Notification apparatus for notifying of in-vehicle presence

A vehicle notification apparatus includes an output unit, a riding detector, a driver detector, and a controller. The output unit is configured to output a leaving notification that provides notification of leaving behind of a passenger, etc. The riding detector is configured to detect passenger vehicle entering, passenger vehicle exiting, etc. The driver detector is configured to detect vehicle traveling stop operation, vehicle traveling start operation, driver vehicle entering operation, and driver vehicle exiting operation. The controller is configured to cause output of the leaving notification on a condition that the passenger vehicle entering, etc. has been detected when the vehicle traveling stop operation, the driver vehicle exiting operation, or both are detected, and also to cause the output of the leaving notification each time the vehicle traveling stop operation, the driver vehicle exiting operation, or both are detected, until the passenger vehicle exiting, etc. is detected.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-032889 filed on Feb. 27, 2018, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The technology relates to a notification apparatus that suppresses leaving behind of a passenger, baggage, or both in a vehicle.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (JP-A) No. 2013-129231 discloses a vehicle warning apparatus that outputs a warning in a case where there is a difference between an open-close pattern of a door at the time of entering with respect to a vehicle and an open-close pattern of the door at the time of exiting with respect to the vehicle.

For example, in a case where a driver has opened a rear door and let a passenger, baggage, or both get on a rear seat, this apparatus is able to output the warning for the driver when the driver opens a front door to exit the vehicle.

The warning makes the driver notice that the passenger, the baggage, or both are still in the vehicle. Therefore, the driver can open the rear door and let the passenger, the baggage, or both get off of the rear seat.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the technology provides a vehicle notification apparatus that includes an output unit, a riding detector, a driver detector, and a controller. The output unit is configured to output a leaving notification that provides a warning of leaving a passenger, baggage, or both behind in a vehicle. The riding detector is configured to detect any of passenger vehicle entering, passenger vehicle exiting, baggage vehicle entering, and baggage vehicle exiting. The passenger vehicle entering is entering of the passenger with respect to the vehicle. The passenger vehicle exiting is exiting of the passenger with respect to the vehicle. The baggage vehicle entering is entering of the baggage with respect to the vehicle. The baggage vehicle exiting is exiting of the baggage with respect to the vehicle. The driver detector is configured to detect any of vehicle traveling stop operation, vehicle traveling start operation, driver vehicle entering operation, and driver vehicle exiting operation. The vehicle traveling stop operation is operation, performed by a driver of the vehicle, directed to stopping of traveling of the vehicle. The vehicle traveling start operation is operation, performed by the driver, directed to starting of the traveling of the vehicle. The driver vehicle entering operation is operation, performed by the driver, directed to entering of the driver with respect to the vehicle. The driver vehicle exiting operation is operation, performed by the driver, directed to exiting of the driver with respect to the vehicle. The controller is configured to cause the output unit to output the leaving notification on a condition that the riding detector has already detected the passenger vehicle entering, the baggage vehicle entering, or both when the driver detector detects the vehicle traveling stop operation, the driver vehicle exiting operation, or both. The controller is also configured to cause the output unit to output the leaving notification each time the driver detector detects the vehicle traveling stop operation, the driver vehicle exiting operation, or both, until the riding detector detects the passenger vehicle exiting, the baggage vehicle exiting, or both.

