Driving assistance device, driving assistance method, and driving assistance program

Abstract

To provide a driving support device that suppresses execution of excessive deceleration control in a dilemma zone.SOLUTION: A driving support device 1 comprises: a signal recognition device that recognizes a lighting condition of a traffic light in front of an own vehicle; and a control device that determines a predetermined position around the traffic light as a target position, executes deceleration control to decelerate the own vehicle until the own vehicle reaches the target position, and is configured to calculate a predicted speed which is a speed of the own vehicle at a time when the own vehicle reaches the target position when the own vehicle is decelerated in a predetermined deceleration mode from a current time, to execute the deceleration control in a first situation where the predicted speed is less than or equal to a threshold determined based on a lighting mode of the traffic signal, and not to execute the deceleration control in a second situation where the predicted speed exceeds the threshold value. The threshold value when a lighting color of the traffic light is yellow is smaller than the threshold value when the lighting color of the traffic light is red.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a driving assistance device, a driving assistance method, and a driving assistance program that are mounted on a vehicle and recognize the lighting state of a traffic signal and decelerate the vehicle based on the recognition result. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a driving assistance device (hereinafter referred to as a "conventional device") that is mounted on a vehicle, recognizes the lighting state of a traffic light, and decelerates the vehicle based on the recognition result (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below). This conventional device recognizes the lighting state (light color) of the traffic light ahead of the vehicle based on an image acquired from an on-board camera. Next, the conventional device determines whether or not the driver of the vehicle is performing a driving operation that accelerates the vehicle based on the operation state of the accelerator pedal by the driver of the vehicle. Then, when the conventional device determines that "the driver is not performing a driving operation that accelerates the vehicle" and the lighting state of the traffic light is "red or yellow," it predicts (calculates) the speed of the vehicle at the target position (in front of the traffic light). When the prediction result is less than a threshold value, the conventional device executes control to decelerate the vehicle (deceleration control). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-77012 Summary of the Invention

[0004] Here, when the vehicle is located in front of a traffic light and the light color of the traffic light changes to "yellow," the driver may not be able to determine whether to decelerate the vehicle and stop the vehicle in front of the traffic light, or to accelerate the vehicle and pass through the traffic light. This state is generally called a "dilemma zone." The conventional device does not distinguish between a state in which the light color of the traffic light is "red" and a state in which the light color of the traffic light is "yellow." Therefore, the conventional device tends to execute deceleration control to stop the vehicle even if the light color is "yellow." Therefore, in the dilemma zone, the deceleration control is likely to be started before the driver decides the mode of driving operation. For example, when the driver selects to pass through the traffic light at the intersection (go straight, turn right, or turn left), the deceleration control may have already been started and the speed of the vehicle may have decreased. In that case, even if the vehicle is accelerated from that point, the light color of the traffic light may change to "red" just before or within the intersection.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a driving assistance device that suppresses the execution of excessive deceleration control in a dilemma zone.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a driving assistance device (1) of the present invention is mounted on a vehicle. The driving assistance device is A signal recognition device (23) that recognizes the lighting state of a traffic light (S) present in front of the vehicle; a control device (10) configured to determine a predetermined position around the traffic light as a target position (sp) when the lighting state of the traffic light recognized by the traffic light recognition device is a predetermined state, and to execute deceleration control to decelerate the host vehicle until the host vehicle reaches the target position, the control device being configured to calculate a predicted speed (vp) which is the speed of the host vehicle at the time when the host vehicle reaches the target position when the host vehicle is decelerated from a current time in a predetermined deceleration state, and to execute the deceleration control in a first situation in which the predicted speed is less than a threshold value (vpth) determined based on the lighting state of the traffic light, and to not execute the deceleration control or to execute gradual deceleration control to decelerate the host vehicle more slowly than in the first situation in a second situation in which the predicted speed is equal to or greater than the threshold value; Equipped with. The threshold value when the light color of the traffic signal is yellow is smaller than the threshold value when the light color of the traffic signal is red.

[0007] In the present invention, the control device sets a lower threshold value when the traffic light color is "yellow" than when the traffic light color is "red." Therefore, the predicted speed is more likely to exceed the threshold value when the traffic light color is "yellow" than when the traffic light color is "red." In other words, it is more difficult to execute deceleration control when the traffic light color is "yellow" than when the traffic light color is "red." Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the execution of excessive deceleration control in the dilemma zone.

[0008] In one aspect of the present invention, a driving assistance device includes: The control device determines that the light color is yellow. The signal recognition device The threshold value is increased as the time that has elapsed since the time of recognition increases.

