JP2006218937A - Level difference learning system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a level difference system capable of reducing storage capacity by appropriately setting priority for stored data on level differences on roads and deleting the stored data from a storage device according to the priority, and capable of appropriately performing suspension control against level differences. <P>SOLUTION: This level difference learning system includes; a level difference detector for detecting steps on roads; the storage device for storing the level difference information of steps areas detected by the level difference detecting means; a priority assigning device for assigning the priority to the level difference information stored in the storage device on the basis of the attribute information of the level difference areas; and a storage processor for selectively deleting, according to the priority assigned to the level difference areas, the steps information of the level difference areas stored in the storage device correspondent to the storage capacity of the storage device and for storing the level difference information of the level difference areas detected by a level difference detector in the storage device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a step learning system.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been provided a vehicle suspension control device capable of performing suspension control in accordance with road condition data provided by the navigation device in a vehicle equipped with the navigation device (for example, Patent Document 1). reference.). In this case, it is determined whether there is a step on the road based on the database, and the hardness of the suspension is controlled. Learning is also performed in which vertical acceleration, which is input from the suspension, is acquired, whether there is a step on the road based on the acquired vertical acceleration, and recorded in a database. That is, the actual suspension control result is compared with the predicted control content, and the content of the database is corrected based on the comparison result.
JP 2000-318634 A

  However, since the conventional suspension control device learns about all the steps that have traveled and stores the learning results, the amount of data to be stored increases as the travel distance increases. In order to store the data in the storage means, a storage means having an enormous storage capacity is required, which increases the cost.

  The present invention can reduce the storage capacity by solving the above-mentioned conventional problems, appropriately setting the priority for the stored data regarding the step, and deleting from the storage means according to the priority. It is an object of the present invention to provide a step difference learning system capable of appropriately performing suspension control on a step.

  Therefore, in the step learning system of the present invention, a step detection unit that detects a road step, a storage unit that stores step information of a step area detected by the step detection unit, and a step stored in the storage unit Priority giving means for giving priority based on the attribute information of the step area to the step information of the area, and step information of the step area stored in the storage means according to the storage capacity of the storage means. Storage processing means for selectively deleting the step information of the step area detected by the step detection means and storing the step information of the step area detected by the step detection means in the storage means.

  According to the present invention, the priority is appropriately set for the stored data regarding the step, and the data is deleted from the storage means according to the priority. Therefore, the storage capacity can be reduced, and suspension control can be appropriately performed with respect to the step.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the level difference learning system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, the step learning system in the present embodiment controls a navigation device 10 as a traveling environment information output unit that outputs vehicle traveling environment information as road information, and a vehicle suspension (suspension device). A suspension control device 20 as a control unit and a suspension unit 30 are provided. Here, the vehicle may be of any type as long as it can travel on a road such as a passenger car, a truck, a bus, or a two-wheeled vehicle. A case where the vehicle is provided with two wheels will be described. It is assumed that the suspension unit 30 is attached to each of the four wheels.

  Reference numeral 11 is a GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor, 12 is a gyro sensor that detects the rotational angular velocity of the vehicle, that is, a turning angle, 13 is a vehicle speed sensor that detects the vehicle speed, and 14 is a vehicle acceleration sensor. G sensor.

  Here, the navigation device 10 includes a calculation means such as a CPU and an MPU, a storage means such as a semiconductor memory and a magnetic disk, a CRT, a liquid crystal display, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) display, a display means such as a laser hologram, a touch panel, a remote A controller, input means such as a push button switch, a communication interface and the like are provided. In addition to the GPS sensor 11, the gyro sensor 12, the vehicle speed sensor 13, and the G sensor 14, the navigation device 10 includes a steering sensor that detects the steering angle of the vehicle operated by the driver, A winker sensor that detects the operation of the winker as a direction indicator, an accelerator sensor that detects an accelerator opening operated by the driver, a brake sensor that detects movement of a brake pedal of the vehicle operated by the driver, and weight information of the vehicle You may provide the vehicle weight sensor, geomagnetic sensor, distance sensor, beacon sensor, altimeter, etc. which are acquired. In this case, the GPS sensor 11 detects the current position on the earth by receiving radio waves transmitted from a GPS satellite (not shown), and the geomagnetic sensor detects the direction in which the vehicle is facing by measuring the geomagnetism. The distance sensor detects a distance between predetermined positions on the road. The beacon sensor receives position information from beacons arranged along the road and detects a current position. Then, the navigation device 10 is based on signals from the GPS sensor 11, the gyro sensor 12, the vehicle speed sensor 13, the G sensor 14, etc., the current position of the vehicle, the heading direction of the vehicle, the speed of the vehicle, The moving distance is detected.

  The storage means of the navigation device 10 includes a map data file, an intersection data file, a node data file, a road data file, and a facility information data file in which information on facilities such as hotels and gas stations in each region is stored. The map database unit 15 is provided. Further, the storage means includes information related to steps on the road detected by the suspension control device 20, that is, step information and data for searching for a route, along the searched route on the screen of the display means. A storage media unit 19 for storing various data for displaying a guide map, displaying a distance to the next intersection, a traveling direction at the next intersection, and other guidance information is provided. The storage media unit 19 also stores various data for outputting predetermined information as audio. The storage means includes all forms of storage media such as magnetic tape, magnetic disk, magnetic drum, flash memory, CD-ROM, MD, DVD-ROM, optical disk, MO, IC card, optical card, and memory card. It is also possible to use a removable external storage medium.

  The intersection data file stores intersection data, the node data file stores node data, and the road data file stores road data. The road data is displayed by the intersection data, node data, and road data. Displayed on the screen. The intersection data includes the type of intersection, that is, whether the intersection is a traffic signal lamp or an intersection where a traffic signal lamp is not installed. The node data constitutes at least the position and shape of the road in the map data recorded in the map data file, and includes actual road branch points (including intersections, T-junctions, etc.), node points And data indicating a link connecting the node points. Further, the node point indicates at least the position of a road bending point.

  The road data includes the width, gradient, cant, altitude, bank, road surface condition, number of road lanes, points where the number of lanes decreases, points where the width becomes narrower, etc. Contains data. In the case of an expressway or a main road, each lane in the opposite direction is stored as separate road data and processed as a double road. For example, in the case of a main road having two or more lanes on one side, it is processed as a two-way road, and the upward lane and the downward lane are stored in the road data as independent roads. The corner includes data such as a radius of curvature, an intersection, a T-junction, and a corner entrance. Further, the road attributes include data such as railroad crossings, expressway entrance rampways, expressway toll gates, downhill roads, uphill roads, road types (national roads, major local roads, general roads, highways, etc.).

  Further, the communication interface of the navigation device 10 communicates with the suspension control device 20 and transmits / receives various data to / from the FM transmitter, telephone line network, Internet, mobile phone network, and the like. For example, various data such as road information such as traffic jams, traffic accident information, and D-GPS information for detecting a detection error of the GPS sensor 11 received by an information sensor (not shown) is received.

