Information processing device and information processing method

Abstract

To provide an information processing device and an information processing method for appropriately informing a user of a short time activation of vehicle's turn signals.SOLUTION: A control unit of an information processing device acquires turn signal activation time of a vehicle. Then, the control unit outputs activation information when conditions where the turn signal activation time is equal to or less than a threshold value, the turn signal activation on the previous time that is finished the activation before starting the turn signal activation is within the previous predetermined period than the time starting the turn signal activation, and the speed of the vehicle is equal to or less than a predetermined speed are met. In addition, the control unit omits outputting activation information when the turn signal activation time is equal to or less than the threshold value and the conditions are met. Here, the activation information is information about whether the turn signal activation time is equal to or less than the threshold value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus and an information processing method.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a driving determination device. The driving determination device acquires at least an imaging image in the driving direction of a driver and information that changes according to the movement of the driver. The driving determination device calculates a driving degree for evaluating the driving manner of the driver for each predetermined determination item using at least one of the acquired imaging image and the information that changes according to the movement of the driver. The driving determination device calculates a value based on the plurality of calculated driving degrees for each determination item, and calculates a value for comprehensively evaluating the driving manner of the driver using the value based on the driving degree of each determination item.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to appropriately notify a short-time operation of a vehicle's turn signal.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The information processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present disclosure acquires the operation time of a vehicle's turn signal, wherein the operation time of the turn signal is equal to or less than a threshold value, If the operation of the previous turn signal that ended before the start of the operation of the turn signal was within a predetermined period before the start time of the operation of the turn signal, and the condition that the speed of the vehicle is equal to or lower than a predetermined speed is not satisfied, output operation information indicating that the operation time of the turn signal is equal to or shorter than the threshold value; If the condition is satisfied, omit the output of the operation information; and includes a control unit configured to execute the above.

[0006] An information processing method according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing method executed by a computer, acquiring the operation time of a turn signal of a vehicle; if the operation time of the turn signal is equal to or shorter than a threshold value, the previous turn signal operation that ended before the start of the turn signal operation was within a predetermined period before the start time of the turn signal operation, and the condition that the vehicle speed is equal to or lower than a predetermined speed is not satisfied, output operation information indicating that the operation time of the turn signal is equal to or shorter than the threshold value; if the condition is satisfied, omit the output of the operation information; and includes the above.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to appropriately notify a short-time operation of a turn signal of a vehicle.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] There are cases where a vehicle makes consecutive right and left turns (right turn or left turn). At this time, depending on the shape of the road on which the vehicle is traveling, the time until the second right and left turn may become shorter after the first right and left turn. Then, even if the second turn signal (second turn signal) is activated immediately after the first right and left turn is completed and the operation of the turn signal for the first right and left turn (first turn signal) ends, the operation time of the second turn signal may become shorter.

[0010] In addition, there are cases where a vehicle tries to avoid a stopped vehicle or an obstacle (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "stopped vehicle, etc.") existing on the lane. In this case, the vehicle activates the turn signal on the center line side (first turn signal), moves closer to the center line side to avoid the stopped vehicle, etc., and then immediately turns on the turn signal on the opposite side (second turn signal) to return to the original lane. At this time, if the vehicle tries to quickly avoid the stopped vehicle, it is assumed that the time from moving the vehicle closer to the center line side to returning to the original lane becomes shorter. Therefore, it is assumed that the operation time of the second turn signal (operation time of the turn signal on the side opposite to the center line) becomes shorter.

[0011] In this way, the operation time of the turn signal (operation time of the second turn signal) may become shorter due to force majeure. In such a case, it is unreasonable for the user that the operation information indicating that the operation time of the turn signal is below the threshold value is output.

[0012] On the one hand, assume a situation where a vehicle overtakes another vehicle. In this case, after activating the center line side blinker (the first blinker), the vehicle changes lanes to the center line side, overtakes the other vehicle, and then activates the opposite side blinker (the second blinker) to return to the original lane. At this time, if the activation time of the second blinker is short, there is a risk of contact between vehicles because the surrounding vehicles are not sufficiently informed of the lane change. Therefore, it is not unreasonable for the user that the operation information is output in such a case.

