JP2009223673A - Travel assist device, travel assist method, travel assist program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a travel assist device, a travel assist method and a travel assist program for performing route search (travel plan) to encourage safe driving to a driver based on a degree of awakening. <P>SOLUTION: The travel assist device 1, for showing the optimal travel route to a driver by searching the route based on map data depending on a destination, is equipped with: a sleepiness database 5 having a past travel route information, including the destination information, and sleepiness data consisting of the degree of awakening at every time of measurement to the driver with respect to the travel route; a dynamic awakening degree judgment part 12 for measuring the degree of awakening at every time with respect to the travel route, based on a heart beat interval of the driver, and recording it the sleepiness database; and the travel planning creation part for choosing the route, in which the degree of awakening is not deteriorated below the designated value, as a recommended route among a plurality of routes stored in association with this destination in the sleepiness database when the destination already recorded in the sleepiness database is set up as a new destination in searching for the route. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technology that provides operation support based on the degree of arousal.

  In recent years, as vehicles equipped with operation support devices (car navigation systems) have become commonplace, it has become possible to go to places wherever you go for the first time. Furthermore, recent car navigation systems are equipped with a time priority search for arriving at a destination in the shortest time and a general road priority search with an emphasis on the cost for movement at the time of route search.

  However, although the conventional car navigation system supports the operation as described above, there is a problem that safety is not taken into consideration. In other words, even if the driver is tired from driving for a long time, even if the driver is tired for a long time, even if the possibility of an accident increases, safety measures to avoid it And no notifications.

In Patent Document 1, when the traveling trajectory of a vehicle passing through an expressway shows the characteristics of driving with reduced arousal level, based on stored map information, the direction and / or distance of the nearest facility for eliminating the abnormal traveling is described. Proposals have been made to guide you.
Japanese Patent No. 2809338

  An object is to provide an operation support device, an operation support method, and an operation support program that perform route search (operation plan) that prompts the driver to drive safely based on the degree of arousal.

  It is an operation support device that presents an optimal operation route to a driver by searching for a route based on map data according to a destination that is one of the first aspects. Operates based on a past sleep route that includes information about the destination, a sleepiness database comprising sleepiness data composed of hourly wakefulness measured for the driver with respect to the travel route, and the heartbeat interval of the driver A dynamic arousal level determination unit that measures the arousal level for each route and records it in the drowsiness database, and a destination already recorded in the drowsiness database when performing the route search is a new destination If the route is set as the recommended route, the route in which the arousal level has not deteriorated to a predetermined value or more is selected as a recommended route from the plurality of routes stored in association with the destination in the sleepiness database. And a section.

  Since a reasonable operation plan including a break is made as described above, driving can be started with peace of mind, and a break is taken before sleepiness occurs, so that the possibility of an accident is reduced.

  In addition, by dynamically detecting the arousal level, in contrast to the initial state, when the arousal level is decreased or vice versa, a flexible response according to the situation at that time can be taken. For example, when a sudden decrease in arousal level is observed where it was not assumed that the patient will become sleepy, a dynamic route search can be performed to avoid a driver's risk.

A route search (operation plan) that prompts the driver to drive safely based on the arousal level can be performed.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
(Configuration of operation support device)
FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an operation support apparatus 1 (for example, a car navigation system). The operation support apparatus 1 includes an input unit 2, a personal authentication unit 3, a database selection unit 4, a drowsiness database 5, a drowsiness feature determination unit 6, an initial route search unit 7, a map database 8, a break preference list determination unit 9, and operation guidance information. The generator 10, the sensor 11, the dynamic arousal level determination unit 12, the dynamic route search unit 13, the control unit 14, and the display unit 15 are included. The operation plan creation unit includes a database selection unit 4, a sleepiness feature determination unit 6, an initial route search unit 7, a map database 8, a break preference list determination unit 9, an operation guide information generation unit 10, and a dynamic route search unit 13. It is configured.

  The input unit 2 receives data from an input device such as a touch panel or a keyboard used when the driver performs data input or destination setting (destination input), or a recording medium such as a CD or DVD for reading map data. It is a device that reads.

  The personal authentication unit 3 authenticates who the driver is and notifies the database selection unit 4 of the authentication result. As an authentication method, for example, a password may be input, or biometric authentication may be used.

  The database selection unit 4 performs control for reading out individual sleepiness data recorded in advance based on the authentication result from the sleepiness database 5 (memory) and outputting it to the sleepiness feature determination unit 6. In addition, a control is performed to read a break preference list from the drowsiness database 5 and output it to the break preference list determination unit 9. In addition, the destination data is acquired from the initial route search unit 7 or the input unit 2.

The drowsiness database 5 stores data such as drowsiness data and a break preference list which will be described later.
The drowsiness feature determination unit 6 analyzes the read drowsiness data to predict a time zone and a region where the driver is expected to interfere with the operation, and the prediction result (drowsiness prediction data) is an initial route search unit. Forward to 7.

  The initial route search unit 7 performs route search based on data necessary for detecting a route such as destination information input from the input unit 2 and map data stored in the map database 8. Further, when the driver or passengers place importance on safety, the drowsiness prediction data is obtained from the drowsiness feature determination unit 6 and a route search considering safe driving is performed, and an initial route search result (initial route) Search information) is transferred to the operation guide information generating unit 10.

