JP2012126324A - Method and system for determining driving ability of vehicle driver - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and a system for determining driving ability of a vehicle driver by which driving ability of the driver is adequately determined using the system for recognizing a driver's sight range and visual ability, and a driving support mode suitable for the driver is determined.SOLUTION: When the sight range Un is biased to left, there may be the case where a pedestrian determination image 10e of the pedestrian coming from the right is invisible while a bicycle determination image 10d is visible, for instance. In this occasion, it is required that the driving support mode is determined to draw attention to an object from the right side, in particular. By satisfying the requirement, the driver can have proper support suitable for his/her own current situation, and consequently, safe diving is achieved, so that traffic accident preventing effect is enhanced.

Description

  The present invention relates to a driving ability determination method and system for a vehicle driver.

  Most of the causes of traffic accidents are the lack of attention of vehicle drivers. In particular, elderly people and the like have a narrow visual range, and it is difficult to process a lot of information.

  Therefore, there is a prior art (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 4) for checking whether driving is appropriate before driving or determining whether the mind and body are appropriate.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 53-8937 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 53-27291 JP-A-53-102540 JP-A-53-107191

  However, there was nothing to judge about the driver's visual range and visual processing ability, which are important factors in driving other than mental and physical conditions.

  In view of the above circumstances, the present invention uses a system capable of recognizing a driver's visual range and visual processing ability prior to the start of the vehicle, accurately determines the driver's driving ability, and provides driving assistance suitable for the driver. It is an object of the present invention to provide a driving ability determination method and system for a vehicle driver that determines a mode.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

In order to solve the above problems, a driving ability determination system for a vehicle driver according to the present invention includes:
Display means for displaying an image for safety confirmation on the windshield by projecting an image on the windshield of the vehicle;
Line-of-sight detection means for capturing movement of the line of sight of the vehicle driver confirming the determination image;
Display control means for determining a time for displaying the image for determination on the windshield and a position for displaying the image for determination;
Image position confirmation means for confirming whether or not the vehicle driver has recognized the determination image displayed on the windshield based on the display time and display position of the determination image determined by the display control means;
Driving support mode determining means for determining a driving support mode to support the vehicle driver based on the result confirmed by the image position checking means;
A transmission means for transmitting information related to the driving support mode determined by the driving support mode determination means to the vehicle driver;
It is characterized by providing.

  According to this, it is possible to use a head-up display system as an existing display unit capable of displaying an image on the windshield and an in-vehicle camera (hereinafter also simply referred to as a camera) as a line-of-sight detection unit. Therefore, there is almost no need to add extra equipment, and a system for determining driving capability can be provided at low cost.

  In addition, in this system, a vehicle driver (hereinafter also simply referred to as a driver) can easily detect the movement of the driver's line of sight with a camera simply by looking at a safety confirmation image displayed on the windshield. Can be detected. And since the driver's line-of-sight range (visual range) captured by the camera and the time set by the display control means are determined, an appropriate driving support mode is determined for the driver. Even without looking at the image for determination, it is possible to obtain information on the driving support mode that is most suitable for oneself, including the state of mind and body at that time.

  In this way, not only a large amount of information is given to the driver, but only the information that is really necessary for the driver is provided, so that the driver can receive accurate support suitable for his current state. As a result, it leads to safe driving and the effect of preventing traffic accidents is enhanced.

In addition, the driving capability determination system for a vehicle driver according to the present invention includes:
Display means for displaying an image for safety confirmation on the windshield by projecting an image on the windshield of the vehicle;
Image number detection means for detecting the number of images for determination recognized by the vehicle driver from the movement of the line of sight of the vehicle driver confirming the determination image;
Display control means for determining a time for displaying the image for determination on the windshield, and the number of times to display the image for determination;
Image number confirmation means for confirming by the image number detection means whether or not the vehicle driver has recognized the determination image displayed on the windshield based on the display time and the display number of the determination image determined by the display control means;
Driving support mode determination means for determining a driving support mode to support the vehicle driver based on the result confirmed by the image number confirmation means;
A transmission means for transmitting information related to the driving support mode determined by the driving support mode determination means to the vehicle driver;
It is characterized by providing.

