JP2015087893A - Vehicle travel support device and vehicle travel support method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle travel support device and a vehicle travel support method which can accurately extract other vehicles influencing on the own vehicle travel at a predetermined point and notifies thereof.SOLUTION: A vehicle travel support device 1 comprises: an own vehicle information acquisition unit which acquires current position information of the own vehicle and route information of the vehicle; an other vehicle information acquisition unit which acquires current position information of other vehicles and route information of the other vehicles; an other vehicle extraction unit which, when the own vehicle passes a nearest notification scheduled point, on the basis of the route information of the vehicle acquired by the own vehicle information acquisition unit and the rout information of the other vehicle acquired by the other vehicle information acquisition unit, extracts other vehicles having the same route travel directions as the route travel direction of the own vehicle after passing the notification scheduled point; and a notification unit 2 which notifies a driver of information about the other vehicles extracted by the other vehicle extraction unit.

Description

  The present invention relates to a travel support apparatus and a travel support method for notifying a user of information related to another vehicle that affects the travel of the host vehicle at a predetermined point and assisting the travel of the host vehicle.

  Conventionally, by acquiring information from other vehicles by communication, determining the possibility of collision between the own vehicle and the other vehicle at an intersection, and displaying a warning on the screen of the display module based on the determination result, There is a driving support device that provides a driver with information on other vehicles that may collide with the vehicle (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  In patent document 1, the intersection ahead of the course of the own vehicle is extracted based on the position and the traveling direction of the own vehicle mapped on the map data. Moreover, based on the other vehicle information acquired from the other vehicle by inter-vehicle communication, an intersection ahead of the course of the other vehicle is extracted. Then, the collision of the own vehicle and the other vehicle is determined as a collision intersection where the own vehicle and the other vehicle may collide with an intersection where the extracted intersection in front of the own vehicle and the intersection in front of the other vehicle coincide with each other. The arrival time to the intersection is calculated, and information on other vehicles is provided (warned) to the driver of the own vehicle based on the calculation result.

  In particular, in Patent Document 1, in order to reduce the calculation load and the like for performing each of the above processes in a place where there is a lot of traffic, a collision occurs based on a distance from the own vehicle to another vehicle, a preset priority order, or the like. By excluding other vehicles with low possibility in advance, the number of other vehicles to be used in the actual matching process (each of the above processes) is reduced.

  For example, route guidance information calculated by a navigation device mounted on another vehicle is acquired, and a travel schedule of the other vehicle is predicted based on the acquired route guidance information. And the extraction precision of a collision intersection is raised by excluding the other vehicle which turns right and left just before the intersection in which the own vehicle enters.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, right turn information or straight ahead information in an intersection is acquired from another vehicle, and the possibility of collision between the own vehicle and the other vehicle in the intersection is determined and notified to the driver.

JP 2008-65480 A JP 2006-72617 A

  In Patent Document 1, for example, when the own vehicle goes straight through an intersection, it is determined that other vehicles entering the intersection from the left and right directions with respect to the traveling direction of the own vehicle are highly likely to collide with the own vehicle. Alert the car driver. However, for other vehicles that are going to enter the intersection from the right direction and turn left with respect to the traveling direction of the own vehicle, the driver of the own vehicle is warned even though the possibility of collision with the own vehicle is low. There is a problem. On the other hand, for other vehicles that are going to enter the intersection from the opposite direction to the traveling direction of the own vehicle and turn right, there is a problem that the driver of the own vehicle is not warned although there is a high possibility of collision with the own vehicle There is.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, for example, when the host vehicle goes straight through an intersection, the possibility of a collision with the host vehicle is assumed for another vehicle that is scheduled to enter the intersection from the opposite direction to the traveling direction of the host vehicle and turn right. It is determined that the vehicle is high, and the driver of the vehicle is notified. However, for other vehicles that are going to enter the intersection from the right direction with respect to the traveling direction of the own vehicle and turn left, the driver of the own vehicle is notified although the possibility of collision with the own vehicle is low. There is a problem.

  In addition, in both Patent Documents 1 and 2, other vehicles that are scheduled to travel in the same direction after the vehicle turns right and left at the intersection are not considered even though the possibility of collision with the vehicle is high.

  That is, in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a warning is issued despite the low possibility of collision with the own vehicle, or this is missed although the possibility of collision with the own vehicle is high.

  From the above, in Patent Documents 1 and 2, it cannot be said that other vehicles that have an influence on the traveling of the host vehicle are accurately extracted and notified at predetermined points. Here, the other vehicle that affects the traveling of the host vehicle refers to another vehicle that may collide with the host vehicle at a predetermined point as described above.

  The present invention has been made to solve these problems, and a driving support device capable of accurately extracting and notifying a user of other vehicles that affect driving of the host vehicle at a predetermined point, and An object is to provide a driving support method.

  In order to solve the above problems, a driving support device according to the present invention includes a current vehicle information acquisition unit that acquires current vehicle position information and route information of the own vehicle, current vehicle position information, and other information. The other vehicle information acquisition unit that acquires the route information of the vehicle, and the own vehicle route information acquired by the own vehicle information acquisition unit and the other vehicle information acquisition unit when the own vehicle passes the nearest scheduled notification point Based on the other vehicle's route information acquired at, the other vehicle in which the traveling direction of the own vehicle's route and the traveling direction of the other vehicle's route are the same after passing through the scheduled notification point A vehicle extraction unit; and a notification unit for notifying information related to the other vehicle extracted by the other vehicle extraction unit.

  The driving support method also includes (a) a process of acquiring current position information of the own vehicle and route information of the own vehicle, and (b) acquiring current position information of the other vehicle and route information of the other vehicle. A process, and (c) when the own vehicle passes the latest scheduled notification point, the route information of the own vehicle acquired in step (a), and the route information of the other vehicle acquired in step (b) And a step of extracting another vehicle having the same traveling direction of the route of the own vehicle and the traveling direction of the route of the other vehicle after passing the notification scheduled point, and (d) in step (c) And a step of notifying information about the extracted other vehicle.

