JP2009116623A - Vehicle operation support device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle operation support device for smoothing the gate passage of a plurality of vehicles. <P>SOLUTION: This vehicle operation support device 1 for supporting a vehicle operation when a plurality of vehicles pass through a passage gate 15 is configured to acquire operating state information showing whether or not a plurality of vehicles are able to communicate with a tollgate device 30 for making a passage gate 15 operate, and to transmit the opening/closing control signal of the passage gate 31 to the tollgate device 30 based on the acquired communicating state information for controlling the opening/closing of the passage gate 31. Thus, it is possible to gasp the number of passable vehicles, and to open the passage gate so that the vehicles can pass continuously. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle driving support device that supports driving of a vehicle when passing through a traffic gate.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a device that operates when a vehicle passes through a traffic gate, for example, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-100218, a gate opening / closing device that opens and closes a gate that passes a vehicle communicates with an in-vehicle device, A device that controls the time for opening a gate in accordance with the number of vehicles permitted to pass is known. This device collectively performs authentication processing of a plurality of in-vehicle devices to prevent duplication of authentication processing, and attempts to pass a plurality of vehicles that have completed authentication processing together through a gate.
JP 2005-100218 A

  In such a device, only vehicles in a range in which communication with the gate opening / closing device can be performed can pass through the gate collectively. For this reason, the number of vehicles that can pass through the gate at a time is limited. In addition, when there is a vehicle that is not equipped with an authentication card for passing through the gate, the vehicle cannot pass through the gate smoothly.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve such a technical problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle driving support device capable of facilitating the passage of gates of a plurality of vehicles.

  That is, the vehicle driving support device according to the present invention is a vehicle driving support device that performs driving support when a plurality of vehicles pass through the passage gate, and can communicate with the gate device that operates the passage gate for the plurality of vehicles. Communication state acquisition means for acquiring communication state information on whether or not, and communication means for transmitting an opening / closing control signal for the pass gate to the gate device based on the communication state information acquired by the communication state acquisition means. Configured.

  According to the present invention, communication state information indicating whether or not communication with a gate device that operates a passage gate for a plurality of vehicles is possible is acquired, and a gate gate opening / closing control signal is transmitted to the gate device based on the communication state information. By transmitting, it is possible to grasp the number of vehicles that can pass and open the traffic gate so that the vehicles can pass continuously. For this reason, it is possible to pass through the passage gates together in a plurality of vehicles without any limitation on the number of vehicles. In addition, by acquiring the communication status information, it is possible to grasp a vehicle that cannot pass through the passage gate, so that the gate passage of the vehicle is facilitated by, for example, encouraging caution ventilation that the vehicle cannot pass through the vehicle. be able to.

  Further, in the vehicle driving support device according to the present invention, when a vehicle that is determined to be unable to communicate with the gate device based on the communication state information is separated from the passage gate by a predetermined distance or more, the deceleration that decelerates the vehicle It is preferable to provide deceleration control means for performing processing.

  According to this invention, by slowing down the vehicle that cannot communicate with the gate device due to forgetting to install the authentication card, etc., it is possible to earn time for mounting the authentication card, and to facilitate the gate passage of the vehicle Can do.

  In the vehicle driving support device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the plurality of vehicles form a vehicle group by inter-vehicle communication.

  According to this invention, a plurality of vehicles can pass through the gate smoothly without breaking the form of the vehicle group.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to facilitate the passage of a plurality of vehicles through a gate.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration diagram of a vehicle driving support apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle driving support device according to the present embodiment is mounted on a vehicle and performs driving support of the vehicle. The vehicle driving support device 1 includes an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 2. The ECU 2 is an electronic control unit that controls the entire apparatus of the vehicle driving support apparatus 1, and is configured mainly by a computer including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, for example.

  The ECU 2 functions as a determination unit that determines whether or not the own vehicle can communicate with a toll gate device that opens and closes a traffic gate of an ETC (Electronic Toll Collection system). In addition, when the host vehicle travels in a vehicle group with another vehicle, the vehicle functions as a determination unit that determines whether the other vehicle can communicate with the toll gate device.

