Information provision device, information provision method, and information provision program

Abstract

Provided is an information provision device capable of correctly notifying an operator of a vehicle of a speed limit suitable for the vehicle. An information provision device (10) acquires, as an image recognition traffic rule, a traffic rule for a vehicle traveling on a lane in which the vehicle is currently traveling by image recognition from road signs included in a captured image obtained by capturing a foreground of the vehicle (100), and acquires position information of the vehicle. On the basis of the image recognition traffic rules, the vehicle information relating to the attributes of the vehicle, and the position information, traffic rules suitable for the vehicle are acquired as suitable traffic rules, and the acquired suitable traffic rules are notified to the operator of the vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information providing device, an information providing method and an information providing program. Background Art

[0002] An information providing device is known that uses a camera sensor to capture a road sign indicating a speed limit to obtain a camera image, identifies the speed limit from the road sign reflected in the acquired camera image, displays the identified speed limit on a display, and thereby notifies the driver of the vehicle of the speed limit (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). Prior Art Literature Patent Literature

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-62696 Summary of the invention

[0004] There are regions and countries where the speed limit displayed on road signs cannot be directly applied depending on the attributes of the vehicle. In such regions and countries, if the speed limit recognized from the road signs is directly displayed on the display, the driver will be notified of the wrong speed limit.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an information providing device, an information providing method, and an information providing program capable of accurately notifying an operator of a vehicle of a speed limit applied to the vehicle.

[0006] The information providing device of the present invention includes a control device, which notifies the operator of the vehicle of traffic rules applicable to the vehicle, i.e., applicable traffic rules. The control device is configured to obtain traffic rules for vehicles traveling in the lane where the vehicle is currently traveling as image-recognized traffic rules from road signs included in a captured image obtained by capturing the foreground of the vehicle by image recognition, obtain position information of the vehicle, obtain the applicable traffic rules based on the image-recognized traffic rules, vehicle information related to the attributes of the vehicle, and the position information, and notify the operator of the vehicle of the obtained applicable traffic rules.

[0007] There are countries and regions where traffic rules applicable to vehicles differ depending on the attributes of the vehicles even when the vehicles are traveling in the same lane. Among such countries and regions, there are countries and regions where road signs are not provided on the roads to display all traffic rules corresponding to the attributes of the vehicles, but only road signs are provided on the roads to display one traffic rule as a representative. In such countries and regions, if the traffic rules obtained by image recognition from the road signs are directly notified to the vehicle operator, the vehicle operator may be notified of traffic rules that are not applicable to the vehicle.

[0008] According to the information providing device of the present invention, the traffic regulations corresponding to the vehicle's attributes and the vehicle's position information (eg, the vehicle's current position) are notified to the vehicle's operator.

[0009] In addition, in the information providing device involved in the present invention, the control device can be configured such that, when the road sign obtained from the captured image through image recognition is not a road sign for the vehicle, even if the applicable traffic rules are obtained based on the image recognition traffic rules obtained from the road sign, the obtained applicable traffic rules are not notified to the operator.

[0010] According to the information providing device of the present invention, traffic regulations that do not apply to the vehicle are not notified to the operator of the vehicle, thereby preventing the operator of the vehicle from being notified of erroneous traffic regulations.

[0011] In addition, in the information providing device of the present invention, the control device may include a conversion means for converting the image-recognized traffic rules into the applicable traffic rules based on the vehicle information and the position information. In this case, the control device may be configured to convert the image-recognized traffic rules using the conversion means based on the vehicle information and the position information, thereby obtaining the applicable traffic rules.

[0012] According to the information providing device of the present invention, by converting the traffic regulations acquired from the road signs by image recognition using the conversion means, it is possible to acquire the traffic regulations applicable to the own vehicle.

[0013] In addition, in the information providing device involved in the present invention, the vehicle information includes, for example, vehicle use information related to the use of the vehicle and vehicle specification information related to the specification of the vehicle as the vehicle information. In this case, the control device may have a conversion means prepared for each combination of the use of the vehicle and the specification of the vehicle, which converts the traffic rules displayed on the road signs into traffic rules applicable to the target vehicle based on the current position of the target vehicle. Furthermore, the control device may be configured to select a conversion means corresponding to the combination of the use of the vehicle and the specification of the vehicle from among the conversion means based on the vehicle use information and the vehicle specification information, and convert the image recognition traffic rules using the selected conversion means based on the current position of the vehicle, thereby obtaining the applicable traffic rules.

[0014] According to the information providing device of the present invention, traffic regulations applicable to the vehicle can be acquired by converting traffic regulations acquired from road signs by image recognition using conversion means corresponding to a combination of the vehicle's purpose and the vehicle's specifications.

[0015] In addition, in the information providing device involved in the present invention, the vehicle information includes, for example, vehicle use information related to the use of the vehicle and vehicle specification information related to the specification of the vehicle as the vehicle information. In this case, the control device may have a conversion means prepared for each combination of the use of the vehicle, the specification of the vehicle, and the current position of the vehicle, which converts the traffic rules displayed on the road signs into traffic rules applicable to the target vehicle based on the current position of the target vehicle. Furthermore, the control device may be configured to select, from among the conversion means, a conversion means corresponding to the combination of the use of the vehicle, the specification of the vehicle, and the current position of the vehicle based on the vehicle use information, the vehicle specification information, and the position information, and convert the image recognition traffic rules using the selected conversion means based on the current position of the vehicle, thereby obtaining the applicable traffic rules.

[0016] According to the information providing device involved in the present invention, by converting the traffic rules obtained from road signs through image recognition using a conversion means corresponding to the combination of the purpose of the vehicle, the specifications of the vehicle and the current position of the vehicle, it is possible to obtain traffic rules applicable to the vehicle.

[0017] In addition, in the information providing device involved in the present invention, the control device can be configured to switch the conversion means from a first conversion means to a second conversion means when the vehicle moves from a first area to a second area different from the first area, the first conversion means being a conversion means for converting the image-recognized traffic rules into the applicable traffic rules in the first area, and the second conversion means being a conversion means for converting the image-recognized traffic rules into the applicable traffic rules in the second area.

[0018] According to the information providing device of the present invention, by converting the traffic regulations acquired by image recognition using the conversion means prepared according to the region, it is possible to acquire the traffic regulations applicable to the own vehicle.

[0019] In the information providing device according to the present invention, the control device stores, for example, a mapping prepared for each attribute of a vehicle for obtaining a traffic rule applicable to the subject vehicle based on the traffic rule displayed on a road sign and the current position of the subject vehicle as an applicable traffic rule. In this case, the control device may be configured to select a mapping corresponding to the attribute of the subject vehicle from among the stored mappings, apply the image recognition traffic rule and the position information of the subject vehicle to the selected mapping, and thereby obtain the applicable traffic rule.

[0020] According to the information providing device according to the present invention, it is possible to acquire traffic regulations applicable to the vehicle from a map corresponding to the attribute of the vehicle.

[0021] In addition, in the information providing device according to the present invention, the control device stores, for example, for each combination of the attribute of the vehicle and the current position of the vehicle, a mapping for obtaining the traffic rule applicable to the vehicle based on the traffic rule displayed on the road sign and the current position of the vehicle as the applicable traffic rule. In this case, the control device may be configured to select a mapping corresponding to the combination of the attribute of the vehicle and the current position of the vehicle from among the stored mappings, apply the image recognition traffic rule and the current position of the vehicle to the selected mapping, and thereby obtain the applicable traffic rule.

