Driving support system

Abstract

To provide a driving support system capable of attaining improvement of safety.SOLUTION: A driving support system 100 is used for supporting driving in a case where an own vehicle 1 traveling on a confluence road Rc is confluent to a main track road Rm at a confluent point Pc, and comprises: a smartphone 11 which is possessed by a passenger of the own vehicle 1 traveling on the confluence road Rc and capable of calculating positional information of the own vehicle 1; a smartphone 21 which is possessed by a passenger of another vehicle 2 traveling on the main track road Rm and capable of calculating positional information of the other vehicle 2; and a navigation device 1a and a display device 4 which notify a driver of the own vehicle 1 of a warning. The smartphone 11 calculates a safety distance on the basis of information relating to the confluence point Pc, an inter-vehicle distance after the lapse of a predetermined time is calculated using the positional information of the own vehicle 1 and the positional information of the other vehicle 2, and in a case where the inter-vehicle distance after the lapse of the predetermined time is less than the safety distance, the navigation device 1a and the display device 4 are caused to perform the notification of the warning.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an in-vehicle system used for assisting driving when a host vehicle traveling on a merging road merges into a main road at a merging point has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The in-vehicle system of Patent Document 1 is configured to be able to acquire the position and speed of the host vehicle by using, for example, a GPS receiver, and to be able to acquire the position and speed of other vehicles by performing vehicle-to-vehicle communication. In the in-vehicle system, the current position of the host vehicle traveling on the merging road, the current position of other vehicles traveling on the main road, and a pre-merging point which is a virtual merging point moving toward the merging point on the main road are displayed on a display device. Thereby, it is possible for the occupant to grasp in advance how the host vehicle merges.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the above-described conventional in-vehicle system, information regarding the merging point is not considered, and there is room for improvement in improving safety.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a driving support system capable of improving safety.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The driving support system according to the present invention is used to support driving when a first vehicle traveling on a first road merges into a second road at a merging point, and is held by a passenger of the first vehicle traveling on the first road. A first portable terminal capable of calculating the position information of the first vehicle, a second portable terminal held by a passenger of a second vehicle traveling on the second road and capable of calculating the position information of the second vehicle, and a notification device for notifying a warning to the driver of the first vehicle. The first portable terminal is configured to calculate a safety distance based on information regarding the merging point, calculate a vehicle-to-vehicle distance after a predetermined time using the position information of the first vehicle and the position information of the second vehicle, and be configured to cause the notification device to notify a warning when the vehicle-to-vehicle distance after the predetermined time is less than the safety distance.

Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the driving support system of the present invention, it is possible to improve safety.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0011] First, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the configuration of the driving support system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0012] The driving support system 100 is used to assist driving when the host vehicle 1 traveling on the merging road Rc merges into the main road Rm at the merging point Pc. As shown in FIG. 1(a), the driving support system 100 includes a host vehicle 1, a number of vehicles including other vehicles 2, a server device 3, and a display device 4. Note that the host vehicle 1 and the other vehicles 2 are for the purpose of explaining the driving support system 100, and are used to distinguish a number of vehicles for convenience.

[0013] The host vehicle 1 is equipped with a navigation device 1a, and the passenger of the host vehicle 1 holds a smartphone 11. The other vehicles 2 are equipped with navigation devices 2a, and the passengers of the other vehicles 2 hold smartphones 21. Then, the smartphones 11 and 21, the server device 3, and the display device 4 are connected via a network 150.

[0014] Note that the host vehicle 1 and the other vehicles 2 are examples of the "first vehicle" and the "second vehicle" of the present invention, respectively. The smartphones 11 and 21 are examples of the "first portable terminal" and the "second portable terminal" of the present invention, respectively. The navigation device 1a and the display device 4 are examples of the "notification device" of the present invention. The merging road Rc and the main road Rm are examples of the "first road" and the "second road" of the present invention, respectively.

[0015] The smartphone 11 is configured to be able to acquire the position information of the host vehicle 1 and calculate the speed information of the host vehicle 1 based on the change in the position information over time. The smartphone 11 is configured to transmit the position information and speed information of the host vehicle 1 to the server device 3.

