Information display device and information display program

Abstract

To provide an information display device and an information display program, which allow for presenting a driver of a host vehicle with merits of platoon traveling.SOLUTION: An information display device provided herein comprises a processor and a display, the processor being configured to cause an increase in a travelable distance to be displayed on the display if platoon traveling by a host vehicle increases the travelable distance of the host vehicle in comparison to a case of not platoon traveling.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information display device and an information display program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for calculating a driving range of a vehicle and displaying the calculated driving range on a display unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-054100 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is a demand for technology that can present the benefits of platooning to drivers of their own vehicles.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide an information display device and an information display program that can present the benefits of platooning to a driver of a vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The information display device of the present disclosure includes a processor and a display, and when the vehicle's travel distance increases as a result of the vehicle traveling in a platoon compared to when the vehicle is not traveling in a platoon, the processor displays the increase in the travel distance on the display.

[0007] The information display program of the present disclosure causes a processor to execute the following: when the vehicle's travel distance increases as a result of the vehicle traveling in a platoon compared to when the vehicle is not traveling in a platoon, the increase in the vehicle's travel distance is displayed on a display. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to present the benefits of platooning to the driver of the vehicle. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle that realizes an information display device and an information display program according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of information displayed on a display unit by the information display device and the information display program according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a first example of a processing procedure of an information display method executed by the information display device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a second example of the processing procedure of the information display method executed by the information display device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] An information display device and an information display program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the components in the following embodiments include those that are easily replaceable by a person skilled in the art, or those that are substantially the same.

[0011] (Information display device) The information display device is for displaying information related to vehicle platooning. This information display device is realized, for example, by the functions of vehicle 1 as shown in Fig. 1. "Platooning" refers to driving behind another vehicle ahead of another vehicle (hereinafter referred to as "leading vehicle") in order to obtain the effect of reducing fuel consumption, electricity consumption, etc.

[0012] Examples of the vehicle 1 include an engine vehicle, a hybrid vehicle (HEV: Hybrid Electric Vehicle), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV: Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV: Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle), an electric vehicle (BEV: Battery Electric Vehicle), etc. The vehicle 1 may be a manually driven vehicle or an automatically driven vehicle.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 includes a control unit 11, a communication unit 12, a storage unit 13, a sensor group 14, and a display unit 15.

[0014] Specifically, the control unit 11 is an electronic control unit (ECU) whose main components are a microcomputer including a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), etc., and executes various programs. The control unit 11 executes the various programs to comprehensively control the operation of various components mounted on the vehicle 1. In addition, the control unit 11 functions as a surrounding information acquisition unit 111, a travel distance calculation unit 112, a route setting unit 113, and a platooning transition unit 114 through the execution of the various programs.

[0015] The surrounding information acquisition unit 111 acquires information (hereinafter referred to as "surrounding information") about the surroundings of the vehicle (vehicle 1). This surrounding information includes, for example, images of the surrounding vehicles, position information of the surrounding vehicles, the vehicle speed (current vehicle speed) of the surrounding vehicles, the vehicle width of the surrounding vehicles, the distance between the surrounding vehicles and the vehicle, the presence or absence of traffic congestion on the route on which the vehicle is traveling, and the like.

[0016] The surrounding information can be acquired by the sensor group 14 of the vehicle 1, communication by the communication unit 12, vehicle-to-vehicle communication, road-to-vehicle communication, etc. Furthermore, the "vehicle width of the surrounding vehicles" among the surrounding information may be acquired directly by the above means, or may be analyzed from images of the surrounding vehicles acquired by the above means. Furthermore, the "distance between the surrounding vehicles and the vehicle itself" among the surrounding information may be acquired directly by the above means, or may be calculated based on the position information of the surrounding vehicles acquired by the above means and the position information of the vehicle itself acquired through the sensor group 14.

[0017] The traveling distance calculation unit 112 calculates the travelable distance of the host vehicle. Specifically, the traveling distance calculation unit 112 calculates an increase in the travelable distance of the host vehicle due to the host vehicle traveling in a platoon. Then, when the travelable distance of the host vehicle increases by the host vehicle traveling in a platoon compared to when the host vehicle does not travel in a platoon, the traveling distance calculation unit 112 causes the display unit 15 to display the increase in the travelable distance.

[0018] Here, the situations in which the mileage calculation unit 112 displays the increase in the travelable distance on the display unit 15 can be divided into a case where the vehicle is already traveling in a platoon and a case where the vehicle is not yet traveling in a platoon. When calculating the increase in the travelable distance, the mileage calculation unit 112 first determines whether the vehicle is traveling in a platoon based on the position information of the vehicle acquired through the sensor group 14, and performs processing according to the determination result. An example of the processing of the mileage calculation unit 112 in each situation will be described below.