The map database 8 is map data stored in a recording medium set in the input unit 2. Alternatively, map data stored in a memory provided separately from the recording medium is shown.
The break preference list determination unit 9 analyzes a break preference list in which information such as a restaurant or a gas station where a driver often stops is recorded, and transfers the analysis result to the operation guide information generation unit 10.

  The operation guide information generation unit 10 generates operation guide information based on the initial route search information and the analysis result at the time of departure. The operation guide information is data having information necessary for operation support such as the current vehicle position, a map, an operation direction instruction, and voice data.

In addition, after departure (during movement), the operation guide information is updated based on dynamic route search information (to be described later) searched by the dynamic route search unit 13.
Further, the information obtained from the initial route search information and the dynamic route search information is stored in the sleepiness database 5a, 5b, 5c of the corresponding driver of the sleepiness database 5 as necessary, and the sleepiness database is updated.

  The sensor 11 detects a physical change of the driver and transfers it to the dynamic arousal level determination unit 12. For example, an electrode is brought into contact with the driver, a voltage is applied to the electrode, and a heartbeat signal is acquired from the potential difference between the electrodes. Alternatively, an electrocardiograph, a pulse wave meter, a heart sound sensor, or the like may be used as long as it captures the heartbeat.

  The dynamic arousal level determination unit 12 determines the driver's arousal level based on the data transferred from the sensor 11. The measured arousal data is recorded in the drowsiness database 5 in real time.

The dynamic route search unit 13 performs route search again based on the arousal level, the vehicle position, the operation time, and the like transferred from the dynamic awakening level determination unit 12.
The control unit 14 controls the operation support device.

The display unit 15 displays an image generated based on the operation guide information generated by the operation guide information generation unit 10.
In addition, although not shown in figure, the speaker etc. which output audio | voice data are also provided, and the audio | voice produced | generated based on operation guidance information is output.

(Awakening degree judgment method)
The dynamic arousal level determination unit 12 will be described. The dynamic arousal level determination unit 12 performs arithmetic processing such as heartbeat interval calculation, spectrum calculation, peak frequency calculation, peak frequency clustering, and arousal level determination.

  For example, the heartbeat signal of the driver is measured by the sensor 11, the peak interval of the amplitude of the heartbeat signal is calculated by the dynamic arousal level determination unit 12, and the spectral density for the fluctuation of the amplitude peak interval of the heartbeat signal is calculated. . Then, the frequency at which the spectral density becomes maximum is calculated, and the maximum frequency is classified into each cluster.

  In the heart rate interval calculation, the peak interval of the amplitude of the heart rate signal is detected. In FIG. 2A (electrocardiogram intensity-time), in order to calculate the peak interval, a heartbeat signal is acquired from the sensor 11, and a point that is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value (dashed line in FIG. 2A) is detected. (It may be detected at either the rise or fall of the amplitude waveform). And the measurement time of the detected point is memorize | stored in memory, and a heartbeat interval (heartbeat interval data) is calculated based on this measurement time. When the measurement time of the detected point is T1 to T3 as shown in FIG. 2A, the heartbeat interval w1 is calculated as T2-T1 = w1, and the heartbeat interval w2 is calculated as T3-T2 = w2. Also, a zero cross point where the differential coefficient of the heartbeat signal changes from positive to negative may be used, or the heartbeat interval may be detected by performing pattern matching on the amplitude waveform and detecting the amplitude peak.

  The spectrum calculation calculates heartbeat interval fluctuation, which is the difference between heartbeat intervals that fluctuates with time. When calculating heartbeat interval fluctuations (heartbeat interval fluctuation data) based on the heartbeat interval data w0, w1, and w2 calculated in A of FIG. 2 as B (beat interval-time) in FIG. h1 is calculated as | w1-w0 | = h1, and the heartbeat interval fluctuation h2 is calculated as | w2-w1 | = h2.

  Next, the spectral density for each frequency is calculated based on the heartbeat interval fluctuation data (see C (frequency-spectral density) in FIG. 2). The spectral density can be calculated by an AR model (Auto-regressive model) or Fourier transform. The frequency is obtained by frequency analysis of the waveform data of the heartbeat interval shown in FIG.

  A method for calculating the spectral density using the AR model will be described. The AR model is a model that represents a state at a certain time point as a linear sum of past time-series data, and a clear maximum point can be obtained even with a smaller number of data compared to the Fourier transform.

The p-order AR model of the time series x (s) can be expressed by Equation 1 using an AR coefficient a (m) and an error term e (s) that are weights for past values. Here, e (S) represents white noise.

Then, the k-th order AR coefficient can be expressed as in Expression 2 with _p as the identification order, the spectral density can be expressed as Expression 3 with f _s as the sampling frequency, and ε _p as the identification error.

In spectrum calculation, spectrum density data is calculated based on Equation 3 and heartbeat interval fluctuation data.
In the peak frequency calculation, the frequency at which the spectral density is maximized (maximum frequency) and the spectral density corresponding to the maximum frequency (maximum spectral density) are calculated based on the spectral density data.

