JP7390329B2 - Recognition index setting device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a recognition degree index setting device for setting a recognition degree index indicating the degree of recognition of dangerous driving by a driver driving a vehicle.

Recently, driving by elderly drivers has been raised as a social issue, and various devices have been proposed to support appropriate driving of a vehicle (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Patent No. 3465590

On the other hand, elderly drivers often have a decline in cognitive function, and many elderly drivers are not aware of their own decline in cognitive function. For this reason, it is difficult to objectively judge whether dangerous driving by elderly drivers is caused by a decline in cognitive function.

A recognition degree index setting device that is one aspect of the present invention includes a dangerous driving detection unit that detects dangerous driving by a driver from information on the front of the vehicle captured by a first imaging device that captures an image of the front of the vehicle, and a driver of the vehicle. a facial expression detection section that detects the driver's facial expression from the driver's facial information captured by a second imaging device that captures an image of the driver's face, and a facial expression detection section that detects dangerous driving when the dangerous driving detection section detects the driver's facial expression. a recognition index setting section that sets a recognition index indicating the driver's own recognition level of dangerous driving based on the driver's facial expression, and a dangerous driving detection section that sets the degree of risk of dangerous driving detected by the dangerous driving detection section. and an emotion change estimation unit that estimates the degree of change in the driver's emotion based on the facial expression detected by the facial expression detection unit. The recognition level index setting section calculates the degree of change in emotion estimated by the emotion change estimation section when the degree of risk set by the degree of risk setting section is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, and the degree of change in emotion estimated by the degree of change in emotion when the degree of risk set by the degree of risk setting section is less than a predetermined value. The smaller the difference between the emotion change degree estimated by the emotion change estimating section at the time of , the higher the recognition degree index is set.

According to the present invention, it is possible to objectively judge a driver's level of awareness of dangerous driving.

1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a system including a recognition index setting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the in-vehicle device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the mobile terminal shown in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of main parts of the business entity terminal in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of a recognition index setting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the difference in the degree of change in the emotions of elderly drivers during dangerous driving and the recognition degree index. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a recognition index creation process executed by the calculation unit of the recognition index setting device.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. A recognition degree index setting device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a device for setting a recognition degree index (hereinafter simply referred to as a recognition degree index) indicating the degree of recognition of a driver driving a vehicle regarding dangerous driving. In this recognition index setting device, the higher the recognition index is set, the lower the driver's cognitive function is. Below, an example will be described in which an elderly driver recognition index is set for dangerous driving of a vehicle driven by an elderly driver.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a system (hereinafter referred to as a recognition index setting system) including a recognition index setting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the recognition index setting system 100 includes an in-vehicle device 2 installed in a vehicle 1 driven by an elderly driver, a mobile terminal 3 owned by the elderly driver's child, and an automobile insurance company with which the elderly driver has a contract. The vehicle is configured to include a business entity terminal 4 owned by a business entity, and a recognition index setting device 5 owned by a business entity that supports driving of elderly drivers. In addition, the child of the elderly driver here means the adult child of the elderly driver.

The in-vehicle device 2, the mobile terminal 3, the business entity terminal 4, and the recognition index setting device 5 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a communication network 6. The communication network 6 includes not only public wireless communication networks such as the Internet and mobile phone networks, but also closed communication networks established for each predetermined management area, such as wireless LAN and Wi-Fi (registered trademark). ) etc. are also included.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the on-vehicle device 2 mounted on the vehicle 1 of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. The vehicle 1 on which the in-vehicle device 2 is mounted is a vehicle owned by an elderly driver and used on a daily basis. Note that the vehicle 1 may be a dedicated vehicle for setting the recognition degree index.

As shown in FIG. 2, the in-vehicle device 2 includes a controller 20, an input/output device 21 electrically connected to the controller 20, a navigation device 22, a communication unit 23, an actuator 24, a sensor group 25, and a first imaging device 26. and a second imaging device 27.

