JP2015138364A - Travel support device, server device, and travel support system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a travel support device, a server device, and a travel support system, which allows a plurality of vehicles to stably form a vehicle group and travel in the vehicle group on a freeway.SOLUTION: A travel support device 2 acquires, from vehicles 20 other than a vehicle 20 with the own device 2 mounted and via a supporting-side communication unit 24, destination-related information on a destination interchange at which the other vehicles 20 should exit from a freeway. A supporting-side control unit 21 acquires from an input unit 23 destination-related information stored in the vehicle 20 with the own device 2 mounted. The supporting-side control unit 21 determines whether or not vehicles, which can travel in a vehicle group up to an interchange at least one interchange closer than the destination interchange or a facility closer than the destination interchange, are present on the freeway based on the acquired destination-related information and command each of the vehicles 20 to travel in a vehicle group based on the result of determination.

Description

  The present invention relates to a travel support device, a server device, and a travel support system that support vehicle group travel in which a plurality of vehicles travel in a vehicle group.

  For the purpose of improving fuel consumption and reducing driving load, a vehicle group traveling in which a plurality of vehicles travel in a vehicle group has been proposed. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique for assisting vehicle group traveling.

  Whether the travel control device disclosed in Patent Document 1 forms a vehicle group by comparing action plans to each vehicle or a predetermined point of each vehicle group in order to form a vehicle group composed of a plurality of vehicles. Is configured to determine. As the action plan, for example, a target route and a target speed pattern are used.

International Publication No. 2008/018607 Pamphlet

  In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, a vehicle group is formed if action plans such as a target route are similar. However, even if the destinations are completely the same, if the waypoints are different, for example, on the expressway, if the interchange set as an interchange to get off to arrive at the destination is different, as a driver You may not want to form a vehicle group. Also, the driver may not want to form a vehicle group with vehicles having different destinations even though the interchange to get off is the same.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a travel support device, a server device, and a travel support system that allow a plurality of vehicles to stably form a vehicle group on an expressway and perform vehicle group travel.

  The travel support device of the present invention is a travel support device that supports vehicle group travel in which a plurality of vehicles travel in a vehicle group, and is a target interchange set as an interchange on which each vehicle should get off on a highway. An acquisition unit that acquires destination-related information about the vehicle, and an interchange that is at least one prior to the destination interchange on the expressway among a plurality of vehicles based on the destination-related information of each vehicle acquired by the acquisition unit Or if there is a vehicle that can travel in the vehicle group up to the facility before the target interchange, and if there is a vehicle that can travel in the vehicle group, each vehicle wishes to travel in the vehicle group Based on the presence / absence information indicating whether or not the vehicle group travel is performed on each vehicle, the vehicle can travel on the vehicle group by the determination unit. It is determined that the vehicle is present, and it is determined to execute the vehicle group traveling in each vehicle, characterized by comprising an instruction unit for instructing to execute the vehicle group traveling on each vehicle.

  The server device of the present invention includes the travel support device of the present invention, and the acquisition unit functions as a server-side communication unit that can communicate with each vehicle.

  The driving support system of the present invention includes a plurality of vehicles equipped with the driving support device of the present invention and a server device capable of communicating with each vehicle, and the acquisition unit of the driving support device mounted on each vehicle includes a server device. It is characterized by communicating with other vehicles via.

  According to the driving support device of the present invention, based on the destination related information regarding the destination interchange of each vehicle acquired by the acquiring unit, whether there is a vehicle capable of traveling in a group of vehicles among a plurality of vehicles. It is determined by the determination unit. When it is determined that there is a vehicle that can travel in the vehicle group, the determination unit determines whether or not to execute vehicle group travel on each vehicle, based on the desired / not desired information of each vehicle. When it is determined that there is a vehicle that can travel in the vehicle group and it is determined that the vehicle group travel is performed by each vehicle, the instruction unit instructs the vehicle to perform the vehicle group travel.

  Whether or not there is a vehicle that can travel in the vehicle group is determined based on whether the vehicle is traveling on the expressway at least one interchange before the target interchange or a facility before the target interchange. Judgment is made based on whether there is a vehicle capable of Accordingly, a plurality of vehicles can stably form a vehicle group on the highway and travel the vehicle group.

  According to the server device of the present invention, the server device is configured by including the travel support device of the present invention. As a result, a plurality of vehicles can stably form a vehicle group on the highway and run the vehicle group.

  According to the driving support system of the present invention, the driving support system includes a plurality of vehicles equipped with the driving support device of the present invention and a server device that can communicate with each vehicle. As a result, it is possible to realize a travel support system that enables a plurality of vehicles to stably form a vehicle group on the highway and travel the vehicle group.

  According to the driving support system of the present invention, the driving support system includes a plurality of vehicles and a server device on which the driving support device of the present invention is mounted. As a result, it is possible to realize a travel support system that enables a plurality of vehicles to stably form a vehicle group on the highway and travel the vehicle group.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the driving assistance apparatus 1 which is the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence regarding the vehicle group driving | running | working instruction | indication process in the driving assistance device 1 of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the driving assistance system 3 provided with the driving assistance apparatus 2 which is the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the positional relationship of the vehicle 20 in the case of performing vehicle group driving | running | working. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen 26a of the display part 26 which displayed the positional relationship of the vehicle 20 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the sequence of the vehicle group driving | running | working instruction | indication process in the driving assistance system 3 of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the sequence of the vehicle group driving | running | working instruction | indication process in the driving assistance system 3 of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other example of vehicle group driving | running | working. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the driving assistance system 8 provided with the driving assistance device 6 which is the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the sequence of the vehicle group driving | running | working instruction | indication process in the driving assistance system 8 of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the sequence of the vehicle group driving | running | working instruction | indication process in the driving assistance system 8 of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a driving support apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The travel support device 1 includes an acquisition unit 11, a determination unit 12, and an instruction unit 13. The travel support device 1 supports vehicle group travel in which a plurality of vehicles travel in a vehicle group. The driving support device 1 is used by being mounted on a vehicle or a server device, for example.

  The acquisition part 11 acquires the destination relevant information regarding the destination interchange set as an interchange which each vehicle should get off on a highway. The acquisition unit 11 is realized by, for example, a support side communication unit 24 and an input unit 23 illustrated in FIG.

  The destination related information is, for example, the name of the destination interchange. The destination related information is not limited to this, and may be identification information of the destination interchange, for example. The identification information of the target interchange is, for example, an identification number given in advance to each interchange.

