JP2019159549A - Information processing device, information processing method, program for information processing, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

To appropriately generate information that represents signal information that indicates the original schedule of a change of a traffic signal, even when it is difficult to obtain information by which a period during which the output of a prescribed traffic signal continues is specifiable.SOLUTION: The present invention acquires output state relation information relating to the output state of a traffic signal by a first signal apparatus that corresponds to a moving vehicle proceeding from a first movement path to a point where the first movement path intersects a second movement path, specifies a first period on the basis of the acquired output state relation information, for which the output, by the first signal apparatus, of one of a traffic signal indicating that progression is permitted and a traffic signal indicating that progression is prohibited continues, estimates a second period on the basis of the specified first period, for which the output, by a second signal apparatus that corresponds to a moving vehicle proceeding from the second movement path to the point, the other of the traffic signal indicating that progression is permitted and the traffic signal indicating that progression is prohibited continues, and generates signal information that indicates the manner of a change of the traffic signal output by the second signal apparatus on the basis of the estimated second period.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present application relates to a technical field of an information processing apparatus that processes information used to support driving of a moving object in connection with a traffic light.

  Conventionally, a communication device such as an optical beacon is provided along a road, and a change mode of a signal such as a start timing and duration of a traffic signal output from a traffic light is scheduled for a vehicle traveling in the vicinity from the communication device. A technique for transmitting the signal information indicated is known. The vehicle that has received this signal information provides driving assistance information to the vehicle driver, for example. For example, in Patent Document 1, the distance from the vehicle to the intersection where the traffic signal is arranged is acquired, and the vehicle can enter the intersection based on the acquired distance and the traffic signal information when the traffic light is blue. A driver assistance device that calculates a range of a traveling speed and outputs the range of the traveling speed is disclosed.

JP 2011-227761 A

  By the way, there are quite a few roads that cannot receive the signal information indicating the original schedule of the traffic signal change as described above. On such roads, information that supports driving of the vehicle cannot be presented.

  Therefore, it is conceivable to generate information that replaces the signal information and provide it to the vehicle. For example, by analyzing image data obtained by imaging a traffic light with a camera mounted on a vehicle and specifying a period during which traffic signal output continues, information that replaces signal information is generated. It is done.

  However, when the green light is being output, the vehicle passes through the traffic light, and thus there may be a case where the traffic light from the start to the end of the green signal output cannot be captured. In this case, it is difficult to specify the period during which the output of the green light continues.

  The present application has been made in view of the above points, and an example of the problem is that even if it is difficult to obtain information that can specify a period during which the output of a predetermined traffic signal continues, An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, an information processing program, and a recording medium that can appropriately generate information in place of signal information indicating an original schedule of change.

  In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 is a traffic signal by a first traffic light corresponding to a moving body traveling from the first movement path at a point where the first movement path and the second movement path intersect. Output status related information related to the output status of the vehicle, the acquisition means for acquiring the output status related information detected in the mobile body, and the first traffic signal based on the acquired output status related information A second signal indicating a first period during which the output of the first signal of any one of the traffic signal indicating the travel prohibition and the traffic signal indicating the prohibition of travel continues, and the second travel path based on the specified first period An estimation for estimating a second period during which the output of either the traffic signal indicating permission of travel or the traffic signal indicating prohibition of travel continues in a second traffic light corresponding to a moving body traveling from to the point. means , Based on the estimated second period, wherein said generating means for generating a signal information indicating a mode of change of the traffic signal that is output by the second traffic light, an information processing apparatus including a.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing method executed by the computer, the first traffic light corresponding to the moving body that travels from the first movement path at a point where the first movement path and the second movement path intersect. Output status related information related to the output status of the traffic signal, the acquisition step of acquiring the output status related information detected in the mobile body, and the first traffic light based on the acquired output status related information Based on the specified step of specifying the first period in which the output of the first signal of one of the traffic signal indicating progress permission and the traffic signal indicating prohibition of travel continues, the second In the second traffic light corresponding to the moving body that travels from the travel path to the point, the output of the other second signal of the traffic signal indicating the travel permission and the traffic signal indicating the travel prohibition continues. An estimation step of estimating a period; and a generation step of generating signal information indicating a change mode of a traffic signal output by the second traffic light based on the estimated second period. To do.

  The invention according to claim 10 is an information processing program that causes a computer to function as the information processing apparatus.

  The invention described in claim 11 is a recording medium in which the information processing program is recorded so as to be readable by a computer.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of schematic structure of the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of schematic structure of the driving assistance system which concerns on an Example. (A) is a block diagram which shows an example of schematic structure of the server apparatus based on an Example. (B) is a block diagram which shows an example of schematic structure of the navigation apparatus based on an Example. (A) is a figure showing an example of signs that a traffic light is imaged from a vehicle. (B) is a figure which shows an example of the difference of the blue signal start time between signal information and image data. (A) thru | or (d) is a figure which shows the example of a display of recommended travel speed range information. (A) is a figure which shows the example of a display of green signal start timing information. (B) And (c) is a figure which shows the example of the display timing of the waiting time in green signal start timing information. It is a figure which shows an example of a route search. It is a figure which shows the example of determination of the localization of a green signal period, and the localization of a red signal period. (A) is a figure which shows the specific example of a green signal period, (b) is a figure which shows the specific example of a red signal period. It is a figure which shows an example of the mode of an intersection. It is a figure which shows an example of the timing of correction | amendment of pseudo signal information. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the server process by the server apparatus which concerns on an Example. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the signal information error determination process by the server apparatus based on an Example. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the signal information correction process for sensitive signal apparatuses by the server apparatus which concerns on an Example. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the pseudo signal information generation process by the server apparatus which concerns on an Example. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the terminal process by the navigation apparatus based on an Example. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the driving assistance information presentation process by the navigation apparatus based on an Example. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the route search process by the navigation apparatus based on an Example. (A) thru | or (c) is a figure which shows an example of a mode that a vehicle passes the side of a traffic light. (A) thru | or (c) is a figure which shows an example of a mode that two vehicles pass the side of a traffic light. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the server process by the server apparatus which concerns on a modification. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the pseudo signal information generation process by the server apparatus which concerns on a modification. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the terminal process by the navigation apparatus which concerns on a modification.

  First, the form for implementing this application is demonstrated using FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus D according to the embodiment includes an acquisition unit 1, an identification unit 2, an estimation unit 3, and a generation unit 4.

  In this configuration, the acquisition means 1 has an output status relationship related to the output status of the traffic signal by the first traffic light corresponding to the moving body that travels from the first travel path at the point where the first travel path and the second travel path intersect. Get information. This output status related information is detected by the moving body.

  Based on the output status related information acquired by the acquisition unit 1, the specifying unit 2 continues to output one of the traffic signals indicating the progress permission and the traffic signal indicating the progress prohibition in the first traffic light. Specify the first period.

  Based on the first period specified by the specifying means 2, the estimating means 3 is a traffic signal indicating permission of travel and a traffic signal indicating prohibition of progress in a second traffic light corresponding to a moving body traveling from the second travel path to a point. The second period during which the output of the other second signal is continued is estimated.

  Based on the second period estimated by the estimation unit 3, the generation unit 4 generates signal information indicating a change mode of the traffic signal output by the second traffic light.

  As described above, according to the operation of the information processing apparatus D according to the embodiment, the second traffic signal that is the signal information generation target is based on the first traffic signal that corresponds to the first travel path that intersects the corresponding second travel path. Based on the information related to the traffic signal output status, the first period in which the output of the first signal in the first traffic light continues is specified, and on the basis of the first period, the output of the second signal in the second traffic light is determined. The duration of the duration is estimated, and signal information is generated based on the second duration. Therefore, even if it is difficult to obtain information that can identify the duration of the duration of the second signal output, Information that replaces the signal information indicating the original schedule of the change can be appropriately generated.

  Next, specific examples corresponding to the above-described embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The example described below is an example when the embodiment is applied to an apparatus constituting the driving support system.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of the driving support system according to the embodiment. FIG. 3A is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of the server apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 3B is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of the navigation device according to the embodiment. FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an example of how a traffic light is imaged from a vehicle. FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating an example of a difference in green signal start time between signal information and image data. FIGS. 5A to 5D are diagrams showing display examples of recommended travel speed range information. FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating a display example of green signal start timing information. FIG. 6B and FIG. 6C are diagrams illustrating examples of display timing of the waiting time in the green signal start timing information. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of route search. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of determining the localization of the green signal period and the localization of the red signal period. FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the green signal period, and FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the red signal period. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state of an intersection. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of timing for correcting pseudo signal information. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of server processing performed by the server apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the signal information error determination process performed by the server apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the signal information correction process for the sensitive traffic signal by the server device according to the embodiment. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the pseudo signal information generation process performed by the server device according to the embodiment. FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of terminal processing performed by the navigation device according to the embodiment. FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of driving support information presentation processing by the navigation device according to the embodiment. FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an example of route search processing by the navigation device according to the embodiment.

[1. Configuration of driving support system, server device, navigation device]
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the driving support system S according to the embodiment includes a server device 10 and a plurality of navigation devices 20. The server device 10 and each navigation device 20 are connected to the network 40. The network 40 may be the Internet, for example. Each navigation device 20 is mounted on the vehicle 30. The server device 10 provides each navigation device 20 with information for supporting driving of the vehicle 30. The navigation device 20 performs processing for guiding the vehicle 30 to the destination, and outputs information that supports driving of the vehicle 30. Details of the server device 10 are shown in FIG. 3A, and details of the navigation device 20 are shown in FIG.

  A traffic control center 50 is further connected to the network 40. The traffic control center 50 provides traffic information such as traffic jam information and traffic regulations, and also provides signal information of each of the plurality of traffic lights 60 via the plurality of roadside machines 70. Each traffic light 60 is a traffic light for vehicles. Each traffic light 60 is installed at an intersection, a junction, a pedestrian crossing, or the like. Each traffic light 60 outputs traffic signals such as a blue signal (a signal indicating progress permission), a red signal (a signal indicating prohibition of progress), and a yellow signal (a signal indicating prohibition of progress in principle). Each roadside machine 70 is installed at a position corresponding to the road, such as above the road or on the side of the road. The roadside unit 70 outputs signal information of the traffic signal 60 by infrared rays or radio waves. For example, the roadside machine 70 outputs the signal information of the traffic signal 60 in the traveling direction of the vehicle along the road where the roadside machine 70 is installed. The traffic control center 50, each traffic light 60 and each roadside device 70 are connected to a network 80. The traffic control center 50 to the network 80 constitute a system for utilizing the signal information of each traffic light 60. An example of such a system is TSPS (Traffic Signal Prediction System).

  The signal information indicates the mode of change of the traffic signal output by the corresponding traffic signal 60. In other words, the signal information indicates how the traffic signal changes over time. For example, the signal information indicates a schedule such as the start time and duration of each traffic signal. The signal information includes, for example, position information indicating the position of an intersection corresponding to the traffic light 60, the difference between the current time and the generation time of the signal information, the elapsed time from the generation time of the signal information to the start of the cycle in which the traffic signal changes , The minimum and maximum values of the cycle length, the minimum and maximum values of the green signal start time, the minimum and maximum values of the green signal end time, the sensitivity permission state, and the like. The green signal start time is the time that elapses from the start of the cycle until the output of the green signal starts. The green signal end time is the time that elapses from the start of the cycle until the output of the green signal ends.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the server device 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13. The control unit 11 to the communication unit 13 are connected via a bus 14.

  The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. When the CPU reads out and executes various programs stored in the ROM or the storage unit 12, the control unit 11 executes each process described later.

  The storage unit 12 is configured by a nonvolatile memory such as a hard disk. The storage unit 12 stores various programs for performing various processes by the server device 10. The various programs may be read from a recording medium via a drive device (not shown) or downloaded from a predetermined server device via the network 40, for example.

  The storage unit 12 stores map data. In the map data, node information indicating the position of each point (node) such as an intersection and the road (link) connected to the point, link information indicating the shape of each road and the position of the stop line corresponding to the traffic light, etc. In addition, position information indicating the position of the traffic light may be included. The map data may be detailed data that can specify, for example, a road area or each lane area in the road.

  The communication unit 13 controls communication with the vehicle 30 and the traffic control center 50 via the network 40. The server device 10 receives probe information, which will be described later, from the vehicle 30 or receives traffic information from the traffic control center 50 via the network 40.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3B, the navigation device 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a communication unit 23, a display 24, a speaker 25, an input unit 26, and an interface unit 27. The control unit 21 to the interface unit 27 are connected via a bus 28.

  The control unit 21 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. When the CPU reads and executes various programs stored in the ROM and the storage unit 22, the control unit 21 executes various processes described later.

  The storage unit 22 is configured by a nonvolatile memory such as a hard disk or a flash memory. Various programs for controlling the navigation device 20 are stored in the storage unit 22. Various programs may be read from a recording medium via a drive device (not shown), or may be downloaded from the server device 10 via the network 40, for example.

  The storage unit 22 stores map data. The map data may be stored in the storage unit 22 in advance, or the map data stored in the storage unit 22 may be updated by downloading part or all of the map data from the server device 10 as necessary. .

  The communication unit 23 is connected to the network 40 via a base station (not shown) by wireless communication and controls communication with the server device 10 or controls inter-vehicle communication with other vehicles 30. The communication unit 23 receives traffic information and the like from a radio beacon (not shown).

  The display 24 is a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, etc., for example, and displays various information based on control of the control part 21. FIG. The speaker 25 outputs various sounds based on the control of the control unit 21. The input unit 26 includes, for example, a touch panel, buttons, switches, and the like, and outputs a signal indicating the operation content by the passenger of the vehicle 30 to the control unit 21.

