JP7213594B2 - Driver assistance systems and driver assistance programs - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a driving assistance system and a driving assistance program that assist a driver in driving.

Driving assistance systems have been proposed that assist a driver in driving by having a character displayed on a display screen communicate with the driver. For example, Patent Literature 1 proposes a driving assistance system that assists a driver in driving by changing the facial expressions and gestures of a character displayed on a display screen according to the state of the vehicle. For example, when the driver drives recklessly, this driving support system changes the facial expression of the character displayed on the display screen to make the character angry or sad. When the driver sees that the character is angry or sad, he/she becomes aware that he or she has been driving recklessly, and corrects the driving method. On the other hand, the driving support system changes the expression of the character displayed on the display screen to make the character happy or energetic when the driver drives carefully and calmly. The driver is relieved to see the character happy and energetic, and continues safe driving. In this way, the driving support system described in Patent Document 1 makes the driver feel safe and secure by using the emotion of not making the character uncomfortable or wanting the character to be happy. encourage driving.

JP-A-2003-72488

In order to make the driver strongly feel the emotion of not making the character uncomfortable or wanting to please the character, it is necessary to make the driver strongly empathize with the character. However, in the system described in Patent Literature 1, for example, when the driver is driving violently or politely, the facial expression of the character is uniformly determined according to the driving mode. As described above, since the expressions and gestures of the characters displayed on the display screen are monotonous and lack variation, the driver easily becomes bored with communicating with the characters. Therefore, the driver's strong empathy with the character does not last, and eventually the driver feels nothing even if the character's expression or gesture changes. As a result, there is a problem that the driving support system cannot encourage the driver to drive safely.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a driving assistance system and a driving assistance program capable of continuously urging the driver to drive safely by keeping the driver's strong empathy for the character. .

A driving assistance system according to a first aspect of the present invention is a driving assistance system in which the character communicates with a user and assists the user in driving by outputting character information, wherein the expression mode of the communication is is stored for each degree of intimacy specified based on the driving state of the vehicle, thereby determining the expression mode corresponding to the degree of intimacy, and in the expression mode, the character The character information is output so as to communicate with the user, and the familiarity of the character with respect to the user is determined based on the degree of familiarity so as to change according to the driving state of the user. The character information is output in the expression mode.

According to the first aspect, in the driving assistance system, by outputting character information to the user, the user is made to recognize creatures such as people and animals as characters. The character information is output from the driving assistance device by various methods for appealing to the user's five senses (sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell). For example, character information may be output by displaying a character image on a display unit (display or the like). Further, for example, the character information may be output by outputting the voice of the character from a voice output unit (such as a speaker). As a result, communication is performed in which the character notifies the user of information.

In the driving assistance system, the mode of expression of communication by the character is changed according to the degree of intimacy between the user and the character. This makes it possible to increase the user's empathy for the character and make the user feel as if the character were a real object. The user obediently responds to the character's encouragement to drive safely so that the character's intimacy with the user is maintained at a high level and further enhanced, and actively tries to drive safely. In this way, the driving support system prevents the user from becoming bored with communicating with the character by maintaining a high level of empathy for the user with respect to the character, and continuously encourages the user to drive safely. can be encouraged to

In the first aspect, a function of detecting a state of a vehicle is provided, the storage unit stores information indicating an expression mode of the communication for each degree of intimacy and for each state of the vehicle, The expression mode corresponding to the density and the state of the vehicle is determined, and the character information is output so that the character communicates with the user in the expression mode.

For example, the driving support system may identify appropriate notification items according to the state of the vehicle and notify the user via a character. For example, the driving support system may alert the user according to the traveling speed, or guide the driver to drive carefully in case of abrupt steering or abrupt braking. As a result, the driving support system can appropriately call attention to optimum safe driving according to the state of the vehicle.

In the first aspect, the traffic monitoring device has a function of identifying the position of the vehicle, and identifies and identifies the position of the traffic monitoring device by referring to a storage unit in which position information of the traffic monitoring device is stored. The character information may be output such that information indicating the relationship between the position of the vehicle and the position of the vehicle is notified to the user by the character.

The user can recognize the installation location of the traffic monitoring device through communication with the character. Traffic monitoring devices are often installed at places where traffic accidents are likely to occur or where accidents have occurred in the past. Therefore, the driving support system notifies the user of information regarding the installation location of the traffic monitoring device, thereby making the user aware of locations where traffic accidents are likely to occur, and urging the user to pay particular attention to safe driving in such locations.

In the first aspect, it is determined whether the vehicle approaches the traffic monitoring device by receiving radio waves transmitted from the traffic monitoring device, and when the vehicle approaches the traffic monitoring device, the character Preferably, the character information is output so that the user is notified.

Through communication with the character, the user can recognize that there is a traffic monitoring device near the vehicle. Traffic monitoring devices are often installed at places where traffic accidents are likely to occur or where accidents have occurred in the past. Therefore, by notifying the user that the traffic monitoring device is near the vehicle, the driving support system makes the user aware of places where traffic accidents are likely to occur, and encourages the user to pay particular attention to safe driving in such places. can.

In the first mode, a function of outputting information for assisting driving of the user by a method other than outputting the character information is provided, and a character mode for outputting the character information and a non-output mode for not outputting the character information are provided. and a character mode, and switching between the character mode and the non-character mode based on detection of a predetermined switching operation.

The user can instantly switch between character mode and non-character mode. This function is particularly effective when the user does not want other users to know that the driving support system is operating in character mode. In such a case, the user wants to immediately switch from the character mode to the non-character mode.

In the first aspect, when the character information is output by outputting the character's voice from a speaker, the character's voice may be muted based on detection of a predetermined operation. The user can instantly mute the character's voice. This function is particularly effective when the user does not want other users to hear the character's voice. This is because, in such a case, the user wants to mute the voice of the character with a simple operation.

In the first aspect, the driving support system identifies the position of the vehicle by receiving radio waves transmitted from a regional navigation satellite, and when receiving radio waves transmitted from the regional navigation satellite, determines the position of the vehicle. The character information may be output such that the character notifies the user of the information indicating that the radio wave transmitted from the navigation satellite has been received.

For example, when the regional navigation satellite "MICHIBIKI" is captured, the driving support device may notify the user via a character that "MICHIBIKI" has been captured. By doing so, the user can recognize in detail what kind of satellites are used to specify the position of the vehicle in the driving assistance system. Since the user can know the specific movements of the driving assistance system in detail, it is possible to increase the sense of familiarity with the driving assistance system.

In the first aspect, the position of the vehicle is specified based on at least one of radio waves transmitted from global navigation satellites and radio waves transmitted from regional navigation satellites, and radio waves from at least the regional navigation satellites are used. When the position of the vehicle can be specified by using the radio wave from the regional navigation satellite, it is preferable to notify the user in a different notification mode from when the position of the vehicle can be specified without using the radio wave from the regional navigation satellite. The user can clearly recognize at a glance whether the position of the vehicle is specified by receiving the radio wave from the regional navigation satellite.

In the first aspect, when the familiarity is less than the first threshold, the character information is output from the first output unit, and when the familiarity is the first threshold or more, the first output unit, and the It is preferable to output the character information from a second output section different from the first output section. Moreover, in the first aspect, the character information may include image information and sound information, the image information may be output from the first output section, and the sound information may be output from the second output section.

When the degree of intimacy is low, the image of the character is output. Therefore, the user is expected to start intimate communication with the character as soon as possible by recognizing another mode of expression (for example, voice) based on the character information. The driving assistance system can increase the degree of empathy for the user's character by using such a user's psychology.

Contrary to the above, the first output section may be the audio output section. Preferably, the second output section is the image output section. Then, it is preferable to output voice as the character information from the first output unit. It is preferable to output an image as the character information from the second output unit.

In the first aspect, it is preferable that the image of the character, which is the character information, displayed on the display section is changed according to the time when the image of the character is displayed. For example, a plurality of character images may be prepared for each period. This can prevent the user from becoming bored with the image of the character. In addition, since the user desires to see the image of the new character, the driving assistance system can effectively guide the user to drive safely by using this emotion. For example, the driving support system may perform control so that a new character image is not displayed when the user drives dangerously. This encourages the user to always keep safe driving in mind.

In the first aspect, when the degree of intimacy is less than the second threshold, the image of the character is output as the character information from the display unit, the sound of the character is not output from the sound output unit, and the degree of intimacy is the second threshold. If it is equal to or greater than two thresholds, it is preferable to output an image of the character and a voice of the character as the character information.

Since the user cannot recognize the character's voice when the degree of intimacy is low, the user expects to recognize not only the character's image but also the voice. The driving assistance system can increase the degree of empathy for the user's character by using such a user's psychology.

In the first aspect, when the character information is output so that the character communicates with the user in the expression mode such that the character's intimacy with the user increases as the degree of intimacy increases. good. The driving support system can increase the familiarity of the character with the user as the degree of familiarity specified based on the driving state increases. By feeling that the familiarity with the character is gradually increasing, the user gradually becomes more familiar with the character and strongly empathizes with the character. The user will respond more obediently to the notification from the character so as not to be disliked by the character. Therefore, the user obediently responds to the character's prompts for safe driving, and drives safely.

In the first aspect, the character information may be output such that the character communicates in different modes of expression every time the driving support system is activated. For example, the character information may be switched and output at each activation time as if the character were a real creature. This makes the user feel as if the character really exists, and strongly empathizes with the character. The user will respond more obediently to the notification from the character so as not to be disliked by the character. Therefore, the user obediently responds to the character's prompts for safe driving, and drives safely.

In the first aspect, when the driving support system is activated in the early morning, the character information may be output such that the character communicates with the user in a sleepy expression. Seeing the character in a sleepy state makes the user feel as if the character were a real creature. Furthermore, the user feels sorry for the character for waking him up. By making the user feel such emotions, the driving assistance device can further increase the degree of empathy for the user's character.

In the first aspect, when the driving support system is activated at midnight, the character information may be output so as to communicate with the user in an expression mode in which the character goes to bed. By watching the character go to bed, the user feels as if the character were a real creature. Furthermore, the user has intimate feelings for the character. By making the user feel such emotions, the driving assistance device can further increase the degree of empathy for the user's character.

In the first aspect, the voice of the character and the voice of a character different from the character by a person who plays the character are stored in the storage unit as the expression mode, and the degree of intimacy is a third threshold. If it is less than the character information, it is preferable to output the voice of the different character as the character information, and to output the voice of the character as the character information if the familiarity is equal to or higher than the third threshold.

By listening to the voice of another character when the degree of intimacy is less than the third threshold, for example, if the other character different from the character played by the person who plays the character is a character played by a familiar person, the user can listen to the voice of the character. At the same time as I feel relieved to hear it, I want to hear, for example, the voice of a character unique to this system. In such a state, when the degree of intimacy increases and the character's voice can be heard, the user's empathy with the character further increases compared to hearing the character's voice from the beginning.

In the first aspect, when the degree of intimacy is equal to or higher than a fourth threshold that is higher than the third threshold, it is preferable to also output the voice of the different character. When the degree of intimacy increases, the user can hear both the character's voice and the other character's voice.

In the first aspect, the voice of the character interacting with the first attitude and the voice of the character interacting with the second attitude are stored as the expression mode in the storage unit, and the intimacy is less than a fifth threshold. In this case, the voice of the character in the first attitude may be output as the character information, and the voice of the character in the second attitude may be output when the degree of intimacy is equal to or higher than a fifth threshold.

The second attitude should be an attitude that differs from the first attitude, and the second attitude should be an attitude that has elements opposite to the first attitude. In particular, the first attitude should generally have a negative image, and the second attitude should generally have a positive image. In this way, when the degree of intimacy reaches or exceeds the threshold, the attitude will suddenly change, and the person will be attracted to the gap in that attitude. As a result, the driver's stronger empathy for the character can be generated and maintained.

In the first aspect, the first attitude may be an attitude of treating the user severely, and the second attitude may be an attitude of treating the user with care. As the degree of intimacy increases, the attitude of the character gradually becomes closer, so the user further increases the degree of empathy for the character. The user will respond more obediently to the notification from the character so as not to be disliked by the character. Therefore, the user obediently responds to the character's prompts for safe driving, and drives safely.

In the first mode, when the degree of intimacy is equal to or higher than a sixth threshold, which is higher than the fifth threshold, it is preferable to also output the voice of the character who contacts the user with a strict attitude. When the degree of intimacy increases, the user can listen to both the sound with a strict attitude and the sound with a gentle attitude.

In the first aspect, when the user performs an operation for setting conditions for outputting the character information, the operation is accepted only when the degree of intimacy is equal to or higher than a seventh threshold, and the degree of intimacy is is less than the seventh threshold, the operation should not be accepted. The user cannot set the conditions for outputting the character information unless the degree of intimacy is equal to or higher than a certain level. The user expects to be able to enter a condition if the familiarity is below a certain level. By teasing the user in this way, the driving assistance system can increase the degree of empathy for the user's character.

In the first aspect, the driving support system operates in either a character mode that outputs the character information or a non-character mode that does not output the character information, and only when operating in the character mode, An operation for setting conditions for outputting the character information may be accepted via the setting screen. The user can switch between character mode and non-character mode to use the driving assistance system. In addition, the user can set conditions for outputting character information only when the driving support system is operating in character mode. It is possible to prevent the condition for outputting from being changed.

In the first aspect, a setting screen for setting operating conditions of the driving support system is displayed on the display unit, and the setting screen is selected first when setting conditions for outputting the character information. An operation unit may be provided. The user can clearly recognize the operation for setting the conditions for outputting the character information at a glance.

In the first aspect, if the user has performed an operation for setting a condition for outputting the character information and if the familiarity is less than the eighth threshold, the operation is not accepted. This fact may be notified to the user by a tone of voice different from that of the voice of the character. This allows the user to clearly recognize that the condition setting has been rejected.

