JP2007310455A - Information providing apparatus for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information providing apparatus for a vehicle for providing information with an appropriate timing according to a road situation. <P>SOLUTION: The information providing apparatus for the vehicle is mounted on the vehicle and provides a driver with information about an attention point, existing ahead in the travel direction of one's own vehicle, to which the driver must pay attention. When the attention point is detected ahead in the travel direction of one's own vehicle, the information providing apparatus changes the timing of providing the driver with the information about the attention point based on the road situation at a reference point existing in front of the detected attention point by a first predetermined distance. The information providing apparatus provides the driver with the information about the detected attention point (A) before entering a curve way when the reference point is on the curve way, (B) at a point in front of the reference point by a second predetermined distance when the reference point is in front of a curve way, or (C) at the reference point when the reference point is not on a curve way and not in front of a curve way. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention generally relates to a vehicular information providing apparatus that provides a driver with information about a point where a driver existing ahead in the traveling direction of the host vehicle should pay attention, and in particular, an appropriate timing according to the surrounding environment of the host vehicle. The present invention relates to a vehicle information providing apparatus that provides information.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a vehicle information providing apparatus that provides a driver with information on a point where a driver present ahead in the traveling direction of the host vehicle should pay attention (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Patent Document 1 discloses a display device that preferentially displays an alarm with an early output timing among an obstacle alarm and a curve approach speed alarm when an obstacle and a curve road are detected substantially simultaneously in front of the host vehicle. ing.
JP 2002-163783 A

  However, according to the conventional device described in Patent Document 1, when there is a temporary stop line at the end or in the middle of the curved road, the speed warning for the curved road has priority over the provision of information regarding the temporary stop line. When there is a stop line at the end or in the middle of a curved road, there is a possibility that information provision (or alerting) regarding the stop line may not be performed at an appropriate timing.

  On the other hand, when there is a point to be paused such as a stop line in the middle or ahead of the curved road as described above, information on the point to be paused after the curved road is provided. If this is done, the driver is confused by providing information that is not directly related to the curved road while driving on a curved road where the driving load is high (concentrated on steering operation). There is a possibility that the margin for driving operation will be greatly reduced.

  The present invention is for solving such problems, and provides a vehicle information providing apparatus that provides information at an appropriate timing according to the surrounding environment of the host vehicle such as a road condition (road shape) during traveling. The main purpose.

  One aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object is an information providing device for a vehicle that is mounted on a vehicle and that provides the driver with information relating to a caution point where a driver present ahead in the traveling direction of the host vehicle should pay attention. When the attention point is detected in front of the traveling direction of the host vehicle, information on the attention point is given to the driver based on the road condition at the reference point before the first predetermined distance from the detected attention point. It is the information provision apparatus for vehicles which changes the timing provided.

  In the above aspect, A) When the reference point is on a curved road, the driver enters the curved road from the viewpoint that the driver concentrates on the steering operation while driving on the curved road and the driving operation load will be relatively high. Before the operation, the driver is provided with information on the detected attention point. However, if the estimated time required for the vehicle to reach the caution point detected from the starting point of the curve road exceeds a predetermined time, the curve radius is relatively large and the driving operation load is compared. The information regarding the attention point is provided early to the driver at a point before the second predetermined distance from the reference point.

  Further, in the above aspect, B) If the reference point is in front of a curve road, it is determined that the attention point is likely to exist in the middle of the curve road, and the reference point is provided to provide information to the driver early. Information on the attention point is provided to the driver at a point a second predetermined distance before the point.

  Moreover, in the said one aspect | mode, C) When the said reference point is neither on the curve road nor the curve road front, the information regarding the said attention point detected in this reference point is provided to a driver | operator as default processing.

  According to the above aspect, since the point where the information on the caution point that the driver existing ahead in the traveling direction of the host vehicle should pay attention to is changed according to the road condition (road shape), driving Information can be provided at an appropriate timing without increasing the driver's driving operation load.

  In the above aspect, after information related to the detected caution point is provided to the driver, the point at which a warning regarding the caution point is output to the driver is an inter-vehicle distance between the host vehicle and the following vehicle. It is preferable to change according to.