  The interface unit 27 is connected to a camera 31, a vehicle speed sensor 32, an acceleration sensor 33, a gyro sensor 34, a GNSS sensor 35, and a beacon receiver 36 mounted on the vehicle 30. The interface unit 27 performs an interface process between the navigation device 20 and the camera 31 to the beacon receiver 36.

  The camera 31 is constituted by, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor or the like, images the surroundings of the vehicle 30 including the traveling direction of the vehicle 30, and outputs the image data to the interface unit 27. This image data may be a still image or a moving image. The vehicle speed sensor 32 detects the traveling speed of the vehicle 30 and outputs speed information indicating the detected speed to the interface unit 27. The acceleration sensor 33 detects the acceleration of the vehicle 30 and outputs acceleration information indicating the detected acceleration to the interface unit 27. The gyro sensor 34 detects the angular velocity of the vehicle 30 and outputs angular velocity information indicating the detected angular velocity to the interface unit 27. The GNSS sensor 35 receives a signal transmitted from a navigation satellite (not shown) using a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), calculates the position of the vehicle 30 based on this signal, and indicates the calculated position. The current position information (for example, latitude, longitude, etc.) is output to the interface unit 27. The GNSS used may be, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) or another system. The beacon receiver 36 receives the signal information transmitted from the roadside device 70 and outputs it to the interface unit 27.

  The control unit 21 performs various driving support based on the signal information received by the beacon receiver 36. The control part 21 outputs the information which assists the driver | operator of the vehicle 30, for example. For example, the control unit 21 displays recommended travel speed range information indicating a speed range suitable for the vehicle 30 passing through a position such as an intersection or a stop line corresponding to the traffic light 60 from the display 24 or the speaker 25 based on the signal information. Output. The range of this speed is that the vehicle 30 passes through an intersection, a stop line, etc. within a green light period. The green signal period is a period during which a blue signal is output (a period during which the blue signal is lit). In other words, the green signal period is a period from the start of the blue signal output to the end thereof, or the period in which the blue signal output continues.

  Moreover, the control part 21 supports driving | running | working timing of the driving | running | working start of the vehicle 30 which has stopped on the road where the traffic light 60 respond | corresponds because the red signal is output by the traffic light 60 based on signal information The start support information is output from the display 24 or the speaker 25. The travel start support information may include at least one of green signal start timing information and caution information. The green signal start timing information indicates the timing at which the traffic signal output from the traffic light 60 changes from a red signal to a blue signal. Specifically, the green signal start timing information may indicate a waiting time from the current time until the traffic signal changes from a red signal to a green signal. As a result, while the green light start timing information is output, the waiting time decreases as time elapses (the waiting time is counted down). The attention information indicates a warning in the traveling direction of the vehicle 30. An example of the caution information is a message such as “Check forward”.

  When the vehicle 30 is a vehicle capable of automatic driving, an automatic driving system mounted on the vehicle 30 may control automatic driving with reference to signal information.

[2. Functions of the driving support system]
[2-1. Determination of error in signal information]
Since the signal information indicates the start time and the duration of each traffic signal of the traffic light 60, the traffic information changes between the traffic signal indicated by the signal information and the actual traffic signal change of the traffic light 60. There may be a time difference. For example, in order to preferentially pass a specific vehicle, there is a case where the duration of the red signal or the blue signal by the traffic light is changed to a duration different from the duration indicated by the signal information. In addition, the traffic signal may be forcibly changed by the traffic control center in an emergency or the like. In addition, troubles in the system constituted by the traffic control center 50 to the network 80, transmission delay of signal information to the roadside device 70, secular change of the traffic signal 60, and the like can be considered. Therefore, the driving support system S may determine this temporal difference based on imaging information obtained by imaging the traffic light 60 with the camera 31 mounted on the vehicle 30. Either the server device 10 or the navigation device 20 may determine the time difference.

  First, as shown in FIG. 4A, the navigation device 20 causes the camera 31 to image the traffic light 60. The navigation device 20 acquires image data acquired from the camera 31 by this imaging as imaging information. For example, the navigation device 20 specifies the current position of the vehicle, the road on which the vehicle 30 is located, the traveling direction of the vehicle, and the like based on information acquired from the vehicle speed sensor 32 to the GNSS sensor 35 and map data. When the navigation device 20 determines that the vehicle 30 has entered the predetermined range from the traffic light 60 in the traveling direction along the road where the vehicle 30 is currently located based on the information, the navigation device 20 starts imaging by the camera 31. Let

  When the server device 10 determines the time difference, the navigation device 20 indicates image data obtained by imaging by the camera 31, date / time information indicating the current date, current position information indicating the position of the vehicle 30, and a traveling direction. Probe information including direction information and identification information of the navigation device 20 is transmitted to the server device 10. Here, when the navigation apparatus 20 receives the signal information of the traffic light 60 in the traveling direction along the road where the vehicle 30 is currently located from the roadside machine 70, the navigation apparatus 20 transmits the probe information together with this signal information. . For example, the navigation device 20 may transmit probe information and signal information at a predetermined time interval (for example, an interval of 0.1 seconds). The navigation device 20 may recognize the traffic light 60 from the image data by pattern recognition and specify the color of the traffic signal output from the traffic light 60 (the color of the lighted signal). Then, instead of the image data, the navigation device 20 may transmit probe information including color information indicating the specified signal color as imaging information.

  The server device 10 acquires probe information and signal information transmitted from the navigation device 20 via the network 40. Whether or not there is a time difference between the traffic signal change mode indicated by the signal information and the traffic signal mode specified based on the imaging information included in the probe information. Determine. For example, the server device 10 specifies the green signal start time or the red signal start time based on the signal information. The blue signal start time is the time when the output of the blue signal starts, and the red signal start time is the time when the output of the red signal starts. The server device 10 identifies the signal color of the traffic light 60 by pattern recognition from the image data included in the probe information. The server device 10 specifies the actual green signal start time or red signal start time based on the signal color specified from the series of probe information acquired from the navigation device 20 and the date / time information included in the probe information. The server device 10 compares the blue signal start time or red signal start time indicated by the signal information with the blue signal start time or red signal start time obtained from the probe information. Then, the server device 10 determines whether there is a difference between them. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, the signal information indicates that a green signal starts at time T1. On the other hand, it was specified from the image data captured by the vehicle 30 that a red signal started at time T2. In this case, the difference between times T1 and T2 is an error.

  When it is determined that there is a time difference, the server device 10 may calculate the difference as an error in the signal information. The server device 10 may calculate an error for only one traffic light 60 using only a series of probe information obtained once from one vehicle 30, probe information obtained from a plurality of vehicles 30, The error may be calculated using probe information obtained a plurality of times from one vehicle. For example, the server device 10 determines the green signal start time or red signal start indicated by the signal information for each of the blue signal start time or red signal start time specified from the probe information obtained from a plurality of vehicles or the probe information obtained a plurality of times. Calculate the error from time. The server device 10 may statistically process the error and calculate a representative value of the error. Examples of the representative value include an average value, a median value, a mode value, and the like. Further, the server device 10 may generate accuracy information indicating the accuracy of the signal information based on the calculated error. For example, the server device 10 may calculate the average value of errors, the standard deviation, etc. as the accuracy of the signal information. The server device 10 may calculate a level of accuracy based on an average value of errors, a standard deviation, and the like, and may generate accuracy information indicating this level. For example, the level may be calculated so as to increase as the average value decreases and to increase as the standard deviation decreases. It can be said that the higher the accuracy indicated by the accuracy information, the smaller the time difference.

  The server device 10 may store the determination information indicating the determination result of whether or not there is a temporal difference and the difference information indicating the temporal difference in the storage unit 12 in association with the specific information of the corresponding traffic signal 60. The difference information may be any of error information indicating the calculated error or its representative value, and accuracy information. The specific information is specific information of the traffic light 60. The specific information may be, for example, unique identification information given in advance to the traffic light 60, or position information indicating the position of the traffic light 60 or an intersection corresponding to the traffic light 60, and the progress corresponding to the traffic light 60. A combination with direction information indicating a direction may be used.

  Server device 10 may transmit determination information or difference information to vehicle 30. For example, the server device 10 may perform transmission to the vehicle 30 moving on the road corresponding to the traffic signal 60 that is the generation target of the determination information or difference information. The server device 10 may perform transmission in response to a request from the navigation device 20. For example, the navigation device 20 transmits an information request to the server device 10 periodically or at a predetermined timing. The information request includes, for example, position information indicating the position of the vehicle 30, direction information indicating the traveling direction, and the like. The server device 10 identifies the road where the vehicle 30 is located based on the information and map data included in the information request, and identifies the traffic light 60 located in the traveling direction of the vehicle 30 along the road. . Then, the server device 10 may transmit determination information or difference information stored in the storage unit 12 in association with the specified traffic signal 60. The server device 10 may collectively transmit determination information or difference information for the plurality of traffic lights 60. For example, the server device 10 may collectively transmit information on the traffic lights 60 that are installed along the road where the vehicle 30 is located. Alternatively, the server device 10 may collectively transmit information on a plurality of traffic lights 60 that are within a predetermined range from the current position of the vehicle 30. Alternatively, when a travel route is set in the navigation device 20, the server device 10 may transmit information about the traffic lights 60 corresponding to some or all of the roads on the travel route.

  When the navigation device 20 determines the time difference, the navigation device 20 acquires the signal information received by the beacon receiver 36 from the roadside device 70. The navigation device 20 specifies the green signal start time or the red signal start time based on the signal information. Moreover, the navigation apparatus 20 specifies the signal color of the traffic light 60 from the image data obtained from the camera 31, and specifies the green signal start time or the red signal start time as the time when the actual traffic signal has changed. Further, the navigation device 20 determines whether there is a temporal difference between the green signal start time or the red signal start time indicated by the signal information and the green signal start time or the red signal start time obtained based on the image data. To do. The navigation device 20 may calculate the difference between the two as an error in the signal information. Further, the navigation device 20 may calculate a representative value of the error by statistically processing a plurality of errors obtained for one traffic light 60 when the vehicle 30 passes the same road a plurality of times. The navigation device 20 may generate accuracy information based on the calculated error.

  The navigation device 20 stores determination information indicating the determination result of the presence or absence of error, error information indicating the calculated error or representative value, or accuracy information in the storage unit 22 in association with the specific information of the corresponding traffic light 60. Also good.

  The navigation device 20 may transmit the error information and the specific information of the traffic light 60 to the server device 10. The server device 10 may statistically process error information received from the plurality of vehicles 30 to calculate a representative value of error or generate accuracy information. The server device 10 may store the error information or the accuracy information indicating the representative value of the error in the storage unit 12 in association with the specific information of the traffic light 60. The server device 10 may transmit error information or accuracy information to the navigation device 20.

[2-2. Determination of recommended travel speed range based on difference information]
The navigation device 20 uses the difference information indicating the temporal difference between the traffic signal change mode indicated by the signal information and the traffic signal mode specified based on the imaging information included in the probe information. Based on this, the recommended travel speed range may be determined. The recommended travel speed range is a speed range suitable for the vehicle 30 passing through a position such as an intersection or a stop line corresponding to the traffic light 60.

  The navigation device 20 acquires difference information from the storage unit 22 or the server device 10. And the navigation apparatus 20 determines a recommended travel speed range based on difference information and the signal information received from the roadside machine 70. FIG. Specifically, the navigation device 20 narrows the recommended travel speed range as the time difference indicated by the difference information increases. Thereby, even if there is an error in the signal information, by driving the vehicle 30 at a speed according to the recommended travel speed range, the driver can drive the vehicle 30 so as to pass smoothly through an intersection or the like.

  For example, the navigation device 20 specifies the green light period based on the signal information received from the roadside device 70. The navigation device 20 may narrow the green light period according to the time difference indicated by the difference information. For example, the navigation device 20 determines the maximum value of the green signal start time by shifting the green signal start time indicating the start time of the green signal period to the future as the time difference indicated by the difference information increases, and ends the green signal period. The minimum value of the green light end time may be determined by shifting the green light end time indicating the time in the past as the time difference indicated by the difference information increases. For example, the navigation device 20 adds the time length obtained by multiplying the error indicated by the error information by a predetermined coefficient to the green signal start time to calculate the maximum value of the green signal start time, and calculates the time length from the green signal end time. May be subtracted to calculate the maximum value of the green light end time. The navigation device 20 may narrow the green light period based on the accuracy information. For example, the navigation device 20 may narrow the green light period as the accuracy indicated by the accuracy information is lower.

  The navigation device 20 may determine a range of travel speeds in which the vehicle 30 can pass the corresponding stop line within the period indicated by the maximum value of the green signal start time and the minimum value of the green signal end time. For example, the navigation device 20 specifies the distance from the current position of the vehicle 30 to the stop line to which the traffic signal 60 corresponds based on the current position information acquired from the GNSS sensor 35 or information received from the roadside device 70. . In addition, the navigation device 20 calculates a first waiting time required from the present time to the maximum value of the green light start time and a second waiting time required from the current time to the minimum value of the green light end time. The navigation device 20 calculates the minimum value of the traveling speed that passes the distance to the stop line after the first waiting time has elapsed as the minimum value of the recommended traveling speed. At this time, the navigation device 20 determines the minimum value of the recommended traveling speed so as not to be less than the minimum regulated speed or a predetermined speed. In addition, the navigation device 20 calculates the maximum value of the traveling speed that passes the distance to the stop line before the second waiting time elapses as the maximum value of the recommended traveling speed. At this time, the navigation device 20 determines the maximum value of the recommended travel speed so as not to exceed the maximum regulated speed. In addition, instead of calculating the range of the recommended travel speed, the navigation device 20 is based on a table indicating the recommended travel speed in association with the distance to the stop line, the error, the first waiting time or the second waiting time, for example. The recommended travel speed range may be determined.

