Vehicle control device

Abstract

To provide a vehicle control device capable of suppressing eye dryness of a driver.SOLUTION: A vehicle control device 1 includes an estimation part 13 which estimates eye dryness of a driver in a vehicle and a control part 14 for executing suppression control which suppresses eye dryness of the driver when it is estimated that the driver's eye is dry. The suppression control is, for example, a control for adjusting a wind direction of an air conditioner so that wind of the air conditioner in the vehicle is not blown out toward the face of the driver. The estimation part, for example, can estimate the eye dryness of the driver, on the basis of a blinking pattern of the driver.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle control device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are devices for monitoring drivers. Patent Document 1 discloses a driver monitoring device that includes a dozing determination unit that detects whether the driver's eyes are open or closed based on a facial image showing the face of the driver of a vehicle, and determines whether the driver is dozing or not based on the eye opening or closing state, and a conversation determination unit that determines whether the driver is talking or not. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-149287 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is still room for further study on how to support safe driving. For example, the driver's eyes are easily dried out due to the increased workload during driving. If the driver's eyes can be prevented from drying out, it can support safe driving.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle control device that can suppress dry eyes of a driver. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The vehicle control device of the present invention is characterized by comprising an estimation unit that estimates dryness of the eyes of a vehicle driver, and a control unit that executes suppression control to suppress dryness of the driver's eyes when it is estimated that the driver's eyes are dry. Effect of the Invention

[0007] The vehicle control device according to the present invention executes suppression control for suppressing dryness of the driver's eyes when it is estimated that the driver's eyes are dry. The vehicle control device according to the present invention has the effect of suppressing dryness of the driver's eyes. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle control device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the vehicle control device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a first pattern of blinking. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second pattern of blinking. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a third pattern of blinking. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a fourth pattern of blinking. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of blink data of a person without dry eye. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of blink data of a person with dry eye. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing blink data of people without dry eyes and the occurrence rate of each pattern. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing blink data of people prone to dry eye and the occurrence rate of each pattern. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing blink data of people with dry eye and the occurrence rate of each pattern. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart relating to the vehicle control device of the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the suppression control according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the adjustment of the wind direction according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, a vehicle control device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. In addition, the components in the following embodiment include those that a person skilled in the art can easily imagine or that are substantially the same.

[0010] [Embodiment] An embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 14. The embodiment relates to a vehicle control device. Fig. 1 is a diagram of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle control device of the embodiment, Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the vehicle control device of the embodiment, Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a first pattern of blinking, Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a second pattern of blinking, Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a third pattern of blinking, Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a fourth pattern of blinking, Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of blinking data of a person without dry eyes, Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of blinking data of a person with dry eyes, Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the blinking data of a person without dry eyes and the occurrence rate of each pattern, and Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the blinking data of a person prone to dry eyes and the occurrence rate of each pattern.

[0011] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing blinking data of a person with dry eye and the occurrence rate of each pattern, FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a vehicle control device of an embodiment, FIG. 13 is a flowchart of suppression control of an embodiment, and FIG. 14 is a diagram explaining wind direction adjustment of an embodiment.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 1, a vehicle control device 1 of this embodiment is mounted on a vehicle 100. The vehicle 100 is an automobile, and is driven by a driver 200. The vehicle 100 has a camera 20 that captures an image of the face of the driver 200. The camera 20 is disposed in front of the driver 200, and is disposed so as to capture an image of the eyes 210 of the driver 200. The camera 20 is configured to continuously capture images of the driver 200 at a predetermined frame rate.

[0013] The vehicle control device 1 is a device configured to execute suppression control for suppressing dryness of the eyes of the driver 200 when the eyes 210 of the driver 200 are estimated to be dry. As shown in Fig. 2, the vehicle control device 1 has an acquisition unit 11, a detection unit 12, an estimation unit 13, and a control unit 14. The vehicle control device 1 is, for example, a computer having an arithmetic circuit, a memory, an input / output interface, etc. The vehicle control device 1 is, for example, configured as an electronic control unit (ECU).

[0014] The acquisition unit 11 acquires the eye opening degree of the driver 200. The acquisition unit 11 of this embodiment acquires the eye opening degree of the driver 200 based on the image acquired from the camera 20. The acquisition unit 11 calculates the eye opening degree EO [%] of the driver 200 in each image, for example, by image recognition. When the eyes 210 of the driver 200 are completely closed, the value of the eye opening degree EO is 0%. The acquisition unit 11 may calculate the eye opening degree EO for each of the left eye and the right eye of the driver 200. The eye opening degree EO may be an average value of the eye opening degree of the left eye and the eye opening degree of the right eye of the driver 200. The acquisition unit 11 may calculate only the eye opening degree EO of either one of the eyes 210 of the driver 200. The acquisition unit 11 calculates the eye opening degree EO for each of the images acquired continuously from the camera 20.

