WO2015068034A1

WO2015068034A1 - Intersection information generating device and processor for vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2015068034A1
Application number: PCT/IB2014/002511
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rie MURAI
Original assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
Priority date: 2013-11-08
Filing date: 2014-11-07
Publication date: 2015-05-14
Also published as: JP5928439B2; JP2015092311A

Abstract

An intersection information generating device includes: an acquisition unit that acquires information on whether a vehicle has passed, without stopping, through an intersection provided with a traffic light, or has stopped at the intersection; a connection information generating unit that generates, on the basis of the information and for each of a plurality of intersections that appear on a travel path of a first vehicle, connection information indicating whether or not the first vehicle has passed through the intersection without stopping; and a probability information generating unit that generates a pattern defining whether or not the first vehicle has passed through each of a plurality of intersections appearing in a specific travel section without stopping, and connection probability information on occurrence of the pattern by collecting the connection information.

Description

INTERSECTION INFORMATION GENERATING DEVICE AND PROCESSOR FOR

VEHICLE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The invention relates to an intersection information generating device that generates information relating to intersections equipped with traffic lights, and also relates to a processor for a vehicle.

2. Description of Related Art

[0002] For example, as indicated in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-116508 (paragraph [0092]), a signal information estimation device has been suggested that estimates the difference (phase difference) between the timings at which traffic lights provided at adjacent intersections change to blue. In such device, the timing at which the traffic light changes to blue is estimated on the basis of a timing at which the vehicles stopped at the intersection start moving.

[0003] However, since the timing at which the vehicles stopped at the intersection start moving is used for estimating the timing at which the traffic light changes to blue, the presence of a vehicle stopping at a red light at the intersection is assumed for estimating the timing at which the traffic light changes to blue. Therefore, the presence of vehicles stopping at a red light at each intersection is assumed for estimating the phase difference between the intersections. For this reason, it is conceivable that the estimation of the phase difference would be impossible, for example, where the traffic volume is low.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The invention provides an intersection information generating device capable of generating information relating to intersections, without assuming the presence of the vehicles stopping at red lights at the adjacent intersections, and also provides a processor for a vehicle.

[0005] A first aspect of the invention provides an intersection information generating device. The intersection information generating device includes: an acquisition unit that acquires information on whether a vehicle has passed, without stopping, through an intersection provided with a traffic light, or has stopped at the intersection; a connection information generating unit that generates, on the basis of the information and for each of a plurality of intersections that appear on a travel path of a first vehicle, connection information indicating whether or not the first vehicle has passed through the intersection without stopping; and a probability information generating unit that generates a pattern defining whether or not the first vehicle has passed through each of a plurality of intersections appearing in a specific travel section without stopping, and connection probability information on occurrence of the pattern by collecting the connection information.

[0006] In a plurality of traffic lights appearing on a travel path, the difference (offset) between the timings at which the traffic lights change to blue is sometimes controlled by system control. Further, even when the system control is not performed, the regularity can appear in the difference between the timings at which the traffic lights change to blue. Therefore, an event in which a vehicle passes, without stopping, through a specific intersection on the travel path and an event in which the vehicle passes, without stopping, through another intersection on the travel path are apparently not mutually exclusive events. In other words, the probability of a vehicle passing, without stopping, through an intersection provided with a traffic light is apparently correlated with the probability of the vehicle passing, without stopping, through a specific intersection that has previously appeared on the travel path, instead of being simply determined by the ratio of blue and red intervals of the traffic lights. In view of this point, in the abovementioned device, useful information relating to the intersections can be generated by generating the connection probability information.

[0007] In the intersection information generating device according to the first aspect of the invention, the intersection information generating device may further include a position information receiving unit that receives position information on a vehicle that is transmitted from the vehicle; and a transmission processing unit that transmits probability information on the vehicle passing, without stopping, through at least one intersection positioned in a travel direction of the vehicle to a vehicle, which is a transmission source of the position information, on the basis of the position information and the connection probability information.

[0008] In the abovementioned device, by receiving the position information, it is possible to specify a pattern in which a section including the position, or a section before this position on the travel path, is taken as the specific travel section, and also specify probability information on the occurrence of the same pattern. Further, by transmitting the probability information to the vehicle, which is the transmission source, according to such specification, it is possible to transmit the information useful for the vehicle that is to pass through the intersection.

[0009] In the intersection information generating device according to the first aspect of the invention, the intersection information generating device may further include a passing-stopping information receiving unit that receives second information which relates to whether or not a vehicle passes through an intersection without stopping and which is information transmitted from the vehicle, wherein the transmission processing unit transmits the probability information on the at least one intersection to the vehicle, which is the transmission source of the second information and the position information, on the basis of the position information and the second information; and the probability information on the at least one intersection is conditional probability information assuming occurrence of an event indicated by the information received by the passing-stopping information receiving unit.

[0010] In the abovementioned device, an actual event relating to whether the vehicle has passed through a specific intersection without stopping, or has stopped at the intersection, is determined on the basis of the information received by the passing-stopping information reception unit and the position information. The conditional probability information assuming this event is generated on the basis of the connection probability information. Further, as a result of transmitting the conditional probability information from the transmission processing unit to the vehicle, which is the transmission source, it is possible to provide the vehicle with highly accurate probability information taking into account the occurrence of a specific event.

[0011] In the intersection information generating device according to the first aspect of the invention, the transmission processing unit may transmit the connection probability information corresponding to each of patterns with respect to a section including a plurality of intersections and also including a portion of the travel section located before, on a travel path, the vehicle, which is the transmission source, as the probability information on the at least one intersection.

[0012] In the abovementioned device, by transmitting to the vehicle the connection probability information corresponding to each of the patterns relating to the section, it is possible to provide the vehicle with the probability information relating to a travel mode at a plurality of intersections.

[0013] In the intersection information generating device according to the first aspect of the invention, the specific travel section may be a section having as ends thereof a first intersection and an intersection which is one intersection behind a second intersection positioned before the first intersection in the travel section, the first intersection and the second intersection being a pair of intersections for which a probability of stopping is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, and a probability of stopping at an intersection located between the first intersection and the second intersection is less than a predetermined value.

[0014] In the abovementioned device, the attention is focused on the presence of a section in which the system control is performed. Where the system control is performed, the probability of the vehicle stopping at an intersection after entering the section and before exiting the section is lower than otherwise. Further, in this case, the correlation between an event as to whether the vehicle passes, without stopping, through each intersection in the section and an event as to whether the vehicle has passed, without stopping, through an intersection while traveling before entering the section apparently decreases. Therefore, by providing the probability information as to whether or not each intersection restricted to the section is passed through without stopping, it is apparently possible to provide the probability information of good accuracy. For this reason, in the abovementioned device, the specific travel section can be set in a section in which the probability information useful for the vehicle can be provided with a high accuracy.

[0015] In the intersection information generating device according to the first aspect of the invention, the intersection information generating device may further include a passing-stopping information receiving unit that receives information relating to whether or not a vehicle passes through an intersection without stopping and transmitted from the vehicle, wherein the specific travel section is a section having as ends thereof a first intersection and an intersection which is one intersection behind a second intersection positioned before the first intersection in the travel section, the first intersection and the second intersection being a pair of intersections for which a probability of stopping is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, and a probability of stopping at an intersection located between the first intersection and the second intersection is less than a predetermined value, and when the information relating to whether or not the intersection is passed is information to the effect that the vehicle has stopped at the first intersection, the transmission processing unit transmits to the vehicle, which is the transmission source, probability information which assumes that the event of stopping has occurred and which is the connection probability information on the occurrence of a pattern, for which the first intersection is a start point and which corresponds to stopping at the first intersection, among the patterns.

[0016] In the abovementioned device, the attention is focused on the presence of a section in which the system control is performed. Where the system control is performed, the probability of the vehicle stopping at an intersection after entering the section and before exiting the section is lower than otherwise. Further, in this case, the correlation between an event as to whether the vehicle passes, without stopping, through each intersection in the section and an event as to whether the vehicle has passed, without stopping, through an intersection while traveling before entering the section apparently decreases. Therefore, by providing the probability information as to whether or not each intersection in the section is passed through without stopping, it is apparently possible to provide the probability information of good accuracy. In view of this point, in the abovementioned device, highly accurate and useful information can be provided to the vehicle by providing to the vehicle the connection probability information on the occurrence of a pattern, for which the first intersection is a start point and which corresponds to the vehicle stopping at the first intersection, when the information to the effect that the vehicle has stopped at the first intersection is acquired. In particular, since the connection probability information is the conditional probability information assuming that the vehicle has stopped at the first intersection, the accuracy of the probability information provided to the vehicle can be made particularly high.

[0017] In the intersection information generating device according to the first aspect of the invention, the transmission processing unit may transmit the connection probability information to the vehicle, which is the transmission source, and then when the vehicle, which is the transmission source, is positioned in the middle of the travel section defining the patterns, transmits to the vehicle, which is the transmission source, the connection probability information on the occurrence of a new pattern relating to a section including several of intersections included in the transmitted pattern and also including intersections located before, on a travel path, the intersections included in the pattern.

[0018] In the abovementioned device, where the vehicle, which is the transmission source, is positioned in the middle of the travel section defining the patterns relating to the previously transmitted connection probability information, the connection probability information on a new pattern including the information relating to the intersections located before, on a travel path, the same pattern is transmitted with respect to the new pattern. As a result, the probability information present in the vehicle can be related to a comparatively long section.

