Navigation system

Abstract

To provide a navigation system that allows a user to visibly recognize a risk of an accident on a path.SOLUTION: During guidance on a route of an own vehicle, a control unit 18 estimates an aspect and a risk of an accident near the route on the basis of information acquired from each of a map DB server 40, a traffic information server 42, and a weather information server 44 via a network 16, and controls a monitor 20 so as to display objects representing collision objects corresponding to the aspect of the accident in a number that is dependent on a level of the estimated risk.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a navigation system capable of displaying the risk of an accident. [Background technology]

[0002] When a navigation system provides route guidance, there may be a location where accidents frequently occur along the route.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an invention of a safe driving support system that notifies a driver of locations where caution is required for traffic safety. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-163973 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, although the invention described in Patent Document 1 displays cautionary locations using letters or symbols on a driving map, it has the problem that it is difficult to visually recognize the high risk of the cautionary locations.

[0006] In consideration of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a navigation system that allows a driver to visually recognize the risk of an accident on a route. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objectives According to the first aspect The navigation system includes an estimation unit that estimates the type of accident occurring near the route and the risk of the accident when providing route guidance for the vehicle, and an object indicating a collision target according to the type of the accident. Depending on the type of accident, and a display control unit that controls the display unit to display the number of items according to the level of the risk.

[0008] According to the first aspect According to the navigation system, the object representing the collision target is Depending on the type of accident, By displaying the number of accidents according to the estimated level of risk, the risk of accidents on the route can be visually recognized.

[0009] According to the second aspect The navigation system is In a first aspect, The display control unit displays the objects in animation, with the positions of the objects changing on the screen of the display unit, and increases the number of the objects to be displayed as the risk of the accident increases.

[0010] According to the second aspect The navigation system displays objects indicating potential collision targets using highly visually effective animations, and displays more objects the higher the risk of an accident, allowing the driver to visually recognize the risk of an accident on the route.

[0011] According to the third aspect The navigation system is In a first aspect, if the type of accident is a rear-end collision at an intersection, the display control unit displays an object resembling another vehicle in a position on the near side of the intersection; if the type of accident is a head-on collision at an intersection, the display control unit displays an object resembling another vehicle in a position crossing the path of the host vehicle; if the type of accident is an accident when turning left at an intersection, the display control unit displays an object resembling a pedestrian in a position crossing the path of the host vehicle; and if the type of accident is an accident when turning right at an intersection, the display control unit displays an object resembling another vehicle in the oncoming lane of the host vehicle.

[0012] According to the third aspect According to the navigation system, The object indicating the object of collision is switched and the display position of the object is switched depending on whether the type of accident is a rear-end collision at an intersection, a head-on collision at an intersection, an accident when turning left at an intersection, or an accident when turning right at an intersection, so that the type of accident and the object of collision near the route of the vehicle can be more intuitively grasped.

[0013] According to the fourth aspect The navigation system is In any one of the first to third aspects, The estimation unit estimates the nature of the accident and the risk of the accident using at least one of the geometric characteristics of the route acquired from outside, information on the surrounding environment of the route, information on traffic conditions on the route, and weather information on the route.

[0014] According to the fourth aspect The navigation system can estimate the current risk of an accident based on the latest information obtained from an external source.

[0015] According to the fifth aspect The navigation system is In a fourth aspect,The estimation unit is constructed to be able to estimate the nature of the accident and the risk of the accident using a trained model obtained by machine learning using the nature of the accident and the risk of the accident in relation to at least one of past accident records, traffic conditions, and weather conditions as training data.