[0009] According to this, when a certain amount of time has passed since the predicted speed exceeds the threshold, the threshold increases, increasing the possibility that the predicted speed will transition to a state where it is equal to or less than the threshold. For example, when the control device recognizes that the light color is "yellow," the predicted speed is equal to or greater than the threshold, so the control device does not execute deceleration control. However, as the threshold increases over time, the predicted speed falls below the threshold just before the light color transitions to "red," and deceleration control begins to be executed. This improves the safety of the vehicle.

[0010] In a driving assistance device according to another aspect of the present invention, The control device increases the threshold value when the traffic light is yellow, the vehicle's turn signal is activated, and the vehicle is entering a dedicated lane for turning in the direction indicated by the turn signal.

[0011] According to this, when the turn signal is indicating "right turn" ("left turn") and the vehicle is located in the right turn lane (left turn lane), the control device increases the threshold value. Therefore, in this case, the predicted speed tends to be equal to or lower than the threshold value. This allows the vehicle to decelerate and make a right turn (left turn) safely.

[0012] In a driving assistance device according to another aspect of the present invention, The control device increases the threshold value when the traffic light color is yellow, the vehicle's turn signal is activated, and the vehicle is located at the end of the road on which the vehicle is traveling in the direction indicated by the turn signal.

[0013] According to this, when the direction indicator is indicating "right turn" ("left turn") and the vehicle is located at the right edge (left edge) of the road, the threshold is increased, so that the predicted speed tends to be equal to or lower than the threshold. This allows the vehicle to decelerate and make a right turn (left turn) safely.

[0014] According to the present invention, a driving assistance method and a driving assistance program include steps executed by each of the devices constituting the driving assistance device. According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the execution of excessive deceleration control in a dilemma zone. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a driving assistance device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a graph showing an example of the magnitude relationship between the predicted speed and the threshold value. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A is a table showing the first database. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is a table showing the second database. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a graph showing an arithmetic expression for calculating a threshold value corresponding to the likelihood determined based on FIGS. 3A and 3B. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a program for implementing braking control. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a graph showing the process of gradually increasing the likelihood (threshold). [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an example of changing the target position. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a table showing the third database. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a graph showing an arithmetic expression for calculating a threshold value corresponding to the likelihood determined based on FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] (Outline of configuration) As shown in Fig. 1, a driving assistance device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a vehicle V. As will be described in detail later, the driving assistance device 1 is capable of executing a basic control for decelerating the vehicle V by controlling a drive device, a braking device, and the like of the vehicle V in accordance with the lighting state of a traffic light S. Note that a vehicle equipped with the driving assistance device 1 may be referred to as a "host vehicle" in order to distinguish it from other vehicles.

[0017] (Specific configuration) As shown in FIG. 1, the driving assistance device 1 includes a driving assistance ECU 10, an in-vehicle sensor 20, a drive device 30, a braking device 40, and a shift switching device 50.

[0018] The driving assistance ECU 10 includes a microcomputer including a CPU 10a, a ROM 10b, a RAM 10c, a timer 10d, etc. In this specification, "ECU" means an electronic control unit, and includes a microcomputer including a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, etc. The CPU realizes various functions by executing instructions stored in the ROM.

[0019] The driving assistance ECU 10 is connected to other ECUs (an engine ECU 31, a brake ECU 41, and a SBW·ECU 51, which will be described later) via a CAN (Controller Area Network) so as to be able to transmit and receive information to and from each other.

[0020] The on-board sensor 20 includes a sensor that acquires vehicle surrounding information including information about three-dimensional objects present around the vehicle V and information about road markings around the vehicle V. That is, for example, the on-board sensor 20 includes a sensor that acquires information about moving objects such as automobiles (other vehicles), pedestrians, and bicycles, as well as fixed objects such as white lines on the road, guardrails, and traffic lights.

[0021] Specifically, the on-board sensor 20 includes a radar sensor 21, an ultrasonic sensor 22, a camera 23, and a navigation system 24.

[0022] The radar sensor 21 includes a radar transmitting / receiving unit and a signal processing unit (not shown). The radar transmitting / receiving unit emits millimeter-wave band radio waves (hereinafter referred to as "millimeter waves") to the surrounding area of ​​the vehicle, and receives millimeter waves reflected by a three-dimensional object present within the emission range (i.e., reflected waves). The signal processing unit acquires information indicating the distance between the vehicle V and the three-dimensional object, the relative speed between the vehicle V and the three-dimensional object, the relative position (direction) of the three-dimensional object with respect to the vehicle V, etc., based on the phase difference between the transmitted millimeter wave and the received reflected wave, the attenuation level of the reflected wave, the time from transmitting the millimeter wave to receiving the reflected wave, etc., and transmits the information to the driving assistance ECU 10.

