Monitoring system, monitoring computer program, and monitoring method

Abstract

To provide a monitoring system that can surely notify a driver of a movement request for moving a seat position in a driver's seat into a recommended range, when the seat position is not included in the recommended range.SOLUTION: A monitoring system comprises: notification parts 4 and 6 that can notify a driver 40 of information so that the driver can tactilely recognize the information; a seat position determination part 231 that determines whether or not a seat position of a driver's seat 31 on which the driver 40 who drives a vehicle 10 is seated is included in a recommended range showing a range of the seat position where the driver can drive the vehicle 10 while being seated on the driver' seat 31; and a notification control part 232 that notifies the driver 40 of a movement request for moving the seat position into the recommended range, through the notification parts 4 and 6, when the seat position determination part 231 determines that the seat position is not included in the recommended range.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a monitoring system, a monitoring computer program, and a monitoring method.

Background Art

[0002] An automatic control system mounted on a vehicle can control the vehicle at different levels of autonomous driving according to the determination of the automatic control system or the driver. When the vehicle is being driven at an autonomous driving level of 2 or lower, the driver mainly drives the vehicle.

[0003] On the other hand, when the vehicle is being driven at an autonomous driving level of 3, the automatic control system mainly drives the vehicle. Therefore, when the vehicle is being driven at an autonomous driving level of 3, the driver can displace the seat position so as to take a relaxed posture, for example.

[0004] Even when the vehicle is being driven at an autonomous driving level of 3, if the automatic control system determines that it cannot safely drive the vehicle automatically, the automatic control system notifies the driver of a control transfer request asking the driver to transfer the main body of the vehicle driving from the automatic control system to the driver (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The driver starts driving the vehicle in response to this control transfer request.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Therefore, when the automatic control system is automatically controlling the driving of the vehicle, it monitors whether the driver is in a state where he / she can start driving the vehicle in response to a control transfer request. If the seat position of the driver's seat is not within the recommended range in which the driver can drive the vehicle, the automatic control system notifies the driver to move the seat position within the recommended range.

[0007] However, when the control transfer request is notified to the driver in a visually recognizable form, if the seat position is moved backward so that the driver can take a relaxed posture, there is a possibility that the display device of the driver's seat cannot be visually recognized. Also, when the control transfer request is notified to the driver in an audibly recognizable form, if the control transfer request is mixed with other sounds, there is a possibility that the notification cannot be correctly heard.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a monitoring system that surely conveys to the driver a movement request for moving the seat position within the recommended range when the seat position of the driver's seat is not within the recommended range.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0009] (1) According to one embodiment, a monitoring system is provided. This monitoring system includes a notification unit capable of notifying the driver in a form in which information can be tactilely recognized, a seat position determination unit that determines whether the seat position of the driver's seat on which the driver driving the vehicle is seated is within a recommended range representing a range of seat positions in which the driver can drive the vehicle when seated on the driver's seat, and a notification control unit that, when the seat position determination unit determines that the seat position is not within the recommended range, notifies the driver of a movement request for moving the seat position within the recommended range via the notification unit.

[0010] (2) In the monitoring system of (1), it is preferable that the notification unit can notify the driver of the movement request by vibrating or displacing the seat surface of the driver's seat.

[0011] (3) In the monitoring system of (1) or (2), it is preferable that the notification unit can change the tension of the seat belt in the driver's seat to notify the driver of the movement request.

[0012] (4) In any of the monitoring systems of (1) to (3), it is preferable to have an operation control unit that determines to stop the vehicle when, after the notification of the movement request, a predetermined time has elapsed and the seat position determination unit determines that the seat position is not included within the recommended range.

[0013] (5) In any of the monitoring systems of (1) to (4), the vehicle has an automatic driving mode in which the automatic control device mainly drives the vehicle and a manual driving mode in which the driver mainly drives the vehicle, and it is preferable that the seat position determination unit determines whether the seat position of the driver's seat is included within the recommended range when the vehicle is in the automatic driving mode.

[0014] (6) In any of the monitoring systems of (1) to (5), it is preferable that the determination unit determines the state of the driver when the seat position of the driver's seat is within the recommended range based on the information representing the state of the driver.

[0015] (7) According to another embodiment, a monitoring computer program is provided. This monitoring computer program determines whether the seat position of the driver's seat where the driver driving the vehicle is seated is included within a recommended range representing the range of seat positions where the driver can drive the vehicle while seated in the driver's seat, and when it is determined that the seat position is not included within the recommended range, causes the processor to execute to notify the driver of a movement request asking to move the seat position within the recommended range via a notification unit that can notify the driver in a form in which the information can be tactilely recognized.