[0019] In the intersection information generating device according to the first aspect of the invention, the acquisition unit may acquire information as to whether or not a vehicle has passed through the intersection without stopping together with information relating to a time slot thereof, and the probability information generating unit generates the connection probability information for each time slot.

[0020] The probability of the vehicle passing through an intersection without stopping depends on the traffic volume on the road close to the intersection and control settings of the traffic lights. The traffic volume and control settings can change depending on the time slot. In view of this point, in the above-described device, more accurate information can be generated by generating the connection probability information for each time slot.

[0021] In the intersection information generating device according to the first aspect of the invention, the acquisition unit may acquire information as to whether or not a vehicle has passed through the intersection without stopping together with information relating to a day of the week, and the probability information generating unit generates the connection probability information separately for weekdays and Sundays.

[0022] The probability of the vehicle passing through an intersection without stopping depends on the traffic volume on the road close to the intersection and control settings of the traffic lights. The traffic volume and control settings can change depending on a day of the week. In view of this point, in the above-described device, more accurate information can be generated by generating the connection probability information separately for weekdays and Sunday.

[0023] In the intersection information generating device according to the first aspect of the invention, the acquisition unit may acquire information as to whether or not a vehicle has passed through the intersection without stopping together with at least one of accelerator operation information, brake operation information, and vehicle speed information, and the probability information generating unit collects the connection information while classifying the connection information by driving inclination of the vehicle specified by the at least one information, thereby generating the connection probability information separately for each group classified by the driving inclination.

[0024] The probability of the vehicle passing through an intersection without stopping can also depend on driving inclination. In view of this point, in the above-described device, more accurate information can be generated by generating the connection probability information separately for each driving inclination.

[0025] A second aspect of the invention provides a processor for a vehicle provided in the vehicle and performing specific processing, the processor includes: a probability input unit that inputs probability information on the vehicle passing, without stopping, through an intersection provided with a traffic light, and an execution unit that, when the probability information inputted to the probability input unit indicates that a probability of stopping within a predetermined period of time is equal to or greater than a prescribed value, executes reduction processing capable of reducing at least one of an energy consumption amount and a cost of consumed energy when the processing is executed within a predetermined period of time before the vehicle stops.

[0026] The reduction processing is executed in a predetermined period of time before the vehicle stops, thereby making it possible to reduce at least one of the energy consumption amount and the cost of consumed energy. Therefore, it is essentially desirable that the reduction processing be executed before the vehicle is securely stopped. However, where the execution of the reduction processing is limited to the case in which the fact that the vehicle stops securely can be confirmed in advance, the execution frequency of the processing decreases, and in many cases the processing actually cannot be executed despite the fact that the vehicle has stopped. In view of this point, in the above-described device, the expected value of at least one of the energy consumption amount and the cost of consumed energy can be reduced by executing the reduction processing when the probability of stopping is equal to or higher than the prescribed value.

[0027] In the processor according to the second aspect of the invention, the reduction processing may include gain decrease processing of decreasing a gain which is a ratio of an output of an onboard main engine to an accelerator operation amount performed by a driver.

[0028] Where a vehicle accelerates immediately before stopping, the energy consumption amount and the cost of consumed energy easily increase. Therefore, the gain decrease processing of restricting the acceleration of the vehicle by decreasing the gain, which is the ratio of the output of the onboard main engine to the accelerator operation amount, is suitable as the reduction processing.

[0029] A third aspect of the invention provides a processor for a vehicle provided in the vehicle and performing specific processing, the processor includes: a notification unit that notifies a driver of information; and a probability input unit that inputs probability information on the vehicle passing, without stopping, an intersection provided with a traffic light, wherein the notification unit is provided with a priority unit that uses, as a period of time in which processing of notifying is executed, a period of time in which a probability of the vehicle stopping is equal to or higher than a prescribed value preferentially over a period of time in which the probability of stopping is lower than the prescribed value, when the vehicle actually stops in the period of time in which the probability of the vehicle stopping is equal to or higher than the prescribed value on the basis of probability information inputted to the probability input unit.

[0030] Where the driver is notified of information, it is apparently desirable that the notification be made when the driver's attentional resources are sufficient. The attentional resources tend to be greater when the vehicle is stopped than when it travels. However, since a certain length of time is required to notify the driver of information, where the information notification is implemented when the vehicle is stopped, it is desirable that the stopping period of time be sufficiently long to notify the driver of information. In view of this point, in the above-described device, where the vehicle actually stops in a period of time in which the probability of stopping is equal to or higher than the prescribed value, this period of time is preferentially used as the notification timing. In this case, where the vehicle actually stops in a period of time in which the probability of stopping is equal to or higher than the prescribed value, it is highly probable that the vehicle has stopped at a red light, rather than accidentally, for example, for course correction when on the road shoulder, and that the stopping period of time has a certain length. Therefore, in the above-described device, the information notification can be implemented when the driver's attentional resources are sufficient.

[0031] In the processor according to the above aspects of the invention, the information inputted to the probability input unit may include connection probability information on occurrence of patterns, the patterns defining whether or not the vehicle passes, without stopping, through each of a plurality of intersections appearing on the travel path of the vehicle.

[0032] In the above-described device, the probability information relating to the travel mode at a plurality of intersections can be obtained by receiving the connection probability information.

[0033] In the processor according to the above aspects of the invention, the processor may further includes a normalization processing unit that normalizes either of the connection probability information inputted to the probability input unit and an execution reference for processing, which is performed with the connection probability information as an input, in response to an actual occurrence relating to whether or not the vehicle passes, without stopping, through an intersection in a travel section prescribing the patterns.

[0034] In the above-described device, after the connection probability information on the pattern occurrence has been inputted, either one of the connection probability information and the execution reference is normalized in response to the event that has actually occurred at the intersection. In this case, where a new event occurs at the intersection, the inputted connection probability information includes the probability information relating to an event that does not actually occur, and the sum of numerical values of probability information, which also includes the probability information on such an event, becomes the reference value. Therefore, in order to reflect the occurrence of a new event in the processing performed with the connection probability information as an input, it is necessary to normalize either of the probability information and the execution reference. Accordingly, in the above-described device, the normalization processing unit is provided, thereby making it possible to compare the input timings of the connection probability information and execute the processing performed with the connection probability information as an input on the basis of more accurate probability information. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals denote like elements, and wherein:

FIG 1 is a system configuration diagram according to the first embodiment;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a method for collecting the travel information according to the first embodiment;

FIG 3 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the database generation processing according to the first embodiment;

FIGS. 4A to 4C illustrate the connection information in the first embodiment;

FIGS. 5A to 5C illustrate the connection probability information in the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the transmission processing of the conditional probability information in the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the transmission processing of the connection probability information in the first embodiment;

FIG 8 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the gain decrease processing in the first embodiment;

FIGS. 9A to 9C illustrate the conditional probability information according to the second embodiment;

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate the conditional probability information according to the third embodiment;

FIG 11 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the notification processing according to the fourth embodiment;

FIG 12 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the transmission processing of the conditional probability information in the fifth embodiment;

FIG 13 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the gain decrease processing in the sixth embodiment; and

FIG 14 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the transmission processing of the connection probability information according to the seventh embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

<First Embodiment

[0036] The first embodiment will be explained hereinbelow with reference to the appended drawings. FIG 1 depicts the system configuration according to the embodiment. In the system depicted in the figure, vehicles PC traveling on a road communicate with a center 20.

[0037] Each vehicle PC communicable with the center 20 is provided with a processor 10, a communication device 12, and an engine 14 as an onboard main engine. The engine 14 is mechanically coupled by a transmission (not shown in the figure) to drive wheels, and the processor 10 is an electronic device executing computational processing of various types. More specifically, the processor 10 controls the running state of the vehicle by operating the engine 14. In this case, the processor 10 refers to an operation amount ACCP of an accelerator pedal 16. In FIG. 1, an electronic device that not only has the function of operating the engine 14 and controlling the running state of the vehicle, but is also provided with a navigation system, and the like, is assumed as the processor 10. The communication device 12 is an electronic device performing wireless communication with a communication unit 22 provided in the center 20.

[0038] Meanwhile, the center 20 is provided with the communication unit 22 performing wireless communication with the communication device 12, a computational unit 24 performing computations of various types, a map and intersection database 26, a vehicle information database 28, a connection information database 30, and a pattern and probability database 32.

[0039] The map and intersection database 26 stores road map information including intersection information. The vehicle information database 28 stores information relating to the vehicles PC which is transmitted from the vehicles PC and received by the communication unit 22. The computational unit 24 generates the below-described connection information and connection probability information on the occurrence of each pattern indicated by the connection information, on the basis of the . information stored in the map and intersection database 26 and the vehicle information database 28. The connection information database 30 is a database storing connection information. The pattern and probability database 32 stores the patterns and the connection probability information thereon.

[0040] The generation processing of the connection information and connection probability information is described below in greater detail. FIG. 2A depicts an example in which intersections provided with traffic lights TLZ to TLE appear in the travel direction of the vehicle PC. In the figure, at the intersection provided with a traffic light TLA, the intersections provided with traffic lights TLb to TLe appear on the right side with respect to the advance direction of the vehicle PC, and the intersections provided with traffic lights TLz to TLx appear on the left side with respect to the advance direction. Incidentally, at the intersection provided with the traffic light TLA, the traffic light TLa should be refened to when advancing to the intersection from the intersection side where the traffic light TLb is provided.

