JP2015031978A - Information providing device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information providing device for enabling a crew to know situations where an automatic driving vehicle has performed an emergency avoiding operation.SOLUTION: An image acquisition unit acquires and stores the image of the external front part of an own vehicle whose traveling is automatically controlled in a state that there does not exist any driver. An obstacle detection unit 101 detects an obstacle with respect to the traveling of the own vehicle. An emergency avoidance determination unit 102 determines whether or not it is necessary for the own vehicle to perform the emergency avoidance of the obstacle on the basis of the detection result of the obstacle. When it is determined that it is necessary for the own vehicle to perform the emergency avoidance of the obstacle, a confirmation image data generation unit 107 generates an image including a point of time when the own vehicle has performed the emergency avoidance operation as a confirmation image on the basis of the image read by the image acquisition unit. A monitor 17 displays the confirmation image.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information providing apparatus and method capable of providing a passenger with information related to a situation when an emergency avoidance operation is performed when a vehicle performs an emergency turn operation.

  In recent years, research on automatic driving in which part or all of driving of a vehicle is performed by the vehicle itself on behalf of the driver has been advanced. As an example, Patent Document 1 describes that a virtual image such as a road outline is generated and presented to the driver so that the driver can understand the intention of automatic steering even when the visibility is poor due to rain or fog. ing.

JP-A-10-97700

  With the technique described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to suggest a future situation, but it is not possible to provide a passenger with a situation that has occurred in the past. Specifically, when the vehicle performs an emergency avoidance operation, the occupant cannot know what situation has occurred and the emergency avoidance operation has been performed.

  An object of this invention is to provide the information provision apparatus and method which can know the condition when an autonomous driving vehicle performs emergency avoidance operation | movement.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention acquires and stores an image of the front side of the host vehicle, determines whether or not the host vehicle needs to avoid an obstacle urgently, and stores it when it is determined that urgent avoidance is necessary. An image is read out, and an image including a time point when the host vehicle performs an emergency avoidance operation is displayed on the display unit as a confirmation image based on the read image.

  According to the information providing apparatus and method of the present invention, it is possible to know the situation when the autonomous driving vehicle performs the emergency avoidance operation.

It is a block diagram which shows the information provision apparatus of one Embodiment. It is a perspective view showing an example of a vehicle carrying an information providing device of one embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the functional internal structure of the control part 10 in FIG. It is a figure which shows the 1st example of the confirmation image displayed on a monitor when a vehicle performs emergency avoidance operation | movement. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example of the confirmation image displayed on a monitor, when a vehicle performs emergency avoidance operation | movement. It is a partial block diagram which shows the modification of the information provision apparatus of one Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement in the information provision apparatus of one Embodiment, and the procedure by the information provision method of one Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an information providing apparatus and method according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  An information providing apparatus according to an embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is mounted on a vehicle 100 shown in FIG. 2, for example. In FIG. 1, the positioning unit 11 measures the current position of the vehicle 100. For example, the positioning unit 11 receives GPS radio waves from GPS satellites by the GPS antenna 11a shown in FIG. 2 and measures the current position of the vehicle 100.

  Positioning data D11 obtained by the positioning unit 11 measuring the current position of the vehicle 100 is input to the control unit 10. The positioning unit 11 may measure the current position of the vehicle 100 by a positioning method other than GPS, such as a gyro. The positioning unit 11 may measure the current position by combining GPS and a gyro. The function of the positioning unit 11 may be provided inside the control unit 10.

  The map information holding unit 12 holds map information. The map information is preferably information that can be displayed in three dimensions (3D). The map information holding unit 12 may be an arbitrary recording medium such as a hard disk drive, a semiconductor memory, or an optical disk. The map data D12 output from the map information holding unit 12 is input to the control unit 10.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a camera 13 that captures an image of the front side of the vehicle 100 from the vehicle 100 is attached in the vehicle 100. The attachment position of the camera 13 is not limited to the position shown in FIG. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, a so-called stereo camera including two cameras 13 is used, but one camera 13 may be provided. Shooting data D13 obtained by shooting the front of the vehicle 100 with the camera 13 is input to the control unit 10.