[0023] The ultrasonic sensor 22 transmits ultrasonic waves in a pulsed manner to a predetermined range around the vehicle and receives the reflected waves reflected by a three-dimensional object. The ultrasonic sensor acquires information indicating "the reflection point, which is the point on the three-dimensional object where the transmitted ultrasonic waves are reflected," "the distance between the ultrasonic sensor and the three-dimensional object," and the like, based on the time from transmitting the ultrasonic waves to receiving the reflected waves, and transmits the information to the driving assistance ECU 10.

[0024] The camera 23 includes an imaging device and an image analysis device. The imaging device is, for example, a digital camera with a built-in imaging element such as a CCD (charge coupled device) or a CIS (CMOS image sensor). The imaging device is disposed on the upper part of the front windshield glass. The imaging device outputs image data obtained by photographing the front view of the vehicle at a predetermined frame rate to the image analysis device. The image analysis device analyzes the acquired image data, obtains information on a target located in front of the vehicle V from the image, and transmits the information to the driving assistance ECU 10. For example, the image analysis device attempts to recognize the lighting state (light color of a three-color light and on / off of an arrow light indicating a possible traveling direction) of the nearest traffic light S located in front of the vehicle V in the traveling direction. When the image analysis device recognizes the lighting state of the traffic light S, it transmits data representing the lighting state to the driving assistance ECU 10 as signal recognition data. If the image analysis device is unable to recognize the lighting state of the traffic light S, the image analysis device transmits data representing "unrecognizable" as a recognition result as signal recognition data to the driving assistance ECU 10. The image analysis device also recognizes the lane division (e.g., right-turn lane, left-turn lane, etc.) of the lane in which the vehicle is traveling based on images of white lines (division lines, stop lines) on the road and the like, and transmits information representing the recognition result to the driving assistance ECU 10.

[0025] The navigation system 24 receives GPS signals from multiple artificial satellites, and detects the current location (latitude and longitude) of the vehicle V based on the multiple received GPS signals. The navigation system 24 also stores map data representing a map. The map data includes road information representing roads and traffic light position information representing the installation positions of traffic lights. The navigation system 24 transmits vehicle position information representing the detected current location to the driving assistance ECU 10. Furthermore, the navigation system 24 has a function of calculating the distance between two points (distance along the road). For example, the navigation system 24 can calculate the distance L from the current location of the vehicle V to the first traffic light S (the nearest traffic light) that the vehicle V will pass if it travels straight along the lane in which it is currently traveling, and transmit the distance data to the driving assistance ECU 10.

[0026] The on-board sensor 20 further includes a sensor that acquires information regarding the traveling state of the vehicle V (speed, acceleration, operation manner of an operator, etc.).

[0027] Specifically, the on-vehicle sensors 20 include a speed sensor 25 , an acceleration sensor 26 , an accelerator pedal sensor 27 , a brake pedal sensor 28 , and a shift lever sensor 29 .

[0028] The speed sensor 25 includes a wheel speed sensor that generates one pulse signal (wheel pulse signal) every time the wheels of the host vehicle rotate a predetermined angle. The speed sensor 25 measures the number of pulses per unit time of the wheel pulse signal transmitted from the wheel speed sensor, calculates the rotation speed (wheel speed) of each wheel based on the measured number of pulses, and calculates the speed vs (actual vehicle speed) of the host vehicle based on the wheel speed of each wheel. The speed sensor 25 transmits data representing the speed vs to the driving assistance ECU 10.

[0029] The acceleration sensor 26 detects the acceleration Ga acting on the vehicle V (for example, the acceleration acting in the width direction of the vehicle V when traveling on a curved road, the acceleration acting in the front-rear direction of the vehicle V when traveling on a straight road, etc.). The acceleration sensor 26 transmits data representing the acceleration Ga to the driving assistance ECU 10.

[0030] The accelerator pedal sensor 27 detects the depression depth AD of an accelerator pedal (not shown) of the vehicle V. The accelerator pedal sensor 27 transmits data indicating the depression depth AD of the accelerator pedal to the driving assistance ECU 10.

[0031] The brake pedal sensor 28 detects the depression depth BD of a brake pedal (not shown) of the vehicle V. The brake pedal sensor 28 transmits to the driving assistance ECU 10 data indicating the depression depth BD of the brake pedal.