  Further, the ECU 2 functions as an opening / closing signal generating unit that generates an opening / closing control signal for the passage gate based on communication state information indicating whether or not communication with the toll gate device is possible. Further, when the host vehicle travels in a vehicle group with another vehicle, the ECU 2 determines that the vehicle that is determined to be unable to communicate with the toll gate device based on the communication state information is at a predetermined distance or more away from the passage gate. Furthermore, it functions as a deceleration control means for performing deceleration processing for decelerating the vehicle, for example, deceleration operation of the host vehicle, deceleration instruction, or caution ventilation for deceleration.

  Further, the ECU 2 functions as a vehicle group control unit that controls the formation of a vehicle group with another vehicle. For example, by generating a target speed pattern of the own vehicle and grasping the position and speed of other vehicles that form a vehicle group through inter-vehicle communication, the vehicle is referred to the target speed pattern of the own vehicle and the target speed pattern of the other vehicle. A vehicle group traveling speed pattern for group traveling (for example, platoon traveling) is generated, and traveling control is performed according to the vehicle group traveling speed pattern.

  A vehicle equipped with the vehicle driving support device 1 includes a main drive source, for example, a drive control unit 11 that performs drive control of the engine, a braking control unit 12 that performs braking force control when a braking force is applied to each wheel, and steering of the vehicle. A steering control unit 13 for controlling the state is provided. The drive control unit 11, the braking control unit 12 and the steering control unit 13 are connected to the ECU 2.

  Further, the vehicle is provided with a vehicle speed sensor 14 that detects the traveling speed of the host vehicle, a vehicle position detector 15, and a vehicle surrounding detection sensor 16. As the vehicle speed sensor 14, for example, a wheel speed sensor that detects a wheel speed is used. As the vehicle position detector 15, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) device or an imaging device that images the front of the vehicle is used. The vehicle surrounding detection sensor 16 is a sensor that detects an obstacle around the vehicle, a preceding vehicle, and the like. For example, a millimeter wave radar, a laser radar, or the like is used.

  A vehicle-to-vehicle communication unit 17 is provided in the vehicle. The inter-vehicle communication unit 17 is an inter-vehicle communication unit that communicates with other vehicles, and communicates vehicle information such as the current position of the vehicle, speed, and target speed pattern with each other. The inter-vehicle communication unit 17 also functions as a communication state acquisition unit that acquires communication state information indicating whether or not communication with a gate device that activates a passage gate is possible for vehicles that form a vehicle group.

  A display device 18 is provided in the vehicle. The display device 18 is connected to the ECU 2 and displays position information of the host vehicle. The vehicle is provided with an ETC in-vehicle device 20. The ETC in-vehicle device 20 is a communication means for communicating toll information with the toll gate device, and also has a function of transmitting a toll gate device opening / closing control signal to the toll gate device.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration diagram of the tollgate apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the toll gate device 30 is a device that collects tolls for vehicles that pass according to the ETC system, and includes a toll gate 31 that can be opened and closed. It is carried out. The vehicle can pass through the toll gate by opening the toll gate 31, and the passage of the vehicle to the toll gate can be prevented by closing the toll gate 31.

  The toll gate device 30 includes a communication unit 32 that communicates with the ETC vehicle-mounted device 20 installed in the vehicle. The communication unit 32 obtains at least vehicle information and fee information from the ETC on-board device 20 by communicating with the ETC on-board device 20, performs authentication processing based on the information, and passes at the passing timing of the authenticated vehicle. Open the gate 31. Moreover, when the toll gate device 30 receives an opening / closing control signal for the passage gate 31 from the ETC vehicle-mounted device 20 installed in the vehicle, the toll gate device 30 controls the opening / closing of the passage gate 31 based on the opening / closing control signal. For example, when an opening / closing control signal for opening five passage gates 31 is received, the passage gates 31 are opened so that five vehicles pass continuously according to the opening / closing control signal.

  The toll gate device 30 is provided with a plurality of vehicle detectors 33. The passing position of the vehicle is detected based on the detection signal of the vehicle detector 33. The toll gate device 30 is provided with a control device 34. The control device 34 performs opening / closing control of the passage gate 31. For example, the communication information of the communication unit 32 is recorded and toll collection processing is performed, the detection signal of the vehicle detector 33 is input, and the opening / closing control of the passage gate 31 is performed.

