Onboard device, information processing method, information processor, and information management method

Abstract

To contribute to the self-protection of the host vehicle against the case of being poured with water from a pool of water splashed by some other vehicle.SOLUTION: When an event that the host vehicle CR is poured with water from a pool of water splashed by some other vehicle is detected, a processing control unit 710 of a car-onboard device 700 transmits water-pouring information including a water-pouring event occurrence position and the travel direction of the host vehicle CR when the water-pouring event occurred to an information management device 800 that manages water-pouring information acquired from a plurality of vehicles including the host vehicle CR. The processing control unit 710 also receives information pertaining to a water-pouring alarm position specified by the information management device 800. When the received water-pouring alarm position is approached, the processing control unit 710 generates information for causing warning to the driver of the host vehicle CR to be executed when an alarm condition is met. Then the processing control unit 710 causes the generated information to be presented by a presentation unit 950.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an in-vehicle device, an information processing method, an information processing program, a recording medium on which the information processing program is recorded, and an information management device, an information management method, and an information management program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there have been proposed techniques for issuing a warning to a driver of a vehicle depending on the driving environment of the vehicle. One of such proposed techniques is a technique for issuing a warning to a driver of a vehicle when there is a possibility that splashing up water from a puddle on the road in the driving direction (advancement direction) of the vehicle may cause inconvenience to other moving objects or pedestrians (see Patent Document 1; hereinafter referred to as "conventional example").

[0003] The prior art discloses a warning device that includes an obstacle detection unit that detects obstacles on the road that may be scattered by the passing of a vehicle; a moving body detection unit that detects moving bodies around the vehicle; a positional relationship detection unit that detects the positional relationship between the obstacle detected by the obstacle detection unit and the moving body detected by the moving body detection unit; and an output unit that outputs warning information according to the positional relationship detected by the detection unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-177573 DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The above-mentioned conventional technology warns the driver of a vehicle when splashing water from a puddle and there is a possibility that the water may splash on pedestrians or other moving objects. However, not all vehicles that splash water are equipped with such a warning device.

[0006] Therefore, when there is a possibility that a vehicle may be splashed with water from a puddle splashed up by another vehicle, there is a need for a technology that can contribute to protecting the vehicle from the event of being splashed with water from a puddle splashed up by another vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The invention described in claim 1 is an in-vehicle device comprising: a receiving unit that receives from an external device information on a water coverage warning location identified by water coverage information including the location of the water coverage occurrence obtained from a vehicle that has detected a water coverage event in which the vehicle is covered in water splashed up from a puddle; and a generating unit that generates information for executing at least one of a warning to the driver of the vehicle and driving assistance control when the vehicle approaches the water coverage warning location.

[0008] The invention described in claim 6 is an information processing method used in an in-vehicle device having a receiving unit and a generating unit, the method including: a receiving step in which the receiving unit receives water coverage warning information including a water coverage warning position identified by an information management device that manages water coverage information including a water coverage position obtained from a vehicle that has detected a water coverage event in which the vehicle is covered with water splashed up from a puddle; and a generating step in which the generating unit generates information for causing the driver of the vehicle to issue a warning to avoid water coverage and / or execute driving support control when the vehicle approaches the water coverage warning position; This is an information processing method.

[0009] The invention described in claim 7 is an information processing program that causes a computer included in an in-vehicle device to execute the information processing method described in claim 6.

[0010] The invention described in claim 8 is a recording medium having the information processing program described in claim 7 recorded thereon so as to be readable by a computer included in an in-vehicle device.

[0011] The invention described in claim 9 is an information management device that includes: a receiving unit that receives water coverage information including the location of the water coverage event transmitted from a vehicle that has detected a water coverage event in which the vehicle is covered in water splashed up from a puddle; and a transmitting unit that transmits information on the water coverage warning location identified based on the water coverage information to an in-vehicle device.

[0012] The invention described in claim 14 is an information management method used in an information management device having a receiving unit and a transmitting unit, and includes: a receiving process in which the receiving unit receives water coverage information including a water coverage location transmitted from a vehicle that has detected a water coverage event in which the vehicle is covered in water splashed up from a puddle; and a transmitting process in which the transmitting unit transmits a water coverage warning location identified based on the water coverage information to an in-vehicle device.

[0013] The invention described in claim 15 is an information management program characterized by causing a computer included in an information management device to execute the information management method described in claim 14. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the positioning of the in-vehicle device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the in-vehicle device of FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart for explaining a warning process performed by the processing control unit of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] 5 is a flowchart for explaining the image analysis process of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 5 is a flowchart for explaining the process of determining the possibility of being covered in water in FIG. 4. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display of warning information in the first embodiment.

[0015] [Figure 8]FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the in-vehicle device of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information management device of FIG. 8. [Figure 11] 11 is a diagram for explaining the content of water-covered occurrence information stored in the storage unit of FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart for explaining the process of detecting the occurrence of a water-covered event by the processing control unit of FIG. 9. [Figure 13] 11 is a flowchart for explaining the process of updating water-covered occurrence information by the processing control unit of FIG. 10; [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart for explaining a warning process performed by the processing control unit of FIG. 9. [Figure 15] 11 is a flowchart for explaining a process for distributing information on a water-covered alert position by the processing control unit of FIG. 10. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display of warning information in the second embodiment.

[0016] [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the positioning of an in-vehicle device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the in-vehicle device of FIG. [Figure 19] 19 is a flowchart for explaining the process of detecting a water-covered event by the processing control unit of FIG. 18. [Figure 20] 19 is a flowchart for explaining a warning process performed by the processing control unit of FIG. 18.

[0017] [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing system according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the route search device of FIG. 21. [Figure 23]23 is a flowchart for explaining a search process by the processing control unit of FIG. 22. [Figure 24] 24 is a flowchart for explaining the re-search process of FIG. 23.

[0018] [Figure 25] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the positioning of an in-vehicle device according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the in-vehicle device of FIG. 25. [Figure 27] 27 is a flowchart for explaining a process for transmitting warning information by the processing control unit of FIG. 26. [Figure 28] 27 is a flowchart for explaining a process for generating warning information by the processing control unit of FIG. 26. [Figure 29] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of how warning information is displayed in the fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Fig. 1. In the following description, the same or equivalent elements will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicated description will be omitted.

[0020] [composition] A configuration of an information processing system according to one embodiment is shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the information processing system includes an in-vehicle device 700 and an information management device 800 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Here, the in-vehicle device 700 is arranged to operate inside the host vehicle CR, and the information management device 800 is arranged outside the host vehicle CR. The in-vehicle device 700 and the information management device 800 are capable of communicating with each other via a network 500.

[0022] The information management device 800 is also capable of communicating with on-board devices installed in other vehicles, but FIG. 1 shows the on-board device 700 as a representative example.

[0023] A weather information distribution server 600 is connected to the network 500. This weather information distribution server 600 distributes weather history information such as rainfall.

[0024] <Configuration of In-Vehicle Device 700> 1, in addition to the in-vehicle device 700, the host vehicle CR is also provided with a position detection unit 910, an image capture unit 930, and a presentation unit 950. The position detection unit 910, the image capture unit 930, and the presentation unit 950 are connected to the in-vehicle device 700.

[0025] In this embodiment, the position detection unit 910 is configured to include a GPS receiver, etc. The position detection unit 910 detects the current position and current time of the vehicle CR based on the results of receiving radio waves from multiple GPS satellites. The detection results by the position detection unit 910 are sequentially sent to the in-vehicle device 700 as current position information.

[0026] In this embodiment, the photographing unit 930 is configured to include a camera arranged inside the vehicle interior of the host vehicle CR. The photographing unit 930 photographs the scenery ahead through the windshield. The photographing results (photographed images) by the photographing unit 930 are sequentially sent to the in-vehicle device 700.

[0027] The presentation unit 950 receives presentation data sent from the in-vehicle device 700. Then, the presentation unit 950 presents presentation information corresponding to the presentation data to the driver. In this embodiment, the presentation unit 950 includes a sound output unit and a display unit. The presentation data includes output sound data and display image data.

[0028] The sound output unit includes a speaker and receives output sound data sent from the in-vehicle device 700. The sound output unit then outputs a sound corresponding to the output sound data.

[0029] The display unit is configured to include a display device such as a liquid crystal display, etc. This display unit receives display image data sent from the in-vehicle device 700. Then, the display unit displays an image corresponding to the display image data.

[0030] Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the in-vehicle device 700. The in-vehicle device 700 includes a processing control unit 710, a transmitting unit 730, and a receiving unit 740, as shown in FIG.

[0031] The processing control unit 710 described above receives current position information sent from the position detection unit 910 and captured images sent from the photographing unit 930. Then, based on the current position information and the captured images, the processing control unit 710 detects the water-covered event that the vehicle CR has been subjected to and the location where the water-covered event occurred (including the direction in which the vehicle CR was traveling at the time). The detection result by the processing control unit 710 is sent to the transmission unit 730 as water-covered information. In other words, the processing control unit 710 functions as a detection unit.

[0032] The process of detecting the occurrence of a water-covered event by the process control unit 710 will be described in detail later.

[0033] Furthermore, if the processing control unit 710 has not yet acquired information about water-covered alert positions around the current position of the vehicle CR, the processing control unit 710 generates a water-covered alert position delivery request that specifies the current position and the current traveling direction of the vehicle CR. The processing control unit 710 then sends the generated water-covered alert position delivery request to the transmission unit 730.

[0034] The processing control unit 710 also receives information about the water coverage alert position sent from the receiving unit 740. The processing control unit 710 then generates presentation data for presenting warning information about water coverage based on the information about the water coverage alert position and the direction in which the host vehicle CR is currently traveling, and sends the generated presentation data to the presentation unit 950. As a result, the presentation unit 950 presents warning information about water coverage to the driver of the host vehicle CR. In other words, the processing control unit 710 functions as a generation unit.

[0035] The transmission unit 730 described above receives the water coverage information and the water coverage alert position delivery request sent from the processing control unit 710. Then, the transmission unit 730 transmits the water coverage information and the water coverage alert position delivery request to the information management device 800 by wireless communication via the network 500. Note that the information transmitted from the transmission unit 730 to the information management device 800 is configured to specify the identifier of the in-vehicle device 700 (hereinafter referred to as the "in-vehicle device ID").

[0036] The receiving unit 740 described above receives, by wireless communication, information on the water coverage alert position that is transmitted from the information management device 800 and passed through the network 500. The receiving unit 740 then sends the received information on the water coverage alert position to the processing control unit 710.

[0037] As described above, in this embodiment, the warning information is presented by a warning sound and a warning image. Here, the warning sound is a sound that warns of the possibility of being covered in water, and the warning image is a photographed image.

[0038] <Configuration of Information Management Device 800> As shown in FIG. 1, the information management device 800 includes a storage unit 810, a receiving unit 820, a transmitting unit 830, and a storage control unit 840.

[0039] The storage unit 810 stores various information used in the information management device 800. This information includes water damage occurrence information. The storage unit 810 is accessible by the storage control unit 840.