[0041] When the vehicle PC travels on a road, information relating to the travel is transmitted to the center 20. The information relating to the travel, as referred to herein, includes a vehicle identification (ID), which is information identifying the vehicle PC, a traveling speed (vehicle speed Vpc) of the vehicle PC, position information, link information (exemplified by link number NLa in the figure), timing information (time stamp) assigned to the vehicle speed Vpc, position information, and link information, and also route information indicating the planned travel path for the vehicle PC. The route information is obtained only when the driver of the vehicle PC sets in advance the destination by using a navigation system, and the information relating to the travel does not include the route information when the destination has not been set. The information relating to the travel may also include information relating to the time sequence of brake operation (brake information) and information relating to the time sequence of accelerator operation (acceleration information).

[0042] The position information specifies the position of the vehicle PC, more specifically, the information obtained by communication with a global positioning system (GPS) satellite 40 (latitude information and longitude information). The link information specifies the advance direction, more specifically, specifies the corresponding number from among the link numbers held by the navigation system incorporated in the processor 10. FIG. 2B shows schematically the link information. As indicated in the figure, the navigation system assigns link numbers NLal to NLa4 and NLbl to NLb4 to each road divided by the intersections. In this case, the link numbers NLal to NLa4 designate a lane in which the direction of advancing from the intersection provided with the traffic light TLA to the intersection provided with the traffic light TLD is taken as the travel direction. Meanwhile, the link numbers NLbl to NLb4 designate a lane in which the direction of advancing from the intersection provided with the traffic light TLD to the intersection provided with the traffic light TLA is taken as the travel direction.

[0043] In the navigation system incorporated in the processor 10, the link numbers are specified on the basis of the position information and road information held in the navigation system. More specifically, when it is clarified on the basis of the position information that the vehicle PC is positioned in front of the intersection provided with the traffic light TLA, the navigation system narrows down the link numbers NLal and NLbl to correct number candidates. In the example depicted in FIG. 2A, the link number NLal is then specified by specifying the vehicle advance direction on the basis of changes in the position information. The link number may be also specified using the route information instead of the vehicle advance direction. However, the route information can be also used as the information specifying the vehicle travel direction, without using the link information.

[0044] The center 20 generates the vehicle information database 28 on the basis of the information relating to the travel of the vehicle PC, and generates the connection information or connection probability information on the basis of the generated database. This is explained hereinbelow with reference to FIG 3.

[0045] FIG 3 depicts the procedure of the processing performed by the computational unit 24 provided in the center 20. In the series of processing operations, the computational unit 24 estimates whether the vehicle has passed through each intersection without stopping, or has stopped at the intersection, on the basis of the information relating to the travel of the vehicle PC (S10). More specifically, the presence of the vehicle PC at the intersection is specified on the basis of matching of the link information and position information received by the center 20 with the intersection information in the map and intersection database 26, and the abovementioned estimation is executed on the basis of the vehicle speed Vpc at this time. Thus, where the vehicle speed Vpc is zero for a predetermined period of time or longer, it is determined that the vehicle has stopped. Otherwise, it is determined that the vehicle has passed through the intersection without stopping. Incidentally, the information relating to the travel used in this processing can include not only the information transmitted from a plurality of vehicles PC, but also the information relating to the same intersection through which the same vehicle PC has travelled at different points of time.

[0046] The computational unit 24 then estimates a system control section (SI 2). The system control, as referred to herein, is the control by which traffic lights provided in several consecutive intersections on one road extension are associated with each other in time and signal display is performed. Such control effectively reduces the number of stops of the vehicle at the intersections in the system control section. In the explanation hereinbelow, a section defined by the intersections provided with the traffic lights TLA to TLX) which are shown in FIG 2 and a section defined by the intersections provided with the traffic lights Tlx to TLz are taken as the system control sections. In this case, when the vehicle PC traveling within a speed limit travels through the intersections provided with the traffic lights TLA to TLE, the probability of stopping at the intersections provided with the traffic lights TLA and TLE is high and the probability of stopping at the intersections provided with the traffic lights TLB to TLD is low. In view of this point, the computational unit 24 temporarily sets any straight advance path section and estimates the intersection rearward (in front) of a travel section, among a pair of intersections with a high probability of stopping, and the intersection in front of the intersection forward of the travel section, among the pair of the intersection, as the ends of the system control section. [0047] Then, the computational unit 24 generates the connection information indicating the information as to whether or not one vehicle PC has passed through the intersection without stopping with respect to each of a plurality of intersections appearing in the travel path of the one vehicle PC on the basis of the travel-relating information received by the center 20, and stores the generated connection information in the connection information database 30 (SI 4).

[0048] In the embodiment, as depicted in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the connection information on the system control section and the sections including a pair of intersections sandwiching the system control section is generated and stored as the connection information. Thus, the intersections provided with the traffic lights TLA to TLD are estimated as the system control section, and the information as to whether the vehicle has passed through each intersection without stopping is generated and stored with respect to a section compartmentalized by a pair of intersections (intersections in which the traffic lights TLZ and TLE are provided) sandwiching the system control section. In FIG. 4, the event in which the vehicle has passed through the intersection without stopping is denoted as "PASSED", and the event in which the vehicle has stopped at the intersection and then started moving therefrom is denoted as "STOPPED".

[0049] Incidentally, sampling data SD1 to SDn in FIG. 4A indicate the event caused by the travel of the vehicles PC that have transmitted the travel-relating information to the center 20. However, the sampling data SD1 to SDn can include not only the data relating to mutually different vehicles PC, but also data obtained when the same vehicle travels in the same section at mutually different points of time. Further, sampling data SD4 appear in both FIG 4A and FIG 4B, but this is because the case is assumed in which the vehicle has moved straight through the intersections provided with the traffic lights TLd to TLb, then turned right at the intersection provided with the traffic light TLa, and then moved straight through the intersections provided with the traffic lights TLB to TLE.

[0050] In the embodiment, the information as to whether the vehicle has passed through each intersection without stopping is also generated and stored as the connection information with respect to the section constituted by the intersection where the vehicle has turned right or left and the intersections before and after this intersection on the travel path, as indicated in FIG 4C. The connection information depicted in the figure relates to the case in which the vehicle turns right at the intersection provided with the traffic light TLa.

[0051] Where the generation and storage of the connection information is completed, the computational unit 24 generates the connection probability information and stores the generated information in the pattern and probability database 32 (S16 in FIG. 3). The generated and stored data are depicted in FIG 5.

[0052] In the embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 5A, the connection probability information on the occurrence of the pattern defining as to whether the vehicle has passed, without stopping, through each intersection provided with the traffic light in the system control section is generated and stored for the patterns. FIG 5A depicts an example in which a pattern PTl is defined as the "STOPPED, PASSED, PASSED, PASSED" connection information for the intersections provided with the traffic lights TLA to TLD, respectively, and the connection probability information on the occurrence of the pattern PTl is calculated as a ratio to all of the patterns occurring in the intersections provided with the traffic lights TLA to TLD. In the figure, the occurrence probability of the event in which the vehicle PC stops due to the system control decreases for the intersections provided with the traffic lights TLB to TLD after the vehicle has passed through the intersection provided with the traffic light TLA at the end of the system control section on the starting point side thereof.

[0053] In the embodiment, as further depicted in FIGS. 5B and 5C, the connection probability information on the occurrence of the pattern defining as to whether the vehicle has passed, without stopping, through each intersection provided with the traffic light in the section constituting part of the system control section is generated and stored for the patterns. More specifically, FIG 5B depicts the connection probability information on the occurrence of the patterns defining as to whether the vehicle has passed, without stopping, through each intersection in the section provided with the traffic lights TLA to TLC.

[0054] In this case, the patterns PT7 to PTl 2 in FIG. 5B are obtained by removing the event for the intersection provided with the traffic light TLD from the patterns PTl to PT6 depicted in FIG 5A. However, the ratios al to a6 representing the occurrence of the patterns PTl to PT6, respectively, can be different from the ratios al to ctl2 representing the occurrence of the patterns PT7 to PTl 2, respectively. This is because the ratios al to a6 are generated on the basis of the data relating to the event in which the vehicle travels straight forward through all of the intersections provided with the traffic lights TLA to TLC and also moves straight or turns right or left at the intersection provided with the traffic light TLD, whereas such an event is not considered for the ratios a7 to al2. Thus, with respect to the ratios al to al2, the calculations are performed by also using, for example, the data relating to the case in which the vehicle moves straight through the intersections provided with the traffic lights TLA and TLB and turns left at the intersection provided with the traffic light TLC.

[0055] The connection probability information that has thus been generated is transmitted to the vehicle PC and used. Thus, as a result of transmitting the position information, or the like, from the vehicle PC to the center 20, the center provides to the vehicle PC the connection probability information relating to the intersections in the path where the vehicle PC is to travel thereafter.

[0056] FIG 6 depicts an example of processing for providing the connection probability information relating to the system control section as an example of the processing for transmitting the connection probability information from the center 20. This processing is executed by the computational unit 24. In particular, FIG 6 depicts a section including the intersections where the traffic lights TLA to TLD are provided as the system control section.