  The toll gate device 30 is provided with a display unit 35. The display unit 35 displays and transmits various types of information to a vehicle that is about to pass through the passage gate 31, and is installed in front of the passage gate 31.

  Next, the operation of the vehicle driving support apparatus according to this embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle driving support apparatus mounted on the vehicle. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the toll gate device 30. The control process in FIG. 3 is repeatedly executed by the ECU 2 at a predetermined cycle (for example, 50 to 1000 ms), for example. The control process of FIG. 4 is repeatedly executed by the control device 34 at a predetermined cycle (for example, 50 to 1000 ms), for example.

  The flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 4 are for passing through the ETC gate in a state where the vehicle group is assembled. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, four vehicles A1 to A4 form a vehicle group, and travel in a row at a predetermined inter-vehicle distance through inter-vehicle communication. The vehicle information of the vehicles A2 to A4 is transmitted to the vehicle A1 that is the leading vehicle. Note that the flowchart of FIG. 3 is described by taking the control processing of the leading vehicle in the vehicle group as an example.

  As shown in S10 of FIG. 3, a vehicle information acquisition process is performed. The vehicle information acquisition process is a process of acquiring information such as the number of vehicles that make up the vehicle group, vehicle type, ETC on-board device information, vehicle position, and speed. Vehicle information in other vehicles may be acquired through inter-vehicle communication. The vehicle information here also includes information on the own vehicle.

  And it transfers to S12 and it is judged whether the ETC onboard equipment 20 is out of order. That is, it is determined whether there is a vehicle in which the ETC vehicle-mounted device 20 is malfunctioning in a vehicle that forms a vehicle group. This determination process may be performed based on ETC on-board unit information. If it is determined in S12 that the ETC vehicle-mounted device 20 has failed, the process proceeds to S22.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S12 that the ETC on-vehicle device 20 has not failed, it is determined whether or not the ETC card is forgotten to be inserted (S14). In other words, it is determined whether or not there is a vehicle that has forgotten to insert the ETC card into the ETC vehicle-mounted device 20 in a vehicle that forms a vehicle group. This determination process may be performed based on ETC on-board unit information. If it is determined in S14 that there is no forgetting to insert the ETC card, the process proceeds to S28.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S14 that the ETC card has been forgotten to be inserted, the vehicle driver who has forgotten to insert the ETC card is notified of this (S16). For example, it is notified that the user has forgotten to insert the ETC card through inter-vehicle communication, or is notified that the user is prompted to insert the ETC card.

  Then, the process proceeds to S18, where it is determined whether or not the arrival time T of the vehicle that has forgotten to insert the ETC card is equal to or longer than the set time T1. The set time T1 is a set time preset in the ECU 2, and for example, a time corresponding to a time for inserting an ETC card is set. If it is determined in S18 that the arrival time T to the pass gate 31 of the vehicle that has forgotten to insert the ETC card is not equal to or longer than the set time T1, the process proceeds to S22.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the arrival time T of the vehicle for which the ETC card has been forgotten to reach the passage gate 31 is equal to or longer than the set time T1, deceleration processing is performed (S20). The deceleration process is a process for decelerating the vehicle speed of the vehicle group. For example, the deceleration process is performed by making the vehicle speed of the leading vehicle slower than the current vehicle speed. In this case, information indicating that the vehicle speed is decreased may be provided and the vehicle may be decelerated, or control intervention may be performed and a control signal may be input to the brake control unit 12 to automatically decelerate. By this deceleration process, the driver of the vehicle who has forgotten to card can insert the ETC card into the ETC on-board unit 20 before the vehicle reaches the toll gate. Then, the process returns to S14.

