JP2006079356A - Traffic lane guide device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a traffic lane guide device for preventing a vehicle from continuously traveling in a passing lane on a highway. <P>SOLUTION: A navigation control circuit 1 detects a current position of an own vehicle on the basis of map data from a map data input unit 3 and a detection signal from a position detector 2 so as to determine whether or not the own vehicle is now travelling in the passing lane of the highway (step S1). The control circuit 1 then starts a timer when it determines that the own vehicle is now travelling in the passing lane on the highway on the basis of the detection result from the step S1 (steps S2-S3). When it is determined that the state in which the own vehicle is travelling in the passing lane on the highway continues for a prescribed period or more, the control circuit 1, furthermore, alerts to a driver so as to change a lane to a travelling lane, by using a indicating device 6 and/or a sound output device 7 (steps S4-S5). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a lane guide device.

Conventionally, as a lane guide device for informing a driver of a traveling lane, there is one shown in Patent Document 1. The lane guide device in Patent Document 1 wirelessly transmits an intersection information transmission device that wirelessly transmits lane restriction information at an intersection having a plurality of traveling lanes, and lane number information for identifying the currently traveling lane. A traveling lane number transmission device is provided on or near the road. The vehicle side is provided with a receiver for receiving the lane regulation information and the traveling lane number information, respectively, and an appropriate traveling lane is determined in advance by the CPU when making a right turn or a left turn at the intersection indicated by the route guidance device. Then, the driver is informed of the lane guidance through the voice generator.
JP-A-9-147292

  When overtaking a vehicle on a highway, if you drive in the overtaking lane and overtake the vehicle, you must immediately change the lane to the driving lane. However, some drivers may continue to drive in the overtaking lane despite passing the vehicle.

  The lane guide device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is merely a device that guides a traveling lane at an intersection or a branching point, and has not been considered for traveling in an overtaking lane on a highway.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a lane guide device that can suppress continuous driving in an overtaking lane on an expressway.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the lane guide apparatus according to claim 1, position detecting means for detecting the current position of the host vehicle, map data storing means for storing road map data including lane information, voice and / or Or, an output means for outputting an image, a time counting means for timing the time, and when the current position is on the overtaking lane of the highway, the time measuring means is started and the current position is on the overtaking lane of the highway for a predetermined time. Control means for giving a warning in the output means so as to change the lane to the traveling lane when continuing is provided.

  As described above, when the state where the current position of the host vehicle is in the overtaking lane continues for a predetermined time, it is possible to prevent the vehicle from continuously driving in the overtaking lane by giving a warning to change the lane to the driving lane. .

  Further, as shown in claim 2, a warning may be given when the vehicle speed of the host vehicle reaches a predetermined speed. Furthermore, as shown in claim 3, the output form by the output means may be selectable as sound, image, sound and image.

  Further, the lane guidance device according to claim 4 includes a determination unit that determines whether or not lane change to the travel lane is prohibited, and when the control unit issues a warning, based on the determination result, warning timing and warning content It is characterized by controlling.

  In this way, when a warning is given to change the lane to the driving lane, the warning timing and the content of the warning are controlled based on whether or not changing the lane to the driving lane is prohibited. You can encourage them to change lanes.

  Further, the lane guide device according to claim 5 includes status acquisition means for acquiring the vehicle status of the traveling lane, and when the control means issues a warning, the warning timing and the warning content are controlled based on the vehicle status. It is a feature.

  In this way, when a warning is given to change the lane to the traveling lane, the warning timing and the content of the warning are controlled based on the vehicle status of the traveling lane so that the host vehicle or other vehicle is not adversely affected. You can be prompted to change lanes.

  In addition, the vehicle status may be vehicle information indicating the degree of traffic congestion in the travel lane as shown in claim 6 or whether there is another vehicle within a predetermined range from the host vehicle as shown in claim 7. Can do.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment of the present invention, a description will be given using an example in which the lane guide device according to the present invention is applied to a navigation device 10. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a navigation device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the navigation device 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation device 10 in this embodiment includes a navigation control circuit 1, a position detector 2, a map data input device 3, an operation device 4, a storage device 5, a display device 6, a voice output device 7, and the like. Prepare.

  The navigation control circuit 1 that controls the entire navigation device 10 is mainly composed of a microcomputer, and includes a timer, a memory such as a ROM and a RAM, an interface circuit, and a bus line.

  The position detector 2 includes various sensors such as a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver 2a, a gyroscope 2b, a vehicle speed sensor 2c, and a geomagnetic sensor 2d as devices for detecting the current position of the host vehicle. A detection signal (current position) detected by the position detector 2 is input to the navigation control circuit 1.

