Vehicle alarm apparatus and alarm method

Abstract

A vehicle alarm apparatus (20) is mounted on a service vehicle (1) which is operated in response to a vehicle allocation request from a user of a vehicle allocation service and in which a plurality of users are on board. The vehicle alarm apparatus comprises a first controller (26) that executes: a process for monitoring the states of the plurality of users on board the service vehicle (1) and detecting a predetermined prohibited action; a process for identifying a user who is performing the prohibited action when the prohibited action is detected; and a process for transmitting, to an electronic device (3) possessed by the identified user, information (alarm signal) indicating an alarm corresponding to the prohibited action, to thereby present the alarm to the user.

Description

Vehicle warning device and warning method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle warning device and a warning method.

[0002] Patent Document 1 proposes a warning device that detects an act to be warned (use of a mobile phone by a driver) and issues a warning through an in-vehicle speaker.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-138791

[0004] In recent years, in the vehicle dispatching service (mobility service) that dispatches service vehicles for users' travel, ride-sharing services, in which multiple users share a vehicle, have been expanding to improve user transportation efficiency and convenience. As a service vehicle carried by multiple users (ride-sharing), an unmanned vehicle based on autonomous driving (for example, a driverless taxi, etc.) is also envisaged. In such an autonomous driving service vehicle, when a prohibited act is performed inside the vehicle, a warning presented by the warning device prompts the user who committed the prohibited act to stop the act.

[0005] However, in a service vehicle that is premised on multiple users riding together (ride-sharing), a warning via the in-vehicle speaker is presented to all users on board, and it is difficult to present the warning only targeting the user who committed the prohibited act. Therefore, from the user's perspective, there has been a problem that it is difficult to grasp which user's act the warning targets.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle warning device and a warning method capable of appropriately presenting a warning to a user who has committed a prohibited act in a service vehicle that can be shared by multiple users.

[0007] A vehicle alarm device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an alarm device installed in a service vehicle that is operated in response to a ride-hailing service user's request and carries multiple users, and includes a controller that performs the following: a process of monitoring the actions of multiple users riding in the service vehicle to detect whether a predetermined prohibited act is being performed; a process of identifying the user who performed the prohibited act when the prohibited act is detected; and a process of transmitting information indicating an alarm corresponding to the prohibited act to a specific terminal device held by the identified user to present the alarm to the user.

[0008] According to this disclosure, it will become possible to appropriately issue warnings to users who engage in prohibited activities in service vehicles carrying multiple users.

[0009] This is a schematic diagram of an example of a dispatch system including an alarm device of an embodiment. This is a block diagram of an example of the functional configuration of the first controller of the alarm device. This is a flowchart for explaining an example of an alarm method by the alarm device.

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the drawings are schematic and may differ from actual ones. Furthermore, the embodiments of the present invention described below are illustrative examples of devices and methods for realizing the technical concept of the present invention, and the technical concept of the present invention is not limited to the structure, arrangement, etc., of the components described below. The technical concept of the present invention can be modified in various ways within the technical scope defined by the claims described in the patent claims.

[0011] (Configuration) Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of a dispatch system according to the embodiment. The dispatch system 100 of the embodiment is a system that provides a dispatch service by dispatching vehicles in response to dispatch requests from users. In this specification, vehicles used for the dispatch service of the dispatch system 100 are referred to as "service vehicles". The dispatch system 100 comprises a service vehicle 1, a server device 2, and an electronic device 3 owned by the user. There may be multiple service vehicles 1 in the dispatch system 100.

[0012] Service vehicle 1 is a vehicle that operates in response to dispatch requests from users of a ride-hailing service (a so-called on-demand transport vehicle), and may be, for example, a shared taxi. In other words, the user may be a passenger of service vehicle 1. For example, service vehicle 1 may be an autonomous driving vehicle (unmanned vehicle) that drives autonomously according to a driving plan transmitted from server device 2 without driver involvement (automatically driven by second controller 37). Service vehicle 1 may be a fully autonomous driving vehicle, and there is no limit to the so-called level of automation.

[0013] Service vehicle 1 includes a positioning device 10, a map database (map DB) 11, a driving sensor 12, a vehicle control controller 13, an actuator 14, and a vehicle warning device 20. The vehicle warning device 20 includes a communication device 21, a user status sensor 22, a passenger user database (passenger user DB) 23, a risk level database (risk level DB) 24, a warning output device 25, and a first controller 26. The vehicle warning device 20 is a warning device that presents a warning to the user prompting them to stop a prohibited act when the user of service vehicle 1 performs a prohibited act inside the vehicle.

[0014] The positioning device 10 measures the current position and attitude of the service vehicle 1. The positioning device 10 may include, for example, a Global Positioning System (GNSS) receiver. The GNSS receiver may be, for example, a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver. The positioning device 10 may also include an inertial navigation device. The positioning device 10 outputs the measured current position information to the vehicle control controller 13. The map DB 11 stores map information. The map information may include navigation map data usable for route calculation (hereinafter simply referred to as "navigation map") and high-precision map data suitable as a map for autonomous driving (hereinafter simply referred to as "high-precision map").

[0015] The driving sensor 12 may consist of an ambient environment sensor and a vehicle sensor. The ambient environment sensor detects the surrounding environment of the service vehicle 1, such as the relative position of objects present around the service vehicle 1 and the service vehicle 1, the distance between the service vehicle 1 and the objects, and the direction in which the objects are located. The ambient environment sensor may include, for example, a camera that photographs the surrounding environment of the service vehicle 1. In addition, the ambient environment sensor may include, for example, a rangefinder, radar, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) laser radar, sonar, or other distance measuring devices.

[0016] The vehicle sensors detect the vehicle state, which is the state of the service vehicle 1 (for example, the driving state). The vehicle sensors may include, for example, a vehicle speed sensor that detects the driving speed (vehicle speed) of the service vehicle 1, a wheel speed sensor that detects the rotational speed of each tire on the service vehicle 1, a three-axis acceleration sensor (G sensor) that detects the acceleration (including deceleration) of the service vehicle 1 in three axes, a steering angle sensor that detects the steering angle (including turning angle), a gyro sensor that detects the angular velocity occurring in the service vehicle 1, and a yaw rate sensor that detects the yaw rate. The vehicle sensors may also include, for example, a shift position sensor that detects the shift position of the service vehicle 1, and a door sensor that detects the open / closed state and locked state of the doors. The driving sensors 12 (surrounding environment sensors, vehicle sensors) output the detected information (information about the surrounding environment of the service vehicle 1, information about the vehicle state) to the vehicle control controller 13.

[0017] The communication device 21 provides communication functionality between the service vehicle 1 and external devices. The communication method used by the communication device 21 may be, for example, wireless communication via a public mobile communication network, satellite communication, vehicle-to-vehicle communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure communication, etc. The vehicle control controller 13 receives a travel plan from the server device 2 via the communication device. The travel plan includes the travel route from the point where the user boards the service vehicle 1 (boarding point) to the point where the user alights (alighting point), and the estimated arrival times at each point. The vehicle warning device 20 sends and receives data with the electronic device 3 via the communication device 21.

[0018] The vehicle control controller 13 is an electronic control unit (ECU) that controls the service vehicle 1. The vehicle control controller 13 includes a processor and peripheral components such as memory devices. The processor may be, for example, a CPU or an MPU. The memory device may include tangible storage media that are not temporary, such as registers, cache memory, and ROM, RAM, etc., used as main memory. The vehicle control controller 13 performs automatic driving control to make the service vehicle 1 travel along the driving route indicated by the driving plan, based on information about the surrounding environment from the surrounding environment sensor among the driving sensors 12, information about the vehicle state from the vehicle sensor, the positioning result of the positioning device 10, and the high-precision map of the map database 11. The actuator 14 operates the steering device, drive device and braking device of the service vehicle 1 in response to control signals generated by the vehicle control controller 13, thereby generating vehicle behavior for the service vehicle 1 and automatically driving the service vehicle 1. The actuator 14 includes a steering actuator, an accelerator opening actuator, and a brake control actuator.