  Based on the destination-related information of each vehicle acquired by the acquisition unit 11, the determination unit 12 includes a plurality of vehicles on an expressway, at least one interchange before the destination interchange, or more than the destination interchange. It is determined whether there is a vehicle capable of traveling in the vehicle group up to the front facility.

  When the determination unit 12 determines that there is a vehicle that can travel in the vehicle group, whether or not to execute the vehicle group travel on each vehicle based on the presence / absence information indicating whether or not each vehicle desires vehicle group travel. Determine whether. Desired presence / absence information is, for example, a vehicle group travel request signal, a vehicle group travel permission signal, or a vehicle group travel permission signal, which will be described later, and is given from each vehicle.

  When it is determined by the determination unit 12 that there is a vehicle that can travel in the vehicle group, and the vehicle is determined to execute vehicle group traveling, the instruction unit 13 instructs each vehicle to perform vehicle group traveling. . The determination part 12 and the instruction | indication part 13 are implement | achieved by the assistance side control part 21 shown in FIG. 3 mentioned later, for example.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure related to the vehicle group travel instruction process in the travel support device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle group traveling instruction process is a process for giving an instruction to perform the vehicle group traveling. Each process of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 2 is executed by the acquisition unit 11, the determination unit 12, and the instruction unit 13. The flowchart shown in FIG. 2 is started when electric power is supplied from the power source (not shown) to the driving support device 1, and the process proceeds to step a1.

  In step a1, the acquisition unit 11 determines whether destination related information has been acquired from each vehicle. If it is determined in step a1 that the destination related information has been acquired, the process proceeds to step a2, and if it is determined that the destination related information has not been acquired, the process waits until the destination related information is acquired. .

  In step a2, the determination unit 12 determines whether there is a vehicle that can travel in the vehicle group. If it is determined in step a2 that there is a vehicle that can travel in the vehicle group, the process proceeds to step a3. If it is determined that there is no vehicle that can travel in the vehicle group, all processing procedures are terminated. .

  In step a <b> 3, the determination unit 12 determines whether or not to execute vehicle group traveling on a vehicle that is determined to be capable of vehicle group traveling. If it is determined in step a3 that the vehicle group traveling is to be executed, the process proceeds to step a4. If it is determined that the vehicle group traveling is not to be performed, all processing procedures are terminated.

  In step a4, the instructing unit 13 instructs each vehicle determined to be able to travel in the vehicle group to execute the vehicle group traveling. After the processing of step a4 is completed, all processing procedures are completed.

  In the present embodiment, in step a2, whether or not there is a vehicle that can travel in the vehicle group is determined on the expressway in a plurality of vehicles at least one interchange before the target interchange, or the target interchange. Judgment is made based on whether or not there is a vehicle that can travel in the vehicle group up to the facility in front of the vehicle. Accordingly, a plurality of vehicles can stably form a vehicle group on the highway and travel the vehicle group.

<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a driving support system 3 including the driving support device 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The travel support system 3 includes a plurality of vehicles 20 and a server device 40. The driving support device 2 of the present embodiment is assumed to be mounted on each of the plurality of vehicles 20. In the present embodiment, each vehicle 20 and the driving support device 2 mounted on each vehicle 20 have the same configuration. Therefore, FIG. 3 shows a specific configuration for one vehicle 20 and the remaining vehicles. About 20, description and description are omitted.

  The vehicle 20 includes a travel support device 2, a vehicle control device 31, a constant speed travel device 32, a rear-end collision prevention device 33, and an inter-vehicle distance maintaining device 34. The driving support device 2 includes a support-side control unit 21, a global positioning system (GPS) receiving unit 22, an input unit 23, a support-side communication unit 24, a support-side storage unit 25, a display unit 26, and voice. An output unit 27, an electronic fee collection (Electronic Toll Collection; abbreviation: ETC (registered trademark)) system reception unit (hereinafter referred to as “ETC reception unit”) 28, and a route search unit 29 are provided. The GPS receiving unit 22 includes a GPS receiving antenna 22a. The support side communication unit 24 includes a support side communication antenna 24a. The ETC reception unit 28 includes an ETC reception antenna 28a.

  The support control unit 21 is realized by, for example, a central processing unit (abbreviation: CPU) and a memory such as a writable RAM (Random Access Memory). The memory stores a control program. When the CPU executes the control program stored in the memory, the GPS receiving unit 22, the input unit 23, the support side communication unit 24, the support side storage unit 25, the display unit 26, the voice output unit 27, and the ETC reception unit. 28 and the route search unit 29 are realized. The support side control unit 21 includes a GPS reception unit 22, an input unit 23, a support side communication unit 24, a support side storage unit 25, a display unit 26, an audio output unit 27, and an ETC reception unit 28 according to a control program stored in the memory. The route search unit 29 is controlled in an integrated manner.

  The GPS receiver 22 receives a radio wave signal transmitted from a GPS satellite via the GPS receiving antenna 22a, calculates the current position of the vehicle 20 based on the received radio wave signal, and represents the calculated current position (Hereinafter, simply referred to as “position information”) is generated and given to the support side control unit 21. The position information is given to the support side storage unit 25 via the support side control unit 21 and stored in the support side storage unit 25.

  The input part 23 is comprised by the operation switch group containing the some operation switch operated by the user, for example. The input unit 23 is used when the user inputs information such as numeric information, character information, and instruction information to the support side control unit. When the input unit 23 is operated by the user, the input unit 23 generates an instruction signal representing an instruction corresponding to the input operation of the user and gives the instruction signal to the support side control unit 21.

  The input unit 23 may be configured by a touch panel or a voice recognition device instead of the operation switch group. When the input unit 23 is configured by a touch panel, the touch panel is installed on the surface of a display device such as a liquid crystal display device that configures the display unit 26, and detects a user's touch operation and a touch position. The touch panel generates an instruction signal representing an instruction according to the detected touch operation and the touch position, and provides the instruction signal to the support side control unit 21.

  When the input unit 23 is configured by a voice recognition device, the voice recognition device recognizes the input voice. The voice recognition device generates an instruction signal representing an instruction according to the recognized voice, and gives the instruction signal to the support side control unit 21.

  The support side communication unit 24 is communicably connected to the server device 40 via the support side communication antenna 24 a and the network 4.