[0015] The detection unit 12 detects the blinking pattern of the driver 200 based on the transition of the eye opening degree EO. The detection unit 12 of this embodiment determines which of the four patterns described below the blink corresponds to. The four patterns used in this embodiment are the first pattern shown in FIG. 3 to the fourth pattern shown in FIG. 6.

[0016] (a) First pattern The first pattern shown in Fig. 3 is a blinking pattern in which the eyes are not completely closed. In the graphs of Fig. 3 and the like, the horizontal axis is time [msec] and the vertical axis is eye opening degree EO [%]. The graph plots the transition of the value of eye opening degree EO acquired by acquisition unit 11. In the blink of Fig. 3, the minimum value of eye opening degree EO is about 40 [%], and the eyelids are opened before the eyes are fully closed. Such a pattern occurs, for example, when the eyes 210 of driver 200 are slightly dry.

[0017] (b) Second pattern The second pattern shown in Fig. 4 is a blinking pattern in which the eyes are repeatedly opened and closed without being completely opened. In the blinking of Fig. 4, after the blinking starts, the eyes are closed again before the eye opening degree EO returns to 100[%]. In this embodiment, one blink is an eye opening and closing action from the start of the blinking to the eye being completely opened. In other words, one blink may include multiple eye opening and closing actions. The second pattern is one of the typical blinking patterns of people with dry eye.

[0018] (c) Third pattern The third pattern shown in FIG. 5 is a blinking pattern in which the eyes are closed for a long time. Here, a long time means a long time compared to the average blinking pattern of people who do not have dry eye. In the blink of FIG. 5, the eyes remain closed for a while before they begin to open. In other words, the eyes are closed for a long time compared to normal blinking. The third pattern is one of the typical blinking patterns of people with dry eye.

[0019] (d) Fourth pattern The fourth pattern shown in FIG. 6 is a typical blink pattern of a person without dry eye. In other words, the fourth pattern is a standard blink pattern or a normal blink pattern. In the blink shown in FIG. 6, the blink is completed with one opening and closing of the eyes. In addition, the time from when the eyes are fully closed to when they are opened, and from when the eyes are closed to when they start to open, is short. Furthermore, the time from when the blink starts to when the eyes are completely closed, and the time from when the eyes start to open to when the eyes are completely opened, are both short.

[0020] The detection unit 12 extracts one blink from the data of the transition of the eye opening degree EO. The data extracted as one blink is, for example, the value of the eye opening degree EO from the time when it is determined that the blink has started to the time when it is determined that the blink has ended. The detection unit 12 determines which of the four blink patterns the extracted one blink corresponds to. The detection unit 12 selects the pattern with the highest degree of match, for example, by pattern matching.

[0021] FIG. 7 is an example of blink data of a person without dry eye. FIG. 8 is an example of blink data of a person with dry eye. In the case of a person without dry eye, as shown in FIG. 7, blinking of a fourth pattern is repeated at a substantially regular cycle. In the case of a person with dry eye, as shown in FIG. 8, the interval between blinks is shorter than that of a person without dry eye. In addition, the blinking of a person with dry eye includes a plurality of patterns. In the data of FIG. 8, (a) a first pattern, (b) a second pattern, and (c) a third pattern appear.

[0022] The estimation unit 13 calculates the occurrence ratio of a plurality of patterns in a predetermined period of time. The predetermined period of time may be, for example, a period shorter than one minute, about one minute, several minutes, or any other length of time.

[0023] The estimation unit 13 calculates the number of blinks in a first pattern B1, the number of blinks in a second pattern B2, the number of blinks in a third pattern B3, and the number of blinks in a fourth pattern B4 in a predetermined period. The occurrence ratio Ri of the blinks in the i-th pattern (i=1, 2, 3, 4) is calculated by the following formula (1). Ri = Bi / (B1 + B2 + B3 + B4) (1)

[0024] 9 shows blink data of a person without dry eye and the occurrence rate Ri [%] of each pattern calculated from this data. For a person without dry eye, the occurrence rate R4 of the fourth pattern is high, and the occurrence rates R1, R2, and R3 of the first to third patterns are all low.