[0016] According to the fifth aspect According to the navigation system, with appropriate machine learning, it is possible to create a system that can visually recognize the risk of accidents along the route. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] As described above, the navigation system according to the present invention allows a driver to visually recognize the risk of an accident on a route. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a navigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 3 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a type-specific accident estimation process in a control unit of the navigation system according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] (A) is an example of the monitor display when the vehicle passes through an intersection with traffic lights going straight ahead, and (B) to (E) are explanatory diagrams showing an example of the change over time in the display of objects at an intersection with traffic lights. [Figure 4] (A) is an example of the monitor display when the vehicle passes through an intersection with traffic lights going straight ahead, (B) is an example of an animation display when the vehicle passes through an intersection with traffic lights going straight ahead, (C) is an example of the monitor display when the vehicle turns left and passes through an intersection with traffic lights, (D) is an example of an animation display when the vehicle turns left and passes through an intersection with traffic lights, (E) is an example of the monitor display when the vehicle turns right and passes through an intersection with traffic lights, and (F) is an example of an animation display when the vehicle turns right and passes through an intersection with traffic lights. [Figure 5](A) is an example of an object that resembles a motorcycle, and (B) is an example of an object that resembles a bicycle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] A navigation system 10 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 1. The navigation system 10 shown in Fig. 1 is a so-called server network system in which an in-vehicle device 12 installed in a vehicle, a map database (DB) server 40, a traffic information server 42, and a weather information server 44 are connected to a network 16.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle-mounted device 12 includes a control unit 18 configured by a computer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 18A, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 18B, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 18C, and an I / O (Input / Output Interface) 18D connected to a bus 18E.

[0021] The ROM 18B stores a program for guiding the user along a route to a destination. The program stored in the ROM 18B is loaded into the RAM 18C and executed by the CPU 18A, thereby providing control for guiding the user along a route to a destination.

[0022] Connected to the I / O 18D are a monitor 20, an operation unit 22, a speaker 24, a vehicle speed sensor 26, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver 28, a gyro sensor 30, a storage 32, and a communication control unit 34. Note that the I / O 18D may be connected to each unit via an in-vehicle network such as a CAN (Controller Area Network).

[0023] The monitor 20 is provided on a center console or the like inside the vehicle, and displays a map or the like for guiding the driver along a route to a set destination.

[0024] The operation unit 22 includes a touch panel and switches for inputting destination settings, etc., and by operating the operation unit 22, it is possible to register a home location, set a destination, instruct a route re-search, etc.

[0025] The speaker 24 generates voices such as audio and voices for guiding the route to the set destination.

[0026] The vehicle speed sensor 26 detects the traveling speed of the vehicle (hereinafter referred to as the vehicle speed) and outputs the detection result to the control unit 18.

[0027] The GPS receiver 28 receives GPS signals including time information from GPS satellites and outputs the reception results to the control unit 18. The control unit 18 can then determine the vehicle's position based on the multiple GPS signals and obtain vehicle position information.

[0028] The gyro sensor 30 detects acceleration, angular acceleration, angular velocity, etc., and outputs the detection results to the control unit 18. This allows the control unit 18 to detect the vehicle attitude based on the detection results of the gyro sensor 30.

[0029] The storage 32 stores map information for providing route guidance to a set destination, and the control unit 18 provides route guidance to the set destination based on the map information stored in the storage 32. The storage 32 also stores a movement history consisting of the positioning results of the vehicle's position as a route history.

[0030] The communication control unit 34 communicates with the network 16 to exchange information with each of the map DB server 40, the traffic information server 42, and the weather information server 44.

[0031] 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the type-specific accident estimation process in the control unit 18 of the navigation system according to this embodiment. In step S100, information on the geometric characteristics of the intersection to be passed through and the surrounding environment of the intersection is acquired from the map DB server 40.

[0032] In step S102, information on the current traffic conditions at the intersection through which the vehicle is to pass is obtained from the traffic information server 42.

[0033] In step S104, information on the current weather conditions at the intersection through which the user is to pass is obtained from the weather information server 44.

[0034] In step S106, an estimation formula for the number of accidents by type is constructed using a trained model obtained by machine learning using training data including records of past accidents, accident characteristics in relation to at least one of traffic conditions and weather conditions, and accident risk.

