Driver Assistance Systems

Abstract

To allow for determining the sleep state of passengers including a driver in a vehicle when the driver starts to drive the vehicle so as to provide appropriate driving assistance for safe driving.SOLUTION: A driving assistance system is provided, comprising a passenger monitoring device 10, a determination device 20, and a driving assistance device 100. When a vehicle is in a stationary state according to information from the determination device 20, the driving assistance device 100 provides control to appropriately limit driving operation of a driver according to at least a duration and quality of sleep of a driver, among vehicle passengers.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a driving assistance system. [Background technology]

[0002] In general, it is difficult to determine the sleep state of passengers, including the driver, in a vehicle and to assess the degree of sleep at the start of driving the vehicle. Meanwhile, a technology has been disclosed that detects the driver's drowsiness level, and determines whether or not the driver needs to be awakened based on the detected drowsiness level. If necessary, the technology vibrates the driver's seat for at least a portion of the time with a vibration waveform that superimposes a first frequency that promotes muscle tension and a second frequency that suppresses muscle tension (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-82906 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 only determines the driver's drowsiness level while the vehicle is traveling, and has the problem that it cannot determine the sleep state of the occupants, including the driver, in the vehicle at the start of driving the vehicle and provide driving assistance for safe driving of the vehicle.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a driving assistance system that determines the sleep state of occupants in a vehicle, including the driver, at the start of driving the vehicle, and provides appropriate driving assistance for safe driving. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Form 1: One or more embodiments of the present invention include an occupant monitoring device that monitors the physical state of an occupant of a vehicle, a discrimination device that discriminates between a running state and a stopped state of the vehicle, and a driving assistance control device that executes control to ensure safe driving of the vehicle when the sleep time of the occupant is less than a predetermined time and the sleep quality is less than a predetermined level based on monitoring information acquired by the occupant monitoring device, the driving assistance control device includes one or more processors and one or more memories communicably connected to the one or more processors, and the one or more processors execute control to appropriately restrict driving operation of the driver based on at least the sleep time and the sleep quality of the driver, among the occupants of the vehicle, when the vehicle is in the stopped state, based on the discrimination information from the discrimination device. The predetermined time is determined based on the accumulated sleeping time in the vehicle for each driver based on monitoring information acquired by the occupant monitoring device. We are proposing a driving assistance system.

[0008] Form 3: One or more embodiments of the present invention propose a driving assistance system that further includes an information acquisition device that acquires biometric information including sleep information of the occupant inside and outside the vehicle, wherein the one or more processors store the biometric information received from the information acquisition device in the one or more memories, and determine whether the sleeping time of the occupant is equal to or longer than the predetermined time and the quality of the sleep is equal to or higher than a predetermined level based on the monitoring information and the biometric information.

[0009] Form 4: One or more embodiments of the present invention propose a driving assistance system in which the one or more processors determine the specified time based on a cumulative daily sleep time aggregated for each driver, based on at least one piece of monitoring information acquired by the occupant monitoring device or acquired information acquired by the information acquisition device.

[0010] Form 5: One or more embodiments of the present invention propose a driving assistance system in which, when the discrimination information is information indicating the stopped state of the vehicle, the one or more processors determine that the sleep time of at least the driver among the vehicle's occupants is less than the predetermined time and the sleep quality is less than a predetermined level, the one or more processors perform control to limit sudden acceleration of the vehicle that involves a sudden state change within a certain period of time.

[0011] Form 6: One or more embodiments of the present invention include a passenger monitoring device that monitors the physical condition of a vehicle passenger; a discrimination device that discriminates between a driving state and a stopped state of the vehicle; and a driving assistance control device that executes control to ensure safe driving of the vehicle when the sleep time of the passenger is less than a predetermined time and the sleep quality is less than a predetermined level based on monitoring information acquired by the passenger monitoring device, the driving assistance control device comprising one or more processors and one or more memories communicably connected to the one or more processors, the one or more processors performing control to appropriately restrict driving operations of a driver, among the passengers of the vehicle, based on at least the sleep time and the sleep quality of the driver, based on the discrimination information from the discrimination device, when the vehicle is in the stopped state; We propose a driving assistance system that, when it is determined that the sleep time of at least the driver among the vehicle's occupants is less than the specified time and the quality of the sleep is below a specified level, performs control to limit the driver's sharp turns, which involve sudden changes in state within a certain period of time.