[0013] Here, when a vehicle makes consecutive right and left turns, it is assumed that if the vehicle speed is increased, the vehicle will not be able to handle the right and left turns. Also, when a vehicle attempts to overtake another vehicle, if there is no speed difference from the other vehicle running ahead, it will not be able to overtake the other vehicle. Therefore, it is assumed that the vehicle speed will be higher when avoiding a stopped vehicle or the like than when overtaking another vehicle. Therefore, when a vehicle makes consecutive right and left turns and when a vehicle attempts to avoid a stopped vehicle or the like, it is assumed that the vehicle speed is below a predetermined speed.

[0014] Therefore, the control unit of the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present disclosure acquires the activation time of the vehicle's blinker. Then, when the activation time of the blinker is below the threshold value and a predetermined condition is not satisfied, the control unit outputs the operation information. Also, when the activation time of the blinker is below the threshold value and a predetermined condition is satisfied, the control unit omits outputting the operation information.

[0015] Here, the predetermined condition is that the activation of the previous blinker that ended before the activation of the current blinker is within a predetermined period before the activation time of the current blinker, and the vehicle speed is below a predetermined speed. Also, the length of the predetermined period is the length of time that the vehicle user is considered to be continuously activating the blinker. Also, the previous blinker may be the same side blinker or a different side blinker from the blinker whose activation time is below the threshold value.

[0016] As described above, according to the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, when the operation time of the blinker is equal to or less than the threshold value and a predetermined condition is satisfied, the output of the operation information is omitted. Therefore, when the operation time of the blinker of the vehicle is shortened due to force majeure, the output of the operation information is suppressed. As a result, it is possible to appropriately notify a short-time operation of the blinker of the vehicle.

[0017] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The hardware configuration, module configuration, functional configuration, etc. described in each embodiment are not intended to limit the technical scope of the disclosure only to those, unless otherwise specified.

[0018] <Embodiment> (Outline of the System) The evaluation system 1 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the evaluation system 1. The evaluation system 1 includes a user terminal 100 and a driving ECU 200. In the evaluation system 1, the user terminal 100 and the driving ECU 200 are interconnected by an in-vehicle network.

[0019] (Driving ECU) The driving ECU 200 is an electronic control unit that controls the running of the vehicle 10. The driving ECU 200 transmits the running information of the vehicle 10 to the user terminal 100 in real time via the in-vehicle network. Here, the running information of the vehicle 10 includes information indicating the speed of the vehicle 10. Further, when the blinker of the vehicle 10 starts operating, the driving ECU 200 transmits running information including information indicating that the blinker of the vehicle 10 has started operating to the user terminal 100. Further, when the blinker of the vehicle 10 ends operating, the driving ECU 200 transmits running information including information indicating that the blinker of the vehicle 10 has ended operating to the user terminal 100. The information indicating that the blinker of the vehicle 10 has started or ended operating includes information indicating the time when the blinker of the vehicle 10 has started or ended operating.

[0020] (User Terminal) The user terminal 100 is a device mounted on the vehicle 10. The user terminal 100 outputs (such as display on the display and voice output) according to various information for the user of the vehicle 10. Also, the user terminal 100 receives the driving information of the vehicle 10 in real time from the vehicle 10 via the in-vehicle network. The user terminal 100 refers to the driving information of the vehicle 10 and monitors the driving status of the vehicle 10 (the speed of the vehicle 10 and the presence or absence of the operation of the turn signal) in real time.

[0021] The user terminal 100 refers to the driving status of the vehicle 10 and measures the operation time of the turn signal of the vehicle 10. If the operation time of the turn signal is less than or equal to an appropriate time as the operation time of the turn signal, the driving of the user of the vehicle 10 may not be appropriate. Therefore, the user terminal 100 may output operation information when the operation time of the turn signal is less than or equal to the threshold value.

