Driving support system, and program

Abstract

A driving assistance system and program are provided that allow a driver to appropriately recognize notifications given to the driver. [Solution] The driving assistance system has a display unit and is installed in a vehicle. When there is a target object that is within a predetermined distance from the host vehicle, the driving assistance system references the registration date and time when the target object was registered in a database or the update date and time when the information in the database was updated. If the referenced registration date and time or update date and time meets predetermined conditions, the driving assistance system displays target icons (21, 22) indicating the corresponding target object, superimposed on a map image (31). The driving assistance system also displays a host vehicle icon (20) indicating the host vehicle's driving position on the map image (31), superimposed on the map image (31).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a driving support system and a program that support a driver's driving by notifying the driver.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a driving support system that stores position information of a target object and issues an alarm to a driver when a position of a vehicle detected by GPS and the stored position of the target object have a predetermined relationship. Examples of the target object include a device that measures the vehicle speed, a traffic control and interrogation area, and the like. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a driving support system that can display information for identifying a target object or output an audio alarm on a display when the distance between the target object and the vehicle reaches a set distance. The target object is often installed in a dangerous place where traffic accidents are likely to occur. Therefore, the driving support system can prompt a driver to drive safely in a place where traffic accidents are likely to occur by notifying the driver of approaching the target object. Thus, notifying the driver of approaching the target object contributes to safe driving of the driver.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the system described in Patent Document 1, when there are a large number of target objects near the vehicle, the driver will be frequently notified by the driving support system. Among these notifications, there may be those related to target objects that the driver already fully recognizes, as well as false alarms. When such notifications are repeated, the driver gradually becomes reluctant to pay attention to all the notifications, and the attention to the notifications gradually becomes scattered. For this reason, there is a problem that the driver may miss an important notification.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a driving support system and a program that can make the driver appropriately recognize the notifications given to the driver more appropriately than in the prior art.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] A driving support system according to a first aspect of the present invention is a driving support system including control means for acquiring information on a traffic monitoring position (hereinafter referred to as traffic monitoring position information) and performing notification control regarding the traffic monitoring position based on the proximity relationship between the current position of the vehicle and the traffic monitoring position, wherein the control means further acquires time information related to the traffic monitoring position information, and performs notification control regarding the traffic monitoring position in consideration of the time information.

[0007] According to the present invention, notification control regarding the traffic monitoring position in consideration of time information is performed. Therefore, the driver will be notified as a result of the notification control regarding the traffic monitoring position in consideration of time information. Therefore, the notifications given to the driver can be made to be appropriately recognized by the driver more appropriately than in the prior art.

[0008] For example, as the "notification control regarding the traffic monitoring position taking into account the time information", it is preferable to perform control to notify the driver by a notification method taking into account the time information. As the "notification control regarding the traffic monitoring position taking into account the time information", in particular, it is preferable to perform notification control that allows the driver to recognize the importance of the notified information by taking into account the time information. For example, it is preferable to perform control to notify the importance based on the time information. Also, as the "notification control regarding the traffic monitoring position taking into account the time information", it is preferable to perform control to notify information regarding the traffic monitoring position in the order of priority based on the time information. In this way, the driver can preferentially obtain important information. As the "notification control regarding the traffic monitoring position taking into account the time information", it is preferable to perform control to notify information selected from information regarding a large number of traffic monitoring positions based on the time information. In this way, important information can be surely obtained from a large number of pieces of information. Also, as the "notification control regarding the traffic monitoring position taking into account the time information", it is preferable to perform notification control to perform notification in a notification mode according to the importance based on the time information. For example, it is preferable to perform control to make the notification mode more conspicuous as the importance based on the time information is higher, so as to prevent the driver from missing important notifications. In this way, the driver can be prevented from missing important notifications.

[0009] In a first aspect, the control means may acquire information indicating the freshness of the traffic monitoring position information as the time information, and perform notification control taking into account the information indicating the freshness of the traffic monitoring position information. As a result, the driver will receive notification of the result by the notification control taking into account the information indicating the freshness of the traffic monitoring position information.

[0010] For example, as "notification control taking into account information indicating the freshness of the traffic monitoring position information", if control is performed to notify information regarding freshness together with the traffic monitoring position information, the driver can recognize the freshness of the notification content regarding the traffic monitoring position. For example, as "notification control taking into account information indicating the freshness of the traffic monitoring position information", if control is performed to control whether to notify the traffic monitoring position information according to the information regarding freshness, the driver can receive notification of the traffic monitoring position information according to the freshness.

[0011] Also, since the credibility of information with high freshness is likely to be high, for example, as "notification control taking into account information indicating the freshness of the traffic monitoring position information", if control is performed to notify the driver so that the driver can preferentially recognize the traffic monitoring position information with high freshness, the driver can surely obtain more credible information.

[0012] In the first aspect, the freshness is information regarding the registration / updating time of the traffic monitoring position information, and the control means may perform the notification control based on the proximity relationship between the information regarding the registration / updating time of the traffic monitoring position information and the current time. As a result, the driver will receive notification of the result by the notification control based on the proximity relationship between the information regarding the registration / updating time of the traffic monitoring information and the current time.

[0013] For example, as "notification control based on the proximity relationship between the information regarding the registration / updating time of the traffic monitoring position information and the current time", if control is performed to preferentially notify information with a new registration / updating time, the driver can preferentially recognize information with a new registration / updating time. Generally, the credibility of information with a new registration time or updating time is high and it is highly important for the driver. Therefore, if control is performed to notify the driver so that the driver can preferentially recognize information with a new registration / updating time, the driver can surely obtain highly important information. Note that the above-mentioned freshness may be information regarding the acquisition time of the traffic monitoring position information.

[0014] For example, as "notification control based on the proximity relationship between the information on the registration / renewal time of the traffic monitoring position information and the current time", it is advisable to perform control to notify information indicating the proximity relationship between the information on the registration / renewal time of the traffic monitoring position information and the current time, together with the traffic monitoring position information. In this way, the driver will receive the notification of the information indicating the proximity relationship and the traffic monitoring position information, so that the traffic monitoring position information can be recognized together with the information indicating the proximity relationship. As a result, the driver can recognize the new traffic monitoring position information at the registration time or renewal time and drive while considering the positions that should be paid attention to for safety.

