Electronic device, vehicle, display control method, and program

Abstract

To provide an electronic device, a vehicle, a display control method, and a program for specifying a speed limit suitable for a lane in which a vehicle travels.SOLUTION: An electronic device 3 includes: a storage section 32 for storing map information; an acquisition section 331 for acquiring a speed limit indicated by a sign which is included in a captured image generated by an in-vehicle camera and a position of a vehicle; and a display control section 332 for making a display part 4 display the speed limit which is indicated by the sign included in the captured image. The display control section 332 does not make the display part 4 display the speed limit acquired by the acquisition section 331 while the distance between the vehicle and a junction is less than a threshold.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device, a vehicle, a display control method, and a program that acquire a speed limit appropriate for the lane in which the vehicle is traveling. [Background technology]

[0002] The system in Patent Document 1 recognizes the speed limit from images captured by a camera and sets it as the maximum speed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-4492 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventional systems have the problem that when a vehicle traveling on a main line approaches a branch point, the system detects the speed limit of the branch line and ends up setting the speed limit of the branch line as the speed limit of the main line.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of these points, and has an object to specify a speed limit appropriate for the lane in which a vehicle is traveling. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An electronic device according to a first aspect of the present invention has a memory unit that stores map information, an acquisition unit that acquires a speed limit indicated by a sign included in an captured image generated by a camera equipped in a vehicle and the position of the vehicle, and a display control unit that causes a display unit to display the speed limit indicated by the sign included in the captured image, wherein the display control unit does not cause the display unit to display the speed limit acquired by the acquisition unit while the distance between the vehicle and a junction is less than a threshold value.

[0007] The display control unit may cause the display unit to display the speed limit acquired by the acquisition unit when the vehicle is traveling at a location where the distance is equal to or greater than the threshold while the vehicle is traveling at a location where the distance is less than the threshold.

[0008] When the display control unit determines that the vehicle is entering a branch road, the display unit may display the speed limit acquired by the acquisition unit while the distance between the vehicle and the branch point is less than the threshold value.

[0009] The map information may include positions of a plurality of lanes and lane types corresponding to each of the positions of the plurality of lanes, and the display control unit may cause the display unit to display the speed limit acquired by the acquisition unit while the vehicle is traveling at a position where the distance is less than the threshold, under the condition that the type of lane in which the vehicle is traveling before passing the branch point is different from the type of lane in which the vehicle is traveling after passing the branch point.

[0010] The display control unit may cause the display unit to display the speed limit acquired by the acquisition unit while the vehicle is traveling at a location where the distance is less than the threshold, on condition that a turn signal of the vehicle is activated when the vehicle is traveling at a location where the distance is less than the threshold.

[0011] The display control unit may cause the display unit to display the speed limit acquired by the acquisition unit while the vehicle is traveling at a position where the distance is less than the threshold, and the type of lane in which the vehicle will travel after passing the branch point.

[0012] A vehicle according to a second aspect of the present invention includes the electronic device described above and the camera that generates the captured image.

[0013] A display control method according to a third aspect of the present invention includes the steps of: acquiring, executed by a processor, a speed limit indicated by a sign contained in an captured image generated by a camera equipped in a vehicle and the position of the vehicle; and displaying, on a display unit, the speed limit indicated by the sign contained in the captured image; and, in the displaying step, not displaying on the display unit the acquired speed limit while the distance between the vehicle and a junction is less than a threshold value.