[0022] Here, the threshold value of the operation time is a sufficient time as the operation time of the turn signal. In the present embodiment, a fixed value is set as the threshold value of the operation time. The threshold value of the operation time is, for example, a time legally defined as the time to operate the turn signal when the vehicle makes a right or left turn, or when the vehicle changes lanes or overtakes, etc. Also, the threshold value of the operation time may be a variable value. Also, in the present embodiment, the operation information is information for notifying the user of the vehicle 10 that the operation time of the turn signal was less than or equal to the threshold value. Specifically, the operation information is information for notifying the user that the operation time of the turn signal was short. The user terminal 100 outputs the operation information to the user of the vehicle 10 by, for example, displaying the operation information on the display or outputting it as voice.

[0023] Here, assume that the vehicle 10 makes consecutive right and left turns. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the case where the vehicle 10 makes consecutive right and left turns. As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle 10 makes a left turn after making a right turn once. At this time, before making the right turn, the vehicle 10 starts the operation of the blinker (the first blinker) at the first point. Also, at the second point where the vehicle 10 completes the right turn, the operation of the blinker ends. At this time, the user of the vehicle 10 immediately re-activates the blinker (the second blinker) at the second point in order to make the next left turn. Then, at the third point where the vehicle 10 completes the left turn, the operation of the blinker ends. In this way, the time from when the vehicle 10 moves from the second point to the third point becomes the operation time of the second blinker.

[0024] In the example shown in FIG. 2, depending on the distance from the second point to the left turn point, the time required for the vehicle 10 to move from the second point to the third point may be equal to or less than the threshold value of the operation time. Therefore, depending on the distance from the second point to the left turn point, the operation time of the blinker of the vehicle 10 may be equal to or less than the threshold value.

[0025] In the example shown in FIG. 2, as the case where the vehicle 10 makes consecutive right and left turns, it makes a left turn after making a right turn once. However, the consecutive right and left turns by the vehicle 10 may be to make a right turn after making a left turn once. Also, the consecutive right and left turns by the vehicle 10 may be to make a left turn after making a left turn once, or to make a right turn after making a right turn once. Even in these cases, depending on the distance from when the blinker is re-activated to when the right turn or left turn is made, the operation time of the blinker (the operation time of the second blinker) of the vehicle 10 may be equal to or less than the threshold value.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example when the vehicle 10 tries to avoid a stopped vehicle. As shown in FIG. 3, in order to avoid the stopped vehicle, the vehicle 10 travels closer to the center line side, and after avoiding the stopped vehicle, returns to the original lane. At this time, before avoiding the stopped vehicle, the vehicle 10 starts the operation of the center line side blinker (the first blinker) at the first point. Also, before returning to the original lane, the vehicle 10 ends the operation of the blinker at the second point and immediately starts the operation of the blinker on the side opposite to the first blinker (the second blinker). Then, after avoiding the stopped vehicle, the vehicle 10 ends the operation of the blinker at the third point. In this way, the time from when the vehicle 10 moves from the second point to the third point becomes the operation time of the second blinker.

[0027] At this time, there may be an oncoming vehicle waiting until the vehicle 10 completes the travel of avoiding the stopped vehicle and returning to the original lane. In such a case, if the user of the vehicle 10 tries to quickly avoid the stopped vehicle for smooth traffic, it is assumed that the vehicle 10 quickly moves from the first point to the second point and from the second point to the third point. At this time, the time taken for the movement from the second point to the third point may be less than or equal to the threshold value of the operation time. As a result, the operation time of the blinker of the vehicle 10 (the operation time of the second blinker) may be less than or equal to the threshold value. Here, as a case where the time taken for the movement from the second point to the third point becomes shorter, it can be exemplified that the vehicle 10 travels so that the distance from the second point to the third point becomes shorter, or the speed of the vehicle 10 is high.

[0028] Note that even when there is no oncoming vehicle when the vehicle 10 avoids the stopped vehicle, the user of the vehicle 10 may quickly avoid the stopped vehicle for smooth traffic. As such a case, it can be exemplified that there is a following vehicle behind the vehicle 10 and it is required to quickly avoid the stopped vehicle to suppress traffic congestion. Also, as such a case, regardless of the presence or absence of an oncoming vehicle or a following vehicle, it can be exemplified that the user of the vehicle 10 quickly avoids the stopped vehicle so as not to affect other vehicles. In addition, as such a case, regardless of the presence or absence of an oncoming vehicle or a following vehicle, it can be exemplified that the user of the vehicle 10 quickly avoids the stopped vehicle so as not to affect other vehicles.

