JP2005308645A - Navigation system and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a highly safe navigation system and its control method, capable of preventing the occurrence of accidents, even if the navigation system is operated while the vehicle is moving. <P>SOLUTION: The navigation system 1 comprises an operating means (spatial input device 4); a storage part 6 for storing the conditions of issuing an alarm; an information presenting part (three-dimensional virtual image display device 3); a control part 2; and an outside vehicle condition detecting means (outside vehicle detecting sensor 5). The control part 2 determines whether an alarm is required, by comparing information acquired by the outside vehicle condition detecting means (outside vehicle detecting sensor 5) with the conditions of issuing an alarm and turns the operating means (spatial input device 4) and/or the information presenting part (three-dimensional virtual image display device 3) into alarm mode, when an alarm is required. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation system, and more particularly to an in-vehicle navigation system that enables safe operation.

  In recent years, the penetration rate of navigation systems has definitely increased. However, on the other hand, many contact accidents and the like caused by gazing at and operating the screen of the navigation system while traveling have been reported.

  Patent Document 1 or the like has been proposed as an object of preventing accidents resulting from such gaze and operation of a navigation system during traveling and realizing safer operation.

In Patent Document 1, the navigation device can be moved between the driver's seat and the passenger's seat, and when installed near the driver's seat, the input operation is valid only when the car is stopped, and the input during driving is performed. A navigation device that disables operations is disclosed.
If such a navigation device is used, the navigation device will not accept the driver's operation unless the vehicle is stopped. Therefore, safe operation and operation can be realized, and contact accidents during operation can be prevented.

JP 2001-174268 A

  However, even when a car equipped with a navigation system is in a running state, for example, when moving at a cruising speed without worrying about the presence of pedestrians on a highway, the flow of the car is in a certain direction, When the amount of traffic is small, it is conceivable that the operation of the navigation system does not significantly affect the safety if the operation is a little. Further, as long as the vehicle is traveling at extremely low speed and traveling at that speed, the possibility of an accident or the like may be extremely low.

  As a driver's psychology in such a situation, a state where no operation of the navigation system is accepted may be a factor that accumulates stress on the contrary.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a navigation system that allows operation of the navigation system as much as possible while ensuring sufficient safety.

  To achieve this object, the navigation system of the present invention includes a navigation system operating means, a storage unit that stores warning issuing conditions, an information presentation unit that performs at least route guidance display and function selection display, and a situation outside the host vehicle. And detecting the necessity of warning by comparing the information on the situation outside the vehicle acquired by the outside situation detection means and the warning issuing condition, and collecting information on the situation outside the vehicle. And a control unit that switches the operation unit and / or the information presentation unit to a warning mode when a warning is required.

  In addition, another navigation system of the present invention detects operating conditions of the navigation system, a storage unit that stores warning issuing conditions, an information presentation unit that performs at least route guidance display and function selection display, and a situation outside the vehicle. A vehicle outside condition detection unit that collects information related to a situation outside the host vehicle, and a vehicle speed detection unit that detects a traveling speed of the host vehicle, and the vehicle speed detection unit and the information related to the situation outside the vehicle acquired by the vehicle outside condition detection unit. Control for determining the necessity of warning by comparing the information on the speed of the own vehicle acquired by the vehicle and the warning issuing condition, and when warning is necessary, control for switching the operation means and / or the information presenting unit to warning mode Part.

  In the navigation system having such a configuration, the vehicle outside condition detection means may be configured to detect at least one of the presence of other vehicles, people and other obstacles in the vicinity of the host vehicle, the moving speed, and the moving direction.

  If various information about these objects that can cause accidents is acquired and analyzed, and if it can be determined that sufficient safety is ensured, normal operation of the navigation system is not performed without entering the warning mode. can do.