In the first aspect, it is preferable to notify the user that the operation is not accepted and introduce the function of the driving support system to the user. The user can recognize the functions of the driving assistance system and know how to set them. Even if the user is not well aware of the functions of the driving assistance device in advance, the user can gradually recognize various functions while using the driving assistance system.

In the first aspect, the display unit displays the wallpaper operation unit for selecting wallpapers displayed on the display unit, the number of which can be selected increases with the passage of time, and the wallpaper operation is performed. The wallpaper selected by the user via the unit may be displayed on the display unit at least either when the driving support system is activated or during standby. The user can select a favorite wallpaper and display it on the display unit. Since the number of wallpapers that can be displayed increases with the passage of time and date, even if the user has used the driving assistance system for a long time, it is possible to keep the user from getting bored by changing the wallpaper.

In the first aspect, the display unit displays a reproduction operation unit for setting to enable the voice of the character once output from the voice output unit as the character information to be output again at an arbitrary timing. , when the user instructs to re-output the voice of the character that was once output after the setting for re-outputting the voice of the character is performed via the reproduction operation unit. It is preferable to output the voice of the character. As a result, the voice of the character that has been reproduced once can be repeatedly heard later at arbitrary timing.

In the first aspect, a clothing operation section for selecting the clothing of the character indicated by the image of the character displayed on the display section as the character information is displayed on the display section, and the clothing is selected via the clothing operation section. is selected, an image of the character wearing the selected clothing may be displayed on the display unit.

The user can display the character wearing the desired clothes on the display unit. As a result, the user can switch the appearance of the character as desired, thereby further increasing the degree of empathy for the character. In addition, the driving support system can display characters in various display modes, thereby preventing the user from getting bored.

In the first aspect, when the degree of intimacy is less than the ninth threshold, an image of the character wearing the selected clothing is displayed even when the clothing is selected via the clothing operation unit. should be prohibited with a predetermined probability. If the user has a low degree of intimacy, even if the user performs an operation to change the character's clothes, it is rarely refused. By doing so, the user tries to improve the degree of intimacy and surely change the clothes of the character. As a result, the user will follow the notice of the character more, and will try to drive safely in response to the guidance to safe driving from the driving support system. In addition, the driving support system can further increase the user's empathy for the character by making the character behave as if it were a living creature that actually exists.

In the first aspect, the background image of the setting screen may be changed based on the user's instruction. You can switch the background of the setting screen to your favorite state. As a result, it is possible to prevent the user from becoming bored with the display mode, which is one-sided.

In the first aspect, a mode operation section for selecting either a character mode for outputting the character information or a non-character mode for not outputting the character information is displayed on the display section, and a color of an outer frame of the mode operation section is displayed. may be changed according to the degree of intimacy. The user can clearly recognize the expression mode of communication by the character at a glance of the mode operation unit.

In the first aspect, it is preferable that an image showing the degree of intimacy of the character with respect to the user is displayed on the display unit. This allows the user to recognize the degree of familiarity with the characters at a glance.

In the first aspect, an initialization operation unit for initializing the operating state is displayed on the display unit,
The intimacy of the user may be initialized when an operation to initialize the driving state is performed via the initialization operation unit. Thus, the user can repeatedly experience the process of gradually increasing the intimacy of the character with the user by initializing the driving state.

In the first aspect, a storage unit for storing the operating state and setting information other than the operating state is provided, and when an initialization operation is input via the initialization operation unit, the operating state is initialized. It is preferable not to initialize setting information other than the operating state. The driving assistance system can initialize the motion state so as not to erase the setting information set by the user. This saves the user the trouble of repeatedly setting the setting information for the driving support system.

In the first aspect, position information indicating the position of the vehicle is acquired, and the vehicle and the object are determined based on the map information in which the object on the map and the position information are associated with each other and the acquired position information. is specified, and the character information is determined and output based on the positional relationship.

The driving support system can identify appropriate notification items according to the positional relationship between the vehicle and the target, and notify the user of the notification items via characters. As a notification item, for example, it is preferable to notify that the vehicle is approaching a place where traffic accidents are likely to occur, such as a sharp curve or a place with poor visibility. Also, it is preferable to notify that the vehicle has approached the place where the traffic monitoring device is installed. Accordingly, the driving support system can prompt the user to drive safely in a dangerous place. In particular, since the user is strongly empathetic to the character, it is assumed that the user will obediently respond to the notification by the character. Therefore, the driving support system can accurately guide the user to drive safely. For example, the driving assistance device may change the notification by the character according to the degree of intimacy.

In the first mode, the character information may be output such that the character communicates with the user in the expression modes that differ according to the distance between the vehicle and the object. Through communication with the character, the user can easily and clearly recognize the distance between the vehicle and the object at a glance. For example, when the distance between the vehicle and a place where traffic accidents are likely to occur, such as a sharp curve or a place with poor visibility, becomes shorter, the character may notify the user in different manners according to the distance. As a result, the user can recognize the distance between the dangerous place and the vehicle, so that he or she can drive appropriately according to the distance.

In the first aspect, it is preferable to have a function of detecting behavior of the vehicle, and to determine and output the character information based on the behavior when the detected behavior satisfies a predetermined condition. The driving support system can identify appropriate notification items based on the behavior of the vehicle and notify the user via the character. As notification items, for example, it is preferable to warn against abrupt steering, sudden braking, and sudden acceleration. As a result, the driving assistance system can warn against dangerous driving and encourage calm driving. In particular, since the user is strongly empathetic to the character, it is assumed that the user will obediently respond to the character's notifications. Therefore, the driving support system can accurately guide the user to drive safely.

In the first aspect, it may have a function of detecting acceleration applied to the vehicle, and the behavior may be determined based on the detected acceleration. The driving assistance system can determine the behavior of the vehicle based on the acceleration applied to the vehicle. For example, the driving support system may detect vehicle behavior such as abrupt steering, abrupt braking, and abrupt starting by detecting longitudinal and lateral acceleration.

In the first aspect, the character information may be output such that the character communicates with the user in the expression modes that differ according to the magnitude and direction of the acceleration. The driving assistance system can specify the detailed state of the vehicle based on the magnitude and direction of the acceleration. For example, the driving support system may identify sudden steering, sudden braking, sudden acceleration, etc., based on the magnitude and direction of acceleration, and issue notifications to call attention to these. Accordingly, the user can drive safely by noting dangerous driving in response to the notification from the character.

In the first aspect, the character information may be output such that the character speaks to the user and that the character communicates in at least one of the modes of expression by walking around the display area of the display unit. As a result, the user feels a sense of familiarity with the character, so that the user's empathy for the character is further enhanced. For example, the character information may be output in the manner described above during a time period other than the output based on the positional relationship between the vehicle and the object or the output when the acceleration satisfies a predetermined condition. As a result, the user feels as if the character is always by his/her side, and the user's empathy for the character is further enhanced. For example, it is preferable to change the character's phrase according to the degree of intimacy.

In the first mode, when the positional relationship between the position of the target for traffic monitoring and the vehicle satisfies a predetermined relationship, an image of the character wearing predetermined clothing may be output as the character information. The change in appearance of the character allows the user to easily and clearly recognize at a glance that the positions of the target of traffic monitoring and the vehicle satisfy a predetermined relationship. Traffic monitoring targets are often installed in places where there is a high possibility of traffic accidents. can drive.

In the first aspect, as the character information, it is preferable to output the voice of the character for notifying the information regarding the object to be monitored for traffic. Even if the user does not look at the driving support system, the user can reliably recognize from the voice that the positions of the target of traffic monitoring and the vehicle satisfy a predetermined relationship. can.

In the first aspect, it has a function of detecting the traveling speed of the vehicle, acquires the speed limit at the traveling point of the vehicle, and the detected traveling speed exceeds the acquired speed limit. In this case, the character information may be output so that the character communicates with the user in an expression mode that warns the user. The user can easily recognize that the traveling speed of the vehicle exceeds the speed limit. Since the user's degree of emotional empathy with the character is strong, the user obediently responds to the warning from the character and tries to drive safely.

In the first aspect, it is preferable to have a function of detecting the behavior of the vehicle, and to output the character information so that the character communicates in an expressive manner in which the character is suffering from car sickness when the behavior satisfies a predetermined condition. . For example, when a large lateral acceleration of the vehicle is detected, it may be determined that the vehicle is being driven recklessly, and the character information may be output in an expressive mode of car sickness. Since the user has a high degree of emotional empathy with the character, the user feels pity for the character's car sickness and tries to drive carefully. The driving support system can encourage the user to drive carefully by using such user's emotions.

In the first mode, the character has a function of detecting the acceleration applied to the vehicle, and when the state in which the acceleration satisfies a predetermined condition continues for a predetermined time or longer, the character communicates with the user in an expression mode of getting angry. It is preferable to output the character information as follows. For example, when the longitudinal or lateral acceleration of the vehicle frequently increases, it may be determined that the vehicle is being driven recklessly, and the character information may be output in an angry manner. Since the user has a high degree of emotional empathy with the character, the user will reflect on the angry state of the character and try to drive carefully. The driving support system can encourage the user to drive carefully by using such user's emotions.

In the first aspect, it is determined whether or not the user's concentration on driving has decreased, and when it is determined that the concentration has decreased, the character communicates with the user in an expression mode of speaking to the user. , the character information may be output. The driving support system can alert the user when it is determined that the user's concentration on driving has decreased. This allows the user to regain concentration and drive safely. Since the user has a high degree of emotional empathy with the character, the user obediently responds to the character's call for attention. For example, the character should communicate with the user in a manner that encourages them to take a break. This allows the user to positively take a break to recover his/her concentration.

In the first aspect, it is determined whether or not the running state of the vehicle is in a state with little change, and when it is determined that the state is in a state with little change, the character communicates with the user in an expression manner. , the character information may be output. If there is little change in the running state of the vehicle, the user may be dozing off while driving. In such a case, the driving assistance system can eliminate the user's dozing state by alerting the user. This allows the user to resume safe driving. Since the user has a high degree of emotional empathy with the character, the user obediently responds to the character's call for attention. For example, the character should communicate with the user in a manner that encourages them to take a break. This allows the user to positively take a break to recover his/her concentration.

In the first aspect, the vehicle has a function of detecting the running speed of the vehicle, and when the running speed of the vehicle is equal to or higher than a predetermined value and the width of change in the running state of the vehicle is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value, the state is determined to be present. Judgment is good. The driving assistance system can accurately identify the user's state with a simple method. This is because when these conditions are satisfied, the user's concentration tends to decrease, and the user tends to become drowsy.

In the first aspect, it is preferable to determine that the vehicle is in the above-mentioned state when a change in the running state of the vehicle for a predetermined time satisfies a predetermined condition. The driving assistance system can accurately identify the user's state with a simple method. For example, when the user is driving normally, the driving condition fluctuates frequently, so if this fluctuation is small, it may be determined that the user is dozing off while driving.

In the first aspect, positional information of the vehicle is acquired, a road on which the vehicle is traveling is specified based on the acquired positional information and map information, and the type of the specified road meets a predetermined condition. is satisfied, the character information may be output so that the character communicates with the user in an expression mode of speaking to the user.

For example, the driver assistance system may identify whether the vehicle is traveling on a highway or an overpass. This is because when a vehicle is traveling on such a road, the traveling speed tends to be high, and the driving tends to be monotonous with poor steering and speed changes. In such a case, the user's concentration is likely to decline, and drowsy driving, drowsy driving, and the like are likely to occur. On the other hand, the driving assistance system can prevent traffic accidents by warning the user especially on such roads. Therefore, the driving support system can effectively prevent traffic accidents and encourage the user to drive safely.

In the first aspect, the character information may be output so that the character communicates with the user in an expression mode in which the character speaks to the user when the traveling speed of the vehicle is acquired and the acquired traveling speed satisfies a predetermined condition. . When the traveling speed is high, a slight carelessness of the user is likely to lead to an accident. On the other hand, in such a case, the driving support system can warn the user particularly via a character, so that it is possible to eliminate the situation in which accidents are likely to occur and prevent accidents in advance.

In the first aspect, the character information has a function of detecting acceleration applied to the vehicle, and the character information communicates with the user in an expression mode in which the character speaks to the user when the detected acceleration satisfies a predetermined condition. should be output. For example, the driving support system may detect sudden start, sudden stop, and sudden steering of the vehicle from the detected acceleration. If such driving is repeated, the possibility of the vehicle causing an accident increases. On the other hand, the driving support system can warn the user especially via a character in such a case, so that the occurrence of the accident can be prevented.

In the first aspect, the character information may be output so that the character communicates in an expression mode in which the character repeatedly speaks at a predetermined cycle. Even if the user does not notice the warning in the initial stage of the warning, the user will eventually notice the warning and try to drive safely by repeatedly issuing the warning. In this way, the driving support system can make the user reliably recognize the warning.

In the first aspect, it is preferable that the contents of the conversation when the character repeatedly speaks at a predetermined cycle are different. The driving support system can prevent the user from becoming bored with the character by outputting the character information so that the character issues a warning in a different manner. As a result, the user continuously responds to the character's warnings and tries to drive safely.

In the first aspect, the volume of the voice of the character when the character speaks repeatedly at a predetermined cycle may be gradually increased as the number of repetitions increases. Since the voice of the character that is output gradually increases, even if the user does not correct the driving method at the initial stage of the warning, the user will eventually correct the driving method according to the loud voice. In this way, the driving support system can reliably guide the user to drive safely.

In the first aspect, position information indicating the position of the vehicle is acquired, based on the acquired position information and map information, it is determined whether or not the vehicle has passed a prefectural border, and the vehicle crosses the prefectural border. The character information may be output so that the character notifies the user that the prefectural border has been passed when it is determined that the prefectural border has been passed. The driving support system allows the user to recognize approximately where the vehicle is traveling. The driving support system can prevent the user from losing concentration, falling asleep while driving, etc. by having the user imagine a rough image of the route to the destination.