[0029] As described above, in the example shown in FIG. 2, due to the short distance from the second point to the third point, the operating time of the second blinker may be below the threshold. Also, in the example shown in FIG. 3, due to the short travel time from the second point to the third point, the operating time of the second blinker may be below the threshold. As in these cases, there may be a situation where the operating time of the second blinker (the blinker that starts operating immediately after the operation of the first blinker) is below the threshold due to force majeure. Therefore, if the user terminal 100 always outputs the operation information to the user when the operating time of the blinker is below the threshold, the operation information will also be output even when the operating time of the blinker is below the threshold due to force majeure. In this case, it is unreasonable for the user of the vehicle 10.

[0030] On the other hand, assume that the vehicle 10 intends to overtake another vehicle. In this case, the vehicle 10 operates the center line side blinker (the first blinker), then changes lanes towards the center line, overtakes the other vehicle, and then operates the opposite side blinker (the second blinker) to return to the original lane. At this time, if the operating time of the second blinker is short, there is a risk of contact between vehicles due to insufficient notification of the lane change to surrounding vehicles. Therefore, in such a case, it is not unreasonable for the user of the vehicle 10 that the operation information is output.

[0031] Here, when the vehicle 10 makes consecutive right and left turns, it is assumed that if the speed of the vehicle 10 is increased, it will be unable to respond to the right and left turns. Also, when the vehicle 10 intends to overtake another vehicle, if there is no speed difference from the other vehicle during driving, it will not be able to overtake the other vehicle, so it is assumed that the speed of the vehicle 10 will be greater than when avoiding a stopped vehicle. That is, it is assumed that the speed of the vehicle 10 when avoiding a stopped vehicle or an obstacle is smaller than the speed when the vehicle 10 intends to overtake another vehicle.

[0032] Therefore, when the vehicle 10 makes consecutive right and left turns, and when the vehicle 10 tries to avoid a stationary vehicle, it can be assumed that the speed of the vehicle 10 is equal to or lower than a predetermined speed. Here, the predetermined speed is a speed determined from the speed when the vehicle 10 makes consecutive right and left turns and the speed when the vehicle 10 tries to avoid a stationary vehicle or an obstacle.

[0033] In the present embodiment, when the vehicle 10 makes consecutive right and left turns and when the vehicle 10 tries to avoid a stationary vehicle, it is assumed that the vehicle 10 is driving at a slow speed. On the other hand, when the vehicle 10 tries to overtake another vehicle, a speed difference from the other vehicle is required, so it is considered that the speed of the vehicle 10 is not the slow speed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the predetermined speed is set as the slow speed. By setting the predetermined speed as the slow speed, it is possible to determine whether the vehicle 10 is trying to overtake another vehicle.

[0034] As a result, when the second blinker is activated and the speed of the vehicle 10 is equal to or lower than the predetermined speed, the user terminal 100 can determine that the vehicle 10 is making consecutive right and left turns or the vehicle 10 is trying to avoid a stationary vehicle. In this case, the user terminal 100 can determine that the activation time of the second blinker is equal to or lower than the threshold because the vehicle 10 is making consecutive right and left turns or the vehicle 10 is trying to quickly avoid a stationary vehicle. Therefore, the user terminal 100 omits the output of the activation information when the activation time of the second blinker is equal to or lower than the threshold and the speed of the vehicle 10 is equal to or lower than the predetermined speed. Details of the method for the user terminal 100 to determine that the activation time of the second blinker is equal to or lower than the threshold and the speed of the vehicle 10 is equal to or lower than the predetermined speed will be described later.

[0035] The user terminal 100 includes a computer having a processor 110, a main memory unit 120, an auxiliary storage unit 130, and a communication interface (communication I / F) 140. The processor 110 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The main memory unit 120 is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory). The auxiliary storage unit 130 is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory). Also, the auxiliary storage unit 130 is, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or a disk recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD disk, or a Blu-ray disk. Further, the auxiliary storage unit 130 may be a removable medium (portable storage medium). Here, examples of the removable medium include a USB memory or an SD card. The communication I / F 140 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) interface board or a wireless communication circuit for wireless communication.

