JP2011090379A - Driving support device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To appropriately notify a driver of lighting time information even by an induction type signal. <P>SOLUTION: A driving support device (10) is provided with: an acquisition means (104) for acquiring signal information as information including the lighting time of each of a plurality of lighting conditions of a signal; a calculation means (109) for calculating a residual time until one lighting condition of a plurality of lighting conditions changes based on the signal information; a notification means (106) for notifying a driver of the residual time; and a control means (109) for controlling the notification means to notify the driver of the residual time with a prescribed notification interval. When the signal is an induction type signal, the signal information is updated when the lighting time of one lighting condition is updated, and the acquisition means acquires the update signal information as updated signal information, and the arithmetic means calculates the fluctuating time of the residual time resulted from the update of the lighting time of one lighting condition based on the signal information and the update signal information, and the control means changes the prescribed notification interval according to the fluctuating time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a driving support device that supports a driver who drives a vehicle on a public road, and more particularly to a technical field of a driving support device that notifies a driver of a signal waiting time in the case of a red signal.

  As this type of device, for example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a signal state in which a signal state or a change in the signal state is detected, an expected continuous time until the next change is measured or calculated, and displayed as a display image on a predetermined display monitor unit. A sensing device is disclosed. Further, for example, in Patent Document 2, signal information related to the lighting state and lighting time of a traffic light is received, the time until the lighting state of the traffic light changes is calculated based on the received traffic signal information, and A vehicle travel support device that is informed by a speaker is disclosed.

JP 2007-085777 A JP 2004-171459 A

  However, the above-described background art does not correspond to a sensitive traffic signal. Then, when the lighting time in the lighting state of the traffic light changes, there is a technical problem that the change in the lighting time may not be notified to the driver.

  The present invention has been made in view of, for example, the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a driving support device capable of appropriately notifying a driver of lighting time information even if it is a sensitive signal. And

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the driving support device of the present invention is based on acquisition means for acquiring traffic signal information that is information including lighting times of each of a plurality of lighting states of the traffic light, and the acquired traffic signal information. Calculation means for calculating a remaining time until one lighting state changes among the plurality of lighting states, notification means capable of notifying the calculated remaining time, and calculating the remaining time for a predetermined notification interval Control means for controlling the notification means so as to be notified at, and when the traffic light is a traffic light that updates the lighting time of the one lighting state according to the vehicle traffic, the traffic signal information is It is updated when the lighting time of one lighting state is updated, and the acquisition means updates updated traffic signal information that is the traffic signal information updated due to the updating of the lighting time of the one lighting state. Take Then, the calculation means is configured to change the calculated remaining time due to the update of the lighting time of the one lighting state based on the acquired signal information and the acquired update signal information. The time is calculated, and the control means changes the predetermined notification interval according to the calculated variation time.

  According to the driving support apparatus of the present invention, the acquisition unit acquires traffic signal information that is information including lighting times of a plurality of lighting states (for example, blue, yellow, red, right turn arrows, etc.) of the traffic light. Specifically, for example, the acquisition unit acquires the traffic signal information from the traffic signal management server or the like by communicating with an optical beacon installed on the road. Here, the traffic signal information includes, for example, the traffic signal position information, the current state, the direction, and the traffic signal type in addition to the lighting time.

  For example, a calculation unit including a memory, a processor, and the like calculates a remaining time until one lighting state changes among a plurality of lighting states based on the acquired traffic signal information. The notification means can notify the calculated remaining time. Specifically, for example, when the notification means is a speaker, the calculated remaining time is notified by voice. Alternatively, when the notification means is a display, notification is made by displaying the calculated remaining time on the display. When the calculated remaining time is displayed on the display, for example, a remaining time bar or the like that is graduated every 2 seconds or every 5 seconds may be displayed on the display.

  For example, a control unit including a memory, a processor, and the like controls the notification unit so as to notify the calculated remaining time at a predetermined notification interval. Here, the “predetermined notification interval” may be set as a value that does not prevent safe driving due to notification of the remaining time.

  When the traffic light is a traffic light that updates the lighting time of one lighting state according to the vehicle traffic volume (for example, a sensitive traffic light), the traffic light information is updated when the lighting time of the one lighting state is updated. Updated. In this case, the acquisition unit, the calculation unit, and the control unit operate as follows.