[0022] According to the information providing device of the present invention, it is possible to acquire traffic regulations applicable to the vehicle from a map corresponding to a combination of the attribute of the vehicle and the current position of the vehicle.

[0023] In addition, the information providing method of the present invention is a method for notifying the operator of the vehicle of the traffic rules applicable to the vehicle, i.e., applicable traffic rules. The information providing method of the present invention comprises: a step of obtaining, by image recognition, traffic rules for vehicles traveling in the lane in which the vehicle is currently traveling, as image recognition traffic rules from road signs included in a photographed image obtained by photographing the foreground of the vehicle; a step of obtaining position information of the vehicle; a step of obtaining the applicable traffic rules based on the image recognition traffic rules, vehicle information related to the attributes of the vehicle, and the position information; and a step of notifying the operator of the vehicle of the applicable traffic rules obtained.

[0024] According to the information providing method of the present invention, the traffic regulations corresponding to the attributes of the vehicle and the current position of the vehicle are notified to the operator of the vehicle for the same reason as before. Therefore, the correct traffic regulations can be notified to the operator of the vehicle.

[0025] In addition, the information providing program involved in the present invention is a program for notifying the operator of the vehicle of the traffic rules applicable to the vehicle, that is, the applicable traffic rules. The information providing program involved in the present invention is configured to: obtain the traffic rules for vehicles traveling in the lane where the vehicle is currently traveling by image recognition from the road signs included in the captured image obtained by capturing the foreground of the vehicle, obtain the position information of the vehicle as the image recognition traffic rules, obtain the applicable traffic rules based on the image recognition traffic rules, the vehicle information related to the attributes of the vehicle, and the position information, and notify the operator of the vehicle of the obtained applicable traffic rules.

[0026] According to the information providing program of the present invention, the traffic regulations according to the attributes of the vehicle and the current position of the vehicle are notified to the operator of the vehicle for the same reason as before. Therefore, the correct traffic regulations can be notified to the operator of the vehicle.

[0027] The components of the present invention are not limited to the embodiments of the present invention described below with reference to the drawings. Other objects, other features, and additional advantages of the present invention can be easily understood from the description of the embodiments of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing an information providing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 It is a diagram showing a display according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 It is a diagram showing a conversion map according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 This is a flowchart showing a routine executed by the information providing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 It is a diagram showing a conversion map according to the second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Hereinafter, an information providing device, an information providing method, and an information providing program according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 2 shows an information providing device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The information providing device 10 is mounted on a vehicle 100. The information providing device 10 is described below by taking the case where the operator of the vehicle 100 is a person who rides in the vehicle 100 and drives the vehicle 100 (i.e., the driver of the vehicle 100) as an example.

[0030] However, the operator of the vehicle 100 may be a person who is not riding in the vehicle 100 but is driving the vehicle 100 remotely (i.e., a remote operator of the vehicle 100). When the operator of the vehicle 100 is a remote operator, the information providing device 10 is respectively mounted on the vehicle 100 and a remote operating device provided outside the vehicle 100 for remotely driving the vehicle 100, and the functions of the information providing device 10 described below are respectively shared and performed by the information providing device 10 mounted on the vehicle 100 and the information providing device 10 mounted on the remote operating device.

[0031] like Figure 1 As shown, the information providing device 10 is provided with an ECU (electronic control unit) 90 as a control device. The ECU 90 is provided with a microcomputer as a main part. The microcomputer includes a CPU, a storage medium such as a ROM, a RAM, and a non-volatile memory, and an interface, etc. The CPU implements various functions by executing commands, programs, or routines stored in the storage medium. In particular, in this example, the information providing device 10 stores programs for implementing various controls executed by the information providing device 10 in the storage medium.

[0032] In this example, the information providing device 10 includes only one ECU 90 , but may include a plurality of ECUs and be configured such that the functions of the information providing device 10 described below are shared among the ECUs.

[0033] In addition, the information providing device 10 may be configured to be able to update the program stored in the storage medium through wireless communication (eg, network communication) with an external device.

[0034] The vehicle 100 is equipped with a display device 20 , a captured image acquisition device 30 , a current position acquisition device 40 , a map information database 50 , and a conversion map database 60 .

[0035] Furthermore, when the vehicle 100 is a vehicle that is driven by remote control, the display device 20 is mounted on a remote control device that is provided outside the vehicle 100 in order to remotely drive the vehicle 100. Furthermore, when the vehicle 100 is a vehicle that is driven by remote control, the current position acquisition device 40, the map information database 50, and the conversion mapping database 60 are mounted on at least one of the vehicle 100 and the remote control device.

[0036] <Display device> The display device 20 is a device for displaying various images, and includes a display 21. The display device 20 is electrically connected to the ECU 90. The display device 20 displays images on the display 21 in accordance with instructions received from the ECU 90 (ie, the information providing device 10). Figure 2As shown, the display device 20 displays an image (speed limit image IMGs1) showing the speed limit applied to the vehicle 100 on the display 21 in accordance with the instruction received from the information providing device 10 .

[0037] <Photographed Image Acquisition Device> The captured image acquisition device 30 is a device that captures the foreground of the vehicle 100 and acquires an image of the foreground of the vehicle 100, and includes a camera sensor 31. The captured image acquisition device 30 is electrically connected to the ECU 90. The captured image acquisition device 30 sends the image of the foreground of the vehicle 100 (camera image IMGcam) captured by the camera sensor 31 to the ECU 90. The ECU 90 (i.e., the information providing device 10) extracts a road sign showing a speed limit from the camera image IMGcam received from the captured image acquisition device 30, and acquires the speed limit displayed on the extracted road sign as the image recognition speed limit SLimg.

[0038] <Current location acquisition device> The current position acquisition device 40 is a device for acquiring the current position of the vehicle 100, and is equipped with a GPS signal receiver 41 and an inertial sensor 42. The GPS signal receiver 41 is a device that receives the so-called GPS signal. In addition, the inertial sensor 42 is a sensor that detects the acceleration and angular velocity of the vehicle 100. The current position acquisition device 40 is electrically connected to the ECU 90. The current position acquisition device 40 acquires the current position of the vehicle 100 based on the GPS signal received by the GPS signal receiver 41 and the acceleration and angular velocity of the vehicle 100 detected by the inertial sensor 42, and sends the acquired current position to the ECU 90. The ECU 90 (i.e., the information providing device 10) acquires the current position received from the current position acquisition device 40 as the current position Pnow of the vehicle 100. The current position Pnow of the vehicle 100 is one of the position information IP of the vehicle 100.

[0039] <Map Information Database> The map information database 50 is a database storing map information, and is a database storing speed limits set for each lane of a road (speed limit database). The speed limits are stored in the map information database 50 as part of the map information in association with each lane of each road. The map information database 50 is electrically connected to the ECU 90. The ECU 90 (i.e., the information providing device 10) can obtain the speed limit set for the lane in which the vehicle 100 is currently traveling from the map information database 50 as the data speed limit SLdata by comparing the current position Pnow of the vehicle 100 with the map information in the map information database 50.

[0040] In addition, in this example, the information providing device 10 is configured to use the map information database 50 mounted on the vehicle 100, but it may be configured to use the map information database 50 stored in a server or the like outside the vehicle 100. In this case, the information providing device 10 is configured to use the map information database 50 stored in the server by wirelessly communicating with the server.

