JP2007115079A - Driving support apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a driving support apparatus capable of contributing to careful driving without annoying a user of a vehicle. <P>SOLUTION: The driving support apparatus detects a position of the vehicle on the basis of an attention area data having an area where paying attention is required and the kind of the attentions and self vehicle position data from a GPS reception part 2, and notifies warning information to the user of the vehicle when the vehicle enters or approaches the attention area. The apparatus is provided with a control means 4 having a warning suppression function which can notify the warning information so as to enable the user to identify the target for the attention area when the vehicle enters first and second attention areas S1 and S2 by a notification means 5, obtains the frequency that the vehicle has entered the first and second attention areas S1 and S2, and determines on the basis of the entry frequency whether or not the warning information is notified. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a driving support device that issues a warning when a vehicle enters or approaches a caution area that calls attention, and urges the user of the vehicle to support safe driving.

Even if an accident does not occur regarding road traffic, it may be dangerous, such as “missing” or “hatting”, and this is called “missing hat”. In addition, the driving support device for notifying the vehicle driver that he / she has entered or approached the attention area has been attracting attention. This driving support device is disclosed in Patent Document 1.
JP 2003-123185 A

  The driving support device includes a receiving unit that receives danger information including electronic information indicating a place where a dangerous state occurs and a type of the danger, a storage unit that stores the received dangerous information, and a request from the communication unit. According to the transmission means for distributing the danger information stored in the storage means, and based on the received danger information, the number of occurrences of the dangerous state is totaled to identify the dangerous area, and the identified A server having at least a control unit comprising a microcomputer for storing information relating to a dangerous area in the storage unit, transmitting the danger information in response to a request from a slave station terminal mounted on a vehicle, and the slave station terminal Is a system for visually or audibly confirming the danger information by a notification means provided in the vehicle, and the vehicle enters or approaches a caution (danger) area. The vehicle of the user in the case is intended to encourage attention to safe driving.

  As such a driving support device, when the vehicle approaches the caution area, a warning warning that visually or audibly notifies that the caution area exists ahead is issued, or when the vehicle enters the caution area. For example, there is a display that displays visual information such as “steep curve, attention” on a display, which is proposed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-313695 by the applicant of the present application. For example, when a caution area is present on a travel route on which a user travels on a daily basis, such a driving support device is known when the user enters a proximity area every time he / she travels. Warnings and warnings when entering the caution area, and warning actions that are repeatedly reported to the user of the vehicle even though the caution area is known, may be annoying. There was room for improvement.

  The present invention has been made in view of this problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a driving support device that does not bother a vehicle user and can contribute to safe driving.

  According to the present invention, the driving support device according to the first aspect includes an area where a state requiring attention and caution area data having at least a type of the caution, and vehicle position detection means for detecting the position of the vehicle. Based on the vehicle position data, driving assistance that detects that the vehicle has entered the caution area or has entered an approach area indicating that the vehicle has approached the caution area, and can notify the vehicle user of warning information. A notification means for informing the user of the warning information visually or at least by hearing; and what the user is in the caution area when the vehicle enters the caution area. The warning information that can be recognized can be notified by the notification means, and the frequency at which the vehicle has entered the caution area is obtained. A control unit having determined warning suppression function whether to broadcast the warning information on the basis of and is characterized in that it comprises an.

  Further, the driving support device according to claim 2 is the driving support device according to claim 1, wherein when the vehicle enters the approaching area, the control means indicates that the caution area exists ahead of the vehicle. Whether other warning information different from the warning information that can be recognized by the user can be notified by the notification means, and the other warning information is notified based on the frequency of entry of the vehicle into the caution area. The determination as to whether or not is provided in the warning suppression function.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the driving support apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the control means inputs driving information related to driving of the vehicle, and the driving information is within the caution area from the driving information. When the driving state is determined and the driving state is determined to be a dangerous driving state, the dangerous driving state is stored in the storage means as the dangerous driving history, and when the dangerous driving history exists, the driving frequency is related. The warning information in the caution area is controlled to be notified without any problem.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the driving support apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the control means inputs driving information related to driving of the vehicle, and the driving information is within the caution area from the driving information. When the driving state is determined and the driving state is determined to be a dangerous driving state, the notification unit is controlled so as to immediately notify the warning information regarding the caution area.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the driving support apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein the control means is configured to perform the caution area after the predetermined time has elapsed or the vehicle has not generated the dangerous driving state. When the vehicle passes a predetermined number of times, the dangerous driving history is cleared.