[0025] Fig. 10 shows blink data of a person prone to dry eye, and the occurrence rate Ri [%] of each pattern calculated from this data. The data in Fig. 10 is data on the eye opening degree EO of the driver 200 while driving. When the workload of the eyes 210 is high, such as when driving the vehicle 100, the number of blinks is reduced compared to when the workload is low. For people with dry eye or prone to dry eye, the occurrence rate R1 of the first pattern of blinks increases as the number of blinks decreases.

[0026] Figure 11 shows blink data of a person with dry eye, and the occurrence rate Ri [%] of each pattern calculated from this data. The data in Figure 11 is data on the eye opening degree EO of driver 200 while driving. For a person with dry eye, the occurrence rates R1, R2, and R3 of the first to third patterns are large. In the data in Figure 11, the occurrence rate R4 of the fourth pattern is the smallest.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 14 of this embodiment controls the warning device 40, the air conditioner 50, the power window 60, and the display 70. The control unit 14 executes suppression control to suppress dry eyes of the driver 200. The suppression control includes control to prompt the driver 200 to take a break via the warning device 40. The suppression control includes control to adjust the air direction and ventilation of the air conditioner 50. If the vehicle 100 has an air conditioner ECU that controls the air conditioner 50, the control unit 14 can control the air conditioner 50 via the air conditioner ECU. The air conditioner 50 has a mechanism to automatically adjust the air direction, air volume, ventilation, etc.

[0028] The warning device 40 is a device that outputs a caution or a warning to the driver 200. The warning device 40 is, for example, a warning lamp, a speaker, an image display device, or the like provided in the vehicle 100.

[0029] The vehicle control device 1 acquires various information from the vehicle ECU 30. The acquired information includes, for example, the traveling speed of the vehicle 100, the shift position, the operating state of the brake hold function, and whether or not the steering is held.

[0030] The operation of the vehicle control device 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 12. The flowchart in Fig. 12 is executed when the power of the vehicle 100 is ON. This flowchart is executed, for example, regardless of whether the vehicle 100 is moving or not. In step S10, the eye opening degree EO is detected. The acquisition unit 11 acquires the eye opening degree of the driver 200 based on an image acquired from the camera 20. After step S10 is executed, the process proceeds to step S20.

[0031] In step S20, blink analysis is performed. The detection unit 12 detects a blink pattern based on the data of the eye opening degree EO acquired in step S10. The detection unit 12 determines which of the first to fourth patterns each detected blink corresponds to. After step S20 is executed, the process proceeds to step S30.

[0032] In step S30, a Perclos analysis is performed. Perclos is a value indicating the proportion of time the eyes are closed, and is an index relating to the degree of fatigue of the driver 200. The Perclos value is calculated, for example, by the detection unit 12. After step S30 is executed, the process proceeds to step S40.

[0033] In step S40, it is determined whether data has been acquired for a period of time equal to or longer than the designated time ΔT1. The designated time ΔT1 is the time required to acquire an amount of data that allows the possibility of dry eye to be estimated. The designated time ΔT1 may be, for example, the above-mentioned predetermined period. If the time that has elapsed since the start of acquisition of blink data is equal to or longer than the designated time ΔT1, a positive determination is made in step S40. If a positive determination is made in step S40, the process proceeds to step S110, and if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step S50.

[0034] In step S50, it is determined whether or not the vehicle has traveled for a specified time ΔT2 or more. The specified time ΔT2 is a threshold value for continuous driving time for prompting the driver 200 to take a break. The determination in step S50 is made, for example, based on the value of a timer that measures the driving time. The specified time ΔT2 is, for example, 1.5 hours. If the determination in step S50 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S60, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S80.

[0035] In step S60, the driving time is reset, and the process proceeds to step S70. In step S70, control is performed to prompt the driver 200 to take a break. The control unit 14 commands the warning device to output a message prompting the driver 200 to take a break. The warning device prompts the driver 200 to take a break, for example, by sound, a warning lamp, or an image display. The warning device prompts the driver 200 to take a break, for example, by displaying a coffee cup. After step S70 is executed, the process proceeds to step S80.

[0036] In step S80, it is determined whether the drowsiness of the driver 200 is equal to or greater than a threshold. The determination in step S80 is made, for example, based on the value of Perclos calculated in step S30. If the determination in step S80 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S90, and if the determination is negative, the control flow is temporarily terminated and the process proceeds to step S10.