  The support-side storage unit 25 is configured by, for example, a hard disk drive (abbreviation: HDD) device or a storage device such as a semiconductor memory. The support side storage unit 25 stores map data representing a map. The support side storage unit 25 stores vehicle identification information (hereinafter referred to as “vehicle ID”), position information, destination related information, and ETC passage information. The vehicle ID is vehicle-specific information assigned for identifying the vehicle. The destination related information is, for example, the name or identification information of the destination interchange. The ETC passage information is information indicating that the vehicle 20 has passed the ETC gate.

  In the present embodiment, map data is stored in the support-side storage unit 25, but the driving support device 2 is not limited to such a configuration. The driving support device 2 may be configured to acquire map data from the outside by the support side communication unit 24. For example, the driving support device 2 may be configured to acquire map data by downloading it from the external server device 40 via the network 4. The driving support device 2 reads the map data from a storage medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) -ROM (Read Only Memory) or a Blu-ray Disc (registered trademark) -ROM in which the map data is stored. It may be configured to obtain.

  The display unit 26 is realized by a liquid crystal display device, for example. The display unit 26 converts the image information given from the support side control unit 21 into an image signal that can be handled by the display unit 26, and displays an image corresponding to the image information represented by the obtained image signal on the display screen. To do.

  The audio output unit 27 is realized by a speaker, for example. The voice output unit 27 converts the voice information given from the support side control unit 21 into a voice signal that can be handled by the voice output unit 27, and outputs a voice corresponding to the voice information represented by the obtained voice signal.

  The ETC reception unit 28 is configured to be able to communicate with a roadside communication device (not shown) installed in an interchange on an expressway via an ETC reception antenna 28a. An ETC system is configured including the ETC receiver 28 and the roadside communication device. The ETC receiver 28 communicates with a roadside communication device by a narrow-range wireless communication (dedicated short range communication; abbreviation: DSRC) method. Examples of the DSRC standard include ARIB STDT55 and ARIB STD-T75.

  When the vehicle 20 including the ETC receiver 28 passes through the ETC gate, the roadside communication device transmits an ETC gate passing signal indicating that the vehicle has passed through the ETC gate to the vehicle 20. The ETC gate passing signal is received by the ETC receiver 28 via the ETC reception antenna 28a. When receiving the ETC gate passing signal from the roadside communication device via the ETC receiving antenna 28a, the ETC receiving unit 28 gives the received ETC gate passing signal to the support side control unit 21.

  When the ETC gate passing signal is given from the ETC receiving unit 28, the support side control unit 21 determines that the vehicle 20 has passed the ETC gate. Then, the support side control unit 21 generates ETC gate passage information indicating that the vehicle 20 has passed the ETC gate, and stores it in the support side storage unit 25. The ETC gate passage information includes entrance gate passage information indicating that the ETC gate passage information has passed through the ETC entrance gate.

  The route search unit 29 searches for a desirable route for reaching a point desired by the user. Specifically, based on the instruction signal given from the input unit 23, from the current position of the vehicle 20 represented by the position information given from the support side control unit 21, to a point such as a destination and a waypoint set by the user Search for a recommended route (hereinafter referred to as “recommended route”). The recommended route is, for example, the shortest route with the shortest mileage, the fastest route with the shortest required time, the cheapest route including the cost of the toll road, the cheapest route with the best fuel efficiency, or the time A standard route with a good balance between costs. The recommended route may be configured to be selectable from these routes.

  The vehicle control device 31 is realized by, for example, an electronic control unit (abbreviation: ECU). The vehicle control device 31 comprehensively controls the constant speed traveling device 32, the rear-end collision prevention device 33, and the inter-vehicle distance maintaining device 34 provided in the vehicle 20.

  The constant speed traveling device 32 maintains the speed of the vehicle 20 on which the device is mounted (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “vehicle speed”) at a preset speed (hereinafter also referred to as “set vehicle speed”). Control. The set vehicle speed is set by the vehicle control device 31, for example.

  The rear-end collision prevention device 33 prevents a rear-end collision between the vehicle 20 on which the own device is mounted and another vehicle 20 in front. The rear-end collision prevention device 33 measures, for example, a distance from another vehicle 20 in front to the vehicle 20 on which the own device is mounted (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “inter-vehicle distance”), and the own device is mounted. The speed of the vehicle 20 is detected. The rear-end collision prevention device 33 compares the measured inter-vehicle distance with the braking distance of a brake device (not shown) at the detected speed of the vehicle 20, and the vehicle 20 on which the own device is mounted collides with another vehicle 20 in front. Actuate the brake system so that it does not.

  The inter-vehicle distance maintaining device 34 is configured so that the inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle 20 on which the self-device is mounted and the other vehicle 20 in front of the vehicle 20 on which the self-device is mounted is maintained. Control the speed.

  The server device 40 includes a server-side control unit 41, a server-side communication unit 42, and a server-side storage unit 43. The server side communication unit 42 is connected to the network 4. The connection between the server side communication unit 42 and the network 4 may be realized by wire or wirelessly. FIG. 3 shows a case where the server-side communication unit 42 and the network 4 are connected by wire as an example.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a positional relationship of the vehicle 20 when the vehicle group traveling is performed. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen 26a of the display unit 26 that displays the positional relationship of the vehicle 20 illustrated in FIG. 4 and 5 show, as an example, a case where three vehicles 20 are traveling in the same direction on a highway. In the following description, when the three vehicles 20 are distinguished from each other, they are referred to as a first vehicle 20A, a second vehicle 20B, and a third vehicle 20C. Here, it is assumed that each of the first to third vehicles 20A, 20B, and 20C is equipped with the driving support device 2 shown in FIG. 3 and the same target interchange 5 is set.

  The driving support device 2 mounted on each vehicle 20 existing on the highway, for the server device 40, generates position information generated based on the radio signal received by the GPS receiver 22 at predetermined intervals, for example, Send every 10 seconds. On the display screen 26a of the display unit 26 of the driving support device 2, as shown in FIG. 5, there are vehicles 20, specifically the first to third vehicles 20A, 20B, 20C, for which the same target interchange is set. , Displayed on the travel route.

  For example, when the driver of the first vehicle 20A wishes to travel in the vehicle group, the vehicle group travel instruction process, which is a process for instructing the vehicle group travel, is executed as follows. The driver of the first vehicle 20A brings the first vehicle 20A closer to the vehicle closest to the first vehicle 20A, here the second vehicle 20B.