  That is, the acquisition unit acquires updated signal information that is signal information updated due to the update of the lighting time of one lighting state. The calculation means calculates a fluctuation time of the calculated remaining time resulting from the update of the lighting time of one lighting state based on the acquired signal information and the acquired update signal information. The control means changes the predetermined notification interval according to the calculated variation time.

  According to the inventor's research, the following has been found. That is, at an intersection where a sensitive traffic signal is installed, there is a possibility that the period of a red signal may be extended due to traffic flow or the like. Then, there is a possibility that a device that does not support the sensitive traffic signal cannot correctly notify the remaining time even though the period of the red signal is extended. On the other hand, even if it corresponds to a sensitive traffic light, if the remaining time is notified every time the period of red light is extended, safe driving is hindered due to the notification (so-called driver distraction is high). There is a possibility.

  However, in the present invention, when the traffic light is a traffic light that updates the lighting time of one lighting state according to the vehicle traffic, a predetermined notification interval according to the fluctuation time calculated by the calculation means by the control means. Is changed. For this reason, even if it is a case where the period which is a red signal is extended, remaining time can be alert | reported appropriately. Therefore, according to the driving support apparatus of the present invention, even if it is a sensitive signal, lighting time information can be appropriately notified to the driver.

  In one aspect of the driving support device of the present invention, when the calculated variation time is α, the calculated remaining time is β, and the predetermined notification interval is γ, the control means is (α × β) / On the condition that γ is smaller than a predetermined value, the predetermined notification interval is changed by (α × β) / γ.

  According to this aspect, the control means changes the predetermined notification interval by (α × β) / γ on condition that (α × β) / γ is smaller than the predetermined value. Specifically, for example, the control means sets the predetermined notification interval to γ + (α × β) / γ on the condition that (α × β) / γ is smaller than a predetermined value. As a result, even if the lighting time of one lighting state is changed, the notification interval after the lighting time is changed can be kept constant, so that driver distraction can be suppressed.

  The “predetermined value” according to the present invention is a value that determines whether or not to change the predetermined notification interval, and is set in advance as a fixed value or as a variable value according to some physical quantity or parameter. Value. Such a predetermined value is a value that does not give a sense of incongruity to the driver of a vehicle on which the driving support device is mounted, for example, experimentally, empirically, or by simulation. What is necessary is just to obtain | require and set as this calculated | required value.

  Alternatively, in another aspect of the driving support apparatus of the present invention, the control unit controls the notification unit so as to notify the calculated remaining time at a predetermined notification granularity and the predetermined notification interval, When the traffic light is a traffic light that updates the lighting time of the one lighting state in accordance with the vehicle traffic, the computing means changes the one lighting state based on the acquired update traffic signal information. The update remaining time is calculated until α, the calculated variation time is α, the predetermined notification interval is γ, the predetermined notification granularity is ω, and the previous notification unit is controlled by the control unit. When the elapsed time is t, the control means notifies the calculated update remaining time by changing the predetermined notification granularity from ω to α on condition that the relational expression: (α + t) ≦ γ is satisfied. So that the notification means After your, the predetermined notification particle size changed from α to omega, controls the informing means so as to notify at a predetermined notification intervals.

  According to this aspect, the control unit controls the notification unit so as to notify the calculated remaining time at the predetermined notification granularity and the predetermined notification interval.

  When the traffic light is a traffic light that updates the lighting time of one lighting state in accordance with the vehicle traffic, the calculation means and the control means further operate as follows. That is, the calculation means calculates the update remaining time until one lighting state changes based on the acquired update signal information. The control means controls the notification means so as to notify the calculated update remaining time by changing the predetermined notification granularity from ω to α on condition that the relational expression: (α + t) ≦ γ is satisfied, The notification means is controlled so that the predetermined notification granularity is changed from α to ω and notification is made at a predetermined notification interval.

  In particular, according to this aspect, since the notification granularity (for example, the interval of the scale on the time axis) is changed, it is possible to more accurately notify that the lighting time of one lighting state has been updated.

