JP2011164978A - Vehicle control device and vehicle group control system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce, in a vehicle control device or a vehicle group control system for controlling an own vehicle so that the own vehicle performs vehicle group traveling, control delay in the own vehicle due to communication interruption, communication delay or the like in radio communication. <P>SOLUTION: An in-vehicle device repetitively determines whether the operation state of the own vehicle or the surrounding environment is matched to operation condition data recorded in a database by function operation processing (S620), and operates a predetermined function in the own vehicle when matching is determined (S640). According to such an in-vehicle device, since the operation condition data is preliminarily recorded in the database, the own vehicle can be prepared for operating the predetermined function. The predetermined function can be thus operated without delay when the matching to the operation condition data is determined. Thus, the own vehicle is hardly affected by communication interruption or communication delay. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle control device that controls a host vehicle so that the host vehicle travels in a vehicle group, and a vehicle group control system.

  As the above-described vehicle control device, there is known a device that acquires information on the state of the vehicle group in real time using wireless communication, and controls the behavior of the own vehicle according to the information (for example, patents) Reference 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-162282

  However, since the vehicle control apparatus is affected by communication interruption or communication delay in wireless communication, even if information on the state of the vehicle group is transmitted to the own vehicle, the own vehicle corresponds to the state of the vehicle group. Therefore, there is a possibility that the host vehicle cannot be controlled instantaneously.

  Therefore, in view of such problems, in the vehicle control device or vehicle count control system that controls the host vehicle so that the host vehicle travels in the vehicle group, control delay in the host vehicle due to communication interruption or communication delay in wireless communication, etc. It is an object of the present invention to be able to reduce the above.

  In the vehicle control apparatus of the present invention configured to achieve the above object, the operation control means repeatedly determines whether the operation state of the host vehicle or the surrounding environment matches the functional operation condition recorded in the condition recording means. If it is determined and matches, a predetermined function in the host vehicle is activated (claim 1).

  The function operating condition represents a condition for operating the function of the host vehicle as a part of the vehicle group. Specific “functions of own vehicle” include a function of changing the running state such as a function of accelerating / decelerating or turning the own vehicle in order to make the own vehicle run as a vehicle group, a blinker, a headlight, a taillight, The function etc. which change the operating state of alerting | reporting apparatuses, such as a brake light, are mentioned.

  In addition, specific “function operation conditions” include that the operation time of a certain function has reached a specified time, that the vehicle has reached a predetermined location, that the travel distance has reached a predetermined distance, There were conditions related to the operating state of the vehicle, such as that the occupant did a predetermined operation, that the predetermined time was reached, that it was a predetermined weather, that it was a predetermined temperature, and that there was a mobile phone call And the like regarding the surrounding environment.

  In the present invention, only the above condition is recorded as the “functional operation condition”, and when the above condition is satisfied, the determined function may be always activated. The above-mentioned conditions and the functions to be activated are recorded correspondingly, and different functions corresponding to the conditions may be activated according to the matched conditions.

  According to such a vehicle control device, since the function operating condition is recorded in advance in the condition recording means, it is possible to prepare for operating a predetermined function in the host vehicle. And when a function operation condition is met, a predetermined function can be operated without delay. Therefore, it is possible to cope with communication interruption and communication delay.

  In the present invention, the “vehicle group” refers to a group of a plurality of vehicles that travel in the same direction within a certain area (for example, within a line-of-sight range in which vehicle-to-vehicle communication can be performed). The term “a plurality of vehicles” travels in the same direction. In other words, “vehicle group travel” refers to platoon travel that travels so that the behavior of the host vehicle is substantially the same as that of the first vehicle in the train or the vehicle immediately preceding the host vehicle, or parallel travel that travels alongside other vehicles. It is a concept including

  By the way, in the vehicle control apparatus, the condition recording means records the condition for changing the traveling state of the host vehicle as the function operating condition, and the operation controlling means determines that the traveling state of the host vehicle is the functional operating condition. It may be repeatedly determined whether or not the vehicle is matched, and if the vehicle is matched, the traveling state of the host vehicle may be changed (claim 2).

For example, the acceleration / deceleration timing of other vehicles constituting the vehicle group is recorded as the function operation condition, and the case where the own vehicle is accelerated / decelerated simultaneously with the other vehicles corresponds to the present invention.
According to such a vehicle control device, the traveling state of the host vehicle can be changed based on the condition recorded as the function operation condition.

  In addition, the function operation condition may be shared by the host vehicle and the other vehicles constituting the vehicle group, or may not be shared. In addition, when the functional operation condition is shared between the own vehicle and the other vehicle, the own vehicle and the other vehicle only have to perform corresponding operations as a vehicle group, and therefore the own vehicle and the other vehicle need to maintain the same functional operation condition. There is no.

  For example, when the entire vehicle group decelerates, at least only the last vehicle needs to turn on the brake light, and other vehicles may not need to turn on the brake light. Further, in this case, when the position to apply the brake is set as the function operation condition, the stop position of the vehicle is different, so the position to apply the brake is also different for each vehicle.

  Further, the vehicle control device may further include a condition acquisition unit that acquires a functional operation condition, and a recording control unit that causes the condition recording unit to record the acquired functional operation condition (claim 3).