  According to this, it is possible to use a head-up display system as an existing display means capable of displaying an image on the windshield and an in-vehicle camera (hereinafter also simply referred to as a camera) as an image number detection means. Therefore, there is almost no need to add extra equipment, and a system for determining driving capability can be provided at low cost.

  In addition, in this system, a vehicle driver (hereinafter also simply referred to as a driver) simply determines the number of judgment images recognized by the driver just by looking at the judgment images for safety confirmation displayed on the windshield. It can be easily detected by the camera. And since the driver support mode is determined accurately based on the number of images for determination recognized by the driver captured by the camera and the time set by the display control means, the driver is particularly required to carry out a new work. Without it, you can get information on the driving support mode that is most suitable for you, including your physical and mental condition.

  In this way, not only a large amount of information is given to the driver, but only the information that is really necessary for the driver is provided, so that the driver can receive accurate support suitable for his current state. As a result, it leads to safe driving and the effect of preventing traffic accidents is enhanced.

  The display means may be configured to be provided in at least one of the vehicle side mirror, the vehicle rearview mirror, and the vehicle back guide monitor together with the vehicle windshield.

  According to this, the determination image is displayed in addition to the windshield, and the driver's more accurate visual ability can be determined. According to the driver, there is a case where attention is distracted to the side of the vehicle, the bike coming out later, and the like although the front is sufficiently careful. However, even in such a case, the combination with the windshield supports a weak part of his visual processing ability, which leads to an improvement in safe driving.

  In the vehicle driver's driving ability determination method of the present invention, the display image is suddenly displayed on the windshield by the display means, and the visual range of the vehicle driver is determined from the position where the vehicle driver recognizes the determination image. The driving support mode to support the vehicle driver may be determined based on the visual range and the time set by the display control means, and information regarding the determined driving support mode may be transmitted.

  According to this, it is possible to know the visual range that the driver can instantaneously determine by suddenly displaying the determination image on the windshield or the like. Since the driving support mode to support the driver is determined by the visual range and the time set by the display control means, the driver can accurately know the driving ability including his / her physical and mental condition. The driving support mode suitable for the driving ability can be provided.

  In the method for determining the driving ability of the vehicle driver according to the present invention, a plurality of determination images are displayed on the windshield by the display means, and the visual processing ability of the vehicle driver is obtained from the number of recognition of the determination image by the vehicle driver. The driving support mode that should support the vehicle driver may be determined based on the visual range and the time set by the display control means, and information regarding the determined driving support mode may be transmitted.

  According to this, by displaying a plurality of determination images on the windshield or the like, the driver's visual processing ability can be known from the number of determination images recognized by the driver. And since the driving support mode which should support a driver is determined by the number of the images for determination and the time set by the display control means, the driver knows the driving ability including his / her state of mind accurately. And can be provided with a driving support mode suitable for the driving ability.

The block diagram which shows the driving capability determination system of the vehicle driver which concerns on this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the driving capability determination system of the vehicle driver in 1st Example. The flowchart which shows the process of FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows a visual range. Explanatory drawing which shows the driving capability determination system of the vehicle driver in 2nd Example. The flowchart which shows the process of FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a driving ability determination system for a vehicle driver according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the driving ability determination system 1 according to the present embodiment is a system mounted on a vehicle, and is a system intended to determine the driving ability of a vehicle driver. The driving ability determination system 1 includes an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 2 that is an electronic control device. The ECU 2 controls the entire apparatus, and includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an input / output signal circuit, a power supply circuit, and the like.

  The ECU 2 is connected to an image display unit 3 that functions as a display unit, a camera (in-vehicle camera) 4 that functions as a line-of-sight detection unit and an image number detection unit, and a transmission unit 5 that functions as a transmission unit. The ECU 2 also has a display control program for determining the time / position / number for displaying the judgment image as a display control means (not shown) and a signal from the camera 4 functioning as a line-of-sight detection means / image number detection means. Image position confirmation means for confirming the position and number of images recognized by the user, image position confirmation program as image number confirmation means, image number confirmation program, and driving assistance mode for determining the driver assistance mode by these programs A driving support mode determination program as determination means is included.

