specifically, the third notification control provides a notification with stronger perceptibility than the second notification control.

[0081]

[0063] For example, the duration of the notification in the third notification control is different from that in the first notification control and the second notification control. Specifically, the third notification control provides a notification with a longer duration than that in the second notification control.

[0082]

[0064] For example, the third notification control has different conditions for canceling the notification compared to the first and second notification controls. Specifically, the third notification control requires more effort or time to cancel the notification compared to the second notification control.

[0083]

[0065] Note that the strength of perceptibility due to the notification, the duration of the notification, and the conditions for canceling the notification may all be different between the third notification control and the first and second notification controls, or only any part of the strength of perceptibility due to the notification, the duration of the notification, and the conditions for canceling the notification may be different.

[0084]

[0066] As described above, in the third example of Fig. 5, when the determination unit 13a determines that the child P1 has been left behind, the control unit 13b executes notification control to notify the guardian P2, who is the user of the vehicle 1. The control unit 13b executes notification control based on both temperature information, which is information about temperature (in the above example, information about whether the temperature inside the vehicle 1 is outside the appropriate range), and timing information, which is information about the timing at which the determination unit 13a determined that the child P1 has been left behind (in the above example, information about whether it has been determined that the child P1 has been left behind two or more times within a predetermined period of time). This allows the notification control mode to be changed more appropriately depending on the danger level of the child P! left behind in the vehicle 1, effectively preventing the guardian P2 from mistaking the notification for a false detection of the child being left behind and ignoring the notification. Therefore, safety can be further improved appropriately.

[0085]

[0067] The above describes examples of processing performed by the processing device 13 with reference to Figures 3 to 5. However, the processing performed by the processing device 13 may be modified from the processing examples described above.

[0086]

[0068] For example, if the determination is YES in step S203 of Fig. 4 or step S303 of Fig. 5, the determination unit 13a may re-determine whether or not the child P1 has been left behind in the vehicle 1. This can further reduce false positives in determining whether or not the child P1 has been left behind in the vehicle 1. Note that when re-determining whether or not the child P1 has been left behind in the vehicle 1, the determination criteria may be changed. In this case, the determination unit 13a may, for example, loosen the determination criteria (i.e., make it easier to determine that the child has been left behind). In addition, in this case, the determination unit 13a may, for example, tighten the determination criteria (i.e., make it harder to determine that the child has been left behind).

[0087]

[0069] When the determination in step S203 of Fig. 4 is YES, and when the determination is made again as NO (that is, when it is determined that no object has been left behind), the process may proceed to step S204 without proceeding to step S205, and the control unit 13b may execute the first notification control as the notification control. Also, when the determination in step S303 of Fig. 5 is YES, and when the determination is made again as NO (that is, when it is determined that no object has been left behind), the process may proceed to step S306 without proceeding to step S307, and the control unit 13b may execute the second notification control as the notification control.

[0088]

[0070] In the above example, for example, the temperature information is information indicating whether the temperature inside the vehicle 1 is outside the appropriate range. However, the temperature information may be information other than the above information. For example, the temperature information may be information indicating whether the temperature outside the vehicle 1 is outside the appropriate range. In that case, for example, in step S103 of FIG. 3 or steps S304 and S307 of FIG. 5, the determination unit 13a may determine whether the temperature outside the vehicle 1 is outside the appropriate range.

[0089]

[0071] In the above example, the timing information is information indicating whether it has been determined that the child P1 has been left behind more than twice within a predetermined time period. However, the timing information may be information other than the above information. For example, the timing information may be information indicating whether a predetermined time has passed since it was previously determined that the child P1 has been left behind. In this case, for example, in step S203 of FIG. 4 or step S303 of FIG. 5, the determination unit 13a may determine whether a predetermined time has passed since it was previously determined that the child P1 has been left behind.

[0090]

[0072] In the above example, the vehicle interior sensor 11 is a radar. However, the vehicle interior sensor 11 may be a sensor other than a radar. For example, the vehicle interior sensor 11 may be a camera that captures an image of the interior of the vehicle 1. In this case, in steps S102, S202, and S302, the determination unit 13a can detect an occupant in the vehicle 1 and determine whether the detected occupant is a child P! by, for example, performing image processing on the image captured by the camera serving as the vehicle interior sensor 11.

[0091]

[0073] Furthermore, for example, in the above description, the control unit 13b performs notification using the terminal 2 carried by the guardian P2 in the notification control. However, the control unit 13b may perform notification using a notification device mounted on the vehicle 1 in the notification control. For example, the control unit 13b may perform notification using at least one of a sound output device mounted on the vehicle 1 that outputs sound to the outside of the vehicle 1 and the hazard lamps of the vehicle 1 in the notification control. Furthermore, the control unit 13b may perform notification using both the terminal 2 carried by the guardian P2 and a notification device mounted on the vehicle 1 in the notification control.

