CONTROL DEVICE, VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEM, CONTROL METHOD AND STORAGE MEDIUM

In a center server as a control device, a processor is configured to acquire vehicle information on a vehicle, determine a driving skill of a driver from the acquired vehicle information, and notify the driver of permission information for permitting use of a function of the vehicle or application of equipment to the vehicle according to the determined driving skill.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-121745 filed on Jul. 26, 2021, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a control device, a vehicle control system, a control method, and a storage medium for controlling a vehicle.

2. Description of Related Art

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2012-117877 (JP 2012-117877 A) discloses a technique for ranking vehicles into a vehicle S of the highly advanced rank, a vehicle A of the advanced rank, a vehicle B of the intermediate rank, and a vehicle C of the beginner rank, which is a movement skill control device that enables information on movement skills of other vehicles to be acquired.

SUMMARY

The technique described in JP 2012-117877 A only ranks drivers, and there is room for improvement in encouraging the ranked drivers to improve their driving skills.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a control device, a vehicle control system, a control method, and a storage medium capable of encouraging a driver to improve the driving skill by permitting or restricting use of a function of a vehicle or application of equipment to the vehicle according to the driving skill of the driver.

A control device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes a processor. The processor is configured to acquire vehicle information on a vehicle, determine a driving skill of a driver from the acquired vehicle information, and notify the driver of permission information for permitting use of a function of the vehicle or application of equipment to the vehicle according to the determined driving skill.

In the control device of the first aspect, the processor determines the driving skill of the driver based on the vehicle information. Then, for example, when the determined driving skill is high, the control device permits the use of the function of the vehicle or the application of the equipment to the vehicle, and when the determined driving skill is low, the control device restricts the use of the function of the vehicle or the application of the equipment to the vehicle. Therefore, when the driver wishes to use the function of the vehicle or apply the equipment to the vehicle, the driver endeavors to improve the driving skill. That is, with the control device, it is possible to encourage the driver to improve the driving skill by permitting or restricting the use of the function of the vehicle or the application of the equipment to the vehicle according to the driving skill of the driver.

In the first aspect, the processor may provide an advice from a driver having a higher driving skill.

According to the control device having the above configuration, it is possible to encourage the driver to improve the driving skill by providing the advice from the driver having the higher driving skill to a driver determined to have the lower driving skill.

In the above aspect, the processor may determine the driving skill according to a model of the vehicle.

According to the control device having the above configuration, the driving skill can be determined by excluding the influence of a difference in a vehicle model.

In the above embodiment, a vehicle control system may include the control device of the first aspect, and the vehicle of which the use of the function or to which the application of the equipment according to the permission information is permitted.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to encourage the driver to improve the driving skill by permitting the use of the function of the vehicle or the application of the equipment to the vehicle according to the driving skill of the driver.

In the above configuration, the permission information may have a set deadline in the vehicle, and the vehicle may prohibit permission of the use of the function or the application of the equipment by the permission information of which the set deadline has expired.

According to the above configuration, when the time has passed after the reception of the determination of the driving skill, the reliability of the determination can be guaranteed by invalidating the permission of the use of the function of the vehicle or the application of the equipment to the vehicle.

In a control method according to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a computer executes processes including acquiring vehicle information on a vehicle, determining a driving skill of a driver from the acquired vehicle information, and notifying the driver of permission information for permitting use of a function of the vehicle or application of equipment to the vehicle according to the determined driving skill.

According to the above aspect, the computer determines the driving skill of the driver based on the vehicle information. Then, in the control method, for example, when the determined driving skill is high, the use of the function of the vehicle or the application of the equipment to the vehicle is permitted, and when the determined driving skill is low, the use of the function of the vehicle or the application of the equipment to the vehicle is restricted. Therefore, when the driver wishes to use the function of the vehicle or apply the equipment to the vehicle, the driver endeavors to improve the driving skill. That is, according to the control method, it is possible to encourage the driver to improve the driving skill by permitting or restricting the use of the function of the vehicle or the application of the equipment to the vehicle according to the driving skill of the driver.

A storage medium according to a third aspect of the present disclosure stores a program that causes a computer to execute acquiring vehicle information on a vehicle, determining a driving skill of a driver from the acquired vehicle information, and notifying the driver of permission information for permitting use of a function of the vehicle or application of equipment to the vehicle according to the determined driving skill.

