vehicle-mounted device

Abstract

Even when a host vehicle enters an area where communication is difficult, the present invention reduces the power consumption of a vehicle-travel battery without causing an occupant to feel discomfort.　The present invention comprises a navigation unit 111 that acquires the current position of a host vehicle V and guides the host vehicle V in accordance with a travel route RA, an area information extraction unit 112 that extracts a communication-difficult area WR, a vehicle control unit 130 that performs travel auxiliary control DA of the host vehicle V, and a travel information management unit 113 that determines a communication state TS in the travel direction of the host vehicle V and transmits travel information DI about the host vehicle V to the vehicle control unit 130. In cases where the travel information management unit 113 has determined that there is a communication-difficult area WR in the travel direction of the host vehicle V, the travel information management unit 113 changes a travel mode DM to a power-saving travel mode ED, and furthermore, the vehicle control unit 130 stops updating by communication in map information MI and performs travel auxiliary control DA based on the map information MI acquired before entering the communication-difficult area WR.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an in-vehicle device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, as electric vehicles have become more popular, charging stations for electric vehicles have also become more common.

[0003] However, there are not yet enough charging stations available to charge electric vehicles, and there is a risk that a vehicle may have difficulty driving due to insufficient charge before reaching a charging station. Therefore, when driving an electric vehicle, it is necessary to obtain the location information of charging stations in advance.

[0004] In response to this, a technology has been disclosed for an energy-saving driving support device that reduces the power consumption of an electric vehicle, and that includes an electricity cost acquisition unit that acquires the amount of electricity consumed by the electric vehicle per unit driving distance, a remaining capacity acquisition unit that acquires the remaining capacity of the storage battery, a station distance acquisition unit that acquires the driving distance from the current location to the charging station, a drivable distance calculation unit that calculates the distance that the electric vehicle can travel with the remaining capacity based on the electricity cost acquired by the electricity cost acquisition unit and the remaining capacity acquired by the remaining capacity acquisition unit, and a power-saving necessity display unit that displays the drivable distance calculated by the drivable distance acquisition unit and the driving distance to the charging station acquired by the station distance acquisition unit (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-171647 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Incidentally, with the advancement of technologies related to driving assistance and autonomous driving, the map information used for driving assistance and autonomous driving has become enormous in data capacity compared to map information used simply for map display in navigation devices, etc. As the data capacity increases, map information for driving assistance and autonomous driving is stored on servers, etc., and vehicles acquire map information, etc. as map data from the servers as needed. At this time, if the vehicle is entering an area where communication is difficult, it may be difficult to obtain map information from the server.

[0007] However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, the travel distance is calculated based on the acquired map information, and the possible travel distance is calculated based on the remaining capacity of the storage battery. Therefore, when the vehicle enters an area where communication is difficult, it becomes difficult to calculate the distance to the charging station, which creates a problem that the remaining capacity of the vehicle's battery for driving the vehicle may be insufficient.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to reduce the power consumption of the vehicle's driving battery without causing discomfort to the occupants, even when the vehicle enters an area where communication is difficult. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] Mode 1: One or more embodiments of the present invention include a navigation unit that acquires the current position of a vehicle, provides map information of the area around the vehicle where the vehicle is traveling, and guides the vehicle along a determined travel route; an area information extraction unit that extracts areas where communication conditions are deteriorating from the map information; and an area information extraction unit that assists the vehicle in autonomous driving when the vehicle is in charge of driving operations or when the driver is in charge of driving operations. Driving assistanceand a driving information management unit that determines the communication conditions in the driving direction of the host vehicle based on information from the area information extraction unit, and transmits driving information of the host vehicle to the vehicle control unit based on the driving mode selected in the vehicle control unit. When the driving information management unit determines that the host vehicle is driving in an area where the communication conditions are deteriorating, or that the determined driving route includes an area where the communication conditions are deteriorating, the driving information management unit transmits information to the vehicle control unit to change the driving mode to a power-saving driving mode that reduces power consumption of electrical devices in the host vehicle, and the vehicle control unit changes to the power-saving driving mode, and further stops updating by communication of the map information used to perform the driving assistance control, and performs the driving assistance control based on the map information obtained before entering the area where the communication conditions are deteriorating.

[0010] Form 2: One or more embodiments of the present invention propose an in-vehicle device in which, when the vehicle is driving in the area where the communication conditions are poor and the power-saving driving mode is selected, the driving information management unit takes into account the difference in elevation of the driving route and the number of traffic lights on the driving route, and causes the navigation unit and the vehicle control unit to set the driving route that will require less acceleration and deceleration control of the vehicle.

[0011] Form 3: One or more embodiments of the present invention propose an in-vehicle device in which the host vehicle further includes an inter-vehicle distance sensor that acquires the inter-vehicle distance from a preceding vehicle traveling ahead of the host vehicle, and when the host vehicle is traveling in the area where communication conditions are poor and the power-saving traveling mode is selected, the traveling information management unit transmits information to the vehicle control unit to change from a normal following mode, in which the host vehicle follows the preceding vehicle while maintaining a constant inter-vehicle distance, to a power-saving following mode, in which the host vehicle follows the preceding vehicle while maintaining a longer inter-vehicle distance than in the normal following mode, based on information transmitted from the inter-vehicle distance sensor, to maintain the inter-vehicle distance.

