JP2009026321A - Interference evaluation method, device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an interference evaluation method, device and program, for ensuring safety even when an unfavorable event may actually occur. <P>SOLUTION: A computer including a storage means for storing at least the position of a plurality of objects and an internal state including the speed of each object reads the positions and internal states of the plurality of objects from the storage means, generates, based on the read positions and internal states of the objects, a change with time of the possible position of each of the plurality of objects as a trajectory on a time space composed of time and space, stochastically predicts the course for the plurality of objects by using the generated trajectories, and calculates a degree of interference which quantitatively shows the degree of interference between the possible trajectory of a specific object and the possible trajectory of the other object on the time space based on the prediction result. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an interference evaluation method, apparatus, and program for predicting the path of each object based on the positions and internal states of a plurality of objects and evaluating the interference between the paths of the object using the prediction result.

  In recent years, various attempts have been made to realize automatic driving of a moving body such as a four-wheeled vehicle. In order to realize automatic driving of moving objects, it is important to accurately detect objects such as vehicles, pedestrians, and obstacles around the vehicle, and to avoid danger during traveling based on the detection results. . Among these, object detection techniques using various sensors and various radars are known as techniques for accurately detecting surrounding objects.

  The automatic driving technique for a moving body is a technique for automatically moving a moving body from a departure place to a destination when a destination is input. When the movement range is narrow, this technique can be reduced to a route search technique by creating a map of the movement range in advance and predicting the influence of a dynamic obstacle in advance. However, in the case where the moving range of the moving body is wide, such as when the moving body is an automobile, the automatic driving technique cannot be reduced to the route search technique. The wide range here refers to a range in which the time t necessary for avoiding a dynamic obstacle and the time τ necessary for traveling through the entire process are remarkably different. For example, t is about several seconds. On the other hand, τ is about several hours.

  There are two main reasons why the automatic driving technique cannot be reduced to the route search technique when the moving range of the moving body is wide. First, the first reason will be described. Consider a situation after about 10 tons of time has elapsed since the mobile body departed from the departure place. In this case, the influence of a dynamic obstacle spreads over the entire road, and a route that does not collide cannot be defined. That is, when the moving range of the moving body is wide, it is impossible to calculate the route from the starting point to the destination in advance. Next, the second reason will be described. When the moving range of the moving body is wide, as described above, the time τ required to travel through the entire process is very long compared to t. For this reason, it is impossible for a computer mounted on an automobile to finish a necessary calculation within a practical time in which actual collision avoidance can be realized.

  As described above, in the automatic driving technology of a moving body that moves over a wide area such as an automobile, at least the influence of other dynamic obstacles is not taken into consideration, or in addition to the route search technique that does not require the influence in practice. Thus, a route calculation technique for calculating a route for ending the calculation necessary for avoiding a collision with a dynamic obstacle in a practical time and avoiding danger during traveling is required.

  As the above-mentioned route calculation technique, as a technique for avoiding danger during traveling, in a system composed of a plurality of objects and the own vehicle, information on the position and speed of the own vehicle and positions of a plurality of objects other than the own vehicle And the information on the speed are used to generate the course of each object including the vehicle and predict the possibility that any two of the objects constituting the system will collide (for example, , See Non-Patent Document 1). In this technology, the paths that can be taken by all the objects constituting the system are predicted and output by an operation sequence of the same framework using the probability concept. Then, based on the obtained prediction result, a route that realizes the safest situation for the entire system including the vehicle is obtained and output.

A. Broadhurst, S. Baker, and T. Kanade, "Monte Carlo Road Safety Reasoning", IEEE Intelligent Vehicle Symposium (IV2005), IEEE, (June 2005)

  However, the technique disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1 mainly focuses on predicting a course in which all the objects constituting the system are safe, and the course obtained by such prediction is, It is not clear whether the safety for a specific object (for example, the vehicle) is sufficiently secured.

  This point will be described more specifically. In an actual road situation, a driver or a pedestrian of another vehicle may make a mistake in recognizing the road situation, and may exhibit undesirable behavior for surrounding objects including the own vehicle without his / her awareness. On the other hand, in the non-patent document 1 described above, since it is implicitly assumed that all objects exhibit behavior giving priority to safety, a certain object exhibits undesirable behavior for surrounding objects. Thus, it was unclear whether sufficient safety could be ensured even in situations that could occur in reality.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an interference evaluation method, apparatus, and program capable of ensuring safety even in a situation that may occur in reality.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object , an interference evaluation method according to the present invention includes a computer having storage means for storing at least the positions of a plurality of objects and an internal state including the speed of each object. An interference evaluation method for evaluating the degree of interference between a path that can be taken by a specific object included in the plurality of objects and a path that can be taken by other objects, wherein the storage means stores the positions and internal states of the plurality of objects. Based on the read position and internal state of the object, the change of the position that each of the plurality of objects can take as time elapses is generated as a trajectory in time and space composed of time and space. A trajectory generation step that performs the probabilistic prediction of the paths of the plurality of objects by using the trajectory generated in the trajectory generation step. And an interference degree calculating step for calculating an interference degree that quantitatively indicates the degree of interference between the path that can be taken by the specific object and the path that can be taken by the other object, based on the result predicted in the prediction step; It is characterized by having.

In the interference evaluation method according to the present invention, in the above invention, the interference degree calculation step is closer to an interference distance that is a spatial distance at which the specific object and each of the other objects interfere with each other. According to the number of times, the value of the degree of interference between the specific object and each of the other objects is increased or decreased by a predetermined amount.

In the interference evaluation method according to the present invention, in the above invention, when the specific object and any one of the other objects are closer than the interference distance, The value of the degree of interference is increased in proportion to the collision probability of the two objects on the space-time.

In the interference evaluation method according to the present invention, in the above invention, when the specific object and any one of the other objects are closer than the interference distance, The value of the degree of interference is increased in proportion to the magnitude of the relative speed at the time when the two objects approach each other.

Further, in the interference evaluation method according to the present invention, in the above invention, the storage means is based on a damage scale evaluation value for evaluating the magnitude of relative velocity at the time of collision between different objects and the scale of damage caused by the collision, or the collision. The amount of damage loss that occurs is stored in association with each other, and the step of calculating the degree of interference is performed when the specific object and any one of the other objects are closer than the interference distance. The damage scale evaluation value or the damage loss amount corresponding to the magnitude of the relative speed at the time of approaching is read from the storage means, and the degree of interference between the two objects is determined as the damage scale evaluation value or the damage loss amount. It is characterized by increasing in proportion to.

The interference evaluation method according to the present invention requires from the initial position of each object until the specific object and any one of the other objects are closer than the interference distance in the above invention. When the time is smaller than the value of the interference degree between the two objects, the time required from the initial position is set as the value of the interference degree.

Further, the interference evaluation method according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, a sum is obtained by weighting each interference degree value between the specific object and the other object.

In the interference evaluation method according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the trajectory generating step operates an operation selection step for selecting an operation for the object from a plurality of operations and the operation selected in the operation selection step for a predetermined time. Whether or not the object operation step and the position and internal state of the object after operating the selected operation in the object operation step satisfy the control condition related to the control of the object and the movement condition related to the movable region of the object And a determination step of determining whether or not, and a series of processing from the operation selection step to the determination step is repeatedly performed until a trajectory generation time for generating a trajectory is reached.

The interference evaluation method according to the present invention is the interference evaluation method according to the above invention, wherein the operation selection step selects an operation according to an operation selection probability given to each of the plurality of operations, and the determination step determines the result. When the position and internal state of the object satisfy the control condition and the movement condition, the operation is advanced to return to the operation selection step.

In the interference evaluation method according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the operation selection probability is defined using a random number.

Moreover, the interference evaluation method according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the number of trajectories to be generated in the trajectory generation step is predetermined.

The interference evaluation method according to the present invention is characterized in that in the above invention, the interference evaluation method further includes an output step of outputting information according to the interference degree calculated in the interference degree calculation step.

An interference evaluation apparatus according to the present invention is an interference evaluation apparatus that evaluates the degree of interference between a path that a specific object included in a plurality of objects can take and a path that other objects can take. Storage means for storing at least the position of the object and the internal state including the speed of each object, and reading out the position and internal state of the plurality of objects from the storage means, and based on the read position and internal state of the object , A trajectory generating means for generating a change in the position of each of the plurality of objects with the passage of time as a trajectory on a time space composed of time and space, and a trajectory generated by the trajectory generating means. Accordingly, a prediction unit that performs probabilistic prediction of the courses of the plurality of objects, and a progress that the specific object can take based on a result predicted by the prediction unit. Wherein said further comprising interference calculating means for calculating the degree of interference showing quantitatively the degree of interference with other courses, which the object may take, the a.

In the interference evaluation apparatus according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the interference degree calculation means is closer to an interference distance that is a spatial distance at which the specific object and each of the other objects interfere with each other. According to the number of times, the value of the degree of interference between the specific object and each of the other objects is increased or decreased by a predetermined amount.

Further, in the interference evaluation apparatus according to the present invention, in the above invention, when the interference degree calculation unit approaches the specific object and any one of the other objects closer than the interference distance, The value of the degree of interference between the two close objects is increased in proportion to the collision probability of the two objects on the space-time.

Further, in the interference evaluation apparatus according to the present invention, in the above invention, when the interference degree calculation unit approaches the specific object and any one of the other objects closer than the interference distance, The value of the degree of interference between the two approaching objects is increased in proportion to the magnitude of the relative velocity at the time when the both objects approached.

