Support information presenting apparatus

Abstract

To more appropriately present a driving support function available on a travel route and a section where the driving support function is available.SOLUTION: The assistance information presentation apparatus 100 presents, to the driver, assistance information including a driving assistance function available in the host vehicle V and a section in which the driving assistance function is available. The assistance information presentation device 100 includes the use determination unit 12 that determines whether there is a driving assistance function available on the travel route L on which the host vehicle V is scheduled to travel, the use information acquisition unit 14 that acquires the driver's use history of the driving assistance function determined to be available, and the presentation controller 15 that presents the assistance information when it is determined that there is an available driving assistance function. When the number of times of use of the driving assistance function is equal to or greater than the predetermined number-of-times threshold, the presentation controller 15 does not present the assistance information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an assistance information presentation device that presents assistance information related to a driving assistance function of a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a device that notifies a vehicle user that a driving assistance function is executable. This device determines whether or not the activation conditions for the driving assistance function are met based on vehicle driving data. Then, when the activation conditions are met, this device notifies the vehicle user. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-93162 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, a vehicle driver may check a driving route before setting a destination in a navigation system, etc., before the vehicle starts (before departure). The driver may also want to check sections on the driving route where a driving assistance function is available before the vehicle starts or when the vehicle is stopped. However, the device described in the above-mentioned document is configured to provide a notification when the operating conditions of the driving assistance function are met while the vehicle is moving, and is unable to obtain information regarding the use of the driving assistance function in advance before the vehicle starts or when the vehicle is stopped. Furthermore, even when presenting available driving assistance functions and sections where the driving assistance functions are available, it may not be appropriate to present them uniformly.

[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure describes an assistance information presentation device that can more appropriately present driving assistance functions that can be used on a driving route and sections in which the driving assistance functions can be used. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An assistance information presentation device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is [1] "an assistance information presentation device that presents assistance information including driving assistance functions available in a vehicle and sections in which the driving assistance functions are available to a driver of the vehicle, the assistance information presentation device including: a route acquisition unit that acquires a driving route along which the vehicle is scheduled to travel; a usage determination unit that determines whether or not the driving assistance functions are available on the driving route; a usage information acquisition unit that acquires a usage history by the driver of the driving assistance functions determined to be available or the driver's level of understanding of the driving assistance functions determined to be available; and a presentation control unit that presents the assistance information for the driving assistance functions determined to be available when the usage determination unit determines that there are available driving assistance functions; and the presentation control unit does not present the assistance information even if it is determined that there are available driving assistance functions when the number of times the driving assistance function obtained based on the usage history has been used is equal to or greater than a predetermined number threshold or when the level of understanding of the driving assistance function is equal to or greater than a predetermined understanding threshold."

[0007] An assistance information presentation device according to one aspect of the present disclosure may be [2] "the assistance information presentation device described in [1] above, wherein, when presenting the assistance information, the presentation control unit includes advantages of the available driving assistance functions in the assistance information and presents the information." A support information presentation device according to one aspect of the present disclosure may be [3] "the support information presentation device described in [1] or [2] above, wherein, when presenting the support information, the presentation control unit changes the presentation manner depending on the number of times the support information has been used or the level of understanding."

[0008] An assistance information presentation device according to one aspect of the present disclosure may be [4] "the assistance information presentation device described in any of the above [1] to [3], wherein, when presenting the assistance information, the presentation control unit further presents, by illustration, operation units that are assisted by the available driving assistance function, among operation units operated by the driver to drive the vehicle." The support information presentation device according to one aspect of the present disclosure may be [5] "the support information presentation device described in any of [1] to [4] above, further comprising a driver identification unit that identifies the driver riding in the vehicle based on a facial image of the driver's face, the usage history and the level of understanding being determined for each driver, and the usage information acquisition unit acquiring the usage history or the level of understanding corresponding to the driver identified by the driver identification unit." [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to more appropriately present driving assistance functions that can be used on a driving route and sections in which the driving assistance functions can be used. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a support information providing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows an example of a display screen when displaying driving assistance functions and a utilization section. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an example of a display screen on a display when an illustration showing advantages and operation units supported by a driving support function is presented. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the support information presentation process performed by the support information presentation device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the support information presentation device 100 is mounted on a host vehicle V (vehicle). The host vehicle V can be driven manually by a driver performing driving operations. In addition to manual driving, the host vehicle V can also execute a driving support function that supports the driver in driving the host vehicle V. The support information presentation device 100 presents support information related to the driving support functions of the host vehicle V to the driver (passenger) of the host vehicle V. The support information includes information on driving support functions that can be used in the host vehicle V and sections in which the driving support functions can be used. This allows the driver to recognize the driving support functions that can be used on the driving route of the host vehicle V and the sections in which the driving support functions can be used, based on the presented support information.