[0019] The user status sensor 22 is a sensor that detects the user status, which is the state of a user riding in the service vehicle 1. For example, the user status sensor 22 may detect the user's movements and posture inside the service vehicle 1 as part of the user status. In other words, the user status sensor 22 is configured to monitor the state (movement, posture) of a user riding in the service vehicle 1. The user status sensor 22 may be equipped with an in-vehicle camera as a sensor that detects the user's movements and posture inside the vehicle. In addition to the in-vehicle camera, the user status sensor 22 may also be equipped with an external wire type, ultrasonic type, or optical type human presence sensor, or a pressure sensor installed on the seat. The user status sensor 22 outputs user status data indicating the detected user status to the first controller 26. The user status data may include at least image data of the inside of the vehicle.

[0020] The passenger user database 23 stores user information indicating one or more users (passengers) riding in the service vehicle 1. For example, the user information may include each user's personal information, boarding location, alighting location, and seat position. For example, the personal information may include each user's name, contact information, and identification information of the electronic device 4 that each user possesses. For example, the identification information of the electronic device 4 may be information used for push notifications. The user information may also include information indicating the group of companions. The dispatch request includes the number of users (number of companions) of the service vehicle 1, and if the number of users is two or more, it becomes a group of companions. In other words, a group of companions is a group to which multiple users corresponding to a single dispatch request belong. A group of companions could be, for example, a family, friends, or acquaintances. The user information consists of the information included in the dispatch request and is transmitted from the server device 2. The first controller 26 acquires the user information via the communication device 21 and stores it in the passenger user database 23. Note that user information relating to users who have alighted may be deleted at any time.

[0021] The Danger Level DB24 stores the danger level indicating the degree of danger of prohibited actions inside the service vehicle 1. For example, the danger level has three stages: high, medium, and low, each corresponding to a specific type of prohibited action. The "high" danger level corresponds to actions that violate laws and regulations established by the national government or ordinances and rules established by local governments. Prohibited actions corresponding to the "high" danger level are classified as first-class prohibited actions. Examples of first-class prohibited actions that fall under the "high" danger level include not wearing a seat belt, leaning out of the vehicle, leaving doors open, and violence against other users.

[0022] The "medium" and "low" risk levels correspond to prohibited acts that do not violate the above-mentioned laws and regulations, but are contrary to morality or rules in the provision of ride-hailing services. Prohibited acts corresponding to the "medium" and "low" risk levels are classified as second-level prohibited acts. Among the second-level prohibited acts, acts that have a relatively large impact on other users or the environment inside the vehicle are classified as "medium" risk, while other acts with a relatively small impact are classified as "low" risk. Examples of second-level prohibited acts that fall under "medium" risk include smoking and occupying seats with luggage. Examples of second-level prohibited acts that fall under "low" risk include eating and drinking, talking on a mobile phone, changing diapers, and disturbing seating posture (falling asleep). Thus, in the Risk Level DB24, each risk level (high, medium, low) is associated with the classification of prohibited acts (first-level prohibited acts, second-level prohibited acts) and the type of prohibited act (specific type of prohibited act). The vehicle alarm system 20 detects prohibited actions inside the service vehicle 1 based on user status data detected by the user status sensor and the risk level stored in the risk level DB 24.

[0023] The alarm output device 25 is an output device that displays an alarm inside the vehicle of the service vehicle 1. The alarm output device 25 may be configured to include an in-vehicle speaker that displays auditory information as an alarm and a display device that displays visual information. The alarm output device 25 only needs to include an in-vehicle speaker. When a prohibited act is detected, the vehicle alarm device 20 may, according to predetermined conditions, output an alarm display or a visual alarm message from the display device that constitutes the alarm output device 25, or output an alarm sound or an auditory alarm message from the in-vehicle speaker.

[0024] The first controller 26 is an electronic control unit (ECU) that controls the operation of the vehicle warning device 20. The first controller 26 includes a processor 26a and peripheral components such as a storage device 26b. The processor 26a may be, for example, a CPU or an MPU. The storage device 26b may include a tangible storage medium that is not temporary, such as registers, cache memory, or ROM, RAM, or other memory used as main memory. The functions of the first controller 26 described below are realized, for example, by the processor 26a executing a computer program stored in the storage device 26b.

[0025] Server device 2 is a computing device that comprehensively manages the ride-hailing service provided by multiple service vehicles 1 within the service area. Server device 2 implements, for example, a ride-hailing management server program and realizes the ride-hailing service by executing the ride-hailing management server program under the control of a processor. Server device 2 includes various databases 42 that store and manage the data necessary to realize such ride-hailing service. Server device 2 sends and receives data with the service vehicles 1 and manages the operation of the service vehicles 1. In general terms, server device 2 receives a ride-hailing request from a user who wishes to be transported by a service vehicle 1 to their destination (drop-off point), extracts a vehicle to assign to the user from among multiple service vehicles 1 based on the ride-hailing request, creates a travel plan, and sends it to the extracted vehicle. Server device 2 also sends the user information included in the ride-hailing request to the service vehicle 1 along with the travel plan.

[0026] The electronic device (an example of a terminal device) 3 is an information processing device used (possessed) by a user of the ride-hailing service. The electronic device 3 is, for example, a portable information terminal (e.g., a smartphone or tablet) or a small, easily portable computer. The electronic device 3 comprises a positioning device 30, a communication device 31, a human-machine interface (HMI) 32, and a second controller 33. The positioning device 30 measures the current location of the electronic device 3 (i.e., the user's current location). The positioning device 30 may include, for example, a GNSS receiver. The GNSS receiver may be, for example, a GPS receiver. The positioning device 30 may also include an inertial navigation device. The positioning device 30 outputs the current location information of the electronic device 3 to the second controller 33.

[0027] The communication device 31 provides a communication function between the electronic device 3 and an external device. The communication method used by the communication device 31 may be, for example, wireless communication over a public mobile communication network, satellite communication, etc. The electronic device 3 sends and receives data to and from the vehicle warning device 20 via the communication device 31. The HMI 32 is an interface device that exchanges information between the electronic device 3 and the user. The HMI 32 includes a display device visible to the user, and a speaker or buzzer that outputs warning sounds, notification sounds, and voice information. Furthermore, the HMI 32 may include a vibration generator that generates vibrations. The HMI 32 also includes an operator or voice input device that accepts user input to the electronic device 3. The operator may be a button, switch, lever, dial, keyboard, touch panel, etc.

[0028] The second controller 33 functions as an information circuit that controls the operation of the electronic device 3. The second controller 33 includes a processor and peripheral components such as a memory device. The processor may be, for example, a CPU or an MPU. The memory device may include memory such as ROM or RAM used as main memory, or tangible storage media that are not temporary, such as memory registers or cache memory.

[0029] Before making a request for a ride-hailing service, the user may pre-install dedicated application software for using the ride-hailing system 100 on the electronic device 3 and make the request using the dedicated application software. Alternatively, the user may use the browser function of the electronic device 3 to make a request on an internet site that accepts ride-hailing requests.

[0030] The electronic device 3 accepts input operations from the user on the HMI 32 regarding the reservation (request for dispatch) of the dispatch service. For example, the user inputs necessary information such as the user's personal information (name, contact information, identification information of the electronic device 3), pick-up location, drop-off location, number of passengers (number of accompanying persons), and desired pick-up and drop-off dates and times (desired pick-up date and time, desired drop-off date and time). The second controller 33 generates a dispatch request to apply for a reservation of the dispatch service based on the information input by the user. If there are multiple passengers and a group of accompanying persons is formed, the personal information of each user included in the group of accompanying persons is input. The personal information of each user in the group of accompanying persons may be input by the user making the dispatch request (representative user), or each user other than the representative user may input it from their own electronic device 3.