[0015] In the first aspect, the control means may acquire information on the time period during which traffic monitoring is performed at the position indicated by the traffic monitoring position information as the time information, and perform notification control taking into account the information on the time period during which traffic monitoring is performed at the position indicated by the traffic monitoring position information. In this way, the driver will receive the notification as a result of the notification control taking into account the information on the time period during which traffic monitoring is performed.

[0016] For example, as "notification control taking into account the information on the time period during which the traffic monitoring is performed", if control is performed to preferentially notify traffic monitoring information in which the current time is included in the time period during which the traffic monitoring is performed, the driver can preferentially recognize the traffic monitoring position information in which the current time is included in the time period during which the traffic monitoring is performed.

[0017] For another example, as "notification control taking into account the information on the time period during which the traffic monitoring is performed", if control is performed to notify the information on the time period during which traffic monitoring is performed at the position indicated by the traffic monitoring position information together with the traffic monitoring information, the driver can recognize the time period during which traffic monitoring is performed at the position indicated by the traffic monitoring position information together with the traffic monitoring information. As a result, the driver can recognize the time period during which traffic monitoring is performed and drive while considering the time periods that should be paid attention to for safe driving.

[0018] As for the time period, for example, it may be a time period within a day. Also, for example, it may be a time period within a week such as 24 hours on Monday. Also, for example, it may be a time period within a year. Among these, in particular, it may be a time period within a day. In this way, it may be a time period within a certain unit time range.

[0019] In the first aspect, the control means may perform notification control in different notification modes depending on whether the current time is included in the time period indicated by the time information. In this way, the driver will receive notifications in different notification modes depending on whether the current time is included in the time period indicated by the time information.

[0020] For example, as the "different notification modes depending on whether the current time is included in the time period indicated by the time information", it may be a mode where notification is performed when included and no notification is performed when not included. Also, for example, as the "different notification modes depending on whether the current time is included in the time period indicated by the time information", it may be a mode where it becomes easier to recognize when included compared to when not included. Also, for example, as the "different notification modes depending on whether the current time is included in the time period indicated by the time information", it may be a mode where it is notified whether it is included or not. As a result, the driver can recognize the traffic monitoring being carried out during the execution of driving, so that he can immediately pay attention to safe driving.

[0021] In the first aspect, the control means further acquires information regarding a traffic monitoring position different from the traffic monitoring position (hereinafter referred to as second traffic monitoring position information), and time information regarding the time of traffic monitoring at the position indicated by the second traffic monitoring position information (hereinafter referred to as second time information), and may perform notification control regarding the traffic monitoring position while further taking into account the second time information. In this way, the driver will receive notification control regarding the traffic monitoring position while further taking into account the second time information.

[0022] For example, as the "notification control regarding the traffic monitoring position taking into account the second period information" if control is performed to notify the second period information together with the traffic monitoring position information, the driver can recognize the second period information regarding the traffic monitoring position. Also, for example, as the "notification control regarding the traffic monitoring position taking into account the second period information", if control is performed to determine whether to notify the traffic monitoring position information according to the second period information, the driver can receive notification of the traffic monitoring position information according to the second period information.

[0023] Also, for example, the second period information in the "notification control regarding the traffic monitoring position taking into account the second period information" may be the time zone of traffic monitoring at the position indicated by the second traffic monitoring position information. The time zone may be, for example, the time zone within a day. Also, for example, it may be the time zone within a week such as 24 hours on Monday. Also, for example, it may be the time zone within a year. In this way, it may be a time zone within a certain range of a unit time.

[0024] In the first aspect, the second traffic monitoring position information is information indicating a traffic monitoring position with a wider area than the traffic monitoring position information, and the control means may perform notification control in different notification modes depending on whether the position indicated by the traffic monitoring position information is included in the position indicated by the second traffic monitoring position information. As a result, the driver will receive notifications in different notification modes depending on whether the position indicated by the traffic monitoring position information is included in the position indicated by the second traffic monitoring position information. Therefore, the driver can distinguish and recognize the case where the traffic monitoring position is included in the second traffic monitoring position and the case where the traffic monitoring position is not included in the second traffic monitoring position.

[0025] For example, as the "different notification modes depending on whether the position indicated by the traffic monitoring position information is included in the position indicated by the second traffic monitoring position information", when the traffic monitoring position is included in the second traffic monitoring position, it may be notified in a manner that allows the driver to preferentially recognize the traffic monitoring position. As a result, the driver can identify and recognize a particularly important traffic monitoring position from the wide range indicated by the second traffic monitoring position.

[0026] For example, the traffic monitoring position may be a position indicating a limited and very narrow area. Or, it may be a position indicating an area having a certain range. Also, the second traffic monitoring position may be a position indicating an area wider than the traffic monitoring position.

[0027] In the first aspect, if the traffic monitoring position information is based on the traffic monitoring position information implemented in the past, and the second traffic monitoring position information is configured based on the traffic monitoring position information of the planned implementation announced by the prefectural police, the position where traffic monitoring is actually implemented can be specified in detail from the traffic monitoring position of the planned implementation announced by the prefectural police. By notifying the driver of this position, the driver can narrow down the points to be noted during driving.

[0028] The program according to the second aspect of the present invention causes the computer of the driving support system according to the first aspect to execute various means. Thereby, the same effects as those in the first aspect can be achieved.

[0029] The above-described driving support system may be configured as follows, for example. Referring to a storage means in which information indicating a target to be monitored for traffic is associated with and stored together with information indicating the registration date and time, among the target objects whose positional relationship with the vehicle satisfies a predetermined relationship, information on the target object associated with the registration date and time indicating that it was registered within a predetermined time before the time when the positional relationship satisfied the predetermined relationship is notified to the driver in a first mode, and control is performed to notify the driver in a second mode of the notification information regarding the target object associated with the registration date and time indicating that it was registered more than the predetermined time ago. The driving support system can change the notification mode when notifying the driver of the notification information according to the registration date and time of the target object. Therefore, the driver can grasp the time when the target object was registered based on the notification mode of the notification information. For example, the driving support system may notify the notification information by image and voice as the first mode. Also, the driving support system may notify the notification information only by image as the second mode. In this case, the driver can more clearly recognize the notification information regarding the target object with a new registration date and time. Generally, the credibility of new information with a new registration date and time is high and it is highly important to the driver. Therefore, even when there is a large amount of notification information notified by the driving support system, the driver can preferentially recognize the notification information regarding the target object with a new registration date and time, and thus can appropriately recognize the notification information with a high degree of importance.