That is, the frequency f shown in Equation 3 is calculated as the maximum frequency, and the maximum spectral density is obtained by substituting this maximum frequency into Equation (4).

  In the peak frequency clustering process, the maximum frequency and the maximum spectral density are classified into a plurality of clusters (data shown in Table A in FIG. 3: clusters 1 to 3) and stored in the memory. That is, it is classified into each cluster for each similar maximum frequency. Here, the similar maximum frequency is a maximum frequency included in a predetermined band set in advance. Further, the cluster data (Table A in FIG. 3) is configured such that the maximum spectral density is associated with each maximum frequency.

  The cluster data may be obtained by initial registration by acquiring data on the maximum frequency and maximum spectral density for a certain period of time after the start of measurement. Alternatively, individual cluster-specific maximum frequency and maximum spectral density may be obtained from a database prepared for each individual. Initial registration may be performed based on the data.

  Further, as shown in Table B of FIG. 3, each cluster is provided with a representative frequency and a representative spectral density. The representative frequency is a representative value of the maximum frequency included in the cluster, and the representative spectral density is a representative value of the maximum spectral density included in the cluster.

  The representative frequency can be calculated by the average of the maximal frequencies included in the cluster, and the representative spectral density can also be calculated by the average of the maximal spectral densities included in the cluster.

Further, the local maximum frequency data and the representative frequency are compared, and the local maximum frequency and the corresponding local maximum spectral density are registered in the cluster in which the difference between the local maximum frequency and the representative frequency is minimized.
In the arousal level determination, the representative frequency and the representative spectral density of the target cluster acquired every predetermined time are acquired, and it is determined whether or not the driver is awake from the acquired representative frequency and representative spectral density.

  For example, as shown in the graph of FIG. 4, a three-stage area is provided to determine the driver's arousal state. In FIG. 4, a safety area, a caution area, and a danger area are set as three-stage areas, and the driver's arousal state (arousal level) is determined depending on which area is plotted. The safety area is an area indicating that the driver is awake and not sleepy. The attention area is an area indicating that the driver is a little dangerous because it is a little sleepy. The dangerous area is an area indicating that it is a very sleepy and dangerous state. In FIG. 4, a three-stage area is provided, but there is no particular limitation, and a plurality of areas may be set.

  FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the representative frequency and the representative spectral density of the target cluster every predetermined time, and shows the degree of arousal from the start of driving to the end of driving during driving for 75 minutes. The axis shows the spectral density and the horizontal axis shows the frequency.

As can be seen from the above graph, safe driving can be performed by assisting the operation so that the representative frequency and representative spectral density of the driver do not enter the danger region.
(Safe operation)
When going out by car, we often leave at similar times. For example, when going to the DL amusement park, go out early on Saturday morning, return home near the closing time, etc., so that human conditions (sleepiness, physical condition) and environmental conditions (such as traffic congestion) are relatively similar. it is conceivable that. That is, it can be said that the driver tends to take relatively the same action.

Therefore, considering how the driver can operate safely, it can be seen that the timing of taking a break is important.
For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when a driver takes a break at the timing of shifting to the attention area or the dangerous area as shown in FIG. 4, drowsiness is recovered and the awakening level shifts to or near the stable area.

  The graph shown in FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the representative frequency and the representative spectral density of the target cluster every predetermined time, shows the degree of arousal from the start of driving to the end of driving during driving, and the vertical axis represents Spectral density, frequency is shown on the horizontal axis. For example, the sleepiness data in the case of going from the home to the DL amusement park several times is shown.

FIG. 5A is a graph when the driver's arousal level shifts from the safe area to the dangerous area, and is a graph when the driving is continued in a dangerous state without a break.
5B and 5C show that when the driver's awakening level shifts from the safety zone to the caution zone, stop at the service area (SA) or convenience store and take a break to reduce the awakening level to the safety zone or safety level. It is a graph at the time of returning to near the area and operating again.

  From the above results, in order to perform safe operation, not only the route search of the conventional operation support device, but also the route that has been safe driving before (route as shown in FIG. 5B, C), the sleepiness of each driver A feature (wakefulness level) is stored in the drowsiness database, and a safe operation plan can be established by selecting a route whose awakening level has not deteriorated to a predetermined value or more as a recommended route at the start of driving.

  In addition, after starting driving, a safe operation plan can be established by judging the current awakening level in real time, searching for a resting place, and resetting the operation plan (re-routing the route) in a timely manner.

  In this way, it is safer to output an operation plan (route + resting place) that prevents the driver from becoming sleepy from the beginning than to guide the facility that eliminates sleepiness after the driver becomes sleepy as in the past. Can contribute to safe operation.

(Safety operation support method)
Explains the operation plan (initial operation plan) planned by the initial route search performed at the start of operation and the method of dynamically resetting the operation plan (dynamic operation plan) based on the already set operation plan and the current awakening level To do.

(Initial operation plan)
The initial operation plan is to select a route in which drowsiness is unlikely to occur when a place that has been visited is set as a destination, or when a route that has been in the middle of the destination is used.

