Vehicle control device, vehicle control method, and program

Abstract

To provide a vehicle control device which can further reduce a risk that a driver of a vehicle causes an accident.SOLUTION: A vehicle control device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: an execution unit 110 which executes a test for a driver of a vehicle before an engine of the vehicle starts up; a determination unit 120 which determines the state of the driver on the basis of a result of the test; and a setting unit 130 which sets the movement in the travel of the vehicle on the basis of the state of the driver.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technique for controlling a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, accidents involving automobiles by the elderly and others have been increasing. However, in areas where public transportation is poor, the elderly themselves have no choice but to drive an automobile. Techniques for reducing automobile accidents are disclosed in the following documents.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a control device that restricts warning notification or starting of a vehicle engine based on the state of a driver's response to a question.

[0004] Patent Document 2 describes a vehicle control device that makes the vehicle in an inoperable state or does not start the engine when it is determined that there is a possibility of dozing off based on the time required for a predetermined operation, the correct answer rate for a predetermined question, the driver's body movement, the degree of opening of the driver's eyes, etc.

[0005] Patent Document 3 describes a vehicle runaway prevention device that forcibly reduces the rate of change of vehicle acceleration when a predetermined condition indicating a sign of a runaway behavior is detected in the driver's physical state while driving at a predetermined vehicle speed or higher.

[0006] Patent Document 4 describes a technique for performing control to change the control amount for a control target of a vehicle according to the driving intention, driving proficiency, or fatigue level of a driver.

[0007] Patent Document 5 describes an operation permission judgment support device that estimates the dementia level of a subject based on the subject's voice. When the dementia level of the subject satisfies a predetermined condition, the operation permission judgment support device identifies an operation target such as a vehicle of the subject, and outputs operation data related to the operation on the identified operation target to a doctor's terminal of a doctor who judges whether the operation is possible. The operation data is a history of operations indicating a low driving ability and dangerous operations performed by the subject during driving of the vehicle, and a history of violations and accidents of the subject.

[0008] Patent Document 6 discloses an information processing device that conducts a medical interview to inquire about the health status of a driver before the driver starts driving a vehicle, and prohibits driving based on the symptoms of the driver estimated as a result of the medical interview. Patent Document 6 also describes that when driving is prohibited, the information processing device stops the engine and prohibits starting of the engine.

[0009] Patent Document 7 describes a device that evaluates the driving violation history of a driver, the driver's awareness level, and the tire pressure level of a vehicle, and issues a warning to the driver when at least any one of these is not within a safe range.

[0010] Patent Document 8 describes a vehicle control method that detects a change in the emotion of a driver during driving based on the biometric information and emotional factors of the driver, and performs notification, deceleration support, and acceleration suppression when the occurrence of a specific emotion that affects driving is detected.

[0011] Patent Document 9 describes an air conditioner for an electric vehicle that changes the fragrance released into the vehicle interior when the air conditioning mode is switched to the blowing mode due to the remaining battery capacity reaching a predetermined value or less. The air conditioner of Patent Document 9 releases a fragrance corresponding to the temperature in the vehicle interior among the fragrances including a fragrance having a cooling effect and a fragrance having a relaxing effect.

[0012] Patent Document 10 describes a system that estimates the situation of an occupant based on at least one of the acquired behavior history of the occupant and the read physical information of the occupant, and creates a refresh program for improving the situation of the occupant. The system of Patent Document 10 provides the created refresh program in the vehicle interior. Patent Document 10 exemplifies an aroma loss program as one of the refresh programs.

[0013] Patent Document 11 describes a display device that displays a first virtual image that is a display along a horizontal plane indicating directions and the like, a second virtual image that represents the distance to a vehicle ahead or a pedestrian, and a third virtual image that represents time, vehicle information, and the like, so that a driver can see them in the space in front of the vehicle.

[0014] Patent Document 12 describes a display device that displays an AR (Augmented Reality) image visually recognized along the front road surface and a non-AR image that rises and is visually recognized closer to the viewer side than the AR image as virtual images in front of the vehicle. The display device of Patent Document 12 displays, as the AR image, an image including an image that emphasizes a lane, a guide image indicating the center of the driving lane, a warning image indicating the position of an object or a lane ahead, and the like. The display device of Patent Document 12 displays, as the non-AR image, an image including a route guidance image, a map information image, an image indicating a caution factor regarding a location included in the displayed map information that does not exist within the front visual field range, and the like.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0015]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Patent Document 5

[0016] Patent Documents 1, 2, and 6 describe that when a problem is found with the driver before starting the engine, the vehicle is put in a non-drivable state. Patent Documents 3, 4, and 8 describe controlling the operation of the vehicle when a problem is found with the driver during driving, but do not control the operation of the vehicle based on the driver's state before driving. The technology of Patent Document 5 notifies a doctor when the dementia level of the subject satisfies a predetermined condition, but does not control the vehicle. The technology of Patent Document 7 issues a warning to the driver, but does not control the running of the vehicle. The technology of Patent Document 9 releases fragrance based on the state of the air conditioner, but does not control the operation of the vehicle based on the driver's state. The technology of Patent Document 10 provides a refresh program based on the situation of the passengers, but does not control the operation of the vehicle. The technologies of Patent Documents 11 and 12 display information by virtual images, but do not control the operation of the vehicle.

[0017] In summary, with the technologies of Patent Documents 1, 2, and 6, it is impossible to reduce the risk of an accident occurring by a driver who is capable of driving. With the technologies of Patent Documents 3, 4, and 8, it is impossible to reduce the risk of an accident occurring by the driver during the period from when the driver starts driving until the state of the driver becomes known. With the technologies of Patent Documents 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, and 12, since the operation of the vehicle itself is not converted, the risk of an accident occurring by a driver with poor skills cannot be sufficiently reduced.

[0018] One object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle control device or the like that can further reduce the risk of an accident occurring by a driver of a vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0019] A vehicle control device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an execution means for executing a test on a driver of the vehicle before the engine of the vehicle starts, a determination means for determining the state of the driver based on the result of the test, and a setting means for setting an operation during traveling of the vehicle based on the state of the driver.

[0020] A vehicle control method according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes executing a test on a driver of the vehicle before the engine of the vehicle starts, determining the state of the driver based on the result of the test, and setting an operation during traveling of the vehicle based on the state of the driver.

[0021] A program according to one aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to execute an execution process for executing a test on a driver of the vehicle before the engine of the vehicle starts, a determination process for determining the state of the driver based on the result of the test, and a setting process for setting an operation during traveling of the vehicle based on the state of the driver.

Advantages of the Invention

[0022] The present disclosure has an effect that the risk of an accident occurring by a driver of a vehicle can be further reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0025] <Basic Embodiment> The basic embodiment represents a form that is common and essential to each of the embodiments described later.

[0026] <Configuration> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a vehicle control device 10 according to the basic embodiment of the present disclosure. The vehicle control device 10 of the present embodiment is mounted on a vehicle.

[0027] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle control device 10 includes an execution unit 110, a determination unit 120, and a setting unit 130. The execution unit 110 executes a test on the driver of the vehicle before the vehicle engine starts. The determination unit 120 determines the state of the driver based on the result of the test. The setting unit 130 sets the operation of the vehicle during traveling based on the state of the driver.

[0028] The execution unit 110 performs the above-mentioned test using at least any one of, for example, the functions of the vehicle, the functions of devices such as a car navigation device, a drive recorder, and sensors mounted on the vehicle. The above-mentioned test may be performed based on a question and the driver's answer to the question. In that case, the question may be presented by voice output from a speaker or by characters displayed on a display or the like. The answer may be given by voice and input through a microphone. The answer may also be input using a touch panel or other input device. The test may be performed by measuring the driver using sensors and analyzing the measurement data obtained by the measurement. The sensor may be, for example, a camera. In that case, the test may be to capture the driver's face with the camera and analyze the obtained face image of the driver. The face image may be a still image. The face image may also be a moving image. The sensor may be a microphone. In that case, the test may be to record the driver's voice with the microphone and analyze the recorded voice data. The test is not limited to these examples. Note that the details of the test will be described in detail in the description of other embodiments later.

[0029] The determination unit 120 may determine the degree of the driver's driving ability as the driver's state. The determination unit 120 may determine whether the driver is in a state where a decline in driving ability is expected, such as a state where cognitive ability has declined due to old age and lack of sleep, or a state where the driver has some strong emotion, as the driver's state. The method by which the determination unit 120 determines the driver's state may be any of various existing methods.

[0030] The setting of the operation during vehicle driving may be, for example, enabling an assist function that assists the driver's driving, which the vehicle is equipped with. The setting of the operation during vehicle driving may be enabling at least a part of the assist function. The setting of the operation during vehicle driving may be increasing the types of assist performed by the assist function. The setting of the operation during vehicle driving may be strengthening the degree to which the assist function assists the driver's driving. The setting of the operation during vehicle driving may be a combination of any two or more of the above examples. The setting of the operation during vehicle driving is not limited to the above examples. The details of the setting of the operation during vehicle driving will also be described in detail in the description of other embodiments later.

[0031] <Operation> FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the vehicle control device 10 according to the basic embodiment of the present disclosure. The vehicle control device 10 performs the operation shown in FIG. 2 before the vehicle engine starts. For example, when the driver performs an operation to start the engine, the vehicle control device 10 performs the operation shown in FIG. 2.

[0032] In the example shown in FIG. 2, first, the execution unit 110 executes a test on the driver (step S11). The determination unit 120 determines the state of the driver based on the result of the test (step S12). The setting unit 130 sets the operation during vehicle driving based on the estimated state of the driver (step S13).

[0033] <Effect> This embodiment has the effect that the risk of the vehicle driver causing an accident can be further reduced. The reason is that the execution unit 110 executes a test before starting the vehicle engine, the determination unit 120 determines the state of the driver based on the result of the test, and the setting unit 130 sets the state during vehicle driving based on the estimated state of the driver.

[0034] <First Embodiment> Next, the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0035] <Configuration> FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the vehicle control device 11 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the vehicle control device 11 includes an execution unit 110, a determination unit 120, a setting unit 130, a control unit 140, a sensor 150, and an input / output unit 160. The vehicle control device 11 may further include a communication unit 170.

[0036] <Sensor 150> The sensor 150 is a sensor that measures the driver. The sensor 150 is attached to the vehicle so as to be able to measure the driver. The sensor is, for example, a camera attached so as to be able to image the driver's face, a microphone attached so as to be able to record the voice emitted by the driver, and the like. The sensor 150 may be implemented as a dedicated sensor of the vehicle control device 11. Sensors provided in other devices such as a car navigation device and a drive recorder device may operate as the sensor 150. In that case, the vehicle control device 11 is communicably connected to other devices such as a car navigation device and a drive recorder device. In the following description, the sensor 150 represents one or more sensors. When a certain sensor is included in a plurality of sensors denoted as the sensor 150, the sensor 150 is denoted as including that sensor.

[0037] The sensor 150 further includes sensors that measure the state of the vehicle during driving, such as a speed sensor and an acceleration sensor. The acceleration sensor is configured to be able to measure the acceleration in a direction other than the traveling direction of the vehicle.

[0038] The sensor 150 may include a camera that images the front of the vehicle.

[0039] <Input / Output Unit 160> The input / output unit 160 is a device that receives inputs from the driver and outputs information to the driver. The input / output unit 160 may be implemented by, for example, a touch panel. The input / output unit 160 may be implemented by, for example, a display device such as a display and an input device such as a pointing device or a remote control. The input / output unit 160 may be implemented by a plurality of devices. The input / output unit 160 may be implemented by a microphone and a speaker. The input / output unit 160 may be implemented by a touch panel, a microphone, and a speaker. The input / output unit 160 is not limited to the above examples. The input / output unit 160 may be mounted as a dedicated device of the vehicle control device 11. The input / output devices provided in other devices such as a car navigation device and a drive recorder device may operate as the input / output unit 160. Also in that case, the vehicle control device 11 is communicably connected to other devices such as a car navigation device and a drive recorder device.

[0040] The input / output unit 160 may be implemented by an odor generating device (specifically, an odor generating device that generates an odor by releasing an odor substance), which is an output device for generating an odor, and an input device such as a touch panel, a pointing device, or a remote control.

[0041] <Execution unit 110> The execution unit 110 executes a test on the driver before the vehicle engine starts. The execution unit 110 uses the input / output unit 160 to execute the test. The execution unit 110 may execute the test using the input / output unit 160 and the sensor 150.

[0042] The test may be to ask the driver questions. The questions may be, for example, quizzes or puzzles, etc. In that case, the execution unit 110 outputs the questions using the input / output unit 160. Specifically, the execution unit 110 may display the questions on the display device of the input / output unit 160. The execution unit 110 may reproduce the voice of the questions using the speaker. The execution unit 110 further receives the input of the driver's answer using the input / output unit 160. The execution unit 110 may receive the input of the driver's answer using the input device of the input / output unit 160. The execution unit 110 may receive the voice data representing the driver's voice answer input by the microphone, and perform voice recognition on the received voice data to receive the answer.

[0043] The test may be to capture a face image. The execution unit 110 may execute the test by causing the sensor 150, which is a camera, to capture the driver's face. The execution unit 110 may receive the driver's face image captured by the sensor 150, which is a camera, from the sensor 150.

[0044] The test may be to generate an odor and detect a specific operation indicating that the driver has sensed the generated odor. In this case, the execution unit 110 generates an odor with the odor generator of the input / output unit 160. Before generating the odor, the execution unit 110 instructs the driver, using the input / output unit 160, to perform a specific operation on the input / output unit 160 if the driver senses the odor. The execution unit 110 receives the specific operation by the driver.

[0045] The execution unit 110 may execute a combination of the above test examples as a test.

[0046] The execution unit 110 executes the above tests before the engine is started. These tests are also referred to as pre-start tests. After the engine is started, the execution unit 110 executes the tests described below. The tests described below are also referred to as in-driving tests.

[0047] The in - motion test is, for example, to measure the acceleration of the vehicle by using sensor 150 which is an acceleration sensor. The in - motion test is, for example, to measure the speed of the vehicle by using sensor 150 which is a speed sensor. The in - motion test is, for example, to measure the face image of the driver. The in - motion test is, for example, to capture the video in front of the vehicle.

[0048] <Determination unit 120> As described above, the determination unit 120 determines the degree of the driver's driving ability as the driver's state. The determination unit 120 may determine, for example, whether the driver is in a state where the driving ability is likely to decline, such as a state where the cognitive ability has declined due to old age and lack of sleep, or a state where the driver has some strong emotion, and thereby determine the degree of the driver's driving ability. The degree of the driving ability may be, for example, either "a state where there may be inappropriateness in driving" or "a state where safe driving is possible". In this case, when it is a state where the decline in driving ability is expected, the determination unit 120 may determine that the driver's state is likely to be inappropriate for driving (that is, the driver is in a state where there may be inappropriateness in driving). When it is not a state where the decline in driving ability is expected, the determination unit 120 may determine that the driver is capable of safe driving (that is, the driver's state is a state where safe driving is possible). The degree of the driving ability is not limited to the above examples. For example, the determination unit 120 may further determine that the driver's state is inappropriate for driving (that is, the driver is in a state where driving is inappropriate) when the driver is in a specific state. An example of such determination will be described in detail in the description of the second embodiment below.

[0049] <<Specific examples of determination>> Hereinafter, specific examples of determination when the test is a question will be described.

[0050] The determination unit 120 may determine the degree of the driver's driving ability based on, for example, the reaction speed to a question, specifically, the time from when the question is asked until the driver gives an answer (hereinafter referred to as the reaction time). In this case, the definition of the time when the question is asked and the definition of the time when the driver gives an answer may be appropriately determined. The time when the question is asked is, for example, the time when the text of the question is displayed, the time when the reproduction of the voice representing the content of the question ends, etc., which is the time when the presentation of the content of the question ends. The time when the answer is input is, for example, the time when the input by the input device starts, the time when the driver starts to utter a voice other than interjections, etc., which is the time when the input of the answer to the question starts.

[0051] For example, when the reaction time satisfies the reaction time condition appropriately determined in advance, the determination unit 120 determines that the driver's state is a state in which safe driving is possible. For example, when the reaction time does not satisfy the reaction time condition appropriately determined in advance, the determination unit 120 determines that the driver's state may be inappropriate for driving.

[0052] The reaction time condition may be, for example, that the statistical value (average value, median value, or central value, etc.) of the reaction time is smaller than the reaction time threshold appropriately determined in advance. The reaction time condition may be, for example, that the number of times the reaction time exceeds a predetermined threshold is less than a predetermined number of times.

[0053] When the question is a quiz or a puzzle, the determination unit 120 may determine the degree of the driver's driving ability based on the correct answer rate of the answer. In this case, specifically, when the correct answer number condition is satisfied (for example, when the correct answer rate of the answer is equal to or higher than a predetermined number of correct answers), the determination unit 120 determines that the driver's state is a state in which safe driving is possible. When the correct answer number condition is not satisfied (for example, when the correct answer rate of the answer is less than a predetermined number of correct answers), the determination unit 120 determines that the driver's state may be inappropriate for driving.

[0054] When the test is the photographing of the driver's face image, the determination unit 120 may estimate the driver's age based on the driver's face image. The method by which the determination unit 120 estimates the age based on the face image may be any of various existing methods. When the senior condition, which is a condition for determining whether the driver is a senior, is satisfied (for example, when the estimated age is equal to or greater than a predetermined age), the determination unit 120 determines that the driver's state may be inappropriate for driving. When the senior condition is not satisfied (for example, when the estimated age has not reached the predetermined age), the determination unit 120 determines that the driver's state is a state in which safe driving is possible.

[0055] When the test is the occurrence of an odor, the determination unit 120 determines whether the driver senses the odor. Generally, it is said that as the level of cognitive function decreases, it becomes more difficult to sense odors. Also, cases have been reported in which people infected with viral infectious diseases such as influenza and COVID-19 have difficulty sensing odors. When the determination unit 120 determines that the driver senses the odor, the determination unit 120 determines that the driver's state is a state in which safe driving is possible. When the determination unit 120 determines that the driver does not sense the odor, the determination unit 120 determines that the driver's state may be inappropriate for driving. The determination unit 120 determines that the driver senses the odor when, for example, the following odor determination condition is satisfied.