The computer in which the program stored in the storage medium of the third aspect is executed is configured to determine the driving skill of the driver based on the vehicle information. Then, for example, when the determined driving skill is high, the computer permits the use of the function of the vehicle or the application of the equipment to the vehicle, and w % ben the determined driving skill is low, the control device restricts the use of the function of the vehicle or the application of the equipment to the vehicle. Therefore, when the driver wishes to use the function of the vehicle or apply the equipment to the vehicle, the driver endeavors to improve the driving skill. That is, according to the storage medium storing the program, it is possible to encourage the driver to improve the driving skill by permitting or restricting the use of the function of the vehicle or the application of the equipment to the vehicle according to the driving skill of the driver.

That is, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to encourage the driver to improve the driving skill by permitting or restricting the use of the function of the vehicle or the application of the equipment to the vehicle according to the driving skill of the driver.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A vehicle control system including a control device of the present disclosure will be described. The vehicle control system is a system that permits or restricts use of a function of a vehicle or application of equipment to the vehicle according to the driving skill of a driver of the vehicle.

Overall Structure

As shown inFIG.1, a vehicle control system10according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a vehicle12, a center server30as a control device, and a terminal40. Further, the vehicle12is equipped with an on-board unit20. The on-board unit20, the center server30, and the terminal40are connected to each other through a network N. AlthoughFIG.1shows one vehicle12, one on-board unit20, and one terminal40with respect to one center server30, but the numbers of the vehicles12, the on-board units20, and the terminals40are not limited to one.

The center server30is installed in, for example, a manufacturer that manufactures the vehicle12or a car dealer affiliated with the manufacturer. The terminal40is shown as an example of a smartphone or a personal computer owned by an owner and an administrator of the vehicle12.

Vehicle

As shown inFIG.2, the vehicle12according to the present embodiment includes the on-board unit20, a plurality of electronic control units (ECUs)22, and a plurality of on-board devices24.

The on-board unit20includes a central processing unit (CPU)20A, a read-only memory (ROM)20B, a random access memory (RAM)20C, an in-vehicle communication interface (I/F)20D, and a wireless communication I/F20E. The CPU20A, the ROM20B, the RAM20C, the in-vehicle communication I/F20D, and the wireless communication I/F20E are connected so as to be able to communicate with each other via an internal bus20G.

The CPU20A is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls various units. That is, the CPU20A reads the program from the ROM20B and executes the program using the RAM20C as a work area.

The ROM20B stores various programs and various data. The ROM20B according to the present embodiment stores a control program100that collects vehicle information related to the state and control of the vehicle12from the ECUs22, and permits or restricts the use of the function of the vehicle12or the application of the equipment to the vehicle12. Along with the execution of the control program100, the on-board unit20executes each process including the setting process described below. Further, the ROM20B stores history information110that is backup data of the vehicle information. The RAM20C temporarily stores a program or data as a work area.

The in-vehicle communication I/F20D is an interface for connecting to each of the ECUs22. For the interface, a communication standard based on a controller area network (CAN) protocol is used. The in-vehicle communication I/F20D is connected to an external bus20H.

The wireless communication I/F20E is a wireless communication module for communicating with the center server30. For the wireless communication module, for example, communication standards such as fifth generation (5G), long term evolution (LTE), and Wi-Fi (registered trademark) are used. The wireless communication I/F20E is connected to the network N.

The ECUs22include at least an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS)—ECU22A, a steering ECU22B, a brake ECU22C, and an engine ECU22D.

The ADAS-ECU22A controls an advanced driver assistance system in an integrated manner. A vehicle speed sensor24A, a yaw rate sensor24B, and an external sensor24C that constitute the on-board devices24are connected to the ADAS-ECU22A. The external sensor24C is a group of sensors used for detecting the surrounding environment of the vehicle12. The external sensor24C includes, for example, a camera that captures images of surrounding areas of the vehicle12, a millimeter-wave radar that transmits an exploration wave and receives a reflective wave, a laser imaging detection and ranging (LiDAR) that scans a front area of the vehicle12, and the like.

