JP4281698B2 - Long-time operation warning device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a long-time driving warning device that prompts a driver who drives a vehicle for a long time to take a break by warning means according to his / her preference at a time suitable for the degree of fatigue.

  Conventionally, Patent Literatures 1 to 3 disclose warning devices that prompt a driver who drives a vehicle for a long time to take a break.

  In the prior art described in Patent Document 1, when the continuous operation time of continuously driving the vehicle exceeds a predetermined reference time, a warning is urged to the driver by visually warning by a predetermined display. Yes.

  Moreover, in the prior art described in Patent Document 2, when the continuous operation time exceeds the reference time and when the operation is continued even after the reference time has elapsed, a visual warning or sound or chime is sounded. A warning is urged to give the driver a break.

Furthermore, in the prior art described in Patent Document 3, when the continuous operation time exceeds the reference time or when it is determined that the driving state of the driver is abnormal based on the driving state of the vehicle, it is visually or audibly This alerts the driver to take a break.
JP-A-5-124454 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-215089 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-039604

  However, all of the above-described conventional techniques provide a warning that prompts a break when the continuous operation time is equal to or longer than a predetermined reference time. For this reason, if the reference time does not match the individual driver's degree of fatigue, there is a problem in that a warning cannot be given at an appropriate time.

  In addition, since the warning is given by a predetermined warning means that is determined in advance, if the warning means does not match the individual preference of the driver, the driver may be warned appropriately, for example, the driver may feel annoying the warning. There is a problem in that it can not.

  In view of the above points, the present invention has a first object to provide a long-time driving warning device capable of warning at an appropriate time suitable for the degree of individual fatigue of the driver, and meets the individual preference of the driver. It is a second object of the present invention to provide a long-time driving warning device that can appropriately warn by a warning means.

The present invention has been devised in order to achieve the above object. In the invention according to claim 1, the driving time reading means (S3) for reading the continuous driving time (Dtm) of the vehicle, and the driving time. In a long-time driving warning device comprising warning means (13, 14, 15) for giving a warning prompting the driver to take a break when (Dtm) is equal to or longer than the reference driving time (Ktm), the reference driving time (Ktm) The reference driving time changing means (4, 6) for changing the driver's operation, the driving condition determining means (S703) for determining that the driver's fatigue is increased, and the driving condition determining means (S703) ), It is provided with a shortening means (S706) for shortening the reference driving time (Ktm), and the driver's fatigue is determined by the driving condition determination means (S703). Shortening unit after it is determined that a driving situation of increasing (S706) the reference operating time of the time until performing shortening (Ktm), characterized in that it is capable of changing.

According to this, it is possible to change the reference operation time (Ktm), which is the time from the start of continuous operation to the warning , and further, determine the operation situation in which the driver's fatigue increases and determine the reference operation time (Ktm). Since it can be shortened appropriately, it is possible to warn at an appropriate time suitable for the degree of individual fatigue of the driver.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the long-time operation warning device according to the first aspect, a plurality of warning means (13, 14 , 15) are provided, and a plurality of warning means (13, 14 , 15) are provided. Selection means (8, 9, 10) for selecting at least one of them by a driver's operation, and warning is provided by warning means (13, 14, 15) selected by the selection means (8, 9, 10). It is characterized by performing.

  According to this, since the driver can select the warning means (13, 14, 15), it is possible to appropriately warn by the warning means that matches the individual preference of the driver.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the long-time driving warning device according to the second aspect, the plurality of warning means (13, 14, 15) are of different types including at least a visual warning means and an audible warning means. It is a plurality of warning means (13, 14, 15).

  According to this, since the driver can select from a plurality of different types of warning means (13, 14, 15) including visual and auditory warning means, the warning means that more closely matches the preference is selected. can do.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the long-time driving warning device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the driving state may be a driving state in which the driver's fatigue increases by the driving state determination means (S703). A means (S704) for measuring the determined fatigue time (TDtm) is provided, and the shortening means (S706) is configured such that when the fatigue time (TDtm) becomes equal to or greater than the reference fatigue time (TKtm), the reference operation time ( Ktm) is shortened, and the reference fatigue time (TKtm) can be changed by the operation of the driver.

