Vehicle control device, vehicle, vehicle control method, and program

Abstract

The objective is to provide a vehicle control device that can control vehicle control functions as appropriate. [Solution] A vehicle control device 10 comprising a location information acquisition unit 100 that acquires location information of a vehicle, and a restriction processing unit 200 that restricts a vehicle control function that performs predetermined processing related to vehicle control when the distance between the vehicle and objects around the vehicle falls below a reference value, provided that the relationship between reference location information and location information satisfies a first condition.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle control device, a vehicle, a vehicle control method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, vehicles equipped with a function for controlling the movement of the vehicle to support driving have been increasing. For example, Patent Document 1 describes an invention related to a manager that can mediate so as not to respond to a driver's request when an arbitrary ADAS application among a plurality of ADAS applications operating a function is in a state where it should not respond to the driver's request.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Depending on the situation of the vehicle, it may be preferable not to operate the function for controlling the vehicle as it is. An example of the problem to be solved by the present invention is to appropriately not operate the function for controlling the vehicle as it is.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The invention according to claim 1 is a position information acquisition unit that acquires position information of a vehicle; a restriction processing unit that restricts a vehicle control function that performs a predetermined process related to the control of the vehicle when the distance between an object around the vehicle and the vehicle becomes equal to or less than a reference value when the relationship between the reference position information and the position information satisfies a first condition; a vehicle control device comprising:

[0006] The invention described in claim 10 is, Computers Obtain vehicle location information, This includes restricting the vehicle control function, which performs a predetermined process related to controlling the vehicle when the distance between the vehicle and an object surrounding the vehicle falls below a reference value, provided that the relationship between the reference position information and the position information satisfies the first condition. This is a vehicle control method.

[0007] The invention described in claim 11 is, Computers, Location information acquisition unit that acquires vehicle location information, A limit processing unit controls a vehicle control function that performs predetermined processing related to vehicle control when the distance between the vehicle and an object around the vehicle falls below a reference value, provided that the relationship between the reference position information and the position information satisfies the first condition. This is a program that makes it function as such. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing an overview of the vehicle control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the information stored by the memory unit in the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of a vehicle control system. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the operation of the vehicle control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This diagram shows an overview of the vehicle control device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] This diagram shows an overview of the vehicle control device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of the information stored by the memory unit in the third embodiment. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of the operation of the vehicle control device according to the third embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In all drawings, similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted as appropriate.

[0010] [First Embodiment] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an overview of the vehicle control device 10 according to this embodiment, along with its operating environment. The vehicle control device 10 is used, for example, together with an input device 20 and an output device 30. The input device 20 and the output device 30 may both be part of the vehicle control device 10, or they may be separate devices. In the latter case, these devices communicate with the vehicle control device 10 at least when the vehicle control device 10 is in use. The vehicle control device 10 may be mounted on the vehicle, or it may be located outside the vehicle and communicate with the vehicle.

[0011] The vehicle control device 10 according to this embodiment restricts the vehicle control functions of the vehicle. An example of a vehicle control function in this embodiment is a function that sets the vehicle speed to a predetermined value or applies the brakes to decelerate the vehicle when an obstacle that may collide with the vehicle is detected, i.e., an obstacle located within a predetermined distance from the vehicle. Alternatively, an example of a vehicle control function is a function that warns the user with an alarm or the like when an obstacle located within a predetermined distance from the vehicle is detected. Alternatively, an example of a vehicle control function is a function that combines the above functions. For example, when an obstacle located within a first predetermined distance from the vehicle is detected, the user is warned with an alarm or the like, and further, when the distance to the obstacle becomes less than or equal to a second predetermined distance which is smaller than the first predetermined distance, the brakes are applied to decelerate the vehicle.

[0012] The input device 20 is a device that acquires input from the user. The input device 20 may acquire, for example, input from the user by voice, or may display a screen on the touch panel and acquire input from the user by screen operation. Details of the input from the user acquired by the input device 20 will be described later. The output device 30 is a device that outputs to the user. The output device 30 may output to the user by voice or sound, or may display a screen to the user. For example, the output device 30 outputs, for example, a warning to the user described above. Other outputs to the user will be described later.

[0013] The vehicle is, for example, an automobile, a motorcycle, a motorized bicycle, etc., but is not limited thereto. In the following description, the vehicle will be described as an automobile.