[0014] A program according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a processor to execute the steps of acquiring a speed limit indicated by a sign contained in an image generated by a camera equipped in a vehicle and the position of the vehicle, and displaying on a display unit the speed limit indicated by the sign contained in the image, wherein in the displaying step, the acquired speed limit is not displayed on the display unit while the distance between the vehicle and a junction is less than a threshold value. Effect of the Invention

[0015] Advantageous Effects of Invention According to the present invention, an advantageous effect is achieved in that a speed limit appropriate for the lane in which the vehicle is traveling is identified. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a vehicle S according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of an acquisition unit 331. FIG. [Diagram 3] 1 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a vehicle S traveling on a lane B. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the vehicle position and the lane type. [Diagram 5] 11 is a diagram showing an example of a processing sequence in the electronic device 3. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] <Overview of Vehicle S> Fig. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a vehicle S according to this embodiment. The vehicle S shown in Fig. 1 includes a camera 1, a GPS (Global Positioning System) unit 2, an electronic device 3, and a display unit 4. The vehicle S has a function of displaying, on the display unit 4 such as a display, a speed limit indicated by a sign installed ahead of the vehicle S in the traveling direction.

[0018] The camera 1 extracts a sign indicating a speed limit from a captured image generated by capturing an image of the area ahead in the traveling direction of the vehicle S, and transmits to the electronic device 3 the speed limit indicated by the extracted sign.

[0019] The GPS unit 2 receives radio waves transmitted from GPS satellites and calculates the latitude and longitude based on the information contained in the received radio waves. The GPS unit 2 transmits the calculated latitude and longitude to the electronic device 3 as position information of the vehicle S.

[0020] The electronic device 3 executes a process of displaying data such as an image or text indicating the speed limit acquired from the camera 1 on the display unit 4. The electronic device 3 may take any form, and may have a housing containing electronic components, or may be a printed circuit board on which electronic components are mounted. In this embodiment, the electronic device 3 is a board for vehicle control on which a processor and a storage unit are mounted.

[0021] The display unit 4 is a display that displays speed, remaining fuel, time, temperature, etc., and displays data indicating the speed limit obtained from the electronic device 3. The display unit 4 is provided on the instrument panel of the vehicle S, but may also be provided on an information terminal used by the driver.

[0022] Incidentally, in a conventional sign recognition function that displays information on regulatory signs included in a captured image, when a vehicle S traveling on a main road such as an expressway recognizes a sign indicating the speed limit of a branch road at a branch road, the information indicated on the sign may be displayed. Specifically, when the vehicle S traveling on the main road approaches a branch point, the camera 1 extracts the sign of the branch road included in the captured image, transmits the speed limit of the branch road to the electronic device 3, and the electronic device 3 displays the speed limit of the branch road on the display unit 4 as the speed limit of the main road.

[0023] On the other hand, when the distance between the position of the vehicle S acquired from the GPS unit 2 and the position of the branch point included in the map information stored in the electronic device 3 is less than the threshold value, the electronic device 3 does not display the speed limit acquired from the camera 1 on the display unit 4. By operating in this manner, the electronic device 3 can prevent the speed limit of the branch road from being displayed when the vehicle S is traveling on the main road. The configuration and operation of the electronic device 3 will be described in detail below.

[0024] <Configuration of Electronic Device 3> The electronic device 3 includes a communication unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a control unit 33. The control unit 33 includes an acquisition unit 331 and a display control unit 332.

[0025] The communication unit 31 includes a communication device for transmitting and receiving information via a network or a digital signal transmission bus. The communication device is, for example, a CAN (Controller Area Network) controller.

[0026] The storage unit 32 has a storage medium such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage unit 32 stores a program executed by the control unit 33. The storage unit 32 stores various information for displaying data indicating a speed limit on the display unit 4. As an example, the storage unit 32 stores map information. The map information includes position information indicating the latitude and longitude of lane branching points.

[0027] The control unit 33 is a so-called processor, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an ECU (Electronic Control Unit). The control unit 33 executes a program stored in the storage unit 32 to function as an acquisition unit 331 and a display control unit 332. The control unit 33 may be configured with one processor, or may be configured with multiple processors or a combination of one or more processors and an electronic circuit. The configuration of each unit realized by the control unit 33 will be described below.

