JP2000171353A - Visibility evaluating device and visibility evaluating method for display device of motor vehicle, and computer-readable recording medium with visibility evaluation program recorded thereon - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make more precise evaluation obtainable in an evaluation experiment for evaluating the visibility of a display device by use of an actual vehicle. SOLUTION: By use of a test vehicle driven by a subject and a preceding vehicle, an experiment is performed in the state where both the vehicles are traveling. A display control unit 34 performs a display on a display device 35 when it is judged that the subject watches the display device 35. The subject operates an operation switch 38d according to the display content. According to this operation, a signal is transmitted from a main control unit 31 to the control unit 42 of the forward vehicle 2 through communication devices 32, 41 to light a brake lamp 43. When the subject recognizes the lighting of the brake lamp, a brake 38d is operated, and the recognition by the subject is detected. The visibility of the display device is evaluated on the basis of the reaction time from the lighting of the brake lamp to the brake operation by the subject.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a computer-readable recording device which records a visibility evaluation device, a visibility evaluation method, and a visibility evaluation program for a vehicle display device used for evaluating the visibility of a display device. Regarding the medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an apparatus which controls a vehicle by so-called inter-vehicle communication (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-55130). In this vehicle, a transmitter and a receiver are provided in the own vehicle and a preceding vehicle traveling in front of the own vehicle, respectively, and the traveling of the preceding vehicle transmitted from the preceding vehicle, for example, an accelerator opening, a brake amount, and the like. The information is received by the own vehicle, and the operation of the own vehicle is automatically controlled according to the traveling information.

[0003]

By the way, in recent years, computerization has progressed, and much information has been introduced into a running vehicle. Most of such information is displayed on the display device, so that the occupant obtains the information visually.

However, when the driver checks the display device, the driver may be too careful to check the display content depending on the position of the display device. May not occur. For this reason, it is important where the display device is arranged.

Therefore, as an experiment for evaluating the visibility of the display device, a screen is provided in front of the vehicle in a stopped state, and while the moving image is being displayed on the screen, the display is displayed on the display device. While watching this display, a simulation evaluation experiment in which visibility is evaluated depending on whether or not the lighting of the brake light of the preceding vehicle projected on the screen is recognized may be considered.

[0006] However, it is known that the more a vehicle travels at a high speed, the narrower its field of view becomes. Therefore, in the evaluation by the simulator as described above, it is possible to obtain an evaluation sufficiently conforming to the actual vehicle. There is no problem.

Therefore, for example, the following experiment for evaluating the visibility of the display device using two vehicles is considered.

[0008] That is, the rear vehicle of the two vehicles is a test vehicle to be driven by a subject, and a display device to be evaluated is mounted on the test vehicle. Then, when the two vehicles are running side by side in a state of being separated by a predetermined inter-vehicle distance, the subject is gazed at the display device. When the test subject gazes at the display device, the experimenter who has boarded the test vehicle instructs the experimenter of the preceding vehicle to turn on the braking light verbally using radio or the like and turns on the braking light of the preceding vehicle. Turn on. Then, a method is conceivable in which the visibility of the display device is evaluated based on whether or not the subject can recognize that the brake light is turned on, and the time from when the brake light is turned on to when the brake light is recognized.

[0009] However, in the case where the experimenter who gets on the test vehicle gives a verbal instruction as described above, there is a disadvantage that the test subject can predict the lighting of the brake light in advance. For this reason, this subject has a problem in that attention is paid to the front rather than watching the display content of the display device, and reliable data cannot be secured as an experiment for evaluating the visibility of the display device. Therefore, there is a problem that an appropriate evaluation cannot be obtained.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a purpose thereof is to obtain a more appropriate evaluation in an evaluation experiment for evaluating the visibility of a display device using an actual vehicle. Is to make it possible.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, the inventor of the present invention has proposed that an experimenter who has boarded a test vehicle does not give a verbal instruction to turn on a brake light of a vehicle in front of the subject vehicle, but a predetermined condition. The present invention has been completed by focusing on the point that if the brake light is automatically turned on when the condition is satisfied, it is possible to prevent a subject from predicting the lighting of the brake light. .

