In-vehicle device

Abstract

The vehicle control system includes a navigation unit 111 that acquires the current position of the vehicle V and guides the vehicle V according to a driving route RA, an area information extraction unit 112 that extracts difficult-to-communicate areas WR, a battery remaining charge monitoring unit 113 that monitors the remaining battery charge BV for driving, a driving mode selection unit 114 that allows the occupant to select a desired driving mode DM, a driving information management unit 115 that determines the communication situation TS in the driving direction of the vehicle V based on information from the area information extraction unit 112 and calculates the driving distance AD ​​of the vehicle V based on the selected driving mode DM and the remaining battery charge BV for driving, and a notification unit 130 that notifies the occupant of the driving information DI of the vehicle V. When the driving information management unit 115 determines that the vehicle V is traveling through a difficult-to-communicate area WR, it suggests to the occupant via the notification unit 130 that the driving mode DM be changed to one that allows the vehicle V to pass through the difficult-to-communicate 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 common, charging stations for electric vehicles have also become more common.

[0003] However, there are not yet enough charging stations available for charging electric vehicles, and there is a risk that the vehicle may have difficulty traveling 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 a charging station, a driving range 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 driving range calculated by the driving range 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] JP 2009-171647 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, 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 and the like. As data volume increases, map information for driving assistance and autonomous driving is stored on servers, etc., and the vehicle downloads map information, etc. as map data from the server as needed for use. At this time, if the vehicle is in an area where communication is difficult, it may be difficult to download the 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 driving distance to a charging station, which creates a problem that the remaining capacity of the vehicle's battery for driving the vehicle may be insufficient.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to reduce consumption of a battery for driving the vehicle in advance 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 a current position of a vehicle, provides map information of the surrounding area where the vehicle is traveling, and guides the vehicle according to a determined traveling route; an area information extraction unit that extracts areas where communication conditions are deteriorating that are included in the map information; a battery remaining amount monitoring unit that monitors a remaining battery amount for driving the vehicle; a traveling mode selection unit that allows an occupant to select a desired traveling mode from among a plurality of traveling modes; and a navigation unit that determines the communication conditions in the traveling direction of the vehicle based on information from the area information extraction unit, and determines a direction of travel for the vehicle based on the traveling mode selected by the traveling mode selection unit and the remaining battery amount for driving from the battery remaining amount monitoring unit. The proposed in-vehicle device includes a driving information management unit that calculates the vehicle's possible driving distance, and a notification unit that notifies the occupant of the vehicle's driving information transmitted from the driving information management unit, and when the driving information management unit determines that the vehicle is driving through an area where communication conditions are deteriorating, or that an area where communication conditions are deteriorating is included in the determined driving route, the driving information management unit suggests to the occupant via the notification unit that the vehicle change to the driving mode that enables the vehicle to pass through the area where communication conditions are deteriorating, and when the area information extraction unit determines that the vehicle has passed through the area where communication conditions are deteriorating, the in-vehicle device notifies the occupant via the notification unit of information that the vehicle has passed through the area where communication conditions are deteriorating.

[0010] Form 2: One or more embodiments of the present invention propose an in-vehicle device characterized in that, when a power-saving driving mode that reduces power consumption of electrical devices in the vehicle is selected as the driving mode, the driving information management unit determines that the vehicle is driving through an area where the communication conditions are deteriorating, or that the determined driving route includes an area where the communication conditions are deteriorating, and if it determines that it is difficult for the vehicle to pass through the area where the communication conditions are deteriorating in the power-saving driving mode, the driving information management unit suggests to the occupant that the power-saving driving mode be changed to an emergency power-saving driving mode that further reduces power consumption of electrical devices in the vehicle.

