Vehicle control device, vehicle control method and program

Abstract

To provide a vehicle control device, a vehicle control method and a program which facilitate an operation to set an inter-vehicle interval used for ACC to a set interval desired by an occupant.SOLUTION: A vehicle control device includes: a suggestion unit 26A which can suggest an occupant of a vehicle to change a set interval by a second change amount unit smaller than a first change amount when a vehicle 12 executes adaptive cruise control in such a state that an inter-vehicle interval between a preceding vehicle 45 and the vehicle is set to a set interval selected from multiple reference intervals that vary in magnitude by the first change amount unit; and an input unit which can execute the input operation that can change the set interval only by the second change amount unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle control device, a vehicle control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle capable of implementing adaptive cruise control (hereinafter abbreviated as ACC) that maintains a set distance from the vehicle ahead. The steering wheel of this vehicle is provided with a rotary selector, which is an operating member for adjusting the set distance. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-120362 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, the amount of change in the set distance is determined according to the rotation speed of the rotary selector. Therefore, in Patent Document 1, it is not easy for a vehicle occupant to operate the rotary selector to obtain the desired set distance.

[0005] In consideration of the above, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle control device, a vehicle control method, and a program that are easy to operate for setting the inter-vehicle distance used for ACC to a distance desired by the occupant. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The vehicle control device of claim 1 is configured to, in a state where the inter-vehicle distance to the preceding vehicle is set to a set distance selected from a plurality of reference distances whose magnitude changes in units of a first change amount, Includes a navigation system and a vehicle speed sensor The vehicle is running adaptive cruise control and when a first change condition is established based on a change in the driving environment of the vehicle,a suggestion unit capable of suggesting to an occupant of the vehicle that the set interval be changed by a second change amount unit smaller than the first change amount; and an input unit capable of executing an input operation that allows the set interval to be changed only by the second change amount unit. The driving environment includes a type of road on which the vehicle is traveling, which is obtained from the navigation system, and a type of vehicle speed of the vehicle, which is obtained from the vehicle speed sensor, and the first change condition is met when a predetermined change occurs in the combination of the type of road and the type of vehicle speed. .

[0007] The term "interval" in the claims and specification includes inter-vehicle distance and inter-vehicle time.

[0008] The suggestion unit of the vehicle control device of claim 1 is capable of suggesting to the occupant that the inter-vehicle distance from the preceding vehicle be changed based on a second change amount that is smaller than the first change amount when the vehicle is executing adaptive cruise control with the inter-vehicle distance set to a set distance selected from a plurality of reference distances whose magnitude changes in units of a first change amount. The vehicle control device of claim 1 further includes an input unit that is capable of executing an input operation that allows the set distance to be changed only in units of the second change amount. Therefore, the vehicle control device of claim 1 is easy to operate to achieve the set distance desired by the occupant.

[0009] The vehicle control device of claim 2 is, in claim 1, a recording unit in which correlation data defining the relationship between the vehicle's driving environment when the input operation is executed and the post-input set interval, which is the set interval after the input operation is executed, is recorded, and when the proposal unit determines, based on the correlation data and the driving environment, that a predetermined change condition is met regarding the correlation data and the driving environment, the proposal unit proposes to the occupant that the set interval be changed to the post-input set interval represented by the correlation data for which the change condition is met, and the occupant can use a response unit to execute a response process to determine whether or not to approve the change to the proposed post-input set interval.

[0010] The suggestion unit of the vehicle control device of claim 2, when it determines, based on the correlation data and the driving environment, that a change condition is met for the correlation data and the driving environment, suggests to the occupant that the set interval be changed to the post-input set interval represented by the correlation data for which the change condition is met. Furthermore, the occupant can use the response unit to execute a response process to determine whether or not to approve the change to the proposed post-input set interval. Therefore, when the change condition is met, the occupant can use the response unit to change the set interval to the proposed post-input set interval.