[0056] The odor determination condition is, for example, a condition based on the relationship between the time of occurrence of the odor (hereinafter referred to as the odor occurrence time) and the time when the driver performs the above-described specific operation. Specifically, the odor determination condition is that the time when the driver performs the specific operation is after the odor occurrence time and before the elapse of a predetermined time from the odor occurrence time. When the time when the driver performs the specific operation is included between the odor occurrence time and the time when a predetermined time has elapsed from the odor occurrence time, the odor determination condition is satisfied. When the time when the driver performs the specific operation is before the odor occurrence time and when the time when the driver performs the specific operation is after the time when a predetermined time has elapsed from the odor occurrence time, the odor determination condition is not satisfied.

[0057] The determination unit 120 may determine the degree of the driver's driving ability based on a combination of any two or more of the plurality of reaction time conditions, correct answer number conditions, age conditions, and smell determination conditions described above. Specifically, when the number of satisfied conditions is equal to or more than a predetermined number, the determination unit 120 determines that the driver's state is a state in which safe driving is possible. When the number of satisfied conditions is less than the predetermined number, the determination unit 120 determines that the driver's state may be inappropriate for driving. The determination unit 120 may assign points in advance to each of the plurality of conditions according to the importance, and when the total of the points assigned to the satisfied conditions is equal to or more than a predetermined value, determine that the driver's state is a state in which safe driving is possible. When the total of the points assigned to the satisfied conditions is less than the predetermined value, the determination unit 120 may determine that the driver's state may be inappropriate for driving. The importance and the points may be determined as appropriate.

[0058] The determination conditions are not limited to the above examples of the plurality of reaction time conditions, correct answer number conditions, age conditions, and smell determination conditions. Conditions other than these conditions may be used for the determination by the determination unit 120. These conditions may not be used for the determination by the determination unit 120.

[0059] The determination unit 120 performs the above determination based on the results of a test (i.e., pre-start test) performed before the engine is started. The determination unit 120 may perform the above determination before the engine is started.

[0060] The determination unit 120 may further determine the degree of the driver's driving ability based on the results of the above-described in-vehicle test after the engine is started.

[0061] The determination unit 120 may determine the degree of the driver's driving ability based on, for example, the number of times and frequency that the acceleration of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined acceleration threshold value. Different acceleration threshold values may be defined according to the direction of the vehicle. For example, different acceleration threshold values may be defined in the forward direction of the vehicle, the rearward direction of the vehicle, and the left - right direction of the vehicle. Different acceleration threshold values may be defined according to the position where the vehicle is located (for example, the highway outbound lane, general road, location other than the road). The determination unit 120 may determine the position of the vehicle based on, for example, the road information obtained from a server or the like that stores road information via the communication unit 170 described later, and the position information of the vehicle obtained using, for example, GPS (Global Positioning System). The determination unit 120 may also determine the position of the vehicle by using the function of the car navigation device mounted on the vehicle. When the number of times that the acceleration of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined acceleration threshold value accumulated since the engine was started reaches a predetermined number of times, the determination unit 120 may determine that the driver's state may be inappropriate for driving. When the number of times that the acceleration of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined acceleration threshold value per a predetermined time after the engine is started reaches a predetermined number of times, the determination unit 120 may determine that the driver's state may be inappropriate for driving.

[0062] The determination unit 120 may determine the degree of the driver's driving ability based on the number of times and frequency that the speed of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined speed threshold value. The speed threshold value may be defined according to the position where the vehicle is located (road, location other than the road). The speed threshold value on the road may be defined based on the speed limit of that road. The determination unit 120 may obtain the information on the speed limit of the road from a server or the like that stores road information via the communication unit 170 described later. When the number of times that the speed of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined speed threshold value accumulated since the engine was started reaches a predetermined number of times, the determination unit 120 may determine that the driver's state may be inappropriate for driving. When the number of times that the acceleration of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined acceleration threshold value per a predetermined time after the engine is started reaches a predetermined number of times, the determination unit 120 may determine that the driver's state may be inappropriate for driving.

[0063] The determination unit 120 may determine the driver's drowsiness based on the driver's face image. Generally, when the driver is drowsy, the driver's driving ability decreases. The method by which the determination unit 120 determines the driver's drowsiness is any one of various existing methods, such as a method based on the degree of eye opening. When it is determined that the driver is drowsy, the determination unit 120 determines that the driver's state may be inappropriate for driving.

[0064] The determination unit 120 may determine the number of times the vehicle has deviated from the lane based on the video captured of the front of the vehicle. The method by which the determination unit 120 determines that the vehicle has deviated from the lane is any one of various existing methods. When the number of times the vehicle has deviated from the lane since the engine was started reaches a predetermined number threshold, the determination unit 120 determines that the driver's state may be inappropriate for driving. The number threshold may be determined as appropriate.

[0065] The method by which the determination unit 120 determines the driver's state is not limited to the above examples. The determination unit 120 may determine the driver's state by a method other than the above examples.

[0066] <Setting unit 130> The setting unit 130 sets the operation of the vehicle during driving based on the driver's state determined by the determination unit 120. Specifically, when it is determined that the driver's state is a state in which safe driving is possible, the setting unit 130 sets the operation of the vehicle during driving to a normal state, for example, in which no special setting is made. When it is determined that the driver's state may be inappropriate for driving, the setting unit 130 sets the operation of the vehicle during driving to the high support mode.

[0067] The high support mode is a mode set so that a serious accident due to a driving mistake is less likely to occur. The high support mode may be, for example, a state in which an assist function provided in the vehicle to assist the driver's driving is activated. The assist function may include, for example, a function of suppressing sudden starts and sudden accelerations by suppressing the engine speed or the speed of increase of the engine speed. The assist function may be a function of suppressing sudden steering by suppressing the engine speed, the speed of increase of the engine speed, the magnitude of the change in the direction of the wheels according to the operation of the steering wheel, etc. The assist function may be to advance the timing of brake assist or autobrake. The assist function is not limited to the above examples. The high support mode may be a state in which at least a part of the assist function is activated. The high support mode may be a state in which the types of assistance performed by the assist function are increased. The high support mode may be a state in which the degree of assistance provided by the assist function to assist the driver's driving is enhanced. The high support mode may be a combination of any two or more of the above examples. The high support mode is not limited to the above examples.

[0068] The setting unit 130 performs the above settings based on the result of determination based on a test (i.e., pre-start test) executed before the engine is started. The setting unit 130 may perform the above settings before the engine is started.

[0069] The setting unit 130 may further perform the above settings based on not only the determination based on the pre-start test but also the determination based on the on-road test.

[0070] <<Execution unit 110 and determination unit 120>> In the above description, the test performed by the execution unit 110 does not need to be predetermined. The determination unit 120 may make a determination based on the results of some of the pre-start tests before the pre-start test ends. The execution unit 110 may determine the test to be executed based on the result of the determination based on the results of some of the pre-start tests (in other words, the test to be executed may be changed). The determination unit 120 makes a determination based on the obtained results of the pre-start test after the pre-start test ends.

[0071] The determination made by the determination unit 120 before the pre-start test ends is referred to as an intermediate determination. The result of the determination made by the determination unit 120 before the pre-start test ends is referred to as an intermediate result. The intermediate determination may not be a determination as to whether the driver's state is a state in which safe driving is possible or a state in which there is a possibility of being inappropriate for driving. The intermediate result may not indicate whether the driver's state is a state in which safe driving is possible or a state in which there is a possibility of being inappropriate for driving. The intermediate determination includes a determination of the accuracy of the intermediate result, which is the degree of certainty of the intermediate result. The intermediate result includes the accuracy of that intermediate result.

[0072] The intermediate determination may be, for example, a determination as to whether the driver is an elderly person based on a face image. In this case, the intermediate result may indicate whether the driver is an elderly person. The intermediate determination may be, for example, a determination as to whether the driver's physical condition is poor based on a face image. The method by which the determination unit 120 determines whether the driver's physical condition is poor is any of various existing methods. In this case, the intermediate result may indicate whether the driver's physical condition is poor. The intermediate determination may be a determination as to whether the driver smells something. In this case, the intermediate result may indicate whether the driver smells something. The intermediate determination may be, for example, a determination of the content of the driver's answer to a predetermined question such as a question for estimating cognitive ability or a question for estimating the deterioration of the driver's state. For example, in this case, the determination unit 120 may determine, for example, whether the content of the driver's answer indicates a possibility of a decrease in cognitive ability. The determination unit 120 may determine, for example, whether the content of the driver's answer indicates a possibility of the driver's state being poor.

[0073] Based on the intermediate result, the execution unit 110 may perform a test to more accurately determine the content indicated by the intermediate result. For example, based on the intermediate result, the execution unit 110 may determine the presence or absence of the following questions. Based on the intermediate result, the execution unit 110 may end the test. When the accuracy of the intermediate result is high, the execution unit 110 may decide not to perform the following question and end the test. When the accuracy of the intermediate result is low, the execution unit 110 may decide to perform the following question. Based on the intermediate result, the execution unit 110 may determine the following question. That is, when the accuracy of the intermediate result is low, the execution unit 110 may determine the question for increasing the accuracy of the intermediate result as the following question.

[0074] For example, when the determination unit 120 determines, based on at least one of the intermediate determination results such as the driver's face image and questions, that there is a possibility that the driver's physical condition is poor, the determination unit 120 may determine the following question for more accurately determining the poor physical condition and may perform such a question. For example, when the determination unit 120 determines, based on at least one of the intermediate determination results such as the driver's face image and questions, that there is a possibility that the driver is an elderly person, the determination unit 120 may determine the following question for determining the reaction speed and cognitive ability and may perform such a question.

[0075] When the determination unit 120 determines that the accuracy of the determination that the driver's driving ability is low is high based on the intermediate determination result, the determination unit 120 may decide not to perform the following question and end the test. When the determination unit 120 determines that the accuracy of the determination that the driver's driving ability is not low is high based on the intermediate determination result, the determination unit 120 may decide not to perform the following question and end the test.

[0076] <Control unit 140> The control unit 140 controls the vehicle based on the operation of the vehicle during travel set by the setting unit 130. Specifically, when the operation of the vehicle during travel is set to the above high support mode by the setting unit 130, the control unit 140 operates the vehicle during travel in the high support mode.

[0077] <Communication unit 170> The communication unit 170 relays communication for acquiring road information from a server that stores road information, for example, by wireless communication.

[0078] <Operation> Next, the operation of the vehicle control device 11 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0079] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the overall operation of the vehicle control device 11 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The operation shown in FIG. 4 starts before the vehicle engine is started.

[0080] In the example shown in FIG. 4, the vehicle control device 11 first performs test execution processing (step S101). The test execution processing will be described in detail later. Next, the determination unit 120 determines the driver's state based on the test result obtained in step S101 (step S102). As a result of the determination, if the driver's state is not likely to be inappropriate for driving (NO in step S103), the vehicle control device 11 ends the operation shown in FIG. 4. As a result of the determination, if the driver's state is not likely to be inappropriate for driving (YES in step S103), the setting unit 130 sets the operation during vehicle travel to enhance the degree of supporting the driver's driving (step S104). In other words, the setting unit 130 sets the operation during vehicle travel to the high support mode. Then, the vehicle control device 11 ends the operation shown in FIG. 4.

[0081] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the test execution processing of the vehicle control device 11 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0082] In the example shown in FIG. 5, first, the execution unit 110 acquires a face image of the driver using the sensor 150 which is a camera. Then, the determination unit 120 determines the state of the driver based on the acquired face image of the driver (step S111). The execution unit 110 further performs an odor test to confirm whether the driver senses an odor, for example, using the input / output unit 160 which is an odor emission device and an input device. The determination unit 120 determines whether the driver senses an odor in the odor test. The determination unit 120 determines the state of the driver based on the result of the odor test, which is the result of determining whether the driver senses an odor (step S112).

[0083] Then, the determination unit 120 determines the next question to be asked based on the state of the driver (step S113). The determination unit 120 asks the driver the determined question (step S114). The determination unit 120 receives the answer to the asked question (step S115).

[0084] Next, the determination unit 120 performs an analysis regarding the answer (step S116). The analysis regarding the answer is the process represented by the above description of the determination unit 120 that extracts the data necessary for determining the state of the driver from the data representing the answer. The analysis regarding the answer is, for example, the process of specifying the content of the answer. The analysis regarding the answer may be the process of specifying the time from the question to the answer. The process regarding the answer may be the process of specifying the content of the answer by performing speech recognition on the speech data representing the content of the answer. The process regarding the answer may be other processes.

[0085] The determination unit 120 determines the state of the driver (step S117). In step S117, the determination unit 120 performs the above intermediate determination and determines the accuracy of the intermediate determination. In the example shown in FIG. 5, in step S117, the determination unit 120 may further determine whether the state of the driver is a state where safe driving is possible or there is a possibility of being inappropriate for driving, and further determine the accuracy of the result of the determination.

[0086] Next, the execution unit 110 determines whether to end the question, for example, based on the determined probability. In step S113, the execution unit 110 may determine the next question according to a scenario prepared in advance for determining the next question according to the answer to the question. Then, in step S118, the execution unit 110 may determine whether there is a next question according to such a scenario. The execution unit 110 may determine the presence or absence of the next question and the next question by an artificial intelligence system configured to determine the next question based on the answer rather than the scenario. If it is determined that there is no next question, the execution unit 110 may determine to end the question. If it is determined that there is a next question, the execution unit 110 may determine not to end the question. When the execution unit 110 does not end the question (NO in the step), the operation of the vehicle control device 11 returns to step S113. When the execution unit 110 ends the question (YES in step S118), the vehicle control device 11 ends the operation shown in FIG. 5.

[0087] <Effect> This embodiment has the same effect as the basic embodiment. The reason is the same as the reason for the effect of the basic embodiment.

[0088] This embodiment further has the effect of further improving the safety of the vehicle during driving by the driver. The reason is that the execution unit 110 determines the next question based on the result of the intermediate determination (that is, the intermediate result) by the determination unit 120. Thereby, the determination unit 120 can more accurately determine whether the driver's state is a state in which safe driving is possible or there is a possibility of being inappropriate for driving. Thereby, when there is a possibility that the driver's state may be inappropriate, the possibility that the operation of the vehicle during driving is set to the high support mode increases, and the safety of the vehicle during driving by the driver can be further improved.

[0089] <Second Embodiment> Next, the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for the differences described below.

[0090] <Configuration> FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the vehicle control device 12 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the vehicle control device 12 of the present embodiment includes a driver measurement unit 210, an in-driving state estimation unit 220, and a notification execution unit 230 in addition to each component of the vehicle control device 11 of the first embodiment. In the following description, the driver measurement unit 210, the in-driving state estimation unit 220, and the notification execution unit 230 may also be referred to as the second unit 200.

[0091] <Determination unit 120> The determination unit 120 determines whether the driver's state is inappropriate for driving based on the test results. In other respects, the determination unit 120 of the present embodiment has the same functions as the determination unit 120 of the first embodiment and operates in the same manner as the determination unit 120 of the first embodiment. The determination unit 120 may determine whether the driver's state is a state in which safe driving is possible, a state in which there is a possibility of being inappropriate for driving, or a state in which it is inappropriate for driving.

[0092] When the determination unit 120 determines based on the test results that the possibility that the driver has dementia is higher than a predetermined standard, the determination unit 120 may determine that the driver's state is inappropriate for driving. When the test results satisfy a predetermined dementia condition, the determination unit 120 may determine that the possibility that the driver has dementia is higher than a predetermined standard and determine that the driver's state is inappropriate for driving. The dementia determination condition may be defined by a conditional expression including at least one or more of the above-described plurality of reaction time conditions, the number of correct answers conditions, the age condition, and the odor determination condition. However, the dementia determination condition is set so that the number of drivers who satisfy the condition is smaller than the condition for determining the possibility of being inappropriate for driving. The determination unit 120 may determine whether there is a possibility that the driver has dementia based on the driver's voice data. The determination unit 120 may use an existing method as a method for determining whether there is a possibility that the driver has dementia based on the driver's voice data.

[0093] The determination unit 120 may determine whether the driver may be engaged in drunk driving or drink-driving based on the test results. The determination unit 120 may determine whether the driver may be engaged in drunk driving or drink-driving based on the face image of the driver. The determination unit 120 may perform the determination as to whether the driver may be engaged in drunk driving or drink-driving based on the face image of the driver by using a discriminator that has been trained in advance by machine learning. The determination unit 120 may determine whether the driver may be engaged in drunk driving or drink-driving based on the voice data of the driver. The determination unit 120 may perform the determination as to whether the driver may be engaged in drunk driving or drink-driving based on the voice data of the driver by using a discriminator that has been trained in advance by machine learning. When the determination unit 120 determines that the driver may be engaged in drunk driving or drink-driving, the determination unit 120 may determine that the state of the driver is inappropriate for driving.

[0094] The determination unit 120 may determine whether the driver's physical condition is unsuitable for driving based on the test results. The test in this case may be a question asking about the physical condition or illness. When the answer to the question meets the predetermined conditions, the determination unit 120 may determine that the driver's physical condition is unsuitable for driving. The test in this case may be the acquisition of a face image. The determination unit 120 may use a discriminator trained in advance by machine learning to determine whether the driver's physical condition is worse than a predetermined standard based on the face image, and determine whether the driver's physical condition is worse than a predetermined standard. When it is determined that the driver's physical condition is worse than a predetermined standard, the determination unit 120 may determine whether the driver's physical condition is unsuitable for driving. The determination unit 120 may determine whether the voice data contains features of coughing or shortness of breath. When the voice data contains features of coughing or shortness of breath, the determination unit 120 may determine the frequency and degree of coughing and the degree of shortness of breath. When at least one of the degree and frequency of coughing and the degree of shortness of breath is greater than a predetermined standard, the determination unit 120 may determine that the driver's physical condition is unsuitable for driving.

[0095] The determination unit 120 performs the above determination before the engine starts.

[0096] <Sensor 150> The sensor 150 further includes a thermometer, a heart rate monitor, a blood pressure monitor, and a sweating state measurement sensor incorporated in the seat or the steering wheel or the like.

[0097] <Driver measurement unit 210> The driver measurement unit 210 measures the driver using the sensor 150 while the driver is driving the vehicle. The measurement data obtained by measuring the driver during driving is referred to as in-driving driver data.