[0012] Form 7: One or more embodiments of the present invention propose a driving assistance system in which, when the one or more processors determine that the sleep time of at least the driver among the vehicle occupants is less than the predetermined time and the quality of the sleep is less than a predetermined level when the discrimination information is information indicating the stopped state of the vehicle, the one or more processors perform control to restrict the driver's shift operation, which may cause a sudden change in state within a certain period of time. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to determine the sleep state of occupants, including the driver, in the vehicle at the start of driving the vehicle, and provide appropriate driving assistance for safe driving. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a driving assistance system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a driving control device in a driving assistance system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a concept of determining a predetermined time in a driving control device in the driving assistance system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a process flow diagram of the driving assistance system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a driving assistance system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a driving control device in a driving assistance system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a concept of determining a predetermined time in a driving control device in a driving assistance system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 6 is a process flow diagram of a driving assistance system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a driving assistance system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a driving control device in a driving assistance system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a process flow diagram of a driving assistance system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a driving assistance system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a driving control device in a driving assistance system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a process flow diagram of a driving assistance system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0016] <First embodiment> A driving assistance system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG.

[0017] <Configuration of driving assistance system 1> As shown in FIG. 1, a driving assistance system 1 according to this embodiment includes an occupant monitoring device 10, a discrimination device 20, a driving operation limiting device 40, and a driving assistance device 100.

[0018] The occupant monitoring device 10 monitors the physical condition of a vehicle occupant. Here, the physical condition of the vehicle occupant includes the behavior, facial expression, and health condition of the vehicle occupant. The occupant monitoring device 10 monitors the physical condition of the vehicle occupants using a camera that has an imaging element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CIS (CMOS Image Sensor) built in and captures images (including moving images and still images) of the vehicle occupants captured by the imaging element. Also, it is preferable that the camera is composed of both an optical camera and a near-infrared camera. Examples of information obtained from the passenger monitoring device 10 include the degree of eye opening, the number of blinks, the sleeping time, the resting time, the number of turns in sleep, and the like.

[0019] The discrimination device 20 discriminates between a running state and a stopped state of the vehicle. The discrimination device 20 is, for example, an ignition key, and when the ignition key is in the ON position, it determines that the vehicle is in a running state, and when the ignition key is in the OFF position, it determines that the vehicle is in a stopped state. The "driving state" includes not only a state in which the vehicle is actually driving, but also a state in which the vehicle can drive.

[0020] The driving operation limiting device 40 appropriately limits the driving operation of the driver based on at least the sleep time and sleep quality of the driver among the vehicle occupants when the vehicle is stopped, using the discrimination information from the discrimination device 20. Examples of the driving operation limiting device 40 include a power steering device, an accelerator limiter device, a shift device, etc.

[0021] Based on the monitoring information acquired by the occupant monitoring device 10, the driving assistance device 100 executes control to ensure safe driving of the vehicle when the sleep time of at least the driver among the occupants is less than a predetermined time and the quality of sleep is below a predetermined level. The configuration and processing of the driving assistance device 100 will be described in detail later.

[0022] <Configuration of driving assistance device 100> As shown in FIG. 2, the driving assistance device 100 according to this embodiment includes a processor 110 and a memory 120.

[0023] The processor 110 controls the entire driving assistance device 100 in accordance with a control program stored in the memory 120, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the control unit 110 particularly executes the functions of an information receiving unit 111, a sleep determining unit 112, a driving assistance control unit 113, and the like, which will be described later.

[0024] The memory 120 includes a Read Only Memory (ROM) and a Random Access Memory (RAM), and the like. The ROM stores the above-mentioned control programs and the like, and the RAM stores various data and the like. In this embodiment, for example, information from the passenger monitoring device 10 is stored in the RAM.

[0025] <Processor 110 Configuration> As shown in FIG. 2, the processor 110 includes an information receiving unit 111, a sleep determining unit 112, and a driving assistance control unit 113.

[0026] The information receiving unit 111 receives information on the behavior, facial expression, and physical condition, including health condition, of the vehicle occupant from the occupant monitoring device 10. In this embodiment, in particular, information on the sleep state, including the driver's sleep time and sleep quality, is received. The information receiving unit 111 stores the information received from the occupant monitoring device 10 in the RAM in the memory 120 .

