JP2005024507A - Navigation system and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a navigation system capable of preventing a driver from continuing drive under such a dangerous condition as a drinking condition and a dozing condition, to the utmost. <P>SOLUTION: Information is acquired from an alcohol detector for detecting an alcohol concentration contained in respiration of the driver and a steering wheel angle detector (S110, S120), whether the driver is under the risky driving condition or not is determined based on the information, and based on present position information and moving information of a vehicle recognized by the navigation system (S115, S125), and a route to a place for stopping the vehicle safely is searched when the presence of the risky driving condition is determined (S132), and the searched route is guided automatically (S145). The route guide to the place for stopping the vehicle safely is executed by this manner, without requiring an operation by the driver, even when an intention of stopping the vehicle at the safety place is weak in the driver, so as to enhance the possibility of that the driver stops the vehicle at the safety place according to the route guide. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

 The present invention relates to a navigation device that guides a route.

  Mechanisms that detect drunk driving and drowsy driving and encourage safe driving have been widely developed. For example, an automobile for preventing drunk driving described in Patent Document 1 is provided with an alcohol sensor in the vicinity of a driver's seat. When the alcohol sensor detects alcohol having a predetermined concentration or more, an abnormal signal is generated, and the engine is stopped by the abnormal signal, or an alarm device. The vehicle is configured to operate the vehicle.

  The dangerous driving determination device described in Patent Document 2 is a dangerous driving determination device that determines the traveling stability of a vehicle from the angular velocity of the vehicle in the yaw direction. A dangerous driving determination device configured to prevent erroneous determination by increasing a threshold for determination.

  When drunk driving or snoozing driving is detected by such a device, the driver is informed of this, and the driver stops the vehicle at a safe place by his own will so as to avoid dangerous driving. It was.

  However, it is more difficult for a driver who is drunk or asleep to find a place where the vehicle can be safely parked, compared to a normal state, and the driver may stop at a dangerous place. In addition, many drivers who are drunk or dozing often have little awareness and often recognize that there is no problem.

On the other hand, a navigation device as described in Patent Document 3 is known as a navigation device that can search for a place where a vehicle can be safely stopped when an emergency occurs. This navigation device is configured to search for a stop position where the vehicle can be safely stopped using information on the current position of the vehicle, map information, or the like when a help button that means the occurrence of an emergency situation is pressed. Has been.
JP 59-220421 A JP-A-11-208306 JP 2002-340597 A

  However, as described above, there are many cases where a driver who is drunk or asleep is not aware of the situation, and even if the driver is determined to be in a dangerous driving state by a dangerous driving determination device or the like, the driver is less willing to stop the vehicle. There are many cases, and it is considered that there are few cases in which the consciousness turns to let the navigation device search for a safe stop location.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and provides a navigation device that can prevent a driver from continuing driving as much as possible in a dangerous state such as a drinking state or a drowsy state. With the goal.

  The navigation device according to claim 1, which has been made to solve the above problem, includes a current position information acquisition unit that acquires information for specifying a current position, and a detection device that detects a driving situation of a driver of the vehicle. Driving status acquisition means for acquiring information, notification means for notifying various information, current position information based on the current position information acquired by the current position information acquisition means, and from the specified current position to the specified point Based on the information obtained by the route guidance means for informing the guidance means to guide the searched route, the point information obtaining means for obtaining information on the place where the vehicle can be safely stopped, and the information obtained by the driving situation obtaining means. It is determined whether or not dangerous driving is performed, and if it is determined that dangerous driving is performed, the vehicle is safely stopped based on the information acquired by the point information acquisition means. Select Kill point is a navigation device and a control means for guiding a route to that point by the selected point in the route guidance means.

  In addition, the "point where it can stop safely" here means, for example, a service area, a parking lot, a parking space on a roadside, or the like. Further, the “detection device” referred to here may be composed of a single detection device, but it is better to be composed of a plurality of detection devices because the driving situation can be detected more accurately. .

  With such a navigation device, when the driver is in a dangerous driving state, even if the driver is not willing to stop the vehicle in a safe place, route guidance is provided to the driver so that the driver can stop safely. It is executed automatically without any operation. Even if the intention to stop the vehicle in a safe place is rare, if the route guidance is executed, it is considered that many drivers follow the route guidance, and the driver is driving in a dangerous driving state. The possibility of continuing is reduced. As a result, it helps to improve road safety.

  By the way, as a detection apparatus which a driving condition acquisition means acquires information, it is good to be a detection apparatus which detects the alcohol concentration of a driver | operator's breath, for example, as described in Claim 2. If it is a navigation apparatus which acquires information from such a detection apparatus, a driver | operator's drinking state can be detected and it can be determined whether it is a dangerous driving state.