[0098] During driving, the driver measurement unit 210 may acquire, as driver data during driving, a face image of the driver captured using the sensor 150 which is a camera. The face image data of the driver during driving may be a moving image. The face image data of the driver during driving may be a still image. The driver measurement unit 210 may acquire, as driver data during driving, body temperature, heart rate, degree of sweating, etc. The driver measurement unit 210 may acquire the changes in body temperature, heart rate, degree of sweating, etc. as driver data during driving. The driver measurement unit 210 may acquire, as driver data during driving, voice data of the sound emitted by the driver. In that case, the driver measurement unit 210 may use a speaker to ask the driver questions and acquire the answers to those questions as voice data.

[0099] <In-driving state estimation unit 220> The in-driving state estimation unit 220 estimates the physical state of the driver based on the measurement results, that is, the driver data during driving. The in-driving state estimation unit 220 determines the state of the driver based on the estimated physical state of the driver. In other words, the in-driving state estimation unit 220 determines the state of the driver based on the measurement results, that is, the driver data during driving.

[0100] The in-driving state estimation unit 220 determines, for example, whether the body temperature, heart rate, and degree of sweating exceed their respective defined threshold values. If at least any one of these exceeds the threshold value, the in-driving state estimation unit 220 may determine the physical state of the driver as being in poor physical condition.

[0101] During driving state estimation unit 220 may determine whether the driver is in poor physical condition, for example, using a detector that has been trained in advance by machine learning to determine whether a subject is in poor physical condition based on a face image. The driving state estimation unit 220 compares a face image of the driver captured before starting the engine with a face image captured during driving, detects portions that have changed by a predetermined standard or more, and determines whether the physical condition of the driver has deteriorated based on the detection result. The driving state estimation unit 220 may detect, for example, complexion, gaze fluctuations, eye bags, and changes in the corners of the mouth. When the driving state estimation unit 220 determines that the physical condition has deteriorated, it may determine that the physical state of the driver is in poor physical condition.

[0102] The driving state estimation unit 220 may determine whether features of coughing or shortness of breath are included in the voice data. When the voice data includes features of coughing or shortness of breath, the driving state estimation unit 220 may determine the frequency and degree of coughing and the degree of shortness of breath. When at least either the degree and frequency of coughing or the degree of shortness of breath is greater than a predetermined standard, the driving state estimation unit 220 may determine that the physical state of the driver is in poor physical condition.

[0103] When the driving state estimation unit 220 determines that the physical state of the driver is in poor physical condition, it determines that the state of the driver is inappropriate for driving.

[0104] The driving state estimation unit 220 may use two criteria as criteria for determining the physical state of the driver. The driving state estimation unit 220 may use the two criteria to determine whether the state of the driver is a state in which safe driving is possible, a state in which there is a possibility of being inappropriate for driving, or a state that is inappropriate for driving.

[0105] For example, when the in-driving state estimation unit 220 determines that the state of the driver's body based on the in-driving driver data satisfies the first criterion, it may be determined that the driver's state is inappropriate for driving. When the state of the driver's body determined by the in-driving state estimation unit 220 based on the in-driving driver data does not satisfy the first criterion and satisfies the second criterion indicating that the physical condition is not worse than the physical condition indicated by the first criterion, it may be determined that the driver's state may be inappropriate for driving. When the state of the driver's body determined by the in-driving state estimation unit 220 based on the in-driving driver data does not satisfy the second criterion, it may be determined that the driver's state is a state in which safe driving is possible. The first criterion and the second criterion may be determined as appropriate.

[0106] <Notification execution unit 230> When it is determined that the driver's state is inappropriate for driving, the notification execution unit 230 notifies the driver's state to a predetermined contact via the communication unit 170. When it is determined that the driver's state is inappropriate for driving, the notification execution unit 230 may further notify at least one of the stop position and the change in the position of the vehicle in motion to the predetermined contact.

[0107] <Setting unit 130> The setting unit 130 of the present embodiment has the same function as the setting unit 130 of the first embodiment and operates in the same manner as the setting unit 130 of the first embodiment.

[0108] When it is determined that the driver's state may be inappropriate for driving while the driver is driving the vehicle, the setting unit 130 sets the operating state of the vehicle to the high support mode described above.

[0109] The setting unit 130 further sets, whether before or after the engine starts, when it is determined that the driver's state is inappropriate for driving, the state of the vehicle during driving to travel to a predetermined stop position and stop at that stop position. The stop position is, for example, the driver's home, the home of the driver's relatives, a police station, a convenience store, a gas station, etc. that are set in advance. The setting unit 130 may determine, based on the video captured by the sensor 150, which is a camera that captures the front of the vehicle, a place where the vehicle can safely stop, such as the road shoulder, as the stop position. When the vehicle can perform autonomous driving, the setting unit 130 sets the vehicle to autonomously drive to the stop position. When the vehicle cannot perform autonomous driving, the setting unit 130 sets the in-vehicle navigation device to guide the driver so that the vehicle heads towards the stop position.

[0110] <Control unit 140> The control unit 140 of the present embodiment has the same functions as the control unit 140 of the first embodiment and operates in the same manner as the control unit 140 of the first embodiment.

[0111] In the present embodiment, when the vehicle is set to travel to and stop at the stop position, if the vehicle has an automatic driving function, the control unit 140 causes the vehicle to travel to the stop position by the automatic driving function and stop the vehicle at the stop position after the vehicle starts to travel. If the vehicle does not have an automatic driving function, the control unit 140 controls the navigation device to perform navigation to the stop position after the vehicle starts to travel.

[0112] <Operation> Next, the operation of the vehicle control device 12 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0113] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the overall operation of the vehicle control device 12 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0114] In the example shown in FIG. 7, the vehicle control device 12 first performs test execution processing (step S101). The test execution processing in step S101 of the present embodiment is the same as the operation in step S101 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4, that is, the operation in FIG. 5. However, in the present embodiment, the execution unit 110 performs the above-described test in addition to the test of the first embodiment. The result of the test is obtained by the test execution processing. Next, the determination unit 120 determines the driver's state based on the result of the test (step S102).

[0115] When the driver's state is not inappropriate for driving (NO in step S203), that is, when it is not determined that the driver's state is inappropriate for driving, the vehicle control device 12 performs the operations after step S103. The operations after step S103 in the present embodiment are the same as the operations after step S103 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4. After step S103, the vehicle control device 12 performs the same operations as the operations after step S103 in FIG. 4.

[0116] When the driver's state is inappropriate for driving (YES in step S203), the setting unit 130 sets the operation during the vehicle's travel so that the vehicle travels to the stop position and stops at the predetermined stop position (step S204). Further, the setting unit 130 sets to notify the stop position to a predetermined contact (step S205). When the stop position is fixed, in step S205, the notification execution unit 230 may notify the stop position to the predetermined contact. When the stop position is not determined at the time of step S205 (for example, when the stop position is determined based on an image captured in front of the vehicle), the notification execution unit 230 notifies the stop position to the predetermined contact after the stop maintenance is determined during the vehicle's travel. Furthermore, the setting unit 130 sets to notify the position of the vehicle during travel to the predetermined contact (step S206).

[0117] Then, the setting unit 130 performs the operation of step S104. As described above, the operation of step S104 in the present embodiment is the same as the operation of step S104 in the operation shown in FIG. 3. Then, the vehicle control device 12 ends the operation shown in FIG. 7.

[0118] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the vehicle control device 12 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure during the running of the vehicle. The vehicle control device 12 may repeat the operation of FIG. 8 while it is not determined that the driver's state is inappropriate for driving.

[0119] In the example shown in FIG. 8, the driver measurement unit 210 measures the driver (step S211). Next, the driving state estimation unit 220 determines the driver's state based on the measurement result (step S212). If it is not determined that the driver's state is inappropriate for driving (NO in step S213), and if it is not determined that there is a possibility that the driver's state is inappropriate for driving (NO in step S217), the vehicle control device 12 ends the operation shown in FIG. 8. If it is not determined that the driver's state is inappropriate for driving (NO in step S213), and if it is determined that there is a possibility that the driver's state is inappropriate for driving (NO in step S217), the vehicle control device 12 then performs the operation of step S218.

[0120] In step S218, the setting unit 130 sets the state of the vehicle during driving so as to enhance the degree of supporting the driver's driving (step S218). In other words, the setting unit 130 sets the operation of the vehicle during driving to the high support mode. Then, the vehicle control device 12 ends the operation shown in FIG. 8. The operations of steps S217 and S218 are the same as the operations of steps S103 and S104 shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, except that they are performed while the vehicle is running.

[0121] When it is determined that the driver's state is inappropriate for driving (YES in step S213), the setting unit 130 sets the operation during the vehicle's travel so that the vehicle travels to the stop position and stops at the stop position (step S214). At an appropriately determined timing after step S214, the control unit 140 controls the vehicle so that the vehicle travels to the stop position and stops at the stop position.

[0122] The setting unit 130 further sets to notify a predetermined contact destination of the stop position (step S215). When the stop position is determined, in step S215, the notification execution unit 230 notifies the predetermined notification destination of the stop position. When the stop position is not determined, the notification execution unit 230 notifies the predetermined notification destination of the stop position after the stop position is determined.

[0123] The setting unit 130 further sets to notify a predetermined contact destination of the position of the vehicle during travel (step S216). After step S216, the notification execution unit 230 notifies the predetermined contact destination of the position of the vehicle during travel, for example, at predetermined time intervals.

[0124] Note that the operations from step S213 to step S216 are the same as the operations from step S203 to step S206 shown in FIG. 4, except that these operations are performed while the vehicle is traveling.

[0125] Next, the setting unit 130 performs the operation of step S218. Then, the vehicle control device 14 ends the operation shown in FIG. 8.

[0126] <Effect> This embodiment has the same effects as those of the first embodiment. The reason is the same as the reason for the effects of the first embodiment.

[0127] This embodiment has the effect of being able to further enhance safety. The reason is that when it is determined that the driver's state is inappropriate for driving, the setting unit 130 sets the vehicle to travel to a predetermined stop position and stop at the predetermined stop position.

[0128] <Modification of the Second Embodiment> The determination unit 120 may operate as the driving state estimation unit 220. Further, the determination unit 120 may determine whether the state of the driver is a state in which safe driving is possible, a state in which there is a possibility of being inappropriate for driving, or a state in which it is inappropriate for driving based on the body temperature, heart rate, degree of sweating, etc. measured by the driver measurement unit 210.

[0129] <Third Embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for the differences described below.

[0130] <Configuration> FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the vehicle control device 13 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. The vehicle control device 13 of this embodiment is the same as the vehicle control device 11 of the first embodiment except for the differences described below, and operates in the same manner as the vehicle control device 11 of the first embodiment.

[0131] In the example shown in FIG. 9, the vehicle control device 13 of this embodiment includes a data transmission unit 310, an evaluation acquisition unit 320, an evaluation output unit 330, and an evaluation notification unit 340 in addition to the components of the vehicle control device 11 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4. In the following description, the data transmission unit 310, the evaluation acquisition unit 320, the evaluation output unit 330, and the evaluation notification unit 340 are also collectively referred to as the third unit 300.

[0132] FIG. 25 is a diagram showing the configuration of the vehicle control system according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. In the example of FIG. 25, a plurality of vehicle control devices 13 are connected to the communication network 20 by, for example, wireless communication. Each of the plurality of vehicle control devices 13 is communicably connected to an evaluation device 30 described later via the communication network 20. Hereinafter, each vehicle control device 13 will be described.

[0133] <Execution unit 110> The execution unit 110 of the present embodiment has the same functions as the execution unit 110 of the first embodiment and performs the same operations as the execution unit 110 of the first embodiment. Note that the execution unit 110 of the present embodiment may ask questions for determining the driving ability of the driver. The questions for determining the driving ability of the driver are, for example, existing questions created for determining the driving ability of the driver.

[0134] <Determination unit 120> The determination unit 120 of the present embodiment has the same functions as the determination unit 120 of the first embodiment and performs the same operations as the determination unit 120 of the first embodiment.

[0135] The determination unit 120 of the present embodiment further determines the driving ability based on the test results. The method by which the determination unit 120 determines the driving ability may be any of various existing methods. The determination unit 120 may determine the driving ability based on the time from when the question is asked until the driver answers. The determination unit 120 may determine the driving ability based on the answers to the questions for determining the driving ability of the driver.

[0136] Furthermore, the determination unit 120 may determine whether the evaluation value obtained from the evaluation device 30 described later satisfies a predetermined evaluation criterion. The evaluation criterion may be appropriately determined according to the evaluation value.

[0137] <Data transmission unit 310> The data transmission unit 310 transmits data including the test results and the driving ability of the driver (hereinafter also referred to as ability-related data) to the evaluation device 30 via the communication unit 170. The test results transmitted by the data transmission unit 310 may be data calculated from the test answers and data related to the test answers, such as the correct answer rate and statistical values of the time until an answer is given. The data transmission unit 310 transmits the ability-related data of the driver and the identification data for identifying the driver to the evaluation device 30.

[0138] <Evaluation device 30> The evaluation device 30 receives the ability-related data and the driver's identification data, and accumulates the received ability-related data and the driver's identification data. The evaluation device 30 generates transition data representing the transition of the ability-related data for each driver. The evaluation device 30 calculates an evaluation value representing the relative evaluation of the driving ability of each driver among the drivers for whom the ability-related data is accumulated. The evaluation value may be, for example, the rank of the driver's driving ability. The evaluation value may be, for example, a value indicating what percentage rank from the top the rank of the driver's driving ability is among the drivers for whom the ability-related data is accumulated. The evaluation value may be, for example, the deviation value of the driver's driving ability. The evaluation value may be another value representing the relative evaluation of the driver's driving ability. The evaluation device 30 may calculate an evaluation value for each individual type of value included in the ability-related data. The evaluation device 30 may calculate, as an evaluation value, a value representing a comprehensive evaluation based on each individual type of value included in the ability-related data. The evaluation device 30 may calculate a plurality of types of evaluation values.

[0139] The evaluation device 30 transmits the evaluation value of the driver to the vehicle in response to a request from the vehicle. Specifically, the evaluation device 30 receives a request for an evaluation value specifying the driver's identification data from the vehicle. When the evaluation device 30 receives the request for the evaluation value, it transmits the evaluation value of the driver specified by the specified identification data to the vehicle that transmitted the request for the evaluation value.

[0140] The evaluation device 30 further transmits the transition data of the driver's ability-related data to the vehicle in response to a request for transition data from the vehicle. Specifically, the evaluation device 30 receives a request for transition data specifying the driver's identification data from the vehicle. When the evaluation device 30 receives the request for the transition data, it transmits the transition data representing the transition of the ability-related data of the driver specified by the specified identification data to the vehicle that transmitted the request for the transition data.

[0141] Note that the evaluation device 30 may create transition data including data representing the transition of evaluation values as the transition data. The evaluation device 30 may transmit data of the transition of evaluation values including the latest evaluation value to the vehicle as the evaluation value.

[0142] <Evaluation acquisition unit 320> The evaluation acquisition unit 320 acquires the evaluation value of the driver from the evaluation device 30. Specifically, the evaluation acquisition unit 320 transmits a request for the evaluation value specifying the identification data of the driver to the evaluation device 30 via the communication unit 170. The evaluation acquisition unit 320 receives the evaluation value of the driver from the evaluation device 30 via the communication unit 170.

[0143] The evaluation acquisition unit 320 acquires the transition data representing the transition of the driver's ability-related data from the evaluation device 30. Specifically, the evaluation acquisition unit 320 transmits a request for the transition data specifying the identification data of the driver to the evaluation device 30 via the communication unit 170. The evaluation acquisition unit 320 receives the transition data representing the transition of the driver's ability-related data from the evaluation device 30 via the communication unit 170.

[0144] As described above, the acquired transition data may include data representing the transition of the evaluation value. The acquired evaluation value may be data of the transition of the evaluation value including the latest evaluation value.

[0145] <Evaluation output unit 330> The evaluation output unit 330 outputs the evaluation value acquired from the evaluation device 30. Specifically, the evaluation output unit 330 displays the acquired evaluation value on an output device such as a display or a touch panel of the input / output unit 160. When the evaluation output unit 330 receives the transition data of the evaluation value as the evaluation value, the evaluation value may be displayed in the form of a graph. When a plurality of types of evaluation values are calculated, the evaluation output unit 330 may output a predetermined type of evaluation value or a type of evaluation value specified by the driver using, for example, the input / output unit 160.

[0146] The evaluation output unit 330 may output the transition of the ability-related data. Specifically, the evaluation output unit 330 may display, for example, in the form of a graph, the transition data representing the transition of the ability-related data on an output device such as the display or touch panel of the input / output unit 160. The evaluation output unit 330 may output the transition data representing the transition of a predetermined type of data among the ability-related data, or the transition data representing the transition of the type of data specified by the driver using, for example, the input / output unit 160.

[0147] When the determination unit 120 determines that the latest evaluation value received does not reach the predetermined evaluation criterion, the evaluation output unit 330 may output, as part of the evaluation, a message indicating that it is not recommended for the driver to drive. The message indicating that it is not recommended for the driver to drive may be a message prompting the driver to stop driving or a message prompting the driver to return the driver's license. The message indicating that it is not recommended for the driver to drive may be appropriately determined.

[0148] <Evaluation notification unit 340> The evaluation notification unit 340 notifies the evaluation value acquired from the evaluation device 30 to a predetermined evaluation notification destination. In other words, the evaluation notification unit 340 transmits the evaluation value acquired from the evaluation device 30 to a predetermined evaluation notification destination via the communication unit 170. When a plurality of types of evaluation values are calculated, the evaluation notification unit 340 may notify a predetermined type of evaluation value to a predetermined notification destination.

[0149] The evaluation notification unit 340 may notify the transition data representing the transition of the ability-related data acquired from the evaluation device 30 to a predetermined evaluation notification destination. In other words, the evaluation notification unit 340 may transmit the transition data representing the transition of the ability-related data acquired from the evaluation device 30 to a predetermined evaluation notification destination via the communication unit 170. The evaluation notification unit 340 may notify the transition data representing the transition of a predetermined type of data among the ability-related data to a predetermined evaluation notification destination.