[0011] The vehicle control device of claim 3 is the same as in claim 1, and includes: a recording unit in which correlation data defining the relationship between the vehicle's driving environment when the input operation is executed and a post-input set interval, which is the set interval after the input operation is executed, is recorded; and a control unit that, when the proposing unit determines, based on the correlation data and the driving environment, that a predetermined change condition is met with respect to the correlation data and the driving environment, changes the set interval to the post-input set interval represented by the correlation data for which the change condition is met.

[0012] When the proposing unit of the vehicle control device of claim 3 determines that a change condition is met for the correlation data and the driving environment based on the correlation data and the driving environment, the control unit changes the set interval to the post-input set interval represented by the correlation data for which the change condition is met. Therefore, when the change condition is met, the vehicle control device can automatically change the set interval to a value that suits the occupant's preference.

[0013] The vehicle control method according to claim 4 includes the steps of: in a state in which the inter-vehicle distance to the preceding vehicle is set to a set distance selected from a plurality of reference distances whose magnitude changes in units of a first change amount; Includes a navigation system and a vehicle speed sensor The vehicle is running adaptive cruise control and when a first change condition is established based on a change in the driving environment of the vehicle, a step of suggesting to an occupant of the vehicle that the set interval be changed by a second change amount unit smaller than the first change amount, and a step of controlling an input unit to enable an input operation that can change the set interval only by the second change amount unit; wherein the driving environment includes a type of road on which the vehicle is traveling, obtained from the navigation system, and a type of vehicle speed of the vehicle, obtained from the vehicle speed sensor, and the first change condition is met when a predetermined change occurs in the combination of the type of road and the type of vehicle speed. .

[0014] The program according to claim 5 further comprises: in a state where the vehicle-to-vehicle interval to the preceding vehicle is set to a set interval selected from a plurality of reference intervals whose magnitude changes in units of a first change amount; Includes a navigation system and a vehicle speed sensor The vehicle is running adaptive cruise control and when a first change condition is established based on a change in the driving environment of the vehicle, a process of suggesting to an occupant of the vehicle that the set interval be changed by a second change amount unit that is smaller than the first change amount, and a process of controlling an input unit so that an input operation that can change the set interval only by the second change amount unit can be performed by a computer; The driving environment includes the type of road on which the vehicle is traveling, which is obtained from the navigation system, and the type of vehicle speed of the vehicle, which is obtained from the vehicle speed sensor, and the first change condition is met when a predetermined change occurs in the combination of the type of road and the type of vehicle speed. . [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] As described above, the vehicle control device, vehicle control method, and program according to the present invention have the excellent effect of facilitating the operation of setting the inter-vehicle distance used for ACC to the desired distance set by the occupant. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the interior of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle control device according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the ECU shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the display shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a determination list. [Figure 5] 4 is a flowchart showing a process executed by a CPU of an ECU. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing processing executed by a CPU. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of a vehicle control device 10, a vehicle control method, and a program according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0018] 1, a vehicle 12 equipped with the vehicle control device 10 includes a front windshield 13 and an instrument panel 14. A steering wheel 15 is rotatably supported on the instrument panel 14. The instrument panel 14 also includes a display (input unit) (response unit) 16. A touch panel is provided on the surface of the display 16.

[0019] A sensor group 17 is provided on the front windshield 13. The sensor group 17 includes, for example, a millimeter wave radar that transmits a detection wave and receives a reflected wave, a lidar (Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging) that scans the area ahead of the vehicle 12, and a camera that captures an image of a subject around the vehicle 12.

[0020] 1, the vehicle 12 has a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver 18. The GNSS receiver 18 receives GNSS signals transmitted from GNSS satellites to obtain information about the location where the vehicle 12 is traveling (hereinafter referred to as "location information"). The vehicle 12 is also provided with a vehicle speed sensor 19.

[0021] 1, the steering wheel 15 is provided with an ACC switch 22 and a distance setting switch 23. The ACC switch 22 and the distance setting switch 23 are push-button switches.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 12 has an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 26 as a hardware configuration.