[0057] In this series of processing operations, the computational unit 24 initially determines as to whether or not the logical sum of the possibility of determining, on the basis of the route information, that the vehicle PC which has stopped at the intersection at the end of the system control section moves straight forward inside the system control section and the absence of the route information in the vehicle PC is true (S20). This processing is performed on the basis of the position information and vehicle speed Vpc transmitted from the vehicle PC with respect to the vehicle PC, which is the transmission source of such information. Then, where a positive determination is made in step S20, the computational unit 24 generates the conditional probability information assuming that the vehicle stops at the intersection at the aforementioned end of the system control section (S24). FIG 6 shows an example in which ratios βΐ to β3 are calculated as the conditional probability information for the patterns PT1 to PT3, respectively, that assume that the vehicle stops at the intersection provided with the traffic light TLA, on the basis on the connection probability information depicted in FIG 5A. Here, "βΐ + β2 + β3 = 100%".

[0058] Where the conditional probability information is generated, the computational unit 24 transmits this information to the vehicle PC, which is the transmission source of the data used as the determination object in step S20 (S26). Thus, the patterns PT1 to PT3 are transmitted in association with the ratios βΐ to β3, respectively, which are the conditional probability information thereof. Incidentally, in this case, the data to be transmitted may be the map data depicted in FIG 6, but since it is assumed that the vehicle has stopped at the intersection provided with the traffic light TLA, it is not necessary that the data include expressly the condition of the vehicle "stopping" at this intersection.

[0059] Where the processing of step S26 is ended or a negative determination is made in step S20, the computational unit 24 ends this series of processing operations. Further, where the logical sum of the possibility of determining that the vehicle has passed through the intersection provided with the traffic light TLA and moves straight forward inside the system control section and the absence of the route information in the vehicle PC is true, the computational unit 24 transmits the conditional probability information relating to each of the patterns PT4 to PT6 depicted in FIG 5A.

[0060] Further, where the vehicle moves straight through the intersections provided with the traffic lights TLA and TLB, but turns left at the intersection provided with the traffic light TLC, as follows from the route information, the computational unit 24 generates and transmits the conditional probability information on the basis of FIG 5B.

[0061] FIG 7 illustrates an example of the processing of providing the conditional probability information when the vehicle turns right at the intersection as an example of transmission processing of the conditional probability information from the center 20. This processing is executed by the computational unit 24. In particular, in the example depicted in FIG. 7, a section including the intersections provided with the traffic lights TLb, TLa, and TLB is the section defining the conditional probability information.

[0062] In this series of processing operations, the computational unit 24 determines whether or not the vehicle has reached an intersection, which is two intersections before the intersection where the right turn is planned, on the basis of the travel-relating information transmitted from the vehicle PC (S30). Where it is determined that the aforementioned intersection has been reached (S30: YES), the connection probability information on each event pattern from the preceding intersection to the intersection that is immediately after the intersection where the right turn is made is generated (S32). In FIG. 7 the connection probability information on the occurrence of patterns PT19 to PT21 in the intersections provided with the traffic lights TLb, TLa, TLB is indicated as ratios β4 to β6, respectively. The ratios β4 to β6 can be generated on the basis of the data depicted in FIG 4C and stored in the connection information database 30. Where the connection probability information is generated, the computational unit 24 transmits this information to the vehicle PC, which is the transmission source of the data that are the determination object in step S30 (S34).

[0063] Where the processing of step S34 is ended or a negative determination is made in step S30, the computational unit 24 ends this series of processing operations. Incidentally, the computational unit 24 can also generate and transmit, on the basis of the connection information depicted in FIGS. 4A and 4B and at a point of time in which the intersection in front of the system control section is reached, the conditional probability information for each of the patterns PT1 to PT6 in the system control section, the information assuming the events that have actually occurred at this intersection.

[0064] The probability information described hereinabove is used in the vehicle PC. This is explained hereinbelow by using FIG. 8. FIG 8 depicts the procedure of the processing executed by the processor 10 of the vehicle PC. [0065] In this series of processing operations, the processor 10 initially receives the connection probability information (S40). This information is transmitted from the center 20 as a result of transmitting the position information and vehicle speed Vpc from the vehicle PC. Then, the processor 10 determines whether or not the probability of the vehicle stopping in a travel section from the present point to a point at a distance L forward is equal to or greater than a threshold probability Pth on the basis of the received probability information. This processing serves to determine whether or not a loss occurring due to the application of a braking force that should stop the vehicle in the travel section increases when the vehicle PC accelerates.

[0066] Where it is determined that the probability is equal to or higher than the threshold probability Pth, the processor 10 corrects a torque command value Trq* by multiplying the torque command value Trq* for the engine 14 by a correction coefficient K (<1) (S44). In this case, the torque command value Trq* before the correction is a value determined according to the depression amount (accelerator operation amount ACCP) of the accelerator pedal 16 by the driver. This processing is aimed at reducing a gain which is the ratio of the output of the engine 14 to the accelerator operation amount ACCP. The comparison of the gain is assumed to be performed when the conditions other than the accelerator operation amount ACCP are the same.

[0067] The correction coefficient K serves to reduce the output (power) of the engine 14 as mentioned hereinabove. Thus, even when the shift ratio of an automatic transmission (not shown in the figure) changes following the correction of the torque command value Trq*, a value can be set that makes it possible to reduce the output, that is, the work rate delivered by the engine 14 to the outside.

[0068] Where the processing of step S44 ends or a negative determination is made in step S42, the processor 10 ends this series of processing operations. Incidentally, the correction processing of the torque command value Trq* with the correction coefficient K, which is performed in step S44, may be ended when the predetermined distance L is traveled, or when the vehicle PC stops.

[0069] According to the above-described embodiment, the below-described effects are obtained. (1) The connection information (FIG. 4) indicating whether or not one vehicle PC passes through without stopping is generated with respect to each of a plurality of intersections appearing on a travel path of the one vehicle PC on the basis of the information transmitted from the vehicle PC and relating to the travel thereof. As a result of collecting the connection information, the connection probability information on the occurrence of patterns is generated with respect to the patterns defining whether or not the vehicle passes, without stopping, through each of a plurality of intersections appearing in a specific travel section (FIG 5). As a result, the vehicle PC can be provided with the connection probability information.

[0070] (2) The conditional probability information assuming that a passing/stopping event has occurred is generated and transmitted to the vehicle PC according to whether the vehicle has passed through without sopping, or stopped at the intersection corresponding to the end of the system control section (FIG. 6). As a result, highly accurate probability information taking into account the occurrence of a specific event can be provided.

[0071] (3) When an intersection at the end of the system control section is reached, the connection probability information on the occurrence of the patterns corresponding to whether or not each intersection in the system control section is passed through without stopping is transmitted (FIG 6). The correlation of the event as to whether each intersection in the system control section is passed through without stopping with the event as to whether an intersection traveled before entering the section has been passed through without stopping is apparently lower than the correlation with the events at the preceding intersections in the section. Therefore, by providing the connection probability information in the system control section, it is possible to provide highly accurate probability information that is useful for the vehicle PC, while suppressing the increase in the volume of provided data.

[0072] (4) When the vehicle PC turns right, the connection probability information relating to the pattern from the intersection before the right turn to the intersection after the right turn is transmitted to the vehicle PC (FIG 7). As a result, the probability of the event that can occur can be provided even when the vehicle PC makes a right turn.

[0073] (5) The connection probability information (FIG 5) on the occurrence of the patterns relating to the prescribed section is generated with respect to the patterns and stored in the pattern and probability database 32. As a result, the processing of providing the connection probability information relating to this section to the vehicle PC can be performed easily and rapidly,

[0074] (6) The connection information (FIG 4) is generated for each section having the prescribed length, and the generated information is stored in the connection information database 30. As a result, even when the connection probability information is not stored in the pattern and probability database 32, the processing of providing the connection probability information relating to this section to the vehicle PC can be performed easily and rapidly. Further, where a pattern which is intended to be related to the system control section, from among the patterns stored in the pattern and probability database 32, is actually not prescribed by the system control section, the processing of updating to the pattern relating to the system control section or the connection probability information thereof can be performed easily and rapidly.

[0075] (7) The connection information to be stored in the connection information database 30 is taken as the information relating to a section which includes the system control section, which is to be estimated, and is longer than the system control section. As a result, more useful information relating to a period of time in which the vehicle is to travel in the system control section can be provided to the vehicle PC before the system control section is reached. Further, v/hen the system control section is estimated erroneously, the error can be corrected easily and rapidly.

[0076] (8) Where the processor 10 determines, on the basis of the probability information transmitted from the center 20, that the probability of the vehicle stopping in a section within a distance L is equal to or higher than the threshold probability Pth, the processor executes the gain decrease processing (FIG 8). As a result, the amount of kinetic energy of the vehicle PC that is lost as thermal energy and not recovered when the vehicle PC actually stops can be reduced. Therefore, the expected value of energy consumption or cost of consumed energy within a long period of time in which the processing depicted in FIG. 8 is executed a plurality of times can be reduced.

[0077] (9) The vehicle PC receives the connection probability information on the patterns as to whether each of a plurality of intersection is passed through without stopping. As a result, the vehicle PC can acquire the information relating to the travel path which is longer than the travel path to the nearest intersection.

