Safe driving support system

Abstract

To provide a safe driving support system that makes it easier for a driver to notice surrounding vehicles on which driver markers are displayed.SOLUTION: A safe driving support system is installed in a vehicle 100 equipped with a dashboard camera 10. The safe driving support system is equipped with a control unit 20 and a notification device 70. The control unit 20 executes acquisition of video images captured by the dashboard camera 10, detection of surrounding vehicles in the acquired video images, determination on whether or not each of the detected surrounding vehicles on which driver markers are displayed, and output of a warning signal when detecting the surrounding vehicles on which the driver markers are displayed. A reporting device 70 informs a driver of the presence of the surrounding vehicles on which the driver markers are displayed when the warning signal output by the control unit 20 is received.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a safe driving support system. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a reckless vehicle detection device that determines whether or not a vehicle in the vicinity of the vehicle being driven by a driver is driving dangerously based on the behavior of the other vehicle. When the reckless vehicle detection device detects a vehicle that is driving dangerously, it notifies the driver that there is a vehicle that is driving dangerously.

[0003] By providing such a notification, the driver can take defensive driving measures to prevent a traffic accident, such as by maintaining a certain distance from the other vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-072641 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] It is advisable to drive with a relaxed attitude, such as by maintaining a sufficient distance between vehicles, even when vehicles are driven by beginners or elderly people. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The means for solving the above problems and their effects will be described below. A safe driving support system for solving the above problems is mounted on a vehicle equipped with a drive recorder. The safe driving support system includes a control device that executes the following operations: acquiring an image captured by the drive recorder, detecting surrounding vehicles captured in the acquired image, determining whether or not a driver sign is displayed on the detected surrounding vehicles, and outputting a warning signal when a surrounding vehicle displaying the driver sign is detected. The safe driving support system includes an alarm device that, upon receiving the warning signal output by the control device, alerts the driver to the presence of a surrounding vehicle displaying the driver sign. Effect of the Invention

[0007] The driver of a vehicle equipped with the above-mentioned safe driving support system is more likely to notice surrounding vehicles that display driver identification signs. This makes it easier for the driver of a vehicle equipped with the above-mentioned safe driving support system to drive with more leeway around surrounding vehicles that display driver identification signs. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a vehicle equipped with a safe driving support system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows an example of video captured by the drive recorder of the safe driving support system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart for notifying a driver of a nearby vehicle displaying a driver sign in the safe driving support system. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart for switching the safe driving support mode in the safe driving support system. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a comparison between the distance between a nearby vehicle that displays a driver sign and the distance between a nearby vehicle that does not display a driver sign in the safe driving support system. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a comparison between the lateral distance from a nearby vehicle that displays a driver sign and the lateral distance from a nearby vehicle that does not display a driver sign in the safe driving support system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a safe driving support system will be described with reference to Figs. <Configuration of safe driving support system> The safe driving support system is mounted on the vehicle 100 and provides driving support to the vehicle 100 in response to objects such as surrounding vehicles and obstacles in the driving environment of the vehicle 100.

[0010] 1, a vehicle 100 includes a drive recorder 10, a control device 20, a sensor group 30, a power train 40, a power steering system 50, a brake system 60, and an alarm device 70. The drive recorder 10, the control device 20, the sensor group 30, the power train 40, the power steering system 50, the brake system 60, and the alarm device 70 constitute a safe driving support system.

[0011] The control device 20 can perform overall control over the vehicle 100 and can manage the motion of the vehicle 100. The control device 20 can adjust the traveling speed of the vehicle 100 by controlling the power train 40 and the brake system 60. The control device 20 can adjust the traveling direction of the vehicle 100 by controlling the power steering system 50 to adjust the steering angle of the tires.

[0012] The sensor group 30 can acquire the relative distance between the vehicle 100 and surrounding vehicles and obstacles located around the vehicle 100. The sensor group 30 transmits the acquired relative distance to the control device 20. For example, the sensor group 30 can be configured to include various sensors such as a camera, a millimeter wave radar, a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), and an ultrasonic sensor (sonar). The sensor group 30 may also include other sensors such as an accelerator sensor, a brake sensor, a gyro sensor, and an acceleration sensor.