[0012] Form 4: One or more embodiments of the present invention propose an in-vehicle device that further includes a seating sensor that detects the seating position of an occupant in the vehicle, and when the vehicle is traveling in the area where communication conditions are poor and the driving information management unit selects the power-saving driving mode, the driving information management unit transmits information to the vehicle control unit to reduce or stop the airflow of the air conditioner directed toward seats where the occupant is not seated.

[0013] Mode 5: One or more embodiments of the present invention include one or more processors and one or more memories communicably connected to the one or more processors, the one or more memories including a storage unit that stores map information related to a route and information including areas where communication conditions deteriorate, the one or more processors including a navigation unit that acquires the current position of the host vehicle, provides map information of the area where the host vehicle is traveling, and guides the host vehicle according to a determined traveling route, an area information extraction unit that extracts areas where communication conditions deteriorate included in the map information, and a navigation unit that assists the host vehicle in autonomous driving where the host vehicle is the main driver of the driving operation or when the driver is the main driver of the driving operation. Driving assistanceand a driving information management unit that determines the communication conditions in the driving direction of the host vehicle based on information from the area information extraction unit, manages driving information of the host vehicle based on a driving mode selected in the vehicle control unit, and transmits the driving information to the vehicle control unit based on a request from the vehicle control unit, wherein when the driving information management unit determines that the host vehicle is driving in an area where the communication conditions are deteriorating or that an area where the communication conditions are deteriorating is on the determined driving route, the driving information management unit transmits information to the vehicle control unit to change the driving mode to a power-saving driving mode that reduces power consumption of electrical devices in the host vehicle, and the vehicle control unit changes to the power-saving driving mode, stops updating by communication of the map information used to perform the driving assistance control, and performs the driving assistance control based on the map information obtained before entering the area where the communication conditions are deteriorating. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, even when the vehicle enters an area where communication is difficult, the power consumption of the battery for driving the vehicle can be reduced without causing discomfort to the occupants. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle control system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an in-vehicle device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram showing a travel route of a vehicle equipped with an on-vehicle device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a process flow diagram of the in-vehicle device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle control system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of an in-vehicle device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a process flow diagram of an in-vehicle device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle control system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of an in-vehicle device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a process flow diagram of an in-vehicle device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] A vehicle control system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, the host vehicle V will be described as an electric vehicle that runs on a vehicle battery BT.

[0017] First Embodiment A vehicle control system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG.

[0018] <About Vehicle Control System 1> As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle control system 1 according to this embodiment includes an in-vehicle device 10 and a server 20.

[0019] The in-vehicle device 10 controls the overall operation of the vehicle control system 1 based on a control program stored in a read-only memory (ROM) installed in the device. Furthermore, when the in-vehicle device 10 determines that the vehicle V is traveling through a difficult-to-communicate area WR or that there is a difficult-to-communicate area WR on the travel route RA, the in-vehicle device 10, for example, changes the travel mode DM to a power-saving travel mode ED and also performs travel assistance control DA that stops updates via communication in the map information MI. The in-vehicle device 10 will be described in detail later.

[0020] The server 20 is provided outside the vehicle V and stores data such as map information MI, surrounding area information, and traffic congestion information used for driving assistance control or automatic driving control. The server 20 and the in-vehicle device 10 are connected by wireless communication via a communication network NT such as a wireless communication base station. The server 20 transmits data to the vehicle-mounted device 10 based on a request from the vehicle-mounted device 10 .

[0021] <About the in-vehicle device 10> As shown in FIG. 2, the in-vehicle device 10 includes a processor unit 100 and a vehicle control unit 130.

[0022] <Configuration of the processor unit 100> The processor unit 100 includes a processor 110 and a memory 120. The processor unit 100 controls the overall operation of the in-vehicle device 10 based on a control program stored in a read-only memory (ROM) installed in the memory 120.

[0023] The processor 110 includes a navigation unit 111, an area information extraction unit 112, and a driving information management unit 113. The memory 120 includes a storage unit 121. The navigation unit 111, area information extraction unit 112, driving information management unit 113 and memory 120 of the processor 110 are connected via a bus line BL1.

[0024] The navigation unit 111 guides the vehicle V according to the travel route RA as the determined route information. In other words, the navigation unit 111 sets the travel route RA from the current position of the vehicle V to the destination based on the map information MI and traffic information TI received from the server 20, and guides the vehicle V to the destination. The navigation unit 111 is also equipped with, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver and detects the current position of the vehicle V based on radio waves received from a GPS satellite. The current position information of the vehicle V identified by the navigation unit 111 is transmitted to the area information extraction unit 112 and the driving information management unit 113 via the bus line BL1. In addition, the navigation unit 111 acquires driving route information RI such as the current position of the vehicle V, driving route RA, driving distance, driving speed, etc. from the map information MI and traffic information TI, and transmits the driving route information RI to the driving information management unit 113 via the bus line BL1.