  In addition, the code | symbol in the bracket | parenthesis of each said means shows the correspondence with the specific means as described in embodiment mentioned later.

  FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a long-time operation warning device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The long-time operation warning device is roughly divided into an operation panel 1, an electronic control device 2, and a warning unit 3.

  The operation panel 1 is arranged in the vicinity of the center between the driver seat and the passenger seat of the instrument panel, and the operation panel 1 is provided with operation switches 4 to 10 that are manually operated by a passenger and a display unit 11. Operation signals from the operation switches 4 to 10 are input to the electronic control device 2.

  Specifically, as this operation switch, a reference time change switch 4 for requesting a change in the reference operation time Ktm, and an automatic shortening switch 5 for requesting a reduction in the reference operation time Ktm in a driving situation in which the driver's fatigue increases. , And a time change switch 6 for changing the reference operation time Ktm and the reference shortening time Stm.

  Further, as a switch that becomes effective when the automatic shortening switch 5 makes a shortening request, there is a shortening time change switch 7 for requesting a change of the reference shortening time Stm, and warning means (13, 14, 15 described later). ), A buzzer switch 9 and an audio switch 10 are provided.

  The display unit 11 is provided to display the change time when changing the reference operation time Ktm and the reference shortening time Stm.

  The electronic control unit 2 is composed of a known microcomputer comprising a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like, and a peripheral integrated circuit. In addition to operation signals from the operation panel 1, information signals from the car navigation 12 are input. . Specifically, map information or the like indicating that the current position of the vehicle is a mountain road is input. In addition, the electronic control unit 2 calculates and outputs an output signal for controlling the warning unit 3 based on the input signal.

  The warning unit 3 includes an indicator lamp 13 that is a first warning means, a buzzer 14 that is a second warning means, and an audio 15 that is a third warning means in the present embodiment. Specifically, the indicator lamp 13 is a visual warning means that displays the word “rest” by turning on to prompt the driver to take a break, and the indicator lamp 13 is near the meter instrument on the driver panel side of the instrument panel Is arranged.

  The buzzer 14 is an audible warning means for urging the driver to take a break by vibrating the diaphragm and generating sound, and is arranged in the vicinity of the driver's seat. Furthermore, the audio 15 is also an audible warning means, and music or the like selected from software input by the driver can be reproduced from vehicle-mounted speakers arranged on the left and right sides of the instrument panel.

  The operation of the present embodiment will be described with the above configuration. The flowchart of FIG. 2 shows an outline of the control processing executed by the electronic control unit 2, and the control routine of FIG. 2 starts when an ignition switch of a vehicle engine (not shown) is turned on and power is supplied to the electronic control unit 2. .

  First, in step S1, flags, timers, etc. are initialized. In the next step S2, the operation signals 4 to 10 of the operation switch and the information signal of the car navigation 12 are read, and in the next step S3, the driving time Dtm is read.

  The operation time Dtm is measured by the timer resource of the electronic control device 2 and is the time from when power is supplied to the electronic control device 2. Of course, in order to measure the time during which the vehicle actually travels, the continuous operation time Dtm may be measured by measuring the time satisfying the condition that the engine speed is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

  Next, in step S4, based on the operation signal of the reference time change switch 4, it is determined whether or not a change in the reference operation time Ktm is requested. Here, the reference operation time Ktm is a time from the start of the continuous operation to the warning, and is stored in the electronic control unit 2.

  If there is a request for changing the reference operation time Ktm in step S4, the process proceeds to step S5, the reference operation time Ktm is changed to a time desired by the driver based on the operation signal of the time change switch 6, and the process proceeds to step S6. If there is no request for changing the reference operation time Ktm in step S4, the process proceeds to step S6, and the reference operation time Ktm is not changed.

  Accordingly, a highly skilled driver can change the reference driving time Ktm to a longer time, for example, 120 (minutes), and a beginner who is not used to driving can change to a shorter time, for example, 90 (minutes). Therefore, it can be changed to the reference driving time Ktm corresponding to the driver's individual fatigue level.

  Next, in step S6, based on the operation signal of the automatic shortening switch 5, it is determined whether or not it is required to shorten the reference driving time Ktm in the driving situation in which the driver's fatigue increases. If there is a request for shortening the reference operation time Ktm, the process proceeds to step S7, and the reference operation time Ktm is shortened according to the driving situation. If there is no request for shortening the reference operation time Ktm in step S6, the process proceeds to step S8.