[0041] <Conversion Mapping Database>

[0042] There are countries and regions that set different speed limits according to the attributes of vehicles even when vehicles are traveling on the same lane. For example, in Europe, different speed limits are set according to the attributes of the vehicle related to the purpose of the vehicle, such as whether the vehicle is a passenger transport vehicle (a vehicle for transporting passengers) or a cargo transport vehicle (a vehicle for transporting cargo). Furthermore, even if the vehicle is a passenger transport vehicle, different speed limits are set according to the attributes of the vehicle related to the specifications of the vehicle, such as the passenger capacity and gross vehicle weight of the vehicle. Furthermore, even if the vehicle is a cargo transport vehicle, different speed limits are set according to the attributes of the vehicle related to the specifications of the vehicle, such as the maximum gross weight of the vehicle.

[0043] In such countries and regions, there are countries and regions where road signs that display all speed limits corresponding to the attributes of vehicles are not provided on the roads, but only road signs that display one speed limit as a representative are provided on the roads. Therefore, for example, when a speed limit of 100 km / h is displayed on a road sign provided for vehicles traveling in the lane where the vehicle is currently traveling, the speed limit of 100 km / h may be directly applied to a certain vehicle, but a speed limit less than 100 km / h may be applied to another vehicle. Therefore, in such countries and regions, if the speed limit displayed on the road sign is directly displayed by the display device 20, an erroneous speed limit may be displayed to the driver.

[0044] In addition, there may be countries and regions where not all speed limits corresponding to vehicle attributes are reflected in the map information database 50. In such countries and regions, when a speed limit of 100 km / h set for the lane in which the vehicle is currently traveling is obtained from the map information database 50 by comparing the current position of the vehicle with the map information in the map information database 50, a speed limit of 100 km / h may be applied to a certain vehicle, while a speed limit lower than 100 km / h may be applied to another vehicle. Therefore, in such countries and regions, if the speed limit obtained from the map information database 50 is directly displayed on the display device 20, an erroneous speed limit may be displayed to the driver.

[0045] Therefore, in countries and regions where different speed limits are set according to vehicle attributes, in order to obtain the correct speed limit suitable for each vehicle, it is necessary to convert the image recognition speed limit SLimg and the data speed limit SLdata into the speed limit suitable for each vehicle according to the attributes of each vehicle.

[0046] The conversion map database 60 stores a conversion map MAP for converting the image recognition speed limit SLimg and the data speed limit SLdata into a speed limit (applicable speed limit SLapp) applicable to each vehicle according to the attribute of each vehicle.

[0047] In this example, if Figure 3 As shown, the conversion map MAP is stored with the current driving area AREA ( Figure 3 In the example shown, a mapping or query table of the applicable speed limit SLapp with the image recognition speed limit SLimg and the data speed limit SLdata as independent variables is used. The current driving area AREA is one of the position information IP, and is the area where the vehicle 100 is currently traveling. The area is an area within the scope of which the same traffic regulations apply. Therefore, the country is included in the area. In addition, the applicable speed limit SLapp is the speed limit applicable to the vehicle 100. In addition, with respect to the vehicle 100, the current driving area AREA is obtained by comparing the current position Pnow of the vehicle 100 with the map information of the map information database 50.

[0048] In addition, in this example, the conversion map MAP is prepared for each vehicle category VC. The vehicle category VC is determined by the combination of the purpose of the vehicle and the specifications of the vehicle. In addition, information related to the purpose of the vehicle 100 (vehicle purpose information IU), information related to the specifications of the vehicle 100 (vehicle specification information IS), and information related to the vehicle category VC determined for each combination of the purpose of the vehicle and the specifications of the vehicle are pre-stored in the information providing device 10 (particularly the storage medium of the ECU 90). However, only the vehicle category VC corresponding to the combination of the purpose of the vehicle 100 and the specifications of the vehicle 100 may be pre-stored in the information providing device 10.

[0049] In addition, Figure 3 In the figure, "N1", "N2" and "N3" attached to each conversion mapping MAP represent the vehicle category VC. The conversion mapping MAP attached with "N1" is used to obtain the speed limit applicable to vehicles with vehicle category VC of "N1", the conversion mapping MAP attached with "N2" is used to obtain the speed limit applicable to vehicles with vehicle category VC of "N2", and the conversion mapping MAP attached with "N3" is used to obtain the speed limit applicable to vehicles with vehicle category VC of "N3".

[0050] Likewise, in Figure 3 In the figure, "M1", "M2" and "M3" attached to each conversion mapping MAP represent the vehicle category VC. The conversion mapping MAP attached with "M1" is used to obtain the speed limit applicable to vehicles with vehicle category VC of "M1", the conversion mapping MAP attached with "M2" is used to obtain the speed limit applicable to vehicles with vehicle category VC of "M2", and the conversion mapping MAP attached with "M3" is used to obtain the speed limit applicable to vehicles with vehicle category VC of "M3".

[0051] Furthermore, in the case where the vehicle is a cargo-hauling vehicle, different vehicle categories VC may be assigned when the tractor is towing a towed vehicle (trailer) and when the tractor is not towing the towed vehicle.

[0052] The conversion map database 60 is electrically connected to the ECU 90. The ECU 90 (i.e., the information providing device 10) can obtain the applicable speed limit SLapp by selecting the conversion map MAP corresponding to the vehicle type VC of the vehicle 100 from the conversion map database 60 and applying the current driving area AREA and the image recognition speed limit SLimg or the data speed limit SLdata to the selected conversion map MAP (applicable conversion map MAPapp). Therefore, the conversion map MAP is a map that converts the image recognition speed limit SLimg and the data speed limit SLdata into the applicable speed limit SLapp.

[0053] As described above, depending on the vehicle type VC of the host vehicle 100 , the image recognition speed limit SLimg may be directly applied to the speed limit SLapp, and the data speed limit SLdata may be directly applied to the speed limit SLapp.

[0054] Furthermore, in this example, the information providing device 10 is configured to use the conversion map database 60 mounted on the vehicle 100, but may be configured to use the conversion map database 60 stored in a server or the like outside the vehicle 100. In this case, the information providing device 10 is configured to use the conversion map database 60 stored in the server by wirelessly communicating with the server.

[0055] <Operation of Information Providing Device> Next, the operation of the information providing device 10 will be described. The information providing device 10 is a device that notifies the driver of the vehicle 100 of the applicable speed limit SLapp, which is the speed limit applicable to the vehicle 100, and is configured to obtain the speed limit for vehicles traveling in the lane where the vehicle 100 is currently traveling as the image recognition speed limit SLimg from the road signs included in the captured image (camera image IMGcam) obtained by capturing the foreground of the vehicle 100, obtain the position information IP of the vehicle 100, obtain the applicable speed limit SLapp based on the image recognition speed limit SLimg, the vehicle information IV related to the attributes of the vehicle 100, and the position information IP of the vehicle 100, and notify the driver of the vehicle 100 of the obtained applicable speed limit SLapp.

[0056] More specifically, the information providing device 10 according to the first embodiment executes Figure 4 According to the routine shown, the speed limit applied to the host vehicle 100 (applied speed limit SLapp) is displayed on the display 21 via the display device 20, and is notified to the driver of the host vehicle 100.

[0057] Therefore, when a predetermined timing is reached, the information providing device 10 Figure 4 The process of the routine shown starts at step S400 and proceeds to step S405 to extract an image of a road sign showing a speed limit from the camera image IMGcam, and obtain the speed limit shown on the road sign as the image recognition speed limit SLimg.

[0058] Next, the information providing device 10 advances the process to step S410 to determine whether the image recognition speed limit display condition C1 is satisfied. The image recognition speed limit display condition C1 is the condition that the image recognition speed limit SLimg was acquired in step S405.

