Patent ID: 12194172

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. For the purpose of facilitation of description, the following description and the drawings are appropriately simplified.

First Embodiment

An in-vehicle sterilization system according to a first embodiment can be suitably used to sterilize the inside of a vehicle which is used, for example, for car-sharing.FIG.1is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the in-vehicle sterilization system according to this embodiment. In the present disclosure, “sterilization” is not limited to disinfection or sterilization has and includes a concept including deactivation of viruses.

As illustrated inFIG.1, an in-vehicle sterilization system1includes an ultraviolet emission device2, a detection device3, and a control device4, which are connected to each other via a network5. Here, the network5is, for example, the Internet which is constructed by a telephone circuit network, a radio communication line, Ethernet (registered trademark), and the like. The ultraviolet emission device2, the detection device3, and the control device4can be connected to each other in a wired or wireless manner.

The ultraviolet emission device2emits, for example, ultraviolet light in a wavelength range of about 10 nm to 400 nm.FIG.2is a diagram illustrating arrangement of the ultraviolet emission device and the detection device according to this embodiment. As illustrated inFIG.2, the ultraviolet emission device2is arranged inside of a vehicle6. At this time, the ultraviolet emission device2can be arranged inside of the vehicle6such that a place in contact with a person inside of the vehicle6is able to be irradiated with ultraviolet light.

Specifically, in this embodiment, the ultraviolet emission device2includes a first ultraviolet emission device21, a second ultraviolet emission device22, and a third ultraviolet emission device23. The first ultraviolet emission device21is provided inside of the vehicle6such that a seat61, an armrest, or the like of the vehicle6is able to be irradiated with ultraviolet light and is provided, for example, on a ceiling62of the vehicle6.

The second ultraviolet emission device22is provided inside of the vehicle6such that the rear of a steering wheel63of the vehicle6is irradiated with ultraviolet light and is provided, for example, on a front panel64of the vehicle6. The third ultraviolet emission device23is provided inside of the vehicle6such that a floor mat65of the vehicle6is able to be irradiated with ultraviolet light and is provided, for example, below the seat61of the vehicle6. Here, the arrangement or the number of the ultraviolet emission device2is not particularly limited as long as it can irradiate a place in contact with a person inside of the vehicle6with ultraviolet light.

The detection device3detects a state of use of the vehicle6such as a person having boarded or alighted from the vehicle6. The detection device3includes, for example, a camera. As illustrated inFIG.2, the detection device3is provided inside of the vehicle6such that the seat61, a bucket space66, or the like of the vehicle6is included in an imaging range and is provided, for example, on the ceiling62of the vehicle6.

The detection device3has only to have a configuration or arrangement that can detect a person present inside of the vehicle6, and may include a weight sensor or a respiration sensor provided in the seat61of the vehicle6, an infrared camera, or the like.

The control device4includes a vehicle state acquiring unit41, a determination unit42, a plan establishing unit43, and a control unit44. The vehicle state acquiring unit41acquires a state of the vehicle6. The vehicle state acquiring unit41acquires, for example, a schedule of use of the vehicle6or a state of use of the vehicle6as the state of the vehicle6from a management device7.

For example, the management device7is owned by a car-sharing company to manage the schedule of use of the vehicle6or the like and is connected to the network5. The management device7generates a schedule of use, for example, based on a desired use time period of the vehicle6which has been input by a person who wants to use the vehicle6(that is, a user).

For example, the vehicle state acquiring unit41acquires an image obtained by imaging the inside of the vehicle6as the state of the vehicle6from the detection device3. The vehicle state acquiring unit41has only to be able to acquire the state of the vehicle6and, for example, may acquire a desired use time period of the vehicle6input by a user without using the management device7or may include the detection device3.

The determination unit42determines whether a person including a user is present inside of the vehicle6based on the state of the vehicle6. That is, for example, the determination unit42may determine that a person is not present inside of the vehicle6in a time period in which a schedule of use of the vehicle6has a vacancy and determines that a person is present inside of the vehicle6in other time periods.

Here, when the use of the vehicle6ends earlier than that in the schedule of use based on the state of use of the vehicle6, the determination unit42can determine that a person is not present inside of the vehicle6.

Based on an image obtained by imaging the inside of the vehicle6, the determination unit42determines whether a person is present inside of the vehicle6and determines whether a person has boarded or alighted from the vehicle6. For example, when it is determined that a person has boarded the vehicle6based on the image, the determination unit42may determine that a user has started the use of the vehicle6and a person is present inside of the vehicle6. On the other hand, for example, when it is determined that a person has alighted from the vehicle6based on the image, the determination unit42may determine that the user has ended the use of the vehicle6and a person is not present inside of the vehicle6.

The plan establishing unit43establishes a plan to sterilize the inside of the vehicle6using the ultraviolet emission device2. For example, the plan establishing unit43establishes a plan to sterilize the inside of the vehicle6using the ultraviolet emission device2after a preset first time has elapsed from a use end time of the vehicle6and until a preset second time before a use start time of the vehicle6in the schedule of use. Here, the plan establishing unit43can establish a plan to sterilize the inside of the vehicle6using the ultraviolet emission device2while a person is not present inside of the vehicle6.