[0019] (When the vehicle is traveling in a convoy) When the vehicle is already traveling in a formation, the traveling distance calculation unit 112 causes the display unit 15 to display the increase in the travelable distance by continuing the formation traveling. In this way, by visually displaying the increase in the travelable distance by continuing the formation traveling, the driver can easily grasp the advantage of the formation traveling.

[0020] 2 shows an example of a route guidance screen 20 displayed on the display unit 15. In addition to map information including roads (e.g., expressways, etc.), this route guidance screen 20 includes an area 21 displaying the increase in the driving distance, an area 22 displaying the next interchange (IC), etc., an area 23 displaying the direction, map scale, expected arrival time, etc., a vehicle mark 24, a home mark 25, etc.

[0021] The travel distance calculation unit 112 displays the increase in the available travel distance in an area 21 of the route guidance screen 20 in Fig. 2. In the same figure, for example, the current available travel distance is "200 km", and by continuing the platooning as it is, the available travel distance is shown to increase by "+40 km", as an example.

[0022] When the vehicle is already traveling in a convoy, the driving distance calculation unit 112 can calculate the increase in driving distance from past driving data using at least one of the following items acquired as surrounding information: the vehicle speed of the vehicle, the width of the preceding vehicle, and the distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle.

[0023] "Past travel data" refers to travel data when the vehicle has traveled in a platoon in the past. This past travel data includes, for example, the route when the vehicle has traveled in a platoon in the past, the travelable distance (travel distance) on each route, the vehicle speed of the vehicle when traveling in a platoon on each route, the vehicle width of the preceding vehicle when traveling in a platoon on each route, the distance between the preceding vehicle and the vehicle when traveling in a platoon on each route, etc. The past travel data is stored in advance in, for example, the memory unit 13.

[0024] First, the mileage calculation unit 112 calculates a mileage (first mileage) when the vehicles do not platoon along the route based on the remaining energy of the vehicles (remaining fuel, remaining battery power, etc.) etc. Next, the mileage calculation unit 112 calculates an increase in the mileage by continuing the platoon by subtracting the first mileage from the mileage (second mileage) when the vehicles platoon along the same route, which is included in the past travel data.

[0025] Here, the mileage calculation unit 112 may calculate the increase in the mileage by further taking into account the presence or absence of traffic congestion on the route on which the vehicle is traveling, which is acquired as peripheral information, in addition to the above information. In this way, by taking into account the presence or absence of traffic congestion on the route on which the vehicle is traveling, the increase in the mileage can be calculated more accurately.

[0026] (If your vehicle is not in a platoon) When the vehicle is not yet platooning, the mileage calculation unit 112 causes the display unit 15 to display the increase in mileage that can be achieved by platooning (see FIG. 2). In this way, by visually displaying the increase in mileage that can be achieved by switching to platooning, the driver can easily grasp the benefits of platooning.

[0027] Furthermore, when a route (planned driving route) from a departure point to a destination is set by the route setting unit 113, the driving distance calculation unit 112 may cause the display unit 15 to display an increase in the driving distance that can be achieved by driving in a convoy (see FIG. 2). In this way, by presenting the increase in the driving distance on the route guidance screen 20 displayed on the display unit 15, the driver receiving route guidance can easily grasp the advantages of driving in a convoy.

[0028] When the vehicle is not yet traveling in a platoon, the travel distance calculation unit 112 calculates an increase in the travelable distance from, for example, past travel data. This past travel data includes, for example, the routes on which the vehicle has traveled in a platoon in the past, the travelable distance (travel distance) on each route, and the like.

[0029] First, the mileage calculation unit 112 calculates a mileage (first mileage) when the vehicles do not platoon along the route based on the remaining energy (remaining fuel, remaining battery power) of the vehicle itself and the distance of the route from the departure point to the destination, etc. Next, the mileage calculation unit 112 calculates an increase in the mileage by platooning by subtracting the first mileage from the mileage (second mileage) when the vehicles platoon along the same route, which is included in the past traveling data.

[0030] Here, the mileage calculation unit 112 may calculate the increase in the mileage by further taking into account the presence or absence of traffic congestion on the route on which the vehicle is traveling, which is acquired as peripheral information, in addition to the above information. In this way, by taking into account the presence or absence of traffic congestion on the route on which the vehicle is traveling, the increase in the mileage can be calculated more accurately.