  A distance measuring sensor 14 is attached to the inside of the front grill of the vehicle 100, for example. The ranging sensor 14 can be configured by a laser radar or a millimeter wave radar. The distance measuring sensor 14 measures a distance from an object existing in front of the vehicle 100. Ranging data D14 obtained by the ranging sensor 14 is input to the control unit 10.

  The vehicle 100 includes a vehicle speed sensor 21 that detects the speed of the vehicle 100 and a steering angle sensor 22 that detects the steering angle of the steering. Vehicle speed data D21 obtained by the vehicle speed sensor 21 and steering angle data D22 obtained by the steering angle sensor 22 are input to the control unit 10.

  The vehicle 100 includes an automatic driving control unit (not shown) that executes automatic driving control. That is, the vehicle 100 is an automatic driving vehicle whose traveling is automatically controlled in the absence of a driver.

  The control unit 10 is connected to a storage unit 15 that stores various types of information to be described later. The storage unit 15 is a semiconductor memory, for example. The storage unit 15 includes a host vehicle data storage unit 151 that stores host vehicle data D151 such as the external shape, size, and color of the vehicle 100. The own vehicle data D151 is input to the control unit 10.

  The storage unit 15 includes an obstacle pattern data storage unit 152 that stores obstacle pattern data D152. The obstacle pattern data D152 is, for example, pattern data indicating the appearance of an automobile or pattern data indicating the appearance of a bicycle. The pattern data D152 is input to the control unit 10.

  It is not essential to provide the own vehicle information storage unit 151. If the own vehicle information storage unit 151 is provided, a simulation image described later can be generated using the image of the own vehicle. Therefore, it is preferable to provide the own vehicle information storage unit 151.

  It is not essential to provide the obstacle pattern data storage unit 152. If the obstacle pattern data storage unit 152 is provided, it becomes easy to specify what the obstacle is, such as whether the obstacle is a car or a bicycle when the obstacle is detected. Therefore, it is preferable to provide the obstacle pattern data storage unit 152.

  The storage unit 15 includes an avoidance operation information storage unit 153 that stores avoidance operation information from when the vehicle 100 starts the emergency avoidance operation until the emergency avoidance operation ends. The storage unit 15 includes a simulation data storage unit 154 that stores simulation data D104 created by the control unit 10.

  An operation unit 16 that is operated by a passenger of the vehicle 100 is connected to the control unit 10. The operation unit 16 may be a remote controller. Connected to the control unit 10 are a monitor (display unit) 17 for displaying a confirmation image, which will be described later, and a speaker 18 for generating a confirmation sound, which will be described later.

  The occupant is in the middle of the emergency avoidance operation of the vehicle 100 or after the emergency avoidance operation, what kind of situation has occurred and the emergency avoidance operation has been performed (the automatic driving vehicle performs the emergency avoidance operation). When the user wants to know the situation when he / she went, the operation unit 16 is operated. The operation unit 16 supplies an instruction signal S16 to the control unit 10 so that a confirmation image is displayed on the monitor 17 and a confirmation sound is generated by the speaker 18.

  A specific operation of the control unit 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 shows a functional internal configuration of the control unit 10. The control unit 10 may be configured with a microcomputer. The operation of the control unit 10 described below can also be realized by a computer program.

  In FIG. 3, shooting data D13 and distance measurement data D14 are input to the obstacle detection unit 101. The obstacle detection unit 101 receives pattern data D152 read from the obstacle pattern data storage unit 152. The obstacle detection unit 101 detects an obstacle existing in front of the vehicle 100 using at least one of the photographing data D13 and the distance measurement data D14, preferably both.

  An obstacle is an object (including a person) that hinders safe traveling of the vehicle 100. For example, a person, a bicycle, a car, or the like jumping out ahead of the traveling vehicle 100 hits the obstacle.

  The obstacle detection unit 101 generates obstacle detection data D101 including the position and moving speed of the obstacle.