The control unit44controls the ultraviolet emission device2with reference to a result of determination of whether a person is present inside of the vehicle6. For example, the control unit44controls the ultraviolet emission device2based on the plan to sterilize the inside of the vehicle6using the ultraviolet emission device2.

A process flow of sterilizing the inside of the vehicle6using the in-vehicle sterilization system1according to this embodiment will be described below.FIG.3is a flowchart illustrating a process flow of sterilizing the inside of a vehicle using the in-vehicle sterilization system according to this embodiment. Here, it is assumed that the vehicle state acquiring unit41of the control device4acquires an image of the inside of the vehicle6from the detection device3in real time.

First, the determination unit42of the control device4determines whether a user has alighted from the vehicle6and ended use of the vehicle6based on an image of the inside of the vehicle6(S1). When it is determined that the user has not ended use of the vehicle6(NO in S1), the determination unit42of the control device4returns to the process of S1.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the user has alighted from the vehicle6and ended use of the vehicle6(YES in S1), the vehicle state acquiring unit41of the control device4acquires a schedule of use of the vehicle6from the management device7(S2).

Then, the plan establishing unit43of the control device4establishes a plan to sterilize the inside of the vehicle6using the ultraviolet emission device2, that is, to irradiate the inside of the vehicle6using the ultraviolet emission device2based on a schedule of use of the vehicle6(S3). Then, when it is time to start irradiation with ultraviolet light using the ultraviolet emission device2, the determination unit42of the control device4determines whether a person including the user is present inside of the vehicle6based on an image of the inside of the vehicle6(S4).

When a person is present inside of the vehicle6(YES in S4), the control device4stops sterilization of the inside of the vehicle6using the ultraviolet emission device2(S5). On the other hand, when a person is not present inside of the vehicle6(NO in S4), the control unit44of the control device4controls the ultraviolet emission device2such that sterilization of the inside of the vehicle6using the ultraviolet emission device2is performed (S6).

At this time, the determination unit42of the control device4determines whether a person is present inside of the vehicle6based on an image of the inside of the vehicle6(S7), and the control unit44can control the ultraviolet emission device2such that sterilization of the inside of the vehicle6using the ultraviolet emission device2is stopped (S5) when a person is present inside of the vehicle6(YES in S7). On the other hand, when a person is not present inside of the vehicle6(NO in S7), the control unit44continues to sterilize the inside of the vehicle6using the ultraviolet emission device2.

Then, when it is time to end the irradiation with ultraviolet light using the ultraviolet emission device2, the control unit44of the control device4controls the ultraviolet emission device2such that sterilization of the inside of the vehicle6using the ultraviolet emission device2ends (S8).

With the in-vehicle sterilization system1, the control device4, and the control method according to this embodiment, it is ascertained that a person including the user is not present inside of the vehicle6based on the state of the vehicle6and sterilization of the inside of the vehicle6using the ultraviolet emission device2is performed while a person is not present inside of the vehicle6. Accordingly, sterilization of the inside of the vehicle6using the ultraviolet emission device2is not performed at a timing which is not intended by a user and thus it is possible to curb the user's discomfort.

When the vehicle6is a vehicle for car-sharing, use time periods of the vehicle6of a plurality of users can be acquired together from the management device7based on the schedule of use of the vehicle6and a plan to sterilize the inside of the vehicle6using the ultraviolet emission device2can be simply established.

Since the state of use of the vehicle6is detected by the detection device3, it is possible to perform sterilization of the inside of the vehicle6using the ultraviolet emission device2while ascertaining that a person is not present inside of the vehicle6. Accordingly, for example, when a user returns to the vehicle6to take a lost object, it is possible to reliably stop sterilization of the inside of the vehicle6using the ultraviolet emission device2.

Second Embodiment

FIG.4is a block diagram illustrating a control system of an in-vehicle sterilization system according to a second embodiment. Since an in-vehicle sterilization system101according to this embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the in-vehicle sterilization system1according to the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted, and the same elements will be referred to by the same reference signs.

The in-vehicle sterilization system101according to this embodiment is different from the in-vehicle sterilization system1according to the first embodiment in that a ventilator102is further provided. The ventilator102is configured to ventilate the inside of the vehicle6and is provided in the vehicle6. For example, the ventilator102can operate while sterilization of the inside of the vehicle6using the ultraviolet emission device2is being performed. Accordingly, it is possible to improve sterilization effects of the inside of the vehicle6.

Third Embodiment

FIG.5is a block diagram illustrating a control system of an in-vehicle sterilization system according to a third embodiment. Since an in-vehicle sterilization system201according to this embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the in-vehicle sterilization system1according to the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted, and the same elements will be referred to by the same reference signs.