More specifically, a first invention comprises a test vehicle driven by a subject and a front vehicle that runs ahead of the test vehicle, and is mounted on the test vehicle with both of the vehicles running. Targeting the visibility evaluation device of the display device of the vehicle that performs the visibility evaluation of the display device, an activity detection output unit that detects the activity of the subject and outputs the detection result,
Operating means for causing the specific operation of the preceding vehicle to be performed in response to the output of the action detection output means; recognition detection means for detecting that the subject has recognized the specific operation of the preceding vehicle; and a result of the recognition detection means And evaluating means for evaluating the visibility of the display device based on the above. Here, the "specific operation of the preceding vehicle"
The lighting of the brake light means the lighting of the brake light.For example, if the brake light is turned on without actually braking the vehicle, the test vehicle may collide with the vehicle ahead. Accidents can be avoided and experiments can be performed safely.

[0013] An operation device for performing an operation based on the subject looking at the display device is provided. The "action detection output means" includes a visual recognition action for visually recognizing the display content of the display device, and What is necessary is just to comprise so that any one or both of the operation behavior of an apparatus may be detected.

In this case, first, the subject is made to visually recognize the display device. Then, an operation of the operation device based on the visual recognition action is performed. Such a viewing action or an operation action is detected by the action detection output unit, and a state in which the subject is looking at the display device is detected. Then, when the subject is looking at the display device,
The operating means causes the preceding vehicle to perform a specific operation, that is, to turn on a brake light. Whether or not the lighting of the brake light of the vehicle in front is perceived while the subject is looking at the display device, that is, whether or not the subject performs braking on the test vehicle is detected by the recognition detecting means. Then, the evaluation means evaluates the visibility based on this recognition.

As described above, by the action detection output means and the operation means, when the subject is looking at the display device, the specific operation of the vehicle ahead is automatically performed without depending on the verbal instruction of the experimenter. As a result, it is possible to prevent the subject from predicting the specific operation of the vehicle in front. For this reason, it is possible to obtain reliable data as an experiment for evaluating the visibility of the display device using an actual vehicle, and it is possible to obtain an appropriate evaluation of the visibility.

In the evaluation of the visibility, the shorter the time until the driver notices the lighting of the brake light while the driver is looking at the display device, the sooner the driver starts braking. As a result, it is desirable to evaluate from such a viewpoint based on the fact that a collision with the preceding vehicle can be avoided with a margin. Therefore, as in the invention according to claim 4, as the evaluation means,
What is necessary is just to comprise so that evaluation may be carried out based on the time from when the brake light of the preceding vehicle lights up to when the subject starts braking the test vehicle.

The information processing apparatus further comprises a display instruction means for displaying information on the display device, wherein the action detection output means is provided so that a specific operation of the preceding vehicle is performed a predetermined time after the display instruction means displays the information on the display device. May be configured to output the detection result. In this case, for example, in the evaluation experiment, if the specific operation of the vehicle in front is performed immediately after displaying on the display device, even if the subject is displayed on the display device while repeating this experiment, this display device is used. Instead of looking at it, you start to pay attention to the front. However, if the specific operation of the preceding vehicle is performed a predetermined time after the information is displayed on the display device as described above, the subject first gazes at the display on the display device. For this reason, the specific operation of the vehicle in front is performed while the subject is visually recognizing the display device, and highly reliable data can be obtained as a visibility evaluation experiment.

Further, in order to prevent the subject from predicting the specific operation of the preceding vehicle, a case may be set in which the action detection output means performs the specific operation of the preceding vehicle and does not perform the specific operation. . In this case, even if the display is performed on the display device, the specific operation of the preceding vehicle may not be performed, so that the subject is more effectively prevented from making predictions.

By the way, in the visibility evaluation experiment of the display device as described above, the line-of-sight movement of the subject (driver) is different due to the difference in the inter-vehicle distance between the test vehicle and the preceding vehicle. One of the important parameters. Therefore, the experiment is performed by changing the inter-vehicle distance. However, the change in the inter-vehicle distance is set by presenting the set inter-vehicle distance to the subject as a task and driving the test vehicle by the subject. It is. For this reason, a case where “missing” of data occurs may occur. Therefore, as in the invention according to claim 7, an inter-vehicle distance detecting means for detecting the inter-vehicle distance between the test vehicle and the preceding vehicle is provided, and the display instruction means is instructed when the inter-vehicle distance becomes a predetermined distance. May be configured. In this case, when the inter-vehicle distance for which data needs to be acquired is reached, the data is displayed on the display device and an evaluation evaluation experiment is performed. For this reason, necessary data can be reliably obtained.