[0035] In step S108, an estimate of the current number of accidents by type at the intersection that the vehicle is scheduled to pass through is output using the estimation formula for the number of accidents by type and the information acquired from the map DB server 40, the traffic information server 42, and the weather information server 44. The estimate of the number of accidents by type is used as an index of the level of risk of traffic accidents, as will be described later.

[0036] In this embodiment, when the manner in which the vehicle passes through an intersection matches the type of high-risk traffic accident, an animation of moving objects resembling collision targets, the number of which corresponds to the level of risk, is displayed on the monitor 20.

[0037] Fig. 3(A) is an example of a display on the monitor 20 when the vehicle 60 passes through an intersection with traffic lights 52 by going straight along a route 62. The left side of Fig. 3(A) is a map display of route guidance, and the right side of Fig. 3 is an animation showing an enlarged view of the area around the intersection.

[0038] If the estimated value of the number of accidents by type output in step S108 of Fig. 2 indicates a high risk of rear-end collisions at an intersection with traffic lights 52, in this embodiment, objects 50 are displayed as collision targets with which the vehicle 60 may collide, as shown on the right in Fig. 3(A). In Fig. 3(A), multiple objects 50 are displayed, but in this embodiment, the higher the estimated value of the number of accidents by type, the more objects 50 are displayed.

[0039] 3(B) to 3(E) are explanatory diagrams showing an example of changes over time in the display of objects 50 at an intersection with traffic lights 52. In this embodiment, the number of objects 50 corresponding to the risk indicated by the estimated value of the number of accidents by type is not displayed all at once, but rather, as shown in FIG. 3(B), first, a state in which a first object 50 approaches the intersection is displayed, and then, as shown in FIG. 3(C), a state in which another object 50 approaches the intersection is displayed. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3(D), objects 50 are added according to the risk, and finally, four objects 50 are displayed as shown in FIG. 3(E).

[0040] As shown in Figures 3(B) to 3(E), by displaying an animation of objects 50 that are potential collision targets approaching the intersection one by one, it is possible to alert the driver to the risk of a rear-end collision.

[0041] Fig. 4(A) is an example of a display on the monitor 20 when the vehicle 60 passes through an intersection with traffic lights 54 by traveling straight along a path 64. If the estimated value of the number of accidents by type output in step S108 of Fig. 2 indicates that there is a high risk of a head-on collision at the intersection with traffic lights 54, in this embodiment, as shown on the right of Fig. 4(A), objects 70, 72 that resemble other vehicles crossing the path 64 are displayed in numbers corresponding to the risk.

[0042] 4(B) is an example of an animation display in which the vehicle 60 passes through an intersection with traffic lights 54 while traveling straight along path 64. An object 74 that resembles another vehicle crossing path 64 is shown crossing path 64 of the vehicle 60 at the intersection with traffic lights 54, thereby alerting the driver to the risk of a head-on collision.

[0043] Fig. 4(C) is an example of a display on the monitor 20 when the vehicle 60 passes through an intersection with traffic lights 56 by turning left as shown in path 66. If the estimated value of the number of accidents by type output in step S108 of Fig. 2 indicates that there is a high risk of accidents when turning left at the intersection with traffic lights 56, in this embodiment, as shown on the right of Fig. 4(C), objects 76 resembling pedestrians crossing path 66 are displayed in a number corresponding to the risk.

[0044] 4(D) is an example of an animation display in which the vehicle 60 turns left as shown in path 66 at an intersection with traffic lights 56. An object 76 resembling a pedestrian crossing path 66 is shown crossing path 66 of the vehicle 60 at the intersection with traffic lights 56, thereby alerting the driver to the possibility of a left-turn accident.