Further, the interference evaluation apparatus according to the present invention is the above-described invention, wherein the storage means is based on a damage scale evaluation value for evaluating the magnitude of relative speed at the time of collision between different objects and the scale of damage caused by the collision, or the collision. The amount of damage loss that occurs is stored in association with each other, and the interference degree calculation means determines that both the specific object and one of the other objects are closer than the interference distance. The damage scale evaluation value or the damage loss amount corresponding to the magnitude of the relative speed at the time of approaching is read from the storage means, and the degree of interference between the two objects is determined as the damage scale evaluation value or the damage loss amount. It is characterized by increasing in proportion to.

The interference evaluation apparatus according to the present invention is the interference evaluation apparatus according to the above invention, wherein the interference degree calculation unit is configured to measure each of the specific object and any one of the other objects closer to the interference distance. When the time required from the initial position of the object is smaller than the value of the interference degree between the two objects, the time required from the initial position is set as the value of the interference degree.

In the interference evaluation apparatus according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the interference degree calculation means weights each interference degree value between the specific object and the other object to take a sum. .

In the interference evaluation apparatus according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the trajectory generating means operates an operation selecting means for selecting an operation for the object from a plurality of operations, and an operation selected by the operation selecting means for a predetermined time. Whether or not the object operation means and the position and internal state of the object after the selected operation is operated by the object operation means satisfy the control condition relating to the control of the object and the movement condition relating to the movable region of the object A determination unit that determines whether or not, and a series of processes from the operation selection process by the operation selection unit to the determination process by the determination unit are repeatedly performed until a trajectory generation time for generating a trajectory is reached. .

Further, in the interference evaluation apparatus according to the present invention, in the above invention, the operation selection unit selects an operation according to an operation selection probability given to each of the plurality of operations, and the determination unit determines the result. When the position and the internal state of the object satisfy the control condition and the movement condition, the time is advanced and the process returns to the operation selection process by the operation selection unit.

In the interference evaluation apparatus according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the operation selection probability is defined using a random number.

Moreover, the interference evaluation apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the number of trajectories to be generated by the trajectory generating means is predetermined.

Moreover, the interference evaluation apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, the interference evaluation apparatus further comprises an output means for outputting information according to the interference degree calculated by the interference degree calculation means.

An interference evaluation program according to the present invention causes the computer to execute the interference evaluation method according to any one of the above inventions .

  According to the present invention, a computer having storage means for storing at least the positions of a plurality of objects and the internal state including the speed of each object reads out the positions and internal states of the plurality of objects from the storage means. Based on the read position and internal state of the object, a change in position that each of the plurality of objects can take as time elapses is generated as a trajectory on time and space composed of time and space. The path of the plurality of objects is probabilistically predicted by using the trajectory, and the trajectory that the specific object can take on the space-time and the other object can be taken based on the predicted result. By calculating the degree of interference that quantitatively indicates the degree of interference with the trajectory, it is possible to ensure safety even in actual situations That.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “embodiment”) will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the interference evaluation apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The interference evaluation apparatus 1 shown in the figure is mounted on a moving body such as a four-wheeled vehicle, detects an object existing in a predetermined range around the own vehicle as a specific object, and the detected object and the course of the own vehicle. Is a device that quantitatively evaluates the degree of interference between a course that a specific object can take and a course that other objects can take based on the prediction result.

  The interference evaluation device 1 is based on an input unit 2 from which various information is input from the outside, a sensor unit 3 that detects the position and internal state of an object existing in a predetermined range, and a result detected by the sensor unit 3. A trajectory generation unit 4 that generates a change in the position that an object can take as time passes as a trajectory in space-time composed of time and space, and the probability of the course of the object using the trajectory generated by the trajectory generation unit 4 Interference for quantitatively indicating the degree of interference between the course that can be taken by the vehicle and the course that can be taken by other objects based on the result predicted by the prediction section 5 A degree calculation unit 6; an output unit 7 that outputs various types of information including evaluation results from the interference level calculation unit 6; a storage unit 8 that stores various types of information including the position and internal state of an object detected by the sensor unit 3; Is provided.

  The input unit 2 has a function of inputting various setting information and the like when predicting the course of an object, and includes a remote controller, a keyboard (including a touch panel format that can be input on the screen), a pointing device (mouse, For example, a trackpad). Further, a microphone capable of inputting information by voice may be provided as the input unit 2. When various setting information is determined in advance, the function of the input unit 2 may be replaced by a storage unit 8 having a ROM (Read Only Memory) or the like that stores them.

  The sensor unit 3 is realized by using a millimeter wave radar, a laser radar, an image sensor, or the like. The sensor unit 3 includes various sensors such as a speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, a rudder angle sensor, and an angular velocity sensor, and can also detect the movement state of the host vehicle. Note that the internal state of the object detected by the sensor unit 3 is a useful state that can be used for prediction of the object, and preferably the speed (with speed and direction) and angular speed (size and size) of the object. Physical quantity). In addition, the case where the value of those physical quantities is 0 (a state where the object is stopped) is also included.

  The trajectory generation unit 4 predicts and generates a trajectory that an object can take until a predetermined time elapses, and an operation selection unit that selects an operation for virtually operating the object on a simulation from a plurality of operations. 41, an object operation unit 42 for performing the operation selected by the operation selection unit 41 for a predetermined time, and determining whether or not the position and internal state of the object after the operation by the object operation unit 42 satisfy a predetermined condition And a determination unit 43.

  The output unit 7 includes a display unit 71 that displays and outputs an image corresponding to the evaluation result by the interference degree calculation unit 6, and a warning sound generation unit 72 that generates a warning sound according to the evaluation result. The display unit 71 is realized using a display such as liquid crystal, plasma, or organic EL (Electroluminescence), while the warning sound generation unit 72 is realized using a speaker or the like. In the first embodiment, a projector is installed as the display unit 71 in the upper rear part of the driver's seat. This projector has a function of performing superimposed display on the windshield of a four-wheeled vehicle.

  The storage unit 8 includes, in addition to the detection result of the sensor unit 3, the locus generated by the locus generation unit 4, the prediction result by the prediction unit 5, the interference degree calculation result by the interference degree calculation unit 6, and the locus generation unit 4. The operation selected by the operation selection unit 41 is stored. The storage unit 8 includes a ROM in which a program for starting a predetermined OS (Operation System), an interference evaluation program according to the first embodiment, and the like are stored in advance, and a RAM ( Random Access Memory). The storage unit 8 can also be realized by providing an interface on which a computer-readable recording medium can be mounted on the interference evaluation apparatus 1 and mounting a recording medium corresponding to this interface.

  The interference evaluation apparatus 1 having the above functional configuration is an electronic apparatus (computer) including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) having a calculation and control function. The CPU included in the interference evaluation apparatus 1 performs arithmetic processing related to the interference evaluation method according to the first embodiment by reading from the storage unit 8 various information including information stored and stored in the storage unit 8 and the above-described interference evaluation program. Execute.

  The interference evaluation program according to the first embodiment can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a flash memory, or an MO disk and can be widely distributed. It is.

  Next, the interference evaluation method according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing of the interference evaluation method according to the first embodiment. In the following description, it is assumed that all objects to be predicted move on a two-dimensional plane. However, the interference evaluation method according to the first embodiment applies to an object moving in a three-dimensional space. Is applicable. Further, the present invention can be applied to a case where one object has a plurality of degrees of freedom (for example, an object such as a robot arm having 6 degrees of freedom).

  First, the sensor unit 3 detects the position and internal state of an object within a predetermined range with respect to the own vehicle, and stores the detected information in the storage unit 8 (step S1). Hereinafter, it is assumed that the position of the object is the value of the center of the object, and the internal state of the object is specified by the speed (speed v, direction θ). In this step S1, the internal state of the vehicle is also detected and stored in the storage unit 8.

Next, by using the detection result input by the sensor unit 3, the trajectory generation unit 4 generates a trajectory on time and space composed of time and space for each object (step S <b> 2). FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing details of the trajectory generation processing in the trajectory generation unit 4. In this figure, the total number of objects detected by the sensor unit 3 (including the own vehicle) is K, and an operation for generating a locus for one object O _k (1 ≦ k ≦ K, k is a natural number) is N. This is performed _k times (in this sense, k and N _k are both natural numbers). Further, the time for generating the locus (trajectory generation time) is T (> 0).

  In the first embodiment, by appropriately determining the trajectory generation time T (and the operation time Δt described later), it becomes possible to predict changes in the external environment such as the course of another vehicle in a practical calculation time. This can be said in common with other embodiments of the present invention.

By the way, when performing the calculation described below, the prediction calculation is terminated at the trajectory generation time T, not whether or not the vehicle has reached a preset location (destination or intermediate location similar to the destination). It is important in terms of technical idea to have a configuration. In general, there is no place on the road where safety is guaranteed in advance. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the prediction is made that the own vehicle O ₁ traveling on the three-lane road Rd sequentially reaches preset locations Q ₁ , Q ₂ , and Q ₃ , the set location Taking into consideration the case where the own vehicle O ₁ travels almost straight in the same lane toward the vehicle, the other vehicle O ₃ takes the route B ₂ to avoid danger by taking the route B _3. There is a risk of entering the lane in which ₁ is traveling. Thus, in the conventional route prediction calculation, it is not guaranteed in advance that the own vehicle O ₁ is safe to travel to a preset location.

In the first embodiment, since the optimal course is determined each time without determining the destination or the like to be reached by the vehicle O ₁ in advance, under the same situation as FIG. 4, for example, FIG. The route B ₁ as shown in FIG. 5 can be selected as the route of the host vehicle O ₁ , and it is possible to appropriately avoid the danger when the host vehicle O ₁ travels and to ensure safety.

  Note that, instead of the trajectory generation time T, the cutoff condition for the prediction calculation may be determined by a trajectory generation length indicating the length of the trajectory to be generated. In this case, it is preferable to adaptively change the trajectory generation length according to the speed of the object (or the speed of the host vehicle).