[0013] The assistance information presentation device 100 includes a presentation ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 10 that performs overall management of the device. The presentation ECU 10 is an electronic control unit having a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a storage unit. The storage unit is configured, for example, with a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory). The presentation ECU 10 realizes various functions by, for example, executing programs stored in the storage unit with the CPU. The presentation ECU 10 may be configured with multiple electronic control units.

[0014] The presentation ECU 10 is connected to a driver monitor camera 20, a display 30, a speaker 40, and a driving assistance ECU 50. These devices connected to the presentation ECU 10 are mounted on the host vehicle V.

[0015] The driver monitor camera 20 is an imaging device that captures an image of the face of the driver sitting in the driver's seat of the host vehicle V. The driver monitor camera 20 is provided inside the vehicle cabin of the host vehicle V. The driver monitor camera 20 is installed so as to be able to capture an image of the face of the driver sitting in the driver's seat. The driver monitor camera 20 transmits the captured image information (face image) to the presentation ECU 10.

[0016] The display 30 is a display device that visually presents information to the driver of the host vehicle V. The display 30 is provided in the cabin of the host vehicle V. The display 30 may be a center display, a multi-information display (MID), or a head-up display (HUD). The display 30 displays various types of information in response to control signals from the presentation ECU 10.

[0017] The speaker 40 is a device that presents information by sound to the driver of the vehicle V. The speaker 40 outputs sound or the like in response to a control signal from the presentation ECU 10.

[0018] The driving assistance ECU 50 is an electronic control unit configured with the same devices as the presentation ECU 10. The driving assistance ECU 50 can execute a driving assistance function that assists the driver in driving the vehicle V. The driving assistance ECU 50 executes the driving assistance function using, for example, detection results from an external sensor that detects the external environment of the vehicle V.

[0019] The driving assistance ECU 50 can execute a driving assistance function by controlling the behavior of the host vehicle V. In this case, the driving assistance ECU 50 controls the behavior of the host vehicle V by outputting a control signal to an actuator mounted on the host vehicle V. This actuator includes, for example, at least one of a steering actuator that controls the steering of the host vehicle V, a power actuator that controls the speed of the host vehicle V, and a brake actuator that controls the brakes of the host vehicle V. The power actuator controls the output of a power source (such as an engine or motor) of the host vehicle V.

[0020] The driving assistance ECU 50 can execute various driving assistance functions to assist the driver in driving operations, such as a vehicle speed maintenance function, a vehicle distance control function, and a lane keeping assistance function. The vehicle speed maintenance function is, for example, a function to make the host vehicle V travel at a preset vehicle speed. This set vehicle speed may be set, for example, by the driver. The vehicle speed maintenance function may be configured to be executed, for example, on a highway. The vehicle distance control function is, for example, a function to make the host vehicle V travel while maintaining a constant vehicle distance from another vehicle ahead. The vehicle distance control function may be configured to be executed, for example, on a highway. The lane keeping assistance function is, for example, a function to control the steering of the host vehicle V so that the host vehicle V does not deviate from the traveling lane. The lane keeping assistance function may be configured to be executed, for example, on a highway.