In the first aspect, coordinate information indicating the position of the vehicle is acquired, and the vehicle is running based on the map information in which an object on the map and the coordinate information are associated with each other and the acquired coordinate information. and output the character information so as to notify the user of the prefecture in which the character is running. The driving support system allows the user to recognize approximately where the vehicle is traveling. The driving support system can prevent the user from losing concentration, falling asleep while driving, etc. by having the user imagine a rough image of the route to the destination.

In the first aspect, coordinate information indicating the position of the vehicle is acquired, and the vehicle and the predetermined point are determined based on map information in which an object on the map and the coordinate information are associated with each other and the acquired coordinate information. If it is determined that the distance between the vehicle and the predetermined point is within a predetermined range, the user is notified that the predetermined point has approached. It is preferable to output the character information so as to notify.

For example, PA and SA may be assumed as predetermined points. When the driving support system detects that the user is declining in concentration or drowsy while driving, the driving support system recommends that the user take a break by stopping by the SA or PA. Thereby, the driving assistance system can recover the user's concentration and eliminate drowsiness. Further, for example, a sharp curve, a continuous curve, and a branch point may be assumed as the predetermined point. Such places are prone to accidents due to a little carelessness. The driving support system should warn the user via a character when approaching such a place, thereby suppressing the user from losing concentration and drowsy driving in a dangerous place. As a result, the driving support system can more reliably prevent traffic accidents.

In the first aspect, the character information may be output such that the character notifies the user of the distance from the vehicle to the predetermined point. For example, the driving support system may specifically notify the distance to a predetermined point, for example, "it is a kilometer away". As a result, the driving support system can continue to keep safe driving in mind even before reaching a dangerous place where traffic accidents are likely to occur. In this way, the driving support system can eliminate the user's concentration loss, drowsy driving, etc. from before the location where traffic accidents are likely to occur.

In the first aspect, it is preferable that a storage medium storing data indicating an expression mode for outputting the character information is used as the storage section. By acquiring the character information from the storage medium, it is possible to change the expression mode of the character in various ways. Accordingly, the driving assistance device can prevent the user from getting bored with the character by providing the user with a new mode of expression.

In the first aspect, the driving state may be the driving frequency of the vehicle by the user, and the familiarity may be determined based on the driving frequency. The driving support system can specify the degree of intimacy based on the driving frequency of the driver. For example, the driving support system may set the degree of intimacy to be high when the frequency of driving is high, and set the degree of intimacy to be low when the frequency of driving is low.

In the first aspect, the driving state may be the distance traveled by the vehicle driven by the user. The driving assistance system can specify the degree of intimacy based on the distance traveled. For example, the driving support system may set a high degree of intimacy when the travel distance is long, and set a low degree of intimacy when the travel distance is short.

A driving assistance program according to a second aspect of the present invention causes a computer to execute each function of the driving assistance system described above.

2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the driving assistance system 4; FIG. 4 is a table for explaining display modes of the driving support system 4; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a first example of a screen displayed in radar standby display mode; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second example of a screen displayed in the radar standby display mode; It is a figure which shows the example of the screen displayed in OBD display mode. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in MAP display mode-animation mode; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in MAP display mode-actual shooting mode; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed in MAP display mode-character mode; 5 is a schematic diagram showing information stored in an SD card 5; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing information stored in a RAM 44; FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing main processing; 4 is a flow chart showing periodic processing. 6 is a flowchart showing target position specifying processing; It is a flow chart which shows driving state specific processing. 4 is a flowchart showing character mode processing; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a logo screen displayed based on logo information 213. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a first example of a still screen displayed based on still screen information 214. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second example of a still screen displayed based on still screen information 214; 4 is a schematic diagram showing activation information 215. FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing character voices in activation information 215; FIG. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing character information 2114. FIG. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing voice information in character information 2114; FIG. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing character information 2124. FIG. It is a figure which shows the character image displayed in warning display mode. It is a figure which shows the character image displayed in warning display mode. It is a figure which shows the character image displayed in warning display mode. It is a figure which shows the character image displayed in warning display mode. It is a figure which shows the character image displayed in warning display mode. 4 is a schematic diagram showing setting information 23. FIG. It is a figure which shows the transition of a setting screen. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a main menu screen 110; FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen setting screen 120; FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a screen selection screen 130; FIG. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an alarm display setting screen 140; FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen setting screen 120; FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a character setting screen 150; FIG. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a still screen selection screen 160; FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an outfit selection screen 170; FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a voice selection screen 180; FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a system setting screen 190; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a still image 200; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a still image 200; FIG.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. These drawings are used to explain technical features that can be employed by the present invention. The configuration of the device, the flow charts of various processes, and the like described are merely illustrative examples and not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

An overview of the driving support system 4 will be described with reference to FIG. The driving support system 4 is installed inside the vehicle. The driving assistance system 4 assists the driver's driving by outputting various information. An example of the driving assistance system 4 is a radar detector. The driving support system 4 is provided with a control unit 41 that performs main control. The control unit 41 is composed of a microcomputer or the like including a CPU 42, an EEPROM 43, a RAM 44, and the like. The control unit 41 also includes a GPS receiver (GPS module) 45 for receiving radio waves from GPS satellites, a microwave receiver (microwave receiving module) 46 for receiving microwaves from a radar for speed measurement, and a traffic control module. A radio receiver (radio receiving module) 47 for receiving radio waves in the UHF band for communication, a display section 48 configured from a color liquid crystal for displaying various information and alarm screens, and a display section 48 provided on the surface A touch panel 49, a lamp 50 that blinks or lights to notify, a speaker 51 that emits a warning sound, a card reader 52 into which the SD card 5 is inserted, an OBD connector 53 for collecting OBD information of the vehicle, and driving support. An acceleration sensor 54 is connected to detect acceleration applied to the system 4 .

The control unit 41 notifies the driver based on information input from various input devices (GPS receiver 45, microwave receiver 46, wireless receiver 47, touch panel 49, OBD connector 53, acceleration sensor 54). It creates information and outputs the information using output devices (display unit 48, lamp 50, speaker 51). These basic configurations are basically the same as those of conventional devices. The functions of the driving support system 4 are stored in the EEPROM 43 of the control unit 41 as firmware executed by the CPU 42 provided in the control unit 41 and implemented by the CPU 42 executing the firmware. The firmware stored in EEPROM 43 can be updated with new firmware stored in SD card 5 .

The main information output from the output device of the driving assistance system 4 to assist the driver's driving is warning information for prompting the driver to drive safely. Warning information is output in the following cases, for example. The driving support system 4 obtains the distance between the position (latitude and longitude) of the target object stored as map information in the SD card 5 and the current position (latitude and longitude) of the vehicle detected by the GPS receiver 45. When the measured distance becomes equal to or less than a predetermined distance, alarm information is output from the output device. Further, for example, when the microwave receiver 46 detects a signal corresponding to microwaves in the frequency band emitted from a speed measuring device (a speed measuring device that emits radar waves, such as a mobile radar), the driving support system 4 Output alarm information from the output device. The driving support system 4 outputs warning information to make the driver aware of dangerous places where traffic accidents are likely to occur. Accordingly, the driving support system 4 can prompt the driver to drive safely. Note that the above-described warning information is only an example, and in fact, various other warning information is also output to the driver. Details will be described later.

FIG. 2 shows display modes of the driving support system 4 . The driving support system 4 displays different forms of screens on the display unit 48 according to the set display mode. The driving support system 4 has a radar standby display mode, an OBD display mode, and a MAP display mode as constant display modes. In the radar standby display mode, in addition to the screen showing the clock and speed (see Fig. 3), the screen showing the GPS positioning status (see Fig. 4), the screen showing the tilting state of the vehicle, the screen showing the acceleration applied to the vehicle, etc. can be displayed on the display unit 48 . In OBD display mode, instantaneous fuel consumption, current fuel consumption, fuel flow rate, vehicle speed, cooling water temperature, trip meter, national road average fuel consumption, general road average fuel consumption, highway average fuel consumption, engine speed, engine load factor, throttle opening, etc. can be displayed on the display unit 48 (see FIG. 5). In the MAP display mode, a map of the vicinity of the vehicle can be displayed on the display unit 48 (see FIGS. 6 to 8).

An alarm display mode, which is a display mode in which alarm information is output, will be described. In the radar standby display mode and the OBD display mode, a telop indicating alarm information is superimposed on the screen corresponding to each constant display mode, and an alarm sound is output from the speaker 51 . On the other hand, in the MAP display mode, it is possible to switch the output mode of the warning information among animation mode, live-action mode (hereinafter collectively referred to as non-character mode), and character mode. As shown in FIG. 6, in the animation mode, an animation 11 of the target object and the speed measuring device is superimposed on the map 10 as warning information, and a warning sound is output from the speaker 51 . As shown in FIG. 7, in the live-action mode, real-time pictures (REALPHOTO) 12 of the target object and the speed measuring device are superimposed on the map 10 as alarm information, and a warning sound is output from the speaker 51 . As shown in FIG. 8, in the character mode, the character 14 is superimposed on the map 10 and displayed on the display section 48 . Also, the voice of the character 14 is output from the speaker 51 . Then, the warning information is notified to the driver by the behavior or voice of the character 14 .

The driving support system 4 in this embodiment is characterized by its operation in the MAP display mode-character mode (within the thick frame line in FIG. 2). When the driving support system 4 operates in the MAP display mode-character mode, the character 14 may be displayed on the display unit 48 even in a state in which it is not necessary to notify the driver of warning information. The character 14 communicates with the driver by acting as if he were a real person and talking to the driver. Also, the character 14 changes its behavior and voice as if it were gradually getting closer to the driver. The driving support system 4 thereby induces the driver to strongly empathize with the character 14 . Furthermore, the character 14 outputs not only a notification of dangerous places where traffic accidents are likely to occur, but also warning information for dangerous driving, reckless driving, driving without concentration, and drowsy driving. A driver who deepens the degree of emotional empathy for the character 14 obediently responds to the alert from the character and actively tries to drive safely. As described above, the driving support system 4 develops and maintains the degree of empathy of the driver for the character 14 at a high level, thereby suppressing the driver from becoming bored with communication with the character 14 and driving. It is possible to continuously encourage people to drive safely.

Note that the above-described display modes (constant display mode and alarm display mode) are examples, and the present invention may operate in other display modes. For example, characters may be displayed on the display unit 48 in the radar standby display mode or the OBD display mode.

Details of the information stored in the SD card 5 will be described with reference to FIG. Output information 21 , map information 22 and setting information 23 are stored in the SD card 5 .

The output information 21 is various information output from the output device. The output information 21 includes standby information 211 , event information 212 , logo information 213 , still screen information 214 , start information 215 and setting screen information 216 . The event information 212 indicates that various events are sent to the driver when it is determined that the state of the vehicle or the driving state of the vehicle is in a predetermined state based on the information input from the input device (hereinafter referred to as "when an event occurs"). This is information output from the output device to notify the The standby information 211 is information output from the output device in a state in which no event has occurred (hereinafter referred to as a standby state). The logo information 213, the still screen information 214, and the activation information 215 are information that is first output from the output device when the driving support system 4 is activated in the MAP display mode-character mode. The setting screen information 216 is information of a screen displayed on the display unit 48 when the driver performs a setting input operation on the driving support system 4 .

The standby information 211 and the event information 212 include image information displayed on the display unit 48 and audio information output from the speaker 51 . The standby information 211 and the event information 212 have a plurality of pieces of information for each constant display mode. Specifically, the standby information 211 includes radar standby information 2111 output during operation in the radar standby display mode, OBD information 2112 output during operation in the OBD display mode, and MAP display mode-character mode. It has character information 2114 that is output during operation, and non-character information 2115 that is output during operation in MAP information-non-character mode. Event information 212 includes radar standby information 2121 output during operation in radar standby display mode, OBD information 2122 output during operation in OBD display mode, and output during operation in MAP display mode-character mode. It has character information 2124 and non-character information 2125 output during operation in MAP display mode-non-character mode.

The map information 22 is information in which information indicating the type of the target object, latitude and longitude indicating the position of the target object, animation or live action displayed on the display unit 48, and audio output from the speaker 51 are associated with each other. Target targets include fixed speed measurement devices (speed measurement devices that emit radar waves (microwaves) such as radar and speed measurement devices that do not emit radar waves such as loop coils. Radar type orvis, H system, LH system, loop coil, etc.), speed limit switching point, control area, inspection area, parking monitoring area, N system, traffic monitoring system, intersection monitoring point, traffic light ignorance control system, police station, accident-prone area, vehicle target Frequent area, sharp/continuous curve (highway), branch/merge point (highway), ETC lane advance guidance (highway), service area (highway), parking area (highway), parking area (highway) , Highway Oasis (Highway), Smart Interchange (Highway), PA/SA Gas Station (Highway), Tunnel (Highway), Highway Radio Reception Area (Highway), Prefectural Boundary Announcement, Road Station, View Point There is parking etc.

The setting information 23 is information indicating various operating conditions of the driving support system 4 . The control unit 41 determines operating conditions based on various setting information stored as the setting information 23, and performs various processes based on the determined operating conditions. The setting information 23 is backed up in the EEPROM 43 when the driving support system 4 is powered off. Also, when the SD card 5 is newly inserted into the card reader 52 , the setting information backed up in the EEPRM 43 is stored in the SD card 5 as the setting information 23 .

Details of the information stored in the RAM 44 will be described with reference to FIG. The RAM 44 stores current date and time 31, vehicle position coordinates 32, mileage 33, familiarity 34, peripheral information 35, driving state 36, OBD information 37, and event flags 38. FIG.