  The navigation device 20 causes the display 24 to display recommended travel speed range information indicating the determined recommended travel speed range, or causes the speaker 25 to output the recommended travel speed range information. The recommended travel speed range information may be, for example, character information or a figure. FIGS. 5A and 5B show an example in which recommended travel speed range information is displayed on the display 24 as character information. For example, when the temporal difference is relatively small, “30 to 50 km / h” is displayed as the recommended travel speed range information 110 as shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the time difference is relatively large, “30 to 45 km / h” is displayed as the recommended travel speed range information 120 as shown in FIG.

  The navigation device 20 may reduce the ease of recognizing the recommended travel speed range information as the time difference increases. The ease of recognition indicates the visibility or ease of hearing of information. When the recommended travel speed range information is displayed on the display 24, the navigation device 20 may make the contour, color, etc. of the travel speed range information lighter as the time difference is larger. When the recommended travel speed range information is output from the speaker 25, the navigation device 20 may output the travel speed range information by decreasing the volume as the time difference increases. Or the navigation apparatus 20 may change the content which the output information shows according to a time difference. For example, the navigation device 20 may increase the abstraction level or the ambiguity level of the recommended travel speed range as the time difference increases. The higher the level of abstraction or ambiguity, the lower the ease of recognizing recommended travel speed range information. For example, as the recommended travel speed range information, “˜50 km / h” has a higher degree of abstraction or ambiguity than “30-50 km / h”. For example, when the recommended travel speed range information is a graphic, the navigation device 20 increases the time difference indicated by the difference information between the portion indicating the maximum value and the minimum value of the recommended travel speed range in the graphic. At least one of the visibility may be reduced. In addition, the navigation device 20 may display a graphic so that at least one of the maximum value and the minimum value of the recommended travel speed range is obscured as the time difference indicated by the difference information is larger. FIGS. 5C and 5D show an example in which the recommended travel speed range information is displayed on the display 24 as a bar graph. For example, when the temporal difference is relatively small, a bar graph 130 with relatively high visibility is displayed as shown in FIG. The outline of the bar graph 130 is clear. The lowermost part of the bar graph 130 is located at 30 km / h, and the uppermost part is located at 50 km / h. On the other hand, when the time difference is relatively large, as shown in FIG. 5D, a bar graph 140 with relatively low visibility is displayed. The lowermost part of the bar graph 140 is located at 30 km / h, and the uppermost part is located at 50 km / h. However, the color and contour of the bar graph 140 become lighter as it approaches 50 km / h from around 45 km / h. This is because the maximum value of the recommended speed calculated from the green light period specified from the signal information is 50 km / h, whereas the green speed period is narrowed based on the difference information, and as a result, the recommended speed determined. The maximum value is considerably smaller than 50 km / h. The navigation device 20 may increase the range in which the color or outline is thinned as the time difference is large, or may increase the degree of thinning out the color or outline as the time difference is large.

  As another example of changing the ease of recognition, the navigation device 20 outputs recommended travel speed range information when the time difference indicated by the difference information is equal to or less than a predetermined value, and the time difference exceeds the predetermined value. The recommended travel speed range information need not be output.

  The server device 10 may receive signal information from the navigation device 20 and determine the visibility of the recommended travel speed range and the recommended travel speed range information based on the signal information and the difference information. Then, the server device 10 may cause the navigation device 20 to output recommended travel speed range information.

[2-3. Control of output of driving start support information based on difference information]
The navigation device 20 may control the output of the travel start support information including the green signal start timing information based on the difference information. The travel start support information is displayed on the display 24 or output from the speaker 25. For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, green signal start timing information 200 is displayed.

  The navigation device 20 acquires difference information from the storage unit 22 or the server device 10. And the navigation apparatus 20 is the timing which changes the output mode of driving | running | working start assistance information, for example, and the timing which a traffic signal changes from a red signal to a green signal which a signal information shows, so that the time difference which a difference information shows is large, for example. The time between can be lengthened. The output mode in this case may be whether or not information is output, or which information is output and which information is not output.

  For example, as the time difference indicated by the difference information increases, the navigation device 20 indicates that the output of the green signal start timing information indicating the timing at which the traffic signal changes from the red signal to the green signal ends, and the traffic indicated by the signal information. The time between the timing when the signal changes from the red signal to the blue signal may be increased. As a result, the greater the time difference between the signal information and the actual traffic light 60 with respect to the traffic signal change mode, the more reliable the timing for starting the vehicle 30 from the early point to the driver without depending on the green signal start timing information. Can be measured. Therefore, even if there is a time difference as described above, the driver can start the vehicle 30 smoothly.

  For example, when the time difference is relatively small, as shown in FIG. 6B, the waiting time countdown starts 20 seconds before the start of the green signal indicated by the signal information and ends 5 seconds before. On the other hand, when the time difference is relatively large, as shown in FIG. 6C, the waiting time countdown starts 20 seconds before the start of the green light indicated by the signal information and ends 10 seconds before. It is desirable that the navigation device 20 determines the timing for ending the green signal start timing information so that there is a high probability that the output of the green signal start timing information ends before the traffic signal actually changes from the red signal to the blue signal. .

  Further, for example, the navigation device 20 outputs the warning information indicating the warning in the traveling direction of the vehicle 30 and the traffic signal from the red signal to the blue signal as the time difference indicated by the difference information increases. It is also possible to lengthen the time between the change timing and. As a result, the greater the time difference between the signal information and the actual traffic light 60 with respect to the traffic signal change mode, the earlier the driver's attention is directed to the traveling direction of the vehicle 30 and the vehicle 30 is started. It is possible to make the driver measure the timing.

  For example, when the time difference is relatively small, as shown in FIG. 6B, the warning information “Please confirm the front” is output 5 seconds before the start of the green signal indicated by the signal information. On the other hand, when the temporal difference is relatively large, as shown in FIG. 6C, attention information is output 10 seconds before the start of the green signal indicated by the signal information.

  The navigation device 20 adjusts the time between the timing at which the output mode of the travel start support information as described above is changed and the timing at which the traffic signal changes from the red signal to the green signal indicated by the signal information. In addition to changing or adjusting, the greater the time difference indicated by the difference information, the lower the ease of recognizing the green signal start timing information. Accordingly, the greater the time difference between the signal information and the actual traffic light 60 regarding the traffic signal change mode, the more the driver 30 measures the timing of starting the vehicle 30 without depending on the green signal start timing information. Can do. For example, when the green signal start timing information is displayed on the display 24, the navigation device 20 may make the outline, color, etc. of the green signal start timing information lighter as the time difference is larger. When the green signal start timing information is output from the speaker 25, the navigation device 20 may output the green signal start timing information by decreasing the volume as the time difference increases. Or the navigation apparatus 20 may change the content which the output information shows according to a time difference. For example, the navigation device 20 may increase the abstraction or ambiguity of the timing at which the traffic signal changes from a red signal to a green signal as the time difference is larger. The higher the level of abstraction or ambiguity, the lower the ease of recognizing green signal start timing information. For example, as the green signal start timing information, “8 to 12 seconds later” is higher in abstraction or ambiguity than “10 seconds remaining”, and “the signal is about to be blue sooner than“ 8 to 12 seconds remaining ”. Is more abstract or ambiguous.

  As another example of changing the recognizability, the navigation device 20 outputs green signal start timing information when the time difference indicated by the difference information is less than or equal to a predetermined value, and when the time difference exceeds the predetermined value, It is not necessary to output the green signal start timing information. Further, when the time difference exceeds a predetermined value, the navigation device 20 may output only the attention information without outputting the green signal start timing information. The navigation device 20 may or may not output the caution information when the time difference is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value.

  Note that the server device 10 may receive the signal information from the navigation device 20 and determine the timing to end the output of the green signal start timing information, the ease of recognition, and the like based on the signal information and the difference information. Then, the server device 10 may cause the navigation device 20 to output recommended travel speed range information.

[2-4. Route search based on difference information]
The driving support system S may perform a route search using the difference information described above. This route search may be performed by either the server device 10 or the navigation device 20. Below, the case where the navigation apparatus 20 performs a route search is demonstrated.

  The navigation device 20 acquires difference information from the storage unit 22 or the server device 10. And the navigation apparatus 20 searches for a path | route, raising a priority, so that it is the road (link) with which the traffic signal 60 with a small time difference which difference information shows corresponds. Thus, when the driver drives the vehicle in accordance with the recommended travel speed range information or the travel start support information output based on the signal information received from the roadside device 70, the route that is likely to smoothly pass through an intersection or the like. Is searched. The priority in this case is such a degree that the road of interest is preferentially selected as part of the route. For example, the navigation device 20 uses the Dijkstra method or the like with the travel cost of each road as the weight of the road, and the travel cost is a predetermined number from the route with the minimum total travel cost or the route with the minimum travel cost. Search up to a small route. Examples of factors that determine the travel cost include the distance of the road, whether the road is a toll road, a usage fee, the congestion of the road, and the like. The navigation device 20 calculates the movement cost in consideration of the difference information. For example, the navigation device 20 increases the movement cost as the time difference indicated by the difference information increases. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a route search example. It is assumed that the elements for determining the movement cost other than the difference information are the same in all the roads shown in FIG. The driver of the vehicle 30 sets the point 310 as the destination. Regarding the roads 320 to 350, the temporal differences indicated by the difference information are all small. When the vehicle 30 passes through these roads in the order of the roads 320 to 350 and reaches the destination 310, the moving cost is minimized. Therefore, the navigation device 20 determines the route 360 including the roads 320 to 350 as the route to the destination 310.

  The navigation device 20 may cause the display 24 to output at least one route searched by the route search described above. The navigation device 20 accepts an operation for selecting any of the output at least one route from the passenger through the input unit 26. The navigation device 20 sets the route selected by the accepted operation as the travel route of the vehicle 30. The navigation device 20 performs processing for guiding the vehicle 30 to the destination along the set movement route. When the vehicle 30 is a vehicle capable of automatic driving, the automatic driving control system mounted on the vehicle 30 performs automatic driving along the searched movement route.

  If the vehicle 30 is moving along the set movement route and the vehicle 30 stops, the navigation device 20 may re-execute the route search described above. The navigation device 20 may automatically set the route searched for by re-execution of the route search as the moving route of the vehicle 30, or set the searched route as the moving route based on the passenger's selection. May be.

  When the server device 10 performs a route search, the server device 10 acquires destination information indicating the destination from the navigation device 20, and based on the destination information, difference information stored in the storage unit 12, map data, and the like. To search for a route.

[2-5. Correction of signal information of sensitive signal]
In the case of a normal traffic light, the length of the green signal period and the length of the red signal period are generally fixed. Accordingly, the lengths of the green signal period and the red signal period indicated by the signal information regarding such a traffic light are fixed (the minimum value and the maximum value included in the signal information are the same). However, the sensitive traffic signal detects a vehicle and switches and outputs a plurality of traffic signals based on the presence or absence of the vehicle. Specifically, the sensitive traffic light changes the duration of at least one of the green signal and the red signal based on detecting the vehicle. Therefore, the lengths of the blue signal period and the red signal period indicated by the signal information are set with a certain range (the minimum value and the maximum value included in the signal information are different). Therefore, there is a possibility that the driving information of the vehicle 30 cannot be properly supported with the signal information of the sensitive traffic signal.

  Therefore, the server device 10 may change or correct the signal information of the sensitive traffic signal based on the imaging information obtained by imaging the traffic signal 60 with the camera 31 mounted on the vehicle 30. Specifically, the server device 10 generates trend information indicating a tendency of a traffic signal change by the traffic light 60 based on the imaging information. The server device 10 may specify a tendency of the duration of output of a predetermined traffic signal as the tendency of the traffic signal change. For example, the navigation device 20 transmits the probe information described above for the sensitive traffic signal to the server device 10. The server device 10 specifies the localization of the green signal period or the red signal period of the sensitive traffic light based on the signal color recognized by pattern recognition from the image data included in the probe information. The localization of the period indicates the length of the period and the position within the range of the length of the green signal period or the red signal period indicated in the signal information. When the lengths of the plurality of green light periods and the lengths of the plurality of red light periods are obtained based on the probe information acquired from the plurality of vehicles 30, the server device 10 determines the sensitive traffic signal based on the information. The localization tendency of the green light period and the red light period is specified. For example, the server device 10 may calculate an average value and a standard deviation of the length of the green light period and the length of the red light period as the localization tendency. Alternatively, the server device 10 adds the time length obtained by multiplying the calculated standard deviation by a predetermined coefficient to the average value, calculates the maximum value of the length of the period, and calculates the time length from the average value. May be subtracted to calculate the minimum value of the length of the period, and the range from the calculated minimum value to the maximum value may be regarded as a localization tendency. Alternatively, the server device 10 may calculate a representative value such as an average value, a median value, or a mode value of the length of the green light period and the length of the red light period as the localization tendency. The server device 10 may store the trend information indicating the localization tendency in the storage unit 12 in association with the information for specifying the sensitive traffic signal.

  The server device 10 may identify the localization tendency of the green signal period and the red signal period for each time zone in which the traffic light is imaged, and generate trend information indicating these trends. Then, the server device 10 may store the trend information in the storage unit 12 in association with the information for specifying the sensitive traffic signal and the time zone. Thereby, it is possible to cope with the traffic light 60 in which the tendency of at least one of the length of the green light period and the length of the red light period changes due to the change in the traffic volume according to the time zone.