[0032] The shift lever sensor 29 detects the position (shift lever position SP) of a shift lever (not shown) of the vehicle V. The shift lever sensor 29 transmits data indicating the shift lever position SP to the driving assistance ECU 10.

[0033] Furthermore, the in-vehicle sensor 20 includes various switches equipped on the vehicle V (for example, a switch (winker sensor 2a) for detecting the operation state of a turn signal operating lever).

[0034] The drive device 30 generates a drive force and applies the drive force to drive wheels among the wheels (left front wheel, right front wheel, left rear wheel, and right rear wheel). The drive device 30 includes an engine ECU 31, an engine actuator 32, an internal combustion engine 33, a transmission 34, a drive force transmission mechanism (not shown) that transmits the drive force to the wheels, and the like. The engine ECU 31 is connected to the engine actuator 32. The engine actuator 32 includes a throttle valve actuator that changes the opening degree of the throttle valve of the internal combustion engine 33. The engine ECU 31 acquires the depression depth AD of the accelerator pedal from the driving assistance ECU 10. The driving assistance ECU 10 can appropriately correct the depression depth AD acquired from the accelerator pedal sensor 27 and transmit it to the engine ECU 31. The engine ECU 31 drives the engine actuator 32 according to the depression depth AD acquired from the driving assistance ECU 10. In this manner, the torque generated by the internal combustion engine 33 is controlled. The torque generated by the internal combustion engine 33 is transmitted to drive wheels via a transmission 34 and a driving force transmission mechanism (for example, a drive shaft).

[0035] When the vehicle V to which the driving assistance device 1 is applied is a hybrid vehicle (HEV), the engine ECU 31 can control the driving force of the vehicle generated by either or both of an internal combustion engine and an electric motor as a vehicle driving source. When the vehicle V to which the driving assistance device 1 is applied is an electric vehicle (BEV), instead of the engine ECU 31, an electric motor ECU that controls the driving force of the vehicle generated by an electric motor as a vehicle driving source may be used.

[0036] The braking device 40 applies a braking force to the wheels. The braking device 40 includes a brake ECU 41, a hydraulic circuit 42, and a brake caliper 43. The hydraulic circuit 42 includes a reservoir, an oil pump, various valve devices, a hydraulic sensor, and the like, which are not shown. The brake caliper 43 is a hydraulic actuator having a cylinder and a piston. When oil is supplied to the cylinder, the piston is pushed out of the cylinder. A brake pad is provided at the tip of the piston, and the brake pressure is increased by pressing the brake pad against a brake disc. The brake ECU 41 acquires the depression depth BD of the brake pedal from the driving assistance ECU 10. The driving assistance ECU 10 can appropriately correct the depression depth BD acquired from the brake pedal sensor 28 and transmit it to the brake ECU 41. The brake ECU 41 transmits a hydraulic control command to the hydraulic circuit 42 according to the depression depth BD acquired from the driving assistance ECU 10. The hydraulic circuit 42 adjusts the hydraulic pressure in the cylinder of the brake caliper 43 in response to a hydraulic control command obtained from the brake ECU 41. In this manner, the braking force of the brake caliper 43 on the wheels (brake discs) is controlled.

[0037] The shift switching device 50 switches the shift position of the transmission 34. The shift switching device 50 includes an SBW (Shift-by-Wire) ECU 51, an SBW actuator 52, a shift switching mechanism 53, and the like. The SBW ECU 51 is connected to the SBW actuator 52. The SBW ECU 51 acquires a shift lever position SP from the driving assistance ECU 10. The driving assistance ECU 10 can appropriately correct the shift lever position SP acquired from the shift lever sensor 29 and transmit it to the SBW ECU 51. The SBW ECU 51 transmits a shift switching command to the SBW actuator 52 in accordance with the shift lever position SP acquired from the driving assistance ECU 10. The SBW actuator 52 controls the shift switching mechanism 53 in accordance with the shift switching command acquired from the SBW ECU 51. In this manner, the shift position of the transmission 34 is switched.

[0038] (Activation) As will be described below, the driving assistance ECU 10 determines whether or not to execute deceleration control (deceleration assistance) for decelerating the host vehicle depending on the situation.

[0039] <Deceleration control> The driving assistance ECU 10 sequentially acquires signal recognition data from the camera 23. When the driving assistance ECU 10 recognizes that the light color (light color of a three-color lamp), which is one of the light modes of the traffic light S represented by the signal recognition data, is "green," or when the light color of the traffic light S is unknown, the driving assistance ECU 10 does not execute deceleration control (deceleration assistance).