First, sleepiness data is extracted from the sleepiness database 5. If a break preference list is registered, it is extracted.
Data for personal authentication is input to the personal authentication unit 3 from the input unit 2 of FIG. When the personal authentication is completed, the data is notified to the database selection unit 4 in order to acquire drowsiness data corresponding to the driver. In addition, data indicating the destination is input from the initial route search unit 7 to the database selection unit 4. The database selection unit 4 selects the drowsiness data of the driver from the drowsiness database 5, and if the user has been to the destination before, the existing drowsiness data corresponding to the driver is read from the drowsiness database 5 and initialized. Prepare to set up an operation plan. If not, the data corresponding to the existing driver is read out.

The database recorded in the drowsiness database 5 will be described with reference to FIG.
The database in FIG. 6 is an operation record and a record of arousal level recorded in the drowsiness database 5 when operating previously.

  The “driver” in the database of FIG. 6 stores the driver name A (father), the driver B name (eldest son), and the driver name C (eldest daughter) in FIG. 1 (database 5a (father) : A), database 5b (eldest son: B), database 5c (eldest daughter: C)).

In “Destination”, the destination inputted before is stored. In FIG. 6, “DL Amusement Park”, “Karuizawa”, “Shonan Coast”, etc. are recorded.
In the “departure place”, the departure place corresponding to the destination inputted before is stored. In FIG. 6, “home”, “Ebina”, and the like are recorded.

In the “departure time” and “arrival time”, the departure time and arrival time corresponding to the destination inputted previously are stored.
In “Measurement time”, the measurement time is recorded at regular intervals from the start of operation. In FIG. 6, the measurement is performed at intervals of 10 minutes.

  In “latitude” and “longitude”, the vehicle position at the time of a break is recorded. In FIG. 6, “La1”, “Lo1”, “La2”, and “Lo2” are recorded, but actually, the latitude and longitude of the place where the break took place are recorded (circled range in FIG. 6). For example, if the vehicle has stopped at a certain place for a certain time or more, it is determined that the vehicle has been rested from the GPS position and the elapsed time, and the time is also recorded.

In FIG. 6, the latitude and longitude data are recorded when a break occurs, but the latitude and longitude data of a passing place during traveling (other than the resting place) may be recorded.
In the “awakening level”, the level of the awakening level is recorded. In FIG. 6, as described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, etc., it is divided into three stages according to the safety area, the attention area, and the danger area, and the arousal level is further divided into four stages as shown in Table A of FIG. 4 ”stage. That is, as shown in the graph of FIG. 7B, the awakening level “1” is assigned to the safety area, the awakening levels “2” and “3” are assigned to the attention area, and the awakening level “4” is assigned to the dangerous area.

  Note that the awakening level is not recorded during the break because the driver leaves the vehicle. Alternatively, the destination, departure place, departure time, and arrival time may be blank, and data that is simply recorded by associating the elapsed time from the start of travel with the awakening level at that time may be recorded as preliminary data. Absent.

  As another method, as shown in FIG. 8, a method of recording only when the arousal level changes can be considered. FIG. 8 is a table in which the ranges shown in Table 61 and Table 62 in FIG. 6 are recorded only when the arousal level changes.

Moreover, the table | surface shown in FIG. 9 is a rest preference list, and is prepared for every driver | operator (A, B, C).
The “rest place” records the rest place where the driver has taken a break before. For example, a gas station, a restaurant, a convenience store, a service area, and the like.

  “Recovery” records how much the degree of awakening has recovered when a break was taken before. For example, when going to “Operator” A, “Destination” Karuizawa in FIG. 6, when visiting the convenience store ANPN and taking a break for 30 minutes (90 minutes to 120 minutes), the degree of arousal from “4” It has recovered to “2”. That is, the degree of recovery of the convenience store ANPN is “2”. That is, it is predicted that the awakening level will be recovered by “2” when the customer visits the convenience store ANPN next time.

Next, a description will be given of a case where sleepiness data is extracted from the sleepiness database 5 and an initial operation plan is set when going to a destination that has been performed before.
An example in which the driver A goes to Karuizawa again before will be described. When the driver A goes to Karuizawa again, the database selection unit 4 transfers the data shown in Table 62 as drowsiness data from the drowsiness database 5 to the drowsiness feature determination unit 6 and shows the rest preference list in Table A of FIG. The data is transferred to the break preference list determination unit 9.

The drowsiness feature determination unit 6 searches for a place where the arousal level is, for example, “3” or more, and searches for a rest place around the time. As a result of the search, it is understood that the driver A has already become “3” awakening degree 40 minutes after the start of driving.

  Previously, driver A was driving even if the arousal level was “4”, so that the arousal level was brought into the vicinity of the safe area before entering the danger area, so the driver A took a break 40 minutes or 50 minutes after the start of driving. The sleepiness prediction data that is the result of the determination is transferred to the initial route search unit 7.

  The initial route search unit 7 predicts a position at the time based on the map data and the drowsiness prediction data, and searches for a resting place in the vicinity. An initial operation plan in which the route is changed so as to take a break at the rest place searched for in the basic route search result not considering safe driving is generated.

Further, when searching for a break place, if there is a driver's favorite break place in the break preference list determination unit 9, the break place is preferentially set.
If the selected drowsiness prediction data is searched and the arousal level is not "3" or higher, the basic route operation plan that does not consider safe driving may be used as it is.