[0014] Next, as shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle control device 10 includes a position information acquisition unit 100, a restriction processing unit 200, and a storage unit 300. However, the storage unit 300 may be included inside the vehicle control device 10 or may be provided externally. Details of each component will be described below.

[0015] [Position Information Acquisition Unit 100] The position information acquisition unit 100 acquires the position information of the vehicle. The position information acquisition unit 100 acquires the position information, for example, by GPS (Global Positioning System). The position information includes, as an example, at least one of the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the position of the vehicle. Note that, as a method for the position information acquisition unit 100 to acquire the position information, other existing known methods can be used. And the storage unit 300 stores the position information of the vehicle in association with the current time and the like.

[0016] [Restriction Processing Unit 200] The restriction processing unit 200 restricts the vehicle control function that performs a predetermined process related to the control of the vehicle when the distance between the vehicle and an object around the vehicle becomes equal to or less than a reference value when the relationship between the reference position information and the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 100 satisfies the first condition.

[0017] First, let's explain the reference location information. Reference location information is information that indicates the location of an arbitrary location. An arbitrary location could be, for example, the location of the user's home parking lot or the location of the user's workplace parking lot. An arbitrary location could be, for example, a location that the user frequently parks in. Note that the reference location information may also indicate an area of ​​a predetermined size. The reference location information may also indicate an address such as "○○ Ward ○○ Town ○ Chome ○ Ban ○ Go". The reference location information is stored in the storage unit 300.

[0018] Reference position information may be input by the user, for example. Alternatively, reference position information may be stored by a reference position registration unit that acquires restricted position information indicating the vehicle's position when the user restricts the vehicle control functions, and stores the restricted position information as reference position information in the storage unit.

[0019] Next, let's explain the first condition. The first condition concerns the relationship between the reference location information and the vehicle's location information. For example, the distance between the location indicated by the reference location information and the vehicle's location must be within a predetermined distance (for example, within 10m). In other words, the first condition is satisfied when the distance between the location indicated by the reference location information and the vehicle's location is within a predetermined distance. The first condition is not satisfied when the distance between the location indicated by the reference location information and the vehicle's location is greater than the predetermined distance. Here, the distance between the location indicated by the reference location information and the vehicle's location may be a straight-line distance or a distance along a route. Also, if the reference location information indicates an area of ​​a predetermined size, the first condition may be that the vehicle's location information falls inside the area indicated by the reference location information.

[0020] The first condition may be changeable by the user. For example, the user may change the first condition by operating the input device 20.

[0021] Next, an example of a predetermined process related to vehicle control performed by the vehicle control function is, as described above, at least one of the following: setting the vehicle speed to a predetermined value, applying the brakes to decelerate the vehicle, and warning the user through alarms, ambient lighting, or other means. The predetermined process may be a combination of these functions, for example, a process that warns the user with an alarm or the like when the distance between the vehicle and surrounding objects falls below a first predetermined distance, and then applies the brakes to decelerate the vehicle when the distance to an obstacle falls below a second predetermined distance, which is smaller than the first predetermined distance.

[0022] Furthermore, restricting the vehicle control function means, for example, disabling the vehicle control function. The restriction processing unit 200 disables the vehicle control function when the first condition is met, for example. Alternatively, restricting the vehicle control function means changing (for example, lowering) the predetermined distance in the predetermined process described above. For example, the restriction processing unit 200 issues a warning when it detects an obstacle within 1m of the vehicle if the first condition is not met, and issues a warning when it detects an obstacle within 0.3m of the vehicle if the first condition is met.

[0023] Furthermore, if the first condition is met, the restriction processing unit 200 may cause the input device 20, operated by the vehicle user, to prompt the user to input information indicating whether or not to restrict the vehicle control functions, and if input indicating that the vehicle control functions should be restricted is received, the vehicle control functions may be restricted. In this case, it is possible to prevent the vehicle control functions from being restricted when the user does not intend to.

[0024] Furthermore, if the restriction processing unit 200 restricts the vehicle control functions, it may perform processing to make the vehicle user aware that the vehicle control functions have been restricted. For example, the output device 30 may display a screen to make the user aware that the vehicle control functions have been restricted. In this case, there is a higher probability that the user will be made aware that the vehicle control functions have been restricted.