According to such a vehicle control device, the function operation condition can be newly acquired or updated.
The vehicle control device may further include a condition transmission unit that transmits the function operation condition to another vehicle that configures the vehicle group including the host vehicle.

  According to such a vehicle control device, since the own vehicle can transmit the function operation condition, the function operation condition can be shared if the other vehicle has a configuration for recording the function operation condition.

  In the present invention, it is not necessary to transmit exactly the same function operating conditions, and different function operating conditions may be transmitted for each vehicle to be transmitted. Moreover, you may make it transmit a function operation condition with respect to all the other vehicles which comprise the vehicle group containing the own vehicle.

  Further, in the vehicle control device, object acquisition means for acquiring a detection result of detecting an object that interferes with the traveling of the host vehicle along with its position on the traveling path of the host vehicle, and information on the traveling speed of the host vehicle. Based on the vehicle speed acquisition means to acquire, the estimated time calculation means for calculating the estimated time until the host vehicle reaches the target object based on the position of the target object and the traveling speed of the host vehicle, An object stop condition generating means for generating a function operating condition for decelerating the host vehicle so that the host vehicle can stop before the target object may be provided. Further, the object avoidance condition for calculating the behavior of the own vehicle for the own vehicle to avoid the object based on the position of the object and generating the function operation condition for causing the own vehicle to travel along the behavior. You may provide the production | generation means and the said target object acquisition means (Claim 6).

  According to these vehicle control devices, when an object that hinders the traveling of the host vehicle is detected, the host vehicle can be prevented from reaching the object. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the host vehicle from being damaged by reaching the target object.

  The “object that hinders the traveling of the host vehicle” in the present invention refers to, for example, road obstacles such as curbs, falling rocks, pedestrians, emergency vehicles, frozen parts on roads, recesses and holes on roads, etc. The road condition defect part of the above, etc. are mentioned.

  Further, in the vehicle control device, the traffic signal information acquisition means for acquiring the traffic signal information including the current and future lamp colors and the duration of each lamp color for the traffic signal existing in the traveling direction of the host vehicle, and the acquired traffic signal Based on the information, generate a function operating condition to pass at least a part of the vehicle group including the host vehicle through the intersection where the traffic light is blue with the traffic light colored blue or to stop before the intersection And a signal passing condition generating means for performing the above (claim 7).

  According to such a vehicle control device, a change in lamp color can be estimated in advance based on traffic signal information, so the behavior of the vehicle group can be controlled smoothly so that it can pass or stop at the intersection where this signal is placed. can do.

  More specifically, the signal passing condition generation means obtains a determination result of whether or not the host vehicle is stopped, and when the host vehicle is stopped, the waiting time until the light color of the traffic light transitions to blue is set. Waiting time calculating means for calculating, and start condition generating means for generating a function operating condition for starting the host vehicle when the waiting time has elapsed may be provided.

  According to such a vehicle control device, when the light color of the traffic light transitions to blue, the host vehicle can be started smoothly. If the functional operation conditions of the present invention are shared by the entire vehicle group including the host vehicle, the entire vehicle group can be started at the same time when the light color of the traffic light changes to blue.

In addition, in the vehicle control device, the signal passage condition generation unit obtains a determination result as to whether or not the host vehicle is traveling, and when the host vehicle is traveling, information on the traveling speed of the host vehicle and signal information Based on the above, if the own vehicle cannot pass the intersection by the passage determining means for determining whether or not the own vehicle can pass the intersection where the traffic light is arranged with the light color of the traffic light being blue, and the passage determining means An intersection stop condition generating means for generating a function operating condition for stopping the host vehicle before the intersection when it is determined may be provided. (Claim 9)
According to such a vehicle control device, it is possible to predict that the light color will change before the light color of the traffic light actually changes from blue to another color, so it is possible to safely stop the host vehicle before the intersection. it can. If the functional operation conditions of the present invention are shared by the entire vehicle group including the host vehicle, the entire vehicle group can be braked simultaneously. In other words, when the host vehicle brakes after detecting that the preceding vehicle has braked, sudden braking tends to be required, but the functional operating conditions of the present invention are shared by the entire vehicle group including the host vehicle. If this is done, sudden braking can be prevented.

In the vehicle control device, any one of the condition generation means may set a function operation condition for each vehicle constituting the vehicle group.
For example, when the entire vehicle group is regarded as one vehicle, control is performed to turn on the taillight and brake light only for the last vehicle in the vehicle group, or control to turn on the headlight only for the first vehicle in the vehicle group. It is conceivable to do. Moreover, when using information regarding a position as a function operation condition, it is conceivable to set a position at which control is started or ended depending on the position of each vehicle in the vehicle group.

For this reason, it is meaningful to set the function operation condition for each vehicle constituting the vehicle group. According to such a vehicle control device, a fine operation can be set for each vehicle.
Next, the vehicle group traveling system configured to achieve the above object includes a condition transmitting unit for transmitting a function operating condition by the transmitting side device, and the vehicle control device includes the above-described condition obtaining unit, recording control, and the like. Means and an operation control means (claim 11).