First, initialization is performed so that the value of the counter k for identifying an object is set to 1, and the value of the counter n indicating the number of times of locus generation for the same object is set to 1. Note that the following description will be described as a process for the general object O _k.

Next, the locus generation unit 4 reads the result detected by the sensor unit 3 from the storage unit 8, and sets the read detection result as an initial state (step S202). Specifically, the time t is set to 0, and the initial position (x _k (0), y _k (0)) and the initial internal state (v _k (0), θ _k (0)) are respectively transmitted from the sensor unit 3. Input information (x _k0 , y _k0 ) and (v _k0 , θ _k0 ).

Subsequently, the operation selection unit 41 performs one operation u _k (t) to be performed during the subsequent time Δt from among a plurality of selectable operations according to the operation selection probability given in advance to each operation. Is selected (step S203). Operation u operation selection probability for selecting the _kc p (u _kc) is defined by associating the elements with a predetermined random number, for example a set of selectable operations as _{u k (t) {u kc} }. In this sense, a different operation selection probability p (u _kc ) may be given for each operation u _kc , or an equal probability may be given to all elements of the operation set {u _kc }. In the latter case, p (u _kc ) = 1 / (total number of selectable operations). The operation selection probability p (u _kc ) can be defined as a function that depends on the position and internal state of the vehicle and the surrounding road environment.

In general, the operation u _kc is composed of a plurality of elements, and the contents of selectable operations differ depending on the type of the object O _k . For example, when the object _Ok is a four-wheeled vehicle, the acceleration and angular velocity of the four-wheeled vehicle are determined by the degree of steering and the degree of depression of the accelerator. In view of this, the operation u _kc to be performed on the object O _k is a four-wheeled vehicle is determined by elements including acceleration and angular velocity. On the other hand, when the object _Ok is a person, the operation u _kc can be designated by the speed.

A more specific setting example of the operation u _kc will be given. If the object O _k is an automobile, the acceleration -10~ + 30km / h / sec, -7~ + 7deg / sec taken in the range (designated orientation in both sign) of the steering angle, the object O _k is a human In this case, the speed is set to 0 to 36 km / h and the direction is set to 0 to 360 deg. In addition, all the quantities described here are continuous quantities. In such a case, an appropriate set of discretizations may be used to make the number of elements of each operation finite, and a set of operations {u _kc } may be configured.

Thereafter, the object operation unit 42 operates the operation u _kc selected in step S203 for a time Δt (step S204). The time Δt is preferably smaller in terms of accuracy, but may be a value of about 0.1 to 0.5 (sec) in practice. In the following description, it is assumed that the trajectory generation time T is an integer multiple of Δt, but the value of T may be variable according to the speed of the object O _i , and may not be an integer multiple of Δt.

Subsequently, the determination unit 43, along with determining whether the internal state of the object O _k after operating the operation u _kc at step S204 satisfies a predetermined control condition (step S205), the operation u _kc position of the object O _k after operating determines whether the movable region (step S206). Of these, determines the control condition in step S205 is defined according to the type of object O _k, for example, when the object O _k is a four-wheeled vehicle, and the speed range after the operation of step S204, step S204 The maximum acceleration G after the operation is determined by the vehicle G or the like. On the other hand, the movable region determined in step S206 refers to a region such as a road (including a roadway and a sidewalk). Hereinafter, the case where the object is located in the movable region is expressed as “the moving condition is satisfied”.

As a result of the determination in the determination unit 43 described above, when there is a condition that does not satisfy even one (No in Step S205 or No in Step S206), the process returns to Step S202. In contrast, the determination in the determination unit 43 result, Yes, Yes, and step S206 in the case (step S205 that the position and the internal state of the object O _k after the operation u _kc terminated in step S204 satisfies all conditions ), The time is advanced by Δt (t ← t + Δt), the position after the operation of step S204 is (x _k (t), y _k (t)), and the internal state is (v _k (t), θ _k ( t)) (step S207).

The processes in steps S202 to S207 described above are repeated until the trajectory generation time T is reached. That is, when the time t newly defined in step S207 has not reached T (No in step S208), the process returns to step S203 and is repeated. On the other hand, if the newly defined time t has reached T at step S207 (Yes in step S208), and outputs the trajectory relative to the object O _k, stored in the storage unit 8 (step S209).

Figure 6 is a time for the object _{O k t = 0, Δt,} 2Δt, ···, schematically the trajectory of the object O _k generated by repeating a series of processes ranging from step S203 to step S207 in T FIG. The trajectory P _k (m) (1 ≦ m ≦ N _k , where m is a natural number) shown in the figure is a three-dimensional space-time (x, y, t) of two-dimensional space (x, y) and one-dimensional time (t). ) If the locus P _k (m) is projected onto the xy plane, a predicted course of the object O _k in the two-dimensional space (x, y) can be obtained.

After step S209, if the value of the counter n has not reached N _k (No in step S210), the value of the counter n is incremented by 1 (step S211), the process returns to step S203, and the processes of steps S203 to S208 described above are performed. Repeat until the locus generation time T is reached.

When the counter n reaches N _k in step S210 (Yes in step S210), generation of all trajectories for the object O _k is completed. 7, one object O _k N _k pieces of trajectory P _k generated for _{(1), P k (2} ), ···, P k (N k) trajectory set consisting of {P _k ( n)} is an explanatory view schematically showing three-dimensional space-time. The starting point of each trajectory forming the elements of the trajectory set {P _k (n)}, that is, the initial position (x _k0 , y _k0 , 0) is the same (see step S202). Note that FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram to the last, and the value of N _k can take, for example, a value of about several hundred to several tens of thousands.

When the counter n reaches N _k in step S210, if the object identification counter k has not reached the total number K of objects (No in step S212), the counter k is incremented by 1 and the number of times of locus generation is counted. The value of n is initialized to 1 (step S213), and the process returns to step S202 to repeat the process. On the other hand, when the object counter k reaches K (Yes in step S212), the trajectory generation for all the objects is completed, so the trajectory generation process in step S2 is terminated, and the process proceeds to the subsequent step S3. .

A set of trajectories that can be taken by a plurality of objects existing within a predetermined range of the three-dimensional space-time by performing a predetermined number of times of trajectory generation processing on all objects detected by the sensor unit 3 in this way. A spatio-temporal environment consisting of FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of a spatiotemporal environment. Space environment Env when shown in FIG. (P _1, P _2), the trajectory set of objects _{O 1 {P 1 (n 1} )} ( indicated by a solid line in FIG. 8) and the trajectory set of the object O ₂ {P ₂ ( n ₂ )} (indicated by a broken line in FIG. 8). More specifically, in the spatiotemporal environment Env (P ₁ , P ₂ ), two objects O ₁ and O ₂ move along a flat and straight road R such as an expressway toward the + y-axis direction. It shows the spatio-temporal environment. In the first embodiment, since the trajectory generation is performed independently for each object without considering the correlation between the objects, the trajectories of different objects may intersect in time and space.

8, the density per unit volume of the trajectory set in each region _{{P k (n k)}} (k = 1,2) of the time-space, the density of existence probability of the object O _k in each area of the space-time ( Hereinafter, this is referred to as “space-time probability density”. Therefore, by using the space environment Env (P _1, P ₂₎ when configured by the trajectory generation processing at step S2, it is possible to determine the probability of passing a predetermined region on when the object O _k is a three-dimensional space It becomes. Note that the spatiotemporal probability density described above is merely a probability concept in spatiotemporal space, and is not necessarily 1 when the sum of the values of one object in spatiotemporal space is taken.

By the way, when a specific value of the trajectory generation time T is set in advance as a fixed value, the probability density distribution in space-time becomes uniform when the trajectory is generated beyond the value T. It is preferable to set a value that has no meaning even if it is calculated. For example, if the object is a four-wheeled vehicle and the four-wheeled vehicle is traveling normally, the maximum value may be about T = 5 (sec). In this case, if the operation time Δt in step S204 is about 0.1 to 0.5 (sec), a series of processing from step S203 to step S207 is performed to generate one trajectory P _k (m). Repeat 10 to 50 times.

  It should be noted that a method for reading different types of roads currently being traveled from map data using position data by setting different trajectory generation times T for different types of roads such as expressways, ordinary roads, and two-lane roads, image recognition, etc. It is preferable to perform switching by a method of reading the type of road by a road recognition device to which is applied.

  Also, the probability density distribution in space-time is statistically evaluated by using the trajectory calculated up to the trajectory generation time T. When the distribution is constant, the trajectory generation time T is reduced and the distribution becomes constant. If not, it is also preferable to perform adaptive control that increases the generation time.

  Furthermore, it is also possible to prepare a plurality of routes that the host vehicle can take in advance and predict the trajectory generation time T as a time when the probability that the route of the host vehicle and the path of another object intersect is constant. It is. In this case, when the predicted time is increased by Δt, the termination condition may be set when the risk increment for each course that the vehicle can take is constant. In such a configuration, in order to obtain a material for determining the route to be taken at present in order to ensure safety, it goes without saying that the endpoints on the future side of the route that the vehicle can take are set to be widely distributed spatially. Nor.

After the trajectory generation processing for each object described above, the prediction unit 5 performs probabilistic prediction of the course that each object can take (step S3). Hereinafter, as a specific prediction calculation process in the prediction unit 5, a probability that a specific trajectory P _k (m) is selected in the trajectory set {P _k (n _k )} generated for the object O _k is shown. Although the case where it calculates | requires is demonstrated, of course, this prediction calculation is only an example.