[0040] On the other hand, when the light color of the traffic light S represented by the signal recognition data is recognized as "yellow or red," the driving assistance ECU 10 determines whether or not to execute deceleration control in the following manner.

[0041] Here, the following situation A can be considered as a situation in which the driver is trying to decelerate the host vehicle. (Situation A) The brake pedal depression depth BD is increasing. On the other hand, the following situation B can be considered as a situation in which the driver is trying to accelerate the host vehicle. (Situation B) The accelerator pedal depression depth AD is increasing or is a constant value greater than "0". Other situations C (for example, when depression depth AD and depression depth BD are "0") can be considered to be situations in which it is unclear whether the driver is attempting to accelerate or decelerate the vehicle.

[0042] The driving assistance ECU 10 sequentially acquires the depression depth of the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal and detects changes in them. Then, based on the detection result, the driving assistance ECU 10 determines which of the above-mentioned situations A to C the current situation corresponds to.

[0043] If the current situation corresponds to situation A or situation C, the driving assistance ECU 10 acquires the distance LS to the traffic light S from the navigation system 24. Next, the driving assistance ECU 10 determines the position where the traffic light S is installed (for example, the position of the stop line before the traffic light S) as the target position sp. Next, the driving assistance ECU 10 acquires the current speed vs of the host vehicle from the speed sensor 25. Then, the driving assistance ECU 10 calculates the speed of the host vehicle at the time when the host vehicle reaches the target position sp when decelerated from the current speed vs at a predetermined deceleration a (acceleration (constant value) in the opposite direction to the traveling direction of the host vehicle) (hereinafter referred to as "predicted speed vp").

[0044] When the predicted speed vp is less than a threshold vpth (see FIG. 2) described later, the driving assistance ECU 10 executes deceleration control. That is, the driving assistance ECU 10 controls the driving device 30, the braking device 40, and the shift switching device 50 (hereinafter referred to as "driving devices, etc.") so that the deceleration coincides with a predetermined value, thereby decelerating the host vehicle. The deceleration in this deceleration control may be the same as or different from the deceleration a used when calculating the predicted speed vp. Furthermore, when the predicted speed vp is equal to or greater than the threshold vpth, the driving assistance ECU 10 does not execute deceleration control.

[0045] The threshold value vpth is determined based on the likelihood of decelerating the vehicle from its current position (hereinafter referred to as "likelihood LH"). Here, the likelihood LH is determined based on a database DB that is preset in association with the lighting state of the traffic light S, the position of the vehicle (lane division or position in the width direction of the lane), etc. The database DB is stored in ROM 10b.

[0046] The database DB is composed of a first database DB1 and a second database DB2 shown in Figures 3A and 3B, respectively. The first database DB1 is the same as the database of the conventional device. The second database DB2 is used when the light color of the traffic light S is "yellow."

[0047] The driving assistance ECU 10 first provisionally determines a likelihood LH corresponding to the lighting state of the traffic light S by referring to the first database DB1.

[0048] Next, when the light color of the traffic light S is "yellow," the driving assistance ECU 10 corrects the likelihood LH provisionally determined as described above in accordance with the second database DB2. When the light color of the traffic light S is "red," the driving assistance ECU 10 does not correct the likelihood LH. In other words, the driving assistance ECU 10 calculates the threshold value vpth using the provisionally determined likelihood LH.

[0049] For example, when the light color of the traffic light S is "yellow" and no arrow light is installed, the likelihood LH is first set (provisionally determined) to "H2" according to the first database DB. Next, "α" is subtracted from the likelihood LH ("-α" is added to the likelihood LH) according to the second database DB2. That is, in this case, the likelihood LH is first provisionally determined to be "H2" and then corrected to "H2-α". Furthermore, for example, when the indication state of the turn signal (blinker) matches the driving lane of the vehicle (for example, when the turn signal is indicating the left direction and the vehicle is located in the left turn lane), or when the vehicle is located at the end of the road in the width direction and at the end side of the direction indicated by the turn signal (for example, when the turn signal is indicating the left direction and the vehicle is located on the left end side of the lane in the width direction), the likelihood LH is corrected to "H2-α+β". Here, "α" (absolute value) is greater than "β" (absolute value).

[0050] Furthermore, the driving assistance ECU 10 gradually increases the likelihood LH as the time Δt that has elapsed since the driving assistance ECU 10 recognized that the light color of the traffic light S is “yellow” increases. However, the maximum value of the likelihood LH when it is increased according to the time Δt is smaller than “H2”.