[0027] When the sleep determination unit 112 receives information from the discrimination device 20 that the vehicle is stopped, it determines the sleep state, including the driver's sleep time and sleep quality, based on the monitoring information acquired by the occupant monitoring device 10 stored in the RAM in the memory 120. When the sleep determining unit 112 uses the sleeping time (accumulated sleeping time) as an index for determining the sleeping state, the sleep determining unit 112 determines the depth of sleep based on whether the acquired sleeping time is longer than a predetermined time. Here, the "predetermined time" is determined, for example, by the cumulative sleeping time in the vehicle for each driver per day, calculated based on the monitoring information acquired by the occupant monitoring device 10 over the past week, as shown in FIG. Specifically, taking FIG. 3 as an example, the "predetermined time" may be determined based on the average value of the cumulative sleeping time in the vehicle per day collected for each driver, or the "predetermined time" may be determined based on the peak time from the distribution of the cumulative sleeping time in the vehicle per day collected for each driver. Although FIG. 3 shows an example of one specific person, similar data needs to be provided for vehicle occupants who may potentially drive the vehicle. In addition, when the sleep determination unit 112 uses the quality of sleep as an index for determining the sleep state, it determines the depth of sleep based on whether the quality of the driver's sleep obtained from the acquired information on the quality of sleep, such as the number of turns in sleep, REM sleep, non-REM sleep, etc., is at or above a predetermined level. Here, the "predetermined level" may be determined based on information that is already known as knowledge.

[0028] The driving assistance control unit 113 appropriately controls the driving operation restriction device 40 based on the determination result of the sleep determination unit 112 when the vehicle is stopped.

[0029] <Processing of the driving assistance device 100> The process of the driving support device 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0030] The information receiving unit 111 of the driving assistance device 100 receives the occupant monitoring information from the occupant monitoring device 10 (step S110). The information receiving unit 111 then stores the occupant monitoring information received from the occupant monitoring device 10 in the RAM in the memory 120 .

[0031] The sleep determination unit 112 of the driving support device 100 determines whether or not information that the vehicle is stopped is received from the discrimination device 20 (step S120). If the sleep determination unit 112 determines that information that the vehicle is stopped is not received from the discrimination device 20 ("NO" in step S120), the process returns to step S120 and transitions to the standby mode.

[0032] On the other hand, if the sleep judgment unit 112 determines that it has received information from the discrimination device 20 that the vehicle is stopped ("YES" in step S120), it obtains information for judging the driver's sleep state, including the driver's sleep time and sleep quality, from the information stored in the RAM in the memory 120, and judges whether the driver's sleep state is good or not (step S130).

[0033] If the sleep determination unit 112 determines that the driver's sleep state is good ("YES" in step S130), it outputs information to that effect to the driving assistance control unit 113. Then, the driving assistance control unit 113 that has received the information from the sleep determination unit 112 permits the driver to perform normal driving operations (step S150).

[0034] On the other hand, when the sleep determination unit 112 determines that the driver's sleep state is not good ("NO" in step S130), it outputs information to that effect to the driving assistance control unit 113. Then, the driving assistance control unit 113 that has received the information from the sleep determination unit 112 performs control to appropriately limit the driving operation of the driver (step S140).

[0035] <Actions and Effects> As described above, in the driving assistance system 1 according to this embodiment, the processor 110 of the driving assistance device 100 performs control to appropriately restrict the driving operations of the driver when the vehicle is stopped, based on information from the discrimination device 20 and information regarding at least the sleep time and sleep quality of the driver among the vehicle occupants. In other words, if the driver's sleep is not good, there is a high possibility that the safe driving of the vehicle will be hindered. Therefore, the processor 110 of the driving assistance device 100 determines at least the sleeping state of the driver based on information from the discrimination device 20 when the vehicle is stopped, and if the sleeping state is not good, restricts the driver's driving operations that may cause a sudden change in state within a certain period of time, such as sudden acceleration or sharp turns. This allows appropriate driving assistance to be provided to ensure safe vehicle driving.

[0036] In addition, the processor 110 of the driving assistance device 100 determines the predetermined time based on the accumulated sleeping time in the vehicle for each driver, based on the monitoring information acquired by the occupant monitoring device 10. Therefore, the sleep state of each driver can be determined based on the predetermined time period for each vehicle occupant who is driving, thereby enabling a highly accurate determination. This allows appropriate driving assistance to be provided to ensure safe vehicle driving.

[0037] Furthermore, when the occupant monitoring device 10 is configured with both an optical camera and a near-infrared camera, images of the occupants can be obtained regardless of day or night. Therefore, the sleep state of at least the driver among the occupants can be accurately grasped at all times, and appropriate driving assistance control can be executed.