The steering ECU22B controls power steering. A steering angle sensor24D constituting the on-board devices24is connected to the steering ECU22B. The steering angle sensor24D is a sensor that detects the steering angle of the steering wheel.

The brake ECU22C controls a brake system of the vehicle12. A brake actuator24E constituting the on-board devices24is connected to the brake ECU22C.

The engine ECU22D controls an engine of the vehicle12. A throttle actuator24F and sensors24G constituting the on-board devices24are connected to the engine ECU22D. The sensors24G include an oil temperature sensor for measuring the oil temperature of engine oil, an oil pressure sensor for measuring the oil pressure of the engine oil, and a rotation sensor for detecting a rotation speed of the engine.

As shown inFIG.3, in the on-board unit20according to the present embodiment, the CPU20A functions as a collection unit200, an output unit210, and a permission application unit220by executing the control program100.

The collection unit200has a function of acquiring vehicle information related to the state of the on-board device24from each ECU22of the vehicle12and the state of the vehicle12obtained from the on-board device24. The vehicle information includes information on a vehicle speed, acceleration, yaw rate, steering angle, an accelerator operation amount, brake pedal depression force, stroke or the like. Further, the vehicle information may include an image of an area outside the vehicle12captured by the camera as the external sensor24C.

The output unit210has a function of outputting the vehicle information collected by the collection unit200to the center server30.

The permission application unit220has a function of executing permission or restriction of the use of the function of the vehicle12and permission or restriction of the application of the equipment to the vehicle12based on the permission information acquired from the center server30. Examples of the function of the vehicle12include functions controlled by the ECU22such as an engine output mode and an advanced driver assistance system. Examples of the equipment of the vehicle12include functions that can be monitored by the ECU22such as an exterior option, color scheme, and the like of the vehicle12.

Center Server

As shown inFIG.4, the center server30includes a CPU30A, a ROM30B, a RAM30C, a storage30D, and a communication I/F30E. The CPU30A, the ROM30B, the RAM30C, the storage30D, and the communication I/F30E are connected so as to be able to communicate with each other via an internal bus30G. The functions of the CPU30A, the ROM30B, the RAM30C and the communication I/F30E are the same as those of the CPU20A, the ROM20B, the RAM20C and the wireless communication I/F20E of the on-board unit20described above. The communication I/F30E may perform wired communication.

The storage30D as a memory is composed of a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD), and stores various programs and various data. The storage30D according to the present embodiment stores a processing program150, a vehicle model information database (DB)160, a history information DB170, a determination table180, and an advice information DB190. The ROM30B may store the processing program150, the vehicle model information DB160, the history information DB170, the determination table180, and the advice information DB190.

The processing program150as a program is a program for controlling the center server30. Along with the execution of the processing program150, the center server30executes each process including a determination process for determining the driving skill of the driver of the vehicle12.

The vehicle model information DB160is a database in which information on functions, equipment, specifications, and the like for each vehicle model is stored. The history information DB170stores the history of the determination result of each driver registered in the center server30.

The determination table180stores information to be referred to when the rank of the driving skill of the driver is determined.

In the advice information DB190, advice information related to the advice from a driver having a highly ranked driving skill is stored for each driving mode. The advice information is information for encouraging the driver to improve the driving skill, such as an advice on driving operations and attitude for safe driving. The advice information may be in any form of voice information, text information, and image information.

As shown inFIG.5, in the center server30according to the present embodiment, the CPU30A functions as an acquisition unit250, a determination unit260, a notification unit270, and a provision unit280by executing the processing program150.

The acquisition unit250has a function of acquiring the vehicle information of the vehicle12from the on-board unit20of the vehicle12. The acquisition unit250acquires the vehicle information transmitted from the on-board unit20at any timing.

The determination unit260has a function of determining the driving skill of the driver of the vehicle12related to the vehicle information based on the vehicle information acquired by the acquisition unit250. Specifically, the determination unit260ranks a driver according to driving modes such as acceleration and deceleration of the vehicle12, a steering operation of the vehicle12, an inter-vehicle distance from other vehicles to the vehicle12, and a distance from pedestrians to the vehicle12.