In addition, it is provided with a judging means for judging whether or not the subject is looking at the display device, and one or both of the display instruction means and the operation means are provided based on the judgment result. The display or the specific operation of the vehicle in front may be configured to be performed. Here, "determination means"
The determination in may be configured as follows. That is,
Normally, when driving while looking ahead, the steering wheel is constantly moved to perform corrective steering, and the amount of depression of the accelerator changes slightly, but by looking at the display device, the line of sight It is known that the steering angle or the accelerator opening becomes constant when deviated from the range. Taking advantage of this, as the determination means,
The steering angle or the accelerator opening may be detected, and when they remain constant and there is no change, it may be determined that the user is looking at the display device. Further, the movement of the subject's line of sight may be directly detected. As this detection method, for example, the face of the subject is recorded by video or the like, and the movement of the line of sight is directly detected from this video image,
The image processing of the video image may be performed to analyze the movement of the line of sight to determine that the user is looking at the display device. In addition, for example, an eye camera that records a bright portion of the outside world reflected on the cornea of the subject with a camera may be used. Further, utilizing the fact that the corneal side of the eyeball is positively charged and the retinal side thereof is negatively charged, an electrode is attached around the eyeball of the subject, and EOG (measurement of gaze movement is measured by a change in potential due to gaze movement of the subject). Electrooculograp
By h), it may be determined that the subject is looking at the display device. With such a determination means, it is possible to more reliably detect that the subject is looking at the display device, and it is possible to obtain a more appropriate evaluation.

As a structure for causing the specific operation of the preceding vehicle, the action detection output means is configured to transmit a signal to the preceding vehicle, and the operation means receives the signal from the action detection output means. Then, it may be configured to control the specific operation of the preceding vehicle based on the received signal. In this case, by using so-called inter-vehicle communication, the subject is reliably prevented from predicting the lighting of the brake light of the vehicle in front. For this reason, it is possible to obtain more reliable data as a visibility evaluation experiment.

The first invention relates to a device for evaluating the visibility of a display device of a vehicle, but the second invention relates to a method of evaluating the visibility of a display device of a vehicle. As described in claim 10, using a test vehicle driven by a subject and a front vehicle running ahead of the test vehicle, a display device mounted on the test vehicle in a state where both vehicles are running together A display step of displaying on the display device, a behavior detection output step of detecting a test subject's behavior and outputting the detection result, and In response to the output in the detection output step, a specific operation step in which the subject performs a specific operation when the subject is looking at the display device, and that the subject has recognized the specific operation of the preceding vehicle. And cognitive detection step of leaving, a method for the specific items in that it comprises an evaluation step of evaluating the visibility of the display device based on a detection result of the cognitive sensing step.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium storing a visibility evaluation program for a display device of a vehicle, and more specifically, a test vehicle driven by a subject, Using a forward vehicle traveling ahead of the vehicle, and recording the visibility evaluation program of the display device of the vehicle for performing the visibility evaluation of the display device mounted on the test vehicle in a state where both the vehicles are traveling together. A display step of displaying on the display device, an activity detection step of detecting an activity of the subject, and the subject is displayed on the display device in accordance with a detection result of the activity of the subject. A command step of giving a command to cause the specific operation of the preceding vehicle while watching
A cognitive detection step of detecting that the subject has perceived the specific operation of the preceding vehicle, and an evaluation step of evaluating the visibility of the display device based on the detection result in the cognitive detection step. This is a recording medium that specifies that the visibility evaluation program is recorded.

In this case, when the subject is looking at the display device, the specific operation of the forward vehicle is automatically performed without depending on the verbal instruction of the experimenter. It is possible to prevent a specific operation from being predicted. For this reason, it is possible to obtain reliable data as an experiment for evaluating the visibility of the display device using an actual vehicle, and it is possible to obtain an appropriate evaluation of the visibility.

[0025]

As described above, according to the visibility evaluation device and the visibility evaluation method for the display device of the vehicle and the computer-readable recording medium in which the visibility evaluation program is recorded according to the present invention, the subject can read the vehicle ahead. Can be prevented from being predicted, and a proper evaluation of the visibility can be obtained.

[0026]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 shows a state in which an evaluation experiment according to a first embodiment of the present invention is being performed. Reference numeral 1 denotes a test vehicle driven by a subject, and 2 denotes a vehicle running in front of the test vehicle. Vehicle ahead.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a device mounted on the test vehicle 1 and the front vehicle 2. Reference numeral 3 denotes a test vehicle-side device mounted on the test vehicle 1, and reference numeral 4 denotes a device mounted on the front vehicle 2. It is a front vehicle side device.