[0037] In step S90, a warning is issued. The control unit 14 commands the warning device 40 to output a warning about drowsiness. The warning device 40 calls the driver 200's attention by, for example, a sound, a warning lamp, an image display, or the like. After step S90 is executed, the process proceeds to step S100.

[0038] In step S100, it is determined whether there is a warning cancellation signal. When the driver 200 performs an operation to cancel the warning, the cancellation signal is output. If the determination in step S100 is affirmative, the control flow ends once and proceeds to step S10, whereas if the determination is negative, the flow proceeds to step S90 and the output of the warning continues.

[0039] In step S110, it is determined whether the value of flag FG is 1. Flag FG is a flag that indicates the estimated result of the possibility of dry eye. If the estimated result is undetermined, the value of flag FG is 0. The initial value of flag FG is 0. If there is a possibility of dry eye, the value of flag FG is 1. If it is estimated that there is no dry eye, the value of flag FG is 2. In step S110, if the current value of flag FG is 1, proceed to step S150, and if the value of flag FG is different from 1, proceed to step S120.

[0040] In step S120, it is determined whether or not there is a shallow blink. The determination in step S120 is made based on the result of the blink analysis in step S20. The estimation unit 13 makes the determination in step S120 based on the occurrence rate Ri (i=1, 2, 3, 4) of each pattern acquired by the blink analysis. For example, the estimation unit 13 makes a positive determination in step S120 when the occurrence rate R1 of the first pattern is greater than a predetermined lower limit value. If a positive determination is made in step S120, the process proceeds to step S140, and if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step S130.

[0041] In step S130, the value of flag FG is set to 2. In this case, since the first pattern of light eye closure is not present, it is determined that the patient does not have dry eye. After step S130 is executed, the process proceeds to step S50.

[0042] In step S140, the value of flag FG is set to 1. In this case, since the first pattern appears, it is determined that there is a possibility of dry eye. After step S140 is executed, the process proceeds to step S50.

[0043] In step S150, it is determined whether the vehicle has been traveling for a specified time ΔT3 or more. The specified time ΔT3 is a threshold value for continuous traveling time for prompting the driver 200 to take a break. The specified time ΔT3 is a time shorter than the specified time ΔT2 in step S50. In other words, if it is determined that there is a possibility of dry eye, an output is given to prompt the driver to take a break early. The specified time ΔT3 is, for example, one hour. If the determination in step S150 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S160, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S200.

[0044] In step S160, the driving time is reset, and the process proceeds to step S170. In step S170, control is performed to prompt the driver 200 to take a break. The control unit 14 commands the warning device 40 to output an output to prompt the driver 200 to take a break. The warning device 40 prompts the driver 200 to take a break, for example, by using a sound, a warning lamp, or an image display. The warning device 40 prompts the driver 200 to take a break by displaying, for example, an eye drop mark. In other words, the warning device outputs an output to prompt the driver to rest their tired eyes. After step S170 is executed, the process proceeds to step S180.

[0045] In step S180, it is determined whether there is a cancellation signal. The cancellation signal in step S180 may be output when the vehicle 100 is stopped for a certain period of time or more. That is, a positive determination may be made in step S180 when the driver 200 stops driving or ends driving and takes a rest. If a positive determination is made in step S180, the process proceeds to step S190, and if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step S180 and the output of the advice to encourage rest continues. Note that the cancellation signal may be output when the driver 200 performs an operation to cancel the advice to encourage rest.

[0046] In step S190, the value of flag FG is set to 0, and the process proceeds to step S50. When the value of flag FG becomes 0, the inference result regarding dry eye becomes undetermined.

[0047] In step S200, it is determined whether the ratios of various blinking patterns have increased. In step S200, the initial appearance ratio is compared with the current appearance ratio. The initial appearance ratio is, for example, the appearance ratio first acquired after the power of the vehicle 100 is turned on. In this case, the initial appearance ratio is the appearance ratio of the blinking pattern acquired before the driver 200 starts driving, or the appearance ratio of the blinking pattern acquired immediately after the driver 200 starts driving. Therefore, the initial appearance ratio is the appearance ratio before eye fatigue caused by driving occurs.