[0092]

[0074] <Effects of the Processing Apparatus> The effects of the processing apparatus 1-3 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0093]

[0075] The processing device 13 is a device that detects whether an object (in the above example, a child P1) has been left behind in the vehicle 1, and includes a determination unit 13a that determines whether an object has been left behind, and a control unit 13b that executes notification control to notify the user (in the above example, the guardian P2) when the determination unit 13a determines that an object has been left behind. The control unit 13b executes notification control based on risk information, which is information related to the risk of the object. This makes it possible to change the notification control mode according to the risk of the object left behind in the vehicle 1, thereby preventing the user from believing that a notification has been issued due to a false detection of the object being left behind and ignoring the notification. This can more appropriately improve safety.

[0094]

[0076] Preferably, in the processing device 13, the risk information includes temperature information, which is information related to temperature. This allows the temperature information to be used to appropriately change the notification control mode depending on the risk of an object left behind in the vehicle 1, thereby effectively preventing a situation in which the user assumes that a notification is being issued due to a false detection of abandonment and ignores the notification. Therefore, safety can be further appropriately improved.

[0095]

[0077] Preferably, in the processing device 13, the risk level information includes timing information that is information about the timing when the determination unit 13a determines that an object has been left behind. This allows the timing information to be used to appropriately change the notification control mode depending on the risk level of the object left behind in the vehicle 1, effectively preventing the user from assuming that a notification is being issued due to a false detection of an object being left behind and ignoring the notification. Therefore, safety can be further appropriately improved.

[0096]

[0078] Preferably, in the processing device 13, the control unit 13b changes the intensity of perceptibility of the notification in the notification control based on the risk level information. This makes it possible to change the intensity of perceptibility of the notification in the notification control according to the risk level of the object left behind in the vehicle 1, thereby effectively preventing the user from assuming that the notification is due to a false detection of abandonment and ignoring the notification. Therefore, safety can be further appropriately improved.

[0097]

[0079] Preferably, in the processing device 13, the control unit 13b changes the duration of the notification in the notification control based on the risk level information. This makes it possible to change the duration of the notification in the notification control according to the risk level of the object left in the vehicle 1, effectively preventing the user from mistaking the notification for a false detection of abandonment and ignoring the notification. Therefore, safety can be further improved appropriately.

[0098]

[0080] Preferably, in the processing device 13, the control unit 13b changes the notification cancellation conditions in the notification control based on the risk level information. This makes it possible to change the notification cancellation conditions in the notification control according to the risk level of the object left in the vehicle 1, effectively preventing the user from mistaking the notification for a false detection of abandonment and ignoring the notification. Therefore, safety can be further improved appropriately.

[0099]

[0081] Preferably, in the processing device 13, the control unit 13b performs notification control using the terminal 2 carried by the user (guardian P2 in the above example). This effectively prevents a situation in which a user who believes that a notification is being issued due to a false detection of abandonment cancels the notification using the terminal 2. Therefore, safety can be further appropriately improved.

[0100]

[0082] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and that various modifications and alterations within the scope of the claims also fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0101]

[0083] For example, the processes described herein using flowcharts do not necessarily have to be performed in the order shown in the flowcharts. Some process steps may be performed in parallel. Additional process steps may also be employed, and some process steps may be omitted.

[0102]

[0084] For example, the series of processes performed by the processing device 13 described above may be realized by software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. The programs constituting the software are stored in advance in a storage medium provided inside or outside the information processing device.

[0103] [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] [ 0 0 8 5 ]

[0105] 1 vehicle

[0106] 2. Terminal

[0107] 1 1 Vehicle interior sensor

[0108] 1 2 Temperature sensor

[0109] 1 3 Processing equipment

[0110] 1 3 a Judgment section

[0111] 1 3 b Control section

[0112] P! Children (Target)

[0113] P 2 Parent (User)

Claims

[Document name] Scope of claims

1. A processing device (13) for detecting an object (P1) left behind in a vehicle (1), comprising: a determination unit (13a) for determining whether the object has been left behind; and a processing device (13b) for detecting whether the object has been left behind in a vehicle (1), the processing device (13b) including: and a control unit (13 b) that executes notification control to issue a notification to an object (P1), wherein the control unit (13 b) executes the notification control based on hazard level information that is information on the hazard level of the object (P1).

2. The processing device described in claim 1, wherein the risk information includes temperature information which is information relating to temperature.

3. The processing device according to claim 1, wherein the risk level information includes timing information which is information regarding a timing at which the determination unit (13a) determined that the object had been left behind.

4. The processing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (13b) changes a perceptibility intensity of the notification in the notification control based on the risk level information.

5. The processing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (13b) changes a duration of the notification in the notification control based on the risk level information.

6. The processing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (13b) changes a cancellation condition for the notification in the notification control based on the risk level information.

7. The processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control unit (13b) performs the notification control by using a terminal (2) carried by the user (P2).

8. A processing method for detecting whether an object (P1) has been left behind in a vehicle (1), comprising: a determination unit (13a) of a processing device (13) determines whether the object has been left behind; a control unit (13b) of the processing device (13) executes notification control for notifying a user (P2) when the determination unit (13a) determines that the object has been left behind; and the control unit (13b) executes the notification control based on risk information that is information on the risk level of the object (P1).

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