The test vehicle side device 3 includes a vehicle speed sensor 37.
b, a steering angle sensor 37c, a yaw rate sensor 37d, an accelerator 38a, a brake 38b, a direction indicator light 38c, a detection result from each sensor of the operation switch 38d, and the like, and a communication device 32 for transmitting a signal to the preceding vehicle 2
And a main control unit 31 that outputs a control signal to a distance measuring device 33 that measures an inter-vehicle distance to the preceding vehicle 2.

The main control unit 3
1 and a display control unit 34 as a display instruction means controlled by the main control unit 31 and a display device 35 whose display is controlled by the display control unit 34.

Further, the main control unit 31 is connected to the main control unit 31.
There is provided a measuring device 36 to which detection results from the above sensors and the measurement results of the distance measuring device 33 are input. A video camera 37a is connected to the measuring device 36, and the video camera 37a records an image between the white line and the host vehicle and the face of the subject. Further, in the measuring device 36, a change in the distance between the white line and the vehicle is measured from an image between the white line and the vehicle to measure the wobble of the vehicle, and the recorded image of the face of the subject is also measured. By analyzing each frame one by one using, the time during which the subject is viewing the display device 35 (viewing time) and the number of times the subject is viewing the display device 35 (viewing frequency) are detected. Further, the measuring device 36 has a function as an evaluation means for evaluating the visibility from the respective detection results.

The main control unit 31 is connected to an operation switch 38d as an operation device.
The operation is performed based on the display contents. When the operation switch 38d is operated, a signal thereof is input to the main control unit 31 to detect an operation action, whereby it is determined that the subject is looking at the display device 35. . Therefore, the communication device 32 and the main control unit 31 have a function as an action detection output unit.

Then, the main control unit 31
The program for each of the above processes is recorded in the ROM 31a as a recording medium, while the front vehicle-side device 4 includes a communication device 41 that receives a signal transmitted from the test vehicle 1. I have.

A control unit 42 is connected to the communication device 41. The control unit 42 controls the lighting of the brake light 43 based on the signal received by the communication device 41. I have. For this reason, the communication device 41 and the control unit 42 have a function as operating means for performing a specific operation of the vehicle in front.

The brake light 43 is lit based on a signal from the control unit 42 without braking the vehicle.

Next, the procedure of an experiment for evaluating the visibility of the display device 35 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

The task given to the subject in this evaluation experiment is that the test vehicle 1 is driven and that the display device 35
The evaluation is performed at each of the positions A, B, and A of the instrument panel 5 as shown in FIG.
Using the display devices 35a, 35b, and 35c provided in C, the evaluation is made on which position of the display device provided with the best visibility.

Then, in step S11 of FIG.
The task is presented to the subject. This problem is
Is set to a predetermined value and the test vehicle 1 is run. This inter-vehicle distance is calculated by the distance measuring device 33.
, And the measured inter-vehicle distance is displayed near the meter cluster.

Then, in step S12, the subject adjusts the inter-vehicle distance. Next, in step S13, it is determined whether or not the inter-vehicle distance has reached a set value. If the inter-vehicle distance is a predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S14. If not, the step S13 is repeated until the inter-vehicle distance reaches the predetermined value. I do.

In step S14, information is output to the display device 35. As this information, for example, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5A, a plurality of routes are displayed, and the required time when each route is selected is displayed, so-called route selection information, or, for example, FIG.
Is a numeric string as shown in FIG.

Then, in step S15, the display information is visually recognized by the subject. As the visual recognition, when the above-mentioned route selection information is displayed, the subject is asked to determine which route can be reached earliest,
The operation switch 38d is operated. On the other hand, when a numeric string is displayed, different numeric strings are successively displayed one after another. For example, a numeric string having a specific relationship such as that the numeric string is an even number or that the sum is 10. When the column is displayed, the subject is required to operate the operation switch 38d. By operating the operation switch 38d, it is detected that the subject visually recognizes the display device 35.

In step S16, a command to turn on the brake light 43 is issued to the preceding vehicle 2. This is done when the subject is looking at the display device 35.