  Specifically, for example, after information related to the detected attention point is provided to the driver, a) When the inter-vehicle distance between the own vehicle and the following vehicle exceeds a predetermined distance, According to the first deceleration (in light of the distance and the vehicle speed), a warning is output about the caution point at a point where the caution point can be stopped, and b) the distance between the vehicle and the following vehicle is the predetermined distance When the distance is less than the distance, the own vehicle is smaller than the first deceleration (in light of the distance and the vehicle speed) so that the distance between the following vehicle and the following vehicle does not suddenly decrease and cause the driver of the following vehicle to panic. According to the second deceleration, a warning for the caution point is output early at a point where the caution point can be stopped.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the information provision apparatus for vehicles which provides information at an appropriate timing according to a road condition can be provided.

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

  Hereinafter, a vehicle information providing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a vehicle information providing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

  The vehicle information providing apparatus 100 includes a host vehicle position detection unit 101 that detects the position of the host vehicle using, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System). The detection accuracy (resolution) of the own vehicle position detection unit 101 is preferably as high as possible (fine). For example, it is preferable to use a high-accuracy GPS such as RTK (Real Time Kinematic) -GPS.

  The vehicle information providing apparatus 100 further includes a vehicle state detection unit 102 that detects the vehicle state of the host vehicle. In the present embodiment, the vehicle state detection unit 102 detects at least the vehicle speed of the host vehicle and the acceleration (G) generated in the host vehicle. The vehicle speed is detected using, for example, a wheel speed sensor. As an alternative example, the vehicle speed of the host vehicle may be calculated from the time change of the host vehicle position detected by the host vehicle position detection unit 101. The acceleration is detected by, for example, an acceleration sensor installed near the center of gravity of the vehicle.

  The vehicle information providing apparatus 100 further detects the presence of a subsequent vehicle behind the host vehicle using, for example, a laser radar, a millimeter wave radar, a camera, and the like. It has the following vehicle detection part 103 which detects the distance (distance between vehicles) between the following vehicles. Such an apparatus / method for detecting the presence of other vehicles around the host vehicle and detecting the inter-vehicle distance particularly detects the presence of the preceding vehicle and the inter-vehicle distance with the preceding vehicle, for example, the inter-vehicle distance with the preceding vehicle. Various things have already been proposed to those skilled in the art, such as a follow-up traveling control system that keeps the vehicle constant and a pre-crash safety system that determines the possibility of collision, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

  The vehicle information providing apparatus 100 further includes a storage unit 104 that stores and holds in advance information about a road such as the shape of the road and a point (a stop line or the like) where the vehicle should be temporarily stopped. The storage unit 104 may be an arbitrary storage medium. Moreover, it is preferable that the road information stored and held in the storage unit 104 is appropriately updated to the latest version using, for example, communication.

  The vehicle information providing apparatus 100 further includes an information providing unit 105 that informs the driver that there is a point where the host vehicle should pause, such as a temporary stop line, in the forward direction of the host vehicle. The information provision part 105 is provided with the display part (not shown) which displays the presence of the point which should be suspended, for example as a character information with respect to a driver | operator. Instead of or in addition to this, a voice output unit (not shown) for outputting the presence of a point to be temporarily stopped as a voice message in the vehicle interior may be provided.

  Here, the display unit (not shown) may be any type of in-vehicle display device such as a liquid crystal display or a head-up display (HUD), and may be a display device of another in-vehicle system (for example, navigation system, multimedia system, etc.). It may be combined. When the audio output unit is used, it may be an arbitrary speaker provided in the vehicle interior, and may also be used as a speaker of another in-vehicle system (for example, a navigation system or an audio visual system).

  The vehicle information providing apparatus 100 further outputs an alarm unit 106 that outputs an alarm for encouraging the driver to execute the braking control so that the host vehicle can be stopped at a point where the host vehicle should be stopped in front of the host vehicle traveling direction. Have In the present embodiment, the alarm unit 106 urges the driver to, for example, blow a buzzer sound having a tone color and volume intended to alert the driver into the passenger compartment, or to execute braking control. The driver is warned by outputting a voice message intended for the vehicle interior.

  As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the information providing unit 105 and the alarm unit 106 may be an integrated information output device.

  The vehicle information providing apparatus 100 further includes a main control unit 107 that comprehensively controls each component of the vehicle information providing apparatus 100. The main control unit 107 is, for example, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

  As a basic function, the main control unit 107, based on the road information stored and held in the storage unit 104, the current position of the own vehicle detected by the own vehicle position detection unit 101, from the point where the own vehicle should stop temporarily When it is determined that the point (X1) before the predetermined distance (D1) has been reached, the information providing unit 105 is instructed to provide information that informs the driver of the presence of the point to be temporarily stopped. Composed.

