Information display method and information display system

Abstract

An information display system (100) uses a processor (10) to output, to a screen (21a) of an on-board terminal (21), information pertaining to a function that can be installed in a vehicle (2). The processor (10) determines whether or not the screen (21a) is easily visible to an occupant of the vehicle (2), and, when the screen (21a) is easily visible to the occupant, outputs, to the on-board terminal (21), recommendation information for presenting a recommended function to the occupant.

Description

Information display method and information display system

[0001] The present invention relates to an information display method and an information display system.

[0002] The vehicle arbitration system described in Patent Document 1 arbitrates multiple requests generated by applications in order to add applications and expand functions in a vehicle.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-162110

[0004] However, simply adding an application and expanding its functions does not make the functions of the application known to the vehicle occupants.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an information display method and an information display system that can inform vehicle occupants of recommended functions of an application installed in a vehicle.

[0006] The present invention solves the above problem by determining whether the vehicle occupants can easily see the screen of the in-vehicle terminal, and if the occupants can easily see the screen, outputting recommended information introducing recommended functions to the in-vehicle terminal.

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to notify vehicle occupants of recommended functions that can be installed in a vehicle.

[0008] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a server including the information display system according to the present embodiment. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the display mode of information that the information display system shown in Fig. 1 outputs to an in-vehicle terminal. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing another example of the display mode of information that the information display system shown in Fig. 1 outputs to an in-vehicle terminal when a passenger is a child. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the steps of a vehicle function control method executed by the information display system shown in Fig. 1.

[0009] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. An information display system 100 shown in Fig. 1 is provided in a vehicle 2. The vehicle 2 is capable of communicating with a server 1 via the Internet 4. The information display system 100 is also capable of communicating with a mobile terminal 3 carried by a user of the vehicle 2 via a known communication means. The vehicle 2 also has an in-vehicle terminal 21 and an in-vehicle camera 22. The in-vehicle terminal 21 also has a screen 21a.

[0010] The server 1 constitutes a cloud system that controls installable functions. The functions that can be installed in the vehicle 2 are initial and extended functions of applications that can be purchased online by the occupant (user) of the vehicle 2. The server 1 can communicate with the vehicle 2 and the mobile terminal 3 carried by the occupant of the vehicle 2 via the Internet 4. The server 1 has a software management unit 11, a billing management unit 12, a customer management unit 13, a driving data storage 14, and a usage analysis unit 15. The software management unit 11 controls the distribution of functions as software. The billing management unit 12 manages payments when the occupant purchases a function. The customer management unit 13 manages customer information (user information) in association with the vehicle 2. The driving data storage 14 stores and manages driving data, etc., of the vehicle 2. The usage analysis unit 15 uses AI to analyze the usage status of the vehicle 2 based on the driving data, etc., of the vehicle 2.

[0011] Furthermore, the information display system 100 according to the present invention outputs information about functions that can be installed in the vehicle 2 to the screen 21a of the in-vehicle terminal 21. The information about functions that can be installed in the vehicle 2 includes recommendation information that introduces recommended functions to the occupants. The functions that can be installed in the vehicle 2 include functions that are already installed in the vehicle 2 and functions that are not installed in the vehicle 2.

[0012] The processor 10 of the information display system 100 has a determination unit 101, a recommended function calculation unit 102, and an information output unit 103. The determination unit 101 controls the settings of functions installed in the vehicle 2. The recommended function calculation unit 102 calculates recommended functions to be calculated for the occupant. The information output unit 103 outputs information about the functions installed in the vehicle 2 to the in-vehicle terminal 21 of the vehicle 2 and / or the user's mobile terminal 3. The information display system 100 may be provided in the vehicle 2 instead of the server 1.

[0013] The determination unit 101 of the information display system 100 determines whether or not a state is present in which an occupant of the vehicle 2 can easily view the screen 21 a of the in-vehicle terminal 21. When the occupant to be determined by the determination unit 101 is the driver, the state in which the occupant can easily view the screen 21 a refers to a state in which the occupant can view the screen 21 a of the in-vehicle terminal 21 without interfering with the driving of the vehicle 2. When the occupant to be determined by the determination unit 101 is a passenger other than the driver, the state in which the occupant can easily view the screen 21 a refers to a state in which the occupant is likely to pay attention to the screen 21 a of the in-vehicle terminal 21.