  The obstacle detection unit 101 can identify what the obstacle is by performing pattern matching between the obstacle and the pattern data D152. The obstacle detection unit 101 specifies, for example, that the obstacle is a bicycle or a car. It is preferable that the obstacle detection unit 102 detects an obstacle using the pattern data D152. The obstacle detection data D101 preferably includes information indicating what the obstacle is.

  Information indicating that the obstacle detection unit 101 has detected an obstacle is input to the emergency avoidance determination unit 102. The obstacle detection data D101 may be input to the emergency avoidance determination unit 102. The vehicle speed data D21 and the steering angle data D22 are also input to the emergency avoidance determination unit 102. The emergency avoidance determination unit 102 determines whether or not the host vehicle needs to avoid an obstacle urgently based on at least an obstacle detection result by the obstacle detection unit 101. The emergency avoidance determination unit 102 operates as an emergency avoidance determination unit.

  The emergency avoidance determination unit 102 may determine whether or not emergency avoidance is necessary based on the detection result of the obstacle, the vehicle speed data D21, and the steering angle data D22. If the necessity of emergency avoidance is determined with reference to the vehicle speed data D21 and the steering angle data D22, the accuracy of the necessity determination increases.

  When the emergency avoidance determination unit 102 determines that the emergency avoidance is necessary, the emergency avoidance determination unit 102 supplies determination data D102 indicating the necessity of emergency avoidance to the write control unit 105, the confirmation image data generation unit 107, and the confirmation voice data generation unit 108.

  Further, the emergency avoidance determination unit 102 determines whether or not the vehicle 100 has actually started an emergency avoidance operation based on the vehicle speed data D21 and the steering angle data D22. Specifically, when the vehicle speed is greater than or equal to a predetermined speed, the amount of change in vehicle speed per unit time is greater than or equal to a reference value, or the amount of change in steering angle per unit time is greater than or equal to a reference value. It can be determined that the emergency avoidance operation has started.

  The emergency avoidance operation can be said to be a collision avoidance operation for avoiding a collision with an obstacle when there is a possibility of collision with the obstacle.

  The emergency avoidance determination unit 102 may determine whether the vehicle 100 has started an emergency avoidance operation for an obstacle based on the traveling state of the vehicle 100. At least one (preferably both) of the vehicle speed data D21 and the steering angle data D22 is an example of information for knowing the traveling state of the vehicle 100.

  The emergency avoidance determination unit 102 generates avoidance operation start data D102s when it is determined that the vehicle 100 has started an emergency avoidance operation, and generates avoidance operation end data D102e when it is determined that the emergency avoidance operation has ended.

  The avoidance operation start data D102s is input to the avoidance operation start information temporary storage unit 103, the simulation unit 104, the writing control unit 105, the confirmation image data generation unit 107, and the confirmation voice data generation unit. The avoidance operation end data D102e is input to the simulation unit 104 and the write control unit 105.

  When the avoidance operation start data D102s is input, the avoidance operation start information temporary storage unit 103 receives the positioning data D11, the vehicle speed data D21, the steering angle data D22, and the obstacle at the time when the avoidance operation start data D102s is input. The object detection data D101 is temporarily stored. Each data temporarily stored in the avoidance operation start time information temporary storage unit 103 is input to the simulation unit 104.

  The simulation unit 104 does not temporarily perform the emergency avoidance operation from the position of the vehicle 100 at the time when the emergency avoidance operation is started, and does not perform the emergency avoidance operation. Simulate the behavior. The simulation unit 104 simulates the behavior of the vehicle 100 using at least the position of the vehicle 100 and the vehicle speed at the time when the emergency avoidance operation is started.

  The simulation unit 104 generates simulation data D104 indicating the behavior of the vehicle 100 when it is assumed that the emergency avoidance operation is not performed during the period from the start to the end of the emergency avoidance operation. The simulation data D104 is input to the storage unit 15. The simulation data storage unit 154 stores simulation data D104.

  The writing control unit 105 stores the positioning data D11, imaging data D13, vehicle speed data D21, steering angle data D22, and obstacle detection data in the avoidance operation information storage unit 153 during the period from the start to the end of the emergency avoidance operation. The avoidance operation information storage unit 153 is controlled to write D101.