[0023] The ECU 26 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (controller) (proposal unit) (computer) 26A, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 26B, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 26C, a storage (recording unit) 26D, a communication I / F 26E, and an input / output I / F 26F. The CPU 26A, the ROM 26B, the RAM 26C, the storage 26D, the communication I / F 26E, and the input / output I / F 26F are connected to each other via an internal bus 26Z so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0024] The CPU 26A is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls each component. The CPU 26A reads programs from the ROM 26B or storage 26D and executes the programs using the RAM 26C as a work area. The CPU 26A controls each component and performs various arithmetic processing in accordance with the programs recorded in the ROM 26B or storage 26D. The CPU 26A can obtain information related to the time from a timer.

[0025] The ROM 26B stores various programs and various data. The RAM 26C temporarily stores programs or data as a working area. The storage 26D is configured by a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), and stores various programs and various data. For example, a navigation application having map data is installed in the ROM 26B or the storage 26D. In other words, the vehicle 12 is equipped with a navigation system.

[0026] The communication I / F 26E is an interface for connecting via an external bus (not shown) to an ECU (not shown) other than the ECU 26. The interface uses a communication standard such as the CAN protocol.

[0027] The input / output I / F 26F is an interface for communicating with various devices, including, for example, a sensor group 17, a GNSS receiver 18, a vehicle speed sensor 19, an ACC switch 22, a distance setting switch 23, and an actuator group (described later).

[0028] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the ECU 26. The ECU 26 has, as its functional configuration, an ACC control unit 261, an interval setting unit 262, a list generation unit 263, a change condition determination unit 264, and a display control unit 265. The ACC control unit 261, the interval setting unit 262, the list generation unit 263, the change condition determination unit 264, and the display control unit 265 are realized by the CPU 26A reading and executing programs stored in the ROM 26B.

[0029] When the ACC switch 22 is turned ON, the ACC control unit 261 uses the sensors 17 and actuators provided in the vehicle 12 to cause the vehicle 12 to execute ACC (adaptive cruise control). That is, the ACC control unit 261 controls the actuators so that the inter-vehicle time between the vehicle 12 and a preceding vehicle 45 (see FIG. 1) located immediately in front of the vehicle 12 is maintained at a set time (set interval), which is a set value for the inter-vehicle time. The actuators include various electric actuators for driving the brake device and the internal combustion engine, which is the drive source, as well as an electric motor, which is the drive source.

[0030] The interval setting unit 262 sets (adjusts) the set time when the interval setting switch 23 is operated while the vehicle 12 is executing ACC, or when a touch operation (input operation) is performed on an interval adjustment image 35 (described later) displayed on the display 16. The detailed function of the interval setting unit 262 (CPU 26A) will be described later.

[0031] When a touch operation is performed on the interval adjustment image 35, the list generation unit 263 generates correlation data, which will be described later, and records the generated correlation data in the storage 26D. Furthermore, when the amount of correlation data recorded in the storage 26D becomes sufficient, the list generation unit 263 creates (updates) a determination list 30, which will be described later, based on the correlation data.

[0032] The change condition determination unit 264 determines whether or not a first change condition or a second change condition (change condition) described later is satisfied when the vehicle 12 executes ACC.

[0033] The display control unit 265 controls the display 16. For example, the display control unit 265 causes the display 16 to display a first setting time image 33, a second setting time image 34, and an interval adjustment image 35, which will be described later.

[0034] The display 16, the sensor group 17, the GNSS receiver 18, the vehicle speed sensor 19, the ACC switch 22, the interval setting switch 23, the ECU 26, and the actuator group are components of the vehicle control device 10.

[0035] (Action and effect) Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0036] Next, a description will be given of the processing executed by the CPU 26A of the ECU 26. The CPU 26A repeatedly executes the processing of the flowcharts shown in Figs.

[0037] 1, and a preceding vehicle 45 located immediately in front of the vehicle 12 is also traveling forward on the road 40. First, the processing of the flowchart in FIG. 5 will be described.

[0038] In step S10 (hereinafter, the word "step" will be omitted), the CPU 26A determines whether the ACC switch 22 has been turned on.

[0039] If the determination in S10 is Yes, the CPU 26A proceeds to S11, and causes the display 16 to display the first set time image 33 (see FIG. 1).