  The driving support device according to claim 6 is the driving support device according to claim 1, wherein the control means includes first attention area data relating to the attention area received last time and first attention area data relating to the attention area received this time. The data is compared with the attention area data of No. 2, and when the comparison result includes information on the same area and includes new information, the value for measuring the approach frequency is cleared.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a driving support apparatus according to the third aspect, comprising: a personal information identifying means for identifying personal information; and a setting means for performing a predetermined setting; The means is characterized in that an operation condition for determining a judgment criterion for the dangerous driving state can be stored in the storage means for each identification data obtained by the personal information identification means.

  Further, the driving support apparatus according to claim 8 is the driving support apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control means is configured to store a value for measuring the entry frequency for each personal information from the personal information identification means. It is characterized by being memorized in.

  In the present invention, a vehicle is cautioned based on caution area data having at least an area where a state requiring attention and the type of caution is present, and own vehicle position data from own vehicle position detecting means for detecting the own vehicle position. The driving support device that detects that the vehicle has entered or approached an area and notifies warning information to the user of the vehicle, so that the user of the vehicle can be safely driven without bothering the user. It becomes possible.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  The overall configuration of the driving support apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. The driving support device A mainly includes a communication unit 1, a GPS receiver (own vehicle position detection unit) 2, an operation unit 3, a control unit 4, and a notification unit 5. On the other hand, the server 6 is provided as a system for delivering attention area data, which will be described in detail later, to the driving support device A. This server 6 is accessed by residents and drivers (vehicle users) from a personal computer (PC) 7, a mobile phone, a car navigation system with communication function, etc., and attention area data consisting of near-miss information is collected. The caution area data can be transmitted to the driving support device A via the control unit 8. The attention area data relates to an area (map data or latitude / longitude data) where a state requiring attention is generated, and a type of attention stored in a state associated with the area. It is stored in a storage medium such as a hard disk. The caution area data may be used when driving a vehicle such as an intersection where collision accidents occur frequently, intersections where frequent accidents occur when turning left, places where there are sharp curves, areas where road surfaces may freeze, etc. This indicates an area where the (driver) needs to call attention.

  The communication means 1 is a wireless communication means such as Bluetooth, and downloads the caution area data from the server 6 to the control means 4 via the mobile phone 8.

  The GPS receiving unit 2 includes a GPS receiving antenna, and supplies the position information of the vehicle from the artificial satellite received by the receiving antenna to the control means 4.

  The operation means 3 is for selecting and determining warning information notification conditions and notification contents in the notification means 5, which will be described later, and comprises a remote operation unit such as an operation switch or a wireless remote controller.

  The control means 4 is mainly composed of a microcomputer having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an I / O (input / output) interface, and the like. The control means 4 performs a matching process on the position data received by the GPS receiver 2 and the attention area data downloaded via the mobile phone 8, and notifies the result of this matching process (to be described in detail later). 5 is notified. The control means 4 has storage means such as a flash memory for saving the downloaded attention area data, and can process and save the attention area data.

  The notification unit 5 includes a display 5a that is a visual information confirmation unit made of, for example, a matrix-type liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL panel, and a speaker 5b that is an auditory information confirmation unit that notifies a warning content by voice. The display unit 5a and the speaker 5b operate according to an instruction signal from the control unit 4.