[0031] The second controller 33 transmits dispatch request information to the server device 2 via the communication device 31. The server device 2 stores the dispatch request information in the database 42. Based on the reservation information (dispatch request), the server device 2 calculates the boarding and alighting locations where users will board and alight the service vehicle 1 and the travel route of the service vehicle 1, and creates a travel plan for the service vehicle 1. The travel plan also includes the seat positions in the service vehicle 1 where each user will sit. The created travel plan is transmitted to the electronic device 3 and presented to the user via the HMI 32.

[0032] Next, the functions of the vehicle warning device 20 will be explained in more detail. Figure 2 is a block diagram of an example of the functional configuration of the first controller 26 of the vehicle warning device 20. The first controller 26 includes a prohibited action detection unit 60, a danger level determination unit 61, a warning level determination unit 62, a warning selection unit 63, a user identification unit 64, and a warning transmission unit 65.

[0033] The prohibited behavior detection unit 60 monitors the status of multiple users riding in the service vehicle 1 and detects predetermined prohibited behaviors. For example, the prohibited behavior detection unit 60 periodically acquires user status data detected by the user status sensor 22 and monitors the status of users in the vehicle (movement, posture, etc.). The prohibited behavior detection unit 60 may analyze the image data of the vehicle interior included in the user status data using known image recognition technology to determine whether or not a user is performing a prohibited behavior. The prohibited behavior detection unit 60 may analyze the status of each user (movement, posture, etc.) in conjunction with the environment inside the vehicle interior (status of equipment such as windows, doors, seats, and seat belts) included in the user status data. The prohibited behavior detection unit 60 detects a user's status as a prohibited behavior if the analyzed user status corresponds to either of the predetermined prohibited behaviors (the first prohibited behavior or the second prohibited behavior described above). Data indicating predetermined prohibited behaviors (example data of prohibited behaviors) only needs to be stored in the storage device 26b. The prohibited behavior data may be image data of predetermined prohibited behaviors. Furthermore, the user status data may include not only image data from inside the vehicle but also detection results from motion sensors and pressure sensors, and the prohibited act detection unit 60 may detect prohibited acts based on these detection results.

[0034] For example, the prohibited behavior detection unit 60 may detect a user state as a prohibited behavior if the user state indicated by the user state data is similar to a prohibited behavior indicated by the prohibited behavior data. The prohibited behavior data may be data that shows predetermined types of prohibited behaviors (e.g., not wearing a seat belt, smoking, etc.) divided into first prohibited behaviors and second prohibited behaviors. In other words, the prohibited behavior detection unit 60 analyzes the user state by referring to the prohibited behavior data, and if it detects a prohibited behavior, it classifies the detected prohibited behavior into first prohibited behaviors and second prohibited behaviors.

[0035] For example, the prohibited behavior detection unit 60 analyzes user status data by referring to prohibited behavior data, and if it determines that a specific user in the vehicle is eating or drinking, it detects "eating or drinking" as the type of prohibited behavior and determines that the second prohibited behavior is occurring. Also, for example, the prohibited behavior detection unit 60 analyzes user status data by referring to prohibited behavior data, and if it determines that a specific user in the vehicle is not wearing a seat belt, it detects "not wearing a seat belt" as the type of prohibited behavior and determines that the first prohibited behavior is occurring. The prohibited behavior detection unit 60 outputs the detected type and classification of prohibited behavior (first prohibited behavior, second prohibited behavior) to the risk determination unit 61.

[0036] The risk determination unit 61 determines the risk level of a prohibited act based on the type and classification of the prohibited act detected by the prohibited act detection unit 60. The risk determination unit 61 may determine the risk level of the prohibited act detected by the prohibited act detection unit 60 by referring to the risk level DB 24. For example, if the type of prohibited act detected is "eating and drinking" and the classification of the prohibited act is "second prohibited act", the risk determination unit 61 will refer to the risk level DB 24 and determine the risk level of the detected prohibited act to be "low". Also, for example, if the type of prohibited act detected is "not wearing a seat belt" and the classification of the prohibited act is "first prohibited act", the risk determination unit 61 will refer to the risk level DB 24 and determine the risk level of the detected prohibited act to be "high". As mentioned above, the risk level DB 24 may also include the classification of prohibited acts. For this reason, the prohibited act detection unit 60 may only detect the type of prohibited act, and the risk determination unit 61 may classify the prohibited act when determining the risk level of the prohibited act.

[0037] The alarm level determination unit 62 determines the level of the alarm for the prohibited action based on the risk level determined by the risk level determination unit 61. Here, the alarm level indicates the manner in which the alarm is presented. In other words, the alarm level determination unit 62 determines the manner in which the alarm is presented according to the level of risk of the prohibited action being performed by the user.

[0038] The methods of displaying warnings will now be explained. The vehicle warning device 20 according to this embodiment has two methods of displaying warnings: a first method of displaying a warning only to a specific user who is engaging in a prohibited act, and a second method of displaying a warning inside the vehicle of the service vehicle 1. In the first method, the electronic device 3 possessed by the specific user is the target of the warning output by the vehicle warning device 20. The electronic device 3 possessed by the specific user and the target of the warning output is referred to as the "specific terminal device". In the second method, the warning output device 25 installed in the service vehicle 1 is the target of the warning output by the vehicle warning device 20. The second method has a broader scope of warning display compared to the first method. In other words, the second method is a warning display method with a higher warning level than the first method.

[0039] Among the second prohibited acts, those with a risk level of "low" are assumed to be minor prohibited acts that have little impact on other users. For this reason, the alarm level determination unit 62 determines the first mode as the alarm presentation mode corresponding to the risk level of "low" and determines the alarm level to be "minimum". As a result, the alarm is presented only to the specific user who is performing the prohibited act. On the other hand, among the second prohibited acts, those with a risk level of "medium" are assumed to be prohibited acts that do not violate laws and regulations, but may raise concerns about ensuring the safety of other users. For this reason, the alarm level determination unit 62 determines the second mode as the alarm presentation mode corresponding to the risk level of "medium" and determines the alarm level to be "moderate". In other words, the first controller 26 uses the alarm output device 25 to present an alarm when the detected prohibited act is a second prohibited act and the risk level meets the predetermined conditions (in this example, the risk level is "medium"). By displaying an alert that is visible to other users inside the vehicle, it is possible to more strongly encourage users who are engaging in prohibited activities that affect other users to stop those activities.

[0040] Furthermore, the first prohibited act, which corresponds to a "high" danger level, is assumed to be an act that violates laws and regulations and should be stopped immediately. For this reason, the alarm level determination unit 62 determines both the first and second alarm presentation modes corresponding to the "high" danger level, and determines that the alarm level is "maximum". As a result, an alarm is presented to the user performing the prohibited act, and also to other users in the vehicle.

[0041] Thus, when a second prohibited act is detected, the warning is presented in either the first or second manner, whereas when a first prohibited act is detected, the warning is presented in both the first and second manners. In other words, in the vehicle warning device 20 according to this embodiment, the warning is presented differently for the first and second prohibited acts. This allows for the appropriate presentation of warnings according to the degree of danger of the prohibited act. Furthermore, even for the second prohibited act, by changing the warning presentation manner according to the level of danger, it is possible to present warnings more appropriately, taking into consideration both the user committing the prohibited act and other users.

[0042] The alarm selection unit 63 selects the target for alarm output based on the alarm level determined by the alarm level determination unit 62. When the alarm level is "minimum" (presentation mode is the first mode), the alarm selection unit 63 selects the specific terminal device (the electronic device 3 of the user performing the prohibited act) as the target for alarm output. When the alarm level is "medium" (presentation mode is the second mode), the alarm selection unit 63 selects the alarm output device 25 as the target for alarm output. When the alarm level is "maximum" (presentation mode is both the first and second modes), the alarm selection unit 63 selects the specific terminal device and the alarm output device 25 as the targets for alarm output.