[0040] As shown in FIG. 1 , the first set-time image 33 of this embodiment is composed of at least one image 33A extending linearly in the left-right direction. The first set-time image 33 of this embodiment is composed of a maximum of four images 33A. However, the maximum number of images 33A included in the first set-time image 33 may be a number other than four. The more images 33A displayed on the display 16, the longer the set time between the vehicle 12 and the preceding vehicle 45. Here, the set time when there is one image 33A is defined as a first reference time (reference interval) DS1, the set time when there are two images 33A is defined as a second reference time (reference interval) DS2, the set time when there are three images 33A is defined as a third reference time (reference interval) DS3, and the set time when there are four images 33A is defined as a fourth reference time (reference interval) DS4. The difference between the first reference time DS1 and the second reference time DS2, the difference between the second reference time DS2 and the third reference time DS3, and the difference between the third reference time DS3 and the fourth reference time DS4 are first changes. The first change amounts may be the same or different from one another. For example, the first reference time DS1 is 4.0 seconds, the second reference time DS2 is 6.0 seconds, the third reference time DS3 is 8.0 seconds, and the fourth reference time DS4 is 10.0 seconds.

[0041] After completing the process of S11, the CPU 26A proceeds to S12 and determines whether the driver (passenger, not shown) of the vehicle 12 has operated the interval setting switch 23.

[0042] If the determination in S12 is Yes, the CPU 26A proceeds to S13, where it changes the number of images 33A constituting the first set time image 33 in accordance with the number of times the interval setting switch 23 has been operated. In this embodiment, the number of images 33A increases by one each time the interval setting switch 23 is operated. Furthermore, when the number of images 33A is at the maximum (four), if the interval setting switch 23 is operated once, the number of images 33A changes to the minimum (one).

[0043] When the processing of S13 is completed or when the result of S12 is No, the CPU 26A proceeds to S14 and executes ACC so that the inter-vehicle time between the vehicle 12 and the preceding vehicle 45 becomes a set time determined by the number of images 33A displayed on the display 16.

[0044] When the process of S14 is completed, the CPU 26A proceeds to S15, where it determines whether or not a first change condition is established based on a change in the driving environment of the vehicle 12. The driving environment of the vehicle 12 includes the type of road on which the vehicle 12 is traveling, obtained from the navigation system, and the type of vehicle speed of the vehicle 12, obtained from the vehicle speed sensor 19. The road type includes, for example, an ordinary road and an expressway. The road type can be acquired by the CPU 26A based on, for example, map data and position information included in the navigation system. The vehicle speed is acquired by the CPU 26A from the vehicle speed sensor 19. The vehicle speed type is defined as four types: an extremely low speed range, a low speed range, a medium speed range, and a high speed range. When congestion occurs on the road on which the vehicle 12 is traveling, the vehicle speed of the vehicle 12 is likely to fall into the extremely low speed range. When a predetermined change occurs in the combination of the road type and the vehicle speed type, the CPU 26A determines that the first change condition is established. For example, the first change condition is satisfied when the vehicle speed changes from a high speed range to a medium speed range while traveling on a highway. Also, the first change condition is satisfied when the vehicle 12 moves from an ordinary road to a highway while maintaining the vehicle speed in a low speed range.

[0045] If the determination in S15 is Yes, the CPU 26A proceeds to S16, and causes the display 16 to display the interval adjustment image 35 shown in Fig. 3 for a predetermined time. The interval adjustment image 35 includes a first image 36, a second image 37, and a third image 38.

[0046] When the process of S16 is completed, the CPU 26A proceeds to S17 and determines whether or not the driver has performed a touch operation (input operation) on the interval adjustment image 35 displayed on the display 16 within the predetermined time period.

[0047] If determined as Yes in S17, the CPU 26A proceeds to S18 and changes or maintains the set time according to the type of image (first image 36, second image 37, and third image 38) on which the touch operation was performed in S17.