  The writing control unit 105 may control the avoidance operation information storage unit 153 to write each of the above data to the avoidance operation information storage unit 153 when the determination data D102 is input. In this case, the write control unit 105 may control to write each of the data in the avoidance operation information storage unit 153 from the time when the determination data D102 is input until the time when the avoidance operation end data D102e is input.

  The confirmation image data generation unit 107 receives map data D12. It is assumed that after the vehicle 100 performs the emergency avoidance operation, the occupant operates the operation unit 16 to know what situation has occurred and the emergency avoidance operation has been performed. The operation unit 16 supplies the instruction signal S16 to the confirmation image data generation unit 107 and the confirmation voice data generation unit 108.

  If the emergency avoidance determination unit 102 determines that emergency avoidance is necessary, determination data D102 is input to the confirmation image data generation unit 107 and the confirmation voice data generation unit 108. When the vehicle 100 performs an emergency avoidance operation, the avoidance operation start data D102s is input to the confirmation image data generation unit 107 and the confirmation voice data generation unit 108.

  Therefore, the confirmation image data generation unit 107 and the confirmation voice data generation unit 108 determine that the emergency avoidance is necessary and perform an emergency avoidance operation, and when the instruction image data and the confirmation image data generation unit 108 are instructed by the operation unit 16 Confirmation voice data can be generated. Alternatively, the confirmation image data generation unit 107 and the confirmation voice data generation unit 108 generate confirmation image data and confirmation voice data when the vehicle 100 actually performs an emergency avoidance operation and is instructed by the operation unit 16. Can do.

  The confirmation image data generation unit 107 includes positioning data D11, imaging data D13, vehicle speed data D21, steering angle data D22, at least a period from the start to the end of the emergency avoidance operation stored in the avoidance operation information storage unit 153. Obstacle detection data D101 is input. In addition, simulation data D104 stored in the simulation data storage unit 154 is input to the confirmation image data generation unit 107.

  Further, the vehicle image data D151 stored in the vehicle data storage unit 151 and the pattern data D152 stored in the obstacle pattern data storage unit 152 are input to the confirmation image data generation unit 107.

  As a first example, the confirmation image data generation unit 107 generates confirmation image data using the shooting data D13. 4A and 4B show examples of confirmation images based on confirmation image data generated by using the captured data D13 on the monitor 17. FIG. The confirmation images shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B are confirmation images of viewpoints when the vehicle 100 is viewed in front of the vehicle 100.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, it can be seen that the obstacle Obs, which is a bicycle, is moving from the right direction in front of the vehicle 100 to the left direction. 4 (a) and 4 (b), the vehicle 100 itself is not shown, but the relative positional relationship between the vehicle 100 and the obstacle Obs can be confirmed.

  The first example of the confirmation images shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B is an image of the behavior of the vehicle 100 that has performed an emergency avoidance operation (first behavior) as seen from the vehicle 100 to the outside of the vehicle 100. Is substantially visualized.

  The confirmation image data generation unit 107 may generate confirmation image data for highlighting the obstacle Obs based on the obstacle detection data D101. The method of emphasizing the obstacle Obs is arbitrary. For example, the obstacle Obs may be surrounded by a circle or an ellipse.

  Although only two images (a) and (b) are shown in FIG. 4, the confirmation image based on the confirmation image data is preferably a moving image. It is also preferable that the confirmation image data is formed by a plurality of still image data and the confirmation image is a plurality of still images. In this case, however, the number of still images is preferably as large as possible.

  In the first example shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the vehicle 100 is not displayed. The confirmation image data generation unit 107 uses the positioning data D11 and the host vehicle data D151 to generate image data indicating a virtual behavior image indicating the behavior of the host vehicle during the period from the start to the end of the emergency avoidance operation. May be. The confirmation image data generation unit 107 may generate confirmation image data including image data indicating a virtual behavior image.