[0043] If the alarm selection unit 63 selects the alarm output device 25 as the destination for the alarm, it requests the alarm transmission unit 65 to generate and transmit an alarm signal for the alarm output device 25 to present the alarm. If the alarm selection unit 63 selects the electronic device 3 of a user who is engaging in prohibited activity as the destination for the alarm, it requests the user identification unit 64 to identify the user who is engaging in prohibited activity.

[0044] When the prohibited act detection unit 60 detects a prohibited act, the user identification unit 64 identifies the user who has committed the prohibited act, that is, the user to whom an alarm is to be presented. For example, the user identification unit 64 identifies the user who committed the prohibited act based on user status data detected by the user status sensor 22 (image data of the user in the vehicle cabin), the user's seat position stored in the boarding user DB 23, and the like. After identifying the user who committed the prohibited act, the user identification unit 64 requests the alarm transmission unit 65 to generate and transmit an alarm signal for presenting an alarm via the electronic device 3 (identified terminal device) carried by the identified user. For example, the user identification unit 64 extracts the identification information of the identified terminal device from the personal information of the identified user from the boarding user DB 23, and outputs the identification information to the alarm transmission unit 65.

[0045] The alarm transmission unit 65 generates an alarm signal as information indicating an alarm, and transmits the alarm signal to the alarm output destination selected by the alarm selection unit 63. The alarm signal may include an alarm image signal and an alarm audio signal. The alarm image signal is a signal indicating visual alarm display (such as text information of an alarm message), and the alarm audio signal is a signal indicating audio information corresponding to an alarm sound (buzzer sound, siren sound) or an audible alarm message (synthesized speech, etc.). The alarm transmission unit 65 generates an alarm signal in a format corresponding to the alarm output destination (the electronic device 3 that is the identified terminal device, or the alarm output device 25), and transmits the alarm signal to the alarm output destination. The alarm message may include the type of the detected prohibited act. For example, when the type of the detected prohibited act is "smoking", the alarm message may have content such as "Please stop smoking inside the vehicle". The type of the prohibited act may be output from the risk determination unit 61 to the alarm transmission unit 65, or may be temporarily stored in a predetermined storage area that can be referenced by the first controller 26. As described above, the alarm transmission unit 65 generates an alarm signal corresponding to the detected prohibited act, and transmits (outputs) the signal to the output destination (the electronic device 3, the alarm output device 25).

[0046] For example, when the alarm output destination is the alarm output device 25, the alarm transmitting unit 65 generates an alarm image signal corresponding to the display device 251 of the alarm output device 25 and an alarm audio signal corresponding to the in-vehicle speaker 252, and transmits (outputs) the signals to the alarm output device 25. As a result, alarm display by the display device 251 and alarm messages, alarm sounds and the like from the in-vehicle speaker 252 are emitted, and the alarm is presented to all users in the compartment of the service vehicle 1.

[0047] Further, for example, when the alarm output destination is a specific terminal device (electronic device 3), the alarm transmitting unit 65 generates an alarm image signal corresponding to the display device of the HMI 32 of the electronic device 3 and an alarm audio signal corresponding to the speaker or buzzer of the HMI 32, and transmits the signals to the electronic device 3 of the user specified by the user specifying unit 64. When the second controller 33 of the electronic device 3 receives the alarm signal via the communication device 31, it causes the display device and speaker of the HMI 32 to present the alarm. As a result, on the HMI 32 of the specified user's electronic device 3 (specific terminal device), alarm display by the display device and alarm messages, alarm sounds and the like from the speaker are emitted. Note that the alarm transmitting unit 65 may generate, as an alarm signal corresponding to the specific terminal device, an alarm vibration signal that causes the vibration generator of the HMI 32 to vibrate in a predetermined pattern. Thus, for example, in accordance with the alarm display and alarm sound, the user who is committing a prohibited act by vibrating the specific terminal device can be prompted to check the electronic device 3.

[0048] In this way, the alarm transmitting unit 65 transmits information (alarm signal) indicating an alarm corresponding to the prohibited act to the electronic device 3 (specific terminal device) possessed by the specified user, and presents the alarm to the user. As described above, for a user who has committed a minor prohibited act, the first mode is adopted, that is, the electronic device 3 presents the alarm only to the user. As a result, the vehicle alarm device 20 can appropriately present an alarm to the user who has committed the prohibited act, and allow the user to recognize that his or her own act is the subject of the alarm. In addition, by enabling alarm presentation only to the user who has committed the prohibited act, a reduction in the satisfaction of the vehicle dispatch service can be suppressed.

[0049] The alarm transmission unit 65 may also transmit alarm information to a specific terminal device and request a response from the identified user indicating that they have acknowledged the alarm. For example, the alarm information may include a confirmation request in addition to the alarm signal. For example, the confirmation request may prompt the user to respond that they have acknowledged the alarm presented on the HMI 32. This allows the vehicle alarm device 20 to obtain a response from the user who has committed the prohibited act indicating that they have acknowledged the alarm.

[0050] In the vehicle alarm system 20, the first controller 26 terminates the display of the alarm (first display mode) on the specified terminal device (electronic device 3) when it determines that the prohibited act by the specified user (the user performing the prohibited act) has ended. For example, if the prohibited act detection unit 60 does not detect a prohibited act from the user status data, it requests the alarm transmission unit 65 to stop the alarm. Based on the request from the prohibited act detection unit 60, the alarm transmission unit 65 transmits an alarm termination signal to the specified terminal device (electronic device 3) to terminate the display of the alarm. When the second controller 33 of the electronic device 3 receives the alarm termination signal via the communication device 31, it terminates the output of the alarm on the HMI 32.

[0051] The specified terminal device (electronic device 3) may continue outputting the alarm from the specified terminal device (specifically, HMI 32) until it receives an alarm termination signal. In other words, in the vehicle alarm device 20 according to this embodiment, the first controller 26 may continue displaying the alarm from the specified terminal device (electronic device 3) for the period during which the specified user continues the prohibited act. This makes it possible to repeatedly display the alarm and encourage the specified user to stop the prohibited act if they continue the prohibited act.

[0052] For example, the alarm transmission unit 65 may repeatedly transmit an alarm signal to a specific terminal device during the period in which a prohibited act is detected by the prohibited act detection unit 60. In this case, the intensity of the alarm indicated by the alarm signal may be changed. The intensity of the alarm in the specific terminal device may be, for example, the volume of the alarm sound emitted from the speaker of the HMI 32, the volume of the alarm message, or the magnitude of the vibration from the vibration generator. For example, if the alarm transmission unit 65 generates an alarm signal multiple times in response to the detection of a single prohibited act, it may increase the volume indicated by the alarm sound signal. Similarly, it may increase the magnitude of the vibration indicated by the alarm vibration signal. The alarm image signal and alarm sound signal included in the alarm signal may be configured to continue displaying the alarm and outputting the alarm sound on the HMI 32 of the specific terminal device until an alarm termination signal is received.

[0053] Similarly, in the vehicle alarm device 20 according to this embodiment, the first controller 26 may terminate the display of the alarm (second display mode) in the alarm output device 25 when it determines that the prohibited act by the identified user (the user performing the prohibited act) has ended. For example, the alarm transmission unit 65 transmits (outputs) an alarm termination signal to the alarm output device 25 to terminate the display of the alarm based on a request from the prohibited act detection unit 60. As a result, the display of the alarm by the display device 251 and the in-vehicle speaker 252 is terminated. Similar to the identified terminal device, the alarm output device 25 may continue to output the alarm until it receives the alarm termination signal. In other words, in the vehicle alarm device 20, the first controller 26 may continue to display the alarm by the alarm output device 25 during the period in which the identified user is continuing the prohibited act.