[0016] (8) According to still another embodiment, a monitoring method is provided. This monitoring method determines whether the seat position of the driver's seat where the driver driving the vehicle is seated is included within a recommended range representing the range of seat positions where the driver can be seated in the driver's seat and drive the vehicle. When it is determined that the seat position is not included within the recommended range, a movement request to move the seat position within the recommended range is notified to the driver via a notification unit that can notify the driver in a form in which information can be tactilely recognized. The monitoring device executes this. This is the feature.

Effect of the Invention

[0017] The monitoring system according to the present disclosure can surely convey the movement request to the driver by the driver tactilely conveying the movement request to move the seat position within the recommended range when the seat position of the driver's seat is not included within the recommended range.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] FIG. 1(A) and FIG. 1(B) are diagrams for explaining the outline of the operation of the monitoring system of the present embodiment. Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1(A) and 1(B), the outline of the operation of the monitoring device of the present embodiment will be described.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1(A), the vehicle 10 has an automatic control device 12 and a monitoring system 1. The automatic control device 12 has an automatic driving mode in which the automatic control device 12 mainly drives the vehicle 10 and a manual driving mode in which the driver 40 mainly drives the vehicle 10. In the manual driving mode, the automatic control device 12 controls the operation of the vehicle 10 based on the operation of the driver 40. The vehicle 10 may be an autonomous vehicle. The monitoring system 1 includes a seat drive unit 4, a seat belt drive unit 6, and a monitoring device 13.

[0021] FIG. 1(A) shows the seat position of the driver's seat 31 in the passenger compartment 30 during the manual driving mode. The driver 40 can displace the seat position of the driver's seat 31 by operating the seat operation unit 3. During the manual driving mode, the driver 40 displaces the driver's seat 31 to a seat position where the steering wheel 32, the brake pedal 33, and the accelerator pedal 34 can be operated and sits on the driver's seat 31.

[0022] FIG. 1(B) shows the seat position of the driver's seat 31 in the passenger compartment 30 during the automatic driving mode. During the automatic driving mode, the driver 40 can sit on the driver's seat 31 in a relaxed posture. For example, the driver 40 can operate the seat operation unit 3 to displace the seat position of the driver's seat 31 backward and sit on the driver's seat 31 in a reclined position.

[0023] Even when the vehicle 10 is being driven in the automatic driving mode, if the automatic control device 12 determines that it cannot safely drive the vehicle 10 by automatic control, the automatic control device 12 notifies the driver 40 of a control transfer request that requests the transfer of the main body of the operation of the vehicle 10 from the automatic control device 12 to the driver 40.

[0024] In the automatic driving mode, the monitoring device 13 monitors whether the seat position of the driver's seat 31 is within the recommended range where the driver 40 can drive manually. If the seat position of the driver's seat 31 is not within the recommended range where the driver 40 can drive manually, the monitoring device 13 notifies the driver 40 of a movement request asking to move the seat position of the driver's seat 31 within the recommended range.

[0025] The movement request can be notified to the driver 40 as display information via the user interface (UI) 11. However, as shown in FIG. 1(B), when the seat position of the driver's seat 31 is displaced rearward, the driver 40 may not be able to visually recognize the display information displayed on the UI 11.

[0026] Also, the movement request can be notified to the driver 40 as acoustic information via the user interface (UI) 11. However, in the passenger compartment 30 during driving, there is also a possibility that the movement request is mixed with other sounds and the driver 40 may not be able to correctly hear the notification.

[0027] Therefore, the monitoring device 13 notifies the driver 40 of the movement request asking to move the seat position of the driver's seat 31 within the recommended range in a form that can be tactilely recognized by the driver. For example, the monitoring device 13 vibrates or displaces the seat surface of the driver's seat 31 to notify the driver of the movement request. Also, the monitoring device 13 may change the tension of the seat belt 35 of the driver's seat 31 to notify the driver 40 of the movement request.

[0028] Thereby, even if the driver 40 is seated on the driver's seat 31 with the seat position of the driver's seat 31 displaced rearward and lying back, the driver 40 can recognize the notification of the movement request. Then, the driver 40 moves the seat position of the driver's seat 31 within the recommended range.