[0021] When a driving assistance function becomes available, the driving assistance ECU 50 can start executing the driving assistance function, for example, based on an instruction from the driver. A driving assistance function becomes available when an execution condition for the driving assistance ECU 50 to execute the driving assistance function is met. The execution condition is determined in advance for each driving assistance function based on various conditions, such as the type of road on which the host vehicle V is traveling (general road or expressway).

[0022] Next, a description will be given of the functional configuration of the presentation ECU 10. The presentation ECU 10 functionally includes a route acquisition unit 11, a usage determination unit 12, a driver identification unit 13, a usage information acquisition unit 14, and a presentation control unit 15.

[0023] The route acquisition unit 11 acquires a planned travel route along which the vehicle V is to travel. The route acquisition unit 11 can acquire the planned travel route along which the vehicle V is to travel, for example, from a navigation system that guides the vehicle V to a set destination.

[0024] The usage determination unit 12 determines whether or not there are driving assistance functions available on the driving route acquired by the route acquisition unit 11. Available driving assistance functions are driving assistance functions that can be executed by the driving assistance ECU 50. For example, the usage determination unit 12 may determine whether or not there are available driving assistance functions based on the type of road on the driving route acquired by the route acquisition unit 11. Specifically, for example, when an expressway is included on the driving route acquired by the route acquisition unit 11, the usage determination unit 12 determines that the vehicle speed maintenance function, the following distance control function, and the lane keeping assist function are available on the section of this expressway.

[0025] However, the usage determination unit 12 can not only determine whether or not a driving assistance function is available based on the type of road, but also determine whether or not various driving assistance functions are available based on the shape of the road and other conditions.

[0026] The driver identification unit 13 identifies the driver in the vehicle V based on the facial image of the driver captured by the driver monitor camera 20. The driver identification unit 13 can identify the driver based on a well-known image processing technique that identifies people based on facial images.

[0027] The usage information acquisition unit 14 acquires the driver's usage history of the driving assistance function or the driver's understanding of the driving assistance function. The driving assistance function for which this usage history and understanding are acquired is the driving assistance function that the usage determination unit 12 has determined to be available. The usage history and understanding are determined for each driver. The usage information acquisition unit 14 acquires the usage history or understanding corresponding to the driver identified by the driver identification unit 13.

[0028] The usage history of a driving assistance function includes the number of times the driving assistance function has been used. The usage history of a driving assistance function may also include the date and time the driving assistance function was used. Such usage history is collected for each driver. The usage information acquisition unit 14 can acquire the usage history from, for example, the driving assistance ECU 50. Note that, similar to the driver identification unit 13, the driving assistance ECU 50 identifies the driver based on, for example, a facial image of the driver captured by the driver monitor camera 20. Based on the identification result, the driving assistance ECU 50 can determine which driver has used which driving assistance function and collect the usage history of the driving assistance function for each driver.

[0029] The level of understanding of a driving assistance function is the degree to which the driver understands the assistance content of the driving assistance function (the behavior of the vehicle V controlled by the assistance) and how to operate it. The level of understanding is determined for each driving assistance function.

[0030] For example, a confirmation test may be conducted in advance for the driver to confirm the driver's understanding of the driving assistance function. The level of understanding may be determined based on the results of the confirmation test. For example, the assistance information providing device 100 may conduct the confirmation test using the display 30 or the like, and acquire the level of understanding based on the results of the confirmation test. This is not limiting, and the confirmation test may be conducted by a tester or the like, and the results may be input to the assistance information providing device 100 as the level of understanding. In this way, the usage information acquiring unit 14 can acquire the level of understanding of the driving assistance function that has been set by various methods.

[0031] When the usage determination unit 12 determines that there is a driving assistance function that is available, the presentation control unit 15 presents assistance information about the driving assistance function that is determined to be available. In other words, when there is a driving assistance function that is available on the driving route along which the host vehicle V is scheduled to travel, the presentation control unit 15 presents to the driver the available driving assistance function and the section on the driving route where the driving assistance function is available. When there are multiple available driving assistance functions, the presentation control unit 15 presents assistance information for each driving assistance function. The presentation control unit 15 presents the assistance information by displaying the assistance information on the display 30. Furthermore, the presentation control unit 15 may present the assistance information by outputting audio or the like from the speaker 40 in addition to the display 30.