[0028] The acquisition unit 331 acquires the speed limit indicated by a sign included in a captured image generated by the camera 1 equipped in the vehicle S, and the position of the vehicle S. For example, the acquisition unit 331 acquires speed limit information indicating the speed limit from the camera 1, and stores the speed limit information in the storage unit 32 in association with the time at which the speed limit information was acquired. The acquisition unit 331 acquires location information indicating the latitude and longitude of the vehicle S from the GPS unit 2, and stores the location information in the storage unit 32 in association with the time at which the location information was acquired.

[0029] Furthermore, each time the acquisition unit 331 acquires location information, it calculates the distance between the position of the branch point ahead in the travel direction included in the map information and the position of the vehicle S, and stores the location information in the memory unit 32 in association with the time of acquisition.

[0030] Fig. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the acquisition unit 331. Fig. 2 shows a sign R1 indicating the speed limit of lane A, which is a main lane, and a sign R2 indicating the speed limit of lane B, which is a branching lane. A route L (dashed line) shown in Fig. 2 is a route along which a vehicle S travels, and on the route L, positions P1 and P2 from which position information is acquired, positions Q1 and Q2 from which the speed limit is acquired, a branch point C2, and a position C1 a distance T before the branch point C2 are shown. The distance T and position C1 will be described later.

[0031] For example, at position P1, the acquisition unit 331 calculates the distance between position P1 where the vehicle S is traveling and branch point C2, and then acquires the speed limit (80 km / h) indicated by sign R1 at position Q1. Next, at position P2, the acquisition unit 331 calculates the distance between position P2 and branch point C2, and then acquires the speed limit (40 km / h) indicated by sign R2 at position Q2.

[0032] The display control unit 332 causes the display unit 4 to display the speed limit indicated by a sign included in the captured image generated by the camera 1. For example, while the vehicle S is traveling at a position where the distance between the vehicle S and a branch point C2 ahead in the traveling direction included in the map information is equal to or greater than a threshold, the display control unit 332 causes the display unit 4 to display the first speed limit acquired by the acquisition unit 331.

[0033] That is, when the vehicle S is traveling at a distance equal to or greater than the threshold from the branch point C2, the display control unit 332 causes the display unit 4 to display the first speed limit. The threshold is a distance at which a sign indicating the speed limit of the branch road can be extracted from the captured image generated by the camera 1, or a distance at which the speed limit of the branch road can be identified from the sign included in the captured image, and is, for example, 300 m. In Fig. 2, the threshold is the distance T between the branch point C2 and the position C1.

[0034] For example, the acquisition unit 331 acquires the first speed limit (80 km / h) indicated by sign R1 at position Q1. When the distance calculated by the acquisition unit 331 at position P1 (i.e., the distance between position P1 and branch point C2) is equal to or greater than distance T, the display control unit 332 displays data such as an image or text corresponding to the first speed limit on the display unit 4. Furthermore, the display control unit 332 stores the first speed limit in the memory unit 32.

[0035] The display control unit 332 does not cause the display unit 4 to display the speed limit acquired by the acquisition unit 331 while the distance between the vehicle S and the junction C2 is less than the threshold value. For example, while the vehicle S is traveling at a position where the distance between the vehicle S and the junction C2 ahead in the traveling direction included in the map information is less than the distance T, the display control unit 332 does not cause the display unit 4 to display the second speed limit acquired by the acquisition unit 331. In other words, when the vehicle S is within a predetermined range from the junction C2, even if the speed limit is identified from the captured image, the display control unit 332 does not cause the display unit 4 to display the identified speed limit (second speed limit).

[0036] For example, the acquisition unit 331 acquires the second speed limit (40 km / h) indicated by sign R2 at position Q2. The display control unit 332 does not display data corresponding to the second speed limit on the display unit 4 because the distance calculated by the acquisition unit 331 at position P2 (i.e., the distance between position P2 and branch point C2) is less than distance T. Furthermore, the display control unit 332 stores the second speed limit in the memory unit 32. By not displaying the second speed limit on the display unit 4, it is possible to prevent the speed limit of the branch road from being displayed while the vehicle S is traveling on the main road.