[0014] Specifically, the determination unit 101 determines that the screen 21a is easily visible to the occupant while the vehicle 2, which is an electric vehicle, is being charged via a charging facility.

[0015] Furthermore, when the occupant to be determined is a driver, the determination unit 101 determines that the occupant is in a state in which it is easy for the occupant to view the screen 21a of the in-vehicle terminal 21 if the driving load of the occupant is equal to or less than a predetermined value. That is, the determination unit 101 quantifies the driving load based on predetermined conditions from the vehicle's driving state and compares it with a predetermined value (threshold value). The driving load of the occupant is equal to or less than the predetermined value, for example, when the road on which the vehicle 2 is traveling is congested or when the vehicle 2 is traveling in autonomous driving mode of level 3 or higher. The determination unit 101 determines whether the road on which the vehicle 2 is traveling is congested based on the detection results of an in-vehicle sensor (not shown), the vehicle speed of the vehicle 2, traffic information acquired via a communication means, etc. The higher the speed of the vehicle 2, the higher the value of the driving load. Furthermore, when the vehicle 2 is traveling in manual driving mode, the value of the driving load is higher than when the vehicle 2 is traveling in autonomous driving mode.

[0016] When the occupant to be determined is a passenger other than the driver, the determination unit 101 determines that the condition is such that the occupant can easily view the screen 21 a if it determines that the road on which the vehicle 2 is traveling is congested and that the passenger is bored. The determination unit 101 determines whether the passenger is bored or not from the behavior and / or facial expression of the occupant based on images acquired by the in-vehicle camera 22 mounted on the vehicle 2.

[0017] Furthermore, the recommended function calculation unit 102 of the information display system 100 calculates functions to be recommended to the occupant, i.e., recommended functions, based on the occupant information. For example, if the occupant to whom the recommended functions are to be introduced is a driver, the recommended function calculation unit 102 calculates new functions for the driver related to driving the vehicle 2 as recommended functions. Furthermore, the recommended function calculation unit 102 may estimate the attributes of the occupant (age, gender, etc.) based on images acquired by the in-vehicle camera 22 and calculate recommended functions according to the attributes of the occupant. For example, if the occupant is a child, the recommended function calculation unit 102 calculates a game function for children as the recommended function. Furthermore, if information related to the occupant's preferences is linked to the occupant's identification information, the recommended function calculation unit 102 may calculate recommended functions according to the occupant's preferences.

[0018] In addition, when vehicle 2 is being charged via charging equipment, the recommended function calculation unit 102 may calculate the remaining charging time until charging is completed, and based on the trial time and remaining charging time preset for each function, calculate as recommended functions those functions that can complete the trial before charging is completed.

[0019] The recommended function calculation unit 102 selects recommended functions from among the functions that have been downloaded to the vehicle 2 and are not being used by the occupants, but this is not limited to this, and functions that have not yet been downloaded to the vehicle 2 may also be selected as recommended functions.

[0020] In addition, when the judgment unit 101 judges that "the screen 21a is in a state where it is easy for the occupant to see," the information output unit 103 outputs recommended information introducing the recommended functions calculated by the recommended function calculation unit 102 to the in-vehicle terminal 21.

[0021] For example, when the vehicle 2 is charging, the information output unit 103 displays charging-related information E on the left side of the screen 21a of the in-vehicle terminal 21 and displays recommended information R introducing recommended functions on the right side, as shown in FIG. 2 . The screen 21a of the in-vehicle terminal 21 is a touch panel type and constitutes the display and input unit of the in-vehicle terminal 21. In the example of FIG. 2 , new functions of an application for the driver are introduced as recommended functions. These functions are recommended functions calculated by the recommended function calculation unit 102 based on the trial time and remaining charging time preset for each function. In addition, the image showing the recommended information R includes information Rt recommending a trial of the recommended function (text information such as "There is a new function. Why not try it out while charging?"). In addition, the image showing the recommended information R displays a first button B1 including text information such as "Watch the explanation in a video" and a second button B2 including text information such as "Try the new function." When the occupant taps the first button B1, the information output unit 103 outputs a video on the screen 21a to explain how to use the recommended function, etc. When the occupant taps the second button B2, a trial of the recommended function starts.