  As a second example, the confirmation image data generation unit 107 generates confirmation image data using simulation data D104. 5A and 5B display a 3D background image based on the map data D12 on the monitor 17, and a confirmation image based on the confirmation image data generated using the simulation data D104 is displayed on the background image. The displayed example is shown.

  The confirmation images shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B are confirmation images based on virtual images in which the viewpoint is placed outside the vehicle 100 and the direction in which the vehicle 100 and the obstacle Obs can be seen from the outside of the vehicle 100 is seen. A vehicle 100 shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B is a virtual image generated based on own vehicle data D151. By generating a virtual image of the vehicle 100 using the host vehicle data D151, it is possible to indicate the host vehicle itself, and it is difficult to feel uncomfortable.

  In FIG. 5B, the vehicle 100 indicated by a solid line indicates the vehicle 100 at the actual position where the emergency avoidance operation has been performed. The vehicle 100 indicated by a two-dot chain line indicates the vehicle 100 on a virtual position when it is assumed that the emergency avoidance operation is not performed. If the vehicle 100 did not perform the emergency avoidance operation, it can be seen that the vehicle 100 was in contact with the obstacle Obs.

  According to the second example of the confirmation images shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the virtual behavior (second behavior) of the vehicle 100 when simulation is performed assuming that the emergency avoidance operation is not performed. Can be visualized.

  The colors of the vehicle 100 at the actual position and the vehicle 100 at the virtual position may be different. For example, the density (transmittance) may be varied by making the vehicle 100 at the actual position darker and the vehicle 100 at the virtual position thinner.

  In FIG. 5B, the vehicle 100 at the actual position indicated by the solid line and the vehicle 100 at the virtual position indicated by the two-dot chain line are simultaneously displayed on the monitor 17, but are displayed at different timings. May be. The confirmation image data may be such that the vehicle 100 at the actual position and the vehicle 100 at the virtual position are alternately displayed on the monitor 17. What is necessary is just to display so that both can be compared on the same screen of the monitor 17 at the same or different timing.

  The screen of the monitor 17 may be divided into two, and the vehicle 100 at the actual position may be displayed on one side and the vehicle 100 at the virtual position on the other side.

  Also in FIG. 5, the confirmation image based on the virtual image is preferably a moving image, and may be a plurality of still images.

  By the way, in recent years, there are servers that provide actual image data obtained by photographing a road. Actual image data obtained by photographing a road can be easily obtained. Therefore, instead of the background image based on the virtual image generated based on the map data D12, the actual image may be used as the background image.

  The modification shown in FIG. 6 illustrates a different part from FIG. 1 and omits the illustration of the common part. In FIG. 6, the communication unit 19 communicates with the image providing server 30 based on the control by the control unit 10. The communication unit 19 acquires actual image data obtained by photographing the road provided by the image providing server 30 and supplies the acquired real image data to the control unit 10.

  The actual image data is input to the confirmation image data generation unit 107 in the control unit 10 shown in FIG. The confirmation image data generation unit 107 generates confirmation image data for displaying the virtual vehicle 100 and the obstacle Obs on the background image based on the actual image data.

  According to the modified example shown in FIG. 6, a background image can be used as a real image when the viewpoint is placed outside the vehicle 100 and the vehicle 100 and the obstacle Obs are seen from the outside of the vehicle 100. Therefore, a confirmation image can be obtained in which the occupant actually goes out of the vehicle 100 and sees the situation when the vehicle performs an emergency avoidance operation.

  Returning to FIG. 3, when the confirmation instruction signal S <b> 16 is input, the confirmation voice data generation unit 108, for example, “emergency avoids the obstacle” or “suddenly brakes to avoid the obstacle. Is generated from the speaker 18. Thereby, the crew member can know the situation (reason etc.) when vehicle 100 performed emergency avoidance operation.

  If the obstacle detection data D101 including information indicating what the obstacle is is input to the confirmation voice data generation unit 108, “the bicycle was urgently avoided”, “the bicycle was suddenly braked to avoid the bicycle. It is also possible to generate a sound such as “from the speaker 18.