[0032] For example, as shown in Fig. 2, the presentation control unit 15 displays the support information on a guidance screen of a navigation system displayed on the display 30. In the example shown in Fig. 2, a travel route L along which the host vehicle V is scheduled to travel from a current point P1 to a destination point P2 is displayed on the guidance screen of the navigation system.

[0033] In the example shown in FIG. 2, the driving route L is indicated by a thick line and a thick dashed line. In addition, on the driving route L, the vehicle travels on an expressway between points K1 and K2, and travels on ordinary roads in other sections. The route acquisition unit 11 acquires the driving route L including information on the types of roads. In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 2, it is assumed that the usage determination unit 12 determines that the lane keeping assist function, vehicle speed maintenance function, and following distance control function are available for the section between points K1 and K2 where the vehicle V travels on the expressway.

[0034] In this case, the presentation control unit 15 displays, as support information, a driving support function display H1 on the display 30 to present to the driver driving support functions available on the driving route L. The driving support function display H1 may include the names of the available driving support functions. Furthermore, the driving support function display H1 may include content that reminds the driver of the available driving support functions in addition to the names of the available driving support functions. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the driving support function display H1 displays the words "Functions are available for comfortable driving on expressways," as well as the names of specific driving support functions such as "lane keeping support function," "vehicle speed maintenance function," and "following distance control function."

[0035] Furthermore, the presentation control unit 15 causes the display 30 to display, as support information, a utilization section display H2 for presenting a section where the driving support function is available on the travel route L. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the utilization section display H2, which indicates that the driving support function is available in the section between point K1 and point K2, is shown using a thick dashed line.

[0036] The driving assistance function display H1 and the utilization section display H2 shown in Fig. 2 are merely examples. The driving assistance function display H1 may be worded differently from the example shown in Fig. 2, and the display format is not limited to the example shown in Fig. 2. Furthermore, the utilization section display H2 is not limited to being displayed by a thick dashed line as shown in Fig. 2, and may be displayed in a color different from other sections on the travel route L.

[0037] When presenting the assistance information, the presentation control unit 15 can present the assistance information by including the advantages of the available driving assistance functions. The advantages are the driver's enjoyment that is brought about by the execution of the driving assistance functions. The advantages may include, for example, details of driving operations that are no longer required to be performed by the driver as a result of the execution of the driving assistance functions. The advantages may include, for example, details of what kind of assistance is provided for the driver's driving operations.

[0038] For example, the presentation control unit 15 displays the driving assistance function display H1 shown in Fig. 2, and then causes the display 30 to display an advantage display H3 for displaying the advantages of the available driving assistance functions, as shown in Fig. 3. For example, in the example shown in Fig. 3, the advantage display H3 includes the words "Supports steering operation," "Maintains speed," and "Travels by following the vehicle ahead."

[0039] When presenting the assistance information, the presentation control unit 15 may further present, by way of illustration, operation units that are assisted by the available driving assistance functions. These operation units are parts that the driver operates to drive the host vehicle V. Specifically, for example, the operation units may be a steering wheel, an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal, etc.

[0040] For example, the presentation control unit 15 displays the driving support function display H1 shown in FIG. 2, and then causes the display 30 to display an illustration H4 indicating operation units supported by the available driving support function, as shown in FIG. 3. Here, it is assumed that the driving support function supports the operation of the steering wheel and accelerator pedal. In this case, the presentation control unit 15 causes the display 30 to display an illustration H4 in which the steering wheel A1 and accelerator pedal A2, the operation of which is supported, are surrounded by dashed circles, as shown in FIG. 3. Note that the illustration indicating the operation units to be supported is not limited to the operation units surrounded by dashed circles as shown in FIG. 3. Any illustration that allows the operation units to be recognized as being supported may be used.