The current date and time 31 is information indicating the current date and time. The current date and time 31 is specified based on date and time data included in radio signals from GPS satellites received via the GPS receiver 45 . The vehicle position coordinates 32 are coordinate information indicating the position of the vehicle. The vehicle position coordinates 32 are specified based on radio signals from GPS satellites received via the GPS receiver 45 . The travel distance 33 is information indicating the travel distance of the vehicle. The travel distance 33 is calculated based on the change history of the vehicle position coordinates 32 . The closeness 34 will be described later. The peripheral information 35 is information indicating the types of target objects in the vicinity of the vehicle and the distance between the vehicle and the target object. The target object type and distance are determined based on the map information 22 and vehicle position coordinates 32 stored in the SD card 5 . The driving state 36 is information indicating the driving state of the vehicle. Driving states include meandering driving, sudden braking, sudden starting, right steering wheel, left steering wheel, low concentration driving, and drowsy driving. The OBD information 37 is information acquired from the vehicle via the OBD connector 53 . The OBD information 37 includes fuel consumption, fuel flow rate, vehicle speed, cooling water temperature, engine speed, throttle opening, and the like. The event flag 38 is turned ON when an event occurs.

Processing executed in the control unit 41 of the driving support system 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 15. FIG. The main process starts when the control unit 41 executes the program stored in the EEPROM 43 .

When the main process is started, first, the control unit 41 determines whether an operation to turn on the driving support system 4 has been detected (S11). If the operation to turn on the driving support system 4 is not detected (S11: NO), the process returns to S11. When an operation to turn on the power of the driving support system 4 is detected (S11: YES), the control unit 41 activates periodic processing (see FIG. 12), which is interrupt processing that is activated at predetermined intervals (S13).

The periodic processing will be described with reference to FIG. 12 . When the fixed period process is started in S13 (see FIG. 11), the control unit 41 repeatedly executes the fixed period process at a fixed period. The control unit 41 executes main processing and periodic processing in parallel. First, the control unit 41 receives radio signals transmitted from GPS satellites (S31). The control unit 41 identifies the current date and time based on the date and time data included in the received radio signal (S33). The control unit 41 stores the specified current date and time in the RAM 44 (see FIG. 10) as the current date and time 31 (see FIG. 10) (S33). The control unit 41 acquires OBD information from the vehicle through the OBD connector 53 (S35). The control unit 41 stores the acquired OBD information in the RAM 44 as the OBD information 37 (see FIG. 10) (S35). Next, the control unit 41 executes a process of specifying the position of the target object with respect to the vehicle (target position specifying process, see FIG. 13) (S37).

The target position specifying process will be described with reference to FIG. 13 . First, the control unit 41 identifies coordinate information indicating the position of the vehicle based on radio signals received from GPS satellites (S51). The control unit 41 stores the specified coordinate information in the RAM 44 as vehicle position coordinates 32 (see FIG. 10) (S51). The control unit 41 refers to the map information 22 (see FIG. 9) stored in the SD card 5. FIG. The control unit 41 determines whether or not there is a target object in the vicinity of the coordinates indicating the position of the vehicle specified in S51 (S55). If there is a target in the vicinity of the vehicle (S55: YES), the control unit 41 associates the type of target with the distance between the target and the vehicle, and stores the peripheral information 35 (see FIG. 10). is stored in the RAM 44 (S55). The process proceeds to S57. On the other hand, when there is no target object near the coordinates indicating the position of the vehicle (S55: NO), the control unit 41 proceeds to S57.

Next, when there is a signal corresponding to microwaves in the frequency band emitted from a velocity measuring device that emits radar waves, such as a mobile radar, the control unit 41 sends a signal through a microwave receiver 46 (see FIG. 1). is received (S57). In addition, the control unit 41 includes control radio, car location radio, digital radio, extra-small radio, police active radio, police phone, police activity radio, tow radio, helicopter radio, fire helicopter radio, fire fighting radio, emergency radio, and highway radio. , security radio, etc. (hereinafter collectively referred to as car location radio). Then, if there is a radio signal at the scanned frequency, the signal is received through the radio receiver 47 (see FIG. 1) (S57). The control unit 41 determines whether a signal is received via the microwave receiver 46 or the radio receiver 47 and the received signal has a reception level equal to or higher than a predetermined level. When the reception level of the received signal is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, the control unit 41 determines that the speed measuring device that output the signal or the vehicle that outputs the car location radio (hereinafter referred to as a police emergency vehicle) is in the vicinity of the vehicle. (S59: YES). Based on the frequency of the signal, the control unit 41 identifies the device (speed measuring device or police emergency vehicle) that has output the signal. The control unit 41 stores information indicating the identified target in the RAM 44 as the peripheral information 35 (S61). The target position specifying process ends, and the process returns to the periodic process (see FIG. 12). On the other hand, if the signal is not received via the microwave receiver 46 or the radio receiver 47, or if the reception level of the received signal is less than a predetermined level, the control unit 41 outputs the signal to the vehicle. (S59: NO). The target position specifying process ends, and the process returns to the periodic process (see FIG. 12).

As shown in FIG. 12, after the target position identification process (S37, see FIG. 13) ends, the control unit 41 calculates the travel distance of the vehicle based on the change history of the vehicle position coordinates 32 stored in the RAM 44. (S39). The control unit 41 calculates the traveled distance 33 (see FIG. 10) by adding the calculated traveled distance and the total traveled distance so far stored in the EEPROM 43 (see FIG. 1). The control unit 41 stores the calculated travel distance 33 in the RAM 44 (S39).

The control unit 41 identifies the degree of intimacy based on the travel distance 33 (S40). Familiarity is a parameter determined according to the travel distance of the vehicle. The driving support system 4 assumes that the character's intimacy with the driver increases as the distance traveled by the vehicle increases, and expresses the degree of intimacy as the degree of intimacy. Intimacy is specifically determined as follows. If the vehicle has traveled 100 km since the driving support system 4 was activated for the first time, the degree of intimacy is zero. The degree of intimacy is 1 when the travel distance of the vehicle is 0 km or more and less than 1000 km while the character mode is set. If the travel distance of the vehicle is 1000 km or more and less than 2000 km while the character mode is set, the degree of intimacy is 2. If the travel distance of the vehicle is 2000 km or more while the character mode is set, the degree of intimacy is 3. The control unit 41 stores the identified degree of intimacy in the RAM 44 as the degree of intimacy 34 (see FIG. 10) (S40).

Next, the control unit 41 executes a process of identifying the driving state of the vehicle (driving state identifying process, see FIG. 14) (S41). The operating state identifying process will be described with reference to FIG. 14 . First, the control unit 41 acquires the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 54 (see FIG. 1) and the vehicle speed from the OBD information 37 stored in the RAM 44 in S35 (see FIG. 12) (S71). Next, the control unit 41 determines whether the vehicle is in a predetermined driving state based on the acquired acceleration and vehicle speed (S73). Specifically, the control unit 41 controls (a) meandering driving, (b) sudden braking, (c) sudden starting, (d) sharp right steering wheel, (e) sharp left steering wheel, (f) low concentration driving, (g) It is determined whether the vehicle is being driven in one of the states of drowsy driving based on the acceleration and the vehicle speed. The judgment method is as follows.

15 or more times within 15 minutes when the forward acceleration of the vehicle is 0.3G or more, the rearward acceleration is 0.15G or more, and the lateral acceleration is 0.45G or more. If the condition is satisfied, the control unit 41 determines that (a) meandering operation is being performed. When the forward acceleration of the vehicle is 0.3 G or more, the control unit 41 determines that (b) sudden braking has been performed. Further, when the acceleration in the rear direction of the vehicle is 0.15 G or more, the control unit 41 determines that (c) the vehicle is suddenly started. When the acceleration in the left direction of the vehicle is 0.45 G or more, the control unit 41 determines that (d) the right steering wheel has been performed. Further, when the rightward acceleration of the vehicle is 0.45 G or more, the control unit 41 determines that (e) the left sharp steering wheel was performed. Further, when the vehicle speed is 55 km/h or more and the width of change in the vehicle speed is continuously 5 km/h or more and less than 10 km/h for a predetermined time or longer, the control unit 41 performs (f) driving with reduced concentration. It is determined that When the vehicle speed is 55 km/h or more and the width of change in the vehicle speed is 10 km/h or more, the control unit 41 determines that (g) the driver is dozing off. As described above, the driving support system 4 can determine the driving state of the vehicle based on the acceleration applied to the vehicle and the vehicle speed. . Further, the driving support system 4 can accurately identify the driving state of the vehicle by a simple method.

If the controller 41 determines that the vehicle is being driven in a predetermined driving state (S73: YES), the control unit 41 sets the information indicating the corresponding driving state as the driving state 36 (FIG. 10). Store in RAM 44 (S75). The operating state identification process ends, and the process returns to the periodic process (see FIG. 12). On the other hand, if none of the above cases apply (S73: NO), the control unit 41 terminates the operating state identification process, and the process returns to the periodic process (see FIG. 12).

As shown in FIG. 12, after the operating state identification process (S39) ends, the control unit 41 determines whether the peripheral information 35 is stored in the RAM 44 in S55 (see FIG. 13) and S61 (see FIG. 13), or At S75 (see FIG. 14), it is determined whether the operating state 36 is stored in the RAM 44. If either one is stored in the RAM 44, it is determined that an event for notifying the driver has occurred (S43: YES). The control unit 41 turns on the event flag 38 (S45). The periodic processing ends. On the other hand, when neither the peripheral information 35 nor the driving state 36 is stored in the RAM 44 (S43: NO), the event for notifying the driver has not occurred. It is turned off (S47). The periodic processing ends.

As shown in FIG. 11, after starting the periodic processing (see FIG. 12) in S13, the control unit 41 refers to the setting information 23 (see FIG. 9) stored in the SD card 5 (see FIG. 9). , the set display mode is determined (S15). If a display mode other than MAP display mode-character mode (see FIG. 2) is set as the display mode (S15: NO), the control unit 41 stores information corresponding to the set display mode in the SD card 5. (See FIG. 9) is read out from the output information 21 (see FIG. 9) and output from the output device. Thereby, the control unit 41 performs a well-known normal operation (S21). The process proceeds to S23. On the other hand, if the MAP-character mode is set as the display mode (S15: YES), the control unit 41 executes a process of notifying the driver via a character (character mode process, see FIG. 15) ( S19).

Character mode processing will be described with reference to FIG. The control unit 41 reads the logo information 213 (see FIG. 9) stored in the SD card 5 and displays it on the display unit 48 (see FIG. 1) (S81). As a result, for example, the logo screen 71 shown in FIG. 16 is displayed on the display unit 48 .

The control unit 41 determines whether the current date and time and the traveled distance have already been identified in the periodic processing (see FIG. 12) started in S13 (see FIG. 11), and whether the current date and time 31 and the traveled distance 33 have been stored in the RAM 44. (S83). This is because, in the fixed period processing, the current date and time and traveled distance are specified by receiving radio signals from GPS satellites, and it takes time to specify the current date and time and traveled distance depending on the radio wave environment. If the current date and time 31 and the traveled distance 33 are not stored in the RAM 44, it means that the current date and time and the traveled distance have not yet been specified (S83: NO). In this case, the control unit 41 displays the wallpaper screen 73 with the character 14 lying down on the display unit 48 as shown in FIG. 17 (S85), and the process returns to S83.

When the current date and time and the traveled distance are specified in the periodic processing, and the current date and time 31 and the traveled distance 33 are stored in the RAM 44 (S83: YES), the control unit 41 reads the still screen information 214 stored in the SD card 5 ( 9) is read out and displayed on the display unit 48 (S86). As a result, as shown in FIG. 18, for example, a still screen 72 showing the appearance of the character 14 wearing the best clothes is displayed on the display unit 48 . Note that the still screen information 214 includes a total of 12 still screens that differ from month to month. Each still picture reflects the scene of the season. The control unit 41 refers to the current date and time 31 stored in the RAM 44 , selects a still image of the corresponding month from the still image information 214 , and displays it on the display unit 48 .

In this manner, the driving support system 4 switches the still screen displayed on the display unit 48 according to the date and time, thereby preventing the driver from becoming bored with the still screen. Further, the driving support system 4 makes the driver want to see a new still screen. Here, for example, the driving support system 4 may perform control so that a new still screen is not displayed on the display unit 48 when the driver drives dangerously. As a result, the driver will try to drive safely in order to display a new still image on the display unit 48 . In this manner, the driving support system 4 can effectively guide the driver to drive safely.

After a predetermined period of time has passed since the still screen was displayed on the display unit 48, the control unit 41 reads out the startup screen included in the startup information 215 (see FIG. 9) stored in the SD card 5, and displays it on the display unit 48. Display (S87). Further, the control unit 41 reads out the activation voice included in the activation information 215 and outputs it from the speaker 51 (S87).

The activation information 215 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20. FIG. Activation information 215 is information output to the output device at activation in the MAP display mode-character mode. As shown in FIG. 19, the activation information 215 includes information for displaying a character image on the display unit 48 (hereinafter referred to as a character image) and information for outputting the character's voice from the speaker 51 (character image). hereinafter referred to as character voice). Character images and character voices are based on familiarity (0 to 3) and time zones (0:00 to 5:00, 5:00 to 7:00, 7:00 to 10:00, 10:00 to 17:00, 17:00-22:00, 22:00-0:00). The time zone indicates the time when the driving support system 4 was powered on. A plurality of character images and character sounds are prepared for each level of intimacy and time period so that the character can communicate with the driver in various modes of expression.

FIG. 20 shows in detail character voices corresponding to the time period of 7:00 to 10:00. If the degree of intimacy 34 stored in the RAM 44 is 1, "Good morning. How are you?" Please do it.", the character voice is a little distant. The expression mode of the character to the driver is a mode of meeting the driver for the first time. On the other hand, when the degree of intimacy 34 is 2, "Good morning. How are you?" As shown, the character voice is more intimate than when the degree of familiarity 34 is 1. The expression mode of the character to the driver becomes a normal friendly mode. Furthermore, if the intimacy level 34 is 3, "Good morning! Hey, I've been waiting for you since I woke up." Aren't you fashionable? I want new clothes, too~”, the character voice is more intimate than when the intimacy 34 is 1 or 2. The expression mode of the character to the driver becomes a friend-like mode.

In this manner, the driving support system 4 increases the familiarity of the character with the driver according to the degree of familiarity 34 by outputting a more intimate character voice as the degree of familiarity 34 increases. By feeling that the character's intimacy is gradually increasing, the driver's familiarity with the character gradually increases, and the driver strongly empathizes with the character.