The input/output device 21 is a general term for devices through which commands from the elderly driver are input and information is output to the elderly driver. For example, the input/output device 21 includes various switches through which the elderly driver inputs various commands by operating operating members, a microphone through which the elderly driver inputs commands by voice, a monitor that provides information to the elderly driver via a displayed image, and an elderly driver. This includes speakers that provide audio information to the driver.

The navigation device 22 is a device that searches for a target route on a road to a destination input by an elderly driver and provides guidance along the target route. Input of the destination and guidance along the target route are performed via the input/output device 21. The communication unit 23 is configured to be able to communicate wirelessly with external devices such as the recognition index setting device 5 via the communication network 6 . Furthermore, the communication unit 23 can also wirelessly communicate with an external device such as the mobile terminal 3 or a mobile wireless terminal owned by an elderly driver via short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) without using the communication network 6.

The actuator 24 drives various devices mounted on the vehicle 1 according to commands from the controller 20. The actuator 24 includes, for example, a travel actuator 241 for controlling the travel of the vehicle 1. The travel actuator 241 includes a throttle (acceleration pedal) actuator, a brake actuator, a steering actuator, and the like. The sensor group 25 includes an internal sensor group 251 that detects the running state of the vehicle 1 and the state inside the vehicle. The internal sensor group 251 includes, for example, a vehicle speed sensor that detects the speed of the vehicle 1, a sensor that detects the operation of an accelerator pedal, and the like.

The first imaging device 26 is constituted by a camera that images the outside of the vehicle 1 including the front of the vehicle 1 driven by the elderly driver, and images the outside of the vehicle 1 including the front according to a command from the controller 20 . The first imaging device 26 is, for example, a drive recorder that is attached to the windshield of the vehicle 1 and is capable of imaging the outside of the vehicle. The second image capturing device 27 is configured with a camera that captures an image of the interior of the vehicle including the face of an elderly driver driving the vehicle 1, and captures an image of the interior of the vehicle including the face of the elderly driver in response to a command from the controller 20. The second imaging device 27 is, for example, a drive recorder that is attached to the windshield of the vehicle 1 and is capable of capturing an image of the interior of the vehicle.

If the vehicle 1 is equipped with a drive recorder capable of simultaneously capturing images outside and inside the vehicle, the first and second imaging devices 26 and 27 may be configured with this drive recorder. The first and second imaging devices 26 and 27 are configured to constantly capture images of the elderly driver's face and outside the vehicle while the vehicle is running, and send forward information and face information to the recognition index setting device 5 in accordance with instructions from the controller 20. It may be.

The controller 20 includes a computer having an arithmetic unit 201 such as a CPU, a storage unit 202 such as a ROM, RAM, or hard disk, and other peripheral circuits (not shown). The calculation unit 201 functions as an information reception unit 201a, an information transmission unit 201b, and an information output unit 201c by executing a program stored in advance in the storage unit 202.

The information receiving unit 201a receives various commands, information, etc. transmitted from external devices such as the recognition index setting device 5 and other units. For example, the information receiving section 201a receives an information transmission command transmitted from the recognition index setting device 5 via the communication unit 23. The information receiving unit 201a also receives front information of the vehicle 1 captured by the first imaging device 26, face information of the elderly driver captured by the second imaging device 27, vehicle speed data of the vehicle 1 detected by the internal sensor group 251, etc. receive.

The information transmitter 201b transmits various information to an external device such as the recognition index setting device 5 via the communication unit 23. For example, the information transmitter 201b sends the forward information data of the vehicle 1, the elderly driver's face information data, the vehicle speed data of the vehicle 1, etc. received by the information receiver 201a to the recognition degree index setting device 5 via the communication unit 23. Send.