  The shortening of the reference operation time Ktm in step S7 will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step S701, based on the operation signal of the shortening time change switch 7, it is determined whether or not a change in the reference shortening time Stm is requested. Here, the reference shortening time Stm is a time for shortening the reference operation time Ktm, and is stored in the electronic control unit 2.

  If there is a request for changing the reference shortening time Stm, the process proceeds to step S702, the reference shortening time Stm is changed to a time desired by the driver based on the operation signal of the time change switch 6, and the process proceeds to step S703. If there is no request for changing the reference shortening time Stm in step S701, the process proceeds to step S703, and the reference shortening time Stm is not changed.

  Accordingly, a highly skilled driver can change the standard shortening time Stm to a shorter time, for example, 10 (minutes), and a beginner who is not used to driving can change to a longer time, for example, 15 (minutes). Therefore, it can be changed to the standard shortening time Stm according to the individual driver's degree of fatigue.

  Next, in step S703, it is determined whether or not the driving situation increases fatigue. In this embodiment, the driving situation in which fatigue increases is a situation where a mountain road is being driven. If it is determined in step S703 that the mountain road is being driven, the process proceeds to step S704, and if it is not determined that the mountain road is being driven, the process proceeds to step S8. Here, the map information of the car navigation 12 is used to determine whether or not the mountain road in this embodiment is being driven.

  In step S704, the fatigue time TDtm is measured. Specifically, since the processing of the control routine of the electronic control unit 2 is performed at a constant control period τ in step S11 described later, the control period τ is added to the fatigue time TDtm, and the process proceeds to step S705.

  In step S705, it is determined whether the fatigue time TDtm is greater than or equal to the reference fatigue time TKtm. Here, the reference fatigue time TKtm is a time from when the driving situation in which the driver's fatigue increases is detected until the reference operation time Ktm is shortened. In the present embodiment, the reference fatigue time TKtm is 10 (minutes). It is remembered.

  If fatigue time TDtm ≧ reference fatigue time TKtm in step S705, the process proceeds to step S706, the reference shortening time Stm is shortened from the reference operation time Ktm, and the process proceeds to step S707. If the fatigue time TDtm ≧ the standard fatigue time TKtm, the process proceeds to step 8.

  In step S707, the fatigue time TDtm is reset. Specifically, TDtm = 0 (minutes) is set, and the process proceeds to step S8. Thereby, if the fatigue time TDtm ≧ the reference fatigue time TKtm again, the reference operation time Ktm can be further shortened.

  Next, in step S8, based on the operation signals of the indicator light switch 8, the buzzer switch 9, and the audio switch 10, a warning means is selected according to the driver's individual preference. Selection of the warning means in step S8 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step S801, based on the operation signal of the indicator lamp switch 8, it is determined whether or not the indicator lamp 13 is selected as a warning means. If there is a request for selecting the indicator lamp 13, the process proceeds to step S802, where the indicator lamp 13 is selected as a warning means, and the process proceeds to step S803. If there is no selection request | requirement of the indicator lamp 13 by step S801, it will progress to step S803.

  Next, in step S803, based on the operation signal of the buzzer switch 9, it is determined whether or not to select the buzzer 14 as a warning means. If there is a request for selecting the buzzer 14, the process proceeds to step S804, the buzzer 14 is selected as a warning means, and the process proceeds to step S805. If there is no request for selecting the buzzer 14 in step S803, the process proceeds to step S805.

  Next, in step S805, it is determined based on the operation signal of the audio switch 10 whether or not the audio 15 is selected as a warning means. If there is a request for selecting the audio 15, the process proceeds to step S806, where the audio 15 is selected as a warning means, and the process proceeds to step S9. If there is no audio 15 selection request in step S805, the process proceeds to step S9.

  In step S9, a determination is made as to whether or not to give a warning prompting the driver to take a break. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the continuous operation time Dtm is equal to or longer than the reference operation time Ktm. If the continuous operation time Dtm ≧ the reference operation time Ktm, the process proceeds to step S10 and the warning means selected in step S8. Thus, the driver is warned, and the process proceeds to step S11. If the continuous operation time Dtm ≧ the reference operation time Ktm, the process proceeds to step S11.