[0041] Furthermore, the presentation control unit 15 determines whether or not to present the support information based on the number of uses or the level of understanding of the available driving support function acquired by the usage information acquisition unit 14. Specifically, even if the usage determination unit 12 determines that there is an available driving support function, the presentation control unit 15 does not present the support information if the number of uses of the driving support function obtained based on the usage history is equal to or greater than a predetermined number threshold. The presentation control unit 15 presents the support information if the usage determination unit 12 determines that there is an available driving support function and the number of uses of the driving support function obtained based on the usage history is less than a predetermined number threshold.

[0042] Alternatively, even if the usage determination unit 12 determines that there is a usable driving assistance function, if the understanding of the driving assistance function is equal to or greater than a predetermined understanding threshold, the presentation control unit 15 does not present the assistance information. However, if the usage determination unit 12 determines that there is a usable driving assistance function and the understanding of the driving assistance function is less than a predetermined understanding threshold, the presentation control unit 15 presents the assistance information.

[0043] When presenting the assistance information, the presentation control unit 15 may change the manner in which the assistance information is presented depending on the number of times (more or less) the available driving assistance functions have been used or the level of understanding acquired by the usage information acquisition unit 14. When the number of times the driving assistance functions have been used is low, the presentation control unit 15 may include content that explains the assistance content of the available driving assistance functions in more detail than when the number of times the driving assistance functions have been used is high. Alternatively, when the level of understanding of the driving assistance functions is low, the presentation control unit 15 may include content that explains the assistance content of the available driving assistance functions in more detail than when the level of understanding is high. This content that explains the assistance content of the driving assistance functions in more detail may include, for example, the behavior of the vehicle V that is assisted by the driving assistance functions, a method of operating the driving assistance functions, etc.

[0044] When providing a more detailed explanation of the assistance content of the driving assistance function, a link to a website containing the detailed explanation may be provided. This allows the driver to display the corresponding website based on the link and check the detailed assistance content of the driving assistance function. For example, the driver may use the assistance information providing device 100 to display the linked website, or may use a smartphone, a personal computer, or the like to display the linked website.

[0045] Next, a description will be given of the flow of the support information presentation process performed by the support information presentation device 100. The process shown in Fig. 4 is started, for example, based on an instruction from the driver. Alternatively, the process shown in Fig. 4 is started at a predetermined timing, for example, when the driver sets a destination in the navigation system and checks the driving route.

[0046] 4, the route acquisition unit 11 acquires a planned travel route for the host vehicle V (S101). The utilization determination unit 12 determines whether or not there is a driving assistance function available on the acquired travel route (S102). If there is no available driving assistance function (S102: NO), the process proceeds to the end.

[0047] If there is a usable driving assistance function (S102: YES), the presentation control unit 15 determines whether the number of times the driving assistance function has been used, acquired by the usage information acquisition unit 14, is equal to or greater than a predetermined number threshold, or whether the understanding level is equal to or greater than a predetermined understanding level threshold (S103). If the number of times the driving assistance function has been used is equal to or greater than the number threshold, or if the understanding level is equal to or greater than the understanding level threshold (S103: YES), the process proceeds to END.

[0048] If the number of uses or the understanding level is not equal to or greater than the threshold (S103: NO), the presentation control unit 15 presents support information about available driving support functions to the driver of the host vehicle V (S104).

[0049] As described above, even if it is determined that there is an available driving assistance function, the presentation control unit 15 of the assistance information presentation device 100 does not present assistance information if the number of times the available driving assistance function has been used is equal to or exceeds a predetermined threshold value or if the understanding of the driving assistance function is equal to or exceeds a predetermined understanding threshold value. Here, if the number of times a driving assistance function has been used is high or the understanding is high, it is considered that the driver knows about or understands the driving assistance function. Therefore, the presentation control unit 15 does not present the assistance function if the number of times the available driving assistance function has been used or the understanding is equal to or exceeds a threshold value. In this way, the assistance information presentation device 100 can more appropriately present available driving assistance functions on a driving route and sections in which the driving assistance functions are available, while suppressing the driver's feeling annoyed by the presentation of assistance information.