[0048] For example, if the first image 36 is touched in S17, the set time is lengthened by a second change amount smaller than the first change amount. The second change amount is, for example, 0.2 seconds. For example, if the set time is set to the third reference time DS3 at the time of processing in S16, the set time is lengthened by the second change amount from the third reference time DS3. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, the CPU 26A displays the second set time image 34 on the display 16 instead of the first set time image 33. In this case, the vertical dimension (height) of the second set time image 34 is larger than the vertical dimension of the first set time image 33 when there are three images 33A and smaller than the vertical dimension of the first set time image 33 when there are four images 33A.

[0049] For example, if the second image 37 is touched in S17, the set time is maintained. For example, if the set time is set to the second reference time DS2 at the time of processing in S16, the set time is maintained at the second reference time DS2. In this case, the first set time image 33 remains displayed on the display 16.

[0050] For example, if the third image 38 is touched in S17, the set time is shortened by the second change amount. For example, if the set time is set to the second reference time DS2 at the time of processing in S16, the set time is shortened by the second change amount from the second reference time DS2. At this time, the CPU 26A displays the second set time image 34 on the display 16 instead of the first set time image 33. In this case, the vertical dimension of the second set time image 34 is smaller than the vertical dimension of the first set time image 33 when two images 33A are displayed and larger than the vertical dimension of the first set time image 33 when one image 33A is displayed.

[0051] If the process of S13 is executed again thereafter, the first set time image 33 is again displayed on the display 16. For example, when the second set time image 34, which is larger in vertical dimension than the first set time image 33 having three images 33A and smaller than the first set time image 33 having four images 33A, is displayed on the display 16, if the interval setting switch 23 is operated once, the first set time image 33 having four images 33A is displayed on the display 16.

[0052] When the process of S18 is executed, the CPU 26A executes ACC so that the inter-vehicle time between the vehicle 12 and the preceding vehicle 45 becomes the set time set in S18.

[0053] Upon completing the process of S18, the CPU 26A proceeds to S19, where it generates correlation data representing the relationship between the set times (first reference time DS1, second reference time DS2, third reference time DS3, and fourth reference time DS4) defined by the first set time image 33 immediately before the process of S17 was executed, the details of changes in the driving environment of the vehicle 12 when the process of S17 was executed, and the types of images (first image 36, second image 37, and third image 38) on which the touch operation was performed in S17, and records the generated correlation data in the storage 26D. At this time, the CPU 26A associates the driver with the correlation data and records the correlation data in the storage 26D. For example, if the vehicle 12 is operated using a digital key, the correlation data is associated with the driver's ID information included in the digital key. Furthermore, if the vehicle 12 is operated using a mechanical key, the correlation data is associated with the ID information of the person (driver) using the key recognized by the CPU 26A.

[0054] When the process of S19 is completed or when the determination in S17 is No, the CPU 26A proceeds to S20 and determines whether or not a predetermined list creation condition is met. Note that when the determination in S17 is No, the interval adjustment image 35 is erased from the display 16.

[0055] The list creation condition is met when the total amount of correlation data recorded in storage 26D and related to a predetermined change in the driving environment reaches a predetermined amount. For example, consider a case where a first specific change occurs in vehicle 12, whose set time is set to a first reference time, and the first specific change is a change in the driving environment in which the vehicle "moves from an ordinary road to an expressway while traveling at a low speed," and a case where a second specific change occurs in vehicle 12, whose set time is set to a third reference time, and the second specific change is a change in the driving environment in which the vehicle "moves from an expressway to an ordinary road while traveling at a high speed." The list creation condition is met for the correlation data related to the first specific change when the first specific change occurs a predetermined number of times or more and the total number of times the occupant selects first image 36 displayed on display 16 when the first specific change occurs is equal to or greater than a threshold number. The list creation condition is met for the correlation data related to the second specific change when the second specific change occurs a predetermined number of times or more and the total number of times the occupant selects second image 37 displayed on display 16 when the second specific change occurs is equal to or greater than a threshold number. The threshold number is, for example, five times. However, the threshold number of times may be a number other than five times.