Next, the operation plan generated above is transferred to the operation guide information generation unit 10 as initial route search information.
Here, when there are a plurality of initial operation plans, a recommended route is presented.

Note that when only the initial operation plan is set, the dynamic route search unit 13 in the block diagram shown in FIG. 1 may not be provided.
A method for generating the initial operation plan will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In step S101, personal authentication is performed to identify the driver.
In step S102, a destination is selected.
In step S103, it is determined whether the selected destination has already been performed. That is, it is determined whether or not data including the destination is stored in the drowsiness database 5. If it has been performed, that is, if the data including the destination is stored in the drowsiness database 5, the process proceeds to step S104. If it has not been performed, that is, if data including the destination is not stored, the process proceeds to step S105.

  Further, it is determined whether there is an area (location) that has been passed through at another existing destination, and if it has passed, the process proceeds to step S104, and if it has not passed, the process proceeds to step S105. Also good.

In step S104, the existing sleepiness data corresponding to the target driver and the destination is read from the sleepiness database 5.
In step S105, similar to S104, the existing sleepiness data corresponding to the target driver is read from the sleepiness database 5. In S105, the elapsed time from the start of travel, the awakening level, and the recorded preliminary data may be read out regardless of the destination and time, or the object located within a predetermined distance from the destination set in S102. The sleepiness data including the ground may be read, or the sleepiness data including the departure time within a predetermined time from the current time may be read.

In step S106, an initial operation plan is set.
The initial operation plan is set as shown in FIG.
In step S111, a search for awakening level n or higher is performed. In FIG. 7, n = 3. If the awakening level is not “3” or higher, the process proceeds to step S112. If there is an arousal level “3” or higher, the process proceeds to step S113.

In step S112, the existing operation plan is set as it is. An existing operation plan is a basic route search result that does not consider safe driving.
In step S113, a resting place is searched and set around the time when the arousal level becomes “3” or more and the vehicle position. In this case, as a rest place, a rest preference list corresponding to the driver is referred to, and a rest place associated with a recovery degree capable of recovering the arousal level to 3 or less is selected.

In step S114, additional setting is made to stop at the resting place searched for in the existing operation plan.
By making an initial operation plan as described above, the driver can drive safely.
(Dynamic operation plan)
A dynamic operation plan will be described. In the dynamic operation plan, if the change in the arousal level is not observed based on the current arousal level during the operation according to the initial operation plan, the operation plan is re-established to take a break that gives a stronger response. Set.

  The dynamic route search unit 13 acquires the arousal level determined by the dynamic awakening level determination unit 12 at regular time intervals. The dynamic route search unit 13 determines that a break is necessary when the current driver's arousal level is in or near the danger area. Thereafter, in order to recover the current driver's arousal level by the break, a place to rest is searched. As a place to take a break, a rest place having a degree of recovery in which the current arousal level can be recovered in or near the stable region is selected. In addition, a break place that matches the driver's preference is selected using, for example, a break preference list associated with the driver, and the route to which the selected break place is added is searched again. The dynamic route search information as the re-search result is transferred to the operation guide information generation unit 10.

  Here, in reality, the arousal level may be in the dangerous area or near the dangerous area at a time different from the time period predicted in the initial operation plan. Therefore, when the awakening level reaches a preset awakening level, a determination is made in order to present a rest place to the driver. For example, when “3” is preset as the awakening level at the start of the determination, the dynamic route search is performed when the current driver's awakening level is “3” or higher.

  Also, even if it is time to take a break in the initial operation plan, if the current driver's awakening level is in the safe area, it is not necessary to take a break, so check if the driver needs a break. Also good. Furthermore, if a break is not necessary at this time, a dynamic route search may be performed so as not to stop at a resting place that is supposed to rest during this time period.

Next, the operation guide information generating unit 10 transfers new dynamic route search information to the operation guide information and transfers it to the control unit 14. A new route is recorded in the drowsiness database 5 (update).
In addition, when re-visiting to a destination that has been performed before, the corresponding old sleepiness data in the sleepiness database 5 may be updated to record the latest sleepiness data, or the old and new sleepiness data may be recorded. May be.

The dynamic route search operation will be described with reference to FIG.
Steps S121 to S123 are steps for making an initial operation plan.
Operation is started in step S124.

In step S125, the awakening level generated in real time is acquired.
In step S126, it is determined to review the operation plan based on the arousal level. The wakefulness may be in the dangerous area or near the dangerous area at a time different from the time zone predicted in the initial operation plan. Therefore, when the awakening level reaches a preset awakening level, a determination is made in order to present a rest place to the driver. It is determined whether the current driver's arousal level is equal to or higher than a preset awakening level. For example, when the awakening level “3” is set in advance, the process proceeds to step S127 when the current driver's awakening level is “3” or higher. When the arousal level is not “3” or more, the process proceeds to step S128.