[0054] For example, the alarm transmission unit 65 may repeatedly transmit an alarm signal to the alarm output device 25 during the period in which a prohibited act is detected by the prohibited act detection unit 60. In this case, the alarm intensity in the alarm output device 25 (the volume of the alarm sound and alarm message emitted from the in-vehicle speaker 252) may be increased. The alarm image signal and alarm audio signal included in the alarm signal may also be configured to continue displaying the alarm and outputting the alarm sound in the alarm output device 25 until an alarm termination signal is received.

[0055] Furthermore, in the vehicle warning device 20 according to this embodiment, if the user continues to perform prohibited actions after the initial warning is issued, an additional warning may be issued using a different presentation method. This is called a secondary warning. In a secondary warning, the first presentation method and the second presentation method may be issued together. The initial warning issued in response to the detection of prohibited actions is called a primary warning. For example, the vehicle warning device 20 may issue a secondary warning by combining the first presentation method by a specific terminal device (electronic device 3) and the second presentation method by the warning output device 25. The first controller 26 may issue a secondary warning by issuing a second presentation method after issuing a primary warning by issuing a first presentation method, or it may issue a secondary warning by issuing a first presentation method after issuing a primary warning by issuing a second presentation method.

[0056] For example, when a primary alarm is issued to a specific terminal device or alarm output device 25 (when an alarm signal is transmitted), the alarm transmission unit 65 stores information indicating that a primary alarm is in effect in a predetermined storage area accessible to the first controller 26. This allows the first controller 26 to determine whether or not a primary alarm is in effect. Similarly, when a secondary alarm is issued to a specific terminal device or alarm output device 25 (when an alarm signal is transmitted), the alarm transmission unit 65 may store information indicating that a secondary alarm is in effect in a predetermined storage area accessible to the first controller 26. This allows the first controller 26 to determine whether or not a secondary alarm is in effect.

[0057] For example, if the first controller 26 determines that the user possessing the specific terminal device has continued the prohibited act for a predetermined period after the alarm has been displayed by the specific terminal device (after the first display mode has been implemented), it may issue an alarm from the alarm output device 25 (implement the second display mode) and display the alarm inside the service vehicle 1. In other words, the first controller 26 may perform the second display mode as a secondary alarm after the first display mode has been implemented as a primary alarm.

[0058] For example, if the alarm level determination unit 62 is executing a primary alarm in the first presentation mode corresponding to the "minimum" danger level, and a prohibited act with the "minimum" danger level is detected again, it may decide to execute a second presentation mode by the alarm output device 25 as an additional presentation mode for a secondary alarm. That is, it may request the alarm transmission unit 65 to output an alarm signal to the alarm output device 25. As a result, both the first and second presentation modes are executed as secondary alarms. In other words, if the vehicle alarm device 20 fails to achieve the effect of warning only to a specific user using the first presentation mode for minor prohibited acts, it expands the range of the alarm and executes the presentation of an alarm inside the vehicle using the second presentation mode. This makes it possible to more strongly encourage the cessation of prohibited acts. Note that if the first presentation mode is being executed as a primary alarm, and the second presentation mode is to be added as a secondary alarm, the alarm transmission unit 65 may transmit (output) an alarm signal only to the alarm output device 25.

[0059] The alarm transmission unit 65 may issue a secondary alarm from the alarm output device 25 if the prohibited act continues after receiving information indicating a response to the above-mentioned confirmation request (information indicating that the primary alarm has been confirmed) from a specific terminal device (if the prohibited act is detected again). This allows the alarm output device 25 to additionally execute a second presentation mode as a secondary alarm based on the judgment that the prohibited act continues after the primary alarm has been confirmed (that the prohibited act is being continued intentionally).

[0060] Furthermore, for example, if the first controller 26 determines that the same user has continued the prohibited act for a predetermined period after the alarm output device 25 has issued an alarm (after the second presentation mode has been implemented), it may send an alarm signal to a specific terminal device possessed by the user (implementing the first presentation mode) to issue an alarm to the user personally. In other words, the first controller 26 may, after implementing the second presentation mode as a primary alarm, additionally execute the first presentation mode as a secondary alarm.

[0061] For example, the alarm level determination unit 62 may decide to use the first presentation mode as the alarm presentation mode if, while the primary alarm is being executed in the second presentation mode corresponding to the danger level "medium," a prohibited act with a danger level of "medium" is detected again. As a result, the user identification unit 64 identifies the user who is committing the prohibited act with a danger level of "medium," and the identification information of the electronic device 3 (specific terminal device) possessed by that user is output to the alarm transmission unit 65. While the primary alarm is being executed in the second presentation mode, the alarm transmission unit 65 transmits an alarm signal to the specific terminal device based on the identification information of the specific terminal device output from the user identification unit 64. As a result, the first presentation mode by the specific terminal device can be additionally executed as a secondary alarm. In other words, the vehicle alarm device 20 executes the presentation of an alarm on the specific terminal device in the first presentation mode if the alarm in the second presentation mode is not effective for a prohibited act with a danger level of "medium." As a result, the user committing the prohibited act is notified that they have been identified as the perpetrator of the prohibited act, and is more strongly encouraged to stop the prohibited act.

[0062] Furthermore, in the first presentation mode, which is additionally executed as a secondary alarm, the alarm intensity may be increased compared to the first presentation mode, which is executed as a primary alarm. In other words, in the first presentation mode, which is additionally executed as a secondary alarm, the volume of the alarm audio signal and the magnitude of the alarm vibration signal may be increased compared to the first presentation mode, which is executed as a primary alarm. This makes it possible to more strongly urge users who are engaging in prohibited activities to stop the prohibited activities.

[0063] In this embodiment, the first controller 26 may simultaneously terminate the display of alarms by the specified terminal device (electronic device 3 possessed by the user) and the alarm output device 25 when it determines that the prohibited act by the specified user (the user performing the prohibited act) has ended. For example, the alarm transmission unit 65 may simultaneously transmit (output) an alarm termination signal to the specified terminal device and the alarm output device 25 based on a request from the prohibited act detection unit 60. This makes it possible to simultaneously terminate both the first and second presentation modes in the secondary alarm in accordance with the cessation (termination) of the prohibited act by the user. The prohibited act detection unit 60 may request the alarm transmission unit 65 to transmit an alarm termination signal not only when the prohibited act has ended (is not detected), but also when the prohibited act has improved. Here, improvement in the prohibited act may mean that the actions or postures corresponding to the prohibited act are decreasing (the disturbance of actions or postures is smaller than at the time of initial detection), or that the similarity between the prohibited act and the detected user's state has decreased.

[0064] Furthermore, the first controller 26 may, when it determines that the prohibited act by the specified user has ended, terminate the display of the alarm by the alarm output device 25 (second display mode), and then terminate the display of the alarm by the specified terminal device (first display mode). For example, the alarm transmission unit 65 may, based on a request from the prohibited act detection unit 60, first transmit (output) an alarm termination signal to the alarm output device 25, and then transmit an alarm termination signal to the specified terminal device. This makes it possible to terminate the display of alarms in the vehicle, which may affect other users, at an early stage, and suppress the reduction in satisfaction with the ride-hailing service.

[0065] As mentioned above, if a prohibited act with a "high" risk level is being performed, both the first and second presentation modes will be executed as a primary alarm. In this case as well, the first controller 26 may terminate both the first and second presentation modes simultaneously when it determines that the prohibited act by the identified user has ended, or it may terminate the second presentation mode first and then the first presentation mode.