  According to the present invention, the driving support device acquires the current position information of the own vehicle and the own vehicle information acquisition unit that acquires the own vehicle route information, the current position information of the other vehicle, and the route information of the other vehicle. The other vehicle information acquisition unit and the other vehicle acquired by the other vehicle information acquisition unit and the other vehicle information acquisition unit acquired by the own vehicle information acquisition unit when the own vehicle passes the nearest notification scheduled point The other vehicle extraction unit for extracting the other vehicle having the same traveling direction of the own vehicle and the traveling direction of the other vehicle after passing through the scheduled notification point, and the other vehicle. And a notification unit for notifying information related to the other vehicle extracted by the extraction unit, it is possible to accurately extract and notify the other vehicle that affects the traveling of the host vehicle at a predetermined point.

  The driving support method also includes (a) a process of acquiring current position information of the own vehicle and route information of the own vehicle, and (b) acquiring current position information of the other vehicle and route information of the other vehicle. A process, and (c) when the own vehicle passes the latest scheduled notification point, the route information of the own vehicle acquired in step (a), and the route information of the other vehicle acquired in step (b) And a step of extracting another vehicle having the same traveling direction of the route of the own vehicle and the traveling direction of the route of the other vehicle after passing the notification scheduled point, and (d) in step (c) And a step of notifying information about the extracted other vehicle. Therefore, it is possible to accurately extract and notify the other vehicle that affects the traveling of the own vehicle at a predetermined point.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the driving assistance device by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the driving assistance apparatus by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the display of the driving assistance apparatus by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the display of the driving assistance apparatus by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the display of the driving assistance apparatus by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the display of the driving assistance apparatus by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the display of the driving assistance apparatus by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the driving assistance apparatus by Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the display of the driving assistance apparatus by Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the driving assistance apparatus by Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the display of the driving assistance apparatus by Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of the driving assistance apparatus by Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the display of the driving assistance apparatus by Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the control apparatus by embodiment of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<Embodiment 1>
First, the configuration of the driving support apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the first embodiment, a case where the driving support device is applied to a navigation device mounted on a vehicle will be described as an example.

  In addition, the driving support device is assumed to be mounted on each of the plurality of vehicles, and in the first embodiment, description will be given focusing on one of them. At this time, the vehicle with the main focus is called “own vehicle”, and the other vehicles are called “other vehicles”.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the driving support device 1 according to the first embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the driving support device 1 includes a notification unit 2, an input unit 3, a map data acquisition unit 4, a host vehicle position acquisition unit 5, a GPS (Global Positioning System) reception unit 6, and an orientation A detection unit 7, a pulse detection unit 8, a route calculation unit 9, a route guide unit 10, a communication unit 11, a reception antenna 12, a transmission antenna 13, and a control unit 14 are provided.

  The notification unit 2 includes a display unit 2a, an image control unit 2b, an audio output unit 2c, and an audio control unit 2d, and notifies various information to a user such as a driver of the own vehicle.

  The display unit 2a is composed of a display or the like.

  The image control unit 2b controls the display unit 2a to display an image such as a map image or a guide image based on image data including a map image or a guide image input from the control unit 14.

  The audio output unit 2c is composed of a speaker or the like.

  The voice control unit 2d controls the voice output unit 2c to output a voice such as a guidance voice and a warning sound based on voice data including a guidance voice and a warning sound input from the control unit 14.

  The input unit 3 includes, for example, a push button or a touch panel, and receives destination information from the user that can specify a destination to which the host vehicle should reach. In addition, when the input part 3 is comprised with a touch panel, you may comprise integrally with the display part 2a.

  For example, when the input unit 3 receives from the user the selection of a point on the map displayed on the display unit 2a that is scrolled according to the user's operation, the input unit 3 receives the point selected by the user as destination information. In addition, when an address or telephone number is received from the user, the address or telephone number is received as destination information.

  The map data acquisition unit 4 includes a storage device such as a hard disk drive (RAM) or a RAM (Random Access Memory), and acquires and stores map data.

  In addition, the map data acquisition part 4 may acquire map data from the outside via the receiving part 11a. For example, the map data acquisition unit 4 may acquire map data by downloading it from an external server or the like via a communication network. Or you may acquire by reading from storage media, such as DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) -ROM (Read Only Memory) and Blu-ray Disc (trademark) -ROM.

  The own vehicle position acquisition unit 5 is connected to the GPS reception unit 6, the direction detection unit 7, and the pulse detection unit 8.

  The GPS receiver 6 receives a GPS signal from a GPS satellite, and detects the current position of the vehicle (for example, latitude / longitude coordinates) based on the received GPS signal.

  The azimuth detector 7 includes, for example, a gyro sensor and an azimuth sensor, and detects the traveling direction (for example, azimuth) of the host vehicle.

  The pulse detection unit 8 detects a pulse signal corresponding to the number of revolutions per unit time of the axle of the own vehicle, and detects the traveling speed and the traveling distance of the own vehicle based on the detected pulse signal.

  From the above, the own vehicle position acquisition unit 5 detects the current position of the own vehicle detected by the GPS receiving unit 6 and the movement information of the own vehicle detected by the azimuth detection unit 7 and the pulse detection unit 8 (travel of the own vehicle). The correct current position of the host vehicle can be detected by performing correction based on the direction, travel speed, and travel distance.

  The route calculation unit 9 uses the current position of the vehicle acquired by the vehicle position acquisition unit 5, the destination that the vehicle received from the user by the input unit 3 should reach, and the map data acquisition unit 4. A route from the current position on the map to the destination is calculated based on the stored map data.