  Specifically, the image display unit 3 includes a vehicle windshield 3a (see FIG. 2A) as shown in the explanatory diagram of the vehicle driver's driving ability determination system in FIG. Furthermore, it is possible to include a vehicle rearview mirror 3b (see FIG. 2B) and a vehicle side mirror 3c. The windshield 3a, the rearview mirror 3b, and the side mirror 3c function as display means that can display images for determination 10a to 10e for safety confirmation.

  For example, the projection of the ball 10a or the girl 10b on the windshield 3a means that the light emitted from the display surface of the liquid crystal display is reflected on the windshield surface of the windshield 3a of the vehicle, and the reflected image is made visible to the user. The head-up display system can be used. Similarly, an image for determination can be projected on the rearview mirror 3b and the side mirror 3c using an existing system.

  The camera 4 is disposed at a position in the vehicle, for example, on the dashboard, as a line-of-sight detection means that can capture the movement of the driver's line of sight. The camera 4 also functions as an image number detection unit that detects the number of determination images recognized by the driver from the movement of the driver's line of sight.

  Specific processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In S1, the time Tn for displaying the image for determination on the windshield 3a and the distance An from the outer edge of the windshield 3a to the inside are determined. In S2, for example, the ball 10a as a determination image is suddenly displayed for a certain time from the left and right sides of the windshield 3a.

  In S3, it is determined whether the driver has confirmed the determination image. If the driver cannot confirm the presence of the determination image while the determination image is displayed, the process proceeds to S4, the time for displaying the determination image is lengthened, and the ball 10a is displayed. In order to make the range near the center of the windshield 3a, the distance from the center of the windshield 3a to the ball 10a is shortened. The process is repeated until the driver can react. When the driver can confirm the determination image, the process proceeds to S5, where the characteristics of the driver are set, and the time and distance at that time are stored in the memory in the ECU 2.

  Next, in S6, the time Tn during which the determination image displayed on the rearview mirror 3b and the side mirror 3c is displayed and the size Ln of the image are determined. In S7, for example, the ball 10a is displayed suddenly from the left and right.

  In S8, it is determined whether the driver has confirmed the determination image. If the driver cannot confirm the presence of the determination image while the determination image is displayed, the process proceeds to S9, the time for displaying the determination image is lengthened, and the ball 10a is displayed. Increase the size. The process is repeated until the driver can react. When the driver can confirm the determination image, the process proceeds to S10, where the characteristics of the driver are set, and the time and the size of the image are stored in the memory in the ECU 2.

  In S11, the final visual range Un is obtained from the characteristics of the driver determined in S5 and S10. In S12, a driving support mode for supporting the driver is determined from the information.

  A specific example of the visual range Un is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4A, in the windshield 3a, a portion surrounded by a dotted line is an effective visual range of the driver. In the case of the visual range Un as shown in FIG. 4 (a), almost the whole is visible, so that the driving support mode can be adjusted accordingly and unnecessary information can be prevented from being provided. By doing so, it is possible to prevent a problem that information cannot be processed due to too much information.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, when the visual range Un is biased to the left side, for example, the bicycle determination image 10d is visible, but the pedestrian determination image 10e from the right is not visible. There is. In such a case, the driving support mode may be determined so as to particularly pay attention to the object from the right side.

  As described above, according to the present invention, an existing head-up display system and an in-vehicle camera can be used, so that there is almost no need to add extra equipment, and a system for determining driving ability can be provided at low cost. it can.

  Further, the driver can know his / her visual range simply by looking at the image for determination displayed on the windshield 3a, so that the driver can easily know the driving ability including the current state of mind and body. Furthermore, the driving support mode to support the driver is accurately determined from the driving ability determined by the visual range and time, and information on the driving support mode can be obtained.

  Furthermore, since only necessary information suitable for the visual range of the driver is provided to the driver in this way, the amount of information provided from the vehicle is too large, and it becomes difficult to select information. There is no. Therefore, the driver can receive support for appropriate driving that matches the current state of the driver, leading to safe driving, and the effect of preventing traffic accidents is enhanced.