[0036] In the user terminal 100, the auxiliary storage unit 130 stores an operating system (OS), various programs, and various information tables, etc. Also, in the user terminal 100, the processor 110 loads the program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 130 into the main memory unit 120 and executes it, whereby various functions as described later can be realized. However, some or all of the functions in the user terminal 100 may be realized by a hardware circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA. Note that the user terminal 100 does not necessarily have to be realized by a single physical configuration and may be configured by a plurality of computers that cooperate with each other.

[0037] (Functional configuration) Next, the functional configuration of the user terminal 100 that constitutes the evaluation system 1 will be described based on FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the functional configuration of the user terminal 100.

[0038] The user terminal 100 includes a control unit 101, a communication unit 102, and a driving information database 103 (driving information DB 103). The control unit 101 has a function of performing arithmetic processing for controlling the user terminal 100. The control unit 101 can be executed by a processor in the user terminal 100. The communication unit 102 has a function of connecting the user terminal 100 to an in-vehicle network. The communication unit 102 can be realized by a communication I / F 140 in the user terminal 100.

[0039] The control unit 101 receives in real time the driving information of the vehicle 10 from the driving ECU 200 via the communication unit 102. Specifically, the control unit 101 receives in real time the driving information of the vehicle 10 by repeatedly receiving the driving information of the vehicle 10 from the driving ECU 200 at a predetermined interval. The control unit 101 stores the received driving information of the vehicle 10 in the driving information DB 103.

[0040] The driving information DB 103 has a function of holding driving information. The driving information DB 103 can be realized by an auxiliary storage unit 130 in the user terminal 100. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the table configuration of the driving information held in the driving information DB 103. As shown in FIG. 5, the driving information has a date / time field, a speed field, and a wink field.

[0041] In the date / time field, information indicating the date and time when the driving information was transmitted is stored. In the speed field, information indicating the speed of the vehicle 10 at the transmission date and time of the driving information is stored. In the wink field, information indicating the operation status of the wink at the date and time when the driving information was transmitted is stored. In the received driving information, information indicating that the wink of the vehicle 10 has started to operate When the report is included, information indicating "operation start" is stored in the blinker field. When the received driving information includes information indicating that the blinker of vehicle 10 has finished operating, information indicating "operation end" is stored in the blinker field. When the received driving information includes neither information indicating that the blinker of vehicle 10 has started operating nor information indicating that the blinker of vehicle 10 has finished operating, information indicating "---" is stored.

[0042] When the received driving information includes information indicating that the blinker of vehicle 10 has started operating, the control unit 101 starts measuring time. When the received driving information includes information indicating that the blinker of vehicle 10 has finished operating, the control unit 101 ends the measurement of time. In this way, the control unit 101 measures the operating time of the blinker. Then, the control unit 101 determines whether the measured operating time of the blinker is less than or equal to the threshold value.

[0043] When the measured operating time of the blinker is less than or equal to the threshold value, the control unit 101 refers to the driving information held in the driving information DB 103 and determines whether the blinker of vehicle 10 has been operating within a predetermined period. Specifically, the control unit 101 refers to the driving information held in the driving information DB 103 and determines whether it has received driving information including information indicating that the blinker of vehicle 10 has finished operating within a predetermined period. That is, the control unit 101 refers to the blinker field in the driving information and determines whether "operation end" is included in the blinker field corresponding to each date and time within a predetermined period.

[0044] Here, the predetermined period is a period before the start of the operation of the blinker. The length of the predetermined period is the length of time that the user of the vehicle is considered to continuously operate the blinker. Also, in the present embodiment, a fixed value determined in advance is defined as the length of the predetermined period. Further, the length of the predetermined period may be determined by the average value of the length of time from the end of the operation of the blinker (the first blinker) until the blinker (the second blinker) is reactivated when a plurality of users continuously turn right or left, or try to avoid a stopped vehicle. Also, the length of the predetermined period may be a variable value. In this case, the length of the predetermined period may be determined, for example, as a different length of time for each user. By determining whether the blinker of the vehicle 10 is operating within the predetermined period, it is possible to determine whether the blinker whose operation time has become equal to or less than the threshold value is the second blinker (the blinker that started operating immediately after the end of the operation of the first blinker).

