A processing method for a processing apparatus is disclosed. The processing method causes a computer of the processing apparatus to perform a process. The process includes detecting a position and a sleep state of a passenger inside a vehicle on a basis of information indicating a state of space including seats of the vehicle. The information is obtained from a sensor provided inside the vehicle. The process also includes notifying an operator of the vehicle of the detected position and the detected sleep state of the passenger. Further, the process also includes transmitting, upon detecting an operation, the operation being performed by the operator of the vehicle in response to the notifying, for controlling a device near the detected position of the passenger, a control command corresponding to the operation to the device.

A vehicle control device includes a vehicle controller that, if a predetermined state transition condition is satisfied, makes a state transition of a vehicle from a drive possible state to a drive impossible state. The vehicle control device includes a vehicle occupant detection unit that detects a vehicle occupant in the vehicle. The vehicle controller makes the state transition to the drive impossible state that is different depending on a detection result from the vehicle occupant detection unit.

A vehicle control device includes a vehicle controller that, if a predetermined state transition condition is satisfied, makes a state transition of a vehicle from a drive possible state to a drive impossible state. The vehicle control device includes a vehicle occupant detection unit that detects a vehicle occupant in the vehicle. The vehicle controller makes the state transition to the drive impossible state that is different depending on a detection result from the vehicle occupant detection unit.

The invention is a pedestrian safety method and system that compares characteristic acoustic and motion signatures to sound and motion signatures collected in real-time through a vehicle's monitoring system to detect and confirm that the vehicle itself presents a danger to pedestrians or others in proximity to the vehicle and autonomously stops the offending vehicle by quickly initiating disabling measures.

The invention is a pedestrian safety method and system that compares characteristic acoustic and motion signatures to sound and motion signatures collected in real-time through a vehicle's monitoring system to detect and confirm that the vehicle itself presents a danger to pedestrians or others in proximity to the vehicle and autonomously stops the offending vehicle by quickly initiating disabling measures.

A method for controlling a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system of an autonomous vehicle includes determining a vehicle operating status and operating the HVAC system according to the determined vehicle operating status. A control module comprising a sensor array and at least one controller operatively coupled to the sensor array and to the HVAC system controls operation of the HVAC system according to the determined vehicle operating status. The vehicle operating status is selected from one of vehicle occupied-in use, vehicle unoccupied-use requested, and vehicle unoccupied-standby. The HVAC system is operated at an operating setting providing a reduced energy consumption in a vehicle whose operating status is vehicle unoccupied-standby. The reduced energy consumption operating setting is determined according to a constant offset value or according to a variable offset value determined by inputs provided by the sensor array.

In one aspect of the invention there is provided a motor vehicle comprising drive means operable to provide motive power to the vehicle, the vehicle operable automatically to switch off and subsequently to restart the drive means during a drivecycle thereby to reduce a value of one or more prescribed operating parameters, wherein the vehicle may be placed in an eco-stop condition by driver-operated brake means in which the vehicle is held stationary and the drive means is off, the vehicle being operable automatically to restart the drive means when the driver signals release of the brake means, the vehicle comprising means for detecting departure of the driver from the vehicle, in the event that departure of the driver is detected when the vehicle is in the eco-stop condition the vehicle being arranged not to restart the drive means when the driver signals release of the brake means.

In one aspect of the invention there is provided a motor vehicle comprising drive means operable to provide motive power to the vehicle, the vehicle operable automatically to switch off and subsequently to restart the drive means during a drivecycle thereby to reduce a value of one or more prescribed operating parameters, wherein the vehicle may be placed in an eco-stop condition by driver-operated brake means in which the vehicle is held stationary and the drive means is off, the vehicle being operable automatically to restart the drive means when the driver signals release of the brake means, the vehicle comprising means for detecting departure of the driver from the vehicle, in the event that departure of the driver is detected when the vehicle is in the eco-stop condition the vehicle being arranged not to restart the drive means when the driver signals release of the brake means.

A processing method for a processing apparatus, the processing method causing a computer of the processing apparatus to execute steps comprising: detecting a position and a state of a passenger inside a vehicle on the basis of information indicating a state of space including seats of the vehicle, the information obtained from a sensor provided inside the vehicle, notifying an operator of the vehicle of the detected position and state of the passenger, and transmitting, upon detecting an operation, which is performed by the operator of the vehicle, for controlling a device near the detected position of the passenger, a control command corresponding to the operation to the device.

A processing method for a processing apparatus, the processing method causing a computer of the processing apparatus to execute steps comprising: detecting a position and a state of a passenger inside a vehicle on the basis of information indicating a state of space including seats of the vehicle, the information obtained from a sensor provided inside the vehicle, notifying an operator of the vehicle of the detected position and state of the passenger, and transmitting, upon detecting an operation, which is performed by the operator of the vehicle, for controlling a device near the detected position of the passenger, a control command corresponding to the operation to the device.