  Here, in the embodiment shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3, the method for determining the driving ability of the vehicle driver shows a case where the time is long and the distance is shortened when the reaction is impossible, and the case becomes easier. On the contrary, when it is easy and can react in the first stage, the time may be shortened and the distance may be lengthened.

  Moreover, although the image for determination was displayed on the windshield 3a and then displayed on the rearview mirror 3b and the side mirror 3c, the order can be changed and may be displayed randomly. . In addition, the determination image displayed on the rearview mirror 3b and the side mirror 3c is gradually enlarged when the reaction cannot be performed. However, when the reaction can be performed, the determination image is gradually decreased to shorten the display time. You may make it go. Further, similar to the determination image displayed on the windshield 3a, it can be displayed suddenly and gradually brought closer to the center position (position where it can be easily seen). Of course, it is possible to make the position gradually less visible.

Hereinafter, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown to Fig.5 (a), the vehicle 10c and the traffic light 10f which are the images for a determination for safety confirmation are displayed on the windshield 3a. Furthermore, 10c to 10e, which are determination images for safety confirmation, are also displayed on the vehicle rearview mirror 3b (see FIG. 5B) and the vehicle side mirror 3c.

  Specific processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In S21, the time Tn for displaying the determination images 10c to 10e on the windshield 3a, the rearview mirror 3b, and the side mirror 3c and the number Xn to be displayed are determined. Then, the determination images 10c to 10e are displayed in the process of S22 based on the determination of S21.

  In S23, it is determined whether or not the number of the driver's line of sight that can recognize the determination image is a certain number or more. When the number of lines of sight recognized has not reached a certain number, the process proceeds to the process of S24, and a process of extending the time for displaying the determination image and reducing the number of display of the determination image is performed. Is called. Then, the process is repeated until the number that the driver can recognize reaches a certain number. If the driver can recognize a certain number of determination images, the process proceeds to S25, where the characteristics of the driver are set, and the time and number at that time are stored in the memory in the ECU 2.

  In S26, a driving support mode for supporting the driver is determined from the characteristics of the driver determined in S25.

  As described above, in this system, the number of determination images recognized by the driver by the driver merely looking at the determination images for safety confirmation displayed on the windshield 3a, the rearview mirror 3b, and the side mirror 3c. Can be easily detected by the camera. And since the driver support mode is determined accurately based on the number of images for determination recognized by the driver captured by the camera and the time set by the display control means, the driver is particularly required to carry out a new work. Without it, you can get information on the driving support mode that is most suitable for you, including your physical and mental condition.

  Therefore, not only a large amount of information is given to the driver, but only the necessary information that matches the driver's visual processing ability is provided, so the driver can provide accurate support that matches his current condition. This will lead to safe driving and increase the effect of preventing traffic accidents.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 5 (a), when the car 10c and the traffic light 10f are displayed at the same time, since the driver is looking at the car in a concentrated manner, the signal f changes from blue to red. , You may miss it because you are not watching the signal carefully. When such a determination is made, the danger can be avoided by transmitting a warning to pay attention to the traffic light to the driver.

  Further, in the embodiment shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6, the driving ability determination method of the vehicle driver has shown an example of a case where the time is increased when the reaction cannot be performed and the number of determination images is decreased. On the contrary, when it is easy and can react in the first stage, the time may be shortened and the number may be increased.

  Further, the determination image may be displayed on any one of the windshield 3a, the rearview mirror 3b, and the side mirror 3c, or may be displayed on all of them, or may be displayed randomly. It is also possible.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, these are only illustrations to the last, and this invention is not limited to these, A various change is possible unless it deviates from the meaning of a claim. .

  Further, the determination image may not be moved on the image display unit 3 or may be moved. You may add the deformation | transformation which becomes large as it approaches gradually from a distance, or becomes small.

  Further, the determination image can be displayed on the vehicle back guide monitor in addition to the vehicle windshield 3a, the rearview mirror 3b, and the side mirror 3c. When displaying on the back guide monitor, it is possible to determine whether or not the screen when the vehicle is back is accurately confirmed. In this way, the display means 3 can accurately determine the current visual range and visual processing capability by using a combination of at least one of these locations. Therefore, a better driving support mode suitable for the driver can be determined based on the result.