  According to such a vehicle group traveling system, a vehicle equipped with a vehicle control device can be controlled as a vehicle group in accordance with the function operating conditions transmitted by the transmitting device.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of a vehicle group control system. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of operating condition data. It is a flowchart which shows an operation condition data transmission process. It is the flowchart (a) which shows an operation condition data registration process, and the flowchart (b) which shows a function operation process.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment, and can take various forms as long as they belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

[Configuration of vehicle group control system]
First, the configuration of the vehicle group control system of the embodiment will be described based on FIG. The vehicle group control system includes an in-vehicle device 1 (vehicle control device) mounted on each of a plurality of vehicles traveling on a road, and a roadside device 2 provided for each traffic signal installed at a road intersection. The in-vehicle device 1 of each vehicle is configured to be able to perform inter-vehicle communication with the in-vehicle device 1 of other vehicles, and the in-vehicle device 1 of each vehicle can perform road-to-vehicle communication with the roadside device 2. It is configured. In addition, since all the vehicle-mounted devices 1 of each vehicle have the same configuration, only one vehicle-mounted device 1 is illustrated in detail in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the in-vehicle device 1 includes a position specifying unit 10, an external device connection unit 11, a display unit 12, a sound output unit 13, a database 14 (condition recording unit), a wireless communication unit 15, and a vehicle side control unit. 16 etc.

  Among these, the position specifying unit 10 specifies the current location and traveling direction of the vehicle based on detection signals from the vehicle speed sensor 32, a GPS receiver (not shown), an optical beacon, a gyroscope, and the like, and controls the specified data on the vehicle side. Input to unit 16. The external device connection unit 11 communicates with various devices such as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) such as a radar 31, a vehicle speed sensor 32, and an operation processing unit 33 mounted on the vehicle. The vehicle information data transmitted from each device is input to the vehicle-side control unit 16.

  The display unit 12 is a display device having a display surface such as a liquid crystal panel for displaying images, and displays various driving assistance images based on control from the vehicle-side control unit 16. The display surface for displaying the image is disposed at a place where it can be seen from the driver seat of the vehicle. The voice output unit 13 is a voice output device including a speaker or the like that outputs voice, and outputs various guidance voices for driving support based on control from the vehicle side control unit 16.

  The database 14 is a storage device for storing area data received from the roadside device 2 installed at various locations along the road, and a rewritable nonvolatile storage device such as a flash memory or a hard disk drive is used.

  Here, the area data refers to traffic signal information in each traffic signal grouped in a predetermined area unit including a plurality of intersections where traffic signals are installed. The traffic signal information includes current and future lamp colors for each traffic signal, information on the duration of each lamp color (that is, schedule information related to the signal lamp color), and information on the position where the traffic signal is located. It is. The area data stored in the database 14 is used for driving support control executed when passing through the traffic signal corresponding to the area data.

  The wireless communication unit 15 is a communication device for performing bidirectional wireless communication (vehicle-to-vehicle communication and road-to-vehicle communication) with a wireless communication unit of another vehicle and the roadside device 2 installed beside the road. As a communication mode used for this road-to-vehicle communication, for example, a narrowband communication (DSRC) used in an ETC (registered trademark) system, a radio beacon and an optical beacon technology used in VICS (registered trademark), etc. are used. Conceivable. Alternatively, it may be possible to use a 700 MHz band radio wave whose usage category is scheduled to be reorganized after the end of 2011 (planned) analog television broadcasting. Since the 700 MHz band radio wave has a longer wavelength than that of the 5.8 GHz band radio wave used in DSRC, diffraction tends to occur. Therefore, in an urban area where buildings are densely packed, communication can be performed even from the shadow of the building.

  Note that the wireless communication unit 15 receives the position information of the host vehicle generated by the position specifying unit 10 and information on the vehicle group described later from the vehicle side control unit 16 (for example, periodically from the vehicle side control unit 16). Sends externally according to the transmission command.

  The vehicle-side control unit 16 is configured by a known microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and comprehensively controls each unit of the in-vehicle device 1. The vehicle-side control unit 16 executes processing related to acquisition / update of area data by road-to-vehicle communication and processing related to various driving assistances according to a program stored in a ROM or the like.

  Here, as specific contents of the driving assistance, for example, area data including traffic signal information is received, and information relating to traffic signals to be passed next, travel control for smoothly passing an intersection, and the like are performed. . In particular, the vehicle side control unit 16 of the present embodiment performs vehicle group traveling control.

  The vehicle group running control is a vehicle running that controls the behavior of the host vehicle so that the behavior of the host vehicle is substantially the same as that of the first vehicle or the vehicle immediately before the host vehicle, or a parallel running that runs alongside other vehicles. It shows that the host vehicle is controlled so that the vehicle travels in the same direction as the other vehicle.

  In the vehicle group traveling control, the vehicle side control unit 16 is based on the position information of the other vehicle obtained by the radar 31 or the inter-vehicle communication and the position information of the own vehicle obtained by the position specifying unit 10 of the own vehicle. The actions (acceleration / deceleration, turning, etc.) that the vehicle should take are output. That is, the output for the own vehicle to follow the behavior of the other vehicle is performed in accordance with the behavior of the other vehicle constituting the vehicle group.