[0048] In step S200, if the occurrence rate R2 of the second pattern or the occurrence rate R3 of the third pattern increases compared to the initial occurrence rate, a positive judgment is made. If the blinking of the second pattern shown in FIG. 4 or the blinking of the third pattern shown in FIG. 5 increases while driving is continued, it is estimated that there is a high possibility of dry eye. In contrast, if the blinking of the second pattern or the blinking of the third pattern does not occur, it is estimated that there is a low possibility of dry eye. For example, the frequency of blinking decreases during driving, and the eyes become more likely to dry. As a result, even people who do not have dry eye may blink in the first pattern. If a positive judgment is made in step S200, the process proceeds to step S210, and if a negative judgment is made, the process proceeds to step S50.

[0049] In step S210, control for suppressing dry eyes is performed. The suppression control for suppressing dry eyes will be described with reference to Fig. 13. As shown in Fig. 13, the process of step S210 includes steps S211 to S215.

[0050] In step S211, it is determined whether the air conditioner is operating. The control unit 14 acquires information on the operating state from the air conditioner 50. If the air conditioner 50 is blowing air, a positive determination is made in step S211. If a positive determination is made in step S211, the process proceeds to step S212, and if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step S214.

[0051] In step S212, it is determined whether the lack of blinking continues for a second time. If the blink frequency is low, the dryness of the eyes is difficult to be relieved, and the dryness of the eyes may progress. If the state in which the number of blinks is less than a predetermined threshold continues for a second time, the control unit 14 makes a positive determination in step S212. The threshold is, for example, 30 [blinks / min]. In this embodiment, if the state in which the number of blinks is less than the threshold continues for a second time, a positive determination is made in step S212. The second time is, for example, 20 minutes. If a positive determination is made in step S212, the process proceeds to step S213, and if a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step S50 in FIG. 12.

[0052] In step S213, suppression control is performed by the air conditioner 50. The control unit 14 commands the air conditioner 50 to adjust the airflow direction and take in outside air. An example of airflow direction adjustment is shown in Fig. 14. The airflow direction AR0 indicated by the dashed arrow is the airflow direction before adjustment, and the airflow direction AR1 indicated by the solid arrow is the airflow direction after adjustment. The airflow direction AR0 before adjustment is directed toward the face of the driver 200. The airflow direction AR1 after adjustment is directed downward from the face of the driver 200.

[0053] In this way, the control unit 14 adjusts the air direction of the air conditioner 50 so that the air from the air conditioner 50 does not blow out toward the face of the driver 200. The air direction adjustment is not limited to the adjustment shown in FIG. 14. For example, the adjusted air direction AR1 may be directed upward from the face of the driver 200. The adjusted air direction AR1 may be directed toward the space to the right or left of the face of the driver 200. The air from the air conditioner 50 does not blow directly on the face of the driver 200, thereby preventing the eyes 210 from drying out.

[0054] The air conditioner 50, which has received the command to take in outside air, increases the amount of outside air taken in when blowing air. That is, the air conditioner 50 decreases the ratio of internal air circulation in the air blown, and increases the ratio of outside air introduction. The air conditioner 50 may blow all of the air as outside air. After step S213 is executed, the process proceeds to step S50 in FIG. 12.

[0055] In step S214, it is determined whether the insufficient blinking has occurred for a first time. When the state in which the number of blinks is less than a predetermined threshold continues for the first time, the control unit 14 makes a positive determination in step S212. The threshold is, for example, 30 [blinks / min]. In this embodiment, when the state in which the number of blinks is less than the threshold continues for the first time, a positive determination is made in step S212. The first time is a time longer than the second time, for example, 30 minutes. When a positive determination is made in step S214, the process proceeds to step S215, and when a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step S50 in FIG. 12.

[0056] In step S215, a warning about dry eyes is issued. The control unit 14 commands the warning device 40 to output a warning about the presence of dry eye symptoms. The warning device 40 warns the driver 200, for example, by using a sound, a warning lamp, or an image display. In this case, it is preferable that the warning device 40 prompts the driver 200 to stop the vehicle and rest his / her eyes. The control of outputting a warning about dry eyes is an example of suppression control for suppressing dry eyes. After step S215 is executed, the process proceeds to step S50 in FIG. 12.

[0057] In addition, the control unit 14 may verify whether a change has occurred in the blinking pattern when the wind direction adjustment and the intake of outside air are performed. If the occurrence rates R2, R3 of the second and third patterns decrease after the suppression control is performed, it is considered that the dry eyes have improved. If the occurrence rates R2, R3 of the second and third patterns do not decrease even after the suppression control is performed, it is possible that the dry eyes have not improved. If it is estimated that the dry eyes have not improved, the control unit 14 may perform the suppression control again. In this case, the control unit 14 may set the wind direction AR1 after the adjustment to a direction different from the previous time. The control unit 14 may perform an adjustment to further increase the ratio of the intake of outside air.