  The navigation device 10 includes a current position detection unit 16 that detects a current position of the vehicle, a step area calculation processing unit 17 that executes a step area calculation process based on information about the step detected by the suspension control device 20, and A step information notification processing unit 18 that executes a step information notification process for notifying the suspension control device 20 of information about a step on the road ahead of the traveling direction of the vehicle is provided. Furthermore, the navigation device 10 has a learning request counter (not shown) as a counter that counts the number of learning requests transmitted at the same point. The navigation device 10 performs basic processing such as search for a route to a destination, travel guidance in the route, determination of a specific section, search for points, facilities, and the like, in the same manner as a normal vehicle navigation device. The map is displayed on the screen of the display means, and the current position of the vehicle, the route from the current position to the destination, guidance information along the route, etc. are displayed on the map. The guidance information may be output as a sound by a sound generation means. The navigation device 10 functions as current position specifying means for specifying the current position of the vehicle. Further, the navigation device 10 determines the shape of a corner or the like (including an intersection, a T-junction, a highway entrance / exit rampway, etc.) located in front of the vehicle in the travel route of the vehicle, a recommended approach speed to the corner, etc. Recognize the driving environment including. Then, the traveling environment information is transmitted to the suspension control device 20.

  The suspension control device 20 includes arithmetic means such as a CPU and MPU, storage means such as a semiconductor memory and a magnetic disk, a communication interface, and the like. The suspension control device 20 is communicably connected to the navigation device 10 via a communication network such as an in-vehicle LAN (Local Area Network) as a body communication network disposed in the vehicle. The suspension control device 20 includes a step detection processing unit 21 that executes a step detection process for detecting a step on the road, and a damping force control unit 25 as a suspension characteristic control unit that controls the characteristics of the suspension unit 30. Have

  The step detection processing unit 21 is connected to the step detection sensor 22 and detects that the vehicle has traveled on the step based on the detection signal of the step detection sensor 22. The step detection sensor 22 is, for example, a vertical acceleration sensor, and detects the vertical acceleration of the vehicle as an acceleration in which the sprung portion that is the vehicle body side portion of the suspension unit 30 moves in the vertical direction. Note that the G sensor 14 of the navigation device 10 and a vehicle height sensor (not shown) can also be used as the step detection sensor 22. Then, the step detection processing unit 21 extracts a high-frequency component of the vertical acceleration with a bandpass filter, and determines that the vehicle has traveled on the step if it is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold (threshold) value. When the detected vertical acceleration has a low frequency, it can be considered that it is not caused by a step, but by road surface undulations, so that it is not determined that the vehicle has traveled on the step.

  The damping force control unit 25 is connected to a vehicle speed sensor 26 that detects the speed of the vehicle and a steering sensor 27 that detects the steering angle of the steering of the vehicle operated by the driver, and the vehicle speed sensor 26 and the steering sensor 27 The characteristics of each suspension unit 30 are controlled based on the detection signal and the step information acquired from the step information notification processing unit 18 of the navigation device 10. Note that the vehicle speed sensor 13 and the steering sensor of the navigation device 10 can also be used as the vehicle speed sensor 26 and the steering sensor 27. Further, the damping force control unit 25 may control any characteristic of the suspension unit 30. For example, the damping force control unit 25 may control the value of the spring rate (spring constant or spring rate) of the spring member. A case where the damping force as a characteristic of the suspension unit 30 is controlled will be described. The damping force may be controlled by any method, but here, by driving an actuator built in the hydraulic damper 34 of each suspension unit 30 and rotating the orifice switching type damping variable valve, It is assumed that the diameter of the orifice in the oil flow path is changed.

  Here, the suspension unit 30 has one end rotatably attached to the vehicle body, the other end attached to a hub member or the like that supports the axle, a wheel support device such as an upper arm 31 and a lower arm 32, and a coil spring 33. And a shock absorber comprising a damper such as a hydraulic damper 34. The wheel support device and the shock absorber shown in the figure are merely examples, and the suspension unit 30 may have any type of wheel support device and shock absorber. The hydraulic damper 34 shown in the figure is a damping force variable damper with a built-in actuator. The suspension unit 30 transmits control status information to the suspension control device 20. In the example shown in the figure, the suspension control device 20 has an independent configuration, but the functions of the suspension control device 20 can be attached to the suspension unit 30.

  In the present embodiment, the step learning system includes a step detection unit, a storage unit, a priority assignment unit, a storage processing unit, and a step information notification unit from the viewpoint of function. The level difference detecting means detects a level difference on the road, and includes functions such as a level difference detection processing unit 21 and a level difference detection sensor 22. The storage means stores step information of the step area detected by the step detection means, and includes functions of the storage media unit 19 and the like. Further, the priority providing means gives priority based on the attribute information of the step area to the step information of the step area stored in the storage means. The current position detection unit 16, the step area calculation processing unit 17 and the step information notification processing unit 18 and the like. The step area attribute information is position information such as a step level or a distance from the home. Further, the storage processing means selectively deletes the step information of the step area stored in the storage means according to the storage capacity of the storage means according to the priority given to the step area, and the step detection means detects The step information of the step area is stored in the storage means, and includes the functions of the current position detection unit 16, the step area calculation processing unit 17, and the like. Further, the step information notification means notifies step information based on the current position and the step information of the step area stored in the storage means. Functions of the current position detection unit 16, the step information notification processing unit 18, and the like Is included.

  Next, the operation of the level difference learning system having the above-described configuration will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a learning data setting screen according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  When the vehicle travels on a step on the road, for example, by reducing the damping force, by changing the characteristics of the suspension unit 30 to a soft setting, that is, to a soft setting, the riding comfort can be improved. . However, even if the characteristics of the suspension unit 30 are changed after detecting that there is a level difference, it will not be in time, so a sufficient effect cannot be obtained. Therefore, in order to obtain a sufficient effect, it is necessary to change the characteristics of the suspension unit 30 to a soft setting in advance. In order to change the characteristics of the suspension unit 30 in advance, step information is stored in advance in the map database unit 15 of the navigation device 10, and based on the step information and the current position of the vehicle, the vehicle travels forward. It may be possible to determine that there is a step within the predetermined distance range, but creating a map data file or road data file that stores step information on all the steps on the road is expensive, and the file Since the storage capacity of the system becomes enormous, it is practically difficult. In addition, it is conceivable to detect a step within a predetermined distance range ahead of the traveling direction of the vehicle by an imaging device such as a camera attached to the vehicle or a radar device such as a millimeter wave radar, but the step is detected with high accuracy. That will be costly.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the suspension control device 20 detects a step, a signal indicating that the step has been detected is transmitted to the navigation device 10 as a learning request, and the step area detected by the navigation device 10 in response to the learning request. Are stored in the storage media unit 19 for learning. The step area is a range where a step exists on the road. The step information is information relating to a step area including position information of a start point and an end point of the step area.