[0016] For example, as shown in FIG. 2(a), the smartphone 11 includes an arithmetic unit 11a, a storage unit 11b, a communication unit 11c, and a GPS receiver 11d. The storage unit 11b stores programs for controlling the smartphone 11 and the like. The arithmetic unit 11a is configured to control the smartphone 11 by executing the programs stored in the storage unit 11b. The communication unit 11c is provided for communicating with the navigation device 1a and for communicating with the server device 3 and the display device 4 via the network 150. The GPS receiver 11d is configured to receive signals from GPS satellites (not shown) and calculate current position information.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1(a), the smartphone 21 is configured to be able to acquire the position information of the other vehicle 2 and calculate the speed information of the other vehicle 2 based on the change over time of the position information. The smartphone 21 is configured to transmit the position information and speed information of the other vehicle 2 to the server device 3. Note that the specific configuration of the smartphone 21 is substantially the same as that of the smartphone 11.

[0018] The server device 3 is configured to collect the position information and speed information of a large number of vehicles including the host vehicle 1 and the other vehicle 2 and provide the position information and speed information of each vehicle. Further, the server device 3 is configured to provide map information to the vehicles and provide information regarding the merging point Pc to the vehicles. For example, the map information includes road information, and the road information includes the main line road Rm, the merging road Rc, and the merging point Pc where the main line road Rm and the merging road Rc intersect.

[0019] For example, as shown in FIG. 2(b), the server device 3 includes an arithmetic unit 3a, a storage unit 3b, and a communication unit 3c. The storage unit 3b stores programs for controlling the server device 3 and the like. The arithmetic unit 3a is configured to control the server device 3 by executing the programs stored in the storage unit 3b. The communication unit 3c is provided for communicating with the smartphones 11 and 21 and the like via the network 150.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1(a), the display device 4 is installed, for example, on the roadside of the merging road Rc and is provided to notify the driver of the own vehicle 1 traveling on the merging road Rc of a warning. Similarly, the navigation device 1a is also configured to be able to notify the driver of the own vehicle 1 of a warning.

[0021] Here, as shown in FIG. 1(b), when the own vehicle 1 is traveling on the merging road Rc and heading towards the merging point Pc, and when the other vehicle 2 is traveling on the main line road Rm and heading towards the merging point Pc, the smartphone 11 is configured to acquire information regarding the merging point Pc. The information regarding the merging point Pc includes, for example, the weather information of the merging point Pc, the traffic jam information of the merging point Pc, and the occurrence status of accidents at the merging point Pc.

[0022] The smartphone 11 is configured to calculate a safety distance Ds based on the information regarding the merging point Pc. For example, in the case of bad weather compared to fine weather, the safety distance Ds is made longer than the reference value Dr. In the case of traffic jams compared to non-traffic jam times, the safety distance Ds is made shorter than the reference value Dr. In the case of accident-prone areas, the safety distance Ds is made longer than the reference value Dr.

[0023] In addition, the smartphone 11 is configured to calculate the inter-vehicle distance Dv after a predetermined time using the position information and speed information of the own vehicle 1 and the position information and speed information of the other vehicle 2. This predetermined time is, for example, the time predicted to be required for the own vehicle 1 to reach the merging point Pc based on the position information and speed information of the own vehicle 1 from the current time. That is, the inter-vehicle distance Dv between the own vehicle 1 and the other vehicle 2 when the own vehicle 1 enters the main line road Rm is estimated. Specifically, based on the position information and speed information of the own vehicle 1, the position of the own vehicle 1 after a predetermined time is estimated, and based on the position information and speed information of the other vehicle 2, the position of the other vehicle 2 after a predetermined time is estimated. Then, based on the estimated position of the own vehicle 1 and the estimated position of the other vehicle 2, the inter-vehicle distance Dv after a predetermined time is calculated.

[0024] Further, the smartphone 11 is configured to calculate a safe speed at which the host vehicle 1 can safely merge. This safe speed is, for example, the target speed of the host vehicle 1 calculated such that the inter-vehicle distance Dv after a predetermined time becomes equal to or greater than the safe distance Ds while suppressing a sudden change in the vehicle speed. Also, information regarding the merging point Pc may be considered when calculating the safe speed.