[0030] Further, when identifying the implementation time of the traffic monitoring, and when the positional relationship between the target object and the vehicle satisfies the predetermined relationship and the implementation time satisfies a predetermined relationship, it is advisable to perform control to notify the driver of the notification information in the first mode. The driving support system can notify the driver of the notification information when the traffic monitoring is actually being implemented. For example, when the traffic monitoring is implemented during the day, the driving support system may notify the driver of the notification information only during the day and not at night. As a result, the driver can recognize that the traffic monitoring is being implemented at the timing notified by the driving support system. Also, since the notification is not performed when the traffic monitoring is not being implemented, it is possible to prevent the driver from doubting the notification of the notification information due to the repeated notification of the notification information even though the traffic monitoring is not actually being implemented.

[0031] Further, information indicating the implementation date and time of the traffic monitoring is stored in the storage means in association with information indicating the target object and information indicating the registration date and time, and based on the information stored in the storage means, it is advisable to identify the implementation date and time of the traffic monitoring. The driving support system can easily and appropriately identify the implementation time of the traffic monitoring.

[0032] Further, when identifying the implementation location of the traffic monitoring, and when the positional relationship between the target object and the vehicle satisfies the predetermined relationship and the positional relationship between the vehicle and the implementation location of the traffic monitoring performed on another target object satisfies a predetermined relationship, it is advisable to perform control to notify the driver of the notification information in the first mode. The driving support system can appropriately notify the driver of the notification information when there is a high possibility that the traffic monitoring is being implemented.

[0033] In addition, information indicating that the information indicating the target object has been updated is stored in the storage means in association with the information indicating the target object and the information indicating the registration date and time, and control may be performed to notify the driver of the information indicating the update as at least part of the notification information. Generally, the credibility of updated information is high and it is highly important to the driver. Therefore, when the information indicating the update is notified from the driving support system, the driver can appropriately recognize information of high importance.

[0034] In addition, when a predetermined period is specified and a predetermined relationship is satisfied between the time when the positional relationship between the target object and the vehicle satisfies the predetermined relationship and the predetermined period, control may be performed to notify the driver of the notification information in the first aspect. For example, as the predetermined period, a period such as a traffic safety enhancement week may be specified. Generally, traffic monitoring is likely to be actually carried out during such a period. Therefore, when the notification information is notified from the driving support system during such a period, the driver can appropriately recognize information regarding the target object for which traffic monitoring is actually being carried out.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0035]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0036] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. These drawings are used to explain the technical features that the present invention can adopt. The configurations of the described devices, flowcharts of various processes, etc. are not intended to be limited thereto, but are merely illustrative examples.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 1, the outline of the driving support system 4 will be described. The driving support system 4 is installed inside the vehicle. The driving support system 4 supports the driver's driving by outputting various information. As an example of the driving support system 4, a radar detector can be mentioned. The driving support system 4 is provided with a control unit 41 that performs main control. The control unit 41 is composed of a microcomputer or the like including a CPU 42, an EEPROM 43, a RAM 44, etc. Further, the control unit 41 is connected to a GPS receiver (GPS module) 45 that receives radio waves from GPS satellites, a microwave receiver (microwave reception module) 46 that receives microwaves from a speed measurement radar, a wireless receiver (wireless reception module) 47 that receives UHF-band radio waves for traffic control communication, a display unit 48 composed of a color liquid crystal that displays various information and warning screens, a touch panel 49 provided on the surface of the display unit 48, a lamp 50 that blinks or lights up to give a notification, a speaker 51 that emits a warning sound, a card reader 52 into which an SD card 5 is inserted, and an OBD connector 53 for collecting the OBD information of the vehicle.

[0038] The control unit 41 creates information to be notified to the driver based on information input from various input devices (GPS receiver 45, microwave receiver 46, wireless receiver 47, touch panel 49, OBD connector 53), and outputs the information using output devices (display unit 48, lamp 50, speaker 51). These basic configurations are basically the same as those of conventional devices. The functions of the driving support system 4 are stored in the EEPROM 43 of the control unit 41 as firmware executed by the CPU 42 provided in the control unit 41, and are realized by the CPU 42 executing this. The firmware stored in the EEPROM 43 can be updated by new firmware stored in the SD card 5.

[0039] The main information output from the output devices of the driving support system 4 to support the driver's driving is warning information for prompting the driver to drive safely. The warning information is output, for example, in the following cases. The driving support system 4 obtains the distance between the position information (latitude and longitude) of the target object stored as the second DB 431 (see FIG. 2, details will be described later) in the SD card 5 and the current position (latitude and longitude) of the vehicle detected by the GPS receiver 45, and when the obtained distance is equal to or less than a predetermined distance and a predetermined condition (details will be described later) is satisfied, the warning information is output from the output device. Also, for example, when a signal corresponding to microwaves in a frequency band emitted from a speed measuring device (a speed measuring device that emits radar waves such as a mobile radar) is detected by the microwave receiver 46 and a predetermined condition is satisfied, the driving support system 4 outputs the warning information from the output device. The target object is often installed in a dangerous place where traffic accidents are likely to occur. Therefore, the driving support system 4 enables the driver to recognize a dangerous place where traffic accidents are likely to occur by outputting the warning information. Thereby, the driving support system 4 can prompt the driver to drive safely.

[0040] The SD card 5 stores map data, road information data including road types and speed limits, data of images or photos displayed on the display unit 48, data of sounds output from the speaker 51, and various databases. The various databases at least include a first DB (not shown), a second DB 431 (see FIG. 2), and a third DB 432 (see FIG. 3). Note that various information stored in the SD card 5 is registered by an operator who operates the server and provided to the user via the Internet or the like. The user acquires the information provided via the Internet or the like and stores it in the SD card 5. Thus, the user can update the information stored in the SD card 5 to the latest information.