Here, the warning issuing condition is a condition regarding matters corresponding to information on the presence of other vehicles, people, and other obstacles in the vicinity of the own vehicle, the moving speed, the moving direction, etc. detected by the outside vehicle condition detecting means. Will be set. For example, a condition is set such that the warning mode is set when another vehicle is located 15 m ahead of the host vehicle, and the warning mode is set when a person is present 10 m around the host vehicle. Also, even if there are other vehicles in the vicinity of your vehicle, if you are moving away from your vehicle and you think that it will not significantly affect the safety of your vehicle, do not use the warning mode. You can also
Further, when the vehicle speed detecting means as described above is provided and the vehicle speed of the own vehicle is also set as a comparison item with the warning issuing condition, for example, a condition such as a warning mode is set during traveling at 40 km / h. Can be set. These condition settings can be performed as appropriate. Naturally, it is possible to set conditions by combining several types of comparison items.

  Further, in the navigation system as described above, the vehicle exterior condition detection means may be configured to include at least one of inter-vehicle communication, an in-vehicle camera, and a radar.

In recent years, the progress of technology surrounding cars has been remarkable, detecting the situation around the vehicle, keeping a certain lane and driving, tracking the preceding car at a certain interval, and automatically accelerating Electronic devices that perform brake operations have also appeared. When such a device is applied to an out-of-vehicle situation detection means and a certain amount of accident avoidance measures are taken, even if the driver operates the navigation system for a short period of time, its safety is not impaired. .
Therefore, the present invention determines whether or not safety is ensured by such an out-of-vehicle situation detection means, and as long as safety is ensured, the navigation system can be operated and safety is sufficient. The warning mode is used when the driver has to drive intensively because it is not guaranteed.

  The navigation system of the present invention compares the information about the situation outside the vehicle acquired by the vehicle outside condition detection unit as described above, the information about the speed of the own vehicle acquired by the vehicle speed detection unit, and the warning issuing condition. When it is determined and a warning is required, the operation means and the information presentation unit are set to a warning mode. Here, the warning means in the warning mode may be any means as long as it can call the driver's attention and ensure safety in vehicle operation. For example, the operation in the warning mode The means can be made inoperable. Further, the information presenting unit is an image display and / or voice output, and in the warning mode, a warning may be issued by the screen display and / or voice output. Further, the information presenting unit is in the warning mode. It can also be configured to issue a warning by extinguishing the image display.

  These measures can also be combined. At this time, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the warning means is changed stepwise in accordance with the situation where the vehicle is placed. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which first the driver's attention is urged by voice or screen display, and then the operation is disabled and no operation is accepted.

  The navigation system configured as described above can be configured based on a conventional navigation system. For example, the information presentation unit and the operation unit are touch panel displays, or the information presentation unit is three-dimensional in space. A stereoscopic virtual image display device that projects a virtual image may be provided, and the operation unit may include a spatial input device that detects an input operation on an operation point displayed by the stereoscopic virtual image display device.

Conventionally, as a factor that hinders safety in navigation systems, shifting the line of sight to a display unit attached to a dashboard or the like, and in a navigation system of a type in which the screen and the operation unit are separated, the screen and the operation unit It is conceivable to move the line of sight between them.
For this reason, if an information presentation part and an operation means are comprised as a touchscreen display, the problem of the eyes | visual_axis movement between a screen and an operation part can be eliminated. Further, if a configuration including a stereoscopic virtual image display device that projects a stereoscopic virtual image in space and the operation means includes a spatial input device that detects an input operation on an operation point displayed by the stereoscopic virtual image display device is adopted, Sometimes, the display of the navigation system can be read and operated without reducing the movement of the line of sight from the front or without moving the line of sight at all.
Therefore, if the information presentation unit and the operation unit are configured as described above, the navigation system can be operated more safely in combination with the warning based on the information obtained by the vehicle outside condition detection unit and the vehicle speed detection unit. Is possible.

  The invention of the navigation system control method of the present invention comprises a step of comparing a warning issuing condition set in advance with information relating to the outside situation acquired by the outside situation detecting means, and the navigation system operation based on the comparison result of the step. A step of determining whether or not there is a hindrance to the safe operation of the vehicle, and a step of disabling warning and / or navigation system operation when it is determined that the navigation system operation has a hindrance to the safe operation of the vehicle in this step It is characterized by including.

  If such control is performed in the navigation system, the navigation system can be operated as long as safety is confirmed even when the vehicle is traveling as described above.