The information output unit 201c outputs various information received by the information reception unit 201a. For example, when the information receiving section 201a receives an information transmission command via the communication unit 23, the information output section 201c outputs an imaging signal to the first and second imaging devices 26 and 27. Upon receiving the imaging signal output from the information output unit 201c, the first imaging device 26 images the front of the vehicle 1, and the second imaging device 27 images the interior of the vehicle including the elderly driver's face.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the mobile terminal 3 of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. The mobile terminal 3 is a terminal operated by the child of the elderly driver, and is configured with a mobile radio terminal, typified by a smartphone, or the like. As shown in FIG. 3, the mobile terminal 3 includes a calculation unit 30 such as a CPU, a storage unit 31 such as ROM and RAM, an input/output unit 32, and other peripheral circuits (not shown) such as an I/O interface. It consists of a computer with Further, the mobile terminal 3 includes a communication unit 33, and the communication unit 33 is configured to be able to communicate wirelessly with an external device such as the recognition index setting device 5 via the communication network 6.

The input/output unit 32 is a general term for devices that input and output various commands and various information, and is composed of a monitor, a touch panel, and the like. The child of the elderly driver can input a recognition index setting request to the recognition index setting device 5 via the touch panel, and monitor the elderly driver's recognition index transmitted from the recognition index setting device 5. You can check with.

The calculation unit 30 functions as an information reception unit 301, an information display unit 302, and an information transmission unit 303 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 31 in advance. The information receiving unit 301 receives various information transmitted from an external device such as the recognition index setting device 5 via the communication unit 33. For example, the information receiving unit 301 receives information such as the elderly driver's recognition index transmitted from the recognition index setting device 5 via the communication unit 33. The information display unit 302 displays information on the elderly driver recognition index, etc. received by the information receiving unit 301 on the input/output unit (monitor) 32. The information transmitting unit 303 transmits various signals and the like to an external device such as the recognition index setting device 5 via the communication unit 33. For example, when a recognition index setting request is input via the input/output unit (touch panel) 32, the information transmitting unit 303 transmits a signal (hereinafter simply referred to as simply (referred to as a setting command signal) is transmitted to the recognition degree index setting device 5.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the main part configuration of the business entity terminal 4 of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. The business entity terminal 4 is a terminal operated by an employee of the automobile insurance company with which the elderly driver has a contract, and is constituted by a personal computer or the like. As shown in FIG. 3, the business entity terminal 4 includes a calculation unit 40 such as a CPU, a storage unit 41 such as RAM or ROM, an input/output unit 42, and peripheral circuits (not shown) such as an I/O interface. Consists of a computer. Further, the business entity terminal 4 has a communication unit 43, and the communication unit 43 is configured to be capable of wireless communication with external devices such as the recognition index setting device 5 via the communication network 6.

The input/output unit 42 is a general term for devices that input and output various commands and various information, and is composed of a keyboard, microphone, speaker, monitor, etc. that can be operated by an employee of the automobile insurance company. An employee of the automobile insurance company can check the recognition degree index of the elderly driver transmitted from the recognition degree index setting device 5 via the input/output unit (monitor) 42.

The calculation unit 40 functions as an information reception unit 401 and an information display unit 402 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 41 in advance. The information receiving unit 401 receives various information transmitted from an external device such as the recognition index setting device 5 via the communication unit 43. For example, the information receiving unit 401 receives information such as the recognition index of an elderly driver transmitted from the recognition index setting device 5 via the communication unit 43. The information display unit 402 displays information on the elderly driver recognition index, etc. received by the information receiving unit 401 on the input/output unit (monitor) 42 .

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the main part configuration of the recognition index setting device 5 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The recognition index setting device 5 is a terminal managed by an employee of an entity that supports driving of elderly drivers, and is configured by, for example, a server device. The recognition index setting device 5 may be configured using a virtual server function on the cloud, or may be configured to be distributed among a plurality of terminals. Alternatively, the above-mentioned automobile insurance company with which the elderly driver has a contract may have the recognition index setting device 5, and the recognition index of the elderly driver may be managed by the automobile insurance company.