[0025] The area information extraction unit 112 extracts difficult-to-communicate areas WR included in the traveling direction of the vehicle V or on the traveling route RA based on the map information MI. As shown in Figure 3, if a difficult-to-communicate area WR is included in the map information MI obtained from the server 20, the area information extraction unit 112 extracts the difficult-to-communicate area WR included in the map information MI and transmits information about the difficult-to-communicate area WR to the driving information management unit 113 via the bus line BL1. The area information extraction unit 112 also extracts the difficult-to-communicate area WR by acquiring the field strength of the radio waves used for wireless communication with the server 20 from the vehicle control unit 130, which will be described later. Specifically, the area information extraction unit 112 acquires, for example, field strength information of transmitted and received radio waves or error rate information in communication data from the vehicle control unit 130. The area information extraction unit 112 determines whether the field strength information or the error rate information is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, based on a predetermined value of the field strength or a predetermined value of the error rate in the communication data that is stored in advance in the memory 120. Then, the area information extraction unit 112 transmits the determination result to the driving information management unit 113. When the electric field strength information or error rate information changes from a predetermined value or more to a value less than the predetermined value, the area information extraction unit 112 transmits information to the driving information management unit 113 that the vehicle V has entered a difficult-to-communicate area WR. In addition, when the electric field strength information or error rate information changes from less than a predetermined value to greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the area information extraction unit 112 transmits information to the driving information management unit 113 that the vehicle V has passed through the difficult-to-communicate area WR.

[0026] The driving information management unit 113 determines the communication conditions TS in the driving direction of the vehicle V based on information from the area information extraction unit 112, and manages the driving information DI of the vehicle V based on the selected driving mode MD, and transmits the driving information DI to the vehicle control unit 130 based on a request from the vehicle control unit 130. In addition, if the driving information management unit 113 determines that the vehicle V is traveling through a difficult-to-communicate area WR, which is an area where communication conditions are deteriorating, or that the determined driving route RA includes a difficult-to-communicate area WR, the driving information management unit 113 transmits information to the vehicle control unit 130 to change the driving mode DM to a power-saving driving mode ED, which reduces the power consumption of the electrical devices in the vehicle V.

[0027] Specifically, the driving information management unit 113 acquires, for example, driving route information RI transmitted from the navigation unit 111 and vehicle control information from the vehicle control unit 130, such as the remaining battery charge for driving the vehicle V and the distance that can be driven based on the remaining battery charge, as driving information DI, and stores it in the memory 120. Then, the driving information management unit 113 transmits the driving information DI to the vehicle control unit 130 based on a request from the vehicle control unit 130. Also, as shown in Figure 3, based on the information transmitted from the area information extraction unit 112, the driving information management unit 113 determines that the vehicle V will enter a difficult-to-communicate area WR, for example, at a difficult-to-communicate area entry point WP1 on the vehicle's driving route RA. When the vehicle V enters a difficult-to-communicate area WR, the control unit 130 transmits information to the vehicle control unit 130 to change the driving mode DM to the energy-saving driving mode ED.

[0028] In addition, when the vehicle V is traveling in a difficult-to-communicate area WR with the power-saving traveling mode ED selected, the traveling information management unit 113 takes into consideration the elevation difference and the number of traffic lights on the determined traveling route RA and causes the navigation unit 111 to set the power-saving traveling route RE as a traveling route that requires less acceleration and deceleration control of the vehicle V. Specifically, for example, when the driving information management unit 113 determines that the vehicle V has selected the power-saving driving mode ED and has entered a difficult-to-communicate area WR, the driving information management unit 113 acquires driving route information RI from the navigation unit 111, such as the driving distance, road elevation difference, and number of traffic lights for multiple candidate driving routes. Then, based on the driving route information RI, the driving information management unit 113 selects a power-saving driving route RE that reduces acceleration and deceleration control of the vehicle V, and transmits information to the navigation unit 111 indicating that the driving route RA will be changed to the power-saving driving route RE. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the travel information management unit 113 compares, for example, the travel route information RI of a travel route RA and a travel route RC as a plurality of travel route candidates. For example, the travel information management unit 113 determines that there are five traffic lights, SG1 to SG5, on the travel route RA, and that there are two traffic lights, SG1 and SG5, on the travel route RC. Then, taking into consideration the travel distance and the difference in elevation of the road, the travel route RC with the fewest traffic lights is selected as the power-saving travel route RE, and information to the effect that the route will be changed to the power-saving travel route RE is transmitted to the navigation unit 111.

[0029] Furthermore, when the traveling information management unit 113 receives information from the area information extraction unit 112 that the vehicle has passed through a difficult-to-communicate area WR, the traveling information management unit 113 transmits information that the vehicle has passed through the difficult-to-communicate area WR to the vehicle control unit 130.

[0030] The vehicle control unit 130 performs driving assistance control DA such as automatic driving in which the subject of driving operation of the subject vehicle V is the subject of driving operation of the subject vehicle V, or driving assistance that assists driving operation when the subject of driving operation is the driver. Specifically, the vehicle control unit 130 performs driving assistance control DA, such as automatic driving or driving assistance, for the vehicle V based on the driving information DI transmitted from the driving information management unit 113, for example. The driving assistance control DA here refers to control performed by the vehicle control unit 130 to assist the driving of the vehicle V, such as control of the vehicle V such as accelerating or decelerating the driving speed, adjusting electrical equipment such as air conditioning or lighting devices, monitoring the driving lane, maintaining the distance between vehicles, and maintaining the driving speed.