  Since these sensors 2a to 2d have detection errors of different properties, they perform position detection with high accuracy while complementing each other with detection errors. Further, depending on the level of detection accuracy required, it is not necessary to provide all the sensors 2a to 2d, and a configuration can be adopted in which necessary ones are appropriately selected and provided.

  The map data input device 3 is for inputting road data, landmark data, or map data such as various search information for setting a destination to the navigation control circuit 1. The map data includes node data regarding points where a plurality of roads intersect, merge and branch, and link data regarding roads connecting the points. Further, the map data includes lane data including road types of roads such as national roads and expressways, lane information of roads such as overtaking lanes and driving lanes, and lane image data. As a storage medium of the map data input device 3, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or the like is generally used from the viewpoint of data capacity or handling, but a memory card or a hard disk may be used.

  The operation device 4 is for inputting an operation signal associated with a function such as setting a guide route from the current position to the destination executed by the navigation apparatus 10 to the navigation control circuit 1. The operation device 4 includes a touch switch configured integrally with the display device 6 and set on a display screen, or a mechanical key switch provided around the display device 6.

  The storage device 5 stores data handled in the navigation control circuit 1 as necessary. For example, a non-volatile memory unit such as an EEPROM or a storable device such as an IC card is used. The display device 6 includes a display screen made up of a color liquid crystal panel or the like. The display device 6 displays a road map around the vehicle generated by the map data stored in the map data input device 3. The audio output device 7 includes a speaker, an audio amplifier, and the like, and is used for audio guidance and the like.

  Here, the operation of the navigation device 10 in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the navigation device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The flow shown in FIG. 2 starts when the navigation apparatus 10 is supplied with power.

  First, in step S1, the navigation control circuit 1 determines whether or not the host vehicle is traveling on the overtaking lane of the highway, from the map data input from the map data input device 3 and the position detector 2. Based on the detection signal, the position of the host vehicle on the road, that is, the road type, and the lane in which the vehicle is traveling when the road has a plurality of lanes are detected.

  In step S2, the navigation control circuit 1 determines whether or not the host vehicle is traveling on an overtaking lane on the highway based on the detection result in step S1. The navigation control circuit 1 proceeds to step S3 when it is determined that the host vehicle is traveling on the overtaking lane of the highway, and returns to step S1 when it is determined that the host vehicle is not traveling on the overtaking lane of the highway. .

  In step S3, the navigation control circuit 1 starts a timer in order to measure the elapsed time since it is determined that the host vehicle is traveling on the overtaking lane of the highway. This is because it is determined whether or not the host vehicle continuously travels in the overtaking lane even though the own vehicle has changed from the driving lane to the overtaking lane and overtakes another vehicle. The navigation control circuit 1 resets the timer when the host vehicle changes lanes from the overtaking lane on the highway to the traveling lane.

  In step S4, the navigation control circuit 1 determines whether or not the state in which the host vehicle is traveling on the overtaking lane of the highway continues for a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes). The navigation control circuit 1 proceeds to step S5 when it is determined that the state in which the host vehicle is traveling on the overtaking lane of the highway has continued for a predetermined time, and returns to step S1 when it is determined that the vehicle has not continued for the predetermined time. .

  In step S5, the navigation control circuit 1 displays an image indicating that the lane is changed to the travel lane on the display device 6 or outputs a sound indicating that the lane is changed to the travel lane by the audio output device 7. To warn the driver to change lanes to the driving lane. When warning is given, the image display by the display means 6 and the sound output by the sound output device 7 may be used in combination. Further, regarding the output of the warning, the user determines whether to perform the image display using the display device 6, to perform the sound output using the sound output device 7, or to use the display device 6 and the sound output device 7 together. You may make it selectable.

  Further, when the warning is issued, the vehicle speed of the host vehicle may be warned. The navigation control circuit 1 compares the vehicle speed of the host vehicle by the vehicle speed sensor 2c with the regulated speed of the highway on which the host vehicle is currently traveling. Then, when the vehicle speed of the host vehicle exceeds the regulation speed, the navigation control circuit 1 uses the display device 6 and / or the audio output device 7 to issue a speed warning so as to decelerate the driver. .

(Modification)
As a modification, when issuing a warning to change the lane to the travel lane, the timing and content of the warning may be controlled based on whether or not the lane change is prohibited and the vehicle condition of the travel lane.