[0040] In this embodiment, the water damage occurrence information is information in which water damage information (water damage occurrence location, and the traveling direction of the vehicle at the time) is associated with each classification of weather history information (for example, the amount of precipitation in the past hour). In this specification, the water damage location in the water damage occurrence information is also referred to as a "water damage alert location."

[0041] The receiving unit 820 described above receives the water damage information transmitted from a plurality of in-vehicle devices, including the in-vehicle device 700, via the network 500. The receiving unit 820 then sends the water damage information to the storage control unit 840.

[0042] Furthermore, the receiving unit 820 receives distribution data transmitted from the weather information distribution server 600 in response to a data distribution request from the storage control unit 840 and via the network 500. The receiving unit 820 then sends the distribution data to the storage control unit 840.

[0043] The receiving unit 820 also receives a water-covered alert position delivery request transmitted from the in-vehicle device 700 via the network 500. The receiving unit 820 then transmits the water-covered alert position delivery request to the storage control unit 840.

[0044] The transmitting unit 830 receives the data distribution request sent from the storage control unit 840. Then, the transmitting unit 830 transmits the data distribution request to the weather information distribution server 600 via the network 500.

[0045] The transmitting unit 830 also receives information about the water-covered alert position sent from the memory control unit 840. The transmitting unit 830 then transmits the information about the water-covered alert position via the network 500 to the in-vehicle device that issued the water-covered alert position delivery request corresponding to the information about the water-covered alert position.

[0046] Upon receiving the water damage information sent from the receiving unit 820, the storage control unit 840 executes a process for updating the water damage occurrence information in the storage unit 810. Details of the process for updating the water damage occurrence information will be described later.

[0047] Furthermore, when the storage control unit 840 receives a water-covered alert position delivery request sent from the receiving unit 820, it executes a process for generating water-covered alert position information to respond to the water-covered alert position delivery request. The storage control unit 840 then sends the generated water-covered alert position information to the transmitting unit 830, specifying the in-vehicle device ID of the in-vehicle device that issued the water-covered alert position delivery request.

[0048] Details of the process for distributing information about water-covered alert locations will be described later.

[0049] <Operation> Next, the operation of the information processing system configured as described above will be explained, focusing mainly on the detection process of the occurrence of a water-covered event performed by the processing control unit 710 of the in-vehicle device 700, and the memory control process and distribution process of information on water-covered alert locations performed by the memory control unit 840 of the information management device 800.

[0050] It is assumed that the position detection unit 910 has already started operation and is sequentially sending the detected current position to the in-vehicle device 700. It is also assumed that the image capture unit 930 has already started operation and is sequentially sending captured images to the in-vehicle device 700.

[0051] <Detection process for water damage> First, the process of detecting the occurrence of a water-splash event executed by the process control unit 710 will be described.

[0052] In detecting the occurrence of a water-covered event, the process control unit 710 performs image analysis processing to detect whether or not a water-covered event has occurred when it receives a captured image sent from the image capturing unit 930. In this detection, the process control unit 710 detects that a water-covered event has occurred when the outer edges of an object in the captured image suddenly become blurred.

[0053] The occurrence of a water splash event may be detected when the outer edge of an object in a captured image suddenly becomes blurred and then suddenly becomes clear due to the operation of the wipers.

[0054] When the occurrence of a water-covered event is detected, the processing control unit 710 identifies the location where the water-covered event occurred (hereinafter also referred to as the "water-covered location") and the driving direction at the time, based on the current location and the change in the current location over time sent from the location detection unit 910. Then, water-covered information including the identified water-covered location and the driving direction at the time is generated, and the generated water-covered information is sent to the transmission unit 730. As a result, the water-covered information is transmitted to the information management device 800.

[0055] "Memory Control Processing" When receiving the water damage information sent from the in-vehicle device such as the in-vehicle device 700, the storage control unit 840 starts the storage control process.

[0056] During this storage control process, the storage control unit 840 first transmits a data distribution request for weather history information (e.g., information regarding the amount of precipitation over the past hour) specifying the location of water damage included in the water damage information to the weather information distribution server 600. When the storage control unit 840 receives distribution data transmitted from the weather information distribution server 600 in response to the data distribution request, it additionally registers the currently received water damage information in the storage unit 810 as information corresponding to the classification of the weather history information indicated by the distribution data in the water damage occurrence information in the storage unit 810. As a result, the water damage occurrence information in the storage unit 810 is updated.

[0057] The storage control unit 840 is configured to delete from the storage unit 810 any flooding information that has been registered for a certain period of time (for example, three months).

[0058] 《Distribution process of information on flood alert locations》 Next, the process of distributing information on water-covered alert positions by the storage control unit 840 will be described.

[0059] The process of delivering information about the water-splash alert position is started by the storage control unit 840 when a water-splash alert position delivery request transmitted from the in-vehicle device 700 is received.

[0060] As described above, if the water damage warning position around the current position of the vehicle CR has not yet been obtained, the processing control unit 710 of the in-vehicle device 700 generates a water damage warning position delivery request that specifies the current position and the driving direction of the vehicle CR at the current time.

[0061] In distributing the water-covered alert location information, the memory control unit 840 first transmits a data distribution request for the current weather history information, specifying the current location included in the water-covered alert location distribution request, to the weather information distribution server 600. Upon receiving distribution data transmitted from the weather information distribution server 600 in response to the data distribution request, the memory control unit 840 references the water-covered occurrence information in the memory unit 810 and extracts, from the water-covered information classified according to the received distribution data, water-covered information in the vicinity of the current location included in the water-covered alert location distribution request as water-covered alert location information. The memory control unit 840 then transmits the extracted water-covered alert location information to the in-vehicle device 700.

[0062] Furthermore, upon receiving the information on the water coverage alert position, the processing control unit 710 generates presentation data for presenting warning information about water coverage based on the information on the water coverage alert position and the traveling direction of the host vehicle CR. In this embodiment, the processing control unit 710 determines that there is a possibility that the host vehicle CR will be covered in water when the host vehicle CR approaches the water coverage position indicated by the water coverage information included in the information on the water coverage alert position and the traveling direction indicated by the water coverage information matches the traveling direction of the host vehicle CR. Subsequently, the processing control unit 710 generates presentation data for presenting warning information about water coverage.

[0063] Then, the process control unit 710 sends the generated presentation data to the presentation unit 950. As a result, the presentation unit 950 presents warning information about being splashed with water.

[0064] As described above, in this embodiment, the presentation data includes output sound data and display image data, and warning information about water splashing is presented by warning sound and warning image.

[0065] As described above, in the information processing system of this embodiment, the processing control unit 710 of the in-vehicle device 700 detects a water-covered event in which the host vehicle CR is covered with water from a puddle splashed up by another vehicle. Then, upon detecting a water-covered event, the processing control unit 710 transmits water-covered information, including the location where the water-covered event occurred and the traveling direction of the host vehicle CR at the time of the water-covered event, to the information management device 800 via the transmission unit 730.

[0066] In the information management device 800, which receives the water damage information via the receiving unit 820, the storage control unit 840 associates the water damage information with a classification based on weather history information relating to the water damage occurrence location contained in the water damage information, and stores the water damage information in the storage unit 810. Here, the classification based on weather history information corresponds to the amount of precipitation in the most recent specified period at the water damage occurrence location.

[0067] When the information management device 800 receives a water-covered alert position delivery request that is transmitted from the in-vehicle device 700 and specifies the current position of the vehicle CR via the receiving unit 820, the memory control unit 840 references the water-covered occurrence information in the memory unit 810 and extracts, as water-covered alert position information, water-covered information around the current position that corresponds to the weather history at the current position at that time. The memory control unit 840 then transmits the extracted water-covered alert position information to the in-vehicle device 700.

[0068] Upon receiving the information on the water coverage alert position, the processing control unit 710 generates presentation data for presenting warning information about water coverage based on the information on the water coverage alert position and the traveling direction of the host vehicle CR. The processing control unit 710 then sends the generated presentation data to the presentation unit 950. As a result, the presentation unit 950 presents the warning information about water coverage.

[0069] Therefore, when it is determined that the host vehicle CR may be splashed with water from a puddle splashed up by another vehicle, the driver of the host vehicle CR is warned in advance, so that the driver can take measures in advance, such as changing lanes to escape to a farther lane, slowing down the vehicle speed, operating the wipers at maximum speed, etc. Therefore, this embodiment can contribute to the self-defense of the host vehicle CR against an event in which the host vehicle CR is splashed with water from a puddle splashed up by another vehicle.

[0070] In this embodiment, the processing control unit 710 detects the occurrence of a water splash event by analyzing the results of photographing through a window by a photographing unit disposed inside the vehicle interior of the vehicle CR. Therefore, the occurrence of a water splash event can be detected rationally with a simple configuration.

[0071] [Modification of the embodiment] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible.

[0072] For example, in the above embodiment, when it is determined that there is a possibility of the vehicle being covered in water, warning information is presented to the driver of the vehicle regardless of the vehicle speed. However, the warning information may be presented only when the vehicle is traveling at a reference speed or higher. This is because, when the vehicle is traveling at a slow speed, there is relatively little danger even if the vehicle is covered in water. The "reference speed" is determined in advance based on experiments, simulations, experience, etc., from the perspective of driving safety.

[0073] In the above embodiment, when it is determined that the host vehicle may be splashed with water from a puddle splashed up by another vehicle, warning information is presented. Instead of or in addition to presenting the warning information, driving control (assistance control) of the host vehicle may be performed. Specifically, when it is determined that the host vehicle may be splashed with water from a puddle, driving control may be automatically performed, such as changing the lane to one farther away from the puddle area or slowing down the host vehicle.

[0074] In the above embodiment, the water coverage information includes the water coverage location and the driving direction. However, the water coverage information may also include information about the lane in which the vehicle was traveling when the water coverage event occurred. In this case, the accuracy of determining the possibility of a water coverage event occurring for the vehicle can be improved.

[0075] In addition, the information on the water coverage warning position includes the water coverage information as it is. On the other hand, if there are multiple water coverage locations that are close to each other (for example, within 10 m), a statistical method may be used to set a representative position for those locations and a water coverage range centered on that representative position, and then these may be combined into a single water coverage warning area.

[0076] The in-vehicle device or information management device in the above-described embodiments may be configured as a computer system equipped with a computing means such as a central processing unit (CPU), and some or all of the functions of the in-vehicle device or information management device may be realized by executing a pre-prepared program on the computer. This program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, CD-ROM, or DVD, and read from the recording medium and executed by the computer. This program may also be obtained in the form of being recorded on a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD, or may be obtained in the form of being distributed via a network such as the Internet. [Example]

[0077] Hereinafter, an embodiment for solving the above-mentioned problems will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same or equivalent elements will be designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0078] [First Example] First, a first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 7. In this first embodiment, an on-board device installed in a vehicle determines whether there is a possibility of a water splash-up event occurring in which the vehicle is splashed with water by another vehicle, based on the actual driving environment. If the result of this determination is positive, the on-board device issues a warning to the driver of the vehicle.