Also, although not shown, the character voices for the time period from 5:00 to 7:00 are compared for each intimacy level. If the degree of intimacy 34 is 1, character voices such as ``Good morning. It has become. When the degree of intimacy 34 is 2, the character voice is similar to the character voice of "Huh? Is it already morning?" Furthermore, if the degree of intimacy 34 is 3, "Good morning~ I'm sorry." For the sake of.” It is a character voice like. By listening to the character's sleepy voice, the driver feels as if the character were a real creature. Furthermore, the driver feels sorry for the character for waking him up. The driving support system 4 further enhances the degree of emotional empathy for the driver's character by making the user feel such emotions.

In the above description, the character voice is switched at each startup time, but the character image is also switched at each startup time. For example, the time period 0:00 to 5:00 is associated with a character image in which the character is sleeping on the bed. The driver feels intimate feelings toward the character by watching the character go to bed. The driving support system 4 further increases the degree of empathy for the character of the driver by making the driver feel these emotions.

As described above, the driving support system 4 switches and outputs the character voice for each activation time period as if the character were a real creature. This makes the driver feel as if the character were real. In this way, the driving support system 4 can increase the degree of emotional empathy for the driver's character.

Note that in the activation information 215 of FIG. 19, no character voice is associated with the degree of intimacy: 0. When the degree of intimacy is 0, the driving support system 4 displays the character image on the display unit 48 and does not output the character voice from the speaker 51 . In this case, the driver recognizes not only the character image but also the character's voice, and the expectation of starting intimate communication with the character as soon as possible increases. The driving support system 4 increases the degree of emotional empathy for the character of the driver by using such a driver's psychology.

As shown in FIG. 15, after outputting the activation information 215 (S87), the control unit 41 reads the character information 2114 out of the standby information 211 of the SD card 5 and outputs it from the output device (S91). The character information 2114 is information output from the output device when the driving support system 4 operating in the MAP display mode-character mode is in a standby state. Details of the character information 2114 will be described with reference to FIGS. 21 and 22 . As shown in FIG. 21, the character information 2114 includes character images and character voices. Character images and character voices are classified according to degree of intimacy. In FIG. 21, "familiarity levels 1-3" indicate that different character images and character voices are associated with respective intimacy levels.

A plurality of character images and character sounds are prepared for each expression mode so that the character can communicate with the driver in various expression modes. Specifically, the character information 2114 includes character images and character sounds corresponding to the expression modes of (1) blinking & lip-syncing, (2) blinking only, (3) walking, and (4) stretching. is For example, (1) when a character image corresponding to blinking and lip-syncing is displayed on the display unit 48, the character blinks and moves its mouth as if it were talking. Further, for example, when a character image corresponding to (3) walking is displayed on the display section 48 , the character freely walks around within the display area of the display section 48 . Further, for example, when a character image corresponding to (4) stretching is displayed on the display unit 48, the character stretches. Also, character voice corresponding to each expression mode is output from the speaker 51 .

FIG. 22 shows in detail the character voice corresponding to (1) blinking & lip-syncing. If the intimacy level 34 is 1, "Do you like driving? I don't like your driving." Some familiar character voices are associated with them. On the other hand, when the intimacy level 34 is 2, "Hey, did you like me? I like you too!" , character voices that are more familiar than when the degree of familiarity 34 is 1 are associated. Furthermore, when the degree of intimacy 34 is 3, the parents will say things like, "I'm happy every day because you listen to me!" Compared with the cases where the density 34 is 1 or 2, character voices that are more intimate are associated. When character voices are output from the speaker 51, one of a plurality of character voices associated with familiarity levels of 1, 2, and 3 is randomly selected and output. Therefore, even if the degree of intimacy 34 is the same, different character voices are output from the speaker 51 each time.

In this manner, the driving support system 4 increases the familiarity of the character with the driver according to the degree of familiarity 34 by outputting a more intimate character voice as the degree of familiarity 34 increases. By feeling that the character's familiarity with the driver is gradually increasing, the driver's familiarity with the character gradually increases, and the driver strongly empathizes with the character.

The driving support system 4 always displays the character on the display unit 48, and even in a standby state in which no event occurs, the character voice is output from the speaker 51 so that the character speaks to the driver. Thereby, the driving support system 4 makes the driver feel as if the character were a real creature and always beside the character. Since the driver feels a sense of familiarity with the character, the driver's empathy with the character further increases.

Furthermore, the driving support system 4 prepares a plurality of character images and character sounds, selects them at random, and outputs them from an output device. This prevents the character communication from becoming monotonous and prevents the driver from becoming bored with the communication with the character.

Note that in FIG. 21, only the character image is associated with the degree of intimacy: 0, and the character voice is not associated. Therefore, when the degree of intimacy 34 is 0, the character image is displayed on the display unit 48 and the character voice is not output from the speaker 51 . Since the driver cannot hear the character's voice when the degree of intimacy 34 is low, the driver expects to recognize not only the character's image but also the voice. The driving support system 4 utilizes such a driver's psychology to increase the degree of emotional empathy for the driver's character.

As shown in FIG. 15, after the character information 2114 corresponding to the standby state is output from the output device in S91, the control unit 41 determines whether it is time to output the character information 2124 (see FIG. 23, described later). (S93). The character information 2124 is information output to an output device when an event occurs in the driving support system 4 operating in the MAP display mode-character mode. Details of the determination method and the information to be output will be described later. If the controller 41 determines that it is time to output the character information 2124 (S93: YES), it outputs the character information 2124 from the output device (S95), and the process proceeds to S97. On the other hand, when the control unit 41 determines that it is not the timing to output the character information 2124 (S93: NO), the process proceeds to S97.

A method for determining whether to output the character information 2124 and details of the character information 2124 to be output will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 23 shows details of the character information 2124. As shown in FIG. Character information 2124 includes character images and character voices. A plurality of character images and character voices are prepared for each mode of expression. In FIG. 23, (1) go to bed, (2) get up, (3) sleep talk during sleep, (4) caution against speeding, (5) car sickness, (6) sudden braking, (7) sudden Start, (8) Right steering wheel, (9) Left steering wheel, (10) Anger disappears after 10 degrees, (11) Anger subsides and returns, (12) Take a nap, (13) Wake up, (14) (15) Drowsy driving, (16) Orbis, crackdown, checkpoint alarm, (17) radar, car location reception alarm, and (18) other target object -3. Note that the character information 2124 does not include the character voice corresponding to the degree of familiarity: 0, as in the character information 2114 (FIG. 21). Therefore, when the degree of intimacy 34 is 0, the control unit 41 outputs the character image from the output device and does not output the character voice from the speaker 51 .

Character information corresponding to (1) go to bed is output when the driving support system 4 is activated between 22:00 and 0:00. When the character image is displayed on the display unit 48 , the character goes to bed one minute after the activation of the driving support system 4 . Also, when you go to bed, you can hear a voice that informs the driver that you are going to bed ("Did you have a good time today? Please take me on a drive again tomorrow." "I'm going to sleep. etc.) is selected according to the familiarity 34 and output from the speaker 51 as the character voice. After sleeping, the character's breathing is periodically output from the speaker 51 as the character's voice.

(2) Character information corresponding to get up is output when the driving support system 4 is activated between 5:00 and 7:00. When the character image is displayed on the display unit 48, the character wakes up one minute after the driving support system 4 is activated. Also, at the time of waking up, a voice that informs the driver of waking up ("Good morning. Alarm resumes, Mars", "Good morning. We can be together today too! I'm happy!" It is output from the speaker 51 as character voice.

(3) Character information corresponding to sleep talk during sleep is randomly output at a cycle of 5 minutes during 10 to 30 minutes while the character is asleep. When the character image is displayed on the display unit 48, the character moves its mouth. In addition, sleep talk (“You are beautiful,” “Re, full tank, please.” etc.) is selected according to the intimacy level 34, and when the character moves his mouth, a speaker is played as the character's voice. 51 is output.

As described above, in the driving support system 4, the character information is output in an expression mode as if the character were a real creature. The driver will feel as if the characters are real. In this way, the driving support system 4 can increase the degree of emotional empathy for the driver's character.

Character information corresponding to (4) Warning about speeding is output when the vehicle speed exceeds the speed limit. The vehicle speed is specified based on the OBD information 37 (see FIG. 10) stored in the RAM44. The speed limit is determined based on the vehicle position coordinates 32 stored in the RAM 44 and the map information 22 stored in the SD card 5. FIG. For example, when a vehicle is traveling on an expressway or elevated road, the vehicle speed is compared with a value obtained by adding 10 km/h to the speed limit on the expressway or elevated road. Further, for example, when the vehicle is traveling near the Orbis, the value obtained by adding 10 km/h to the speed limit of the Orbis is compared with the vehicle speed. When the character image is displayed on the display unit 48, the character notifies the driver of the current vehicle speed and speed limit and urges the driver to slow down. In addition, voices for notifying of overspeeding ("Wait~! Are you speeding? It's dangerous~", "Hey, I hate people who speed over!", etc.) are selected according to intimacy level 34. , are output from the speaker 51 as character voices. This allows the driver to easily recognize that the traveling speed of the vehicle exceeds the speed limit. Since the degree of emotional empathy of the driver with respect to the character is strong, the driver will pay attention to safe driving by obediently responding to the notification from the character and decelerating.

Character information corresponding to (5) car sickness is output when the event flag 38 stored in the RAM 44 is ON and information indicating meandering driving is stored as the driving state 36 . This is because, in such a case, there is a high possibility that the vehicle is traveling on a road with continuous curves. When the character image is displayed on the display unit 48, the character behaves as if he/she feels sick due to car sickness. In addition, the character's distressed voice ("Hmm, I'm feeling a little sick, I'm sorry", "I'm already drunk because I'm driving like that. Huh.", etc.) It is selected and output from the speaker 51 as character voice. As a result, the driver feels pity for the car sickness of the character, and tries to slow down and drive carefully. In this way, the driving support system 4 can encourage the driver to drive carefully.

When the character image corresponding to (5) getting car sick is displayed on the display unit 48, the character may lie down and rest for 6 hours. Further, in such a case, the distance traveled 33 may be corrected so that the degree of intimacy 34 becomes smaller. For example, the travel distance 33 may be reduced by 300 km.

(6) Sudden braking, (7) Sudden start, (8) Right steering wheel, (9) Left steering wheel 36 is output when information indicating sudden braking, sudden start, right steering, and left steering is stored. This is because when the driver drives the vehicle in such driving manners, the possibility of the vehicle causing a traffic accident increases. When the character image is displayed on the display unit 48, the character loses its balance so as to stagger in the direction of the detected acceleration. In addition, a voice that notifies driving methods (sudden braking: "Wow! I almost fell. Will I get angry if I do it next time?" Oh, I hit my head! Did you see it?” “Sudden acceleration is dangerous! You don’t do it anymore, right?” : "Turn the steering wheel a little more slowly - my eyes are spinning." , and output from the speaker 51 as character voice. As a result, the driver becomes aware that he or she is driving violently and dangerously, and tries to drive carefully. By issuing a warning in this manner, the driving support system 4 can prevent traffic accidents from occurring.

The character information corresponding to (10) Gets angry and disappears when it goes too far is (4) caution against speeding, (5) car sickness, (6) sudden braking, (7) sudden acceleration, (8) right steering wheel, and (9) output when the output of character information corresponding to left-hand steering continues for a predetermined number of times or more within a predetermined period of time. Alternatively, in (4), when the degree of overspeeding is very large, for example, when the vehicle speed exceeds the value obtained by adding 30 km/h to the speed limit, it is output. When the character image is displayed on the display section 48, the character gets angry and disappears from the display section 48. - 特許庁Also, voices that anger the driver ("Please don't ignore my attention." "I said no! Why are you doing that?" "Hmmmm" etc.) is selected according to the degree of intimacy 34 and output from the speaker 51 as the character's voice. Since the degree of emotional empathy of the driver toward the character is strong, the driver reflects on the angry state of the character and tries to drive carefully. In this way, the driving support system 4 can encourage the driver to drive carefully. In addition, in the above description, the driving support system 4 may correct the travel distance 33 so that the familiarity 34 becomes smaller. For example, the travel distance 33 may be reduced by 3000 km.

The character information corresponding to (11) anger subsides and recovers is output 24 hours after the character disappears from the display section 48 in (10). When the character image is displayed on the display unit 48, the character asks for reconciliation. In addition, voices asking for reconciliation ("I'm sorry for earlier... Um, please drive safely next time." "I'm sorry I got too angry yesterday. But I want to go out with peace of mind." "Return I've come to you! If you care about me, drive safely!", etc.) are selected according to the degree of intimacy 34 and output from the speaker 51 as the character's voice. This further strengthens the driver's empathy for the character.

(12) Character information corresponding to napping has a forward acceleration of the vehicle of less than 0.05G, a rearward acceleration of less than 0.1G, and a lateral acceleration of less than 0.1G. Output when the state continues for 10 minutes or more. When the character image is displayed on the display unit 48, the character takes a nap. In addition, voices ("You're good at driving. It's safe." "You can't speed while I'm asleep." "I'm going to take a nap, so I'll be happy.", etc.) have an intimacy level of 34. , and output from the speaker 51 as character voice. Since the characters are output in an expression mode as if they were real creatures, the driver feels as if the characters really exist. Also, the driver is relieved to see the character sleeping, and tries to continue safe driving. In this way, the driving support system 4 can increase the degree of empathy for the driver's character and allow the driver to easily drive safely.