  The main control unit 107 also has the same basic functions, that is, the information provided by the information providing unit 105, the vehicle current position detected by the vehicle position detecting unit 101, and the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle state detecting unit 102. And the acceleration, in light of the road information stored and stored in the storage unit 104, it is determined that the vehicle has reached a limit point where the vehicle can stop at a predetermined deceleration or less up to the point where the vehicle should stop temporarily, which is ahead in the traveling direction of the host vehicle. In this case, an alarm is output to the alarm unit 106 to instruct the driver to execute the braking control.

  In addition to the above-described configuration and basic functions, the vehicle information providing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment depends on the environment around the host vehicle, particularly the inter-vehicle distance between the road condition (road shape) and the following vehicle. Modify and change the information provision timing and alarm timing regarding the point to be paused.

  Processing for correcting / changing the information provision timing and the alarm timing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the main control unit 107 should stop the host vehicle forward in the traveling direction of the host vehicle in light of the road information stored in the storage unit 104 and the current position of the host vehicle detected by the host vehicle position detection unit 101. It is determined whether a point exists (S201).

  When it is determined that there is a point to be paused such as a pause line ahead of the traveling direction of the host vehicle (“YES” in S201), the main control unit 107 then determines a predetermined distance from the detected point to be paused. (D1) A point (X1) that causes the information providing unit 105 to provide information regarding a point to be temporarily stopped in the normal (default) processing before this is obtained on the road information stored in the storage unit 104, and the point It is determined whether (X1) is just a point on the curve road (S202).

  When it is determined that the point (X1) serving as the information provision timing is not in the middle of a curved road according to normal processing (“NO” in S202), the main control unit 107 then determines that the point (X1) is a curved road. In other words, it is determined whether or not the vehicle travels on a curved road after reaching the point to be temporarily stopped after passing the point (X1) ( S203).

  According to normal processing, when it is determined that the point (X1) that is the information provision timing is not in front of the curve road (“NO” in S203), the main control unit 107 starts from the point to be paused as usual. At the point (X1) before the predetermined distance (D1), the information providing unit 105 is provided with information regarding the presence of the point to be temporarily stopped (S205).

  An example of this situation is shown in FIG. Here, it is assumed that a temporary stop line L exists in front of the expected trajectory T of the host vehicle V. As shown in an example in FIG. 3, the distance X from the temporary stop line L when the point X1 that is the information provision timing according to normal processing is determined to be not in front of the curved road even in the middle of the curved road. Information providing that there is a temporary stop line L at the point X1 before D1 is implemented.

  Returning to FIG. When it is determined in S203 that the point (X1) serving as the information provision timing exists before the curve road according to normal processing (“YES” in S203), the main control unit 107 determines that the point to be temporarily stopped is a curve. Temporarily at a point (X2) a predetermined distance (D3) ahead of the point (X1) based on the insight that it is relatively likely to be in the middle of the road and it is preferable to provide information to the driver early. The information providing unit 105 is caused to provide information regarding the presence of the point to be stopped (S206).

  An example of this situation is shown in FIG. Also here, it is assumed that the temporary stop line L exists in front of the expected trajectory T of the host vehicle V. As shown in an example in FIG. 4, according to a normal process, when the point X <b> 1 that is the information provision timing is in a road situation in front of the curved road, in other words, from the starting point of the curved road to the temporary stop line L When the distance D2 is shorter than the distance D1 (D1> D2), information indicating that the temporary stop line L exists at the point X2 further before the distance D3 than the point X1 before the distance D1 from the temporary stop line L is provided. The

  Returning to FIG. When it is determined in S202 that the point (X1) serving as the information provision timing exists in the middle of the curved road according to normal processing (“YES” in S202), the main control unit 107 then starts the starting point of the curved road. Based on the distance (D2) from the vehicle to the point where the vehicle should be paused and the vehicle speed (v) of the vehicle, it is estimated that it will take until the vehicle reaches the point where the vehicle should pause after entering the curve road. It is determined whether or not the time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time (t) (S204).