[0045] When it is determined that the blinker of the vehicle 10 is operating within the predetermined period, the control unit 101 determines whether the speed of the vehicle 10 when the operation of the blinker is started is equal to or less than a predetermined speed. When the speed of the vehicle 10 when the operation of the blinker is started is equal to or less than the predetermined speed, it can be assumed that the vehicle 10 is continuously turning right or left, or trying to avoid a stopped vehicle as described above. Therefore, when the speed of the vehicle 10 when the operation of the blinker is started is equal to or less than the predetermined speed, the control unit 101 omits the output of the operation information.

[0046] In this way, the control unit 101 determines whether the operation of the blinker whose operation time has become equal to or less than the threshold value is the operation of the continuously operated blinker (the operation of the second blinker) by determining whether the blinker of the vehicle 10 is operating within the predetermined period. Then, the control unit 101 determines whether the operation of the second blinker is for continuous right or left turns or for avoiding a stopped vehicle by determining whether the speed of the vehicle 10 when the operation of the blinker is started is equal to or less than a predetermined speed.

[0047] (Flowchart) Next, in the evaluation system 1, the process executed by the control unit 101 in the user terminal 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the process executed by the control unit 101. The process shown in FIG. 6 is a process for outputting operation information. The process shown in FIG. 6 starts when the control unit 101 finishes measuring the operation time of the vehicle 10's blinker.

[0048] In the process shown in FIG. 6, first, in S101, the measured operation time of the vehicle 10's blinker is acquired. Next, in S102, it is determined whether the acquired operation time of the vehicle 10's blinker is less than or equal to the threshold value. If a negative determination is made in S102, since the operation time of the blinker is sufficient, it is not necessary to output the operation information. Therefore, the process shown in FIG. 6 ends.

[0049] If an affirmative determination is made in S102, in S103, the running information of the vehicle 10 is acquired from the running information DB103. Next, in S104, the running information acquired in S103 is referred to, and it is determined whether the blinker of the vehicle 10 has operated within a predetermined period.

[0050] That is, in S104, it is determined whether the operation of the blinker (the first blinker) that ended its operation before the operation of the blinker whose operation time became less than or equal to the threshold value was within a predetermined period. Thereby, it is possible to determine whether the operation of the blinker whose operation time became less than or equal to the threshold value is the operation of the blinker (the operation of the second blinker) that was continuously performed. If a negative determination is made in S104, the operation of the blinker whose operation time became less than or equal to the threshold value is not the operation of the second blinker. Therefore, the operation of the blinker whose operation time became less than or equal to the threshold value is assumed not to be an operation for continuous right and left turns or for avoiding a stopped vehicle. Therefore, even if the operation information is output, it is not unreasonable for the user of the vehicle 10. Therefore, in S106, the operation information is output. Then, the process shown in FIG. 6 ends.

[0051] If an affirmative determination is made in S104, then in S105, the driving information acquired in S103 is referred to, and it is determined whether the speed of the vehicle 10 when the operation of the turn signal starts is less than or equal to a predetermined speed. That is, it is determined whether the speed of the vehicle 10 when the turn signal whose operation time has become less than or equal to the threshold value starts operating is less than or equal to a predetermined speed. If a negative determination is made in S105, it can be assumed that the operation of the turn signal whose operation time has become less than or equal to the threshold value is not for continuous right or left turns or for avoiding a stopped vehicle. For example, it can be assumed that the operation of the turn signal whose operation time has become less than or equal to the threshold value is for the vehicle 10 to overtake another vehicle. Therefore, if a negative determination is made in S105, in S106, operation information is output. Also, if an affirmative determination is made in S105, it can be determined that the vehicle 10 is continuously making right or left turns or avoiding a stopped vehicle. Therefore, if an affirmative determination is made in S105, the output of the operation information is omitted, and the process shown in FIG. 6 ends.