An aspect of the technology provides a vehicle notification apparatus that includes an output unit, a riding detector, a driver detector, and circuitry. The output unit is configured to output a leaving notification that provides a warning of leaving a passenger, baggage, or both behind in a vehicle. The riding detector is configured to detect any of passenger vehicle entering, passenger vehicle exiting, baggage vehicle entering, and baggage vehicle exiting. The passenger vehicle entering is entering of the passenger with respect to the vehicle. The passenger vehicle exiting is exiting of the passenger with respect to the vehicle. The baggage vehicle entering is entering of the baggage with respect to the vehicle. The baggage vehicle exiting is exiting of the baggage with respect to the vehicle. The driver detector is configured to detect any of vehicle traveling stop operation, vehicle traveling start operation, driver vehicle entering operation, and driver vehicle exiting operation. The vehicle traveling stop operation is operation, performed by a driver of the vehicle, directed to stopping of traveling of the vehicle. The vehicle traveling start operation is operation, performed by the driver, directed to starting of the traveling of the vehicle. The driver vehicle entering operation is operation, performed by the driver, directed to entering of the driver with respect to the vehicle. The driver vehicle exiting operation is operation, performed by the driver, directed to exiting of the driver with respect to the vehicle. The circuitry is configured to cause the output unit to output the leaving notification on a condition that the riding detector has already detected the passenger vehicle entering, the baggage vehicle entering, or both when the driver detector detects the vehicle traveling stop operation, the driver vehicle exiting operation, or both. The circuitry is configured to cause the output unit to output the leaving notification each time the driver detector detects the vehicle traveling stop operation, the driver vehicle exiting operation, or both, until the riding detector detects the passenger vehicle exiting, the baggage vehicle exiting, or both.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following, a description is given of an implementation of the technology with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following description is directed to illustrative examples of the technology and not to be construed as limiting to the technology. Factors including, without limitation, numerical values, shapes, materials, components, positions of the components, and how the components are coupled to each other are illustrative only and not to be construed as limiting to the technology. Further, elements in the following example implementations which are not recited in a most-generic independent claim of the disclosure are optional and may be provided on an as-needed basis. The drawings are schematic and are not intended to be drawn to scale.

A warning apparatus according to JP-A No. 2013-129231 outputs a notification on the basis of an open-close pattern of a door; however, the warning is not output, for example, in the following case.

For example, after a driver temporarily exits a vehicle on the way of driving to a destination and enters the vehicle again, a vehicle may arrive at the destination where a passenger, baggage, or both are to be caused to exit the vehicle. In this case, the recent open-close pattern of the door directed to entering and exiting with respect to the vehicle includes only opening and closing of a front door which allows for entering and exiting of the driver with respect to the vehicle. In this case, although the passenger, the baggage, or both that have entered the vehicle upon the previous entering with respect to the vehicle still remain in the rear seat, the warning is not output.

In view of this, an improvement for a vehicle is desired that allows for more appropriate output of a warning directed to suppression of leaving-behind of a passenger or baggage.

FIG. 1is an explanatory diagram illustrating an automobile1according to an example implementation of the technology.

In one implementation, the automobile1may serve as a “vehicle”. The automobile1may travel by utilizing power of an internal combustion engine, stored electric power of a battery, or both.

The automobile1illustrated inFIG. 1may include a body2. The body2may include a vehicle compartment3that is provided at a middle part of the body2. The vehicle compartment3may be a compartment which an occupant such as a driver or a passenger enters. The body2may include a front door4and a rear door5that are provided at a side part of the body2. In one example, the rear door5may be provided at a back surface part of the body2. The driver may open and close the front door4to enter the vehicle compartment3and sit on a front seat6. The driver may also open and close the rear door5to cause the passenger to get on a rear seat7, for example. It is to be noted that baggage may also be put on the rear seat7or any other seat. The driver may operate operation members such as a steering wheel, a brake pedal, or an accelerator pedal, which is not illustrated in the drawing. Thus, the automobile1may travel, stop, turn right, and turn left in accordance with the operation of the driver.

FIG. 2is an explanatory diagram illustrating a control apparatus10of the automobile1illustrated inFIG. 1. In one implementation, the control apparatus10may serve as a “notification apparatus”.

The control apparatus10of the automobile1illustrated inFIG. 2may include an electrical control unit (ECU)11, multiple sensors, and multiple vehicle-mounted units. In one implementation, the ECU11may serve as a “controller”. The ECU11, the multiple sensors, and the multiple vehicle-mounted units may be coupled to each other via a network12.

For example, the network12may be a wired communication network conforming to a controller area network (CAN) or a local interconnect network (LIN). In one example, part of the network12may be a wireless communication network. The ECU11, the sensors, and the vehicle-mounted units may perform transmission and reception of data via the network12with each other.

For example,FIG. 2illustrates a front door opening-closing sensor13, a rear door opening-closing sensor14, and an ignition sensor15as examples of the multiple sensors.

FIG. 2also illustrates a meter panel16and a speaker17as examples of the multiple vehicle-mounted units.