  When the distance between the first vehicle 20A and the second vehicle 20B reaches a predetermined vehicle group formation range, for example, within 500 m, the travel support device 2 of the first vehicle 20A is a vehicle group to the second vehicle 20B. A travel request signal is transmitted to the server device 40. The transmission of the vehicle group travel request signal may be executed by the driver operating the input unit 23 and instructing the transmission to be performed, or the distance between the first vehicle 20A and the second vehicle 20B is determined by the vehicle group. It may be executed by the support side control unit 21 controlling the support side communication unit 24 when reaching the formation range.

  When receiving the vehicle group travel request signal from the first vehicle 20A to the second vehicle 20B, the server device 40 transmits the received vehicle group travel request signal to the travel support device 2 of the second vehicle 20B. When the travel support device 2 of the second vehicle 20B receives the vehicle group travel request signal from the first vehicle 20A, the travel support device 2 transmits a vehicle group travel permission signal or a vehicle group travel permission signal to the server device 40.

  The driver selects which of the vehicle group travel permission signal and the vehicle group travel permission signal is transmitted. When the driver operates the input unit 23 and inputs an instruction to permit vehicle group travel, a vehicle group travel permission signal indicating that vehicle group travel is permitted is transmitted. When the driver operates the input unit 23 and inputs an instruction not to permit vehicle group traveling, a vehicle group traveling non-permission signal indicating that vehicle group traveling is not permitted is transmitted.

  When the server device 40 receives a vehicle group travel permission signal from the second vehicle 20B, the vehicle group travel represents that the first vehicle 20A is permitted to follow the second vehicle 20B and perform vehicle group travel. Send permission signal. When the travel support device 2 of the first vehicle 20A receives the vehicle group travel permission signal from the second vehicle 20B via the server device 40, the travel support device 2 attaches to the vehicle control device 31 of the first vehicle 20A behind the second vehicle 20B. To instruct the vehicle group to run.

  The vehicle control device 31 of the first vehicle 20A follows the instructions from the travel support device 2 so as to follow the second vehicle 20B and execute the vehicle group traveling, the constant speed traveling device 32, the rear-end collision preventing device 33, and the inter-vehicle distance The distance maintenance device 34 is controlled. Thereby, the vehicle group traveling of the first vehicle 20A and the second vehicle 20B is executed.

  When the server device 40 receives a vehicle group travel non-permission signal from the second vehicle 20B, the vehicle group travel indicating that the first vehicle 20A does not allow the vehicle group travel to follow the second vehicle 20B. A non-permission signal is transmitted to the first vehicle 20A. When the travel support device 2 of the first vehicle 20A receives the vehicle group travel non-permission signal from the second vehicle 20B via the server device 40, the vehicle group travel instruction process is terminated. In this case, the vehicle group traveling of the first vehicle 20A and the second vehicle 20B is not executed.

  6 and 7 are diagrams showing an example of a sequence of vehicle group travel instruction processing in the travel support system 3 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 6 and 7 are connected at the position of the boundary line BL1. 6 and 7, as an example, a sequence in the case where the first vehicle 20A desires to travel in the vehicle group with the second vehicle 20B as shown in FIG. 4 is specifically shown. The sequence shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 is started when electric power is supplied from the power source (not shown) to the travel support devices 2 of the first vehicle 20A and the second vehicle 20B. The travel support device 2 of the first vehicle 20A is The process proceeds to step s1, and the driving support device 2 of the second vehicle 20B proceeds to step s2.

  In step s1, the support side control unit 21 of the travel support device 2 of the first vehicle 20A transmits the vehicle ID of the first vehicle 20A, which is the vehicle 20 on which the own device is mounted, to the server device 40. Thus, the vehicle ID of the first vehicle 20A is registered in the server device 40.

  In step s <b> 2, the support side control unit 21 of the travel support device 2 of the second vehicle 20 </ b> B transmits the vehicle ID of the second vehicle 20 </ b> B that is the vehicle 20 on which the own device is mounted to the server device 40. Thus, the vehicle ID of the second vehicle 20B is registered in the server device 40.

  In step s3, the support side control unit 21 of the driving support device 2 of the first vehicle 20A gets off to arrive at the destination based on the destination input to the input unit 23 by the driver of the first vehicle 20A. The target interchange that is the power interchange is set. When the target interchange is set, the process proceeds to step s5.

  In step s4, the support side control unit 21 of the travel support device 2 of the second vehicle 20B sets a target interchange based on the destination input to the input unit 23 by the driver of the second vehicle 20B. When the target interchange is set, the process proceeds to step s6.

  In step s <b> 5, the support side control unit 21 of the travel support device 2 of the first vehicle 20 </ b> A turns on the vehicle group travel request switch according to the driver's operation on the input unit 23. When the vehicle group travel request switch is turned on, the process proceeds to step s7.

  In step s <b> 6, the support side control unit 21 of the travel support device 2 of the second vehicle 20 </ b> B turns on the vehicle group travel request switch according to the driver's operation on the input unit 23. When the vehicle group travel request switch is turned on, the process proceeds to step s10.

  In step s7, the support side control unit 21 of the travel support device 2 of the first vehicle 20A determines whether or not the first vehicle 20A exists on the expressway. In the present embodiment, the support side control unit 21 determines whether or not the first vehicle 20A exists on the expressway based on the ETC entrance gate passage information stored in the support side storage unit 25. .

  If it is determined in step s7 that the first vehicle 20A exists on the highway, the process proceeds to step s8. If it is determined that the first vehicle 20A does not exist on the highway, the process proceeds to step s9. .

  In step s8, the support side control unit 21 of the travel support device 2 of the first vehicle 20A transmits the data to be transmitted (hereinafter may be referred to as “transmission target data”) via the support side communication unit 24 to the server device. 40. In step s8, the vehicle ID of the first vehicle 20A, the destination related information such as the name or identification information of the destination interchange, and the position information are transmitted to the server device 40 as transmission target data. In FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the destination related information is described as “target interchange” for easy understanding. The process of step s8 may be executed with the driver's operation as a trigger, or may be executed at the time of transition from step s7 to step s8.

  In step s9, when the support side control unit 21 of the driving support device 2 of the first vehicle 20A determines that the first vehicle 20A has passed the ETC gate based on the ETC gate passing signal given from the ETC receiving unit 28, The transmission target data is transmitted to the server device 40 via the support side communication unit 24. In step s9, the vehicle ID of the first vehicle 20A, the destination related information such as the name or identification information of the destination interchange, and the position information are transmitted to the server device 40 as transmission target data.