[0150] The evaluation notification unit 340 may further notify a predetermined evaluation notification destination of information indicating whether or not the latest received evaluation value determined by the determination unit 120 reaches a predetermined evaluation criterion.

[0151] <Operation> FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation before starting the engine of the vehicle control device 13 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0152] In the example shown in FIG. 10, the vehicle control device 13 first performs test execution processing (step S101). The test execution processing in step S101 is the same as the test execution processing in step S101 of FIG. 4. In step S1010, the execution unit 110 of the present embodiment performs the test execution processing shown in FIG. 5. However, in the present embodiment, the test includes a test for estimating the driving ability of the driver.

[0153] Next, the determination unit 120 determines the driving ability of the driver and the state of the driver based on the test results (step S302). The data transmission unit 310 transmits data including the test results and the driving force (that is, ability-related data) to the evaluation device 30 (step S303).

[0154] Next, the evaluation acquisition unit 320 acquires an evaluation from the evaluation device 30 (step S304). In step S304, the evaluation acquisition unit 320 may acquire the above-described evaluation value as the evaluation. The evaluation acquisition unit 320 may acquire, as the evaluation, the above-described evaluation value and transition data representing the transition of the ability-related data.

[0155] Next, the evaluation output unit 330 outputs the acquired evaluation. For example, the evaluation output unit 330 displays the acquired evaluation on an indication device such as a display or a touch panel included in the input / output unit 160 (step S305). The evaluation output unit 330 may display the above-described evaluation value as the evaluation. The evaluation output unit 330 may display the evaluation value and the transition data as the evaluation. In step 305, when the determination unit 120 determines that the latest received evaluation value does not reach the predetermined evaluation criterion, the evaluation output unit 330 may output, as part of the evaluation, a message indicating that the driver is not recommended to drive.

[0156] The evaluation notification unit 340 notifies the acquired evaluation to the evaluation notification destination. In other words, the evaluation notification unit 340 outputs the acquired evaluation to the evaluation notification destination via the communication unit 170 (step S306). The evaluation notification unit 340 may transmit the above-described evaluation value as the evaluation. The evaluation notification unit 340 may transmit the evaluation value and the transition data as the evaluation. In step S306, the evaluation notification unit 340 may further notify a predetermined evaluation notification destination of information indicating whether or not the latest received evaluation value determined by the determination unit 120 reaches the predetermined evaluation criterion.

[0157] Next, the vehicle control device 13 performs operations after step S103. The operations after step S103 in the present embodiment are the same as the operations after step S103 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4. The vehicle control device 13 performs the same operations as the operations after step S103 of the vehicle control device 11 in the first embodiment after step S103.

[0158] <Effect> This embodiment has the same effects as the effects of the first embodiment. The reason is the same as the reason for the effects of the first embodiment.

[0159] This embodiment has the effect of further improving the safety of the driver during driving. The reason is that the evaluation output unit 330 outputs the transition of the evaluation value and the ability-related data. By knowing the transition of their own evaluation value and ability-related data, the driver is expected to drive safely without overestimating their own driving ability. Therefore, the safety of the driver during driving is further improved.

[0160] <Fourth Embodiment> Next, the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for the differences described below.

[0161] <Configuration> FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a vehicle control device 14 according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. The vehicle control device 14 of this embodiment has the same functions as the vehicle control device 11 of the first embodiment and performs the same operations as the vehicle control device 11 of the first embodiment, except for the differences described below. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the vehicle control device 14 includes a danger information receiving unit 410 and a danger information notifying unit 420 in addition to each component of the vehicle control device 11 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3. In the following description, the danger information receiving unit 410 and the danger information notifying unit 420 are also referred to as the fourth unit 400.

[0162] FIG. 26 is a diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle control system according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. In the example of FIG. 24, a plurality of vehicle control devices 14 are connected to a communication network 20, for example, by wireless communication. Each of the plurality of vehicle control devices 14 is communicably connected to a danger information server 40, which will be described later, via the communication network 20. In the following, each individual vehicle control device 14 will be described.

[0163] <Execution Unit 110> The execution unit 110 of this embodiment has the same functions as the execution unit 110 of the first embodiment and performs the same operations as those performed by the execution unit 110 of the first embodiment. However, the execution unit 110 may ask questions for determining whether the driver is a dangerous driver during the test before starting the engine. The questions for determining whether the driver is a dangerous driver may be pre-created existing questions for determining whether the driver is a dangerous driver. A dangerous driver is a driver who may perform dangerous driving. Dangerous driving includes sudden acceleration, sudden deceleration, sudden steering, weaving, driving across lanes, etc. The dangerous vehicle described below is a vehicle driven by a dangerous driver.

[0164] The execution unit 110 of this embodiment further executes the measurement of the vehicle state such as speed and acceleration using a speedometer, an accelerometer, etc. among the sensors 150 during the running of the vehicle. The execution unit 110 executes the imaging of the front video of the vehicle using a camera attached to image the front of the vehicle among the sensors 150 during the running of the vehicle. The execution unit 110 executes the imaging of the surrounding video of the vehicle using a camera attached to image the surrounding of the vehicle among the sensors 150 during the running of the vehicle.

[0165] <Determination unit 120> The determination unit 120 of this embodiment has the same functions as the determination unit 120 of the first embodiment and performs the same operations as those performed by the determination unit 120 of the first embodiment.

[0166] The determination unit 120 of the present embodiment further determines whether the driver is a dangerous driver based on the test results before the engine starts. The determination unit 120 may store whether each driver has performed dangerous driving during driving. Then, face recognition for identifying the driver is performed on the face image of the driver received as the test result, and if the identified driver has performed dangerous driving during past driving, it may be determined that the driver is a dangerous driver. The determination unit 120 may determine whether the driver is a dangerous driver based on the answer to a question for determining whether the driver is a dangerous driver. The determination unit 120 may determine whether the driver is a dangerous driver by other methods.

[0167] The determination unit 120 further determines whether the driver is a dangerous driver based on the results of the measurements executed by the execution unit 110 while the vehicle is running.

[0168] For example, after starting the engine, if the number of times the vehicle speed exceeds the reference speed based on the speed limit exceeds the predetermined number of times of exceeding the speed, the determination unit 120 may determine that the driver is a dangerous driver. In this case, the determination unit 120 may identify the position of the vehicle by GPS or the like, and obtain the speed limit at the identified location from a server that stores road information via the communication unit 170. Then, the determination unit 120 may determine the reference speed based on the speed limit. The reference speed may be a value obtained by adding a predetermined constant to the speed limit or a value obtained by multiplying the speed limit by a predetermined constant. The reference speed when the vehicle is not running on the road may be determined as appropriate.

[0169] The determination unit 120 may determine that the driver is a dangerous driver when the number of times the vehicle's acceleration exceeds a predetermined reference acceleration after the engine is started exceeds a predetermined high acceleration count. The reference acceleration may be determined according to the location where the vehicle is traveling (such as ordinary roads, highways, and non-road locations). The determination unit 120 may obtain information on the location where the vehicle is traveling from a server that stores road information via the communication unit 170. The reference acceleration may also be determined according to the direction related to the vehicle (such as the front of the vehicle, the rear of the vehicle, and the left and right directions of the vehicle).

[0170] The determination unit 120 may calculate the inter-vehicle distance in front of the vehicle based on the video captured of the front of the vehicle, the camera parameters of the camera that captured the video, and the mounting position of the camera. In this case, the determination unit 120 stores in advance the measured camera parameters and the mounting position. The calculation of the inter-vehicle distance in front of the vehicle may be any of various existing methods. The determination unit 120 may determine that the driver is a dangerous driver when the number of times of traveling with the inter-vehicle distance in front during traveling at a predetermined speed or higher being less than a predetermined inter-vehicle distance standard exceeds a predetermined number of times. The determination unit 120 may also determine that the driver is a dangerous driver when the time of traveling with the inter-vehicle distance in front during traveling at a predetermined speed or higher being less than a predetermined inter-vehicle distance standard exceeds a predetermined time.

[0171] The determination unit 120 may determine whether the vehicle is traveling across lanes based on the video captured of the front of the vehicle. The determination unit 120 may determine that the driver is a dangerous driver when the number of times the vehicle travels across lanes exceeds a predetermined number of times. The determination unit 120 may also determine that the driver is a dangerous driver when the time the vehicle travels across lanes exceeds a predetermined time.

[0172] The determination unit 120 may determine whether the driver is dozing off based on the video captured of the face of the driver during driving. The determination unit 120 may determine that the driver is a dangerous driver when it is determined that the driver is dozing off.

[0173] The method by which the determination unit 120 determines whether the driver is a dangerous driver is not limited to the above examples. The determination unit 120 may use any of various existing dangerous driver determination methods different from the above examples to determine whether the driver is a dangerous driver.

[0174] The determination unit 120 may determine the driving ability of the driver. The method for determining the driving ability of the driver may be any of the existing determination methods. The determination unit 120 determines the driving ability of the driver based on, for example, speed, the distance to the vehicle ahead, the position of the vehicle within the lane, etc. The determination unit 120 may determine that the driver's ability is inferior when the driving ability of the driver does not meet a predetermined level (i.e., the stability of the vehicle in motion does not meet the stability standard), for example, as follows. The determination unit 120 may determine that the driver's ability is sufficient when the driving ability of the driver meets a predetermined level (i.e., the stability of the vehicle in motion meets the stability standard), for example, as follows. The method by which the determination unit 120 determines the driving ability of the driver is not limited to these examples.

[0175] The determination unit 120 determines, for example, whether the state of the vehicle is such that there are no other vehicles, pedestrians, bicycles, signals, crosswalks, etc. ahead and the vehicle can travel at a constant speed. The determination unit 120 determines the stability of the vehicle speed while the state of the vehicle is such. The stability of the vehicle speed may be represented by, for example, the variance of the speed measured at predetermined time intervals. The stability of the vehicle speed may be represented by other values. The determination unit 120 may determine that the driving ability of the driver is inferior when the stability of the vehicle speed does not meet a predetermined stability standard. Otherwise, the determination unit 120 may determine that the driving ability of the driver is sufficient.

[0176] The determination unit 120 determines, for example, whether the vehicle can travel at a constant speed. The state in which the vehicle can travel at a constant speed is, for example, a state in which the brake lamp of the vehicle ahead is not lit and there are no pedestrians, bicycles, or red lights ahead. The state in which the vehicle can travel at a constant speed is not limited to this example. The determination unit 120 may determine the driving ability of the driver based on the stability of the inter-vehicle distance ahead while the vehicle can travel at a constant speed. When the stability of the inter-vehicle distance ahead does not meet a predetermined stability criterion, the determination unit 120 may determine that the driving ability of the driver is poor. Otherwise, the determination unit 120 may determine that the driving ability of the driver is sufficient.

[0177] The determination unit 120 may determine the ability of the driver based on the stability of the position of the vehicle within the lane (for example, the stability of the distance between the center of the lane and the center line of the vehicle) while the driver is not blinking the vehicle's turn signal. When the stability of the position of the vehicle does not meet a predetermined stability criterion, the determination unit 120 may determine that the driving ability of the driver is poor. Otherwise, the determination unit 120 may determine that the driving ability of the driver is sufficient.

[0178] <Hazard information receiving unit 410> The hazard information receiving unit 410 receives information about the vehicle (for example, information representing the position of the vehicle) from another vehicle determined to be a dangerous driver by the driver during driving via, for example, vehicle-to-vehicle communication through the communication unit 170. The hazard information receiving unit 410 may receive information representing the position of the dangerous vehicle from the hazard information server 40 that notifies information about the dangerous vehicle to a plurality of vehicles. In that case, for example, periodically, the hazard information receiving unit 410 acquires the position of the vehicle equipped with the vehicle control device 14 including the hazard information receiving unit 410 by, for example, GPS or the like. And, similarly periodically, the hazard information receiving unit 410 transmits a request for the position of the dangerous vehicle, in which the acquired position of the vehicle is specified, to the hazard information server 40.

[0179] <Hazard information server 40> The danger information server 40 receives information representing the positions of dangerous vehicles and retains the latest position for each dangerous vehicle. When the danger information server 40 receives a request for the position of a dangerous vehicle specifying the position of a vehicle, it transmits to the vehicle that sent the request the positions of the dangerous vehicles traveling within a predetermined range from the position specified in the request.

[0180] <Danger information notification unit 420> When the determination unit 120 determines that the driver is a dangerous driver, the danger information notification unit 420 acquires the position of the vehicle by means of GPS or the like and notifies surrounding vehicles of the information representing the acquired position of the vehicle by means of vehicle-to-vehicle communication via, for example, the communication unit 170. The surrounding vehicles are, for example, vehicles capable of communication by vehicle-to-vehicle communication.

[0181] When the determination unit 120 determines that the driver is a dangerous driver, the danger information notification unit 420 may acquire the position of the vehicle by means of GPS or the like and transmit to the danger information server 40 the information indicating the dangerous vehicle, the position of the vehicle, and the identification information of the vehicle via the communication unit 170.

[0182] <Setting unit 130> When the setting unit 130 receives information on the position of a dangerous vehicle, if the distance between the vehicle equipped with the vehicle control device 14 including the setting unit 130 and the position of the dangerous vehicle is equal to or less than a predetermined distance, the setting unit 130 sets the operation of the vehicle to the risk avoidance mode. The risk avoidance mode is, for example, a state in which the vehicle performs an operation to reduce the influence of the dangerous vehicle. The risk avoidance mode is, for example, a mode that controls the movement of the vehicle so that the movement of the vehicle does not become too slow or too sudden. The control of the movement of the vehicle in the risk avoidance mode will be described in detail later.

[0183] When the distance between the vehicle equipped with the vehicle control device 14 including the setting unit 130 and the position of the dangerous vehicle is equal to or less than a predetermined distance, the display device included in the input / output unit 160 may display a message for raising an alarm. The message for raising an alarm may be defined in advance. The message for raising an alarm may vary according to the driving ability of the driver. In this case, the determination unit 120 determines the driving ability of the driver. The setting unit 130 outputs a message for raising an alarm according to the driving ability determined by the determination unit 120.

[0184] When it is determined that the driver of the vehicle is a dangerous driver, the setting unit 130 sets the operation during the running of the vehicle to an operation in which the magnitude of the acceleration of the vehicle satisfies a predetermined standard. This predetermined standard may be, for example, that when the vehicle is accelerating, the acceleration of the vehicle does not exceed a predetermined acceleration threshold value. The acceleration threshold value may vary according to the position of the vehicle (such as general roads, highways, non-road locations, etc.). The predetermined standard may be, for example, that when the vehicle is decelerating in the case where there is no object or the like ahead, the magnitude of the acceleration of the vehicle does not exceed a predetermined deceleration threshold value. The object or the like is, for example, a building, a person, a bicycle, a vehicle, or the like.

[0185] When it is determined that the driver of the vehicle is a dangerous driver, the setting unit 130 may set the operation of the running vehicle to a high support mode. When it is determined that the ability of the driver is inferior (that is, does not satisfy a predetermined standard), the setting unit 130 may set the operation of the running vehicle to a high support mode.

[0186] <Control unit 140> Hereinafter, an example of the control of the vehicle by the control unit 140 when the movement of the vehicle is set to the risk avoidance mode will be described. Note that the control of the vehicle by the control unit 140 in the risk avoidance mode is not limited to the following example.

[0187] When there is a dangerous vehicle behind the vehicle, for example, the control unit 140 controls so that the acceleration when the vehicle accelerates without a vehicle in front within a predetermined distance ahead does not become smaller than a predetermined acceleration (also referred to as the second standard). When there is a dangerous vehicle behind the vehicle, for example, the control unit 140 controls so that the magnitude of the acceleration when the vehicle decelerates does not become larger than a predetermined acceleration (also referred to as the second standard). When there is a dangerous vehicle in front of the vehicle, for example, the control unit 140 controls the movement of the vehicle so that the inter-vehicle distance does not become shorter than a predetermined distance.

[0188] <Operation> FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the overall operation before starting of the engine of the vehicle control device 14 according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0189] In the example shown in FIG. 12, the vehicle control device 14 first performs test execution processing (step S101). The operation of the test execution processing in step S101 of the vehicle control device 14 in the present embodiment is the same as the operation of the test execution processing in step S101 of the vehicle control device 14 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4. The operation of the test execution processing in step S101 of the vehicle control device 14 in the present embodiment is represented by the flowchart shown in FIG. 5. However, the execution unit 110 in the present embodiment performs a test including a test for determining whether the driver is a dangerous driver in step S101.

[0190] Next, the determination unit 120 determines the state of the driver based on the result of the test (step S102). The determination unit 120 in the present embodiment performs the same operation as the operation of the determination unit 120 in step S102 of the first embodiment in step S102. The determination unit 120 in the present embodiment further determines whether the driver is a dangerous driver in step S102.

[0191] When it is determined that the driver is not a dangerous driver (NO in step S403), the vehicle control device 14 performs the operations after step S103. The operations of the vehicle control device 14 after step S103 are the same as the operations of the vehicle control device 11 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4 after step S103.

[0192] When it is determined that the driver is a dangerous driver (YES in step S403), the setting unit 130 sets to notify the position of the vehicle as the position of a dangerous vehicle during the running of the vehicle (step S404). In this case, the danger information notification unit 420 notifies other communicable vehicles of the position of the vehicle as the position of a dangerous vehicle during the running of the vehicle.

[0193] The setting unit 130 further sets the state of the vehicle during running so that the magnitude of the change in the movement of the vehicle satisfies a predetermined standard (step S405). In this case, the control unit 140 controls the operation of the vehicle so that, for example, when the vehicle is running, the acceleration of the vehicle during acceleration does not exceed the acceleration threshold. The control unit 140 further controls the operation of the vehicle so that, for example, when there is no object or the like ahead, the magnitude of the acceleration of the vehicle during deceleration does not exceed the deceleration threshold.

[0194] Then, the setting unit 130 performs the operation of step S104. As described above, the operation of step S104 in this embodiment is the same as the operation of step S104 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4. Then, the vehicle control device 14 ends the operation shown in FIG. 12.

[0195] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the first operation of the vehicle control device 14 according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure during the running of the vehicle. The operation shown in FIG. 13 represents the operation of the vehicle control device 14 to determine whether the driver is a dangerous driver and to estimate the driver's ability during the running of the vehicle.