(13) Awakening is the state in which the character is taking a nap in (12), the acceleration in the front direction of the vehicle is 0.1 G or more, the acceleration in the rear direction of the vehicle is 0.2 G or more, and the acceleration in the left and right direction of the vehicle is is output when the acceleration of becomes 0.3 G or more. When the character image is displayed on the display unit 48, the character wakes up from a nap. Also, voice ("Hmm, you're really good at driving. I felt like a cradle." "Oh, I was sleeping? I'm sorry." etc.) is selected according to the familiarity 34 and output from the speaker 51 as the character voice. Since the character information is output in an expression mode as if the character were a living creature that actually exists, the driver feels as if the character actually exists. Also, the driver resumes safe driving so that the character can sleep in peace again. In this way, the driving support system 4 can increase the degree of empathy for the driver's character and allow the driver to easily drive safely.

(14) Low Concentration, (15) Drowsy Driving When the event flag 38 stored in the RAM 44 is ON and information indicating low concentration or drowsy driving is stored in the RAM 44 as the driving state 36. Output if When the character image is displayed on the display unit 48, the character calls the driver's attention, and if there is a rest facility (SA, PA, etc.) near the vehicle, stops at the rest facility and takes a rest. to the driver. Whether or not there is a rest facility near the vehicle is determined based on the vehicle position coordinates 32 stored in the RAM 44 and the map information 22 stored in the SD card 5 . In addition, voices that call attention and encourage breaks ("Dangerous. Please concentrate properly!", "Are you awake properly?", "There is an SA nearby. Why don't you take a break?") and is output from the speaker 51 as character voice. This allows the driver to regain concentration and drive safely. Also, the driver can restore concentration by taking proper rest. In addition, the driver can eliminate the dozing state and resume safe driving. As a result, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of traffic accidents due to reduced concentration, drowsy driving, and the like.

Further, the driving support system 4 can accurately identify the state of the driver by a simple method. This is because when these conditions are satisfied, the concentration of the driver tends to decrease, and the driver tends to become drowsy.

(16) The character information corresponding to orbis, crackdown, and checkpoint alarm is stored in the RAM 44 and the event flag 38 is turned on, and the radar type orbis, the H system, the LH system, and the loop coil (hereinafter collectively referred to as is stored in the RAM 44 as the peripheral information 35, and is output when the information indicating the distances between the Orbis and the vehicle is 2100 m, 1100 m, and 600 m. Alternatively, it is output when the event flag 38 stored in the RAM 44 is ON and information indicating crackdown or inspection is stored as the peripheral information 35 .

(17) Character information corresponding to radar and car location reception warning is stored in the RAM 44 when the event flag 38 is turned ON, and information indicating a speed measuring device or a police emergency vehicle is stored in the RAM 44 as the peripheral information 35. Output if

A character image corresponding to (16) orvis, crackdown, checkpoint warning or (17) radar, car location reception warning is displayed on the display unit 48 in the following manner. As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, first, the clothing of the character 14 changes from white (FIG. 24) to black (FIG. 25). This change means that the character 14 has transformed. As shown in FIG. 27, the transformed character 14 (see FIG. 26) has information 74 indicating one of orvis, control, inspection, speed measuring device, and police emergency vehicle, and distance 75 between the vehicles. to the user. In addition, a voice to notify the driver of the display content ("Emergency, radar orbis found 2000 meters ahead." "We're approaching a distance of 1000 meters! It's a radar-type orbis." etc.) is selected according to the degree of intimacy 34 and output from the speaker 51 as the character's voice.

As described above, the driving support system 4 can recognize that a target for traffic monitoring is near the vehicle by receiving a radio signal transmitted from the target. Devices for monitoring traffic are often installed at locations where traffic accidents are likely to occur or where accidents have occurred in the past. Therefore, the driving support system 4 notifies the driver that the object to be monitored for traffic is near the vehicle, thereby making the driver aware of places where traffic accidents are likely to occur. You can encourage them to take care.

In addition, the driver can easily and clearly recognize at a glance that the distance between the target of traffic monitoring and the vehicle is getting closer due to the change in the clothing of the character 14 . Drivers can accurately recognize places with high risk of traffic accidents in advance, and drive while keeping traffic safety in mind.

In addition, since the character voice notifies the driver that the distance between the target of traffic monitoring and the vehicle is approaching, even if the driver does not look at the display unit 48, the driver can easily drive. The support system 4 can reliably make the driver aware that the vehicle is approaching Orvis or the like.

Note that in the above description, the character 14 displayed on the display unit 48 may change the notification mode according to the target object to be notified to the driver. For example, when a target object is identified by receiving a radio signal, such as a speed measuring device or an emergency vehicle for police, a ring-shaped pattern 76 representing radio waves is displayed on the character 14 as shown in FIG. It may be arranged around and displayed on the display unit 48 .

In addition, in the above description, the speaker 51 may output a character voice (for example, "change") for notifying the driver that the character has transformed. This allows the driver to more reliably recognize that the vehicle is approaching the Orbis or the like.

(18) Character information corresponding to other target objects is such that the event flag 38 stored in the RAM 44 is turned ON, and prefectural borders, prefectures, SAs, PAs, sharp curves, continuous curves, junctions, highways, This is output when information indicating an elevated road is stored in the RAM 44 as the peripheral information 35 . When the character information is displayed on the display unit 48, the character notifies the driver of the type of the target and the distance to the target ("Km ahead", etc.). A character voice for notifying that the distance from the vehicle to the target object is approaching is selected according to the familiarity 34 and output from the speaker 51 .

The driving support system 4 notifies the driver that the vehicle is approaching the prefectural border, or notifies the driver of the prefecture in which the vehicle is traveling, thereby estimating where the vehicle is generally traveling. The user can be made to recognize whether The driving support system 4 can prevent the driver from losing concentration, falling asleep while driving, etc. by making the driver imagine a rough image of the route to the destination.

Further, the driving support system 4 can prompt the driver to take a rest by notifying the driver that the vehicle is approaching the PA or SA. For example, when the driving support system 4 detects that the driver is falling asleep while driving, the driving support system 4 recommends that the driver stop by the SA or PA and take a rest. As a result, the driving support system 4 can recover the concentration of the driver and eliminate drowsiness. It should be noted that the above notification may be made by the character to the driver by outputting the character information. Thereby, the driving support system 4 can effectively notify the driver of SA and PA.

Further, the driving support system 4 notifies the driver of sharp curves, continuous curves, junctions, etc., and notifies the driver of specific distances (for example, "Km ahead"). This makes it possible for the driver to recognize in advance a dangerous place where even a little carelessness can easily lead to an accident. As a result, the driving support system 4 can prevent the driver from losing concentration or falling asleep while driving in a dangerous place. As a result, the driving support system can more reliably prevent traffic accidents.

Whether or not the vehicle is traveling on a sharp curve, a continuous curve, a branch point, etc. may be determined based on the acceleration applied to the vehicle. For example, if the vehicle is momentarily subjected to a predetermined acceleration or more, it may be determined that the vehicle is traveling on a sharp curve. Further, when the vehicle is continuously subjected to a predetermined acceleration or more in the lateral direction, it may be determined that the vehicle is traveling on a continuous curve.

The driving support system 4 also notifies the driver that the vehicle is traveling on a highway or elevated road. This is because when a vehicle is traveling on such a road, the vehicle speed tends to be high, and the driving tends to be monotonous with poor steering and speed changes. In such a case, the concentration of the driver is likely to be lowered, and drowsy driving, drowsy driving, and the like are likely to occur. On the other hand, the driving support system 4 can prevent traffic accidents by notifying the driver, in particular, of character information on such roads. Therefore, the driving support system 4 can effectively prevent traffic accidents and encourage the user to drive safely. In addition, since it is possible to perform a presentation as if a fellow passenger is in the front passenger seat, it is possible to prevent drowsy driving due to a decrease in concentration and drowsy driving, and to assist recovery of consciousness in the case of drowsy driving. By constructing a character that the driver has a fondness for and having the character speak, the aim is to create an effect that goes beyond mere voice.

It should be noted that whether or not the vehicle is traveling on an expressway or an elevated road may be specified based on the vehicle speed. For example, if the vehicle speed is 80 km/h or higher continuously for a predetermined period of time, it may be determined that the vehicle is traveling on a highway.

It should be noted that the output of the character information according to (1) to (18) described above is preferably repeated at a predetermined cycle (for example, every 10 seconds). As a result, even if the driver does not notice the notification at the initial stage of the notification to the driver, by repeatedly notifying the driver, the driver will eventually notice the notification and try to drive safely. . In this way, the driving support system 4 can make the driver certainly recognize the content of the notification.

Further, when the character information is repeatedly output as described above, the driving support system 4 preferably outputs the character information so that the character makes a notification in a different manner each time. As a result, it is possible to prevent the driver from becoming bored with the character information. As a result, the driver continuously responds to the notification from the character and tries to drive safely. .

Furthermore, when the character voice is repeatedly output from the speaker 51, it is preferable to gradually increase the output character voice. As a result, even if the driver does not modify the driving method at the initial stage of the character voice notification, the driver will eventually modify the driving method in response to the loud voice. In this manner, the driving support system 4 can reliably guide the driver to drive safely.

As shown in FIG. 15, the control unit 41 determines whether the driver's setting operation to the driving support system 4 has been detected (S97). When the control unit 41 detects that the driver has touched the display unit 48 (FIG. 1) in the standby state via the touch panel 49 (see FIG. 1), the control unit 41 determines that the driver has performed the setting operation (S97). : YES), the control unit 41 displays the setting screen on the display unit 48 based on the setting screen information 216 (see FIG. 9) stored in the SD card 5 . In addition, the control unit 41 sequentially switches the setting screen displayed on the display unit 48 according to the content of the setting operation by the driver (FIGS. 31 to 40 (described later)). The setting screen transitions as shown in FIG. The control unit 41 sets the setting information by storing the setting information set by the setting operation in the SD card 5 (see FIG. 9) as the setting information 23 (see FIG. 9) (S99). The control unit 41 executes processing based on the setting information 23, so that the driving support system 4 operates as set by the driver. The process proceeds to S101. On the other hand, if the setting operation by the driver is not detected (S97: NO), the process proceeds to S101. The control unit 41 determines whether an operation to turn off the power of the driving support system 4 has been detected (S101). When the controller 41 detects an operation to turn off the power (S101: YES), the character mode process is terminated, and the process returns to the main process (FIG. 11). On the other hand, if the operation to turn off the power is within the detected paper (S101: NO), the process returns to S91.

Details of the setting information 23 stored in the SD card 5 will be described with reference to FIG. The setting information 23 includes screen setting information 61 and system setting information 67 . The screen setting information 61 is setting information for a screen displayed on the display unit 48 . The screen setting information 61 includes static screen information 62 , constant display mode information 63 , alarm display mode information 64 and character clothing information 65 . The system setting information 67 is setting information other than the screen setting information 61 . When the driver performs a setting process described later and the setting information is input, the control unit 41 stores the input setting information in the SD card 5 as the setting information 23 . The details of each piece of information will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 30, the setting screen information 216 (see FIG. 9) includes a main menu screen 110, a screen setting screen 120, a screen selection screen 130, an alarm display screen 140, a character setting screen 150, a system setting screen 190, and the like. ing. The control unit 41 sequentially switches the screen according to the operation by the driver. This allows the driver to input desired setting information to the driving support system 4 .

When the control unit 41 detects that the driver has touched the display unit 48 in the standby state, the control unit 41 first displays the main menu screen 110 (see FIG. 31) on the display unit 48 . As shown in FIG. 31, the main menu screen 110 is provided with a screen setting selection button 111, a radar menu selection button 112, a system selection button 113, a G sensor calibration selection button 114, and a main screen selection button 115. .

The screen setting selection button 111 is a selection button for changing screen display settings. The radar menu selection button 112 is a selection button for performing target setting, radio sensitivity setting, presence/absence setting of notification, and the like. The system selection button 113 is a selection button for performing operations such as touch panel correction, OBD data setting, setting initialization, and registered point deletion. The G sensor calibration selection button 114 is a selection button for calibrating the acceleration sensor 54 (see FIG. 1). The main screen selection button 115 returns to the main screen when selected. Note that the processing of the control unit 41 when the radar menu selection button 112, the system selection button 113, the G-sensor calibration selection button 114, or the main screen selection button 115 is selected, except for some setting items to be described later. , is the same as the processing in a well-known device, so the description is omitted. A case where the screen setting selection button 111 is selected will be mainly described below.

When detecting that the screen setting selection button 111 is selected in FIG. 31, the control unit 41 displays the screen setting screen 120 (see FIG. 32) on the display unit 48. As shown in FIG. 32, the screen setting screen 120 includes a screen selection button 121, a brightness setting button 122, an alarm display selection button 123, a sub display selection button 124, a main screen selection button 125, a character setting button 126, and a return button. A button 127 is provided.

The screen selection button 121 is a selection button for determining the constant display mode (see FIG. 2). When detecting that the screen selection button 121 has been selected, the control unit 41 displays a screen selection screen 130 (see FIG. 33) on the display unit 48 . As shown in FIG. 33 , the screen selection screen 130 is provided with a MAP screen selection button 131 , a radar standby selection button 132 , an OBD information selection button 133 , a main screen selection button 134 and a return button 135 . By selecting one of the selection buttons, the driver selects the MAP display mode (when the MAP screen selection button 131 is selected), radar standby display mode (when the radar standby selection button 132 is selected), OBD It is possible to operate the driving support system 4 in either the display mode (when the OBD information selection button 133 is selected) or the constant display mode (see FIG. 2). The constant display mode selected by the driver is stored in the SD card 5 as constant display mode information 63 of the setting information 23 .

As shown in FIG. 32 , the brightness setting button 122 is a button for adjusting the brightness of the display section 48 . When detecting that the brightness setting button 122 has been selected, the control unit 41 displays a screen for setting the brightness of the display unit 48 on the display unit 48 . The driver can adjust the brightness of the display unit 48 by performing an input operation through the screen. The set information is stored in the SD card 5 as the system setting information 67 of the setting information 23 .