[0031] Furthermore, the vehicle control unit 130 reduces the power consumption of the battery for driving the vehicle by automatically stopping updates via communication in the map information MI for controlling automatic driving or driving assistance. Then, the vehicle control unit 130 performs driving assist control DA based on the map information MI acquired before entering the communication difficult area WR.

[0032] Furthermore, the vehicle control unit 130 changes the driving mode DM of the host vehicle V based on the information transmitted from the driving information management unit 113. Specifically, for example, when the vehicle control unit 130 receives information from the driving information management unit 113 that the vehicle V has entered a difficult-to-communicate area WR and will change to the power-saving driving mode ED, the vehicle control unit 130 automatically changes the driving mode DM of the vehicle V to the power-saving driving mode ED.

[0033] The vehicle control unit 130 has a plurality of driving modes DM that reduce power consumption. The vehicle control unit 130 has, for example, a normal driving mode ND and a power-saving driving mode ED as the driving modes DM. The normal driving mode ND here is a mode in which the vehicle V is controlled in accordance with the settings of the occupant. The energy-saving driving mode ED is a mode in which power consumption is reduced to a level lower than that in the normal driving mode ND. Specifically, the energy-saving driving mode ED reduces the power consumption of electrical devices provided in the host vehicle V, such as an air conditioner, audio equipment, and lighting equipment. More specifically, the energy-saving driving mode ED performs control to reduce the power consumption of the air conditioner by, for example, changing the temperature setting and air volume. In addition, the energy-saving driving mode ED reduces the illuminance of the lighting devices of the host vehicle V, thereby reducing the power consumption of the lighting devices.

[0034] In addition, when the vehicle control unit 130 receives information from the driving information management unit 113 that the vehicle has passed through a difficult-to-communicate area WR, it changes the energy-saving driving mode ED to the driving mode DM that was in effect before the vehicle V entered the difficult-to-communicate area WR.

[0035] The vehicle control unit 130 is also provided with an in-vehicle communication unit (not shown), which connects to a server 20 provided outside the vehicle V via the communication network NT under the control of the vehicle control unit 130. The in-vehicle communication unit acquires field strength information of transmitted and received radio waves in wireless communication or error rate information in communication data. The vehicle control unit 130 transmits the acquired field strength information of the transmitted and received radio waves in the wireless communication or the error rate information of the communication data to the area information extraction unit 112 .

[0036] <Processing of the in-vehicle device 10> The processing of the in-vehicle device 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0037] The travel information management unit 113 determines whether or not there is a difficult-to-communicate area WR in the travel direction of the vehicle V or on the travel route RA, based on the information transmitted from the area information extraction unit 112 (step S110).

[0038] If it is determined that there is no difficult-to-communicate area WR on the travel route RA or in the travel direction of the vehicle V ("NO" in step S110), the travel information management unit 113 transitions the process to step S110.

[0039] On the other hand, when the driving information management unit 113 determines that there is a difficult-to-communicate area WR in the driving direction of the vehicle V or on the driving route RA ("YES" in step S110), it transmits information to the vehicle control unit 130 to change the driving mode DM to the power-saving driving mode ED. Based on the information transmitted from the driving information management unit 113, the vehicle control unit 130 changes control from the driving mode MD to control from the power-saving driving mode ED (step S120), and the driving information management unit 113 transitions the processing to step S130.

[0040] The vehicle control unit 130 further stops updating the map information MI through communication, and starts cruise assist control DA based on the map information MI acquired before entering the communication difficult area WR (step S130).

[0041] The travel information management unit 113 acquires travel route information RI for a plurality of travel route candidates from the navigation unit 111, and determines whether or not the energy-saving travel route RE can be selected (step S140).

[0042] If the travel information management unit 113 determines that it is difficult to select the power-saving travel route RE ("NO" in step S140), the travel information management unit 113 does not change the travel route RA and transitions the process to step S160.

[0043] On the other hand, if the travel information management unit 113 determines that the power-saving travel route RE can be selected ("YES" in step S140), the travel information management unit 113 transmits information to the navigation unit 111 and the vehicle control unit 130 to change from the travel route RA to the power-saving travel route RE, and the navigation unit 111 sets the power-saving travel route RE. Then, the vehicle control unit 130 changes vehicle control to the power-saving travel route RE based on the information from the travel information management unit 113 (step S150).

[0044] Then, the travel information management unit 113 determines whether or not the vehicle has passed through a difficult-to-communicate area WR based on the information from the area information extraction unit 112 (step S160).

[0045] If the travel information management unit 113 determines that the vehicle has not passed through the communication difficult area WR ("NO" in step S160), the travel information management unit 113 transitions the process to step S160.

[0046] On the other hand, if the driving information management unit 113 determines that the vehicle has passed through the difficult-to-communicate area WR ("YES" in step S160), the driving information management unit 113 transmits information to the vehicle control unit 130 indicating that the vehicle has passed through the difficult-to-communicate area WR, and transitions the processing to step S170.

[0047] Based on information from the driving information management unit 113, the vehicle control unit 130 changes the power-saving driving mode ED to the driving mode DM that was in effect before the vehicle V entered the difficult-to-communicate area WR (step S170), and the driving information management unit 113 terminates the processing.