  When the step information is stored in the storage media unit 19 and travels on a road having the corresponding step area, the navigation device 10 transmits the stored step information of the step area to the suspension control device 20 in advance. Therefore, the suspension control device 20 can change the characteristics of the suspension unit 30 to a soft setting in advance based on the step information received from the navigation device 10. In this case, as described above, the cost does not increase and the storage capacity of the file does not become enormous, and the riding comfort can be improved.

  However, if step information of all detected step areas is stored in the storage media unit 19, the storage data stored in the storage media unit 19 increases as the travel distance increases, and the storage capacity of the storage media unit 19 increases. It will be squeezed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the step information of the step area is weighted based on the travel frequency of the step area, the number of times of travel, the priority is set, and the storage media unit 19 is set according to the set priority. To come to remember. In this case, if the priority is not set appropriately, the function may deteriorate. For example, if setting is made so as not to store new data, when the travel range of the vehicle changes due to the moving of the vehicle user such as a driver, only the step information of the step area existing in the previous travel range is stored in the storage media unit. It is possible that the step information of the step area that remains in the new travel range and is not stored in the storage media unit 19. In addition, for example, if the old data is set to be erased at random in order to store new data, the step information of the step area on the road that travels frequently may be erased.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, priority is given according to at least one of preset conditions, and when the storage data amount exceeds the storage capacity of the storage media unit 19, storage data with a low priority is provided. By deleting the data and replacing it with new data, new data can be stored while leaving the stored data effective for the user of the vehicle. In this case, the conditions for assigning priority include, for example, condition 1: last travel date, condition 2: travel frequency, condition 3: distance from home, condition 4: magnitude of effect, and the like.

  First, the last passage date of Condition 1 is a condition indicating newness. In this case, the last travel date of the corresponding learning area is updated every time the vehicle travels in the learning area as the learned step area stored in the storage media unit 19, that is, every time it passes. And the priority of a new learning area with the last passage date is made high.

  Next, the traffic frequency of the condition 2 is a condition for giving priority to the step information of the step area on the road that frequently passes, that is, the road that travels frequently. In this case, a traffic counter is provided that counts the traffic count, and the count value of the traffic count counter in the corresponding learning area is incremented each time the vehicle passes through the learning area stored in the storage media unit 19. And the priority of a learning area with many passing times is made high.

  Next, the distance from the home in condition 3 is position information as attribute information of the step area, and is a condition for giving priority to the step information in the step area close to the home location registered in the navigation device 10. The navigation device 10 has a function of registering the user's home position as “home” in the same manner as a normal vehicle navigation device. Since the roads around the registered home are considered to have a high traffic frequency, the priority of the learning area located at a short distance from the home is increased.

  Next, the magnitude of the effect of Condition 4 is the magnitude of the effect obtained by performing suspension control, and is a condition indicating the level of the step as attribute information of the step area, that is, the size of the step. In this case, it can be considered that the effect of changing the characteristics of the suspension unit 30 to a soft setting by performing the suspension control is larger as the step is larger, so the priority of the learning area having a larger step level is increased. The step level is included in the step information of the learning area.

  Moreover, the priority can be set in more detail by combining a plurality of priorities based on the conditions 1 to 4. In this case, the priority can be evaluated in order based on a plurality of conditions, or can be comprehensively evaluated based on the plurality of conditions. In other words, a plurality of priorities can be combined in order, that is, sequentially, or a plurality of priorities can be combined comprehensively. In addition, the priority based on conditions other than conditions 1-4 can also be added to the said priority, and the priority based on any of conditions 1-4 can also be deleted.

  For example, when priorities based on a plurality of conditions are sequentially combined, first, data having the lowest priority based on the first condition is extracted, and when data of the same level exists, priority based on the second condition is further extracted. Extract the least frequent data. In this way, the evaluation is repeated until the data with the lowest priority is determined or until the evaluation based on the priority based on all conditions is completed.

  Also, for example, when combining priorities based on a plurality of conditions in a comprehensive manner, first, priority points based on each condition are calculated, and as a result of adding the priority points based on all conditions, the lowest point is obtained. Data is the lowest priority data.

  Furthermore, the priority setting more suitable for a user can be performed so that the user of a vehicle can select the point setting in the case of combining priorities based on a plurality of conditions. In this case, for example, a user interface as shown in FIG. 1 is used.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 41 denotes a learning data setting screen as priority setting means displayed on the display means of the navigation device 10, and the priority for storing the step area as a learning area in the storage media unit 19. It is a screen for setting. The learning data setting screen 41 includes a first condition display field 42 indicating “newness” as a priority setting condition, a second condition display field 43 indicating “passing frequency” as a priority setting condition, A third condition display field 44 indicating “distance from home” as a priority setting condition and a fourth condition display field 45 indicating “step size” as a priority setting condition are displayed. . Here, the first to fourth condition display fields 42 to 45 are displayed such that the higher the priority is displayed, the lower the priority is displayed. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 1A, it is understood that the priority of “newness” is the highest and the priority of “step size” is the lowest.

  Further, the first to fourth condition display fields 42 to 45 include a rank up switch 46 and a rank down switch 47 as priority changing means. In this case, only the rank lowering switch 47 is included in the uppermost display column, only the rank increasing switch 46 is included in the lowermost display column, and the rank increasing switch 46 and the rank lowering switch 47 are included in the other display columns. It is included. Then, by pushing the rank up switch 46 or the rank down switch 47, the rank of the setting condition of the corresponding priority can be raised or lowered. In the case where the display means also has a function as an input means like a touch panel, the ranking up switch 46 and the ranking down are directly touched with a finger etc. on the ranking up switch 46 and the ranking down switch 47. The switch 47 can be pressed. Further, the order raising switch 46 and the order lowering switch 47 may be pushed by moving the cursor, pointer or the like on the order raising switch 46 and the order lowering switch 47 and selecting them by a remote controller or the like.

  In this case, when the rank up switch 46 or the rank down switch 47 is pressed, the rank of the corresponding priority setting condition is increased or decreased by one, and the priority setting condition adjacent above or below is replaced. Yes. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1A, when the “passing frequency” rank increasing switch 46 as shown by A is pressed, as shown by B in FIG. “Newness” is replaced. Thereby, the user of a vehicle can set the priority suitable for oneself.