The alarm display selection button 123 is a selection button for determining the alarm display mode (see FIG. 2). When detecting that the alarm display selection button 123 has been selected, the control unit 41 displays an alarm display setting screen 140 (see FIG. 34) on the display unit 48 . As shown in FIG. 34, an animation selection button 141 , a character selection button 142 , and a live-action selection button 143 are displayed on the alarm display setting screen 140 . Among these buttons, the character selection button 142 displays an image of the character's face superimposed thereon. By selecting one of the selection buttons, the driver selects character mode (when character selection button 142 is selected), non-character mode (animation mode (when animation selection button 141 is selected), or , live-action mode (when the live-action selection button 143 is selected)). Also, since the image of the character's face is superimposed on the character selection button 142, the driver can intuitively recognize the selection button for selecting the character mode. In this way, the function of intuitively recognizing and quickly selecting the character selection button 142 and instantly switching between the character mode and the non-character mode is particularly effective for the driver. In some cases, the driver does not want other people to know that the driving support system 4 is operating in the character mode. This is because they can be switched. Note that the alarm display mode selected by the driver is stored in the SD card 5 as the alarm display mode information 64 of the setting information 23 .

Further, when the character selection button 142 is repeatedly selected by the driver, the control unit 41 silences the character voice output from the speaker 51 . Details are as follows. When detecting that the character selection button 142 has been selected once, the control unit 41 outputs the character voice from the speaker 51 as usual. When detecting that the character selection button 142 has been selected twice, the control unit 41 mutes the character sound output from the speaker 51 in the standby state, and the character sound output from the speaker 51 when an event occurs is normal. Output. When detecting that the character selection button 142 has been selected three times, the control unit 41 mutes all character sounds. By doing so, the driver can mute the character voice output from the speaker 51 as necessary. This function is particularly effective when the driver does not want others to hear the character's voice. This is because the driver can mute the character voice by a simple operation.

In the above description, the control unit 41 may change the color around the character selection button 142 according to the output state of the character's voice. For example, when the character selection button 142 is selected once, the surrounding color of the character selection button 142 may be blue. If the character selection button 142 is selected twice, the surrounding color of the character selection button 142 should be green. When the character selection button 142 is selected three times, the surrounding color of the character selection button 142 should be red.

You can also: The control unit 41 distinguishes the surrounding color of the selection button selected by the driver from among the animation selection button 141, the character selection button 142, and the live-action selection button 143 from the surrounding colors of the other selection buttons. Change to different colors. Furthermore, when the character selection button 142 is selected, the control unit 41 changes the color around the character selection button 142 according to the value of the degree of intimacy 34 stored in the RAM 44 . Specifically, when the degree of familiarity is 1, the color is red, when the degree of familiarity is 2, the color is yellow, and when the degree of familiarity is 3, the color is green. As a result, the driver can grasp the degree of intimacy at a glance of the selection button, so that the driver can clearly recognize the mode of expression of communication by the character.

As shown in FIG. 32 , the character setting button 126 is a selection button that is selected when setting the expression mode of the character displayed on the display section 48 . Here, when the degree of intimacy 34 is 0, the character setting button 126 is represented by an image showing a key, as shown in FIG. When detecting that the driver has selected the character setting button 126 in this state, the control unit 41 rejects the character setting and returns to the main menu. If the degree of intimacy is low, the driver cannot set the character. In such a case, the driver greatly expects to be able to set the character. By teasing the driver in this way, the driving support system 4 enhances the driver's empathy with the character.

Further, when the control unit 41 detects that the character setting button 126 has been selected while the character setting button 126 is represented by an image showing a key, the control unit 41 outputs the character voice "I refuse to enter the room. Please drive safely." If you do, I will allow you to enter the room." is output from the speaker 51. This allows the driver to clearly recognize that character setting has been rejected. In this case, the tone of the character's voice should be different from the tone that the character normally utters. This allows the driver to more clearly recognize that character setting has been rejected. In this case, it is preferable to notify the driver of the nuances of the driving support system 4 as well. This allows the driver to recognize what concept the driving support system 4 is based on.

In the above description, when the character voice for rejecting the setting of the character is output from the speaker 51, the control unit 41 notifies the rejection of the setting and at the same time explains how the character can be set. You may output the sound for For example, the speaker 51 may output a character voice such as "When the travel distance reaches 100 km or more, character settings will become possible." This allows the driver to recognize the functions of the driving support system 4 and know how the characters can be set. Even if the driver is not well aware of the functions of the driving support system 4 in advance, the driver can gradually recognize the functions while using the driving support system 4 .

In addition, when the character selection button 142 is not selected on the warning display setting screen 140 (see FIG. 34), the control unit 41 determines that the warning display mode is not the character mode, so that the degree of intimacy 34 is 1 or more. Also, as shown in FIG. 32, the character setting button 126 is displayed with an image showing a key, and character setting is rejected. The driver can set the character only when the driving support system 4 is operating in the character mode. Therefore, the driving support system 4 can prevent an erroneous setting due to an erroneous setting of the character when operating in the non-character mode.

On the other hand, when the degree of intimacy 34 stored in the RAM 44 is 1 or more and the warning display mode is the character mode, as shown in FIG. (character setting button 129). By selecting the character setting button 129, the driver can set the character. By assigning an image showing the character's face to the selection button, the driver can clearly recognize at a glance which setting button should be selected to set the character.

When detecting that the character setting button 129 has been selected, the control unit 41 displays a character setting screen 150 (see FIG. 36) on the display unit 48 . As shown in FIG. 36, the character setting screen 150 is provided with a still screen selection button 151, a clothing selection button 152, a background selection button 153, and a voice selection button 154. FIG.

When detecting that the still image selection button 151 has been selected by the driver, the control unit 41 displays a still image selection screen 160 (see FIG. 37) on the display unit 48 . As shown in FIG. 37 , a still screen selection screen 160 is provided with selection buttons 161 with names of still screens that can be displayed on the display unit 48 . By selecting one of the selection buttons 161, the driver can select the still screen displayed on the display unit 48 when the driving support system 4 is activated (S85, see FIG. 15) as desired. The still screen selected by the driver is stored in the SD card 5 as the still screen information 62 of the setting information 23 .

Note that the control unit 41 may attach all of the still images stored as the still image information 214 in the SD card 5 to the selection button 161 as still images selectable by the driver. good. In S85 of FIG. 15, a different still screen is automatically selected and displayed on the display unit 48 every month, especially if the driver does not set the still screen. Here, it is preferable that the driver can set the still screen displayed on the display unit 48 as a still screen that can be selected via the still screen selection screen 160 . The set still image is preferably stored in the setting information 23 . The selection button 161 of the still screen selection screen 160 may be attached only to the still screen set in this manner. In this case, since the number of selectable still images increases every month, a total of 12 still images can be displayed in one year. By doing so, the driver can enjoy gradually increasing the number of still images that can be displayed. Therefore, even if the driver uses the driving support system 4 for a long time, the driver can continue to enjoy collecting the still images. In this way, the driving assistance system 4 can prevent the driver from getting tired of using the driving assistance system 4 .

When detecting that the clothes selection button 152 (see FIG. 36) has been selected by the driver, the control unit 41 displays a clothes selection screen 170 (see FIG. 38) on the display unit 48. FIG. As shown in FIG. 38, a clothing selection screen 170 is provided with selection buttons 171 for selecting clothing to be worn by the character. The control unit 41 identifies the clothing associated with the selection button 171 selected by the driver, and causes the display unit 48 to display the character in the manner in which the character wears the identified clothing. Information indicating the clothing selected by the driver is stored in the SD card 5 as the character clothing information 65 of the setting information 23 .

This allows the driver to display the character wearing the desired clothes on the display unit 48 . Since the driver can switch the appearance of the character as desired, the degree of empathy for the character is further enhanced. In addition, the driving support system 4 can display characters in various display modes, thereby preventing the user from getting bored.

In the above description, when the intimacy level 34 stored in the RAM 44 is 1, the control unit 41 displays the character wearing the selected clothes on the display unit 48 even when the driver selects the clothes. It is preferable to refuse display with a predetermined probability. By doing so, the driver tries to improve the degree of intimacy 34 so that he can surely change the clothes of the character. As a result, the driver will follow the notice of the character more, and will try to drive safely in response to the guidance to safe driving from the driving support system 4 obediently. In addition, the driving support system 4 makes the character behave as if it were a living creature that actually exists, thereby further increasing the driver's empathy for the character.

When detecting that the background selection button 153 (see FIG. 36) has been selected by the driver, the control unit 41 displays a background selection screen (not shown) on the display unit 48 . The background selection screen is provided with selection buttons for selecting the background color of the character setting screen 150 (see FIG. 36), still screen selection screen 160 (see FIG. 37), and clothing selection screen 170 (see FIG. 38). . When the controller 41 detects that the driver has selected a specific color as the background color, the controller 41 changes the background colors of the character setting screen 150, the still screen selection screen 160, and the clothing selection screen 170 according to the selected color. do. As a result, it is possible to prevent the user from becoming bored with the display mode of the character setting screen, which is one-sided.

In the above description, the control unit 41 may change the background image of the character setting screen 150, the still screen selection screen 160, and the clothing selection screen 170, instead of the background color. For example, a character's room, a starry sky, a character's transformed image, and a cyber image may be prepared as background images, and the driver may select them. Also, the background image should be changeable only when operating in character mode.

When detecting that the voice selection button 154 (see FIG. 36) has been selected by the driver, the control unit 41 displays a voice selection screen 180 (see FIG. 39) on the display unit 48. FIG. As shown in FIG. 39 , the voice selection screen 180 is provided with selection buttons 181 to which the contents of character voices that can be output from the speaker 51 are attached. When it is detected that the driver has selected one of the selection buttons 181 , the controller 41 outputs the voice of the selected character from the speaker 51 . The driver can hear the desired character voice.

Note that the control unit 41 may attach all character voices stored in the SD card 5 as the character information 2114 and 2124 (see FIG. 9) to the selection button 181 as character voices selectable by the driver. , for example: When a character voice is output from the speaker 51 , the driver should be able to set the output character voice as a selectable character voice via the voice selection screen 180 . The set character voice is preferably stored in the setting information 23 . The selection button 181 on the voice selection screen 180 may have the content of the character voice set in this manner. In this case, the longer the driving support system 4 is used, the more character voices are output from the speaker 51. Therefore, the driver can enjoy gradually increasing the character voices that can be output. can. In addition, character voices are randomly selected and output according to familiarity and vehicle conditions, so it is difficult to hear character voices with the same phrases as character voices that have been output. On the other hand, since the driving support system 4 can set the once-output character voice as a selectable character voice on the voice selection screen 180, the driver can use the once-reproduced character voice later. You can listen to it over and over again at any time.

On the other hand, when the system selection button 113 is selected in FIG. 31, the control section 41 displays the system setting screen 190 shown in FIG. Of the selection screens provided in the system setting screen 190, the selection button unique to the present invention is the reset button 191. FIG. A reset button 191 is used to reset the mileage 33 and familiarity 34 stored in the RAM 44 . When the reset button 191 is selected, the controller 41 stores 0 in the travel distance 33 stored in the RAM 44 and stores 0 in the familiarity 34, thereby resetting the travel distance and the familiarity. The driving support system 4 operates in a state where the degree of intimacy is zero. Thus, by initializing the degree of intimacy, the driver can repeatedly experience the process of gradually increasing the intimacy of the character with the driver from the beginning.

In the above case, even if the distance traveled 33 and the familiarity 34 are reset, the setting information 23 stored in the SD card 5 is not reset. Therefore, the information of various settings made by the driver to the driving support system 4 is maintained as it is. Further, for example, when the driver sets a selectable still screen on the still screen selection screen 160 or sets a character voice that can be output on the voice selection screen 180, these setting information are , is not reset by selection of the reset button 191 . Therefore, even when the reset button 191 is selected and the mileage 33 and the familiarity 34 are reset, the driver can continuously select a desired still screen from many still screens and display it on the display unit 48. It becomes possible. Furthermore, even when the reset button 191 is selected to reset the degree of intimacy, the driver can continue to select a desired character voice from among many character voices and output it from the speaker 51 . In this manner, the driving support system 4 can initialize the familiarity so as not to erase the set setting information. This saves the user the trouble of repeatedly setting the setting information for the driving support system 4 .

By initializing the degree of intimacy, the driver can restart the degree of intimacy 34 from 0 while preserving the still images and character voices that have been set up to that point. By redoing the relationship with the character many times, it is possible to obtain still images and character voices that could not be obtained before. For example, after purchasing the driving support system 4, if the user drives 1100 km at a stretch, the intimacy level will suddenly become 2. As a result, it becomes impossible to acquire the character voice at the degree of intimacy 1. By initializing the degree of intimacy 34 in such a case, such a problem can be avoided. It also has the meaning of starting over with the character emotionally.

When the setting process is completed as described above (S99, see FIG. 15) and an operation to turn off the power of the driving support system 4 is detected (S101: YES, see FIG. 15), the control unit 41 changes the As shown, the setting information 23 stored in the SD card 5, and the travel distance 33 and familiarity 34 stored in the RAM 44 are stored in the EEPROM 43 (S23). This will back up your information. The main processing ends. The traveled distance stored in the EEPROM 43 is referred to when calculating the traveled distance 33 (S39, see FIG. 12) when the power of the driving support system 4 is next turned on. Also, when a new SD card 5 is inserted into the card reader 52 , the setting information 23 stored in the EEPROM 43 is stored in the SD card 5 . As a result, the driver can continue to use the setting information once set.

As described above, the driving support system 4 outputs character information (character image, character voice) to the driver to make the driver recognize the character. In the driving support system 4, by changing the mode of expression of communication by the character according to the degree of intimacy of the character with the driver, the degree of empathy of the driver with respect to the character is strengthened, and the character appears as if it were a real object. It can make the user feel as if The driver obediently responds to safe driving prompts by the character so that the character's intimacy with the driver is maintained at a high level and further increased. In addition, the driver will respond more obediently to the notification from the character so as not to be disliked by the character. By encouraging the driver to drive safely in such a state, the driving support system 4 can easily induce the driver to actively drive safely. Further, the driving support system 4 outputs diverse and varied character information so as to maintain a high level of emotional empathy for the driver with respect to the character. As a result, the driving support system 4 can prevent the driver from becoming bored with communicating with the character, and can continuously encourage the driver to drive safely.