[0056] If the determination in S20 is Yes, the CPU 26A proceeds to S21, where it creates the determination list 30 shown in FIG. 4 based on the correlation data recorded in the storage 26D and records the determination list 30 in the storage 26D. The determination list 30 is created in association with the driver's ID information. Furthermore, the determination list 30 is defined by a data ID representing each correlation data, a set time defined by the first set time image 33, the type of change in the driving environment, and the type of the touched interval adjustment image 35. For example, when the first specific change occurs a predetermined number of times or more and the total number of times the first image 36 is selected is equal to or greater than a threshold number, the determination list 30 is created (updated) based on the correlation data with a data ID of 00001. Furthermore, when the second specific change occurs a predetermined number of times or more and the total number of times the second image 37 is selected is equal to or greater than a threshold number, the determination list 30 is created (updated) based on the correlation data with a data ID of 00002.

[0057] When the process of S21 is completed, the CPU 26A proceeds to S22 and sets the value of the flag to "1." The initial value of the flag is "0."

[0058] On the other hand, if the determination in S20 is No, the CPU 26A proceeds to S23 and sets the value of the flag to "0".

[0059] When the determination in S10 is No or when the processes of S22 and S23 are completed, the CPU 26A temporarily ends the process of the flowchart in FIG.

[0060] Next, the processing of the flowchart in FIG. 6 will be described.

[0061] In step S30, the CPU 26A determines whether or not ACC is being executed.

[0062] If the determination in S30 is Yes, the CPU 26A proceeds to S31 and determines whether the value of the flag is "1" or not.

[0063] If the determination in S31 is Yes, the CPU 26A proceeds to S32 and determines whether a predetermined second change condition is established regarding the correlation data and the change in the driving environment. That is, the second change condition is established when the set time and the content of the change in the driving environment represented by the correlation data of any data ID included in the determination list 30 associated with the ID information of the driver operating the vehicle 12 match the set time and the content of the change in the driving environment of the vehicle 12 at the processing time of S32, respectively. For example, when the set time and the content of the change in the driving environment match the correlation data with the ID "0001," the CPU 26A determines that the second change condition is established.

[0064] If the determination in S32 is Yes, the CPU 26A proceeds to S33. For example, if the second change condition is met in S32 for the correlation data with the data ID "00001," a second set time image (set interval after input) 34 and a response image (not shown) are displayed on the display 16. The response image includes an image that reads, "Is this inter-vehicle time OK? Yes or No." In this case, the second set time image 34 represents a time that is longer than the first reference time DS1 by the second change amount. Therefore, the vertical dimension of the second set time image 34 is larger than the vertical dimension of the first set time image 33 when there is one image 33A and smaller than the vertical dimension of the first set time image 33 when there are two images 33A. Also, for example, if the second change condition is met in S32 for the correlation data with the data ID "00002," a first set time image (set interval after input) 33 with three images 33A and a response image are displayed on the display 16.

[0065] When the process of S33 is completed, the CPU 26A proceeds to S34 and determines whether or not the Yes image of the response image has been touched.

[0066] If the answer to S34 is Yes, the CPU 26A proceeds to S35, where it executes ACC so that the inter-vehicle time between the vehicle 12 and the preceding vehicle 45 becomes the inter-vehicle time represented by the second set time image 34 or the first set time image 33 suggested to the occupant by the display 16 in S33. Note that if the No image of the response image is touched, the CPU 26A determines No in S34.

[0067] When the determinations in S30, S31, S32, and S34 are No, or when the process of S35 is completed, the CPU 26A temporarily ends the process of the flowchart in FIG.

[0068] As described above, in this embodiment, when the vehicle executes ACC with the inter-vehicle time between the vehicle 12 and the preceding vehicle 45 set to a set time selected from multiple reference times (first reference time DS1, second reference time DS2, third reference time DS3, fourth reference time DS4), it is possible to suggest to the driver that the set time be changed in units of the second change amount. The difference between the reference times is the first change amount, and the second change amount is smaller than the first change amount. Furthermore, the occupant can perform an operation (input operation) on the interval adjustment image 35 displayed on the display 16 that allows the set time to be changed only in units of the second change amount. This makes it easy for the driver to operate the interval adjustment image 35 (display 16) so that the inter-vehicle time becomes the set time that the driver desires.