と求められる。したがって、物体Ｏ_kにＮ_k本の軌跡集合｛Ｐ_k（ｎ_k）｝が与えられたとき、物体Ｏ_kが取りうる一つの軌跡Ｐ_k（ｍ）が選ばれる確率ｐ（Ｐ_k（ｍ））は、

となる。 When N _k trajectories of the object O _k are generated, the probability p (P _k (m)) that one of the trajectories P _k (m) is an actual trajectory is calculated as follows. First, an operation sequence {u _km (t)} for realizing the trajectory P _k (m) of the object O _k is {u _km (0), u _km (Δt), u _km (2Δt),. If u _km (T)}, since the probability that the operation u _km (t) is selected at time t is p (u _km (t)), the operation sequence {u _km at t = 0 to T. The probability that (t)} is executed is

Is required. Accordingly, an object O when the trajectory set of N _k the {P _k (n _k)} is given to _k, the probability one trajectory P _k of the object O _k can take (m) is selected p (P _k (m ))

It becomes.

となる。ここで、ｓはｔ＝０からＴまでの操作時間Δｔの総数すなわち操作回数である。したがって、物体Ｏ_kが取りうるＮ_k本の軌跡に含まれる軌跡Ｐ_k（ｍ）の確率の総和はＮ_kｐ₀ ^sとなり、そのうちの１本の軌跡Ｐ_k（ｍ）が選ばれる確率ｐ（Ｐ_k（ｍ））は、式（３）を式（２）に代入することによって、

となる。すなわち、確率ｐ（Ｐ_k（ｍ））は軌跡Ｐ_k（ｍ）に依存しない。 Here, when all operations u _km (t) are selected with equal probability p ₀ (where 0 <p ₀ <1), Equation (1) becomes

It becomes. Here, s is the total number of operation times Δt from t = 0 to T, that is, the number of operations. Therefore, the sum of the probabilities of the trajectories P _k (m) included in the N _k trajectories that can be taken by the object O _k is N _k p ₀ ^s , and the probability p that one of the trajectories P _k (m) is selected. (P _k (m)) is obtained by substituting equation (3) into equation (2):

It becomes. That is, the probability p (P _k (m)) does not depend on the trajectory P _k (m).

In Equation (4), if the number of loci generated for all objects is the same (N), N ₁ = N ₂ =... = N _K = N (constant), so p _{(P k (m)) =} 1 / N , and becomes constant regardless of the object O _k. In this case, the prediction calculation in the prediction unit 5 is simplified by normalizing the value of the probability p (P _k (m)) to 1, and the predetermined prediction calculation can be executed more quickly.

In the prediction unit 5, based on the probability p (P _k (m)) calculated for each object O _k (k = 1, 2,..., K), per unit volume in each region of the three-dimensional space-time. The existence probability of the object Ok is _obtained . This existence probability corresponds to the spatio-temporal probability density on the three-dimensional space-time of the trajectory set {P _k (n _k )}, and the existence probability is generally large in the region where the density of the trajectory passing therethrough is high.

In subsequent step S4, the interference degree calculation unit 6 calculates the interference degree between the host vehicle and the other vehicle (step S4). FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing details of the interference degree calculation processing. In the following description, the object O ₁ is the own vehicle. For convenience of explanation, other objects _{O k (k = 2,3, ···} , K) also all assumed to be four-wheeled vehicle, referred to as other vehicle O _k. The interference degree calculation process shown in FIG. 9 includes four loop processes, and the other vehicle O is applied to all elements of the trajectory set {P ₁ (n ₁ )} of the own vehicle O ₁ obtained in step S3. _The degree of interference with all the _k trajectory sets {P _k (n _k )} is calculated individually.

The input interference level calculation unit 6 receives in step S4, the trajectory set of subject vehicle _{O 1 {P 1 (n 1} )}, all trajectories set of the other vehicle _{O k {P k (n k} )}, and the subject vehicle O ₁ and the interference level evaluation function for evaluating the interference of the other vehicle O _k. In the first embodiment, the interference degree calculation unit 6 is described as including an interference degree evaluation function. However, the interference degree evaluation function may be input from the outside. Further, it may be configured to adaptively vary the speed of the interference evaluation function road type and vehicle O _1.

  In this way, by evaluating the degree of interference between the trajectory set of the other person and the trajectory set of the own vehicle whose end points are different from each other, the object to be reached by the own vehicle as in the case described with reference to FIG. Without predetermining a place such as the ground, it is possible to determine an optimum course each time, to appropriately avoid danger during traveling of the host vehicle, and to ensure safety. As a result, as in the case shown in FIG. 4, it is possible to solve a fatal problem that safety is not guaranteed even if the vehicle travels on a road toward a preset location.

First, the iterative process (Loop 1) for all the trajectories of the host vehicle O ₁ is started (step S401). At this time, _one trajectory of the trajectory set {P ₁ (n ₁ )} is selected, and subsequent processing is executed on the selected trajectory.

Then, to start the iterative process (Loop2) for the other vehicle O _k (step S402). In Loop 2, the counter for identifying other vehicles is initialized to k = 2, and the value of k is increased each time the repetition process is completed.

Among Loop2, to the other vehicle O _k, repeated processing (Loop3) is performed for all the elements of the trajectory set generated in step _{S3 {P k (n k)} } ( step S403). In this iterative process, the degree of interference defined by the repeat i.e. identifying counter n ₁ a trajectory generated for subject vehicle O ₁ of the Loop1 and the counter k for other vehicle identification r ₁ (n _1, k) And r ₁ (n ₁ , k) is set to 0 (step S404).

Then, to start the trajectory P ₁ of the vehicle O ₁ (n ₁₎ and repeating the process for evaluating the interference between the trajectory P _k of the other vehicle _{O k (n k) (Loop4} ) ( step S405). In Loop 4, the distances at the same time between the two trajectories P ₁ (n ₁ ) and the trajectory P _k (n _k ) are sequentially obtained at times t = 0, Δt,. Since the position of each trajectory in the two-dimensional space is defined as the center of each vehicle, the spatial distance between the two trajectories is smaller than a predetermined value (for example, the standard width or length of the vehicle). If the own vehicle O ₁ and the other vehicle O _k can be regarded as a collision. In this sense, it may be determined that two objects have collided even if the coordinate values of the two vehicles do not match. Hereinafter, the maximum distance that can be regarded as a collision of two vehicles (a spatial distance that interferes with each other) is referred to as an interference distance.

Figure 10 is a diagram schematically showing a relationship in the space when the trajectory P ₁ of the own vehicle O ₁ and (n ₁₎ and the trajectory P _k of the other vehicle O _k (n _k). In the case shown in the figure, the locus P ₁ (n ₁ ) and the locus P _k (n _k ) intersect at two points C ₁ and C ₂ . Therefore, in the vicinity of the two points C ₁ and C ₂ , there are regions A ₁ and A ₂ in which the distance between the two loci at the same time is smaller than the interference distance. That is, at the time when the two trajectories P ₁ (n ₁ ) and trajectory P _k (n _k ) are included in the areas A ₁ and A ₂ , it is determined that the own vehicle O ₁ and the other vehicle O _k collide. Made. In other words, time t = 0, Δt, ···, among T, then the number of passes through the region A ₁ and A ₂ is the number collision between the vehicle O ₁ and the other vehicle O _k.

  As can be seen from FIG. 10, in the spatiotemporal environment formed in the first embodiment, even if two trajectories collide once, subsequent trajectories are generated. This is because the trajectory for each object is generated independently.

とする（ステップＳ４０７）。ここで、第２項目ｃ_1k・ｐ（Ｐ_k（ｎ_k））・Ｆ（ｔ）について説明する。係数ｃ_1kは正の定数であり、例えばｃ_1k＝１とおくことができる。また、ｐ（Ｐ_k（ｎ_k））は式（２）で定義される量であり、他車Ｏ_kで１本の軌跡Ｐ_k（ｎ_k）が選ばれる確率である。最後のＦ（ｔ）は、１回の衝突における物体間の干渉の時間依存性を与える量である。したがって、物体間の干渉に時間依存性を持たせない場合には、Ｆ（ｔ）の値を一定とすればよい。これに対して、物体間の干渉に時間依存性を持たせる場合には、例えば図１１に示すように、時間が経過するとともに値が徐々に小さくなっていくような関数としてＦ（ｔ）を定義してもよい。図１１に示すＦ（ｔ）は、より直近の衝突を重要視する場合に適用される。 Result of obtaining distance of the vehicle O ₁ and the other vehicle O _k, if the subject vehicle O ₁ and the other vehicle O _k in the sense described above is determined to have collided (Yes at step S406), the degree of interference r ₁ The value of (n ₁ , k) is

(Step S407). Here, the second item c _1k · p (P _k (n _k )) · F (t) will be described. The coefficient c _1k is a positive constant. For example, c _1k = 1 can be set. Further, p (P _k (n _k )) is an amount defined by the equation (2), and is a probability that one trajectory P _k (n _k ) is selected in the other vehicle O _k . The last F (t) is an amount that gives time dependency of interference between objects in one collision. Therefore, when the time dependency is not given to the interference between objects, the value of F (t) may be constant. On the other hand, when the interference between objects is time-dependent, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, F (t) is expressed as a function that gradually decreases with time. It may be defined. F (t) shown in FIG. 11 is applied when the most recent collision is regarded as important.

If the time t has not reached T after step S407, Loop4 is repeated (No in step S408). In this case, the value of t is increased by Δt (step S409), the process returns to step S405, and Loop 4 is repeated. On the other hand, if the time t has reached T after step S407, Loop4 is terminated (Yes in step S408). In the case where the own vehicle O ₁ and the other vehicle O _k at time t that do not collide, the process proceeds directly to the determination processing whether to repeat the Loop 4 (step S408).