  In the next step S11, the elapse of the control cycle τ is determined, and when the elapse of the control cycle τ is determined, the process returns to step S2.

  As described above, since the reference driving time Ktm and the reference shortening time Stm can be changed and the warning means can be selected, the warning means suitable for the individual driver's preference can be used at an appropriate time suitable for the individual fatigue degree. A warning for a break can be given.

(Other embodiments)
In the above-described embodiment, the operation by the driver is performed on the operation panel 1, but a voice input device may be used in consideration of the safety of the operation when driving the vehicle. In addition, the electronic control device 2 may cause the ECU for vehicle control or the electronic control device of the car navigation system to execute the control flow of the above-described embodiment without setting as a device dedicated to the long-time driving warning. In this case, the operation panel 1 may also serve as an input operation device such as a car navigation system.

  In the above-described embodiment, the reference driving time Ktm and the reference shortening time Stm can be changed by the driver's operation. However, the reference fatigue time TKtm may be changed. If the reference fatigue time TKtm can also be changed, it is possible to change the time from the detection of the driving situation in which fatigue increases until the reference operation time Ktm is shortened. Alerts can be made at the appropriate time.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, one indicator lamp 13 is used as a warning means. However, a plurality of indicator lamps having different display positions, display colors, and displayed characters and marks may be arranged and selected. . Further, the sound pattern of the buzzer 14 may be changed on the operation panel 1. Further, in addition to the indicator lamp 13, the buzzer 14, and the audio 15, a voice warning means or a warning means for vibrating the seat may be used. As a result, it is possible to select a warning means that further matches the individual preference of the driver.

  In the above-described embodiment, the driving situation in which the driver's fatigue increases is a driving situation on a mountain road, but a driving situation on a congested road may be used. Judgment of whether or not you are driving on a congested road Real-time traffic information such as traffic jams and traffic regulations is transmitted in real time and displayed on the in-vehicle device in text and graphics traffic information such as information communication system (VICS) It may be determined by using or a travel distance per unit time.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows control of the electronic control apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the principal part of control of the electronic control apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows another principal part of control of the electronic controller of one Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Operation panel, 2 ... Electronic control unit, 4 ... Reference time change switch,
6 ... Time change switch, 8 ... Indicator switch, 9 ... Buzzer switch,
10 ... Audio switch, 13 ... Indicator light, 14 ... Buzzer, 15 ... Audio.

Claims (4)

Driving time reading means (S3) for reading the continuous driving time (Dtm) of the vehicle;
In the long-time driving warning device comprising warning means (13, 14, 15) for warning the driver to take a break when the driving time (Dtm) is equal to or longer than a reference driving time (Ktm),
Reference operation time changing means (4, 6) for changing the reference operation time (Ktm) by the operation of the driver ;
Driving condition determination means (S703) for determining that the driver's fatigue is an increasing driving condition;
When it is determined by the driving condition determining means (S703) that the driving condition increases the driver's fatigue, the driving condition determining means (S703) includes a shortening means (S706) for shortening the reference driving time (Ktm),
The time until the shortening means (S706) shortens the reference driving time (Ktm) after it is determined by the driving condition judging means (S703) that the driver's fatigue is increased is changed. A long-time operation warning device characterized by being configured to be possible . A plurality of the warning means (13, 14, 15) are provided,
Selecting means (8, 9, 10) for selecting at least one of the plurality of warning means (13, 14, 15) by a driver's operation;
The long-time operation warning device according to claim 1, wherein the warning is performed by warning means (13, 14, 15) selected by the selection means (8, 9, 10).   The plurality of warning means (13, 14, 15) are a plurality of different warning means (13, 14, 15) including at least a visual warning means and an audible warning means. Long-time operation warning device described in 1. Means (S704) for measuring fatigue time (TDtm) determined to be a driving situation in which the driver's fatigue increases by the driving situation judging means (S703);
The shortening means (S706) is configured to shorten the reference operation time (Ktm) when the fatigue time (TDtm) becomes equal to or greater than a reference fatigue time (TKtm).
The long-time driving warning device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the reference fatigue time (TKtm) is configured to be changeable by a driver's operation.

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