[0037] Furthermore, while the vehicle S is traveling in a position where the distance between the branch point C2 ahead in the traveling direction and the vehicle S is less than the distance T, the display control unit 332 causes the display unit 4 to display the first speed limit acquired by the acquisition unit 331 when the vehicle S is traveling in a position where the distance is equal to or greater than a threshold. For example, at position Q2, the distance between the branch point C2 and position P2 is less than the distance T, so that the display control unit 332 causes the display unit 4 to display the first speed limit indicated by the sign R1 acquired by the acquisition unit 331 at position P1. By operating the display control unit 332 in this manner, a speed limit appropriate for the lane in which the vehicle S is traveling can be displayed even while the vehicle S is traveling in a position close to a branch point.

[0038] Incidentally, when vehicle S traveling on lane A, which is a main lane, changes lanes from branch point C2 to lane B, which is a branch road, it is preferable for the driver to display the speed limit of lane B (i.e., 40 km / h indicated by sign R2 in FIG. 2) while traveling on lane B. Thus, when the display control unit 332 in this embodiment determines that vehicle S will enter (is entering) a branch road, it causes the display unit 4 to display the speed limit acquired while the distance between vehicle S and branch point C2 corresponding to the branch road is less than distance T.

[0039] For example, the display control unit 332 determines that the vehicle S is entering (entering) a branch road when the type of lane in which the vehicle S is traveling before passing through the branch point C2 is different from the type of lane in which the vehicle S is traveling after passing through the branch point C2. That is, the display control unit 332 causes the display unit 4 to display the second speed limit acquired by the acquisition unit 331 while the vehicle S is traveling at a position where the distance between the branch point C2 ahead in the traveling direction and the vehicle S is less than the distance T, on the condition that the type of lane in which the vehicle S is traveling before passing through the branch point C2 is different from the type of lane in which the vehicle S is traveling after passing through the branch point C2.

[0040] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a vehicle S traveling on lane B. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the position of a vehicle and the type of lane. FIG. 3 is different from FIG. 2 in that the route L after the branch point C2 becomes lane B and that a position P3 is shown on the route L in lane B, but is the same in other respects. In FIG. 4, the time, the position acquired by the acquisition unit 331, and the type of lane are associated with each other. The display control unit 332 can specify the type of lane corresponding to the position of the vehicle S acquired by the acquisition unit 331 by referring to the positions of the multiple lanes included in the map information and the lane types corresponding to each of the multiple lane positions.

[0041] For example, by referring to the map information stored in the storage unit 32, the display control unit 332 identifies the type of lane A corresponding to position P1 as "expressway" and stores it in the storage unit 32 in association with the time T1 at which the acquisition unit 331 acquired position P1 and the position P1. Similarly, the display control unit 332 stores the type of lane A as "expressway" in association with the time T2 and position P2 in the storage unit 32.

[0042] Next, the display control unit 332 causes the display unit 4 to display the second speed limit (40 km / h) indicated by the sign R2 acquired at position Q2, because the type of lane B identified at position P3, "branch road," is different from the type of lane A corresponding to position P2 before passing through the branch point C2, "expressway." By operating in this manner, the display control unit 332 can display a speed limit appropriate for the changed lane when the vehicle S changes lanes.

[0043] Furthermore, the display control unit 332 may determine whether or not the type of lane in which the vehicle S travels before passing the branch point C2 is different from the type of lane in which the vehicle S travels after passing the branch point C2, on the condition that the turn signal of the vehicle S is activated when the vehicle S travels at a position where the distance between the branch point C2 ahead in the traveling direction and the vehicle S is less than the distance T. That is, if the turn signal is activated when the vehicle S is approaching the branch point C2, the display control unit 332 determines whether or not the type of lane before passing the branch point C2 is different from the type of lane after the vehicle S has reached the branch point C2, after the display control unit 332 operates in this manner. This reduces the processing load because it does not determine whether the type of lane has changed when the vehicle S does not travel on a branch road.