Through the loop 4 iteration process described above, the value of the interference degree r ₁ (n ₁ , k) increases as the number of collisions increases. After this Loop4 is completed, in Step S410, it is determined whether or not Loop3 is repeated. That is, if there is one interference evaluation with one trajectory P ₁ of the vehicle O ₁ (n ₁₎ is not performed among the generated trajectory for the other vehicle O _k (No at step S410), n _k Is set to n _k +1 (step S411), the process returns to step S403, and Loop 3 is repeated.

The other hand, when conducted interference evaluation with one trajectory P ₁ of the vehicle O ₁ (n ₁₎ all of the generated trajectory for the other vehicle O _k (Yes in step S410), trajectory P ₁ of the vehicle O ₁ (n ₁₎ and the final degree of interference r ₁ (n _1, k) evaluating interference between total trajectory of the other vehicle O _k with the grant (step S412), the The assigned value is output and stored in the storage unit 8 (step S413).

Step S413 the final degree of interference r ₁ output in (n _1, k) values of a total of trajectories of the other vehicle O _k, the probability one trajectory P _k (n _k) is selected p (P _k (N _k )). Therefore, in the equation (5), a constant regardless of the coefficient c _1k in k (e.g. c _1k = 1), F (t) is constant (e.g., 1) Distant, trajectory P ₁ of the vehicle O ₁ ( If the number of collisions between n ₁ ) and the trajectory P _k (n _k ) of the other vehicle O _k is M _1k (n ₁ , n _k ), the value of the interference degree r ₁ (n ₁ , k) is the trajectory P _k. probability _{p (P k (n k)} ) for each (n _k) those taking the sum the elements of _{M 1k (n 1, n k} ) all trajectories assemble a value obtained by multiplying {P _k (n _k)} become. This sum is none other than the probability of collision between one trajectory P ₁ (n ₁ ) of the host vehicle O ₁ and a trajectory that the other vehicle _Ok can take. Therefore, value finally obtained as an interference degree r ₁ (n _1, k) increases in proportion with the probability of collision with another car O _k one trajectory P ₁ of the vehicle O ₁ (n ₁₎ .

Subsequent to step S413, a determination process of whether or not to repeat Loop2 is performed. If (No at step S414) of the other vehicle O _k should perform interference evaluation with subject vehicle O ₁ remains the value of k is increased by one (step S415), and repeats the Loop2 returns to step S402. On the other hand, when the other vehicle O _k should perform interference evaluation with subject vehicle O ₁ is not left (Yes at step S414), the process proceeds to the next step S416.

In step S416, it is determined whether to repeat Loop1. Specifically, when the locus to be subjected to interference evaluation remains in the locus set {P ₁ (n ₁ )} of the own vehicle O ₁ (No in step S416), the value of n ₁ is increased by 1. (Step S417), the process returns to Step S401 and Loop1 is repeated. On the other hand, if there is no remaining track to be subjected to interference evaluation in the track set {P ₁ (n ₁ )} of the own vehicle O ₁ (Yes in step S416), Loop 1 is ended and the interference degree calculation process ( Step S4) ends.

Thereafter, the output unit 7 outputs information corresponding to the degree of interference calculated in step S4 as an evaluation result (step S5). FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display output example of the prediction result on the display unit 71 of the output unit 7, and a spatiotemporal environment Env (P ₁ , P ₂ ) constituted by two own vehicles O ₁ and another vehicle O ₂ . It is a figure which shows typically the example of a display output at the time of performing interference evaluation in (refer FIG. 8). More specifically, in FIG. 12, according to the degree of interference r ₁ (n ₁ , 2) between the own vehicle O ₁ and the other vehicle O ₂ , among the paths that the own vehicle O ₁ can take on the two-dimensional plane, The case where the area where the value of the interference r ₁ (n ₁ , 2) exceeds a predetermined threshold is displayed on the windshield F of the object O ₁ (own vehicle) in a translucent manner is illustrated.

12 have different illumination intensity in the two regions D _a and the area D _b that is displayed translucently (here, the greater in illumination regions D _a). Such illuminance difference degree of coherence r ₁ (n _1, 2) corresponds to the difference between the values of those who choose a course interference degree r ₁ illuminance travels to the vicinity of the area D _a (n _1, 2) Means that the value of is large. Therefore, the driver of the own vehicle O ₁ can perform driving while avoiding danger by taking a course toward the region D _b where the value of the interference degree r ₁ (n ₁ , 2) is relatively small.

The superimposed display described above is realized by projecting an image on the windshield F by a projector (part of the output unit 7, not shown) installed at the upper rear of the driver seat of the object O ₁ . As a result, the driver of the object O ₁ can immediately recognize an area in which danger may occur in the near future while driving while looking in front of the host vehicle. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately avoid danger by reflecting the recognition result on driving.

In addition to displaying on the display unit 71, when the value of the interference degree r ₁ (n ₁ , 2) obtained corresponding to the expected course according to the current operation exceeds a predetermined threshold, The warning sound generator 72 may generate a warning sound (including sound).

The display output example in the output unit 7 is not limited to this. For example, the interference evaluation result is displayed by providing the function of the display unit 71 on the display screen CN (see FIG. 12) of the car navigation system. Also good. In this case, as the area D _a and D _b shown in FIG. 13, it is also possible to display with a color intensity for each area on a two-dimensional plane displayed on the display screen CN.

  According to the first embodiment of the present invention described above, a computer having storage means for storing at least the positions of a plurality of objects and the internal state including the speed of each object includes the position and the internal state of the plurality of objects. Is read from the storage means, and based on the read position and internal state of the object, the change of the position that each of the plurality of objects can take with the lapse of time in time and space is configured. Each of these is generated as a trajectory, and by using the generated trajectory, the paths of the plurality of objects are probabilistically predicted, and the trajectory that the specific object can take on the space-time based on the predicted result By calculating the degree of interference that quantitatively indicates the degree of interference between the object and the trajectory that can be taken by the other objects, it is safe even in situations that may occur in reality. It is possible to achieve a secure.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, by applying the interference degree defined using the collision probability in space-time, the possibility of collision with another object is applied within a practical time. It can be determined accurately.

  Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, by predicting the course of an object using a spatiotemporal environment formed on a spatiotemporal space composed of time and space, not only a static object but also a dynamic object The course can be predicted with high accuracy.

  In addition, according to the first embodiment, since the locus of the detected object is generated independently of each other, it is possible to distinguish a specific object (for example, the own vehicle) from other objects. As a result, it is possible to easily and accurately predict the risk that may occur between a specific object and other objects.

Note that the coefficient c _{1k in} equation (5) when increasing the value of the interference degree r ₁ (n ₁ , k) is not necessarily a constant. For example, the coefficient c _1k may be the magnitude of the relative speed at the time of collision between the host vehicle O ₁ and the other vehicle O _k . In general, the greater the relative speed, the greater the impact during a collision. Therefore, when the coefficient c _1k is the magnitude of the relative speed at the time of the collision between the vehicles, the impact degree of the collision between the vehicles is added to the interference degree r ₁ (n ₁ , k).

In addition, a value indicating the seriousness of damage may be substituted for the coefficient c _1k . In this case, for example, the magnitude of the relative speed between the vehicles at the time of collision is stored in the storage unit 8 in association with the damage scale evaluation value obtained by quantifying the damage scale caused by the collision or the damage loss amount caused by the collision. In addition, the stored value may be read from the storage unit 8 and given the coefficient c _1k . When the sensor unit 3 has a function of detecting up to the object type, a damage scale evaluation value or a damage loss amount may be determined according to the object type. In this case, for example, when the colliding partner's object is a human and a vehicle, the value of the coefficient c _1k when colliding with a human is significantly larger than the value of the coefficient c _1k when colliding with another object. It is more preferable that the possibility of collision with a human being is made as low as possible by keeping it.

  By the way, the first embodiment can also be applied to a four-dimensional space-time (space three-dimensional, time one-dimensional) as described above. In this case, not only can it be applied to a vehicle traveling on a road with a height difference, but other moving objects that move in the air are also moving in the air, such as airplanes and helicopters. The present invention can also be applied when performing the course prediction.

  Here, the difference between the non-patent document 1 cited in the background art and the first embodiment will be described. Both of these two techniques predict the course of an object using the concept of probability. However, in Non-Patent Document 1, the course of an object within a predetermined range is not independently predicted. Probability calculation based on correlation is performed. For this reason, when any two of the plurality of objects collide, the course prediction of the two objects ends when the collision occurs. This means that, when considered on a three-dimensional space-time, the collision determination process after the point of intersection of two different object trajectories is not performed.

  On the other hand, in the first embodiment, since the object trajectory is generated independently for each object, even if different object trajectories intersect in the three-dimensional space-time, the collision determination process elapses for a predetermined time. Will continue until. As described above, the spatiotemporal environment generated in Non-Patent Document 1 and the spatiotemporal environment generated in the first embodiment are completely different.

であり、時空間環境を構成する物体の総数によらず、軌跡の本数の２乗のオーダ程度の計算量で済む。これに対して、非特許文献１において干渉評価を行う場合には、特定の物体（自車）とその他の物体（他車）とを区別していないため、互いの干渉評価を行う際の計算量（本実施の形態１における干渉度の算出回数に相当）が

であり、軌跡の本数のＫ乗のオーダ程度の計算量が必要になる。この結果、時空間環境を構成する物体の数が多いほど本実施の形態１の計算量との違いが顕著に大きくなっていく。 Further, in the first embodiment, since the independent route search is performed for each object without considering the correlation of the objects, the amount of calculation is less than that of Non-Patent Document 1. In particular, in the first embodiment, the number of times of calculating the interference degree for each trajectory is

Therefore, the calculation amount is about the order of the square of the number of trajectories regardless of the total number of objects constituting the spatiotemporal environment. On the other hand, when performing interference evaluation in Non-Patent Document 1, since a specific object (own vehicle) and other objects (other vehicles) are not distinguished, calculation when performing mutual interference evaluation The amount (corresponding to the number of times of calculating the interference degree in the first embodiment) is

Therefore, a calculation amount on the order of the Kth power of the number of trajectories is required. As a result, as the number of objects constituting the spatiotemporal environment increases, the difference from the calculation amount of the first embodiment becomes significantly larger.