[0013] The notification device 70 is connected to the control device 20 so as to be able to receive a warning signal from the control device 20. When the notification device 70 receives a warning signal from the control device 20, it notifies the driver of the vehicle 100 of the presence of a nearby vehicle displaying a driver sign. There are no particular limitations on the specific method of the notification device 70 as long as it can issue a warning to call the driver of the vehicle 100's attention.

[0014] For example, a speaker that emits a warning sound, a display device of a navigation system mounted on the vehicle 100, a display device of the drive recorder 10, a steering wheel with a warning function, a dashboard, and the like can be used as the notification device 70. The display device issues a warning by displaying a warning message. The steering wheel with a warning function issues a warning by emitting vibrations. The dashboard issues a warning by turning on a warning light or displaying a warning message on the information display.

[0015] Fig. 2 shows an example of an image captured by the drive recorder 10. As shown in Fig. 2, the drive recorder 10 captures and records an image of the area in front of the vehicle that can be seen from the driver's seat.

[0016] In the example shown in Fig. 2, a driver sign 200a is displayed on one of the surrounding vehicles traveling in front of the vehicle 100. The driver signs 200a include a novice driver sign displayed by a novice driver, an elderly driver sign displayed by an elderly driver, etc. In the example shown in Fig. 2, a novice driver sign is displayed.

[0017] For safe driving, it is preferable to drive with a certain margin, such as by keeping a sufficient distance between vehicles driven by beginners or elderly people. Therefore, this safe driving support system detects surrounding vehicles displaying the driver sign 200a from the video captured by the drive recorder 10. Then, when this safe driving support system detects a surrounding vehicle displaying the driver sign 200a, it notifies the driver of the presence of the surrounding vehicle displaying the driver sign 200a.

[0018] Hereinafter, the flow of processes executed in this safe driving support system will be specifically described with reference to Figs. Fig. 3 is a flowchart for notifying the driver of the vehicle 100 of a nearby vehicle displaying a driver sign 200a in this safe driving support system. This series of processes is executed by the control device 20 while the vehicle 100 is traveling. As shown in Fig. 3, when this series of processes is started, the control device 20 first acquires an image captured by the drive recorder 10 in the process of step S100. Specifically, while traveling, an image of the front of the vehicle 100 captured by the front camera of the drive recorder 10 is acquired.

[0019] Next, in the process of step S110, the control device 20 detects surrounding vehicles from the image acquired in the process of step S100. Specifically, the control device 20 detects surrounding vehicles in the acquired image by performing image recognition processing using a trained model that has undergone supervised learning so as to be able to detect vehicles in the image. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the four detected surrounding vehicles 200, 300, 400, and 500 are indicated by being surrounded by solid lines.

[0020] Next, in step S120, the control device 20 determines whether or not the driver sign 200a is displayed on each of the surrounding vehicles detected from the video captured by the drive recorder 10. Specifically, the control device 20 performs image recognition processing using a trained model that has undergone supervised learning so as to be able to detect the driver sign 200a appearing in the video, thereby determining whether or not the driver sign 200a is displayed on the detected surrounding vehicles. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the driver sign 200a is displayed on the surrounding vehicle 200 out of the four detected surrounding vehicles 200, 300, 400, and 500.

[0021] In the process of step S120, when it is determined that the driver sign 200a is displayed on the nearby vehicle (step S120: YES), the control device 20 advances the process to step S130.

[0022] In the process of step S130, the control device 20 outputs a warning signal to the notification device 70 to alert the driver of the vehicle 100 to the presence of a nearby vehicle displaying the driver sign 200a. Then, the control device 20 ends this series of processes.

[0023] The notification device 70 that receives the warning signal notifies the driver of the presence of a nearby vehicle that displays the driver sign 200a. On the other hand, if it is determined in the processing of step S120 that there is no nearby vehicle displaying the driver sign 200a (step S120: NO), the control device 20 does not execute the processing of step S130 and ends this series of processing.

[0024] <Switching safe driving support modes> This safety driving support system switches the safety driving support mode depending on whether or not a nearby vehicle displaying a driver sign 200a is detected. This safety driving support system has general driving support and specific driving support as its safety driving support modes. The driving support includes speed control that controls the power train 40 and the brake system 60 so as to secure a distance from the vehicle ahead, and steering support that operates the power steering system 50 so as to secure a lateral distance from the nearby vehicles. The difference between the general driving support and the specific driving support will be described later.