[0066] Furthermore, the first controller 26 may, as a secondary warning, stop the service vehicle 1 from running if a prohibited act with a high risk level (first prohibited act) is being carried out. This prevents the service vehicle 1 from continuing to run while a prohibited act that violates laws and regulations is being carried out, thereby ensuring the safety of passengers (the user committing the prohibited act and other users). For example, if the warning level determination unit 62 detects a prohibited act with a high risk level again during the primary warning corresponding to a high risk level (during the execution of the first and second presentation modes), it requests the vehicle control controller 13 to stop the vehicle. Based on the request to stop the vehicle, the vehicle control controller 13 activates the Minimum Risk Maneuver (MRM) to control the stopping of the service vehicle 1. The stopping location where the service vehicle 1 stops due to the MRM is a safe boarding / alighting area, roadside, etc., near the current position of the service vehicle 1, and should be an area where users can disembark. Furthermore, the first controller 26 may stop the service vehicle 1 from moving without issuing a warning, or in parallel with issuing a warning, if a prohibited act with a "high" risk level (first prohibited act) is being carried out. This ensures the safety of the users riding in the service vehicle 1.

[0067] Furthermore, if the vehicle warning device 20 continues to issue a secondary warning for a specified period of time or longer for a prohibited act with a danger level of "low" or "medium" (second prohibited act), and the prohibited act continues, it may request the vehicle control controller 13 to stop the service vehicle 1 from moving. This notifies the user that it will be impossible to continue driving to their destination (drop-off point) if the prohibited act continues, and strongly urges the user engaging in the prohibited act to stop.

[0068] Furthermore, if the detected prohibited act is a first prohibited act (risk level "high") and the identified user continues the first prohibited act even after the alarm is issued, the first controller 26 may restrict the identified user's use of the service vehicle 1 from the next time onward. For example, if the user identification unit 64 detects another prohibited act with a risk level of "high" during the first alarm (while the first and second alarm modes are being executed) corresponding to a risk level of "high", it may transmit information about the user committing the prohibited act to the server device 2 as information about the user subject to restriction on the use of the service vehicle 1 (use restriction information). As a result, the server device 2 stores the use restriction information in the database 42 and can restrict the use of the dispatch service for the target user. The restriction on future use may be, for example, a penalty after disembarking, such as suspending the acceptance of dispatch requests at the server device 2 for a predetermined period or an increase in the usage fee for the service vehicle 1. This allows the user to be penalized for committing the first prohibited act, while also improving safety in the dispatch service.

[0069] Furthermore, the vehicle warning device 20 according to this embodiment may issue a warning considering the group of passengers riding in the service vehicle 1. For example, the first controller 26 does not need to issue a warning for the second prohibited act (a prohibited act with a risk level of "low" or "medium") if multiple users, including the identified user (the user committing the prohibited act), belong to the group of passengers responding to a single dispatch request. In this case, for example, the warning selection unit 63 always requests the user identification unit 64 to identify the user committing the prohibited act, regardless of the presentation method (the destination of the warning output), and the user identification unit 64 requests the warning transmission unit 65 to generate and transmit the warning. For example, when the user identification unit 64 identifies a user committing the second prohibited act by referring to the passenger user DB 23, it may determine whether or not that user is included in the group of passengers. If the user identification unit 64 determines that the user committing the second prohibited act is included in the group of passengers riding in the service vehicle 1, it does not request the warning transmission unit 65 to generate and transmit a warning signal. By not issuing warnings for prohibited behaviors by users included in a group of passengers, it is possible to mitigate the decrease in satisfaction with the ride-hailing service. The first controller 26 may issue a warning if multiple groups of passengers are riding in the service vehicle 1, or if a user who does not belong to a group of passengers (non-passenger user) is riding in the vehicle. Furthermore, for prohibited behaviors with a risk level of "medium" among the prohibited behaviors, the system may be configured to issue a warning even if the user who committed the prohibited behavior belongs to a group of passengers.

[0070] Furthermore, the vehicle warning device 20 according to this embodiment may restrict the use of the ride-hailing service by a user who is engaging in prohibited conduct. For example, if the detected prohibited conduct is the second prohibited conduct and a non-accompanying user who does not belong to the accompanying group is riding in the service vehicle 1, the first controller 26 may transmit information (request response information) to the non-accompanying user's electronic device 3 requesting a response from whether or not they wish to request that the second prohibited conduct be stopped. If the first controller 26 receives a response from the non-accompanying user's electronic device 3 indicating a request to stop the conduct, it may restrict the use of the identified user (the user engaging in prohibited conduct) in the service vehicle 1 in the future. For example, the user identification unit 64 may obtain identification information of the non-accompanying user's electronic device 3 by referring to the passenger user DB 23 and transmit the request response information. If the user identification unit 64 receives a response indicating a request to stop the prohibited conduct via the communication device 21, it may transmit information of the user engaging in prohibited conduct to the server device 2 as a user subject to restriction on the use of the service vehicle 1. The restriction on future use may be a penalty after disembarking, as described above. This allows for penalties to be imposed on users who cause discomfort to other users through the second prohibited behavior, while also preventing criticism and negative impacts on non-accompanying users who request that the prohibited behavior be stopped.

[0071] (Operation) Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an alarm method by a vehicle alarm device 20 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. This process is realized when the first controller 26 of the vehicle alarm device 20 in the service vehicle 1 executes an alarm program under the control of a processor, thereby cooperating with various hardware resources.

[0072] In step S1, the first controller 26 (prohibited behavior detection unit 60) of the vehicle alarm device 20 determines whether or not a user is in the service vehicle 1. For example, the prohibited behavior detection unit 60 may determine whether or not a user is in the vehicle based on user status data (image data of the vehicle interior) output by the user status sensor 22. If the prohibited behavior detection unit 60 determines that a user is in the vehicle (step S1:Y), in step S2 it periodically acquires user status data and monitors the user's (passenger's) state (movement, posture) in the vehicle interior. On the other hand, if the prohibited behavior detection unit 60 determines that a user is not in the vehicle (step S1:N), it waits for the user to board. The service vehicle 1 is equipped with door opening / closing sensors on the outside and inside of the doors, and the first controller 26 may determine whether or not a user is in the vehicle based on the detection of door opening / closing from the outside by these sensors.

[0073] In step S3, the first controller 26 (prohibited behavior detection unit 60) determines whether or not it has detected a prohibited behavior by a passenger. If the prohibited behavior detection unit 60 determines, based on the user status data, that the user is performing a prohibited behavior (step S3: Y), it outputs the type and classification of the prohibited behavior to the risk determination unit 61. This allows the process to proceed to step S4. On the other hand, if the prohibited behavior detection unit 60 determines, based on the user's status, that the user is not performing a prohibited behavior (step S3: N), it returns to the process in step S2 and continues monitoring the passenger's status.

[0074] In step S4, the first controller 26 (risk determination unit 61) determines the risk level (low, medium, high) of the prohibited act based on the type and classification of the prohibited act and outputs it to the alarm level determination unit 62. In step S5, the first controller 26 (alarm level determination unit 62) determines the alarm level (minimum, medium, maximum) for the prohibited act based on the risk level. In step S6, if the alarm level is "minimum" or "maximum" (step S6: Y), the first controller 26 (alarm selection unit 63) requests the user identification unit 64 to identify the user who is committing the prohibited act. This proceeds to step S7. On the other hand, if the alarm level is "medium", the alarm selection unit 63 proceeds to step S10.

[0075] In step S7, the first controller 26 (user identification unit 64) identifies a user who is engaging in prohibited activity by referring to the passenger user DB 23. In step S8, it acquires identification information for the specific terminal device (electronic device 3), which is the terminal device of the specific user, and outputs it to the alarm transmission unit 65. In step S9, the first controller 26 (alarm transmission unit 65) generates an alarm signal and transmits it to the specific terminal device. As a result, the electronic device 3 (specific terminal device) of the identified user displays an alarm (first display mode).

[0076] In step S10, if the alarm level is "maximum" or "medium" (step S10: Y), the first controller 26 (alarm selection unit 63) requests the alarm transmission unit 65 to generate and transmit an alarm signal to the alarm output device 25. This proceeds to step S11. On the other hand, if the alarm level is "minimum", the alarm selection unit 63 proceeds to step S12. In step S11, the first controller 26 (alarm transmission unit 65) generates an alarm signal and outputs it to the alarm transmission unit 65. This enables the alarm output device 25 to display the alarm (second display mode).