[0050] The usage determination unit 12 determines whether or not there are any available driving assistance functions on the planned driving route L acquired by the route acquisition unit 11. Then, the presentation control unit 15 presents support information about the driving assistance functions that are available on the driving route L along which the host vehicle V is scheduled to travel. This allows the driver to recognize in advance the driving assistance functions that are available on the driving route L and the sections in which the driving assistance functions are available, before the host vehicle V reaches a point where the driving assistance functions are available. In this way, the support information presentation device 100 can present support information about available driving assistance functions when the driver searches for a driving route using a navigation system, for example.

[0051] When presenting the assistance information, the presentation control unit 15 presents the advantages of the available driving assistance functions (for example, the advantage display H3 in FIG. 3), allowing the driver of the host vehicle V to understand the advantages of executing the presented driving assistance functions.

[0052] When presenting the support information, the presentation control unit 15 can change the presentation mode depending on the number of times of use or the level of understanding. As a result, the support information presentation device 100 can present support information according to the number of times of use, for example, if the number of times an available driving support function is used is low, by including in the presented support information a content that explains in more detail the support content of the driving support function. Furthermore, the support information presentation device 100 can present support information according to the level of understanding, for example, if the level of understanding of the available driving support function is low, by including in the presented support information a content that explains in more detail the support content of the driving support function.

[0053] When presenting the assistance information, the presentation control unit 15 further presents, by illustration (for example, illustration H4 in FIG. 3), operation units that are assisted by available driving assistance functions among operation units that the driver operates to drive the vehicle V. This allows the driver to easily grasp, from the illustration display, operation units whose driving operations are assisted by available driving assistance functions.

[0054] The usage history and understanding level of the driving assistance function are determined for each driver. In addition, the usage information acquisition unit 14 acquires the usage history or understanding level corresponding to the driver identified by the driver identification unit 13. The presentation control unit 15 presents assistance information based on the usage history or understanding level acquired by the usage information acquisition unit 14. In this way, the presentation control unit 15 can appropriately present assistance information for each driver based on the usage history or understanding level corresponding to the driver currently in the vehicle.

[0055] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, at least some of the embodiments and various modified examples described above may be combined in any manner. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 11...route acquisition unit, 12...usage determination unit, 13...driver identification unit, 14...usage information acquisition unit, 15...presentation control unit, 100...assistance information presentation device, V...own vehicle (vehicle).

Claims

1. 1. An assistance information presentation device that presents assistance information including driving assistance functions available in a vehicle and sections in which the driving assistance functions are available to a driver of the vehicle, a route acquisition unit that acquires a planned travel route for the vehicle; a usage determination unit that determines whether or not the driving assistance function is available on the travel route; a usage information acquisition unit that acquires a usage history by the driver of the driving assistance function that has been determined to be available or a level of understanding of the driver of the driving assistance function that has been determined to be available; a presentation control unit that presents the support information for the driving support function determined to be available when the use determination unit determines that the driving support function is available; Equipped with The support information presentation device, wherein the presentation control unit does not present the support information even if it determines that the driving support function is available, if the number of times the driving support function has been used based on the usage history is equal to or greater than a predetermined number threshold, or if the level of understanding of the driving support function is equal to or greater than a predetermined level of understanding threshold.

2. The support information presentation device according to claim 1 , wherein when presenting the support information, the presentation control unit presents the support information by including advantages of the available driving support functions in the support information.

3. The support information providing device according to claim 1 , wherein the presentation control unit, when presenting the support information, changes a presentation mode depending on the number of times of use or the level of understanding.

4. 3. The support information presentation device according to claim 1, wherein, when presenting the support information, the presentation control unit further presents, by illustration, operation units that are assisted by the available driving support function, among operation units that are operated by the driver to drive the vehicle.

5. a driver identification unit that identifies the driver who gets into the vehicle based on a facial image obtained by capturing a face of the driver; the usage history and the understanding level are determined for each driver, The support information providing device according to claim 1 , wherein the usage information acquiring unit acquires the usage history or the understanding level corresponding to the driver identified by the driver identifying unit.

Images