[0029] As described above, when the seat position of the driver's seat 31 is not within the recommended range, the monitoring system 1 of the present embodiment can surely transmit the movement request to the driver 40 by the driver 40 tactually transmitting the movement request for moving the seat position within the recommended range.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a vehicle 10 in which the monitoring system 1 of the present embodiment is implemented. The vehicle 10 includes a seat operation unit 3, a seat drive unit 4, a seat position detection sensor 5, a seat belt drive unit 6, a user interface (UI) 11, an automatic control device 12, a monitoring device 13, and the like. The monitoring system 1 includes at least the seat drive unit 4, the seat belt drive unit 6, and the monitoring device 13.

[0031] The seat operation unit 3, the seat drive unit 4, the seat position detection sensor 5, the seat belt drive unit 6, the UI 11, the automatic control device 12, and the monitoring device 13 are communicably connected via an in-vehicle network 14 compliant with a standard such as a controller area network.

[0032] The driver's seat 31 has a seat back 31a, a seat cushion 31b, and a headrest 31c. The inclination of the seat back 31a can be discretely displaced in 10 steps. The position of the seat cushion 31b in the front-rear direction can be discretely displaced in 10 steps. In this specification, the seat position of the driver's seat 31 means including the inclination and position of each part of the driver's seat 31.

[0033] The seat operation unit 3 is operated by the driver 40 and outputs an operation signal for displacing the driver's seat 31 to the seat drive unit 4. The seat drive unit 4 displaces the driver's seat 31 based on the operation signal. The seat operation unit 3 has switches for operating the seat back 31a and the seat cushion 31b, respectively.

[0034] The seat drive unit 4 has a drive device such as a motor for displacing the seat back 31a and the seat cushion 31b. In FIGS. 1(A) and 1(B), the seat drive unit 4 is disposed in the seat cushion 31b, but the seat drive unit 4 may be dispersedly disposed in each of the seat back 31a and the seat cushion 31b. Further, the seat drive unit 4 is controlled by the monitoring device 13 to vibrate or displace the seat surfaces of the seat back 31a and the seat cushion 31b of the driver's seat 31.

[0035] The seat position detection sensor 5 detects the inclination or position of each part of the driver's seat 31. The seat position detection sensor 5 detects the inclination of the seat back 31a and outputs inclination information representing the inclination of the seat back 31a to the monitoring device 13. The inclination information is represented by which of the ten steps the inclination of the seat back 31a is located. Further, the seat position detection sensor 5 detects the position of the seat cushion 31b in the front-rear direction and outputs position information representing the position of the seat cushion 31b in the front-rear direction to the monitoring device 13. The position information is represented by which of the ten steps the position of the seat cushion 31b is located. The inclination information and the position information are an example of seat position information representing the seat position of the driver's seat 31 on which the driver 40 driving the vehicle 10 is seated.

[0036] The seat position detection sensor 5 may have a sensor that mechanically, optically or magnetically detects the positions of the seat back 31a and the seat cushion 31b. In FIGS. 1(A) and 1(B), the seat position detection sensor 5 is disposed in the seat cushion 31b, but the seat position detection sensor 5 may be dispersedly disposed in each of the seat back 31a and the seat cushion 31b.

[0037] The seat belt drive unit 6 is controlled by the automatic control device 12 to adjust the tension of the seat belt 35 worn by the driver 40 to a predetermined value. In the automatic driving mode, the seat belt drive unit 6 is controlled by the automatic control device 12 to allow the driver 40 to loosen the tension of the seat belt 35 within a predetermined range. Further, the seat belt drive unit 6 can be controlled by the monitoring device 13 to change the tension of the seat belt 35 on the driver's seat 31.

[0038] UI11 is an example of a notification unit. UI11 is controlled by the automatic control device 12 or the monitoring device 13 to notify the driver 40 of information regarding the vehicle 10 such as a control transfer request. UI11 has a display device 11a such as a liquid crystal display, a head-up display, or a touch panel to display a control transfer request or the like. Further, UI11 may have an acoustic output device (not shown) for notifying the driver 40 of a control transfer request or the like. Also, UI11 has, as an input device for inputting operation information from the driver 40 to the vehicle 10, for example, a touch panel or an operation button. Examples of the operation information include a control transfer request in which the driver 40 requests a control transfer to the automatic control device 12. UI11 outputs the input operation information to the automatic control device 12 and the like via the in-vehicle network 14.