[0025] Then, when the inter-vehicle distance Dv after a predetermined time is less than the safe distance Ds, the smartphone 11 is configured to cause the navigation device 1a and the display device 4 to issue a warning. For example, in the navigation device 1a, it is displayed or audibly output that there is a risk that the other vehicle 2 is approaching too closely and the safe speed for avoiding the approach of the other vehicle 2. In the display device 4, it is displayed that there is a risk that the other vehicle 2 is approaching too closely and the safe speed for avoiding the approach of the other vehicle 2.

[0026] -Example of warning notification operation of a smartphone held by an occupant of the host vehicle- Next, with reference to FIG. 3, an example of a warning notification operation of the smartphone 11 held by an occupant of the host vehicle 1 in the driving support system 100 of the present embodiment will be described. This warning notification operation may be performed, for example, when a driving support application installed in the smartphone 11 is activated. In the driving support system 100, since the smartphones held by the occupants of each vehicle transmit the position information and speed information to the server device 3, the server device 3 grasps the position information and speed information of each vehicle.

[0027] First, in step S1 of FIG. 3, the smartphone 11 acquires map information. For example, the smartphone 11 requests map information from the server device 3, and in response to the request, the server device 3 transmits the map information to the smartphone 11. Next, in step S2, the smartphone 11 acquires the position information and speed information of the own vehicle 1. Specifically, the position information is calculated by the GPS receiver 11d, and the speed information is calculated using the position information. Also, in step S3, the smartphone 11 acquires the position information and speed information of the other vehicle 2 located around the own vehicle 1. For example, the smartphone 11 requests the position information and speed information of the other vehicle 2 from the server device 3, and in response to the request, the server device 3 transmits the position information and speed information of the other vehicle 2 to the smartphone 11.

[0028] Then, in step S4, the smartphone 11 determines whether the own vehicle 1 is located on the merging road Rc and whether the other vehicle 2 is located on the main line road Rm. For example, based on the position information of the own vehicle 1 and the road information of the map information, it is determined whether the own vehicle 1 is located on the merging road Rc, and based on the position information of the other vehicle 2 and the road information of the map information, it is determined whether the other vehicle 2 is located on the main line road Rm. And when it is determined that the own vehicle 1 is located on the merging road Rc and the other vehicle 2 is located on the main line road Rm, the process proceeds to step S5. On the other hand, when the own vehicle 1 is not located on the merging road Rc or the other vehicle 2 is not located on the main line road Rm, the process returns.

[0029] Next, in step S5, the smartphone 11 acquires information regarding the merging point Pc. For example, the smartphone 11 requests information regarding the merging point Pc from the server device 3, and in response to the request, the server device 3 transmits information regarding the merging point Pc to the smartphone 11. Then, in step S6, the smartphone 11 calculates a safety distance Ds based on the information regarding the merging point Pc. Also, in step S7, the smartphone 11 calculates the inter-vehicle distance Dv after a predetermined time using the position information and speed information of the host vehicle 1 and the position information and speed information of the other vehicle 2. Note that this other vehicle 2 is the one predicted to be the closest to the host vehicle 1 at the merging point Pc among the other vehicles 2 traveling on the main line road Rm.

[0030] Then, in step S8, the smartphone 11 determines whether the inter-vehicle distance Dv after a predetermined time is less than the safety distance Ds. If it is determined that the inter-vehicle distance Dv after a predetermined time is less than the safety distance Ds, the process proceeds to step S9. On the other hand, if it is determined that the inter-vehicle distance Dv after a predetermined time is not less than the safety distance Ds (when the inter-vehicle distance Dv after a predetermined time is greater than or equal to the safety distance Ds), since it is predicted that the inter-vehicle distance is ensured, the process returns without issuing a warning.