[0079] <Configuration> Fig. 2 shows the positioning of the in-vehicle device 100A according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the in-vehicle device 100A is disposed in the host vehicle CR. In addition to the in-vehicle device 100A, a sound output unit 210, a display unit 220, a sensor unit 230, a GPS receiving unit 240, and an imaging unit 260A are disposed in the host vehicle CR. The sound output unit 210, the display unit 220, the sensor unit 230, the GPS (Global Positioning System) receiving unit 240, and the imaging unit 260A are connected to the in-vehicle device 100A.

[0080] The sound output unit 210 includes a speaker. The sound output unit 210 receives output sound data sent from the in-vehicle device 100A. The sound output unit 210 then outputs a sound corresponding to the output sound data.

[0081] The display unit 220 is configured to include a display device such as a liquid crystal display. The display unit 220 receives display image data sent from the in-vehicle device 100A. The display unit 220 then displays an image corresponding to the display image data.

[0082] The sensor unit 230 includes a vehicle speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, an inclination sensor, etc. The detection results of the various sensors included in the sensor unit 230 are sent to the in-vehicle device 100A.

[0083] The GPS receiving unit 240 receives radio waves from a plurality of GPS satellites and transmits GPS data to the in-vehicle device 100A.

[0084] The above-mentioned photographing unit 260A photographs the area ahead of the host vehicle CR. In the first embodiment, the photographing unit 260A is equipped with two cameras, each of which photographs the area ahead of the host vehicle CR. One camera photographs the scenery ahead through a horizontal polarizing filter that transmits horizontally polarized light. The other camera photographs the scenery ahead through a vertical polarizing filter that transmits vertically polarized light. These two cameras are arranged to have the same photographing direction and are spaced a predetermined distance apart.

[0085] That is, the two cameras form a so-called stereo camera. Images captured by the stereo camera are sent to the in-vehicle device 100A.

[0086] Configuration of In-Vehicle Device 100A 3, the in-vehicle device 100A includes a processing control unit 110A, a storage unit 120A, and an input unit 130. In addition to the storage unit 120A and the input unit 130, the processing control unit 110A is connected to the above-mentioned sound output unit 210, display unit 220, sensor unit 230, GPS receiving unit 240, and photographing unit 260A.

[0087] The processing control unit 110A controls the entire in-vehicle device 100A. This processing control unit 110A will be described later.

[0088] The storage unit 120A is configured with a nonvolatile storage device such as a hard disk drive, and stores various information data used in the in-vehicle device 100A. Such information includes map information and information regarding the placement and optical characteristics of the cameras of the photographing unit 260A. The storage unit 120A is accessible by the processing control unit 110A.

[0089] The input unit 130 is configured by a key section provided on the main body of the in-vehicle device 100A and / or a remote input device having a key section. Here, the key section provided on the main body can be a touch panel provided on the display device of the display unit 220. Note that instead of or in addition to a configuration having a key section, a configuration in which input is made by voice using voice recognition technology can also be adopted.

[0090] By using input unit 130, a user can input various specifications and commands to processing control unit 110A. The input results to input unit 130 are sent to processing control unit 110A as input data.

[0091] Next, the processing control unit 110A will be described. The processing control unit 110A is configured to include a central processing unit (CPU) and its peripheral circuits. The processing control unit 110A executes various programs to realize various functions of the in-vehicle device 100A. These various functions include a process for warning the driver of the host vehicle CR about the possibility of the host vehicle CR being covered in water.

[0092] The program executed by processing control unit 110A is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, CD-ROM, DVD, etc., and is read from the recording medium and executed by the computer. The program may also be obtained in a form recorded on a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD, or may be obtained in a form distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0093] Here, the processing control unit 110A appropriately refers to map information etc. in the storage unit 120A based on the sensor data sent from the sensor unit 230 and the GPS data sent from the GPS receiving unit 240, and uses a map matching technique to accurately detect the current position of the vehicle CR.

[0094] <Operation> Next, the operation of the in-vehicle device 100A configured as above will be described, focusing mainly on the warning process executed by the processing control unit 110A of the in-vehicle device 100A.

[0095] It is assumed that the sensor unit 230 has already started operation and is sequentially sending detection results to the processing control unit 110A. It is also assumed that the GPS receiving unit 240 has already started operation and is sequentially sending reception results to the processing control unit 110A. It is also assumed that the processing control unit 110A accurately detects the current position of the vehicle CR using a map matching technique while appropriately referring to map information and the like in the storage unit 120A.

[0096] <Warning Processing> 4, in the warning process, first, in step S11, the processing control unit 110A acquires an image captured by the photographing unit 260A. When acquiring this captured image, the processing control unit 110A sends a photographing command to the photographing unit 260A. In response to this photographing command, the processing control unit 110A acquires a new photographed image sent from the photographing unit 260A.

[0097] Next, in step S12, the processing control unit 110A executes image analysis processing. Through this image analysis processing, the processing control unit 110A determines whether or not there is a combination of a puddle area and another vehicle that is a concern and that may cause the host vehicle CR to be covered in water, and calculates forward situation information that is more detailed information about the concern combination if a concern combination exists.

[0098] The image analysis process in step S12 will be described in detail later.

[0099] Next, in step S13, the processing control unit 110A determines whether or not a combination of concern exists. If the result of the determination in step S13 is negative (step S13: N), the process returns to step S11. Thereafter, the processes of steps S11 to S13 are repeated until the result of the determination in step S13 becomes positive.

[0100] If the result of the determination in step S13 is affirmative (step S13: Y), the process proceeds to step S14. In step S14, the processing control unit 110A acquires host vehicle speed information (host vehicle speed) based on the sensor data sent from the sensor unit 230, etc.

[0101] Next, in step S15, the processing control unit 110A performs a process for determining whether or not there is a possibility of a water splash event occurring in which the host vehicle CR is splashed with water by another vehicle.

[0102] The process of determining the possibility of water damage in step S15 will be described in detail later.

[0103] Subsequently, in step S16, the processing control unit 110A determines whether or not there is a possibility of water damage. If the result of the determination in step S16 is negative (step S16: N), the process returns to step S11. Thereafter, the processes of steps S11 to S16 are repeated until the result of the determination in step S16 becomes positive.

[0104] If the result of the determination in step S16 is affirmative (step S16: Y), the process proceeds to step S17. In step S17, the processing control unit 110A generates warning information.

[0105] In the first embodiment, the warning information includes a warning sound and a warning image. Here, the warning sound may be, for example, a sound such as, "You may be splashed with water from the puddle ahead." Furthermore, the warning image may be, for example, an image in which other vehicles and puddles that constitute a worrying combination in the captured image are highlighted.

[0106] Subsequently, the processing control unit 110A generates data for a warning sound and sends it to the sound output unit 210 as output sound data, and also generates data for a warning image and sends it to the display unit 220 as display image data. As a result, the warning sound is output from the sound output unit 210, and the warning image is displayed on the display unit 220.

[0107] Image analysis processing Next, the image analysis process executed in step S12 will be described.

[0108] During the image analysis process, as shown in FIG. 5, first, in step S21, the processing control unit 110A detects an object in the captured image and obtains the relative position of the detected object with respect to the vehicle CR based on the amount of positional deviation (so-called parallax) between a first image captured by one camera and a second image captured by the other camera.

[0109] Next, processing control unit 110A detects other vehicles in the image, for example, using a known template matching method. Processing control unit 110A then detects objects on the road surface whose brightness in the first image is brighter than that in the second image by at least a predetermined ratio, and detects the image area corresponding to the object as an area where a water surface has formed on the road surface (i.e., a puddle area). This is because, on a dry road surface, light is diffusely reflected, and the horizontally and vertically polarized components of the reflected light are roughly equal, whereas the horizontally polarized component of the reflected light from a water surface tends to be greater than the vertically polarized component. The "predetermined ratio" is determined in advance based on experiments, simulations, experience, etc.

[0110] Next, in step S22, processing control unit 110A determines whether or not a puddle exists on the front side. If the result of the determination in step S22 is negative (step S22: N), the process proceeds to step S25, which will be described later.

[0111] If the result of the determination in step S22 is affirmative (step S22: Y), the process proceeds to step S23. In this step S23, it is determined whether the distance between the puddle area ahead and the lane in which the host vehicle CR is traveling, i.e., the distance at which the puddle area ahead and the host vehicle CR come closest in the traveling direction of the host vehicle CR, is within a predetermined distance. If the result of the determination in step S23 is negative (step S23: N), the process proceeds to step S25.

[0112] The "predetermined distance" is determined in advance from the viewpoint of experience, simulation, experience, etc., in terms of the possibility that the splashed water will splash onto the lane in which the host vehicle CR is traveling.

[0113] If the result of the determination in step S23 is affirmative (step S23: Y), the process proceeds to step S24. In step S24, the processing control unit 110A determines whether or not there is another vehicle passing through the puddle area ahead.

[0114] If the result of the determination in step S24 is negative (step S24: N), the process proceeds to step S25. In step S25, the processing control unit 110A determines that there is no worrisome combination of a puddle and another vehicle. After this, the process of step S12 ends, and the process proceeds to step S13 in FIG. 4 described above.

[0115] If the result of the determination in step S24 is affirmative (step S24: Y), the process proceeds to step S26, where the processing control unit 110A determines that a combination of concern exists.

[0116] Subsequently, in step S27, the processing control unit 110A calculates forward situation information, which is more detailed information regarding the combination of concern, based on the relative positions of the puddle area and the other vehicle relative to the host vehicle CR and the temporal change in the captured image. Here, the forward situation information includes the distance to the position where the host vehicle CR is closest to the puddle area, the distance from the puddle area to the other vehicle, and the relative speed of the other vehicle relative to the host vehicle CR.

[0117] When the process of step S27 ends in this way, the process of step S12 ends, and the process proceeds to step S13 in FIG.

[0118] <<Determining the Possibility of Water Coverage>> Next, the process of determining the possibility of water damage, which is executed in step S15, will be described.

[0119] In the process of determining whether the vehicle is likely to be covered in water, as shown in FIG. 6, first, in step S31, the processing control unit 110A calculates the host vehicle arrival time (T S In this calculation, the processing control unit 110A calculates the vehicle arrival time (T S ) is calculated.

[0120] Next, in step S32, the processing control unit 110A calculates the other vehicle speed based on the relative speed of the other vehicle with respect to the host vehicle CR and the host vehicle speed.

[0121] Subsequently, in step S33, the processing control unit 110A calculates the other vehicle arrival time (T O In this calculation, the processing control unit 110A calculates the other vehicle arrival time (T O ) is calculated.

[0122] Next, in step S34, the processing control unit 110A calculates the time difference |T S -T O | is a given time T P It is determined whether the predetermined time T P " is determined in advance based on experiments, simulations, experience, etc., from the perspective of the occurrence of a flooding event.