Note that the process may proceed to step S127 when the current driver's arousal level continues for a certain period of time.
In step S127, the operation plan is reset. The dynamic operation plan that is the reset operation plan is recorded in the drowsiness database 5. Here, as a resting place, a resting place corresponding to the driver is referred to, and a resting place that is present in the vicinity of the current vehicle position and associated with a recovery degree that can recover the awakening level to 3 or less is selected. To do. Then, as the resetting of the operation plan, the selected rest place is added as a new passing point to the route being operated.

In step S128, it is determined whether the destination has been reached. When it has not arrived, the process proceeds to step S125. When it arrives, the operation guidance is terminated.
As described above, it is possible to perform route search with high accuracy in accordance with (safe) individuals who avoid sleepiness.

(Modification 1)
The dynamic arousal level determination unit 12 may detect the drowsiness direction.
As shown in FIG. 4, when the relationship between the representative frequency and the representative spectral density shifts in a direction in which the number of turns decreases and the representative spectral density increases (arrow in FIG. 4: drowsiness direction), the driver Can be determined to have shifted from the awake state to the sleep state. That is, it is determined whether or not the driver is awake from the obtained representative frequency and representative spectral density fluctuation tendency.

FIG. 13 shows an operation flow.
In step S131, the arousal level at time T is measured, for example, a search for arousal level “2” (m) or higher is performed, and if the arousal level is “2” or higher, the process proceeds to step S132. If the awakening level is not “2” or higher, the loop is executed.

  In step S132, the arousal level at time T + Δt is measured, for example, a search for awakening level “3” (n) or higher is performed. If the awakening level is “3” or higher, the process proceeds to step S113, and the awakening level is “2”. If not, the process proceeds to step S112 to perform the same process as in FIG.

(Modification 2)
The arousal level may be determined from the facial expression. For example, the movement of the line of sight is fast and frequent with an arousal level of 1, blinking has a stable cycle of about twice, and the movement is active and accompanied by the movement of the body.

Awakening level 2 and open lips. Gaze movement is slow.
As awakening degree 3, blinking occurs slowly and frequently, there is movement of the mouth, there is re-sitting, and hands are applied to the face.

Awakening level 4 is blinking that seems to be conscious, there is unnecessary whole body movement such as shaking head, vertical movement of shoulder, yawning is frequent, deep breathing is seen, blinking and movement of line of sight are slow.
Awakening level 5 closes the heel, tilts head forward, falls back.

The image data of the driver's facial expression as described above may be acquired, and the image data may be subjected to image processing or the like to be used instead of the arousal level of the above-described embodiment.
(Modification 3)
The return route is also searched, the route that can be driven without getting sleepy is recorded, and the recommended route can be easily presented to the driver later.

  For example, if your departure location is Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture, and your destination is a DL amusement park, your departure is from Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture → Odawara Atsugi Road → Tomei Expressway → Ebina SA, 15 minutes break → Yokohama Exit → Hodogaya Bypass → Metropolitan Expressway Bay Line → Daikoku PA Break 15 minutes → Keiyo Road → Kasai IC Exit → DL Amusement Park If you return, DL Amusement Park → Kasai IC Entrance → Keiyo Road → Metropolitan Expressway Bay Line → Dakuro PA Break 15 minutes → Hodogaya Bypass → Tomei Expressway Yokohama IC → Tomei Expressway → Ebina SA 15 minutes break → Odawara Atsugi Road → Oda Hara.

In addition to highway priority and general road priority, a route search that is less tired (not sleepy) is created.
In addition, some candidates are displayed at the time of route search to let the driver select them. While watching the dynamic situation, if the sleepiness transition state of the recommended operation plan is clearly different, another operation plan is reset.

  In addition, the time of operation and the weather may be included as the sleepiness data content. When the time and the weather at the time of operation are included, it is possible to refer to a history similar to the time and the weather at the time when a new destination is received.

  The following may be recorded in the drowsiness database. 1) Transition log of all arousal levels, 2) How long a continuous driving tends to become sleepy, 3) Season, 4) Weather, 5) Specific location (definitely sleepy location (judged from arousal level)), 6 7) Where to go, 7) Places to go frequently, 8) Routes that did not make you sleep even after driving for a long time, conditions (time, weather, etc.) may be recorded.

  Moreover, each component of the operation assistance apparatus 1 of FIG. 1 is functionally conceptual, and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as illustrated. That is, the specific form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to the one shown in the figure, and all or any part thereof can be functionally or physically functioned in arbitrary units according to various loads or usage conditions. It can be configured to be distributed and integrated. Further, all or a part of each processing function performed in each device may be realized by a CPU and a program that is analyzed and executed by the CPU, or may be realized as hardware by wired logic.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a computer constituting the operation support apparatus 1 shown in FIG. The computer includes an input unit 2 that receives input of data from the driver, a display unit 15, a RAM 141 (Random Access Memory), a ROM 142 (Read Only Memory), and a medium reading device 143 that reads the program from a recording medium on which various programs are recorded. A network interface 144 that exchanges data with other computers via a network, a sensor 11 that detects a heartbeat of a subject, a CPU 145 (Central Processing Unit), and an HDD 146 (Hard Disk Drive) are connected via a bus 148. Configured.