<Second Embodiment

[0078] The second embodiment is explained hereinbelow with reference to the drawings, the explanation being centered on the differences between the second and first embodiments.

[0079] In the first embodiment, the connection probability information is generated on the basis of all of the sampling data obtained when the vehicle travels in the corresponding section. In this case, the probability information is obtained by averaging the difference in traffic volume between the time slots of one day, or the difference in traffic volume between weekends and weekdays.

[0080] By contrast, in the embodiment, the connection probability information is generated separately for each time slot of one day and separately for weekends and weekdays. FIG 9 illustrates the connection probability information relating to the embodiment. In particular, FIG 9 illustrates the connection probability information on the patterns as to whether or not the vehicle passes, without stopping, through the intersections provided with the traffic lights TLA to TLD. More specifically, the conditional probability information relating to the case in which the vehicle stops at the intersection provided with the traffic light TLA is illustrated.

[0081] FIGS. 9A and 9B depict the conditional probability information on a weekday. In particular, FIG 9A depicts the conditional probability information on the time slot from 8 AM to 10 AM, and FIG 9B depicts the conditional probability information on the time slot from 10 AM to 2 PM. Those types of conditional probability information can be generated by specifying the connection information corresponding to the indicated time slots on the basis of the time stamp received from the vehicle PC in the connection information depicted in FIG 4A. Further, in the embodiment, it is desirable that the information stored in the connection information database 30 and the pattern and probability database 32 be separate information in each time slot of a weekday and each time slot of a weekend.

[0082] FIG 9C depicts the conditional probability information on a weekend. Those types of conditional probability information illustrate the conditional probability information transmitted by the computational unit 24 in the preceding step S26 depicted in FIG 6. Thus, for example, when the processing of step S26 depicted in FIG 6 is performed at 8:30 AM on a weekday, the conditional probability information depicted in FIG 9A is transmitted.

[0083] In accordance with the embodiment described hereinabove, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the above-described effects (1) to (9) of the first embodiment. (10) The connection probability information is generated in each time slot. As a result, more accurate information can be generated which reflects changes in the traffic volume corresponding to the time slots.

[0084] (11) The connection probability information is generated separately for weekdays and weekends. As a result, more accurate information can be generated which reflects the difference in traffic volume on the roads and control settings of the system control between the weekdays and weekends.

<Third Embodiment

[0085] The third embodiment is explained hereinbelow with reference to the drawings, the explanation being centered on the differences between the third and first embodiments.

[0086] In the first embodiment, the connection probability information is generated on the basis of all of the sampling data obtained when the vehicle travels in the corresponding section. In this case, the probability information is obtained by averaging the events occurring when the vehicles PC are driven by the drivers having various driving inclinations. [0087] Accordingly, in the embodiment the connection probability information is generated for each group of driving inclinations. Thus, the computational unit 24 initially determines the travel pattern of the vehicles PC traveling along the same travel path on the basis of the vehicle speed Vpc transmitted to the center 20, and then classifies the driving inclinations of the drivers operating the same vehicles PC. This can be realized, for example, by identifying a group in which the vehicle is driven at a high speed and a group in which the vehicle is driven at a slow speed on the basis of the vehicle speed Vpc or the change rate (acceleration) thereof when a road between a pair of intersections is traveled.

[0088] FIG 10 illustrates the connection probability information relating to the embodiment. In particular, FIG. 10 illustrates the connection probability information on the patterns as to whether the intersections provided with the traffic lights TLA to TLD are passed through without stopping. More specifically, the conditional probability information is illustrated which relates to :he case in which the vehicle is stopped at the intersection provided with the traffic light TLA. Here, FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate the connection probability information on the group A and group B of driving inclinations.

[0089] The computational unit 24 specifies several groups on the basis of the vehicle speed Vpc, and where a determination criterion as to whether or not the vehicle is included in a specific group is set on the basis of the specification, the group of driving inclinations is specified for each vehicle ID on the basis of the vehicle ID transmitted to the center 20. As a result, it is possible to provide the connection probability information corresponding to the driving inclination specified from the vehicle ID with respect to the corresponding section when the vehicle PC arrives anew to the section having the connection probability information, such as the intersection provided with the traffic light TLA.

[0090] In accordance with the embodiment described hereinabove, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the above-described effects (1) to (9) of the first embodiment. (12) The connection probability information is generated for each group classified by the driving inclination. As a result, more accurate information which reflects the driving inclinations of the drivers (actually, the vehicle PC specified by the vehicle ID) can be provided to the PC vehicle.

<Fourth Embodiment

[0091] The fourth embodiment is explained hereinbelow with reference to the drawings, the explanation being centered on the differences between the fourth and first embodiments.

[0092] In the first embodiment, the connection probability information is used for the gain decrease processing. By contrast, in the embodiment the connection probability information is used for setting a notification timing when the information notification to the driver is generated by a navigation system or the like.

[0093] FIG 11 depicts the procedure of notification processing of information to the driver in the embodiment. This processing is executed by the processor 10. In this series of processing operations, the processor 10 initially determines whether or not the notification information has been generated (S60). In this case, the notification information is, for example, the information to the effect that a congested section is present ahead, or the information to the effect that the travel is restricted to one lane due to construction. Where it is determined that the notification information has been generated (S60: YES), the processor 10 determines whether or not the information notification is urgent. This processing is performed to determine whether or not the immediate notification is required regardless of the connection probability information.

[0094] Where it is determined that the notification is not urgent (S62: NO), the processor 10 receives the connection probability information (S64). Then, the processor 10 selects, on the basis of the received connection probability information, an intersection with a minimal probability of stopping and an intersection in which the probability of stopping is equal to or higher than a prescribed value (S66). In this case, the prescribed value is set to specify the intersection with a high probability of stopping. Then, the processor 10 determines whether or not the intersection in which the probability of stopping is minimal is on the travel path in front of the intersection in which the probability of stopping is equal to or higher than the prescribed value (S68).

[0095] Where it is determined that the intersection in which the probability of stopping is minimal is not in front, in other words, where it is determined that the intersection in which the probability of stopping is minimal is on the travel path forward of the intersection in which the probability of stopping is equal to or higher than the prescribed value (S68: NO), the processor 10 determines as to whether or not the vehicle will stop at the intersection in which the probability of stopping is equal to or higher than the prescribed value (S70). This processing is performed to determine whether it is time to notify the information. Thus, the driver's attentional resources are apparently more sufficient when the vehicle is stopped than when the vehicle travels. Therefore, the timing at which the vehicle is stopped at the intersection in which the probability of stopping is equal to or higher than the prescribed value is taken as the notification timing in order to notify the driver of the information when the attentional resources are sufficient. Incidentally, the timing of stopping at the intersection with a high probability of stopping, rather than the timing at which the vehicle is simply detected to have stopped, is taken as the notification timing because the probability of the stopping time extending to a certain degree is apparently high when the vehicle stops at the intersection with a high probability of stopping. Where a positive determination is made in step S70, the processor 10 notifies the driver of the information (S74).

[0096] By contrast, where it is determined that the vehicle will not stop at the intersection in which the probability of stopping is equal to or higher than the prescribed value (S70: NO), the processor 10 returns to step S68. At the timing of returning to step S68 as a result of the negative determination made in step S70 due to the fact that the vehicle does not stop at the intersection in which the probability of stopping is equal to or higher than the prescribed value, the intersection in which the probability of stopping is equal to or higher than the prescribed value is positioned behind, rather than forward, the intersection at the travel path of the vehicle. Therefore, in this case, the processor 10 determines that the intersection with a minimal probability of stopping is in front (S68: Yes), as long as a plurality of intersections in which the probability of stopping is equal to or higher than the prescribed value is not selected in the processing of step S66 which is performed before the vehicle passes through the intersection in which the probability of stopping is equal to or higher than the prescribed value.

[0097] Where it is determined that the intersection with a minimal probability of stopping is in front, the processor 10 determines whether or not the vehicle is just approaching the intersection with a minimal probability of stopping (S72). This processing is performed to determine whether or not it is the time to notify the driver of the information. Thus, the driver easily consumes more attentional resources when planning to stop the vehicle than when traveling steadily on the road. Therefore, the timing immediately before approaching the intersection with a minimal probability of stopping is taken as the notification timing to notify the driver of the information when the attentional resources are sufficient. Where a positive determination is made in step S72, the processor 10 notifies the driver of the information (S74).

[0098] Where the notification is determined in step S62 to be urgent, the processor 10 notifies the driver of the information (S74). The processor 10 ends the series of processing operations when the notification processing is completed or when a negative determination is made in step S60.

[0099] In accordance with the embodiment described hereinabove, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the above-described effects (1) to (7) of the first embodiment. (13) A stopping period of time in the case in which the vehicle is actually stopped within a period of time in which the probability of stopping is equal to or higher than the prescribed value is preferentially used as a period of time for executing the notification processing. As a result, the information notification can be implemented when the driver's attentional resources are sufficient.

[0100] (14) The period of time in which the vehicle travels in front of the intersection with a low probability of stopping is used in preference over the period of time in which the vehicle travels in front of the intersection with a high probability of stopping as a period of time for executing the notification processing. As a result, the information notification can be implemented when the driver's attentional resources are sufficient. <Fifth Embodiment

[0101] The fifth embodiment is explained hereinbelow with reference to the drawings, the explanation being centered on the differences between the fifth and first embodiments.