[0123] If the result of the determination in step S34 is affirmative (step S34: Y), the process proceeds to step S35. In step S35, the processing control unit 110A determines that there is a possibility of water damage. When the process of step S35 ends, the process of step S15 ends. Then, the process proceeds to step S16 in FIG. 4 described above.

[0124] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S34 is negative (step S34: N), the process proceeds to step S36. In step S36, the processing control unit 110A determines that there is no possibility of water damage. When the process of step S36 ends in this way, the process of step S15 ends. Then, the process proceeds to step S16 in FIG. 4 described above.

[0125] FIG. 7 shows an example of a warning image displayed by the process in step S17 of FIG. 4 described above.

[0126] As described above, in the in-vehicle device 100A of the first embodiment, the processing control unit 110A acquires the position of the puddle area. Subsequently, the processing control unit 110A determines whether there is a possibility that the host vehicle CR will be splashed with water based on the traveling direction of the host vehicle CR and the position of the puddle area. If it is determined that there is a possibility that the host vehicle CR will be splashed with water, the processing control unit 110A generates information for issuing a warning to the driver of the host vehicle CR.

[0127] Therefore, when it is determined that the subject vehicle may be covered in water from a puddle splashed up by another vehicle, the driver of the subject vehicle is warned in advance, so that the driver can take measures in advance, such as changing lanes to one farther away from the puddle area, slowing down the vehicle speed, operating the wipers at maximum speed, etc. Therefore, the first embodiment can contribute to the self-protection of the subject vehicle against an incident in which the subject vehicle is covered in water from a puddle splashed up by another vehicle.

[0128] In the first embodiment, the processing control unit 110A determines that there is a possibility that the host vehicle CR will be splashed with water from a puddle splashed up by another vehicle when the time difference between the host vehicle arrival time until the host vehicle CR approaches the puddle area and the other vehicle arrival time until the other vehicle reaches the puddle area is within a predetermined range. Therefore, it is possible to rationally determine the possibility that the host vehicle CR will be splashed with water from a puddle splashed up by another vehicle.

[0129] [Modification of the first embodiment] The present invention allows various modifications to the first embodiment described above.

[0130] For example, in the first embodiment described above, when it is determined that there is a possibility of the vehicle being covered in water, warning information is presented to the driver of the vehicle regardless of the vehicle speed. However, the warning information may be presented only when the vehicle is traveling at a reference speed or higher. This is because, when the vehicle is traveling at a slow speed, there is relatively little danger even if the vehicle is covered in water. The "reference speed" is determined in advance based on experiments, simulations, experience, etc., from the perspective of driving safety.

[0131] In the first embodiment, warning information is presented when it is determined that the host vehicle may be covered in water from a puddle splashed up by another vehicle. Instead of or in addition to presenting the warning information, driving control (assistance control) of the vehicle may be performed. Specifically, when it is determined that the host vehicle may be covered in water from a puddle, driving control may be automatically performed, such as changing the lane to one farther away from the puddle area or slowing down the host vehicle.

[0132] In the first embodiment, the position of other vehicles and their relative speeds to the vehicle are acquired based on images captured by a camera. However, these may also be acquired using radar that uses millimeter waves or lasers to measure the distance to an object, or sonar that uses ultrasonic waves to measure the distance to an object.

[0133] Furthermore, the puddle area is detected based on a camera image. Alternatively, a known technique for detecting the puddle area based on measurements by Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) may be employed. In this case, the position of the puddle area can be detected with higher accuracy than in the first embodiment.

[0134] In the first embodiment, the host vehicle speed information is acquired based on the sensor data sent from the sensor unit, etc. However, the host vehicle speed information may be calculated based on the change over time of the current position of the host vehicle detected by GPS positioning, map matching, etc.

[0135] [Second Example] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 16. In this second embodiment, an in-vehicle device detects the occurrence of a water splash event in which the vehicle is splashed with water splashed by another vehicle, and transmits water splash information including the location where the water splash event occurred to an information management device. The information management device manages the water splash information received from multiple in-vehicle devices. The in-vehicle device then acquires information on water splash alert positions from the information management device and issues a warning to the driver based on the acquired information on water splash alert positions.

[0136] <Configuration> 8 shows the configuration of an information processing system 400B according to the second embodiment. As shown in this figure, the information processing system 400B includes an in-vehicle device 100B and an information management device 300.

[0137] Here, the in-vehicle device 100B is arranged to operate inside the host vehicle CR. The information management device 300 is arranged outside the host vehicle CR. The in-vehicle device 100B and the information management device 300 are capable of communicating with each other via a network 500. The information management device 300 is also capable of communicating with a weather information distribution server 600 via the network 500.

[0138] The information management device 300 is also capable of communicating with on-board devices installed in other vehicles, but FIG. 8 shows the on-board device 100B as a representative example.

[0139] 8, similarly to the first embodiment described above, the host vehicle CR is provided with, in addition to the in-vehicle device 100B, a sound output unit 210, a display unit 220, a sensor unit 230, and a GPS receiving unit 240. Furthermore, compared to the first embodiment, the host vehicle CR is provided with a photographing unit 260B instead of the photographing unit 260A.

[0140] The photographing unit 260B is configured with a camera arranged inside the cabin of the host vehicle CR. This photographing unit 260B photographs the front side of the host vehicle CR through the windshield. The images photographed by the photographing unit 260B are sent to the in-vehicle device 100B.

[0141] Configuration of In-Vehicle Device 100B 9, the in-vehicle device 100B includes a processing control unit 110B, a storage unit 120B, an input unit 130, and a wireless communication unit 140B. In addition to the storage unit 120B, the input unit 130, and the wireless communication unit 140B, the processing control unit 110B is also connected with the above-mentioned sound output unit 210, display unit 220, sensor unit 230, GPS receiving unit 240, and photographing unit 260B.

[0142] The processing control unit 110B controls the entire in-vehicle device 100B. This processing control unit 110B will be described later.

[0143] The storage unit 120B is configured with a nonvolatile storage device such as a hard disk drive, and stores various information data used in the in-vehicle device 100B. Such information includes map information and information related to the optical characteristics of the camera provided in the photographing unit 260B. The storage unit 120B is accessible by the processing control unit 110B.

[0144] The wireless communication unit 140B communicates with the information management device 300B via the network 500. The wireless communication unit 140B receives the water coverage information and the water coverage alert location delivery request sent from the processing control unit 110B. The wireless communication unit 140B then sends the water coverage information and the water coverage alert location delivery request, together with the in-vehicle device ID, to the information management device 300B via the network 500.

[0145] Furthermore, the wireless communication unit 140B receives the information on the water coverage warning position transmitted from the information management device 300 via the network 500. Then, the wireless communication unit 140B sends the information on the water coverage warning position to the processing control unit 110B.

[0146] Next, the processing control unit 110B will be described. The processing control unit 110B is configured to include a central processing unit (CPU) and its peripheral circuits. The processing control unit 110B executes various programs to realize various functions of the in-vehicle device 100B.

[0147] The program executed by processing control unit 110B is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, CD-ROM, DVD, etc., and is read from the recording medium and executed by the computer. The program may also be obtained in a form recorded on a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD, or may be obtained in a form distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0148] Here, the processing control unit 110B appropriately refers to map information etc. in the storage unit 120B based on the sensor data sent from the sensor unit 230 and the GPS data received from the GPS receiving unit 240, and uses a map matching technique to accurately detect the current location.

[0149] The processing control unit 110B detects a water-covered event that has occurred on the vehicle CR based on the captured image sent from the photographing unit 260B. When a water-covered event is detected, the processing control unit 110B detects the location where the water-covered event occurred (including the traveling direction of the vehicle CR at the time). The processing control unit 110B then transmits the detection result as water-covered information to the information management device 300 using the wireless communication unit 140B.

[0150] The process of detecting a water-spill event executed by the processing control unit 110B will be described in detail later.

[0151] Furthermore, if the processing control unit 110B has not yet acquired the water-covered alert positions around the current position of the vehicle CR, the processing control unit 110B generates a water-covered alert position delivery request specifying the current position of the vehicle CR. The processing control unit 110B then transmits the generated water-covered alert position delivery request to the information management device 300 using the wireless communication unit 140B.

[0152] Furthermore, the processing control unit 110B uses the wireless communication unit 140B to receive information on the water coverage alert position transmitted from the information management device 300. Then, the processing control unit 110B executes a water coverage warning process based on the information on the water coverage alert position and the direction in which the vehicle CR is currently traveling.

[0153] The warning process executed by the processing control unit 110B will be described in detail later.

[0154] Configuration of Information Management Device 300 10 shows a schematic configuration of the information management device 300. As shown in this Fig. 10, the information management device 300 includes a processing control unit 310, a storage unit 320, and an external communication unit 330.

[0155] The processing control unit 310 is configured to include a central processing unit (CPU) and its peripheral circuits, and controls the entire information management device 300. The processing control unit 310 will be described later.

[0156] The storage unit 320 stores various information data used in the information management device 300A. Such information data includes a water damage occurrence information HMI, as shown in Fig. 11. In the second embodiment, the water damage occurrence information HMI is classified into the following categories: WCN, which is a weather history information (for example, the amount of precipitation in the past hour), jFor each (j=1, 2, ...), water coverage information (water coverage location, vehicle travel direction at that time) PSN j In this specification, the water-covered position in the water-covered occurrence information HMI is also referred to as the "water-covered alert position."

[0157] 10 , the external communication unit 330 receives the water coverage information and the water coverage alert position delivery request sent from the in-vehicle device 100B via the network 500. The external communication unit 330 then sends the water coverage information and the water coverage alert position delivery request to the processing control unit 310.

[0158] Furthermore, the external communication unit 330 receives information about the water damage warning position sent from the processing control unit 310. Then, the external communication unit 330 transmits the information about the water damage warning position to the in-vehicle device 100B.

[0159] Next, a description will be given of the processing control unit 310. The processing control unit 310 executes various programs, thereby realizing various functions of the information management device 300.

[0160] The program executed by processing control unit 310 is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, CD-ROM, DVD, etc., and is loaded and executed from the recording medium. The program may also be obtained in a form recorded on a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD, or may be obtained in a form distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0161] When the processing control unit 310 receives the water-flooding information transmitted from the in-vehicle device 100B, it executes a process of updating the water-flooding occurrence information HMI stored in the storage unit 320. Details of the process of updating the water-flooding occurrence information HMI executed by the processing control unit 310 will be described later.

[0162] Furthermore, when the processing control unit 310 receives a water-covered alert position delivery request transmitted from the in-vehicle device 100B, it executes a process for generating water-covered alert position information to respond to the water-covered alert position delivery request. The processing control unit 310 then transmits the generated water-covered alert position information to the in-vehicle device having the in-vehicle device ID of the in-vehicle device that issued the water-covered alert position delivery request.

[0163] The details of the process of distributing information about water-covered alert positions executed by the processing control unit 310 will be described later.