  And in HDD146, the program 147 which exhibits the function similar to the function of the operation assistance apparatus 1 mentioned above is memorize | stored. And CPU145 implement | achieves the function of the function part of the operation assistance apparatus 1 mentioned above by reading the program 147 from HDD146 and executing it.

In addition, data of the drowsiness database and the like are stored in memories such as the HDD 146, the RAM 141, and the ROM 142.
Incidentally, the program 147 need not be stored in the HDD 146 from the beginning. For example, a flexible disk (FD), CD-ROM, DV inserted into a computer
“Portable physical media” such as D disks, magneto-optical disks, IC cards, etc., or “fixed physical media” such as hard disk drives (HDD) provided inside and outside the computer, and further, public lines, the Internet, The program 147 may be stored in “another computer (or server)” connected to the computer via a LAN, WAN, or the like, and the computer may read and execute the program 147 from these.
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

Regarding the embodiment including the above-described examples, the following additional notes are further disclosed.
(Appendix 1)
It is an operation support device that performs route search based on map data according to the destination and presents the operation route to the driver,
A drowsiness database having drowsiness data composed of a past operation route including information on a destination, and a degree of wakefulness measured for each of the drivers with respect to the operation route;
A dynamic wakefulness determination unit that measures the wakefulness for each time based on the driver's heartbeat interval and records the wakefulness in the sleepiness database;
When a destination already recorded in the sleepiness database is set as a new destination when performing the route search, a plurality of routes stored in association with the destination in the sleepiness database are stored. Among them, an operation plan creation unit that selects a route whose wakefulness has not deteriorated beyond a predetermined value as a recommended route,
An operation support apparatus comprising:
(Appendix 2)
The operation plan creation unit
When performing the route search, if a destination already recorded in the sleepiness database is set as a new destination, or is already recorded in the sleepiness database on the route searched as a result of the route search If there is a place, the sleepiness data of the target is extracted from the sleepiness database, and when the extracted sleepiness data is equal to or higher than the preset awakening level, the rest has a recovery level to recover the awakening level. The operation support apparatus according to appendix 1, wherein an initial operation plan that is a route including a place is created.
(Appendix 3)
The operation plan creation unit
Based on the arousal level that is the measurement result of the dynamic arousal level determination unit, when the awakening level is equal to or higher than a preset awakening level, the recovery level that can recover the driver's awakening level to a safe awakening level The operation support device according to appendix 1 or 2, wherein the rest place having a search is searched and an operation plan including the rest place is reset.
(Appendix 4)
The resting place is
4. The operation support device according to any one of appendices 1 to 3, wherein the operation support device is selected from a break preference list created based on the driver's preference.
(Appendix 5)
An operation support method for searching for a route based on map data according to a destination and presenting an optimal operation route to a driver,
A drowsiness database that records drowsiness data composed of past driving routes including information on destinations, and arousal levels measured per hour for the driver with respect to the driving routes;
Based on the driver's heartbeat interval, measure the wakefulness every hour for the operation route and record it in the sleepiness database,
When a destination already recorded in the sleepiness database is set as a new destination when performing the route search, a plurality of routes stored in association with the destination in the sleepiness database are stored. Of these, select the route whose arousal level has not deteriorated beyond a predetermined value as the recommended route.
An operation support method characterized by that.
(Appendix 6)
An operation support program that searches the route based on map data according to the destination and presents the optimal operation route to the driver,
On the computer,
Based on the driver's heartbeat interval, the operation route is based on a past sleep route including information about the destination and a sleepiness database composed of hourly wakefulness measured for the driver with respect to the drive route. A process of recording the arousal level for each hour,
When a destination already recorded in the sleepiness database is set as a new destination when performing the route search, a plurality of routes stored in association with the destination in the sleepiness database are stored. Among them, a process of selecting a route whose wakefulness has not deteriorated above a predetermined value as a recommended route,
An operation support program characterized by causing
(Appendix 7)
The operation plan creation unit
The operation support apparatus according to appendix 1, wherein a drowsiness direction is detected based on the arousal level.
(Appendix 8)
The operation plan creation unit
The operation support apparatus according to appendix 1, wherein the degree of arousal is detected from a facial expression.
(Appendix 9)
The operation support apparatus according to appendix 1, wherein weather or season is recorded in the sleepiness database so as to correspond to the arousal level of the target.
(Appendix 10)
When performing the route search, if a destination already recorded in the sleepiness database is set as a new destination, or is already recorded in the sleepiness database on the route searched as a result of the route search If there is a place, the sleepiness data of the target is extracted from the sleepiness database, and when the extracted sleepiness data is equal to or higher than the preset awakening level, the rest has a recovery level to recover the awakening level. The operation support method according to appendix 5, wherein an initial operation plan that is a route including a place is created.
(Appendix 11)
Based on the wakefulness level, when the wakefulness level is equal to or higher than a preset wakefulness level, the resting place having a recovery level capable of recovering the driver's wakefulness level to a safe wakefulness level is searched for, and the break The operation support method according to appendix 5 or 10, wherein an operation plan including a place is reset.
(Appendix 12)
The resting place is
The operation support method according to any one of appendices 5, 10, and 11, wherein the selection is made from a break preference list created based on the driver's preference.
(Appendix 13)
When performing the route search, if a destination already recorded in the sleepiness database is set as a new destination, or is already recorded in the sleepiness database on the route searched as a result of the route search If there is a place, the sleepiness data of the target is extracted from the sleepiness database, and when the extracted sleepiness data is equal to or higher than the preset awakening level, the rest has a recovery level to recover the awakening level. The operation support program according to appendix 6, wherein an initial operation plan that is a route including a place is created.
(Appendix 14)
Based on the wakefulness level, when the wakefulness level is equal to or higher than a preset wakefulness level, the resting place having a recovery level capable of recovering the driver's wakefulness level to a safe wakefulness level is searched for, and the break 14. The operation support method according to appendix 6 or 13, wherein an operation plan including a place is reset.
(Appendix 15)
The resting place is
15. The operation support method according to any one of appendices 6, 13, and 14, wherein a selection is made from a break preference list created based on the driver's preference.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of an operation assistance apparatus. Graph A is a diagram showing a heartbeat signal. Graph B is a diagram for showing heartbeat interval fluctuations. Graph C is a diagram showing the relationship between frequency and spectral density. Table A is a table showing the cluster classification of the maximum frequency and the maximum spectral density. Table B is a diagram showing a representative frequency and a representative spectral density for each cluster. It is a figure which shows a safe area | region, a caution area | region, and a danger area | region. Graph A is a graph when driving in a dangerous state without a break. Graph B is a graph when a break is taken in the middle SA. Graph C is a graph when shopping at a convenience store on the way. It is a table | surface which shows the structure of a drowsiness database. It is the table | surface A and the graph B which show arousal degree. FIG. 7 is a table in which the ranges shown in Table 61 and Table 62 in FIG. 6 are recorded only when the arousal level changes. It is a table | surface which shows a rest preference list. It is a figure which shows the production | generation method in an initial operation plan. It is a flowchart which shows the setting of an initial operation plan. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a dynamic route search. It is a flowchart in the case of determining arousal level using a sleepiness direction. It is a block diagram of the computer which comprises an operation assistance apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Operation support device 2 Input part 3 Personal authentication part 4 Database selection part 5 Sleepiness database 6 Sleepiness characteristic judgment part 7 Initial route search part 8 Map database 9 Break preference list judgment part 10 Operation guidance information generation part 11 Sensor 12 Dynamic arousal level Judgment unit 13 Dynamic route search unit 14 Control unit 15 Display unit 141 RAM
142 ROM
143 Medium reader 144 Network interface 145 CPU
146 HDD
147 Program 148 Bus