[0022] 3 , the image showing the recommended information R may output a third button B3 (a button including text information "Check on smartphone") as confirmation information for confirming whether or not the recommended information R should be displayed on the occupant's mobile terminal 3 on the screen 21a of the in-vehicle terminal 21. When the third button B3 is tapped, that is, when the occupant inputs desired information to the input unit of the in-vehicle terminal 21, indicating that the occupant wishes to check the recommended information R on the mobile terminal 3, the information output unit 103 outputs the recommended information R to the mobile terminal 3.

[0023] In addition, when the vehicle 2 is charging and the passenger is a child, the information output unit 103 outputs recommended information R, which introduces functions for children as recommended functions, to the screen 21a of the in-vehicle terminal 21, as shown in Figure 4.

[0024] Furthermore, if the occupant has not purchased the recommended function a predetermined time (e.g., 5 minutes) before the charging completion time of the vehicle 2, the information output unit 103 may output information proposing a discount on the purchase cost of the recommended function to the screen 21a of the in-vehicle terminal 21. Furthermore, if the occupant purchases a recommended function while the vehicle 2 is being charged, the information output unit 103 may output a coupon that can be used the next time the vehicle 2 is being charged to the in-vehicle terminal 21. Specifically, if the occupant purchases a recommended function while the vehicle 2 is being charged, the information output unit 103 outputs a number identifying the coupon to the screen 21a of the in-vehicle terminal 21. Then, by presenting or inputting the number the next time the vehicle 2 is being charged, the occupant can receive a discount on the cost of charging or can charge the vehicle 2 for free.

[0025] Furthermore, when the road on which the vehicle 2 is traveling is congested and the occupants do not include a passenger, the information output unit 103 may shorten the text information indicating the recommendation information R compared to when a passenger is included. For example, the text information "There is a new feature. Would you like to try out the new feature while the vehicle is charging?" may be changed to a simple sentence such as "Would you like to try out the new feature?"

[0026] The display format of the recommendation information R is not limited to the examples shown in Figures 2 to 4. The recommendation information R may include not only visual information but also audio information.

[0027] Next, the procedure of the information display method executed by the processor 10 of the information display system 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 5. First, in step S1, the determination unit 101 determines whether the vehicle 2 is being charged via a charging facility.

[0028] If it is determined in step S1 that the vehicle 2 is being charged, the recommended function calculation unit 102 calculates the remaining charging time required until charging is completed in step S2. Then, in step S3, the recommended function calculation unit 102 determines whether the occupants of the vehicle 2 include a passenger other than the driver.

[0029] If it is determined in step S3 that "the occupants of vehicle 2 do not include fellow passengers," in step S4, the recommended function calculation unit 102 calculates recommended functions based on the trial time of each function and the driver's information (attributes and / or preferences).

[0030] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3 that "the occupants of the vehicle 2 include fellow passengers," then in step S5, the recommended function calculation unit 102 determines whether the fellow passengers include children.

[0031] If it is determined in step S5 that "the passengers do not include children," in step S6, the recommended function calculation unit 102 calculates recommended functions based on the trial time of each function and passenger information (attributes and / or preferences).

[0032] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S5 that "the passengers include a child," in step S7, the recommended function calculation unit 102 estimates the age of the child based on the image captured by the in-vehicle camera 22. Note that the recommended function calculation unit 102 may also acquire age information linked to the identification information of the passenger. Then, in step S8, the recommended function calculation unit 102 calculates recommended functions based on the trial time of each function and the age of the child.

[0033] If it is determined in step S1 that "vehicle 2 is not being charged," then in step S10, the determination unit 101 determines whether or not the road on which vehicle 2 is traveling is congested.

[0034] If it is determined in step S10 that "the road on which vehicle 2 is traveling is congested," then in step S11, the determination unit 101 determines whether the occupants of vehicle 2 include passengers other than the driver.