  By the way, when a plurality of learning requests from the suspension control device 20 are transmitted at short intervals, the navigation device 10 stores the step information of the step area detected in response to all the learning requests as it is in the storage media unit 19, When the suspension control device 20 changes the characteristics of the suspension unit 30 based on the stored step information of the step area, the characteristics of the suspension unit 30 change at short intervals, so that the driver and passengers of the vehicle feel uncomfortable. End up. Further, the storage data stored in the storage media unit 19 increases, and the storage capacity of the storage media unit 19 is compressed.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, step area integration processing for integrating adjacent step areas is performed, and when the interval between the learning request areas as the detected step areas is short, a plurality of learning areas are learned together. A learning area is created as a step area. The step area is a section where a step exists on the road, and its length is measured along the traveling direction of the vehicle. If a plurality of learning requests are transmitted from the suspension control device 20 at short intervals, the navigation device 10 determines that the interval between adjacent learning request areas is less than a preset threshold, for example, less than 30 [m]. Combine to create a single learning area. Further, when the interval between adjacent learning request areas is equal to or greater than a threshold value, no integration is performed.

  In addition, when the step at the same location on the road is traveled a plurality of times, storing the step information of the step area detected according to the learning request every time the travel is performed in the storage media unit 19 increases the stored data. The storage capacity of the media unit 19 is compressed.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the learning request area as the detected step area is compared with the step area already stored in the storage media unit 19, that is, the step area at the same point as compared to the learning area. The same point determination is performed to determine whether or not, and if it is a step area at the same point, it is not stored in the storage media unit 19. Then, when there is a portion where the current learning request area from the suspension control device 20 overlaps with the learning step area as the stored step area, it is determined that it is a step area at the same point as the learning area, and newly It is not stored in the storage media unit 19. Further, even if the current learning request area from the suspension control device 20 does not overlap any learning area, if the distance from the learning area as the stored step area is within the matching distance error, the learning area Is determined to be a step area at the same point, and is not newly stored in the storage media unit 19. The matching distance error is the maximum distance of errors generated during map matching, and is, for example, 30 [m]. When the current learning request area from the suspension control device 20 does not overlap any learning area, and the distance from the learning area as the stored step area is larger than the matching distance error, It is determined that it is not a step area at the same point as the learning area, and is stored in the storage media unit 19 as a new learning area.

  Furthermore, when the suspension control device 20 changes the characteristics of the suspension unit 30 based on the learning area stored in the storage media unit 19 by a single learning request, the characteristics of the suspension unit 30 are inappropriately changed. There is. For example, on a road with two or more lanes on one side, there may be a step in only one lane and no step in the other lane even at the same point. In this case, even if the driver usually selects a lane without a step and drives the vehicle, if there is an obstacle such as a vehicle parked in the lane without a step, select a lane with a step. To drive the vehicle. At this time, since the suspension control device 20 transmits a learning request, the learning area corresponding to the step is stored in the storage media unit 19 by the learning request. However, when driving the same point after the next time, if control is performed to change the characteristics of the suspension unit 30 based on the learning area, the driver selects a lane without a step to drive the vehicle. Therefore, unnecessary control has been performed.

  Further, there may be a step only in a certain range within one lane. In this case, even a driver who normally drives a vehicle by selecting a range without a step, when there is an obstacle such as a vehicle parked or stopped in a range without a step, or in another lane When the vehicle is running and a range without a step cannot be selected, the range with a step is selected to run the vehicle. At this time, since the suspension control device 20 transmits a learning request, the learning area corresponding to the step is stored in the storage media unit 19 by the learning request. However, when driving the same point after the next time, if control is performed to change the characteristics of the suspension unit 30 based on the learning area, the driver selects a range without a step to drive the vehicle. Therefore, unnecessary control has been performed.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the navigation device 10 includes a learning request counter as a counter, and counts the number of learning requests transmitted for each of the learning areas stored in the storage media unit 19. Yes. When the count value of the learning request counter is less than the threshold value, output as information for controlling the suspension is prohibited, and learning area level information is not transmitted to the suspension control device 20. In this case, the threshold for determining whether or not to transmit step information can be changed according to the road type as the road attribute. For example, as described above, when there is a step only in one lane and there is no step in the other lane, or when there is a step only within a certain range in one lane, it is often found on general roads. On the other hand, on a highway, the road surface is relatively uniform, and it is considered that there is little difference in road surface state between adjacent lanes and in the same lane. Therefore, when the point where the learning request is transmitted is a general road, the threshold value is set high. For example, when the point where the learning request is transmitted is a highway, the step information is set to 3 or more. The threshold value is set to be low, for example, to transmit step information at 1 or more.

  Next, processing executed by the step learning system will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed by the step difference learning system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the suspension control device 20 executes a step detection process. Here, the level difference detection process is a process in which the level difference detection processing unit 21 of the suspension control device 20 detects that the vehicle has traveled on the level difference based on the detection signal of the level difference detection sensor 22. In this case, the level difference detection processing unit 21 repeatedly executes the level difference detection process at a predetermined cycle, for example, every 10 [msec], and determines whether or not a level difference is detected each time it is executed. A step detection ON signal is transmitted to the navigation device 10 when the step changes from a state where the step is not detected to a detected state, and a step detection occurs when the step changes from a state where the step is detected to a state where it is not detected. An OFF signal is transmitted to the navigation device 10. Accordingly, the step detection ON signal corresponds to the start point of the learning request area as the detected step area, and the step detection OFF signal corresponds to the end point of the learning request area as the detected step area.

  Subsequently, the navigation device 10 executes a step information storage process. Here, the step information storage processing is processing in which the current position detection unit 16 and the step area calculation processing unit 17 of the navigation device 10 access the storage media unit 19 and store the detected step area in the storage media unit 19. It is. In this case, adjacent step areas are integrated, and a learning area as a learned step area is created and stored. Further, the same step determination is performed, and when the detected step area is not a step area at the same point as the already stored learning area, the detected step area is stored as a learning area, and the detected step area is If it is a step area at the same point as the already stored learning area, the detected step area is not stored, and the count value of the learning request counter for the already stored learning area is increased by 1, that is, Increment.

  In addition, the navigation device 10 executes a step information notification process. Here, the step information notification processing is based on the current position of the vehicle acquired from the current position detection unit 16 and the learning area information acquired from the storage media unit 19 by the step information notification processing unit 18 of the navigation device 10. This is a process of transmitting step information of a learning area as a learned step area within a predetermined range in the forward direction of the vehicle to the suspension control device 20. In this case, the step information notification processing unit 18 determines the road type of the road where the step area exists, and only the step information of the learning area in which the count value of the learning request counter is equal to or greater than the threshold corresponding to the road type is the suspension control device 20. Send to.

  Subsequently, the suspension control device 20 executes a damping force control process. Here, the damping force control process is a process in which the damping force control unit 25 of the suspension control device 20 reduces the damping force of the suspension unit 30 and improves the riding comfort based on the step information received from the navigation device 10. is there. Note that when the vehicle is turning, the damping force of the suspension unit 30 is not changed because it affects the stability of the vehicle.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S1: The suspension control device 20 executes a level difference detection process.
Step S2 The navigation device 10 executes a step information storage process.
Step S3 The navigation device 10 executes a step information notification process.
Step S4: The suspension control device 20 executes a damping force control process.

