Information processing device and information processing method

Abstract

It helps to suppress distractions while driving and meets the driver's need to frequently check their driving status for safety. [Solution] An information processing device (10) mounted on a vehicle (1) includes a control unit (13) that displays a character image on a display (114) when the vehicle speed is 0 and the traffic light ahead is red.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in order to encourage safe driving during vehicle travel, a technique of displaying characters on a screen has been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of detecting the driving state and driving operation state of a vehicle, determining whether the detection result satisfies a predetermined condition, and displaying a predetermined character pattern corresponding to the determination result on a screen.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] According to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, since a creature grows when characters are displayed on the screen when driving safely, it is possible to indirectly pay attention to safe driving while enjoying it with the goal of growing the creature. However, since characters are always displayed on the screen and a story is developed during vehicle travel, there is a risk of being distracted by the screen during driving.

[0005] In view of such circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an information processing apparatus and an information processing method capable of suppressing glances during driving and meeting the needs of a driver who wants to frequently confirm a safe driving state.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The gist of the present invention for solving the above problems is as follows.

[0007] (1) An information processing device mounted on a vehicle, comprising a control unit that displays a character image on a display when the vehicle speed is 0 and the traffic light ahead is red.

[0008] (2) The information processing apparatus according to (1), wherein the control unit detects dangerous operations in the most recent predetermined time and changes the character image displayed on the display according to the frequency of the dangerous operations.

[0009] (3) The information processing apparatus according to (2), wherein the control unit changes the facial expression of the character image according to the frequency of the dangerous operation.

[0010] (4) An information processing method in which an information processing device mounted on a vehicle displays a character image on a display when the vehicle speed is 0 and the traffic light ahead is red. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, it is possible to suppress distractions while driving. It can also meet the driver's need to frequently check their safe driving status. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example configuration of an information processing device according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This flowchart shows an example of the procedure for an information processing method according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of a character image displayed by an information processing device according to one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Referring to Figure 1, the configuration of an information processing device according to one embodiment will be described. The information processing device 10 shown in Figure 1 is an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle 1. The information processing device 10 includes an input / output interface 11, a storage unit 12, a control unit 13, and a communication interface 14. The information processing device 10 may be a navigation device having a navigation function. In addition, the information processing device 10 may be a multimedia device that, in addition to the navigation function, has an audio function (e.g., radio, television, etc.), a function to cooperate with a smart device (e.g., a smartphone), a function to perform wireless communication with other vehicles, etc.

[0014] The input / output interface 11 is an interface for inputting and outputting information between multiple devices. In the example shown in Figure 1, the multiple devices include a microphone 111, a camera 112, an input switch 113, a display 114, a speaker 115, and a GPS device 116. The input / output interface 11 receives audio input from the microphone 111. The input / output interface 11 receives images input from the camera 112. The input / output interface 11 receives instructions from the operator of the information processing device 10 (e.g., the driver) from the input switch 113. The input / output interface 11 outputs the images processed by the control unit 13 to the display 114. The input / output interface 11 outputs the audio processed by the control unit 13 to the speaker 115. The input / output interface 11 receives location information of the vehicle 1 from the GPS device 116.

[0015] The storage unit 12 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or any combination thereof. The storage unit 12 functions, for example, as a main memory, an auxiliary memory, or a cache memory. The storage unit 12 stores information used in the operation of the information processing device 10 and information obtained by the operation of the information processing device 10.

[0016] Communication I / F14 is an interface that communicates with devices installed in vehicle 1 using the CAN (Controller Area Network) protocol and receives CAN information. The CAN information includes information detected by sensors installed in vehicle 1 (vehicle speed sensor, acceleration sensor, steering angle sensor, etc.). Communication I / F14 may also include an interface for wireless communication with an external server.

[0017] The control unit 13 includes a processor (a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or GPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process), a programmable circuit (e.g., FPGA), a dedicated circuit (e.g., ASIC), or any combination thereof. The control unit 13 controls each part of the information processing device 10 and executes processes related to the operation of the information processing device 10.

[0018] <Example of operation> Next, with reference to Figure 2, an example of the procedure for the information processing method executed by the information processing device 10 will be described.

[0019] In S101, when the vehicle 1 starts operating, such as when the ignition power is turned on, the communication I / F 14 receives CAN information. The control unit 13 detects dangerous operations based on the CAN information. "Dangerous operations" include, for example, sudden deceleration, sudden start, sudden acceleration, and speeding. If the control unit 13 detects a dangerous operation again within a predetermined time since the previous detection of a dangerous operation, it may suppress the detection process (i.e., ignore the detection). "Determined time" is, for example, 3 seconds if the dangerous operation is sudden deceleration, sudden start, or sudden acceleration, and 300 seconds if the dangerous operation is speeding. By performing detection suppression processing, the inconvenience of dangerous operation notifications when dangerous operations are detected consecutively can be reduced. The dangerous operation processing and detection suppression processing in S101 are executed periodically (for example, every 100ms).

[0020] In S102, the control unit 13 obtains the frequency of dangerous operations in the most recent predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes). The control unit 13 may determine scores in advance for each dangerous operation and convert the frequency of dangerous operations into total scores. For example, it is set that one point is given for each instance of speed exceeding, one point for each instance of sudden start, one point for each instance of sudden acceleration, and one point for each instance of sudden deceleration. The scores may be different for each dangerous operation.