[0039] The automatic control device 12 controls the operation of the vehicle 10. The automatic control device 12 has an automatic driving mode in which the automatic control device 12 mainly drives the vehicle 10 and a manual driving mode in which the driver 40 mainly drives the vehicle 10. In the automatic driving mode, the automatic control device 12 controls operations such as steering, driving, and braking based on detection information from sensors (not shown) mounted on the vehicle 10. For the automatic control device 12 to mainly drive the vehicle 10 means that the automatic control device 12 controls the operations of steering, driving, and braking without the driver's involvement. For the driver 40 to mainly drive the vehicle 10 means that the driver is involved in the control of at least one of the operations of steering, driving, and braking.

[0040] In addition, in the manual driving mode, the automatic control device 12 controls the operations of the vehicle 10 such as steering, driving, and braking based on the driver's operations. In the manual driving mode, the automatic control device 12 controls the operations of the vehicle 10 based on the operation of at least one of the steering wheel 32, the brake pedal 33, or the accelerator pedal 34 by the driver 40.

[0041] The automatic control device 12 may have a plurality of automatic driving levels in the automatic driving mode. In this specification, the plurality of automatic driving levels may include the so-called automatic driving levels 3 to 5. In the automatic driving level 3, the automatic control device 12 corresponds to the automatic driving device, and the vehicle 10 corresponds to the conditionally automated vehicle. In the automatic driving level 4, the automatic control device 12 corresponds to the automatic driving device, and the vehicle 10 corresponds to the automated driving vehicle. In the automatic driving level 5, the automatic control device 12 corresponds to the automatic driving device, and the vehicle 10 corresponds to the fully automated driving vehicle. Also, in this specification, the manual driving mode may include the so-called automatic driving levels 0 to 2.

[0042] When in the automatic driving mode, the automatic control device 12 outputs mode information indicating that the operation of the vehicle 10 is in the automatic driving mode to the monitoring device 13 via the in-vehicle network 14. Also, when in the manual driving mode, the automatic control device 12 outputs mode information indicating that the operation of the vehicle 10 is in the manual driving mode to the monitoring device 13 via the in-vehicle network 14.

[0043] The automatic control device 12 detects objects such as other vehicles around the vehicle 10 based on the detection information of sensors (not shown) mounted on the vehicle 10. In the automatic driving mode, when the automatic control device 12 cannot maintain a distance of a predetermined distance or more between the vehicle 10 and other objects, the automatic control device 12 issues a control transfer request to the driver 40 via the UI 11, which requests to transfer the driving entity of the vehicle 10 from the automatic control device 12 to the driver 40. Also, in the automatic driving mode, before entering an area where automatic control of driving is not permitted, the automatic control device 12 notifies the driver 40 via the UI 11 of a control transfer request that requests to transfer the driving from automatic control to manual control. Examples of areas where automatic control of driving is not permitted include areas without a high-precision map. Further, in the automatic driving mode, the automatic control device 12 also notifies the driver 40 via the UI 11 of a control transfer request when it determines that it cannot safely control the driving of the vehicle 10 due to an abnormality in the sensor or the like.

[0044] When the automatic control device 12 notifies the driver 40 of the control transfer request, it executes the transfer of control so as to transfer the driving of the vehicle 10 to the driver within a predetermined control transfer time. If the approval operation of the driver 40 for the control transfer request cannot be confirmed within the control transfer time, the automatic control device 12 safely stops the vehicle 10 (Minimal Risk Maneuver process). The automatic control device 12 transfers the driving of the vehicle 10 to the driver when it recognizes any one of the following three driver approval operations, for example: (1) the driver 40 is holding the steering wheel 32 and operating the accelerator pedal 34; (2) the driver 40 is holding the steering wheel 32 and operating the brake pedal 33; (3) the driver 40 is holding the steering wheel 32 and operating the steering wheel 32.

[0045] In the automatic driving mode, the driver 40 may notify the automatic control device 12 via the UI 11 of a control transfer request that requests the transfer of the driving entity of the vehicle 10 from the automatic control device 12 to the driver 40. Thereby, the driving mode of the vehicle 10 can be shifted from the automatic driving mode to the manual driving mode.

[0046] Also, in the manual driving mode, the driver 40 may notify the automatic control device 12 via the UI 11 of a control transfer request that requests the transfer of the driving entity of the vehicle 10 from the driver 40 to the automatic control device 12. Thereby, the driving mode of the vehicle 10 can be shifted from the manual driving mode to the automatic driving mode.

[0047] When starting driving in the automatic driving mode, the automatic control device 12 outputs automatic driving start information indicating the start of driving in the automatic driving mode to the monitoring device 13 only during a predetermined notification period.