  In step s <b> 10, the support side control unit 21 of the travel support device 2 of the second vehicle 20 </ b> B transmits the transmission target data to the server device 40 via the support side communication unit 24. In step s10, the vehicle ID of the second vehicle 20B, the destination related information such as the name or identification information of the destination interchange, and the position information are transmitted to the server device 40 as transmission target data. Although not shown in FIG. 6, specifically, the process of step s10 is performed in the same manner as the process of steps s7 to s9.

  In step s11, the support side control unit 21 of the travel support device 2 of the first vehicle 20A transmits the transmission target data to the server device 40 via the support side communication unit 24 at predetermined intervals. In step s11, the vehicle ID and position information of the first vehicle 20A are transmitted to the server device 40 as transmission target data. The predetermined period is, for example, 10 seconds.

  In step s12, the support side control unit 21 of the travel support device 2 of the second vehicle 20B transmits transmission target data to the server device 40 via the support side communication unit 24 at predetermined intervals. In step s12, the vehicle ID and position information of the second vehicle 20B are transmitted to the server device 40 as transmission target data. The predetermined period is, for example, 10 seconds.

  In step s13, the server-side control unit 41 of the server device 40 receives the position information of the second vehicle 20B received in step s12 and the destination related information of the second vehicle 20B received in step s10, for example, the name or identification of the destination interchange. Information is transmitted to the first vehicle 20A. In step s14, the server-side control unit 41 of the server device 40 receives the position information of the first vehicle 20A received in step s11 and the destination related information of the first vehicle 20A received in step s8 or step s9, for example, a destination interchange. Are transmitted to the second vehicle 20B.

  In step s15 of FIG. 7, the support-side control unit 21 of the travel support device 2 of the first vehicle 20A displays the current positions of the first vehicle 20A and the second vehicle 20B (hereinafter simply referred to as “display”) on the display screen 26a of the display unit 26. "May be called" position ") and the target interchange.

  Specifically, the current position represented by the position information of the first vehicle 20A, the destination interchange represented by the destination related information, and the second vehicle 20B represented by the position information of the second vehicle 20B received from the server device 40 in step s13. The current location of the destination and the destination interchange represented by the destination related information are displayed. When the positions of the first vehicle 20A and the second vehicle 20B and the target interchange are displayed, the process proceeds to step s17.

  In step s16, the support side control unit 21 of the travel support device 2 of the second vehicle 20B displays the positions of the first vehicle 20A and the second vehicle 20B and the target interchange on the display screen 26a of the display unit 26. Specifically, the current position represented by the position information of the second vehicle 20B, the destination interchange represented by the destination related information, and the first vehicle 20A represented by the position information of the first vehicle 20A received from the server device 40 in step s14. The current location of the destination and the destination interchange represented by the destination related information are displayed. When the positions of the first vehicle 20A and the second vehicle 20B and the target interchange are displayed, the process proceeds to step s20.

  In step s17, the support-side control unit 21 of the travel support device 2 of the first vehicle 20A includes the plurality of vehicles 20 included in the travel support system 3 on the expressway at least one interchange before the target interchange. Alternatively, it is determined whether or not there is a vehicle capable of traveling in the vehicle group with the first vehicle 20A up to the facility before the target interchange. In the present embodiment, the support-side control unit 21 allows the first vehicle 20A to travel in a group of vehicles with the second vehicle 20B up to at least one interchange before the target interchange or to a facility before the target interchange. Judge whether or not.

  Specifically, the support-side control unit 21 determines that the second vehicle 20B is the first vehicle based on the destination related information and position information of the first vehicle 20A and the destination related information and position information of the second vehicle 20B. By determining whether the target interchange of the first vehicle 20A and the second vehicle 20B is within the vehicle group formation range of the vehicle 20A and the next interchange on the highway is the first interchange, It is determined whether or not one vehicle 20A can travel in the vehicle group with the second vehicle 20B.

  When it is determined that the first vehicle 20A and the second vehicle 20B have the same target interchange or are adjacent to each other on the highway, the second vehicle 20B is within the vehicle group formation range of the first vehicle 20A. If it is determined, it is determined that the first vehicle 20A can travel in the vehicle group with the second vehicle 20B, and the process proceeds to step s18.

  If it is determined that the second vehicle 20B is not within the vehicle group formation range of the first vehicle 20A, it is determined that the first vehicle 20A cannot travel in the vehicle group with the second vehicle 20B, and the process returns to step s11, and step s11 Step s17 is repeated. If the second vehicle 20B comes to be included in the vehicle group formation range of the first vehicle 20A due to the movement of the first vehicle 20A and the second vehicle 20B while the processing of step s11 to step s17 is repeated, step In s17, it is determined that the first vehicle 20A can travel in the vehicle group with the second vehicle 20B, and the process proceeds to step s18.

  If it is determined that the target interchange of the first vehicle 20A and the second vehicle 20B is not the same and is not adjacent to one another on the highway, is the second vehicle 20B within the vehicle group formation range of the first vehicle 20A? Regardless of the determination result, it is determined that the first vehicle 20A cannot travel in the vehicle group with the second vehicle 20B, and the process returns to step s11, and the processes of steps s11 to s17 are repeated.

  While the processes of step s11 to step s17 are repeated, for example, one of the first interchanges of the first vehicle 20A and the second vehicle 20B is the same as the other destination interchange or is adjacent to one another on the highway. If it is determined in step s17 that the second vehicle 20B is within the vehicle group formation range of the first vehicle 20A, the first vehicle 20A can travel with the second vehicle 20B in the vehicle group. If it is determined that there is, the process proceeds to step s18. In this case, in step s11 or step s12, the destination related information indicating the changed destination interchange is transmitted to the server device 40 as transmission target data.

  In step s18, the support-side control unit 21 of the travel support device 2 of the first vehicle 20A via the support-side communication unit 24 wishes to travel the vehicle group with the second vehicle 20B. Is transmitted to the server device 40. When the server device 40 receives the vehicle group travel request signal from the first vehicle 20A in step s18, the server device 40 transmits the received vehicle group travel request signal to the second vehicle 20B in step s19.

  When the support side control unit 21 of the travel support device 2 of the second vehicle 20B receives the vehicle group travel request signal from the first vehicle 20A via the server device 40 in step s19, in step s20, the support side control unit 21 It is determined whether or not the vehicle group traveling is permitted. If it is determined in step s20 that the vehicle group traveling is permitted, the process proceeds to step s21. If it is determined that the vehicle group traveling is not permitted, the process proceeds to step s22.