[0077] In step S12, the first controller 26 (prohibited act detection unit 60) determines whether the prohibited act has ended after the alarm (primary alarm) has been issued. If the prohibited act detection unit 60 determines that the prohibited act has ended (no prohibited act was detected) (step S12: Y), it requests the alarm transmission unit 65 to stop the alarm. This proceeds to step S16. On the other hand, if the prohibited act detection unit 60 determines that the prohibited act is continuing (prohibited act was detected) after the primary alarm has been issued (step S12: N), it notifies the alarm level determination unit 62 that the prohibited act is continuing. This proceeds to step S13. If a prohibited act with a "high" risk level is detected at the time of the primary alarm, and alarms have already been issued according to the first and second presentation modes, the process may proceed to step S15.

[0078] In step S13, the first controller 26 (alarm level determination unit 62) determines the presentation mode (first presentation mode or second presentation mode) to be additionally executed in the secondary alarm. As a result, the secondary alarm is executed. In step S14, the first controller 26 (prohibited act detection unit 60) determines whether the prohibited act is continuing after the execution of the secondary alarm. Note that even if an alarm has been issued using the first and second presentation modes based on the detection of a prohibited act with a "high" risk level, the first controller 26 also determines whether the prohibited act is continuing. If the prohibited act detection unit 60 determines that the prohibited act is continuing (the prohibited act has been detected) after executing both the first and second presentation modes (step S14: Y), it notifies the alarm level determination unit 62 that the prohibited act is continuing and proceeds to step S15. On the other hand, if the prohibited act detection unit 60 determines that the prohibited act has ended (step S14: N), it proceeds to step S16. In step S15, the first controller 26 (alarm level determination unit 62) requests the vehicle control controller 13 to stop driving. As a result, the service vehicle 1 stops, and the process related to the alarm is completed.

[0079] In step S16, the first controller 26 (alarm transmission unit 65) transmits an alarm termination signal to the device (specific terminal device, alarm output device 25) that is issuing the alarm (primary alarm or secondary alarm). As a result, the alarm stops (terminates) and the process proceeds to step S17. In step S17, the first controller 26 (prohibited behavior detection unit 60) determines whether all users have exited the vehicle. For example, if the prohibited behavior detection unit 60 determines, based on user status data, that there are no users in the vehicle, it determines that all users have exited the vehicle (step S17: Y) and terminates the alarm processing. On the other hand, if the prohibited behavior detection unit 60 determines that there are users in the vehicle, it determines that all users have not exited the vehicle (step S17: N) and returns to the processing in step S2 (user status monitoring).

[0080] As described above, the alarm method according to this embodiment is an alarm method using a vehicle alarm device 20 installed in a service vehicle 1 that is operated in response to a ride-hailing request from a user of a ride-hailing service and is shared by multiple users. The method includes: monitoring the actions of multiple users riding in the service vehicle 1 to detect whether or not a predetermined prohibited act is being performed (step S2); identifying the user who performed the prohibited act when the prohibited act is detected (step S7); and transmitting information indicating an alarm corresponding to the prohibited act (alarm signal) to a specific terminal device (electronic device 3) held by the identified user to present the alarm to the user (step S9). This makes it possible to appropriately present an alarm to a user who has performed a prohibited act in a service vehicle carrying multiple users. For example, if the prohibited act is minor (risk level is "low"), the alarm can be presented to the electronic device 3 of the user performing the prohibited act without other users knowing. This reduces the frequency of alarm presentations inside the vehicle and allows consideration to be given to other users who have not performed a prohibited act. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the reduction in satisfaction with the ride-hailing service due to alarms.

[0081] (Modifications) (1) A first modification of this embodiment will be described. The service vehicle 1 may be a manually operated vehicle driven by a human driver, or it may be a vehicle that can switch between a manual driving mode driven by a human driver and an autonomous driving mode driven by an automatic driver. When the service vehicle 1 is being operated manually, when stopping the service vehicle 1 based on the continuation of prohibited actions after an alarm (step S15), the driver only needs to stop driving. At this time, for example, the first controller 26 may have the alarm output device 25 send a message to the driver requesting that the vehicle be stopped. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving (stopping) the service vehicle 1, and also informs the passengers that the vehicle is stopping.

[0082] (2) A second modification of this embodiment will be described. In the above embodiment, the vehicle alarm device 20 is mounted on the service vehicle 1, but the embodiment is not limited to this, and some components of the vehicle alarm device 20 may be mounted on a device other than the service vehicle 1. For example, the passenger user DB 23 and the risk level DB 24 in the vehicle alarm device 20 may be provided in the server device 2 as part of various databases 42 in the server device 2. In this case, the first controller 26 of the vehicle alarm device 20 only needs to acquire information on the passenger user DB 23 and the risk level DB 24 via the communication device 21.

[0083] Alternatively, for example, at least some of the functions of the first controller 26, such as the prohibited act detection unit 60, the risk determination unit 61, the alarm level determination unit 62, the alarm selection unit 63, the user identification unit, and the alarm transmission unit 65, may be implemented by a dispatch management server program implemented in the server device 2. In this case, the first controller 26 in the service vehicle 1 and the server device 2 constitute the vehicle alarm device of this disclosure, which has functions equivalent to the vehicle alarm device 20. For example, the server device 2 can monitor the status of a user riding in the service vehicle 1 and detect prohibited acts by receiving user status data transmitted from the communication device 21 of the service vehicle 1. The alarm output device 25 of the service vehicle 1 can also perform alarm display in the vehicle interior in a second presentation mode by receiving the alarm signal transmitted by the server device 2 via the communication device 21. The specific terminal device (electronic device 3) can also perform alarm display to a specific user (a user committing a prohibited act) in a first presentation mode on the HMI 32 by receiving the alarm signal transmitted from the server device 2 via the communication device 31.

[0084] (Effects of the Embodiment) (1) The vehicle alarm device 20 installed in the service vehicle 1, which is operated in response to a ride-hailing request from a user of the ride-hailing service and carries multiple users, includes a first controller 26 that performs the following: monitoring the status of multiple users riding in the service vehicle 1 and detecting predetermined prohibited acts; identifying the user who is committing the prohibited act when the prohibited act is detected; and transmitting information indicating an alarm corresponding to the prohibited act (alarm signal) to a specific terminal device (electronic device 3) held by the identified user, thereby presenting the alarm to the user. With this configuration, it is possible to present the alarm only to the user who is subject to the alarm (who has committed the prohibited act), allowing the user to understand that their own actions are subject to the alarm. Furthermore, the frequency of presenting the alarm to all users in the vehicle can be reduced. Therefore, in a service vehicle 1 that can accommodate multiple users, an alarm can be appropriately presented to the user who has committed the prohibited act. Furthermore, a decrease in satisfaction with the ride-hailing service can be suppressed.

[0085] (2) The first controller 26 may continue to display an alarm from the specified terminal device (electronic device 3) for the period during which the specified user continues the prohibited act. With this configuration, if the specified user continues the prohibited act, the alarm can be repeatedly displayed to encourage the user to stop the prohibited act, thereby increasing the likelihood that the user will stop the prohibited act. (3) The first controller 26 may stop displaying the alarm from the specified terminal device (electronic device 3) when it determines that the prohibited act by the specified user has ended. With this configuration, by not continuing to display unnecessary alarms, the processing load on the electronic device 3 can be reduced, and the user who committed the prohibited act can be prevented from developing an aversion to the alarm. (4) If the first controller 26 determines that the specified user has continued the prohibited act for a predetermined period, it may issue an alarm from the alarm output device 25 installed in the cabin of the service vehicle 1 and display the alarm in the cabin. With this configuration, if the alarm from the specified terminal device (electronic device 3) is not effective for the specified user, the range of the alarm can be expanded to all users in the cabin to more strongly encourage the user to stop the prohibited act. (5) The first controller 26 transmits information indicating an alarm to a specific terminal device (electronic device 3) and requests a response from the specified user indicating that they have acknowledged the alarm (acknowledgment request). If the prohibited act continues even after receiving the information indicating the response from the specific terminal device, the alarm output device 25 may issue the alarm. With this configuration, if it is assumed that the prohibited act is being continued intentionally, the alarm output device 25 can additionally execute a second presentation mode as a secondary alarm to more strongly encourage the cessation of the prohibited act.