  The effect | action and other gain of this invention are clarified from the form for implementing demonstrated below.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a vehicle according to a first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the driving state of the vehicle which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is an example of the signal waiting time notification screen which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the alerting | reporting process which ECU which concerns on 1st Embodiment performs. It is a flowchart which shows the alerting | reporting process which ECU which concerns on the modification of 1st Embodiment performs. It is an example of the signal waiting time notification screen which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the alerting | reporting process which ECU which concerns on 2nd Embodiment performs. It is a flowchart which shows the alerting | reporting process which ECU which concerns on the modification of 2nd Embodiment performs.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a driving support device according to the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
A first embodiment of a driving assistance apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

  First, the configuration of a vehicle on which the driving support apparatus according to the present embodiment is mounted will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, for convenience of explanation, only members that are directly related to the present embodiment are shown, and other members are not shown.

  In FIG. 1, a vehicle 1 includes a GPS (Global Positioning System) 101, a front camera 102, a millimeter wave radar 103, an infrastructure communication device 104, a vehicle speed sensor 105, a display 106, an ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) switch 107, a PCS (Pre- The system includes a crash safety (switch) switch 108, an electronic control unit (ECU) 109, a map information database (DB) 110, a car navigation system 111, a brake actuator 112, an accelerator actuator 113, and a speaker 114.

  The GPS 101 receives a signal from a GPS satellite and specifies the current position of the vehicle 1. The millimeter wave radar 103 emits a millimeter wave and receives a radio wave reflected by an object (for example, a vehicle ahead). Based on a frequency difference caused by a propagation time or a Doppler effect, the object And the relative speed with respect to the vehicle 1 are measured. The ACC switch 107 and the PCS switch 108 enable the ACC function and the PCS function by being turned on by the driver of the vehicle 1.

  The driving support device 10 according to the present embodiment includes an infrastructure communication device 104, a display 106, an ECU 109, and a speaker 114. Here, the infrastructure communication apparatus 104 acquires traffic signal information that is information including the lighting time of each of a plurality of lighting states of the traffic signal. The ECU 109 calculates the remaining time until one lighting state of the plurality of lighting states changes based on the acquired traffic signal information. The display 106 can notify the calculated remaining time. The ECU 109 further controls the display 106 so as to notify the calculated remaining time at a predetermined screen update interval.

  When the traffic light is a sensitive traffic light that updates the lighting time of one lighting state in accordance with the vehicle traffic, the traffic signal information is updated when the lighting time of one lighting state is updated. In this case, the infrastructure communication device 104 and the ECU 109 operate as follows. That is, the infrastructure communication apparatus 104 acquires updated traffic signal information that is traffic signal information updated due to the update of the lighting time of one lighting state. Based on the acquired traffic signal information and the acquired updated traffic signal information, the ECU 109 calculates the fluctuation time of the calculated remaining time resulting from the update of the lighting time of one lighting state, and the calculation is performed. The predetermined screen update interval is changed according to the changed time.

  The “infrastructure communication apparatus 104” and the “display 106” according to the present embodiment are examples of the “acquisition unit” and the “notification unit” according to the present invention, respectively. The “ECU 109” according to the present embodiment is an example of the “calculation unit” and the “control unit” according to the present invention. In the present embodiment, a part of the electronic control ECU 109 is used as a part of the driving support device 10. The “screen update interval” according to the present embodiment is an example of the “notification interval” according to the present invention.

  Next, operation | movement of the driving assistance device 10 which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a running state of the vehicle according to the present embodiment. In addition, the code | symbol "210" in FIG. 2 has shown the optical beacon, and the code | symbol "220" has shown the vehicle detector linked with the sensitive signal apparatus s1. In FIG. 2, the vehicle 1 is stopped at a red signal.

  First, the infrastructure communication device 104 of the vehicle 1 acquires the traffic signal information related to the sensitive traffic signal s1 from the traffic signal management server via the optical beacon 210 installed on the road. Next, the ECU 109 of the vehicle 1 calculates the remaining time until one lighting state of the sensitive traffic light s1 changes (in this case, until it changes from a red light to a green light) based on the obtained traffic signal information.

  When the period which is the red signal of the sensitive traffic light s1 is extended, the infrastructure communication device 104 acquires updated traffic signal information which is updated traffic signal information via the optical beacon 210. The infrastructure communication device 104 may acquire the traffic signal information not only when the period of the red signal of the sensitive traffic signal s1 is extended but also every predetermined period or continuously.