Next, at step S17, the brake light 43 of the preceding vehicle 2 is turned on, and at step S18, it is determined whether or not the subject has recognized that the brake light 43 of the preceding vehicle 2 has been turned on. If it is recognized, the process proceeds to step S110, and the test vehicle 1 is braked when the test subject steps on the brake 38b. For this reason, the brake 38b serves as a recognition detecting means for detecting that the subject has recognized the specific operation of the preceding vehicle 2.

On the other hand, if the lighting of the brake light 43 of the preceding vehicle 2 is not recognized, the process proceeds to step S19 to detect whether a predetermined time has elapsed. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S111,
The subject turns off the brake light 43 because he did not recognize it. On the other hand, if any operation has been performed before the predetermined time has elapsed, the process returns to step S17, and the brake light 43 of the preceding vehicle is turned on again.

Then, in step S112, data on the visual recognition operation behavior and driving performance of the subject is detected. The detection of the visual recognition operation behavior includes, for example, the above-mentioned visual recognition time and the number of times of visual recognition, and the detection of the driving performance includes, for example, the degree of change in the inter-vehicle distance during traveling, the video of the video camera 37a or the detection of the steering angle sensor 37c. The vehicle wobble based on the result, the reaction time from when the brake light 43 is turned on to when the subject operates the brake 38b (see T in FIG. 10), and the like are included.

Next, in step S113, it is determined whether or not the number of samples is smaller than the specified measurement number. If the number is smaller, the process returns to step S11 and the evaluation experiment is performed again. On the other hand, if the number reaches the specified number, the process proceeds to step S114, where data is recorded and the experiment is terminated.

As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6, the data of the visual recognition operation behavior and the driving performance obtained in this way are used to determine in step S21 which of the visual recognition operation behavior and the driving performance behavior is to be analyzed. Then, in the analysis of the viewing operation behavior, the process proceeds to step S22 to extract the data of the viewing operation behavior, while in the analysis of the driving result, the process proceeds to step S23 to extract the data of the driving result, and In step S24, the visibility is evaluated. As the evaluation of the visibility, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, the relationship between the inter-vehicle distance and the brake light recognition rate is obtained. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the relationship of the reaction time with respect to the arrangement positions A, B, and C of each display device is obtained.

Next, the main control unit 3
The operations and effects of the present embodiment will be described while describing the processes in the display control unit 34 and the display control unit 34 based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 or FIG.

First, the main control unit 31
As shown in FIG. 10, after the display (display output) by the display device 35, the brake light 43 is turned on for the preceding vehicle 2 after a predetermined time Δt.

The processing in the main control unit 31 is as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the device is initialized in step S31. Next, in step S32, the inter-vehicle distance measuring device 33 is controlled, and in step S33, the inter-vehicle distance with the preceding vehicle 2 is measured.

In step S34, a signal is output to the display control unit 34 to cause the display device 35 to display.

In step S35, a predetermined time Δt
Is determined, and if the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S36. on the other hand,
If not, this step S35 is repeated.

In step S36, the communication device 32 is controlled to transmit a brake lamp lighting signal to the vehicle 2 ahead.

Then, in step S37, data relating to the visual recognition operation behavior and driving performance is measured, and in step S38, it is determined whether or not the number of samples is smaller than the specified measurement number. If the number is small, the process returns to step S32 to newly measure data, while if the number of samples is the specified number, the process proceeds to step S39 to record data.

FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of the processing in the display control unit 34.
This shows the state after the signal from the input unit 1 is input.

First, in step S71, the steering angle is detected by the steering angle sensor 37c. Next, in step S72, it is determined whether or not the fluctuation of the steering angle has been present for a certain period of time. Then, if there is no change, the process proceeds to step S73, and a display is output to the display device 35, while if there is the above change, the process returns to step S71.

Normally, when the driver is looking forward, the steering wheel is constantly moved to perform corrective steering. However, when the driver's line of sight deviates from the front by looking at the display device 35 or the like. It is known that the steering angle becomes constant. Based on this, when the steering angle remains constant and there is no change, it is determined that the display device 35 is being viewed. As described above, by turning on the brake light 43 of the preceding vehicle 2 while the subject is looking at the display device 35 and detecting the recognition of the brake light lighting, data that can be more reliably evaluated as a visibility evaluation experiment. Will be able to get.

In the front vehicle-side device 4, the signal transmitted from the test vehicle is received by the receiving device 41, and the signal is output to the main controller 42. The main controller 42 receives the signal and turns on the brake light 43.