[0025] Next, Figure 2 shows an example of the information stored by the storage unit 300. The storage unit 300 stores reference position information, a first condition, and the contents of the restrictions on the vehicle control function in association with each other, as shown in the figure. The restriction processing unit 200 then restricts the vehicle control function according to the contents corresponding to the first condition when the relationship between the reference position information stored in the storage unit 300 and the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 100 satisfies a specific first condition. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, multiple sets of reference position information, first conditions, and vehicle control function restrictions may be stored. For example, in the example shown in the figure, when the vehicle's position is within 20m of the reference position, the predetermined distance in a predetermined process of the vehicle control function is set to 1m; when it is within 10m, the predetermined distance in a predetermined process of the vehicle control function is set to 0.5m; and when it is within 5m, the vehicle control function is disabled. In this way, the restriction processing unit 200 may restrict the vehicle control function in stages. Furthermore, the memory unit 300 may store multiple reference locations and the corresponding first conditions and restrictions on the vehicle control function for each. For example, the memory unit 300 may store reference location information with the user's home as the reference location and reference location information with the user's workplace as the reference location, in association with the first conditions and restrictions on the vehicle control function. In this case, the restriction processing unit 200 will restrict the vehicle control function when the vehicle approaches the user's home and when the vehicle approaches the user's workplace, respectively, if the respective first conditions are met.

[0026] [Example of hardware configuration of vehicle control device 10] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the vehicle control device 10. Each functional component of the vehicle control device 10 may be implemented by hardware (e.g., hardwired electronic circuits) or by a combination of hardware and software (e.g., a combination of an electronic circuit and a program to control it). The case in which each functional component of the vehicle control device 10 is implemented by a combination of hardware and software will be further explained below.

[0027] The vehicle control device 10 includes a bus 1020, a processor 1040, a memory 1060, a storage device 1080, an input / output interface 1100, and a network interface 1120. The bus 1020 is a data transmission path for the processor 1040, memory 1060, storage device 1080, input / output interface 1100, and network interface 1120 to send and receive data to and from each other. However, the method of connecting the processor 1040 and the other components to each other is not limited to a bus connection.

[0028] Processor 1040 is a variety of processors such as CPU (Central Processing Unit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). Memory 1060 is main memory implemented using RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. Storage device 1080 is auxiliary storage implemented using hard disk, SSD (Solid State Drive), memory card, or ROM (Read Only Memory), etc.

[0029] The input / output interface 1100 is an interface for connecting the vehicle control device 10 with input / output devices such as the input device 20 and output device 30 described above.

[0030] The network interface 1120 is an interface for connecting the vehicle control device 10 to a communication network. This communication network may be, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). The network interface 1120 may connect to the communication network via a wireless connection or a wired connection.

[0031] The storage device 1080 stores program modules that realize each functional component of the vehicle control device 10. The processor 1040 reads these program modules into the memory 1060 and executes them to realize the functions corresponding to each program module.

[0032] Next, the operation of the vehicle control device 10 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the vehicle control device 10 according to this embodiment. The vehicle control device 10 repeatedly performs the process shown in this figure.

[0033] First, the vehicle control device 10 is activated (step S10). The vehicle control device 10 is activated, for example, when the engine key is inserted into the vehicle. Alternatively, it is activated when the user presses the activation button on the vehicle control device 10.

[0034] Next, the location information acquisition unit 100 acquires the vehicle's location information (step S20). The location information acquisition unit 100 acquires the vehicle's location information, for example, using a GPS installed in the vehicle.

[0035] Next, the restriction processing unit 200 determines whether the relationship between the reference position information and the vehicle's position information satisfies the first condition (step S30). If the relationship between the reference position information and the vehicle's position information satisfies the first condition (step S30: YES), the restriction processing unit 200 restricts the vehicle's vehicle control functions (step S40).

[0036] As described above, the vehicle control device 10 according to this embodiment can restrict the vehicle control function at any location (the location indicated by the reference location information), such as a location where the user frequently parks. Therefore, for example, when a user parks in a familiar place such as their home, it is possible to suppress the feeling of annoyance they may have with the vehicle control function. In addition, some users may face physical limitations when parking, such as obstacles like vegetation or walls in the parking area, or the vehicle may have to approach other objects while slowing down or turning during parking operations. The vehicle control device 10 according to this embodiment can suppress the feeling of annoyance the user may have with the vehicle control function in the above cases.