  In addition, in Non-Patent Document 1, even when a phenomenon of a collision can be predicted, it is not possible to grasp when it occurs. This is because Non-Patent Document 1 does not seek the probability that an object will collide in the flow of time, but rather searches for the presence or absence of a collision for each state at each time. In other words, Non-Patent Document 1 does not explicitly use a spatiotemporal environment and does not reach the concept of spatiotemporal probability density.

  As described above, both of the first embodiment and Non-Patent Document 1 perform course prediction using the probability concept, and at first glance, it may give an impression as if it is a similar technique. The essence of the technical idea is completely different, and it is extremely difficult for those skilled in the art to arrive at the first embodiment from Non-Patent Document 1.

(Embodiment 2)
The second embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the degree of interference when performing interference evaluation is defined using the shortest collision time between the host vehicle and another vehicle. The functional configuration of the interference evaluation apparatus according to the second embodiment is the same as the functional configuration of the interference evaluation apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment (see FIG. 1). Further, the interference evaluation method according to the second embodiment is the same as the interference evaluation method according to the first embodiment except for the interference degree calculation process.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing details of interference degree calculation processing (corresponding to step S4 in FIG. 2) of the interference evaluation method according to the second embodiment. First, the iterative process (Loop 1) for all trajectories of the host vehicle O ₁ is started (step S421). At this time, _one trajectory of the trajectory set {P ₁ (n ₁ )} is selected, and subsequent processing is executed on the selected trajectory.

Then, to start the iterative process (Loop2) for the other vehicle O _k (step S422). In Loop 2, the counter for identifying other vehicles is initialized to k = 2, and the value of k is increased each time the repetition process is completed.

The iterative process (Loop 3) is performed on all the elements of the trajectory set {P _k (n _k )} generated in step S3 also for the other vehicle O _k (step S423). In this iterative process, the degree of interference determined by the repetition of Loop ₁ , that is, the counter n ₁ for identifying the trajectory generated for the own vehicle O ₁ and the counter k for identifying other vehicles, is the same as in the first embodiment. r ₁ (n ₁ , k) is set, and the value of r ₁ (n ₁ , k) is set as the trajectory generation time T (step S424).

Then, to start the trajectory P ₁ of the vehicle O ₁ (n ₁₎ and repeating the process for evaluating the interference between the trajectory P _k of the other vehicle _{O k (n k) (Loop4} ) ( step S425). In the Loop 4, two trajectories P ₁ and (n ₁₎ the distance in the same time with the trajectory P _k (n _k), the time t = 0, Δt, ···, sequentially obtained in T, the subject vehicle O ₁ It determines the presence or absence of collision of the other vehicle O _k. Defining collisions making this determination is the same as in the first embodiment, determines if the distance between the vehicle O ₁ and the other vehicle O _k is close than the interference distance and the collision.

Result of obtaining distance of the vehicle O ₁ and the other vehicle O _k, when the vehicle O ₁ and the other vehicle O _k is determined to have collided (Yes at step S426), the interference degree r ₁ (n _1, k) Is greater than the time t (time required from the initial position to the collision) (Yes in step S427), the value of r ₁ (n ₁ , k) is set to t, and t Is set to T (step S428). Therefore, in this case, Loop 4 ends (Yes in step S429).

In contrast, if subject vehicle O ₁ and the other vehicle O _k collide (Yes at step S426), the value of the interference degree r ₁ (n _1, k) is equal to or less than the time t at that time (step S427 No), the process proceeds to step S429 to determine whether or not to end Loop4. Incidentally, even when the subject vehicle O ₁ and the other vehicle O _k do not collide (No at step S426), the process proceeds to step S429.

  In step S429, if the time t has not reached T, Loop4 is repeated (No in step S429). In this case, the value of t is increased by Δt (step S430), the process returns to step S425, and Loop 4 is repeated. On the other hand, if the time t has reached T in step S429, Loop4 is terminated (Yes in step S429).

By repeating the process of Loop4 described above, the value of the interference degree r ₁ (n _1, k), of the collisions occurring between subject vehicle O ₁ and the other vehicle O _k, the time required until the collision from the initial position Is the shortest shortest collision time.

After Loop4 ends, in step S431, it is determined whether or not Loop3 is to be repeated. That is, if there is a locus that has not been evaluated for interference with one locus P ₁ (n ₁ ) of the own vehicle O ₁ among the loci generated for the other vehicle O _k (No in step S431), n _k. Is set to n _k +1 (step S432), the process returns to step S423, and Loop 3 is repeated. On the other hand, if made interference evaluation with one trajectory P ₁ of the vehicle O ₁ (n ₁₎ all of the trajectories generated for the other vehicle O _k (Yes in step S431), the other vehicle O _The interference evaluation for one locus P _k (n _k ) of _k is completed. Therefore, in this case, to impart a final interference degree r ₁ to evaluate interference between the trajectory P ₁ of the own vehicle O ₁ and (n ₁₎ and all trajectories of the other vehicle O _k (n _{1, k)} (Step S433), the assigned value is output and stored in the storage unit 8 (step S434).

  Subsequent steps S435 to S438 relate to the repeated determination processing for Loop2 and Loop1, and are the same as steps S414 to S417 in the interference degree calculation processing described in the first embodiment.

  According to the second embodiment of the present invention described above, a computer including storage means for storing at least the positions of a plurality of objects and the internal state including the velocity of each object is Is read from the storage means, and based on the read position and internal state of the object, the change of the position that each of the plurality of objects can take with the lapse of time in time and space is configured. Each of these is generated as a trajectory, and by using the generated trajectory, the paths of the plurality of objects are probabilistically predicted, and the trajectory that the specific object can take on the space-time based on the predicted result As described in the first embodiment, by calculating the degree of interference that quantitatively indicates the degree of interference between the object and the trajectory that can be taken by the other object, Also it is possible to achieve a secure safety in a situation that may.

  Further, according to the second embodiment, by applying the interference degree defined using the shortest collision time, the possibility of collision with another object is accurately determined within a practical time. be able to.

(Embodiment 3)
In the third embodiment of the present invention, interference between the own vehicle and the surrounding space-time environment is obtained by collecting the calculation results of the degree of interference between the own vehicle and other vehicles obtained in the same manner as in the first embodiment. It is characterized by evaluating. The functional configuration of the interference evaluation apparatus according to the third embodiment is the same as the functional configuration (see FIG. 1) of the interference evaluation apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above. Moreover, the interference evaluation method according to the third embodiment is the same as the interference evaluation method according to the first embodiment except for the interference degree calculation process.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing details of interference degree calculation processing (corresponding to step S4 in FIG. 2) of the interference evaluation method according to the third embodiment. First, the iterative process (Loop 1) for all the trajectories of the own vehicle O ₁ is started (step S441). At this time, _one trajectory of the trajectory set {P ₁ (n ₁ )} is selected, and subsequent processing is executed on the selected trajectory.

In the third embodiment, repetitive processing for the other vehicle O _k (Loop2), iterate over all the elements of the trajectory set of the other vehicle _{O k {P k (n k} )} (Loop3), and the own vehicle O ₁ trajectory P ₁ (n ₁₎ and repeating the process for evaluating the interference between the trajectory P _k of the other vehicle _{O k (n k) (Loop4} ) is the same as the first embodiment. That is, the processing of steps S442 to S455 shown in FIG. 15 is the same as the processing of steps S402 to S415 (see FIG. 9) described in the interference degree calculation processing of the first embodiment.

を算出し、その算出結果を出力して記憶部８に格納する（ステップＳ４５６）。ここでの重みα（ｋ）の値は、全て等しく定数（例えば１）としてもよいし、他車Ｏ_kの種別等の条件に応じた値を付与してもよい。この結果、自車Ｏ₁の軌跡Ｐ₁（ｎ₁）が全ての他車Ｏ₂、・・・、Ｏ_Kを含む周囲の環境全体との間での干渉を評価することが可能となる。 In the third embodiment, after the repetitive processing of Loop2 is finished, the interference level obtained by _{Loop2~Loop4 r 1 (n 1, k} ) weight according to the other vehicle O _k with respect to α (k) (> 0) and the total interference as the sum of these

And the calculation result is output and stored in the storage unit 8 (step S456). Weight α value of (k) here, may be all equal constant (e.g. 1), may be given a value corresponding to the condition such as the type of the other vehicle O _k. As a result, the trajectory P ₁ of the vehicle O ₁ (n ₁₎ all the other vehicle O _2, · · ·, it is possible to evaluate interference between the entire surrounding environment including the O _K.

と定義してもよい。この場合には、最も危険な物体Ｏ_kの危険度を全体干渉度として扱うことになる。式（６）の定義にしたがう場合、自車Ｏ₁が少数の物体と干渉するが、残り多数の物体とは干渉しないようなシーンの全体干渉度を低く計算してしまう恐れがあるため、例えば少数の他車が自車Ｏ₁が近傍を走行して人の直観では非常に危険に思える状況でも、そのような直観に反して安全と判断されて可能性もある。式（７）のような定義に基づいた干渉評価を行えば、前述したように直観に反して安全と判断してしまう可能性を低減することができる。 Note that the total interference R ₁ (n ₁ ) is

May be defined. In this case, the handle risk of the most dangerous object O _k overall interference level. If the definition of Expression (6) is followed, the own vehicle O ₁ may interfere with a small number of objects, but the overall interference degree of a scene that does not interfere with the remaining large number of objects may be calculated low. Even in situations where a small number of other vehicles seem to be very dangerous to the person's intuition when the own vehicle O ₁ travels in the vicinity, there is a possibility that it is judged safe against such intuition. If the interference evaluation based on the definition like Expression (7) is performed, it is possible to reduce the possibility that it is judged to be safe against the intuition as described above.