  Subsequently, the ECU 109 extends the remaining time before the red signal period of the sensitive traffic signal s1 is extended and the red signal period based on the acquired traffic signal information and the acquired update traffic signal information. The variation time resulting from the change is calculated. The ECU 109 changes a predetermined screen update interval according to the calculated variation time.

  Here, the notification screen displayed on the display 106 of the driving assistance apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is an example of a signal waiting time notification screen according to the present embodiment. It is assumed that when the vehicle 1 stops, the remaining time of the period in which the sensitive traffic light s1 is red is 36 seconds and the screen update interval is 5 seconds.

  Immediately after the vehicle 1 stops, the ECU 109 controls the display 106 so that a bar having a length of 35 seconds is displayed on the display 106. Subsequently, the ECU 109 controls the display 106 to update the screen displayed on the display 106 when the remaining time reaches 35 seconds, 30 seconds,.

  More specifically, the ECU 109 updates the screen displayed on the display 106 to a screen on which a bar having a length of 30 seconds is displayed when the remaining time reaches 35 seconds. To control. Similarly, the ECU 109 displays the screen displayed on the display 106 when the remaining time reaches 30 seconds, as shown in FIG. 3A, in which a bar with a length of 25 seconds is displayed. The display 106 is controlled to change to

  When the remaining time reaches 21 seconds, it is assumed that the remaining time of the period in which the sensitive traffic light s1 is a red signal has increased by 2 seconds (that is, the remaining time has become 23 seconds). A bar having a length of 20 seconds is displayed on 106 as shown in FIG. 3B). The ECU 109 calculates that the remaining time before the period of the red signal is changed is 21 seconds and that the fluctuation time of the remaining time is 2 seconds. Subsequently, the ECU 109 sets the value of (variation time α) × (remaining time β) / (screen update interval γ) (here, α = 2 seconds, β = 23 seconds, γ = 5 seconds, 0.476). Is smaller than a threshold value of 0.5, for example.

  Since the value of (variation time α) × (remaining time β) / (screen update interval γ) is smaller than the threshold value, the ECU 109 changes the screen update interval from 5 seconds to 5.476 seconds. That is, the ECU 109 changes the screen update interval from γ to γ + (α + β) / γ.

  As a result, the ECU 109 displays the screen displayed on the display 106 when the remaining time becomes 21.904 seconds, 16.428 seconds, 10.952 seconds, and 5.476 seconds, that is, at intervals of 5.476 seconds. The display 106 is controlled to update. More specifically, the ECU 109 starts from the screen shown in FIG. 3B when the remaining time is 21.904 seconds (that is, a screen displaying a bar having a length of 20 seconds). The display 106 is controlled so as to be updated to the screen shown in FIG. 3C (that is, the screen on which a bar having a length of 15 seconds is displayed).

  Therefore, according to the driving support device 10 according to the present embodiment, even if it is a sensitive traffic signal that may extend the period of a red signal due to traffic flow, the remaining time is given to the driver. It is possible to notify appropriately.

  Next, a notification process executed by the ECU 109 when the vehicle 1 on which the driving support device 10 configured as described above is stopped mainly at a red signal will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. .

  In FIG. 4, first, the ECU 109 receives infrastructure information including traffic signal information from the optical beacon 210 via the infrastructure communication device 104 (step S <b> 101). Subsequently, the ECU 109 determines whether or not the vehicle 1 is stopped due to the red light of the sensitive traffic signal s1 installed at the intersection c1 (step S102).

  When it is determined that the vehicle 1 has not stopped (step S102: No), the ECU 109 once ends the process. On the other hand, when it determines with the vehicle 1 having stopped (step S102: Yes), ECU109 calculates the remaining time of the period which is the red signal of the sensitive signal apparatus s1. Subsequently, the ECU 109 determines whether or not the calculated remaining time is equal to or longer than N seconds, which is a remaining time notification service startable time (step S103).

  The N seconds depend on, for example, a screen update interval at which the screen displayed on the display 106 is updated. Specifically, for example, it is assumed that a screen showing the remaining time is displayed on the display 106 by bars every 5 seconds as shown in FIG. When the calculated remaining time is 4 seconds, the bar corresponding to 4 seconds cannot be displayed, and thus the remaining time cannot be notified. On the other hand, when the calculated remaining time is longer than 5 seconds, at least one bar in 5 second increments can be displayed, so that the remaining time can be notified.