Claims (6)

An operation support device for searching for a route based on map data according to a destination and presenting an optimal operation route to a driver,
A drowsiness database having drowsiness data composed of a past operation route including information on a destination, and a degree of wakefulness measured for each of the drivers with respect to the operation route;
A dynamic wakefulness determination unit that measures the wakefulness for each time based on the driver's heartbeat interval and records the wakefulness in the sleepiness database;
When a destination already recorded in the sleepiness database is set as a new destination when performing the route search, a plurality of routes stored in association with the destination in the sleepiness database are stored. Among them, an operation plan creation unit that selects a route whose wakefulness has not deteriorated beyond a predetermined value as a recommended route,
An operation support apparatus comprising: The operation plan creation unit
When performing the route search, if a destination already recorded in the sleepiness database is set as a new destination, or is already recorded in the sleepiness database on the route searched as a result of the route search If there is a place, the sleepiness data of the target is extracted from the sleepiness database, and when the extracted sleepiness data is equal to or higher than the preset awakening level, the rest has a recovery level to recover the awakening level. The operation support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an initial operation plan that is a route including a place is created. The operation plan creation unit
Based on the arousal level that is the measurement result of the dynamic arousal level determination unit, when the awakening level is equal to or higher than a preset awakening level, the recovery level that can recover the driver's awakening level to a safe awakening level The operation support apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rest place having a search is searched and an operation plan including the rest place is reset. The resting place is
The operation support apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a selection is made from a break preference list created based on the driver's preference. An operation support method for searching for a route based on map data according to a destination and presenting an optimal operation route to a driver,
A drowsiness database that records drowsiness data composed of past driving routes including information on destinations, and arousal levels measured per hour for the driver with respect to the driving routes;
Based on the driver's heartbeat interval, measure the wakefulness every hour for the operation route and record it in the sleepiness database,
When a destination already recorded in the sleepiness database is set as a new destination when performing the route search, a plurality of routes stored in association with the destination in the sleepiness database are stored. Of these, select the route whose arousal level has not deteriorated beyond a predetermined value as the recommended route.
An operation support method characterized by that. An operation support program that searches the route based on map data according to the destination and presents the optimal operation route to the driver,
On the computer,
Based on the driver's heartbeat interval, the operation route is based on a past sleep route including information about the destination and a sleepiness database composed of hourly wakefulness measured for the driver with respect to the drive route. A process of recording the arousal level for each hour,
When a destination already recorded in the sleepiness database is set as a new destination when performing the route search, a plurality of routes stored in association with the destination in the sleepiness database are stored. Among them, a process of selecting a route whose wakefulness has not deteriorated above a predetermined value as a recommended route,
An operation support program characterized by causing