[0052] As described above, in the evaluation system 1, when the operation time of the turn signal is less than or equal to the threshold value, the turn signal has been operating within a predetermined period, and the speed of the vehicle 10 is less than or equal to the predetermined speed, the output of the operation information is omitted. Therefore, when the operation time of the turn signal of the vehicle 10 is shortened due to force majeure, the output of the operation information is suppressed. As a result, it is possible to appropriately notify the user of the short-time operation of the turn signal of the vehicle 10.

[0053] (Modification Example 1) In the present embodiment, the operation information is information for notifying the user of the vehicle 10 that the operation time of the turn signal was less than or equal to the threshold value. Also, the user terminal 100 outputs the operation information to the user of the vehicle 10. The operation information may be information for notifying an external server that the operation time of the turn signal was less than or equal to the threshold value. In this case, the user terminal 100 outputs (transmits) the operation information to the external server via a telephone communication network such as a mobile phone. Here, the external server is, for example, a server that evaluates the driving of the user of the vehicle 10.

[0054] At this time, the operation information includes information indicating the measured operation time of the blinker together with information indicating that the operation time of the blinker was equal to or less than the threshold value. The external server refers to the information indicating the measured operation time of the blinker included in the operation information, and evaluates the driving of the user of the vehicle 10. In this way, it is possible to appropriately notify the external server of the short-time operation of the blinker of the vehicle. Note that the user terminal 100 may output the operation information (information for notifying the user of the vehicle 10 that the operation time of the blinker was equal to or less than the threshold value) to the user, and may also output the operation information (information including the information indicating the measured operation time of the blinker) to the external server.

[0055] (Modification Example 2) In the present embodiment, the user terminal 100 determines whether to output the operation information. However, an external device other than the user terminal 100 may determine whether to output the operation information. In this case, the external device acquires the driving information from the user terminal 100 via a telephone communication network such as a mobile phone. Then, the external device may refer to the driving information and determine whether to output (transmit) the operation information to the user terminal 100. Here, when the user terminal 100 receives the operation information, it performs an output for notifying the user of the vehicle 10 that the operation time of the blinker was equal to or less than the threshold value. Even in this way, it is possible to appropriately notify the short-time operation of the blinker of the vehicle.

[0056] (Modification Example 3) In the present embodiment, the threshold value of the operation time is a fixed time. On the other hand, in this modification example, the threshold value of the operation time varies.

[0057] Assume a case where the vehicle makes consecutive right and left turns. In this case, when the speed at the time when the first blinker operation ends is high, the time to start the second right and left turn is shorter compared to the case when the speed is low. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 2, when the speed at the second point is high, the time to reach the point where the left turn starts is shorter compared to the case when the speed at the second point is low. Therefore, when the speed at the time when the first blinker operation ends is high, it is assumed that the operation time of the second blinker is likely to be shorter compared to the case when the speed is low.

[0058] Also, assume a case where the vehicle avoids a stopped vehicle or the like. In this case, when the speed at the time when the first blinker operation ends is high, the time to return to the original lane is shorter compared to the case when the speed is low. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 3, when the speed at the second point is high, the time to reach from the second point to the third point is shorter. Therefore, when the speed at the time when the first blinker operation ends is high, it is assumed that the operation time of the second blinker is likely to be shorter compared to the case when the speed is low.

[0059] Therefore, in this modification, the operation time threshold is set according to the speed at the time when the first blinker operation ends. Specifically, it is set such that the higher the speed at the time when the first blinker operation ends, the smaller (shorter) the operation time threshold becomes. Therefore, when the speed at the time when the first blinker operation ends is high, the situation where the blinker operation time becomes below the threshold is suppressed compared to the case where the operation time threshold is a constant value. As a result, it is possible to omit the determination of whether the blinker of the vehicle 10 is operating within a predetermined period and the determination of whether the speed when the vehicle 10 starts the blinker operation is below a predetermined speed. As a result, while reducing the computational load of the user terminal 100, it is possible to appropriately notify a short-time operation of the vehicle's blinker.