  Next, a subroutine for level difference detection processing in step S1 will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of level difference detection processing in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In this case, the step detection process is repeatedly executed at a predetermined timing, for example, once every 10 [msec]. First, the step detection processing unit 21 of the suspension control device 20 detects the vertical acceleration of the vehicle body based on a detection signal from the step detection sensor 22. And the level | step difference detection process part 21 extracts the high frequency component of a vertical acceleration.

  Subsequently, the level difference detection processing unit 21 determines whether or not the level difference detection flag is ON. Here, in the step detection process that is repeatedly executed, the step detection processing unit 21 detects a step in the current step detection process without detecting a step in the step detection process executed last time. It is supposed to be turned on. Then, the step detection flag is kept ON, and the step detection flag is turned OFF when no step is detected in the step detection process. Therefore, the step detection flag being ON means that the vehicle is traveling in the step area and that the vehicle has detected a step at least in the previous step detection process. In addition, the fact that the step detection flag is OFF instead of ON means that the vehicle is not traveling in the step area and at least the vehicle has not detected a step in the step detection process up to the previous time.

  When the step detection flag is not ON, that is, when the step detection flag is OFF, the step detection processing unit 21 determines whether the high-frequency component of the vertical acceleration is equal to or greater than a predetermined value 1 as the first predetermined value. to decide. Here, the predetermined value 1 is the magnitude of the vertical acceleration at which it can be determined that the vehicle has traveled on a step, and can be arbitrarily set. If the high-frequency component of the vertical acceleration is not equal to or greater than the predetermined value 1, the process is terminated as it is. If the high frequency component of the vertical acceleration is greater than or equal to the predetermined value 1, the step detection processing unit 21 turns on the step detection flag. And a level | step difference detection ON signal is transmitted to the navigation apparatus 10, and a process is complete | finished.

  Further, when it is determined whether or not the step detection flag is ON and the step detection flag is ON, the step detection processing unit 21 has a high frequency component of vertical acceleration that is less than a predetermined value 2 as a second predetermined value. Determine whether or not. Here, the predetermined value 2 is a magnitude of the vertical acceleration that can be determined that the vehicle has stopped traveling on the level difference, and is a value that is smaller than the predetermined value in order to provide hysteresis. Can be set. If the high-frequency component of the vertical acceleration is not less than the predetermined value 2, the process is terminated as it is. When the high frequency component of the vertical acceleration is less than the predetermined value 2, the step detection processing unit 21 turns off the step detection flag. And a level | step difference detection OFF signal is transmitted to the navigation apparatus 10, and a process is complete | finished.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S1-1: The vertical acceleration of the vehicle body is detected based on the detection signal from the step detection sensor 22.
Step S1-2: Extract high frequency components of vertical acceleration.
Step S1-3: It is determined whether or not the step detection flag is ON. If the step detection flag is ON, the process proceeds to step S1-7. If the step detection flag is not ON, the process proceeds to step S1-4.
Step S1-4: It is determined whether or not the high-frequency component of the vertical acceleration is a predetermined value 1 or more. If the high frequency component of the vertical acceleration is greater than or equal to the predetermined value 1, the process proceeds to step S1-5. If the high frequency component of the vertical acceleration is not equal to or greater than the predetermined value 1, the process ends.
Step S1-5: The level difference detection flag is turned ON.
Step S1-6 The step detection ON signal is transmitted to the navigation device 10, and the process is terminated.
Step S1-7: It is determined whether or not the high frequency component of the vertical acceleration is less than a predetermined value 2. If the high frequency component of the vertical acceleration is less than the predetermined value 2, the process proceeds to step S1-8. If the high frequency component of the vertical acceleration is not less than the predetermined value 2, the process ends.
Step S1-8: The level difference detection flag is turned off.
Step S1-9 The step detection OFF signal is transmitted to the navigation device 10 and the process is terminated.

  Next, a step information storage subroutine in step S2 will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of step information storage processing in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the navigation apparatus 10 determines whether or not the step learning request is ON, that is, whether the signal received from the step detection processing unit 21 is a step detection ON signal or a step detection OFF signal. If the step learning request is ON, that is, a step detection ON signal, it is determined whether or not the start point has been registered. That is, it is determined whether or not the start point of the learning request area as the detected step area is registered. If it has already been registered, the process ends. If not registered, step area start point registration is performed, the detected step area start point is registered, and the process ends.

  If the step learning request is determined to be ON and not ON, that is, if the step detection OFF signal is received, the navigation device 10 determines whether or not the step area start point has been registered. That is, it is determined whether or not the start point of the detected step area is registered. If it has not been registered, the process ends. If registered, the step area end point is registered, and the end point of the detected step area is registered.

  Subsequently, the navigation apparatus 10 determines whether or not there is another step in the predetermined range before the current step area. That is, within a predetermined range on the near side of the traveling direction of the vehicle from the step area where the end point is registered in the current step information storing process, for example, within a range within 30 [m] from the start point of the step area. It is determined whether there is another registered step area. If there is another step, that is, if there is another step area already registered, the step areas are combined. That is, the step area where the end point is registered in the current step information storage process is combined with another step area that has already been registered to create a single learning area. When there is no other step, that is, when there is no other step area already registered, the step areas are not combined.

  Subsequently, the navigation device 10 determines whether there is a step area that is already registered in the storage media unit 19 and whose distance is within a predetermined value. That is, the detected step area is compared with the step area already stored in the storage media unit 19, that is, the learning area, and the same point determination is performed to determine whether or not the step area is the same point. If there is a distance within a predetermined value, that is, a step area at the same point, the learning request counter of the corresponding learning area is incremented and the process is terminated. In this case, the detected step area is not stored in the storage media unit 19, and the counter value of the learning request counter of the learning area already stored in the storage media unit 19 is increased by 1.

  Further, if there is no distance within the predetermined value, that is, if it is not a step area at the same point, a new learning area registration process for newly registering the step area in the storage media unit 19 is executed, Exit.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S2-1: It is determined whether or not the step learning request is ON. If the step learning request is ON, the process proceeds to step S2-2. If the step learning request is not ON, the process proceeds to step S2-4.
Step S2-2: It is determined whether or not the start point has been registered. If the start point has been registered, the process ends. If the start point has not been registered, the process proceeds to step S2-3.
Step S2-3: Step area start point registration is performed, and the process ends.
Step S2-4: It is determined whether or not the step area start point has been registered. If the step area start point has been registered, the process proceeds to step S2-5. If the step area start point has not been registered, the process ends.
Step S2-5: Step area end point registration is performed.
Step S2-6: It is determined whether there is another step area within a predetermined range before the current step area. When there is another step area in the predetermined range before the current step area, the process proceeds to step S2-7, and when there is no other step area in the predetermined range before the current step area, the process proceeds to step S2-8.
Step S2-7: Combine the step areas.
Step S2-8: It is determined whether there is a step area that has already been registered in the storage media unit 19 and whose distance is within a predetermined value. If there is a step area that is already registered in the storage media unit 19 and the distance is within a predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S2-9, and a step area that is already registered in the storage media unit 19 and that has a distance within the predetermined value. If not, the process proceeds to step S2-10.
Step S2-9: The learning request counter for the corresponding learning area is incremented and the process is terminated.
Step S2-10 The learning area new registration process is executed and the process is terminated.