[0164] <Operation> Next, the operation of the information generation system 400B configured as described above will be explained, focusing mainly on the detection process and warning process of the occurrence of a water-covered event performed by the processing control unit 110B of the in-vehicle device 100B, and the update process of the water-covered occurrence information HMI and the distribution process of information on water-covered alert locations performed by the processing control unit 310 of the information management device 300.

[0165] It is assumed that the sensor unit 230 has already started operation and is sequentially sending detection results to the processing control unit 110B. It is also assumed that the GPS receiving unit 240 has already started operation and is sequentially sending reception results to the processing control unit 110B. It is also assumed that the processing control unit 110B accurately detects the current position of the vehicle CR using a map matching technique while appropriately referring to map information and the like in the storage unit 120B.

[0166] It is also assumed that the photographing unit 260B has already started operation and is sending photographed images to the processing control unit 110B one by one.

[0167] <Detection process for water damage> First, the process of detecting the occurrence of a water-splash event executed by the processing control unit 110B will be described.

[0168] In the process of detecting the occurrence of a water-covered event, as shown in FIG. 12, first, in step S41, the processing control unit 110B acquires a captured image sent from the photographing unit 260B. Subsequently, in step S42, the processing control unit 110B performs image analysis processing to determine whether a new water-covered event has occurred. In this determination, in the second embodiment, the processing control unit 110B determines that a water-covered event has occurred when the outer edge of an object in the captured image suddenly becomes blurred. Note that the occurrence of a water-covered event may also be determined when the outer edge of the object in the captured image suddenly becomes blurred and then suddenly becomes clear due to the operation of the wipers.

[0169] If the result of the determination in step S42 is negative (step S42: N), the process returns to step S41. Thereafter, the processes in steps S41 and S42 are repeated until the result of the determination in step S42 becomes positive.

[0170] If the result of the determination in step S42 is affirmative (step S42: Y), the process proceeds to step S43. In this step S43, the processing control unit 110B first generates water coverage information. When generating this water coverage information, the processing control unit 110B identifies the location where the water coverage event occurred and the driving direction at the time, based on the current position of the host vehicle CR and the change in the current position over time. Then, new water coverage information is generated that includes the identified location where the water coverage event occurred and the driving direction at the time. Then, the processing control unit 110B transmits the new water coverage information to the information management device 300.

[0171] When the process of step S43 ends in this way, the process returns to step S41, and thereafter the processes of steps S41 to S43 are repeated.

[0172] <<Water damage occurrence information HMI update process>> Next, the process of updating the water-covered occurrence information HMI executed by the processing control unit 310 will be described.

[0173] In updating the water damage occurrence information HMI, first, in step S46, the processing control unit 310 determines whether new water damage information has been received, as shown in Fig. 13. If the result of the determination in step S46 is negative (step S46: N), the processing of step S46 is repeated.

[0174] If the result of the determination in step S46 is affirmative (step S46: Y), the process proceeds to step S47. In step S47, the processing control unit 310 acquires weather history information (e.g., information regarding the amount of precipitation over the past hour) for the water-covered location included in the new water-covered location information. When acquiring this weather history information, the processing control unit 310 transmits a data distribution request for weather history information specifying the water-covered location to the weather information distribution server 600. The processing control unit 310 then acquires the distribution data transmitted from the weather information distribution server 600 in response to the data distribution request as weather history information.

[0175] Next, in step S48, the processing control unit 310 updates the water damage occurrence information HMI in the storage unit 320. When updating the water damage occurrence information HMI, the processing control unit 310 additionally registers the new water damage information received this time in the storage unit 320 as information corresponding to the classification of the weather history information indicated by the distributed data. As a result, the water damage occurrence information HMI in the storage unit 320 is updated.

[0176] 11 described above is 5 mm, "X2" is 10 mm, and the amount of precipitation over the past hour is 7 mm, the processing control unit 310 additionally registers the newly received water damage information in the storage unit 320 as information corresponding to the classification of weather history WCN2, and also additionally registers the information in the storage unit 320 as information corresponding to each of the classifications of weather history WCN3, WCN4, ... This is because, at a water damage location where a water damage event occurred when the amount of precipitation over the past hour was 7 mm, it is considered that there is a high possibility that a water damage event will occur even if the amount of precipitation over the past hour exceeds 7 mm.

[0177] When the process of step S48 ends in this way, the process returns to step S46, and thereafter the processes of steps S46 to S48 are repeated.

[0178] In the second embodiment, the processing control unit 310 is configured to delete water damage information from the storage unit 320 after a certain period of time (for example, three months) has passed since registration.

[0179] <Warning Processing> Next, the warning process executed by the processing control unit 110B will be described.

[0180] In the warning process, as shown in Fig. 14, first, in step S51, the processing control unit 110B determines whether or not information on water damage warning positions around the current position of the vehicle CR has been acquired. If the result of the determination in step S51 is affirmative (step S51: Y), the process proceeds to step S54, which will be described later.

[0181] If the result of the determination in step S51 is negative (step S51: N), the process proceeds to step S52. In step S52, the processing control unit 110B transmits a water damage alert position delivery request specifying the current position of the host vehicle CR to the information management device 300.

[0182] Subsequently, in step S53, the processing control unit 110B determines whether or not it has received information on the water splash alert position distributed from the information management device 300. If the result of the determination in step S53 is negative (step S53: N), the processing of step S53 is repeated.

[0183] If the result of the determination in step S53 is affirmative (step S53: Y), the process proceeds to step S54. In step S54, the processing control unit 110B determines whether or not the device has approached the water splash warning position. If the result of the determination in step S54 is negative (step S54: N), the process returns to step S51. Thereafter, steps S51 to S54 are repeated until the result of the determination in step S54 becomes affirmative.

[0184] If the result of the determination in step S54 is affirmative (step S54: Y), the process proceeds to step S55. In this step S55, the processing control unit 110B determines whether or not the warning condition is met. Note that in the second embodiment, the warning condition is that the traveling direction indicated by the water coverage information including the water coverage position corresponding to the water coverage alert position matches the traveling direction of the host vehicle CR.

[0185] If the result of the determination in step S55 is negative (step S55: N), the process returns to step S51. Thereafter, the processes in steps S51 to S55 are repeated until the result of the determination in step S55 becomes positive.

[0186] If the result of the determination in step S55 is affirmative (step S55: Y), the processing control unit 110B determines that there is a possibility of water damage. Then, the processing proceeds to step S56. In this step S56, the processing control unit 110B first generates warning information.

[0187] In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment described above, the warning information includes a warning sound and a warning image. Here, the warning sound may be, for example, a sound such as "You may get wet from a puddle ahead." Furthermore, the warning image may be, for example, the captured image itself.

[0188] Subsequently, the processing control unit 110B generates data for a warning sound and sends it to the sound output unit 210 as output sound data, and also generates data for a warning image and sends it to the display unit 220 as display image data. As a result, the warning sound is output from the sound output unit 210, and the warning image is displayed on the display unit 220.

[0189] When the process of step S56 ends in this way, the process returns to step S51, and thereafter the processes of steps S51 to S56 are repeated.

[0190] 《Distribution process of information on flood alert locations》 Next, the process of distributing information about water-covered alert positions executed by the processing control unit 310 will be described.

[0191] In the process of distributing information about the water-covered alert position, first, in step S61, the processing control unit 310 determines whether or not a request for distributing the water-covered alert position has been received, as shown in Fig. 15. If the result of the determination in step S61 is negative (step S61: N), the process of step S61 is repeated.

[0192] If the result of the determination in step S61 is affirmative (step S61: Y), the process proceeds to step S62. In step S62, the processing control unit 310 acquires weather history information for the current location included in the flood alert location distribution request. When acquiring such weather history information, the processing control unit 310 transmits a data distribution request for weather history information specifying the current location to the weather information distribution server 600. Then, the processing control unit 310 acquires the distribution data transmitted from the weather information distribution server 600 in response to the data distribution request as weather history information.

[0193] Next, in step S63, the processing control unit 310 first references the water coverage occurrence information HMI in the storage unit 320 and extracts, from the water coverage information of the category corresponding to the received distribution data, water coverage information around the current location included in the water coverage alert location distribution request as water coverage alert location information.The processing control unit 310 then transmits the extracted water coverage alert location information to the in-vehicle device that issued the current water coverage alert location distribution request.

[0194] FIG. 16 shows an example of a warning image displayed by the process in step S56 of FIG. 14 described above.

[0195] As described above, in the information processing system 400B of the second embodiment, the processing control unit 110B of the in-vehicle device 100B detects a water-covered event in which the host vehicle CR is covered with water from a puddle splashed up by another vehicle. Then, upon detecting a water-covered event, the processing control unit 110B transmits water-covered information including the location where the water-covered event occurred and the traveling direction of the host vehicle CR at the time of the water-covered event to the information management device 300.

[0196] In the information management device 300 that has received the flooding information, the processing control unit 310 associates the flooding information with a classification based on weather history information relating to the location of flooding contained in the flooding information, and additionally registers the flooding information in the flooding occurrence information HMI in the storage unit 320. Here, the classification based on weather history information corresponds to the amount of precipitation in the most recent specified period at the location of flooding.

[0197] When the information management device 300 receives a water-covered alert position delivery request transmitted from the in-vehicle device 100B and specifying the current position of the vehicle CR, the processing control unit 310 references the water-covered occurrence information in the storage unit 320 and extracts, as water-covered alert position information, water-covered information around the current position that corresponds to the weather history classification for the current position of the vehicle CR at that time. The processing control unit 310 then transmits the extracted water-covered alert position information to the in-vehicle device 100B.

[0198] When receiving the information on the water damage warning position, the processing control unit 110B generates information for issuing a warning to the driver of the vehicle CR about water damage based on the information on the water damage warning position and the driving direction of the vehicle CR.

[0199] Therefore, by warning the driver of the host vehicle in advance when there is a possibility that the host vehicle will be splashed with water from a puddle splashed up by another vehicle, the driver can take measures in advance, such as changing lanes to one farther away from the puddle area, slowing down the vehicle speed, operating the wipers at maximum speed, etc. Therefore, according to the second embodiment, the host vehicle can protect itself from the event of being splashed with water from a puddle splashed up by another vehicle.

[0200] In the second embodiment, the processing control unit 110B detects the occurrence of a water-covered event by analyzing an image captured through a window by the photographing unit 260B disposed inside the vehicle interior of the host vehicle CR. This allows the occurrence of a water-covered event to be detected rationally with a simple configuration.

[0201] [Modification of the second embodiment] Various modifications are possible to the second embodiment described above.

[0202] For example, in the second embodiment described above, when it is determined that there is a possibility of the vehicle being covered in water, warning information is presented to the driver of the vehicle regardless of the vehicle speed. However, the warning information may be presented only when the vehicle is traveling at a reference speed or higher. This is because, when the vehicle is traveling at a slow speed, there is relatively little danger even if the vehicle is covered in water. The "reference speed" is determined in advance based on experiments, simulations, experience, etc., from the perspective of driving safety.