[0038] <Second embodiment> A driving assistance system 1A according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0039] <Configuration of driving assistance system 1A> As shown in FIG. 5, the driving assistance system 1A according to this embodiment includes an occupant monitoring device 10, a discrimination device 20, a driving operation limiting device 40, an information acquisition device 50, and a driving assistance device 100A. In addition, since the components having the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment have the same functions, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0040] The information acquisition device 50 includes devices provided inside and outside the vehicle, and acquires, for example, biological information of the occupants. Here, the biological information of the occupants includes, for example, vital data of each occupant. Examples of the information acquisition device 50 provided in the vehicle include a device equipped in the vehicle and a device worn by the occupant, such as a smart watch or a smartphone. The information acquisition device 50 provided outside the vehicle includes a fixed type device and a mobile type device used in the home. Examples of fixed types include those that are installed on the ceiling or wall of a bedroom, freestanding types, and those that are embedded in the mattress of a bed. An example of a movable type is one that is mounted on a robot or the like. Examples of information that can be obtained from the information acquisition device 50 include heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, heart rate variability, respiratory rate, body temperature, blood pressure, hemoglobin level, activity level, number of turns in sleep, sleep state, and sleep time. Here, the number of times the user turns over, and the sleep state such as REM sleep or non-REM sleep can be exemplified as indexes for detecting the sleep state including the quality of sleep.

[0041] When the vehicle is stopped, the driving assistance device 100A determines, based on at least one of the monitoring information acquired by the occupant monitoring device 10 or the acquired information acquired by the information acquisition device 50, whether the sleep time of at least the driver among the occupants is less than a predetermined time and the sleep quality is less than a predetermined level, based on the determination result of the discrimination device 20, and performs control to appropriately restrict the driver's driving operations. In this embodiment, if it is determined that the sleep time of at least the driver among the vehicle occupants is less than a predetermined time and the quality of sleep is below a predetermined level, control is performed to limit sudden acceleration of the vehicle that involves a sudden change in state within a certain period of time. Here, an accelerator limiter can be exemplified as the driving operation limiting device 40 that limits the sudden acceleration of the vehicle. Specifically, the driving support device 100A performs control to lower the upper speed limit of the accelerator limiter, and when the speed of the vehicle reaches the set upper speed limit, it controls so that the vehicle cannot accelerate thereafter even if the driver operates the accelerator. Details will be described later.

[0042] <Configuration of driving assistance device 100A> 6, the driving assistance device 100A includes a processor 110A and a memory 120. Details of the processor 110A will be described later.

[0043] <Processor 110A Configuration> As shown in FIG. 6, the processor 110A includes an information receiving unit 111A, a sleep determining unit 112A, and a driving assistance control unit 113A.

[0044] The information receiving unit 111A receives information on the behavior, facial expression, and physical condition, including health condition, of the vehicle occupant from the occupant monitoring device 10. In addition, the information receiving unit 111A receives information from the information acquisition device 50, such as heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, heart rate variability, respiratory rate, body temperature, blood pressure, hemoglobin level, activity level, number of turns in sleep, sleep state, and sleep time. In this embodiment, in particular, information regarding the sleep state, including the driver's sleep time and sleep quality, is received.

[0045] When the sleep determination unit 112A receives information from the discrimination device 20 that the vehicle is stopped, it determines the sleep state, including the driver's sleep time and sleep quality, based on at least one piece of monitoring information acquired by the occupant monitoring device 10 stored in the RAM in the memory 120 or acquired information acquired by the information acquisition device 50. When the sleeping time (accumulated sleeping time) is used as an index for judging a sleeping state, the sleeping judging section 112A judges whether the acquired sleeping time is longer than a predetermined time. In this embodiment, by providing an information acquisition device 50 in addition to the occupant monitoring device 10, it is possible to obtain information on the sleep states of occupants, including the driver, inside and outside the vehicle. The sleeping time (accumulated sleeping time) referred to here is the sleeping time (accumulated sleeping time) inside and outside the vehicle per day. Here, the "predetermined time" is determined by the cumulative daily sleeping time inside and outside the vehicle, calculated for each driver, based on at least one piece of monitoring information acquired by the occupant monitoring device 10 or acquired information acquired by the information acquisition device 50 over the past week, as shown in FIG. 7. Specifically, taking FIG. 7 as an example, the "predetermined time" may be determined based on the average value of the accumulated sleep time each day inside and outside the vehicle, collected for each driver, or the "predetermined time" may be determined based on the peak time from the distribution of the accumulated sleep time each day inside and outside the vehicle, collected for each driver. Although FIG. 7 shows an example of one specific person, similar data needs to be provided for vehicle occupants who may potentially drive the vehicle.

[0046] When the vehicle is stopped as a result of the discrimination by the discrimination device 20, the driving assistance control unit 113A performs control to limit sudden acceleration of the vehicle that involves a sudden change in state within a certain period of time based on the determination result by the sleep determination unit 112. Specifically, when the discrimination information from the discrimination device 20 indicates that the vehicle is stopped, if it is determined that the sleep time of at least the driver among the vehicle occupants is less than a predetermined time and the quality of sleep is less than a predetermined level, a control signal is sent to an accelerator limiter as a driving operation limiting device 40 to limit sudden acceleration of the vehicle.