  According to the present invention, the information on the situation outside the vehicle acquired by the outside situation detection means is compared with the warning issuing condition to determine whether or not the warning is necessary. If the safety is confirmed, the navigation system can be operated. On the other hand, if the safety is not confirmed, a warning is issued and the operation is not accepted. Is secured.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the navigation system 1 according to the present embodiment. The navigation system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a control unit 2, a stereoscopic virtual image display device 3, a spatial input device 4, an out-of-vehicle detection radar 5, The storage unit 6, the audio output unit 7, and the vehicle speed sensor 8 are connected to each other.
Here, the stereoscopic virtual image display device 3 corresponds to the information presentation unit of the present invention, and the spatial input device 4 corresponds to the operation means of the present invention. Further, the vehicle exterior detection radar 5 corresponds to the vehicle exterior condition detection means of the present invention, and the vehicle speed sensor 8 corresponds to the vehicle speed detection means of the present invention.

  The storage unit 6 stores map information, various other information necessary for navigation, programs, information on warning issuing conditions, and a program for issuing warnings. The navigation system 1 enters the warning mode when the situation of the vehicle satisfies this warning issuing condition.

Here, a number of patterns are programmed in the warning issuance condition so that sufficient safety is ensured even if the navigation system 1 is operated according to the situation where the host vehicle is placed. Table 1 shows an example.

The example shown in Table 1 shows the warning issuing conditions of the navigation system 1 assuming traveling on a highway. The control based on the warning issuing condition and the operation of the navigation system 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
(1) Vehicular speed fluctuation (Step 1)
If acceleration / deceleration is frequently performed and the speed of the vehicle is fluctuating rapidly, the vehicle has just merged with the main highway and has not yet shifted to cruising, or there are many other vehicles nearby. It is thought that there are many situations where the driver must drive with sufficient care.
Therefore, the control unit 2 monitors the speed fluctuation of the host vehicle based on the program stored in the storage unit 6. The control unit 2 receives the speed data obtained by the vehicle speed sensor 8, and determines whether or not the speed fluctuation of the own vehicle within a certain time (for example, the past 30 seconds) is within a certain range. When the speed fluctuation of the host vehicle is severe, the control unit 2 issues a command to the space input device 4 and / or the stereoscopic virtual image display device 3 and switches them to the warning mode. In this embodiment, the control unit 2 warns the spatial input device 4 and / or the stereoscopic virtual image display device 3 because the warning issuing condition is met when the speed fluctuation of the own vehicle for the past 30 seconds is ± 10 km / h or more. Switch to the mode (step S1).
(2) Travel speed of own vehicle (step S2)
Even if it is determined in step S1 that the speed fluctuation of the host vehicle is within the specified range and the vehicle is traveling cruising, the driver has a sense of tension if the traveling speed of the host vehicle increases. And drive carefully.
Therefore, the control unit 2 monitors the traveling speed of the host vehicle based on the program stored in the storage unit 6. The control unit 2 receives the speed data obtained by the vehicle speed sensor 8 and determines whether or not the host vehicle is traveling at a certain speed or higher. When the speed of the host vehicle is high, the control unit 2 issues a command to the space input device 4 and / or the stereoscopic virtual image display device 3, and switches them to the warning mode. In the present embodiment, the control unit 2 switches the spatial input device 4 and / or the stereoscopic virtual image display device 3 to the warning mode because the warning issuing condition is met when the traveling speed of the host vehicle is 80 km / h or more (step S3). S2).
(3) Distance from the front car (step S3)
In step 1, it is determined that the speed fluctuation of the own vehicle is within a prescribed range and the vehicle is traveling cruising. Further, in step S2, even if the running speed of the own vehicle is equal to or less than the prescribed value, in front, particularly in the same vehicle. If there is another vehicle on the line and the distance from the other vehicle is close, it may be assumed that the other vehicle steps on the brake suddenly. Also, when the distance from other vehicles approaching from behind becomes tight, you need to drive more carefully.
Therefore, the control unit 2 monitors the situation around the vehicle based on the program stored in the storage unit 6. The control unit 2 receives data related to the situation outside the vehicle from the outside situation sensor 5 and determines whether or not a safe distance from another vehicle can be secured. When the distance between the own vehicle and the other vehicle is narrow, the control unit 2 issues a command to the spatial input device 4 and / or the stereoscopic virtual image display device 3 and switches them to the warning mode. In this embodiment, the control unit 2 switches the space input device 4 and / or the stereoscopic virtual image display device 3 to the warning mode because the warning issuing condition is met when the distance from the other vehicle is 30 m or less (step S3). S3).
(4) Relative speed with other vehicle (step S4)
In step S3, it is assumed that there is another vehicle on the same lane and the distance from the other vehicle is close. It is said. That is, the relative speed at the time of overtaking or overtaking is set as a determination target. This means that when the vehicle is in an overtaking or overtaking posture, the driver needs to drive while carefully observing whether the previous vehicle is making a sudden lane change, and vice versa. In addition, it is considered that careful driving is required even when another vehicle is trying to pass or overtake its own vehicle.
On the other hand, as a result of analyzing the relative speed with the other vehicle obtained in consideration of the moving direction and moving speed of the other vehicle, for example, moving in a direction away from the own vehicle, it is important for the safe driving of the own vehicle. If it is not determined to have an effect, it is considered that it is not necessary to switch to the warning mode.
The control unit 2 monitors the situation around the host vehicle based on the program stored in the storage unit 6. The control unit 2 receives data on the situation outside the vehicle from the vehicle outside condition sensor 5 and also receives the speed data of the host vehicle from the vehicle speed sensor 8 and determines whether the relative speed with the other vehicle is within a safe range. Do. When the relative speed with the other vehicle is high, the control unit 2 issues a command to the space input device 4 and / or the stereoscopic virtual image display device 3 and switches them to the warning mode. In the present embodiment, when the relative speed with the other vehicle becomes 15 km / h or more in the approaching direction, the control unit 2 sets the space input device 4 and / or the stereoscopic virtual image display device 3 to meet the warning issuing condition. Switch to warning mode (step S4). In addition, the other vehicle used as the object which measures relative speed was made into the thing in the range of 40 m around the own vehicle.