  The driving support device A is configured by the above-described units. Next, the notification process in the control means 4 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 2 shows a display form of the display 5 a during normal driving of the vehicle when the control means 4 receives the attention area data regarding the attention area from the server 6 via the mobile phone device 8. The display 5a has a first display area 51 for displaying various vehicle information such as the total distance of the vehicle, the remaining fuel, or the outside temperature, and a display for prompting the user of the vehicle according to the reception status of the attention area data. And a second display area 52. Various vehicle information displayed in the first display area 51 is input to the control means 4 from various units such as an engine control unit (ECU) and an air control unit via a serial transfer path. 4 can display various vehicle information by executing a predetermined display process.

  The indicator 5a is “blue” when the vehicle is traveling normally, “yellow” when entering the approaching area (approaching the attention area), and “red” when entering the attention area. Has a display color variable region 53 for changing the display color. The display color variable area 53 is information based on the attention area data, that is, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a display form indicating a normal driving state, an intersection indicating a location where many collisions occur, a location where frequent entrainment occurs during a right turn, and the like. This is a warning display unit for changing the color of the background 53b of 53a in the order of “blue” → “yellow” → “red” to alert the user.

  The control means 4 inputs caution area data from the server 6 via the mobile phone 8, and a plurality of caution areas (first and second caution areas S1, S2 in FIG. 3) from the input caution area data. Is generated intermittently, the first and second approach area data for notifying that the vehicle is approaching each of the attention areas S1 and S2 is generated by a predetermined calculation process in front of each of the attention areas S1 and S2. Then, first and second approach areas s1 and s2 are set.

  In the generation of the first and second approach area data, the control means 4 moves the vehicle to a preset point (for example, 500 m before) from the arrival point of the first and second attention areas S1 and S2. In order to indicate that the vehicle has entered the first and second approach areas s1 and s2 (determined based on the vehicle position data from the GPS receiver 2 and the attention area data) The color of the background 53b of the display color variable area 53 of the second display area 52 is changed from the normal “blue” color to the “yellow (predicted warning content)” color, and the display form 53a is shown in FIGS. The display mode is changed to 53a. When the vehicle enters the first and second attention areas S1 and S2, the control means 4 changes the color of the background 53b of the display color variable area 53 of the second display area 52 from “yellow” to “red”. Change to However, there is no change in the display form 53a. In addition, the control means 4 is “intersection” by the speaker 5b when entering the first and second caution areas S1 and S2 or at predetermined intervals during the traveling of the first and second caution areas S1 and S2. "Please be careful." Or "Turn right. Be careful of entrainment."

  In the display processing of the display color variable region 53 indicating that the vehicle has entered the first and second approach areas s1 and s2, the first and second attention areas S1 are taken into account by considering the vehicle speed information of the vehicle. , It is possible to give a good preparation period for safe driving of the user when entering S2. Specifically, the vehicle speed (vehicle speed information) of the vehicle is input, the time required to enter the caution area is obtained by the control means 4, and the first and second approach areas s1, This is to change the display timing (display color switching timing) of the display color variable region 53 in s2. For example, if the time required to enter the caution area at a low speed traveling below a predetermined speed (for example, 40 km / h or less) is 10 seconds or more, the first and second approach areas s1 , S2 is delayed, and if the time required to enter the caution area is 5 seconds or less when the vehicle speed is higher than a predetermined speed (for example, 60 km / h or higher), the first and first By advancing the display timing of the two approach areas s1 and s2, it is possible to prevent the user from feeling uncomfortable with respect to the timing for displaying the warning.

  Next, the warning suppression function of the control means 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8. The alarm suppression function in the first and second proximity areas s1 and s2 and the first and second attention areas S1 and S2 is described below. Since the functions are the same, the first approach area s1 and the first attention area S1 will be described as an example.

  The control means 4 inputs the own vehicle position data via the GPS receiving unit 2, and obtains the own vehicle position information based on the own vehicle position data and the map data including the near-miss information input via the transmission means 1. It acquires (step S10) and determines whether the traveling position of the own vehicle is the first approach area s1 (step S20).

  When the control means 4 determines that the host vehicle has entered the first approach area s1 based on the host vehicle position information obtained in step S10, the control means 4 performs an area entry warning determination process (step S30).