[0196] First, the execution unit 110 measures the driving state of the driver using the sensor 150 (step S411). The determination unit 120 determines whether the driver is a dangerous driver based on the measurement result.

[0197] If it is determined that the driver is not a dangerous driver (NO in step S403), the determination unit 120 determines the driving ability of the driver (step S416). The setting unit 130 sets the operation of the vehicle in motion to support the driver based on the determined driving ability of the driver (step S417). If it is determined that the driving ability of the driver is poor, the setting unit 130 sets the operation of the vehicle in motion to the high support mode in step S417. If it is not determined that the driving ability of the driver is poor, the setting unit 130 does not need to change the operation of the vehicle in motion in step S417. Then, the vehicle control device 14 ends the operation shown in FIG. 13.

[0198] If it is determined that the driver is a dangerous driver (YES in step S403), the setting unit 130 sets to notify the position of the vehicle as the position of a dangerous vehicle during the running of the vehicle (step S404). In this case, the danger information notification unit 420 notifies the position of the vehicle as the position of a dangerous vehicle to other vehicles that can communicate.

[0199] The setting unit 130 further sets the operation of the vehicle in motion so that the change in the movement of the vehicle satisfies a predetermined standard (step S405). In this case, the control unit 140 controls the operation of the vehicle so that, for example, when the vehicle is running, the acceleration of the vehicle during acceleration does not exceed the acceleration threshold. The control unit 140 further controls the operation of the vehicle so that, for example, the magnitude of the acceleration of the vehicle during deceleration when there is no object or the like ahead does not exceed the deceleration threshold.

[0200] Then, the vehicle control device 14 performs the operations of steps S416 and S417 described above and ends the operation shown in FIG. 13.

[0201] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a second operation of the vehicle control device 14 according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure during vehicle travel. The operation shown in FIG. 14 represents the operation when the vehicle receives information on the position of a dangerous vehicle.

[0202] In the example shown in FIG. 14, the danger information receiving unit 410 receives the position of the dangerous vehicle (step S421). The determination unit 120 determines the relative position between the vehicle and the dangerous vehicle (step S422). In step S422, the determination unit 120 may calculate, for example, the distance between the vehicle and the dangerous vehicle.

[0203] When the relative position does not satisfy the predetermined positional relationship (NO in step S423), for example, when the distance between the vehicle and the dangerous vehicle is greater than a predetermined distance, the determination unit 120 determines whether the vehicle is to end travel (step S426). The determination unit 120 determines that the vehicle ends travel, for example, when the driver stops the engine when the vehicle is in a location other than a road. Otherwise, the determination unit 120 determines that the vehicle does not end travel. When the vehicle ends travel (YES in step S427), the vehicle control device 14 ends the operation shown in FIG. 14. When the vehicle does not end travel (NO in step S427), the operation of the vehicle control device 14 returns to step S421.

[0204] When the relative position satisfies the predetermined positional relationship (YES in step S423), for example, when the distance between the vehicle and the dangerous vehicle is less than or equal to the predetermined distance, the vehicle control device 14 performs the operations after step S424.

[0205] In step S424, the setting unit 130 sets the operation of the traveling vehicle so as to reduce the influence between the vehicle and the dangerous vehicle (step S424). In step S424, the setting unit 130 sets the operation of the traveling vehicle to, for example, a risk avoidance mode.

[0206] Next, the setting unit 130 notifies the driver of the presence of a dangerous vehicle by using a display device such as a display or a touch panel of the input / output unit 160 (step S425).

[0207] Then, the vehicle control device 14 performs the operations after step S426 described above.

[0208] <Effect> This embodiment has the same effects as those of the first embodiment. The reason is the same as the reason for the effects of the first embodiment.

[0209] This embodiment has the effect of further improving the driving safety of the driver. The reason is that when a dangerous vehicle exists within a predetermined range, the setting unit 130 sets the operation of the vehicle to the risk avoidance mode. As a result, the risk that the vehicle driven by the driver is damaged, such as being tailgated by a dangerous vehicle, is reduced. As a result, the driving safety of the driver is further improved.

[0210] <Fifth Embodiment> Next, the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, before the engine is started, the driver's purpose is determined based on the test results, and the destination is determined based on the estimated purpose. This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for the differences described below.

[0211] <Configuration> FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a vehicle control device 15 according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. The vehicle control device 15 of this embodiment is the same as the vehicle control device 11 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3 except for the differences described below, and performs the same operations as those of the vehicle control device 11 of the first embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 15, the vehicle control device 15 of the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a purpose estimation unit 510 and a destination determination unit 520 in addition to each of the components of the vehicle control device 11 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3. In the following description, the purpose estimation unit 510 and the destination determination unit 520 are also referred to as a fifth unit 500.

[0212] <Determination Unit 120> The determination unit 120 of this embodiment has the same functions as the determination unit 120 of the first embodiment and performs the same operations as those of the determination unit 120 of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the differences between the determination unit 120 of this embodiment and the determination unit 120 of the first embodiment will be described.

[0213] Before all the test results are obtained, the determination unit 120 may determine the driver's state based on some of the test results instead of all the test results. In other words, the determination unit 120 may perform the above-described intermediate determination. The determination unit 120 may determine the driver's state (the above-described intermediate result) by the intermediate determination.

[0214] When the vehicle is capable of moving by autonomous driving, the determination unit 120 may further determine whether to set the vehicle to head towards the destination by autonomous driving or whether the vehicle guides the driver to the destination by, for example, a car navigation device based on the determined driver's state. For example, when the driver's state is, for example, a state of being injured or having a high fever, the determination unit 120 determines that the vehicle heads towards the destination by autonomous driving. When the driver's state is an excited state, the determination unit 120 may also determine that the vehicle heads towards the destination by autonomous driving. When the driver's state is healthy and calm, the determination unit 120 may determine that the vehicle guides the driver to the destination by a car navigation device.

[0215] <Purpose Estimation Unit 510> The purpose estimation unit 510 estimates the purpose of the driver's driving based on the test results. The purpose estimation unit 510 estimates the purpose, for example, based on the driver's answer to the question as a test result. The purpose estimation unit 510 may further estimate the driver's purpose based on the determined driver's state.

[0216] Before all test results are obtained, the driving purpose estimation unit 510 may estimate the driver's driving purpose based on some of the test results rather than all of the test results. The driving purpose of the driver estimated based on some of the test results is denoted as a purpose candidate. The driving purpose estimation unit 510 may further estimate the driver's driving purpose based on the above intermediate results. The driving purpose estimation unit 510 may notify the execution unit 110 of the purpose candidate.

[0217] The driving purpose estimation unit 510 may estimate the driver's driving purpose based on the face image of the driver captured by the camera obtained as a test result. For example, the driving purpose estimation unit 510 determines whether there is a possibility that the driver is in poor physical condition based on the face image of the driver. The driving purpose estimation unit 510 determines whether there is a possibility that the driver is in poor physical condition based on the face image of the driver, using, for example, a determination device that determines whether the driver is in poor physical condition based on the face image of the driver, which has been pre-trained by machine learning.

[0218] The driving purpose estimation unit 510 may estimate the driver's driving purpose based on the result of a test for determining whether the driver senses an odor (that is, information indicating whether the driver senses an odor). For example, when it is determined that the driver does not sense an odor, the driving purpose estimation unit 510 determines that there is a possibility that the driver is in poor physical condition. When it is determined that the driver senses an odor, the driving purpose estimation unit 510 determines that the driver is not necessarily in poor physical condition.

[0219] <Execution unit 110> The execution unit 110 of the present embodiment has the same functions as the execution unit 110 of the first embodiment and performs the same operations as the operations of the execution unit 110 of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the differences between the execution unit 110 of the present embodiment and the execution unit 110 of the first embodiment will be described.

[0220] The execution unit 110 of the present embodiment asks questions for estimating the purpose of the driver's driving as a test. The execution unit 110 may determine the next question based on the purpose of the driver estimated based on the test result (i.e., the above-mentioned purpose candidate). Specifically, when a purpose candidate is estimated, the execution unit 110 may next ask a question to confirm whether the estimated purpose candidate is correct. The execution unit 110 may ask a question to further narrow down the purpose based on the estimated purpose candidate.

[0221] For example, when the estimated purpose candidate is to go to the hospital due to poor health, the execution unit 110 may determine the next question to confirm whether the driver is in poor health or a passenger is in poor health. For example, when the estimated purpose candidate is the driver's poor health, the execution unit 110 may determine the symptoms of the driver.

[0222] For example, when the estimated purpose candidate is a meal, the execution unit 110 may determine the next question to confirm what the driver wants to eat. For example, when the estimated destination is shopping, the execution unit 110 may determine the next question to confirm what kind of items the driver plans to buy.

[0223] <Destination determination unit 520> The destination determination unit 520 may determine the destination of the driving that the driver is heading for by driving based on the purpose estimated by the purpose estimation unit 510. The destination determination unit 520 may determine one or more destination candidates and use the input / output unit 160 to present the determined destination candidates to the driver. The destination determination unit 520 may use the input / output unit 160 to receive the designation of the destination selected by the driver from the destination candidates. In that case, the destination determination unit 520 may determine the destination candidate indicated by the received designation as the destination of the driving.

[0224] Specifically, for example, when the purpose of driving is for the driver or a passenger to go to a hospital or clinic due to a physical discomfort of a certain type of symptom, the destination determination unit 520 may determine a hospital or clinic where patients with that type of symptom can receive medical treatment as the driving destination. More specifically, when the purpose of driving is to take a passenger with symptoms of high fever and cough to a hospital or clinic, the destination determination unit 520 may present a list of a predetermined number of hospitals and clinics specializing in internal medicine or respiratory medicine, starting from the one closer to the vehicle's position, to the driver. When the purpose of driving is for the driver or a passenger to go to a hospital or clinic because of an injury, the destination determination unit 520 may, for example, present a list of a predetermined number of hospitals and clinics specializing in surgery, starting from the one closer to the vehicle's position, to the driver. When the purpose of driving is for the driver or a passenger to go to a hospital or clinic because of a burn, the destination determination unit 520 may, for example, present a list of a predetermined number of hospitals and clinics specializing in dermatology, starting from the one closer to the vehicle's position, to the driver. The destination determination unit 520 may receive the designation of a hospital or clinic selected from the presented list and determine the hospital or clinic indicated by the received designation as the driving destination. Note that the destination determination unit 520 may determine, as the driving destination, the hospital or clinic closest to the vehicle's position and estimated to be suitable for the purpose without presenting a list of hospitals or clinics.

[0225] For example, when the purpose of driving is to go shopping for food and daily necessities, the destination determination unit 520 may present the driver with a list of a predetermined number of stores, such as supermarkets, in ascending order of the distance from the vehicle's position. When the purpose of driving is to purchase DIY (Do It Yourself) tools and materials, the destination determination unit 520 may present the driver with a list of a predetermined number of home center stores in ascending order of the distance from the vehicle's position. The destination determination unit 520 may receive the designation of the store selected from the presented list and determine the store indicated by the received designation as the driving destination. The destination determination unit 520 may also determine, as the driving destination, the store closest to the vehicle's position and estimated to be suitable for the purpose without presenting a list of stores.

[0226] For example, when the purpose of driving is to have a meal, the destination determination unit 520 may present the driver with a list of a predetermined number of restaurants in ascending order of the distance from the vehicle's position. When the purpose of driving is to have a meal of a specific category (e.g., Japanese cuisine), the destination determination unit 520 may present the driver with a list of a predetermined number of restaurants of that category (e.g., Japanese cuisine) in ascending order of the distance from the vehicle's position. The destination determination unit 520 may receive the designation of the restaurant selected from the presented list and determine the restaurant indicated by the received designation as the driving destination. The destination determination unit 520 may also determine, as the driving destination, the restaurant closest to the vehicle's position and estimated to be suitable for the purpose without presenting a list of restaurants.

[0227] <Setting unit 130> The setting unit 130 of the present embodiment has the same functions as the setting unit 130 of the first embodiment and performs the same operations as the setting unit 130 of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the differences between the setting unit 130 of the present embodiment and the setting unit 130 of the first embodiment will be described.

[0228] When it is determined that the vehicle is heading towards the destination by autonomous driving, the setting unit 130 sets the operation of the vehicle during driving so that the vehicle heads towards the destination by autonomous driving. When it is determined that the vehicle is guiding the driver to the destination by the car navigation device, the setting unit 130 sets the operation of the vehicle during driving so that the vehicle guides the driver to the destination by the car navigation device.

[0229] <Control unit 140> The control unit 140 of the present embodiment has the same functions as the control unit 140 of the first embodiment and performs the same operations as the operations of the control unit 140 of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the differences between the control unit 140 of the present embodiment and the control unit 140 of the first embodiment will be described.

[0230] When the vehicle is set to head towards the destination by autonomous driving, the control unit 140 drives the vehicle so that the vehicle heads towards the destination by autonomous driving. When the vehicle is set to guide the driver to the destination by the car navigation device, the control unit 140 controls the car navigation device to guide the driver to the destination.

[0231] <Operation> Next, the operation of the vehicle control device 15 according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0232] FIGS. 16A and 16B are flowcharts showing examples of the operation before starting the engine of the vehicle control device 15 according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. The vehicle control device 15 performs the operations shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B before starting the engine of the vehicle.

[0233] In the example shown in FIG. 16A, the vehicle control device 15 first performs test execution processing (step S501). The vehicle execution processing of the present embodiment will be described in detail later.

[0234] Next, the determination unit 120 determines the state of the driver based on the result of the test (step S102) Next, the destination estimation unit 510 estimates the driver's destination based on the test results (step S503). The destination estimation unit 510 may estimate the driver's destination based on the test results and the determined driver state.

[0235] Next, the destination determination unit 520 determines destination candidates based on the estimated destination (step S504). In other words, the destination determination unit 520 determines one or more destinations (i.e., destination candidates) that match the estimated destination.

[0236] The destination determination unit 520 uses the input / output unit 160 to present the determined destination candidates to the driver (step S505). In other words, the destination determination unit 520 uses the input / output unit 160 to present a list of the determined one or more destinations (i.e., destination candidates) to the driver. In step S505, the destination determination unit 520 accepts the designation of a destination by the driver (in other words, information representing the destination designated by the driver).

[0237] The destination determination unit 520 determines the designated destination candidate as the destination (step S506). Then, the operation of the vehicle control device 15 proceeds to step S507 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 16B.

[0238] In the example shown in FIG. 16B, the determination unit 120 determines whether to perform automatic driving based on the estimated driver state (step S507). Note that when the vehicle cannot perform automatic driving, the determination unit 120 may always determine not to perform automatic driving.

[0239] When performing automatic driving (YES in step S508), that is, when it is determined that the vehicle will perform automatic driving, the setting unit 130 sets the operation of the vehicle during driving so that the vehicle moves to the destination by automatic driving (step S508). Then, the vehicle control device 15 performs the operations after step S103. The operations of the vehicle control device 15 after step S103 in the present embodiment are the same as the operations of the vehicle control device 11 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4 after step S103.

[0240] When not performing automatic driving (NO in step S508), that is, when it is determined that the vehicle will not perform automatic driving, the setting unit 130 sets the operation of the vehicle during driving so that the vehicle moves to the destination by navigation (step S510). That is, the setting unit 130 sets the operation of the vehicle during driving so that the vehicle is guided to the destination by the navigation device for the driver. Then, the vehicle control device 15 performs the operations after step S103.

[0241] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the operation of the test execution process of the vehicle control device 15 according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0242] In the example shown in FIG. 17, first, the determination unit 120 determines the state of the driver based on the driver's face image and the result of the smell test (step S511). The operation of step S511 is the same as the operations of steps S111 and S112 shown in FIG. 5.

[0243] Next, the purpose estimation unit 510 estimates the driver's purpose based on the driver's face image and the result of the smell stream (step S512). In step S512, the purpose estimation unit 510 may determine, for example, whether there is a possibility that the driver's purpose is to go somewhere due to poor physical condition.

[0244] The execution unit 110 determines the next question based on the driver's state and purpose (step S513). The execution unit 110 asks the driver the determined question (step S114). The execution unit 110 receives an answer to the asked question (step S115). The execution unit 110 performs an analysis regarding the answer (step S116). The operations from step S114 to step S116 in the present embodiment are the same as the operations from step S114 to step S116 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

[0245] Next, the vehicle control device 15 estimates the driver's state and purpose (step S517). In step S517, the determination unit 120 determines the driver's state based on the answer to the question. Then, the purpose estimation unit 510 estimates the purpose of driving based on the answer to the question or based on the answer to the question and the determined driver's state.

[0246] If the question is not ended (NO in step S118), the operation of the vehicle control device 15 returns to step S513. In step S118, the execution unit 110 may determine to end the question, for example, when all the questions according to a scenario prepared in advance for determining the next question according to the answer for determining the driver's state and estimating the purpose of driving are completed. If the questions according to such a scenario are not completed, the execution unit 110 may determine not to end the question. In step S513, the execution unit 110 may determine the next question according to such a scenario. The execution unit 110 may determine the next question in step S513 and determine the presence or absence of the next question in step S118 by an artificial intelligence system configured to determine the presence or absence of the next question and determine the next question based on the answer rather than a scenario. If the question is ended (YES in step S118), the vehicle control device 15 ends the operation shown in FIG. 17.

[0247] <Effect> This embodiment has the same effect as the effect of the first embodiment. The reason is the same as the reason for the effect of the first embodiment.

[0248] In this embodiment, even if the driver does not have knowledge of the destination for achieving the driving purpose, there is an effect that the driver can reach a destination that conforms to the driving purpose. The reason is that the purpose estimation unit 510 estimates the driving purpose, and the destination determination unit 520 determines a destination that conforms to the estimated driving purpose.

[0249] In this embodiment, there is also an effect that the driving safety of the driver can be further improved. The reason is that the determination unit 120 determines whether to move the vehicle to the destination by automatic driving or to guide the driver to the destination by navigation based on the determined driver state.

[0250] <Sixth Embodiment> Next, the sixth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the fragrance released in the vehicle interior is determined based on the determined driver state. This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for the differences described below.