[0059] When the determination in step S410 is “yes”, the information providing device 10 advances the processing to step S415, and determines the area where the vehicle 100 is currently traveling as the current traveling area AREA by comparing the current position Pnow of the vehicle 100 with the map information of the map information database 50.

[0060] Next, the information providing device 10 advances the process to step S420 , and acquires the vehicle type VC of the vehicle 100 based on the purpose of the vehicle 100 and the specifications of the vehicle 100 .

[0061] Next, the information providing device 10 advances the process to step S425 , and selects the conversion map MAP corresponding to the vehicle type VC acquired in step S420 from the conversion map database 60 as the applicable conversion map MAPapp.

[0062] Next, the information providing device 10 advances the processing to step S430, applies the image recognition speed limit SLimg obtained in step S405 and the current driving area AREA determined in step S415 to the applicable conversion map MAPapp selected in step S425, and obtains the speed limit SL applicable to the vehicle 100 as the applicable speed limit SLapp.

[0063] That is, the information providing device 10 has a conversion means (conversion mapping MAP) for converting the image-recognized speed limit SLimg into the applicable speed limit SLapp based on the vehicle information IV and the position information IP (information related to the current position Pnow of the vehicle 100, in this example, information related to the current driving area AREA), and is configured to convert the image-recognized speed limit SLimg using the above-mentioned conversion means (conversion mapping MAP) based on the vehicle information IV and the position information IP, so as to obtain the applicable speed limit SLapp.

[0064] In other words, in this example, the vehicle information IV includes the vehicle use information IU and the vehicle specification information IS as information related to the attributes of the vehicle 100, and the information providing device 10 has a conversion means (conversion map MAP) for converting the speed limit displayed on the road sign into a speed limit applicable to the vehicle based on the current position of the vehicle for each combination of the use of the vehicle and the specifications of the vehicle, and is configured to select a conversion means (applicable conversion map MAPapp) corresponding to the combination of the use of the vehicle 100 and the specifications of the vehicle 100 from among these conversion means (conversion map MAP) based on the vehicle use information IU and the vehicle specification information IS, and use the selected conversion means (applicable conversion map MAPapp) to convert the image-recognized speed limit SLimg based on the position information IP of the vehicle 100, thereby obtaining the applicable speed limit SLapp.

[0065] In other words, the information providing device 10 stores, for each attribute of the vehicle, a mapping (conversion mapping MAP) for obtaining the speed limit applicable to the vehicle as the applicable speed limit SLapp based on the speed limit displayed on the road sign and the current position of the vehicle, and is configured to select a mapping (applicable conversion mapping MAPapp) corresponding to the attribute of the vehicle 100 from among these stored mappings (conversion mapping MAP), and obtain the applicable speed limit SLapp from the selected mapping (applicable conversion mapping MAPapp) based on the image recognition speed limit SLimg and the position information IP of the vehicle 100.

[0066] Next, the information providing device 10 advances the process to step S435 , and displays the applicable speed limit SLapp acquired in step S430 on the display 21 via the display device 20 as the speed limit applied to the host vehicle 100 .

[0067] Next, the information providing device 10 advances the process to step S495 and temporarily ends the process of this routine.

[0068] In addition, in this example, a conversion mapping MAP of the applicable speed limit SLapp with the current driving area AREA and the image recognition speed limit SLimg as independent variables is prepared for each vehicle category VC, but a conversion mapping MAP of the applicable speed limit SLapp with the image recognition speed limit SLimg and the vehicle category VC as independent variables may also be prepared for each current driving area AREA.

[0069] That is, the information providing device 10 may be configured such that, when the vehicle 100 moves from a certain area (a first area) to another area (a second area different from the first area), the conversion means (conversion mapping MAP) for converting the image-recognized speed limit SLimg into the applicable speed limit SLapp may be switched from a first conversion means (conversion mapping MAP) for converting the image-recognized speed limit SLimg into the applicable speed limit SLapp in the first area to a second conversion means (conversion mapping MAP) for converting the image-recognized speed limit SLimg into the applicable speed limit SLapp in the second area.

[0070] Alternatively, a conversion map MAP of the applicable speed limit SLapp using the current traveling area AREA and the vehicle type VC as independent variables may be prepared for each image recognition speed limit SLimg.

[0071] That is, the information providing device 10 can also be configured to, when the image recognition speed limit SLimg changes from a certain speed (first speed) to another speed (a second speed different from the first speed), switch the conversion means (conversion mapping MAP) for converting the image recognition speed limit SLimg into the applicable speed limit SLapp from the conversion means (conversion mapping MAP) for converting the image recognition speed limit SLimg as the first speed into the applicable speed limit SLapp to the conversion means (conversion mapping MAP) for converting the image recognition speed limit SLimg as the second speed into the applicable speed limit SLapp.

[0072] As described above, in the present invention, the applicable speed limit SLapp may be acquired based on the vehicle type VC, the current traveling area AREA, and the image recognition speed limit SLimg.

[0073] In addition, in this example, the information providing device 10 obtains the vehicle category VC of the vehicle 100 based on the purpose of the vehicle 100 and the specifications of the vehicle 100 and selects the conversion mapping MAP corresponding to the obtained vehicle category VC as the applicable conversion mapping MAPapp, but the information providing device 10 can also be configured to select the applicable conversion mapping MAPapp as follows.

[0074] That is, the information providing device 10 may be configured to obtain the vehicle type VC of the vehicle 100 based on either the purpose of the vehicle 100 or the specification of the vehicle 100 and select the conversion map MAP corresponding to the obtained vehicle type VC as the applicable conversion map MAPapp.

[0075] In addition, in the above example, the information providing device 10 is configured to obtain the applicable speed limit SLapp based on the attributes of the vehicle 100 (the purpose of the vehicle 100 and the specifications of the vehicle 100), the current driving area AREA and the image recognition speed limit SLimg, but when the current driving area AREA does not need to be considered in obtaining the applicable speed limit SLapp, the information providing device 10 may also be configured to obtain the applicable speed limit SLapp based on the attributes of the vehicle 100 and the image recognition speed limit SLimg without considering the current driving area AREA.

[0076] In addition, the information providing device 10 is configured such that, when a road sign obtained by image recognition from a captured image (camera image IMGcam) is not a road sign for the vehicle 100, even if an applicable speed limit SLapp is obtained based on the image recognition speed limit SLimg obtained from the road sign, the obtained applicable speed limit SLapp is not notified to the driver.

[0077] On the other hand, if the judgment in step S410 is "No", the information providing device 10 advances the processing to step S440, and determines the area where the vehicle 100 is currently traveling as the current driving area AREA by comparing the current position Pnow of the vehicle 100 with the map information of the map information database 50.

[0078] Next, the information providing device 10 advances the processing to step S445, compares the current position Pnow of the vehicle 100 with the map information of the map information database 50, and obtains the speed limit SL set for vehicles traveling in the lane in which the vehicle 100 is currently traveling from the map information database 50 as the data speed limit SLdata.

[0079] Next, the information providing device 10 advances the process to step S450 to determine whether the data limit speed display condition C2 is satisfied.

[0080] The data limit speed display condition C2 is as follows: Figure 4 The current driving area AREA determined in step S440 during this execution of the routine shown in FIG. Figure 4 The current driving area AREA determined in step S440 or step S415 is different from the previous execution of the routine shown, or Figure 4 The value of the data limit speed SLdata obtained in step S445 during the current execution of the routine shown is the same as that in Figure 4 The value of the data speed limit SLdata acquired in step S445 at the last execution of the routine shown or the value of the image recognition speed limit SLimg acquired by the process of step S405 executed most recently and satisfying the predetermined condition C3 is different.