In a succeeding step S457, a determination process for determining whether or not Loop1 is repeated is performed. In other words, when there is a remaining locus to be subjected to interference evaluation in the locus set {P ₁ (n ₁ )} of the own vehicle O ₁ (No in step S457), the value of n ₁ is increased by 1 (step S458), returning to step S441, loop 1 is repeated. On the other hand, if there is no remaining track to be subjected to interference evaluation in the track set {P ₁ (n ₁ )} of the own vehicle O ₁ (Yes in step S457), Loop 1 is ended and the interference degree calculation process ( Step S4) ends.

FIG. 16 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a spatiotemporal environment to which the interference evaluation method according to the third embodiment is applied. The spatiotemporal environment Env (P ₁ , P ₂ , P ₃ ) shown in the figure shows a case where two other vehicles exist within a predetermined range with respect to the own vehicle O ₁ . together they show _one trajectory P ₁ to (n ₁₎ in the solid line shows the trajectory P ₂ of the other vehicle O ₂ a (n ₂₎ shown by the broken line, the trajectory P ₃ of the other vehicle O ₃ and (n ₃₎ with a thick line . At this time, the interference degree r ₁ with another car O ₂ (n _{1, 2)} and interference degree r ₁ (n _1, 3) with another car O ₃ instead of treating separately, the space-time environment Env (P ₁ , P ₂ , P ₃ ) and the interference evaluation using the total interference degree R ₁ (n ₁ ), the danger of the host vehicle O ₁ can be avoided according to the surrounding environment.

  According to the third embodiment of the present invention described above, a computer having storage means for storing at least the positions of a plurality of objects and the internal state including the speed of each object is provided. Is read from the storage means, and based on the read position and internal state of the object, the change of the position that each of the plurality of objects can take with the lapse of time in time and space is configured. Each of these is generated as a trajectory, and by using the generated trajectory, the paths of the plurality of objects are probabilistically predicted, and the trajectory that the specific object can take on the space-time based on the predicted result By calculating an interference degree that quantitatively indicates the degree of interference between the other object and the trajectory that the other object can take, Also it is possible to achieve a secure safety in a situation that may occur Te.

  Further, according to the third embodiment, by using the overall interference degree, it is possible to accurately perform interference evaluation even when the number of objects constituting the spatiotemporal environment is large.

Also in the third embodiment, various values are defined as the values of the coefficients c _1k and F (t) when increasing the interference degree r ₁ (n ₁ , k) by collision, as in the first embodiment. It is possible to adopt either of the methods. Further, the interference degree r ₁ (n ₁ , k) can be defined by the shortest collision time as in the second embodiment.

In addition, when performing the interference evaluation in the third embodiment, the interference evaluation is performed in consideration of both the overall interference degree R ₁ (n ₁ ) and the individual interference degree r ₁ (n ₁ , k). It may be.

(Other embodiments)
Up to this point, the first to third embodiments have been described in detail as the best mode for carrying out the present invention. However, the present invention should not be limited only by these three embodiments. For example, in the present invention, the operation selection unit of the trajectory generation unit may maintain the current operation only for the own vehicle. In this case, in the own vehicle, the internal state at the time of prediction is maintained, and only one operation is continuously performed. Therefore, the operation selection probability for selecting the operation is 1, and the time and space as the trajectory set of the own vehicle Only one trajectory is generated above.

FIG. 17 shows a spatiotemporal environment generated when the operation of the vehicle is maintained as described above, and corresponds to FIG. In the spatio-temporal environment Env ′ (P ₁ , P ₂ ) shown in FIG. 17, the trajectory set of the vehicle O ₁ in the three-dimensional spatio-temporal is composed of only one linear trajectory P ₁ (others The car O ₂ is the same as in FIG. In this way, by applying a model that maintains the operation of the host vehicle O ₁ , it is possible to make a prediction by simplifying the situation when there are many surrounding objects, and a trajectory generation unit, a prediction unit, and an interference degree. The amount of calculation in the calculation unit can be reduced. It should be noted that the operation selection probability of each operation that can be selected for the host vehicle O ₁ may be appropriately set by input from the input unit.

When the operation of the host vehicle O ₁ is maintained as described above, the display unit of the output unit displays the expected course of the host vehicle O ₁ , the risk level of the other vehicle traveling in a predetermined range, and the interference level. It is also possible to display according to the calculation result. In addition, a warning sound may be generated by a warning sound generation unit of the output unit.

Further, in the interference evaluation method according to the present invention, when performing the trajectory generation process in the space-time for each object, the trajectory may be generated by operating all selectable operations. An algorithm for realizing such a trajectory generation process can be realized by applying a recursive call by vertical search or horizontal search, for example. In this case, the number of elements i.e. the number of trajectories of the trajectory set to be finally generated for one object _{O k {P k (n)} } are not known until the trajectory generation process is completed for the object O _k. Therefore, when generating a trajectory that each object can take by searching all possible operations, the number of elements of the operation u _kc (t) in the operation time Δt (operation u _kc (t) is a continuous amount. In this case, a search method having an optimal calculation amount may be selected according to the degree of discretization.

  Furthermore, in the interference evaluation method according to the present invention, an imaginary object may be arranged in addition to the actual object detected by the sensor unit, and the course of the arranged imaginary object may be predicted. More specifically, an imaginary object model that exhibits undesirable behavior for the host vehicle may be configured, and the object model may be placed at a predetermined position to predict the course. Such a fictitious object model is, for example, when a vehicle (own vehicle) traveling near an intersection where there is a shield or the like and has a poor visibility makes a course prediction, by placing it at a position where it cannot be detected from the own vehicle, It is possible to predict the danger such as a collision with an object that may jump out of the intersection. Note that the information on the imaginary object model may be stored in the storage unit in advance, and the object model may be arranged at a desired position in accordance with the condition setting from the input unit.

  By the way, when the interference evaluation device according to the present invention is applied in a region such as an expressway where traveling of only the vehicle is assumed, each vehicle is provided with a communication means for inter-vehicle communication, thereby Vehicles traveling in the vicinity may exchange each other's travel status by inter-vehicle communication. In this case, the operation history of each vehicle is stored in its own storage unit, an operation selection probability for each operation is given based on the operation history, and information on the operation selection probability is also added to other vehicles. You may make it transmit. As a result, the accuracy of the route prediction is increased, and it is possible to more reliably avoid danger during traveling.

  In addition, it is possible to use GPS (Global Positioning System) as position detecting means for the present invention. In this case, the position information and movement information of the object detected by the sensor unit can be corrected by referring to the 3D map information stored in the GPS. Furthermore, it is also possible to function as a sensor unit by communicating GPS outputs with each other. In any case, highly accurate course prediction can be realized by using GPS, and the reliability of the prediction result can be further improved.

  As is clear from the above description, the present invention can include various embodiments and the like not described herein, and within the scope not departing from the technical idea specified by the claims. Various design changes and the like can be made.

It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the interference evaluation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the outline | summary of the interference evaluation method which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the outline | summary of the locus | trajectory production | generation process in the interference evaluation method which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the problem of the conventional course prediction calculation. It is a figure which illustrates typically the advantage of course prediction calculation in the interference evaluation method concerning Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a figure which shows typically the locus | trajectory produced | generated in three-dimensional space time. It is a figure which shows typically the locus | trajectory set produced | generated in the three-dimensional space-time with respect to one object. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of a spatiotemporal environment typically. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the interference calculation process in the interference evaluation method which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the relationship in time space of one locus | trajectory of the own vehicle and one locus | trajectory of another vehicle. It is a figure which shows the example of the function which gives the time dependence of the interference between objects. It is a figure which shows the example of a display output of the evaluation result in the interference evaluation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display output example (2nd example) of the evaluation result in the interference evaluation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the interference calculation process in the interference evaluation method which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the interference calculation process in the interference evaluation method which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows another structure of a spatiotemporal environment typically. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the spatiotemporal environment formed when the model which maintains operation of the own vehicle is employ | adopted.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Interference evaluation apparatus 2 Input part 3 Sensor part 4 Trajectory production | generation part (trajectory production | generation means)
5 Prediction unit (prediction means)
6 Interference degree calculation unit (interference degree calculation means)
7 Output unit (output means)
8 storage unit (storage means)
41 Operation selection part (operation selection means)
42 Object operation part (object operation means)
43 determination unit (determination means)
71 display 72 alarm generating unit B _1, B _2, B ₃ course CN display screen D _a, D _b regions _{Env (P 1, P 2)} , Env '(P 1, P 2), Env (P 1, P _2, P ₃₎ the space-time environment F front glass O _1, O _2, O _i object R, Rd road

Claims (26)