[0021] In S103, the control unit 13 acquires vehicle speed information and determines whether the vehicle speed is 0 (the vehicle 1 is stopped). Further, the control unit 13 acquires an image in front of the vehicle 1 from the camera 112, analyzes the image, and determines whether the traffic signal in front of the vehicle 1 is red. The control unit 13 may perform image analysis by AI. When the control unit 13 satisfies the condition that the vehicle speed is 0 and the traffic signal in front is red (hereinafter, also referred to as the "character display condition"), the process proceeds to S104. When the control unit 13 does not satisfy the character display condition, the process returns to S102.

[0022] In S104, the control unit 13 acquires a character image corresponding to the frequency of dangerous operations obtained in S102 from the storage unit 12. For example, when the total score of dangerous operations is 0 points (that is, when no dangerous operation is detected), the control unit 13 acquires the first character image, when the total score of dangerous operations is 1 point, the control unit 13 acquires the second character image, and when the total score of dangerous operations is 2 points or more, the control unit 13 acquires the third character image.

[0023] In S105, the control unit 13 generates an image in which the character image is superimposed on the map image. The input / output I / F 11 outputs the image to the display 114.

[0024] Figure 3 shows an example of a character image displayed on the display 114. As shown in Figure 3, the character image may be a character's face image. In this example, the control unit 13 displays a first character image A1 with a cheerful expression on the display 114 when the total score for dangerous driving is 0 (i.e., when the driver has not engaged in dangerous driving in the most recent predetermined time). The control unit 13 displays a second character image A2 with a slightly gloomy expression on the display 114 when the total score for dangerous driving is 1. The control unit 13 displays a third character image A3 with a very gloomy expression on the display 114 when the total score for dangerous driving is 2 or more. In this way, the control unit 13 can communicate the level of safe driving to the driver by changing the character image (character's expression) according to the frequency of dangerous driving. This can create an opportunity for the driver to reflect on their driving and encourage behavioral changes toward safer driving.

[0025] The colors of each character image can be different. For example, the first character image A1 could be blue, the second character image A2 could be yellow, and the third character image A3 could be red. By changing the color of the character images in this way, it becomes possible to more visually communicate to the driver the presence and frequency of dangerous maneuvers.

[0026] Furthermore, in the screen shown in Figure 3, when the operator presses button B to switch to the overall driving evaluation screen, the control unit 13 may display an image showing the driving diagnosis results on the display 114 instead of the character image.

[0027] In S106, the control unit 13 determines whether or not the driver (operator) has issued a command to turn off the display of the character image, or whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed. If the control unit 13 satisfies these conditions, it proceeds to S107; otherwise, it returns to S105. For example, in the screen shown in Figure 3, when the driver presses the display off button C, the control unit 13 receives a command to turn off the display of the character image.

[0028] In S107, the control unit 13 turns off the display of the character image that was shown on the display 114. In other words, the control unit 13 hides the character image.

[0029] Thus, when the character display conditions are met (S103-Yes), the control unit 13 determines that the vehicle is waiting at a traffic light (a safe state for displaying the character) and displays the character image on the display 114 (S105). As a method of notifying the driver of a safe driving state (character status, facial expression, etc.), it is conceivable to display the character at predetermined intervals (for example, every 2 minutes) to prevent the driver from looking away while driving. However, with this method, the driver cannot frequently check the character's status, which may lead to dissatisfaction. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the character image is displayed when the vehicle 1 is waiting at a traffic light. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to suppress the driver from looking away while driving and to meet the driver's need to frequently check the safe driving state.

[0030] <Program> To enable the computer to function as the information processing device 10 described above, it is also possible to use a computer capable of executing program instructions. The program can enable the computer to function as the information processing device 10 by causing it to perform the operations described above.

[0031] The program may be stored on a non-temporary computer-readable medium. Examples of non-temporary computer-readable mediums include flash memory, magnetic recording devices, optical discs, magneto-optical recording media, and ROM. The program may be distributed by selling, transferring, or leasing portable media such as SD cards, DVDs, or CD-ROMs containing the program. The program may also be distributed by storing it on server storage and transferring it from the server to other computers. The program may also be provided as a program product.

[0032] A computer, for example, stores a program stored on a portable medium or a program transferred from a server in its main memory, reads the program stored in the main memory with its processor, and executes the processing according to the read program. A computer may also read a program directly from a portable medium and execute the processing according to the program. A computer may also execute the processing according to the received program sequentially each time a program is transferred to it from a server. Processing may also be performed by a so-called ASP (application service provider) type service, which does not transfer programs from the server to the computer, but realizes its function only through execution instructions and result acquisition. A program includes information used for processing by an electronic computer that is equivalent to a program. For example, data that is not a direct instruction to the computer but has the nature of defining the computer's processing falls under the category of "information equivalent to a program."

[0033] The embodiments described above are representative examples, and various modifications or changes are possible without departing from the spirit of this disclosure. For example, multiple component blocks or processing steps described in the embodiments can be combined into one, or one can be divided into multiple. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 1 vehicle 10 Information Processing Devices 11 Output I / F 12 Storage section 13 Control Unit 14 Communication I / F 111 Mike 112 Cameras 113 Input Switch 114 displays 115 speakers 116 GPS device

Claims

1. An information processing device installed in a vehicle, An information processing device equipped with a control unit that displays a character image on a display when the vehicle speed is 0 and the traffic light ahead is red.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit detects dangerous operations in the most recent predetermined time and changes the character image displayed on the display according to the frequency of the dangerous operations.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit changes the facial expression of the character image according to the frequency of the dangerous operation.

4. The information processing equipment installed in the vehicle An information processing method that displays a character image on a display when the vehicle speed is 0 and the traffic light ahead is red.

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