[0048] The monitoring device 13 executes a determination process and a control process. For this purpose, the monitoring device 13 includes a communication interface (IF) 21, a memory 22, and a processor 23. The communication interface 21, the memory 22, and the processor 23 are connected via a signal line 24. The communication interface 21 has an interface circuit for connecting the monitoring device 13 to the in-vehicle network 14.

[0049] The memory 22 is an example of a storage unit and includes, for example, a volatile semiconductor memory and a non-volatile semiconductor memory. The memory 22 stores a computer program of an application and various data used in information processing executed by the processor 23.

[0050] All or part of the functions of the monitoring device 13 are functional modules realized by, for example, a computer program operating on the processor 23. The processor 23 includes a determination unit 231 and a control unit 232. Alternatively, the functional module of the processor 23 may be a dedicated arithmetic circuit provided in the processor 23. The processor 23 includes one or more CPUs (Central Processing Units) and their peripheral circuits. The processor 23 may further include other arithmetic circuits such as a logical arithmetic unit, a numerical arithmetic unit, or a graphic processing unit. The monitoring device 13 is, for example, an electronic control unit (ECU). Details of the operation of the monitoring device 13 will be described later.

[0051] In FIG. 2, the automatic control device 12 and the monitoring device 13 are described as separate devices (for example, Electronic Control Unit: ECU), but all or part of these devices may be configured as one device.

[0052] FIG. 3 is an example of an operation flowchart regarding the recommended range determination process of the monitoring system 1 of the present embodiment. With reference to FIG. 3, the recommended range determination process of the monitoring system 1 will be described below. The monitoring system 1 executes the recommended range determination process according to the operation flowchart shown in FIG. 3 at the recommended range determination time having a predetermined period.

[0053] The period in which the recommended range determination process is executed is preferably shorter than the notification period in which the automatic driving start information is output from the automatic control device 12. Thereby, the monitoring device 13 can recognize that the automatic driving start information output from the automatic control device 12 has been input.

[0054] First, the determination unit 231 determines whether the operation of the vehicle 10 has shifted from the manual driving mode to the automatic driving mode (step S101). When the automatic driving start information is input to the monitoring device 13, it means that the operation of the vehicle 10 has shifted from the manual driving mode to the automatic driving mode, and the operation of the vehicle 10 in the automatic driving mode has started.

[0055] When the automatic driving start information is input, the determination unit 231 determines that the operation of the vehicle 10 has shifted from the manual driving mode to the automatic driving mode. On the other hand, when the automatic driving start information is not input, the determination unit 231 determines that the operation of the vehicle 10 has not shifted from the manual driving mode to the automatic driving mode.

[0056] When the operation of the vehicle 10 has shifted from the manual driving mode to the automatic driving mode (step S101 - Yes), the determination unit 231 acquires the seat position of the driver's seat 31 (step S102). The seat position of the driver's seat 31 when the operation of the vehicle 10 in the automatic driving mode starts is presumed to represent the seat position of the driver's seat 31 in the manual driving mode. The determination unit 231 acquires the inclination information representing the inclination of the seat back 31a and the position information representing the position in the front - rear direction of the seat cushion 31b.

[0057] Based on the seat position of the driver's seat 31 when the operation of the vehicle 10 in the automatic driving mode starts, the determination unit 231 determines the recommended range of the seat position of the driver's seat 31 (step S103), and ends a series of processes.

[0058] The recommended range of the seat position of the driver's seat 31 is used for determining the seat position of the driver's seat 31 in the automatic driving mode in the monitoring process described later. If the seat position of the driver's seat 31 is included in the recommended range, it is presumed that the driver 40 can operate the steering wheel 32, the brake pedal 33, and the accelerator pedal 34.

[0059] The determination unit 231 determines a recommended range of the inclination of the seat back 31a based on the inclination information (hereinafter also referred to as start inclination information) representing the inclination of the seat back 31a when the operation of the vehicle 10 in the automatic driving mode is started. The inclination information is represented by numerical values from 1 to 10. The smaller the numerical value, the smaller the inclination of the seat back 31a. For example, the determination unit 231 determines, as the recommended range of the inclination, the range of the numerical value represented by the start inclination information and the numerical value that is three larger than the numerical value represented by the start inclination information.

[0060] Further, the determination unit 231 determines a recommended range of the position in the front-rear direction of the seat cushion 31b based on the position information (hereinafter also referred to as start position information) representing the position in the front-rear direction of the seat cushion 31b when the operation of the vehicle 10 in the automatic driving mode is started. The position information is represented by numerical values from 1 to 10. The smaller the numerical value, the more forward (the position on the side of the steering wheel 32) the seat cushion 31b is located. For example, the determination unit 231 determines, as the recommended range of the position in the front-rear direction, the range of the numerical value represented by the start position information and the numerical value that is three larger than the numerical value represented by the start position information.