[0069] The vehicle control device 10, the vehicle control method, and the program according to the embodiment have been described above, but these can be modified in design as appropriate within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0070] For example, when the second change condition is met, the CPU 26A may change the set time based on the type of image (first image 36, second image 37, and third image 38) of the gap adjustment image 35 included in the correlation data for which the second change condition is met. According to this modification, when the second change condition is met, the set time can be automatically changed to a value that suits the driver's preference. Therefore, the vehicle control device 10 of this modification can reduce the burden on the driver.

[0071] The driving environment of the vehicle 12 may include elements other than the type of road and the type of vehicle speed of the vehicle 12. For example, the driving environment may include at least one of time information, information (location information) about the location where the vehicle 12 is driving, information about the country where the location is located, information about the season, information about the weather (including outside temperature), information about the distance traveled since the start button (ignition switch) of the vehicle 12 was turned on, and shape information about the road on which the vehicle is driving. Note that the road shape information includes, for example, information indicating that the road is straight and information indicating that the road is curved. The road shape information can be acquired (calculated) by the CPU 26A based on the detection value of a steering angle sensor (not shown) that detects the steering angle of the steering wheel 15.

[0072] The ACC switch 22 and the interval setting switch 23 may be images displayed on the display 16 .

[0073] The interval setting switch 23 may be a two-way switch having a first operation part and a second operation part. In this case, the number of images 33A increases by one each time the first operation part is operated, and the number of images 33A decreases by one each time the second operation part is operated.

[0074] The vehicle 12 may be provided with a head-up display device capable of forming the first set time image 33, the second set time image 34 (and the response image), and the distance adjustment image 35.

[0075] When the distance adjustment image 35 is displayed on the display 16 or when the distance adjustment image 35 is formed by the head-up display device, the occupant may use a mechanical switch provided in the vehicle 12 to select any one of the first image 36, the second image 37, and the third image 38. This switch may be provided, for example, on the steering wheel 15. Furthermore, when the second setting time image 34 and the response image are displayed on the display 16 or when the second setting time image 34 and the response image are formed by the head-up display device, the occupant may use the mechanical switch to perform an input operation to select the Yes image.

[0076] Furthermore, when the distance adjustment image 35 is displayed on the display 16 or when the distance adjustment image 35 is formed by a head-up display device, the occupant may perform an input operation using a gesture or voice. For example, a camera provided in the vehicle 12 may capture an image of the occupant, and the CPU 26A may perform image analysis of a gesture included in the acquired captured data to select one of the first image 36, the second image 37, and the third image 38. Furthermore, the occupant may input their voice into a microphone provided in the vehicle 12, and the CPU 26A may perform processing to select one of the first image 36, the second image 37, and the third image 38 by analyzing the acquired voice data.

[0077] If the answer to S32 is Yes for correlation data of a specified data ID and the processing of S34 has been executed a specified number of times or more, when the answer to S32 is subsequently Yes for this correlation data, CPU26A may execute the processing of S35 without going through the processing of S34.

[0078] Alternatively, the ACC control unit 261 may execute ACC based on a set distance (set interval), which is the inter-vehicle distance between the vehicle 12 and the preceding vehicle 45. In this case, the display 16 can display a first set distance image in the same format as the first set time image 33, a second set distance image in the same format as the second set time image 34, and an interval adjustment image 35. In this case, the set distance when there is one image 33A is defined as the first reference distance (reference interval), the set distance when there are two images 33A is defined as the second reference distance (reference interval), the set distance when there are three images 33A is defined as the third reference distance (reference interval), and the set distance when there are four images 33A is defined as the fourth reference distance (reference interval). The difference between the first reference distance and the second reference distance, the difference between the second reference distance and the third reference distance, and the difference between the third reference distance and the fourth reference distance are the first change amount. For example, the first reference distance is 20 m, the second reference distance is 40 m, the third reference distance is 60 m, and the fourth reference distance is 80 m. Furthermore, when the first image 36 or the third image 38 displayed on the display 16 is selected, the set distance changes by a second change amount that is smaller than the first change amount. In this case, the second change amount is, for example, 2 m.