[0011] Mode 3: One or more embodiments of the present invention include a notification unit that notifies a vehicle occupant of driving information of the vehicle, the notification unit including one or more memories communicatively connected to the one or more processors, and a notification unit that notifies a vehicle occupant of driving information of the vehicle, the one or more memories including a storage unit that stores map information on a route and information including an area where communication conditions are deteriorating, the one or more processors including a navigation unit that acquires a current position of the vehicle, provides map information of the surrounding area where the vehicle is traveling, and guides the vehicle according to a determined driving route, an area information extraction unit that extracts the area where communication conditions are deteriorating included in the map information, a battery remaining amount monitoring unit that monitors the remaining amount of a battery for driving the vehicle, a driving mode selection unit that allows a vehicle occupant to select a desired driving mode from a plurality of driving modes, and a driving mode selection unit that selects a driving mode for a vehicle occupant based on information from the area information extraction unit. The proposed in-vehicle device includes a driving information management unit that determines the communication conditions in the driving direction of the vehicle, and calculates a driving distance of the vehicle based on the driving mode selected in the driving mode selection unit and the remaining charge of the driving battery from the battery remaining charge monitoring unit, and when the driving information management unit determines that the vehicle is driving through 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 suggests to the occupant via the notification unit a change in the driving mode that will allow the vehicle to pass through the area where the communication conditions are deteriorating, and when the area information extraction unit determines that the vehicle has passed through the area where the communication conditions are deteriorating, the driving information management unit notifies the occupant via the notification unit of information that the vehicle has passed through the area where the communication conditions are deteriorating. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, when the vehicle enters an area where communication is difficult, the consumption of the battery for driving the vehicle is reduced in advance, thereby making it possible to prevent the remaining capacity of the battery for driving the vehicle from running short. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle control system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an in-vehicle device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 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. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle control system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of an in-vehicle device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a process flow diagram of an in-vehicle device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] A vehicle control system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0015] <First embodiment> 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 traction battery BT.

[0016] <About Vehicle Control System 1> As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle control system 1 according to this embodiment includes an in-vehicle device 10 and a server 20.

[0017] 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. In addition, when the in-vehicle device 10 determines, for example, 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 driving route RA, the in-vehicle device 10 performs control to suggest to the occupant that the driving mode be changed to a driving mode DM that enables the vehicle V to pass through the difficult-to-communicate area WR. The in-vehicle device 10 will be described in detail later.

[0018] The server 20 is provided outside the vehicle V, and stores data such as map information MI, surrounding area information, and traffic congestion information, which are used for driving assistance control or automatic driving control. The server 20 and the in-vehicle device 10 are connected to each other 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 .

[0019] <About the in-vehicle device 10> As shown in FIG. 2, the in-vehicle device 10 includes a processor unit 100 and a notification unit 130.

[0020] <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) mounted in the memory 120.

[0021] The processor 110 includes a navigation unit 111, an area information extraction unit 112, a battery remaining capacity monitoring unit 113, a driving mode selection unit 114, and a driving information management unit 115. The memory 120 includes a storage unit 121. The navigation unit 111, the area information extraction unit 112, the battery remaining capacity monitoring unit 113, the driving mode selection unit 114, the driving information management unit 115 and the memory 120 of the processor 110 are connected via a bus line BL1.

[0022] The navigation unit 111 guides the host vehicle V along the travel route RA as the determined route information. In other words, the navigation unit 111 sets a driving 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 also receives, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) signal. The vehicle is equipped with a GPS receiver that detects the current position of the vehicle V based on radio waves received from GPS satellites. Current position information of the vehicle V identified by the navigation unit 111 is transmitted to the area information extraction unit 112, the battery remaining capacity monitoring unit 113, and the driving information management unit 115 via the bus line BL1.