[0044] Furthermore, the display control unit 332 may cause the display unit 4 to display the second speed limit acquired by the acquisition unit 331 while the vehicle S is traveling at a position where the distance is less than the distance T, and the type of lane in which the vehicle S will travel after passing the branch point C2. For example, at position P3, the display control unit 332 causes the display unit 4 to display data corresponding to the second speed limit acquired at position Q2, and data such as an image or text indicating the type of lane B including position P3, "branch road." By the display control unit 332 operating in this manner, the driver can know whether the speed limit displayed on the display unit 4 is the speed limit of the lane in which the driver is traveling.

[0045] Furthermore, the display control unit 332 may display the speed limit acquired by the acquisition unit 331 on the display unit 4 when the turn signal of the vehicle S is operating while the vehicle S is traveling at a position where the distance between the branch point C2 ahead in the traveling direction and the vehicle S is less than the distance T. When the turn signal is operating, the driver of the vehicle S is highly likely to cause the vehicle S to enter a branch road. Therefore, in such a case, the display control unit 332 causes the display unit 4 to display information indicating the speed limit indicated on the acquired sign R2, even if the distance between the branch point C2 and the vehicle S is less than the distance T.

[0046] This prevents the driver from mistaking the speed limit of the branch road for the speed limit of the main road when driving on the main road, while making it easier for the driver to recognize the speed limit of the branch road when the vehicle S is about to enter the branch road. Note that the above judgment can also include the magnitude of the steering angle as a judgment condition in addition to the operation of the turn signal.

[0047] <Processing sequence in electronic device 3> Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a processing sequence in the electronic device 3. The processing sequence shown in Fig. 5 shows, as an example, an operation from acquiring a speed limit indicated by a sign ahead in the traveling direction to displaying the speed limit.

[0048] The acquisition unit 331 acquires from the camera 1 the speed limit indicated by a sign ahead in the traveling direction of the vehicle S (S11), and acquires from the GPS unit 2 position information indicating the position of the vehicle S (S12). The acquisition unit 331 identifies the distance between the position of the branch point C2 ahead in the traveling direction of the vehicle S, which is included in the map information stored in the memory unit 32, and the position of the vehicle S acquired from the GPS unit 2 (S13).

[0049] If the distance identified by the acquisition unit 331 is greater than or equal to the threshold value (distance T shown in FIG. 2) (YES in S14), the display control unit 332 causes the display unit 4 to display the speed limit (first speed limit) acquired in step S11 (S15).

[0050] If the distance identified by the acquisition unit 331 is less than the distance T (NO in S14), the display control unit 332 does not display the speed limit acquired in step S11 (second speed limit) (S16). Next, the display control unit 332 causes the display unit 4 to display the speed limit (first speed limit) acquired when the vehicle was traveling at a position where the distance identified by the acquisition unit 331 was equal to or greater than the distance T (S15).

[0051] <Effects of electronic device 3> As described above, the electronic device 3 includes the memory unit 32 that stores map information, the acquisition unit 331 that acquires the speed limit indicated by the sign included in the captured image generated by the camera 1 equipped in the vehicle and the vehicle position, and the display control unit 332 that causes the display unit 4 to display the speed limit indicated by the sign included in the captured image. The display control unit 332 does not cause the display unit 4 to display the speed limit acquired by the acquisition unit 331 while the distance between the vehicle and the intersection is less than the threshold value.

[0052] By configuring the electronic device 3 in this way, it is possible to prevent the speed limit of the branch road from being displayed on the display unit 4 while the vehicle S is traveling on the main road, and therefore to display the speed limit appropriate for the lane in which the vehicle S is traveling. As a result, the driver can know the speed limit appropriate for the lane in which the vehicle S is traveling.