  The server device 10 changes or corrects the signal information of the sensitive traffic signal based on the generated trend information. The server apparatus 10 acquires signal information of the sensitive traffic signal to be corrected. For example, the server device 10 may acquire the signal information received by the navigation device 20 from the roadside device 70 from the navigation device 20. The server device 10 acquires trend information corresponding to the signal information from the storage unit 12. At this time, the server apparatus 10 may acquire the trend information associated with the time zone when the navigation apparatus 20 receives the signal information from the roadside device 70.

  The server device 10 changes the signal information so as to indicate the length of the period corresponding to the tendency indicated by the trend information within the range of the length of the green signal period or the red signal period indicated in the signal information. For example, the server device 10 determines the corrected time length or length range from the maximum value as the localization indicated by the trend information as the trend is closer to the maximum value of the period range indicated in the signal information. When the localization determined by the trend information is closer to the minimum value of the range of the period indicated in the signal information, the corrected time length or length range may be determined from the minimum value. Good. For example, it is assumed that the localization of the green light period indicated by the trend information as a trend is closer to the maximum value than the minimum value, and the localization of the red light period indicated as the trend as the trend information is closer to the minimum value than the maximum value. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, the length of the green light period or the range of the length range is determined from the maximum value, and the length or length range of the red light period is determined from the minimum value. The server device 10 may determine the length of the period or the range of the length according to the localization indicated by the trend information as the trend.

  The server device 10 includes the minimum value and the maximum value of the cycle length included in the signal information, the minimum value of the start time of the green signal, and the signal information so that the signal information indicates the determined lengths of the corrected green signal period and red signal period. Change the maximum value, minimum value and maximum value of green light end time, etc. For example, the minimum value and the maximum value of the start time of the green signal and the minimum value and the maximum value of the end time of the green signal are information indicating the range of the length of the green signal period. For example, these information and the minimum and maximum values of the cycle length are information indicating the range of the length of the red signal period.

  Server device 10 transmits the corrected signal information to vehicle 30. For example, the server device 10 may transmit the corrected signal information to the vehicle 30 that has transmitted the signal information as described above.

  Note that the navigation device 20 specifies the lengths of the red signal period and the green signal period based on the image data obtained by imaging, and the length of the period obtained by the vehicle 30 passing through the sensitive traffic light a plurality of times. On the basis of this, the localization tendency may be specified, and the signal information of the sensitive traffic signal received from the roadside device 70 may be corrected based on these trends. Alternatively, the navigation device 20 may receive the trend information generated by the server device 10, and the navigation device 20 may perform correction based on the received trend information.

[2-6. Generation of pseudo signal information]
The driving support system S may generate the pseudo signal information based on the output status related information detected in the vehicle 30 that is output status related information related to the output status of the traffic signal by the traffic light 60. The pseudo signal information is information that substitutes for the signal information. When the signal information transmitted from the roadside device 70 is the first signal information, the pseudo signal information is the second signal information. The format of the pseudo signal information may be the same as the format of the signal information. The output status related information may be imaging information. The imaging information indicates the traffic signal output status by the traffic light 60. Either the server device 10 or the navigation device 20 may generate the pseudo signal information. Since it is possible to generate pseudo signal information even for roads where signal information is not distributed, it is possible to support driving of the vehicle 30 by providing the pseudo signal information to the vehicle 30 traveling on the road where signal information is not distributed. It becomes.

  When the server device 10 generates pseudo signal information, the probe information described in the section 2-1 is transmitted from the navigation device 20 to the server device 10. The navigation device 20 transmits the probe information in real time (for example, at intervals of 0.1 seconds). The server device 10 identifies the green signal period and the red signal period for each traffic light 60 based on the probe information. For example, the server device 10 specifies the time when the green signal and the red signal started based on a series of probe information acquired from one vehicle 30, and the green signal period or the red signal period based on the specified time. May be specified. For example, as shown in FIG. 9A, the signal color specified by pattern recognition from image data changes from a red signal to a blue signal at time T11, and then changes from a blue signal to a red signal at time T12. . Therefore, the green light period is a period of time T11 to T12. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 9B, the signal color specified from the image data changes from a blue signal to a red signal at time T21, and then changes from a red signal to a blue signal at time T22. Therefore, the red signal period is a period from time T21 to T22. The navigation device 20 may specify the green signal period or the red signal period based on the probe information acquired from the plurality of vehicles 30. For example, when a plurality of vehicles 30 are moving on the same road at a certain interval, the camera 31 mounted on a certain vehicle 30 captures the traffic light 60 when the red signal changes to a green signal. Thereafter, when the camera 31 mounted on another vehicle 30 changes from a green signal to a red signal, the traffic light 60 may be imaged. In this case, the green light period can be specified based on the probe information acquired from these vehicles 30.

  The server device 10 generates pseudo signal information based on the identified green light period and red light period. For example, the server device 10 determines, based on the green signal period and the red signal period, the difference between the current time and the signal information generation time, the elapsed time from the signal information generation time to the start of the cycle in which the traffic signal changes, the cycle length The information such as the start time of the green light and the end time of the green light is determined. The server device 10 may store the pseudo signal information including the determined information in the storage unit 12 in association with the specific information of the corresponding traffic signal 60. When the server device 10 specifies a plurality of green signal periods and red signal periods based on information acquired from the plurality of vehicles 30, each of the green signal periods and the red signal periods is statistically processed to be included in the pseudo signal information. Information may be determined.

  The road has a plurality of lanes on one side thereof, and the traffic light 60 corresponding to these lanes may change traffic signals in a manner different from other lanes in at least one of the lanes. . For example, on a three-lane road on one side, a signal for right turn corresponding to only one lane on the right side may be provided in the traffic light 60. Therefore, the server device 10 may generate pseudo signal information for each of the at least one lane and the other lane. In the above example, pseudo signal information for the left two lanes and pseudo signal information for the right one lane are generated. Alternatively, the server device 10 may generate pseudo signal information for each lane. The server device 10 may store the generated pseudo signal information in the storage unit 12 in association with information for specifying the corresponding traffic signal 60 and lane.

  The server device 10 may transmit the generated pseudo signal information to the navigation device 20 mounted on the vehicle 30. For example, the server device 10 may perform transmission in response to a request from the navigation device 20. For example, the navigation device 20 transmits an information request as described in Section 2-1 to the server device 10. Based on the information request and the map data, the server device 10 identifies a traffic light 60 corresponding to an intersection or the like where the vehicle 30 travels, and is associated with the identified traffic light 60 and stored in the storage unit 12. Pseudo signal information is transmitted. The server apparatus 10 may transmit pseudo signal information regarding the plurality of traffic lights 60. For example, the server device 10 may collectively transmit the pseudo signal information about the traffic lights 60 installed along the road where the vehicle 30 is located. Alternatively, the server device 10 may transmit pseudo signal information for a plurality of traffic lights 60 that are within a predetermined range from the current position of the vehicle 30. Alternatively, when a movement route is set in the navigation device 20, the server device 10 may transmit pseudo signal information about the traffic lights 60 corresponding to some or all of the roads on the movement route. The navigation device 20 that has received the pseudo signal information, when the vehicle 30 is located on a road where the signal information cannot be received from the roadside unit 70, uses the pseudo signal information and uses the recommended travel speed range information and the travel start. You may perform the process which assists the driving | operation of the vehicle 30, such as the output of assistance information. Further, the navigation device 20 may use the pseudo signal information for route search. For example, the navigation device 20 estimates the time that the vehicle 30 passes through an intersection or the like, and based on the estimated time and pseudo signal information, the probability that the vehicle 30 passes through the intersection or the like without stopping for each road. calculate. The navigation device 20 searches for a route by increasing the priority of a road having a higher probability.

  In the case of the traffic signal 60 in which the traffic signal changes in different lanes, the server device 10 may transmit, for example, pseudo signal information of all lanes to the vehicle 30. The navigation device 20 may specify the lane in which the vehicle 30 is located based on, for example, image data obtained by photographing with the camera 31. Alternatively, when the accuracy of the GNSS sensor 35 and the map data is high, the navigation device 20 may specify the lane in which the vehicle 30 is located based on the current position information and the map data acquired from the GNSS sensor 35. Alternatively, when the vehicle 30 is traveling along the route searched for by the navigation device 20, the navigation device 20 estimates the traveling direction of the vehicle 30 from an intersection or the like based on the set route, and this progression Based on the direction, the lane in which the vehicle 30 is located on the road entering the intersection or the like may be estimated. When the server device 10 or the navigation device 20 stores the travel route history of the vehicle 30, the navigation device 20 estimates the traveling direction of the vehicle 30 from an intersection or the like based on the travel route history. Based on the traveling direction, the lane in which the vehicle 30 is located on the road entering the intersection or the like may be estimated. The navigation device 20 may execute processing for supporting driving of the vehicle 30 using the pseudo signal information for the specified or estimated lane.

  When the navigation device 20 generates the pseudo signal information, for example, based on the image data from the camera 31, the navigation device 20 identifies the green signal period and the red signal period in the same manner as in the server device 10. In order to specify both the green signal period and the red signal period for one traffic light 60, it is usually necessary for the vehicle 30 to pass through the same road a plurality of times. The navigation device 20 may store the generated pseudo signal information in the storage unit 22 in association with the specific information of the corresponding traffic signal 60. Moreover, the navigation apparatus 20 may transmit pseudo signal information to the vehicle 30 around the vehicle 30 on which the navigation apparatus 20 is mounted by inter-vehicle communication. In the navigation device 20 of the vehicle 30 that has received the pseudo signal information, the vehicle 30 is traveling to a position away from the traffic light 60 or a position where the traffic light 60 cannot be seen (for example, the traffic light 60 is at the end of a corner). Even in this case, since it is possible to obtain the pseudo signal information of the traffic signal 60, it is possible to output information related to the traffic signal output from the traffic signal 60 (for example, “currently red signal”). it can. As described above, the navigation device 20 can use the pseudo signal information for route search.

  In the present embodiment, the driving support system S uses signal information, but the pseudo signal information can be generated and used even in a system that does not use signal information.

[2-7. [Estimation of green signal period or red signal period for generating pseudo signal information]
By the way, even if a plurality of pieces of imaging information are obtained for one traffic light 60, it may be difficult to specify a period during which output of a predetermined signal continues. For example, since the vehicle 30 is stopped when the red signal is lit by the traffic light 60, the traffic signal is changed from the green signal to the red signal by the camera 31 mounted on the vehicle 30, and then the red signal is changed to the green signal. There are relatively many opportunities to image the situation. Therefore, it is relatively easy to specify the red light period. On the other hand, when the green light is lit by the traffic light 60, the vehicle 30 passes, so there is relatively little opportunity for the camera 31 to image the traffic signal changing from the green light to the red light. Therefore, it is relatively difficult to specify the green light period. In particular, in the case of a road with a low traffic volume, it may be difficult to specify the green light period using the imaging information obtained from the plurality of vehicles 30 as described above.

  Here, there is a first road and a second road that intersect at a point such as an intersection, and the traffic light 60 corresponding to the vehicle traveling from the first road is the first traffic light at that point. The traffic light 60 corresponding to the vehicle traveling from the road is a second traffic light. Then, consider generating pseudo signal information for the second traffic light. The server device 10 obtains the output situation relation information related to the output situation of the traffic signal by the first traffic light, and is detected in the vehicle 30 as described in the section 2-6. . For example, the server device 10 acquires image data obtained by capturing an image of the first traffic light from the vehicle 30 traveling on the first road. In addition, the server device 10 determines, based on the acquired output state relation information, a period during which the output of the first signal (for example, a red signal) of one of the green signal and the red signal continues in the first traffic light for the second time. Identified as described in section -6. Based on the specified period, the server apparatus 10 estimates a period in which the second signal of the other one of the green signal and the red signal (for example, the green signal) continues to be output in the second traffic light. Basically, when a red light is output from the traffic light 60 corresponding to a certain road, a blue light is output from the traffic light 60 corresponding to the road intersecting with the road. Therefore, estimation as described above is possible.

  The server apparatus 10 may estimate the red light period of the first traffic light and estimate the green light period of the second traffic light based on the red light period. Further, the server device 10 may estimate the green signal period of the first traffic light and estimate the red light period of the second traffic light based on the green light period. Moreover, the server apparatus 10 may perform both of these.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 10A, it is assumed that traffic lights 60-1 to 60-4 are installed at a certain intersection. The traffic light 60-1 corresponds to a vehicle moving in the north direction on the road 501 extending in the north-south direction, and the traffic light 60-2 corresponds to a vehicle moving in the south direction. The traffic light 60-3 corresponds to a vehicle moving in the east direction on the road 502 extending in the east-west direction, and the traffic light 60-4 corresponds to a vehicle moving in the west direction. Currently, the vehicle 30 is stopped in front of the stop line to which the traffic light 60-1 corresponds, and the camera 31 mounted on the vehicle 30 captures the traffic light 60-1. As shown in FIG. 10B, a red signal start time T31 and a blue signal end time T32 are specified based on the image data from the camera 31, respectively. Based on the red signal period of the traffic light 60-1 indicated by the times T31 and T32, the green signal periods of the traffic lights 60-3 and 6-4 can be estimated. For example, the server device 10 estimates the green signal start time T41 of the traffic light 60-3 based on the time T31, and estimates the green signal end time T42 of the traffic light 60-3 based on the time T32. The time T41 may be, for example, the same as the time T31 or a time after a predetermined second from the time T31. The end time T42 may be, for example, the same as the time T32 or a time after a predetermined second from the time T32.