  Although it is not essential to provide the confirmation voice data generation unit 108, it is preferable to provide the confirmation voice data generation unit 108.

  The operation of the information providing apparatus according to the embodiment and the procedure according to the information providing method according to the embodiment will be described again using the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In step S1, the control unit 10 acquires the host vehicle and outside information. The own vehicle information includes positioning data D11, vehicle speed data D21, and steering angle data D22. The information outside the vehicle is photographing data D13 and distance measurement data D14. In step S2, the control unit 10 determines whether or not an emergency avoidance operation has been started based on the own vehicle information.

  Instead of determining whether or not the emergency avoidance operation has been started in step S2, the control unit 10 may determine whether or not emergency avoidance is necessary. In the following steps, the determination that the emergency avoidance operation has started may be replaced with the determination that the emergency avoidance is required.

  If it is determined that the emergency avoidance operation is started (YES), the control unit 10 shifts the process to step S3. If it is not determined that the emergency avoidance operation is started (NO), the control unit 10 returns the process to step S1. Steps S1 and S2 are repeated.

  In step S <b> 3, the control unit 10 temporarily stores the avoidance operation start information temporary storage unit 103 in the avoidance operation start information temporary storage unit 103. In step S4, the control unit 10 stores information on the avoidance operation in the storage unit 15. In step S5, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the emergency avoidance operation has ended.

  If it is determined that the emergency avoidance operation has ended (YES), the control unit 10 shifts the process to step S6. If it is not determined that the emergency avoidance operation has ended (NO), the control unit 10 returns the process to step S4. Steps S4 and S5 are repeated.

  In step S6, the control unit 10 generates simulation data when it is assumed that an emergency avoidance operation has not been performed. In step S <b> 7, the control unit 10 determines whether a confirmation image display instruction has been given from the operation unit 16. If a confirmation image display instruction is given (YES), control unit 10 causes the process to proceed to step S8, and if a confirmation image display instruction is not given (NO), the process ends.

  In step S8, the control unit 10 generates confirmation image data and supplies the confirmation image data to the monitor 17. In step S9, the control unit 10 generates confirmation sound data and supplies the confirmation sound data to the speaker 18, and ends the process.

  As described above, the information providing apparatus according to the embodiment includes the avoidance operation information storage unit 153 and the confirmation image data generation unit 107, so that the situation when the vehicle 100 performs the emergency avoidance operation can be known. .

  If a simulation part is provided in the information providing apparatus of one embodiment, the behavior when it is assumed that the vehicle 100 has not performed an emergency avoidance operation can be visualized.

  The confirmation image data generation unit 107 visualizes the behavior of the vehicle 100 when the emergency avoidance operation is performed and the behavior when the vehicle 100 is assumed not to perform the emergency avoidance operation on the same screen at the same or different timing. If so, they can be compared.

  If the camera 13 for photographing the outside is provided in the information providing apparatus according to the embodiment, the confirmation image data generation unit 107 can generate confirmation image data using a photographed image photographed by the camera 13. Without being limited to the camera 13, an image acquisition unit that acquires an image in front of the vehicle 100 may be provided. In the information providing apparatus according to the embodiment, the camera 13 and the storage unit 15 are image acquisition units.

  If the information providing apparatus according to the embodiment includes the map information holding unit 12, the confirmation image data generation unit 107 can generate confirmation image data using virtual image data generated based on the map information. It is possible to generate confirmation image data that cannot be represented by a photographed image photographed by the camera 13.

  If the information providing apparatus according to the embodiment includes the communication unit 19 that acquires actual image data from the image providing server 30, confirmation image data can be generated using the image data. Confirmation image data that cannot be represented by a photographed image photographed by the camera 13 can be generated, and a confirmation image that is actually seen can be obtained.

  If the information providing apparatus according to the embodiment includes the operation unit 16 for instructing the display unit to display the confirmation image, the occupant can display the confirmation image at a necessary timing. If the information providing apparatus of one embodiment includes a confirmation voice data generation unit that outputs confirmation voice data from a speaker, it is possible to know the situation when the emergency avoidance operation is performed more reliably.