  Next, a warning method in the warning mode will be described. As described above, the navigation system 1 of the present embodiment includes the stereoscopic virtual image display device 3 as the information presentation unit and the spatial input device 4 as the operation means. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the interior of the vehicle including the stereoscopic virtual image display device 3 and the spatial input device 4. The spatial display 9 is projected by the stereoscopic virtual image display device 3 and the spatial input device 4. A spatial motion detection area 10 is formed. The spatial input device 4 includes a spatial motion detection sensor 11, and the navigation system 1 is operated in response to a driver's motion in the spatial motion detection area 10.

  That is, in a state in which the normal operation is possible without being in the warning mode, the driver holds the fingertip in the spatial motion detection area 10 corresponding to the spatial display 9 and performs a predetermined motion. 1 operation can be performed.

On the other hand, in the warning mode, the space input device 4 is in an inoperable state, and the driver's operation action, that is, the driver holding his fingertip over the space motion detection area 10, is detected by the space motion detection sensor. When 11 is detected, the audio output unit 7 is informed of the warning mode by a beep sound.
Further, depending on the setting of the stereoscopic virtual image display device 3, it is possible to display the current warning mode on the space display 9. For example, “Attention! ! Approaching the previous car! ! Or the like can be displayed. At this time, the voice output unit 7 can be set to read out the message.

  Furthermore, by changing the setting, as shown in FIG. 4, the space display 9 can be extinguished in the warning mode. When the stereoscopic virtual image display device 3 is employed as the information presentation unit as in the present embodiment, the spatial display 9 by the stereoscopic virtual image display device 3 is such that the driver who is driving does not look at the spatial display 9 without looking at the front. Can also be set to a position that is unconsciously within the driver's field of view. If the space display 9 is set to such a position, if the space display 9 disappears during the warning mode, the driver may notice that the space display 9 has disappeared while looking forward. Yes, you can recognize that you are in warning mode. At this time, of course, a beep sound and a message read-out by the voice output unit 7 can be used together.