[0081] The predetermined condition C3 is a condition that the distance traveled by the vehicle 100 from the time when the image recognition speed limit SLimg was acquired by the most recently executed process of step S405 to the current time is less than or equal to the predetermined distance D1.

[0082] Therefore, in this example, when the value of the image recognition speed limit SLimg that is most recently obtained and satisfies the above-mentioned specified condition C3 is different from the value of the data speed limit SLdata, the information providing device 10 will display the applicable speed limit SLapp obtained based on the image recognition speed limit SLimg on the display 21 through the display device 20.

[0083] When it is determined as “YES” in step S450 , the information providing device 10 advances the process to step S455 , and acquires the vehicle type VC of the vehicle 100 based on the purpose of the vehicle 100 and the specifications of the vehicle 100 .

[0084] Next, the information providing device 10 advances the process to step S460 , and selects the conversion map MAP corresponding to the vehicle type VC acquired in step S455 from the conversion map database 60 as the applicable conversion map MAPapp.

[0085] Next, the information providing device 10 advances the processing to step S465, applies the data speed limit SLdata obtained in step S445 and the current driving area AREA determined in step S440 to the applicable conversion map MAPapp selected in step S460, and obtains the speed limit SL applicable to the vehicle 100 as the applicable speed limit SLapp.

[0086] That is, the information providing device 10 has a conversion means (conversion mapping MAP) for converting the data limit speed SLdata into the applicable speed limit SLapp based on the vehicle information IV and the position information IP, and is configured to convert the data limit speed SLdata using the above-mentioned conversion means (conversion mapping MAP) based on the vehicle information IV and the position information IP, thereby obtaining the applicable speed limit SLapp.

[0087] In other words, in this example, the vehicle information IV includes the vehicle use information IU and the vehicle specification information IS as information related to the attributes of the vehicle 100, and the information providing device 10 has a conversion means (conversion map MAP) for converting the data limit speed SLdata into a speed limit applicable to the vehicle based on the current position of the vehicle for each combination of the use of the vehicle and the specifications of the vehicle, and is configured to select a conversion means (applicable conversion map MAPapp) corresponding to the combination of the use of the vehicle 100 and the specifications of the vehicle 100 from among these conversion means (conversion map MAP) based on the vehicle use information IU and the vehicle specification information IS, and use the selected conversion means (applicable conversion map MAPapp) to convert the data limit speed SLdata based on the position information IP of the vehicle 100, thereby obtaining the applicable speed limit SLapp.

[0088] In other words, the information providing device 10 stores, for each attribute of the vehicle, a mapping (conversion mapping MAP) for obtaining a speed limit applicable to the vehicle as an applicable speed limit SLapp based on the data speed limit SLdata and the current position of the vehicle, and is configured to select a mapping (applicable conversion mapping MAPapp) corresponding to the attribute of the vehicle 100 from among these stored mappings (conversion mapping MAP), and obtain the applicable speed limit SLapp from the selected mapping (applicable conversion mapping MAPapp) based on the data speed limit SLdata and the position information IP of the vehicle 100.

[0089] Next, the information providing device 10 advances the process to step S470 , and displays the applicable speed limit SLapp acquired in step S465 on the display 21 via the display device 20 as the speed limit applied to the host vehicle 100 .

[0090] Next, the information providing device 10 advances the process to step S495 and temporarily ends the process of this routine.

[0091] In this way, the information providing device 10 is configured to obtain the location information IP of the vehicle 100, determine the lane in which the vehicle 100 is currently traveling based on the obtained location information IP, obtain the speed limit for vehicles traveling in the determined lane as the data limit speed SLdata from the map information database 50, obtain the speed limit applicable to the vehicle 100 as the applicable speed limit SLapp based on the obtained data limit speed SLdata, the vehicle information IV related to the attributes of the vehicle 100, and the location information IP, and notify the driver of the vehicle 100 of the obtained applicable speed limit SLapp.

[0092] In addition, in this example, a conversion mapping MAP of the applicable speed limit SLapp with the current driving area AREA and the data speed limit SLdata as independent variables is prepared for each vehicle category VC, but a conversion mapping MAP of the applicable speed limit SLapp with the data speed limit SLdata and the vehicle category VC as independent variables may also be prepared for each current driving area AREA.

[0093] That is, the information providing device 10 may be configured such that, when the vehicle 100 moves from a certain area (a first area) to another area (a second area different from the first area), the conversion means (conversion mapping MAP) for converting the data limit speed SLdata into the applicable speed limit SLapp may be switched from a first conversion means (conversion mapping MAP) for converting the data limit speed SLdata into the applicable speed limit SLapp in the first area to a second conversion means (conversion mapping MAP) for converting the data limit speed SLdata into the applicable speed limit SLapp in the second area.

[0094] Alternatively, a conversion map MAP of the applicable speed limit SLapp using the current travel area AREA and the vehicle type VC as arguments may be prepared for each data speed limit SLdata.

[0095] That is, the information providing device 10 can also be configured to, when the data limit speed SLdata changes from a certain speed (a first speed) to another speed (a second speed different from the first speed), switch the conversion means (conversion mapping MAP) for converting the data limit speed SLdata into the applicable limit speed SLapp from the conversion means (conversion mapping MAP) for converting the data limit speed SLdata as the first speed into the applicable limit speed SLapp to the conversion means (conversion mapping MAP) for converting the data limit speed SLdata as the second speed into the applicable limit speed SLapp.

[0096] As described above, in the present invention, the applicable speed limit SLapp may be obtained based on the vehicle type VC, the current traveling area AREA, and the data speed limit SLdata.

[0097] Furthermore, when the data speed limit SLdata obtained from the map information database 50 is not the speed limit for the vehicle 100, the information providing device 10 is configured not to notify the driver of the obtained applicable speed limit SLapp even if the applicable speed limit SLapp is obtained based on the data speed limit SLdata.

[0098] The above is the operation of the information providing device 10 .

[0099] As described above, there are countries and regions where different speed limits are set according to the attributes of vehicles even when the vehicles are traveling in the same lane. Among such countries and regions, there are countries and regions where road signs are not provided on the roads to display all speed limits corresponding to the attributes of the vehicles, but only road signs are provided on the roads to display one speed limit as a representative. Therefore, in such countries and regions, if the speed limit obtained by image recognition from the road sign is directly notified to the operator of the vehicle, the speed limit that is not applicable to the vehicle may be notified to the operator of the vehicle.

[0100] According to the information providing device 10, the driver is notified of the speed limit according to the attribute of the vehicle 100 and the current position Pnow of the vehicle 100. Therefore, the driver can be notified of the correct speed limit.

[0101] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be adopted within the scope of the present invention.

[0102] For example, vehicles to which the same vehicle category VC is assigned based on the above-mentioned vehicle usage and vehicle specifications may be assigned different vehicle categories VC based on the vehicle usage other than the above-mentioned vehicle usage, depending on the region.

[0103] In particular, based on the above-mentioned vehicle usage and vehicle specifications, vehicles assigned the same vehicle category VC may sometimes be assigned different vehicle categories VC depending on vehicle attributes related to the vehicle usage, such as whether the vehicle is an off-road vehicle, depending on the region.

[0104] Next, the operation of the information providing device 10 (the information providing device 10 according to the second embodiment) in this case will be described.

[0105] like Figure 5As shown, in this example, the conversion map MAP is also prepared for each vehicle category VC, but in this example, the vehicle category VC is determined by the first vehicle purpose, the second vehicle purpose, and the vehicle specification. The first vehicle purpose is the purpose of the vehicle, such as whether the vehicle is a passenger transport vehicle or a cargo transport vehicle. In addition, the second vehicle purpose is the purpose of the vehicle, such as whether the vehicle is an off-road vehicle (such as a pickup truck).