  Moreover, as a detection apparatus which an operating condition acquisition means acquires information, the detection apparatus which detects the information regarding a meandering driving | operation as described in Claim 3, for example may be sufficient. For example, information on the meandering operation may be information on the steering wheel angle or information on the angular velocity in the yaw direction of the vehicle.

  If it is a navigation device that acquires information from such a detection device, since it is possible to determine the meandering operation based on the acquired information, for example, it is possible to estimate the driver's sleep state and extreme fatigue state, It is possible to reduce continuing operation in such an operation state.

  Moreover, as a detection apparatus which a driving condition acquisition means acquires information, the detection apparatus which detects the information regarding at least one of rapid acceleration and sudden braking may be sufficient, for example, as described in Claim 4. Here, “information on at least one of sudden acceleration and sudden braking” may be, for example, information on the accelerator opening or brake fluid pressure of the vehicle, or information on acceleration in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

  If it is a navigation device that acquires information from such a detection device, a dangerous driving state involving sudden acceleration and braking, that is, a drunk driving state or a driving state that is mentally impatient is estimated. Thus, it is possible to reduce the continuing operation in such an operation state.

  By the way, when it is determined that the dangerous driving is performed, the vehicle may be guided to a point where the vehicle can be safely stopped in the same vehicle state. However, since the driver is in a dangerous driving state, the dangerous driving is preferably performed. It is good to guide to a point where the driving state can be reduced and the vehicle can be stopped safely. That is, as in the navigation device according to claim 5, when the control means determines that dangerous driving is being performed, a signal for gradually reducing the vehicle speed is output to the vehicle to reduce the vehicle speed. It is good to be allowed to. Of course, it is necessary that the vehicle side be provided with a mechanism for reducing the speed when receiving a signal for gradually reducing the speed of the vehicle. This mechanism may be realized, for example, by limiting the engine speed or by applying a brake.

  With such a navigation device, the speed of the vehicle decreases after it is determined that dangerous driving is being performed. Therefore, it is possible to ease the dangerous state and guide the vehicle to a point where it can be safely stopped.

  Further, as in the navigation device according to claim 6, when the control means determines that the dangerous driving is performed, a signal for blinking the emergency blinking light of the vehicle is output to the vehicle and the emergency blinking of the vehicle is performed. The lamp should be blinking.

  With such a navigation device, the driver of the surrounding vehicle recognizes the abnormal state of the vehicle by confirming the flashing of the emergency flashing light, and takes measures that lead to safe driving such as increasing the distance between the vehicles. be able to. In other words, it helps prevent accidents.

  By the way, as described above, the point where the vehicle can be safely stopped is, for example, a service area, a parking lot, a parking space on the shoulder, etc., but if the vehicle is a large truck, it can be safely stopped. Is limited. For this reason, as described in claim 7, the control unit can acquire information on the size of the vehicle, and when selecting a point where the vehicle can be safely stopped based on the information acquired by the point information acquisition unit, It is preferable to select a stoppable point according to the size of the vehicle using information on the size.

If it is in this way, it can prevent that the problem that the vehicle arrived at the point where it was guided but the vehicle is too large to stop can occur.
Moreover, even if it is made to run the program which functions as a control means of the navigation apparatus in any one of Claims 1-7 as described in Claim 8 in the computer with which a navigation apparatus is incorporated. Good. In this case, for example, the program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a hard disk, a ROM, and a RAM, and the program is stored in the computer as necessary. By loading and starting, it can function as a navigation device of the present invention (the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 7). Further, since the program can be distributed using a network, the function of the navigation device can be easily improved.

  Embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings. The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the following examples, and can take various forms as long as they belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a navigation device 20 according to the embodiment. The navigation device 20 is mounted on a vehicle, and a position detector 21 that detects the current position of the vehicle, an operation switch group 22 for inputting various instructions from a user, and various instructions can be input in the same manner as the operation switch group 22. The remote control terminal (hereinafter referred to as a remote controller) 23a that is separate from the navigation device 20, the remote control sensor 23b that inputs a signal from the remote control 23a, and information from a device other than the navigation device 20 are provided. An external information input / output unit 24 capable of inputting and outputting information to another device, a map data input unit 25 for inputting map data and the like from an external storage medium storing map data and various types of information, and the like A display unit 26 for displaying a map and various information, a voice output unit 27 for outputting various guide voices, etc. Various processes are executed according to the input from the position detector 21, the operation switch group 22, the remote control sensor 23b, the external information input / output unit 24, and the map data input unit 25, the external information input / output unit 24, the display unit 26, and the sound. And a control circuit 29 for controlling the output unit 27.