[0035] If it is determined in step S11 that "the occupants of the vehicle 2 include a fellow passenger," the recommended function calculation unit 102 determines in step S12 whether the fellow passenger is bored.

[0036] If it is determined in step S12 that "the passengers are bored," the recommended function calculation unit 102 calculates recommended functions for the passengers based on the passenger information (attributes and / or preferences) in step S13. For example, if the passengers include children and the children are bored, the recommended function calculation unit 102 calculates recommended functions according to the estimated ages of the children.

[0037] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S11 that "the occupants of the vehicle 2 do not include a fellow passenger," or if it is determined in step S12 that "the fellow passenger is not bored," the recommended function calculation unit 102 calculates recommended functions for the driver based on the driver's information (attributes and / or preferences). Then, in step S15, the information output unit 103 calculates a simple explanation of the recommended function. The simple explanation of the recommended function refers to recommended information R expressed in shorter sentences than the default text information for the fellow passenger.

[0038] Also, if it is determined in step S10 that "the road on which vehicle 2 is traveling is not congested," in step S16, the determination unit 101 determines whether vehicle 2 is traveling in autonomous driving mode.

[0039] If it is determined in step S16 that "vehicle 2 is traveling in autonomous driving mode," then in step S17, the recommended function calculation unit 102 calculates recommended functions for the driver based on the driver's information (attributes and / or preferences). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S16 that "vehicle 2 is not traveling in autonomous driving mode," the process returns to step S1.

[0040] After the process of step S4, S6, S8, S13, S15 or S17, the information output unit 17 outputs the recommendation information R in step S9.

[0041] As described above, the information display system 100 according to this embodiment outputs information about functions that can be installed in the vehicle 2 to the screen 21a of the in-vehicle terminal 21. The information display system 100 determines whether the screen 21a of the in-vehicle terminal 21 is easily viewable by the occupant of the vehicle 2, and if the screen 21a is easily viewable by the occupant, outputs recommendation information R that introduces recommended functions to the occupant to the in-vehicle terminal 21. In this way, the information display system 100 can inform the occupant of the vehicle 2 of the recommended functions at a timing when the occupant can easily view the screen 21a of the in-vehicle terminal 21.

[0042] Furthermore, the information display system 100 determines that the screen 21a is in a state where it is easy for the occupant to view while the vehicle 2 is being charged via the charging facility. This allows the information display system 100 to notify the occupant of the vehicle 2 of the recommended functions while the vehicle 2 is being charged via the charging facility.

[0043] Furthermore, when the vehicle 2 is charging, the information display system 100 calculates the remaining charging time until charging is complete, and calculates functions whose trial can be completed before charging of the vehicle 2 is complete as recommended functions based on the trial time and remaining charging time preset for each function, and outputs recommendation information R including information recommending a trial of the recommended function to the in-vehicle terminal 21. In this way, the information display system 100 can encourage the occupant to try the recommended function by utilizing the time until charging is complete.

[0044] Furthermore, if the occupant has not yet purchased the recommended function a predetermined time before the charging completion time of the vehicle 2, the information display system 100 outputs information proposing a discount on the purchase cost of the recommended function to the in-vehicle terminal 21. In this way, the information display system 100 can motivate the occupant to purchase the recommended function, which requires a fee.

[0045] Furthermore, if the occupant purchases a recommended function while the vehicle 2 is being charged, the information display system 100 outputs a coupon that can be used the next time the vehicle 2 is charged to the in-vehicle terminal 21. In this way, the information display system 100 can motivate the occupant to purchase a recommended function that requires a fee.

[0046] Furthermore, the information display system 100 determines whether the driving load of the occupant is equal to or less than a predetermined value, and if the driving load of the occupant is equal to or less than the predetermined value, determines that the occupant can easily view the screen 21 a. This allows the information display system 100 to output the recommended information R based on the driving load of the occupant at a timing that does not interfere with the occupant's driving.