[0106] Information related to the first vehicle use of the vehicle 100, information related to the second vehicle use of the vehicle 100, information related to the specifications of the vehicle 100, and information related to the vehicle category VC determined for each combination of the first vehicle use, the second vehicle use, and the specifications of the vehicle are pre-stored in the information providing device 10 (particularly the storage medium of ECU90).

[0107] also, Figure 5 is with Figure 3 The same diagram is added with a conversion map MAP to which "N1G" is added. This conversion map MAP is used to obtain the speed limit applicable to a vehicle whose vehicle type VC is "N1G".

[0108] The information providing device 10 involved in the second embodiment is the same as the information providing device 10 involved in the first embodiment. It is a device for notifying the driver of the vehicle 100 of the speed limit applicable to the vehicle 100, namely the applicable speed limit SLapp. The device is configured to obtain the speed limit for vehicles traveling in the lane in which the vehicle 100 is currently traveling as the image recognition speed limit SLimg from the road signs included in the captured image (camera image IMGcam) obtained by capturing the foreground of the vehicle 100 through image recognition, obtain the position information IP of the vehicle 100, obtain the applicable speed limit SLapp based on the image recognition speed limit SLimg, the vehicle information IV related to the attributes of the vehicle 100, and the position information IP, and notify the driver of the vehicle 100 of the obtained applicable speed limit SLapp.

[0109] More specifically, the information providing device 10 according to the second embodiment is similar to the information providing device 10 according to the first embodiment, by executing Figure 4 According to the routine shown, the speed limit applied to the host vehicle 100 (applied speed limit SLapp) is displayed on the display 21 via the display device 20, and is notified to the driver of the host vehicle 100.

[0110] However, the information providing device 10 involved in the second embodiment is different from the information providing device 10 involved in the first embodiment. After the information providing device 10 advances the processing to step S420, it obtains the vehicle category VC of the vehicle 100 based on the first vehicle purpose of the vehicle 100, the second vehicle purpose of the vehicle 100, the specifications of the vehicle 100 and the current driving area AREA determined in step S415.

[0111] Then, similarly to the information providing device 10 according to the first embodiment, the information providing device 10 according to the second embodiment proceeds to step S425 and selects the conversion map MAP corresponding to the vehicle type VC acquired in step S420 from the conversion map database 60 as the applicable conversion map MAPapp.

[0112] Then, the information providing device 10 involved in the second embodiment proceeds to step S430 in the same manner as the information providing device 10 involved in the first embodiment, applies the image recognition speed limit SLimg obtained in step S405 and the current driving area AREA determined in step S415 to the applicable conversion map MAPapp selected in step S425, and obtains the speed limit SL applicable to the vehicle 100 as the applicable speed limit SLapp.

[0113] That is, the information providing device 10 involved in the second embodiment is also the same as the information providing device 10 involved in the first embodiment, and is equipped with a conversion means (conversion mapping MAP) for converting the image-recognized speed limit SLimg into the applicable speed limit SLapp based on the vehicle information IV and the position information IP, and is configured to convert the image-recognized speed limit SLimg using the above-mentioned conversion means (conversion mapping MAP) based on the vehicle information IV and the position information IP, thereby obtaining the applicable speed limit SLapp.

[0114] In other words, in this example, the vehicle information IV includes the vehicle use information IU and the vehicle specification information IS as information related to the attributes of the vehicle 100. The information providing device 10 involved in the second embodiment is also the same as the information providing device 10 involved in the first embodiment. For each combination of the use of the vehicle and the specifications of the vehicle, it has a conversion means (conversion map MAP) that converts the speed limit displayed on the road sign into a speed limit applicable to the vehicle based on the current position of the vehicle. It is configured to select a conversion means (applicable conversion map MAPapp) corresponding to the combination of the use of the vehicle 100 and the specifications of the vehicle 100 from among these conversion means (conversion map MAP) based on the vehicle use information IU and the vehicle specification information IS, and use the selected conversion means (applicable conversion map MAPapp) to convert the image-recognized speed limit SLimg based on the position information IP of the vehicle 100, thereby obtaining the applicable speed limit SLapp.

[0115] In other words, the information providing device 10 involved in the second embodiment is the same as the information providing device 10 involved in the first embodiment. It stores, for each attribute of the vehicle, a mapping (conversion mapping MAP) for obtaining the speed limit applicable to the vehicle as the applicable speed limit SLapp based on the speed limit displayed on the road sign and the current position of the vehicle, and is configured to select a mapping (applicable conversion mapping MAPapp) corresponding to the attribute of the vehicle 100 from these stored mappings (conversion mapping MAP), and obtain the applicable speed limit SLapp from the selected mapping (applicable conversion mapping MAPapp) based on the image recognition speed limit SLimg and the position information IP of the vehicle 100.

[0116] In addition, in this example, the vehicle information IV includes vehicle use information IU (information IU1 related to the first vehicle use and information IU2 related to the second vehicle use as information related to the use of the vehicle 100) and vehicle specification information IS as information related to the attributes of the vehicle 100. The information providing device 10 involved in the second embodiment is different from the information providing device 10 involved in the first embodiment. For each combination of the use of the vehicle, the specification of the vehicle and the current position of the vehicle, it has a conversion means (conversion map MAP) that converts the speed limit displayed on the road sign into a speed limit applicable to the vehicle based on the current position of the vehicle. The device is configured to select a conversion means (applicable conversion map MAPapp) corresponding to the combination of the use of the vehicle 100, the specification of the vehicle 100 and the current position Pnow of the vehicle 100 from among these conversion means (conversion map MAP) based on the vehicle use information IU, the vehicle specification information IS and the position information IP of the vehicle 100, and use the selected conversion means (applicable conversion map MAPapp) to convert the image-recognized speed limit SLimg based on the position information IP, thereby obtaining the applicable speed limit SLapp.

[0117] In other words, the information providing device 10 involved in the second embodiment is different from the information providing device 10 involved in the first embodiment. It stores a mapping for obtaining the speed limit applicable to the vehicle as the applicable speed limit SLapp based on the speed limit displayed on the road sign and the current position of the vehicle for each combination of the attributes of the vehicle and the current position of the vehicle, and is configured to select a mapping (applicable conversion mapping MAPapp) corresponding to the combination of the attributes of the vehicle 100 and the current position Pnow of the vehicle 100 from these stored mappings (conversion mapping MAP), and obtain the applicable speed limit SLapp from the selected mapping (applicable conversion mapping MAPapp) based on the image recognition speed limit SLimg and the position information IP of the vehicle 100.

[0118] Then, similar to the information providing device 10 according to the first embodiment, the information providing device 10 according to the second embodiment proceeds to step S435 and displays the applicable speed limit SLapp acquired in step S430 on the display 21 via the display device 20 as the speed limit applicable to the vehicle 100 .

[0119] In addition, the information providing device 10 involved in the second embodiment is different from the information providing device 10 involved in the first embodiment. After the processing proceeds to step S455, the vehicle category VC of the vehicle 100 is obtained based on the first vehicle purpose of the vehicle 100, the second vehicle purpose of the vehicle 100, the specifications of the vehicle 100 and the current driving area AREA determined in step S440.

[0120] Then, similarly to the information providing device 10 according to the first embodiment, the information providing device 10 according to the second embodiment proceeds to step S460 and selects the conversion map MAP corresponding to the vehicle type VC acquired in step S455 from the conversion map database 60 as the applicable conversion map MAPapp.