  In accordance with this output, for example, a configuration for outputting a voice or display prompting acceleration or deceleration to be output from the display unit 12 or the audio output unit 13 is conceivable. In particular, in this embodiment, this output is configured as an ECU. This is transmitted to the operation processing unit 33, and the operation processing unit 33 controls the operation of each part of the own vehicle (the controlled parts such as the accelerator, brake, steering, and light), so that the own vehicle is unified as a vehicle group. To do.

  Note that the technology related to the process of controlling the behavior of the host vehicle so that the behavior of the host vehicle is the same as that of the other vehicle in the vehicle group traveling is a well-known technology. The following explanation will be given as being implemented. Moreover, the vehicle side control part 16 detects the information regarding a vehicle group.

  Specifically, based on the position information of the own vehicle and other vehicles, whether or not the own vehicle is the first vehicle among the vehicles forming the vehicle group, whether or not it is the last vehicle, the first vehicle, the last vehicle It is determined whether the vehicle is an intermediate vehicle excluding the tail vehicle. In this determination, a reception result such as an optical beacon may be used.

  Further, in the present embodiment, each vehicle (each in-vehicle device 1) transmits “vehicle ID” for identifying itself in the inter-vehicle communication to the other vehicles together with the position information as information on the vehicle group. Identify which vehicle is in which position. Further, according to the position of each vehicle, for example, the head vehicle is set as a representative vehicle that supervises this vehicle group, and this information is held.

  Information on these vehicle groups is registered in the database 14 and is also shared with other vehicles constituting the vehicle group by exchanging this information via the wireless communication unit 15.

  Here, in the vehicle side control unit 16 of the present embodiment, in addition to the process of detecting the behavior of the other vehicle and controlling the behavior of the own vehicle as described above, the “operation condition” recorded in the database 14 in advance. A process for controlling the operation including the behavior of the host vehicle based on the “data” is also performed.

  An example of the operating condition data referred to in the present embodiment is shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b). As the operation condition data, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the “vehicle ID” for specifying the vehicle to be controlled and the function of each vehicle as part of the vehicle group are operated. One or a plurality of data in which “trigger conditions” representing the conditions for the operation and the “operation functions” representing the type of function (operation target) of the own vehicle to be operated, the target value of each parameter, and the like are associated with each other To express.

When all the vehicles having the operation condition data always operate the same function, only the above “trigger condition” may be recorded as the operation condition data.
As specific “trigger conditions”, as shown in FIG. 2A, absolute time, distance from the current location of the host vehicle, or as shown in FIG. and the distance from α). In addition, the operation time of a certain function has reached a specified time, the host vehicle has reached a predetermined location, the travel distance has reached a predetermined distance, the passenger of the host vehicle has performed a predetermined operation, etc. It may be a condition related to the operating state of the vehicle, a condition related to the surrounding environment, such as a predetermined weather, a predetermined temperature, an incoming mobile phone, or the like.

  In addition, as a specific “operation function”, a function for changing a traveling state such as a function of accelerating / decelerating or turning the host vehicle to drive the host vehicle as a vehicle group, a blinker, a headlight, a taillight, The function etc. which change the operating state of alerting | reporting apparatuses, such as a brake light, are mentioned.

  For example, when the operation condition data shown in FIG. 2A is recorded in the vehicle database 14, the vehicle-side control unit 16 of this vehicle has a vehicle speed of 20 km / h when the time reaches 0:01:00. Then, the host vehicle is decelerated at a predetermined deceleration so that the vehicle stops at a predetermined deceleration when the time reaches 0:01:20. In this case, the operation target is a brake.

Then, when the time reaches 0:05:10, the host vehicle is accelerated at a predetermined acceleration so that the vehicle speed becomes 40 km / h. In this case, the operation target is an accelerator.
Further, when the vehicle travels 200 m after the operation condition data is registered, the host vehicle is turned at a right turning angle of 15 degrees. If such operating condition data is mounted on each vehicle constituting the vehicle group, the entire vehicle group can be simultaneously accelerated and decelerated and turned when it reaches a predetermined position. In this case, the operation target is steering.

Next, the roadside device 2 includes a wireless communication unit 20, a roadside communication unit 21, an in-area signal information database 22, and a roadside control unit 23.
Among these, the radio | wireless communication part 20 is a communication apparatus for performing radio | wireless communication (road-to-vehicle communication) between the vehicle-mounted apparatuses 1 mounted in the vehicle which drive | works a road. As a communication mode used for this road-to-vehicle communication, the same communication system as the above-mentioned in-vehicle device 1 is used.

  The roadside communication unit 21 is an external organization that controls other roadside devices 2 and traffic signals associated with traffic signals installed at other intersections in the same predetermined area via the network 100 and provides traffic information. This is a communication device for communicating information with a certain traffic control center 3. The information communication with the traffic control center 3 by the roadside communication unit 21 may be wireless or wired.

  The in-area traffic signal information database 22 is a storage device for storing area data in which the respective traffic signal information related to a plurality of traffic signals is collected. For the intra-area signal information database 22, a rewritable nonvolatile storage device such as a flash memory or a hard disk drive is used.