  The server device 10 generates pseudo signal information of the second traffic light based on the period estimated for the second traffic light. Specifically, the server device 10 obtains output status related information detected in the vehicle 30 that is output status related information related to the output status of the traffic signal from the second traffic light. Moreover, the server apparatus 10 estimates the period in which the output of the first signal (for example, a red signal) continues in the second traffic light based on the acquired output status related information. Then, the server device 10 determines the second signal based on the period during which the output of the first signal continues and the period during which the output of the second signal continues (that is, the green signal period and the red signal period). The pseudo signal information of the traffic signal is generated. When the period during which the output of the second signal continues is estimated based on the output status related information of the second traffic light, the server apparatus 10 may generate the pseudo signal information by further using the estimated period. Good.

  The navigation device 20 may receive and use the pseudo signal information generated in this way from the server device 10 as described in Section 2-6. Further, the navigation device 20 may generate pseudo signal information. Moreover, the navigation apparatus 20 may transmit pseudo signal information by vehicle-to-vehicle communication.

[2-8. Correction of pseudo signal information based on signal information]
In order to improve the accuracy of the pseudo signal information generated as described above, the navigation device 20 may correct the pseudo signal information based on the signal information.

  For example, the navigation device 20 includes the elapsed time from the generation time of the signal information to the start of the cycle in which the traffic signal changes, the length of the cycle, the start time of the green signal, the end time of the green signal, etc. included in the pseudo signal information. You may rewrite with the information contained in signal information. The navigation device 20 can acquire the signal information and the pseudo signal information at the timing when both the signal information and the pseudo signal information can be acquired, during the period when the signal information and the pseudo signal information can be acquired, or both the signal information and the pseudo signal information can be acquired. Corrections may be made at the end of the possible period. The period in which the signal information can be acquired is a period in which the vehicle 30 is located in a section in which the signal information of the target traffic signal can be received from the roadside device 70. The period in which the pseudo signal information can be acquired is a period in which the pseudo signal information of the target traffic light is generated and the navigation apparatus 20 can be connected to the server apparatus 10 via the network 40. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 11, it is assumed that the vehicle 30 enters a section in which signal information can be received in a state in which pseudo signal information can be received. The navigation device 20 may correct the pseudo signal information based on the signal information received from the roadside device 70 at this time. After the vehicle 30 goes out of the section in which the signal information can be received, the navigation device 20 performs a process for supporting the driving of the vehicle 30 using the corrected pseudo signal.

  The navigation device 20 may use the pseudo signal information corrected in this way as described in Section 2-6 or transmit it to another vehicle 30 by inter-vehicle communication.

  Further, the server device 10 may correct the pseudo signal information. For example, the navigation apparatus 20 transmits the signal information and the pseudo signal information to the server apparatus 10 at a timing when the navigation apparatus 20 can acquire both the signal information and the pseudo signal information. The server device 10 corrects the pseudo signal information acquired from the navigation device 20 based on the signal information acquired from the navigation device 20. Then, the server device 10 transmits the corrected pseudo signal information to the navigation device 20.

[3. Operation of the driving support system]
Next, operation examples of the server device 10 and the navigation device 20 will be described. The processing shown in FIGS. 12 to 15 is executed by the server device 10, and the processing shown in FIGS. 16 to 18 is executed by the navigation device 20.

  The server process shown in FIG. 12 is started when the server device 10 is powered on, for example. First, the control unit 11 determines whether or not both probe information and signal information are received from any vehicle 30 (step S101). When it is determined that both the probe information and the signal information are not received (step S101: NO), the control unit 11 advances the process to step S109. On the other hand, if it is determined that both the probe information and the signal information have been received (step S101: YES), the control unit 11 advances the process to step S102.

  In step S <b> 109, the control unit 11 determines whether only probe information has been received from any vehicle 30. When it is determined that the probe information has been received (step S109: YES), the control unit 11 advances the process to step S105. On the other hand, when it is determined that the probe information has not been received (step S109: NO), the control unit 11 advances the process to step S106.

  In step S102, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the received signal information is a signal of a sensitive signal. For example, the determination can be made based on the sensitivity permission state included in the signal information or information on the traffic signal included in the map data. When the control unit 11 determines that the received signal information is not a signal of a sensitive signal (step S102: NO), the control proceeds to step S103.

  In step S103, the control unit 11 executes signal information error determination processing. As illustrated in FIG. 13, in the signal information error determination process, the control unit 11 specifies the green signal start time or the red signal start time based on the image data and date / time information included in the received probe information (step S201). ). Next, the control unit 11 compares the blue signal start time or red signal start time indicated by the received signal information with the blue signal start time or red signal start time specified based on the probe information in step S201 (step S202). . Then, the control unit 11 determines whether or not there is a difference between the start time indicated by the signal information and the start time specified from the probe information (step S203). If the control unit 11 determines that there is a difference (step S203: YES), the process proceeds to step S204. In step S204, the control unit 11 uses the difference between the blue signal start time or red signal start time indicated by the signal information and the blue signal start time or red signal start time specified based on the probe information in step S201 as an error. The calculation is advanced to step S205. On the other hand, if the control unit 11 determines that there is no difference (step S203: NO), the process proceeds to step S209. In step S209, the control unit 11 determines the error as 0, and advances the process to step S205.

  In step S205, the control unit 11 stores the error information indicating the error calculated in step S204 or the error determined in step S209 in the storage unit 12 in association with the specific information of the traffic light 60 corresponding to the signal information ( Step S205).

  Next, the control unit 11 determines whether or not there is a predetermined number or more of error information stored in association with the specific information of the traffic light 60 described above (step S206). When it is determined that the error information does not exceed the predetermined number (step S206: NO), the control unit 11 ends the signal information error determination process. On the other hand, if the control unit 11 determines that there is a predetermined number or more of error information (step S206: YES), the control unit 11 advances the process to step S207.

  In step S207, the control unit 11 calculates the accuracy of the signal information based on the stored error information. Then, the control unit 11 stores the accuracy information indicating the calculated accuracy in the storage unit 12 in association with the specific information of the traffic light 60 (step S208), and ends the signal information error determination process.

  In step S102 shown in FIG. 12, if the control unit 11 determines that the received signal information is signal information of a sensitive traffic signal (step S102: YES), the process proceeds to step S104.

  In step S104, the control part 11 performs the signal information correction process for sensitive signal apparatuses. As shown in FIG. 14, in the sensitive signal signal information correction process, the control unit 11 specifies the localization of the green signal period or the red signal period based on the image data and date / time information included in the received probe information. (Step S301). Next, the control unit 11 sets the green signal localization information indicating the localization of the specified green signal period or the red signal localization information indicating the localization of the red signal period, the identification information of the sensitive signal corresponding to the received signal information, and the current time Is stored in the storage unit 12 in association with the time zone corresponding to (step S302).

  Next, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the total number of the green signal localization information and the red signal localization information stored in association with the specific information and the time zone corresponding to the current time is greater than or equal to a predetermined number (step S303). ). When it is determined that the total number is not equal to or greater than the predetermined number (step S303: NO), the control unit 11 ends the sensitive signal device signal information correction processing. On the other hand, when determining that the total number is equal to or greater than the predetermined number (step S303: YES), the control unit 11 advances the process to step S304.

  In step S304, the control unit 11 determines the localization tendency of each of the green signal period and the red signal period based on the green signal localization information and the red signal localization information stored in association with the specific information and the time zone corresponding to the current time. Identify. For example, the control unit 11 may calculate an average value and a standard deviation of the length of the period as the localization tendency, or calculate a range of the length of the period based on the average value and the standard deviation, etc. Alternatively, the representative value of the period may be calculated. Next, the control unit 11 stores the trend information indicating the identified localization trend in the storage unit 12 in association with the specific information and the time zone corresponding to the current time (step S305).

  Next, the control unit 11 corrects the received signal information based on the trend information stored in the storage unit 12 (step S306). For example, the control unit 11 may match the length ranges of the green signal period and the red signal period indicated by the signal information with the lengths or length ranges of the green signal period and the red signal period indicated by the trend information as trends. Good. The control unit 11 transmits the corrected signal information to the vehicle 30 that has transmitted the signal information before correction (step S307), and ends the sensitive signal signal information correction processing.

  As shown in FIG. 12, when the signal information error determination process (step S103) is completed, when the sensitive signal device signal information correction process (step S104) is completed, or when only probe information is received from the vehicle 30 ( Step S109: YES), the control unit 11 executes a pseudo signal information generation process (Step S105). As shown in FIG. 15, in the pseudo signal information generation process, the control unit 11 specifies the green signal period or the red signal period of the target traffic light based on the image data and date / time information included in the received probe information (step S <b> 15). S401). The target traffic signal is a traffic signal 60 to be generated as pseudo signal information, which is specified based on position information and direction information included in the probe information, for example. Next, the control unit 11 causes the storage unit 12 to store the green signal period information indicating the specified green signal period or the red signal period information indicating the red signal period in association with the specific information of the target traffic light (step S402).

  Next, the control unit 11 identifies the traffic signal installed at the intersection corresponding to the road intersecting with the road corresponding to the traffic signal at the intersection where the traffic signal is installed as the reference traffic signal. The control unit 11 acquires the red signal period information stored in association with the specific information of the reference traffic signal (step S403). Next, the control unit 11 estimates the green signal period of the target traffic light based on each acquired red signal period information (step S404). And the control part 11 produces | generates the green light period information which shows the estimated period.

  Next, the control unit 11 acquires the green light period information stored in the storage unit 12 in association with the specific information of the reference traffic light (step S405). Next, the control unit 11 estimates the red signal period of the target traffic light based on the acquired green signal period information (step S406). And the control part 11 produces | generates the red signal period information which shows the estimated period.

  Next, the control unit 11 associates the green signal period information and the red signal period information stored in the storage unit 12 in association with the specific information of the target traffic signal, and the green signal period information and the red signal period information generated in steps S404 and S406. It is determined whether the total number is greater than or equal to a predetermined number (step S407). When it is determined that the total number is not equal to or greater than the predetermined number (step S407: NO), the control unit 11 ends the pseudo signal information generation process. On the other hand, when determining that the total number is equal to or greater than the predetermined number (step S407: YES), the control unit 11 advances the process to step S408.

  In step S408, the control unit 11 generates pseudo signal information based on the green signal period information and the red signal period information. For example, the control unit 11 uses the representative value of the duration of the blue signal indicated by the green signal period information and the representative value of the duration of the red signal indicated by the red signal period information as the duration of the blue signal and the red signal indicated by the pseudo signal information. Calculate as duration. The representative value may be, for example, an average value, a median value, a mode value, or the like. Further, the control unit 11 determines the cycle length based on the calculated duration time. Moreover, the control part 11 estimates the start time of a cycle based on the green signal start time etc. which green signal period information shows, for example. The control unit 11 generates pseudo signal information indicating these pieces of information. The control unit 11 stores the generated pseudo signal information in the storage unit 12 in association with the target signal specific information (step S409), and ends the pseudo signal information generation process.

  When finishing the pseudo signal information generation process, the control unit 11 determines whether an information request has been received from any of the vehicles 30 as shown in FIG. 12 (step S106). When it is determined that the information request has not been received (step S106: NO), the control unit 11 advances the process to step S108. On the other hand, if it is determined that the information request has been received (step S106: YES), the control unit 11 advances the process to step S107.

  In step S <b> 107, the control unit 11 transmits at least one of accuracy information and pseudo signal information to the vehicle 30 in response to the information request. For example, the control unit 11 specifies at least one traffic light 60 that is a transmission target of information based on the map data and position information included in the information request. When the accuracy information of the specified traffic signal 60 is stored in the storage unit 12, the control unit 11 transmits this accuracy information. Moreover, the control part 11 transmits this pseudo signal information, when the pseudo signal information of the specified signal apparatus 60 is memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 12. FIG.

  Next, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the power of the server device 10 is turned off (step S108). If the control unit 11 determines that the power is not turned off (step S108: NO), the process proceeds to step S101. On the other hand, when it is determined that the power is turned off (step S108: YES), the control unit 11 ends the server process.

  The terminal process shown in FIG. 16 is started when the navigation device 20 is turned on, for example. First, the control unit 21 transmits an information request to the server device 10 (step S501). Next, the control unit 21 receives at least one of accuracy information and pseudo signal information transmitted from the server device 10 in response to the information request (step S502). And the control part 21 memorize | stores the received information in the memory | storage part 22 (step S503).

  Next, the control unit 21 determines whether or not signal information is received from any roadside device 70 (step S504). When it is determined that the signal information has not been received (step S504: NO), the control unit 21 advances the process to step S511. In step S511, the control unit 21 transmits probe information including image data acquired from the camera 31 to the server device 10, and the process proceeds to step S512. On the other hand, if it is determined that the signal information has been received (step S504: YES), the control unit 21 advances the process to step S505.

  In step S <b> 505, the control unit 21 stores the received signal information in the storage unit 22. Next, the control unit 21 transmits the probe information and the received signal information to the server device 10 (step S506).

  Next, the control unit 21 determines whether or not the corrected signal information has been received from the server device 10 (step S507). If the control unit 21 determines that the signal information has not been received (step S507: NO), the process proceeds to step S509. On the other hand, when it is determined that the signal information has been received (step S507: YES), the control unit 21 stores the received signal information in the storage unit 22 (step S508), and the process proceeds to step S509.

  In step S509, the control unit 21 determines whether or not it is the timing at which both the signal information and the pseudo signal information can be received for the same traffic light 60. When it is determined that it is not the timing at which both the signal information and the pseudo signal information can be received (step S509: NO), the control unit 21 advances the process to step S512. On the other hand, if the control unit 21 determines that it is time to receive both the signal information and the pseudo signal information (step S509: YES), the control unit 21 corrects the pseudo signal information based on the signal information. (Step S510), the process proceeds to Step S512.