[0121] Then, the information providing device 10 involved in the second embodiment proceeds to step S465 in the same manner as the information providing device 10 involved in the first embodiment, applies the data limit speed SLdata obtained in step S445 and the current driving area AREA determined in step S440 to the applicable conversion map MAPapp selected in step S460, and obtains the speed limit SL applicable to the vehicle 100 as the applicable speed limit SLapp.

[0122] That is, the information providing device 10 involved in the second embodiment is the same as the information providing device 10 involved in the first embodiment, and is equipped with a conversion means (conversion mapping MAP) for converting the data limit speed SLdata into the applicable speed limit SLapp based on the vehicle information IV and the position information IP, and is configured to convert the data limit speed SLdata using the above-mentioned conversion means (conversion mapping MAP) based on the vehicle information IV and the position information IP, thereby obtaining the applicable speed limit SLapp.

[0123] In other words, in this example, the vehicle information IV includes the vehicle use information IU and the vehicle specification information IS as information related to the attributes of the vehicle 100. The information providing device 10 involved in the second embodiment is also the same as the information providing device 10 involved in the first embodiment. For each combination of the use of the vehicle and the specifications of the vehicle, it has a conversion means (conversion map MAP) that converts the data limit speed SLdata into a speed limit applicable to the vehicle based on the current position of the vehicle. It is configured to select a conversion means (applicable conversion map MAPapp) corresponding to the combination of the use of the vehicle 100 and the specifications of the vehicle 100 from among these conversion means (conversion map MAP) based on the vehicle use information IU and the vehicle specification information IS, and use the selected conversion means (applicable conversion map MAPapp) to convert the data limit speed SLdata based on the position information IP of the vehicle 100, thereby obtaining the applicable speed limit SLapp.

[0124] In other words, the information providing device 10 involved in the second embodiment is the same as the information providing device 10 involved in the first embodiment. It stores, for each attribute of the vehicle, a mapping (conversion mapping MAP) for obtaining a speed limit applicable to the vehicle as an applicable speed limit SLapp based on the data limit speed SLdata and the current position of the vehicle, and is configured to select a mapping (applicable conversion mapping MAPapp) corresponding to the attribute of the vehicle 100 from among these stored mappings (conversion mapping MAP), and obtain the applicable speed limit SLapp from the selected mapping (applicable conversion mapping MAPapp) based on the data limit speed SLdata and the position information IP of the vehicle 100.

[0125] In addition, in this example, the vehicle information IV includes vehicle use information IU (information IU1 related to the first vehicle use and information IU2 related to the second vehicle use as information related to the use of the vehicle 100) and vehicle specification information IS as information related to the attributes of the vehicle 100. The information providing device 10 involved in the second embodiment is different from the information providing device 10 involved in the first embodiment. For each combination of the use of the vehicle, the specification of the vehicle and the current position of the vehicle, it has a conversion means (conversion map MAP) that converts the data limit speed SLdata into a speed limit applicable to the vehicle based on the current position of the vehicle. The device is configured to select a conversion means (applicable conversion map MAPapp) corresponding to the combination of the use of the vehicle 100, the specification of the vehicle 100 and the current position Pnow of the vehicle 100 based on the vehicle use information IU, the vehicle specification information IS and the position information IP of the vehicle 100, and use the selected conversion means (applicable conversion map MAPapp) to convert the data limit speed SLdata based on the position information IP, thereby obtaining the applicable speed limit SLapp.

[0126] In other words, the information providing device 10 involved in the second embodiment is different from the information providing device 10 involved in the first embodiment. It stores a mapping (conversion mapping MAP) for obtaining the speed limit applicable to the vehicle as the applicable speed limit SLapp based on the data limit speed SLdata and the current position of the vehicle for each combination of the attributes of the vehicle and the current position of the vehicle, and is configured to select a mapping (applicable conversion mapping MAPapp) corresponding to the combination of the attributes of the vehicle 100 and the current position Pnow of the vehicle 100 from these stored mappings (conversion mapping MAP), and obtain the applicable speed limit SLapp from the selected mapping (applicable conversion mapping MAPapp) based on the data limit speed SLdata and the position information IP of the vehicle 100.

[0127] Then, similar to the information providing device 10 according to the first embodiment, the information providing device 10 according to the second embodiment proceeds to step S470 and displays the applicable speed limit SLapp acquired in step S465 on the display 21 via the display device 20 as the speed limit applicable to the vehicle 100 .

[0128] As described above, the information providing device 10 involved in the second embodiment is configured to obtain the position information IP of the vehicle 100, determine the lane in which the vehicle 100 is currently traveling based on the obtained position information IP, obtain the speed limit for vehicles traveling in the determined lane as the data limit speed SLdata from the map information database 50, obtain the speed limit applicable to the vehicle 100 as the applicable speed limit SLapp based on the obtained data limit speed SLdata, the vehicle information IV related to the attributes of the vehicle 100 and the position information IP of the vehicle 100, and notify the driver of the vehicle 100 of the obtained applicable speed limit SLapp.

[0129] The above is the operation of the information providing device 10 according to the second embodiment. According to the information providing device 10 according to the second embodiment, the speed limit corresponding to the vehicle type VC (attribute of the vehicle 100) of the vehicle 100 is notified to the driver, similarly to the information providing device 10 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, the correct speed limit can be notified to the driver.

[0130] Furthermore, when the vehicle body number associated with the vehicle type VC or the vehicle body number associated with data that can identify the vehicle type VC is pre-stored in the information providing device 10 (particularly the storage medium of the ECU 90), the information providing device 10 may be configured to obtain the vehicle type VC of the vehicle 100 based on the vehicle body number, and obtain the applicable speed limit SLapp using the obtained vehicle type VC. In addition, the vehicle body number is generally a number assigned to each vehicle in order to identify each vehicle.

[0131] In addition, an ECU (area determination ECU) for determining the current driving area AREA based on the current position Pnow of the vehicle 100 may be mounted on the vehicle 100, and the information providing device 10 may be configured so that the ECU 90 receives data of the current driving area AREA from the area determination ECU. In this case, the area determination ECU may be configured so that the data of the current driving area AREA is sent to the ECU 90 only when the current driving area AREA changes. In this case, when the data of the current driving area AREA is not sent from the area determination ECU, the information providing device 10 uses the current driving area AREA obtained based on the data of the current driving area AREA sent from the area determination ECU last time to obtain the applicable speed limit SLapp. In this way, the calculation load of the ECU 90 can be reduced.

[0132] In addition, in the above-mentioned example, the speed limit is one of the traffic rules applicable to the vehicle 100, and the present invention can also be applied to the information providing device 10 that displays traffic rules other than the speed limit on the display 21 through the display device 20 to notify the driver of the traffic rules. Therefore, in this case, the information providing device 10 is configured to obtain the traffic rules for the vehicle traveling in the lane currently being traveled by the vehicle 100 as the image recognition traffic rules from the road signs included in the captured image (camera image IMGcam) obtained by capturing the foreground of the vehicle 100 by image recognition, obtain the position information IP of the vehicle 100, obtain the traffic rules applicable to the vehicle 100 as the applicable traffic rules based on the image recognition traffic rules, the vehicle information IV related to the attributes of the vehicle 100, and the position information IP of the vehicle 100, and notify the driver of the vehicle 100 of the obtained applicable traffic rules.