As shown in FIG. 5, the recognition index setting device 5 includes a controller 50 and a communication unit 53 electrically connected to the controller 50. The communication unit 53 is configured to be able to communicate wirelessly with external devices such as the in-vehicle device 2 , the mobile terminal 3 , and the business entity terminal 4 via the communication network 6 .

The controller 50 includes a computer having an arithmetic unit 51 such as a CPU, a storage unit 52 such as a ROM, RAM, or hard disk, and other peripheral circuits (not shown). The calculation unit 51 executes the recognition degree index setting program stored in the storage unit 52 in advance, thereby detecting the information receiving unit 511, the information output unit 512, the information transmitting unit 513, the dangerous driving detecting unit 514, and the risk level setting unit 515. , a facial expression detection unit 516, an emotional change estimation unit 517, and a recognition index setting unit 518.

The information receiving unit 511 receives various information, various signals, etc. transmitted from external devices such as the in-vehicle device 2 and various parts. For example, the information receiving unit 511 receives forward information data of the vehicle 1, face information data of the elderly driver, vehicle speed data of the vehicle 1, etc. transmitted from the in-vehicle device 2 via the communication unit 53. The information receiving section 511 also receives a setting command signal transmitted from the mobile terminal 3 via the communication unit 53. Further, the information receiving unit 511 receives information on the recognition index set by the recognition index setting unit 518, and the like.

The information output unit 512 outputs various information received by the information reception unit 511. For example, the information output unit 512 outputs the forward information data of the vehicle 1 and the vehicle speed data of the vehicle 1 received by the information reception unit 511 to the dangerous driving detection unit 514. The information output unit 512 also outputs the elderly driver's face information data received by the information reception unit 511 to the facial expression detection unit 516.

The information transmitter 513 transmits various information, various commands, etc. received by the information receiver 511 to external devices such as the in-vehicle device 2, the mobile terminal 3, and the business entity terminal 4 via the communication unit 53. For example, the information transmitter 513 transmits the recognition index information received by the information receiver 511 to the mobile terminal 3 and the business entity terminal 4 via the communication unit 53. Further, when the information receiving section 511 receives the setting command signal, the information transmitting section 513 transmits an information transmitting command for acquiring the forward information data of the vehicle 1 and the elderly driver's face information data to the in-vehicle device via the communication unit 53. Send to 2.

The dangerous driving detection unit 514 detects dangerous driving by an elderly driver from the forward information data and vehicle speed data of the vehicle 1. The dangerous driving detection unit 514 detects dangerous driving by an elderly driver driving the vehicle 1 based on, for example, road markings, the display of traffic lights installed at intersections, and the distance between vehicles and other vehicles. Dangerous driving based on road markings includes driving outside the white lines of the road, driving in violation of regulatory signs (speed limits, overtaking limits, etc.) and instruction signs (turn lanes, etc.) displayed on the road, etc. It will be done. Examples of dangerous driving based on traffic light indications include entering an intersection with a red light (ignoring a traffic light) and entering an intersection with a yellow light. The inter-vehicle distance to other vehicles includes the inter-vehicle distance to the vehicle traveling in front, as well as the inter-vehicle distance to an oncoming vehicle traveling in the opposite lane.

The risk setting unit 515 sets the risk level of the dangerous driving detected by the dangerous driving detecting unit 514. In the case of driving beyond the white line of the road, the risk level setting unit 515 sets the risk level according to the amount of protrusion into adjacent lanes (including oncoming lanes). For example, the risk level setting unit 515 sets the risk level to "low" when the vehicle 1 is driving near the white line in its own lane, and sets the risk level to "low" when the vehicle 1 is driving on the white line. is set as "medium", and when the vehicle 1 is traveling across the white line and protruding into the adjacent lane, the risk level is set as "high". The risk level setting section 515 sets the above-mentioned risk level when the dangerous driving detection section 514 detects the above-mentioned traveling by the vehicle 1 continuously for a predetermined time or more or detects it multiple times.