  The position detector 21 receives a radio wave transmitted from an artificial satellite for GPS (Global Positioning System) via a GPS antenna and is added to the vehicle and a GPS receiver 21a that detects the position, direction, speed, and the like of the vehicle. A gyroscope 21b for detecting the magnitude of the rotational motion, a distance sensor 21c for detecting the distance traveled from the longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle, and the like, and a geomagnetic sensor 21d for detecting the traveling direction from the geomagnetism are provided. Yes. Each of the sensors 21a to 21d has an error having a different property, and is configured to be used while complementing each other.

  The operation switch group 22 includes a touch panel that is integrated with the display unit 26 and is installed on the display screen, and mechanical key switches that are provided around the display unit 26. The touch panel and the display unit 26 are laminated and integrated. There are various types of touch panels such as a pressure-sensitive method, an electromagnetic induction method, a capacitance method, or a combination of these methods. It may be used.

  The external information input / output unit 24 has a function of communicating with other devices. Specifically, it communicates with an engine ECU 35, an emergency flashing light controller 37, an alcohol detector 31 and a handle angle detector 33 which will be described later.

  The map data input device 25 is a device for inputting various data stored in a storage medium (not shown). The storage medium stores map data (road shape data, road width data, road regulation data, terrain data, mark data, intersection data, facility data, etc.), voice data, voice recognition data, and the like. . In addition, information (location, size of a car that can be stopped, etc.) about a place where the vehicle can be safely stopped is stored. As an actual recording medium, a CD-ROM or DVD is generally used because of the amount of data, but another medium such as a magnetic storage device such as a hard disk or a memory card may be used.

  The display unit 26 is a color display device such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or a CRT, and any of them may be used. The display screen of the display unit 26 includes a mark indicating the current location identified from the current position of the vehicle detected by the position detector 21 and the map data input from the map data input device 25, a guidance route to the destination, and a name. Additional data such as landmarks and various facility marks can be displayed in an overlapping manner. Also, facility guides can be displayed.

  The voice output unit 27 can output facility guidance and various guidance voices input from the map data input device 25, and traffic information reading voice received via the external information input / output unit 24.

  The microphone 28 outputs an electric signal based on the inputted voice when the user inputs (speaks) the voice. The user can operate the navigation device 20 by inputting various sounds to the microphone 28.

  The control circuit 29 is configured around a well-known microcomputer including a CPU, ROM, RAM, I / O and a bus line connecting these components, and various control circuits 29 are based on programs stored in the ROM and RAM. Execute the process. For example, the current position of the vehicle is calculated as a set of coordinates and traveling directions based on each detection signal from the position detector 21, and a map or the like near the current position read via the map data input device 25 is displayed on the display unit 26. Based on the display processing to be performed, the point data stored in the map data input device 25, and the destination set according to the operation of the operation switch group 22, the remote controller 23a, etc., the optimum route from the current position to the destination is determined. The route guidance process etc. which calculate and guide the calculated route are performed.

  The schematic configuration of the navigation device 20 has been described so far. As described above, the external information input / output unit 24 communicates with the engine ECU 35, the emergency flashing light controller 37, the alcohol detector 31, and the handle angle detector 33.

The engine ECU 35 is an ECU that comprehensively controls the engine, and controls the fuel injection amount, ignition timing, valve timing, and the like.
The emergency flashing light controller 37 is a controller that controls turning on / off of the emergency flashing light.

  The alcohol detector 31 is a device that includes a sensor that measures the alcohol concentration, calculates the alcohol concentration contained in the breath exhaled by the driver, and outputs the numerical value. The sensor for detecting the concentration of alcohol is installed in a place where the driver exhales (for example, near the steering wheel or near the sun visor).

The handle angle detector 33 is a device that includes a sensor that measures the handle angle, and calculates and outputs the handle angle based on an output signal of the sensor.
Up to this point, the navigation device 20 and the devices that communicate with the navigation device 20 have been described. Correspondence between these units and the terms described in the claims is shown. The position detector 21 corresponds to the current position information acquisition means, the external information input / output unit 24 corresponds to the driving condition acquisition means, the display unit 26 and the audio output unit 27 correspond to notification means, and the map data input unit 25 The control circuit 29 corresponds to point information acquisition means, and the control circuit 29 corresponds to control means and route guidance means. The alcohol detector 31 and the handle angle detector 33 correspond to a detection device.

  Next, the monitoring process executed by the control circuit 29 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The monitoring process starts when an ignition key of a vehicle (not shown) is turned to start the engine and the control circuit 29 acquires the information.