[0041] Details of the first DB, the second DB 431, and the third DB 432 will be described. The first DB stores polygon data that can identify administrative divisions based on position information. The administrative divisions are defined for each city, town, and village. Hereinafter, the area represented by the administrative division is also referred to as a section area. Region identification information for identifying the section area is associated with the polygon data. The control unit 41 can specify, in units of cities, towns, and villages smaller than prefecture units, the region identification information for identifying the section area where the own vehicle is located by referring to the first DB based on the position information output from the GPS receiver 45.

[0042] The second DB431 stores information about target objects to be notified to the driver (hereinafter referred to as "target object information"). Examples of target objects include speed measurement devices (including speed measurement devices that emit radar waves (microwaves) like radar and speed measurement devices that do not emit radar waves like loop coils), speed limit switching points, enforcement areas, checkpoint areas, parking prohibition monitoring areas, N systems, traffic monitoring systems, intersection monitoring points, signal violation suppression systems, police stations, accident-prone areas, on-vehicle target-prone areas, sharp / continuous curves (highways), branch / merge points (highways), ETC lane advance notice (highways), service areas (highways), parking areas (highways), parking areas (highways), highway oasis (highways), smart interchange (highways), gas stations within PA / SA (highways), tunnels (highways), highway radio reception areas (highways), prefectural border notification, road stations, viewpoint parking, etc. Note that the target object information is created based on submission information from the general public. The operator aggregates the submission information submitted by the general public and stores it in the second DB431.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 2, the details of the second DB431 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, in the second DB431, information on latitude and longitude indicating the position of the target object (hereinafter referred to as "target object position information"), information indicating the type of the target object, frequency, registration date and time, update date and time, and other information are associated and stored as target object information.

[0044] Among the target object information stored in the second DB431, the frequency is a parameter associated by the operator based on the number of posting information from the general public. The frequency is associated only with the target object whose type is "regulation". The higher the frequency, the higher the possibility that the corresponding target object is actually installed. Note that the driver can set the frequency threshold for each target object for the driving support system 4. When a target object associated with a frequency equal to or higher than the set threshold approaches the vehicle, the driving support system 4 outputs warning information from the output device to notify the driver. The driver can narrow down the warning information output from the driving support system 4 according to the frequency.

[0045] The registration date and time indicate the date and time when the target object information was first registered in the second DB431 by the operator. The update date and time indicate the date and time when the type and other information of the target object registered in the second DB431 are changed. Although details will be described later, when a new target object with the registration date and time approaches the vehicle, the driving support system 4 outputs warning information. The reason is that the credibility of the new target object information with the registration date and time is high, and there is a high possibility that the target object is actually installed.

[0046] Note that the above-mentioned registration date and time should be the date and time when the posting information was posted from the general public, rather than the date and time when the target object was first registered in the second DB431 by the operator. Similarly, the update date and time should be the date and time when the information for updating the target object information was posted from the general public. In this way, the registration date and time and the update date and time can be approximated to the date and time when the target object was actually installed.

[0047] As other information, the implementation time when traffic monitoring etc. is carried out by the corresponding target object is stored. Although details will be described later, when the time when the host vehicle approaches the target object is included within the range of the implementation time, the driving support system 4 outputs warning information. The reason is that in such a case, there is a high possibility that traffic monitoring etc. is actually being carried out by the target object installed near the host vehicle.

[0048] The implementation time may be a time zone within a day as described above. For example, it may be a time zone within a week, such as 24 hours on Monday. Also, for example, it may be a time zone within a year. Among these, it is particularly good to use the time zone within a day as described above.

[0049] The third DB 432 will be described. The third DB 432 contains information (hereinafter referred to as "monitoring activity information") regarding activities (hereinafter referred to as "monitoring activities") for promoting safe driving by monitoring traffic conditions. An example of a monitoring activity is the crackdown and interrogation conducted by the police. The monitoring activities are carried out irregularly at unspecified locations. The control unit 41 can identify the details of the monitoring activities being carried out near the host vehicle by referring to the third DB 432.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 3, the details of the third DB 432 will be described. In the upper row of indexes 1 to 15, the "prefecture", "start date", "start time", "end date", "end time", the "jurisdiction" police station conducting the monitoring activity, and the "implementation location" where the monitoring activity is carried out are associated. Also, in the lower row, information indicating the details of the monitoring activity (hereinafter referred to as "detail information") is associated. For example, the information of index 2 in FIG. 3 ("start date: 20111107", "start time: 12h00m", "end date: 20111107", "end time: 18h00m", "jurisdiction: Iwate Prefectural Police", "implementation location: Katsumaki-cho: 302", "detail information: [crackdown] afternoon Iwate Prefectural Police ~") means that a crackdown is carried out in a certain area within Katsumaki-cho under the jurisdiction of the Iwate Prefectural Police from 12:00 on November 7, 2011 to 18:00. Among the "implementation location", 302 is area identification information for identifying the municipality.

[0051] As detailed information, text information regarding the monitoring activities is stored. The text information stored as detailed information is directly used as a message to be displayed on the display unit 48 (see FIG. 1). The detailed information is data obtained by formatting information published via the home pages (hereinafter referred to as "HP") of the police departments of each prefecture in the country based on a predetermined format. The control unit 41 displays a telop message based on the detailed information at a location and time corresponding to the content on the display unit 48. By noticing the telop-displayed message, the driver will be more careful about safe driving. Hereinafter, information regarding the monitoring activities and published via the HP of the police departments of each prefecture in the country is collectively referred to as public regulatory information. The information stored in the third DB 432 is created by an operator formatting the regulatory information published via the HP of the police departments of each prefecture in the country.

[0052] In the "implementation location" associated with the monitoring activity information, area identification information for identifying the partitioned area in units of municipalities is stored. For this reason, for example, when the information published as the location where the monitoring activity is carried out spans multiple municipalities such as "prefectural roads", all the area identification information for identifying the corresponding municipalities is regarded as the "implementation location". For example, in the information at index 5 in the third DB 432 of FIG. 3, when the monitoring activity is carried out on a "prefectural road", the area identification information "302 (Kumaki-cho)", "501 (Karimi-cho)", and "209 (Ichinoseki-shi)" are associated with the monitoring activity information as the "implementation location". In this way, when the monitoring activity is publicly disclosed over a wide area, a plurality of area identification information is associated with the common monitoring activity information. This clarifies the area where the monitoring activity is carried out.