[0037] [Second Embodiment] Next, a vehicle control device 10 according to the second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment is the same as the other embodiments, except for the points described below.

[0038] Figure 5 is a diagram showing an overview of the vehicle control device 10 according to this embodiment, along with its operating environment. As shown in Figure 5, the vehicle control device 10 according to the second embodiment further includes a speed acquisition unit 400 that acquires the vehicle speed. The method by which the speed acquisition unit 400 acquires the vehicle speed is not particularly limited, but for example, it may be acquired from a speed sensor provided on the vehicle.

[0039] Next, the method of using the vehicle speed acquired by the speed acquisition unit 400 will be explained below.

[0040] In this embodiment, the limiting processing unit 200 limits the vehicle control function when the relationship between the reference position information and the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 100 satisfies the first condition and the vehicle speed is below a predetermined value. Even when the relationship between the reference position information and the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 100 satisfies the first condition (when the vehicle is located near the home, etc.), if the vehicle speed is high, it is sometimes preferable for the vehicle control function to operate normally. In this embodiment, since the vehicle control function is limited when the vehicle speed is below a predetermined value (for example, 10 km / h or less, more preferably 5 km / h or less), if the vehicle speed is faster than the predetermined value, the vehicle control function can be operated normally without limitation.

[0041] Furthermore, the reference position registration unit, which acquires restricted position information indicating the vehicle's position when the user restricts the vehicle control functions and stores this restricted position information in the storage unit, may also store the restricted position information in the storage unit as reference position information when the vehicle's speed is below a predetermined value when the user restricts the vehicle control functions. In this case, the vehicle's position when the user restricts the vehicle control functions when parking (when the vehicle's speed is below a predetermined value) can be stored as reference position information.

[0042] As described above, the vehicle control device 10 according to this embodiment can also restrict the vehicle control function at any location (the location indicated by the reference position information), such as a location where the user frequently parks, thereby suppressing the user from feeling annoyed by the vehicle control function. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the vehicle control function can be restricted at a more appropriate timing using the vehicle's speed.

[0043] [Third Embodiment] Next, a vehicle control device 10 according to the third embodiment will be described. The third embodiment is the same as the other embodiments, except for the points described below.

[0044] Figure 6 is a diagram showing an overview of the vehicle control device 10 according to this embodiment, along with its operating environment. As shown in Figure 6, the vehicle control device 10 according to the third embodiment further includes a user identification unit 500 that identifies the user driving the vehicle. The method by which the user identification unit 500 identifies the user is not particularly limited, but examples include acquiring an image of the user and processing the image to make a determination, or performing a process that prompts the user to input information for user identification at a timing such as when the vehicle control device 10 is started. Examples of the latter include a process that prompts the user to read a driver's license, and storing a personal ID in the storage unit of a communication device exemplified by a smart key (registered trademark), and having the vehicle control device 10 read the information stored in this storage unit when the vehicle control device 10 or the vehicle is started.

[0045] Figure 7 shows an example of the information stored by the storage unit 300 in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the storage unit 300 stores user identification information in association with the reference position information, the first condition, and the content of the vehicle control function restrictions. The user identification information is information for identifying the user, and is, for example, a string containing alphanumeric characters.

[0046] With the above configuration, the vehicle control device 10 according to this embodiment can set at least one of reference position information and a first condition for each user driving the vehicle. For example, if each user works in a different workplace, the vehicle control device 10 can store the location of each user's workplace as reference position information. Furthermore, the vehicle control device 10 according to this embodiment can set the content of the first condition and restrictions for each user driving the vehicle. For example, the content of the first condition and restrictions can be set according to each user's driving skill. For example, for users with high driving skills, the first condition that restricts the vehicle control function may be set to be relatively lenient. For example, for users with high driving skills, the distance between the vehicle's position and the reference position when restricting the vehicle control function may be set to be longer.

[0047] Next, the operation of the vehicle control device 10 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the vehicle control device 10 according to the third embodiment.

[0048] First, the vehicle control device 10 is activated (step S10). Next, the user identification unit 500 identifies the user driving the vehicle by acquiring and processing images from a camera that photographs the interior of the vehicle (step S11). Then, the restriction processing unit 200 reads out the reference position information, first condition, and the contents of the restrictions on the vehicle control function corresponding to the user identification information of the identified user (step S12).