[0047] <Processing of the driving assistance device 100A> The process of the driving support device 100A according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0048] The information receiving unit 111A of the driving assistance device 100A receives the occupant monitoring information from the occupant monitoring device 10 and the acquired information from the information acquiring device 50 (step S110). The information receiving unit 111A then stores the information received from the occupant monitoring device 10 and the information acquiring device 50 in the RAM in the memory 120.

[0049] The sleep determination unit 112A of the driving support device 100A determines whether or not information that the vehicle is stopped is received from the discrimination device 20 (step S120). If the sleep determination unit 112A determines that information that the vehicle is stopped is not received from the discrimination device 20 ("NO" in step S120), the process returns to step S120 and transitions to the standby mode.

[0050] On the other hand, if the sleep judgment unit 112A determines that it has received information from the discrimination device 20 that the vehicle is stopped ("YES" in step S120), it obtains information for judging the sleep state from the information stored in the RAM in the memory 120, and determines whether the sleep time of at least the driver among the vehicle occupants is less than a predetermined time and whether the sleep quality is less than a predetermined level (step S210).

[0051] If the sleep determination unit 112A determines that the driver's sleep time is equal to or longer than the predetermined time and that the quality of sleep is equal to or higher than a predetermined level ("YES" in step S210), it outputs information to that effect to the driving assistance control unit 113A. Then, the driving assistance control unit 113A that has received the information from the sleep determination unit 112A permits the driver to perform normal driving operations (step S150).

[0052] On the other hand, if the sleep determination unit 112A determines that the driver's sleep time is less than the predetermined time and the quality of sleep is less than the predetermined level ("NO" in step S210), it outputs information to that effect to the driving assistance control unit 113A. Then, the driving assistance control unit 113A, which has received the information from the sleep determination unit 112A, sends a control signal to an accelerator limiter serving as the driving operation limiting device 40 so as to limit sudden acceleration of the vehicle (step S220).

[0053] <Actions and Effects> As described above, the processor 110A of the driving assistance device 100A in the driving assistance system 1A of this embodiment judges the driver's sleep state based on at least one of the monitoring information acquired by the occupant monitoring device 10 or the acquired information acquired by the information acquisition device 50, and if it is determined that the driver's sleep time is less than a predetermined time and the quality of sleep is below a predetermined level, it performs control to limit sudden acceleration of the vehicle that involves a sudden state change within a certain period of time. In other words, when a driver is driving a vehicle while in a poor sleep state, it is believed that the driver's ability to make decisions while driving is also poor. Therefore, if the driver's sleep state is not good, control is performed to limit sudden acceleration of the vehicle, which involves a sudden change in state within a certain period of time, thereby preventing the driver from falling asleep and providing appropriate driving assistance for safe driving.

[0054] In addition, the driving assistance system 1A of this embodiment further includes an information acquisition device 50 that acquires biometric information including sleep information of the occupant inside and outside the vehicle, and the processor 110A of the driving assistance device 100A judges the driver's sleep state based on at least one piece of monitoring information acquired by the occupant monitoring device 10 or acquired information acquired by the information acquisition device 50. In other words, by further providing the information acquisition device 50, the sleeping state of the driver outside the vehicle can also be acquired, so that the sleeping state can always be determined with higher accuracy. Therefore, appropriate driving assistance can be provided to ensure safe driving.

[0055] In addition, the processor 110A of the driving assistance device 100A determines the specified time based on at least one piece of monitoring information acquired by the occupant monitoring device 10 or acquired information acquired by the information acquisition device 50, and on the cumulative sleeping time each day inside and outside the vehicle, which is tallied for each driver. In other words, a specified time is determined for each occupant of the vehicle who is driving based on the cumulative sleeping time per day, which is the cumulative sleeping time of the driver not only inside the vehicle but also outside the vehicle, and the sleeping state of each driver can be judged based on this specified time, so that a highly accurate judgment can always be made. Therefore, appropriate driving assistance can be provided to ensure safe driving of the vehicle.