  Further, the transmission unit 5 can transmit various information by voice, display a warning on the windshield 3a, or display on an existing navigation screen.

  In addition, although the time for displaying the determination image is determined by the display control unit, a measurement unit that measures the time from when the determination image is displayed until the camera 4 captures the movement of the driver's line of sight is displayed. The driving support mode may be determined based on the measurement means and the position or number of the determination images.

  Further, when determining the driving support mode, the driving support mode may be determined comprehensively from the display position, the display number, and the display time of the determination image.

  In the embodiment described above, the visual range and visual processing ability are determined by the camera 4 capturing the driver's line of sight. For example, when the determination image is displayed, the visual range and visual processing ability are installed on a handle or the like. Confirmation may be obtained by pressing the button.

  Also, when judging driving ability, not only image recognition, but also how fast it takes to perform operations such as brake pedal and steering wheel angle input to convey to the actual movement what you noticed visually You may make it do. By combining vision and operation in this way, it is possible to determine when the situation is closer to the actual situation. From such information, it can be determined that it is better to provide play for the steering wheel and brakes of the steering wheel, etc., and processing suitable for the driver can be performed.

1 Vehicle driver's driving ability judgment system (Driving ability judgment system)
2 ECU (electronic control device, display control means, image position confirmation means, image number confirmation means, driving support mode determination means)
3 Image display section (display means)
3a Windshield 3b Rearview mirror 3c Side mirror 4 Camera (Gaze detection means, number of images detection means)
5 Transmission part (Transmission means)
Un visual range

Claims (5)

Display means for displaying a judgment image for safety confirmation on the windshield by projecting an image on the windshield of the vehicle;
Line-of-sight detection means for capturing movement of the line of sight of a vehicle driver confirming the image for determination;
Display control means for determining a time for displaying the image for determination on the windshield and a position for displaying the image for determination;
An image position for confirming whether or not a vehicle driver has recognized the determination image displayed on the windshield based on the display time and the display position of the determination image determined by the display control unit. Confirmation means;
Driving support mode determination means for determining a driving support mode to support the vehicle driver based on the result confirmed by the image position confirmation means;
Transmitting means for transmitting information on the driving support mode determined by the driving support mode determining means to the vehicle driver;
A driving ability determination system for a vehicle driver, comprising: Display means for displaying a judgment image for safety confirmation on the windshield by projecting an image on the windshield of the vehicle;
Image number detection means for detecting the number of the determination images recognized by the vehicle driver from the movement of the line of sight of the vehicle driver confirming the determination images;
Display control means for determining a time for displaying the image for determination on the windshield, and a number for displaying the image for determination;
An image for confirming by the image number detection means whether a vehicle driver has recognized the determination image displayed on the windshield based on the display time and the display number of the determination image determined by the display control means. Number confirmation means,
Driving support mode determination means for determining a driving support mode to support the vehicle driver based on the result confirmed by the image number confirmation means;
Transmitting means for transmitting information on the driving support mode determined by the driving support mode determining means to the vehicle driver;
A driving ability determination system for a vehicle driver, comprising:   3. The vehicle driving according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is provided in at least one of a vehicle side mirror, a vehicle rearview mirror, and a vehicle back guide monitor together with the vehicle windshield. Driving ability judgment system. Using the driving capability determination system for a vehicle driver according to claim 1,
The image for determination is suddenly displayed on the windshield by the display means, the visual range of the vehicle driver is obtained from the position where the vehicle driver recognizes the image for determination, and the visual range and the display control means A driving ability determination method for a vehicle driver that determines a driving support mode to support the vehicle driver based on the set time, and transmits information on the determined driving support mode. Using the driving capability determination system for a vehicle driver according to claim 2,
A plurality of the determination images are displayed on the windshield by the display means, and the visual processing ability of the vehicle driver is obtained from the number of recognition of the determination images by the vehicle driver, and the visual range and the display control means are set. A driving capability determination method for a vehicle driver that determines a driving support mode to support the vehicle driver based on the determined time and transmits information on the determined driving support mode.