  In step S512, the control unit 21 executes driving support information presentation processing. As shown in FIG. 17, in the driving support information presentation process, the control unit 21 moves the vehicle 30 in the traveling direction along the road where the vehicle 30 is located based on the current position and traveling direction of the vehicle 30 and the map data. The traffic signal 60 that is closest to the vehicle 30 among the traffic signals 60 that are positioned is specified as the target traffic signal. And the control part 21 determines whether the signal information of the object signal apparatus is received (step S601). When it is determined that the signal information has not been received (step S601: NO), the control unit 21 advances the process to step S610. On the other hand, when it is determined that the signal information is received (step S601: YES), the control unit 21 advances the process to step S602.

  In step S602, the control unit 21 determines whether or not the vehicle 30 is stopped within a predetermined range from the target signal because the target signal is outputting a red signal. For example, the control unit 21 may determine whether or not the target traffic signal is outputting a red signal based on the signal information of the target traffic signal. Further, the control unit 21 may determine whether or not the vehicle 30 is stopped within a predetermined distance from the stop line corresponding to the target traffic signal based on the current position and the traveling speed of the vehicle 30. When it is determined that the vehicle 30 is not stopped because the target traffic light is outputting a red signal (step S602: NO), the control unit 21 advances the process to step S606. On the other hand, when it is determined that the vehicle 30 is stopped because the target traffic light is outputting a red signal (step S602: YES), the control unit 21 advances the process to step S603.

  In step S603, the control unit 21 specifies the green signal start time of the target traffic light based on the signal information. The control unit 21 may specify the green signal start time so that the length of the green signal start time is minimized within the range of the length of the period indicated by the signal information for the signal information of the sensitive traffic signal. Next, the control unit 21 determines the time for ending the display of the green signal start timing information based on the green signal start time and the accuracy information about the target traffic light (step S604). For example, a predetermined time before the green light start time is set as the reference time. The reference time is a time for ending the display of the green signal start timing information when the accuracy of the signal information is the highest. The control unit 21 determines a larger correction value as the accuracy indicated by the accuracy information is lower. For example, when the accuracy information includes the average value and standard deviation of the error, the control unit 21 calculates the maximum value of the error by adding the time length obtained by multiplying the standard deviation by a predetermined coefficient to the average value. Also, the minimum value of the error is calculated by subtracting this time length from the average value, and the absolute value of the error within the range from the calculated minimum value to the maximum value is determined as the correction value. Good. The control unit 21 subtracts this correction value from the reference time to calculate the time for ending the green light start timing information. Next, the control unit 21 displays green signal start timing information on the display 24 for the determined time, and ends the driving support information presentation process.

  In step S606, the control unit 21 determines whether or not the vehicle 30 is traveling based on the traveling speed of the vehicle 30. When it is determined that the vehicle 30 is not traveling (step S606: NO), the control unit 21 ends the driving support information presentation process. On the other hand, if it is determined that the vehicle 30 is traveling (step S606: YES), the control unit 21 advances the process to step S607.

  In step S607, the control unit 21 specifies the green signal period of the target traffic light based on the signal information. Next, the control unit 21 determines a recommended traveling speed range based on the green signal start time and the green signal end time specified from the green signal period, and the accuracy information about the target traffic signal (step S608). For example, as the accuracy indicated by the accuracy information is lower, the control unit 21 shifts the green signal start time to the future to determine the maximum value of the green signal start time, and shifts the green signal end time to the past to obtain the minimum value of the green signal end time. decide. For example, the control unit 21 determines a correction value by the same method as the correction value determination method in step S604, determines the maximum value of the green signal start time by adding the correction value to the start time of the green signal, and ends the green signal. The green light end time minimum value may be determined by subtracting the correction value from the time. The control unit 21 determines a speed range in which the vehicle 30 passes the stop line corresponding to the target signal in the period from the maximum value of the green signal start time to the minimum value of the green signal end time. Next, the control unit 21 displays recommended travel speed range information indicating the determined speed range on the display 24 (step S609), and ends the driving support information presentation process.

  In step S610, the control unit 21 causes the display 24 to display the green signal start timing information or the recommended travel speed range information based on the pseudo signal information of the target traffic light. For example, when the vehicle 30 is stopped because the target signal outputs a red signal, the control unit 21 calculates the reference time from the green signal start time indicated by the pseudo signal information. The control unit 21 displays the green signal start timing information on the display 24 until the current time reaches the reference time. Further, when the vehicle 30 is traveling, the control unit 21 determines a speed range in which the vehicle 30 passes the stop line corresponding to the target signal within the green signal period indicated by the pseudo signal information. The control unit 21 displays recommended travel speed range information indicating the determined speed range on the display 24. The control part 21 will complete | finish a driving assistance information presentation process, after finishing step S610.

  When the driving support information presentation process is finished, as shown in FIG. 16, the control unit 21 determines whether or not the power of the navigation device 20 is turned off (step S513). When it is determined that the power is not turned off (step S513: NO), the control unit 21 advances the process to step S501. On the other hand, when it is determined that the power is turned off (step S513: YES), the control unit 21 ends the terminal process.

  The route search process shown in FIG. 18 is started when the navigation apparatus 20 receives an operation for searching for a destination from the passenger. First, the control unit 21 sets a destination based on an operation from the passenger (step S701). Next, the control unit 21 searches for a route to the destination (step S702). Specifically, the control unit 21 acquires accuracy information about the traffic signal 60 corresponding to the direction of following the road for each road traced for route search. The control unit 21 calculates the travel cost of the road based on the road distance, congestion status, accuracy information, and the like. At this time, the higher the accuracy indicated by the accuracy information, the lower the movement cost. And the control part 21 specifies the path | route in which total movement cost becomes the minimum. Next, the control unit 21 displays information indicating a route with the minimum total travel cost on the display 24 (step S703), and ends the route search process.

  As described above, by the operation according to the embodiment, the signal information is acquired, the imaging information is acquired, the traffic signal change mode indicated by the acquired signal information, and the traffic specified based on the imaging information When determining whether or not there is a temporal difference between the signal change mode and the traffic signal change mode indicated by the signal information, and the actual traffic signal change mode by the traffic light 60 It can be determined whether there is a time difference.

  Further, when calculating the time difference, it is possible to grasp how much the time difference exists.

  In addition, when the difference information indicating the calculated time difference is transmitted to the vehicle 30 moving on the road corresponding to the traffic light 60, the traffic light 60 is appropriately selected based on the difference information in the vehicle 30 using the signal information. Assistance to pass through can be provided appropriately.

  Moreover, when the difference information about each of the plurality of traffic lights 60 installed along the road is collectively transmitted to the vehicle 30, support for the vehicle 30 to appropriately pass through the traffic lights 60 along the road is provided. It can be carried out.

  Further, when the accuracy information indicating the calculated accuracy is transmitted to the vehicle 30 moving on the road corresponding to the traffic light 60, the vehicle 30 using the signal information appropriately passes through the traffic light 60 based on the accuracy information. Support can be provided appropriately.

  In addition, when the accuracy information about each of the plurality of traffic lights 60 installed along the road is collectively transmitted to the vehicle 30, support for the vehicle 30 to appropriately pass through the traffic lights 60 along the road is provided. It can be carried out.

  Also, difference information is acquired, a recommended travel speed range is determined based on the signal information and difference information, and the recommended travel speed range is determined by narrowing the recommended travel speed range as the time difference indicated by the difference information increases. When the recommended travel speed range information indicating the determined range is output by the display 24 or the speaker 25, the traffic signal change mode is narrowed even if there is a time difference between the signal information and the actual traffic light 60. When the driver drives the vehicle 30 at a speed in the specified range, the possibility that the vehicle 30 can smoothly pass the position corresponding to the traffic light 60 on the road is increased. Therefore, the position corresponding to the traffic light 60 is determined by the vehicle. Information can be presented to assist 30 in passing properly.

  Further, when the recognizability of the recommended travel speed range information is reduced as the time difference indicated by the difference information is larger, the time difference between the signal information and the actual traffic light 60 regarding the traffic signal change mode is reduced. The larger the is, the more the driver will drive the vehicle 30 without relying on the recommended travel speed range information, so the determination of the travel speed can be left to the driver.

  Further, the recommended travel speed range information including a graphic indicating the recommended travel speed range is displayed on the display 24, and the portion indicating the maximum value of the recommended travel speed range in this graphic is larger as the temporal difference indicated by the difference information is larger. When the visibility of at least one of the portions showing the minimum value is lowered, the visibility in the recommended travel speed range is larger as the time difference between the signal information and the actual traffic light 60 is larger in the traffic signal change mode. Since the driver will drive the vehicle 30 without relying on information on at least one of the maximum value and the minimum value of the speed corresponding to the lowered portion, the determination of the traveling speed may be left to the driver. it can.

  In addition, when the recommended travel speed range information is not output when the time difference indicated by the difference information exceeds a predetermined value, there is a time difference between the signal information and the actual traffic light 60 regarding the traffic signal change mode. When the degree is large, the determination of the traveling speed can be left to the driver.

  Further, the difference information is acquired, and based on the signal information and the difference information, the driving start support information including the green signal start timing information is output by the display 24 or the speaker 25, and the time difference indicated by the difference information is larger. When the time between the timing when the output of the green signal start timing information ends and the timing when the traffic signal changes from a red signal to a green signal is lengthened, the traffic signal changes between the signal information and the actual traffic light 60. The greater the time difference, the faster the driver can pay attention to the direction of travel of the vehicle 30 and check whether the traffic signal has changed to a green light without relying on the green light start timing information. The green signal start timing information can be presented appropriately.

  In addition, the greater the time difference indicated by the difference information, the longer the time between the timing at which the output of the caution information starts and the timing at which the traffic signal changes from a red signal to a green signal. As the time difference between the signal information and the actual traffic light 60 increases, the driver pays attention to the traveling direction of the vehicle 30 and confirms whether the traffic signal has changed to a green signal. The timing can be advanced.

  Further, the difference information is acquired and the driving start support information including the green signal start timing information is output by the display 24 or the speaker 25. The greater the time difference indicated by the difference information, the easier the recognition of the green signal start timing information becomes. In the case of lowering, the greater the time difference between the signal information and the actual traffic light 60 with respect to the traffic signal change mode, the driver can measure the timing of starting the vehicle 30 without depending on the green signal start timing information. Therefore, the information regarding the timing at which the traffic signal output from the traffic light 60 changes from the red signal to the green signal can be appropriately presented.

  In addition, when the green signal start timing information is not output when the time difference indicated by the difference information exceeds a predetermined value, there is a considerable time difference between the signal information and the actual traffic signal 60 regarding the traffic signal change mode. If it is larger, the driver can confirm whether the traffic signal has changed to a green signal without relying on the green signal start timing information.

  In addition, when the caution information is output when the time difference indicated by the difference information exceeds a predetermined value, the time difference between the signal information and the actual traffic light 60 is considerably large with respect to the traffic signal change mode. By the attention information, the driver's attention can be directed to the traveling direction of the vehicle 30, and the driver can confirm whether the traffic signal has changed to a green light.

  In addition, when the difference information is acquired and the search process for searching for a route along which the vehicle 30 moves is executed by increasing the priority of a road having a smaller temporal difference indicated by the difference information, Since there is a high probability that the traffic signal 60 indicated by the traffic signal information and the actual traffic signal change due to the traffic light 60 include a road corresponding to the traffic light 60 having a relatively small temporal difference. A route capable of smoothly moving the vehicle 30 can be searched based on the signal information.

  Further, if the vehicle 30 stops if the vehicle 30 is moving along the route searched by the search process, and if this search process is re-executed, an appropriate route is searched when the vehicle 30 stops. Can do.

  Moreover, when performing the automatic driving | running along the searched path | route, the vehicle 30 can move a path | route smoothly automatically.

  Further, at least one searched route is output, an operation for selecting any of the output at least one route is accepted, and the route selected by the accepted operation is set as a route on which the vehicle 30 moves. In this case, a route that allows the vehicle 30 to move smoothly can be set.

  Also, the imaging information obtained by imaging the sensitive traffic signal is acquired, and based on the acquired imaging information, the trend signal indicating the trend of the traffic signal change is generated by the sensitive traffic signal, and the signal of the sensitive traffic signal is generated. When the information is changed based on the generated trend information, the traffic signal change mode indicated by the signal information for the sensitive traffic signal that switches and outputs a plurality of traffic signals based on the vehicle detection result, and the sensitive formula It is possible to appropriately change the signal information in consideration of a time difference between the actual traffic signal change mode by the traffic light.

  In addition, the signal information includes range information indicating a range of time during which the output of the predetermined traffic signal continues, generates trend information indicating a trend of time during which the output of the predetermined traffic signal continues, and the range of time indicated by the range information If the range information is changed to indicate the time corresponding to the tendency indicated by the trend information, the time during which the output of the predetermined traffic signal actually continues can be reflected in the signal information.

  In addition, the trend information is generated for each time zone when the traffic light 60 is imaged, and the signal information is changed based on the trend information corresponding to the time zone when the vehicle 30 receives the signal information of the sensitive traffic signal from the roadside device 70. In this case, it is possible to appropriately change the signal information for the sensitive traffic signal corresponding to the road whose traffic volume changes according to the time zone.

  In addition, when the output situation relation information is obtained and the pseudo signal information is generated based on the obtained output situation relation information, this traffic is used for the vehicle 30 traveling on the road where the signal information cannot be provided. Pseudo signal information can be generated as information replacing signal information indicating the original schedule of signal changes.