  When the monitoring process is started, first, the alcohol concentration contained in the driver's breath is obtained from the alcohol detector 31 via the external information input / output unit 24 (S110). And it is determined whether the acquired alcohol concentration is below a regulation value (S115). If it is equal to or less than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to S120, and if it is not equal to or less than the specified value, the process proceeds to S130.

  In S120, the handle angle is acquired from the handle angle detector 33 via the external information input / output unit 24. Then, it is determined whether a dangerous meandering operation is performed (S125). This determination method will be described below.

  First, the road on which the vehicle is currently traveling is specified based on the information on the current position acquired from the position detector 21 and the map data input via the map data input unit 25. Then, a safety area is virtually set on the road, and it is determined whether or not dangerous driving is performed from the number of times, time, departure pattern, etc. that deviated from the safety area during a certain period.

  A specific example will be described with reference to the explanatory diagram of FIG. FIG. 3 is a view of a two-lane road having the center line 51 as viewed from above. The control circuit 29 virtually sets a safe driving area 55 as shown in FIG. 3 near the center between the shoulder line 53 and the center line 51. For example, assuming that the vehicle 57 is traveling in the position shown in FIG. 3, how many times the specified location of the vehicle (for example, the vehicle center) deviates from the safe driving area 55 while traveling in the measurement section A. count.

  This measurement section A is also set by the control circuit 29, and may be set according to the travel distance of, for example, 300 m, or set according to the travel time, for example, during travel for 10 seconds. May be. In addition, a plurality of such measurement sections may be set continuously so that there is no gap, or a plurality of such measurement sections may be set at regular intervals.

  Whether or not the vehicle has deviated is comprehensively determined based on the information on the steering wheel angle acquired in S120 (see FIG. 2) and the information on the current position and the motion state of the vehicle acquired from the position detector 21. . For example, if the vehicle 57 travels as shown by arrow B, it is determined that the vehicle 57 has deviated three times.

  Returning to FIG. 2, if the number of departures from the safe driving area 55 counted in this way is equal to or greater than the specified number, it is determined that the operation is dangerous, and the process proceeds to S <b> 130. Otherwise, the process returns to S110. However, since the vehicle may deviate from the safe driving area 55 for the purpose of changing the lane, when the vehicle moves to the adjacent lane, the fact is recognized and the determination is not performed.

  In S130, the display unit 26 is displayed using characters and images to indicate that the driver is in a dangerous driving state, and this is also output to the voice output unit 27. As a result, not only the driver but also the passenger can recognize that the driver is in a dangerous driving state.

  Subsequently, based on the information on the current position acquired from the position detector 21 and the map data input by the map data input unit 25, a route to a place where the vehicle can safely stop is searched (S132). In this step, first, the current position is specified based on the information related to the current position acquired from the position detector 21, and data relating to a stopable place near the specified current position is stored from the storage medium via the map data input device 25. Read. As the data to be read, for example, data at about five places are read. Further, based only on vehicle information (for example, total length, full width, etc.) registered in advance in the control circuit 29, only data relating to a place where the vehicle on which the navigation device 20 is mounted can be read is read. Then, the route from the current point to a plurality of stoppable locations specified by the read data is searched, and the route with the shortest route distance is finally selected.

  Subsequently, a signal for limiting the vehicle speed is transmitted to the engine ECU 35 via the external information input / output unit 24 (S135). Receiving this signal, the engine ECU 35 performs control to reduce the vehicle speed by limiting the number of revolutions of the engine or decreasing the fuel injection amount.

  Subsequently, a signal for blinking the emergency blinking lamp is transmitted to the emergency blinking lamp controller 37 via the external information input / output unit 24 (S140). The emergency flashing light controller 37 that has received this signal performs control to cause the emergency flashing light to flash.

  Subsequently, the route searched and selected in S132 is guided (S145). Specifically, the route is displayed on the display unit 26 together with the map, and a mark indicating the current location of the vehicle is superimposed on the map. Also, immediately before the vehicle turns right or left at an intersection or the like, the voice output unit 27 outputs a guidance sound for turning right or left. Thereafter, when it is confirmed that the vehicle has arrived at a place where the vehicle can be safely stopped based on the information on the current position acquired from the position detector 21, the present process (monitoring process) is terminated.

  Thus, with the navigation device 20 of the present embodiment, a place where the driver can stop safely even if the driver is less willing to stop the vehicle in a safe place when the driver is in a dangerous driving state. Route guidance is automatically executed without any driver operation. For this reason, even if the driver is not willing to stop the vehicle in a safe place, if the route guidance is executed, it is considered that many of the drivers follow the route guidance. By stopping at a safe place, the possibility of continuing driving in a dangerous driving state is reduced. As a result, it helps to improve road safety.