Further, the risk level setting unit 515 sets the risk level to "high" if, for example, driving in violation of regulatory markings (speed limit, overtaking limit, etc.) or instruction markings (right/left turn lane, etc.) displayed on the road is detected. The risk level is also set to ``high'' when entering an intersection with a red light (ignoring a traffic light) is detected. On the other hand, if entering an intersection with a yellow light is detected, the risk level setting unit 515 sets the risk level to "medium", and if it is detected that the light has changed to yellow immediately before entering the intersection. , the risk level setting unit 515 sets the risk level to "low".

Further, the risk level setting unit 515 sets the risk level according to the distance between the vehicle and another vehicle. For example, if the vehicle 1 is traveling at 60 km/h and is detected to be traveling with a distance of less than 10 m between the vehicle 1 and another vehicle, the risk setting unit 515 sets the risk level to "high" and If driving with a distance of 10 m or more and less than 45 m is detected, the risk level is set to "medium", and if driving with a distance of 45 m or more is detected, the risk level is set to "small". Note that the risk level based on the inter-vehicle distance set by the risk level setting unit 515 changes depending on the traveling speeds of the vehicle 1 and other vehicles.

The facial expression detection unit 516 detects the facial expression of the elderly driver from the facial information data of the elderly driver. For example, the facial expression detection unit 516 detects the changing facial expression of the elderly driver based on a pre-registered facial expression (a facial expression during normal driving in which dangerous driving is not detected). For example, the facial expression detection unit 516 detects an elderly driver's surprised facial expression, facial expression that changes due to nervousness, and the like. The elderly driver's facial expression can be detected by the facial expression detection unit 516 using a well-known authentication technique such as facial recognition. Alternatively, the elderly driver's heart rate may be detected from the facial image data detected by the facial expression detection unit 516, and the elderly driver's surprise or nervousness may be estimated from the detected heart rate.

The emotional change estimating unit 517 estimates a change in the elderly driver's emotion based on the elderly driver's facial expression detected by the facial expression detecting unit 516. The emotional change estimating unit 517 uses a pre-registered facial expression (facial expression during normal driving) as a reference, and estimates a change in the elderly driver's emotional state based on facial expressions that change from the standard facial expression. For example, the emotional change estimating unit 517 estimates the elderly driver's sudden surprise or nervousness in stages based on the elderly driver's facial expressions.

For example, the emotion change estimating unit 517 estimates the degree of change as "large" when the elderly driver's emotion changes to large surprise or tension, and estimates the degree of change as "small" when the emotion changes to relatively small surprise or tension. If the degree of change is smaller than "large" and larger than "small," the degree of change is estimated as "medium." Note that the change in emotion of the elderly driver can also be detected by the emotion change estimation unit 517 using a well-known authentication technique such as face recognition.

The recognition index setting unit 518 sets a recognition index based on the facial expression of the elderly driver detected by the facial expression detection unit 516 when the dangerous driving detection unit 514 detects dangerous driving by the elderly driver. Specifically, the recognition index setting unit 518 calculates the degree of risk of dangerous driving detected by the dangerous driving detection unit 514 and set by the risk level setting unit 515, and the emotional change estimation unit detected by the facial expression detection unit 516. A recognition degree index is set based on the degree of change in emotion estimated in step 517.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the difference in the degree of change in the emotions of elderly drivers during dangerous driving and the recognition degree index. As shown in FIG. 6, the recognition index setting unit 518 calculates the degree of change in emotion estimated by the emotion change estimation unit 517 when the degree of risk set by the degree of risk setting unit 515 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, and the degree of change in the emotion set by the degree of risk setting unit 515. The smaller the difference between the degree of change in emotion estimated by the emotion change estimation unit 517 when the degree of risk set by the unit 515 is less than a predetermined value, the higher the recognition degree index is set. Note that, as described above, the higher the recognition index is set, the lower the cognitive function of the elderly driver is.