  When it is determined that the estimated time required for the vehicle to reach a point to be temporarily stopped after entering the curved road is equal to or longer than the predetermined time (t) (“YES” in S204), the main control The section 107 has an insight that the curve radius of the curve road is relatively large, and the driving operation load of the driver traveling on the curve road will be relatively low compared to a curve road having a relatively small curve road radius, and An insight that it may be too early to provide information on a curved road with a relatively large radius on a curved road that should be temporarily stopped before the curved road. In order to provide information earlier than normal timing, but not before entering a curved road, but before entering a curved road, it is a point that will be information provision timing in normal processing X1) is carried out at a predetermined distance (D3) in front of the point (X2) providing information to provide information about the presence of a point to be temporarily stopped at 105 than (S206).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the estimated time required for the vehicle to reach a point to be temporarily stopped after entering the curved road is less than the predetermined time (t) (“NO” in S204), The main control unit 107 concentrates on the driver's steering operation when the information is provided at the point (X1) at which information is provided according to normal processing when the driver's driving operation load is high while driving on a curved road. Based on the insight that there is a possibility of obstructing the road, information provision regarding the existence of a point to be paused at the point (X2 ′) before the starting point of the curved road is provided so that the provision of information is completed before entering the curved road The providing unit 105 is made to execute (S207).

  An example of these states is shown in FIG. Here, there is a temporary stop line L in front of the expected trajectory T of the host vehicle V, and a point X1 in front of the predetermined distance D1 from the temporary stop line L, which is the information provision timing according to normal processing, is in the middle of the curved road. Shall.

  Here, when the time value obtained by dividing the distance D2 from the starting point of the curved road to the temporary stop line L by the vehicle speed v of the host vehicle V is larger than the predetermined time t (D2 / v> t), According to the processing, information is provided at a point X2 that is further before the point X1 that is a predetermined distance D1 before the temporary stop line L that is the information provision timing, and a value obtained by dividing the distance D2 by the vehicle speed v is a predetermined time. When it is smaller than t (D2 / v ≦ t), information is provided at the point X2 ′ before entering the curved road.

  Returning to FIG. In this way, when the point / timing at which information is provided about the point to be temporarily stopped that exists ahead in the traveling direction of the host vehicle is determined and the information provision is performed, the main control unit 107 then displays the following vehicle detection unit 103. Based on the detection result obtained by the above, it is determined whether or not there is a succeeding vehicle having an inter-vehicle distance of a predetermined distance or less (S208).

  When it is determined that the following vehicle does not exist or when it is determined that the inter-vehicle distance exceeds the predetermined interval even if the following vehicle exists (“NO” in S208), the main control unit 107 As usual (default), in light of the road information stored in the storage unit 104, the vehicle current position detected by the vehicle position detection unit 101, the vehicle speed and acceleration detected by the vehicle state detection unit 102, When it is determined that the vehicle has reached a limit point that can be stopped at a predetermined deceleration α or less up to a point where the vehicle should stop temporarily in the forward direction of the host vehicle, an alarm is output to the alarm unit 106 to control the driver. To be executed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a subsequent vehicle having an inter-vehicle distance of a predetermined distance or less behind the host vehicle (“YES” in S208), the main control unit 107 changes the alarm output timing, and the subsequent vehicle is decelerated by deceleration of the host vehicle. An alarm is output earlier than the normal (default) process so that the distance between the vehicle and the driver of the following vehicle is not suddenly shortened. When it is determined that a limit point where the vehicle can stop at speed β or less is reached, the alarm unit 106 is instructed to output an alarm (S209).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, according to a normal process, a point before a predetermined distance from the point to be temporarily stopped that is the information providing timing regarding the point to be temporarily stopped that exists in front of the traveling direction of the host vehicle is a curved road. If it is in front of the vehicle or is in the middle of a curve road with a relatively large curve radius, the provision of information on the point that should be paused at a point in front of it may be modified by changing or changing the normal information provision timing. Because it is implemented, the driver can recognize the existence of a point to be paused when the distance to the point to be paused is relatively long, which increases the time margin and ensures that The possibility of being able to pause is increased and safety is improved.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, according to a normal process, a point that is a predetermined distance before the point to be temporarily stopped where information related to the point to be temporarily stopped that is present ahead of the traveling direction of the host vehicle is provided. If it is in the middle of a relatively small curved road, correct or change the normal information provision timing so that information on the point to be paused before entering the curved road is implemented. In order not to be implemented, information is provided to the driver while driving on a curved road with a relatively small curve radius, which is considered to have a relatively high driving operation load on the driver, so that the driver can concentrate on the steering operation. Prevention is prevented.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, after providing information on the point to be paused, when warning is issued to the driver regarding the point to be paused, the warning timing is corrected according to the distance between the following vehicles.・ Change the distance between the following and the following vehicle to be relatively short. Even when the driver of the host vehicle starts the braking control, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the margin for the driving operation of the driver of the succeeding vehicle is drastically reduced due to the rapid reduction of the inter-vehicle distance from the succeeding vehicle.