  The roadside control unit 23 is configured by a known microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and comprehensively controls each unit of the roadside machine 2. In particular, the roadside control unit 23 periodically reads the area data from the in-area traffic signal information database 22 and wirelessly distributes the area data to the in-vehicle device 1 via the wireless communication unit 20.

[Processing by vehicle group control system]
In such a vehicle group control system, a representative vehicle among a plurality of vehicles constituting the vehicle group generates the above-described operation condition data, and transmits the generated operation condition data to each vehicle constituting the vehicle group. To implement. This process will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation condition data transmission process executed by the vehicle side controller 16 of the representative vehicle.
The operation condition data transmission process is a process that is started when the host vehicle becomes the representative vehicle, and is then repeatedly executed at a predetermined cycle (for example, every second) as long as the host vehicle is the representative vehicle. In the operating condition data transmission process, as shown in FIG. 3, first, various types of information are acquired from inside and outside the host vehicle (S110: vehicle speed acquisition means, object acquisition means, traffic signal information acquisition means).

  Here, the various information refers to objects (for example, holes on roads) that hinder the traveling of the host vehicle due to autonomous sensors (results of object detection by the radar 31 and image processing results of captured images by a camera (not shown)). A detection result of detecting a frozen part on the road surface, an obstacle such as a walking car / curbstone, an emergency vehicle, etc.) along with its position, information on the traveling speed of the own vehicle detected by the vehicle speed sensor 32, the aforementioned traffic signal information, or the aforementioned This applies to information on vehicle groups.

  Subsequently, the basic information about the vehicle group is updated based on the acquired information (S120). That is, information such as the number of vehicles constituting the vehicle group, the size (width and length) of the entire vehicle group, and the position of the host vehicle in the vehicle group is updated. In the process of S110, information on the driving operation of each driver in the host vehicle and the other vehicle is acquired, and in this process, the acceleration / deceleration when each driver accelerates / decelerates the vehicle is calculated, and the vehicle group You may make it set the acceleration / deceleration at the time of accelerating / decelerating.

  Subsequently, based on the detection result of the object that interferes with the traveling of the host vehicle and its position, it is determined whether or not the object has been detected on the traveling path of the host vehicle (S130). If no object is detected (S130: NO), it is determined whether or not the traffic signal information from the roadside device 2 can be acquired (S140: NO). If the traffic signal information cannot be acquired (S140: NO). , S110 and subsequent steps are repeated.

  If an object is detected in the process of S130 (S130: YES), the time until the vehicle group (that is, the leading vehicle) reaches the object is calculated (S210: estimated time calculation means). In this process, calculation is performed based on the vehicle speed of the leading vehicle (or the host vehicle) and the distance from the leading vehicle to the object.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not a lane change is possible to avoid this object (S220). In this process, for example, the process is performed by determining whether or not there is a space that allows the vehicle group to pass next to the object based on the detection result of the radar 31 or the like.

  If the lane change is possible (S220: YES), the operation condition data of the pattern that avoids the object is generated (S230: object avoidance condition generating means), and the process proceeds to S390 described later. In the process of S230, the behavior as a vehicle group for avoiding the object is calculated, and the operation condition data for turning each vehicle according to this behavior is generated as the operation condition data of the pattern for avoiding the object. Means that.

For example, as the first data in the operation condition data, the position 50 m before the object is set as the “trigger condition”, and the right turn 15 degrees is set as the “operation function”. Then, as the second data, the position 10 m before the object is set as a “trigger condition”, and the left turn of 15 degrees is set as an “operation function”.
Further, as the third data, the position 40 m ahead of the object is set as a “trigger condition”, and 15 degrees to the right is set as an “operation function”. The position 50 m ahead of the object is set as the “trigger condition”, and the turning angle 0 is set as the “operation function”. It is considered that such an operating condition data can avoid an object.

  Subsequently, if it is determined in step S220 that the lane change is impossible (S220: NO), operation condition data for stopping the vehicle group in front of the object is generated (S240: object stop condition generation). Means), the process proceeds to S390 described later.

  When generating the operating condition data in the process of S240, for example, when the vehicle group is stopped in front of the object at the predetermined deceleration set in the process of S120, the time to start deceleration is calculated. Then, this time is set as the “trigger condition”, and the vehicle speed 0 is set as the “operation function”.

  By the way, in the process of S140, if the traffic signal information can be acquired from the roadside device 2 (S140: YES), based on the acquired traffic signal information, at least a part of the vehicle group including the host vehicle has a blue light color. In order to pass the intersection where the traffic light is placed in the state, or to generate a function operating condition for stopping before the intersection (S310 to S360: signal passing condition generating means).

  Specifically, first, it is determined whether or not the vehicle group is currently stopped (S310). If the vehicle group is in a stopped state (S310), it is considered that the vehicle is currently waiting for a signal based on the traffic signal information at the intersection where the vehicle group is stopped, so the waiting time until the signal light color changes to blue. Is calculated (S320: waiting time calculating means).

  And the operation condition data of the pattern which makes a vehicle group start from a stop state are produced | generated (S330: start condition production | generation means), and it transfers to the process of S390 mentioned later. When generating the operation condition data in the process of S330, the time when the signal color changes to blue next is set as the “trigger condition”, and the target speed in the vehicle group (for example, the speed limit on the road) is set to “activate”. Function ". At this time, the “operation function” is set to accelerate at a predetermined acceleration set in S120 or the like.