  The route calculated by the route calculation unit 9 includes, for example, a route that has a short arrival time at the destination (time priority route), a route that has a short travel distance to the destination (distance priority route), and a route that has low fuel consumption ( (Fuel consumption priority route), a route that prioritizes toll roads (toll priority route), a route that prioritizes ordinary roads (general priority route), and a route that balances time, distance, and cost (standard) Route).

  The route guidance unit 10 stores the route selected by the user via the input unit 3 among the routes calculated by the route calculation unit 9. Further, the route guidance unit 10 guides the user from the current position to the destination based on the stored route and the current position of the own vehicle acquired by the own vehicle position acquisition unit 5. Specifically, the route guidance unit 10 provides route guidance by displaying a guidance image on the display unit 2a or outputting a guidance voice from the voice output unit 2c.

  The communication unit 11 includes a reception unit 11a and a transmission unit 11b, and is configured to be able to perform inter-vehicle communication that directly transmits and receives various types of information to and from other vehicles existing around the host vehicle. ing. Further, as described above, map data can be received from the outside.

  The receiving unit 11 a receives various information transmitted from other vehicles via the receiving antenna 12.

  The transmitter 11b transmits various information to be transmitted to other vehicles via the transmission antenna 13.

  Specifically, the communication unit 11 receives information including the current position information and route information of other vehicles by inter-vehicle communication, and transmits the current position information and route information of the own vehicle. At this time, the current position information and the route information of the other vehicle received by the own vehicle are the current position information acquired by the own vehicle position acquisition unit 5 of the driving support device 1 mounted on the other vehicle, and the route calculation unit 9. It is the information of the route calculated by. That is, the communication unit 11 has a function as an other vehicle information acquisition unit that acquires current position information of other vehicles and route information of other vehicles.

  Further, the current position information and route information of the own vehicle transmitted by the own vehicle are stored in the current position information acquired by the own vehicle position acquisition unit 5 of the driving support device 1 mounted on the own vehicle and the route calculation unit 9. It is the information of the route calculated in this way. That is, the host vehicle position acquisition unit 5 and the route calculation unit 9 have a function as a host vehicle information acquisition unit that acquires current position information of the host vehicle and route information of the host vehicle.

  The route information received from the other vehicle includes information indicating the traveling direction of the other vehicle at the predetermined point where the own vehicle passes most recently (any one of straight, left turn, and right turn). . Similarly, it is assumed that the route information transmitted by the own vehicle includes information indicating the traveling direction of the own vehicle at a predetermined point where the other vehicle passes most recently. Here, the predetermined point where the host vehicle passes most recently is also a point to be notified because it is a point where the notification unit 2 to be described later will make a notification.

  The control unit 14 controls the notification unit 2, the input unit 3, the map data acquisition unit 4, the vehicle position acquisition unit 5, the route calculation unit 9, the route guidance unit 10, and the communication unit 11. In particular, the control unit 14 can support the traveling of the host vehicle by controlling the notification (display, voice output) by the notification unit 2 (details will be described later).

  Next, the operation of the driving support device 1 will be described. In the following description, it is assumed that the predetermined point (scheduled notification point) where the vehicle passes most recently is an intersection.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the driving support device 1. In addition, operation | movement of the driving assistance device 1 shall be implement | achieved when CPU which comprises the control part 14 runs the program memorize | stored in the memory | storage part (not shown). The storage unit that stores the program may be the map data acquisition unit 4.

  In step S <b> 11, when the control unit 14 receives an operation (notification start operation) for starting notification by the notification unit 2, the reception unit 11 a receives (acquires) information transmitted from another vehicle existing within the communication range. Determine whether or not. When information is received from another vehicle, the process proceeds to step S12. On the other hand, when information is not received from another vehicle, it transfers to step S15.

  Here, the notification start operation refers to an operation for the user to start the operation illustrated in FIG. 2 via the input unit 3.

  In step S <b> 12, the control unit 14 determines the route based on the current position of the vehicle acquired by the route calculation unit 9 by the vehicle position acquisition unit 5 and the destination set by the user via the input unit 3. Whether or not is calculated. When the route calculation unit 9 is calculating a route, the process proceeds to step S13. On the other hand, if the route calculation unit 9 has not calculated a route, the process proceeds to step S15.

  The control unit 14 determines that the route is calculated when the route guidance unit 10 performs the route guidance, and calculates the route when the route guidance unit 10 does not perform the route guidance. However, this is merely an example, and it may be determined whether or not the route calculation unit 9 has completed the route calculation.

  In step S13, the control unit 14 at the intersection where the vehicle passes most recently based on the route of the own vehicle calculated by the route calculation unit 9 and the route of the other vehicle received via the receiving unit 11a. Then, it is determined whether or not the other vehicle affects the traveling of the own vehicle. If another vehicle affects the travel of the host vehicle, the process proceeds to step S14. On the other hand, when the other vehicle does not affect the traveling of the own vehicle, the process proceeds to step S15.

  In step S <b> 14, the control unit 14 controls the notification unit 2 to notify the information related to the other vehicle that is determined to affect the travel of the host vehicle in step S <b> 13. Specifically, information related to the traveling direction of the other vehicle at the intersection where the host vehicle passes most recently is notified from the display unit 2a and the audio output unit 2c. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S15.

  In addition, when information is received from a plurality of other vehicles in step S11, the processing of step S12 to step S14 is performed for each other vehicle, and then the process proceeds to step S15. That is, the receiving unit 11a receives information from all other vehicles existing within the communication range.

  In step S <b> 15, the control unit 14 determines whether an operation for stopping notification by the notification unit 2 (notification stop operation) has been received. If a notification stop operation is accepted, the process ends. On the other hand, if the notification stop operation is not accepted, the process proceeds to step S11.

  Here, the notification stop operation refers to an operation for the user to stop the operation shown in FIG. 2 via the input unit 3.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of display on the display unit 2a when the process of step S14 of FIG. 2 is performed, and shows a case where the host vehicle 16 goes straight along the intersection 15 along the host vehicle route 16a. Yes. The display example shown in FIG. 3 will be described below in association with the operation shown in FIG.