[0086] (6) When the first controller 26 determines that the prohibited act by the identified user has ended, it may simultaneously terminate the display of alarms by the identified terminal device (electronic device 3) and the alarm output device 25. This configuration reduces the processing load of each device that displays alarms at an early stage, and by terminating unnecessary alarms early, it is possible to suppress the user who committed the prohibited act and other users in the vehicle from feeling aversion to the alarms. (7) When the first controller 26 determines that the prohibited act by the identified user has ended, it may terminate the display of alarms by the alarm output device 25, and then terminate the display of the alarm by the identified terminal device (electronic device 3). This configuration reduces the discomfort of the user who committed the prohibited act and the aversion of other users to the alarms by terminating the display of alarms in the vehicle, which also affects other users, and suppresses a decrease in satisfaction with the ride-hailing service. (8) The first controller 26 classifies the detected prohibited acts into first prohibited acts and second prohibited acts, which are less dangerous than the first prohibited acts, and the manner in which alarms are displayed may differ between the first prohibited acts and the second prohibited acts. This configuration allows for the appropriate presentation of warnings according to the degree of risk of the prohibited act, thereby reliably suppressing a decrease in satisfaction with the ride-hailing service. (9) The first controller 26 may use the warning output device 25 to present a warning if the detected prohibited act is a second prohibited act and the degree of risk of the second prohibited act meets predetermined conditions. This configuration allows for the presentation of warnings by the warning output device 25 for prohibited acts that affect other users, thereby more strongly urging users who are engaging in prohibited acts to stop the prohibited acts.

[0087] (10) The first controller 26 may be configured not to issue a warning about the second prohibited act when multiple users, including the identified user, belong to a group of companions responding to a single ride request. This configuration allows for the suppression of a decrease in satisfaction with the ride-hailing service by not issuing warnings for prohibited acts that do not require a warning, i.e., minor prohibited acts within a group of companions such as friends or family (prohibited acts under the rules for using the ride-hailing service). (11) If the detected prohibited act is the second prohibited act and a non-companion user who does not belong to a group of companions is riding in the service vehicle 1, the first controller 26 may transmit information to the non-companion user's electronic device 3 requesting a response from whether or not they wish to request that the second prohibited act be stopped, and if the first controller 26 receives a response from the non-companion user's electronic device 3 indicating a request to stop the act, it may restrict the identified user's use of the service vehicle 1 in the future. This configuration allows for penalties to be imposed on users who cause discomfort to other users, and prevents blame and negative impacts on non-companion users who request that the prohibited act be stopped. Furthermore, by reflecting requests to stop prohibited behavior in the operation of the ride-hailing service, overall user satisfaction can be improved. (12) The first controller 26 may restrict the specified user's use of the service vehicle 1 from the next time onward if the detected prohibited behavior is a first prohibited behavior and the specified user continues to engage in the first prohibited behavior even after an alert is issued. This configuration allows for a penalty to be imposed on the user for engaging in the first prohibited behavior, while also improving safety in the ride-hailing service and, as a result, improving overall user satisfaction in the ride-hailing service.

[0088] 100... Dispatch system, 1... Service vehicle, 10... Positioning device, 11... Map database, 12... Driving sensor, 13... Vehicle control controller, 14... Actuator, 20... Vehicle alarm device, 21... Communication device, 22... User status sensor, 23... Passenger user database, 24... Risk level database, 25... Alarm output device, 251... Display device, 252... In-vehicle speaker, 26... First controller, 26a... Processor, 26b... Memory device, 60... Prohibited act detection unit, 61... Risk level determination unit, 62... Alarm level determination unit, 63... Alarm selection unit, 64... User identification unit, 65... Alarm transmission unit, 2... Server device, 42... Database, 3... Electronic device, 30... Positioning device, 31... Communication device, 32... Human-machine interface (HMI)

Claims

1. A vehicle alarm device installed in a service vehicle that operates in response to a ride-hailing request from a user of a ride-hailing service and carries multiple users, comprising a controller that performs the following: a process of monitoring the status of multiple users riding in the service vehicle and detecting predetermined prohibited acts; a process of identifying the user who is performing the prohibited act when the prohibited act is detected; and a process of transmitting information indicating an alarm corresponding to the prohibited act to a specific terminal device held by the identified user, thereby presenting the alarm to the user.

2. The vehicle alarm device according to claim 1, wherein the controller causes the specified terminal device to continue displaying the alarm during the period in which the specified user continues the prohibited act.

3. The vehicle alarm device according to claim 2, wherein the controller terminates the display of the alarm by the specified terminal device when it determines that the prohibited act by the specified user has ended.

4. The vehicle alarm device according to claim 1, wherein the controller, when it determines that a specified user has continued the prohibited act for a predetermined period of time, causes an alarm to be issued from an alarm output device installed in the passenger compartment of the service vehicle and displays the alarm in the passenger compartment.

5. The vehicle alarm device according to claim 4, wherein the controller transmits information indicating the alarm to the specified terminal device and requests a response from the specified user indicating that the alarm has been acknowledged, and if the prohibited act continues after receiving the information indicating the response from the specified terminal device, the alarm output device issues the alarm.

6. The vehicle alarm device according to claim 5, wherein the controller determines that the prohibited act by the specified user has ended, and simultaneously terminates the display of the alarm by the specified terminal device and the alarm output device.

7. The vehicle alarm device according to claim 5, wherein the controller determines that the prohibited act by the specified user has ended, and then terminates the display of the alarm by the alarm output device, and subsequently terminates the display of the alarm by the specified terminal device.

8. The vehicle warning device according to claim 4, wherein the controller classifies the detected prohibited act into a first prohibited act and a second prohibited act which is less dangerous than the first prohibited act, and the manner in which the warning is presented differs between the first prohibited act and the second prohibited act.

9. The vehicle alarm device according to claim 8, wherein the controller uses the alarm output device to issue the alarm when the detected prohibited act is a second prohibited act and the degree of danger meets predetermined conditions.

10. The vehicle warning device according to claim 8, wherein the controller does not issue the warning for the second prohibited act when multiple users, including the identified user, belong to a group of companions responding to a single ride request.

11. The vehicle alarm device according to claim 10, wherein the controller transmits information to the terminal device of a non-accompanying user requesting a response from whether or not to request the cessation of the second prohibited act if the detected prohibited act is the second prohibited act and a non-accompanying user who does not belong to the accompanying group is riding in the service vehicle, and when the controller receives a response from the terminal device of the non-accompanying user indicating a request to cessate the act, the controller restricts the identified user from using the service vehicle on subsequent occasions.

12. The vehicle alarm device according to claim 8, wherein the controller restricts the use of the service vehicle by the identified user on subsequent occasions if the detected prohibited act is the first prohibited act and the identified user continues the first prohibited act even after the alarm is issued.

13. An alarm method using an alarm device installed in a service vehicle that is operated in response to a ride-hailing request from a user of a ride-hailing service and carries multiple users, comprising: monitoring the actions of multiple users riding in the service vehicle to detect whether or not a predetermined prohibited act is being performed; identifying the user who performed the prohibited act when the prohibited act is detected; and transmitting information indicating an alarm corresponding to the prohibited act to a specific terminal device possessed by the identified user to present the alarm to the user.

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