  If the vehicle is traveling in the process of S310 (S310: NO), the vehicle group reaches the signalized intersection based on the traveling speed of the vehicle group and the distance to the intersection where the next traffic light is arranged. The time until this is calculated and whether or not at least a part of the vehicle group can pass the signalized intersection and which vehicles can pass the signalized intersection are identified (S340).

  And it is determined whether all the vehicles which comprise a vehicle group can pass a signalized intersection (S350: passage determination means). If all the vehicles can pass the signalized intersection (S350: YES), it is not necessary to change the traveling state, and therefore the operation condition data transmission process is immediately terminated without generating the operation condition data.

  If any of the vehicles cannot pass the signalized intersection (S350: NO), operation condition data for stopping the vehicle that cannot pass the signalized intersection before the intersection is generated (S360: intersection stop condition generating means). At this time, the ID of the vehicle to be stopped is specified, and as shown in FIG. 2B, a different position where deceleration is started for each vehicle is set as a “trigger condition”.

  For example, if the distance required to stop from the current vehicle speed at a predetermined deceleration is 30m, the position 30m before the intersection so that the first vehicle to stop can stop at the intersection (stop line) Set the “trigger condition” to start deceleration with. In addition, the second and subsequent vehicles to be stopped are set to “trigger conditions” so as to start deceleration at a position before the first vehicle in consideration of the presence of a preceding vehicle.

  In this case, some vehicles in the vehicle group pass through the intersection and other vehicles stop, so the vehicle group is divided, but after the vehicle group is divided, A representative vehicle is set in each vehicle group, and each vehicle is controlled as a separate vehicle group.

  Subsequently, the operation condition data generated for each vehicle constituting the vehicle group is wirelessly transmitted (broadcast) via the wireless communication unit 15 (S390: condition transmission means), and the operation condition data transmission process is terminated.

  Next, processing for receiving and registering the operating condition data will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4A is a flowchart showing an operation condition data registration process executed by the vehicle-side control unit 16. This process corresponds to the operation control means in the present invention.

The operating condition data registration process is a process that is started when the vehicle-side control unit 16 is turned on, for example, and is repeatedly executed thereafter.
The operation condition data registration process is also executed in the in-vehicle device 1 that performs the above-described operation condition data transmission process. In this case, the operation condition data transmission process is executed in parallel with the operation condition data transmission process. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4A, first, it is determined whether or not operating condition data has been received (S510: condition acquisition means).

  In this process, if the operating condition data is received via the wireless communication unit 15 or if the operating condition data is generated by the operating condition data transmission process and can be obtained, the operating condition data Is determined to have been received. If the operating condition data has not been received (S510: NO), the process of S510 is repeated.

  If operating condition data has been received (S510: YES), it is determined whether there is data having a vehicle ID indicating the host vehicle among the data included in the operating condition data (S520). If there is no data including the vehicle ID indicating the host vehicle (S520: NO), the process returns to S510.

  If there is data including a vehicle ID indicating the own vehicle (S520: YES), only the corresponding data is registered in the database 14 (S530: recording control means), and the operation condition data registration process is terminated. That is, in the process of S530, when the vehicle ID of the host vehicle is “0001”, only the data with the vehicle ID “0001” is registered, and other data such as the data with the vehicle ID “0002” is discarded.

  Next, processing for controlling the host vehicle in accordance with the operating condition data registered in the database 14 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4B is a flowchart showing a function operation process executed by the vehicle side control unit 16.

  The function operation process is a process that is executed in parallel with the operation condition data transmission process and the operation condition data registration process described above. For example, the function operation process is started when the vehicle-side control unit 16 is turned on, and then repeatedly executed. Process. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4B, first, one of the operating condition data registered in the database 14 is selected (S610). For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, when four data are registered in the database 14, one of them (for example, the one with the earliest recording order) is selected.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the running state or environment of the vehicle matches the “trigger condition” of the selected data (S620). If the trigger condition is met (S620: YES), specific operation details such as vehicle acceleration, deceleration, turning angle, etc. are set according to the “operation function” included in the data (S630), and the set content is operated. The processing unit 33 is instructed (S640).

  On the other hand, if it does not coincide with the trigger condition (S620: NO), it is determined whether the trigger condition is valid (S650). For example, the case where the trigger condition is invalid corresponds to a case where the trigger condition is not likely to be satisfied, for example, when the time set as the trigger condition has already greatly elapsed (for example, 2 seconds or more).

  If the trigger condition is valid (S650: YES), the process proceeds to S670 to be described later. If the trigger condition is invalid (S650: NO), the selected data is discarded, and the process proceeds to S670.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether there is any other unselected data among the operating condition data (S670). If there is other unselected data (S670: YES), one of the unselected data is selected (S680), and the processing from S620 onward is repeated.

If there is no other data not selected (S670: NO), the function activation process is terminated.
[Effects of this embodiment]
In the vehicle group traveling system described in detail above, the vehicle-side control unit 16 in the in-vehicle device 1 that functions as a transmitting-side device transmits operating condition data in the operating condition data transmission process (S390). The vehicle-side control unit 16 in 1 or another in-vehicle device 1 records the operation condition data acquired in the operation condition data registration process in the database 14.