  Next, a learning area new registration subroutine in step S2-10 will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a new learning area registration process in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the navigation device 10 determines whether or not the maximum storage number of the step area has been reached. In this case, it is determined whether the step area already registered in the storage media unit 19, that is, the number of learning areas is the maximum number of learning areas that can be stored in the storage media unit 19. If the maximum storage number of the step area has not been reached, the storage capacity of the storage media unit 19 is sufficient, so the current learning area is newly registered and the process is terminated. As a result, the detected step area is newly registered in the storage media unit 19 as a learning area.

  If the maximum number of steps stored in the step area has been reached, the navigation device 10 selects the step area in the storage media unit 19 that has the oldest passage date. That is, the learning area stored in the storage media unit 19 is selected as the one with the lowest priority from the oldest passage date. This corresponds to condition 1 above. Subsequently, the navigation device 10 determines whether there are a plurality of such devices. In this case, it is determined whether or not there are a plurality of step areas selected as having the lowest priority on the condition of the last passage date among the step areas in the storage media unit 19.

  And when there are not two or more, that is, when there is one step area selected as the lowest priority on the condition of the last passage date among the step areas in the storage media unit 19, the navigation device 10 The stored data of the selected step area is deleted. In this case, the step information of the selected step area stored in the storage media unit 19 is deleted. Then, the current learning area is newly registered and the process is terminated.

  In addition, when it is determined whether or not there are a plurality, if there are a plurality, the navigation apparatus 10 selects the step area selected in the condition 1 with the least number of times of traffic. In other words, the learning area selected from the learning areas stored in the storage media unit 19 having the lowest priority on the condition of the last passage date has the highest priority on the condition of the traffic frequency. Choose a lower one. This corresponds to the condition 2. Subsequently, the navigation device 10 determines whether there are a plurality of such devices. In this case, among the stepped areas in the storage media unit 19, there are a plurality of stepped areas that are selected as having the lowest priority on the condition of last travel date and the lowest priority on the condition of travel frequency. Judge whether there is.

  And when there are not a plurality, that is, the step area in the storage media unit 19 is selected as having the lowest priority on the condition of last travel date and the lowest priority on the condition of travel frequency. When there is only one step area, the navigation device 10 deletes the stored data of the selected step area. In this case, the step information of the selected step area stored in the storage media unit 19 is deleted. Then, the current learning area is newly registered and the process is terminated.

  In addition, when it is determined whether or not there are a plurality, if there are a plurality, the navigation apparatus 10 selects the step area selected in the condition 2 that is farthest from the home. That is, the learning area selected from the learning areas stored in the storage media unit 19 that has the lowest priority on the condition of the last passage date and the lowest priority on the condition of the passage frequency. Among them, the one having the lowest priority on the condition of the distance from the home is selected. This corresponds to the condition 3. Subsequently, the navigation device 10 determines whether there are a plurality of such devices. In this case, among the stepped areas in the storage media unit 19, the priority with the last travel date as the condition is the lowest, the priority with the travel frequency as the condition is the lowest, and the priority is based on the distance from the home It is determined whether or not there are a plurality of step areas selected as those having the lowest degree.

  And when there are not a plurality, that is, in the stepped area in the storage media unit 19, the priority on the condition of the last passage date is the lowest, the priority on the condition of the traffic frequency is the lowest, and from the home When there is one step area selected as having the lowest priority on the condition of distance, the navigation device 10 deletes the stored data of the selected step area. In this case, the step information of the selected step area stored in the storage media unit 19 is deleted. Then, the current learning area is newly registered and the process is terminated.

  In addition, when there are a plurality of areas determined by determining whether or not there are a plurality of areas, the navigation apparatus 10 selects the area having the smallest level difference detection level from among the area areas selected in the condition 3. In other words, the learning area stored in the storage media unit 19 has the lowest priority on the condition of the last travel date, the lowest priority on the condition of the traffic frequency, and the distance from the home. The learning area having the lowest priority on the condition of the step level is selected from the learning areas selected as the lowest priority. This corresponds to condition 4 above. Subsequently, the navigation device 10 deletes the stored data of the selected step area. In this case, the step information of the selected step area stored in the storage media unit 19 is deleted. Then, the current learning area is newly registered and the process is terminated.

  In addition, although the case where selection was performed in the order of the conditions 1 to 4 was described here, the order of the conditions 1 to 4 can be changed as appropriate.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S2-10-1: It is determined whether or not the maximum storage number of the step area has been reached. If the maximum storage number of the step area has been reached, the process proceeds to step S2-10-2. If the maximum storage number of the step area has not been reached, the process proceeds to step S2-10-10.
Step S2-10-2: The step having the oldest passage date is selected from the step areas in the storage media unit 19.
Step S2-10-3: It is determined whether or not there are a plurality. If there are a plurality, the process proceeds to step S2-10-4, and if there are not, the process proceeds to step S2-10-9.
Step S2-10-4: From the stepped areas selected under Condition 1, select the one with the smallest number of times of traffic.
Step S2-10-5: It is determined whether or not there are a plurality. If there are a plurality, the process proceeds to step S2-10-6, and if there are not, the process proceeds to step S2-10-9.
Step S2-10-6: Select the one farthest from the home among the step areas selected in Condition 2.
Step S2-10-7: It is determined whether or not there are a plurality. If there are a plurality, the process proceeds to step S2-10-8, and if there are not, the process proceeds to step S2-10-9.
Step S2-10-8: The step area with the smallest step detection level is selected from the step areas selected in Condition 3.
Step S2-10-9: Delete the stored data of the selected step area.
Step S2-10-10: Register the new learning area and end the process.

  Next, a step information notification subroutine in step S3 will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of step information notification processing in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the navigation device 10 reads the step information of the road ahead of the current position from the storage media unit 19. In this case, based on the current position of the vehicle acquired from the current position detection unit 16, step information of the learned step area on the road ahead in the traveling direction of the vehicle is acquired from the storage media unit 19. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not there is a step area in front. In this case, it is determined whether or not there is a learned step area that is within a predetermined range ahead of the traveling direction of the vehicle.