In addition, the driving support system 4 appropriately judges the information to be notified to the driver according to the state of the vehicle (sudden braking, sudden start, sudden steering, etc.) and the positional relationship between the vehicle and the target object. It is possible to call the driver's attention and encourage safe driving through the character. In this manner, the driving support system 4 can determine the most appropriate information for preventing a traffic accident or the like according to the situation, and can notify the driver of the information via a character.

In addition, the driving support system 4 can identify appropriate notification items based on the driving state of the vehicle and notify the user of them via a character. Accordingly, the driving support system 4 can warn against dangerous driving and prompt the driver to drive calmly. In particular, since the driver is strongly empathetic to the character, it is assumed that the driver will obediently respond to the character's notifications. Therefore, the driving support system 4 can accurately guide the driver to drive safely.

Further, the driving assistance system can specify the vehicle state in detail based on the magnitude and direction of the acceleration. As a result, the driver can drive safely by keeping in mind not to drive dangerously in response to the notification from the character.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible. The driving support system 4 preferably receives radio signals transmitted from GPS (global navigation) satellites and receives radio signals transmitted from regional navigation satellites. Then, the driving support system 4 may specify coordinate information indicating the position of the vehicle based on both radio signals. Accordingly, the driving support system 4 can specify detailed coordinate information indicating the position of the vehicle. Further, in the above description, when radio waves are received from the regional navigation satellite, information indicating that the radio signal transmitted from the regional navigation satellite has been received may be displayed on the display unit 48 . It is preferable that the character displayed on the display unit 48 indicates that the radio signal transmitted by the regional navigation satellite has been received. By doing so, the driver can recognize in detail what kind of satellites are used to specify the position of the vehicle in the driving support system 4 . Since the driver can know the specific movements of the driving assistance system 4 in detail, it is possible to further increase the sense of familiarity with the driving assistance system 4 .

On the other hand, apart from the notification via the character, for example, an icon indicating that the radio signal has been received from the regional navigation satellite may be newly displayed on the display unit 48 . Alternatively, the driver may be notified of the reception of the radio signal from the regional navigation satellite by switching the icon indicating that the radio signal transmitted from the GPS satellite is being received to another mode. The driver can clearly recognize at a glance whether the position of the vehicle is specified by receiving the radio signal transmitted from the regional navigation satellite. In addition, it is preferable that the regional navigation satellite is "MICHIBIKI".

In the above description, the driving support system 4 displayed the character image on the display unit 48 and did not output the character voice from the speaker 51 when the degree of intimacy was zero. On the other hand, the driving support system 4 converts the character voice (hereinafter referred to as another character voice) of a character different from the character indicated by the character image (hereinafter referred to as the main character) into the character information corresponding to the degree of intimacy 0. 2114 and 2124 are preferably stored in the SD card 5 . Then, when the familiarity is 0, the driving support system 4 preferably outputs the voice of the different character from the speaker 51 . For example, the voice of another character may be the voice of a character that is familiar to the person (voice actor, etc.) who plays the character voice of the main character (hereinafter referred to as the main character's voice).

In such a case, by listening to the voice of the other character, the driver feels relieved and at the same time wants to hear the voice of the main character. In such a state, when the degree of intimacy becomes 1 or more and the character's voice can be heard, the driver's empathy with the character further increases compared to when the character's voice is heard from the beginning. In particular, when the voice actor who plays the main character is announced, fans of the voice actor expect that the voice of another character will be output instead of the voice of the main character. For example, when the driver newly purchases the driving support system 4, the intimacy level is 0, so the voice of another character is output. You can make an opportunity to do it. After that, when the degree of intimacy reaches 1 or higher, the voice of the character can be heard for the first time. As a result, the voice actor's new character voice can be heard, and the voice actor's fans can enjoy two types of the voice actor's voice with one product. Therefore, it is possible to make the driver strongly empathize with the character. Furthermore, for example, when such a mechanism is not known, it is possible to surprise the driver and make the driver want to increase the degree of intimacy.

Furthermore, in the above description, when the degree of intimacy is 2 or more, it is preferable that both the main character's voice and the other character's voice can be switched according to the settings of the driver. When another character's voice is selected, the driving support system 4 may communicate with the driver by outputting the other character's voice from the speaker 51 instead of the main character's voice. As a result, the driver can hear both the main character's voice and the other character's voice when the degree of intimacy increases. In particular, it is preferable to insert the phrases of another character's voice into the phrases of the main character's voice as if the main character were playing another character. This allows the character to behave as if it were imitating another character. This character can produce an effect as if the driver were interested in another character. By doing so, it is felt that the main character and the driver share the common interest of another character, and the driver's strong empathy for the character can be maintained. Also, this state is preferably made when the degree of intimacy is n or higher. By setting the degree of intimacy n to a level at which a sense of boredom occurs or to a degree of intimacy before the occurrence of boredom, it is possible to prevent boredom and give the driver a fresh impression.

In the description above, the character image and the character voice are defined so that the character communicates with the driver in an expression mode that gradually deepens the character's intimacy with the driver as the degree of intimacy increases. On the other hand, the expression mode of the character may be greatly different depending on whether the degree of intimacy is 0 or 1 or when the degree of intimacy is 3 or 4. For example, when the degree of intimacy is 0 or 1, the character should treat the driver with a strict attitude, and when the degree of intimacy is 2 or 3, the character should treat the driver with a gentle attitude. In this way, when the familiarity becomes 2 or more, the driver's attitude will suddenly change, and the driver will be attracted to the gap in that attitude. As a result, the driver's stronger empathy for the character can be generated and maintained.

Furthermore, in the above description, when the degree of intimacy reaches 2 or more, it is preferable that the attitude of the character toward the driver can be switched according to the settings of the driver. For example, the driving support system 4 may allow the character to continue to treat the driver with a stern attitude even when the degree of intimacy reaches 2 or more. This allows the driver to experience both stern and lenient attitudes when intimacy increases.

As a static screen displayed on the display unit 48 when the driving support system 4 is activated, a screen displaying a level of closeness of the character to the driver may be displayed. Intimacy may be determined based on mileage or intimacy. For example, like the still image 200 shown in FIGS. 41 and 42, the closeness of the character may be indicated by the number of hair ornaments 201 of the character. For example, when the character has a high degree of intimacy with the driver, many hair ornaments 201 are displayed on the display unit 48 as shown in FIG. 41 to show the driver that the character has a high degree of intimacy with the driver. good. On the other hand, when the character's intimacy with the driver is low, a small number of hair ornaments 201 are displayed on the display unit 48 as shown in FIG. should be shown. This allows the driver to recognize the intimacy of the characters at a glance.

Note that the number of hair ornaments 201 displayed on the display unit 48 may be increased by one each time the running distance increases by 100 km. Further, when the driver repeats dangerous driving, specifically, when the driver is notified by the character of driving such as sharp curves, sudden starts, sharp turns, excessive speed, etc., the display unit 48 It is preferable to decrease the number of displayed hair ornaments 201 by one and at the same time decrease the running distance by 100 km.

In the above description, the driving support system 4 identifies the degree of familiarity according to the distance traveled, but the degree of familiarity may be identified using parameters other than the distance traveled.

Although 0 to 3 are set as the degree of intimacy in the above description, the present invention is not limited to this. The activation information 215, the character information 2214, and the character information 2124 are preferably based on degrees of intimacy determined by different criteria. For example, activation information 215 may be based on intimacy levels 1-0 to 1-3. Character information 2114 may be based on intimacy levels 2-0 to 2-3. Character information 2124 may be based on intimacy levels 3-0 to 3-3. Here, the degree of intimacy 1-0 to 1-3, 2-0 to 2-3, and 3-0 to 3-3 may be determined based on different criteria based on the travel distance.

The driving support system 4 targets core-layer users called so-called Aniota layer, and creates a "young but caring wife character" in driving under highways and elevated roads to deepen attachment to the character. At the same time, we aim to prevent drowsy driving and drowsy driving.

If the driving support system 4 receives a certain level of evaluation from the aniota users, it will be expanded to the light anime users and general users to give it versatility. The light anime layer refers to a group of users who have characteristics such as having an interest in anime when they were young, watching anime with their families, and having no hesitation in watching late-night anime. For example, the younger generation seems to have little resistance to the animation that the core layer watches. This is because the number of anime contents broadcasted late at night is enormous, and it is thought that young people who live night owls usually browse some works. General users, such as salespeople who frequently travel on expressways, often purchase the cheapest model of radar on their own, but they are concerned only about having their driver's license suspended for speeding. On the other hand, the loss of concentration is a great enemy for drivers who drive for a long time, and some people try to recover their concentration by talking (speaking/listening) by hands-free phone. For drivers who frequently use such expressways, we will provide devices with an environment that allows them to hear and speak (agree, rush, etc.) to help prevent a decline in concentration while driving, and increase their interest.・Have the possibility of providing products with high added value.

When spreading to the above users, be sure to differentiate from the core layer and others. Methods of differentiation include the following methods.
・ Sell models with limited numbers of printing, voice, etc.
・Make it impossible to obtain anything other than limited edition models.
・Distribute audio and images owned by limited users such as Web members. However, we will only provide a small part of it, not all of it.
Depending on the restrictions of the voice actor, it is okay to sell the voice-assisted anime voice and non-anime voice separately. This increases the premium quality of the limited model.
Restrict sales channels for sales to the core layer, and consider general sales channels for others

Specific devices that serve as the driving support system 4 are as follows.
・Car navigation device (with map)
・Drive recorder (without map)
・Radar detector (without map)
・ Radar detector (with map)
・Other in-vehicle devices with OBD connector connection, map information, or GPS function

There are two types of conditions for driving in the mode for outputting character information to the user. (1) In the voice mode (roads registered on the map), driving at 55 km/h for 2 minutes or more should be regarded as a highway/elevated road. In addition, in the case of (2) voice mode (registered on the map, but may be changed to a new road, does not have a map, is not registered on the map, etc.), 55 km / h for 5 minutes It is better to regard the above driving as a highway/elevated road.

Both are preferably identified by referring to vehicle speed information in OBD data or GPS data. (1) In the calling mode, the setting should be such that the calling is always made when the vehicle accelerates, decelerates, or changes in the left-right direction. Also, it is good to have the driver memorize the lines for acceleration, deceleration, and changes in left and right directions. As a result, when it falls into a state of drowsiness or dozing off, it assists in grasping the current situation by speaking with familiar voices and lines. Also, depending on the situation, it is good to set other modes and change the standard of speaking.

Depending on the attached device, it may perform the following functions.
1. Acceleration ・Fuel injection amount greatly increased by OBD data, rapid increase in speed ・Acceleration G measurement by gyro sensor ・Rapid increase in speed by GPS data should be output.

2. Deceleration ・Fuel injection cut time (ex: 2 seconds or more) by OBD data, rapid decrease in speed ・Deceleration G measurement by gyro sensor ・Rapid decrease in speed by GPS data In these cases, "fuel cut, speed is going down! , brake, etc." should be output.

3. Measurement by left/right and gyro sensor In this case, it is good to output a sound such as "Turn right (left), still turn, long curve, etc.".

In order to increase the driver's concentration through comfort, the dialogue should be positive and give a favorable impression as much as possible. It is better to prepare something that is close to your impression of acceleration, deceleration, and left-right direction change, instead of something that makes the driver unsatisfied, bad, or something that calls attention to danger. The reason why we do not use negative expressions such as dangerous is that it is difficult to logically calculate it depending on the device. Absent.

4. Talk to the prefectural border about the prefecture you are currently in. It is good to give the driver a rough image of the destination by talking to him or recognizing where he is in general. As a result, it is possible to prevent the driver from drowsy driving and drowsy driving.

5. Near the parking area/service area It is good to call out at a predetermined distance. By calling out to the driver or announcing a place where the driver can take a rest, the driver can be encouraged to take a rest, and the driver can be prevented from driving in a drowsy manner or falling asleep while driving.

6. Call out before a sharp curve/continuous curve It is good to call out at a predetermined distance. By talking to the driver or announcing that there is a change in driving, the driver can be made tense, and the driver can be prevented from drowsy driving or drowsy driving.

7. Call out before the branch/merge point It is good to call out at a predetermined distance before. By talking to the driver or announcing that there is a change in driving, it is possible to make the driver nervous and prevent the driver from drowsy driving or drowsy driving.

8. Even if conditions 1 to 7 are not met, it is good to make regular calls. For example, it may be performed at intervals of 2 minutes.
・Information that gives an image of the highway, such as scenery, lines that sound like something a fellow passenger would say, agreeable content (wanting to give back), unexpected content (wanting to retweet), etc. to the driver. Also, in order to avoid the loss of concentration caused by driving alone, it is good to talk to the driver with an interesting line by an anime character.

4 driving support system 5 SD card 48 display unit 51 speaker 41 control unit 54 acceleration sensor

Claims (5)

A position of the vehicle is identified based on at least one of radio waves transmitted from global navigation satellites and radio waves transmitted from regional navigation satellites, and the position of the vehicle is determined using at least radio waves from the regional navigation satellites. A function of notifying the user via a character in a notification mode different from the case where the position of the vehicle can be specified without using radio waves from the regional navigation satellite when the position of the vehicle can be specified is provided. system to do. 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the regional navigation satellite is Michibiki, and the notification to the user via the character is a notification that Michibiki has been captured. 3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a function of newly displaying an icon indicating that a radio signal has been received from the regional navigation satellite on the display section, separately from the notification via the character. . Apart from notification via the character,
Receiving a radio signal from a regional navigation satellite by switching the icon indicating that the radio signal transmitted from the global navigation satellite is being received to another mode indicating that the radio signal has been received from the regional navigation satellite 4. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a function of notifying the driver of the event. A program for causing a computer to implement the functions of the system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

Images