  In S22, it is determined whether or not the vehicle is forgotten to use the ETC card. If it is determined at S22 that the ETC card has been forgotten, the vehicle is decelerated or stopped. In this deceleration process and stop process, information indicating that the vehicle speed is reduced or stopped may be provided, or a control signal may be input to the brake control unit 12 by control intervention to cause automatic deceleration or automatic stop. By this deceleration stop process, the driver of the vehicle who has forgotten to card can insert the ETC card into the ETC in-vehicle device 20 before the vehicle reaches the toll gate.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S22 that the vehicle has not been forgotten to use the ETC card, it is determined whether the ETC on-board device 20 is a faulty vehicle, a faulty vehicle, or a vehicle following the vehicle for which the card has been forgotten to be inserted. (S24). If it is determined in S24 that the ETC on-board device 20 is a faulty vehicle or a faulty vehicle or a vehicle following a vehicle for which a card is forgotten to be inserted, pass through a normal pass gate to which the ETC system is not applied. Is prompted (S32). For example, information on passage through the normal gate may be provided by voice, display, or the like, or a control signal may be input to the steering control unit 13 by control intervention to automatically steer and drive the vehicle in the normal gate direction. By such processing, it is possible to prevent the vehicle from stopping before the passage gate, and to perform smooth gate passage.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S24 that the ETC vehicle-mounted device 20 is not a failed vehicle, a failed vehicle, or a vehicle following a vehicle for which a card is forgotten to be inserted, a vehicle speed return process is performed (S26). The vehicle speed return process is a process for returning the vehicle speed decelerated due to forgetting to insert the ETC card to the original vehicle speed. Then, the process proceeds to S28, and information transmission processing is performed. The information transmission process is a process of transmitting to the toll gate device 30 vehicle authentication information, the number of passing vehicles, and an opening / closing control signal for the passage gate 31 according to the number. The toll gate device 30 that has received these pieces of information opens the passage gate 31 so that a plurality of vehicles pass continuously, thereby facilitating the passage of the gate of the vehicle. The information transmission process may be performed by the first vehicle in the vehicle group.

  That is, in the toll gate device 30, first, vehicle information acquisition processing is performed as shown in S40 of FIG. This vehicle information acquisition process is performed. This vehicle information acquisition process is performed, for example, by receiving vehicle information transmitted from the ETC vehicle-mounted device 20 of the vehicle.

  Then, the process proceeds to S42, and it is determined whether there is a vehicle in which the ETC in-vehicle device 20 is out of order or a vehicle in which a card is forgotten to be inserted among vehicles passing through the toll gate. If it is determined in S42 that there is no vehicle in which the ETC on-board device 20 is out of order or a vehicle that has forgotten to insert a card among the vehicles that pass through the toll gate, the vehicles that form a vehicle group as the number of vehicles that pass through Are set (S50). For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when a vehicle group is assembled with four vehicles, 4 is set as the number of passing vehicles.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S42 that there is a vehicle in which the ETC in-vehicle device 20 is out of order or a vehicle that has forgotten to insert a card among the vehicles passing through the toll gate, display processing is performed (S44). The display process is a process of displaying a failure or forgotten card on the display 35 of the toll gate. For example, the vehicle number and the vehicle type are displayed together with a failure or a forgotten card insertion. As a result, the driver of the vehicle that has forgotten to insert the card can be made to recognize that the user has forgotten to insert the card, and the vehicle that follows the vehicle group is notified that there is a vehicle that has forgotten to insert the card. Can do.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the vehicle in which the ETC in-vehicle device 20 is out of order or the vehicle in which the card is forgotten to be inserted is the first vehicle in the vehicle group (S46). If it is determined in S46 that the vehicle in which the ETC on-board device 20 is faulty or the vehicle in which the card is forgotten to be inserted is the first vehicle in the vehicle group, the passage gate 31 is kept closed ( S52).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S46 that the vehicle on which the ETC on-board device 20 has failed or the vehicle that has forgotten to insert a card is not the first vehicle in the vehicle group, forgetting to insert the failed vehicle or card as the number of passing vehicles The number of vehicles up to the front of the vehicle is set (S48).

  Then, the process proceeds to S54, and the passing gate 31 is opened. Then, it is determined whether or not the number of vehicles set as the number of passing vehicles has passed (S56). If it is determined in S56 that the number of vehicles set as the number of vehicles passing has passed, the passage gate 31 is closed (S58). As a result, the passage gates 31 are opened as many as the number of passing vehicles, and a plurality of vehicles can pass through the passage gates 31 continuously. When the control process of S58 is completed, a series of control processes are ended.