[0048] <Actions and Effects> As described above, the in-vehicle device 10 according to this embodiment includes a navigation unit 111 that acquires the current position of the vehicle V, provides map information MI of the area in which the vehicle V is traveling, and guides the vehicle V along the determined travel route RA; an area information extraction unit 112 that extracts communication difficulty areas WR included in the map information MI as areas where communication conditions are deteriorating; a vehicle control unit 130 that performs driving assistance control DA, such as automatic driving in which the subject of driving operation of the vehicle V is the subject of driving operation of the vehicle V, or driving assistance that assists the driver's driving operation when the subject of driving operation is the driver; and a vehicle control unit 130 that determines the communication situation TS in the traveling direction of the vehicle V based on information from the area information extraction unit 112, and selects the communication difficulty areas WR. and a driving information management unit 113 that transmits driving information DI of the host vehicle V to the vehicle control unit 130 based on the driving mode DM determined by the driving information management unit 113. When the driving information management unit 113 determines that the host vehicle V is traveling through a difficult-to-communicate area WR or that the determined driving route includes a difficult-to-communicate area WR, the driving information management unit 113 transmits information to the vehicle control unit 130 to change the driving mode DM to a power-saving driving mode ED that reduces the power consumption of electrical devices in the host vehicle V. The vehicle control unit 130 changes to control using the power-saving driving mode ED, and further stops communication-based updates of map information MI used to perform driving assistance control DA, and performs driving assistance control DA based on the map information MI obtained before entering the difficult-to-communicate area WR. That is, when the driving information management unit 113 determines that the vehicle V is traveling through a difficult-to-communicate area WR or that the determined driving route RA includes a difficult-to-communicate area WR, the driving information management unit 113 automatically changes the driving mode DM to the power-saving driving mode ED, which reduces power consumption. Therefore, the occupant can reduce the power consumption of the vehicle driving battery in the vehicle without being aware of the change to the power-saving driving mode ED. Furthermore, by the vehicle control unit 130 continuing the driving assistance control DA using the map information MI that was used immediately before, the occupant can reduce the power consumption of the vehicle driving battery BT in the vehicle without being aware that the update of the map information MI has stopped. Therefore, when the host vehicle V enters a difficult-to-communicate area WR, the power consumption of the vehicle battery BT can be reduced without causing any discomfort to the occupants.

[0049] In addition, in the in-vehicle device 10 according to this embodiment, when the vehicle V is traveling in the difficult-to-communicate area WR with the power-saving traveling mode ED selected, the traveling information management unit 113 takes into consideration the elevation difference and the number of traffic lights on the determined traveling route RA, and causes the navigation unit 111 and the vehicle control unit 130 to set the power-saving traveling route RE as a traveling route that requires less acceleration and deceleration control of the vehicle V. In other words, when the vehicle V is traveling in the difficult-to-communicate area WR with the power-saving traveling mode ED selected, if the traveling information management unit 113 can select from a plurality of candidate traveling routes a power-saving traveling route RE that reduces acceleration / deceleration control of the vehicle V, the traveling information management unit 113 can change the traveling route RA to the power-saving traveling route RE. Therefore, the occupant can reduce the power consumption of the vehicle traveling battery BT in the vehicle V without being aware of the change to the power-saving traveling route RE. Therefore, when the host vehicle V enters a difficult-to-communicate area WR, the power consumption of the vehicle battery BT can be reduced without causing any discomfort to the occupants.

[0050] <Second embodiment> The in-vehicle device 10A according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that components with the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment have the same functions, and therefore detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0051] <About Vehicle Control System 1A> A vehicle control system 1A equipped with an in-vehicle device 10A according to this embodiment includes the in-vehicle device 10A, a server 20, and an inter-vehicle distance sensor 30, as shown in FIG.

[0052] The inter-vehicle distance sensor 30 is provided at the front of the host vehicle V and acquires the inter-vehicle distance from another vehicle traveling ahead of the host vehicle V. The inter-vehicle distance sensor 30 is, for example, a millimeter wave radar sensor or an optical camera sensor, and acquires information such as the inter-vehicle distance, relative speed, angle, and brake lamp operation between the host vehicle V and another vehicle traveling ahead of the host vehicle V. The information acquired by the inter-vehicle distance sensor 30 is transmitted to the vehicle control unit 130B.

[0053] <Configuration of In-Vehicle Device 10A> As shown in FIG. 6, the in-vehicle device 10A includes a processor 110A, a memory 120A, and a vehicle control unit 130A. <Configuration of Processor Unit 100A> The processor unit 100A includes a processor 110A and a memory 120A. The processor unit 100A controls the overall operation of the in-vehicle device 10A based on a control program stored in a read-only memory (ROM) in the memory 120A.

[0054] The processor 110A includes a navigation unit 111, an area information extraction unit 112, and a travel information management unit 113A. The memory 120A includes a storage unit 121A. The navigation unit 111, area information extraction unit 112, travel information management unit 113A and memory 120A of the processor 110A are connected via a bus line BL2.

[0055] When the host vehicle V enters a difficult-to-communicate area WR and is driving in the difficult-to-communicate area WR with the power-saving driving mode ED selected, the driving information management unit 113A sends information to the vehicle control unit 130A to change the normal following mode, in which the host vehicle V follows the preceding vehicle FV driving in front of the host vehicle V while maintaining a certain distance, to the power-saving following mode, in which the host vehicle V follows the preceding vehicle FV while maintaining a longer distance than in the normal following mode.