  When the process proceeds from step s20 to step s21, in step s21, the support side control unit 21 of the travel support device 2 of the second vehicle 20B transmits a vehicle group travel permission signal to the first vehicle 20A to the server device 40. When the server device 40 receives the vehicle group travel permission signal from the second vehicle 20B to the first vehicle 20A in step s21, the server device 40 transmits the received vehicle group travel permission signal to the first vehicle 20A in step s23.

  When the process proceeds from step s20 to step s22, in step s22, the support-side control unit 21 of the travel support device 2 of the second vehicle 20B transmits a vehicle group travel non-permission signal to the first vehicle 20A to the server device 40. . When the server device 40 receives the vehicle group travel non-permission signal from the second vehicle 20B to the first vehicle 20A in step s22, the server device 40 transmits the received vehicle group travel non-permission signal to the first vehicle 20A in step s24.

  In step s25, the support-side control unit 21 of the travel support device 2 of the first vehicle 20A receives either the vehicle group travel permission signal or the vehicle group travel permission signal from the second vehicle 20B by the support side communication unit 24. Based on the above, it is determined whether or not the vehicle group traveling with the second vehicle 20B is permitted. When the support side communication unit 24 receives the vehicle group travel permission signal in step s23, it is determined in step s25 that the vehicle group travel is permitted, and the process proceeds to step s26. When the support side communication unit 24 receives the vehicle group travel non-permission signal in step s24, it is determined in step s25 that the vehicle group travel is not permitted, and the vehicle group travel instruction process ends.

  In step s26, the support side control unit 21 of the travel support device 2 of the first vehicle 20A instructs the vehicle control device 31 to execute the vehicle group travel with the second vehicle 20B. The vehicle control device 31 controls the constant speed traveling device 32, the rear-end collision preventing device 33, and the inter-vehicle distance maintaining device 34 so as to perform the vehicle group traveling with the second vehicle 20B based on the instruction from the support side control unit 21. .

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, whether or not there is a vehicle that can travel in a vehicle group is determined on the expressway among a plurality of vehicles, at least one interchange before the target interchange, or Judgment is made based on whether or not there is a vehicle capable of traveling in the vehicle group up to the facility before the target interchange. Specifically, by determining whether the first vehicle 20A can travel in the vehicle group with the second vehicle 20B to the interchange at least one before the target interchange or the facility before the target interchange, It is determined whether there is a vehicle that can travel in the vehicle group. Therefore, it is possible to realize the driving support device 2 and the driving support system 3 that allow a plurality of vehicles to stably form a vehicle group on the expressway and perform the vehicle group traveling.

  In the present embodiment, the second vehicle 20B is a vehicle group of the first vehicle 20A based on the destination related information and position information of the first vehicle 20A and the destination related information and position information of the second vehicle 20B. If it is determined that the target interchange of the first vehicle 20A and the second vehicle 20B is the same interchange or the next-next interchange on the highway, the first vehicle 20A is the second vehicle. It is determined that the vehicle 20B can travel with the vehicle group.

  That is, in the present embodiment, based on the destination-related information and the position information of each vehicle 20, the destination interchange is the same interchange within the predetermined vehicle group formation range, or one adjacent interchange on the expressway. If it is determined that there is a set of vehicles, it is determined that there is a vehicle that can travel in the vehicle group. Thereby, an appropriate vehicle group can be easily formed.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another example of vehicle group traveling. In the first embodiment, the case where the two vehicles 20 travel in the vehicle group has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the vehicle group travel may be performed by three or more vehicles 20.

  In FIG. 8, an interchange (abbreviation: IC) C is an interchange that should get off the closest to the destination of the first vehicle 20A. Immediately after the first vehicle 20A gets on the highway or before it gets on. C. If C is set by the driving support device 2 as a target interchange, the driving support device 2 is connected to the I.C. C. I. Before C C. B and I.I. C. A service area (abbreviation: SA) and a parking area (abbreviation: PA), which are facilities in front of C, are transmitted to the server device 40 as transmission target data.

  There are second to fourth vehicles 20B, 20C, and 20D as other vehicles 20 on the highway on which the first vehicle 20A is traveling. C. B, I.I. C. C, I.I. C. Assume that D is set by the driving support device 2. In this case, the first vehicle 20A selects the second vehicle 20B and the third vehicle 20C as partner vehicles that perform the vehicle group traveling, and does not select the fourth vehicle 20D.

  As described above, the driving support device 2 forms a vehicle group traveling only with another vehicle 20 that is the same as the target interchange of the vehicle 20 on which the own device is mounted or at least one previous interchange is set as the target interchange. I decided to. As a result, the vehicle 20 on which the driving support device 2 is mounted does not pass through the interchange that is about to get off, and depending on the situation, it is also an option to get off at the previous interchange. be able to.

  The above-described travel support devices 1 and 2 according to the embodiments include not only a vehicle navigation device mounted on the vehicle 20, that is, a car navigation device but also a communication terminal device that can be mounted on the vehicle 20, and The present invention can also be applied to a navigation device constructed as a system by appropriately combining server devices and the like. The communication terminal device is, for example, a PND (Portable Navigation Device) and a portable communication device having a function of communicating with a server device. The mobile communication device is, for example, a mobile phone, a smartphone, and a tablet terminal device.

  When the driving support system is constructed by appropriately combining the driving support device, the communication terminal device, and the server device as described above, each function and each component of the driving support device of each of the above-described embodiments includes driving support. Distributed to each device constituting the system.

  For example, the above-described function of the driving support device may be arranged in the server device. When the above-described functions of the driving support device are arranged in the server device, the server device has a configuration shown in the following third embodiment, for example.

<Third Embodiment>
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a driving support system 8 including a driving support device 6 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Since the driving support system 8 of the present embodiment is similar in configuration to the driving support system 3 of the second embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  The driving support system 8 according to the present embodiment includes two vehicles 70, a server device 60, and a network 4. The server device 60 includes a travel support device 6. The travel support device 6 includes a server-side control unit 61, a server-side communication unit 62, and a server-side storage unit 63. The server-side control unit 61, the server-side communication unit 62, and the server-side storage unit 63 are configured similarly to the server-side control unit 41, the server-side communication unit 42, and the server-side storage unit 43 in the second embodiment. It has the function of.

  The vehicle 70 includes an information terminal device 7, a vehicle control device 31, a constant speed traveling device 32, a rear-end collision preventing device 33, and an inter-vehicle distance maintaining device 34. The information terminal device 7 includes a terminal-side control unit 71, a terminal-side communication unit 72, a terminal-side storage unit 73, a GPS receiving unit 22, an input unit 23, a display unit 26, a voice output unit 27, an ETC receiving unit 28, and a route search unit. 29. The terminal-side communication unit 72 includes a terminal-side communication antenna 72a.