[0102] In the first embodiment, the connection probability information (conditional probability information) relating to the system control section is transmitted from the center 20 to the vehicle PC, and then the center updates the conditional probability information while the vehicle travels in this section. However, after the event as to whether the intersections in this section are passed through without stopping has been established, the conditional probability information which is more accurate than that of the initially transmitted information can be provided with respect to the subsequent events. In the embodiment, the processing of updating the conditional probability information is executed with consideration for this possibility.

[0103] In particular, as the procedure of transmission processing of probability information according to the embodiment, FIG 12 illustrates the procedure of the processing of transmitting the information on the sections compartmentalized by the intersections provided with the traffic lights TLA, TLD. This processing is executed by the computational unit 24.

[0104] In the series of such processing operations, the computational unit 24 initially determines whether or not the vehicle travels in the sections compartmentalized by the intersections provided with the traffic lights TLA, TLD (S80). Where a negative determination is made in step S80, the computational unit 24 executes in step S82 the processing same as that of step S20 in FIG 6. Where a positive determination is made in step S82, the computational unit 24 generates the conditional probability information relating to the sections compartmentalized by the intersections provided with the traffic lights TLA, TLD, in the same manner as in the processing of step S24 in FIG 6 (S84).

[0105] Meanwhile, where a positive determination is made in step S80, the computational unit 24 determines whether or not the intersection which is before, on the travel path, the intersection provided with the traffic light TLA has been reached (S86). This processing serves to determine whether or not it is possible to generate information which is more accurate than the conditional probability information transmitted in step S84. Where a positive determination is made in step S86, the computational unit 24 normalizes the conditional probability information generated in step S84 on the basis of the event in which a positive determination is made in step S86 (S88). The normalization, as referred to herein, is the numerical conversion processing for taking the sum of numerical values relating to the probability information on the occurrence of all of the events that can occur as a reference value (as a probability, it is usually "1", and in percentage representation, it is "100"). More specifically, the computational unit 24 generates the conditional probability information assuming the event in which the abovementioned positive determination is made. For example, where the vehicle passes through, without stopping, the intersection provided with the traffic light TLC, the pattern PT3 is excluded and normalization processing is performed such that the sum of the ratios at which the patterns PT1 and PT2 occur becomes "100". As a result, the conditional probability information on the occurrence of the patterns PT1 and PT2 is generated on the premise that the event has occurred in which the vehicle passes, without stopping, through the intersection provided with the traffic light TLC.

[0106] Where the normalization processing is completed or where the processing of step S84 is completed, the computational unit 24 transmits the conditional probability information (S90). Further, where the processing of step S90 is completed or where the negative determinations are made in steps S82 and S86, the computational unit 24 end this series of processing operations.

[0107] In accordance with the embodiment described hereinabove, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the above-described effects (1) to (9) of the first embodiment. (15) As the vehicle PC is traveling in the section relating to the transmitted connection probability information, the conditional probability information taking into account the events that have occurred in the course of traveling is transmitted anew to the vehicle PC. As a result, the processor 10 can acquire more accurate information taking into account the events that have occurred in the course of traveling, without increasing the computational load on the processor 10 of the vehicle PC.

<Sixth Embodiment [0108] The sixth embodiment is explained hereinbelow with reference to the drawings, the explanation being centered on the differences between the sixth and first embodiments.

[0109] In the first embodiment, where the vehicle PC receives the connection probability information, the connection probability information is not updated on the vehicle PC side in response to the events occurring in the course of traveling. By contrast, in the embodiment, the connection probability information received on the vehicle PC side is updated according to the events occurring in the course of traveling, and the gain decrease processing is updated according thereto.

[0110] FIG 13 depicts the procedure of the gain decrease processing according to the embodiment. This processing is repeatedly executed, for example, with a predetermined period by the processor 10. For the sake of convenience, in FIG 13, the processing steps corresponding to those depicted in FIG. 8 are assigned with the same numbers.

[0111] In this series of processing operations, the processor 10 initially determines whether or not the connection probability information useful for the traveling vehicle PC is present (SlOO). In this case, when the probability information that has already been received is present, where this information includes the probability information as to whether or not the intersection that is to be reached in the future by the traveling vehicle PC is to be passed through without stopping, this information is determined to be the useful connection probability information. Where the useful information is determined to be absent (SlOO: NO), the processor 10 performs the processing same as that of steps S40 to S44 in FIG. 8.

[0112] By contrast, where the useful connection probability information is determined to be present (SlOO: YES), the processor 10 determines whether or not another intersection has been reached after receiving the connection probability information (S104). This processing serves to determine whether or not an event has newly occurred that makes it possible to define the probability with a higher accuracy as compared with the point of time at which the connection probability information has been received. Where it is determined that another intersection has been reached (S104: YES), the processor 10 normalizes the connection probability information on the basis of the event that has actually occurred and relates to whether or not the other intersection has been passed through without stopping (S106). The normalization processing can be performed according to the procedure explained in the fifth embodiment.

[0113] Where the normalization processing is ended or a negative determination is made in step S104, the processor 10 preforms the processing same as that of steps S42 and S44 in FIG 8. Where the processing of step S44 is completed or a negative determination is made in step S42, the processor 10 ends this series of processing operations.

[0114] In accordance with the embodiment described hereinabove, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the above-described effects (1) to (9) of the first embodiment. (16) The received connection probability information is normalized when a new event has occurred as a result of reaching an intersection in the section relating to the connection probability information after the connection probability information has been received. As a result, the gain decrease processing can be updated by the newly generated connection probability information and, therefore, the amount and cost of consumed energy can be reduced more reliably.

<Seventh Embodiment

[0115] The seventh embodiment is explained hereinbelow with reference to the drawings, the explanation being centered on the differences between the seventh and first embodiments.

[0116] In the first embodiment, in the system control section, after the connection probability mformation has been transmitted from the center 20 to the vehicle PC, new information is not transmitted until the end of the section is reached. By contrast, in the embodiment, new information is transmitted each time an intersection is reached.

[0117] FIG 14 depicts the transmission processing of the connection probability information according to the embodiment. This processing is executed repeatedly, for example, with a predetermined period, by the computational unit 24. In this series of processing operations, the computational unit 24 initially determines whether or not the vehicle PC for which the destination is set in the navigation system has reached an intersection (S110). Where it is determined that the intersection has been reached (S110: YES), the computational unit 24 specifies the intersections from one to N (>1) intersections on the travel path before the reached intersection in the travel path to the destination (S112). For example, where N is taken as "3", where the intersection provided with the traffic light TLA in FIG 2 has been reached, the intersections provided with the traffic lights TLB to TLD are specified. This processing may be performed on the basis of the route information transmitted from the vehicle PC, postilion information, and map and intersection database 26. In this case, the link information may be added.

[0118] Then, the computational unit 24 generates the connection probability information on the occurrence of the patterns with respect to the patterns as to whether or not the intersections from 1 to N before the reached intersection are passed through without stopping (S114). In this case, the connection probability information is desirably taken as the conditional probability information assuming an actual event relating to whether or not the reached intersection has been passed through without stopping. This processing can be performed by using the connection information stored in the connection information database 30. Where the connection probability information is generated, the computational unit 24 transmits this information to the vehicle PC which is the transmission source of the information that has resulted in the positive determination in step S10O (S116).

[0119] Where the processing of step S116 is completed or a negative determination is made in step S110, the computational unit 24 ends temporarily this series of processing operations.

Correspondence of Technical Ideas and Embodiments>

A representative correspondence relationship between the technical ideas and embodiments described in the summary of the invention is described hereinbelow.

[0120] Technical idea 1 : acquisition unit... refer to 22 and FIG. 2; connection information generating unit ...S14; probability information generating unit...S16, S24, S32, S84, S114. Technical idea 2: position information receiving unit... refer to 22 and FIG 2; transmission processing unit...S26, S34, S90, S116. Technical idea 3: information on whether or not an intersection is passed through... Vpc; passing-stopping information receiving unit... refer to 22 and FIG. 2; conditional probability information... refer to S24, S84, S114. Technical idea 4: first to seventh embodiments. Technical idea 5: first intersection... intersection provided with TLA, TLc, second intersection... intersection provided with TLE, TLy, refer to FIG 5A. Technical idea 6: first intersection... intersection provided with TLA, TLc, second intersection... intersection provided with TLE, TLy, refer to FIG 6. Technical idea 7: refer to FIG. 14. Technical idea 8: refer to FIG 9. Technical idea 9: refer to FIG 9. Technical idea 10: refer to FIG 10. Technical idea 11 : probability input unit...S40, reduction processing...S44. Technical idea 12: onboard main engine...14, gain decrease processing... S44. Technical idea 13: notification unit...S74, probability input unit...S64, priority unit...S70. Technical idea 14: first to seventh embodiments. Technical idea 15: normalization processing unit. ..S106.

[0121] The above-described embodiments may be also implemented with the below-described changes.

[0122] - The "connection information generating unit" is not limited to the unit generating the connection information that is illustrated by FIG 4. For, example, information only on the system control section may be generated instead of the information shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

[0123] Further, the data generated by the connection information generating unit are not necessarily stored in the connection information database 30. For example, the connection information may be generated each time, as necessary, on the basis of the data stored in the vehicle information database 28.