  When it is determined that the calculated remaining time is less than N seconds (step S103: No), the ECU 109 once ends the process. On the other hand, when it is determined that the calculated remaining time is N seconds or more (step S103: Yes), the ECU 109 displays a screen corresponding to the calculated remaining time, for example, as shown in FIG. The display 106 is controlled (step S104). At this time, the ECU 109 may further output, for example, a voice “the remaining time of the red signal is OO seconds” via the speaker 114.

  Next, the ECU 109 determines whether or not the remaining time has fluctuated due to the extension of the red signal period of the sensitive traffic light s1 (step S105). When it is determined that the remaining time has fluctuated (step S105: Yes), the ECU 109 extends the remaining time β before the red signal period of the sensitive traffic light s1 is extended and the red signal period. The fluctuation time α resulting from this is calculated (step S106).

  Next, the ECU 109 determines whether or not the value of (variation time α) × (remaining time β) / (screen update interval γ) is smaller than a threshold value (step S107). When it is determined that the value of (α × β) / γ is smaller than the threshold value (step S107: Yes), the ECU 109 updates the remaining time β by the variation time α (that is, β = β + α) and the screen The update interval is updated by (α × β) / γ (that is, γ = γ + (α × β) / γ) (step S108). Next, the ECU 109 controls the display 106 so as to update the screen at the updated screen update interval (step S110).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the value of (α × β) / γ is larger than the threshold value (step S107: No), the ECU 109 updates only the remaining time β by the variation time α (therefore, the screen update interval is not updated). (Step S109). Note that the case where the value of (α × β) / γ and the threshold value are “equal” may be included in either case. Next, the ECU 109 controls the display 106 to update the screen at γ second intervals (step S110).

  Even when it is determined in the process of step S105 that the remaining time has not changed (step S105: No), the ECU 109 controls the display 106 to update the screen at γ-second intervals (step S110).

  Next, the ECU 109 determines whether or not the remaining time of the period that is the red signal of the sensitive traffic light s1 is within T seconds from the end of the red signal period that is the screen erase timing (step S111). . When it is determined that the remaining time is within the range of T seconds from the end of the red light period (step S111: Yes), the ECU 109 once ends the process. On the other hand, when it is determined that the remaining time is out of the range of T seconds from the end of the red light period (step S111: No), the ECU 109 executes the process of step S105.

<Modification>
Next, a modified example of the driving support apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The ECU 109 of the driving assistance apparatus 10 according to the present modified example has the remaining time due to the extension of the red signal period of the sensitive traffic light s1 after the process of step S104 described above (see FIG. 4). It is determined whether or not it has changed (step S201).

  When it is determined that the remaining time has not changed (step S201: No), the ECU 109 executes a process of step S208 described later. On the other hand, when it is determined that the remaining time has fluctuated (step S201: Yes), the ECU 109 extends the remaining time β before the red signal period of the sensitive traffic light s1 is extended and the red signal period. The variation time α resulting from this is calculated (step S202).

  Next, the ECU 109 determines whether or not the value of (change time α) × (screen update time γ) / {(remaining time β) − (screen update interval change time K)} is smaller than a threshold value. (Step S203). The screen update interval variation time K is, for example, 10 seconds, and is set in advance as a fixed value or as a variable value according to some physical or parameter. Such a screen update interval variation time K is obtained by obtaining a range of variation in the screen update time caused by, for example, extending a period of a red signal experimentally, empirically, or by simulation. What is necessary is just to set as an upper limit of the range of the obtained fluctuation | variation.

  When it is determined that the value of (α × γ) / (β−K) is greater than the threshold value (step S203: No), the ECU 109 executes the process of step S107 described above (see FIG. 4). On the other hand, when it is determined that the value of (α × γ) / (β−K) is smaller than the threshold value (step S203: Yes), the ECU 109 updates the remaining time β by the variation time α (that is, β = β + α). And the screen update interval is updated by (α × γ) / (β−K) (that is, γ = γ + (α × γ) / (β−K)) (step S204).