[0045] Fig. 4(E) is an example of a display on the monitor 20 when the vehicle 60 passes through an intersection with traffic lights 58 by turning right as shown in path 68. If the estimated value of the number of accidents by type output in step S108 of Fig. 2 indicates that there is a high risk of right-turn accidents at the intersection with traffic lights 58, in this embodiment, as shown on the right of Fig. 4(E), objects 78 resembling other vehicles coming on the path 68 are displayed in a number corresponding to the risk.

[0046] 4(F) is an example of an animation display in which the vehicle 60 passes through an intersection with traffic lights 58 by turning right as shown in path 68. An object 78 that resembles another vehicle on the opposite side of path 68 is shown entering the intersection with traffic lights 58, alerting the driver to the possibility of a right-turn accident.

[0047] In this embodiment, in addition to the objects 50, 70 and the like that represent other vehicles and the object 76 that represents a crossing pedestrian, objects that represent motorcycles and bicycles may also be displayed in animation.

[0048] Figure 5(A) is an example of an object that resembles a motorcycle, and Figure 5(B) is an example of an object that resembles a bicycle. If the estimated value of the number of accidents by type output in step S108 of Figure 2 indicates that there is a risk of a collision with a motorcycle or a bicycle, the driver can be alerted by displaying an animated object such as that shown in Figure 5(A) or Figure 5(B).

[0049] As described above, the navigation system 10 according to this embodiment allows the driver to visually recognize the risk of an accident on the route by displaying objects indicating collision targets according to the type of accident, such as oncoming, crossing, or head-on collision, relative to the vehicle on the route, in a number that corresponds to the estimated level of risk.

[0050] In addition, by displaying objects indicating potential collision targets using highly visually effective animations, and by displaying more objects the higher the risk of an accident, the driver can quickly and visually recognize the risk of an accident on the route.

[0051] Furthermore, the risk of an accident is estimated based on the latest information obtained from external servers such as the map DB server 40, traffic information server 42, and weather information server 44, and an object corresponding to the type of accident is displayed as an animation, allowing the driver to visually recognize the current risk of an accident. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 10. Navigation system 12 Onboard equipment 16 Network 18 Control Unit 18A CPU 18B ROM 18C RAM 20 monitors 28 GPS receivers 30 Gyro sensor 34 Communication control section 40 Map DB Server 42 Traffic Information Server 44 Weather Information Server 50 objects 62, 64, 66, 68 Career 70, 72, 74, 76, 78 Objects

Claims

1. an estimation unit that, when providing route guidance for the vehicle, estimates the type of accident at an intersection near the route and the risk of an accident at the intersection; a display control unit that controls the display unit to display objects indicating a collision target according to the type of accident at the intersection at different positions according to the type of accident at the intersection, and in a number according to the level of the risk; Includes a navigation system.

2. The navigation system according to claim 1 , wherein the display control unit displays the objects as animations whose positions on the screen of the display unit change, and increases the number of the objects to be displayed as the risk of an accident at the intersection increases.

3. 2. The navigation system of claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays an object simulating another vehicle at a position on the near side of the intersection if the type of accident is a rear-end collision at an intersection, displays an object simulating another vehicle at a position crossing the path of the host vehicle if the type of accident is a head-on collision at an intersection, displays an object simulating a pedestrian at a position crossing the path of the host vehicle if the type of accident is a left turn accident at an intersection, and displays an object simulating another vehicle at a position in the oncoming lane of the host vehicle if the type of accident is a right turn accident at an intersection.

4. The navigation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the estimation unit estimates the type of accident at the intersection and the risk of an accident at the intersection using at least one of geometric characteristics of the route, information on the surrounding environment of the route, information on traffic conditions on the route, and weather information on the route obtained from an external source.

5. The navigation system of claim 4, wherein the estimation unit is configured to be able to estimate the nature of an accident at an intersection and the risk of an accident at the intersection using a trained model obtained by machine learning using training data including records of past accidents at the intersection, the nature of accidents at the intersection in response to at least one of traffic conditions and weather conditions, and the risk of accidents at the intersection.

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