[0203] In the second embodiment, warning information is presented when it is determined that the host vehicle may be covered in water from a puddle splashed up by another vehicle. Instead of or in addition to presenting the warning information, driving control (assistance control) of the host vehicle may be performed. Specifically, when it is determined that the host vehicle may be covered in water from a puddle, driving control may be automatically performed, such as changing lanes to one farther from the puddle area or slowing down the host vehicle.

[0204] In the second embodiment, the water coverage information includes the water coverage location and the driving direction. However, the water coverage information may also include information about the lane in which the vehicle was traveling when the water coverage event occurred. In this case, the accuracy of determining the possibility of a water coverage event occurring for the vehicle can be improved.

[0205] In the second embodiment, the information on the water coverage warning position includes the water coverage information as is. However, if there are multiple water coverage occurrence positions that are close to each other (for example, within 10 m), a statistical method may be used to set a representative position for those positions and a water coverage occurrence range centered on that representative position, and then these may be combined into a single water coverage warning area.

[0206] [Third Example] Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 17 to 20. In this third embodiment, an in-vehicle device detects the occurrence of a water-splash event in which the vehicle is splashed with water by another vehicle, and broadcasts water-splash information including the location of the water-splash event to an external surrounding area via vehicle-to-vehicle communication. The in-vehicle device also acquires the water-splash information broadcast by vehicle-to-vehicle communication from other vehicles in the surrounding area of ​​the vehicle. The in-vehicle device then issues a warning to the driver based on the acquired water-splash information.

[0207] <Configuration> Fig. 17 shows the positioning of an in-vehicle device 100C according to the third embodiment. As shown in Fig. 17, the in-vehicle device 100C is arranged to operate inside the host vehicle CR.

[0208] 17, in addition to the in-vehicle device 100C, the host vehicle CR is also provided with a sound output unit 210, a display unit 220, a sensor unit 230, a GPS receiving unit 240, and an imaging unit 260B, as in the case of the second embodiment described above. The sound output unit 210, the display unit 220, the sensor unit 230, the GPS receiving unit 240, and the imaging unit 260B are connected to the in-vehicle device 100C.

[0209] The in-vehicle device 100C is capable of communicating with other vehicles around the host vehicle CR through inter-vehicle communication.

[0210] Configuration of In-Vehicle Device 100C As shown in FIG. 18, the in-vehicle device 100C differs from the in-vehicle device 100B of the second embodiment described above (see FIG. 9) in that it has a processing control unit 110C instead of the processing control unit 110B, and a wireless communication unit 140C instead of the wireless communication unit 140B.

[0211] The processing control unit 110C controls the entire in-vehicle apparatus 100C. This processing control unit 110C will be described later.

[0212] The wireless communication unit 140C communicates with other vehicles in the vicinity of the vehicle CR via vehicle-to-vehicle communication. The wireless communication unit 140C receives the water-covered information sent from the processing control unit 110C. The wireless communication unit 140C then broadcasts the water-covered information to the vicinity of the vehicle CR via vehicle-to-vehicle communication.

[0213] Furthermore, the wireless communication unit 140C receives water-covered information broadcast from other vehicles in the vicinity of the vehicle CR by vehicle-to-vehicle communication, and then transmits the water-covered information to the processing control unit 110C.

[0214] Next, the processing control unit 110C will be described. The processing control unit 110C is configured to include a central processing unit (CPU) and its peripheral circuits. The processing control unit 110C executes various programs to realize various functions of the in-vehicle device 100C.

[0215] The program executed by processing control unit 110C is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, CD-ROM, DVD, etc., and is read from the recording medium and executed by the computer. The program may also be obtained in a form recorded on a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD, or may be obtained in a form distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0216] Here, the processing control unit 110C is configured to accurately detect the current position by appropriately referring to map information etc. in the storage unit 120B based on the sensor data sent from the sensor unit 230 and the GPS data received from the GPS receiving unit 240, and using a map matching technique.

[0217] The processing control unit 110C detects a water-covered event that has occurred on the vehicle CR based on the captured image sent from the photographing unit 260B. When a water-covered event is detected, the processing control unit 110C detects the location where the water-covered event occurred (including the traveling direction of the vehicle CR at the time). The processing control unit 110B then broadcasts the detection result as water-covered information to the vicinity of the vehicle CR using the wireless communication unit 140C.

[0218] The process of detecting a water-splash event executed by the processing control unit 110C will be described in detail later.

[0219] The processing control unit 110C also receives water damage information broadcast from other vehicles in the vicinity of the host vehicle CR via vehicle-to-vehicle communication. The processing control unit 110C then executes a water damage warning process based on the water damage information received up to that point, the current position of the host vehicle CR, and the direction in which the host vehicle CR is currently traveling.

[0220] The warning process executed by the processing control unit 110C will be described in detail later.

[0221] [Operation] Next, the operation of the in-vehicle device 100C configured as above will be described, focusing mainly on the water-covered event detection process and warning process executed by the processing control unit 110C.

[0222] It is assumed that the sensor unit 230 has already started operation and is sequentially sending detection results to the processing control unit 110C. It is also assumed that the GPS receiving unit 240 has already started operation and is sequentially sending reception results to the processing control unit 110C. It is also assumed that the processing control unit 110C accurately detects the current position of the vehicle CR using a map matching technique while appropriately referring to map information and the like in the storage unit 120B.

[0223] It is also assumed that the photographing unit 260B has already started operation and is sending photographed images to the processing control unit 110C one by one.

[0224] <Detection process for water damage> First, the process of detecting the occurrence of a water-splash event executed by the processing control unit 110C will be described.

[0225] 19, in the process of detecting the occurrence of a water-covered event, first, in step S71, the processing control unit 110C acquires the captured image sent from the photographing unit 260B. Subsequently, in step S72, the processing control unit 110C performs the same image analysis process as in step S42 of the second embodiment described above, and determines whether or not a new water-covered event has been detected.

[0226] If the result of the determination in step S72 is negative (step S72: N), the process returns to step S71. Thereafter, the processes in steps S71 and S72 are repeated until the result of the determination in step S72 becomes positive.

[0227] If the result of the determination in step S72 is affirmative (step S72: Y), the process proceeds to step S73. In this step S73, the processing control unit 110B first performs the same image analysis process as in step S43 of the second embodiment described above to generate new water coverage information. Then, the processing control unit 110C broadcasts the generated water coverage information to the surrounding area of ​​the host vehicle CR.

[0228] When the process of step S73 ends in this way, the process returns to step S71, and thereafter the processes of steps S71 to S73 are repeated.

[0229] <Warning Processing> Next, a description will be given of the warning process executed by the processing control unit 110C. As described above, the processing control unit 110C executes the warning process for flooding based on flooding information broadcast from other vehicles around the host vehicle CR received through vehicle-to-vehicle communication, the current position of the host vehicle CR, and the direction in which the host vehicle CR is currently traveling.

[0230] In the warning process, first, in step S76, the processing control unit 110C determines whether or not it has approached the water-covered location, as shown in Fig. 20. If the result of the determination in step S76 is negative (step S76: N), the process of step S76 is repeated.

[0231] If the result of the determination in step S76 is affirmative (step S76: Y), the process proceeds to step S77. In this step S77, the processing control unit 110C determines whether the warning condition is met. Note that in the third embodiment, the warning condition is that the traveling direction indicated by the water coverage information including the new water coverage position matches the traveling direction of the host vehicle CR.

[0232] If the result of the determination in step S77 is negative (step S77: N), the process returns to step S76. Thereafter, the processes in steps S76 and S77 are repeated until the result of the determination in step S77 becomes positive.

[0233] If the result of the determination in step S77 is affirmative (step S77: Y), the processing control unit 110C determines that there is a possibility of water damage. Then, the processing proceeds to step S78. In step S78, the processing control unit 110C performs the same processing as in step S56 in the second embodiment described above to generate warning audio data and send it to the sound output unit 210 as output sound data, and also generates warning image data and send it to the display unit 220 as display image data. As a result, the warning audio is output from the sound output unit 210, and the warning image is displayed on the display unit 220. Therefore, warning information similar to that in the second embodiment described above is presented to the driver of the host vehicle CR.

[0234] When the process of step S78 ends in this way, the process returns to step S76, and thereafter the processes of steps S76 to S78 are repeated.

[0235] As described above, in the third embodiment, the processing control unit 110C of the in-vehicle device 100C detects a water-covered event in which the host vehicle CR is covered with water from a puddle splashed up by another vehicle. Then, when a new water-covered event is detected, the processing control unit 110C broadcasts water-covered information including the location where the new water-covered event occurred and the traveling direction of the host vehicle CR at the time of the new water-covered event to the vicinity of the host vehicle CR using the wireless communication unit 140C.

[0236] In addition, the processing control unit 110C executes a warning process for flooding based on flooding information broadcast from vehicles in the surrounding area of ​​the vehicle CR, received using the wireless communication unit 140C, the current position of the vehicle CR, and the direction in which the vehicle CR is currently traveling.

[0237] Therefore, when it is determined that the host vehicle may be splashed with water from a puddle splashed up by another vehicle, the driver of the host vehicle is warned in advance, so that the driver can take measures in advance, such as changing lanes to one farther away from the puddle area, slowing down the vehicle speed, operating the wipers at maximum speed, etc. Therefore, the third embodiment can contribute to the self-protection of the host vehicle against an incident in which the host vehicle is splashed with water from a puddle splashed up by another vehicle.

[0238] In the third embodiment, the processing control unit 110C detects the occurrence of a water-covered event by analyzing an image captured through a window by the photographing unit 260B disposed inside the vehicle interior of the host vehicle CR. This allows the occurrence of a water-covered event to be detected rationally with a simple configuration.

[0239] [Modification of the third embodiment] Various modifications are possible to the above third embodiment.

[0240] For example, in the third embodiment, similar to the first and second embodiments, warning information may be presented only when the vehicle speed is equal to or greater than the reference speed.

[0241] Furthermore, in the third embodiment, similarly to the first and second embodiments, instead of or in addition to presenting warning information, vehicle driving control (assistance control) may be performed. Specifically, when it is determined that there is a possibility that the vehicle will be covered in water from a puddle, driving control may be automatically performed, such as changing the lane to one farther away from the puddle area or slowing down the vehicle speed.

[0242] In the third embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the flooding information may further include information about the lane in which the vehicle was traveling when the flooding event occurred, which can improve the accuracy of determining the possibility of the occurrence of a flooding event related to the vehicle.

[0243] [Fourth Example] Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 21 to 24. In this fourth embodiment, an in-vehicle device acquires information on water-covered alert locations where other vehicles have encountered water-covered events under weather conditions corresponding to the weather history of the vehicle's surroundings. The in-vehicle device then searches for a driving route to the destination that bypasses the water-covered alert locations indicated by the water-covered alert location information.

[0244] <Configuration> Fig. 21 shows the configuration of an information processing system 400D according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in Fig. 21, the information processing system 400D differs from the information processing system 400B of the second embodiment described above in that it includes a route search device 100D instead of the in-vehicle device 100B. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 22, the route search device 100D differs from the in-vehicle device 100B in that it includes a processing control unit 110D instead of the processing control unit 110B.