  Next, the ECU 109 controls the display 106 so as to update the screen at the updated screen update interval (step S205). Next, the ECU 109 determines whether or not the remaining time of the red signal period is equal to or shorter than the screen update interval fluctuation time K (step S206). When it is determined that the remaining time is longer than the screen update interval variation time K (step S206: No), the ECU 109 executes the process of step S205.

  When it is determined that the remaining time is equal to or shorter than the screen update interval fluctuation time K (step S206: Yes), the ECU 109 sets the screen update interval to the initial value (that is, the screen update interval before being updated by the process of step S204). Value) (step S207). Subsequently, the ECU 109 controls the display 106 to update the screen at the set screen update interval (step S208).

  Next, the ECU 109 determines whether or not the remaining time of the period that is the red signal of the sensitive traffic light s1 is within the range of T seconds from the end of the red signal period that is the screen erasing timing (step S209). . If it is determined that the remaining time is within T seconds from the end of the red light period (step S209: Yes), the ECU 109 once ends the process. On the other hand, when it is determined that the remaining time is outside the range of T seconds from the end of the red signal period (step S209: No), the ECU 109 executes the process of step S208.

  According to the inventor's research, it has been found that the less the remaining time, the more accurate the driver's sense of time. However, in the present modification, the screen update interval is changed according to the remaining time, so that it is possible to eliminate or reduce the driver from feeling uncomfortable.

Second Embodiment
A second embodiment of the driving assistance apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The second embodiment is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment except that a part of the notification process executed by the ECU of the driving assistance device is different. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the description overlapping with that in the first embodiment is omitted, and the common portions in the drawing are denoted by the same reference numerals, and only the points that are basically different are shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The description will be given with reference.

  In the present embodiment, the ECU 109 controls the display 106 so as to notify the remaining time of the period that is a red signal of the sensitive traffic light s1 at a predetermined display granularity and a predetermined screen update interval. The “display granularity” according to the present embodiment is an example of the “notification granularity” according to the present invention.

  When the period that is the red signal of the sensitive traffic light s1 is extended, the ECU 109 updates the traffic signal information before the period that is the red signal is extended, the update signal information after the period that is the red signal is extended, Based on the above, the fluctuation time resulting from the extension of the red signal period and the elapsed time since the display 106 was last controlled by the ECU 109 (that is, the screen displayed on the previous display 106 is updated. (Elapsed time since then) is calculated.

  Here, assuming that the calculated variation time is α, the predetermined screen update interval is γ, the predetermined display granularity is ω, and the elapsed time is t, the ECU 109 satisfies the relational expression: (α + t) ≦ γ. After changing the predetermined display granularity from ω to α and controlling the display 106 to notify the remaining time, the predetermined display granularity is changed from α to ω and notified at a predetermined screen update interval. The display 106 is controlled.

  Here, the notification screen displayed on the display 106 of the driving assistance apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is an example of a signal waiting time notification screen according to the present embodiment having the same meaning as in FIG. 3. It is assumed that when the vehicle 1 stops, the remaining time of the period in which the sensitive traffic light s1 is red is 36 seconds, the display granularity is 5 seconds, and the screen update interval is 5 seconds.

  Immediately after the vehicle 1 stops, the ECU 109 controls the display 106 so that a bar having a length of 35 seconds is displayed on the display 106. Subsequently, the ECU 109 controls the display 106 to update the screen displayed on the display 106 when the remaining time reaches 35 seconds, 30 seconds,. For example, FIG. 6A shows a screen displayed on the display 106 when the remaining time is 25 seconds to 30 seconds.

  When the remaining time reaches 22 seconds, it is assumed that the remaining time of the period in which the sensitive traffic light s1 is red is increased by 2 seconds (that is, the remaining time is 24 seconds). The ECU 109 calculates that the remaining time before the period that is a red signal is changed is 22 seconds and that the fluctuation time of the remaining time is 2 seconds. Subsequently, the ECU 109 determines whether or not the relational expression: (variation time α) + (elapsed time t since the previous display on the display 106 was updated) ≦ display granularity ω is satisfied. Here, since α = 2 seconds, t = 3 seconds, and ω = 5 seconds, the above relational expression is satisfied.