[0031] Next, in step S9, the smartphone 11 calculates the safe speed of the host vehicle 1. Then, in step S10, the smartphone 11 causes the navigation device 1a and the display device 4 to issue a warning. For example, the fact that the other vehicle 2 may approach too closely and the safe speed for avoiding the approach of the other vehicle 2 are notified to the driver of the host vehicle 1 using the navigation device 1a and the display device 4. Thereby, it is possible to prompt the driver of the host vehicle 1 to accelerate or decelerate to the safe speed, and it is possible to ensure an appropriate inter-vehicle distance at the time of merging. After that, the process returns.

[0032] Note that in the driving support system 100, on the smartphones held by the passengers of each vehicle, warning notification operations similar to those of the smartphone 11 held by the passenger of the host vehicle 1 described above can be executed.

[0033] -Effect- In the present embodiment, as described above, the safe distance Ds is calculated based on the information regarding the merging point Pc, and when the inter-vehicle distance Dv after a predetermined time is less than the safe distance Ds, a warning is notified. By adjusting the safe distance Ds according to the situation of the merging point Pc and the like, the determination accuracy of whether to notify the warning is improved, so that the safety can be improved. In addition, by notifying the safe speed, it is possible to promote the securing of an appropriate inter-vehicle distance.

[0034] Also, in the present embodiment, the smartphone 11 transmits the position information and speed information of the host vehicle 1 to the server device 3, and the smartphone 21 transmits the position information and speed information of the other vehicle 2 to the server device 3. Thus, without using vehicle-to-vehicle communication, the mutual position information and speed information can be obtained via the server device 3.

[0035] -Other Embodiments- Note that the embodiments disclosed this time are illustrative in all respects and are not a basis for a limiting interpretation. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is not interpreted only by the above-described embodiments, but is defined based on the description of the claims. Also, the technical scope of the present invention includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0036] For example, in the above embodiment, an example in which the map information and the information regarding the merging point Pc are provided from the server device 3 is shown, but it is not limited thereto, and the map information and the information regarding the merging point Pc may be provided from other than the server device 3.

[0037] In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the speed information of the other vehicle 2 is calculated by the smartphone 21 has been shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the speed information of the other vehicle 2 may be calculated by the smartphone 11 or the server device 3.

[0038] In the above-described embodiment, an example in which a warning is notified to the driver of the host vehicle 1 traveling on the merging road Rc has been shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a warning may be notified to the driver of another vehicle traveling on the main line road.

[0039] In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the safe speed is calculated and notified has been shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the safe speed may not be calculated and not be notified.

[0040] In the above-described embodiment, an example in which a warning is notified by both the navigation device 1a and the display device 4 has been shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a warning may be notified by either one of the navigation device and the display device. Further, a warning may be notified to the driver of the host vehicle by adjusting the tension of the seat belt.

[0041] In the above-described embodiment, when the host vehicle 1 merges in a state where the inter-vehicle distance is less than the safe distance Ds, it may be counted as the occurrence of an accident attempt (a close call), and the safe distance Ds may be calculated based on the count number.

[0042] In the above-described embodiment, by collecting the inter-vehicle distance and the vehicle speed when the host vehicle 1 merges, the merging mode when the host vehicle 1 merges may be stored, and the merging mode may be used for learning.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0043] 1... host vehicle (first vehicle), 1a... navigation device (notification device), 2... other vehicle (second vehicle), 4... display device (notification device), 100... driving support system, 11… Smartphone (first mobile terminal), 21… Smartphone (second mobile terminal), Rc… Merging road (first road), Rm… Main line road (second road), Pc… Merging point

Claims

【Claim 1】 A driving support system used for assisting driving when a first vehicle traveling on a first road merges into a second road at a merging point, a first mobile terminal held by a passenger of the first vehicle traveling on the first road and capable of calculating the position information of the first vehicle, a second mobile terminal held by a passenger of the second vehicle traveling on the second road and capable of calculating the position information of the second vehicle, and a notification device for notifying a warning to the driver of the first vehicle. The first mobile terminal is configured to calculate a safety distance based on information regarding the merging point, and to calculate a distance between vehicles after a predetermined time using the position information of the first vehicle and the position information of the second vehicle, and is configured to cause the notification device to notify a warning when the distance between vehicles after the predetermined time is less than the safety distance. A driving support system characterized by that.

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