[0058] The suppression control is not limited to the above control. The suppression control may be a control for opening a window of the vehicle 100 to introduce outside air into the vehicle. In this case, the control unit 14 commands the power window 60 to open the window. It is preferable that the window to be opened is selected so that the running wind does not hit the face of the driver 200.

[0059] The suppression control may be control that reduces blue light in the display light of the display 70 of the vehicle 100. For example, when the light source of the display 70 has a blue light source, the amount of light of the blue light source may be reduced.

[0060] When the air conditioner 50 has a humidification function, the control unit 14 may instruct the air conditioner 50 to humidify as suppression control. The control unit 14 may operate an air purifier of the vehicle 100 as suppression control. Purifying the air inside the vehicle reduces eye strain.

[0061] As described above, the vehicle control device 1 of this embodiment has the estimation unit 13 and the control unit 14. The estimation unit 13 estimates dryness of the eyes of the driver 200 of the vehicle 100. The control unit 14 executes suppression control to suppress dryness of the eyes of the driver 200 when it is estimated that the eyes of the driver 200 are dry. Therefore, the vehicle control device of this embodiment can support safe driving of the driver 200.

[0062] An example of the suppression control is a control for adjusting the airflow direction of the air conditioner 50 of the vehicle 100 so that the airflow from the air conditioner 50 is not blown toward the face of the driver 200. Such suppression control can suppress dry eyes caused by blowing air.

[0063] An example of the suppression control is control for introducing outside air into the air conditioner 50 of the vehicle 100. Such suppression control can suppress dry eyes caused by blowing dry air.

[0064] An example of the suppression control is a control for introducing outside air into the vehicle by opening the windows of the vehicle 100. Such suppression control can suppress dry eyes caused by dry air inside the vehicle.

[0065] An example of suppression control is control that reduces blue light in the display light of the display 70 of the vehicle 100. Such suppression control can reduce eye fatigue caused by blue light and suppress dry eyes.

[0066] The estimation unit 13 of this embodiment estimates the dryness of the eyes of the driver 200 based on the blinking pattern of the driver 200. The degree of dryness of the eyes is considered to be reflected in the blinking pattern. Therefore, the vehicle control device 1 of this embodiment can appropriately determine the necessity of suppression control.

[0067] The method of estimating the dryness of the eyes is not limited to the exemplified method. For example, the estimation unit 13 may estimate the dryness of the eyes of the driver 200 based on the blinking pattern when the driver 200 is driving the vehicle 100 and the blinking pattern when the driver 200 is not driving the vehicle 100.

[0068] The control unit 14 may simultaneously execute multiple types of suppression control. For example, the control unit 14 may execute both the suppression control by the air conditioner 50 in step S113 and the control of warning against dry eyes in step S215. For example, the control unit 14 may execute the control of opening a window in addition to the suppression control by the air conditioner 50.

[0069] The method of estimating dry eyes is not limited to the method based on the blinking pattern. For example, the estimation unit 13 may estimate dry eyes based on the number of blinks of the driver 200 or a change in the number of blinks.

[0070] The contents disclosed in the above embodiments can be implemented in appropriate combinations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1: Vehicle control device 11: Acquisition unit, 12: Detection unit, 13: Estimation unit, 14: Control unit 20: camera, 30: vehicle ECU, 40: warning device, 50: air conditioning device 60: Power window, 70: Display 100:Vehicle 200: driver, 210: eye EO: Eye openness FG: Flag R1, R2, R3, R4: Occurrence rate

Claims

1. An estimation unit that estimates eye dryness of a driver of a vehicle; a control unit that executes suppression control to suppress dryness of the driver's eyes when it is estimated that the driver's eyes are dry; A vehicle control device comprising:

2. The suppression control is a control for adjusting the air direction of the air conditioner so that the air conditioner of the vehicle does not blow toward the face of the driver. The vehicle control device according to claim 1.

3. The suppression control is a control for introducing outside air into the air conditioning system of the vehicle. The vehicle control device according to claim 1.

4. The suppression control is a control for opening the vehicle windows to introduce outside air into the vehicle. The vehicle control device according to claim 1.

5. The suppression control is a control for reducing blue light in the display light of the display of the vehicle. The vehicle control device according to claim 1.

6. The estimation unit estimates dryness of the driver's eyes based on a blinking pattern of the driver. The vehicle control device according to claim 1.

Images