  In the case of this modification, in order to determine whether or not lane change is prohibited, the map data input device 3 includes regulation information such as a lane change prohibited section. The navigation apparatus 10 includes a VICS receiver, a surrounding monitoring camera, and the like in order to acquire the vehicle status of the traveling lane.

  If the navigation control circuit 1 determines that the vehicle is traveling in the overtaking lane of the highway for a predetermined time, the navigation control circuit 1 determines whether the current position is prohibited from changing lanes based on the current position of the vehicle and the restriction information. Determine. Further, the navigation control circuit 1 determines whether or not the traveling lane is congested based on the current position of the host vehicle and the traffic congestion information received by the VICS receiver, and also determines the traveling lane imaged by the surrounding monitoring camera. It is determined from the image whether there is another vehicle within a predetermined range from the host vehicle in the traveling lane.

  When the navigation control circuit 1 determines that the lane change to the travel lane is prohibited, the navigation control circuit 1 warns the driver that the vehicle is traveling in the lane change prohibition section and passes through the lane change prohibition section. After that, the driver is warned to change the lane to the driving lane. In this way, it is possible to prompt the driver to change to the driving lane without violating traffic regulations by warning the driver to change to the driving lane after passing the lane change prohibition section.

  Further, when the navigation control circuit 1 determines that the travel lane is congested, the navigation control circuit 1 warns the driver that the travel lane is congested, and changes the lane to the travel lane after the congestion is resolved. A warning is given to the driver. In this way, by giving a warning to the driver to change the lane to the travel lane after the congestion is eliminated, it is possible to suppress an adverse effect on the host vehicle or other vehicles due to an unreasonable lane change.

  Further, when the navigation control circuit 1 determines that there is another vehicle within a predetermined range from the own vehicle, the navigation control circuit 1 warns the driver that the other vehicle exists within the predetermined range and The driver is warned to change lanes to the driving lane after the vehicle no longer exists. The predetermined range is a range in which the host vehicle and other vehicles are not adversely affected by the lane change of the host vehicle. For example, if there is a vehicle that travels several meters behind the host vehicle in the driving lane, changing the lane to the driving lane may surprise the driver of the rear vehicle or contact the host vehicle with the rear vehicle. there's a possibility that. In addition, if there is a vehicle that travels several meters ahead of the host vehicle in the traveling lane, if the lane is changed to the traveling lane, the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle may come into contact with each other.

  However, when there is no other vehicle within a predetermined range from the own vehicle, a warning to the driver to change the lane to the traveling lane can be given to suppress adverse effects on the own vehicle or the other vehicle.

  In addition, in the modified example, it has been described using an example of controlling the timing and content of warning based on whether or not lane change is prohibited and the vehicle status of the traveling lane, but the present invention is not limited to this, The timing and content of the warning may be controlled based on whether or not lane change is prohibited and the vehicle status of the traveling lane.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the navigation apparatus 10 in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the navigation apparatus 10 in embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 navigation control circuit, 2 position detector, 2a GPS receiver, 2b gyroscope, 2c vehicle speed sensor, 2d geomagnetic sensor, 3 map data input device, 4 operation device, 5 storage device, 6 display device, 7 audio output device, 10 Navigation device

Claims (7)

Position detecting means for detecting the current position of the host vehicle;
Map data storage means for storing road map data including lane information;
Output means for outputting sound and / or images;
A time measuring means for measuring time;
When the current position is on the overtaking lane of the highway, the time counting means is started, and when the current position is on the overtaking lane of the highway continues for a predetermined time, the output means changes the lane to the driving lane. Control means for warning;
A lane guide device comprising:   2. The vehicle speed detection means for detecting the vehicle speed of the host vehicle, wherein the control means issues a warning by the output means when the vehicle speed of the host vehicle reaches a predetermined speed. Lane guide device.   The lane guide device according to claim 1, wherein the output unit includes a selection unit that selects whether to output a sound, to output an image, or to output a sound and an image.   It is provided with the determination means which determines whether the lane change to the said travel lane is prohibited, The said control means controls warning timing and warning content based on the said determination result, when performing the said warning. The lane guide apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising status acquisition means for acquiring a vehicle status of the travel lane, wherein the control means controls warning timing and warning content based on the vehicle status when performing the warning. Item 5. A lane guide device according to any one of items 4 to 6.   The lane guide device according to claim 5, wherein the situation acquisition unit acquires a congestion degree of the travel lane as the vehicle situation.   The said situation acquisition means acquires the vehicle information which shows whether the other vehicle exists in the predetermined range from the own vehicle to the said travel lane as the said vehicle situation. Lane guide device.

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