[0056] Based on the information transmitted from the driving information management unit 113A, the vehicle control unit 130A automatically switches from the normal following mode to the power-saving following mode, and when following the preceding vehicle FV, performs gentle acceleration / deceleration control with less power consumption, and also performs control to maintain a longer inter-vehicle distance than in the normal following mode. <Processing of the in-vehicle device 10A>

[0057] The processing of the in-vehicle device 10A according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0058] The travel information management unit 113A determines whether or not there is a difficult-to-communicate area WR in the travel direction of the vehicle V or on the travel route RA, based on the information transmitted from the area information extraction unit 112 (step S210).

[0059] If the travel information management unit 113A determines that there is no communication difficult area WR on the travel route RA or in the travel direction of the vehicle V ("NO" in step S210), the travel information management unit 113A transitions the process to step S210.

[0060] On the other hand, when the driving information management unit 113A determines that there is a difficult-to-communicate area WR in the driving direction of the vehicle V or on the driving route RA ("YES" in step S210), it transmits information to the vehicle control unit 130A to change the driving mode DM to the power-saving driving mode ED. Based on the information transmitted from the driving information management unit 113A, the vehicle control unit 130A changes control from the driving mode MD to control from the power-saving driving mode ED (step S220), and the driving information management unit 113A transitions the processing to step S230.

[0061] The vehicle control unit 130A further stops updating the map information MI through communication, and starts driving assist control DA based on the map information MI acquired before entering the communication difficult area WR (step S130).

[0062] The driving information management unit 113A transmits information to the vehicle control unit 130A indicating that the normal following mode will be changed to the power-saving following mode. Vehicle control unit 130A changes the mode from the normal following mode to the power-saving following mode based on the information transmitted from driving information management unit 113A (step S240).

[0063] Then, the travel information management unit 113A determines whether or not the vehicle has passed through a communication difficult area WR based on the information from the area information extraction unit 112 (step S250).

[0064] If the travel information management unit 113A determines that the vehicle has not passed through the communication difficult area WR ("NO" in step S250), the travel information management unit 113A transitions the process to step S250.

[0065] On the other hand, if the driving information management unit 113A determines that the vehicle has passed through the difficult-to-communicate area WR ("YES" in step S250), the driving information management unit 113A transmits information indicating that the vehicle has passed through the difficult-to-communicate area WR to the vehicle control unit 130A, and transitions the processing to step S260.

[0066] Based on information from the driving information management unit 113A, the vehicle control unit 130A changes the power-saving driving mode ED to the driving mode DM that was in effect before the vehicle V entered the difficult-to-communicate area WR (step S260), and the driving information management unit 113 ends the processing.

[0067] <Actions and Effects> As described above, in the in-vehicle device 10A of this embodiment, the host vehicle V further includes an inter-vehicle distance sensor 30 that acquires the inter-vehicle distance between the host vehicle V and the preceding vehicle FV traveling ahead of the host vehicle V, and when the driving information management unit 113A determines that the host vehicle V is traveling in the power-saving driving mode ED within a difficult-to-communicate area WR, the driving information management unit 113A transmits information to the vehicle control unit 130A indicating that the normal following mode, in which the host vehicle V follows the preceding vehicle FV while maintaining a constant inter-vehicle distance, will be changed to the power-saving following mode, in which the host vehicle V follows the preceding vehicle FV while maintaining a longer inter-vehicle distance than in the normal following mode, and the vehicle control unit 130A performs control to maintain the inter-vehicle distance by performing gradual acceleration and deceleration control when following the preceding vehicle FV. In other words, when the host vehicle V is traveling in the difficult-to-communicate area WR with the power-saving traveling mode ED selected, the vehicle control unit 130A automatically switches to the power-saving following mode, whereby the vehicle control unit 130A can perform acceleration / deceleration control with less power consumption and can perform driving assistance control DA that maintains a longer inter-vehicle distance than in the normal following mode. Therefore, the occupants can reduce the power consumption of the vehicle traveling battery in the host vehicle V without being aware of the change to the power-saving following mode. Therefore, when the host vehicle V enters a difficult-to-communicate area WR, the power consumption of the vehicle battery BT can be reduced without causing any discomfort to the occupants.

[0068] <Third embodiment> The in-vehicle device 10B according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that components with the same reference numerals as those in the first and second embodiments have similar functions, and therefore detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0069] <About Vehicle Control System 1B> A vehicle control system 1B including an in-vehicle device 10B according to this embodiment includes the in-vehicle device 10B, a server 20, and a seating sensor 40, as shown in FIG.

[0070] The seating sensor 40 is provided inside a seat cushion portion disposed on the vehicle lower side of a seat (not shown), and uses, for example, a load sensor that detects the weight applied to the seat cushion portion. The seating sensor 40 is provided for each seat provided in the vehicle V, acquires weight information applied to the seat cushion, and transmits the weight information for each seat to the vehicle control unit 130B. <Configuration of In-Vehicle Device 10B>

[0071] As shown in FIG. 9, the in-vehicle device 10B includes a processor 110B, a memory 120B, and a vehicle control unit 130B.

[0072] <Configuration of Processor Unit 100B> The processor unit 100B includes a processor 110B and a memory 120B. The processor unit 100B controls the overall operation of the in-vehicle device 10B based on a control program stored in a read-only memory (ROM) installed in the memory 120B.