[0025] 4 is a flowchart for switching the safe driving support mode in the safe driving support system. This series of processes is executed by the control device 20 while the vehicle 100 is traveling.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4, when this series of processes is started, in step S200, the control device 20 determines whether or not a nearby vehicle displaying a driver sign 200a has been detected.

[0027] In the process of step S200, when it is determined that a nearby vehicle displaying the driver sign 200a has been detected (step S200: YES), the control device 20 proceeds to the process of step S210. In step S210, the control device 20 performs specific driving assistance for the nearby vehicle displaying the driver sign 200a.

[0028] In the process of step S200, when it is determined that the driver sign 200a is not displayed (step S200: NO), the control device 20 proceeds to the process of step S220. In step S220, the control device 20 performs general driving assistance for the surrounding vehicle that does not display the driver sign 200a.

[0029] When the specific driving assistance or general driving assistance has been performed in this manner, the control device 20 ends this series of processes. Next, the difference between general driving assistance and specific driving assistance will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 shows the difference between general speed control, which is speed control in general driving assistance, and specific speed control, which is speed control in specific driving assistance.

[0030] 5 is a vehicle traveling ahead of the vehicle 100. When the driver sign 200a is not displayed on the leading vehicle 600, which is a nearby vehicle, the control device 20 performs general driving assistance as described above. In general speed control, which is speed control in general driving assistance, the control device 20 controls the powertrain 40 and the brake system 60 to maintain a distance from the leading vehicle 600 that is equal to or greater than a first distance D1.

[0031] On the other hand, when the driver sign 200a is displayed on the preceding vehicle 600, which is a nearby vehicle, the control device 20 performs specific driving assistance as described above. In specific speed control, which is a speed control in specific driving assistance, the control device 20 controls the powertrain 40 and the brake system 60 to ensure that the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle 600 is equal to or greater than the second inter-vehicle distance D2. As shown in FIG. 5, the second inter-vehicle distance D2 is longer than the first inter-vehicle distance D1. The first inter-vehicle distance D1 may be set appropriately taking into consideration the speed of the vehicle 100 and the braking distance of the vehicle 100 so as to adequately prevent a collision with the preceding vehicle 600.

[0032] FIG. 6 shows the difference between general steering assist, which is steering assist in general driving assist, and specific steering assist, which is steering assist in specific driving assist. The surrounding vehicle 700 shown in FIG. 6 is a surrounding vehicle traveling in a lane next to the lane in which the vehicle 100 is traveling. When the driver sign 200a is not displayed on the surrounding vehicle 700, the control device 20 performs general driving assistance as described above. In general steering assistance, which is steering assistance in general driving assistance, the control device 20 operates the power steering system 50 so as to secure a lateral distance between the surrounding vehicle 700 and the first lateral distance LT1 or more. On the other hand, when the driver sign 200a is displayed on the surrounding vehicle 700, the control device 20 of the safety driving assistance system performs specific driving assistance as described above. In specific steering assistance, which is steering assistance in specific driving assistance, the control device 20 operates the power steering system 50 so as to secure a lateral distance between the surrounding vehicle 700 and the second lateral distance LT2 or more. As shown in FIG. 6, the second lateral distance LT2 is longer than the first lateral distance LT1. The first lateral distance LT1 may be set appropriately based on the road conditions, the driving environment and speed of the vehicle 100, and the like.

[0033] <Action of this embodiment> As described with reference to Fig. 3, the control device 20 of the safety driving support system detects surrounding vehicles from the video captured by the drive recorder 10. Then, the control device 20 judges whether or not the driver sign 200a is displayed on the detected surrounding vehicles. When the control device 20 detects a surrounding vehicle displaying the driver sign 200a, the notification device 70 notifies the driver of the vehicle 100 of the presence of the surrounding vehicle displaying the driver sign 200a.

[0034] In this way, the safe driving support system recognizes the surrounding vehicle on which the driver sign 200a is displayed and alerts the driver. <Effects of this embodiment> (1) The driver of the vehicle 100 equipped with the above-mentioned safe driving support system is more likely to notice surrounding vehicles displaying the driver sign 200a. This makes it easier for the driver of the vehicle 100 equipped with the above-mentioned safe driving support system to drive with more leeway around surrounding vehicles displaying the driver sign 200a.