For example, if the degree of change is estimated to be "small" when the degree of risk is set as "small," and the degree of change is estimated to be "large" when the degree of risk is set as "large." If it is estimated that the recognition index is "small", the recognition index setting unit 518 sets the recognition index to "large". This means that even though the elderly driver has engaged in dangerous driving with a high degree of risk, he or she does not recognize that his/her own driving is dangerous driving, that is, his/her cognitive function has deteriorated.

Also, if the degree of change is estimated to be "small" when the risk level is set to "small", the degree of change is estimated to be "medium" when the risk level is set to "large". If it is estimated that the recognition index setting unit 518 sets the recognition index to "medium". This means that when an elderly driver engages in dangerous driving with a high degree of risk, he/she recognizes that his or her driving may have been dangerous, that is, there is a possibility that his/her cognitive function is beginning to decline.

Further, if the degree of change is estimated to be either "large" or "medium" when the risk level is set as "large" or "small", the recognition index setting unit 518 Set the index to "medium". This means that regardless of whether or not the driving was dangerous, the driver may recognize that his/her own driving may have been dangerous, and his/her cognitive function may begin to deteriorate.

On the other hand, if the degree of change is estimated to be "small" when the risk level is set to "small", the degree of change when the risk level is set to "large" is also "large". ”, the recognition index setting unit 518 sets the recognition index to “small”. This means that when an elderly driver engages in dangerous driving with a high degree of risk, he/she recognizes that his/her own driving is dangerous driving, that is, there is no decline in cognitive function.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the recognition index setting process executed by the calculation unit 51 of the recognition index setting device 5. The process shown in this flowchart is started, for example, when the recognition index setting device 5 receives a setting command signal transmitted from the mobile terminal 3, and the recognition index setting device 5 sends the recognition degree to the mobile terminal 3 and the business entity terminal 4. Once the index information is transmitted, the process ends.

First, in step S1, the information transmitting section 513 transmits an information transmitting command to the in-vehicle device 2 through processing. Next, in step S2, the information receiving unit 511 receives forward information data of the vehicle 1, face information data of the elderly driver, vehicle speed data of the vehicle 1, etc. transmitted from the in-vehicle device 2 through processing. Next, in step S3, the information output unit 512 outputs the forward information data of the vehicle 1, the vehicle speed data of the vehicle 1, etc. to the dangerous driving detection unit 514, and the facial information data of the elderly driver is output to the facial expression detection unit 516. Output to.

Next, in step S4, the dangerous driving detection unit 514 detects dangerous driving by the elderly driver from the forward information data and vehicle speed data of the vehicle 1. Next, in step S5, the risk level of the dangerous driving detected by the dangerous driving detecting unit 514 is set by the process in the risk level setting unit 515.

Next, in step S6, the facial expression detection unit 516 detects the facial expression of the elderly driver from the facial information data of the elderly driver. Next, in step S7, the emotional change estimating unit 517 estimates the degree of emotional change of the elderly driver based on the elderly driver's facial expression detected by the facial expression detecting unit 516. Next, in step S8, the recognition index setting unit 518 determines the recognition level based on the risk set by the risk setting unit 515 and the emotion change degree estimated by the emotion change estimation unit 517. Set the index. Next, in step S9, the information transmitter 513 transmits the recognition index to the mobile terminal 3 and the business entity terminal 4 via the communication unit 53, and the process ends.

According to this embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.
(1) The recognition degree index setting device 5 according to the present embodiment detects dangerous driving by an elderly driver from information on the front of the vehicle 1 captured by the first imaging device 26 that captures an image of the front of the vehicle 1. 514 , a facial expression detection unit 516 that detects the facial expression of the elderly driver from the facial information of the elderly driver captured by the second imaging device 27 that captures the face of the elderly driver of the vehicle 1 , and a dangerous driving detection unit 514 that detects dangerous driving. and a recognition index setting unit 518 that sets a recognition index indicating the degree of recognition of dangerous driving by the elderly driver based on the facial expression of the elderly driver detected by the facial expression detection unit 516 when driving is detected. (Figure 2, Figure 5).