[0061] On the other hand, when the operation of the vehicle 10 has not shifted from the manual driving mode to the automatic driving mode (step S101 - No), the series of processes is terminated.

[0062] FIG. 4 is an example of an operation flowchart regarding the monitoring process of the monitoring system 1 of the present embodiment. The monitoring process of the monitoring system 1 will be described below with reference to FIG. 4. The monitoring system 1 executes the monitoring process according to the operation flowchart shown in FIG. 4 at a monitoring time having a predetermined period. As the period of the monitoring time, for example, it can be set to 1 to 30 seconds.

[0063] First, the determination unit 231 determines whether the operation of the vehicle 10 is in the automatic driving mode (step S201). When the mode information indicating that the operation of the vehicle 10 is in the automatic driving mode is input, the determination unit 231 determines that the operation of the vehicle 10 is in the automatic driving mode. On the other hand, when the mode information indicating that the operation of the vehicle 10 is in the manual driving mode is input, the determination unit 231 determines that the operation of the vehicle 10 is not in the automatic driving mode. The determination unit 231 is an example of a seat position determination unit.

[0064] When the operation of the vehicle 10 is in the automatic driving mode (step S201 - Yes), the determination unit 231 acquires the seat position of the driver's seat 31 (step S202). The determination unit 231 acquires the inclination information indicating the inclination of the seat back 31a and the position information indicating the position of the seat cushion 31b in the front - rear direction.

[0065] Next, the determination unit 231 determines whether the seat position of the driver's seat 31 is included within the recommended range based on the inclination information and the position information of the seat position of the driver's seat 31 in the automatic driving mode (step S203).

[0066] As shown in FIG. 1(B), when the operation of the vehicle 10 in the automatic driving mode is started, the driver 40 may displace the seat position of the driver's seat 31 and sit on the driver's seat 31 in a relaxed posture. Therefore, the current seat position of the driver's seat 31 may not be included in the recommended range.

[0067] When the inclination information indicating the inclination of the current seat back 31a of the driver's seat 31 is included in the recommended range of the inclination, the determination unit 231 determines that the inclination of the seat back 31a is included in the recommended range of the inclination. On the other hand, when the inclination information is not included in the recommended range of the inclination, the determination unit 231 determines that the inclination of the seat back 31a is not included in the recommended range of the inclination.

[0068] Further, when the position information representing the front - rear direction position of the seat cushion 31b of the current driver's seat 31 is included in the recommended range of the position, the determination unit 231 determines that the front - rear direction position of the seat cushion 31b is included in the recommended range of the position. On the other hand, when the position information is not included in the recommended range of the position, the determination unit 231 determines that the front - rear direction position of the seat cushion 31b is not included in the recommended range of the position.

[0069] When the inclination information is included in the recommended range of the inclination and the position information is included in the recommended range of the position, the determination unit 231 determines that the seat position of the driver's seat 31 is included in the recommended range (step S203 - Yes), and ends the series of processes.

[0070] On the other hand, when at least one of the inclination information and the position information is not included in the recommended range, the determination unit 231 determines that the seat position of the driver's seat 31 is not included in the recommended range.

[0071] When the seat position of the driver's seat 31 is not included in the recommended range (step S203 - No), the control unit 232 notifies the driver 40 via a notification unit capable of notifying the driver in a form in which information can be tactilely recognized, a movement request for moving the seat position of the driver's seat 31 within the recommended range (step S204), and ends the series of processes. The seat drive unit 4 and the seat belt drive unit 6 are examples of a notification unit capable of notifying the driver 40 in a form in which information can be tactilely recognized. Also, the control unit 232 is an example of a notification control unit. From the viewpoint of ensuring that the driver 40 recognizes the movement request, it is preferable that the time when the control unit 232 notifies the driver 40 of the movement request is about 3 to 10 seconds.

[0072] Notifying the driver in a form in which information can be tactilely recognized means applying an external force or a temperature change of a size perceptible to the driver to the driver. As the external force, touch, pressure, or vibration can be used. In the present embodiment, pressure and / or vibration is used, and the seat drive unit 4 or / and the seat belt drive unit 6 are used as the notification unit.