[0031] The route setting unit 113 searches for a route from a departure point to a destination based on a route search request input by a user (e.g., a driver) of the vehicle 1 through the display unit 15 (e.g., a car navigation device), and sets the route (planned travel route) selected by the user. The route setting unit 113 displays information such as the set route and the estimated arrival time on the route on the route guidance screen 20 of FIG.

[0032] The platooning transition unit 114 transitions the vehicle to platooning under a predetermined condition. The platooning transition unit 114 first detects vehicles (hereinafter, referred to as "candidate vehicles") that are candidates for vehicles to follow when platooning. The platooning transition unit 114 detects candidate vehicles traveling ahead of the vehicle by analyzing, for example, an image ahead of the vehicle, position information of the vehicle ahead of the vehicle, and the like, which are included in the surrounding information. Then, when a candidate vehicle is detected, the platooning transition unit 114 transitions the vehicle to platooning. As a method of transitioning to platooning, if the vehicle 1 is a manually driven vehicle, a message such as "Please transition to platooning" can be displayed on the display unit 15. If the vehicle 1 is an autonomous vehicle, the vehicle 1 may be automatically transitioned to platooning.

[0033] The communication unit 12 is configured by, for example, a DCM (Data Communication Module), etc. The communication unit 12 is connected to, for example, a wired or wireless network, and communicates with an external server or the like to acquire peripheral information and the like.

[0034] The storage unit 13 is composed of recording media such as an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), a hard disk drive (HDD), and removable media. Examples of removable media include a universal serial bus (USB) memory, a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), and a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disc (BD). The storage unit 13 can store an operating system (OS), various programs, various tables, various databases, and the like.

[0035] The memory unit 13 stores, as necessary, for example, past driving data, the sensor group 14, surrounding information acquired through communication by the communication unit 12, vehicle-to-vehicle communication, road-to-vehicle communication, and the like.

[0036] The sensor group 14 is for acquiring peripheral information. Examples of the sensor group 14 include a camera, a millimeter wave sensor, an infrared sensor, a laser sensor, and a 3D-LiDAR. The sensor group 14 may also include a GPS sensor for detecting the position of the vehicle, an acceleration sensor for detecting acceleration, and a vehicle speed sensor for detecting vehicle speed.

[0037] The display unit 15 is for outputting predetermined information to a user (e.g., a driver) of the vehicle 1. The display unit 15 is provided in a position inside the vehicle where the user can view it. The display unit 15 is realized by a car navigation device, a multi-information display, a head-up display, or the like.

[0038] The display unit 15 may be realized by, for example, a mobile information terminal (for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, etc.) carried by the user. The display unit 15 may have an input function such as a microphone, a touch panel, etc., that can input instructions from the user, in addition to an information output function.

[0039] The display unit 15 displays, for example, surrounding information acquired by the surrounding information acquisition unit 111, the increase in available driving distance calculated by the driving distance calculation unit 112, route information set by the route setting unit 113, information regarding candidate vehicles detected by the platooning transition unit 114 (for example, images and information regarding the positions of the candidate vehicles), etc.

[0040] (Information display method (first example)) A first example of the processing procedure of the information display method executed by the information display device according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. The following describes the processing of the travel distance calculation unit 112 when the host vehicle is already traveling in a convoy. Note that the processing described below is executed at a predetermined control cycle.

[0041] First, the mileage calculation unit 112 determines whether the vehicle is traveling in a platoon on a motor vehicle road (step S1). If it is determined that the vehicle is traveling in a platoon on a motor vehicle road (Yes in step S1), the mileage calculation unit 112 calculates the increase in the available mileage if the vehicle continues to travel in a platoon (step S2). Next, the mileage calculation unit 112 displays the increase in the available mileage on, for example, the route guidance screen 20 (see FIG. 2) displayed on the display unit 15 (step S3), and then the process is completed.

[0042] In addition, in step S1, if it is determined that the vehicle is not traveling in a platoon on the exclusive road (No in step S1), the travel distance calculation unit 112 ends this process.

[0043] (Information display method (second example)) A second example of the processing procedure of the information display method executed by the information display device according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. The following describes the processing of the route setting unit 113 and the travel distance calculation unit 112 when the host vehicle is not yet traveling in a convoy. Note that the processing described below is executed at a predetermined control cycle.

[0044] First, the route setting unit 113 searches for and sets a route from the departure point to the destination (step S11). Next, the mileage calculation unit 112 determines whether or not a dedicated motor vehicle road is included on the route set in step S11 (step S12). If it is determined that a dedicated motor vehicle road is included on the route (Yes in step S12), the mileage calculation unit 112 calculates an increase in the available mileage when platooning is performed (step S13). Next, the mileage calculation unit 112 displays the increase in the available mileage on, for example, the route guidance screen 20 (see FIG. 2) displayed on the display unit 15 (step S14), and completes this process.