  Here, the determination process of the area entry warning will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 7. The control means 4 acquires a dangerous driving history described later (step S31), and determines whether or not there is a dangerous driving history ( Step S32). If the control means 4 determines that there is a dangerous driving history, the color of the background 53b of the display color variable area 53 of the second display area 52 is changed from “blue” to “yellow” (when the approach area enters), or The “yellow” color is changed to the “red” color (at the time of entering the caution area), and the display form of the display device 2 is changed from the display form 53a of FIG. 2 to the display form 53a shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. The prompting process is executed (step S33).

  If the control means 4 determines that there is no dangerous driving history in the determination in step S32, the counter value determined in step S50, which will be described later, in order to obtain the number of times of entering the first attention area (entry frequency). (The number of times of entry into the first attention area S1) is acquired (step S33), and it is determined whether or not the counter value has reached a predetermined value (for example, 3 times) (step S35). When it is determined that the specified value has not been reached, the control unit 4 executes the process in step S33 described above. When the control means 4 determines that the counter value has reached the specified value (step S35), the display form during normal driving shown in FIG. 2 is displayed as it is on the display 5a, and the first approach area is displayed. The warning suppression process is executed so as not to perform the warning process at the time of entering s1 and the first attention area S1, and the area entry warning determination process is terminated.

  After the approach warning determination process for the first approach area s1 and the first attention area S1 (step S30), the control means 4 determines whether or not the host vehicle is entering the first attention area S1. If it is determined that the vehicle has entered the first caution area S1, the process of recording the entry history of the first caution area S1 is executed. Specifically, the first caution area The number of times of entering S1 is performed by a counting process using an internal counter (step S50), and the entry history data of the first attention area S1 used in step S34 is stored. Furthermore, the control means 4 performs a dangerous driving warning determination process in the first caution area S1 (step S60).

  Next, the dangerous driving warning determination process in the first caution area S1 will be described with reference to FIG. The control means 4 includes vehicle speed information (vehicle speed pulses from a speed sensor, or speed data from an engine control unit (ECU) mounted on the vehicle), acceleration information for sudden deceleration and acceleration, steering wheel information Vehicle travel information such as snake angle information or accelerator opening information is acquired (step S61), and it is determined whether the vehicle travel information is in a dangerous driving state in the first caution area S1 (step S62). Specifically, the control means 4 determines whether the vehicle travel information obtained in step S61 is greater than or equal to a preset value (for example, if it is vehicle speed information, it is greater than or equal to 20 km / h in the first caution area S1). 4 and 5 relating to the first caution area S1, it is determined that it is a dangerous driving in the first caution area S1 when it is determined that the vehicle travel information is greater than or equal to the set value. The display form 53a shown in FIG. 6 is displayed, warning display for changing the color of the display color variable region 53 to “red” is performed, and a warning notification process for causing a voice warning by the speaker 5b is immediately executed (step S63).

  And when the control means 4 determines that the driving situation in the first caution area S1 is dangerous driving, the dangerous driving data is provided with the time data of performing dangerous driving as the history of dangerous driving. This is stored in the storage means (step S64), and the dangerous driving warning determination process is terminated. In step S33, the control unit 4 can execute the area intrusion warning process by storing the history of dangerous driving for each caution area. However, the dangerous driving is performed in any caution area of each caution area. It is also possible to issue an area entry warning in all caution areas without specifying the caution area where dangerous driving occurred when the history is stored. Regardless of the type, warning processing according to the driving characteristics of the vehicle user can be performed.

  Note that the control means 4 executes a process of deleting the dangerous driving history if no dangerous driving data is generated even if a predetermined time (for example, 72 hours) has elapsed since the generation of the dangerous driving data. This process is to prevent the warning suppression function from being unable to be executed due to the dangerous driving data once generated.