[0073] For example, the control unit 232 uses the seat drive unit 4 to vibrate or displace the seating surface of the seat cushion 31b of the driver's seat 31 and notify the driver 40 of the movement request. The control unit 232 may reliably cause the driver to recognize that it is a movement request by periodically vibrating the seating surface of the seat cushion 31b. Also, the displacement amount for displacing the seating surface of the seat cushion 31b is preferably greater than the displacement that can be recognized by the driver 40 sitting on the driver's seat 31 during normal driving of the vehicle 10. For example, the displacement amount for displacing the seating surface of the seat cushion 31b can be set to 1 to 3 cm.

[0074] Also, the control unit 232 may use the seat belt drive unit 6 to change the tension of the seat belt 35 of the driver's seat 31 and notify the driver 40 of the movement request. The control unit 232 may reliably cause the driver to recognize that it is a movement request by periodically changing the tension of the seat belt 35.

[0075] Also, the control unit 232 may, while notifying the driver 40 of the movement request, use the display device 11a of the UI 11 to display "Please return the seat position of the driver's seat to a position where the vehicle can be driven". Alternatively, the control unit 232 may use the display device 11a of the UI 11 to display "The movement amount of the driver's seat has increased".

[0076] Here, when the inclination information is not included in the recommended range, the control unit 232 may use the display device 11a of the UI 11 to display "Please return the inclination of the driver's seat to a position where the vehicle can be driven". Also, when the position information is not included in the recommended range, the control unit 232 may use the display device 11a of the UI 11 to display "Please return the position of the driver's seat to a position where the vehicle can be driven".

[0077] When the driver 40 is notified of the movement request, the driver 40 operates the seat operation unit 3 to displace the seat position of the driver's seat 31 within the recommended range. Thereby, when the control transfer request is notified, the driver 40 can start driving the vehicle 10 in the manual driving mode within the control transfer time.

[0078] On the other hand, when the driving of the vehicle 10 is not in the automatic driving mode (step S201 - No), and when the seat position of the driver's seat 31 is included within the recommended range (step S203 - Yes), the series of processes is terminated.

[0079] As described above, when the seat position of the driver's seat is not included within the recommended range, the monitoring system according to the present embodiment can tactually convey to the driver a movement request for moving the seat position within the recommended range. Thereby, the monitoring system can surely convey the movement request to the driver.

[0080] Next, another operation example of the monitoring process by the monitoring system 1 will be described below with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is another example of an operation flowchart regarding the monitoring process of the monitoring system 1 of the present embodiment.

[0081] In the monitoring process shown in FIG. 5, the difference from the monitoring process shown in FIG. 4 is that the processes of steps S305 to S307 are added. The processes of steps S301 to S304 of the monitoring process shown in FIG. 5 are the same as the processes of steps S201 to S204 of the monitoring process shown in FIG. 4.

[0082] In this operation example, after a movement request for moving the seat position of the driver's seat 31 within the recommended range is notified to the driver 40 (step S304), the determination unit 231 determines whether or not the seat position of the driver's seat 31 is included within the recommended range (step S305).

[0083] When the seat position of the driver's seat 31 is not within the recommended range (step S305 - No), it is determined whether a predetermined waiting time has elapsed after the notification of the movement request (step S306). As the predetermined time, for example, it can be set to 30 to 180 seconds.

[0084] If the waiting time has not elapsed (step S306 - No), the process returns to before step S304. On the other hand, if the waiting time has elapsed (step S306 - Yes), the control unit 232 determines to stop the vehicle 10 (step S307) and ends the series of processes. The control unit 232 is an example of an operation control unit.

[0085] Even if the waiting time has elapsed after the notification of the movement request and the driver 40 has not moved the seat position of the driver's seat 31 within the recommended range, there may be an abnormality with the driver 40. Therefore, the control unit 232 determines to stop the vehicle 10.

[0086] The control unit 232 outputs a stop request for stopping the vehicle 10 to the automatic control device 12 via the in - vehicle network 14. The automatic control device 12 safely stops the vehicle 10 (Minimal Risk Maneuver process). Thereby, the monitoring device 13 can prevent the vehicle 10 from continuing to run in a state where an abnormality has occurred to the driver 40.

[0087] On the other hand, when the seat position of the driver's seat 31 is within the recommended range (step S305 - Yes), the series of processes ends.

[0088] In the present disclosure, the monitoring device, the monitoring computer program, and the monitoring method of the above - described embodiments can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Also, the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to those embodiments, but extends to the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

[0089] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the movement request was notified to the driver tactilely using the seat surface of the driver's seat or the seat belt. However, the method of notifying the movement request is not limited to these. For example, the speed or temperature of the airflow sent from the air conditioner may be changed to notify the driver of the movement request tactilely.