[0053] Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, all or part of the device can be configured by distributing or integrating functionally or physically in any unit. In addition, new embodiments resulting from any combination of multiple embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effect of the new embodiment resulting from the combination combines the effect of the original embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1 Camera 2 GPS units 3 Electronic equipment 4 Display 31 Communications Department 32 Storage section 33 Control Unit 331 Acquisition Department 332 Display control section

Claims

1. A storage unit that stores map information including positions of a plurality of lanes and types of lanes corresponding to the positions of the plurality of lanes; an acquisition unit that calculates a distance between a position of a junction ahead of the vehicle in a traveling direction and a position of the vehicle, and then acquires a speed limit indicated by a sign included in an image generated by a camera provided on the vehicle at a position closer to the junction than the position of the vehicle; a display control unit that controls a display unit to display the speed limit acquired by the acquisition unit when the distance is equal to or greater than a threshold, and controls the display unit not to display the speed limit acquired by the acquisition unit when the distance is less than the threshold; having the display control unit controls the display unit to display, after passing through the branch point, the speed limit acquired by the acquisition unit while the vehicle is traveling at a position where the distance is less than the threshold, on the condition that a type of lane in which the vehicle is traveling before passing through the branch point is different from a type of lane in which the vehicle is traveling after passing through the branch point. electronic equipment.

2. The display control unit causes the display unit to display the speed limit acquired by the acquisition unit when the vehicle is traveling at a position where the distance is equal to or greater than the threshold while the vehicle is traveling at a position where the distance is less than the threshold.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1.

3. When it is determined that the vehicle will enter a branch road, the display control unit causes the display unit to display the speed limit acquired by the acquisition unit while the distance between the vehicle and the branch point is less than the threshold.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1.

4. the display control unit causes the display unit to display the speed limit acquired by the acquisition unit while the vehicle is traveling through a position where the distance is less than the threshold, on condition that a direction indicator of the vehicle is operating when the vehicle is traveling through the position where the distance is less than the threshold.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1.

5. The display control unit causes the display unit to display the speed limit acquired by the acquisition unit while the vehicle is traveling through a position where the distance is less than the threshold value, and a type of lane in which the vehicle will travel after passing through the branch point.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1.

6. The electronic device according to claim 1 ; The camera for generating the captured image; A vehicle comprising:

7. The processor executes calculating a distance between a position of a junction ahead in a traveling direction of the vehicle and a position of the vehicle, and then acquiring a speed limit indicated by a sign included in an image captured by a camera provided on the vehicle at a position closer to the junction than the position of the vehicle; a step of controlling a display unit to display the speed limit acquired in the acquiring step when the distance is equal to or greater than a threshold, and not displaying the speed limit acquired in the acquiring step on the display unit when the distance is less than the threshold; having In the controlling step, the speed limit acquired in the acquiring step while the vehicle is traveling at a position where the distance is less than the threshold is controlled so as to be displayed on the display unit after the vehicle passes through the branch point, on the condition that a type of lane in which the vehicle is traveling before passing through the branch point is different from a type of lane in which the vehicle is traveling after passing through the branch point. Display control method.

8. The processor: calculating a distance between a position of a junction ahead in a traveling direction of the vehicle and a position of the vehicle, and then acquiring a speed limit indicated by a sign included in an image captured by a camera provided on the vehicle at a position closer to the junction than the position of the vehicle; a step of controlling a display unit to display the speed limit acquired in the acquiring step when the distance is equal to or greater than a threshold, and not displaying the speed limit acquired in the acquiring step on the display unit when the distance is less than the threshold; A program for executing In the controlling step, the speed limit acquired in the acquiring step while the vehicle is traveling at a position where the distance is less than the threshold is controlled so as to be displayed on the display unit after the vehicle passes through the branch point, on the condition that a type of lane in which the vehicle is traveling before passing through the branch point is different from a type of lane in which the vehicle is traveling after passing through the branch point. program.

Images