[0060] In this modified example, the threshold of the operating time is determined according to the speed at the time when the operation of the first blinker ends. However, for the same reason as described above, even when the speed at the time when the second blinker starts operating is high, it can be assumed that the operating time of the second blinker is likely to be shorter compared to the case where the speed is low. Therefore, the threshold of the operating time may be determined according to the speed of the vehicle 10 at the time when the operation of the second blinker starts.

[0061] (Modified Example 4) In this embodiment, the predetermined speed is the creeping speed. However, the predetermined speed does not necessarily have to be the creeping speed. The predetermined speed may be calculated from the driving data of a plurality of users as the average value of the speed when the vehicle makes consecutive right and left turns and the speed when the vehicle tries to avoid a stopped vehicle or an obstacle, and set as the higher of those speeds.

[0062] Also, for example, there may be a case where it is assumed that the speed when the vehicle makes consecutive right and left turns is the creeping speed and the speed when the vehicle avoids a stopped vehicle is higher than the creeping speed. In this case, by setting the predetermined speed to a speed higher than the creeping speed (the speed when the vehicle avoids a stopped vehicle), it is possible to detect consecutive right and left turns and avoiding a stopped vehicle or the like. Also, in this case, by setting the predetermined speed to the creeping speed, it is possible to detect only consecutive right and left turns without detecting avoiding a stopped vehicle or the like. Even in this way, it is possible to appropriately notify a short-time operation of the vehicle's blinker.

[0063] <Other Embodiments> The above-described embodiments are merely examples, and the present disclosure can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from the gist thereof. Also, the processes and means described in the present disclosure can be freely combined and implemented as long as no technical contradiction occurs.

[0064] Moreover, the processes described as being performed by one device may be executed in a distributed manner by a plurality of devices. Alternatively, the processes described as being performed by different devices may be executed by one device. In a computer system, it is possible to flexibly change how each function is implemented by any hardware configuration (server configuration).

[0065] The present disclosure can also be realized by supplying a computer program that implements the functions described in the above embodiments to a computer, and having one or more processors included in the computer read and execute the program. Such a computer program may be provided to the computer by a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium connectable to the system bus of the computer, or may be provided to the computer via a network. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium includes any type of disk such as a magnetic disk (e.g., a floppy (registered trademark) disk or a hard disk drive (HDD)), an optical disk (e.g., a CD-ROM, a DVD disk, or a Blu-ray disk), a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), an EPROM, an EEPROM, a magnetic card, a flash memory, or any type of medium suitable for storing electronic instructions, such as an optical card.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0066] 1 ··· Evaluation system 10 ··· Vehicle 100 ··· User terminal 101 ··· Control unit 102 ··· Communication unit 103 ··· Travel information DB 200 ··· Travel ECU

Claims

1. Obtaining the operating time of the vehicle's turn signal, wherein the operating time of the turn signal is equal to or less than a threshold value, when the condition that the previous operation of the turn signal that ended before the start of the operation of the turn signal is within a predetermined period before the start time of the operation of the turn signal and the speed of the vehicle is equal to or less than a predetermined speed is not satisfied, outputting operation information indicating that the operating time of the turn signal is equal to or less than the threshold value; when the condition is satisfied, omitting the output of the operation information; An information processing apparatus comprising a control unit configured to execute the above. Information processing apparatus.

2. The threshold value is set according to the speed of the vehicle, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The operation information includes information for notifying the user of the vehicle that the operating time of the turn signal is short, Outputting the operation information includes outputting the operation information to the user's terminal. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The operation information includes information indicating the operating time of the turn signal, Outputting the operation information includes outputting the operation information to a server device for evaluating the driving of the user of the vehicle. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

5. An information processing method executed by a computer, comprising: Obtaining the operating time of the vehicle's turn signal, wherein the operating time of the turn signal is equal to or less than a threshold value, when the condition that the previous operation of the turn signal that ended before the start of the operation of the turn signal is within a predetermined period before the start time of the operation of the turn signal and the speed of the vehicle is equal to or less than a predetermined speed is not satisfied, outputting operation information indicating that the operating time of the turn signal is equal to or less than the threshold value; when the condition is satisfied, omitting the output of the operation information; Including: Information processing method.

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