The notification unit270has a function of notifying the user of the vehicle12of permission information. Specifically, the notification unit270generates the permission information for permitting the use of the function of the vehicle12or the application of the equipment to the vehicle12according to the driving skill determined by the determination unit260. For example, when the skill in the driving mode related to the acceleration and deceleration, and the steering operations is high, the notification unit270generates permission information for permitting the use of the sports mode function having a high engine output. Further, for example, when the skill in the driving mode related to the inter-vehicle distance is low, the notification unit270generates permission information for restricting the cancellation of the advanced driver assistance system. Further, for example, when the skill in the driving mode related to the accelerator operation is high, the notification unit270generates permission information for permitting the application of the predetermined exterior parts. Further, for example, when the skill in the driving mode related to the brake operation is low, the notification unit270generates permission information for restricting the application of the predetermined interior options.

Then, the notification unit270transmits the generated permission information to the on-board unit20. The permission information according to this embodiment includes information on date and time at which the permission information is generated.

The provision unit280has a function of notifying the on-board unit20of the vehicle12of the advice information. Specifically, the provision unit280selects an advice corresponding to the driving skill and the driving mode of the driver from the advice information DB190, and provides the advice to the on-board unit20.

Flow of Control

The flow of processing as a control method executed by the vehicle control system10according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the sequence diagram ofFIG.6and the flowcharts ofFIGS.7and8. The process in the on-board unit20is executed by the CPU20A of the on-board unit20functioning as the collection unit200, the output unit210, and the permission application unit220. Further, the process in the center server30is executed by the CPU30A of the center server30functioning as the acquisition unit250, the determination unit260, the notification unit270, and the provision unit280.

In step S10ofFIG.6, the restriction setting is executed on the terminal40of the administrator or the owner. For example, through the touch panel of the terminal40that is a smartphone, the administrator or the owner can make settings related to the restriction of the use of the power mode in which the acceleration performance is improved.

In step S11, the terminal40transmits, to the center server30, restriction information on the function of which the use is restricted or the equipment of which the application is restricted. The processes in steps S10and S11are not essential processes, and a process may be started from step S12.

In step S12, in the on-board unit20, the CPU20A transmits vehicle information to the center server30. The vehicle information is transmitted at any timing, such as when an ignition in the vehicle12is turned ON or OFF, or when a command requesting transmission of the vehicle information is received from the center server30.

In step S13, in the center server30, the CPU30A executes the determination process. Details of the determination process will be described below. As a result of the determination process, permission information and, as necessary, advice information are generated.

In step S14, in the center server30, the CPU30A transmits the permission information and the advice information to the on-board unit20.

In step S15, in the center server30, the CPU30A transmits, to the terminal40, determination result information in the determination process.

In step S16, the terminal40that has received the determination result information notifies the user of the determination result.

In step S17, in the on-board unit20that has received the permission information, the CPU20A executes the setting process. Details of the setting process will be described below.

In step S18, in the on-board unit20that has received the advice information, the CPU20A executes an advice notification process. Specifically, the CPU20A notifies the user of the content of the advice information, that is, the content of the advice from a driver having a highly ranked driving skill through a display device such as a monitor or a center display of a car navigation device connected to the on-board unit20, and a speaker.

In step S19, in the center server30, the CPU30A updates the history of the determination result. That is, the CPU30A updates the history information DB170based on the determination result of this time.

Next, details of the determination process in step S13will be described. In step S100ofFIG.7, the CPU30A acquires the vehicle information.

In step S101, the CPU30A acquires vehicle model information. Specifically, the CPU30A acquires information on functions, equipment, specifications, and the like of the vehicle12from the vehicle model information DB160.

In step S102, the CPU30A executes the driving skill determination. Specifically, the CPU30A makes a correction for each vehicle model to the vehicle information, and then determines the driving skill of the driver based on the determination table180.

In step S103, the CPU30A generates the permission information. Specifically, the CPU30A generates information related to permission or restriction of the use of the function of the vehicle12and provision of the equipment to the vehicle12based on the rank of the driving skill for each driving mode.

In step S104, the CPU30A determines whether the advice is necessary. Specifically, the CPU30A determines that the advice is necessary when there is a driving mode in which the rank of the driving skill is equal to or lower than a preset rank. When the CPU30A determines that the advice is necessary (YES in step S104), the CPU30A proceeds to step S105. On the other hand, when the CPU30A determines that the advice is not necessary (NO in step S104), the CPU30A ends the determination process.