[0035] (2) The above-described safe driving support system is mounted on a vehicle 100 equipped with a sensor group 30 for measuring the distance to surrounding vehicles. When the control device 20 detects a surrounding vehicle displaying a driver sign 200a as a preceding vehicle, the control device 20 executes speed control for operating the power train 40 and the brake system 60 so as to ensure a sufficient distance from the preceding vehicle.

[0036] In the above-mentioned safe driving support system, when the control device 20 detects a nearby vehicle displaying the driver sign 200a as a preceding vehicle, the control device 20 can easily grasp the inter-vehicle distance to the preceding vehicle based on the distance measurement results by the sensor group 30. Therefore, the control device 20 can accurately maintain an inter-vehicle distance to the preceding vehicle by executing speed control that operates the powertrain 40 and the brake system 60. As a result, the above-mentioned safe driving support system can provide driving support so as to accurately maintain an inter-vehicle distance from the nearby vehicle displaying the driver sign 200a.

[0037] (3) When the control device 20 detects a nearby vehicle that does not display the driver sign 200a as the preceding vehicle, the control device 20 executes general speed control. General speed control is speed control that operates the powertrain 40 and the brake system 60 to ensure that the distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle is equal to or greater than a first distance D1. On the other hand, when the control device 20 detects a nearby vehicle that displays the driver sign 200a as the preceding vehicle, the control device 20 executes specific speed control. Specific speed control is speed control that operates the powertrain 40 and the brake system 60 to ensure that the distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle is equal to or greater than a second distance D2, which is greater than the first distance D1.

[0038] In the above-mentioned safe driving support system, the control device 20 executes general speed control to ensure a first inter-vehicle distance D1 or more from a preceding vehicle that does not display the driver sign 200a. On the other hand, the control device 20 executes specific speed control to ensure a second inter-vehicle distance D2 or more, which is larger than the first inter-vehicle distance D1, from a preceding vehicle that displays the driver sign 200a. Therefore, the control device 20 can selectively execute general speed control and specific speed control depending on the presence or absence of the driver sign 200a. In this way, the speed control that operates the powertrain 40 and the brake system 60 not only ensures an appropriate inter-vehicle distance from surrounding vehicles, but also allows for relaxed driving, especially with respect to a preceding vehicle that displays the driver sign 200a.

[0039] (4) The above-described safe driving support system is mounted on a vehicle 100 equipped with a sensor group 30 for measuring the distance to a surrounding vehicle. When the control device 20 detects a surrounding vehicle on which a driver sign 200a is displayed, the control device 20 executes steering support to operate the power steering system 50 so as to secure a lateral distance from the surrounding vehicle on which the driver sign 200a is displayed.

[0040] In the above-mentioned safe driving support system, when the control device 20 detects a nearby vehicle on which the driver sign 200a is displayed, the control device 20 can easily grasp the lateral distance to the nearby vehicle based on the distance measurement results by the sensor group 30. Therefore, the control device 20 can accurately ensure the lateral distance to the nearby vehicle by executing steering assistance that operates the power steering system 50. As a result, the above-mentioned safe driving support system can provide driving assistance so as to accurately ensure the lateral distance to the nearby vehicle on which the driver sign 200a is displayed.

[0041] (5) When the control device 20 detects a nearby vehicle that does not display the driver sign 200a, the control device 20 executes a general steering assist. The general steering assist is a steering assist that operates the power steering system 50 so as to ensure a lateral distance from the nearby vehicle that is equal to or greater than a first lateral distance LT1. On the other hand, when the control device 20 detects a nearby vehicle that displays the driver sign 200a, the control device 20 executes a specific steering assist. The specific steering assist is a steering assist that operates the power steering system 50 so as to ensure a lateral distance from the nearby vehicle that is equal to or greater than a second lateral distance LT2 that is greater than the first lateral distance LT1.