[0245] The input unit 130 is capable of inputting a route search command specifying a destination, a guide route setting command, and the like.

[0246] The processing control unit 110D controls the entire route search device 100D. This processing control unit 110D is configured with a central processing unit (CPU) and its peripheral circuits. The processing control unit 110D executes various programs to realize various functions of the route search device 100D.

[0247] The program executed by processing control unit 110D is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, CD-ROM, DVD, etc., and is read from the recording medium and executed by the computer. The program may also be obtained in a form recorded on a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD, or may be obtained in a form distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0248] Here, similar to the processing control unit 110B described above, the processing control unit 110D appropriately refers to map information etc. in the storage unit 120B based on the sensor data sent from the sensor unit 230 and the GPS data received from the GPS receiving unit 240, and uses a map matching technique to accurately detect the current position.

[0249] Similarly to processing control unit 110B, processing control unit 110D is configured to execute a process for detecting a water-covered event.

[0250] Furthermore, when the processing control unit 110D receives a route search command sent from the input unit 130, it executes the search process.

[0251] <Operation> Next, the operation of the information generation system 400D configured as above will be described, focusing mainly on the search processing executed by the processing control unit 110D of the route search device 100D.

[0252] It is assumed that the sensor unit 230 has already started operation and is sequentially sending detection results to the processing control unit 110D. It is also assumed that the GPS receiving unit 240 has already started operation and is sequentially sending reception results to the processing control unit 110D. It is also assumed that the processing control unit 110D has accurately detected the current position of the vehicle CR using a map matching technique while appropriately referring to map information and the like in the storage unit 120B.

[0253] Also, it is assumed that the photographing unit 260B has already started operation and is sending photographed images to the processing control unit 110D one by one.

[0254] It is also assumed that the processing control unit 110D has already started operation and is executing the process of detecting a water-covered event, and that the processing control unit 310 of the information management device 300 has already started operation and is executing the process of updating the water-covered event information HMI.

[0255] Search Process The search process executed by the processing control unit 110D will be described below. Note that this search process is executed in parallel with the process for detecting the occurrence of a water-covered event described in the second embodiment.

[0256] 23, in the search process, first, in step S81, the processing control unit 110D determines whether or not it has received a route search command sent from the input unit 130. If the result of the determination in step S81 is negative (step S81: N), the process of step S81 is repeated.

[0257] If the result of the determination in step S81 is affirmative (step S81: Y), the process proceeds to step S82. In this step S82, the processing control unit 110D transmits a water damage alert position delivery request, which specifies the vehicle-mounted device ID of the route search device 100D and the current position of the host vehicle CR, to the information management device 300.

[0258] Subsequently, in step S83, the processing control unit 110D determines whether or not it has received information on the water splash alert position distributed from the information management device 300. If the result of the determination in step S83 is negative (step S83: N), the processing of step S83 is repeated.

[0259] If the result of the determination in step S83 is affirmative (step S83: Y), the process proceeds to step S84. In step S84, the processing control unit 110D performs an initial route search. In this initial route search, the processing control unit 110D searches for a driving route to the destination that bypasses the water-covered location included in the water-covered alert location information. The processing control unit 110D then uses the display unit 220 to present the searched driving route to the user.

[0260] When one travel route selected from the searched travel routes is set, in step S85, the processing control unit 110D starts providing guidance for travel along the set travel route. In this guidance, the processing control unit 110D provides guidance using the sound output unit 210 and the display unit 220 while referring to map information in the storage unit 120B based on the current position of the vehicle CR.

[0261] In parallel with the guidance and guiding of travel along the set travel route, in step S86, the processing control unit 110D determines whether or not the destination has been reached based on the current position of the vehicle CR. If the result of the determination in step S86 is negative (step S86: N), the processing proceeds to step S87.

[0262] In step S87, the processing control unit 110D executes a search again process, the details of which will be described later.

[0263] When the process of step S87 is completed, the process returns to step S86, and thereafter the processes of steps S86 and S87 are repeated.

[0264] If the result of the determination in step S86 is affirmative (step S86: Y), the process proceeds to step S88. In step S88, the processing control unit 110D ends the guidance and guiding of travel along the set travel route. Then, the process returns to step S81. Thereafter, the processes of steps S81 to S88 are repeated.

[0265] <<Re-search process>> Next, the re-search process executed in step S87 will be described.

[0266] In the re-search process, as shown in Fig. 24, first, in step S91, the processing control unit 110D determines whether or not information on water-covered alert positions around the current position of the vehicle CR has been acquired. If the result of the determination in step S91 is affirmative (step S91: Y), the process of step S87 ends. Then, the process returns to step S86 in Fig. 23 described above.

[0267] If the result of the determination in step S91 is negative (step S91: N), the process proceeds to step S92. In this step S92, the processing control unit 110D transmits a water damage alert position delivery request, which specifies the vehicle-mounted device ID of the route search device 100D and the current position of the host vehicle CR, to the information management device 300.

[0268] Subsequently, in step S93, the processing control unit 110D determines whether or not it has received information on the water-covered alert position distributed from the information management device 300. If the result of the determination in step S93 is negative (step S93: N), the processing of step S93 is repeated.

[0269] If the result of the determination in step S93 is affirmative (step S93: Y), the process proceeds to step S94. In step S94, the processing control unit 110D determines whether or not a water-covered warning position exists on the travel route being set. If the result of the determination in step S94 is negative (step S94: N), the process of step S87 ends. Then, the process returns to step S86 in FIG. 23.

[0270] If the result of the determination in step S94 is affirmative (step S94: Y), the process proceeds to step S95. In this step S95, the processing control unit 110D performs a re-route search. In this re-route search, the processing control unit 110D searches for a driving route to the destination that bypasses the water-covered location included in the water-covered alert location information. Then, the processing control unit 110D uses the display unit 220 to present the re-searched driving route to the user.

[0271] When one travel route selected from the re-searched travel routes is set, in step S96, the processing control unit 110D starts guidance for travel along the set new travel route. After this, the processing of step S87 ends. Then, the processing returns to step S86 in FIG. 23.

[0272] In this way, the processing control unit 110D provides guidance and direction for driving to the destination while repeatedly requesting the delivery of water-covered alert positions and re-searching for driving routes until the destination is reached.

[0273] As described above, in the route search device 100D of the fourth embodiment, the processing control unit 110D acquires information on water-covered alert locations where other vehicles have encountered water-covered events under weather conditions corresponding to the weather history around the host vehicle CR. The processing control unit 110D then searches for a driving route to the destination that bypasses the water-covered alert locations indicated by the water-covered alert location information.

[0274] Therefore, it is possible to present to the driver of the own vehicle a driving route that bypasses the water splash alert position where the own vehicle may be splashed with water from a puddle splashed up by another vehicle. Therefore, the fourth embodiment can contribute to protecting the own vehicle from an incident where the own vehicle is splashed with water from a puddle splashed up by another vehicle.

[0275] In the fourth embodiment, if information on a water-covered alert position is acquired while a travel route is being set and a water-covered alert position exists on the route being set, the processing control unit 110D will re-search for a route to the destination that bypasses the water-covered alert position on the travel route being set. This can contribute to self-protection from encountering a water-covered event even while a travel route is being set.

[0276] [Modification of the Fourth Embodiment] Various modifications are possible to the fourth embodiment.

[0277] For example, in the fourth embodiment described above, a device installed in the vehicle (route search device 100D in the fourth embodiment) performs the search process for the driving route. In contrast, the information management device may acquire the current position of the vehicle and a route search command from a device that does not have a search function, and perform the search process for the driving route. In this case, the information management device transmits the results of the search process to the device installed in the vehicle, and the results are provided to the device installed in the vehicle.

[0278] In the fourth embodiment, the water coverage information includes the location of the water coverage and the driving direction. However, as in the second embodiment, the water coverage information may also include information about the lane in which the vehicle was traveling when the water coverage event occurred. In this case, by searching for a driving route that also takes into account the lane in which the vehicle was traveling when the water coverage event occurred, it is possible to search for a more rational driving route than in the third embodiment.

[0279] Furthermore, the information on the water coverage warning position includes the water coverage information as is. On the other hand, as in the second embodiment, if there are multiple second water coverage occurrence positions that are close to each other (for example, within 10 m), a statistical method may be used to set a representative position of those positions and a water coverage occurrence range centered on that representative position, and processing may be performed to combine them into a single water coverage warning area.

[0280] [Fifth Example] Next, a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 25 to 29. In this fifth embodiment, an on-board device installed in a vehicle determines whether there is a possibility of a water splash-up event occurring in which the vehicle is splashed with water by another vehicle, based on the actual driving environment. If the result of the determination is positive, the on-board device transmits caution warning information to the outside to alert the driver of the other vehicle.

[0281] <Configuration> Fig. 25 shows the positioning of an in-vehicle device 100E according to the fifth embodiment. As shown in Fig. 25, the in-vehicle device 100E is arranged to operate inside the host vehicle CR.

[0282] 25, in addition to the in-vehicle device 100E, the host vehicle CR is also provided with a sound output unit 210, a display unit 220, a sensor unit 230, a GPS receiving unit 240, and an imaging unit 260A, as in the case of the above-described first embodiment. The sound output unit 210, the display unit 220, the sensor unit 230, the GPS receiving unit 240, and the imaging unit 260A are connected to the in-vehicle device 100E.

[0283] The in-vehicle device 100E is capable of communicating with other vehicles around the host vehicle CR through inter-vehicle communication.

[0284] Configuration of In-Vehicle Device 100E As shown in Figure 26, the in-vehicle device 100E differs from the in-vehicle device 100C of the third embodiment described above (see Figure 18) in that it has a processing control unit 110E instead of the processing control unit 110C, and a memory unit 120A instead of the memory unit 120B.

[0285] The processing control unit 110E controls the entire in-vehicle device 100E. The processing control unit 110E includes a central processing unit (CPU) and its peripheral circuits. The processing control unit 110E executes various programs to realize various functions of the in-vehicle device 100E.

[0286] The program executed by processing control unit 110E is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, CD-ROM, DVD, etc., and is read from the recording medium and executed by the computer. The program may be obtained in a form recorded on a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD, or may be obtained in a form distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0287] Here, the processing control unit 110E is configured to accurately detect the current position by appropriately referring to map information etc. in the storage unit 120A based on the sensor data sent from the sensor unit 230 and the GPS data received from the GPS receiving unit 240, and using a map matching technique.

[0288] The processing control unit 110E determines the possibility of a water splash event occurring in which the host vehicle CR is splashed with water by another vehicle, based on the captured image sent from the photographing unit 260A. If the result of this determination is positive, the processing control unit 110E transmits attention advisory information to the outside to alert the driver of the other vehicle. Details of the attention advisory information transmission process for performing this process will be described later.