According to such an in-vehicle device 1, operation condition data can be newly acquired or updated.
In the in-vehicle device 1, the vehicle-side control unit 16 repeatedly determines whether or not the operation state of the host vehicle or the surrounding environment matches the operation condition data recorded in the database 14 in the function operation process. In some cases, a predetermined function in the host vehicle is activated.

  According to such an in-vehicle device 1, since the operation condition data is recorded in the database 14 in advance, it is possible to prepare for operating a predetermined function in the own vehicle. Then, when the operating condition data is met, the predetermined function can be operated without delay. Therefore, it is possible to cope with communication interruption and communication delay.

  In the database 14 in the in-vehicle device 1, conditions for changing the traveling state of the host vehicle are recorded as operation condition data, and the vehicle-side control unit 16 performs the traveling of the host vehicle in the function operation process. It is repeatedly determined whether or not the state matches the operating condition data. If the state matches, the traveling state of the host vehicle is changed.

According to such an in-vehicle device 1, it is possible to change the traveling state of the host vehicle based on the conditions recorded as the operating condition data.
Moreover, the vehicle side control part 16 in the vehicle-mounted apparatus 1 of a transmission side apparatus transmits operation condition data to all the vehicles which comprise the vehicle group containing the own vehicle.

  According to such an in-vehicle device 1, since the in-vehicle device 1 of the transmission side device can transmit the operating condition data, if the other vehicle has a configuration for recording the operating condition data, the operating condition data is shared. can do.

  Furthermore, in the in-vehicle device 1, the vehicle-side control unit 16 detects the object that interferes with the traveling of the host vehicle along with its position in the operating condition data transmission process and the traveling result of the host vehicle. Speed information is acquired, and an estimated time until the host vehicle reaches the target is calculated based on the position of the target and the traveling speed of the host vehicle. Then, based on the calculated estimated time, operation condition data for decelerating the host vehicle is generated so that the host vehicle can stop before the target object.

  Further, the vehicle-side control unit 16 acquires traffic signal information including current and future lamp colors and durations of the respective lamp colors for the traffic signals existing in the traveling direction of the host vehicle, and based on the acquired traffic signal information, Operation condition data is generated for passing at least a part of the vehicle group including the host vehicle through the intersection where the traffic light is blue with the light color of the traffic signal being blue, or stopping before the intersection.

  According to these in-vehicle devices 1, when an object that hinders the traveling of the host vehicle is detected, it is possible to avoid the host vehicle from reaching the object. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the host vehicle from being damaged.

  The “object that hinders the traveling of the host vehicle” in the present invention refers to, for example, road obstacles such as curbs, falling rocks, pedestrians, emergency vehicles, frozen parts on roads, recesses and holes on roads, etc. The road condition defect part of the above, etc. are mentioned.

  Further, in the in-vehicle device 1, the vehicle-side control unit 16 determines that at least a part of the vehicle group including the host vehicle is in the state where the traffic light is blue based on the acquired traffic signal information in the operating condition data transmission process. The operation condition data for passing through the intersection where is placed or stopping before the intersection is generated.

  According to such an in-vehicle device 1, the change in lamp color can be estimated in advance based on the traffic signal information, so the behavior of the vehicle group is controlled smoothly so that the vehicle can pass or stop at the intersection where this signal is arranged. can do.

  More specifically, the vehicle-side control unit 16 obtains a determination result as to whether or not the host vehicle is stopped. When the host vehicle is stopped, the vehicle-side control unit 16 determines the waiting time until the traffic light changes to blue. Operation condition data for calculating and starting the own vehicle when the waiting time has elapsed is generated.

  According to such an in-vehicle device 1, when the light color of the traffic light transitions to blue, the host vehicle can be started smoothly. Further, since the operating condition data is shared by the entire vehicle group including the host vehicle, the entire vehicle group can be started simultaneously when the light color of the traffic light changes to blue.

  In addition, the vehicle-side control unit 16 obtains a determination result as to whether or not the host vehicle is traveling. When the host vehicle is traveling, the vehicle-side control unit 16 determines whether the host vehicle is traveling based on the traveling speed information and the traffic signal information. It is determined whether or not the vehicle can pass through the intersection where the traffic light is arranged with the light color of the traffic light being blue. When it is determined that the host vehicle cannot pass the intersection, operation condition data for stopping the host vehicle before the intersection is generated.

  According to such an in-vehicle device 1, since it can be predicted that the color of the traffic light changes before the color of the traffic light actually changes from blue to another color, it is possible to safely stop the host vehicle before the intersection. it can. Moreover, since the operating condition data is shared by the entire vehicle group including the host vehicle, the entire vehicle group can be braked simultaneously. That is, when the host vehicle brakes after detecting that the preceding vehicle has braked, it is likely that rapid braking is required, but in this embodiment, it is not necessary to perform rapid braking.

Moreover, the vehicle side control part 16 in the vehicle-mounted apparatus 1 sets operating condition data for every vehicle which comprises a vehicle group by a condition.
For example, when the entire vehicle group is regarded as one vehicle, control is performed to turn on the taillight and brake light only for the last vehicle in the vehicle group, or control to turn on the headlight only for the first vehicle in the vehicle group. It is conceivable to do. In addition, when using information regarding the position as the operating condition data, it is conceivable to set a position at which control is started or ended depending on the position of each vehicle in the vehicle group.