[0056] <Third embodiment> A driving assistance system 1B according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0057] <Configuration of driving assistance system 1B> As shown in FIG. 9, a driving assistance system 1B according to this embodiment includes an occupant monitoring device 10, a discrimination device 20, a driving operation limiting device 40, an information acquisition device 50, and a driving assistance device 100B. In addition, since the components having the same reference numerals as those in the first and second embodiments have the same functions, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0058] When the vehicle is stopped, the driving assistance device 100B determines, based on at least one of the monitoring information acquired by the occupant monitoring device 10 or the acquired information acquired by the information acquisition device 50, whether the sleep time of at least the driver among the occupants is less than a predetermined time and the sleep quality is less than a predetermined level, based on the determination result of the discrimination device 20, and performs control to appropriately restrict the driver's driving operations. In this embodiment, if it is determined that the sleep time of at least the driver among the vehicle occupants is less than a predetermined time and the quality of sleep is below a predetermined level, control is performed to restrict the driver from making sharp turns that involve sudden changes in state within a certain period of time. Here, a power steering device can be exemplified as the driving operation limiting device 40 that limits the sharp turning of the vehicle. Specifically, when an acceleration sensor provided in the power steering device detects a sharp turn of the steering wheel during steering, the device performs control to reduce the assist force. Details will be described later.

[0059] <Configuration of driving assistance device 100B> 10, the driving assistance device 100B includes a processor 110B and a memory 120. Details of the processor 110B will be described later.

[0060] <Processor 110B Configuration> As shown in FIG. 10, the processor 110B includes an information receiving unit 111A, a sleep determining unit 112A, and a driving assistance control unit 113B.

[0061] When the discrimination result of the discrimination device 20 indicates that the vehicle is stopped, and the discrimination result of the sleep judgment unit 112A indicates that the sleep time of at least the driver among the vehicle occupants is less than a predetermined time and the quality of sleep is less than a predetermined level, the driving assistance control unit 113B performs control to restrict the driver from making sharp turns that involve a sudden change in state within a certain period of time.

[0062] <Processing of the driving assistance device 100B> The process of the driving support device 100B according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0063] The information receiving unit 111A of the driving assistance device 100B receives the monitoring information from the occupant monitoring device 10 and the acquired information from the information acquiring device 50 (step S110). The information receiving unit 111A then stores the information received from the occupant monitoring device 10 and the information acquiring device 50 in the RAM in the memory 120.

[0064] The sleep determination unit 112A of the driving support device 100B determines whether or not information that the vehicle is stopped is received from the discrimination device 20 (step S120). If the sleep determination unit 112A determines that information that the vehicle is stopped is not received from the discrimination device 20 ("NO" in step S120), the process returns to step S120 and transitions to the standby mode.

[0065] On the other hand, if the sleep judgment unit 112A determines that it has received information from the discrimination device 20 that the vehicle is stopped ("YES" in step S120), it obtains information for judging the sleep state from the information stored in the RAM in the memory 120, and determines whether the sleep time of at least the driver among the vehicle occupants is less than a predetermined time and whether the sleep quality is less than a predetermined level (step S210).

[0066] If the sleep determination unit 112A determines that the driver's sleep time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time and that the quality of sleep is equal to or higher than a predetermined level ("YES" in step S210), it outputs information to that effect to the driving assistance control unit 113B. Then, the driving assistance control unit 113B that has received the information from the sleep determination unit 112A permits the driver to perform normal driving operations (step S150).

[0067] On the other hand, if the sleep determination unit 112A determines that the driver's sleep time is less than the predetermined time and the quality of sleep is less than the predetermined level ("NO" in step S210), it outputs information to that effect to the driving assistance control unit 113B. Then, the driving assistance control unit 113B that has received the information from the sleep determination unit 112A performs control to restrict the driver from making a sharp turn that involves a sudden change in state within a certain period of time (step S310).

[0068] <Actions and Effects> As described above, the processor 110B of the driving assistance device 100B in the driving assistance system 1B of this embodiment judges the driver's sleep state based on at least one of the monitoring information acquired by the occupant monitoring device 10 or the acquired information acquired by the information acquisition device 50, and if it is determined that the driver's sleep time is less than a predetermined time and the quality of sleep is below a predetermined level, it performs control to restrict the driver from making sharp turns that involve a sudden change in state within a certain period of time. In other words, when a driver is driving a vehicle while in a poor sleep state, it is believed that the driver's ability to make decisions while driving is also poor. Therefore, if the driver's sleep state is not good, control is performed to limit the driver's sharp turns, which involve sudden changes in state within a certain period of time, thereby preventing the driver from falling asleep and providing appropriate driving assistance for safe driving.