[0090] Further, when the position of the steering wheel of the vehicle is displaceable, the monitoring system 1 may determine whether or not the seat position of the driver's seat is included in the recommended range based on the relationship between the position of the steering wheel and the seat position of the driver's seat.

[0091] The vehicle 10 may also have a camera 2 capable of photographing the driver 40 when the seat position of the driver's seat 31 is within the recommended range. The determination unit 231 of the monitoring device 13 may determine the state of the driver 40 based on the camera image captured by the camera 2. The camera image is an example of information representing the state of the driver. For example, when the determination unit 231 determines that there is an abnormality in the driver 40, it may decide to stop the vehicle 10.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0092] 1 Monitoring system 2 Camera 3 Seat operation unit 4 Seat drive unit 5 Seat position detection sensor 6 Seat belt drive unit 10 Vehicle 11 User interface (UI) 11a Display device 12 Automatic control device 13 Monitoring device 21 Communication interface 22 Memory 23 Processor 231 Determination unit 232 Control unit 14 In-vehicle network 30 Passenger compartment 31 Driver's seat 31a Seat back 31b Seat cushion 31c Headrest 32 Steering wheel 33 Brake pedal 34 Accelerator pedal 35 Seat belt

Claims

1. a notification unit capable of notifying a driver in a form that allows tactile recognition of information; a determination unit that determines whether the operation of a vehicle having an automatic driving mode in which the vehicle is driven mainly by an automatic control device and a manual driving mode in which the vehicle is driven mainly by a driver has shifted from the manual driving mode to the automatic driving mode; a seat position determination unit that determines whether the seat position of the driver's seat where the driver driving the vehicle is seated is included within a recommended range representing the range of the seat position where the driver can drive the vehicle while seated in the driver's seat; a notification control unit that, when the seat position determination unit determines that the seat position is not included within the recommended range, notifies the driver tactilely via the notification unit of a movement request for moving the seat position within the recommended range; characterized by comprising; when the determination unit determines that the operation of the vehicle has shifted from the manual driving mode to the automatic driving mode, the seat position is acquired, and based on the acquired seat position, the recommended range is determined. A monitoring system characterized by the above.

2. The monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit can notify the driver of the movement request by vibrating or displacing the seat surface of the driver's seat.

3. The monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit can notify the driver of the movement request by changing the tension of the seat belt of the driver's seat.

4. The monitoring system according to claim 1, further comprising an operation control unit that determines to stop the vehicle when, even after a predetermined time has elapsed after the notification of the movement request, the seat position determination unit determines that the seat position is not included within the recommended range.

5. The monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the seat position determination unit determines whether the seat position of the driver's seat is included within the recommended range when the vehicle is in the automatic driving mode.

6. The monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the determination unit determines the state of the driver when the seat position of the driver's seat is within the recommended range based on information representing the state of the driver.

7. Determine whether the operation of a vehicle having an automatic driving mode in which the vehicle is driven mainly by an automatic control device and a manual driving mode in which the vehicle is driven mainly by a driver has shifted from the manual driving mode to the automatic driving mode. Determine whether the seat position of the driver's seat where the driver driving the vehicle is seated is within the recommended range representing the range of the seat positions where the driver can drive the vehicle while seated in the driver's seat, When it is determined that the seat position is not within the recommended range, a movement request for moving the seat position within the recommended range is tactually notified to the driver via a notification unit capable of notifying the driver in a form in which information can be tactually recognized. Cause the processor to execute this, When it is determined that the operation of the vehicle has shifted from the manual driving mode to the automatic driving mode, the seat position is acquired, and based on the acquired seat position, the recommended range is determined. A monitoring computer program characterized by this.

8. Determine whether the operation of a vehicle having an automatic driving mode in which the vehicle is driven mainly by an automatic control device and a manual driving mode in which the vehicle is driven mainly by a driver has shifted from the manual driving mode to the automatic driving mode, Determine whether the seat position of the driver's seat where the driver driving the vehicle is seated is within the recommended range representing the range of the seat positions where the driver can drive the vehicle while seated in the driver's seat, When it is determined that the seat position is not within the recommended range, a movement request for moving the seat position within the recommended range is tactually notified to the driver via a notification unit capable of notifying the driver in a form in which information can be tactually recognized. Execute this by a monitoring device, When it is determined that the operation of the vehicle has shifted from the manual driving mode to the automatic driving mode, the seat position is acquired, and based on the acquired seat position, the recommended range is determined. A monitoring method characterized by this.

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