  Then, if there is no step area ahead, the process is terminated. If there is a step area ahead, the navigation device 10 updates the last passage date of the corresponding step area. Subsequently, the number of times of passage in the corresponding step area is updated. In this case, the count value of the passage number counter of the corresponding step area is incremented. Subsequently, the road type of the step area is confirmed. That is, the road data file of the map database unit 15 is accessed to check the road type of the road where the step area exists. And the navigation apparatus 10 judges whether a level | step difference area is a highway. That is, it is determined whether or not the road type of the road where the step area exists is an expressway.

  Here, when the road type is an expressway, the navigation apparatus 10 determines whether or not the learning request counter is equal to or greater than a predetermined value 1 as the first predetermined value. Here, the predetermined value 1 is a threshold value of a count value of a learning request counter that can transmit the step information of the step area learned when the road type is an expressway to the suspension control device 20, for example, 1 However, it can be set arbitrarily. If the count value of the learning request counter is not equal to or greater than the predetermined value 1, the process is terminated as it is. If the count value of the learning request counter is greater than or equal to the predetermined value 1, step information is transmitted to the suspension control device 20 and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the road type is not an expressway, the navigation device 10 determines whether or not the learning request counter is equal to or greater than a predetermined value 2 as the second predetermined value. Here, the predetermined value 2 is a count value of a learning request counter that can transmit step information of a step area learned when the road type is other than a highway, for example, a general road, to the suspension control device 20. For example, it is 3, but can be arbitrarily set. If the count value of the learning request counter is not equal to or greater than the predetermined value 2, the process is terminated as it is. If the count value of the learning request counter is equal to or greater than the predetermined value 2, the step information is transmitted to the suspension control device 20 and the process is terminated.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S3-1: Read the step information on the road ahead of the current position from the storage media unit 19.
Step S3-2: It is determined whether or not there is a step area ahead. If there is a step area ahead, the process proceeds to step S3-3. If there is no step area ahead, the process ends.
Step S3-3: Update the last passage date of the step area.
Step S3-4: Update the number of times the step area is passed.
Step S3-5: Check the road type of the step area.
Step S3-6: Determine whether the step area is a highway. If the step area is a highway, the process proceeds to step S3-7. If the step area is not a highway, the process proceeds to step S3-9.
Step S3-7: It is determined whether or not the learning request counter is a predetermined value 1 or more. If the learning request counter is equal to or greater than the predetermined value 1, the process proceeds to step S3-8. If the learning request counter is not equal to or greater than the predetermined value 1, the process ends.
Step S3-8 The step information is transmitted to the suspension control device 20, and the process is terminated.
Step S3-9: It is determined whether or not the learning request counter is a predetermined value 2 or more. If the learning request counter is equal to or greater than the predetermined value 2, the process proceeds to step S3-10. If the learning request counter is not equal to or greater than the predetermined value 2, the process ends.
Step S3-10 The step information is transmitted to the suspension controller 20, and the process is terminated.

  Next, the subroutine of the damping force control process in step S4 will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of damping force control processing in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the damping force control unit 25 of the suspension control device 20 determines whether or not it has received front step information from the navigation device 10, that is, a step for a learned step area within a predetermined range in front of the traveling direction of the vehicle. It is determined whether information has been received. If the step information has not been received, the process is terminated as it is. When step information is received, the damping force control unit 25 determines whether or not the vehicle is turning. In this case, the damping force control unit 25 determines whether or not the vehicle is turning based on the detection signal of the steering sensor 27. If the damping force control unit 25 is connected to a yaw rate sensor or lateral acceleration sensor (not shown), it is determined whether the vehicle is turning based on detection signals from the yaw rate sensor and lateral acceleration sensor. You can also

  Then, when the vehicle is turning, the process is ended as it is. When the vehicle is not turning, the damping force control unit 25 improves the riding comfort by reducing the damping force of the suspension unit 30 and ends the processing.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S4-1: It is determined whether or not forward step information has been received from the navigation device 10. When the front step information is received from the navigation device 10, the process proceeds to step S4-2, and when the front step information is not received from the navigation device 10, the process ends.
Step S4-2: It is determined whether or not the vehicle is turning. If it is turning, the process ends. If it is not turning, the process proceeds to step S4-3.
Step S4-3: Decreasing the damping force of the suspension unit 30 to improve the riding comfort, and the process is terminated.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the navigation device 10 gives priority to the step information of the step area stored in the storage media unit 19. If the storage capacity of the storage media unit 19 is not sufficient, the step information of the step area with low priority is deleted, and the step information of the newly detected step area is stored and learned. Yes. Therefore, the storage capacity of the storage data stored in the storage media unit 19 can be reduced, and the storage capacity of the storage media unit 19 is not compressed.

  Further, since step information of a step area with high priority is stored, suspension control can be appropriately performed for the step.

  Furthermore, since the priority is higher as the distance from the user's home is shorter, even if the travel range of the vehicle changes due to the user's move, change of the user, etc., the step area present in the new travel range Since the step information can be stored in the storage media unit 19, suspension control can be appropriately performed for the step in the new travel range.

  Furthermore, since the user can set conditions for setting the priority, a priority suitable for each user can be set.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as 1st Embodiment, the description is abbreviate | omitted by providing the same code | symbol. The description of the same operation and the same effect as those of the first embodiment is also omitted.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a function of the first condition for assigning priority according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a diagram for giving priority according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a function of two conditions, FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a function of a third condition for assigning priority in the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is in the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a fourth condition function for assigning priorities, and FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a subroutine for a new registration process for a learning area according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, an operation of comprehensively evaluating based on a plurality of conditions when the priorities based on a plurality of conditions are combined comprehensively will be described. Therefore, the learning area new registration subroutine in step S2-10 will be described. Other operations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  First, the navigation device 10 determines whether or not the maximum storage number of the step area has been reached. In this case, it is determined whether the step area already registered in the storage media unit 19, that is, the number of learning areas is the maximum number of learning areas that can be stored in the storage media unit 19. If the maximum storage number of the step area has not been reached, the storage capacity of the storage media unit 19 is sufficient, so the current learning area is newly registered and the process is terminated. As a result, the detected step area is newly registered in the storage media unit 19 as a learning area.

  When the maximum storage number of the step area is reached, the navigation device 10 calculates the weighting point P according to a predetermined formula for the step area in the storage media unit 19. The weighting point P corresponds to a result of comprehensively combining priorities based on a plurality of conditions. In this case, for the learning areas stored in the storage media unit 19, the conditions 1 to 4 for giving the priority described in the first embodiment according to formulas (1) to (4) described later are given. The weighting points P1 to P4 corresponding to each are calculated, and the weighting point P is calculated according to the equation (5) described later. The weight points P1 to P4 correspond to the priorities given according to the conditions 1 to 4.