[0051] Next, the driving assistance ECU 10 applies (substitutes) the likelihood LH determined based on the database DB to a predetermined calculation formula E[LH] to determine the threshold vpth. As shown in Fig. 4, the calculation formula E[LH] is determined so that the threshold vpth increases as the likelihood LH increases.

[0052] In this way, the driving assistance ECU 10 determines the threshold vpth such that the threshold vpth when the light color of the traffic light S is "yellow" is smaller by α than the threshold vpth when the light color of the traffic light S is "red." The driving assistance ECU 10 also increases the threshold vpth determined when the light color of the traffic light S is yellow as the time that has elapsed since the vehicle recognized that the light color is yellow increases. Furthermore, the driving assistance ECU 10 increases the threshold vpth by "β" when the light color of the traffic light is "yellow," the vehicle's turn signal is activated, and the vehicle is entering a lane dedicated to turning in the direction indicated by the turn signal. Furthermore, when the light color of the traffic light is "yellow", the direction indicator of the vehicle is activated, and the vehicle is located at the end of the direction indicated by the inner direction indicators at both ends in the width direction of the road on which the vehicle is traveling, the driving assistance ECU 10 increases the threshold vpth by "β". Note that the corrected threshold vpth when the light color of the traffic light S is "yellow" does not exceed the threshold vpth when the light color of the traffic light S is "red".

[0053] Next, the operation (program P1 for executing deceleration control) of the CPU 10a (hereinafter simply referred to as "CPU") of the driving assistance ECU 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The CPU sequentially acquires signal recognition data from the camera 23. Then, when the signal recognition data indicates the lighting state of the traffic light S, the CPU executes the program P1. On the other hand, when the signal recognition data indicates that "the lighting state could not be recognized," the CPU does not execute the program P1.

[0054] (Program P1) The CPU starts the program P1 from step 100 and proceeds to step 101.

[0055] When the CPU proceeds to step 101, it determines whether the light color of the traffic light S is "red or yellow" based on the signal recognition data. If the light color of the traffic light S is "red or yellow" (101: Yes), the CPU proceeds to step 102. On the other hand, if the light color of the traffic light S is "green" (101: No), the CPU proceeds to step 111, which will be described later.

[0056] When the CPU proceeds to step 102, it determines whether or not the current situation (situation related to the operation of the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal) corresponds to the above situation A or situation C. If the operation manner of the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal corresponds to the above situation A or situation C (102: Yes), the CPU proceeds to step 103. On the other hand, if the operation manner of the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal corresponds to the above situation B (102: No), the CPU proceeds to step 111.

[0057] When the CPU proceeds to step 103, it calculates a predicted speed vp. Specifically, the CPU acquires the speed vs. The CPU also determines a target position sp, and acquires a distance L from the current position to the target position sp from the navigation system 24. Then, the CPU calculates a predicted speed vp based on the speed vs, the distance L, and the deceleration a. Then, the CPU proceeds to step 104.

[0058] When the CPU proceeds to step 104, it refers to the first database DB1 and provisionally determines the likelihood LH based on whether or not an arrow light is installed and the progress possibility situation, and then proceeds to step 105.

[0059] When the CPU proceeds to step 105, it determines whether or not the light color of the traffic light S is "yellow." If the light color is "yellow" (105: Yes), the CPU proceeds to step 106. On the other hand, if the light color is not "yellow" (if the light color is "red" (105: No)), the CPU proceeds to step 108.

[0060] When the CPU proceeds to step 106, it refers to the second database DB2 and corrects the likelihood LH. Specifically, in step 106, the CPU corrects the likelihood LH by subtracting a correction value α from the likelihood LH. Next, it is determined whether the turn indicator is operating. If the turn indicator is operating, it is determined whether the indication mode of the turn indicator (the direction indicated by the turn indicator) and the vehicle's driving lane match, and whether the vehicle is located at the end in the width direction of the road and at the end of the direction indicated by the turn indicator. Then, if the above determination result is "Yes", it further corrects the likelihood LH by adding a correction value β to the corrected likelihood LH. After that, the CPU proceeds to step 107.

[0061] When the CPU proceeds to step 107, it further corrects the likelihood LH by adding a correction value according to the elapsed time from the time when the CPU recognized that the light color of the traffic light S is "yellow" to the likelihood LH. Then, the CPU proceeds to step .

[0062] When the CPU proceeds to step 108 , it applies the likelihood LH to the calculation formula E to calculate the threshold value vpth, and then proceeds to step 109 .

[0063] When the CPU proceeds to step 109, it determines whether or not the predicted speed vp is less than the threshold vpth. If the predicted speed vp is less than the threshold vpth (109: Yes), the CPU proceeds to step 110. On the other hand, if the predicted speed vp is equal to or greater than the threshold vpth (109: No), the CPU proceeds to step 111.