  The ECU 109 changes the display granularity from 5 seconds to 2 seconds and changes the remaining time to 24 seconds. Subsequently, the ECU 109 updates the screen displayed on the display 106 to a screen as shown in FIG. 6B (that is, a screen displaying a bar having a length of 22 seconds). The display 106 is controlled. At this time, the ECU 109 updates the screen displayed on the display 106 regardless of the elapsed time since the previous display of the screen displayed on the display 106 (that is, regardless of the screen update interval). The display 106 is controlled.

  Next, the ECU 109 updates the display granularity from 2 seconds to 5 seconds when the remaining time reaches 20 seconds (that is, when it becomes an integral multiple of 5 seconds, which is the screen update interval), and the display 106 The display 106 is controlled so that the screen displayed above is updated to a screen as shown in FIG. 6C (that is, a screen displaying a bar having a length of 15 seconds). Thereafter, the ECU 109 controls the display 106 to update the screen displayed on the display 106 when the remaining time becomes 15 seconds, 10 seconds, and 5 seconds.

  Next, a notification process executed by the ECU 109 when the vehicle 1 on which the driving support device 10 configured as described above is stopped mainly at a red signal will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. .

  In FIG. 7, first, the ECU 109 receives infrastructure information including traffic signal information from the optical beacon 210 via the infrastructure communication device 104 (step S301). Subsequently, the ECU 109 determines whether or not the vehicle 1 is stopped due to the red signal of the sensitive traffic light s1 installed at the intersection c1 (step S302).

  When it is determined that the vehicle 1 is not stopped (step S302: No), the ECU 109 once ends the process. On the other hand, when it determines with the vehicle 1 having stopped (step S302: Yes), ECU109 calculates the remaining time of the period which is the red signal of the sensitive signal apparatus s1. The ECU 109 displays a screen corresponding to the calculated remaining time, for example, as shown in FIG. 6 on the condition that the calculated remaining time is equal to or longer than the time when the remaining time notification service can be started. The display 106 is controlled.

  Subsequently, the ECU 109 determines whether or not the remaining time is notified to the driver (step S303). When it is determined that the remaining time has not been notified (step S303: No), the ECU 109 ends the process once. On the other hand, if it is determined that the remaining time has been notified (step S303: Yes), the ECU 109 has changed the remaining time due to the extension of the red signal period of the sensitive traffic light s1. It is determined whether or not (step S304).

  If it is determined that the remaining time has not changed (step S304: No), the ECU 109 executes a process of step S310 described later. On the other hand, when it is determined that the remaining time has fluctuated (step S304: Yes), the ECU 109 extends the remaining time β before the red signal period of the sensitive traffic light s1 is extended and the red signal period. The variation time α resulting from this is calculated. Subsequently, the ECU 109 determines whether or not the relational expression: (variation time α) + (elapsed time t since the previous screen displayed on the display 106 was updated)> display granularity ω is satisfied (step S305). ).

  When it is determined that the above relational expression is not satisfied (that is, the relational expression: α + t ≦ ω is satisfied) (step S305: No), the ECU 109 sets the display granularity ω to be equal to or less than the variation time α (step S306), Step S307 described later is executed. On the other hand, when it is determined that the above relational expression is satisfied (step S305: Yes), the ECU 109 updates the remaining time β by the variation time α (that is, β = β + α) (step S307), and updates the screen. The display 106 is controlled to do so (step S308).

  Next, the ECU 109 updates the display granularity ω to the initial value (step S309). Thereafter, the ECU 109 controls the display 106 so as to update the screen when the remaining time becomes an integral multiple of the screen update interval γ (step S310).

  Next, the ECU 109 determines whether the remaining time of the red signal period of the sensitive traffic light s1 is within T seconds from the end of the red signal period, which is the screen erasing timing (step S311). . When it is determined that the remaining time is within the range of T seconds from the end point of the red light period (step S311: Yes), the ECU 109 once ends the process. On the other hand, when it is determined that the remaining time is out of the range of T seconds from the end of the red light period (step S311: No), the ECU 109 executes the process of step S304.