A path that can be taken by a specific object included in the plurality of objects and a path that can be taken by other objects by a computer having storage means that stores at least the positions of the plurality of objects and the internal state including the speed of each object. An interference evaluation method for evaluating the degree of interference of
The position and the internal state of the plurality of objects are read from the storage means, and the change of the position that each of the plurality of objects can take with the passage of time is based on the read position and internal state of the object. A trajectory generation step for generating each as a plurality of trajectories on a space-time composed of:
A prediction step for performing probabilistic prediction of the course of the plurality of objects by using a plurality of tracks generated for each of the plurality of objects in the locus generation step;
An interference degree calculating step for calculating an interference degree quantitatively indicating the degree of interference between a course that can be taken by the specific object and a course that can be taken by the other object, based on a result predicted in the prediction step;
The interference evaluation method characterized by having.   The trajectory generation step includes
  An operation selection step of selecting an operation for the object from a plurality of operations;
  An object operation step for operating the operation selected in the operation selection step for a predetermined time;
  Determining whether or not the position and internal state of the object after operating the selected operation in the object operation step satisfy a control condition related to the control of the object and a movement condition related to the movable region of the object Steps,
  Including
  When each of the plurality of trajectories is generated, a series of processing from the operation selection step to the determination step is repeatedly performed until a trajectory generation time that is a time elapsed for generating one trajectory is reached. The interference evaluation method according to claim 1.   The interference evaluation method according to claim 2, wherein the trajectory generation time can be changed according to the speed of the object.   The object is located on a road;
  The interference evaluation method according to claim 2, wherein the trajectory generation time can be changed according to the type of the road.   The interference evaluation method according to claim 2, wherein the trajectory generation time is a time in which a density per unit volume of the set of the plurality of trajectories on the space-time is uniform.   The trajectory generation step includes
  An operation selection step of selecting an operation for the object from a plurality of operations;
  An object operation step for operating the operation selected in the operation selection step for a predetermined time;
  Determining whether or not the position and internal state of the object after operating the selected operation in the object operation step satisfy a control condition related to the control of the object and a movement condition related to the movable region of the object Steps,
  Including
  The interference according to claim 1, wherein when generating each of the plurality of trajectories, a series of processing from the operation selection step to the determination step is repeatedly performed until one trajectory reaches a predetermined length. Evaluation methods.   A path that can be taken by a specific object included in the plurality of objects and a path that can be taken by other objects by a computer having storage means that stores at least the positions of the plurality of objects and the internal state including the speed of each object. An interference evaluation method for evaluating the degree of interference of
  The position and the internal state of the plurality of objects are read from the storage means, and the change of the position that each of the plurality of objects can take with the passage of time is based on the read position and internal state of the object. A trajectory generation step for generating each as a trajectory in space-time composed of:
  A prediction step for performing probabilistic prediction of the paths of the plurality of objects by using the trajectory generated in the trajectory generation step;
  An interference degree calculating step for calculating an interference degree quantitatively indicating the degree of interference between a course that can be taken by the specific object and a course that can be taken by the other object, based on a result predicted in the prediction step;
  Have
  The interference degree calculating step includes:
  The interference between the specific object and each of the other objects according to the number of times closer to the interference distance, which is a spatial distance at which the specific object and each of the other objects interfere with each other The interference evaluation method, wherein the degree value is increased or decreased by a predetermined amount, and the predetermined amount depends on an elapsed time from the start point of the trajectory on the time space.   A path that can be taken by a specific object included in the plurality of objects and a path that can be taken by other objects by a computer having storage means that stores at least the positions of the plurality of objects and the internal state including the speed of each object. An interference evaluation method for evaluating the degree of interference of
  The position and the internal state of the plurality of objects are read from the storage means, and the change of the position that each of the plurality of objects can take with the passage of time is based on the read position and internal state of the object. A trajectory generation step for generating each as a trajectory in space-time composed of:
  A prediction step for performing probabilistic prediction of the paths of the plurality of objects by using the trajectory generated in the trajectory generation step;
  An interference degree calculating step for calculating an interference degree quantitatively indicating the degree of interference between a course that can be taken by the specific object and a course that can be taken by the other object, based on a result predicted in the prediction step;
  Have
  The interference degree calculating step includes:
  The interference between the specific object and each of the other objects according to the number of times closer to the interference distance, which is a spatial distance at which the specific object and each of the other objects interfere with each other Increase or decrease the degree value by a predetermined amount,
  An interference evaluation method characterized in that a maximum value among the interference degrees between the specific object and each of the other objects is set as an overall interference degree.   The interference evaluation method according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined amount depends on an elapsed time from the start point of the trajectory on the time space.   The interference evaluation method according to claim 1, further comprising an output step of outputting information including a prediction result in the prediction step.   The interference evaluation method according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the other object is an imaginary object model.   An interference evaluation apparatus that evaluates the degree of interference between a path that a specific object included in a plurality of objects can take and a path that other objects can take,
  Storage means for storing at least the positions of the plurality of objects and an internal state including the speed of each object;
  The position and the internal state of the plurality of objects are read from the storage means, and the change of the position that each of the plurality of objects can take with the passage of time is based on the read position and internal state of the object. A trajectory generating means for generating each as a plurality of trajectories on a space-time composed of:
  Prediction means for performing probabilistic prediction of the paths of the plurality of objects by using a plurality of trajectories generated for each of the plurality of objects by the trajectory generation means;
  An interference degree calculating means for calculating an interference degree quantitatively indicating a degree of interference between a course that can be taken by the specific object and a course that can be taken by the other object, based on a result predicted by the prediction means;
  An interference evaluation apparatus comprising:   The trajectory generating means includes
  An operation selecting means for selecting an operation for the object from a plurality of operations;
  Object operating means for operating the operation selected by the operation selecting means for a predetermined time;
  Determining whether or not the position and internal state of the object after the selected operation is operated by the object operation means satisfy a control condition related to the control of the object and a movement condition related to the movable area of the object Means,
  Including
  When generating each of the plurality of trajectories, a series of processing from the operation selection process by the operation selection unit to the determination process by the determination unit is performed as a trajectory generation time which is a time period for generating one trajectory. The interference evaluation apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the interference evaluation apparatus is repeatedly performed until the interference is reached.   The interference evaluation apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the trajectory generation time can be changed according to the speed of the object.   The object is located on a road;
  The interference evaluation apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the trajectory generation time can be changed according to the type of the road.   The interference evaluation apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the trajectory generation time is a time at which a density per unit volume of the set of the plurality of trajectories on the space-time is uniform.   Mounted on a moving body,
  The storage means stores in advance the positions and internal states of a plurality of objects including the moving body, and previously stores a plurality of paths that the moving body can take,
  The trajectory generating means uses the trajectory generation time as a trajectory of an object other than the moving body, with a time when the probability that an object other than the moving body intersects the moving body in the time-space is constant. Produces
  The interference evaluation apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the prediction unit calculates an existence probability of an object other than the moving object in the space-time.   The trajectory generating means includes
  An operation selecting means for selecting an operation for the object from a plurality of operations;
  Object operating means for operating the operation selected by the operation selecting means for a predetermined time;
  Determining whether or not the position and internal state of the object after the selected operation is operated by the object operation means satisfy a control condition related to the control of the object and a movement condition related to the movable area of the object Means,
  Including
  When each of the plurality of trajectories is generated, a series of processes from an operation selection process by the operation selection unit to a determination process by the determination unit are repeatedly performed until one trajectory reaches a predetermined length. The interference evaluation apparatus according to claim 13.   An interference evaluation apparatus that evaluates the degree of interference between a path that a specific object included in a plurality of objects can take and a path that other objects can take,
  Storage means for storing at least the positions of the plurality of objects and an internal state including the speed of each object;
  The position and internal state of the plurality of objects are read from the storage means, and the change of the position that each of the plurality of objects can take with the passage of time based on the read position and internal state of the object is time and space. Trajectory generating means for generating each as a trajectory in space-time composed of:
  Prediction means for performing probabilistic prediction of the paths of the plurality of objects by using the trajectory generated by the trajectory generation means;
  An interference degree calculating means for calculating an interference degree quantitatively indicating a degree of interference between a course that can be taken by the specific object and a course that can be taken by the other object, based on a result predicted by the prediction means;
  With
  The interference degree calculating means includes:
  The interference between the specific object and each of the other objects according to the number of times closer to the interference distance, which is a spatial distance at which the specific object and each of the other objects interfere with each other An interference evaluation apparatus, wherein the degree value is increased or decreased by a predetermined amount, and the predetermined amount depends on an elapsed time from the start point of the trajectory on the time space.   An interference evaluation apparatus that evaluates the degree of interference between a path that a specific object included in a plurality of objects can take and a path that other objects can take,
  Storage means for storing at least the positions of the plurality of objects and an internal state including the speed of each object;
  The position and internal state of the plurality of objects are read from the storage means, and the change of the position that each of the plurality of objects can take with the passage of time based on the read position and internal state of the object is time and space. Trajectory generating means for generating each as a trajectory in space-time composed of:
  Prediction means for performing probabilistic prediction of the paths of the plurality of objects by using the trajectory generated by the trajectory generation means;
  An interference degree calculating means for calculating an interference degree quantitatively indicating a degree of interference between a course that can be taken by the specific object and a course that can be taken by the other object, based on a result predicted by the prediction means;
  With
  The interference degree calculating means includes:
  The interference between the specific object and each of the other objects according to the number of times closer to the interference distance, which is a spatial distance at which the specific object and each of the other objects interfere with each other Increase or decrease the degree value by a predetermined amount,
  An interference evaluation apparatus, wherein a maximum value of the interference degrees between the specific object and each of the other objects is set as an overall interference degree.   21. The interference evaluation apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the predetermined amount depends on an elapsed time from the start point of the trajectory on the time space.   The interference evaluation apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 21, further comprising output means for outputting information including a prediction result by the prediction means.   The object is a car;
  The interference evaluation apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the output unit displays the information in a superimposed manner on a windshield of the object.   The object is a car equipped with a car navigation system;
  The interference evaluation apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the output means displays the information on a display screen of the car navigation system.   The interference evaluation apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 24, wherein at least a part of the other object is an imaginary object model.   An interference evaluation program for causing the computer to execute the interference evaluation method according to claim 1.

Images