[0049] The subsequent processing (steps S20 to S40) is the same as in the first embodiment, so a detailed explanation will be omitted. In steps S20 to S40, the reference position information, first condition, and vehicle control function limitations read in step S12 are used.

[0050] As described above, the vehicle control device 10 according to this embodiment can restrict the vehicle control function at any location (the location indicated by the reference position information), such as a location where the user frequently parks, thereby suppressing the user from feeling inconvenienced by the vehicle control function. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the vehicle control function can be appropriately restricted for each user.

[0051] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, but these are merely examples of the present invention, and various other configurations can also be adopted.

[0052] For example, if the input device 20 and the output device 30 are included in the vehicle's navigation system, the vehicle control device 10 may display at least one of the location corresponding to the reference location information and the area that satisfies the first condition on the map, or it may display at least one of the location corresponding to the reference location information and the area that satisfies the first condition in a manner different from other areas on the map. Changing the manner means displaying the area surrounded by a line, or displaying the area in a different color from other areas. Furthermore, if the output device 30 includes a touch panel, the user may input a location corresponding to the reference location information and an area that satisfies the first condition on the map displayed by the touch panel, thereby setting these locations and areas.

[0053] Furthermore, although the flowchart used in the above description shows multiple steps (processes) in order, the execution order of the steps performed in each embodiment is not limited to the order in which they are described. In each embodiment, the order of the illustrated steps can be changed to the extent that it does not impede the content. Also, the above embodiments can be combined to the extent that their contents do not conflict. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0054] 10. Vehicle control system 20 Input devices 30 Output device 100 Location information acquisition section 200 Limit Processing Unit 300 Storage section 400 Speed ​​acquisition part 500 User Identification Unit 1020 Bus 1040 processor 1060 memory 1080 Storage Devices 1100 Input / Output Interface 1120 Network Interface

Claims

1. A location information acquisition unit that acquires vehicle location information, A restriction processing unit that restricts a vehicle control function that performs a predetermined process related to vehicle control when the distance between the vehicle and an object around the vehicle falls below a reference value, when the relationship between the reference position information and the position information satisfies a first condition, A vehicle control device equipped with the following features.

2. The vehicle further comprises a speed acquisition unit that acquires the speed of the vehicle, The limiting processing unit limits the vehicle control function when the relationship satisfies the first condition and the speed is less than or equal to a predetermined value. The vehicle control device according to claim 1.

3. The first condition can be changed by the user of the vehicle. The vehicle control device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The first condition is stored in a storage unit for each of the multiple users, The vehicle further includes a user identification unit for identifying the user of the vehicle, The restriction processing unit reads the first condition corresponding to the user identified by the user identification unit from the storage unit and uses it. The vehicle control device according to claim 3.

5. The system includes a reference position registration unit that acquires restricted position information indicating the position of the vehicle when the user restricts the vehicle control function, and stores said restricted position information in the storage unit as reference position information. The vehicle control device according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The reference position registration unit stores the restricted position information as reference position information in the storage unit when the vehicle speed at which the user has restricted the vehicle control function is below a predetermined value. The vehicle control device according to claim 5.

7. The aforementioned limiting processing unit, If the first condition is met, the input device operated by the user of the vehicle is made to perform a process that causes the user to input information indicating whether or not to restrict the vehicle control function. When an input is made to restrict the aforementioned vehicle control function, the vehicle control function is restricted. The vehicle control device according to claim 1 or 2.

8. When the restriction processing unit restricts the vehicle control function, it performs a process to cause the user of the vehicle to recognize that the vehicle control function has been restricted. The vehicle control device according to claim 1 or 2.

9. A vehicle equipped with the vehicle control device described in claim 1 or 2.

10. Computers Obtain vehicle location information, This includes restricting the vehicle control function, which performs a predetermined process related to controlling the vehicle when the distance between the vehicle and an object surrounding the vehicle falls below a reference value, provided that the relationship between the reference position information and the position information satisfies the first condition. Vehicle control method.

11. Computers, Location information acquisition unit that acquires vehicle location information, A limit processing unit controls a vehicle control function that performs predetermined processing related to vehicle control when the distance between the vehicle and an object around the vehicle falls below a reference value, provided that the relationship between the reference position information and the position information satisfies the first condition. A program that makes it function as such.

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