[0251] <Configuration> FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the vehicle control device 16 according to the sixth embodiment of the present disclosure. The vehicle control device 16 of this embodiment is the same as the vehicle control device 11 of the first embodiment except for the differences described below, and performs the same operations as the operations of the vehicle control device 11 of the first embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 18, the vehicle control device 16 of this embodiment includes a fragrance determination unit 610 and a fragrance release unit 620 in addition to each of the components of the vehicle control device 11 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3. In the following description, the fragrance determination unit 610 and the fragrance release unit 620 are referred to as the sixth unit 600.

[0252] <Sensor 150> The sensor 150 includes, in addition to a camera that captures the driver's face and a microphone that records the driver's voice, a heart rate monitor, a blood pressure monitor, a thermometer, etc. incorporated in, for example, the steering wheel.

[0253] <Execution Unit 110> The execution unit 110 of this embodiment has the same functions as the execution unit 110 of the first embodiment and performs the same operations as the execution unit 110 of the first embodiment.

[0254] The execution unit 110 of this embodiment further performs measurements of the driver using a heart rate monitor, a blood pressure monitor, a thermometer, etc. as part of a test before starting the engine. The execution unit 110 of this embodiment performs measurements of the driver using a heart rate monitor, a blood pressure monitor, a thermometer, etc. while the vehicle is running.

[0255] <Determination Unit 120> The determination unit 120 of this embodiment has the same functions as the determination unit 120 of the first embodiment and performs the same operations as the determination unit 120 of the first embodiment.

[0256] The determination unit 120 of this embodiment recognizes the driver by performing personal authentication of the driver based on the data acquired by the sensor 150. The determination unit 120 of this embodiment recognizes the driver, for example, by performing face authentication based on the face image captured by the sensor 150 which is a camera. The determination unit 120 of this embodiment recognizes the driver, for example, by performing voice verification such as voiceprint matching based on the voice data recorded by the sensor 150 which is a microphone. The data for recognizing the driver has been input in advance to the vehicle control device 16 by a driver who may drive the vehicle. And, for example, the determination unit 120 extracts in advance the information (for example, feature data) used for verification (for example, face verification, voice verification, etc.) for recognizing the driver from the data for recognizing the driver. And, for example, the determination unit 120 holds in advance the information used for verification for recognizing the driver.

[0257] The determination unit 120 performs recognition of the driver as part of the pre-start test before the engine starts. Also, the determination unit 120 determines the state of the driver before the engine starts. The determination unit 120 also determines the state of the driver while the vehicle is running.

[0258] The determination unit 120 may determine the driver's state based on the measured values from the results of the driver's measurements (for example, a heart rate monitor, a blood pressure monitor, and a thermometer included in the sensor 150).

[0259] <Fragrance determination unit 610> The fragrance determination unit 610 determines, for example, before starting the engine, the fragrance to be released into the vehicle interior according to the recognized driver from among a plurality of fragrances. The fragrance determination unit 610 may determine not to release a fragrance according to the recognized driver. The fragrance determination unit 610 may store in advance the preferred fragrance for each driver and determine the fragrance preferred by the recognized driver as the fragrance to be released into the vehicle interior.

[0260] The fragrance determination unit 610 may determine the fragrance to be released into the vehicle interior based on the recognized driver and the determined state of the driver. The fragrance determination unit 610 may determine not to release a fragrance based on the recognized driver and the determined state of the driver. The fragrance based on the determined state of the driver is, for example, a fragrance that reduces drowsiness, a fragrance that improves irritability, a fragrance that makes the driver relax from a tense state, and the like. In this case, the fragrance determination unit 610 holds in advance fragrance information, which is information on the fragrance to be released according to the state of the driver, for each driver. The fragrance may be selected in advance so that the state of the driver during driving is improved by the fragrance according to the combination of the driver and the state of the driver. The fragrance determination unit 610 determines the fragrance to be released using the held fragrance information.

[0261] The fragrance determination unit 610 may determine the fragrance to be released based on the measured values from the results of the driver's measurements (for example, a heart rate monitor, a blood pressure monitor, and a thermometer included in the sensor 150), that is, when at least any one of those measured values satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0262] Before starting the engine, the fragrance determination unit 610 may determine the fragrance to be released into the vehicle interior based on the recognized driver and the determined driver state. The fragrance determination unit 610 may further determine the fragrance to be released into the vehicle interior based on the recognized driver and the determined driver state during the running of the vehicle.

[0263] <Fragrance release unit 620> The fragrance release unit 620 releases the fragrance (specifically, the fragrance substance) determined by the fragrance determination unit 610. For example, the fragrance release unit 620 drives a device that releases a plurality of fragrance substances incorporated in the air conditioner or dashboard to release the determined fragrance, thereby releasing the determined fragrance.

[0264] The fragrance release unit 620 may release the determined fragrance before starting the engine. The fragrance release unit 620 may release the determined fragrance during the running of the vehicle.

[0265] <Operation> FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation before starting the engine of the vehicle control device 16 according to the sixth embodiment of the present disclosure. The vehicle control device 16 of the present embodiment performs the operations shown in FIG. 19 before starting the engine of the vehicle.

[0266] In the example shown in FIG. 19, the vehicle control device 16 first performs a test execution process (step S101). Next, the determination unit 120 determines the driver state based on the test result (step S102). The operations of step S101 and step S102 of the present embodiment are the same as the operations of step S101 and step S102 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4.

[0267] Next, the determination unit 120 recognizes the driver by face recognition (or voice verification) using the face image (or voice data) acquired as at least a part of the test (step S603).

[0268] The fragrance determination unit 610 determines the fragrance based on the result of recognition (i.e., the recognized driver) and the determined state of the driver (step S604). The fragrance determination unit 610 may further determine the fragrance based on the result of the test.

[0269] The fragrance release unit 620 releases the determined fragrance (step S605). Next, the vehicle control device 16 performs the operations after step S103. The operations of the vehicle control device 16 after step S103 in this embodiment are the same as the operations of the vehicle control device 11 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4.

[0270] FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the vehicle control device 16 during the running of the vehicle according to the sixth embodiment of the present disclosure. The vehicle control device 16 may perform the operations shown in FIG. 20, for example, periodically.

[0271] In the example shown in FIG. 20, for example, the execution unit 110 measures the driver using the sensor 150 (step S611). The sensor 150 used is, for example, a camera. The sensor 150 used may include, for example, a thermometer, a heart rate monitor, a blood pressure monitor, etc. attached to the steering wheel or the like.

[0272] Then, for example, the determination unit 120 determines the state of the driver based on the result of the measurement (step S611). The determination unit 120 may use a determiner that determines the state of the driver from a plurality of states based on at least one of the measurement data obtained by the measurement by the sensor and the feature data extracted from the measurement data. In this case, the determiner is a determiner that has been trained in advance by machine learning so as to determine the state of the driver from a plurality of states based on at least one of the measurement data obtained by the measurement by the sensor and the feature data extracted from the measurement data.

[0273] The fragrance determination unit 610 determines a fragrance based on the result of the driver's recognition and the driver's state (step S604). Then, the fragrance release unit 620 releases the determined fragrance (step S605).

[0274] <Effect> This embodiment has the same effects as those of the first embodiment. The reason is the same as the reason for the effects of the first embodiment.

[0275] This embodiment has the effect that the driving safety can be further improved. The reason is that the fragrance determination unit 610 determines a fragrance based on the result of the driver's recognition and the driver's state. And because the fragrance release unit 620 releases the determined fragrance. By pre-selecting the fragrance to be released according to the driver and the driver's state, for example, so that the driver's driving state can be improved by the fragrance, the possibility of the driver causing an accident can be reduced. Therefore, the safety is improved.

[0276] <Seventh Embodiment> Next, the seventh embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for the differences described below.

[0277] <Configuration> FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the vehicle control device 17 according to the seventh embodiment of the present disclosure. The vehicle control device 17 of this embodiment is the same as the vehicle control device 11 of the first embodiment except for the differences described below, and performs the same operations as those of the vehicle control device 11 of the first embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 21, the vehicle control device 17 includes a display unit 710, a vehicle state measurement unit 720, and a location determination unit 730 in addition to each of the components of the vehicle control device 11 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3. In the following description, the display unit 710, the vehicle state measurement unit 720, and the location determination unit 730 are also referred to as the seventh unit 700.

[0278] <Sensor 150> In this embodiment, the sensor 150 further includes, for example, a heart rate monitor, a blood pressure monitor, a thermometer, etc., attached to a handle or the like.

[0279] <Execution unit 110> The execution unit 110 of this embodiment has the same functions as the execution unit 110 of the first embodiment and performs the same operations as the operations of the execution unit 110 of the first embodiment.

[0280] The execution unit 110 further measures the driver by sensors 150 such as, for example, a camera, a microphone, a heart rate monitor, a blood pressure monitor, a thermometer, etc.

[0281] <Judgment unit 120> The judgment unit 120 of this embodiment has the same functions as the judgment unit 120 of the first embodiment and performs the same operations as the operations of the judgment unit 120 of the first embodiment.

[0282] The determination unit 120 of this embodiment further estimates the driving ability related to the driver's speed (hereinafter referred to as speed-related ability) based on the test results. Specifically, the determination unit 120 determines whether the driver is an elderly person based on the test results. The determination unit 120 further determines whether the driver is a beginner based on the test results. The determination unit 120 determines whether the driver's driving tends to exceed the speed based on the test results. In this case, the determination unit 120 makes a determination using, for example, a determination device that determines whether the driver's driving tends to exceed the speed based on the driver's answers to one or more predetermined questions. Such a determination device is generated by training, through machine learning, to determine whether the driver's driving tends to exceed the speed based on the relationship between the answers to the questions and the information indicating whether the driver's driving tends to be short of speed. The determination unit 120 determines whether the driver's driving tends to be short of speed based on the test results. In this case, the determination unit 120 makes a determination using, for example, a determination device that determines whether the driver's driving tends to be short of speed based on the driver's answers to one or more predetermined questions. Such a determination device is generated by training, through machine learning, to determine whether the driver's driving tends to be short of speed based on the relationship between the answers to the questions and the information indicating whether the driver's driving tends to be short of speed.

[0283] When it is determined that the driver is an elderly person and when it is determined that the driver is a beginner, the determination unit 120 determines that the driver's speed-related ability is low. When it is determined that the driver's driving tends to exceed the speed and when it is determined that the driver tends to be short of speed, the determination unit 120 determines that the driver's speed-related ability is low. When the driver does not fall into any of these cases, the determination unit 120 determines that the driver's speed-related ability is not low.

[0284] The determination unit 120 of the present embodiment further determines the physical and mental state of the driver based on the measurement data obtained by measuring the driver with the sensor 150. The determination unit 120 extracts feature data from the measurement data and further determines the physical and mental state of the driver based on the extracted measurement data. The determination unit 120 may determine whether the physical and mental state of the driver is in a predetermined state (for example, an excited state) as the physical and mental state of the driver.

[0285] <Setting unit 130> When it is determined that the speed-related ability of the driver is low, the setting unit 130 determines to display a pattern that emphasizes the sense of speed due to an optical illusion at the position of the front window during driving. When the physical and mental state of the driver is in a predetermined state, the setting unit 130 sets to display a pattern that emphasizes the sense of speed due to an optical illusion at the position of the front window during driving. When it is determined to display such a pattern, the setting unit 130 sets to display such a pattern at the position of the front window.

[0286] The pattern that emphasizes the sense of speed may be, for example, a radial line with a point indicating the forward direction of the vehicle as the radiation point at the peripheral part of the front window. The lines that emphasize the sense of speed may be one or more lines (a straight line or a dashed line segment) drawn in parallel with the line indicating the boundary of the lane in which the vehicle is traveling and the line indicating the boundary of the lane closer to the center of the lane than those lines, on each side.

[0287] <Display unit 710> The display unit 710 displays the above-mentioned pattern so that it can be seen by the driver. The display unit 710 may display the above-mentioned pattern as a virtual image using, for example, a projector and a mirror. The display unit 710 may display the above-mentioned pattern using, for example, a liquid crystal display device that is installed over the front window and is transparent when the above-mentioned pattern is not being displayed. However, the display unit 710 displays a pattern such that the front is not hidden by the pattern, such as displaying the lines of the pattern with thin lines or displaying the pattern semi-transparent rather than opaque. The display unit 710 is not limited to the above examples.

[0288] <Location determination unit 730> The location determination unit 730 detects objects such as other vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, and obstacles in front of the vehicle based on, for example, the video of a camera that images the front of the vehicle.

[0289] <Vehicle state measurement unit 720> The vehicle state measurement unit 720 measures the speed of the vehicle and further obtains the speed limit at the location where the vehicle is traveling. The vehicle state measurement unit 720 obtains information on the speed of the vehicle from the vehicle speedometer. The vehicle state measurement unit 720 obtains information on the location where the vehicle is traveling (general road, highway, location other than road) and information on the speed limit at that location from, for example, a road condition server that provides road information. At that time, the vehicle state measurement unit 720 measures the location where the vehicle is measuring by, for example, a GPS function.

[0290] <Determination unit 120> The determination unit 120 determines whether the state of the driver and the state of the vehicle satisfy the display condition, which is the condition for displaying the above pattern, during the running of the vehicle. In other words, the determination unit 120 determines whether the display condition is satisfied during the running of the vehicle.

[0291] The display condition is, for example, that it is determined that the driver's speed-related ability is low, and the value obtained by subtracting the speed limit at the location where the vehicle is traveling from the speed of the vehicle is greater than the first speed difference threshold. The display condition is, for example, that it is determined that the driver's speed-related ability is low, an object is detected in front of the vehicle, and the value obtained by subtracting the speed limit at the location where the vehicle is traveling from the speed of the vehicle is greater than the second speed difference threshold. Note that the second speed difference threshold is set to be smaller than the first speed difference threshold.

[0292] In this case, the determination unit 120 calculates, for example, the difference between the speed of the vehicle and the speed limit at the location where the vehicle is traveling during the running of the vehicle. Then, the determination unit 120 determines whether the above display condition is satisfied.

[0293] <Setting Unit 130> When it is determined by the determination unit 120 that the determination condition is satisfied, the setting unit 130 determines the pattern to be displayed as the above-described pattern, and sets the display unit 710 to display the above-described pattern. When it is determined by the determination unit 120 that the determination condition is not satisfied, the setting unit 130 determines the pattern to be displayed as "none", and sets the display unit 710 not to display the pattern.

[0294] <Control Unit 140> When the setting unit 130 sets the above-described pattern to be displayed, the control unit 140 controls the display unit 710 to display the above-described pattern. When the setting unit 130 sets the above-described pattern not to be displayed, the control unit 140 controls the display unit 710 not to display the above-described pattern.

[0295] <Operation> FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing an example of the operation of the vehicle control device 17 according to the present embodiment before starting the engine. In the example shown in FIG. 22, the vehicle control device 17 first performs test execution processing (step S101). The test execution processing in step S101 of the present embodiment is the same as the test execution processing in step S101 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4.

[0296] Next, the determination unit 120 determines the state of the driver based on the test result (step S102). In the present embodiment, the determination unit 120 determines whether or not the speed-related ability of the driver is low in step S102.

[0297] Next, the setting unit 130 determines the pattern to be displayed at the position of the front window based on the estimated state of the driver (step S703). Specifically, when it is determined that the speed-related stress of the driver is low, the setting unit 130 determines the pattern to be displayed at the position of the front window as a speed emphasis pattern that emphasizes the sense of speed. When it is determined that the speed-related ability of the driver is not low, the setting unit 130 determines that there is no pattern to be displayed at the position of the front window.

[0298] During the running of the vehicle, the setting unit 130 sets the determined pattern to the king to be displayed at the position of the front window (step S704). Then, the vehicle control device 17 ends the operation shown in FIG. 22.

[0299] FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation during the running of the vehicle control device 17 according to the seventh embodiment of the present disclosure. The vehicle control device 17 may perform the operation shown in FIG. 23, for example, at predetermined time intervals during the running of the vehicle.

[0300] In the example shown in FIG. 23, when the display unit 710 is set to display a pattern at the position of the front window (YES in step S711), the vehicle control device 17 then performs the operation of step S716. As described above, before the engine is started, when it is determined that the driver's speed-related ability is low, the setting unit 130 sets the display unit 710 to display a pattern at the position of the front window. Before the engine is started, when it is not determined that the driver's speed-related ability is low, the setting unit 130 does not set the display unit 710 to display a pattern at the position of the front window.

[0301] When the display unit 710 is not set to display a pattern at the position of the front window (NO in step S711), the execution unit 110 measures the driver using the sensor 150 (step S712).

[0302] Next, the determination unit 120 determines the state of the driver based on the measurement result (step S713). The determination unit 120 may determine whether the state of the driver is, for example, an excited state or a dangerous driver state. The dangerous driver state is, for example, a state that is dangerous for driving, such as an excited state. The dangerous driver state is not limited to this example. For example, the dangerous driver state may include, for example, a state of being irritated and a state of being angry. In a modification example described later, the dangerous driver state includes a state in which the driver feels fear.

[0303] When it is determined that the driver's state is not a dangerous driver state (NO in step S714), the setting unit 130 sets so that no pattern is displayed at the position of the front window (step S719). Then, the vehicle control device 17 ends the operation shown in FIG. 23.

[0304] When it is determined that the driver's state is not a dangerous driver state (NO in step S714), the setting unit 130 determines the pattern to be displayed at the position of the front window based on the determined driver's state (step S715). For example, when the driver's state is any of an excited state, an irritated state, and an angry state, the setting unit 130 determines the pattern to be displayed at the position of the front window as a pattern that emphasizes the sense of speed. In a modification example described later, when the predetermined driver state is a state in which the driver feels fear in step S715, the setting unit 130 may determine the pattern to be displayed at the position of the front window as a pattern that alleviates the sense of fear due to speed, which will be described later.

[0305] Next, in step S716, the vehicle state measurement unit 720 measures the state of the vehicle (step S716). The vehicle state measurement unit 720 measures, for example, the speed of the vehicle as the state of the vehicle. Further, the vehicle state measurement unit 720 measures the position of the vehicle by, for example, a GPS function, and acquires the speed limit of the road at the measured position of the vehicle from, for example, the above-described road information server. In step S716, the location determination unit 730 determines the location where the vehicle is traveling. Specifically, the location determination unit 730 determines whether or not there is an object or the like in front of the vehicle. Note that the front of the vehicle may be in front of the vehicle in the lane in which the vehicle is traveling. The front of the vehicle may include a range in front of the vehicle in the lane in which the vehicle is traveling and in front of the vehicles in the lane adjacent to the lane in which the vehicle is traveling and the road shoulder.