[0042] In the above-mentioned safe driving support system, the control device 20 executes general steering support to ensure a lateral distance of at least a first lateral distance LT1 for a surrounding vehicle that does not display the driver sign 200a. On the other hand, the control device 20 executes specific steering support to ensure a lateral distance of at least a second lateral distance LT2, which is greater than the first lateral distance LT1, for a surrounding vehicle that displays the driver sign 200a. Therefore, the control device 20 can selectively execute general steering support and specific steering support depending on the presence or absence of the driver sign 200a. In this way, the steering support that operates the power steering system 50 not only ensures an appropriate lateral distance for surrounding vehicles, but also allows for relaxed driving, especially for surrounding vehicles that display the driver sign 200a.

[0043] <Example of change> This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that there is no technical contradiction.

[0044] The vehicle 100 is equipped with a sensor group 30 that acquires a relative distance from a surrounding vehicle. However, the safe driving support system of this embodiment can also be applied to a vehicle that does not have a sensor group 30 that acquires a relative distance from a surrounding vehicle. For example, the safe driving support system only needs to recognize a surrounding vehicle on which a driver sign 200a is displayed and alert the driver, and does not need to be able to manage the movement of the vehicle 100. In this case, the control device 20 does not need to be connected to the power train 40, the power steering system 50, and the brake system 60. In other words, the safe driving support system does not need to be equipped with the power train 40, the power steering system 50, and the brake system 60.

[0045] The safe driving support system may be a system that performs only one of speed control or steering support as driving support. The example shows a safe driving support system that switches between general driving support and specific driving support depending on whether a surrounding vehicle displaying the driver sign 200a is detected. In contrast, the safe driving support system may be a system that does not switch the mode of driving support. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 10. Drive recorder 20...Control device 30...Sensor group 40…Powertrain 50…Power steering system 60…Brake system 70...Alarm device 100…Vehicle 200, 300, 400, 500... Surrounding vehicles 200a...Driver sign 600…Front vehicle 700…Nearby vehicles D1…1st inter-vehicle distance D2…Second vehicle distance LT1…1st lateral distance LT2…Second lateral distance

Claims

1. A safe driving support system installed in a vehicle equipped with a drive recorder, a control device that executes the following operations: acquiring an image captured by the drive recorder, detecting surrounding vehicles captured in the acquired image, determining whether or not a driver sign is displayed on the detected surrounding vehicles, and outputting a warning signal when a surrounding vehicle displaying the driver sign is detected; an alarm device that, when receiving the warning signal output by the control device, notifies a driver of the presence of a nearby vehicle displaying the driver sign; A safe driving support system equipped with:

2. A sensor group is mounted on the vehicle to measure the distance between the vehicle and the surrounding vehicles, When the control device detects the surrounding vehicle on which the driver sign is displayed as a preceding vehicle, the control device executes speed control for operating a power train and a brake system so as to ensure a distance between the surrounding vehicle and the preceding vehicle. The safe driving support system according to claim 1 .

3. When the control device detects a nearby vehicle on which the driver sign is not displayed as a preceding vehicle, the control device executes a general speed control for operating the power train and the brake system so as to ensure a first inter-vehicle distance or more between the control device and the preceding vehicle; When the control device detects the nearby vehicle on which the driver sign is displayed as the preceding vehicle, the control device executes, as the speed control, a specific speed control that operates the power train and the brake system so as to ensure a distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle that is equal to or greater than a second distance that is greater than the first distance. The safe driving support system according to claim 2.

4. A sensor group is mounted on the vehicle to measure the distance between the vehicle and the surrounding vehicles, When the control device detects a surrounding vehicle on which the driver sign is displayed, the control device executes steering assistance to operate a power steering system so as to secure a lateral distance from the surrounding vehicle on which the driver sign is displayed. The safe driving support system according to claim 1 .

5. When the control device detects a surrounding vehicle on which the driver sign is not displayed, the control device executes a general steering assistance to operate the power steering system so as to secure a lateral distance between the surrounding vehicle and the surrounding vehicle that is equal to or greater than a first lateral distance; When the control device detects a surrounding vehicle on which the driver sign is displayed, the control device executes, as the steering assist, a specific steering assist that operates the power steering system so as to secure a lateral distance between the surrounding vehicle and the vehicle that is equal to or greater than a second lateral distance that is greater than the first lateral distance. The safe driving support system according to claim 4.

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