[0124] The connection information generating unit is not limited to the unit provided in the center 20 separated from the vehicle PC. For example, where the connection information is generated on the basis of data accumulated as a result of repeated traveling of one vehicle PC, the connection information generating unit is provided at the vehicle PC. This configuration is, however, not limiting. For example, the connection information may be generated in the vehicle PC by receiving, from the center 20, data relating to the travel path from among the data stored in the vehicle information database 28.

[0125] - "Probability information generating unit": in the above-described second embodiment, the connection probability information is separately generated for each time slot with respect to the weekdays and weekends, but such a configuration is not limiting. For example, it is possible to generate the connection probability information separately for the weekdays and weekends, but ignore the difference between the time slots. Further, for example, the connection probability information may be generated separately for each time slot, but the difference between the weekdays and weekends may be ignored. In addition, for example, the holidays may be distinguished from the weekdays even when the holidays are not on weekends. The connection probability information may be also generated separately for each weekday, and the connection probability information may be also generated separately for each season. Incidentally, the connection probability information may be also generated separately for Saturday and Sunday, and in this case the connection probability information may be also generated separately for weekdays, Saturday and Sunday.

[0126] In the above-described third embodiment, the connection probability information is generated for groups of driving inclinations, but the connection probability information corresponding to the time slot and the connection probability information corresponding to whether the day of interest is a weekday may be also additionally generated for each group of driving inclinations.

[0127] Further, the configuration in which the probability information generating unit is provided in the center 20 which is separate from the vehicle PC is not limiting, in the same manner as described in the section relating to the "probability information input unit".

- "Passing-stopping information receiving unit": in the embodiment, the vehicle speed Vpc is received as the information relating to whether or not the vehicle passes through the intersection without stopping, but such a feature is not limiting. For example, a brake operation amount may be received in addition to the vehicle speed Vpc. Since a brake operation is performed when the vehicle is stopped, whether or not the vehicle has been stopped can be estimated with even higher accuracy by using the vehicle speed Vpc and the brake operation amount.

[0128] The information relating to whether or not the vehicle passes through the intersection without stopping is not limited to the information for estimating whether or not the vehicle has passed through the intersection without stopping. For example, where the vehicle PC itself detects whether or not it has stopped and transmits the detection result, the passing-stopping information receiving unit receives the transmitted detection result.

[0129] - "Input for specific processing of driving inclination": for example, the driving inclinations may be grouped by using time series data on the brake operation amount or accelerator operation amount (sampling data obtained at mutually different timings) together with the vehicle speed Vpc. The driving inclinations may be also grouped, for example, on the basis of the time series data on the brake operation amount of accelerator operation amount, without using the vehicle speed Vpc.

[0130] - "Transmission processing unit": all of the patterns of the system control section and the connection probability information thereon (FIG 5A) may be provided instead of providing the conditional probability information to the vehicle PC in the processing illustrated by FIG 6. Incidentally, this processing may be executed before the vehicle PC reaches the intersection at the end of the system control section.

[0131] In the processing illustrated by FIG. 14, the connection probability information may be transmitted each time a predetermined number (>1) of intersections are reached anew, instead of transmitting the connection probability information each time an intersection is reached.

[0132] The feature of transmitting the connection probability information is not limited to the transmission of information on the occurrence of patterns with respect to the patterns as to whether or not the vehicle is to pass, without stopping, through a plurality of intersections which have not yet been reached. For example, the probability information relating to a single intersection which has not yet been reached by the vehicle may be transmitted. In this case, the control can be also performed, for example, in the manner of the processing illustrated by FIG 8, such that energy consumption and consumed energy cost are reduced by reduction correcting the torque command value Trq* when the probability of stopping is high. In particular, where the probability information relating to a single intersection and transmitted herein is the conditional probability information generated on the basis of the connection probability information, the accuracy of the probability provided to the vehicle can be increased.

[0133] - "Normalization processing of probability in the center": the feature of normalizing the probability information is not limited to normalizing the probability information each time an intersection is reached in the system control section, as illustrated by FIG 12. For example, the probability information may be normalized and the newly normalized probability information may be provided each time every other intersection is reached.

[0134] - "Normalization processing unit": in the processing illustrated by FIG. 13, the probability is normalized each time a vehicle passes an intersection anew, provided that the intersection is present in the traveling section relating to the received connection probability information, but such a feature is not limiting. For example, it is possible not to perform the normalization processing when a section which has not yet been traveled, within the traveling section relating to the received connection probability information, is equal to or less than a predetermined distance.

[0135] Further, instead of normalizing the connection probability information into the conditional probability information, it is possible to normalize the threshold probability Pth such that the determination can be made in the same manner as when the conditional probability infonnation is normalized, although the conditional probability information is not normalized. Thus, for example, where the vehicle passes the traffic light TLC without stopping after receiving the connection probability information on the patterns PT1 to PT3 depicted in FIG 6 relating to the traffic lights TLA to TLD, the threshold probability Pth may be normalized to "Pth χ 100/(β1 + β2)". The "normalization" used in this case has a more general meaning that that explained in the processing of step S88.

[0136] More specifically, it is used in the sense of numerical conversion processing that makes it possible to refer to the probability information. Thus, the threshold probability Pth is itself defined by assuming that the sum of probability information has a reference value (in this case, "100"), but where a specific pattern is excluded due to the occurrence of a specific event, the sum of the numerical values indicated by the probability information relating to the events that can occur is not anymore equal to the reference value. Therefore, where the gain decrease processing is executed while both the probability information and the threshold probability Pth remain the same, the newly occurring events are not reflected in the control. In order to execute the gain decrease processing on the basis of probability with a higher accuracy that reflects the newly occurring events, it is necessary either to perform the numerical conversion such that the sum of the numerical values indicated by the probability information has the reference value, or to convert the threshold probability Pth into a value corresponding to the sum of numerical values of the probability information. As a result, even where the threshold probability Pth is normalized, the processing can be performed that is the same as the execution of the gain decrease processing in the case in which the probability of stopping is determined on the basis of the normalized probability to be equal to or higher than the threshold probability Pth.

[0137] - "Conditional probability information": the conditional probability information which is initially transmitted from the center in relation to a specific section is not limited to the occurrence probability of a specific event (event pattern) which assumes the events in a single intersection. For example a plurality of events may be also assumed. Incidentally, in the processing illustrated by FIG 12, although an example is shown in which the conditional probability based on a plurality of events is transmitted from the center 20 in the middle of a section (in this case, a section defined by the intersections provided with the traffic lights TLA to TLD), the conditional probability that assumes a single event is transmitted for the beginning of the section. [0138] - "Pattern probability database 32": the feature of storing the connection probability information illustrated by FIG 5 is not limiting. For example, the information generated in S32 in FIG 7 may be also stored. Further, for example, the conditional probability of the vehicle stopping at one of two adjacent intersections and passing through the other one and the conditional probability of the vehicle passing through the one and also passing through the other intersection may be stored with respect to each pair of intersections. However, the pattern probaoility database 32 is itself not mandatory, and the probability information may be generated each time prior to transmitting to the vehicle PC on the basis of the information (information illustrated by FIG. 4) stored in the connection information database 30.

[0139] - "Gain decrease processing": where the gain decrease processing is performed, the driver may be notified to this effect. FIG 8 illustrates simple control in which the torque command value Trq* is continuously corrected by the correction coefficient (fixed value) as long as the vehicle PC does not stop in the traveling section up to the distance L in the case in which a positive determination is made in step S42, but such control is not limiting. For example, the correction coefficient K may be changed in real time as a function of time.

[0140] FIG 8 illustrates an example in which the torque command value Trq* is reduced by correction when the probability of the vehicle stopping within the predetermined distance L is equal to or higher than the threshold probability Pth, but such an example is not limiting. For example, when an engine alone is provided as an onboard main engine and the torque base control is not used, the torque command value Trq* may not be included in the command value of the control amount of the engine as a control object. In such a case, a parameter correlated with the torque may be operated to reduce the torque when the probability is equal to or higher than the threshold probability Pth in comparison with when the probability is lower than the threshold probability. More specifically, for example, in the case of a gasoline engine, the command value of the opening degree of an intake throttle valve may be reduced by correction or the command value of the intake air amount may be reduced by correction. [0141] - "Reduction processing": this processing is not limited to the processing that can reduce energy consumption when executed within a predetermined period of time before the vehicle is stopped. For example, it may be the processing that delays the engine start in a series hybrid vehicle in which a motor generator and an engine connected to a generator are installed as the onboard main engine and a high-voltage battery storing electric energy to be supplied to the motor generator can be charged from an external commercial power supply. Thus, for example, in a vehicle in which the engine is started and the high-voltage battery is charged when the state of charge (SOC) rate of the high-voltage battery decreases, the processing of delaying the engine start may be used as the reduction processing in the case of a high probability of the vehicle stopping at the intersection at less than a predetermined distance even when the charge rate has decreased. Such approach takes into account the possibility of the high-voltage battery being charged by regenerative energy as a result of the motor generator acting as a generator when the vehicle stops at the intersection. As a result, fuel consumption can be greatly reduced, and the usage ratio of the electric power supplied from the commercial power supply in the energy consumed by the vehicle can be increased. Taking into account that the cost associated with energy consumption is usually lower with the commercial electric power than fuel, such processing makes it possible to reduce the cost associated with energy consumption.