  As described above, according to the vehicle driving support device according to the present embodiment, communication state information indicating whether communication with the toll gate device 30 that operates the passage gate 31 for a plurality of vehicles is possible is acquired, and the communication is performed. By transmitting the opening / closing control signal of the traffic gate to the toll gate device 30 based on the state information, the traffic gate 31 can be opened so that the number of vehicles that can pass can be grasped and the vehicles can pass continuously. For this reason, it is possible to pass through the passage gates together in a plurality of vehicles without any limitation on the number of vehicles. In addition, by acquiring communication state information, it is possible to grasp a vehicle that cannot pass through the passage gate 31, and thus facilitating the gate passage of the vehicle by encouraging caution ventilation that the vehicle cannot pass through such a vehicle. You can plan.

  Also, a deceleration process for decelerating the vehicle when it is determined that communication with the toll gate device 30 cannot be performed due to a failure of the vehicle-mounted device, forgetting to insert a card, or a vehicle following the vehicle is a predetermined distance away from the passage gate 31 By performing the above, it is possible to earn time for mounting the ETC card, and to facilitate the gate passage of the vehicle.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the vehicle A3 forgets to insert the ETC card among the vehicles A1 to A4 forming the vehicle group, the distance L from the vehicle A4, which is a subsequent vehicle, to the passing gate 31 is a predetermined distance. In the case described above, it is possible to earn time for the driver of the vehicle A4 to insert the ETC card into the vehicle-mounted device 20 by reducing the speed of the vehicle group. Therefore, smooth gate traffic can be performed without destroying the form of the vehicle group.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, when the distance L from the following vehicle A4 to the passage gate 31 is not equal to or greater than the predetermined distance, the vehicle speed of the vehicles A1 and A2 is increased to the original vehicle speed, and the vehicle A3 is decelerated. Alternatively, it is preferable to stop the vehicle and guide the vehicle A4 to another pass gate. In this case, the vehicles A1 and A2 can pass through the passage gate 31 quickly, give the vehicle A3 a card insertion time, and allow the vehicle A4 to pass through the passage gate 31 smoothly.

  In particular, the vehicle driving support device according to the present embodiment is useful when a vehicle group is formed by inter-vehicle communication. That is, authentication information and ETC communication possible state information can be easily communicated by inter-vehicle communication, and by sending authentication information of a large number of vehicles to the leading vehicle in the vehicle group, there is no limit to the number of vehicles, A large number of vehicles can pass through the pass gate continuously.

  In addition, embodiment mentioned above shows an example of the vehicle driving assistance device which concerns on this invention. The vehicle driving support device according to the present invention is not limited to the vehicle driving support device according to this embodiment, and the vehicle driving support device according to the embodiment is modified without changing the gist described in each claim. Or, it may be applied to other things. For example, the present invention may be applied when passing through a traffic gate other than the ETC system.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a vehicle driving support apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a structure schematic diagram of a tollgate apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement in the vehicle driving assistance device of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement in the toll gate apparatus of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the driving assistance content in the vehicle driving assistance device of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the driving assistance content in the vehicle driving assistance device of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the driving assistance content in the vehicle driving assistance device of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the driving assistance content in the vehicle driving assistance device of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle driving assistance device, 2 ... ECU, 11 ... Drive control unit, 12 ... Braking control unit, 13 ... Steering control unit, 14 ... Vehicle speed sensor, 15 ... Vehicle position detector, 16 ... Vehicle surrounding detection sensor, 17 ... Inter-vehicle communication unit, 18 ... display device, 20 ... ETC on-board unit, 30 ... tollgate device, 31 ... passage gate.

Claims (3)

In a vehicle driving support device that performs driving support when a plurality of vehicles pass through a traffic gate,
Communication state acquisition means for acquiring communication state information as to whether or not communication with a gate device that operates the passage gate for the plurality of vehicles is possible;
Communication means for transmitting an opening / closing control signal of the pass gate to the gate device based on the communication state information acquired by the communication state acquisition means;
A vehicle driving support apparatus comprising:   When a vehicle that is determined to be unable to communicate with the gate device based on the communication state information is a predetermined distance or more away from the passage gate, the vehicle includes a deceleration control unit that performs a deceleration process for decelerating the vehicle. The vehicle driving support device according to claim 1.   The vehicle driving support device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of vehicles form a vehicle group by inter-vehicle communication.

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