In general, if an elderly driver's facial expression does not change when dangerous driving is detected, for example, if he or she does not become surprised, nervous, or upset, the elderly driver's cognitive function for dangerous driving will decline. It is possible that you are doing so. Therefore, by setting a recognition index based on the elderly driver's facial expression when dangerous driving is detected, it is possible to objectively determine the elderly driver's recognition level of dangerous driving.

(2) The recognition index setting device 5 according to the present embodiment includes a risk level setting unit 515 that sets the level of risk of dangerous driving detected by the dangerous driving detection unit 514, and a facial expression detected by the facial expression detection unit 516. The vehicle further includes an emotion change estimating unit 517 that estimates the degree of change in the elderly driver's emotions based on the emotion change degree of the elderly driver (FIG. 5). The recognition index setting unit 518 sets a recognition index based on the risk level set by the risk level setting unit 515 and the emotion change degree estimated by the emotion change estimation unit 517.

For example, when dangerous driving with a high degree of risk is detected, if the elderly driver's emotional change is small, i.e., the elderly driver is surprised, etc., the elderly driver's cognitive function regarding dangerous driving This may be due to a decline in Therefore, by setting a recognition index based on the degree of risk of dangerous driving and the degree of change in elderly drivers' emotions during dangerous driving, it is possible to accurately determine the degree of recognition of dangerous driving by elderly drivers. .

(3) The recognition index setting section 518 calculates the degree of emotional change estimated by the emotional change estimating section 517 when the degree of risk set by the risk setting section 515 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, and the degree of change in the emotion set by the risk setting section 515. The smaller the difference between the emotion change degree estimated by the emotion change estimator 517 when the calculated risk level is less than a predetermined value, the higher the recognition degree index is set (FIG. 6). The recognition index is set higher as the cognitive function of the elderly driver deteriorates. With this configuration, it is possible to specifically determine the elderly driver's awareness level of dangerous driving, and it is possible to more accurately determine the elderly driver's awareness level of dangerous driving.

(4) The dangerous driving detection unit 514 detects dangerous driving by an elderly driver based on any one of road markings, traffic lights installed at intersections, and inter-vehicle distances to other vehicles. With this configuration, it is possible to more specifically determine the elderly driver's awareness of dangerous driving. Further, specific advice regarding driving the vehicle 1 can be sent to the elderly driver.

(5) The recognition index setting device 5 according to the present embodiment further includes an information transmitting section 513 that transmits the recognition index set by the recognition index setting section 518 (FIG. 5). The information transmitting unit 513 transmits the recognition degree index to the mobile terminal 3 owned by the child of the elderly driver (FIG. 1). This allows the elderly driver's child to grasp the situation regarding the elderly driver's cognitive function, which can provide a sense of security and can be used to respond to requests such as returning the driver's license.

(6) The recognition index setting device 5 according to the present embodiment further includes an information transmitting section 513 that transmits the recognition index set by the recognition index setting section 518 (FIG. 5). The information transmitting unit 513 transmits the recognition index to the business entity terminal 4 of the insurance company that provides the automobile insurance contracted by the elderly driver (FIG. 1). Thereby, the automobile insurance contracted by the elderly driver can calculate the insurance premium for the elderly driver based on an objective index.

The above implementation can be modified in various ways. For example, in the above embodiment, an example of creating a recognition index for elderly drivers has been described, but it may also be used to create a recognition index for drivers other than elderly drivers, such as novice drivers, female drivers, paper drivers, etc. . For these drivers, by creating a recognition level index multiple times (for example, every six months), it can be used as an index of changes in recognition level, ie, driving proficiency.

In the above embodiment, an example was explained in which the elderly driver's recognition index is sent to the mobile terminal 3 owned by the elderly driver's child. Any configuration that sends data to a terminal is sufficient. For example, the information may be transmitted to the mobile terminals of a plurality of persons registered in advance, such as siblings and relatives of the elderly driver.