[0023] The area information extraction unit 112 extracts difficult-to-communicate areas WR included in the traveling direction of the host 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 downloaded 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 regarding the difficult-to-communicate area WR to the driving information management unit 115 via the bus line BL1. Moreover, the area information extraction unit 112 obtains the electric field strength of the radio waves used for wireless communication with the server 20 from the notification unit 130, thereby extracting the difficult-to-communicate area WR. Specifically, the area information extraction unit 112 acquires, for example, the electric field strength of the transmitted and received radio waves or the error rate in the communication data from the notification unit 130. The area information extraction unit 112 determines, for example, based on a predetermined value of the field strength or a predetermined value of the error rate in the communication data stored in advance in the memory 120, whether the field strength or the error rate is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. Then, the area information extraction unit 112 transmits the determination result to the driving information management unit 115. When the electric field strength or error rate falls from a predetermined value or higher to a value below the predetermined value, the area information extraction unit 112 transmits, for example, information to the driving information management unit 115 indicating that the vehicle V has entered a difficult-to-communicate area WR. In addition, when the electric field strength or error rate changes from less than a predetermined value to greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the area information extraction unit 112 transmits, for example, information to the driving information management unit 115 that the vehicle V has passed through a difficult-to-communicate area WR.

[0024] The battery remaining capacity monitoring unit 113 monitors and acquires the remaining battery capacity BV of the vehicle battery BT of the host vehicle V. The battery remaining capacity monitoring unit 113 transmits the obtained remaining battery capacity BV for driving to the driving information management unit 115.

[0025] The driving mode selection unit 114 allows the occupant to select a desired driving mode from among a plurality of driving modes DM. The host vehicle V has a plurality of driving modes DM for reducing power consumption, and the driving mode selection unit 114 is, for example, a switch unit that allows the occupant to select a desired driving mode. The driving mode selection unit 114 has, as the driving mode DM, for example, a normal driving mode ND, a power-saving driving mode ED, and an emergency power-saving driving mode EE. The normal driving mode ND is a mode in which the vehicle V is controlled according to the settings of the occupant. The energy-saving driving mode ED is a mode in which the power consumption is reduced below that in the normal driving mode ND. Specifically, the energy-saving driving mode ED reduces the power consumption of electrical devices installed in the host vehicle V, such as an air conditioner, audio equipment, and lighting equipment. For example, the energy saving driving mode ED performs control to reduce power consumption of the air conditioner by changing the temperature setting and air volume. In addition, the energy-saving driving mode ED reduces the power consumption of the lighting devices of the host vehicle V, for example, by lowering the illuminance of the lighting devices. The emergency power-saving driving mode EE is, for example, a mode that reduces power consumption even further than that in the power-saving driving mode ED, and reduces or stops power consumption except for the minimum amount of power required for the vehicle V to travel. The emergency power-saving driving mode EE performs control to further reduce power consumption of the air conditioner, for example by further changing the temperature setting and air volume or by stopping the air conditioner. In addition, the emergency power-saving driving mode EE performs control to stop the display of the navigation device of the host vehicle V and guide the vehicle by voice guidance, for example. In addition, the emergency power-saving driving mode EE performs control to turn off displays on the meter panel, such as the cruise control display, the following speed display, and the function ON / OFF display, except for the minimum display necessary for the host vehicle V to travel.

[0026] The driving information management unit 115 determines the communication conditions TS around and in the driving direction of the vehicle V based on information from the area information extraction unit 112, and calculates the driving distance AD ​​of the vehicle V based on the driving mode MD selected in the driving mode selection unit 114 and the remaining battery level BV for driving transmitted from the battery remaining level monitoring unit 113. Specifically, the travel information management unit 115 determines, for example, based on information transmitted from the area information extraction unit 112, whether or not there is a difficult-to-communicate area WR in the travel direction of the host vehicle V or on the travel route RA. Then, when the driving information management unit 115 determines that the vehicle V is traveling through a difficult-to-communicate area WR or that there is a difficult-to-communicate area on the driving route RA, the driving information management unit 115 suggests to the occupant via the notification unit 130 that the driving mode be changed to MD, which will enable the vehicle V to pass through the difficult-to-communicate area WR. In addition, when the driving information management unit 115 determines, based on information from the area information extraction unit 112, that the vehicle V has passed through a difficult-to-communicate area WR, the driving information management unit 115 notifies the occupant via the notification unit 130 of the information that the vehicle V has passed through the difficult-to-communicate area.