[0045] In addition, in step S12, if it is determined that the route does not include a special road (No in step S12), the travel distance calculation unit 112 ends this process.

[0046] The information display device and information display program according to the embodiment described above can present the benefits of platooning to the driver by displaying on the display unit 15 the increase in driving distance that can be achieved by platooning.

[0047] Further advantages and modifications may readily occur to those skilled in the art. Thus, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described above. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

[0048] For example, in the embodiment, the information display device and the information display program are realized by the functions of the vehicle 1. However, the information display device and the information display program may be realized by a separate server capable of communicating with the vehicle 1 through a network. In this case, the server may have functions corresponding to the surrounding information acquisition unit 111, the travel distance calculation unit 112, the route setting unit 113, and the platooning transition unit 114, and may implement the information display method. This can reduce the computational load on the vehicle 1 side.

[0049] In the information display device and the information display program according to the embodiment, the mileage calculation unit 112 calculates the increase in the mileage from past driving data using surrounding information (at least one of the vehicle speed of the vehicle itself, the vehicle width of the preceding vehicle, and the distance between the preceding vehicle and the vehicle itself), but AI (artificial intelligence) may be used at that time. In this case, a prediction model (trained model) is constructed by machine learning using the surrounding information as an input parameter and the increase in the mileage as an output parameter. Then, in step S2 of FIG. 3 and step S13 of FIG. 4, the increase in the mileage is calculated using the prediction model. In this way, by using AI, the increase in the mileage can be calculated with higher accuracy.

[0050] 1 vehicle 11 Control section 111 Surrounding Information Acquisition Department 112 Travel distance calculation unit 113 Route setting section 114 Platooning Transition Section 12 Communications Department 13 Storage section 14 Sensor Group 15 Display 20 Route guidance screen 21,22,23 area 24 Vehicle mark 25 Home Mark

Claims

1. A processor and a display, When the vehicle's travelling in a platoon increases a travelable distance of the vehicle compared to a case where the vehicle does not travel in a platoon, the processor displays an increase in the travelable distance on the display. Information display device.

2. When the host vehicle is already traveling in a platoon, the processor causes the display to display an increase in the travelable distance that would be achieved by continuing the platooning. The information display device according to claim 1 .

3. the processor calculates the increase in the travelable distance from past travel data using at least one of a vehicle speed of the host vehicle, a vehicle width of a preceding vehicle, and a distance between the preceding vehicle and the host vehicle; The information display device according to claim 2 .

4. The processor, when the host vehicle is not yet traveling in a platoon, causes the display to display an increase in the travelable distance that will be achieved by traveling in a platoon. The information display device according to claim 1 .

5. The processor causes the display to display an increase in the travelable distance due to the platoon traveling when a route from a departure point to a destination is set. The information display device according to claim 4.

6. The processor calculates the increase in the travelable distance from past travel data.

6. The information display device according to claim 4 or 5.

7. The processor calculates the increase in the travelable distance by further taking into account the presence or absence of traffic congestion on the route along which the vehicle is traveling.

7. The information display device according to claim 3 or 6.

8. when the vehicle's travelable distance increases as a result of the vehicle traveling in a platoon compared to a case in which the vehicle does not travel in a platoon, cause the processor to display an increase in the travelable distance on a display; An information display program that causes the following to be executed.

9. causing the processor to, when the vehicle is already traveling in a platoon, display on the display an increase in the travelable distance that would be achieved by continuing the platooning; 9. The information display program according to claim 8, which causes the computer to execute the steps of:

10. The processor calculates an increase in the travelable distance from past travel data using at least one of a speed of the host vehicle, a width of a preceding vehicle, and a distance between the preceding vehicle and the host vehicle.

10. The information display program according to claim 9, which causes the program to execute the steps of:

11. causing the processor to display, on the display, an increase in the travelable distance that would be achieved by the host vehicle engaging in platooning, when the host vehicle is not yet engaging in platooning; 9. The information display program according to claim 8, which causes the computer to execute the steps of:

12. displaying, on the display, an increase in the travelable distance due to the platoon traveling, when a route from a departure point to a destination is set in the processor; 12. The information display program according to claim 11, which causes the information display program to execute the following.

13. The processor calculates the increase in the travelable distance from past travel data.

13. The information display program according to claim 11 or 12, which causes the information display program to execute the following.

14. The processor calculates the increase in the travelable distance by further taking into account the presence or absence of traffic congestion on the route on which the vehicle is traveling.

14. The information display program according to claim 10 or 13, which causes the information display program to execute the following:

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