<Modification>
Next, a modified example of the driving support apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The ECU 109 of the driving assistance apparatus 10 according to the present modified example has the remaining time due to the extension of the red signal period of the sensitive traffic light s1 after the process of step S303 described above (see FIG. 7). It is determined whether or not it has fluctuated (step S401). When it is determined that the remaining time has not changed (step S401: No), the ECU 109 executes a process of step S406 described later.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the remaining time has fluctuated (step S401: Yes), the ECU 109 extends the remaining time β before the red signal period of the sensitive traffic light s1 is extended and the red signal period. The variation time α resulting from this is calculated. Subsequently, the ECU 109 determines whether or not the relational expression: (variation time α) + (elapsed time t since the previous screen displayed on the display 106 was updated)> display granularity ω is satisfied (step S1). S402).

  When it is determined that the above relational expression is not satisfied (that is, relational expression: α + t ≦ ω is satisfied) (step S402: No), the ECU 109 displays the screen once displayed on the display 106 at the screen update interval γ. The display 106 is controlled to update (step S403). Next, the ECU 109 determines whether or not L seconds as the screen maintenance time has elapsed since the screen was updated (step S404). Note that L seconds is a value less than the fluctuation time α.

  When it is determined that L seconds have not elapsed (step S404: No), the ECU 109 executes the process of step S404. On the other hand, when it is determined that L seconds have elapsed (step S404: Yes), the ECU 109 executes a process of step S405 described later.

  When it is determined in the process of step S402 that the above relational expression is satisfied (step S402: Yes), the ECU 109 updates the remaining time β by the variation time α (that is, β = β + α) and immediately displays the display 106. The display 106 is controlled to update the screen displayed above (step S405).

  Thereafter, the ECU 109 controls the display 106 to update the screen when the remaining time becomes an integral multiple of the screen update interval γ (step S406). Next, the ECU 109 determines whether or not the remaining time of the period that is the red signal of the sensitive traffic light s1 is within T seconds from the end of the red signal period that is the screen erase timing (step S407). .

  When it is determined that the remaining time is within the range of T seconds from the end of the red light period (step S407: Yes), the ECU 109 once ends the process. On the other hand, when it is determined that the remaining time is outside the range of T seconds from the end of the red signal period (step S407: No), the ECU 109 executes the process of step S401.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist or concept of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification, and is accompanied by such a change. The driving support device is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle, 10 ... Driving assistance apparatus, 104 ... Infrastructure communication apparatus, 106 ... Display, 109 ... ECU, 114 ... Speaker

Claims (3)

An acquisition means for acquiring traffic signal information that is information including lighting times of each of a plurality of lighting states of the traffic signal;
Based on the acquired traffic signal information, calculating means for calculating a remaining time until one lighting state changes among the plurality of lighting states;
An informing means capable of informing the calculated remaining time;
Control means for controlling the notification means so as to notify the calculated remaining time at a predetermined notification interval, and
When the traffic light is a traffic light that updates the lighting time of the one lighting state according to the vehicle traffic volume,
The traffic signal information is updated when the lighting time of the one lighting state is updated,
The acquisition means acquires updated traffic signal information that is the traffic signal information updated due to the lighting time of the one lighting state being updated,
The calculation means calculates a fluctuation time of the calculated remaining time resulting from the update of the lighting time of the one lighting state based on the acquired signal information and the acquired update signal information. Operate,
The control means changes the predetermined notification interval according to the calculated variation time. When the calculated variation time is α, the calculated remaining time is β, and the predetermined notification interval is γ,
2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes the predetermined notification interval by (α × β) / γ on condition that (α × β) / γ is smaller than a predetermined value. Driving assistance device. The control means controls the notification means so as to notify the calculated remaining time at a predetermined notification granularity and at the predetermined notification interval;
When the traffic light is a traffic light that updates the lighting time of the one lighting state according to the vehicle traffic volume,
The calculation means calculates an update remaining time until the one lighting state changes based on the acquired update signal information,
When the calculated variation time is α, the predetermined notification interval is γ, the predetermined notification granularity is ω, and the time elapsed since the notification unit was controlled by the control unit is t,
The control means has a relational expression (α + t) ≦ γ
And the notification means is controlled so as to notify the calculated update remaining time by changing the predetermined notification granularity from ω to α, and then the predetermined notification granularity is changed from α to ω. The driving support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit is controlled so as to be notified at the predetermined notification interval.

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