[0047] Furthermore, the information display system 100 determines whether the road on which the vehicle 2 is traveling is congested, and if the road is congested, determines whether the occupants include any passengers other than the driver, and if the occupants include any passengers, determines whether the passengers are bored based on images acquired by the in-vehicle camera 22, and if the passengers are bored, determines that the screen 21 a is in a state where the occupants can easily view it. In this way, the information display system 100 can notify the passengers of the vehicle 2 of the recommended functions when the road on which the vehicle 2 is traveling is congested and the passengers are bored.

[0048] Furthermore, the information display system 100 determines whether the road on which the vehicle 2 is traveling is congested, and if the road is congested, determines whether the occupants include any passengers other than the driver, and if the occupants do not include any passengers, shortens the text information indicating the recommendation information R compared to when the occupants include a passenger, and outputs the recommendation information R. As a result, if the road on which the vehicle 2 is traveling is congested and the occupant is the driver alone, the text information indicating the recommendation information R can be shortened so that the occupant can grasp the information in a short time. As a result, the information display system 100 can inform the driver of the vehicle 2 of the recommended functions without interfering with the driver's driving.

[0049] Furthermore, the information display system 100 calculates recommended functions based on the attributes of the occupant, thereby enabling the information display system 100 to present recommended functions that are suitable for the occupant.

[0050] Furthermore, the information display system 100 selects as a recommended function a function that has been downloaded to the vehicle 2. This eliminates the need for a waiting time for download when the occupant wishes to try out the recommended function, allowing the occupant to start the trial immediately. Furthermore, if the occupant purchases the recommended function, the occupant can immediately start using the recommended function.

[0051] Furthermore, when the screen 21a is easily visible to the occupant, the information display system 100 outputs to the in-vehicle terminal 21 confirmation information for confirming whether or not the recommended information R should be displayed on the occupant's portable terminal 3, determines whether or not desired information indicating that the occupant wishes to check the recommended information R on the portable terminal 3 has been input to the input unit of the in-vehicle terminal 21, and if desired information has been input, outputs the recommended information R to the portable terminal 3. This allows the occupant to check the recommended information R on the portable terminal 3 even when they are unable to check the recommended information R at their leisure inside the car.

[0052] The present embodiment is not limited to this. The determination unit 101 of the information display system 100 may classify the driving load of the occupant into three levels (1 to 3) using a first threshold and a second threshold greater than the first threshold. Specifically, when the driving load of the occupant is less than the first threshold, the determination unit 101 classifies the driving load as "1" and determines that the occupant can easily view the screen 21a of the in-vehicle terminal 21. Note that a case where the driving load is classified as "1" (when the driving load of the occupant is less than the first threshold) refers to, for example, a case where the vehicle 2 is traveling with level 3 or higher autonomous driving. When the driving load is classified as "1," the information output unit 103 outputs visual information indicating recommended information to the screen 21a of the in-vehicle terminal 21. On the other hand, when the driving load of the occupant is equal to or greater than the first threshold and less than the second threshold, the determination unit 101 classifies the driving load as "2" and determines that the occupant cannot easily view the screen 21a of the in-vehicle terminal 21. Note that a case where the driving load classification is "2" (a case where the occupant's driving load is equal to or greater than the first threshold and less than the second threshold) refers to, for example, a case where the road on which the vehicle 2 is traveling is congested and the occupant is manually driving the vehicle 2. When the driving load classification is "2," the information output unit 103 outputs audio information indicating the recommended information to an audio output device (not shown) of the vehicle 2. The audio output device is an in-vehicle speaker or a speaker provided in the in-vehicle terminal 21. Furthermore, the determination unit 101 may use only the first threshold to output audio information indicating the recommended information to the audio output device (not shown) of the vehicle 2 when the occupant's driving load is equal to or greater than the first threshold. This allows the information display system 100 to introduce recommended functions to the occupant using audio information even when the occupant is not in a state where it is easy for the occupant to view the screen 21a of the in-vehicle terminal 21.