  In another aspect, the information providing apparatus according to an embodiment is configured as follows. For example, the image acquisition unit that is the camera 13 and the storage unit 15 acquires and stores an image of the front side of the host vehicle whose traveling is automatically controlled in the absence of the driver. The obstacle detection unit 101 detects an obstacle to the traveling of the host vehicle. The emergency avoidance determination unit 102 determines whether or not the host vehicle needs to avoid an obstacle urgently based on at least an obstacle detection result by the obstacle detection unit 101.

  When the emergency avoidance determination unit 102 determines that the emergency avoidance is necessary, the confirmation image data generation unit 107 (confirmation image generation unit) determines that the host vehicle is urgent based on the image read from the image acquisition unit (storage unit 15). An image including the time point when the avoidance operation is performed is generated as a confirmation image. The monitor 17 as a display unit arranged in the host vehicle displays a confirmation image.

  The information provision method of one embodiment includes the following steps. The image acquisition step acquires and stores an image of the front side of the host vehicle whose traveling is automatically controlled in the absence of a driver. The obstacle detection step detects an obstacle to the traveling of the host vehicle. The necessity determination step determines whether or not the host vehicle urgently avoids the obstacle based on at least an obstacle detection result obtained by the obstacle detection step.

  In the reading step, when it is determined that the emergency avoidance is required in the necessity determination step, the image acquired in the image acquisition step is read. In the confirmation image generation step, an image including a time point when the host vehicle performs the emergency avoidance operation is generated as a confirmation image based on the image read in the reading step. In the display step, the confirmation image is displayed on the monitor 17 as a display unit in the host vehicle.

  Therefore, according to the information providing apparatus and method of the embodiment, it is possible to know the situation when the vehicle 100 performs the emergency avoidance operation.

  The confirmation image data generation unit 107 (confirmation image generation unit) may generate a confirmation image including a virtual behavior image indicating the behavior of the host vehicle when the host vehicle performs the emergency avoidance operation.

  As described above, the confirmation image obtained by the information providing apparatus and method according to the embodiment is one of the following. As shown in FIG. 4, a real image obtained by photographing the front of the vehicle 100 with the camera 13 can be used as a confirmation image. Although not particularly illustrated, an image obtained by adding a virtual behavior image indicating the behavior of the host vehicle to a real image obtained by photographing the front of the vehicle 100 with the camera 13 can be used as a confirmation image.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a virtual behavior image indicating the behavior of the host vehicle is added to the background image of the real image obtained by converting the viewpoint based on the real image data obtained by photographing the road acquired from the image providing server 30. The confirmed image can be used as a confirmation image. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, an image obtained by adding a virtual behavior image indicating the behavior of the host vehicle to the background image based on the virtual image obtained by converting the viewpoint generated based on the map data D12 is used as the confirmation image. Can do.

  By the way, in the information provision apparatus of one Embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the control part 10 has detected the start and completion | finish of emergency avoidance operation | movement. When the automatic driving control unit that executes the control of the automatic driving starts and ends the emergency avoidance operation, it is also possible to supply data indicating the start and the end to the control unit 10.

  In this case, the information providing apparatus according to the embodiment may execute step S3 and subsequent steps in FIG. The information providing method of one embodiment may execute the procedure after step S3 in FIG.

  The camera 13 and the distance measuring sensor 14 in FIG. 1 may be connected to the automatic operation control unit, and the imaging data D13 from the camera 13 may be input to the control unit 10. It is also possible for the control unit 10 to have the function of an automatic operation control unit.

  In the information providing apparatus and method of the embodiment described above, the writing control unit 105 avoids the shooting data D13 after the time when it is determined that the emergency avoidance is necessary or after the start of the emergency avoidance operation is detected. Control is performed so that the data is written to 153. The writing control unit 105 may control to always write the photographing data D13 in the avoidance operation information storage unit 153 regardless of the detection of the start of the emergency avoidance operation.

  In this case, since the capacity of the avoidance operation information storage unit 153 is limited, it is preferable to overwrite the past shooting data D13 with new shooting data D13 for a predetermined time or more.