[0064] When the CPU proceeds to step 110, it executes deceleration control. For example, the CPU controls the braking device 40 to increase the brake pressure for a predetermined short period of time (the time for executing step 110). After that, the CPU proceeds to step 112 and ends the execution of the program P1.

[0065] Moreover, when the CPU proceeds to step 111, the CPU proceeds to step 112 without executing deceleration control.

[0066] The above program P1 is executed at a predetermined cycle (every time a predetermined short period of time has elapsed). That is, the program P1 is executed repeatedly while the vehicle approaches the traffic light S. During that time, the predicted speed vp and the threshold value vpth may change depending on the operation manner of the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal, changes in the lighting manner of the traffic light S, and the like.

[0067] (effect) By executing the above-mentioned program P1, the CPU executes deceleration control when the predicted speed vp is less than the threshold vpth, and does not execute deceleration control when the predicted speed vp is equal to or greater than the threshold vpth. The CPU then sets the likelihood LH (threshold vpth) when the light color of the traffic light S is "yellow" to be smaller than the likelihood LH (threshold vpth) when the light color of the traffic light S is "red". Therefore, compared to when the light color is "red", when the light color is "yellow", the predicted speed vp tends to exceed the threshold vpth. In other words, compared to when the light color is "red", it is more difficult to execute deceleration control when the light color is "yellow". Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to suppress the execution of excessive deceleration control in the dilemma zone.

[0068] Furthermore, the CPU gradually increases the likelihood LH (threshold vpth) from time t1 (position p1) when it recognizes that the light color is "yellow". For example, in the example shown in FIG. 6, when a certain amount of time has passed since the state (time t1) in which the predicted speed vp exceeds the threshold vpth, the predicted speed vp transitions to a state (time t2) in which the predicted speed vp is less than the threshold vpth. In this case, deceleration control is not executed at time t1 when it is recognized that the light color is "yellow", but deceleration control is executed at time t2 (position p2) immediately before the light color transitions to "red". According to this, deceleration control begins to be executed a little before the light color of the traffic light S transitions to "red", further improving the safety of the vehicle. In the example shown in the figure, the predicted speed vp is constant for the sake of simplicity, but the predicted speed vp may vary as the host vehicle approaches the traffic light S.

[0069] Also, when the turn signal is indicating "right turn" ("left turn") and the vehicle is in the right turn lane (left turn lane) or at the right end (left end) of the lane, the CPU increases the likelihood LH (threshold vpth). Therefore, the predicted speed vp tends to be less than the threshold vpth. This causes the vehicle to decelerate, allowing the driver to safely turn the vehicle right (left).

[0070] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be adopted within the scope of the present invention, as described below.

[0071] <Variation 1> As described above, the CPU provisionally determines the likelihood LH by referring to the first database DB1, and subtracts a correction value from the likelihood LH when the light color is "yellow." At this time, the correction value (first correction value) when the light color of the traffic light S changes from "green" to "yellow" may be made different from the correction value (second correction value) when the light color changes from "red" with the arrow light turned on to "yellow." For example, the first correction value may be made larger than the second correction value.

[0072] <Variation 2> 7, the CPU may be configured to set the target position sp to the stop line before the traffic light S (intersection) in principle. However, the CPU may shift the target position sp forward (into the intersection) when it recognizes that the host vehicle has entered a right-turn lane (left-turn lane) based on information acquired from the on-board sensor 20.

[0073] <Variation 3> In the above embodiment, the database DB includes a first database DB1 for provisionally determining the likelihood LH in a situation where the light color of the traffic light S is "red or yellow" and a second database DB2 for correcting the likelihood LH when the light color of the traffic light S is "yellow". Alternatively, a third database DB3 (see FIG. 8) may be used that includes a plurality of likelihoods LH each corresponding to a situation where the light color is "red" and a plurality of likelihoods LH each corresponding to a plurality of types of situations where the light color is "yellow". In this case, the CPU can obtain the likelihood LH corresponding to the light state of the traffic light S by referring to the third database DB3. In other words, the process of determining the likelihood LH is simplified compared to the case where the likelihood LH is provisionally determined and then the likelihood LH is corrected. In this case, the threshold value vpth is calculated using the calculation formula shown in FIG. 9.