[0289] Furthermore, when the own vehicle CR is specified in the warning information transmitted from another vehicle and sent from the wireless communication unit 140C, the processing control unit 110E performs processing to output warning information regarding water splashing to the driver of the own vehicle CR. Details of the output processing of the warning information will be described later.

[0290] [Operation] Next, the operation of the in-vehicle apparatus 100E configured as above will be described, focusing mainly on the process of transmitting caution advice information and the process of outputting caution information executed by the processing control unit 110E.

[0291] It is assumed that the sensor unit 230 has already started operation and is sequentially sending detection results to the processing control unit 110E. It is also assumed that the GPS receiving unit 240 has already started operation and is sequentially sending reception results to the processing control unit 110E. It is also assumed that the processing control unit 110E accurately detects the current position of the vehicle CR using a map matching technique while appropriately referring to map information and the like in the storage unit 120A.

[0292] <<Sending process of warning information>> First, the process of transmitting warning information executed by the processing control unit 110E will be described.

[0293] In the process of transmitting warning information, as shown in Fig. 27, in steps S101 to S105, the processing control unit 110E performs the same processes as the processes of steps S11 to S15 executed by the processing control unit 110A in the first embodiment described above. Subsequently, in step S106, the processing control unit 110E determines whether or not there is a possibility of water damage. If the result of the determination in step S106 is negative (step S106: N), the process returns to step S101. Thereafter, the processes of steps S101 to S106 are repeated until the result of the determination in step S106 becomes positive.

[0294] If the result of the determination in step S106 is affirmative (step S106: Y), the process proceeds to step S107. In this step S107, first, the processing control unit 110E further performs image analysis to recognize characters written on the license plate of the other vehicle that may cause water splashes that may cause water damage to the vehicle CR. Then, the processing control unit 110E identifies the recognized characters as the other vehicle identifier (specific information of the other vehicle) for specifying the destination of the warning.

[0295] Next, in step S108, the processing control unit 110E generates caution warning information including the specific information of the other vehicle identified in step S107. Then, the processing control unit 110E broadcasts the generated caution warning information by vehicle-to-vehicle communication using the wireless communication unit 140C.

[0296] When the process in step S108 ends, the process returns to step S101, and thereafter, the processes in steps S101 to S108 are repeated.

[0297] <<Warning information output processing>> Next, the warning information output process executed by the processing control unit 110E will be described.

[0298] In the warning information output process, as shown in Fig. 28, first, in step S111, the processing control unit 110E determines whether or not warning advice information specifying the host vehicle CR has been received. In making this determination, the processing control unit 110E determines whether or not specific information about the host vehicle CR is included in the warning advice information sent from the wireless communication unit 140C. If the result of the determination in step S111 is negative (step S111: N), the process of step S111 is repeated.

[0299] If the result of the determination in step S111 is affirmative (step S111: Y), the process proceeds to step S112. In step S112, the processing control unit 110E generates warning information about splashing water based on the captured image sent from the photographing unit 260A.

[0300] In the fifth embodiment, the warning information includes a warning voice and a warning image. Here, the warning voice may be, for example, "There is a puddle ahead. Please reduce the speed of your vehicle before proceeding." Furthermore, the warning image may be, for example, an image in which text information is superimposed on the photographed image sent from the photographing unit 260A.

[0301] Next, in step S113, the processing control unit 110E generates data of a warning sound and sends it to the sound output unit 210 as output sound data, and also generates data of a warning image and sends it to the display unit 220 as display image data. As a result, the warning sound is output from the sound output unit 210, and the warning image is displayed on the display unit 220.

[0302] When the process of step S113 ends, the process returns to step S111, and thereafter, the processes of steps S111 to S113 are repeated.

[0303] FIG. 29 shows an example of a warning image displayed on the display unit 220 by the process of step S113.

[0304] As described above, in the in-vehicle device 100E of the fifth embodiment, the processing control unit 110E acquires the position of the puddle area. Subsequently, the processing control unit 110E determines whether there is a possibility that the host vehicle CR will be splashed with water based on the traveling direction of the host vehicle CR and the position of the puddle area. If the processing control unit 110E determines that there is a possibility that the host vehicle CR will be splashed with water, it transmits to the outside caution warning information that warns the host vehicle CR to be careful of the puddle.

[0305] Therefore, when it is determined that there is a possibility that the driver of the other vehicle will be splashed with water from a puddle splashed up by another vehicle, the driver of the other vehicle can be alerted to the possibility of the driver being splashed with water. Therefore, the fifth embodiment can contribute to the self-protection of the driver's vehicle against the possibility of the driver being splashed with water from a puddle splashed up by another vehicle.

[0306] Furthermore, in the fifth embodiment, when the time difference between the host vehicle arrival time until the host vehicle CR approaches the puddle area and the other vehicle arrival time until the other vehicle reaches the puddle area is within a predetermined range, the processing control unit 110E determines that there is a possibility that the host vehicle CR will be splashed with water from the puddle splashed up by the other vehicle. Therefore, as in the first embodiment described above, it is possible to rationally determine the possibility that the host vehicle CR will be splashed with water from the puddle splashed up by the other vehicle.

[0307] [Modification of the fifth embodiment] Various modifications are possible to the above fifth embodiment.

[0308] For example, in the fifth embodiment described above, when it is determined that there is a possibility of the vehicle being covered in water, the warning information is transmitted regardless of the vehicle speed. However, the warning information may be transmitted only when the vehicle is traveling at a reference speed or higher. This is because, when the vehicle is traveling at a slow speed, there is relatively little danger even if the vehicle is covered in water. The "reference speed" is determined in advance based on experiments, simulations, experience, etc., from the perspective of driving safety.

[0309] In the fifth embodiment, the position of other vehicles and their relative speeds to the vehicle are acquired based on images captured by a camera. However, these may also be acquired using radar that uses millimeter waves or lasers to measure the distance to an object, or sonar that uses ultrasonic waves to measure the distance to an object.

[0310] In the fifth embodiment, the puddle area is detected based on a camera image. However, a known technique for detecting the puddle area based on measurements by Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) may be adopted. In this case, the position of the puddle area can be detected with higher accuracy than in the fifth embodiment.

[0311] In the fifth embodiment, the host vehicle speed information is acquired based on the center data sent from the sensor unit 230. However, the host vehicle speed information may be calculated based on the change over time of the current position of the host vehicle detected by GPS positioning, map matching, or the like.

[0312] Furthermore, in the fifth embodiment, the specific information of the other vehicle is the information written on the license plate of the other vehicle, but other information may be used as the specific information of the other vehicle.

[0313] In the fifth embodiment, when it is determined that there is a possibility of flooding, the warning information including the identification information of other vehicles is broadcast via vehicle-to-vehicle communication. Alternatively, the warning information including the identification information of other vehicles may be transmitted to an external relay server that can communicate via a network. In this case, the relay server stores the vehicle's identification information in association with the unique address of the vehicle corresponding to the identification information. The relay server then forwards the warning information by specifying the unique address corresponding to the received identification information.

[0314] In the fifth embodiment, even if there is a possibility of a water-covered event occurring, no warning is given to the driver of the vehicle about the water-covered vehicle. However, when there is a possibility of a water-covered event occurring, warning information regarding the possibility of a water-covered event occurring may be presented to the driver of the vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0315] 100B…In-vehicle device 110B ... Processing control unit (generation unit, detection unit) 140B... Wireless communication unit (receiver, transmitter) 300 … Information management device 310 ... Processing control unit (memory control unit) 330 ... External communication unit (receiver, transmitter) 700…In-vehicle equipment 710 ... Processing control unit (generation unit, detection unit) 730 ... Transmitter 740 ... Receiver 800 … Information management device 820 ... Receiver 830 ... Transmitter 840 ... Memory control unit

Claims

1. a receiving unit that receives, from an external device, information on a water-covered alert position identified by water-covered information including a water-covered occurrence position acquired from a vehicle that has detected a water-covered event in which the vehicle is covered with water splashed up from a puddle; a generating unit that generates information for issuing a warning to a driver of the host vehicle and / or executing driving support control when the host vehicle approaches the water damage warning position; An in-vehicle device comprising:

2. a detection unit that detects a water splash event in which the host vehicle is splashed with water from a puddle splashed up by another vehicle; a transmitting unit that transmits the water coverage information including the location where the water coverage event occurred to the external device; 2. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. 3. The vehicle-mounted device according to claim 2, wherein the external device is an information management device that manages the water damage information, or an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle in the vicinity of the subject vehicle.

4. 3. The in-vehicle device according to claim 2, wherein the detection unit detects the occurrence of the water splashing event by analyzing the results of an image taken through a window by an image taking unit disposed inside the vehicle.

5. 5. The vehicle-mounted device according to claim 1, wherein the flooding information further includes information about the lane in which the vehicle was traveling when the flooding event occurred.

6. An information processing method used in an in-vehicle device including a receiving unit and a generating unit, a receiving step in which the receiving unit receives water coverage warning information including a water coverage warning position identified by an external device that manages water coverage information including a water coverage position obtained from a vehicle that has detected a water coverage event in which the vehicle is covered with water splashed up from a puddle; a generating step in which the generating unit generates information for executing at least one of a warning to a driver of the host vehicle to avoid being covered in water and driving support control when the host vehicle approaches the water cover warning position; An information processing method.

7. 7. An information processing program for causing a computer included in an in-vehicle device to execute the information processing method according to claim 6.

8. 8. A recording medium having the information processing program according to claim 7 recorded thereon so as to be readable by a computer included in an in-vehicle device.

9. a receiving unit that receives water-covered information including a location of the water-covered event transmitted from a vehicle that has detected a water-covered event in which the vehicle is covered with water splashed up from a puddle; a transmitter that transmits information about the water damage warning position identified based on the water damage information to an in-vehicle device; An information management device comprising:

10. 10. The information management device according to claim 9, further comprising a storage control unit that stores the water coverage information in the storage unit in association with classification based on weather history information relating to the water coverage occurrence location included in the water coverage information.

11. 11. The information management device according to claim 10, wherein the classification based on the weather history information corresponds to the amount of precipitation in the most recent predetermined period at the location where the flooding occurred.

12. the transmitting unit transmits the information on the water damage alert location to the in-vehicle device that issued the water damage alert location transmission request; the water damage alert location delivery request includes the current location and driving direction of the vehicle-mounted device; the storage control unit generates the water damage alert position in response to the water damage alert position request; 12. The information management device according to claim 10 or 11.

13. The water-covered information further includes lane information when the water-covered event is detected, The flood warning position further includes the lane information.

13. The information management device according to claim 9, wherein:

14. An information management method used in an information management device including a receiving unit and a transmitting unit, a receiving step in which the receiving unit receives water coverage information including a water coverage position transmitted from a vehicle that has detected a water coverage event in which the vehicle is covered with water splashed up from a puddle; a transmitting step in which the transmitting unit transmits the water coverage alert position identified based on the water coverage information to an in-vehicle device; An information management method comprising:

15. 15. An information management program for causing a computer included in an information management device to execute the information management method according to claim 14.

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