  The terminal-side control unit 71, the terminal-side communication unit 72, and the terminal-side storage unit 73 are the same as the support-side control unit 21, the support-side communication unit 24, and the support-side storage unit 25 of the travel support device 2 in the second embodiment. It has the same function.

  In the present embodiment, the server side control unit 61 functions as a determination unit and an instruction unit, and the server side communication unit 62 functions as an acquisition unit.

  10 and 11 are diagrams showing an example of a sequence of vehicle group travel instruction processing in the travel support system 8 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 10 and 11 are connected at the position of the boundary line BL2. In FIGS. 10 and 11, as an example, a sequence in a case similar to the case where the first vehicle 20A shown in FIG. 4 desires to travel in the vehicle group with the second vehicle 20B is specifically shown. In the present embodiment, the first vehicle is indicated by reference numeral “70A”, and the second vehicle is indicated by reference numeral “70B”. In FIGS. 10 and 11, the destination related information is described as “target interchange” for easy understanding.

  The sequence shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 is started when power is supplied to the information terminal devices 7 of the first vehicle 70A and the second vehicle 70B from a power source (not shown), and the information terminal device 7 of the first vehicle 70A The process proceeds to step s1, and the information terminal device 7 of the second vehicle 70B proceeds to step s2.

  Since the sequence of the vehicle group traveling process in the present embodiment is similar to the sequence of the vehicle group traveling process in the second embodiment, the same steps are denoted by the same step numbers and description thereof is omitted. To do.

  Similar to the second embodiment, the processes of steps s1 to s4 and steps s7 to s16 are executed. In the present embodiment, the travel support device 6 of the server device 60 performs the process of step s31 instead of the process of step s17 by the travel support device 2 of the first vehicle 20A in the second embodiment.

  In step s31, the server-side control unit 61 of the travel support device 6 of the server device 60 includes, among the plurality of vehicles 70 included in the travel support system 8, on the expressway, at least one interchange before the target interchange, Alternatively, it is determined whether or not there is a vehicle that can travel in the vehicle group up to the facility before the target interchange.

  In the present embodiment, the server-side control unit 61 uses the first vehicle 70A and the first information based on the destination related information and position information of the first vehicle 70A and the destination related information and position information of the second vehicle 70B. By determining whether or not the two vehicles 70B are within the vehicle group formation range, and the target interchange of the first vehicle 70A and the second vehicle 70B is the same interchange or an adjacent interchange on the highway Then, it is determined whether there is a vehicle that can travel in the vehicle group.

  When it is determined that the first interchange of the first vehicle 70A and the second vehicle 70B is the same or one adjacent on the expressway, the first vehicle 70A and the second vehicle 70B are within the vehicle group formation range. If it is determined that there is a vehicle that can travel in the vehicle group, the process proceeds to step s32.

  If it is determined that the first vehicle 70A and the second vehicle 70B are not within the vehicle group formation range, it is determined that there is no vehicle capable of traveling in the vehicle group, and the process returns to step s13, and steps s13, s14, and step The process of s31 is repeated. While the processes of step s13, step s14, and step s31 are repeated, the first vehicle 70A and the second vehicle 70B are included in the vehicle group formation range due to the movement of the first vehicle 70A and the second vehicle 70B. In step s31, it is determined that there is a vehicle that can travel in the vehicle group, and the process proceeds to step s32.

  When it is determined that the first interchange of the first vehicle 70A and the second vehicle 70B is not the same and is not adjacent to one another on the highway, the first vehicle 70A and the second vehicle 70B are within the vehicle group formation range. Regardless of the determination result, it is determined that there is no vehicle that can travel in the vehicle group, the process returns to step s13, and the processes of steps s13, s14, and s31 are repeated.

  While the processes of step s13, step s14, and step s31 are repeated, for example, one of the first vehicle 70A and the second vehicle 70B is the same as the other target interchange or on the highway. When it is changed to the next-next interchange, if it is determined in step s31 that the first vehicle 70A and the second vehicle 70B are within the vehicle group formation range, it is determined that there is a vehicle capable of vehicle group traveling. Thus, the process proceeds to step s32. In this case, in step s11 or step s12, the destination related information indicating the changed destination interchange is transmitted to the server device 60 as transmission target data.

  In step s32, the server-side control unit 61 of the travel support device 6 of the server device 60 requests the first vehicle 70A to travel the vehicle group with the second vehicle 70B via the server-side communication unit 62. A vehicle group traveling confirmation signal for confirming

  When receiving the vehicle group traveling confirmation signal in step s32, the terminal-side control unit 71 of the information terminal device 7 of the first vehicle 70A determines whether or not the vehicle group traveling with the second vehicle 70B is desired in step s33. To do. Specifically, the terminal side control unit 71 displays an image for confirming whether or not the vehicle group traveling with the second vehicle 70B is desired on the display screen 26a of the display unit 26, and inputs it to the driver. The unit 23 is operated to prompt the user to input whether or not the vehicle group traveling is desired.

  If the terminal-side control unit 71 determines that the vehicle group travel request is input, the terminal-side control unit 71 determines that the vehicle group travel is desired, and proceeds to step s18. If the terminal-side control unit 71 determines that the vehicle group traveling request is not input, the terminal-side control unit 71 waits until the vehicle group traveling request is input. Although different from the example illustrated in FIG. 11, the terminal-side control unit 71 may end the vehicle group traveling instruction process when it is determined that the vehicle group traveling is not desired.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, it is determined in step s31 by the travel support device 6 of the server device 60 whether there is a vehicle that can travel in the vehicle group. In step s34, it is determined whether or not the vehicle group traveling is permitted. If it is determined that the vehicle group traveling is permitted, a vehicle group traveling instruction signal instructing to execute the vehicle group traveling is transmitted in step s35. Steps s34 and s35 are executed in the same manner as steps s25 and s26 in the second embodiment.

  In step s31, whether or not there is a vehicle that can travel in the vehicle group is determined, as in the first and second embodiments, among a plurality of vehicles on at least one of the target interchanges on the expressway. Judgment is made based on whether or not there is a vehicle capable of traveling in the vehicle group up to the interchange in front or the facility in front of the target interchange. Therefore, it is possible to realize the travel support device 6 and the travel support system 8 that allow a plurality of vehicles to stably form a vehicle group on the highway and travel the vehicle group.