[0074] <Modification 4> 8 defines the relationship between the light state of the traffic light S and the likelihood LH, but instead of this, a fourth database DB4 may be employed that defines the relationship between the light state of the traffic light S and the threshold vpth. This allows the CPU to refer to the fourth database DB4 and directly acquire the threshold vpth corresponding to the light state of the traffic light S. In other words, the process of determining the threshold vpth is simplified compared to the case where the CPU determines the likelihood LH by referring to the third database DB3 and applies the likelihood LH to the calculation formula E to determine the threshold vpth.

[0075] <Variation 5> In the above embodiment, when the predicted speed vp is equal to or greater than the threshold value vpth, deceleration control is not executed. Alternatively, when the predicted speed vp is equal to or greater than the threshold value vpth, slow deceleration control may be executed to decelerate the vehicle relatively slowly (slower than when the predicted speed vp is less than the threshold value vpth). [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] Reference Signs List 1...driving assistance device, 10...driving assistance ECU, 20...vehicle sensor, 30...driving device, 40...braking device, 50...shift switching device, AD...pedal depth, DB1...first database, DB2...second database, DB3...third database, DB4...fourth database, E...calculation formula, LH...likelihood, S...traffic signal, V...vehicle, vp...predicted speed, vpth...threshold, vs...speed

Claims

1. A driving assistance device mounted on a vehicle, A signal recognition device that recognizes a lighting state of a traffic signal present in front of the vehicle; a control device that determines a predetermined position around the traffic light as a target position when the lighting state of the traffic light recognized by the signal recognition device is a predetermined state, and executes deceleration control to decelerate the host vehicle until the host vehicle reaches the target position, the control device being configured to calculate a predicted speed which is the speed of the host vehicle at a time when the host vehicle reaches the target position if the host vehicle is decelerated from a current time in the predetermined deceleration state, and execute the deceleration control in a first situation in which the predicted speed is less than a threshold determined based on the lighting state of the traffic light, and to not execute the deceleration control or execute gradual deceleration control to decelerate the host vehicle more slowly than in the first situation in a second situation in which the predicted speed is equal to or greater than the threshold; A driving assistance device comprising: A driving assistance device, wherein the threshold value when the light color of the traffic signal is yellow is smaller than the threshold value when the light color of the traffic signal is red.

2. The driving assistance device according to claim 1, The control device increases the threshold value as the time elapsed since the signal recognition device recognized that the light color is yellow increases.

3. The driving support device according to claim 1 or 2, The control device increases the threshold value when the traffic light is yellow, the turn signal of the vehicle is activated, and the vehicle is entering a dedicated lane for turning in the direction indicated by the turn signal.

4. The driving support device according to claim 1 or 2, The control device increases the threshold value when the traffic light color is yellow, the vehicle's turn signal is activated, and the vehicle is located at the end of the road on which the vehicle is traveling in the direction indicated by the turn signal, out of both ends in the width direction of the road.

5. A driving assistance method applied to a vehicle, comprising: A signal recognition step of recognizing a lighting state of a traffic signal present in front of the vehicle; a control step of determining a predetermined position around the traffic light as a target position when the lighting state of the traffic light recognized in the signal recognition step is a predetermined state, and executing deceleration control to decelerate the host vehicle until the host vehicle reaches the target position, the control step calculating a predicted speed which is the speed of the host vehicle at a time when the host vehicle reaches the target position if the host vehicle is decelerated from a current time in a predetermined deceleration state, and executing the deceleration control in a first situation in which the predicted speed is less than a threshold determined based on the lighting state of the traffic light, and executing a gradual deceleration control to decelerate the host vehicle more slowly than in the first situation in a second situation in which the predicted speed is equal to or greater than the threshold; A driving assistance method comprising: A driving assistance method, wherein the threshold value when the light color of the traffic light is yellow is smaller than the threshold value when the light color of the traffic light is red.

6. The computer of the vehicle A signal recognition step of recognizing a lighting state of a traffic signal present in front of the vehicle; a control step of determining a predetermined position around the traffic light as a target position when the lighting state of the traffic light recognized in the signal recognition step is a predetermined state, and executing deceleration control to decelerate the host vehicle until the host vehicle reaches the target position, the control step calculating a predicted speed which is the speed of the host vehicle at a time when the host vehicle reaches the target position if the host vehicle is decelerated from a current time in a predetermined deceleration state, and executing the deceleration control in a first situation in which the predicted speed is less than a threshold determined based on the lighting state of the traffic light, and executing a gradual deceleration control to decelerate the host vehicle more slowly than in the first situation in a second situation in which the predicted speed is equal to or greater than the threshold; In a driving assistance program that executes The driving assistance program, wherein the threshold value is smaller when the light color of the traffic signal is yellow than when the light color of the traffic signal is red.

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