The front door opening-closing sensor13may detect opening and closing of the front door4that is to be opened and closed at the time when the occupant such as the driver enters or exits the automobile1.

The rear door opening-closing sensor14may detect opening and closing of the rear door5that is to be opened and closed at the time when the passenger, the baggage, or both enter the automobile1.

The ignition sensor15may detect ON-OFF operation of an unillustrated ignition switch. The ignition switch may be operated to cause the automobile1to be in a travelable state.

On the basis of the ON operation performed on the ignition switch, the ECU11may start a power source such as an engine and also may allow the power source to be in a startable state.

On the basis of the OFF operation performed on the ignition switch, the ECU11may cause the power source such as an engine to be in a non-startable state.

The meter panel16may be provided at a dashboard that is positioned on front side of the front seat6in the vehicle compartment3. The meter panel16may include a message displaying device that displays a traveling state of the vehicle. Non-limiting examples of the message displaying device may include a liquid crystal device.

The speaker17may be provided to the front door4, the rear door5, or both, toward the vehicle compartment3. The speaker17may output, for example, a predetermined notification sound and a predetermined notification message.

In one example, the ECU11may be implemented by a computer device including a central processing unit (CPU), a random-access memory (RAM), storage, a network interface, and any other components. The CPU may read and execute a program from the storage. This may cause the ECU11to serve as a controller of the automobile1.

The ECU11may control traveling of the automobile1by controlling an internal combustion engine, a brake device, and a steering device, in accordance with operation performed by the driver on the operation member or a route guided by a route guiding device. The internal combustion engine, the brake device, and the steering device are not illustrated in the drawing.

Moreover, the ECU11may execute other control related to the automobile1by using the network interface to communicate with the sensors and the vehicle-mounted devices, which are coupled to the network12.

For example, in a case where the driver is present on the front seat6while the baggage, the passenger, or both are present on the rear seat7as illustrated inFIG. 1, the ECU11may output, from the message displaying device of the meter panel16or the speaker17, a leaving notification that warns the driver of leaving a passenger or baggage behind in the automobile1at the time when the driver exits the automobile1. Alternatively or additionally, for example, the ECU11may turn on an unillustrated notification lamp or may cause the steering wheel to vibrate. Thus, the control apparatus10illustrated inFIG. 2may serve as a notification apparatus of the automobile1.

In a case of outputting a notification directed to suppression of leaving-behind of a passenger or baggage in the automobile1, the notification may be preferably output only when it is necessary, rather than being output whenever the driver exits the automobile1.

This is because, if the notification directed to suppression of the leaving-behind is output whenever the driver exits the vehicle, the driver may become used to receive the notification and may not pay attention to the notification.

Meanwhile, the notification directed to suppression of the leaving-behind may be also desirably output in a situation other than a situation in which the driver causes the baggage, the passenger, or both to get on the rear seat7at the time the driver enters the automobile1.

For example, after the driver temporarily exits the automobile1on the way of driving to a destination, the driver may re-enter the automobile1and the automobile1may arrive at the destination where the passenger, the baggage, or both are to be caused to exit the automobile1. Also in this case, the notification directed to suppression of the leaving-behind may be desirably output.

In this case, probability that the driver who has entered and exited the automobile1a few times forgets to cause the passenger, the baggage, or both to exit the automobile1at the destination.

In view of these circumstances, there is a need to improve the notification directed to suppression of the leaving-behind and thereby achieve more appropriate output of the notification in the automobile1.

FIG. 3is a flowchart of a notification process to be performed by the ECU11serving as a controller illustrated inFIG. 2.

The process illustrated inFIG. 3may cause a leaving notification to be output each time the driver performs the OFF operation on the ignition switch to allow the driver himself to exit the vehicle, basically until exiting of the passenger, the baggage, or both with respect to the automobile1is detected.

The ECU11may execute the process illustrated inFIG. 3, basically each time the driver enters the automobile1.

With reference toFIG. 3, the ECU11may first cause a leaving notification operation to be in an OFF state as initial setting, in step ST1.

Causing the leaving notification operation in the OFF state refers to causing the leaving notification operation itself to be in the OFF state.

While the leaving notification operation is in the OFF state, it may not be possible to output the leaving notification.