[0053] As described above, since the first DB stores polygon data that can identify area identification information at the municipality level, the area identification information of the section area where the host vehicle is located is identified at the municipality level. The area identification information of the section area where the host vehicle is located and the area identification information associated as the "implementation location" in the monitoring activity information are both at the municipality level and the same. Therefore, since the same area as the section area where the host vehicle is located can be uniformly searched from the "implementation location" in the monitoring activity information, it is possible to easily identify the monitoring activity information of the monitoring activities being carried out near the host vehicle.

[0054] The display image displayed on the display unit 48 of the driving support system 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7. The driving support system 4 displays display screens in different modes on the display unit 48 according to the set display mode. The driving support system 4 includes a radar standby display mode, an OBD display mode, and a MAP display mode as the always-on display mode. In the radar standby display mode, in addition to the screen showing the clock and speed and the screen showing the GPS positioning status, the screen showing the inclination state of the vehicle, the screen showing the acceleration applied to the vehicle, etc. are displayed on the display unit 48. In the OBD display mode, the screen showing the instantaneous fuel consumption, the current fuel consumption, the fuel flow rate, the vehicle speed, the coolant temperature, the trip meter, the national road average fuel consumption, the general road average fuel consumption, the highway average fuel consumption, the engine speed, the engine load rate, the throttle opening, etc. are displayed on the display unit 48. In the MAP display mode, the map image 31 (see FIGS. 4 to 7) near the host vehicle is displayed on the display unit 48.

[0055] The case where warning information is output in each display mode will be described. In the radar standby display mode and the OBD display mode, a caption indicating the warning information is superimposed on the screen corresponding to each normal display mode, and a warning sound is output from the speaker at 51. On the other hand, in the MAP display mode, as information indicating a target object approaching the own vehicle, a target icon 21 or the like (see FIGS. 4 to 7) is superimposed on the map image 31. In addition, characters or the like indicating the target object information are displayed. The driving support system 4 in the present embodiment is characterized in the manner of outputting warning information in this MAP display mode. This will be described in detail below.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 4, a display screen 100 which is an example of the display screen displayed on the display unit 48 will be described. In FIG. 4, it is assumed that the display screen 100 is displayed on the display unit 48 at 9:15 on November 10, 2011. It is assumed that the own vehicle is traveling on Route 396 of the National Highway in Tono City (road 28 in FIG. 4). Therefore, at this point in time, it is assumed that the update date and time (2011 / 11 / 11 9:00) of index 6 in the second DB 431 (see FIG. 2) is not stored.

[0057] The display screen 100 is provided with a main display area 11, a first sub-display area 12, a second sub-display area 13, a third sub-display area 14, and a fourth sub-display area 15. The main display area 11 is provided over the entire display unit 48. The first sub-display area 12 is provided at the upper end and the left and right central portions of the display unit 48. The third sub-display area 14 is provided at the lower end of the display unit 48. The second sub-display area 13 is provided above the third sub-display area 14. The fourth sub-display area 15 is provided above and to the right of the second sub-display area 13. The details of each display area will be described below.

[0058] The main display area 11 will be described. The main display area 11 is an area for displaying an image for showing the positional relationship between the host vehicle and the target object. A map image 31 is entirely displayed in the main display area 11. The map image 31 is generated by reading map data around the position of the host vehicle from the SD card 5. The range of the map image 31 to be displayed in the main display area 11 is determined based on the setting by the driver. On the map image 31 displayed in the main display area 11, the host vehicle icon 20, target icons 21, 22 ···, and speed limit icon 24 are superimposed and displayed. The host vehicle icon 20 is for indicating the position of the host vehicle with respect to the map image 31. The control unit 41 specifies the host vehicle position based on the position information output from the GPS receiver 45, and superimposes and displays the host vehicle icon 20 on the portion of the map image 31 corresponding to the host vehicle position. The target icons 21, 22 ··· are for indicating the position where the target object that satisfies a predetermined condition and has a distance from the host vehicle of a predetermined distance or less is installed with respect to the map image 31. The characters, figures, etc. displayed inside the target icons 21, 22 ··· indicate the type of the target object. The control unit 41 specifies the position of the target object based on the second DB 431 (see FIG. 2), and superimposes and displays the target icons 21, 22 ··· on the portion of the map image 31 corresponding to the position of the target object. The speed limit icon 24 indicates the speed limit of the road on which the host vehicle is traveling. The control unit 41 reads the road information data corresponding to the road being traveled from the SD card 5, acquires the speed limit, and displays it inside the speed limit icon 24.

[0059] The control unit 41 aligns and synchronizes the display between the own-vehicle icon 20, the target icons 21 and 22 to be displayed in the main display area 11, and the map image 31. Specifically, it is as follows. The display position of the own-vehicle icon 20 is fixed at the lower center part of the main display area 11. The map image 31 is rotated so that the traveling direction of the vehicle is upward. That is, when the traveling direction of the own vehicle changes (turns), the map image 31 is rotated accordingly. When the own vehicle moves forward, the map image 31 to be displayed is scrolled downward (so-called heading-up display). Such display control can be realized by using the map display control in the car navigation system, that is, the control of appropriately scrolling the map image 31 while fixing the position of the own vehicle at the center of the screen.

[0060] In addition, when the distance between the own-vehicle icon 20 and the target icons 21 and 22 becomes within a predetermined distance, the control unit 41 reads out data of a schematic diagram or a photograph from the SD card 5 according to the type of the target object, and overlays and displays it on the map image 31. Also, voice data corresponding to the type of the target object is read out from the SD card 5 and output from the speaker 51. For example, when the speed measuring device approaches within less than 500 m, data of a schematic diagram or a photograph of the speed measuring device is read out from the SD card 5 and overlaid and displayed on the map image 31. Also, the voice "There is a speed measuring device 500 m ahead. Pay attention to speed" is read out from the SD card 5 and output from the speaker 51.

[0061] The first sub-display area 12 will be described. The first sub-display area 12 is provided to display information on the target object indicated by the target icons 21, 22,... displayed in the main display area 11 in characters. The information displayed in the first sub-display area 12 is the type of the target object and the distance between the own vehicle and the target object. When the characters do not fit within the first sub-display area 12, the control unit 41 scrolls and displays the characters as shown in FIG. 4.