As described above, when the subject is looking at the display device 35, the braking light of the vehicle 2 ahead can be automatically turned on without depending on the verbal instruction of the experimenter. Thus, it is possible to prevent the subject from predicting the turning-on of the brake light of the preceding vehicle 2. For this reason,
Reliable data can be acquired as an experiment for evaluating the visibility of a display device using an actual vehicle, and appropriate evaluation of the visibility can be obtained.

<Second Embodiment> FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of processing in a main controller 31 according to a second embodiment. In this embodiment, the subject can display the display device 35 and turn on the brake light 43. If the learning of the timing relationship is not performed, there is a possibility that an appropriate evaluation cannot be performed. Therefore, from the viewpoint of suppressing such learning, even if the display is displayed on the display device 35, the lighting of the brake light 43 is performed. Are configured to be performed in some cases. That is, in the second embodiment, a map as shown in Table 1 is used, and the turning on or off of the brake light 43 is controlled according to this map.

[0061]

[Table 1]

Since the configurations of the devices 3 and 4 of the test vehicle 1 and the front vehicle 2 are the same as those of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

Then, in FIG. 12, first, the apparatus is initialized in step S41. Then, step S
At 42, the inter-vehicle distance measuring device 33 is controlled, and at step S43, the inter-vehicle distance is measured.

Then, in step S44, a map is read (see Table 1). Then, it is determined whether or not the display control flag df is on. If it is on, the process proceeds to step S46, while if it is off, the process proceeds to step S47.

In step S46, a signal to be displayed on the display device 35 is output to the display control unit 34.

In step S47, it is determined whether or not the brake light control flag bf is on. If it is on, the process proceeds to step S48, and if it is off, the process proceeds to step S49.

In step S48, control is performed such that a brake light turning-on signal is transmitted to the communication device 32. In step S49, control is performed such that a brake light turning-off signal is transmitted to the communication device 33.

Then, in step S410, data relating to the visual recognition operation behavior and driving performance is measured, and in step 411, it is determined whether or not the number of samples is smaller than the specified measurement number. If the number is small, the process returns to step S42, and new data is measured.
To record the data.

Next, the processing in the control unit 42 of the preceding vehicle 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, in step S51, the apparatus is initialized, and in step S52, it is determined whether or not there is received data of the data transmitted from the test vehicle 1. If so, the process proceeds to step S53, and if not, step S52 is repeated.

In step S53, it is determined whether or not the brake light control flag bf is on. If it is on, the process proceeds to step S54, where the brake light 43 is turned on. The process proceeds to S55.

In step S55, it is determined whether or not the brake light control flag bf is off.
Is turned off, and if not turned off, the control of the brake light 43 is not performed, and the process proceeds to step S57.

If it is determined in step S57 that the number of samples is smaller than the specified number of measurements, the process proceeds to step S52.
And waits for a signal from the test vehicle 1 again. On the other hand, if the number of samples reaches the specified number of measurements, the process proceeds to step S58 to record data.

In the second embodiment, the subject can be prevented from learning the relationship between the timing of the display on the display device 35 and the lighting of the brake light 43, and the visibility of the display device 35 can be reduced. As a result, an appropriate evaluation can be obtained.

<Third Embodiment> FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a process in the main controller 31 according to the third embodiment.

By the way, in the visibility evaluation experiment of the display device 35, the inter-vehicle distance between the test vehicle 1 and the front vehicle 2 is one of the important parameters. Therefore, the experiment is performed by changing the inter-vehicle distance. The change of the inter-vehicle distance is set by presenting the set inter-vehicle distance to the subject as a task and driving the test vehicle 1 by the subject. For this reason, a case where “missing” of data occurs may occur.

For this reason, in the third embodiment, from the viewpoint of preventing such omission of data, the brake light 43 is turned on when the inter-vehicle distance between the test vehicle 1 and the front vehicle 2 reaches a predetermined value. It is configured as follows. That is, in the third embodiment, a map as shown in Table 2 is used, and the turning on or off of the brake light 43 is controlled according to this map.

[0078]

[Table 2]

Since the configurations of the devices 3 and 4 of the test vehicle 1 and the front vehicle 2 are the same as those of the first embodiment, the description is omitted.

Then, in FIG. 14, step S61
To initialize the device. Next, in step S62, the inter-vehicle distance measuring device 33 is controlled, and in step S63, the inter-vehicle distance is measured. Then, step S64
In, the map is read (see Table 2).