  In the driving support device 1 mounted on the other vehicle 17 (hereinafter referred to as the driving support device 1 of the other vehicle 17, the same applies to other vehicles), The route guidance from the position to the destination is performed, and the intersection 15 is guided to turn right.

  At this time, the driving assistance device 1 of the other vehicle 17 transmits the current position information of the other vehicle 17 and route information including information indicating that the intersection 15 is turned to the right via the transmission unit 11b. The driving support device 1 of the host vehicle 16 receives information transmitted from the other vehicle 17 via the receiving unit 11a. Similarly, the driving support device 1 of the own vehicle 16 also receives information from the other vehicles 18, 19, 20, and 21 (corresponding to step S11 in FIG. 2).

  Next, the travel support device 1 of the host vehicle 16 extracts the other vehicles 17, 18, 19 that affect the travel of the host vehicle 16 at the intersection 15 from the other vehicles 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 (FIG. 2). Corresponding to step S12 and step S13).

  Specifically, the control unit 14 of the driving support device 1 of the host vehicle 16 sets the host vehicle route 16 a of the host vehicle 16, the other vehicle route 17 a of the other vehicle 17, the other vehicle route 18 a of the other vehicle 18, and the other vehicle 19. Based on the other vehicle route 19a, the other vehicle route 20a of the other vehicle 20, and the other vehicle route 21a of the other vehicle 21, the own vehicle route 16a and the other vehicle routes 17a, 18a, 19a, 20a, 21a intersect, Alternatively, after passing through the intersection 15, the other vehicles 17 and 18 that satisfy the conditions under the condition that the traveling direction of the host vehicle route 16 a and the traveling direction of the other vehicle routes 17 a, 18 a, 19 a, 20 a, and 21 a are the same. , 19 are extracted. The extracted other vehicles 17, 18, 19 are determined to be other vehicles that affect the traveling of the host vehicle 16 at the intersection 15. That is, the control unit 14 has a function as an other vehicle extracting unit that extracts other vehicles 17, 18, and 19 that affect the traveling of the host vehicle 16 at the intersection 15.

  Next, the travel support device 1 for the host vehicle 16 extracts the other vehicles 17, 18, 19 (the other vehicles 17, 18, 19 determined to affect the travel of the host vehicle 16) and the other vehicle routes 17a, 18a. , 19a are clearly displayed and notified to the driver of the vehicle 16 (corresponding to step S14 in FIG. 2). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the vehicle bodies of the other vehicles 17, 18, and 19 and the other vehicle routes 17a, 18a, and 19a are highlighted and displayed. At this time, the audio output unit 2c outputs audio related to the other vehicles 17, 18, and 19.

  On the other hand, the travel support device 1 of the host vehicle 16 uses the other vehicles 20 and 21 that have not been extracted (the other vehicles 20 and 21 that are determined not to affect the travel of the host vehicle 16) and the other vehicle routes 20a and 21a. Do not display clearly. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the vehicle bodies of the other vehicles 20, 21 and the other vehicle routes 20a, 21a are displayed without emphasis. At this time, the audio output unit 2c may not output audio related to the other vehicles 20 and 21. That is, the control unit 14 (other vehicle extraction unit) does not cross the own vehicle route 16a and the other vehicle routes 17a, 18a, 19a, 20a, and 21a at the intersection 15 and passes the intersection 15 after passing the intersection 15. Under the condition that the traveling direction of the route 16a and the traveling direction of the other vehicle routes 17a, 18a, 19a, 20a, and 21a are not the same, the other vehicles 20 and 21 that satisfy the condition are not extracted.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of display on the display unit 2a when the process of step S14 of FIG. 2 is performed, and shows a case where the own vehicle 16 turns right at the intersection 15 along the own vehicle route 16b. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 4, among the other vehicles 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, the other vehicles 18, 19, 21 have an influence on the traveling of the own vehicle 16 at the intersection 15, and the other vehicles 17, 20 Indicates that it does not affect the traveling of the vehicle 16 at the intersection 15.

  Specifically, the vehicle main body and other vehicle paths 18a, 19a, and 21a of the other vehicles 18, 19, and 21 are highlighted, and the vehicle main body and other vehicle paths 17a and 20a of the other vehicles 17, 20 are not highlighted. To display.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of display on the display unit 2a when the process of step S14 of FIG. 2 is performed, and shows a case where the own vehicle 16 turns left at the intersection 15 along the own vehicle route 16c. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 5, among the other vehicles 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, the other vehicles 17, 18 have an influence on the traveling of the host vehicle 16 at the intersection 15. Indicates that it does not affect the traveling of the vehicle 16 at the intersection 15.

  Specifically, the vehicle main body and the other vehicle paths 17a and 18a of the other vehicles 17 and 18 are highlighted, and the vehicle main body and the other vehicle paths 19a, 20a, and 21a of the other vehicles 19, 20, and 21 are not emphasized. To display.

  In the above description, the predetermined point (scheduled notification point) through which the host vehicle passes most recently has been described as an intersection. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and there may be other vehicles that affect the driving of the host vehicle. Applicable to a certain point. Specific examples thereof will be described below.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of display on the display unit 2a when the process of step S14 of FIG. 2 is performed, and the own vehicle 25 is located along the own vehicle route 25a at the entrance / exit point of the parking lot 23 of the store 22. 24 shows a case where the vehicle goes straight on.

  As shown in FIG. 6, among the other vehicles 26, 27, 28, the other vehicles 26, 27 indicate that the traveling of the own vehicle 25 is affected at the entrance / exit point 24, and the other vehicle 28 is present at the entrance / exit point 24. It shows that it does not affect the running of 25.