[0079] The second set time image 34 (and response image), the second set distance image (and response image), and the interval adjustment image 35 may be displayed on a touch panel display of an operation terminal (for example, a smartphone) capable of wireless communication with the ECU 26. In this case, when a touch operation is performed on the Yes image or the interval adjustment image 35, a predetermined wireless signal is transmitted from the operation terminal to the ECU 26, and the set time is changed or maintained in the second change amount unit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 10 Vehicle control device 12 vehicles 16 Display (input section) (response section) 26A CPU (control unit) (proposal unit) 26D Storage (recording section) 33 First set time image (set interval after input) 34 Second setting time image (setting interval after input) 45 Leading vehicle

Claims

1. a suggestion unit that, when a vehicle having a navigation system and a vehicle speed sensor executes adaptive cruise control and a first change condition is met based on a change in the driving environment of the vehicle, suggests to an occupant of the vehicle that the set interval be changed by a second change amount that is smaller than the first change amount, while the vehicle interval between the vehicle and a preceding vehicle is set to a set interval selected from a plurality of reference intervals whose magnitude changes by a first change amount; an input unit capable of executing an input operation that can change the set interval only in units of the second change amount; Equipped with the driving environment includes a type of road on which the vehicle is traveling, obtained from the navigation system, and a type of vehicle speed of the vehicle, obtained from the vehicle speed sensor; A vehicle control device in which the first change condition is established when a predetermined change occurs in the combination of the road type and the vehicle speed type.

2. a recording unit in which correlation data defining a relationship between the running environment of the vehicle when the input operation is executed and a post-input set interval, which is the set interval after the input operation is executed, is recorded; when the suggestion unit determines, based on the correlation data and the traveling environment, that a predetermined change condition is satisfied with respect to the correlation data and the traveling environment, the suggestion unit suggests to the occupant that the set interval be changed to the post-input set interval represented by the correlation data for which the change condition is satisfied; The vehicle control device according to claim 1 , wherein the occupant can use a response unit to execute a response process for determining whether or not to approve the proposed change to the post-input set interval.

3. a recording unit in which correlation data defining a relationship between the running environment of the vehicle when the input operation is executed and a post-input set interval, which is the set interval after the input operation is executed, is recorded; a control unit that, when the suggestion unit determines, based on the correlation data and the running environment, that a predetermined change condition is met regarding the correlation data and the running environment, changes the set interval to the post-input set interval represented by the correlation data for which the change condition is met; The vehicle control device according to claim 1 , comprising:

4. a step of suggesting to an occupant of a vehicle that an inter-vehicle distance from a preceding vehicle is set to a set distance selected from a plurality of reference distances whose magnitude changes in units of a first change amount, when a vehicle having a navigation system and a vehicle speed sensor executes adaptive cruise control and a first change condition is established based on a change in the running environment of the vehicle; and controlling the input unit so that an input operation that can change the set interval only in units of the second change amount can be performed; and the driving environment includes a type of road on which the vehicle is traveling, obtained from the navigation system, and a type of vehicle speed of the vehicle, obtained from the vehicle speed sensor; A vehicle control method in which the first change condition is satisfied when a predetermined change occurs in the combination of the road type and the vehicle speed type.

5. a process of suggesting to an occupant of a vehicle that an inter-vehicle distance from a preceding vehicle is set to a set distance selected from a plurality of reference distances whose magnitude changes in a first change amount unit, when a vehicle having a navigation system and a vehicle speed sensor executes adaptive cruise control and a first change condition is established based on a change in the running environment of the vehicle; and a process of controlling the input unit so as to enable an input operation that can change the set interval only in units of the second change amount; on the computer, the driving environment includes a type of road on which the vehicle is traveling, obtained from the navigation system, and a type of vehicle speed of the vehicle, obtained from the vehicle speed sensor; a program for satisfying the first change condition when a predetermined change occurs in the combination of the road type and the vehicle speed type;

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