In step S105, the CPU30A selects advice information. That is, the CPU30A selects the corresponding advice information from the advice information DB190for the driving mode in which the rank of the driving skill is equal to or lower than the preset rank. Then, the CPU30A ends the determination process.

Next, details of the setting process in step S17will be described. In step S200ofFIG.8, the CPU20A acquires the permission information.

In step S201, the CPU20A confirms the deadline included in the permission information.

In step S202, the CPU20A determines whether information on the current date and time in the permission information is within the deadline. When the CPU20A determines that the current date and time is within the deadline (YES in step S202), the CPU20A proceeds to step S203. On the other hand, when the CPU20A determines that the current date and time is not within the deadline, that is, the deadline has expired (NO in step S202), the CPU20A ends the setting process.

In step S203, the CPU20A executes a permission and restriction setting. Specifically, the CPU20A executes settings for permitting a function and equipment to be permitted, and settings for restricting a function and equipment to be restricted. Then, each setting is reflected in each ECU22. As a result, the function permitted to be used is executed in the vehicle12, and the equipment permitted to be applied is accepted by the vehicle12. On the other hand, the function of which the use is restricted is not executed in the vehicle12, and the equipment of which the application is restricted is not accepted by the vehicle12, and even when such equipment can be physically installed, the equipment cannot be used. Then, the CPU20A ends the setting process.

SUMMARY

The center server30as the control device according to the present embodiment determines the driving skill of the driver of the vehicle12based on the vehicle information acquired from the vehicle12. Then, when the determined driving skill is high, the center server30permits the use of the function of the vehicle12or the application of the equipment to the vehicle12, and when the determined driving skill is low, the center server30restricts the use of the function of the vehicle12or the application of the equipment to the vehicle12. Therefore, when the driver wishes to use the function of the vehicle12or apply the equipment to the vehicle12, the driver endeavors to improve the driving skill. That is, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to encourage the driver to improve the driving skill by permitting or restricting the use of the function of the vehicle12or the application of the equipment to the vehicle12according to the driving skill of the driver.

Further, with the center server30according to the present embodiment, it is possible to encourage the driver to improve the driving skill by providing the advice from the driver having the higher driving skill to the driver determined to have the lower driving skill.

Further, with the center server30according to the present embodiment, the driving skill is determined based on the vehicle model information. That is, according to the present embodiment, the driving skill can be determined by excluding the influence of a difference in the vehicle model.

Further, with the vehicle control system10according to the present embodiment, when the time has passed after the reception of the determination of the driving skill, the reliability of the determination is guaranteed by invalidating the permission of the use of the function of the vehicle12or the application of the equipment to the vehicle12.

Remarks

In the above embodiment, the center server30is used as the control device, but the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the on-board unit20may be used as the control device. In this case, the on-board unit20collects the vehicle information of the vehicle12on which the on-board unit20is mounted, executes a determination process, and executes a setting process.

It should be noted that various processors other than the CPU may execute the various processes that are executed when the CPU20A and the CPU30A read the software (program) in the above embodiment. Examples of the processors in this case include a programmable logic device (PLD) such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) for which a circuit configuration can be changed after production, a dedicated electric circuit that is a processor having a circuit configuration designed exclusively for executing a specific process, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and the like. Further, each process described above may be executed by one of these various processors, or a combination of two or more processors of the same type or different types (for example, a combination of FPGAs, a combination of a CPU and an FPGA, and the like). Further, the hardware structure of each of the various processors is, more specifically, an electric circuit in which circuit elements such as semiconductor elements are combined.

Further, in the above embodiment, a mode in which each program is stored (installed) in a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium (storage medium) in advance is described. For example, the control program100in the on-board unit20is stored in advance in the ROM20B, and the processing program150in the center server30is stored in advance in the storage30D. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the program may be recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disc read-only memory (DVD-ROM), and a universal serial bus (USB) memory to be provided. Further, the program may be downloaded from an external device via a network.

The flow of processing described in the above embodiment is an example, and unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps may be added, or the process order may be changed within a range that does not deviate from the gist.