  Specifically, the vehicle main body and the other vehicle routes 26a and 27a of the other vehicles 26 and 27 are displayed with emphasis, and the vehicle main body and the other vehicle route 28a of the other vehicle 28 are displayed without emphasis.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of display on the display unit 2a when the process of step S14 of FIG. 2 is performed. The host vehicle 30 travels straight along a junction point 29 such as an expressway along the host vehicle route 30a. Shows when to do.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the other vehicle 31 has an influence on the traveling of the host vehicle 30 at the junction 29.

  Specifically, the vehicle body of the other vehicle 31 and the other vehicle route 31a are highlighted and displayed.

  From the above, according to the first embodiment, the other vehicle that affects the traveling of the own vehicle at a predetermined point where the own vehicle passes most recently (in the above example, an intersection, an entrance / exit point, a junction point) It is possible to accurately extract the information about the extracted other vehicle and notify the user (particularly, the driver) of the own vehicle. In addition, information related to other vehicles that affect driving of the own vehicle is emphasized and notified, and information related to other vehicles that do not affect driving of the own vehicle is notified without emphasizing, thereby reducing the burden on the user. can do. For example, it is possible to drive while being alert to other vehicles before visually finding other vehicles entering the intersection.

  In addition, since information is not exchanged between the own vehicle and a specific other vehicle, it is not necessary to use a directional antenna or the like for the reception antenna and the transmission antenna, and a general-purpose antenna can be used.

  In the above description, the case where inter-vehicle communication is performed between the own vehicle and another vehicle has been described. However, existing communication means such as road-to-vehicle communication or mobile communication may be used.

  The display unit 2a may display images such as those shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 side by side with, for example, a map image, or may display the image superimposed on the map image.

  In the above description, the notification unit 2 has been described as performing display by the display unit 2a and audio output by the audio output unit 2c. However, the notification unit 2 is not limited to this and may be either display or audio output.

  In FIG. 3, the vehicle main bodies and the other vehicle routes 17a, 18a, and 19a of all the other vehicles 17, 18, and 19 that affect the traveling of the host vehicle are highlighted, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the other vehicle route 17a may be displayed only for the other vehicle 17 closest to the intersection 15 among the other vehicles 17, 18, and 19 that affect the traveling of the host vehicle 16. The same applies to FIGS.

<Embodiment 2>
In the second embodiment of the present invention, when the control unit 14 (other vehicle extraction unit) is within a predetermined distance (first distance) from the nearest predetermined point (scheduled notification point). The other vehicle that affects the traveling of the vehicle at the predetermined point is extracted, and among the extracted other vehicles, the other vehicle existing within a predetermined distance (second distance) from the predetermined point It is characterized by notifying information. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

  In the following description, it is assumed that the nearest predetermined point is an intersection. However, as in the first embodiment, the present invention can also be applied to an entrance / exit point such as a parking lot or a junction point such as an expressway.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the driving support device 1.

  Note that each of step S21, step S22, step S24, step S26, and step S27 in FIG. 8 corresponds to step S11, step S12, step S13, step S14, and step S15 in FIG.

  Below, the process in step S23 and step S25 newly added with respect to FIG. 2 is demonstrated.

  In step S23, the control unit 14 determines whether or not the distance between the host vehicle and the nearest intersection (hereinafter simply referred to as an intersection) is within a threshold value (first distance). When the distance between the own vehicle and the intersection is within the threshold, the process proceeds to step S24. On the other hand, if the distance between the vehicle and the intersection is not within the threshold, the process proceeds to step S27.

  Here, the distance between the own vehicle and the intersection is based on the current position information of the own vehicle acquired by the own vehicle position acquisition unit 5 and the position information of the intersection stored in the map data acquisition unit 4. It is determined.

  In addition, the threshold value of the distance between the own vehicle and the intersection is, for example, a preset distance R11 (see FIG. 9) of 30 m to 110 m.

  In step S25, the control unit 14 determines whether or not the distance between the other vehicle and the intersection is within a threshold value (second distance). If the distance between the other vehicle and the intersection is within the threshold, the process proceeds to step S26. On the other hand, if the distance between the other vehicle and the intersection is not within the threshold, the process proceeds to step S27.

  Here, the distance between the other vehicle and the intersection is determined based on the position information of the other vehicle included in the information received by the reception unit 11a and the position information of the intersection stored in the map data acquisition unit 4. Is done.

  Note that the threshold of the distance between the other vehicle and the intersection is, for example, a preset distance R12 (see FIG. 9) of 30 m to 110 m.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of display on the display unit 2a when the process of step S26 of FIG. 8 is performed, and shows a case where the own vehicle 16 goes straight along the intersection 15 along the own vehicle route 16a. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the driving support device 1 according to the first embodiment highlights and displays information on all the other vehicles 17, 18, and 19 that affect the driving of the host vehicle 16 at the intersection 15.

  However, when the host vehicle 16 exists at a location far away from the intersection 15, it takes time until the host vehicle 16 reaches the intersection 15. Therefore, even if information about other vehicles that affect the traveling of the vehicle 16 at the intersection 15 is displayed (notified) at a location where the vehicle 16 is away from the intersection 15, the vehicle 16 actually passes through the intersection. It is conceivable that the possibility that there is another vehicle that affects the traveling of the vehicle 16 is low.

  In addition, when the own vehicle 16 exists within the distance R11 from the intersection 15, it is unlikely that another vehicle that is far away from the intersection 15 affects the traveling of the own vehicle.

  Therefore, in the driving support device 1 according to the second embodiment, when the own vehicle 16 exists at a position where the distance from the intersection 15 is longer than the distance R11 (the own vehicle 16 has an arc 32 whose radius is the distance R11). Information on other vehicles is not notified if it exists outside.

