User assistance system for vehicle

• US 8,190,324 B2
• Filed: 05/18/2007
• Issued: 05/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc.
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc.
• Inventors: Hattori, Toshihiro, Kameyama, Shougo, Morita, Hideyuki, Ikeda, Hirotane, Matsuura, Michihiro, Terada, Minoru, Matsuura, Mitsuyasu
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Broadhead, Brian J
• Application Number:
  US11/802,086
• Publication Number:
  US 20070299577A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,838 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701/29, 701/32, 701/36, 340/438, 340/459, 340/501, 340/505, 702/182, 702/183
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00563 using personal physical data of the operator, e.g. finger prints, retinal images, voicepatterns
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/06 for physics

Abstract

A portable information terminal stores first function list information indicating the contents of functions installed on a first vehicle. When a user carrying the terminal gets in a second vehicle before driving, the second vehicle acquires the first function list information from the terminal. The second vehicle compares the acquired first function list information with second function list information indicating the contents of functions installed on the second vehicle. The second vehicle acquires a functional difference between itself and the first vehicle and notifies the user of the difference.

Claims

1. A user assistance system for vehicle, said system comprising:

a first identifying information acquisition unit that acquires first vehicle specification identifying information for identifying a first vehicle specification that is a specification of a first vehicle;

a second identifying information acquisition unit that acquires second vehicle specification identifying information for identifying a second vehicle specification that is a specification of a second vehicle;

a comparison unit that compares the acquired first vehicle specification identifying information with the acquired second vehicle specification identifying information; and

a recognition support unit that performs a specification difference recognition support process based on a result of comparison made by the comparison unit between the first vehicle specification identifying information and the second vehicle specification identifying information, wherein the specification difference recognition support process allows a user to recognize a specification difference between the first and second vehicles when the user is common to the first and second vehicles and uses one of said vehicles,

wherein;

the first identifying information acquisition unit acquires first vehicle specification identifying information using a first vehicle specification identifying information source that is provided on the first vehicle and functions as an information delivery source; and

the second identifying information acquisition unit acquires second vehicle specification identifying information using a second vehicle specification identifying information source that is provided on the second vehicle and functions as an information delivery source.

2. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 1, wherein:

the first vehicle is defined as a reference vehicle; and

when the user uses the second vehicle, the recognition support unit performs a specification difference recognition support process that allows the user to recognize a specification difference from the first vehicle.

3. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:

a first identifying information transmission unit that is provided for the first vehicle and transmits the first vehicle specification identifying information to an information relay unit;

a first identifying information reception unit that is provided for the information relay unit and receives the first vehicle specification identifying information; and

a first identifying information storage unit that is provided for the information relay unit and stores the received first vehicle specification identifying information in a first identifying information storage section,

wherein the comparison unit acquires the first vehicle specification identifying information from the first identifying information storage section of the information relay unit and compares the acquired information with the second vehicle specification identifying information acquired by the second identifying information acquisition unit mounted on the second vehicle.

4. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 3, wherein the information relay unit is provided as a wireless information terminal carried by the user.

5. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 3, wherein the information relay unit is provided as a host apparatus connected with the first identifying information transmission unit via a wireless connection network.

6. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 5, wherein:

the second vehicle is provided with an authentication unit for authenticating a user using the second vehicle; and

the first identifying information acquisition unit acquires the first vehicle specification identifying information from the host apparatus only when the authentication is accepted.

7. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 4, wherein the comparison unit is provided for the wireless information terminal.

8. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 4, wherein the recognition support unit is provided for the wireless information terminal.

9. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 1, wherein the comparison unit is provided for the second vehicle.

10. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 1, wherein the recognition support unit is provided for the second vehicle.

11. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 1, wherein the recognition support unit includes a result notification unit that notifies a result of the specification comparison using a speech, an image, or a combination of these.

12. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 11, wherein:

the recognition support unit acquires a specification difference between the first and second vehicles from the comparison unit; and

the result notification unit notifies presence of the specification difference.

13. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 1, wherein the comparison unit compares specifications on driving, braking, and running between the first and second vehicles.

14. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 13, wherein the comparison unit compares specifications between the first and second vehicles concerning characteristics of brake operation or steering operation.

15. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 13, wherein the comparison unit compares specifications between the first and second vehicles concerning at least any one of types of brake system, drive system, and tire.

16. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 13, wherein:

the recognition support unit includes a result notification unit that notifies a result of the specification comparison using a speech, an image, or a combination of these;

the recognition support unit includes an advice information generation unit for generating advice information reflecting a result of the specification comparison concerning driving, braking, and running; and

the result notification unit outputs the advice information.

17. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 16, wherein the advice information generation unit includes a running condition acquisition unit for acquiring vehicle running condition information containing at least one of weather information and road information and generates the advice information by referring to the vehicle running condition information.

18. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 1, wherein the comparison unit compares vehicle body specifications between the first and second vehicles.

19. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 18, wherein the comparison unit compares vehicle body specifications in terms of at least any one of a vehicle'"'"'s height, width, length, minimum turning radius, and blind spot.

20. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 18, wherein:

the recognition support unit includes a result notification unit that notifies a result of the specification comparison using a speech, an image, or a combination of these;

the recognition support unit includes a vehicle body contrast image generation unit for generating a vehicle body contrast image that represents a difference between the first and second vehicles in a vehicle body specification in contrast with each other; and

the result notification unit outputs the vehicle body contrast image.

21. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 1, wherein the comparison unit performs fail-safe comparison between the first and second vehicles.

22. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 21, wherein the comparison unit performs the fail-safe comparison in terms of at least one of night vision, auto cruise, ABS, air bag, stability control, back monitor, and sonar functions.

23. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 21, wherein:

the recognition support unit includes a result notification unit that notifies a result of the specification comparison using a speech, an image, or a combination of these; and

the result notification unit notifies presence of a fail-safe that is not provided for one of the first and second vehicles to be used by the user and is provided for the other vehicle or that is provided for the one vehicle but is less functional than that provided for the other vehicle.

24. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 1, wherein the comparison unit compares fuel-related specifications between the first and second vehicles.

25. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 24, wherein the comparison unit compares specifications between the first and second vehicles in terms of filler opening position difference.

26. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 25, wherein:

the recognition support unit includes a result notification unit that notifies a result of the specification comparison using a speech, an image, or a combination of these;

the recognition support unit includes a vehicle body contrast image generation unit for generating a vehicle body contrast image that represents a difference between the first and second vehicles in a filler opening position in contrast with each other; and

the result notification unit outputs the vehicle body contrast image.

27. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 24, wherein the comparison unit compares specifications between the first and second vehicles in terms of fuel type.

28. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 24, wherein the comparison unit compares specifications between the first and second vehicles in terms of fuel economy or cruising distance.

29. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 28, wherein the result notification unit notifies that one of the first and second vehicles, whichever the user is going to use, indicates a cruising distance smaller than that indicated on the other vehicle when an onboard fuel gauge reaches a predetermined fuel level.

30. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 1, wherein the comparison unit compares specifications of a functional operation section provided in each of the first and second vehicles.

31. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 30, wherein the comparison unit compares layout positions of the functional operation section between the first and second vehicles.

32. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 31, wherein:

the recognition support unit includes a functional operation section layout image generation unit for generating a functional operation section layout image showing that one of the first and second vehicles, whichever the user is going to use, includes the functional operation section according to a layout different from that for the other vehicle or excludes the functional operation section included in the other vehicle; and

the result notification unit outputs the functional operation section layout image.

33. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 1, wherein the comparison unit compares insurance specifications between the first and second vehicles.

34. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 33, wherein the result notification unit notifies an insurance content that is inapplicable to one of the first and second vehicles, whichever the user is going to use, and is applicable to the other vehicle.

35. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 33, wherein:

the recognition support unit includes a result notification unit that notifies a result of the specification comparison using a speech, an image, or a combination of these;

information about the insurance specification contains information about a user condition subject to an insurance coverage;

the second vehicle is provided with a user identifying unit for identifying a user of the second vehicle; and

the result notification unit notifies that an identified user does not satisfy the user condition applicable to the insurance coverage and is not included in the insurance coverage for one of the first and second vehicles, whichever the user is going to use.

36. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second vehicles is provided with:

a boarding detection unit for detecting boarding of the user on the second vehicle; and

a specification difference listing unit for listing specification difference information under a condition that the boarding of the user on the second vehicle is detected.

37. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 1, wherein:

the first vehicle specification identifying information contains first function list information indicating a content of a function provided for the first vehicle;

the second vehicle specification identifying information contains second function list information indicating a content of a function provided for the second vehicle;

the comparison unit performs a function comparison to compare functions between the first and second vehicles based on the first function list information and the second function list information; and

the recognition support unit performs a functional difference recognition support process that acquires a functional difference between first and second vehicles based on a result of the function comparison and helps a user recognize the functional difference between first and second vehicles.

38. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 37, wherein:

the first vehicle is defined as a reference vehicle;

when the user uses the second vehicle, the recognition support unit performs a specification difference recognition support process that allows the user to recognize a specification difference from the first vehicle;

the recognition support unit includes a second function specification unit that specifies availability of a second vehicle function installed only on the second vehicle based on the comparison result; and

when the second vehicle function is available, the recognition support unit performs a second vehicle function notification process for notifying information about the second vehicle function as the specification difference recognition support process.

39. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 38, wherein:

the second vehicle is previously provided with a ready-for-use state applicable to a chance of using the second vehicle function; and

the recognition support unit performs the second vehicle function notification process when the ready-for-use state is enabled.

40. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 39, wherein:

the second vehicle function includes a first-class function triggered by a user operation and a second-class function automatically activated independently of a user operation; and

the second vehicle is provided with

an operation guidance notification unit that performs an operation guidance notification process to prompt a user operation when the ready-for-use state becomes enabled for the first-class function, and

a first-class function execution unit that performs a first-class function corresponding to a user operation when performed.

41. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 40, wherein the second vehicle is provided with a second-class function execution unit that automatically performs the second-class function corresponding to the second vehicle function notification process after the second vehicle function notification process is performed.

42. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 40, wherein the second vehicle is provided with:

an operation storage unit that allows an operation storage section to store operation record information about a user operation for performing the first-class function; and

an operation guidance determination unit that determines based on the operation record information whether or not the operation guidance notification unit needs to perform an operation guidance notification process for the first-class function;

when determining that the operation guidance notification unit needs to perform the operation guidance notification process for the first class function, the operation guidance notification unit performs the operation guidance notification process for the first-class function;

the first-class function execution unit performs the first-class function based on the user operation; and

when determining that the guidance notification unit does not need to perform the operation guidance notification process for the first-class function, the first-class function execution unit automatically performs the first-class function without allowing the operation guidance notification unit to perform the operation guidance notification process for the first-class function.

43. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 40, wherein the first-class function includes at least one of a night vision function and an auto cruise function.

44. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 40, wherein the second-class function includes one or more of ABS, stability control, back monitor, and sonar functions.

45. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 37, wherein:

the first vehicle is defined as a reference vehicle;

when the user uses the second vehicle, the recognition support unit performs the specification difference recognition support process that allows the user to recognize the specification difference of the second vehicle from the first vehicle;

the recognition support unit includes a first function specification unit that specifies whether a first vehicle function, which is installed only on the first vehicle but not on the second vehicle, is existing or not based on the result of comparison made by the comparison unit; and

when the first vehicle function that is installed only on the first vehicle but not on the second vehicle is existing, the recognition support unit performs a first vehicle function notification process, which notifies information about the first vehicle function that is installed only on the first vehicle but not on the second vehicle, as the functional difference recognition support process.

46. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 45, wherein the first vehicle function notification process is performed during start control over the second vehicle.

47. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 45, wherein:

the second function list information includes equivalent function information that corresponds to at least part of functions installed on the second vehicle and indicates an equivalent function not installed on the second vehicle; and

the second vehicle or an information relay unit is provided with

an alternative function specification unit that specifies based on the equivalent function information whether or not an alternative function corresponding to the first specific function is available when specified by the first function specification unit, and

an alternative function notification unit that performs an alternative function notification process for notifying the specified alternative function.

48. The user assistance system for vehicle of claim 47, wherein:

the second vehicle is provided with a back monitor function; and

the second function list information includes equivalent function information indicating a sonar function as the equivalent for the back monitor function.

49. A user assistance system for vehicle in a vehicle communication system capable of communication between a portable information terminal and a vehicle, the system comprising:

a first function list acquisition unit that is provided on a first vehicle and acquires first function list information indicating a content of a function installed on the first vehicle;

a first function information transmission unit that is provided on the first vehicle and transmits the acquired first function list information to the information terminal by means of communication;

a first function list reception unit that is provided on the information terminal and receives the first function list information;

a first function list storage unit that is provided on the information terminal and stores the received first function list information in a first function list storage section;

a function comparison unit that is provided on one of a second vehicle different from the first vehicle and the information terminal, acquires second function list information indicating a content of a function installed on the second vehicle, acquires the first function list information stored in the first function list storage unit, and compares functions between the first and second vehicles based on the acquired first and second function list information; and

a difference recognition support unit that is provided on one of the second vehicle and the information terminal, acquires a functional difference between the first and second vehicles based on a result of the function comparison, and performs a functional difference recognition support process for helping a user recognize a functional difference.