[0062] The second sub-display area 13 will be described. The second sub-display area 13 is provided to display various status information 131 and the current time 132. Examples of the status information 131 include information on areas with multiple on-vehicle targets, parking prohibited areas, reception sensitivity mode information, GPS radio wave reception level information, and the like. The current time 132 is specified by the control unit 41 based on the GPS radio wave received by the GPS receiver 45 and is displayed.

[0063] The third sub-display area 14 will be described. The third sub-display area 14 is divided into display areas 141 and 142. The display area 141 displays the name of the section area where the own vehicle is located. The control unit 41 refers to the first DB based on the position information output from the GPS receiver 45 to specify the area identification information of the section area where the own vehicle is located. The control unit 41 displays the name of the section area identified by the specified area identification information in the display area 141. The display area 142 displays a message related to the monitoring activity. This message is created based on the detailed information stored in the third DB 432 (see FIG. 3). The message includes information such as the enforcement date, time, type of enforcement, and location of enforcement (route, jurisdiction, etc.).

[0064] The current speed of the own vehicle is displayed in the fourth sub-display area 15. The control unit 41 displays the current speed output from the GPS receiver 45 in the fourth sub-display area 15.

[0065] The process executed by the control unit 41 to display the display screen 100 on the display unit 48 will be described. First, the control unit 41 refers to the second DB 431 (see FIG. 2). The control unit 41 selects a target object that satisfies the following conditions (1) to (3) from the second DB 431 in order to specify the target icons 21 and 22 to be displayed in the main display area 11. (1) When the distance from the own vehicle is equal to or less than a predetermined distance (2) When the elapsed time since the target object information was registered in the second DB 431 is within 4 months, or when the elapsed time since the target object information stored in the second DB 431 was updated is within 4 months (3) If the current time is included in the execution time

[0066] For example, in order for the control unit 41 to display the display screen 100 of FIG. 4 on the display unit 48, the following processing is specifically executed. First, the control unit 41 acquires the current position (latitude and longitude) of the own vehicle by the GPS receiver 45. Next, the control unit 41 refers to the position information in the second DB 431 (see FIG. 2) and selects a target object set at a position within a predetermined distance from the own vehicle. For example, assume that all the target objects stored in the second DB 431 in FIG. 2 are installed at positions within a predetermined distance from the own vehicle.

[0067] Next, the control unit 41 refers to the registration date and time and the update date and time associated with the selected target object. The control unit 41 selects a target object registered or updated within 4 months back from the current time. Specifically, it is as follows. The control unit 41 selects, among the target objects stored in the second DB 431, the target objects associated with the registration date or update date after the time point 4 months before the current date and time (9:15 on November 10, 2011) (9:15 on July 10, 2011). As a result, the control unit 41 selects the target object "loop coil" of index 1 (registration date: 10:00 on July 16, 2011), the target object "new type H system" of index 4 (update date: 18:00 on September 11, 2011), and the target object "regulation (mouse trap)" of index 5 (registration date: 19:00 on September 2, 2011).

[0068] Next, the control unit 41 refers to other information associated with the selected target object. The control unit 41 determines whether the current time is included in the execution time stored as other information. In the case of the second DB431 in FIG. 2, since the execution times of indexes 1 and 4 are all day, the current time is included in the execution time. On the other hand, the current time (9:15) is not included in the execution time of index 5 (18:00 to 0:00). Therefore, traffic monitoring, etc. by the target object "crackdown (rat catching)" of index 5 is likely not being carried out at the current time. For this reason, the control unit 41 finally selects the target objects of index 1 "loop coil" and index 4 "new H system", excluding the target object "crackdown (rat catching)" of index 5, as the target objects to be overlaid and displayed on the map image 31 as target icons.

[0069] The control unit 41 overlays the target icon 21 indicating the selected target object "loop coil" and the target icon 22 indicating the target object "new H system" at the position indicated by the position information in the map image 31 and displays them in the main display area 11. Also, the control unit 41 selects the target objects among the selected target objects for which the registration date or update date after the time point two months before the current date and time (September 10, 2011, 9:15) is associated. In the second DB, index 4 "new H system" corresponds. The control unit 41 overlays and displays a balloon image 23 indicating the character "! Update" indicating that the update date is new on the target icon 22 of the selected target object "new H system". Note that on the balloon image indicating that the registration date is new, a balloon image indicating the character "! New installation" indicating that the registration date is new is overlaid and displayed.

[0070] Also, the control unit 41 scrolls and displays in the first sub-display area 12 the type of the target object indicated by the target icons 21 and 22 and the characters indicating the distance between the target object and the own vehicle. Note that the characters indicating the type and distance of the target object indicated by the target icon 22 overlaid with the balloon image 23 have the character "! Update" added at the beginning. As a result, the display screen 100 shown in FIG. 4 is displayed.

[0071] Furthermore, based on the position information output from the GPS receiver 45, the control unit 41 identifies the area identification information of the section area where the host vehicle is located by referring to the first DB. The control unit 41 displays the name of the section area identified by the identified area identification information in the display area 141 of the third sub-display area 14. The driver can recognize the section area where the host vehicle is located by visually recognizing the name displayed in the display area 141 of the third sub-display area 14.

[0072] Next, the control unit 41 refers to the third DB 432 (see FIG. 3). The control unit 41 executes the following process to display information regarding the monitoring activity being performed in the vicinity of the host vehicle in the display area 142 of the third sub-display area 14. Based on the information output from the GPS receiver 45, the control unit 41 identifies the position information of the host vehicle and the current date and time. Next, the control unit 41 refers to the third DB 432. Among the monitoring activity information stored in the third DB 432, the control unit 41 selects the monitoring activity information in which the area identification information identical to the area identification information of the section area where the host vehicle is located is associated as the "implementation location". Next, based on the "start date", "start time", "end date", and "end time" (see FIG. 3) associated with the selected monitoring activity information, the control unit 41 identifies the period during which the monitoring activity is being performed. Then, the control unit 41 further selects the monitoring activity information in which the current date and time is included within the identified period. If there is corresponding monitoring activity information, the control unit 41 creates a message based on the detailed information of the selected monitoring information and displays it in the display area 142 of the third sub-display area 14.