  If the shooting data D13 is stored in the avoidance operation information storage unit 153 regardless of the detection of the start of the emergency avoidance operation, the avoidance operation information storage unit 153 has the entire shooting data from the start to the end of the emergency avoidance operation. D13 can be reliably stored. The confirmation image data generation unit 107 only has to read out the shooting data D13 during the period from the start to the end of the emergency avoidance operation among the shooting data D13 written in the avoidance operation information storage unit 153.

  In this way, the writing control unit 105 stores the photographic data D13 during the period from the time when it is determined that the emergency avoidance is necessary to the end of the emergency avoidance operation or the period from the start to the end of the emergency avoidance operation. It is not limited to writing in the part 153.

  The present invention is not limited to the information providing apparatus and method of the embodiment described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

12 Map information storage unit 13 Camera (image acquisition unit)
15 Storage unit (image acquisition unit)
16 Operation section 17 Monitor (display section)
18 Speaker 19 Communication Unit 100 Vehicle 101 Obstacle Detection Unit 102 Emergency Avoidance Determination Unit 104 Simulation Unit 107 Confirmation Image Data Generation Unit (Confirmation Image Generation Unit)
108 confirmation voice data generation unit (confirmation voice generation unit)

Claims (7)

An image acquisition unit that acquires and stores an image of an external front of the host vehicle in which driving is automatically controlled in the absence of a driver;
An obstacle detection unit for detecting an obstacle to the traveling of the host vehicle;
An emergency avoidance determination unit that determines whether or not the host vehicle needs to avoid an obstacle urgently based on at least an obstacle detection result by the obstacle detection unit;
When the emergency avoidance determination unit determines that emergency avoidance is necessary, a confirmation that generates, as a confirmation image, an image including a time point when the host vehicle has performed an emergency avoidance operation based on the image read from the image acquisition unit. An image generator;
A display unit for displaying the confirmation image in the host vehicle;
An information providing apparatus comprising:   The information provision according to claim 1, wherein the confirmation image generation unit generates a confirmation image including a virtual behavior image indicating a behavior of the host vehicle when the host vehicle performs an emergency avoidance operation. apparatus. The storage unit includes travel state data including a position and a moving speed of the host vehicle at the time of starting an emergency avoiding operation, and a position and a moving speed of the obstacle during the emergency avoiding operation detected by the obstacle detecting unit. Further storing obstacle detection data including,
Based on the running state data and the obstacle detection data, further comprising a simulation unit that generates simulation data by simulating the behavior of the host vehicle when it is assumed that the host vehicle has not performed an emergency avoidance operation,
The information providing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the confirmation image generation unit generates a confirmation image including a virtual confirmation image generated using the simulation data. A map information holding unit for holding map information;
The confirmation image generation unit generates a virtual image in which the host vehicle is seen from a viewpoint outside the host vehicle based on the map information, and generates the virtual confirmation image using the virtual image. 4. The information providing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein The image providing server further includes a communication unit that acquires a real image in which the host vehicle is seen from a viewpoint outside the host vehicle,
The information providing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the confirmation image generation unit generates the virtual confirmation image using the real image.   The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a confirmation sound generation unit that generates confirmation sound related to an emergency avoidance operation of the host vehicle and outputs the confirmation sound from a speaker. An image acquisition step of acquiring and storing an image of the front outside the host vehicle in which driving is automatically controlled in the absence of a driver;
An obstacle detection step of detecting an obstacle to the traveling of the host vehicle;
A necessity determination step for determining whether or not the host vehicle urgently avoids the obstacle based on at least an obstacle detection result by the obstacle detection step;
When it is determined that the emergency avoidance is required in the necessity determination step, a reading step of reading the image acquired in the image acquisition step;
Based on the image read in the reading step, a confirmation image generating step for generating, as a confirmation image, an image including a time point when the host vehicle has performed an emergency avoidance operation;
A display step of displaying the confirmation image on the display unit in the host vehicle;
An information providing method comprising:

Images