  In addition, the traffic signal output status related information by the first traffic light corresponding to the vehicle traveling from the first road at the intersection of the first road and the second road is acquired, and based on the output status related information In the second traffic light corresponding to the vehicle traveling from the second road to the aforementioned point based on the specified period, the second traffic light is identified in the first traffic light. When the period during which the signal output continues is estimated and the pseudo signal information of the second traffic signal is generated based on the estimated period, the output that can specify the duration of the second signal output of the second traffic signal Even when it is difficult to obtain situation-related information, pseudo signal information can be appropriately generated in place of signal information indicating the original schedule of changes in traffic signals.

  In addition, the output status related information of the second traffic light is acquired, the period during which the output of the first signal by the second traffic light continues is specified based on the output status related information, and the output of the estimated first signal When the pseudo signal information of the second traffic signal is generated based on the time during which the output of the second signal specified continues, the pseudo signal information can be appropriately generated.

  Moreover, when acquiring the output status related information from the plurality of vehicles 30 for one traffic light 60 and generating the pseudo signal information by statistically processing the acquired plurality of output status related information, more appropriate pseudo signal information is obtained. Can be generated.

  In addition, when the imaging information obtained by imaging the traffic light 60 from the vehicle 30 is acquired as output status related information, the traffic signal output status can be specified from the imaging information, so that highly accurate pseudo signal information is generated. can do.

  In addition, for at least one lane of the plurality of lanes, signal information for each of the at least one lane and the other lanes for a traffic signal that changes traffic signals in a manner different from the other lanes of the plurality of lanes. In the case of generation, signal information can be appropriately generated for traffic lights having different traffic signal changes depending on lanes.

  Moreover, when signal information is acquired, pseudo signal information is acquired, and this pseudo signal information is corrected based on the signal information, the accuracy of the pseudo signal information can be improved.

  In addition, it becomes possible to acquire both the signal information and the pseudo signal information at the timing when both the signal information and the pseudo signal information can be acquired, the period during which the signal information and the pseudo signal information can be acquired, or the signal information and the pseudo signal information. When the pseudo signal information is corrected at at least one timing at the end of the period, the pseudo signal information can be corrected when both the signal information and the pseudo signal information can be acquired.

  Further, when the server device 10 generates or corrects pseudo signal information and transmits the generated or corrected signal information to the vehicle 30, the pseudo signal information can be provided to a plurality of vehicles 30.

  Further, when the navigation device 20 generates or corrects the pseudo signal information and executes the process for supporting the driving of the vehicle 30 based on the generated or corrected pseudo signal information, the pseudo signal is also used in a system that does not use a network. Driving assistance based on information becomes possible.

  Further, when the navigation device 20 transmits the generated or corrected pseudo signal information to another vehicle 30 around the vehicle 30 on which the navigation device 20 is mounted, the pseudo signal information is also displayed in the other vehicle 30. The driving assistance used is possible.

[4. Modified example of generation of pseudo signal information]
Next, a modified example of the generation of pseudo signal information described in Sections 2-6 and 2-7 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 19A to FIG. 19C are diagrams illustrating an example of how the vehicle passes by the traffic light. FIG. 20A to FIG. 20C are diagrams illustrating an example of a state in which two vehicles pass by a traffic light. FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating an example of server processing by the server device according to the modification. FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating an example of pseudo signal information generation processing by the server device according to the modification. FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating an example of terminal processing by the navigation device according to the modification.

  In the generation of the pseudo signal information described in Section 2-6, imaging information is used as the output status related information. However, movement status information indicating the movement status of the vehicle 30 detected in the vehicle 30 may be used as the output status related information. The movement status of the vehicle 30 may be influenced by the output status of the traffic signal, or may reflect the output status of the traffic signal. For example, when a red signal is output from the traffic light 60, the vehicle 30 stops traveling, and when a green signal is output, the vehicle 30 travels and passes through an intersection or the like corresponding to the traffic signal 60. The movement status is indicated by, for example, the position, speed, acceleration, angular velocity, traveling direction, and the like of the vehicle 30. For example, the probe information transmitted from the navigation device 20 to the server device 10 includes date and time information indicating the current date, current position information indicating the position of the vehicle 30, speed information indicating speed, acceleration information indicating acceleration, and information indicating angular velocity. , Direction information indicating a traveling direction, identification information of the navigation device 20, and the like may be included. The navigation device 20 may always send the probe information to the server device 10 in real time. The server apparatus 10 uses this probe information as movement status information.

  The server device 10 estimates the green signal period and the red signal period for each traffic light 60 based on the probe information acquired from the vehicle 30. In this modification, although it is possible to estimate using a series of probe information obtained once for one traffic light, the green signal period and the red light period are not directly specified. It is desirable to statistically process the probe information obtained from the plurality of vehicles 30 to estimate the green signal period and the red signal period.

  For example, the server apparatus 10 estimates the red signal start time and the green signal start time based on a series of probe information acquired from one vehicle 30, and estimates the red signal period based on the estimated time. Also good. For example, when the probe information indicates the stop of the vehicle 30 within a predetermined range according to the traffic light 60 and the start of movement of the vehicle 30 after the stop, the server device 10 is based on the period from the stop to the start of movement. Thus, the red light period may be estimated. The predetermined range corresponding to the traffic signal 60 may be, for example, a range within a predetermined distance from a stop line corresponding to the traffic signal 60. Then, the server device 10 may generate pseudo signal information based on the estimated red light period.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 19A, the vehicle 30 is traveling toward the traffic light 60 that outputs a green signal. After that, as shown in FIG. 19B, the traffic signal has changed to a red signal, so the vehicle 30 stops at the stop line. After that, as shown in FIG. 19 (c), the traffic signal has changed to a green light, so the vehicle 30 starts. Therefore, the server device 10 may estimate the time when the vehicle 30 is stopped as the red signal start time, and may estimate the time when the vehicle 30 starts as the green signal start time. And the server apparatus 10 may estimate the period after the vehicle 30 stops until it starts as a red light period.

  For example, the server device 10 estimates the green signal start time and the red signal start time based on the probe information respectively acquired from the two vehicles 30 or the three or more vehicles 30, and based on the estimated time, the green signal period May be estimated. For example, the server device 10 determines that the probe information has a certain first moving body starting to move within a predetermined range corresponding to the traffic light 60, and another within the predetermined range corresponding to the traffic light 60 after the start of the movement. When the movement stop of the second moving body is indicated, the green light period may be estimated based on the period from the start of movement to the stop of movement. Then, the server device 10 may generate pseudo signal information based on the estimated green light period.

  For example, as shown to Fig.20 (a), since the signal apparatus 60 is outputting the red signal, the vehicle 30-1 has stopped on the stop line. After that, as shown in FIG. 20B, the traffic signal has changed to a green light, so the vehicle 30-1 starts. On the other hand, the vehicle 30-2 has traveled toward the traffic light 60. After that, as shown in FIG. 20C, the traffic signal has changed to a red signal, so the vehicle 30-2 stops at the stop line. Therefore, the server device 10 may estimate the time when the vehicle 30-1 started as the time when the green signal started, and estimate the time when the vehicle 30-2 stopped as the time when the red signal started. And the server apparatus 10 may estimate the period after the vehicle 30-1 starts until the vehicle 30-2 stops as a green light period. Note that it may be specified from the probe information that the vehicle 30-2 has stopped traveling after a considerable time has elapsed since the vehicle 30-1 started. In this case, there is a possibility that the traffic signal has changed by at least one cycle after the considerable time has elapsed after the vehicle 30-1 starts and before the vehicle 30-2 stops traveling. Therefore, the server apparatus 10 does not need to use the probe information for which the time from when the vehicle 30-1 starts until the vehicle 30-2 stops exceeds a predetermined time to estimate the green light period. The server apparatus 10 may generate pseudo signal information based on the estimated red light period and green light period.

  The server apparatus 10 may estimate the green light period and the red light period by a method similar to the method described in Section 2-7. That is, the server apparatus 10 estimates a period during which the output of the first signal is continued in the first traffic light based on the probe information about the first traffic light, and the second traffic signal in the second traffic light is based on this period. Estimate the duration of signal output.

  The road has a plurality of lanes on one side thereof, and the traffic light 60 corresponding to these lanes may change traffic signals in a manner different from other lanes in at least one of the lanes. . Therefore, the server device 10 may generate pseudo signal information for each of the at least one lane and the other lane. Alternatively, the server device 10 may generate pseudo signal information for each lane. The server device 10 needs to specify the lane in which the vehicle 30 that has transmitted the probe information traveled. For example, the server device 10 may estimate what lane the vehicle 30 has traveled based on the movement status of the vehicle 30 indicated by the probe information. For example, the lane may be divided according to the traveling direction from the intersection. Therefore, it is possible to estimate the lane in which the vehicle 30 has traveled by specifying in which direction the vehicle 30 has traveled at the intersection. Further, for example, when the navigation device 20 searches for a travel route to the destination, the vehicle 30 may travel according to the travel route searched. Therefore, the server device 10 may acquire information indicating the travel route from the navigation device 20 and estimate the lane in which the vehicle 30 has traveled based on this information. Alternatively, when the accuracy of the GNSS sensor 35 and the map data is high, the server device 10 can specify the lane in which the vehicle 30 has traveled based on the current position information and the map data acquired from the GNSS sensor 35. .

  Even if the vehicle 30 stops within a predetermined range according to the traffic light 60, there is a possibility that the vehicle 30 has stopped due to a factor other than the output of a red signal by the traffic light 60. Therefore, the server device 10 may not use the probe information when the vehicle 30 may be stopped due to a factor other than the output of the red signal for generating the pseudo signal information.

  For example, the server device 10 may acquire traffic information from the traffic control center 50. And the server apparatus 10 does not need to use the probe information detected in this vehicle 30 when the road where the vehicle 30 is moving is congested based on the traffic information for generating the pseudo signal information. Note that if the navigation device 20 determines that the vehicle 30 is located on a road in a traffic jam based on the traffic information, the probe information may not be transmitted to the server device 10.

  Further, for example, the server device 10 may estimate whether or not there is a possibility that the vehicle 30 has stopped due to a factor other than the output of the red signal based on the movement status of the vehicle 30 indicated by the probe information. And the server apparatus 10 does not need to use the probe information in the case where it is estimated that the vehicle 30 has stopped due to a factor other than the output of the red signal for generating the pseudo signal information.

  For example, the server device 10 may not use the probe information indicating that the vehicle 30 has started for less than a predetermined time after generating the pseudo signal information after the vehicle 30 stops at a deceleration exceeding a predetermined value. . When the vehicle 30 starts immediately after suddenly stopping, there is a possibility that the driver has performed a driving operation to avoid danger such as avoiding a pedestrian jumping out on the road.

  Further, for example, the server device 10 may not use the probe information indicating that the vehicle 30 has stopped near the end of the road and started after a relatively short time has passed in generating the pseudo signal information. In such a case, the driver may have stopped the vehicle 30 in order not to prevent the emergency vehicle from traveling for an emergency purpose. Only when it is determined that the predetermined number or more of the vehicles 30 have traveled as described above, based on the probe information obtained from the plurality of vehicles 30 that have traveled on the same road at the same time. The probe information obtained from these vehicles 30 may not be used for generating the pseudo signal information.

  Further, for example, based on the probe information obtained from the plurality of vehicles 30, the server device 10 travels along a locus in which the plurality of vehicles 30 are clearly different from the normal and the plurality of vehicles 30 are similar to each other. The probe information does not have to be used for generating the pseudo signal information. Examples of traveling along a path different from normal include one-side alternate traffic and a case where a plurality of vehicles 30 travel around one place. In such a case, construction is being performed on the road on which the vehicle 30 is located, and thus traffic regulation may be performed.

  The method of excluding probe information that may cause the vehicle 30 to stop due to the emergency vehicle traveling for an emergency purpose is not limited to the method described above. For example, the server device 10 may not use the probe information when the navigation device 20 detects that the emergency vehicle travels for an emergency purpose for generating the pseudo signal information. As an example of a method for detecting that an emergency vehicle travels for an emergency purpose, it is conceivable that the emergency vehicle transmits information indicating the emergency vehicle to surrounding vehicles through inter-vehicle communication, and the navigation device 20 receives this information. . Further, for example, the navigation device 20 analyzes the sound collected by a microphone (not shown) mounted on the vehicle 30 in order to collect the external sound of the vehicle 30, and the siren sound of the emergency vehicle is collected. It may be determined whether or not. The navigation device 20 may add information indicating the emergency vehicle to the probe information and transmit the information to the server device 10 when the information indicating the emergency vehicle is received or when it is determined that the sound of the siren is collected. The server apparatus 10 may not use the probe information to which the information indicating the emergency vehicle is added for generating the pseudo signal information. Alternatively, when it is detected that the emergency vehicle travels for an emergency purpose, the navigation device 20 may not transmit to the probe information server device 10.

  The navigation device 20 may receive and use the pseudo signal information generated as described above from the server device 10 as described in Section 2-6. Further, the navigation device 20 may generate pseudo signal information. In this case, it is desirable that the navigation apparatus 20 performs statistical processing on the probe information obtained a plurality of times for one traffic light 60 to generate pseudo signal information. Moreover, the navigation apparatus 20 may transmit pseudo signal information by vehicle-to-vehicle communication.

  Next, operation examples of the server device 10 and the navigation device 20 will be described. The processing shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 is executed by the server device 10, and the processing shown in FIG. 23 is executed by the navigation device 20.