First, the weighting point P1 corresponding to the condition 1 is expressed as the following formula (1) as a function Fa of the last passage date and the current date of the corresponding step area.
P1 = Fa (last pass date, current date) (1)
As described above, the last passage date of the condition 1 is a condition indicating newness, and the last passage date increases the priority of the new learning area. Therefore, the function Fa can be represented by a line 51 in FIG. In FIG. 9, the vertical axis represents the value of the weighting point P1, and the horizontal axis represents the difference between the current date and the last passage date. As can be seen from FIG. 9, the value of the weighting point P1 is set to be lower as the difference between the current date and the last passage date becomes larger, that is, as the last passage date becomes older. The line 51 is a function Fa in an initial setting state that is a standard setting, and the user falls within a range between a maximum setting state represented by a line 51a and a minimum setting state represented by a line 51b. Settings can be changed arbitrarily. An arrow 51c in FIG. 9 indicates a user setting range.

Further, the weighting point P2 corresponding to the condition 2 is expressed as the following expression (2) as a function Fb of the number of times of passage in the corresponding step area.
P2 = Fb (the number of times of traffic) (2)
As described above, the traffic frequency of the condition 2 is a condition for giving priority to the step information of the step area on the road that frequently passes, that is, the road that travels frequently, and includes a traffic counter that counts the number of traffic, The priority of learning areas with a high number of traffic is increased. Therefore, the function Fb can be represented by a line 52 in FIG. In FIG. 10, the vertical axis represents the value of the weighting point P2, and the horizontal axis represents the number of passes. As can be seen from FIG. 10, the value of the weighting point P2 is set higher as the number of passes increases, that is, as the count value of the pass counter increases. The line 52 is a function Fb in the initial setting state that is a standard setting, and the user falls within the range between the maximum setting state represented by the line 52a and the minimum setting state represented by the line 52b. Settings can be changed arbitrarily. An arrow 52c in FIG. 10 indicates a user setting range.

Further, the weighting point P3 corresponding to the condition 3 is expressed as the following equation (3) as a function Fc of the distance from the home of the corresponding step area.
P3 = Fc (distance from home) Formula (3)
As described above, the distance from the home in the condition 3 is a condition for giving priority to the step information of the step area near the home location registered in the navigation device 10, and the roads around the registered home have a traffic frequency. Therefore, the priority of the learning area located at a short distance from the home is increased. Therefore, the function Fc can be represented by a line 53 in FIG. In FIG. 11, the vertical axis represents the value of the weighting point P3, and the horizontal axis represents the distance from the home. As can be seen from FIG. 11, the weighting point P3 is set to be lower as the distance from the home increases, that is, as the distance from the home increases. The line 53 is a function Fc in the initial setting state that is a standard setting, and the user falls within the range of the maximum setting state represented by the line 53a and the minimum setting state represented by the line 53b. Settings can be changed arbitrarily. An arrow 53c in FIG. 11 indicates a user setting range.

Furthermore, the weighting point P4 corresponding to the condition 4 is expressed as the following step (4) as the corresponding step level function Fd.
P4 = Fd (level difference level) Formula (4)
As described above, the magnitude of the effect of the condition 4 is the magnitude of the effect obtained by performing the suspension control, and the suspension control is performed to change the characteristics of the suspension unit 30 to a soft setting as the level difference increases. Therefore, the priority of the learning area having a large step level is increased. Therefore, the function Fd can be represented by a line 54 in FIG. In FIG. 12, the vertical axis represents the value of the weighting point P4, and the horizontal axis represents the level difference. As can be seen from FIG. 12, the value of the weighting point P4 is set to increase as the step level increases. The line 54 is a function Fd in the initial setting state that is a standard setting, and the user falls within the range of the maximum setting state represented by the line 54a and the minimum setting state represented by the line 54b. Settings can be changed arbitrarily. An arrow 54c in FIG. 12 indicates a user setting range.

Then, when the weighting points P1 to P4 are calculated according to the equations (1) to (4), the weighting point P is subsequently calculated according to the following equation (5).
P = P1 + P2 + P3 + P4 (5)
Subsequently, the navigation device 10 selects the step area with the smallest weighting point P. That is, the learning area having the smallest weighting point P is selected from the learning areas stored in the storage media unit 19. Subsequently, the navigation device 10 deletes the stored data of the selected step area. In this case, the step information of the selected step area stored in the storage media unit 19 is deleted. Then, the current learning area is newly registered and the process is terminated.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S2-10-21: It is determined whether or not the maximum storage number of the step area has been reached. If the maximum storage number of the step area has been reached, the process proceeds to step S2-10-22. If the maximum storage number of the step area has not been reached, the process proceeds to step S2-10-25.
Step S2-10-22: The weighting point P is calculated according to a predetermined formula for the step area in the storage media unit 19.
Step S2-10-23: Select the step area with the smallest weighting point P.
Step S2-10-24: Delete the stored data of the selected step area.
Step S2-10-25: The new learning area is newly registered and the process is terminated.

  Thus, in this Embodiment, when giving a priority to a learning area, the priority based on several conditions is combined comprehensively. In this case, as a result of calculating the evaluation points based on each condition and adding the evaluation points based on all the conditions, the data with the lowest point is set as the data with the lowest priority. Therefore, the priority can be set appropriately.

  Further, the user of the vehicle can select the point setting. Therefore, it is possible to set a priority level more suitable for the user.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can change variously based on the meaning of this invention, and does not exclude them from the scope of the present invention.

It is a figure which shows the learning data setting screen in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the level | step difference learning system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which the level | step difference learning system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention performs. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the level | step difference detection process in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the level | step difference information storage process in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the new registration process of a learning area in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the level | step difference information notification process in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the damping force control process in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the function of the 1st condition for providing the priority in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the function of the 2nd condition for providing the priority in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the function of the 3rd condition for providing the priority in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the function of the 4th condition for providing the priority in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the new registration process of the learning area in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

16 Current position detection unit 17 Step area calculation processing unit 18 Step information notification processing unit 19 Storage media unit 21 Step detection processing unit 22 Step detection sensor

Claims (5)

(A) a step detecting means for detecting a step on the road;
(B) storage means for storing step information of the step area detected by the step detection means;
(C) priority giving means for giving priority based on the attribute information of the step area to the step information of the step area stored in the storage means;
(D) The step area detected by the step detection unit by selectively deleting the step information of the step area stored in the storage unit according to the priority assigned to the step area according to the storage capacity of the storage unit And a storage processing means for storing the step information in the storage means. The step learning system according to claim 1, wherein the attribute information of the step area is a step level or position information. (A) The priority giving means further gives a priority based on the last passage date or the number of passes of the step area,
(B) The step according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the storage processing unit selectively deletes the step information of the step area stored in the storage unit according to a combination of a plurality of priorities assigned to the step area. Learning system. The step learning system according to claim 3, wherein the combination of the plurality of priorities is a sequential combination. The step learning system according to claim 3, wherein the combination of the plurality of priorities is a comprehensive combination.

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