  The present invention can be freely combined with each embodiment within the scope of the invention. In addition, any component in each embodiment can be changed or omitted as appropriate.

  1, 2, 6 Travel support device, 3, 8 Travel support system, 4 network, 5 purpose interchange, 7 information terminal device, 11 acquisition unit, 12 determination unit, 13 instruction unit, 20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, 70 vehicle, 21 support side control unit, 22 GPS reception unit, 23 input unit, 24 support side communication unit, 25 support side storage unit, 26 display unit, 27 voice output unit, 28 ETC reception unit, 29 route search unit, 31 Vehicle control device, 32 constant speed traveling device, 33 rear-end collision prevention device, 34 inter-vehicle distance maintaining device, 40, 60 server device, 41, 61 server side control unit, 42, 62 server side communication unit, 43, 63 server side storage unit 71 terminal side control unit, 72 terminal side communication unit, 73 terminal side storage unit.

Claims (8)

A travel support device that supports vehicle group travel in which a plurality of vehicles travel in a vehicle group,
On the expressway, an acquisition unit that acquires destination related information related to a destination interchange that is set as an interchange where each vehicle should get off,
Based on the destination-related information of each of the vehicles acquired by the acquiring unit, among the plurality of vehicles, on the expressway, at least one interchange before the destination interchange, or from the destination interchange It is determined whether there is a vehicle that can travel in the vehicle group up to the front facility, and if it is determined that there is a vehicle that can travel in the vehicle group, whether each vehicle wishes to travel in the vehicle group. A determination unit that determines whether or not to execute vehicle group traveling on each of the vehicles, based on the presence / absence information that represents
When the determination unit determines that there is a vehicle capable of traveling in the vehicle group and when it is determined to execute vehicle group traveling on each vehicle, the instruction unit instructs the vehicle to execute vehicle group traveling. A driving support apparatus comprising: The acquisition unit acquires position information representing a current position of each vehicle together with the destination related information of each vehicle,
Based on the destination-related information and the position information of each vehicle, the determination unit determines whether the destination interchange is the same interchange within the predetermined vehicle group formation range, or one adjacent interchange on the expressway. The travel support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that there is a vehicle capable of traveling in the vehicle group when it is determined that there is a set of vehicles. Mounted on any of the plurality of vehicles,
The travel support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit functions as a communication unit capable of communicating with a vehicle other than the vehicle on which the device is mounted. A driving support device according to claim 1 or 2,
The said acquisition part functions as a server side communication part which can communicate with each said vehicle, The server apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. A plurality of vehicles equipped with the driving support device according to claim 3;
A server device capable of communicating with each vehicle,
The travel support system, wherein the acquisition unit of the travel support device mounted on each vehicle communicates with another vehicle via the server device. The plurality of vehicles includes a first vehicle and a second vehicle,
The driving support device mounted on the first vehicle is
If the determination unit determines that the first vehicle and the second vehicle are vehicles that can travel in the vehicle group, has the operation for requesting vehicle group travel in the first vehicle been performed by the determination unit? Determine whether or not
When the determination unit determines that the operation has been performed, the communication unit generates a vehicle group travel request signal indicating that vehicle group travel with the second vehicle is desired via the server device. To
The communication unit receives a vehicle group travel permission signal indicating that vehicle group travel with the first vehicle is permitted as the desired presence / absence information transmitted from the second vehicle in response to the vehicle group travel request signal. Then, the determination unit determines to execute the vehicle group traveling on the first vehicle and the second vehicle, and the instruction unit instructs to execute the vehicle group traveling,
The driving support device mounted on the second vehicle is
When the vehicle group travel request signal transmitted from the first vehicle is received by the communication unit, the determination unit determines whether to permit vehicle group travel with the first vehicle;
When it is determined by the determination unit that the vehicle group traveling with the first vehicle is permitted, the vehicle group traveling permission signal is transmitted to the first vehicle by the communication unit as the desired presence / absence information,
When the determination unit determines that the vehicle group traveling with the first vehicle is not permitted, the vehicle group traveling non-permission signal indicating that the vehicle group traveling with the first vehicle is not permitted as the desired presence / absence information. The driving support system according to claim 5, wherein the communication unit transmits the information to the first vehicle. Multiple vehicles,
A travel support system comprising the server device according to claim 4. The plurality of vehicles includes a first vehicle and a second vehicle,
The travel support device mounted on the server device,
When the determination unit determines that the first vehicle and the second vehicle are vehicles that can travel in a vehicle group, the communication unit causes the first vehicle to be in contact with the second vehicle. Send a vehicle group driving confirmation signal to confirm whether you want to drive,
A vehicle group travel request signal indicating that vehicle group travel with the second vehicle is desired is received by the communication unit as the desired presence / absence information transmitted from the first vehicle in response to the vehicle group travel confirmation signal. Then, the received vehicle group travel request signal is transmitted to the second vehicle by the communication unit,
The communication unit receives a vehicle group travel permission signal indicating that vehicle group travel with the first vehicle is permitted as the desired presence / absence information transmitted from the second vehicle in response to the vehicle group travel request signal. Then, the determination unit determines that the first vehicle and the second vehicle execute vehicle group traveling, and the instruction unit performs vehicle group traveling with the second vehicle via the communication unit. A vehicle group traveling instruction signal instructing to execute the vehicle is transmitted to the first vehicle,
The first vehicle is
When the vehicle group traveling confirmation signal is received from the communication unit of the server device, it is determined whether or not an operation that desires vehicle group traveling is performed on the first vehicle, and when it is determined that the operation is performed, Transmitting a vehicle group travel request signal indicating that a vehicle group travel with the second vehicle is desired to the server device;
When the vehicle group travel instruction signal is received from the communication unit of the server device, the vehicle group travels with the second vehicle,
The second vehicle is
When the vehicle group travel request signal transmitted from the communication unit of the server device is received by the communication unit, the determination unit determines whether to permit vehicle group travel with the first vehicle. ,
When it is determined by the determination unit that the vehicle group traveling with the first vehicle is permitted, the vehicle group traveling permission signal is transmitted to the server device as the desired presence / absence information,
When the determination unit determines that the vehicle group traveling with the first vehicle is not permitted, the vehicle group traveling non-permission signal indicating that the vehicle group traveling with the first vehicle is not permitted as the desired presence / absence information. The driving support system according to claim 7, wherein the driving support system is transmitted to the server device.

Images