Then, in step S65, it is determined whether or not the inter-vehicle distance L has reached the set inter-vehicle distance Ls. Here, if the set inter-vehicle distance Ls falls within a predetermined range (± 3 m), it is determined that the inter-vehicle distance L has become the set inter-vehicle distance Ls. If the set inter-vehicle distance Ls has been reached, the process proceeds to step S66, whereas if not, the process proceeds to step S611.

In step S66, it is determined whether the display control flag df is on. If it is on, the process proceeds to step S67, while if it is off, the process proceeds to step S67.
Go to 68.

In step S67, a signal for causing the display control unit 34 to display the display device 35 is output.

In step S68, it is determined whether or not the brake light control flag bf is ON. If ON, the process proceeds to step S69, and if OFF, the process proceeds to step S610.

In step S69, control is performed to transmit a brake light turning-on signal to the communication device 32, while in step S610, control is performed to transmit a brake light turning-off signal to the communication device 32.

Then, in step S611, data on the visual recognition operation behavior and driving performance is measured, and in step 612, it is determined whether or not the number of samples is smaller than the specified number. If the number is small, the process returns to step S62, and new data is measured.
Proceed to 3 to record data.

Note that the processing in the control unit 42 of the forward vehicle 2 is the same as that in the second embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted (see FIG. 13).

In this case, the following distance Ls is equal to the predetermined following distance Ls.
Then, the visibility evaluation experiment is automatically performed, so that the omission of data can be prevented.

In the case where the brake light 43 is automatically turned on according to the following distance as in the third embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. The challenge is to perform the experiments in order from shortest to longest inter-vehicle distance.
When performing an experiment on the display device at the position B, the subject is to perform the experiment in the order from a long inter-vehicle distance setting to a short inter-vehicle distance so that the subject does not learn the lighting timing of the brake light 43. You may.

<Other Embodiments> The present invention relates to the first embodiment.
The present invention is not limited to the third embodiment, but includes various other embodiments. That is, in the above embodiment, the display control unit 34 determines whether or not the subject is looking at the display device 35 based on a change in the steering angle. However, the present invention is not limited to this. May be.

That is, as shown in FIG. 16, the accelerator opening is detected (step S75), and when these are kept constant and there is no change (step S76).
It may be determined that the user is looking at the display device 35 and output the display device 35 (step S77).

As shown in FIG. 17, EOG is detected by utilizing the fact that the cornea of the eyeball is charged positively and the retina is charged negatively (step S81).
When the EOG output gazes at the direction of the display device 35 (step S82), it may be determined that the subject is looking at the display device 35 and output to the display device 35 (step S83).

Further, as shown in FIG. 18, the face of the subject is recorded by a video camera or the like, and the movement of the line of sight is directly detected from this video (step S85). When the subject has moved (step S86), it may be determined that the subject is looking at the display device 35 and output to the display device 35 (step S86).
87).

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a visibility evaluation experiment of a display device is being performed.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing devices mounted on a test vehicle and a vehicle ahead.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure in a visibility evaluation experiment of the display device.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a position where a display device is provided in a visibility evaluation experiment of the display device.

FIG. 5 is an example of display content displayed on a display device.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for analyzing data obtained by a visibility evaluation experiment of the display device.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a result of a brake light recognition rate with respect to an inter-vehicle distance obtained by a visibility evaluation experiment of a display device.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a result of a reaction time with respect to an arrangement of a display device obtained by a visibility evaluation experiment of the display device.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing in a main control unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display output to a display device, lighting of a brake light of a preceding vehicle, and braking timing of a test vehicle based on the lighting of the brake light.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for determining whether or not a subject is looking at a display device by using a steering angle in the display control unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a process in a main control unit according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a process in a control unit of a forward vehicle according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing processing in a main control unit according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the order of experiments in the case where an experiment for evaluating visibility is automatically performed based on the distance between vehicles according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for determining whether or not a subject is looking at a display device by using an accelerator opening in a display control unit according to another embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart for determining whether or not a subject is looking at a display device by using EOG in a display control unit according to another embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart for determining whether or not a subject is looking at a display device by using eye movement in a display control unit according to another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Test vehicle 2 Forward vehicle 31 Main control unit (action detection output means) 32 Communication device (action detection output means) 34 Display control unit (display instruction means, judgment means) 36 Measurement device (evaluation means) 42 Control unit (operation means) ) 43 brake light 38b brake (recognition detection means) 38d operation switch (operation device)