[0073] Here, the current date and time is 9:15 on November 10, 2011, and the location where the host vehicle is traveling is Tono City. On the other hand, the third DB 432 (see FIG. 3) does not store any monitoring activity information that is being performed within the period including the current date and time and within Tono City. Therefore, a message indicating the monitoring activity is not displayed in the display area 142 of the third sub-display area 14 of the display screen 100. An example of the case where a message indicating the monitoring activity is displayed in the display area 142 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0074] As described above, the driving support system 4 can notify the driver of information regarding the target object, taking into account the registration date and time when the target object information was registered in the second DB 431 (see FIG. 2) and the update date and time when the target object information was updated (condition (2) described above). In the above description, among the six target objects stored in the second DB 431, that is, among the target objects installed within a predetermined distance from the own vehicle, only the target icons 21 and 22 indicating the loop coil (index 1) and the new H system (index 4) are displayed superimposed on the map image 31. For example, when all the target objects installed in the vicinity of the own vehicle are notified, a large number of target icons will be displayed superimposed on the map image 31, making it difficult for the driver to pay attention to all the target icons. On the other hand, in the present invention, as described above, only the target icons 21 and 22 of the target object with a new registration date and time and update date and time, that is, the target object highly likely to be actually installed, are displayed superimposed on the map image 31. Therefore, the driver can surely recognize only the target objects highly likely to be actually installed among the target objects installed in the vicinity of the own vehicle. As a result, the driver can appropriately acquire highly reliable target object information and perform safer driving.

[0075] The target object information indicating areas such as traffic control and interrogation areas is basically composed only of information that each ordinary person has seen or heard, and is the most representative of word-of-mouth information. Therefore, newly added (registered) information is particularly likely to have been subject to traffic control and interrogation there recently, and its importance is very high. Thus, by referring to the registration information and update information included in the target object information, it is possible to determine, for example, whether the data was newly established within the last X months.

[0076] Also, until a certain period of time has passed, "!New" marks or "!Update" marks are displayed during an alert to indicate that the information is new. As a result, the driver can recognize that this area requires more attention. Note that the second DB 431 may be associated with word-of-mouth information (such as visually distinctive information about that area) included in the posted information submitted by the general public. When the control unit 41 outputs the target information, it may also display the word-of-mouth information subsidiarily or provide voice guidance.

[0077] In FIG. 4, assume that the vehicle travels again on the same road (Route 396) as the road on which the own vehicle is traveling at a different time, for example, at 20:10. In this case, the current time (20:10) is included in the execution time (18:00 to 0:00) of index 5 of the second DB 431 (see FIG. 2). In this case, there is a high possibility that traffic monitoring, etc. by the target "crackdown (rodent catching)" of index 5 is being carried out while the own vehicle is traveling. Therefore, in addition to the display screen 100 in FIG. 4, the control unit 41 overlays and displays a target icon 25 indicating the target "crackdown (rodent catching)" of index 5 on the map image 31 together with the target icons 21 and 22. As a result, the display screen 101 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed.

[0078] As described above, when the execution time of traffic monitoring, etc. performed by the target is limited, the driving support system 4 overlays and displays the target icon of the corresponding target on the map image 31 only when the current time is included in the execution time (condition (3) above). Therefore, the driver can accurately recognize the time zone during which traffic monitoring, etc. is performed by the target, and can drive with particular attention to safe driving during this time zone.

[0079] In the above description, only the target object associated with the execution time including the current time is notified to the driver by the target icon (see FIG. 5 and the display screen 101), and the target object associated with the execution time not including the current time is not notified to the driver (see FIG. 4 and the display screen 100). On the other hand, for example, it may be possible to distinguish between the target object associated with the execution time including the current time and the target object associated with the execution time not including the current time and notify the driver. In this case, it may be notified to the driver in such a manner that the target object associated with the execution time including the current time is more clearly recognized. As a result, the driver can surely recognize the location where the target object is installed and can distinguish and recognize the target object for which traffic monitoring and the like are actually being carried out.

[0080] The enforcement and interrogation are actually carried out by humans, and there are idiosyncrasies and biases for each area. The locations where enforcement and interrogation are frequently carried out will be registered, but there are also biases in the times when they are actually carried out. For example, it is well known that a certain enforcement area conducts mouse-catching only during the day, and if such information is available, there is no need to issue an alarm at night, to put it extremely. Generally speaking, since it is safer for the driving support system 4 to exaggerate the side that issues an alarm rather than the side that does not issue an alarm, for example, for an alarm in the effective time zone of a certain enforcement area, the frequency may be increased, or additional information such as "This is a time zone that requires caution" may be displayed or audibly announced. It is also effective to change the color to a more warning color.

[0081] In FIGS. 4 and 5, assume that the host vehicle travels again on the same road (Route 396) as the road on which it is traveling, at different dates and times, for example, at 12:10 on November 11, 2011. In this case, the current date and time will be included within the execution period (from 12:00 to 21:00 on November 11, 2011) of the monitoring activity information of index 14 of the third DB432 (see FIG. 3). Therefore, the control unit 41 creates a message based on the monitoring activity information of index 14 and displays it in the display area 142 of the third sub-display area 14. As a result, the display screen 102 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display unit 48. In FIG. 6, the message "Traffic Control, Afternoon, Tono Police Station, Tono City, Route 396" is displayed in the display area 142.

[0082] Also, at the same time as displaying the message in the display area 142 of the third sub-display area 14, the control unit 41 highlights the portion of the map image 31 displayed in the main display area 11 that indicates the location where the monitoring activity is carried out. Specifically, it is as follows. The control unit 41 extracts the location "Route 396" where the monitoring activity is carried out from the detailed information of the monitoring activity information of index 14 of the third DB432. The control unit 41 highlights the location on the map image 31 corresponding to the extracted location by indicating it with a thick line. As a result, as shown in the display screen 102 of FIG. 6, the road 28 indicating Route 396 is highlighted with a thick line. Thus, the driver can narrow down and recognize the location where the monitoring activity is currently being carried out from within the area (Tono City) indicated by the map image 31.