  Further, the control means 4 uses the caution area data relating to the first caution area S1 newly downloaded from the server 6 via the mobile phone 8 as the erasure condition of the entry history (entry frequency) of the first caution area S1. Are compared with the previous attention area data related to the first attention area S1, and if there is a difference between the new attention area data and the previous attention area data, it is determined that the data includes new information. Execute the process of erasing the previous entry history. As described above, when the entry history is erased, the notification means 5 informs the message that the entry history is erased, thereby eliminating the uncomfortable feeling for the vehicle user.

  The driving support device A is based on the attention area data having at least the area where the state requiring attention and the type of attention are present, and the own vehicle position data from the GPS receiving unit 2 that detects the position of the vehicle. Detecting that the vehicle has entered the first and second attention areas S1 and S2 or has entered the first and second approach areas s1 and s2 indicating that the vehicle has approached the first and second attention areas S1 and S2. The warning means 5 for notifying the user of the vehicle of the warning information, the notification means 5 for notifying the user of the warning information visually or audibly, and the vehicle having first and second attention areas When entering S1, S2, the notification means 5 can be used to notify the warning content that allows the user to recognize what the attention area is, and the vehicle can be in the first and second attention areas S. , S2 is obtained, and control means 4 having a warning suppression function for determining whether or not to notify the warning content based on the frequency of entry is provided. For vehicle users who have traveled repeatedly in the areas S1 and S2, the warning contents when entering the first and second caution areas S1 and S2 can be canceled. Even if there is a caution area, it does not bother the vehicle user.

  In addition, when the vehicle enters the first and second approach areas s1 and s2, the control unit 4 can recognize that the user has the first and second attention areas S1 and S2 ahead. The warning means 5 can be notified by the notification means 5, the frequency at which the vehicle has entered the first and second attention areas S 1 and S 2 is obtained, and the first and second approach areas s 1 and s 2 are obtained based on the entry frequency. A vehicle user who has experienced traveling repeatedly in the first and second caution areas S1 and S2 because it determines whether or not to notify the warning content when entering (other warning content). Therefore, since the warning when entering the first and second approach areas s1 and s2 can be canceled, even if there is a caution area in the travel route that has been drove, Annoying There is no.

  Further, the control means 4 inputs travel information relating to the travel of the vehicle, determines the driving state in the first and second caution areas S1, S2 from the driving information, and the driving state is a dangerous driving state. When it is determined, the dangerous driving state is stored in the storage means as the dangerous driving history, and when the dangerous driving history exists, the first and second attention areas S1 and S2 are not related to the approach frequency. The vehicle is controlled so that the warning content is informed, and when there is a dangerous driving history, it is possible to give a warning indicating that it is a caution area, even if it is a familiar driving route. In addition to the driving assistance device A that does not bother the user, a driving assistance device that contributes to safe driving can be obtained.

  Further, the control means 4 inputs travel information relating to the travel of the vehicle, determines the driving state in the first and second caution areas S1, S2 from the driving information, and the driving state is a dangerous driving state. When the determination is made, the notification means 5 is controlled so as to immediately notify the warning contents related to the first and second attention areas S1 and S2, and the running state of the vehicle regardless of whether there is a dangerous driving history or not. Is always monitored, and a warning is given when it is determined that the vehicle is in danger driving, so that it is possible to obtain the driving support device A that further contributes to safe driving.

  Further, the control means 4 displays the dangerous driving history after a predetermined time elapses or when the vehicle passes through the first and second caution areas S1 and S2 a predetermined number of times and the dangerous driving state does not occur. If the dangerous driving history exists, the warning suppression function does not work and the warning content is always notified in the first and second caution areas S1 and S2. Since the dangerous driving history can be erased, the opportunity to reset the warning suppression function can be given frequently.

  Further, the control means 4 compares, for example, the first attention area data related to the first attention area S1 received last time with the second attention area data related to the first attention area S1 received this time, and the comparison result. However, when the information is related to the first attention area that is the same area and includes new information, the value for measuring the entry frequency, which is the criterion for the warning suppression function, is cleared. Thus, the driving support device A that contributes to safe driving can be obtained.