The above-described embodiments are merely examples for carrying out the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. Various modifications of these embodiments are within the scope of the present invention. It is apparent from the above description that various other embodiments are possible within the scope.
For example, for warning conditions, in this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, only one example assuming traveling on a highway is shown, but various factors related to safe operation of the vehicle, such as other vehicles in the vicinity of the own vehicle, Detailed conditions can be set for the presence of people and other obstacles, moving speed, moving direction, and the like.
Moreover, the information regarding the road shape such as entering the section where the curve continues can be acquired from the map information stored in the storage unit 6 or can be predicted by the outside radar and reflected in the warning issuing condition. Furthermore, various data acquired by inter-vehicle communication, in-vehicle camera, radar, etc. can be reflected in the warning issuing conditions.
In addition, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a touch panel display 12 can be employed as an operation unit and an information presentation unit instead of the stereoscopic virtual image display device 3 and the space input device 4. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a state that is not in the warning mode when the presence / absence of a vehicle around the host vehicle is adopted as the warning issuing condition, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the warning mode is set. When the warning mode is set, as shown in FIG. A message 13 “There is a surrounding vehicle” is displayed, and a beep sound 14 is used to call attention.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the control in the Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing showing the appearance in the vehicle provided with the three-dimensional virtual image display apparatus and the space input device, Comprising: It is a figure showing the state which is not a warning mode. It is explanatory drawing showing the appearance in the vehicle provided with the three-dimensional virtual image display apparatus and the space input device, Comprising: It is a figure showing the state of warning mode. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which is not a warning mode of a touchscreen display. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state of the warning mode of a touchscreen display.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Navigation system 2 Control part 3 Three-dimensional virtual image display apparatus 4 Spatial input device 5 Out-of-vehicle detection sensor 6 Memory | storage part 7 Audio | voice output part 8 Vehicle speed sensor 9 Spatial display 10 Spatial motion detection area 11 Spatial motion detection sensor

Claims (10)

Navigation system operating means;
A storage unit that stores warning issuing conditions;
An information presentation unit that performs at least route guidance display and function selection display;
An out-of-vehicle condition detection means for detecting an out-of-vehicle condition and collecting information about the out-of-vehicle condition;
The information on the situation outside the vehicle acquired by the outside situation detection means is compared with the warning issuing condition to determine whether or not a warning is necessary. When the warning is necessary, the operation means and / or the information presenting unit is warned. And a control unit for switching to a mode. Navigation system operating means;
A storage unit that stores warning issuing conditions;
An information presentation unit that performs at least route guidance display and function selection display;
An out-of-vehicle condition detection means for detecting an out-of-vehicle condition and collecting information about the out-of-vehicle condition;
Vehicle speed detecting means for detecting the traveling speed of the own vehicle,
When the information on the situation outside the vehicle acquired by the vehicle outside condition detection means and the information on the speed of the own vehicle acquired by the vehicle speed detection means are compared with the warning issuing condition to determine whether the warning is necessary, and when the warning is necessary And a control unit that switches the operation means and / or the information presentation unit to a warning mode. The navigation system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the out-of-vehicle condition detection means detects at least one of the presence of another vehicle, a person and other obstacles in the vicinity of the own vehicle, a movement speed, and a movement direction. The navigation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the vehicle exterior condition detection means includes at least one of inter-vehicle communication, an in-vehicle camera, and a radar. The navigation system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the operation means in the warning mode is disabled. The navigation system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the information presentation unit is an image display and / or an audio output, and issues a warning by the screen display and / or the audio output in the warning mode. . The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the information presentation unit issues a warning by extinguishing the image display in a warning mode. The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the information presentation unit and the operation unit are touch panel displays. The information presentation unit includes a stereoscopic virtual image display device that projects a stereoscopic virtual image in space, and the operation means includes a spatial input device that detects an input operation on an operation point displayed by the stereoscopic virtual image display device. The navigation system according to any one of claims 1 to 7. A step of comparing the warning condition set in advance with information on the situation outside the vehicle acquired by the outside situation detection means;
Determining whether the navigation system operation has an obstacle to the safe operation of the vehicle based on the comparison result of the step;
A navigation system control method comprising the steps of: issuing a warning and / or disabling navigation system operation when it is determined in the step that the navigation system operation impedes safe driving of the vehicle.

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