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Satoru Matsuoka 3-1 Shinchi, Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima Mazda F-term (reference) 2F041 EA02 2F069 AA34 BB21 DD24 DD30 GG04 GG07 GG45 GG56 HH30 JJ13

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A test vehicle, which is driven by a subject, and a front vehicle that runs ahead of the test vehicle, and a visibility evaluation of a display device mounted on the test vehicle while both of the vehicles are running. A behavior detection output unit that detects a subject's behavior and outputs the detection result, and a specific operation of the preceding vehicle according to an output of the behavior detection output unit. Operating means for performing the following: a recognition detecting means for detecting that the subject has recognized the specific operation of the preceding vehicle; and an evaluating means for evaluating the visibility of the display device based on a result of the recognition detecting means. A visibility evaluation device for a display device of a vehicle, comprising: 2. The visibility evaluation device for a display device of a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the specific operation of the preceding vehicle is lighting of a brake light. 3. The operation device according to claim 1, further comprising: an operation device for performing an operation based on the subject's viewing of the display device, wherein the action detection output means visually recognizes the display device and operates the operation device. A visibility evaluation device for a display device of a vehicle, wherein the visibility evaluation device is configured to detect one or both of the two. 4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the evaluation means is configured to evaluate based on a time from when a brake light of a preceding vehicle is turned on to when the subject starts braking the test vehicle. Visibility evaluation device for a display device of a moving vehicle. 5. The vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising: display instruction means for displaying information on a display device, wherein the action detection output means specifies a vehicle ahead in a predetermined time after the display instruction means displays information on the display device. A visibility evaluation device for a display device of a vehicle configured to output a detection result so as to be operated. 6. The visibility evaluation device for a display device of a vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the operation means is configured to set a case where the specific operation of the preceding vehicle is performed and a case where the specific operation is not performed. . 7. The vehicle according to claim 5, further comprising an inter-vehicle distance detecting means for detecting an inter-vehicle distance between the test vehicle and a preceding vehicle, wherein the display instruction means displays a display on the display device when the inter-vehicle distance becomes a predetermined distance. A visibility evaluation device for a display device of a vehicle, wherein the visibility evaluation device is configured to cause the visibility of the vehicle. 8. The display device according to claim 5, further comprising: a determination unit configured to determine whether or not the subject is looking at the display device, wherein one or both of the display instruction unit and the operation unit is based on the determination result. A display evaluation device for a display device of a vehicle, wherein the display evaluation device is configured to display an image of the vehicle or to perform a specific operation of a vehicle ahead. 9. The action detection output means according to claim 1, wherein the action detection output means is configured to transmit a signal to a preceding vehicle, and the operation means receives a signal from the action detection output means, and outputs the received signal. A visibility evaluation device for a display device of a vehicle, wherein the visibility control device is configured to control a specific operation of a vehicle in front based on the information. 10. A visibility evaluation of a display device mounted on a test vehicle in a state where both the vehicles are driven by using a test vehicle driven by a subject and a front vehicle running ahead of the test vehicle. A display step of displaying on the display device, an action detection output step of detecting a subject's action and outputting the detection result, and a behavior detection output step. A specific operation step in which the preceding vehicle performs a specific operation when the subject is looking at the display device according to the output of the above, and a cognitive detection that detects that the subject has recognized the specific operation of the front vehicle. Displaying a vehicle, comprising: an evaluation step of evaluating the visibility of the display device based on a detection result in the recognition detection step. Visibility evaluation method of location. 11. Using a test vehicle driven by a subject and a front vehicle running ahead of the test vehicle, evaluating the visibility of a display device mounted on the test vehicle with both of the vehicles running. A computer-readable recording medium recording a visibility evaluation program for a display device of a vehicle for performing the display, a display step of displaying on the display device, an activity detection step of detecting an activity of the subject, and the subject In accordance with the detection result of the action, a command step of giving a command to cause the specific operation of the vehicle in front while the subject is looking at the display device, and that the subject has recognized the specific operation of the vehicle in front A recognition detection step of detecting, and an evaluation step of evaluating visibility of the display device based on a detection result in the recognition detection step. A computer-readable recording medium recording a visibility evaluation program for a display device of a vehicle.