After the leaving notification operation is caused to be in the OFF state, the ECU11may determine, in step ST2, whether the ON operation is performed on the ignition switch that has been in the OFF state, on the basis of detection performed by the ignition sensor15. The driver may first perform operation to cause the ignition switch to be in an ON state in a case where the driver is to start traveling of the automobile1.

When the ON operation is not performed on the ignition switch, the ECU11may determine, in step ST3, whether a person such as the driver opens and closes the rear door5to cause the passenger, the baggage, or both to enter the automobile1, on the basis of detection performed by the rear door opening-closing sensor14.

When the rear door5is not opened and closed, the ECU11may return the process to step ST2. The ECU11may repeat the process in step ST2and step ST3.

When the rear door5is opened and closed, the ECU11may record, in step ST4, time when the rear door5is opened and closed. The time when the rear door5is opened and closed may be, for example, based on time of a timer built in the ECU11. The ECU11may, for example, record the time when the rear door5is opened and closed, in the storage.

Thereafter, the ECU11may return the process to step ST2and may thereby repeat the process in step ST2and step ST3.

In response to the ON operation performed on the ignition switch, the ECU11may determine, in step ST5, whether the time when the rear door5is opened and closed is in a range of a predetermined pre-period before current timing at which the ON operation is performed on the ignition switch. The foregoing pre-period may be, for example, approximately 30 minutes.

Thus, even when the driver performs a light work after causing the passenger, the baggage, or both to enter the automobile1and be present on the rear seat7, the ECU11is able to detect that the passenger, the baggage, or both have entered the automobile1before the light work is performed.

When the time when the rear door5is opened and closed falls within the range of the predetermined pre-period, the ECU11may advance the process to step ST9, which will be described later.

When the time when the rear door5is opened and closed does not fall within the range of the predetermined pre-period, that is, when the predetermined pre-period has passed from the time when the rear door5is opened and closed at latest timing, the ECU11may cause, in step ST6, the leaving notification operation to be in a standby state.

The standby state of the leaving notification operation may be one state in a case where the leaving notification operation is in the ON state. During the standby state, the leaving notification operation is unable to output a notification. The standby state may be a preparatory step immediately before an output-ready state.

Thereafter, in step ST7, the ECU11may determine whether a person such as the driver opens and closes the rear door5to cause the passenger, the baggage, or both to enter the automobile1after the ON operation is performed on the ignition switch. The ECU11may perform the determination described above in step ST7on the basis of detection performed by the rear door opening-closing sensor14.

When the rear door5is not opened and closed, the ECU11may determine, in step ST8, whether the OFF operation is performed on the ignition switch that has been in the ON state. The ECU11may perform the determination described above in step ST8on the basis of detection performed by the ignition sensor15.

When the OFF operation is performed on the ignition switch, the ECU11may bring the process illustrated inFIG. 3to an end.

When the OFF operation is not performed on the ignition switch yet, the ECU11may return the process to step ST6. The ECU11may repeat the process from step ST6to step ST8directed to the standby state.

When the rear door5is opened and closed before the ON operation is performed on the ignition switch, or when the rear door5is opened and closed after the ON operation is performed on the ignition switch, the ECU11may cause the leaving notification operation to be in the output-ready state in step ST9.

The output-ready state of the leaving notification operation may be one state in a case where the leaving notification operation is in the ON state. The output-ready state may be a state in which the leaving notification operation is able to output the notification. The output-ready state may be a state in which the ECU11is able to output the notification at the time when the driver exits the automobile1.

Thereafter, in step ST10, the ECU11may determine whether the OFF operation is performed on the ignition switch that has been in the ON state.

When the OFF operation is not performed on the ignition switch yet, the ECU11may return the process to step ST9to maintain the output-ready state.

The ECU11may repeat the process in steps ST9and ST10until the OFF operation is performed on the ignition switch.

When the OFF operation is performed on the ignition switch, the ECU11may start outputting the leaving notification in step ST11. The ECU11may, for example, output an electronic sound from the speaker17to draw attention. In another example, the ECU11may display a message on the message displaying device of the meter panel16to notify a person of the possibility of the leaving-behind. For example, the ECU11may continue outputting the notification for a certain period.