  Further, the navigation device 20 of the present embodiment outputs a signal for reducing the vehicle speed to the engine ECU 35 when the driver determines that the driver is in a dangerous driving state, so that the vehicle can be stopped safely. The risk level before moving can be reduced. Further, since a signal for blinking the emergency blinking light is output to the emergency blinking light controller 37, the driver of the surrounding vehicle can be notified of the abnormal state, which is useful for preventing accidents.

Other embodiments will be described below.
(1) Further, the navigation device 20 of the above-described embodiment is configured so as to be able to acquire information such as the amount of depression of the accelerator, the amount of depression of the brake, the depression speed, etc., and determination for determining whether or not the driver is in a dangerous driving state These materials should be used as materials. If it becomes like this, a driver | operator's more dangerous driving | running state can be caught and it is useful for safety improvement.

  (2) The alcohol detector 31 and the handle angle detector 33 of the above-described embodiment are configured as separate devices different from the navigation device 20, but the navigation device 20 has functions of these devices. May be. Even if it becomes like this, the effect similar to the navigation apparatus 20 of the said Example can be acquired.

  (3) Further, the navigation device 20 of the above embodiment is provided with a sensor for monitoring the rear of the vehicle, and before the step of outputting a signal for limiting the vehicle speed in the monitoring processing of the above embodiment (see S135 in FIG. 2) A signal for limiting the vehicle speed may be output only when it is confirmed by a sensor that there is no vehicle within a predetermined distance behind the vehicle and it is confirmed that there is no vehicle within a predetermined distance behind the vehicle. If it becomes like this, it can prevent that the driver | operator of the vehicle which drive | works behind the said vehicle (vehicle in which the navigation apparatus 20 is mounted) is surprised at the sudden deceleration of the said vehicle, and improves safety. Contribute.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the navigation apparatus of an Example. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a monitoring process. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating determination of dangerous driving.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Navigation apparatus, 21 ... Position detector, 21a ... GPS receiver, 21b ... Gyroscope, 21c ... Distance sensor, 21d ... Geomagnetic sensor, 22 ... Operation switch group, 23a ... Remote control, 23b ... Remote control sensor, 24 ... External Information input / output unit 25 ... Map data input device 26 ... Display unit 27 ... Audio output unit 28 ... Microphone 29 ... Control circuit 31 ... Alcohol detector 33 ... Handle angle detector 35 ... Engine ECU 37 ... Emergency flashing light controller.

Claims (8)

A navigation device mounted on a vehicle and used.
Current position information acquisition means for acquiring information for specifying the current position;
Driving status acquisition means for acquiring information from a detection device for detecting the driving status of the driver of the vehicle;
An informing means for informing various information;
A route that specifies the current position based on the current position information acquired by the current position information acquisition means, searches for a route from the specified current position to the specified point, and informs the notification means of the searched route for guidance. Guidance means;
Point information acquisition means for acquiring information about a point where the vehicle can be safely stopped;
It is determined whether or not dangerous driving is performed based on the information acquired by the driving status acquisition unit, and when it is determined that dangerous driving is performed, safety is performed based on the information acquired by the point information acquisition unit. A control means for selecting a point where the vehicle can stop and designating the selected point to the route guidance means and guiding a route to the point;
A navigation device comprising: The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the detection devices from which the driving status acquisition means acquires information is a detection device that detects an alcohol concentration of the driver's breath. The navigation device according to claim 1 or 2,
At least one of the detection devices from which the driving status acquisition means acquires information is a detection device that detects information related to meandering operation. In the navigation apparatus in any one of Claims 1-3,
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the detection devices from which the driving status acquisition means acquires information is a detection device that detects information related to at least one of sudden acceleration and sudden braking of the vehicle. In the navigation apparatus in any one of Claims 1-4,
When it is determined that dangerous driving is being performed, the control means outputs a signal for gradually reducing the speed of the vehicle to the vehicle to reduce the speed of the vehicle. In the navigation apparatus in any one of Claims 1-5,
When the control means determines that a dangerous driving is performed, the control means outputs a signal for blinking the emergency blinking light of the vehicle to the vehicle to cause the emergency blinking light of the vehicle to blink. apparatus. The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The control means can acquire information related to the size of the vehicle, and uses the information related to the size of the vehicle when selecting a point where the vehicle can be safely stopped based on the information acquired by the point information acquisition means. A navigation device that selects a stoppable point according to the size of a vehicle.   The program for functioning a computer as the said control means of the navigation apparatus in any one of Claims 1-7.

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