[0027] Specifically, when the driving information management unit 115 determines, for example, that there is a difficult-to-communicate area WR in the driving direction or on the driving route RA of the vehicle V, it determines whether or not the vehicle V can pass through the difficult-to-communicate area WR based on information about the difficult-to-communicate area WR from the area information extraction unit 112 and the calculated driving distance AD ​​of the vehicle V. More specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the driving information management unit 115 calculates the difficult-to-communicate area driving distance WD as the distance from a difficult-to-communicate area entry point WP1 where the difficult-to-communicate area WR and the driving route RA first intersect in the driving direction of the vehicle V to a difficult-to-communicate area passing point WP2 where the vehicle V passes through the difficult-to-communicate area WR. Also, for example, by comparing the difficult-communication area travel distance WD with the available travel distance AD, it is determined whether or not it is possible to pass through the difficult-communication area WR in the current travel mode DM. Then, for example, if the driving information management unit 115 determines that it is difficult to pass through the difficult-to-communicate area WR in the current driving mode DM, it suggests changing to another driving mode DM, for example, a power-saving driving mode ED that consumes less power.

[0028] At this time, the travel information management unit 115 may notify the occupant of, for example, information regarding the charging station CS that is closest to the current travel position of the host vehicle V. In addition, if the driving information management unit 115 determines that it is difficult to pass through the difficult-to-communicate area WR even if the driving mode DM is changed, the driving information management unit 115 may notify the occupant that it is difficult to pass through the difficult-to-communicate area WR, for example, at point VP1 just before the difficult-to-communicate area entry point WP1.

[0029] The notification unit 130 displays the remaining battery charge BV for driving the vehicle V based on the driving information DI from the driving information management unit 115, and notifies the occupant of the distance that can be traveled with the remaining battery charge BV for driving. Specifically, the notification unit 130 notifies the occupant of the vehicle V of driving information DI such as the current position of the vehicle V, the driving route RA, the driving distance, the driving speed, the remaining battery power BV for driving, and the distance that can be driven based on the remaining battery power BV for driving, for example, based on information transmitted from the driving information management unit 115, by displaying the information on a display (not shown) or by sending an audio signal, etc. In addition, the notification unit 130 is provided with, for example, an in-vehicle communication unit (not shown), and the in-vehicle communication unit connects to a server 20 provided outside the vehicle V via wireless communication based on the control of the driving information management unit 115.

[0030] <Processing of the in-vehicle device 10> The process of the in-vehicle device 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0031] The travel information management unit 115 determines whether or not there is a difficult-to-communicate area WR in the travel direction of the host vehicle V or on the travel route RA, based on the information transmitted from the area information extraction unit 112 (step S110).

[0032] 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 host vehicle V ("NO" in step S110), the travel information management unit 115 transitions the process to step S110.

[0033] On the other hand, if the driving information management unit 115 determines that there is a difficult-to-communicate area WR in the driving direction or on the driving route RA of the vehicle V ("YES" in step S110), it checks the remaining battery level BV for driving the vehicle V based on the information transmitted from the battery remaining level monitoring unit 113 (step S120).

[0034] The travel information management unit 115 calculates the available travel distance AD ​​based on the remaining battery charge BV for travel, and determines whether or not it is possible to pass through the difficult-to-communicate area WR (step S130).

[0035] When the travel information management unit 115 determines that it is possible to pass through the difficult-to-communicate area WR ("YES" in step S130), the travel information management unit 115 transitions the process to step S110.

[0036] On the other hand, if the driving information management unit 115 determines that it is difficult to pass through the difficult-to-communicate area WR ("NO" in step S130), the driving information management unit 115 suggests to the occupant via the notification unit 130 to change the driving mode DM based on the information transmitted from the battery remaining capacity monitoring unit 113 (step S140).