After starting output of the notification, the ECU11may determine, in step ST12, whether a person such as the driver opens and closes the rear door5to cause the passenger, the baggage, or both to exit the automobile1.

When the rear door5is opened and closed to cause the passenger, the baggage, or both to exit the automobile1, the ECU11may bring the process illustrated inFIG. 3to the end.

When the rear door5is not opened and closed to cause the passenger, the baggage, or both to exit the automobile1, the ECU11may determine, in step ST13, whether the ON operation is performed again on the ignition switch on which the OFF operation has been once performed. Re-performing of the ON operation on the ignition switch while opening and closing of the rear door5are still not detected after the leaving notification is output may allow the ECU11to detect that the current stopping of the automobile1is not directed to exiting of the passenger, the baggage, or both with respect to the automobile1.

When the ON operation is performed again on the ignition switch, the ECU11may return the process to step ST9to cause the leaving notification operation to be in the output-ready state.

The ECU11may repeat the process from step ST9to step ST13until the rear door5is opened and closed to cause the passenger, the baggage, or both to exit the automobile1.

When the OFF operation is performed again on the ignition switch while the process from step ST9to step ST13is repeated, the ECU11may output the leaving notification again.

When the ON operation is not performed again on the ignition switch, the ECU11may determine, in step ST14, whether a predetermined post-period has passed after the notification is output. The post-period may be, for example, approximately 30 minutes.

When the predetermined post-period has not passed, the ECU11may return the process to step ST13.

The ECU11may repeat the process in steps ST13and ST14until the predetermined post-period passes.

When the predetermined post-period has passed while the ON operation is still not performed on the ignition switch again, the ECU11may determine, in step ST14, that the predetermined post-period has passed. The ECU11may thereby bring the process illustrated inFIG. 3to the end.

As described above, in the example implementation of the technology, the ECU11may output the leaving notification each time the ignition sensor15detects the OFF operation, performed by the driver, directed to stopping of the traveling of the automobile1, until the rear door opening-closing sensor14detects exiting of the passenger, the baggage, or both with respect to the automobile1.

Thus, for example, in a case where, after the driver temporarily enters and exits the automobile1on the way of driving to a destination, the automobile1arrives at the destination where the passenger, the baggage, or both are to be caused to exit the automobile1, the notification directed to suppression of the leaving-behind is allowed to be output at the destination.

The output of the notification directed to suppression of the leaving-behind at the destination where the passenger, the baggage, or both are to be caused to exit the automobile1makes it more difficult for the driver the driver to forget to cause the passenger, the baggage, or both to exit the automobile1.

In the example implementation of the technology, in a case where the rear door opening-closing sensor14detects opening and closing of the rear door5after the ignition sensor15detects the ON operation that is performed by the driver to start the traveling of the automobile1, the ECU11may determine that entering of the passenger, the baggage, or both with respect to the automobile1is detected, on the basis of the result of the detection performed by the rear door opening-closing sensor14.

Thus, in a case where the driver causes the passenger, the baggage, or both to enter the automobile1after the driver opens and closes the front door4to start entering or to start preparing for the entering with respect to the automobile1, it is allowed to detect causing the passenger, the baggage, or both to enter the automobile1to be present on the rear seat7.

Moreover, in the example implementation, the ECU11may determine that the entering of the passenger, the baggage, or both with respect to the automobile1is detected also in a case where the rear door opening-closing sensor14detects opening and closing of the rear door5in the predetermined pre-period before the timing when the ignition sensor15detects the ON operation that is performed by the driver to start the traveling of the automobile1.

Thus, also in a case where the driver enters the automobile1after causing the passenger, the baggage, or both to enter the automobile1and be present on the rear seat7, the ECU11is able to detect the entering of the passenger, the baggage, or both with respect to the automobile1.

As described above, the example implementation enables appropriate detection of a state of the entering and exiting of the passenger, the baggage, and the driver based on simple detection regardless of the time relationship between the entering of the passenger, the baggage, or both with respect to the automobile1and the entering of the driver with respect to the automobile1. The simple detection may include detection of opening and closing of the rear door5, which is performed by the rear door opening-closing sensor14, and detection of the ON operation and the OFF operation performed on the ignition switch, which is performed by the ignition sensor15.