[0306] Next, the determination unit 120 determines whether the measured vehicle state is a dangerous vehicle state (step S717). The dangerous vehicle state is, for example, a state regarded as having a risk of an accident based on the vehicle speed. The dangerous vehicle state may be determined according to whether there is an object or the like in front of the vehicle. Specifically, the dangerous vehicle state is, for example, a state in which no object or the like is detected in front of the vehicle and the value obtained by subtracting the speed limit at the running position of the vehicle from the vehicle speed is greater than the first speed difference threshold. The dangerous vehicle state is, for example, a state in which an object or the like is detected in front of the vehicle and the value obtained by subtracting the speed limit at the running position of the vehicle from the vehicle speed is greater than the second speed difference threshold which is smaller than the first speed difference threshold. Note that the first speed difference threshold may be set as appropriate. The second speed difference threshold may be set as appropriate so that the second speed difference threshold is smaller than the first speed difference threshold. Also, in a modification example described later, the dangerous vehicle state may be, for example, a state in which no object or the like is detected in front of the vehicle and the vehicle speed is lower than the speed limit at the running position of the vehicle.

[0307] When the vehicle state is not a dangerous vehicle state (NO in step S717), the setting unit 130 sets so that no pattern is displayed at the position of the front window (step S719). Then, the vehicle control device 17 ends the operation shown in FIG. 23.

[0308] When the vehicle state is a dangerous vehicle state (YES in step S717), the setting unit 130 displays a pattern based on the vehicle state at the position of the front window (step S718). After step S718, the vehicle control device 17 ends the operation shown in FIG. 23. Specifically, in step S718, the setting unit 130 sets to display a pattern based on the vehicle state at the position of the front window. Then, the control unit 140 controls the display unit 710 to display a pattern based on the vehicle state at the position of the front window. The pattern based on the vehicle state is a pattern that emphasizes the sense of speed when the vehicle state is such that no object or the like is detected in front of the vehicle and the value obtained by subtracting the speed limit at the running position of the vehicle from the vehicle speed is greater than the first speed difference threshold. When the pattern based on the vehicle state is such that the vehicle state is, for example, a state where an object or the like is detected in front of the vehicle and the value obtained by subtracting the speed limit at the running position of the vehicle from the vehicle speed is greater than the second speed difference threshold which is smaller than the first speed difference threshold, it is a pattern that emphasizes the sense of speed. In a modification example described later, the pattern based on the vehicle state is a pattern that alleviates the sense of fear due to speed when the vehicle state is, for example, a state where no object or the like is detected in front of the vehicle and the vehicle speed is lower than the speed limit at the running position of the vehicle.

[0309] <Effect> This embodiment has the same effects as those of the first embodiment. The reason is the same as the reason for the effects of the first embodiment.

[0310] This embodiment has the effect of further enhancing the driving safety of the driver. The reason is that when the driver's state is a dangerous driver state and the vehicle state is a dangerous vehicle state, the setting unit 130 sets to display a pattern that emphasizes the sense of speed at the position of the front window. In this case, further, the control unit 140 controls the display unit 710 to display a pattern that emphasizes the sense of speed at the position of the front window. When such a pattern is displayed, the driver is expected to reduce the speed of the vehicle. And the driving safety by the driver is improved.

[0311] <Modification of the Seventh Embodiment> The determination unit 120 may determine whether the driver is feeling fear. In this case, the above-described dangerous driver state includes the state in which the driver is feeling fear. When it is determined that the driver is feeling fear, the setting unit 130 determines the pattern displayed at the position of the front window as a pattern that alleviates the sense of fear. When it is determined that the driver's driving tends to be insufficient in speed, the driver is feeling fear, the speed of the vehicle is less than the speed limit at the location where the vehicle is traveling, and there is no object in front of the vehicle, the determination unit 120 may determine to display a pattern that alleviates the sense of fear. A pattern that alleviates the sense of fear (that is, alleviates the sense of fear due to speed) is, for example, a line drawn at the estimated position of the center line when the vehicle is traveling on a two-way road without a center line. When it is determined that such a pattern is to be displayed, the setting unit 130 sets the display unit 710 to display such a pattern. When the control unit 140 is set such that the display unit 710 displays such a pattern, the control unit 140 uses the display unit 710 to display such a pattern.

[0312] <Other Embodiments> At least any combination of the second to seventh embodiments can be applied to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. In that case, the configuration of the vehicle control device is a configuration in which units related to the combination of the embodiments to be combined among the units according to the second to seventh embodiments are incorporated into the configuration of the vehicle control device 11 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3. When any unit is incorporated into the configuration of the vehicle control device 11 of the first embodiment and the functions of any plurality of components overlap, those components may be configured such that any one of those components has that function. Note that the units according to the second to seventh embodiments are the second unit 200 in FIG. 6, the third unit 300 in FIG. 9, the fourth unit 400 in FIG. 11, the fifth unit 500 in FIG. 15, the sixth unit 600 in FIG. 18, and the seventh unit 700 in FIG. 12.

[0313] Each of the vehicle control devices according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can be realized by a computer including a memory into which a program read from a storage medium is loaded and a processor that executes the program. Each of the vehicle control devices according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can also be realized by dedicated hardware. Each of the vehicle control devices according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can also be realized by a combination of the aforementioned computer and dedicated hardware.

[0314] FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer 1000 that can realize each of the vehicle control devices according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 24, the computer 1000 includes a processor 1001, a memory 1002, a storage device 1003, and an I / O (Input / Output) interface 1004. Also, the computer 1000 can access a storage medium 1005. The memory 1002 and the storage device 1003 are storage devices such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a hard disk, for example. The storage medium 1005 is a storage device such as a RAM, a hard disk, a ROM (Read Only Memory), or a portable storage medium, for example. The storage device 1003 may be the storage medium 1005. The processor 1001 can read and write data and programs to and from the memory 1002 and the storage device 1003. The processor 1001 can access devices such as a vehicle controller and a server via the I / O interface 1004, for example. The processor 1001 can access the storage medium 1005. A program for operating the computer 1000 as a vehicle control device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure is stored in the storage medium 1005.

[0315] The processor 1001 loads, into the memory 1002, a program that causes the computer 1000 stored in the storage medium 1005 to operate as a vehicle control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Then, by executing the program loaded into the memory 1002, the computer 1000 operates as a vehicle control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0316] The execution unit 110, the determination unit 120, the setting unit 130, and the control unit 140 can be realized, for example, by a processor 1001 that executes a program loaded into the memory 1002. Part or all of the execution unit 110, the determination unit 120, the setting unit 130, the control unit 140, the sensor 150, the input / output unit 160, and the communication unit 170 can also be realized by dedicated circuits that realize the functions of the respective units.

[0317] The driver measurement unit 210, the driving state estimation unit 220, and the notification execution unit 230 can be realized, for example, by a processor 1001 that executes a program loaded into the memory 1002. Part or all of the driver measurement unit 210, the driving state estimation unit 220, and the notification execution unit 230 can also be realized by dedicated circuits that realize the functions of the respective units.

[0318] The data transmission unit 310, the evaluation acquisition unit 320, the evaluation output unit 330, and the evaluation notification unit 340 can be realized, for example, by a processor 1001 that executes a program loaded into the memory 1002. Part or all of the data transmission unit 310, the evaluation acquisition unit 320, the evaluation output unit 330, and the evaluation notification unit 340 can also be realized by dedicated circuits that realize the functions of the respective units.

[0319] The danger information reception unit 410 and the danger information notification unit 420 can be realized, for example, by a processor 1001 that executes a program loaded into the memory 1002. Part or all of the danger information reception unit 410 and the danger information notification unit 420 can also be realized by dedicated circuits that realize the functions of the respective units.

[0320] The purpose estimation unit 510 and the destination determination unit 520 can be realized, for example, by a processor 1001 that executes a program loaded in the memory 1002. Part or all of the purpose estimation unit 510 and the destination determination unit 520 can also be realized by a dedicated circuit that realizes the functions of each unit.

[0321] The fragrance determination unit 610 and the fragrance release unit 620 can be realized, for example, by a processor 1001 that executes a program loaded in the memory 1002. Part or all of the fragrance determination unit 610 and the fragrance release unit 620 can also be realized by a dedicated circuit that realizes the functions of each unit.

[0322] The vehicle state measurement unit 720 and the location determination unit 730 can be realized, for example, by a processor 1001 that executes a program loaded in the memory 1002. Part or all of the display unit 710, the vehicle state measurement unit 720, and the location determination unit 730 can also be realized by a dedicated circuit that realizes the functions of each unit.

[0323] In addition, part or all of the above embodiments can be described as follows in the appended claims, but are not limited thereto.

[0324] (Appended Claim 1) Execution means for executing a test on the driver of the vehicle before the engine of the vehicle starts; Determination means for determining the state of the driver based on the result of the test; Setting means for setting the operation of the vehicle during driving based on the state of the driver; A vehicle control device comprising the above.

[0325] (Appended Claim 2) The test includes questions for the driver, The execution means determines the questions to be asked as part of the test based on the result of the test and based on the driver's answer to the questions. The vehicle control device according to Appended Claim 1.

[0326] (Appended Claim 3) The execution means performs the estimation of the driver's state based on the captured face image as the test. The vehicle control device according to Appendix 1 or 2.

[0327] (Appendix 4) The execution means performs the confirmation of whether or not the emitted odorant is sensed as the test. The vehicle control device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 3.

[0328] (Appendix 5) Driving state estimation means for estimating the driving state of the driver during driving further comprising The setting means sets the operation of the vehicle during traveling so as to enhance the degree of supporting the driving of the driver based on the estimated driving state of the driver. The vehicle control device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 4.

[0329] (Appendix 6) Driver measurement means for measuring the driver during driving, and During-driving state estimation means for estimating the physical state of the driver during driving based on the result of the measurement of the driver, The vehicle control device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 5, further comprising.

[0330] (Appendix 7) When it is determined that the state of the driver may be inappropriate for driving, the setting means sets the state of the vehicle during traveling to a high support state. The vehicle control device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 6.

[0331] (Appendix 8) When it is determined that the state of the driver is inappropriate for driving, the setting means sets the state of the vehicle during traveling to a state in which the vehicle travels to a predetermined stop position and stops the vehicle at the predetermined stop position. The vehicle control device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 7.

[0332] (Appendix 9) When it is determined that the driver's state is inappropriate for driving, the setting means is set to notify the driver's state to a predetermined contact destination. The vehicle control device Notification execution means for notifying the driver's state to the predetermined contact destination during the running of the vehicle The vehicle control device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 8, further comprising

[0333] (Appendix 10) The notification execution means further notifies the position of the vehicle during running to the predetermined contact destination. The vehicle control device according to Appendix 9.

[0334] (Appendix 11) The determination means determines the driving ability of the driver as the driver's state. The vehicle control device Data transmission means for transmitting data including the test result and the driver's driving ability to an evaluation device. Evaluation reception means for receiving the evaluation of the driver from the evaluation device. Evaluation output means for outputting the received evaluation. The vehicle control device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 10, further comprising

[0335] (Appendix 12) The evaluation includes a relative evaluation of the driver's driving ability among a plurality of drivers whose data is held by the evaluation device. The vehicle control device according to Appendix 11.

[0336] (Appendix 13) The evaluation includes the transition of the driver's data. The vehicle control device according to Appendix 11 or 12.

[0337] (Appendix 14) The evaluation includes a recommendation for the driver not to drive when the evaluation does not reach a predetermined evaluation criterion. The vehicle control device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 11 to 13.

[0338] (Supplementary Note 15) Evaluation notification means for notifying the predetermined evaluation notification destination of the evaluation The vehicle control device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 11 to 14, further comprising

[0339] (Supplementary Note 16) Danger information receiving means for receiving information on a dangerous vehicle, which is a vehicle driven by a dangerous driver further comprising Based on the information of the dangerous vehicle, the setting means changes the operation during traveling of the vehicle so as to reduce the influence between the dangerous vehicle and the vehicle The vehicle control device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 15.

[0340] (Supplementary Note 17) Dangerous vehicle information notification means for notifying the driver of the vehicle of a notification based on the information of the dangerous vehicle during traveling of the vehicle The vehicle control device according to Supplementary Note 16, further comprising

[0341] (Supplementary Note 18) The determination means determines whether the driver of the vehicle is a dangerous driver, When it is determined that the driver of the vehicle is a dangerous driver, the setting means controls the operation of the vehicle during traveling so as to reduce the magnitude of the change in the movement of the vehicle The vehicle control device according to Supplementary Note 16 or 17, further comprising

[0342] (Supplementary Note 19) When it is determined that the driver of the vehicle is a dangerous driver, danger information notification means for notifying other vehicles of the position of the vehicle as the position of the dangerous vehicle The vehicle control device according to Supplementary Note 18.

[0343] (Supplementary Note 20) The determination means determines the driving ability of the driver as the state of the driver, When the positional relationship between the vehicle and the dangerous vehicle satisfies a predetermined positional relationship condition, the setting means sets the operation during the running of the vehicle to be controlled so that the magnitude of the change in the movement of the vehicle does not exceed a first reference. The vehicle control device according to any one of Appendices 16 to 19.

[0344] (Appendix 21) If the determined driving ability of the driver does not satisfy a predetermined ability level, the setting means sets the operation during the running of the vehicle to be controlled so that the magnitude of the change in the movement of the vehicle does not fall below a first reference. The vehicle control device according to Appendix 20.

[0345] (Appendix 22) The test includes a purpose estimation question which is a question for estimating the purpose of the driver's driving. The vehicle control device purpose estimation means for estimating the purpose of the driver's driving based on the answer to the purpose estimation question further includes The setting means sets the operation of the vehicle during running based on the estimated purpose. The vehicle control device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 21.

[0346] (Appendix 23) destination determination means for determining the destination of the driver based on the purpose estimated by the purpose estimation means further includes The setting means sets the operation of the vehicle during running to guide the vehicle to the estimated destination. The vehicle control device according to Appendix 22.

[0347] (Appendix 24) Based on the state of the driver, the setting means determines, as the operation of the vehicle during running, whether to move the vehicle to the destination by automatic driving or to guide the vehicle to the destination by navigation. The vehicle control device described in Supplementary Note 23.

[0348] (Supplementary Note 25) The target estimation means further estimates a target candidate, which is a candidate for the target, based on the answer to the question. The execution means determines the next question based on the estimated target candidate. The target estimation means estimates the target based on the answer to the question determined based on the target candidate. The vehicle control device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 22 to 24.

[0349] (Supplementary Note 26) Fragrance determination means for determining a fragrance based on the state of the driver, Fragrance release means for releasing the determined fragrance into the vehicle, The vehicle control device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 25, further comprising the above.

[0350] (Supplementary Note 27) The test includes a recognition process for recognizing the driver. The fragrance determination means determines the fragrance based on the result of the recognition of the driver. The vehicle control device described in Supplementary Note 26.

[0351] (Supplementary Note 28) The setting means determines a pattern to be displayed at the position of the front window of the vehicle during travel of the vehicle based on the estimated state of the driver. The vehicle control device, Display means for displaying the determined pattern The vehicle control device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 27, further comprising the above.

[0352] (Supplementary Note 29) When the estimated state of the driver is a dangerous driver state, the setting means determines the pattern as a speed emphasis pattern that emphasizes the sense of speed by an optical illusion. The vehicle control device described in Supplementary Note 28.

[0353] (Appendix 30) The determination means further determines the state of the driver during driving, When the determined state of the driver during driving is the dangerous driver state, the setting means determines the pattern as the speed emphasis pattern. The vehicle control device according to Appendix 29.

[0354] (Appendix 31) Vehicle state measurement means for measuring the state of the vehicle further comprising, When the measured state of the vehicle is a dangerous vehicle state, the display means displays the pattern. The vehicle control device according to any one of Appendices 28 to 30.

[0355] (Appendix 32) Location determination means for determining the state of the location where the vehicle is traveling further comprising, When the state of the location is a predetermined environmental state, the display means displays the pattern. The vehicle control device according to any one of Appendices 28 to 31.

[0356] (Appendix 33) Before the vehicle engine starts, a test is executed on the driver of the vehicle, The state of the driver is determined based on the result of the test, Based on the state of the driver, the operation of the vehicle during driving is set. Vehicle control method.

[0357] (Appendix 34) The test includes questions for the driver, Based on the result of the test, based on the driver's answer to the question, the question to be conducted as part of the test is determined. The vehicle control method according to Appendix 33.

[0358] (Appendix 35) Performing the estimation of the driver's state based on the captured face image as the test The vehicle control method according to Addendum 33 or 34.

[0359] (Addendum 36) Performing the confirmation of whether or not to sense the released odorant as the test The vehicle control method according to any one of Addenda 33 to 35.

[0360] (Addendum 37) Estimating the driving state of the driver during driving, Based on the estimated driving state of the driver, setting the operation of the vehicle during traveling so as to enhance the degree of supporting the driving of the driver The vehicle control method according to any one of Addenda 33 to 36.

[0361] (Addendum 38) Measuring the driver during driving, Based on the result of the measurement of the driver, performing an operation of estimating the physical state of the driver during driving The vehicle control method according to any one of Addenda 33 to 37.

[0362] (Addendum 39) When it is determined that the state of the driver may be inappropriate for driving, setting the state of the vehicle during traveling to a high support state The vehicle control method according to any one of Addenda 33 to 38.

[0363] (Addendum 40) When it is determined that the state of the driver is inappropriate for driving, setting the state of the vehicle during traveling to a state of traveling the vehicle to a predetermined stop position and stopping the vehicle at the predetermined stop position The vehicle control method according to any one of Addenda 33 to 39.

[0364] (Addendum 41) When it is determined that the state of the driver is inappropriate for driving, setting to notify the state of the driver to a predetermined contact destination, During the running of the vehicle, notify the state of the driver to the predetermined contact destination. The vehicle control method according to any one of Appendices 33 to 40.

[0365] (Appendix 42) Notify the position of the running vehicle to the predetermined contact destination. The vehicle control method according to Appendix 41.