[0053] Furthermore, the determination unit 101 of the information display system 100 classifies the driving load as "3" when the driving load of the occupant is equal to or greater than the second threshold. The driving load classification of "3" (the driving load of the occupant is equal to or greater than the second threshold) refers to, for example, the case where the vehicle 2 is normally traveling in manual driving mode. When the driving load classification is "3," the information output unit 103 outputs the recommended information at the timing when the driving load becomes less than the second threshold (the timing when the driving load classification becomes "1" or "2"). That is, when the driving load classification is "3," the information output unit 103 delays the timing of outputting the recommended information. This allows the information display system 100 to adjust the timing of outputting the recommended information according to the driving load of the occupant and introduce recommended functions to the occupant at an appropriate timing.

[0054] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and the information display system 100 may be provided in the server 1 .

[0055] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100: information display system 10: processor 101: determination unit 103: information output unit 2: vehicle 21: in-vehicle terminal 21a: screen 3: mobile terminal

Claims

1. An information display method for outputting information regarding functions installable in a vehicle to a screen of an in-vehicle terminal using a processor, wherein the processor determines whether the vehicle occupant is in a state where the screen is easily visible, and when the occupant is in a state where the screen is easily visible, outputs recommendation information for introducing a recommended function to the in-vehicle terminal.

2. The information display method according to claim 1, wherein the processor determines that the occupant is in a state where the screen is easily visible while the vehicle is being charged via a charging facility.

3. The processor calculates the remaining charging time until charging is completed when the vehicle is charging, calculates the function that can end the trial before the vehicle's charging is completed based on the trial time preset for the function and the remaining charging time, and outputs the recommendation information including information recommending the trial of the recommended function to the in-vehicle terminal. The information display method according to claim 2.

4. The processor outputs information proposing a discount on the purchase cost of the recommended function to the in-vehicle terminal when the occupant has not purchased the recommended function a predetermined time before the vehicle's charging end time. The information display method according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The processor outputs a coupon that can be used at the next charging to the in-vehicle terminal when the occupant purchases the recommended function during the vehicle's charging. The information display method according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

6. The processor determines whether the driving load of the occupant is below a predetermined value, and when the driving load of the occupant is below the predetermined value, determines that the occupant is in a state where the screen is easily visible. The information display method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. When the driving load of the occupant is less than a predetermined first threshold, the processor determines that the occupant is in a state where the screen is easily visible, and outputs visual information indicating the recommended information to the in-vehicle terminal. When the driving load of the occupant is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the processor determines that the occupant is not in a state where the screen is easily visible, and outputs audio information indicating the recommended information to the audio output device of the vehicle. The information display method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. When the driving load of the occupant is greater than or equal to a second threshold greater than the first threshold, the processor outputs the recommended information at the timing when the driving load becomes less than the second threshold. The information display method according to claim 7.

9. The processor determines whether the road on which the vehicle is traveling is congested. When the road is congested, the processor determines whether there is a passenger other than the driver among the occupants. When there is such a passenger among the occupants, the processor determines whether the passenger is bored based on an image acquired by an in-vehicle camera mounted on the vehicle. When the passenger is bored, the processor determines that the occupant is in a state where the screen is easily visible. The information display method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The processor determines whether the road on which the vehicle is traveling is congested. When the road is congested, the processor determines whether there is a passenger other than the driver among the occupants. When there is no such passenger among the occupants, the processor shortens the character information indicating the recommended information compared to the case where there is such a passenger among the occupants, and outputs the recommended information. The information display method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The processor calculates the recommended function based on the attributes of the occupant. The information display method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The processor selects the function for which the download to the vehicle has been completed as the recommended function. The information display method according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. When the state is such that the occupant can easily view the screen, the processor outputs confirmation information for confirming whether to display the recommended information on the occupant's mobile terminal to the in-vehicle terminal, determines whether desired information indicating that the occupant wishes to confirm the recommended information on the mobile terminal has been input to the input unit of the in-vehicle terminal, and when the desired information has been input, outputs the recommended information to the mobile terminal. The information display method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. An information display system that outputs information regarding functions installable in a vehicle to a screen of a predetermined in-vehicle terminal, the information display system comprising: a determination unit that determines whether the state is such that an occupant of the vehicle can easily view the screen; and an information output unit that outputs recommended information for introducing a recommended function to the occupant to the in-vehicle terminal when the state is such that the occupant can easily view the screen.

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