In the example implementation, in a case where the ignition sensor15detects the ON operation that is performed by the driver to start the traveling of the automobile1while the rear door opening-closing sensor14still does not detect opening and closing of the rear door5after the leaving notification is output, the ECU11may determine that exiting of the passenger, the baggage, or both with respect to the automobile1is not detected.

Thus, when the ignition sensor15detects the OFF operation that is performed by the driver to stop the traveling of the automobile1after the above-described determination, by the ECU11, that the exiting of the passenger, the baggage, or both with respect to the automobile1is not detected, the notification directed to suppression of the leaving-behind is allowed to be output again.

The notification may be output each time the driver exits the automobile1, until the driver opens and closes the rear door5to cause the passenger, the baggage, or both to exit the automobile1. This allows for continuous attention drawing directed to suppression of the leaving-behind.

Although some example implementations of the technology have been described in the foregoing by way of example, the technology is by no means limited to the example implementations described above. It should be appreciated that modifications and alterations may be made by persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope as defined by the appended claims. The technology is intended to include such modifications and alterations in so far as they fall within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

According to one example implementation of the technology, a controller may output a leaving notification each time a driver detector detects vehicle traveling stop operation, driver vehicle exiting operation, or both, until a riding detector detects passenger vehicle exiting, baggage vehicle exiting, or both.

Thus, according to one example implementation of the technology, for example, in a case where, after the driver temporarily enters and exits a vehicle on the way of driving to a destination, the vehicle arrives at the destination where the passenger, the baggage, or both are to be caused to exit the vehicle, the leaving notification is allowed to be output at the destination.

FIG. 4is a flowchart according to a modification example of the notification process illustrated inFIG. 3.

When the ON operation is performed again on the ignition switch in step ST13illustrated inFIG. 4, the ECU11may return the process to step ST12.

In this case, the ECU11may uniformly continue to repeatedly output the leaving notification until the rear door opening-closing sensor14detects exiting of the passenger, the baggage, or both with respect to the automobile1, regardless of whether the predetermined post-period has passed or not.

In the forgoing example implementation, in order to suppress the leaving-behind, the ECU11may output, from the speaker17, an electronic sound directed to drawing attention and may display a message on the message displaying device of the meter panel16to provide notification of the possibility of the leaving-behind.

Other than this, for example, the ECU11may output, from the speaker17, a message that provides notification of the possibility of the leaving-behind.

Alternatively or additionally, the ECU11may cause a device such as a notification lamp of the meter panel16, a direction indicator, or an interior light, to blink.

Moreover, in one example, the ECU11may send a message that provides notification of the possibility of the leaving-behind, to a device carried by the driver via a wireless communication device. Non-limiting examples of the device carried by the driver may include a portable terminal or a keyless entry device.

In the foregoing example implementation, the ECU11may determine entering and exiting of the passenger, the baggage, or both with respect to the automobile1on the basis of the detection performed by the rear door opening-closing sensor14which detects opening and closing of the rear door5.

Other than this, for example, the ECU11may determine entering and exiting of the passenger, the baggage, or both with respect to the automobile1on the basis of detection performed by a device such as a seating sensor, a non-contact sensor, or a camera of an occupant monitoring device. The seating sensor may be provided to the rear seat7and may detect pressure. The non-contact sensor may detect an object loaded on the rear seat7.

In the foregoing example implementation, the ECU11may determine entering and exiting of the driver with respect to the automobile1on the basis of detection performed by the ignition sensor15which detects the ON-OFF operation performed on the ignition switch. The ignition switch may be operated to start the traveling of the automobile1.

Other than this, for example, the ECU11may determine entering and exiting of the driver with respect to the automobile1on the basis of detection performed by a device such as the front door opening-closing sensor13, a seating sensor, a non-contact sensor, or a camera of an occupant monitoring device. The front door opening-closing sensor13may detect opening and closing of the front door4. The seating sensor may be provided to the front seat6and may detect pressure. The non-contact sensor may detect an object loaded on the front seat6.

In addition, for example, the ECU11may determine entering and exiting of the driver with respect to the automobile1on the basis of detection performed by a sensor that detects operation performed on the operation member such as the accelerator pedal, the brake pedal, or a shift lever which are to be operated to allow for the traveling of the automobile1.