  On the other hand, when the own vehicle 16 exists at a position where the distance from the intersection 15 is shorter than the distance R11 (when the own vehicle 16 exists inside the arc 32), the traveling of the own vehicle 16 at the intersection 15 is performed. Of other vehicles 17, 18, and 19 that are determined to affect the vehicle, the information about the other vehicle 18 that exists at a position where the distance from the intersection 15 is longer than the distance R12 (outside the arc 33 having the radius of the distance R12). Is notified without emphasizing, and the information about the other vehicles 17 and 19 existing at a position (inside the arc 33) whose distance from the intersection 15 is shorter than the distance R12 is emphasized and notified.

  From the above, according to the second embodiment, other vehicles that affect the traveling of the own vehicle at a predetermined point (the intersection in the above example) where the own vehicle passes most recently are compared to the first embodiment. It is possible to accurately extract the information about the extracted other vehicle and notify the user (particularly, the driver) of the own vehicle. Therefore, the burden on the user can be further suppressed than in the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 9, the other vehicles 18 and 21 existing outside the arc 33 are displayed without emphasis, but the other vehicles 18 and 21 existing outside the arc 33 may not be displayed.

  In FIG. 9, the distance R11 and the distance R12 may be the same distance. The distance R12 may be a different distance for each road radiating from the intersection 15. For example, the distance R12 may be determined by the road width. A road having the same road width may have the same distance R12, and a road having a narrower road width than the other may have a shorter distance R12.

  In the second embodiment, when the own vehicle exists within a predetermined distance from the intersection and the other vehicle exists within a predetermined distance from the intersection, information on the other vehicle that affects the traveling of the own vehicle at the intersection is obtained. Although it has been described that the notification is emphasized, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the own vehicle exists within a predetermined distance from the intersection, information regarding other vehicles that affect the traveling of the own vehicle at the intersection may be emphasized and notified. Further, when another vehicle exists within a predetermined distance from the intersection, information regarding the other vehicle that affects the traveling of the own vehicle at the intersection may be emphasized and notified.

<Embodiment 3>
The third embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the distance thresholds (distances R11 and R12 in FIG. 9) predetermined in the second embodiment are determined based on the traveling speed of the own vehicle or other vehicles. Yes. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the second embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

  In the following, an intersection will be described as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to an entrance / exit point such as a parking lot or a junction point such as an expressway as in the first and second embodiments.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the driving support device 1.

  Each of step S31, step S32, step S34, step S35, step S37, and step S38 in FIG. 10 corresponds to step S21, step S22, step S23, step S24, step S26, and step S27 in FIG. Yes.

  Hereinafter, the process in step S33 newly added to FIG. 8 will be described.

  In step S33, the control unit 14 changes the threshold based on the traveling speeds of the own vehicle and the other vehicle. After changing the threshold value, the process proceeds to step S34.

  Specifically, the control unit 14 detects the traveling speed of the host vehicle by the pulse detection unit 8, and the threshold value of the distance from the intersection (distance R21 in FIG. 11, the first one as the traveling speed of the host vehicle decreases). The distance threshold (distance R21) is increased as the traveling speed of the vehicle increases.

  Further, the control unit 14 receives information on the traveling speed of the other vehicle from the other vehicle via the receiving unit 11a, and the distance threshold (distance R22, FIG. 11 in FIG. 11) from the intersection as the traveling speed of the other vehicle decreases. R23, R24, the second distance) is reduced, and the threshold value of the distance from the intersection (distance R22, R23, R24) is increased as the traveling speed of the other vehicle increases.

  The distances R21, R22, R23, and R24 are distances obtained by adding a margin distance (for example, 10 m) to a known stop distance (idle distance + braking distance) that changes according to the traveling speed.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of display on the display unit 2a when the process of step S37 of FIG. 10 is performed, and shows a case where the own vehicle 16 goes straight along the intersection 15 along the own vehicle route 16a. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 11, when the traveling speed of the host vehicle 16 is low, the time until the vehicle 15 reaches the intersection 15 becomes long, and therefore the distance R <b> 21 is shortened. Similarly, when the traveling speeds of the other vehicles 17, 18, and 19 are slow, the time until the vehicle reaches the intersection 15 becomes longer, so the distances R22, R23, and R24 are shortened.

  On the other hand, when the traveling speed of the host vehicle 16 is high, the time to reach the intersection 15 is shortened, so the distance R21 is lengthened. Similarly, when the traveling speeds of the other vehicles 17, 18, 19 are high, the time required to reach the intersection 15 is shortened, so the distances R22, R23, R24 are lengthened.

  From the above, according to the third embodiment, the other vehicle that affects the traveling of the own vehicle at a predetermined point where the own vehicle passes most recently (intersection in the above example) is compared to the second embodiment. It is possible to accurately extract the information about the extracted other vehicle and notify the user (particularly, the driver) of the own vehicle. Therefore, the burden on the user can be further suppressed than in the second embodiment.

  In FIG. 11, the other vehicle 21 existing outside the arc 36 is displayed without emphasis, but the other vehicle 21 existing outside the arc 33 may not be displayed.

  In FIG. 11, distances R21, R22, R23, and R24 may be different distances for each road radiating from the intersection 15.

  In the second embodiment, the distances R21, R22, R23, R24 are changed according to the traveling speed of the own vehicle or other vehicles, but depending on the time until the own vehicle or other vehicles reach the intersection 15. The distances R21, R22, R23, R24 may be changed.

<Embodiment 4>
In Embodiment 4 of the present invention, when a traffic light is installed at the nearest intersection (notification scheduled point) of the own vehicle, other vehicles entering the intersection from the left and right directions with respect to the traveling direction of the own vehicle are extracted. It is characterized in that it is not included (excluded when determining whether or not it is another vehicle that affects the traveling of the vehicle at the intersection). Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the driving support device 1.

  Each of step S41, step S42, step S46, step S47, and step S48 in FIG. 12 corresponds to step S11, step S12, step S13, step S14, and step S15 in FIG.