[0073] The processor 110B includes a navigation unit 111, an area information extraction unit 112, and a travel information management unit 113B. The memory 120B includes a storage unit 121B. The navigation unit 111, area information extraction unit 112, travel information management unit 113B and memory 120B of the processor 110B are connected via a bus line BL3.

[0074] When the vehicle V enters a difficult-to-communicate area WR and is driving in the difficult-to-communicate area WR with the power-saving driving mode ED selected, the driving information management unit 113B transmits information to the vehicle control unit 130B to reduce or stop the airflow of the air conditioner directed toward positions where no occupants are seated.

[0075] The vehicle control unit 130B transmits position information of the seat where the occupant is seated to the driving information management unit 113B based on the weight information transmitted from the seating sensor 40. Furthermore, the vehicle control unit 130B performs control to automatically adjust the air volume of the air conditioner directed toward the seat where the occupant is not seated, based on the information transmitted from the driving information management unit 113B, and reduces or stops the air volume of the air conditioner. <Processing of the in-vehicle device 10B>

[0076] The processing of the in-vehicle device 10B according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0077] The travel information management unit 113B determines whether or not there is a difficult-to-communicate area WR in the travel direction of the vehicle V or on the travel route RA, based on the information transmitted from the area information extraction unit 112 (step S310).

[0078] If the travel information management unit 113B determines that there is no communication difficulty area WR on the travel route RA or in the travel direction of the vehicle V ("NO" in step S310), the travel information management unit 113B transitions the processing to step S310.

[0079] On the other hand, when the driving information management unit 113B determines that there is a difficult-to-communicate area WR in the driving direction of the vehicle V or on the driving route RA ("YES" in step S310), it transmits information to the vehicle control unit 130B to change the driving mode DM to the power-saving driving mode ED. Based on the information transmitted from the driving information management unit 113B, the vehicle control unit 130B changes control from the driving mode MD to control from the power-saving driving mode ED (step S320), and the driving information management unit 113B transitions the processing to step S330.

[0080] The vehicle control unit 130B further stops updating the map information MI through communication, and starts driving assist control DA based on the map information MI acquired before entering the communication difficult area WR (step S330). Furthermore, the vehicle control unit 130B transmits the position information of the seat where the occupant is seated to the driving information management unit 113B, and the driving information management unit 113B confirms the position of the seat where the occupant is seated (step S340).

[0081] The driving information management unit 113B transmits information to the vehicle control unit 130B to reduce or stop the airflow of the air conditioner directed toward the seats where no occupant is seated. Vehicle control unit 130B performs control to adjust the air volume of the air conditioner based on the information transmitted from driving information management unit 113B, and reduces or stops the air volume of the air conditioner (step S350).

[0082] Then, the travel information management unit 113B determines whether or not the vehicle has passed through a difficult-to-communicate area WR based on the information from the area information extraction unit 112 (step S360).

[0083] If the travel information management unit 113B determines that the vehicle has not passed through the communication difficult area WR ("NO" in step S360), the travel information management unit 113B transitions the process to step S360.

[0084] On the other hand, if the driving information management unit 113B determines that the vehicle has passed through the difficult-to-communicate area WR ("YES" in step S250), the driving information management unit 113B transmits information indicating that the vehicle has passed through the difficult-to-communicate area WR to the vehicle control unit 130B, and transitions the processing to step S260.

[0085] Based on the information from the driving information management unit 113B, the vehicle control unit 130B changes the air conditioner's air volume to the air volume before the vehicle V entered the difficult-to-communicate area WR (step S370), and the driving information management unit 113B ends the processing.

[0086] <Actions and Effects> As explained above, the in-vehicle device 10B according to this embodiment further includes a seating sensor 40 that detects the seating position of an occupant in the vehicle V, and when the driving information management unit 113B is driving the vehicle V in a difficult-to-communicate area WR with the power-saving driving mode ED selected, the driving information management unit 113B transmits information to the vehicle control unit 130B to reduce or stop the airflow of the air conditioner directed toward seats where no occupant is seated. In other words, when the vehicle V is driving in the difficult-to-communicate area WR with the power-saving driving mode ED selected, the vehicle control unit 130B automatically reduces or stops the airflow of the air conditioner toward seats where no occupant is seated, thereby allowing the occupant to reduce the power consumption of the vehicle driving battery in the vehicle V without having to worry about adjusting the air conditioner. Therefore, when the host vehicle V enters a difficult-to-communicate area WR, the power consumption of the vehicle battery BT can be reduced without causing any discomfort to the occupants.

[0087] In addition, the driving information management units 113 to 113B may cause the navigation unit 111 to select the power-saving driving route RE, and may cause the vehicle control units 130 to 130B to simultaneously control the selection of the power-saving driving mode ED, the power-saving following mode FE, and the reduction or stopping of the airflow of the air conditioner directed toward seats where no occupants are seated.

[0088] Furthermore, the processing of the processors 110 to 110B may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the processors 110 to 110B may read and execute the programs recorded on the recording medium, thereby realizing the in-vehicle devices 10 to 10B of the present invention. The computer system here includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices.