  The control means 4 includes personal information identifying means for identifying personal information from the mobile phone 8, personal information from a keyless entry system (not shown), etc., and an operating means 3 for performing predetermined settings. It is good also as a structure which memorize | stores in the memory | storage means the driving condition which determines the criterion of the said dangerous driving state for every identification data by the said personal information identification means. That is, since driving conditions are different for each vehicle user, for example, by determining the vehicle speed condition for each user, the criterion for judging the dangerous driving history can be changed for each user, and driving support The customizability in apparatus A can be improved.

  Moreover, the control means 4 enables customization for every user in a warning suppression function by memorize | storing the value which measures the said approach frequency for every personal information from the said personal information identification means in a memory | storage means so that change is possible.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the warning suppression function is applied to the first and second approach areas s1 and s2 and the first and second attention areas S1 and S2. In the apparatus, the warning suppression function may be applied only to the attention area.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a driving support apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the alerting | reporting means of a driving assistance device same as the above. It is a figure for demonstrating the alerting | reporting process of a driving assistance device same as the above. It is a figure explaining the alerting | reporting means at the time of the alerting | reporting process of a driving assistance device same as the above. It is a figure explaining the alerting | reporting means at the time of the alerting | reporting process of a driving assistance device same as the above. It is a figure explaining the warning suppression function in the control means of a driving assistance device same as the above. It is a figure explaining the area approach warning determination process in the control means of a driving assistance device same as the above. It is a figure explaining the dangerous driving warning determination process in the control means of a driving assistance device same as the above.

Explanation of symbols

A driving support device 1 communication means 2 GPS receiver (own vehicle position detection means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Operation means 4 Control means 5 Notification means 5a Display 5b Speaker 6 Server 7 Personal computer 8 Cellular phone S1 1st attention area S2 2nd attention area s1 1st approach area s2 2nd approach area

Claims (8)

The vehicle enters the caution area based on the caution area data having at least the area where the state requiring attention and the type of caution is present and the own vehicle position data from the own vehicle position detecting means for detecting the position of the vehicle. Alternatively, it is a driving support device that detects that the vehicle has entered an approach area indicating that it has approached the caution area, and can notify warning information to a user of the vehicle,
Informing means for informing the user of the warning information visually or at least one of hearing;
When the vehicle enters the caution area, the warning information that enables the user to recognize what the caution area is related to can be notified by the notification means, and the frequency of the vehicle entering the caution area is determined. A control means having a warning suppression function for determining whether or not to notify the warning information based on the approach frequency;
A driving assistance apparatus comprising: When the vehicle enters the approach area, the control means can notify the warning means of other warning information that is different from the warning information that allows the user to recognize that the caution area exists ahead. The warning suppression function includes a determination as to whether or not to notify the other warning information based on the frequency of entry of the vehicle into the caution area. Driving assistance device. The control means inputs driving information related to driving of the vehicle, determines a driving state in the caution area from the driving information, and determines that the dangerous driving state is a dangerous driving state when the driving state is determined to be a dangerous driving state. The storage means is stored as a dangerous driving history, and when the dangerous driving history exists, the warning information of the caution area is controlled to be notified regardless of the approach frequency. The driving support apparatus according to 1. The control means inputs driving information related to driving of the vehicle, determines a driving state in the caution area from the driving information, and determines that the driving state is a dangerous driving state, the The driving support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit is controlled so as to immediately notify warning information. The control means clears the dangerous driving history after a predetermined time has elapsed or when the vehicle has passed the caution area a predetermined number of times without the dangerous driving state occurring. The driving support device according to claim 3. The control means compares the first attention area data relating to the attention area received last time with the second attention area data relating to the attention area received this time, and the comparison result is information relating to the same area and new information. The driving support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a value for measuring the entry frequency is cleared when it is included. A personal information identifying means for identifying personal information; and a setting means for performing a predetermined setting, wherein the control means defines an operating condition for determining a criterion for the dangerous driving state for each identification data obtained by the personal information identifying means. The driving support device according to claim 3, wherein the storage unit can store the information. 8. The driving support apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control means stores a value for measuring the entry frequency for each personal information from the personal information identification means in the storage means.

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