  Below, the process in step S43-step S45 newly added with respect to FIG. 2 is demonstrated.

  In step S43, the control unit 14 determines whether or not there is a traffic light at the nearest intersection of the host vehicle. If there is no traffic signal, the process proceeds to step S46. On the other hand, if there is a traffic light, the process proceeds to step S44.

  Specifically, the control unit 14 determines whether or not a traffic signal is installed at the nearest intersection of the own vehicle based on the information regarding the presence or absence of the traffic signal at the intersection stored in the map data acquisition unit 4. To do.

  In step S44, the control unit 14 determines the direction in which the other vehicle enters the nearest intersection from the own vehicle.

  In step S45, the control unit 14 determines whether or not the other vehicle enters the intersection from the left-right direction with respect to the traveling direction of the host vehicle. When entering the intersection from the left-right direction, the process proceeds to step S48. On the other hand, if the vehicle does not enter the intersection from the left-right direction, the process proceeds to step S46.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of display on the display unit 2a when the process of step S47 of FIG. 12 is performed. The own vehicle 16 is located at the intersection 15 where the traffic light 38 is installed along the own vehicle route 16a. It shows the case of going straight.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the driving support device 1 according to the first embodiment highlights and displays information on all the other vehicles 17, 18, and 19 that affect the driving of the host vehicle 16 at the intersection 15.

  However, when the traffic light 38 is installed at the intersection 15, the other vehicles 18 and 19 entering the intersection 15 from the left and right directions with respect to the traveling direction of the host vehicle 16 affect the traveling of the host vehicle 16 at the intersection 15. It is considered that there is a low possibility of effect

  Therefore, in the driving support apparatus 1 according to the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the other vehicles 18 and 19 entering the intersection 15 from the left and right directions with respect to the traveling direction of the own vehicle 16 16 is excluded from the determination of whether or not it will affect the travel of the vehicle 16 (the process of step S46 in FIG. 12 is not performed), and information on the other vehicle 17 that affects the travel of the host vehicle 16 at the intersection 15 is emphasized. And notify.

  From the above, according to the fourth embodiment, the other vehicle that affects the traveling of the own vehicle at the intersection where the own vehicle passes most recently is extracted with higher accuracy than the first embodiment, and the extracted other vehicle is related. Information can be notified to the user (especially the driver) of the vehicle. Therefore, the burden on the user can be further suppressed than in the first embodiment.

  Note that the second and third embodiments can be applied to the fourth embodiment. In this case, other vehicles that affect the traveling of the host vehicle can be extracted with higher accuracy.

  The driving support device 1 described above is not only a vehicle-mounted navigation device, that is, a car navigation device, but also a PND (Portable Navigation Device) and a mobile communication terminal (for example, a mobile phone, a smartphone, and a tablet terminal) that can be mounted on a vehicle. Etc.), and a navigation apparatus constructed as a system by appropriately combining servers and the like. In this case, each function or each component of the driving support device 1 is distributed and arranged in each function for constructing the system.

  Specifically, some functions of the driving support device 1 can be arranged in a mobile communication terminal, a PND, or a server. Further, when DA (Display Audio) is used as an in-vehicle device, since DA can only display and output audio, other functions can be arranged in the mobile communication terminal, PND, or server.

  For example, when the function of the driving support device 1 is arranged in a server, the server serves as a control device 39 that controls notification (display, audio output) in the own vehicle 46 or the other vehicle 47 as shown in FIG. Function. That is, the control device 39 includes a map data acquisition unit 40, a route calculation unit 41, a communication unit 42 (reception unit 42a, transmission unit 42b), a reception antenna 43, a transmission antenna 44, and a control unit 45. ing.

  Specifically, information including the current position and destination of the host vehicle 46 is received from the own vehicle 46 via the receiving unit 42a, and information including the current position and destination of the other vehicle 47 is received from the other vehicle 47. Receive. A plurality of other vehicles 47 may exist.

  Next, the route calculation unit 41 calculates a route from the current position of the host vehicle 46 to the destination and a route from the current position of the other vehicle 47 to the destination.

  Next, the control unit 14 (another vehicle extraction unit), based on the route of the own vehicle 46 and the route of the other vehicle 47, determines a predetermined point (for example, an intersection, an entrance / exit point, a merge point) where the own vehicle 46 passes most recently. The other vehicle 47 that affects the traveling of the own vehicle 46 is extracted at the point), and information regarding the extracted other vehicle 47 is transmitted to the own vehicle 46 through the transmission unit 42b. At this time, the information regarding the other vehicle 47 transmitted to the own vehicle 46 is, for example, image information or audio information as shown in FIGS.

  Even if it is a case where it is said structure, the effect similar to Embodiment 1 is acquired. Further, if the threshold value of the distance to the predetermined point is taken into consideration, the same effect as in the second embodiment can be obtained. Further, if information on the traveling speed is received from the own vehicle 46 and the other vehicle 47, the same effect as in the third embodiment can be obtained. Moreover, the same effect as Embodiment 4 is acquired by using the information of the presence or absence of the traffic signal in the intersection stored in the map data acquisition part 40. FIG.

  Moreover, the software (running support method) for executing the operation in the first embodiment may be incorporated in, for example, a mobile communication terminal, a PND, or a server.

  Specifically, the driving support method includes (a) a process of acquiring current position information of the own vehicle and route information of the own vehicle, (b) current position information of the other vehicle, and route information of the other vehicle. And (c) when the own vehicle passes the nearest notification scheduled point, the route information of the own vehicle acquired in step (a) and the other vehicle acquired in step (b) A step of extracting another vehicle in which the traveling direction of the route of the own vehicle and the traveling direction of the route of the other vehicle are the same after passing through the scheduled notification point, and (d) step ( and c) notifying information on other vehicles extracted.

  As described above, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained by operating the software for executing the operation in the first embodiment by incorporating it in the mobile communication terminal, the PND, or the server. The same applies to Embodiments 2 to 4.