In the above embodiment, the first and second imaging devices 26 and 27 are configured by drive recorders mounted on the vehicle 1, but they may also be configured to use an on-vehicle camera other than the drive recorder, and a dedicated camera may be installed in the vehicle. 1 may be used.

In the embodiment described above, the recognition index setting device 5 is configured as a server device operated by an entity that supports driving of elderly drivers. Good too. That is, the recognition degree index may be transmitted from the in-vehicle device 2 of the vehicle 1 driven by the elderly driver to the mobile terminal 3 or the business entity terminal 4.

In the above embodiment, the dangerous driving detected by the elderly driver by the dangerous driving detection unit 514 is determined by road markings, the display of traffic lights installed at intersections, or the distance between vehicles and other vehicles. The dangerous driving detected by 514 is not limited to this. The dangerous driving detected by the dangerous driving detection unit 514 includes driving that is generally recognized as dangerous driving.

In the above embodiment, the risk level set by the risk level setting unit 515 is set to "high," "medium," or "small," but the risk level may be set numerically. For example, the configuration may be such that the value is set in 5 or 10 steps. Similarly, in the above embodiment, the degree of emotional change estimated by the emotional change estimating unit 517 is estimated to be "large," "medium," or "small," but the configuration is such that the degree of change is estimated numerically. Good too. For example, the configuration may be such that estimation is performed using numerical values in 5 or 10 steps.

The above description is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications as long as the characteristics of the present invention are not impaired. It is also possible to arbitrarily combine the above embodiment and one or more of the modifications, and it is also possible to combine the modifications.

1 Vehicle, 2 In-vehicle device, 3 Mobile terminal, 4 Business terminal, 5 Recognition index setting device, 100 Recognition index setting system, 26 First imaging device, 27 Second imaging device, 514 Dangerous driving detection unit, 515 Danger degree setting section, 516 facial expression detection section, 517 emotion change estimation section, 518 recognition degree index setting section

Claims (4)

a dangerous driving detection unit that detects dangerous driving by the driver from information on the front of the vehicle captured by a first imaging device that captures an image of the front of the vehicle;
a facial expression detection unit that detects a facial expression of the driver from facial information of the driver captured by a second imaging device that captures an image of the driver's face of the vehicle;
When dangerous driving is detected by the dangerous driving detection unit, a recognition index indicating the driver's own recognition level of dangerous driving is set based on the facial expression of the driver detected by the facial expression detection unit. a recognition index setting section ;
a risk level setting unit that sets a level of risk of the dangerous driving detected by the dangerous driving detection unit;
an emotion change estimation unit that estimates the degree of change in the driver's emotion based on the facial expression detected by the facial expression detection unit,
The recognition level index setting section calculates the degree of emotional change estimated by the emotional change estimating section when the risk level set by the risk level setting section is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, and the risk level set by the risk level setting section. The recognition degree index setting device is characterized in that the smaller the difference between the degree of emotion change estimated by the emotion change estimator when the degree of change is less than a predetermined value, the higher the degree of recognition index is set. The recognition index setting device according to claim 1,
The recognition level index is characterized in that the dangerous driving detection unit detects dangerous driving by the driver based on any of road markings, traffic lights installed at intersections, and distance between vehicles and other vehicles. Setting device. The recognition index setting device according to claim 1 or 2,
further comprising a transmitting unit that transmits the recognition index set by the recognition index setting unit,
The recognition index setting device is characterized in that the transmitter transmits the recognition index to a terminal owned by a person related to the driver. The recognition index setting device according to claim 1 or 2,
further comprising a transmitting unit that transmits the recognition index set by the recognition index setting unit,
The recognition degree index setting device is characterized in that the transmission unit transmits the recognition degree index to a business entity terminal of an insurance company that provides automobile insurance contracted by the driver.

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