[0089] Furthermore, if a WWW (World Wide Web) system is used, the "computer system" also includes the homepage provision environment (or display environment). The above program may be transmitted from a computer system that stores the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by transmission waves in the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" that transmits the program refers to a medium that has the function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) like the Internet or a communication line (communication line) like a telephone line.

[0090] The program may also be a program for implementing some of the functions described above, or may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can implement the functions described above in combination with a program already stored in the computer system.

[0091] The above describes in detail an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes designs within the scope of the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1. Vehicle control system 1A: Vehicle control system 1B: Vehicle control system 10;In-vehicle equipment 10A; In-vehicle device 10B;In-vehicle equipment 20;Server 110;processor 110A; Processor 110B; Processor 111;Navigation Department 112; Area information extraction unit 113;Driving Information Management Department 113A; Driving information management section 113B; Driving information management section 120;Memory 120A;Memory 120B; memory 121;Memory part 121A;Storage section 121B;Storage section 130: Vehicle control unit DI; Driving information DM: Driving mode ED: Energy saving driving mode RA; Travel route WD: Distance travelled in areas with poor communication WP1: Entry point into communication-impaired area WR: Difficult communication area

Claims

1. a navigation unit that acquires the current position of the vehicle, provides map information of the area where the vehicle is traveling, and guides the vehicle along a determined travel route; an area information extraction unit that extracts areas where communication conditions are deteriorating, which are included in the map information; a vehicle control unit that performs autonomous driving in which the subject of driving operation of the subject vehicle is the subject of the subject of driving operation of the subject vehicle, or driving assistance control for driving assistance that assists the driving operation when the subject of driving operation is the driver; a driving information management unit that determines the communication situation in the driving direction of the vehicle based on information from the area information extraction unit, and transmits driving information of the vehicle to the vehicle control unit based on a driving mode selected in the vehicle control unit; Equipped with When the driving information management unit determines that the vehicle is driving in an area where the communication conditions are deteriorating, or that the determined driving route includes an area where the communication conditions are deteriorating, the driving information management unit transmits information to the vehicle control unit to change the driving mode to a power-saving driving mode that reduces power consumption of an electrical device in the vehicle, the vehicle control unit changes to the power-saving driving mode, stops updating of the map information used to perform the driving assistance control via communication, and performs the driving assistance control based on the map information obtained before entering an area where communication conditions are deteriorating.

2. 2. The in-vehicle device according to claim 1, wherein when the vehicle is traveling in the area where the communication conditions are poor and the power-saving traveling mode is selected, the traveling information management unit takes into account the difference in elevation of the traveling route and the number of traffic lights on the traveling route, and causes the navigation unit and the vehicle control unit to set the traveling route that requires less acceleration and deceleration control of the vehicle.

3. The host vehicle further includes a vehicle-to-vehicle distance sensor for acquiring a vehicle-to-vehicle distance to a leading vehicle traveling ahead of the host vehicle, When the vehicle is traveling in the area where the communication situation is deteriorating and the vehicle is traveling in the power-saving traveling mode, the traveling information management unit The vehicle-mounted device according to claim 2, characterized in that the driving information management unit transmits information to the vehicle control unit to change from a normal following mode, in which the vehicle follows the preceding vehicle while maintaining a constant distance based on information transmitted from the vehicle distance sensor, to a power-saving following mode, in which the vehicle follows while maintaining a longer distance than in the normal following mode, and the vehicle control unit controls the vehicle to maintain the distance by performing gradual acceleration and deceleration control when following the preceding vehicle.

4. a seating sensor for detecting a seating position of an occupant in the vehicle; When the vehicle is traveling in the area where the communication situation is deteriorating and the vehicle is traveling in the power-saving traveling mode, the traveling information management unit 3. The vehicle-mounted device according to claim 2, wherein the driving information management unit transmits to the vehicle control unit information indicating that the volume of airflow from the air conditioner directed toward the seat where the occupant is not seated should be reduced or stopped.

5. one or more processors; and one or more memories communicatively coupled to the one or more processors; Equipped with the one or more memories a storage unit for storing map information relating to a route and information including areas where communication conditions are deteriorating; the one or more processors: a navigation unit that acquires the current position of the vehicle, provides map information of the area where the vehicle is traveling, and guides the vehicle along a determined travel route; an area information extraction unit that extracts areas where communication conditions are deteriorating, which are included in the map information; a vehicle control unit that performs autonomous driving in which the subject of driving operation of the subject vehicle is the subject of the subject of driving operation of the subject vehicle, or driving assistance control for driving assistance that assists the driving operation when the subject of driving operation is the driver; a driving information management unit that determines the communication situation in the driving direction of the vehicle based on information from the area information extraction unit, manages driving information of the vehicle based on a driving mode selected in the vehicle control unit, and transmits the driving information to the vehicle control unit based on a request from the vehicle control unit; Including, When the driving information management unit determines that the vehicle is driving in an area where the communication conditions are deteriorating, or that the determined driving route includes an area where the communication conditions are deteriorating, the driving information management unit transmits information to the vehicle control unit to change the driving mode to a power-saving driving mode that reduces power consumption of an electrical device in the vehicle, the vehicle control unit changes to the power-saving driving mode, stops updating the map information via communication for performing the driving assistance control, and performs the driving assistance control based on the map information obtained before entering an area where communication conditions are deteriorating.

Images