[0133] In addition, the present invention can also be applied to the case of setting the set speed used in the speed limit system and the adaptive cruise control system. That is, the speed limit system is a system that automatically limits the speed of the vehicle 100 to a speed below the set speed. When the speed limit is set as the set speed, the present invention can also be applied to the acquisition of the speed limit. In addition, the adaptive cruise control system is a system that limits the speed of the vehicle 100 to a speed below the set speed while automatically driving the vehicle 100 in a manner that the vehicle 100 follows the vehicle in front (a system that performs so-called following driving control). When the speed limit is set as the set speed, the present invention can also be applied to the acquisition of the speed limit.

[0134] Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to a driving assistance system for causing the driver to comply with the traffic rules that should be followed in the road traffic laws of various countries and regions. For example, in the case where an auxiliary sign depicting a truck is attached to a road sign, sometimes in a certain country, the traffic rules displayed on the road sign apply to all commercial vehicles, but in another country, the traffic rules displayed on the road sign only apply to commercial vehicles above a specified weight. In such a case, the present invention can also be applied to a driving assistance system that includes whether the traffic rules are traffic rules applicable to the vehicle 100, converts the traffic rules into traffic rules applicable to the vehicle 100, and notifies the driver of the converted traffic rules. In this case, the information providing device 10 is configured not to notify the driver of the traffic rules if it is determined that the traffic rules are not traffic rules applicable to the vehicle 100.

[0135] In addition, when it is possible to generate an operation formula for converting the image recognition speed limit SLimg and the data speed limit SLdata into the applicable speed limit SLapp, the information providing device 10 can also be configured to use the operation formula instead of the conversion map MAP to obtain the applicable speed limit SLapp through calculation based on the image recognition speed limit SLimg or the data speed limit SLdata.

[0136] In addition, even if it is the same vehicle, when the vehicle category applicable to the vehicle is different depending on the way the vehicle is used, for example, whether it is used as a passenger transport vehicle or a cargo transport vehicle, the information providing device 10 can also be configured to obtain information related to the way the vehicle 100 is used, obtain the vehicle category VC applicable to the vehicle 100 considering the obtained information, and select the conversion mapping MAP corresponding to the obtained vehicle category VC. Description of Reference Numerals

[0137] 10…information providing device, 20…display device, 21…display, 30…photographing image acquisition device, 31…camera sensor, 40…current position acquisition device, 41…GPS signal receiver, 50…map information database (speed limit database), 60…conversion mapping database.

Claims

1. An information providing device comprising a control device for notifying an operator of the vehicle of a traffic regulation applicable to the vehicle, i.e., an applicable traffic regulation, The control device is configured to: acquiring, by image recognition, a traffic regulation for vehicles traveling in a lane in which the vehicle is currently traveling, from road signs included in a captured image obtained by capturing the foreground of the vehicle as an image-recognized traffic regulation, Obtaining the location information of the vehicle, Recognize traffic rules based on the image, vehicle information related to the attributes of the vehicle, and the position information to obtain the applicable traffic rules, The acquired applicable traffic regulations are notified to the operator of the host vehicle.

2. The information providing device according to claim 1, wherein: The control device is configured such that, when a road sign obtained from the captured image through image recognition is not a road sign for the vehicle, even if the applicable traffic rules are obtained based on the image recognition traffic rules obtained from the road sign, the obtained applicable traffic rules are not notified to the operator.

3. The information providing device according to claim 1, wherein: The control device includes a conversion means for converting the image recognition traffic regulation into the applicable traffic regulation based on the vehicle information and the position information. The control device is configured to convert the image-recognized traffic regulations using the conversion means based on the vehicle information and the position information, thereby acquiring the applicable traffic regulations.

4. The information providing device according to claim 1, wherein: The vehicle information includes vehicle usage information related to the usage of the vehicle and vehicle specification information related to the specification of the vehicle as the vehicle information, The control device includes a conversion means for converting the traffic rules displayed on the road signs into traffic rules applicable to the target vehicle based on the current position of the target vehicle, prepared for each combination of the purpose of the vehicle and the specification of the vehicle. The control device is configured to: selecting, from among the conversion means, a conversion means corresponding to a combination of the purpose of the vehicle and the specification of the vehicle based on the vehicle purpose information and the vehicle specification information, The image-recognized traffic regulations are converted using the selected conversion means based on the current position of the vehicle, thereby obtaining the applicable traffic regulations.

5. The information providing device according to claim 1, wherein: The vehicle information includes vehicle usage information related to the usage of the vehicle and vehicle specification information related to the specification of the vehicle as the vehicle information, The control device includes a conversion means for converting the traffic rules displayed on the road sign into traffic rules applicable to the target vehicle based on the current position of the target vehicle, prepared for each combination of the purpose of the vehicle, the specification of the vehicle, and the current position of the vehicle. The control device is configured to: selecting, from among the conversion means, a conversion means corresponding to a combination of the purpose of the vehicle, the specification of the vehicle, and the current position of the vehicle based on the vehicle purpose information, the vehicle specification information, and the position information, The image-recognized traffic regulations are converted using the selected conversion means based on the current position of the vehicle, thereby obtaining the applicable traffic regulations.

6. The information providing device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein: The control device is configured to switch the conversion means from a first conversion means to a second conversion means when the vehicle moves from a first area to a second area different from the first area. The first conversion means is a conversion means for converting the image recognition traffic rules into the applicable traffic rules in the first area, and the second conversion means is a conversion means for converting the image recognition traffic rules into the applicable traffic rules in the second area.

7. The information providing device according to claim 1, wherein: The control device stores a map prepared for each attribute of the vehicle for obtaining the traffic rule applicable to the target vehicle based on the traffic rule displayed on the road sign and the current position of the target vehicle as the applicable traffic rule, The control device is configured to: From the stored mappings, a mapping corresponding to the attribute of the vehicle is selected, The image-recognized traffic regulation and the position information of the host vehicle are applied to the selected map, thereby acquiring the applicable traffic regulation.

8. The information providing device according to claim 1, wherein: The control device stores a mapping prepared for each combination of a vehicle attribute and a current position of the vehicle for obtaining a traffic rule applicable to the target vehicle based on the traffic rule displayed on the road sign and the current position of the target vehicle as an applicable traffic rule, The control device is configured to: Selecting a map corresponding to a combination of the attribute of the vehicle and the current position of the vehicle from among the stored maps, The image-recognized traffic regulation and the current position of the vehicle are applied to the selected map to obtain the applicable traffic regulation.

9. An information providing method for notifying an operator of a vehicle of traffic rules applicable to the vehicle, i.e., applicable traffic rules, the information providing method comprising: A step of acquiring, by image recognition, traffic rules for vehicles traveling in a lane in which the vehicle is currently traveling, from road signs included in a captured image acquired by capturing the foreground of the vehicle as image recognition of traffic rules; The step of obtaining the position information of the vehicle; A step of acquiring the applicable traffic regulations based on the image recognition traffic regulations, vehicle information related to the attributes of the vehicle, and the position information; as well as The step of notifying the operator of the vehicle of the acquired applicable traffic regulations.

10. An information providing program for notifying an operator of a vehicle of traffic rules applicable to the vehicle, i.e., applicable traffic rules, the information providing program being configured to: acquiring, by image recognition, a traffic regulation for vehicles traveling in a lane in which the vehicle is currently traveling, from road signs included in a captured image obtained by capturing the foreground of the vehicle as an image-recognized traffic regulation, Obtaining the location information of the vehicle, Recognize traffic rules based on the image, vehicle information related to the attributes of the vehicle, and the position information to obtain the applicable traffic rules, The acquired applicable traffic regulations are notified to the operator of the host vehicle.

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