[0069] <Fourth embodiment> A driving assistance system 1C according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0070] <Configuration of driving assistance system 1C> As shown in FIG. 12, the driving assistance system 1C according to this embodiment includes an occupant monitoring device 10, a discrimination device 20, a driving operation limiting device 40, an information acquisition device 50, and a driving assistance device 100C. In addition, since the components having the same reference numerals as those in the first to third embodiments have the same functions, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0071] When the vehicle is stopped, the driving assistance device 100C determines, based on at least one of the monitoring information acquired by the occupant monitoring device 10 or the acquired information acquired by the information acquisition device 50, whether the sleep time of at least the driver among the occupants is less than a predetermined time and the sleep quality is less than a predetermined level, based on the judgment result of the discrimination device 20, and performs control to appropriately restrict the driver's driving operations. In this embodiment, if it is determined that the sleep time of at least the driver among the vehicle occupants is less than a predetermined time and the quality of sleep is below a predetermined level, control is performed to restrict the driver's shift operations, which may cause a sudden change in state within a certain period of time. Here, a shift device can be exemplified as the driving operation limiting device 40 that limits the shift operation. Specifically, for example, in the case of a shift device that has a mode (I mode) that reduces the maximum output (suppression of boost pressure in the case of a turbo vehicle) and enables fuel-efficient driving, a mode (S mode) suitable for high-speed driving, and a mode (S# mode) with increased accelerator response compared to the S mode, control is performed to fix the shift position to the I mode. Details will be described later.

[0072] <Configuration of driving assistance device 100C> 13, the driving assistance device 100C includes a processor 110C and a memory 120. Details of the processor 110C will be described later.

[0073] <Processor 110C Configuration> As shown in FIG. 13, the processor 110C includes an information receiving unit 111A, a sleep determining unit 112A, and a driving assistance control unit 113C.

[0074] The driving assistance control unit 113C performs control to restrict the shift operation of the driver, whose state may suddenly change within a certain period of time, when the discrimination result of the discrimination device 20 indicates that the vehicle is stopped and the discrimination result of the sleep judgment unit 112A indicates that the sleep time of at least the driver among the vehicle occupants is less than a predetermined period of time and the quality of sleep is less than a predetermined level.

[0075] <Processing of the driving assistance device 100C> The process of the driving support device 100C according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0076] The information receiving unit 111A of the driving assistance device 100C receives the monitoring information from the occupant monitoring device 10 and the acquired information from the information acquiring device 50 (step S110). The information receiving unit 111A then stores the information received from the occupant monitoring device 10 and the information acquiring device 50 in the RAM in the memory 120.

[0077] The sleep determination unit 112A of the driving support device 100C determines whether or not information that the vehicle is stopped is received from the discrimination device 20 (step S120). If the sleep determination unit 112A determines that information that the vehicle is stopped is not received from the discrimination device 20 ("NO" in step S120), the process returns to step S120 and transitions to the standby mode.

[0078] On the other hand, if the sleep judgment unit 112A determines that it has received information from the discrimination device 20 that the vehicle is stopped ("YES" in step S120), it obtains information for judging the sleep state from the information stored in the RAM in the memory 120, and determines whether the sleep time of at least the driver among the vehicle occupants is less than a predetermined time and whether the sleep quality is less than a predetermined level (step S210).

[0079] If the sleep determination unit 112A determines that the driver's sleep time is equal to or longer than the predetermined time and that the quality of sleep is equal to or higher than a predetermined level ("YES" in step S210), it outputs information to that effect to the driving assistance control unit 113C. Then, the driving assistance control unit 113C that has received the information from the sleep determination unit 112A permits the driver to perform normal driving operations (step S150).

[0080] On the other hand, if the sleep determination unit 112A determines that the driver's sleep time is less than the predetermined time and the quality of sleep is less than the predetermined level ("NO" in step S210), it outputs information to that effect to the driving assistance control unit 113C. Then, the driving assistance control unit 113C that receives the information from the sleep determination unit 112A controls the shift position of the shift device to be fixed at a predetermined position, and prohibits the driver from performing a shift operation (step S410).

[0081] <Actions and Effects> As described above, the processor 110C of the driving assistance device 100C in the driving assistance system 1C of this embodiment judges the driver's sleep state based on at least one of the monitoring information acquired by the occupant monitoring device 10 or the acquired information acquired by the information acquisition device 50, and if it is determined that the driver's sleep time is less than a predetermined time and the quality of sleep is below a predetermined level, it performs control to restrict the driver's shift operations, which may cause a sudden change in state within a certain period of time. In other words, when a driver is driving a vehicle while in a poor sleep state, it is believed that the driver's ability to make decisions while driving is also poor. Therefore, if the driver's sleep state is not good, control is applied to limit the driver's shift operations, which may cause a sudden change in state within a certain period of time, thereby preventing the driver from falling asleep and providing appropriate driving assistance for safe driving.

[0082] <Modification> For example, in the above embodiment, a configuration is shown in which driving assistance devices 100 to 100C are provided within the driving assistance systems 1 to 1C, but the information from the occupant monitoring device 10 and the information from the information acquisition device 50 may be transferred to a server connected to the vehicle, and the control processing of the driving assistance devices 100 to 100C may be executed in the server. In this way, it becomes possible to process a large amount of information quickly.