  According to such an in-vehicle device 1, a fine operation can be set for each vehicle.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... In-vehicle apparatus, 2 ... Roadside machine, 3 ... Traffic control center, 10 ... Position specification part, 11 ... External apparatus connection part, 12 ... Display part, 13 ... Audio | voice output part, 14 ... Database, 15 ... Wireless communication part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 16 ... Vehicle side control part, 20 ... Wireless communication part, 21 ... Road side communication part, 22 ... Area signal apparatus information database, 23 ... Road side control part, 31 ... Radar, 32 ... Vehicle speed sensor, 33 ... Operation processing part, 100 ... network.

Claims (11)

A vehicle control device that controls a host vehicle so that the host vehicle travels in a vehicle group, and the host vehicle travels in the same direction together with other vehicles.
Condition recording means in which a function operating condition representing a condition for operating the function of the host vehicle as a part of the vehicle group is recorded;
An operation control means for repeatedly determining whether or not the operation state of the host vehicle or the surrounding environment matches the function operation condition, and if it matches, an operation control means for operating a predetermined function in the host vehicle;
A vehicle control device comprising: The vehicle control device according to claim 1,
In the condition recording means, conditions for changing the traveling state of the host vehicle are recorded as the function operating conditions.
The operation control means repeatedly determines whether or not the traveling state of the host vehicle matches the function operating condition, and if it matches, changes the traveling state of the host vehicle.
A vehicle control device. In the vehicle control device according to claim 1 or 2,
Condition obtaining means for obtaining the function operating condition;
Recording control means for causing the condition recording means to record the acquired function operation condition;
A vehicle control device comprising: In the vehicle control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Condition transmitting means for transmitting the function operating condition to another vehicle constituting a vehicle group including the host vehicle,
A vehicle control device comprising: In the vehicle control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An object acquisition means for acquiring a detection result obtained by detecting an object that interferes with the traveling of the host vehicle along with its position in the traveling direction of the host vehicle;
Vehicle speed acquisition means for acquiring information on the traveling speed of the host vehicle;
Estimated time calculation means for calculating an estimated time until the host vehicle reaches the target object based on the position of the target object and the traveling speed of the host vehicle;
An object stop condition generating means for generating a function operating condition for decelerating the own vehicle based on the calculated estimated time so that the own vehicle can stop before the object;
A vehicle control device comprising: In the vehicle control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An object acquisition means for acquiring a detection result obtained by detecting an object that interferes with the traveling of the host vehicle along with its position on the traveling path of the host vehicle;
Object avoidance condition generation for calculating the behavior of the own vehicle for the own vehicle to avoid the object based on the position of the object and generating the function operating condition for running the own vehicle along the behavior Means,
A vehicle control device comprising: In the vehicle control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
Traffic light information acquisition means for acquiring traffic light information including current and future lamp colors and durations of the respective lamp colors for traffic lights existing in the traveling direction of the host vehicle;
Based on the acquired traffic signal information, at least a part of the vehicle group including the host vehicle is stopped in order to pass the intersection where the traffic signal is arranged with the traffic light being blue or before the intersection. Signal passing condition generating means for generating a function operating condition for
A vehicle control device comprising: The vehicle control device according to claim 7, wherein
The signal passing condition generating means is
A waiting time calculating means for obtaining a determination result of whether or not the own vehicle is stopped and calculating a waiting time until the light color of the traffic light transitions to blue when the own vehicle is stopped,
Starting condition generating means for generating a function operating condition for starting the host vehicle when the waiting time has elapsed;
A vehicle control device comprising: The vehicle control device according to claim 7 or 8,
The signal passing condition generating means is
The determination result of whether or not the host vehicle is traveling is acquired, and when the host vehicle is traveling, the light color of the traffic light is determined based on the traveling speed information of the host vehicle and the traffic signal information. A passage determination means for determining whether or not the traffic light is allowed to pass through the intersection where the traffic light is disposed;
An intersection stop condition generating means for generating a function operating condition for stopping the own vehicle before the intersection when the passage determining means determines that the own vehicle cannot pass the intersection; and
A vehicle control device comprising: The vehicle control device according to any one of claims 5 to 9,
Any one of the condition generating means sets a function operation condition for each vehicle constituting the vehicle group. A transmission side device including condition transmission means for transmitting a function operation condition representing a condition for operating a function of each vehicle as a vehicle group;
A vehicle control device mounted on the vehicle and controlling the host vehicle so that the host vehicle travels in the same direction along with the other vehicle based on the received function operation condition;
A vehicle group traveling system comprising:
The vehicle control device includes:
Condition acquisition means for acquiring a function operation condition transmitted from the transmission side device;
Recording control means for causing the condition recording means to record the acquired function operating condition;
An operation control means for repeatedly determining whether or not the operation state of the host vehicle or the surrounding environment matches the function operation condition, and if it matches, an operation control means for operating a predetermined function in the host vehicle;
A vehicle group traveling system comprising:

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