The in-vehicle sterilization system201according to this embodiment is different from the in-vehicle sterilization system1according to the first embodiment, in that a second detection device202that detects a residual capacity or a voltage of a battery of the vehicle6is provided in addition to the detection device (first detection device)3.

Accordingly, for example, when the residual capacity or the voltage of the battery of the vehicle6is less than a preset threshold value, the control unit44of the control device4can stop sterilization of the inside of the vehicle6using the ultraviolet emission device2and curb over-discharging of the battery of the vehicle6.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG.6is a block diagram illustrating a control system of an in-vehicle sterilization system according to a fourth embodiment. Since an in-vehicle sterilization system301according to this embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the in-vehicle sterilization system1according to the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted, and the same elements will be referred to by the same reference signs.

The in-vehicle sterilization system301according to this embodiment is different from the in-vehicle sterilization system1according to the first embodiment, in that an operation unit302that is used for a person to operate the ultraviolet emission device2from the outside is further provided. The operation unit302is mounted, for example, in a mobile terminal303carried by a user of the vehicle6and is connected to the network5.

By allowing a user to operate the operation unit302, the operation unit302turns on/off the ultraviolet emission device2or transmits operation information for designating a time period in which the ultraviolet emission device2is to operate to the control device4.

Even when it is determined that a person is present inside of the vehicle6, the control unit44of the control device4can give priority to the operation information of the operation unit302and control the ultraviolet emission device2such that sterilization of the inside of the vehicle6using the ultraviolet emission device2is performed.

In this case, for example, since a user is present inside of the vehicle6but the user recognizes that sterilization of the inside of the vehicle6using the ultraviolet emission device2is being performed and the irradiation with ultraviolet light is not unexpected, it is possible to curb the user's discomfort.

In this embodiment, priority is given to the operation information of the operation unit302, but, for example, priority may be given to a detection result from the detection device3and sterilization of the inside of the vehicle6using the ultraviolet emission device2may be stopped when a person is present inside of the vehicle6.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

The in-vehicle sterilization systems and the control devices according to the aforementioned embodiments may have the following hardware configuration.FIG.7is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration included in the in-vehicle sterilization systems and the control devices. As in the process flow in the in-vehicle sterilization system and the control device as described in the aforementioned embodiments, the present disclosure can be realized as a control method.

The device illustrated inFIG.7includes an interface403, a processor401, and a memory402. Some constituents of the in-vehicle sterilization systems and the control devices described in the aforementioned embodiments can be realized by causing the processor401to read and execute a program stored in the memory402. That is, the program is a program for causing the processor401to serve as some constituents of the in-vehicle sterilization system and the control device. The program can be said to be a program for causing the in-vehicle sterilization system and the control device to realize their configurations or to perform processes in some thereof.

The aforementioned program can be stored in various types of non-transitory computer-readable media and supplied to a computer (a computer including an information transmitting device). The non-transitory computer-readable media include various types of tangible storage media. Examples of the non-transitory computer-readable storage media include a magnetic storage medium (for example, a flexible disk, a magnetic tape, or a hard disk drive) and a magneto-optical storage medium (for example, a magneto-optical disc). The examples include a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), a CD-R, and a CD-R/W. The examples include a semiconductor memory (for example, a mask ROM, a PROM, an EPROM, a flash ROM, or a RAM). The program may be supplied to a computer using various types of transitory computer-readable media. Examples of the transitory computer-readable media include an electrical signal, an optical signal, and electromagnetic waves. The transitory computer-readable media can supply a program to a computer via a wired communication line such as an electrical wire or an optical fiber or a wireless communication line.

The present disclosure is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments and can be appropriately modified without departing from the gist thereof.

For example, a plurality of the embodiments may be implemented in a combined manner.

For example, in the aforementioned embodiments, a person present inside of the vehicle6is detected, but an animal such as a pet may be detected and the ultraviolet emission device2may be controlled with reference to a result of determination of whether a person or a pet is present inside of the vehicle6.

For example, in the aforementioned embodiments, a plan to sterilize the inside of the vehicle6using the ultraviolet emission device2is established based on the schedule of use of the vehicle6, but emission of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet emission device2may be performed while a person is not present inside of the vehicle6based on a result of detection from the detection device3without acquiring the schedule of use of the vehicle6. This embodiment is suitable for a vehicle which is owned by a user and the plan establishing unit43may be omitted.

For example, in the aforementioned embodiments, the result of detection from the detection device3is referred to, but the detection device3may be omitted and emission of ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet emission device2may be performed based on the schedule of use of the vehicle6.

For example, when the schedule of use of the vehicle6is used, the determination unit42of the control device4does not need to directly determine whether a person is present inside of the vehicle6, but can indirectly determine whether a person is present inside of the vehicle6when time periods in which the vehicle6is not being used are extracted. That is, “determine whether a person is present inside of the vehicle6” is a concept including a case of direct determination thereof in addition to a case of indirect determination thereof.