[0083] In addition, in the first to sixth embodiments, a configuration has been exemplified in which the sleep determination unit 112, 112A receives information from the discrimination device 20 and determines whether the vehicle is stopped or not, but the driving assistance control units 113 to 113C may perform this reception and determination processing.

[0084] The driving support system of the present invention can be realized by recording the processing of the processors 110 to 110C in a computer-readable recording medium and having the processors 110 to 110C read and execute the programs recorded in the recording medium. The computer system here includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices.

[0085] Furthermore, "computer system" also includes the homepage providing environment (or display environment) if a WWW (World Wide Web) system is used. The above program may be transmitted from a computer system in which the program is stored in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium, or by transmission waves in the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" that transmits the program refers to a medium that has the function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line.

[0086] The program may be for implementing some of the functions described above, or may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can implement the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

[0087] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and designs that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention are also included. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1. Driving assistance system 1A: Driving assistance system 1B: Driving assistance system 1C: Driving assistance system 10. Passenger monitoring device 20;Discrimination device 40: Driving operation limiting device 50; Information acquisition device 100; Driving support device 100A; Driving support device 100B; Driving support device 100C; Driving assistance device 110;Processor 110A; Processor 110B; Processor 110C; Processor 120;Memory 111; Information receiving section 111A; Information receiving section 112;Sleep evaluation unit 112A;Sleep determination section 113: Driving assistance control unit 113A: Driving assistance control unit 113B; Driving assistance control unit 113C; Driving assistance control unit

Claims

1. An occupant monitoring device that monitors the physical condition of an occupant of a vehicle; A discrimination device that discriminates between a traveling state and a stopped state of the vehicle; a driving assistance control device that executes control to ensure safe driving of the vehicle when the sleep time of the occupant is less than a predetermined time and the quality of sleep is less than a predetermined level based on the monitoring information acquired by the occupant monitoring device; Equipped with The driving assistance control device includes one or more processors and one or more memories communicatively connected to the one or more processors; The one or more processors, based on the discrimination information from the discrimination device, perform control to appropriately restrict the driving operations of the driver of the vehicle when the vehicle is stopped, based on at least the sleep time and the sleep quality of the driver, among the vehicle occupants, and determine the specified time by the cumulative sleep time in the vehicle for each driver, based on monitoring information acquired by the occupant monitoring device.

2. The vehicle further includes an information acquisition device for acquiring biological information including sleep information of the occupant inside and outside the vehicle, 2. The driving assistance system of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors store the biometric information received from the information acquisition device in the one or more memories, and determine, based on the monitoring information and the biometric information, whether the occupant's sleep time is equal to or longer than the specified time and the quality of the sleep is equal to or higher than a specified level.

3. 3. The driving assistance system according to claim 2, wherein the one or more processors determine the predetermined time based on a cumulative sleep time per day calculated for each driver, based on at least one of monitoring information acquired by the occupant monitoring device and acquired information acquired by the information acquisition device.

4. 4. The driving assistance system according to claim 1, wherein when the discrimination information indicates the stopped state of the vehicle, the one or more processors perform control to limit sudden acceleration of the vehicle accompanied by a sudden change in state within a certain period of time when the one or more processors determine that the sleep time of at least the driver among the vehicle occupants is less than the predetermined time and that the quality of the sleep is less than a predetermined level.

5. An occupant monitoring device for monitoring the physical condition of an occupant of a vehicle; A discrimination device that discriminates between a traveling state and a stopped state of the vehicle; a driving assistance control device that executes control to ensure safe driving of the vehicle when the sleep time of the occupant is less than a predetermined time and the quality of sleep is less than a predetermined level based on the monitoring information acquired by the occupant monitoring device; Equipped with The driving assistance control device includes one or more processors and one or more memories communicatively connected to the one or more processors; The one or more processors, when the vehicle is stopped, perform control to appropriately restrict the driving operations of the driver based on at least the sleep time and the sleep quality of the driver among the vehicle occupants based on the discrimination information from the discrimination device, and when it is determined that the sleep time of at least the driver among the vehicle occupants is less than the predetermined time and the sleep quality is less than a predetermined level, the driving assistance system performs control to restrict the driver from making sharp turns that involve a sudden change in state within a certain period of time.

6. 4. The driving assistance system according to claim 1, wherein when the discrimination information indicates the stopped state of the vehicle, the one or more processors perform control to restrict shift operations of the driver, which may cause a sudden change in state within a certain period of time, when the one or more processors determine that the sleep time of at least the driver among the vehicle occupants is less than the predetermined time and that the quality of the sleep is less than a predetermined level.

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