[0083] Note that the target object "Traffic Control (Mobile Obis)" of index 6 in the second DB431 (FIG. 2) has been newly updated at the update date and time "2011 / 11 / 11 9:00". Since the target object information has been updated within 4 months back from the current date and time, the control unit 41 newly overlays and displays the target icon 26 indicating the target object "Traffic Control (Mobile Obis)" on the map image 31 in the main display area 11. Also, since the condition that it has been updated after the time point 2 months before the current date and time (12:10 on September 11, 2011) is also satisfied, a balloon image 27 is overlaid and displayed on the target icon 26.

[0084] In FIG. 6, assume that the host vehicle travels again on the same road (Route 396) as the road on which it is traveling, on the same day and at a different time zone as in the case of FIG. 6, for example, at 20:10 on November 11, 2011. In this case, the current date and time is included in the period (12:00 to 21:00 on November 11, 2011) during which the monitoring activity "enforcement" of the index 14 of the third DB432 (see FIG. 3) is carried out, and the current time is included in the execution time (18:00 to 0:00) of the target "enforcement (rat catching)" of the index 5 of the second DB431 (see FIG. 2). Therefore, the host vehicle is approaching the target "enforcement (rat catching)" installed on Route 396 where the monitoring activity "enforcement" is currently being carried out. Since the current time is included in the execution time of the target "enforcement (rat catching)", the possibility that traffic monitoring or the like is actually being carried out at the target "enforcement (rat catching)" is very high.

[0085] Therefore, the control unit 41 highlights the road 28 indicating Route 396, which is the location where the monitoring activity is carried out, and at the same time enlarges the target icon 25 indicating the target "enforcement (rat catching)" and overlays it on the road 28 for display. As a result, the display screen 103 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display unit 48. By visually recognizing the enlarged target icon 25, the driver can recognize that it is very likely that traffic monitoring or the like is actually being carried out at the target "enforcement (rat catching)".

[0086] As described above, the driving support system 4 can output warning information to the driver, taking into account the execution time of traffic monitoring and the like for the target (refer to the second DB 431 and other information) and the period during which the monitoring activity is carried out (refer to the third DB 432). As a result, the driver can recognize that the specific location where the target is installed (the location where the target icon 25 is arranged in FIG. 7) within the wide range (road 28 in FIGS. 6 and 7) indicated by the location where the monitoring activity is carried out is an important point that requires particular attention during driving. This makes it possible to specifically identify the specific location where traffic monitoring and the like are actually carried out from the wide area where the monitoring activity is carried out and announced by the prefectural police. Therefore, the driver can narrow down the points that require attention during driving from a wide range.

[0087] As described above, in the driving support system 4, public enforcement information is notified according to divisions such as prefectural boundaries, jurisdictions, municipalities, etc. On the other hand, in a well-known general driving support system, public enforcement information is notified when the power is turned on or when crossing a prefectural boundary. In the driving support system 4, since the boundary of the area that requires attention can be clearly understood throughout the entire area based on the map data, it is possible to determine whether the enforcement and checkpoint areas, which are POIs, belong to the area that requires attention (the area within a predetermined distance from the own vehicle) at the current time. Therefore, in addition to notifying based on the boundary and time zone changes, when warning and notifying the enforcement and checkpoint areas arranged in the publicly enforced "attention required" area, a method different from the normal warning notification can be adopted (for example, as described above, the target icon 25 is enlarged and displayed). Other specific examples include (a) warning more frequently than usual (such as level 4 → 5), (b) adding something indicating "within the area that requires attention" or "within the area that requires attention for public enforcement" to the display, (c) adding "within the area that requires attention" as voice, etc.

[0088] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible. In the above description, the target icon of the target object with the latest registration date and update date was displayed overlaid on the map image 31. In contrast, the control unit 41 may actively display the target icon of the corresponding target object on the map image 31 by increasing the frequency value of the target object information with the latest registration date and update date. In this case, since the target icons of the target objects with a high frequency will be displayed overlaid on the map image 31 simultaneously with the target objects with the latest registration date and update date, the driver can recognize the corresponding target object even if it is a target object with a relatively old registration date and update date, as long as the frequency is high.

[0089] The control unit 41 may display all the target icons indicating the target objects installed in the vicinity of the host vehicle on the map image 31. Further, the control unit 41 may display the target icons of the target objects with the latest registration date and update date in a manner different from other target icons. For example, the control unit 41 may display the target icons of the target objects with the latest registration date and update date larger than other target icons. Alternatively, a balloon image indicating that the registration date and update date are new may be displayed overlaid on the target icon. It is preferable to display in the second sub-display area 12 that the target object is the one with the latest registration date and update date. At the same time, it is preferable to notify by voice that the target object is the one with the latest registration date and update date.

[0090] Instead of displaying the detailed information of the third DB 432 as a message regarding the monitoring activity in the display area 142 by telop, or simultaneously with the telop display, the control unit 41 may display a sub-window in the main display area 11 and display the detailed information in the sub-window. Alternatively, instead of the sub-window, a balloon may be displayed, the detailed information may be displayed in the balloon, and the balloon may be associated with the target icon, the road, etc.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0091] 4 Driving support system 11 Main display area 12 First sub-display area 13 Second sub-display area 14 Third sub-display area 15 Fourth sub-display area 20 Bicycle icon 21, 22, 25, 26 Target icons 31 Map image 41 Control unit 48 Display unit

Claims

1. A function of superimposing and displaying on a map an icon of an object updated after a first time point a predetermined period before the present, and a function of superimposing and displaying on an icon of an object updated after a second time point after the first time point among the objects, another image indicating the update. A system characterized by the above.

2. A function of superimposing and displaying on a map an icon of an object registered after a third time point a predetermined period before the present, and a function of superimposing and displaying on an icon of an object registered after a fourth time point after the third time point among the objects, another image indicating the registration. The system according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. A function of performing a scroll display of characters indicating the type of the object indicated by the icon at a location different from the icon, wherein the function of performing the scroll display when the icon is an icon indicating an object updated after the second time point, has a function of adding a character indicating the update to the character indicating the type of the object and performing a scroll display at a location different from the icon. The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the above.

4. A program for causing a computer to realize the functions of the system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

Images