[0366] (Appendix 43) As the state of the driver, determine the driving ability of the driver, Send data including the result of the test and the driving ability of the driver to the evaluation method, Receive the evaluation of the driver from the evaluation method, Output the received evaluation. The vehicle control method according to any one of Appendices 33 to 42.

[0367] (Appendix 44) The evaluation includes a relative evaluation of the driving ability of the driver among a plurality of drivers whose data is held by the evaluation method. The vehicle control method according to Appendix 43.

[0368] (Appendix 45) The evaluation includes the transition of the data of the driver. The vehicle control method according to Appendix 43 or 44.

[0369] (Appendix 46) The evaluation includes a recommendation for the driver not to drive when the evaluation does not reach a predetermined evaluation criterion. The vehicle control method according to any one of Appendices 43 to 45.

[0370] (Appendix 47) Notify the evaluation to a predetermined evaluation notification destination. The vehicle control method according to any one of Appendices 43 to 46.

[0371] (Appendix 48) Receive information on a dangerous vehicle, which is a vehicle being driven by a dangerous driver, Based on the information on the dangerous vehicle, change the operation during the running of the vehicle so as to reduce the influence between the dangerous vehicle and the vehicle The vehicle control method according to any one of Appendices 33 to 47.

[0372] (Appendix 49) During the running of the vehicle, notify the driver based on the information on the dangerous vehicle The vehicle control method according to Appendix 48.

[0373] (Appendix 50) Determine whether the driver of the vehicle is a dangerous driver, When it is determined that the driver of the vehicle is a dangerous driver, control the operation of the vehicle during running so as to reduce the magnitude of the change in the movement of the vehicle The vehicle control method according to Appendix 48 or 49.

[0374] (Appendix 51) When it is determined that the driver of the vehicle is a dangerous driver, notify other vehicles of the position of the vehicle as the position of the dangerous vehicle The vehicle control method according to Appendix 50.

[0375] (Appendix 52) Determine the driving ability of the driver as the state of the driver, When the positional relationship between the vehicle and the dangerous vehicle satisfies a predetermined positional relationship condition, set the operation during the running of the vehicle so that the magnitude of the change in the movement of the vehicle does not exceed a first standard The vehicle control method according to any one of Appendices 48 to 51.

[0376] (Appendix 53) Furthermore, if the determined driving ability of the driver does not meet a predetermined ability level, set the operation during the running of the vehicle so that the magnitude of the change in the movement of the vehicle does not fall below a first standard The vehicle control method described in Supplementary Note 52.

[0377] (Supplementary Note 54) The test includes purpose-estimation questions for estimating the purpose of the driver's driving, Based on the answers to the purpose-estimation questions, estimate the purpose of the driver's driving, Set the operation of the vehicle during driving based on the estimated purpose. The vehicle control method according to any one of Supplementary Notes 33 to 53.

[0378] (Supplementary Note 55) Based on the estimated purpose, determine the destination of the driver, Set the operation of the vehicle during driving so as to guide the vehicle to the estimated destination. The vehicle control method described in Supplementary Note 54.

[0379] (Supplementary Note 56) Based on the state of the driver, determine whether to move the vehicle to the destination by automatic driving or to guide the vehicle to the destination by navigation as the operation of the vehicle during driving, The vehicle control method according to Supplementary Note 55.

[0380] (Supplementary Note 57) Furthermore, based on the answers to the questions, estimate purpose candidates that are candidates for the purpose, Based on the estimated purpose candidates, determine the next question, Estimate the purpose based on the answers to the questions determined based on the purpose candidates. The vehicle control method according to any one of Supplementary Notes 54 to 56.

[0381] (Supplementary Note 58) Based on the state of the driver, determine the scent, Release the determined scent into the vehicle. The vehicle control method according to any one of Supplementary Notes 33 to 57.

[0382] (Appendix 59) The test includes an identification process for identifying the driver, and further determines the scent based on the result of the identification of the driver. The vehicle control method according to paragraph 1 of Appendix 58.

[0383] (Appendix 60) Based on the estimated state of the driver, determine a pattern to be displayed at the position of the front window of the vehicle during the running of the vehicle, and display the determined pattern. The vehicle control method according to any one of paragraphs 33 to 59 of Appendix.

[0384] (Appendix 61) When the estimated state of the driver is a dangerous driver state, determine the pattern as a speed-emphasizing pattern that emphasizes the sense of speed by an optical illusion. The vehicle control method according to Appendix 60.

[0385] (Appendix 62) Further determine the state of the driver during driving, and when the determined state of the driver during driving is the dangerous driver state, determine the pattern as the speed-emphasizing pattern. The vehicle control method according to Appendix 61.

[0386] (Appendix 63) Measure the state of the vehicle, and display the pattern when the measured state of the vehicle is a dangerous vehicle state. The vehicle control method according to any one of paragraphs 60 to 62 of Appendix.

[0387] (Appendix 64) Determine the state of the location where the vehicle is running, and display the pattern when the state of the location is a predetermined environmental state. The vehicle control method according to any one of paragraphs 60 to 63 of Appendix.

[0388] (Appendix 65) Before the engine of the vehicle starts, an execution process for executing a test on the driver of the vehicle, a determination process for determining the state of the driver based on the result of the test, and a setting process for setting the operation during the running of the vehicle based on the state of the driver, A program for causing a computer to execute.

[0389] (Appendix 66) The test includes questions for the driver, The execution process determines the questions to be asked as part of the test based on the result of the test and based on the driver's answer to the questions. The program according to Appendix 65.

[0390] (Appendix 67) The execution process performs an estimation of the driver's state based on the captured face image as the test. The program according to Appendix 65 or 66.

[0391] (Appendix 68) The execution process performs a confirmation of whether or not the driver feels the emitted odorant as the test. The program according to any one of Appendices 65 to 67.

[0392] (Appendix 69) A driving state estimation process for estimating the driving state of the driver during driving is further caused to be executed by a computer, The setting process sets the operation during the running of the vehicle so as to enhance the degree of supporting the driver's driving based on the estimated driving state of the driver. The program according to any one of Appendices 65 to 68.

[0393] (Appendix 70) A driver measurement process for measuring the driver during driving, Based on the results of the driver's measurement, a driving state estimation process for estimating the physical state of the driver during driving, The program according to any one of Appendices 65 to 69, which further causes a computer to execute.

[0394] (Appendix 71) When it is determined that the state of the driver may be inappropriate for driving, the setting process sets the state of the vehicle during driving to a high support state. The program according to any one of Appendices 65 to 70.

[0395] (Appendix 72) When it is determined that the state of the driver is inappropriate for driving, the setting process sets the state of the vehicle during driving to a state in which the vehicle is driven to a predetermined stop position and the vehicle is stopped at the predetermined stop position. The program according to any one of Appendices 65 to 71.

[0396] (Appendix 73) When it is determined that the state of the driver is inappropriate for driving, the setting process is set to notify the state of the driver to a predetermined contact destination. The program is During the running of the vehicle, a notification execution process for notifying the state of the driver to the predetermined contact destination The program according to any one of Appendices 65 to 72, which further causes a computer to execute.

[0397] (Appendix 74) The notification execution process further notifies the position of the vehicle during running to the predetermined contact destination. The program according to Appendix 73.

[0398] (Appendix 75) The determination process determines the driving ability of the driver as the state of the driver. The program is A data transmission process for transmitting data including the results of the test and the driving ability of the driver to an evaluation device. An evaluation reception process for receiving an evaluation of the driver from the evaluation device, An evaluation output process for outputting the received evaluation, The program according to any one of paragraphs 65 to 74, which further causes a computer to execute.

[0399] (Appendix 76) The evaluation includes a relative evaluation of the driving ability of the driver among a plurality of drivers whose data is held by the evaluation device. The program according to paragraph 75.

[0400] (Appendix 77) The evaluation includes the transition of the data of the driver. The program according to paragraph 75 or 76.

[0401] (Appendix 78) When the evaluation does not reach a predetermined evaluation criterion, the evaluation includes a recommendation for the driver not to drive. The program according to any one of paragraphs 75 to 77.

[0402] (Appendix 79) An evaluation notification process for notifying the evaluation to a predetermined evaluation notification destination The program according to any one of paragraphs 75 to 78, which further causes a computer to execute.

[0403] (Appendix 80) A dangerous information reception process for receiving information on a dangerous vehicle, which is a vehicle driven by a dangerous driver which further causes a computer to execute, The setting process changes the operation during the running of the vehicle so as to reduce the influence between the dangerous vehicle and the vehicle, based on the information on the dangerous vehicle. The program according to any one of paragraphs 65 to 79.

[0404] (Appendix 81) A dangerous vehicle information notification process for notifying the driver, during the running of the vehicle, of information on the dangerous vehicle based on the information on the dangerous vehicle The program described in Appendix 80 that further causes a computer to execute.

[0405] (Appendix 82) The determination process determines whether the driver of the vehicle is a dangerous driver, When it is determined that the driver of the vehicle is a dangerous driver, the setting process controls the operation of the vehicle during travel so as to reduce the magnitude of the change in the movement of the vehicle. The program described in Appendix 80 or 81 that further causes a computer to execute.

[0406] (Appendix 83) When it is determined that the driver of the vehicle is a dangerous driver, a dangerous information notification process that notifies other vehicles of the position of the vehicle as the position of the dangerous vehicle. The program described in Appendix 82.

[0407] (Appendix 84) The determination process determines the driving ability of the driver as the state of the driver, When the positional relationship between the vehicle and the dangerous vehicle satisfies a predetermined positional relationship condition, the setting process sets the operation of the vehicle during travel so that the magnitude of the change in the movement of the vehicle does not exceed a first reference. The program described in any one of Appendices 80 to 83.

[0408] (Appendix 85) The setting process further sets the operation of the vehicle during travel so that the magnitude of the change in the movement of the vehicle does not fall below a first reference if the determined driving ability of the driver does not meet a predetermined ability level. The program described in Appendix 84.

[0409] (Appendix 86) The test includes a purpose estimation question that is a question for estimating the purpose of the driver's driving, The program is, Purpose estimation processing for estimating the driving purpose of the driver based on the answer to the purpose estimation question further cause the computer to execute The setting process sets the operation of the vehicle during travel based on the estimated purpose The program according to any one of Appendices 65 to 85

[0410] (Appendix 87) Destination determination processing for determining the destination of the driver based on the purpose estimated by the purpose estimation processing further cause the computer to execute The setting process sets the operation of the vehicle during travel so as to guide the vehicle to the estimated destination The program according to Appendix 86

[0411] (Appendix 88) The setting process determines, as the operation of the vehicle during travel, whether to move the vehicle to the destination by automatic driving or to guide the vehicle to the destination by navigation based on the state of the driver The program according to Appendix 87

[0412] (Appendix 89) The purpose estimation processing further estimates a purpose candidate that is a candidate for the purpose based on the answer to the question The execution processing determines the next question based on the estimated purpose candidate The purpose estimation processing estimates the purpose based on the answer to the question determined based on the purpose candidate The program according to any one of Appendices 86 to 88

[0413] (Appendix 90) Fragrance determination processing for determining a fragrance based on the state of the driver, and Fragrance emission processing for emitting the determined fragrance into the vehicle The program according to any one of Appendices 65 to 89, which further causes a computer to execute.

[0414] (Appendix 91) The test includes a recognition process for recognizing the driver, The fragrance determination process determines the fragrance further based on the result of the driver recognition. The program according to Appendix 90.

[0415] (Appendix 92) The setting process determines a pattern to be displayed at the position of the front window of the vehicle during the running of the vehicle based on the estimated state of the driver, The program is A display process for displaying the determined pattern The program according to any one of Appendices 65 to 91, which further causes a computer to execute.

[0416] (Appendix 93) When the estimated state of the driver is a dangerous driver state, the setting process determines the pattern as a speed-emphasizing pattern that emphasizes the sense of speed by an optical illusion. The program according to Appendix 92.

[0417] (Appendix 94) The determination process further determines the state of the driver during driving, When the determined state of the driver during driving is the dangerous driver state, the setting process determines the pattern as the speed-emphasizing pattern. The program according to Appendix 93.

[0418] (Appendix 95) A vehicle state measurement process for measuring the state of the vehicle which further causes a computer to execute, When the measured state of the vehicle is a dangerous vehicle state, the display process displays the pattern. The program according to any one of Appendices 92 to 94.

[0419] (Appendix 96) Location determination process for determining the state of the place where the vehicle is traveling and further cause the computer to execute The display process displays the pattern when the state of the location is a predetermined environmental state The program according to any one of Appendices 92 to 95

[0420] (Appendix 97) Measuring means for measuring the driver during driving, During-driving state estimation means for estimating the physical state of the driver during driving based on the result of measuring the driver, and further includes When it is determined that the state of the driver may be inappropriate for driving, the setting means sets the state of the vehicle during driving to a high-support state The vehicle control device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 5

[0421] (Appendix 98) The test includes a purpose estimation question that is a question for estimating the purpose of the driver's driving, The vehicle control device Purpose estimation means for estimating the purpose of the driver's driving based on the answer to the purpose estimation question, Destination candidate determination means for determining the destination of the driver based on the purpose estimated by the purpose estimation means, and further includes The setting means sets the operation of the vehicle during driving to guide the vehicle to the estimated destination The vehicle control device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 21

[0422] (Appendix 99) Fragrance determination means for determining a fragrance based on the state of the driver, Fragrance release means for releasing the determined fragrance into the vehicle, and further includes The test includes an identification process for identifying the driver. The fragrance determination means determines the fragrance based further on the result of the identification of the driver. The driving control device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 25.

[0423] (Appendix 100) The setting means determines a pattern to be displayed at the position of the front window of the vehicle during travel of the vehicle based on the estimated state of the driver. The driving control device further includes display means for displaying the determined pattern and when the estimated state of the driver is a dangerous driver state, the setting means determines the pattern as a speed-emphasizing pattern that emphasizes a sense of speed by an optical illusion. The driving control device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 27.

[0424] The present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various changes that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention.

Explanation of Signs

[0425] 10 Vehicle control device 11 Vehicle control device 12 Vehicle control device 13 Vehicle control device 14 Vehicle control device 15 Vehicle control device 16 Vehicle control device 17 Vehicle control device 20 Communication network 30 Evaluation device 40 Danger information server 110 Execution unit 120 Determination unit 130 Setting unit 140 Control unit 150 Sensor 160 Input / output unit 170 Communication Unit 200 Second Unit 210 Driver Measurement Unit 220 In-Driving State Estimation Unit 230 Notification Execution Unit 300 Third Unit 305 Step 310 Data Transmission Unit 320 Evaluation Acquisition Unit 330 Evaluation Output Unit 340 Evaluation Notification Unit 400 Fourth Unit 410 Hazard Information Reception Unit 420 Hazard Information Notification Unit 500 Fifth Unit 510 Purpose Estimation Unit 520 Destination Determination Unit 600 Sixth Unit 610 Decision Unit 620 Release Unit 700 Seventh Unit 710 Display Unit 720 Vehicle State Measurement Unit 730 Location Judgment Unit 1000 Computer 1001 Processor 1002 Memory 1003 Storage Device 1004 I / O Interface 1005 Storage Medium

Claims

1. Execution means for executing a test including asking a driver of the vehicle questions before the vehicle engine starts, generating an odor, and detecting a specific operation indicating that the driver has sensed the generated odor; Determination means for determining the state of the driver based on the result of the test including the time from when the question is asked until the driver answers and whether the driver has sensed the odor; Setting means for setting the operation during the vehicle's travel based on the state of the driver; A vehicle control device comprising the above.

2. The execution means determines the question to be asked as part of the test based on the result of the test including the driver's answer to the question. The vehicle control device according to Claim 1.

3. Measuring means for measuring the driver during driving; In-driving state estimation means for estimating the physical state of the driver during driving based on the result of measuring the driver; Further comprising: When it is determined that the state of the driver may be inappropriate for driving, the setting means sets the state during the vehicle's travel to a high support state. The vehicle control device according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. The determination means determines the driving ability of the driver as the state of the driver. The vehicle control device Data transmission means for transmitting data including the result of the test and the driving ability of the driver to an evaluation device; Receiving means for receiving an evaluation of the driver from the evaluation device; Evaluation output means for outputting the received evaluation; The vehicle control device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, further comprising the above.

5. Dangerous vehicle information receiving means for receiving information on a dangerous vehicle which is a vehicle driven by a dangerous driver Further comprising: Based on the information on the dangerous vehicle, the setting means changes the operation during the vehicle's travel so as to reduce the influence between the dangerous vehicle and the vehicle. The vehicle control device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4.

6. The test includes a purpose estimation question which is a question for estimating the purpose of the driver's driving. The vehicle control device Purpose estimation means for estimating the purpose of the driver's driving based on the answer to the purpose estimation question; Destination candidate determination means for determining the destination of the driver based on the purpose estimated by the purpose estimation means; Further comprising the above. The setting means sets the operation of the vehicle during travel so as to guide the vehicle to the estimated destination. The vehicle control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. Fragrance determination means for determining a fragrance based on the state of the driver; Fragrance emission means for emitting the determined fragrance into the vehicle; further comprising The test includes a recognition process for recognizing the driver, The fragrance determination means determines the fragrance further based on the result of the recognition of the driver. The vehicle control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The setting means determines a pattern to be displayed at the position of the front window of the vehicle during travel of the vehicle based on the estimated state of the driver, The vehicle control device display means for displaying the determined pattern further comprising When the estimated state of the driver is a predetermined mental and physical state, the setting means determines the pattern as a speed-emphasizing pattern that emphasizes a sense of speed by an optical illusion. The vehicle control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Before the engine of the vehicle is started, execute a test including asking a question to the driver of the vehicle and generating an odor and detecting a specific operation indicating that the driver has felt the generated odor, Determine the state of the driver based on the result of the test including the time from when the question is asked until the driver answers and whether the driver has felt the odor, Based on the state of the driver, set the operation of the vehicle during travel. Vehicle control method.

10. An execution process of executing a test including asking a question to the driver of the vehicle and generating an odor and detecting a specific operation indicating that the driver has felt the generated odor before the engine of the vehicle is started, A determination process of determining the state of the driver based on the result of the test including the time from when the question is asked until the driver answers and whether the driver has felt the odor, A setting process of setting the operation of the vehicle during travel based on the state of the driver, A program for causing a computer to execute.

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