  In the above-described embodiment, as an example, the vehicular information providing apparatus itself includes the own vehicle position detection unit and the storage unit that stores road information. It is not limited to. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the host vehicle position detection unit and the storage unit storing the road information can be used also as another in-vehicle system such as a car navigation system.

  In other words, when the vehicle information providing apparatus according to the present invention is installed in a vehicle equipped with a car navigation system, the vehicle position detection unit and the storage unit storing road information are omitted from the configuration according to the above-described embodiment. Of course, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which all the information on the position of the own vehicle and the information on the point to be temporarily stopped are provided from the car navigation system.

  Similarly, in the configuration according to the above-described embodiment, it is obvious that the information providing unit and the alarm unit can also be used with other in-vehicle systems (for example, a car navigation system and an inter-vehicle distance control system).

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for a vehicle information providing apparatus that provides a driver with information related to a point where a driver should pay attention, such as a temporary stop line existing ahead in the traveling direction of the host vehicle. The power source type, fuel type, appearance design, weight, size, running performance, etc. of the vehicle to be mounted are all unquestioned.

It is a schematic block diagram of the information provision apparatus for vehicles which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process by the information provision apparatus for vehicles which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example in case normal timing provides information by the vehicle information provision apparatus which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example in case information provision is performed before a predetermined distance by normal timing with the vehicle information provision apparatus which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example when information provision is performed before curve progress acquisition by the vehicle information provision apparatus which concerns on one Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Information provision apparatus for vehicles 101 Own vehicle position detection part 102 Vehicle state detection part 103 Subsequent vehicle detection part 104 Memory | storage part 105 Information provision part 106 Warning part 107 Main control part

Claims (7)

An information providing device for a vehicle, which is provided in a vehicle and provides information on a caution point to be paid by a driver who is present ahead in the traveling direction of the host vehicle,
When the caution point is detected in front of the traveling direction of the host vehicle, the timing for providing the driver with information on the caution point based on the road condition at the reference point before the first predetermined distance from the detected caution point The information providing device for a vehicle, characterized in that The vehicle information providing device according to claim 1,
When the reference point is on a curved road, the vehicle information providing apparatus is configured to provide the driver with information on the detected caution point before entering the curved road. The vehicle information providing device according to claim 2,
When the estimated time required for the host vehicle to reach the caution point detected from the starting point of the curved road exceeds a predetermined time, the caution point at a point before the second predetermined distance from the reference point A vehicle information providing apparatus, characterized in that information relating to the vehicle is provided to the driver. The vehicle information providing device according to claim 1,
An information providing apparatus for a vehicle, characterized in that, when the reference point is in front of a curved road, information relating to the attention point is provided to the driver at a point in front of the second predetermined distance from the reference point. The vehicle information providing device according to claim 1,
When the reference point is neither on the curve road nor in front of the curve road, the vehicle information providing apparatus is characterized in that the driver is provided with information on the caution point detected at the reference point. The vehicle information providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
After the information regarding the detected caution point is provided to the driver, the point at which a warning regarding the caution point is output to the driver is changed according to the distance between the vehicle and the following vehicle. A vehicle information providing apparatus. The vehicle information providing device according to claim 6,
After the information about the detected caution point is provided to the driver, when the distance between the host vehicle and the following vehicle exceeds a predetermined distance, the host vehicle can stop at the caution point according to the first deceleration. A warning message is output at the point, and when the inter-vehicle distance between the own vehicle and the following vehicle is equal to or less than the predetermined distance, the attention is determined according to the second deceleration smaller than the first deceleration. An information providing device for a vehicle, characterized by outputting a warning about a caution point at a point where the point can be stopped.

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