  In FIG. 1, each of an image control unit 2b, a voice control unit 2d, a host vehicle position acquisition unit 5, a route calculation unit 9, a route guidance unit 10, a communication unit 11, and a control unit 14 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) based on software. It may be realized by executing a program process using Further, if possible, each of the image control unit 2b, the voice control unit 2d, the own vehicle position acquisition unit 5, the route calculation unit 9, the route guide unit 10, the communication unit 11, and the control unit 14 is replaced with hardware (for example, An arithmetic / processing circuit or the like configured to perform a specific arithmetic operation or process on the electric signal may be used. Further, both of the above may be mixed. The same applies to FIG.

  The own vehicle position acquisition unit 5, the route calculation unit 9, the route guide unit 10, and the control unit 14 may each be configured by a separate CPU. In addition, the functions of the route calculation unit 9, the route guidance unit 10, and the control unit 14 may be realized by one CPU executing a program stored in a storage unit such as the map data acquisition unit 4. Good.

  In FIG. 3, as long as the distinction between the other vehicles 17, 18, 19 that affect the traveling of the own vehicle 16 and the other vehicles 20, 21 that do not affect the traveling of the own vehicle 16 is clear, any display form may be used. There may be. The same applies to the audio content. The same applies to FIGS. 4 to 7, 9, 11, and 13.

  In FIG. 3, the other vehicle routes 20 a, 21 a that do not affect the traveling of the host vehicle 16 may not be displayed. The same applies to FIGS. 4 to 7, 9, 11, and 13.

  In FIG. 3, the vehicle body indicating the current position of the host vehicle 16 and the other vehicles 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21 is displayed in a square shape, and the host vehicle route 16a and the other vehicle routes 17a, 18a, 19a, 20a, and 21a are displayed. Although an example of displaying with an arrow is shown, the present invention is not limited to this, and other display forms may be used. The same applies to FIGS. 4 to 7, 9, 11, and 13.

  It should be noted that the present invention can be freely combined with each other within the scope of the invention, and each embodiment can be appropriately modified or omitted.

  1 driving support device, 2 notification unit, 2a display unit, 2b image control unit, 2c audio output unit, 2d audio control unit, 3 input unit, 4 map data acquisition unit, 5 vehicle position acquisition unit, 6 GPS reception unit, 7 Direction detection unit, 8 pulse detection unit, 9 route calculation unit, 10 route guidance unit, 11 communication unit, 11a reception unit, 11b transmission unit, 12 reception antenna, 13 transmission antenna, 14 control unit, 15 intersection, 16 own vehicle , 16a-16c Own vehicle route, 17 Other vehicle, 17a Other vehicle route, 18 Other vehicle, 18a Other vehicle route, 19 Other vehicle, 19a Other vehicle route, 20 Other vehicle, 20a Other vehicle route, 21 Other vehicle, 21a Other Car route, 22 stores, 23 parking lot, 24 entrance / exit point, 25 own vehicle, 25a own vehicle route, 26 other vehicle, 26a other vehicle route, 27 other vehicle, 27a other vehicle route, 28 other vehicle, 28a etc. Car route, 29 junction point, 30 own vehicle, 30a own vehicle route, 31 other vehicle, 31a other vehicle route, 32-37 arc, 38 traffic light, 39 control device, 40 map data acquisition unit, 41 route calculation unit, 42 communication Part, 42a receiving part, 42b transmitting part, 43 receiving antenna, 44 transmitting antenna, 45 control part, 46 own vehicle, 47 other vehicle.

Claims (8)

A vehicle information acquisition unit for acquiring current position information of the vehicle and route information of the vehicle;
Other vehicle information acquisition unit that acquires current position information of other vehicles and route information of the other vehicles;
When the host vehicle passes through the nearest notification scheduled point, the route information of the host vehicle acquired by the host vehicle information acquiring unit, and the other vehicle acquired by the other vehicle information acquiring unit. Based on route information, after passing through the scheduled notification point, another vehicle extraction for extracting the other vehicle in which the traveling direction of the route of the own vehicle and the traveling direction of the route of the other vehicle are the same And
A notification unit for notifying information about the other vehicle extracted by the other vehicle extraction unit;
A driving support device comprising:   The other vehicle extraction unit is configured such that, at the notification scheduled point, the route of the own vehicle and the route of the other vehicle do not intersect, and after passing the notification scheduled point, The travel support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the other vehicle that does not have the same traveling direction as the other vehicle is not extracted.   The said other vehicle extraction part extracts the said other vehicle when the said own vehicle exists within the predetermined 1st distance from the said notification schedule point, The said other vehicle is characterized by the above-mentioned. Driving support device.   The travel support apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first distance is determined based on a travel speed of the host vehicle.   5. The travel according to claim 1, wherein the other vehicle extraction unit extracts the other vehicle existing within a predetermined second distance from the scheduled notification point. 6. Support device.   The travel support apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second distance is determined based on a travel speed of the other vehicle. In the case where the notification scheduled point is an intersection and a traffic light is installed at the intersection,
The said other vehicle extraction part does not extract the said other vehicle which approachs into the said intersection from the left-right direction with respect to the said advancing direction of the said own vehicle, The any one of Claim 1 to 6 characterized by the above-mentioned. Driving support device. (A) acquiring current position information of the own vehicle and route information of the own vehicle;
(B) acquiring current position information of another vehicle and route information of the other vehicle;
(C) When the own vehicle passes the latest scheduled notification point, the route information of the own vehicle acquired in the step (a) and the other vehicle acquired in the step (b) Extracting the other vehicle having the same traveling direction of the route of the own vehicle and the traveling direction of the route of the other vehicle after passing through the scheduled notification point based on the route information; ,
(D) a step of notifying information on the other vehicle extracted in the step (c);
A driving support method comprising:

Images