  In the server process shown in FIG. 21, the control unit 11 determines whether probe information has been received from any of the vehicles 30 (step S801). If it is determined that the probe information has not been received (step S801: NO), the control unit 11 advances the process to step S805. On the other hand, when it is determined that both the probe information and the signal information are received (step S801: YES), the control unit 11 advances the process to step S802.

  In step S <b> 802, the control unit 11 stores the received probe information in the storage unit 12. Next, the control unit 11 specifies the traffic signal 60 that is the target of the pseudo signal information as the target traffic signal based on the current position information and the direction information included in the probe information stored in step S802. Then, the control unit 11 determines whether or not there is a predetermined number or more of probe information stored in the storage unit 12 for the target traffic signal (step S803). When it is determined that the probe information does not exceed the predetermined number (step S803: NO), the control unit 11 advances the process to step S805. On the other hand, if the control unit 11 determines that there is a predetermined number or more of probe information (step S803: YES), the process proceeds to step S804.

  In step S804, the control unit 11 executes pseudo signal information generation processing. As illustrated in FIG. 22, in the pseudo signal information generation process, the control unit 11 acquires probe information of a vehicle that has passed the road corresponding to the target signal from the storage unit 12 (step S <b> 901).

  Next, the control unit 11 noise processing is executed. In the noise processing, the probe information obtained in step S901 is used for generating pseudo signal information, with the probe information that may have stopped the vehicle 30 due to a factor other than the output of the red signal from the target traffic light as noise. Excluded from information. For example, the control unit 11 acquires traffic information from the traffic control center 50. Based on the traffic information, the control unit 11 excludes the probe information indicating that the road corresponding to the target traffic signal is congested on the date and time indicated by the date and time information included in the probe information. In addition, the control unit 11 excludes probe information in which the moving state indicated by the probe information may have stopped the vehicle 30 due to a factor other than the output of the red signal. For example, after the vehicle 30 stops at a deceleration exceeding a predetermined value, the control unit 11 may indicate the probe information indicating that the vehicle 30 has started in less than a predetermined time to indicate a stop for danger avoidance. Excluded as probe information indicating that it exists. In addition, when there is a predetermined number or more of probe information indicating that a predetermined number or more of vehicles 30 have stopped near the end of the road at the same date and time, the control unit 11 displays these probe information as emergency vehicles. It is excluded as probe information indicating that there is a possibility of indicating a stop due to passing for the purpose. In addition, when there is a predetermined number or more of probe information indicating that a predetermined number or more of the vehicles 30 are alternately passing on one side or detouring one place, the control unit 11 sends these probe information to the construction site. It is excluded as probe information indicating that there is a possibility of showing the trajectory of the vehicle 30 to avoid.

  Next, the control unit 11 extracts probe information indicating that the vehicle 30 has stopped near the stop line to which the target traffic signal corresponds and has started after the noise-processed probe information. And the control part 11 estimates the time after the vehicle 30 stops until it starts for each extracted probe information as a red signal period of an object signal machine (step S903).

  Next, the control unit 11 starts from the probe information subjected to the noise processing, a certain first vehicle starts near the stop line corresponding to the target traffic signal, and then another second vehicle moves to the stop line. A combination of probe information indicating that it has stopped in the vicinity is extracted. Then, for each extracted combination, the control unit 11 estimates the time from when the first vehicle starts to the second vehicle stops as the green signal period of the target traffic light (step S904).

  Next, the control unit 11 identifies the traffic signal installed at the intersection corresponding to the road intersecting with the road corresponding to the traffic signal at the intersection where the traffic signal is installed as the reference traffic signal. The control unit 11 acquires the probe information of the reference signal from the storage unit 12 (Step S905). Next, the control unit 11 performs noise processing on the probe information acquired in step S905 in the same manner as in step S902 (step S906).

  Next, the control unit 11 extracts probe information indicating that the vehicle 30 has stopped near the stop line corresponding to the reference traffic signal and has started after the noise information has been processed in step S906. And the control part 11 estimates the time after the vehicle 30 stops until it starts for each extracted probe information as a red signal period of a reference signal machine (step S907).

  Next, the control unit 11 estimates the green signal period of the target traffic light based on each red signal period estimated in step S907 (step S908). For example, the control unit 11 estimates a predetermined time after the red signal start time of the reference signal device as the blue signal start time of the target signal device, and estimates a predetermined time before the red signal end time of the reference signal device as the green signal end time of the target signal device. May be.

  Next, the control unit 11 starts from the probe information subjected to noise processing in step S906, a certain first vehicle starts near the stop line corresponding to the target signal, and then another second vehicle A combination of probe information indicating that the vehicle has stopped near the stop line is extracted. And the control part 11 estimates the time after a 1st vehicle starts for the extracted each combination until a 2nd vehicle stops as a green signal period of a reference signal apparatus (step S909).

  Next, the control unit 11 estimates the red signal period of the target traffic light based on each green signal period estimated in step S909 (step S910). For example, the control unit 11 estimates a predetermined time before the green signal start time of the reference signal as the red signal start time of the target signal, and estimates a predetermined time after the green signal end time of the reference signal as the red signal end time of the target signal. May be.

  Next, the control unit 11 generates pseudo signal information based on the green signal period estimated in steps S904 and S908 and the red signal period estimated in steps S903 and S910 (step S911). The generation method of the pseudo signal information is the same as that in step S408 shown in FIG. The control unit 11 stores the generated pseudo signal information in the storage unit 12 in association with the target signal specific information (step S912), and ends the pseudo signal information generation process.

  When finishing the pseudo signal information generation process, the control unit 11 determines whether an information request has been received from any of the vehicles 30 as shown in FIG. 21 (step S805). When it is determined that the information request has not been received (step S805: NO), the control unit 11 advances the process to step S807. On the other hand, if it is determined that the information request has been received (step S805: YES), the control unit 11 advances the process to step S806.

  In step S806, the control unit 11 transmits pseudo signal information to the vehicle 30 in response to the information request. The method for determining the pseudo signal information to be transmitted is the same as in step S107 of FIG. Next, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the server apparatus 10 is powered off (step S807). If the control unit 11 determines that the power is not turned off (step S807: NO), the process proceeds to step S801. On the other hand, when determining that the power is turned off (step S807: YES), the control unit 11 ends the server process.

  In FIG. 23, processes similar to those in FIG. In the terminal processing shown in FIG. 23, the control unit 21 transmits an information request to the server device 10 (step S501), receives the pseudo signal information transmitted from the server device 10 (step S1001), and receives the received pseudo signal. The signal information is stored in the storage unit 22 (step S1002).

  Next, the control 21 executes step S505 according to the determination result of step S504. Subsequently, the control part 21 transmits the probe information which shows the movement condition of the vehicle 30 to the server apparatus 10 (step S1003). Next, the control unit 21 executes step S508 according to the determination result in step S507.

  Next, the control unit 21 determines the traffic signal closest to the vehicle 30 among the traffic signals 60 positioned in the traveling direction of the vehicle 30 along the road where the vehicle 30 is located based on the current position and traveling direction of the vehicle 30 and the map data. 60 is identified as the target traffic light. And the control part 21 determines whether the signal information of the object signal apparatus is received (step S1004). When it is determined that the signal information is received (step S1004: YES), the control unit 21 advances the process to step S1005. In step S1005, the control unit 21 causes the display 24 to display green signal start timing information or recommended travel speed range information based on the signal information of the target traffic light. In step S1005, the processing content is the same as that in step S610 shown in FIG. 17 except that signal information is used. On the other hand, when it is determined that the signal information has not been received (step S1004: NO), the control unit 21 advances the process to step S1006. In step S1006, similarly to step S610 shown in FIG. 17, the control unit 21 causes the display 24 to display the green signal start timing information or the recommended travel speed range information based on the pseudo signal information of the target traffic light.

  When step S1005 or step S1006 is completed, the control unit 21 advances the process to step S501 or ends the terminal process based on the determination result of step S511.

  As described above, according to the operation according to the modification, the probe information indicating the movement status of the vehicle 30 is acquired as the output status related information, and the pseudo signal information is generated based on the acquired probe information. In order to provide the vehicle 30 traveling on a road where information cannot be provided, pseudo signal information can be generated as information replacing the signal information.

  Further, when the probe information indicates the stop of the movement of the vehicle 30 within the predetermined range corresponding to the traffic light 60 and the start of movement after the stop of the movement, the red signal period is set based on the period from the stop of the movement to the start of movement. Since the pseudo signal information is generated based on the estimated red signal period, the pseudo signal information appropriate for the red signal period can be generated.

  Further, probe information is acquired from each of the first vehicle and the second vehicle, and the probe information is used to start the movement of the first vehicle within a predetermined range corresponding to the traffic light 60, and the traffic light after the movement starts. When 60 indicates the movement stop of the second vehicle within the corresponding predetermined range, the green signal period is estimated based on the period from the start of movement to the movement stop, and the pseudo signal period is estimated based on the estimated red signal period. Since the signal information is generated, it is possible to generate appropriate pseudo signal information for the green light period.

  In addition, if the traffic information is acquired and the probe information detected in the vehicle 30 while the road is congested based on the traffic information is not used to generate the pseudo signal information, the vehicle 30 may stop due to the traffic jam. Since probe information detected in a certain situation can be excluded, the accuracy of pseudo signal information can be improved.

  Further, based on the probe information, the traffic light 60 estimates whether or not the vehicle 30 has stopped due to a factor other than the red signal output, and when the vehicle 30 is estimated to have stopped due to a factor other than the red signal output. When probe information is not used for generation of pseudo signal information, probe information that may not be caused by the output of a red signal can be excluded because the cause of the stop of the vehicle 30 can be excluded. Can be increased.

  In addition, if the probe information when the emergency vehicle moves around the vehicle 30 for an emergency purpose is detected in the vehicle 30 is not used to generate the pseudo signal information, the driver gives the road to the emergency vehicle. Since the probe information detected in a situation where there is a possibility of stopping the vehicle 30 can be excluded, the accuracy of the pseudo signal information can be improved.

  In the above-described embodiments and modifications, a navigation device is used as a device that supports driving of the vehicle 30 based on at least one of signal information and pseudo signal information. However, the device that performs such driving assistance is not limited to the navigation device.

  Moreover, in the said Example and modification, the moving body of embodiment was a vehicle. However, the moving body may be a motorcycle, a bicycle, a ship, or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Acquisition means 2 Specification means 3 Estimation means 4 Generation means D Information processing apparatus 10 Server apparatus 11 Control part 12 Storage part 13 Communication part 20 Navigation apparatus 21 Control part 22 Storage part 23 Communication part 24 Display 25 Speaker 26 Input part 27 Interface part 31 Camera 32 Vehicle speed sensor 33 Acceleration sensor 34 Gyro sensor 35 GNSS sensor 36 Beacon receiver 50 Traffic control center 60 Traffic light 70 Roadside device 40 Network S Driving support system

Claims (11)

Output status related information related to the output status of traffic signals by a first traffic light corresponding to a moving body traveling from the first moving path at a point where the first moving path and the second moving path intersect, Acquisition means for acquiring detected output status related information;
A specification for identifying a first period in which the output of the first signal of one of the traffic signal indicating progress permission and the traffic signal indicating prohibition of travel continues in the first traffic light based on the acquired output status related information Means,
Based on the specified first period, either the traffic signal indicating the travel permission or the traffic signal indicating the travel prohibition in the second traffic signal corresponding to the moving body traveling from the second travel path to the point. Estimating means for estimating a second period during which the output of the second signal continues;
Generating means for generating signal information indicating an aspect of a change in traffic signal output by the second traffic light based on the estimated second period;
An information processing apparatus comprising: The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
Second output status related information related to the output status of traffic signals by the second traffic light, wherein the second acquisition means acquires second output status related information detected in the moving body;
Second specifying means for specifying a third period during which the output of the first signal by the second traffic light continues based on the acquired second output status related information;
Further comprising
The information processing apparatus, wherein the generation unit generates the signal information based on the estimated second period and the specified third period. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
An information processing apparatus that acquires imaging information obtained by imaging the first traffic light from the moving body as the output status related information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
An information processing apparatus, wherein movement status information indicating a movement status of the moving body on a moving path corresponding to the first traffic light is acquired as the output status related information. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The acquisition means acquires the output status related information from a plurality of moving bodies for the first traffic light,
The information processing apparatus is characterized in that the generation unit statistically processes a plurality of pieces of output situation relation information acquired by the acquisition unit to generate the output situation relation information. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The information processing device is a server device capable of communicating with a terminal device mounted on the mobile body,
An information processing apparatus, further comprising transmission means for transmitting the generated signal information to the terminal apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The information processing apparatus is mounted on the moving body,
An information processing apparatus, further comprising: output means for outputting support information for assisting driving by the driver of the moving body based on the generated signal information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7,
An information processing apparatus, further comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit the generated signal information to another mobile body around the mobile body. In an information processing method executed by a computer,
Output status related information related to the output status of traffic signals by a first traffic light corresponding to a moving body traveling from the first moving path at a point where the first moving path and the second moving path intersect, An acquisition step of acquiring detected output status related information;
A specification for identifying a first period in which the output of the first signal of one of the traffic signal indicating progress permission and the traffic signal indicating prohibition of travel continues in the first traffic light based on the acquired output status related information Process,
Based on the specified first period, either the traffic signal indicating the travel permission or the traffic signal indicating the travel prohibition in the second traffic signal corresponding to the moving body traveling from the second travel path to the point. An estimation step of estimating a second period during which the output of the second signal continues;
Based on the estimated second period, a generating step of generating signal information indicating a change mode of a traffic signal output by the second traffic light,
An information processing method comprising:   An information processing program for causing a computer to function as the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8.   11. A recording medium in which the information processing program according to claim 10 is recorded so as to be readable by a computer.

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