[0142] - "Priority unit": in FIG 11, a zone in front of the intersection in which the probability of stopping is minimal is taken as a candidate for the period of time for information notification, but such a feature is not limiting. In this case, for example, where the vehicle has not stopped at the intersection in which the probability of stopping is equal to or greater than the prescribed value, the processing of waiting until the vehicle actually stops at another intersection in which the probability of stopping is equal to or greater than the prescribed value may be continued. In this process, the intersection in which the probability of stopping is equal to or greater than the prescribed value is updated on the basis of the connection probability information received by the processing of step S64. [0143] Further, for example, the intersection in which the probability of stopping is equal to or greater than the prescribed value may be not taken as a candidate for information notification. A method for prioritizing, as the timing for information notification, the timing, at which the vehicle is positioned in front of an intersection with a low probability of stopping, is not limited to the method illustrated by the above-described embodiment. For example, the numbers obtained by multiplying N by the stopping probabilities at N intersections ahead on the travel path may be calculated for each N (= 1, 2, 3, ...) with respect to the intersections, and the notification information may be provided in front of the intersection corresponding tc the N for which the calculated number is the smallest. In this case, since the calculated value decreases as the probability of stopping decreases, this setting prioritizes the notification at the intersection with a low probability of stopping. The multiplication by N is the setting for performing the notification as early as possible.

[0144] - "Handling of the right turn": in FIG 4, the information to the effect that the vehicle PC has turned right at the traffic light TLa is included in the notification information in the system control section of straight advance with the traffic lights TLc to TLz. Where relevant, the event of the vehicle passing straight through at the traffic light TLa is not distinguished from the effect of the vehicle making right turn at the traffic light TLa. However, those events may be uniformly distinguished from each other, or may be distinguished from each other only when the traffic light has a RIGHT TURN ONLY indication. Where those events are distinguished from each other, in FIG 4B, the sampling data SD4 do not include the passing-and-stopping information relating to the traffic light TLa.

[0145] - "Application of probability information": the probability information may be used, for example, to predict the arrival time in the navigation system. This can be done, for example, by presetting one stopping time Tw in the case of stopping at the intersection, and using the expected value of the stopping time in each section defined on the basis of the connection probability information. More specifically, for example, where the vehicle stops at the traffic light TLA depicted in FIG 2A, the expected values of the stopping time at the intersections provided with the traffic lights TLB to TLD may be calculated as "(0 · Tw · βΐ + 1 · Tw · β2 + 1 · Tw · β3)/100".

[0146] The feature of processing of notifying a driver is not limited to processing based on probability information. For example, where the probability of stopping is very high, the processing of notifying the driver to this effect may be executed.

[0147] The application of probability information is not limited to providing notification to the vehicle. For example, the application is also possible in which the probability information is provided as information on whether or not the on-target control has been implemented to the system of traffic light systematic control.

[0148] - "Probability input unit": the probability input unit is not limited to that provided in the center 20. For example, where the connection information illustrated by FIG 4 is transmitted from the center 20 and this information is received on the vehicle PC side, the probability information input unit becomes a processing unit that inputs the probability information generated in the vehicle PC.

[0149] The probability information to be inputted to the probability input unit is not limited to the connection probability information on a plurality of events or the conditional probability information assuming the events that have already occurred. For example, since the probability of stopping at the intersection at the end of the system control section is very high, even where the probability of stopping in this single intersection is inputted, it can be useful for the processing performed in the vehicle PC.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An intersection information generating device comprising:

an acquisition unit that acquires information on whether a vehicle has passed, without stopping, through an intersection provided with a traffic light, or has stopped at the intersection;

a connection information generating unit that generates, on the basis of the information and for each of a plurality of intersections that appear on a travel path of a first vehicle, connection information indicating whether or not the first vehicle has passed through the intersection without stopping; and

a probability information generating unit that generates a pattern defining whether or not the first vehicle has passed through each of a plurality of intersections appearing in a specific travel section without stopping, and connection probability information on occurrence of the pattern by collecting the connection information.

2. The intersection information generating device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a position information receiving unit that receives position information on a vehicle that is transmitted from the vehicle; and

a transmission processing unit that transmits probability information on the vehicle passing, without stopping, through at least one intersection positioned in a travel direction of the vehicle to a vehicle, which is a transmission source of the position information, on the basis of the position information and the connection probability information.

3. The intersection information generating device according to claim 2, further comprising:

a passing-stopping information receiving unit that receives second information which relates to whether or not a vehicle passes through an intersection without stopping and which is information transmitted from the vehicle, wherein the transmission processing unit transmits the probability information on the at least one intersection to the vehicle, which is the transmission source of the second information and the position information, on the basis of the position information and the second information; and

the probability information on the at least one intersection is conditional probability information assuming occurrence of an event indicated by the information received by the passing-stopping information receiving unit.

4. The intersection information generating device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein:

the transmission processing unit transmits the connection probability information corresponding to each of patterns with respect to a section including a plurality of intersections and also including a portion of the travel section located before, on a travel path, the vehicle, which is the transmission source, as the probability information on the at least one intersection.

5. The intersection information generating device according to claim 4, wherein the specific travel section is a section having as ends thereof a first intersection and an intersection which is one intersection behind a second intersection positioned before the first intersection in the travel section, the first intersection and the second intersection being a pair of intersections for which a probability of stopping is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, and a probability of stopping at an intersection located between the first intersection and the second intersection is less than a predetermined value.

6. The intersection information generating device according to claim 4, further comprising:

a passing-stopping information receiving unit that receives information relating to whether or not a vehicle passes through an intersection without stopping and transmitted from the vehicle, wherein the specific travel section is a section having as ends thereof a first intersection and an intersection which is one intersection behind a second intersection positioned before the first intersection in the travel section, the first intersection and the second intersection being a pair of intersections for which a probability of stopping is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, and a probability of stopping at an intersection located between the first intersection and the second intersection is less than a predetermined value, and

when the information relating to whether or not the intersection is passed is information to the effect that the vehicle has stopped at the first intersection, the transmission processing unit transmits to the vehicle, which is the transmission source, probability information which assumes that the event of stopping has occurred and which is the connection probability information on the occurrence of a pattern, for which the first intersection is a start point and which corresponds to stopping at the first intersection, among the patterns.

7. The intersection information generating device according to claim 4, wherein the transmission processing unit transmits the connection probability information to the vehicle, which is the transmission source, and then when the vehicle, which is the transmission source, is positioned in the middle of the travel section defining the patterns, transmits to the vehicle, which is the transmission source, the connection probability information on the occurrence of a new pattern relating to a section including several of intersections included in the transmitted pattern and also including intersections located before, on a travel path, the intersections included in the pattern.

8. The intersection information generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein

the acquisition unit acquires information as to whether or not a vehicle has passed through the intersection without stopping together with information relating to a time slot thereof, and the probability information generating unit generates the connection probability information for each time slot.

9. The intersection information generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein

the acquisition unit acquires information as to whether or not a vehicle has passed through the intersection without stopping together with information relating to a day of the week, and the probability information generating unit generates the connection probability information separately for weekdays and Sundays.

10. The intersection information generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein

the acquisition unit acquires information as to whether or not a vehicle has passed through the intersection without stopping together with at least one of accelerator operation information, brake operation information, and vehicle speed information, and the probability information generating unit collects the connection information while classifying the connection information by driving inclination of the vehicle specified by the at least one information, thereby generating the connection probability information separately for each group classified by the driving inclination.

11. A processor for a vehicle provided in the vehicle and performing specific processing, the processor comprising:

a probability input unit that inputs probability information on the vehicle passing, without stopping, through an intersection provided with a traffic light, and

an execution unit that, when the probability information inputted to the probability input unit indicates that a probability of stopping within a predetermined period of time is equal to or greater than a prescribed value, executes reduction processing capable of reducing at least one of an energy consumption amount and a cost of consumed energy when the processing is executed within a predetermined period of time before the vehicle stops.

12. The processor for a vehicle according to claim 11, wherein

the reduction processing includes gain decrease processing of decreasing a gain which is a ratio of an output of an onboard main engine to an accelerator operation amount performed by a driver.

13. A processor for a vehicle provided in the vehicle and performing specific processing, the processor comprising:

a notification unit that notifies a driver of information; and

a probability input unit that inputs probability information on the vehicle passing, without stopping, an intersection provided with a traffic light, wherein

the notification unit is provided with a priority unit that uses, as a period of time in which processing of notifying is executed, a period of time in which a probability of the vehicle stopping is equal to or higher than a prescribed value preferentially over a period of time in which the probability of stopping is lower than the prescribed value, when the vehicle actually stops in the period of time in which the probability of the vehicle stopping is equal to or higher than the prescribed value on the basis of probability information inputted to the probability input unit.

14. The processor for a vehicle according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the information inputted to the probability input unit includes connection probability information on occurrence of patterns, the patterns defining whether or not the vehicle passes, without stopping, through each of a plurality of intersections appearing on the travel path of the vehicle.

15. The processor for a vehicle according to claim 14, further comprising:

a normalization processing unit that normalizes either of the connection probability information inputted to the probability input unit and an execution reference for processing, which is performed with the connection probability information as an input, in response to an actual occurrence relating to whether or not the vehicle passes, without stopping, through an intersection in a travel section prescribing the patterns.