[0037] Then, the travel information management unit 115 determines whether or not the vehicle V has passed through the difficult-to-communicate area WR (step S150).

[0038] When the driving information management unit 115 determines that the vehicle V has not passed through the communication difficult area WR ("NO" in step S150), the driving information management unit 115 transitions the process to step S150.

[0039] On the other hand, if the driving information management unit 115 determines that the vehicle V has passed through the difficult-to-communicate area WR ("YES" in step S150), the driving information management unit 115 notifies the occupant via the notification unit 130 that the vehicle V has passed through the difficult-to-communicate area WR (step S160), and terminates the processing.

[0040] <Actions and Effects> As described above, the in-vehicle device 10 of the vehicle control system 1 according to this embodiment includes a navigation unit 111 that acquires the current position of the vehicle V, provides map information MI of the surrounding area where the vehicle V is traveling, and guides the vehicle V according to the determined driving route RA, an area information extraction unit 112 that extracts difficult-to-communicate areas WR included in the map information MI as areas where communication conditions are deteriorating, a battery remaining amount monitoring unit 113 that monitors the remaining battery amount BV for driving the vehicle V, a driving mode selection unit 114 that allows the occupant to select a desired driving mode DM from a plurality of driving modes DM, and a driving mode selection unit 115 that selects a driving mode DM based on information from the area information extraction unit 112. The vehicle is equipped with a driving information management unit 115 that determines the communication condition TS in the driving direction of the vehicle V and calculates the driving distance AD ​​of the vehicle V based on the driving mode DM selected by the driving mode selection unit 114 and the remaining battery charge BV for driving, and a notification unit 130 that notifies the occupant of the driving information DI of the vehicle V. When the driving information management unit 115 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 driving route RA, the driving information management unit 115 suggests to the occupant via the notification unit 130 that the driving mode DM be changed to one that allows the vehicle V to pass through the difficult-to-communicate area WR. In addition, when the driving information management unit 115 determines, based on information from the area information extraction unit 112, that the vehicle V has passed through a difficult-to-communicate area WR, the driving information management unit 115 notifies the occupant via the notification unit 130 of the information that the vehicle V has passed through the difficult-to-communicate area. In other words, when the driving information management unit 115 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, it calculates the driving distance AD ​​of the vehicle V and suggests to the occupant that the driving mode be changed to a driving mode DM that enables the vehicle V to pass through the difficult-to-communicate area WR, thereby enabling the occupant to select an effective driving mode DM that reduces the power consumption of the vehicle driving battery BT. In addition, by the driving information management unit 115 notifying the occupant that the vehicle V has passed through a difficult-to-communicate area WR, the occupant can select the required driving mode DM immediately after passing through the difficult-to-communicate area WR. Therefore, when the vehicle enters an area where communication is difficult, the consumption of the battery for driving the vehicle can be reduced in advance, thereby preventing the remaining capacity of the battery for driving the vehicle from becoming insufficient.

[0041] <Second embodiment> The in-vehicle device 10A according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0042] <About the Vehicle Control System 1A> The vehicle control system 1A according to this embodiment includes an in-vehicle device 10A and a server 20, as shown in FIG.

[0043] <About the in-vehicle device 10A> As shown in FIG. 6, the in-vehicle device 10A includes a processor unit 100A and a notification unit .

[0044] <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) mounted in the memory 120A.

[0045] The processor 110A includes a navigation unit 111, an area information extraction unit 112, a battery remaining amount monitoring unit 113, and a travel information management unit 115A. The memory 120A includes a storage unit 121A. The navigation unit 111, the area information extraction unit 112, the battery remaining capacity monitoring unit 113, the travel information management unit 115A and the memory 120A of the processor 110A are connected via a bus line BL2.

[0046] When the power-saving driving mode ED is selected in the driving mode DM, if the driving information management unit 115A 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 driving route RA, and determines that it is difficult for the vehicle V to pass through the difficult-to-communicate area WR, the driving information management unit 115A suggests to the occupant that the driving mode DM be changed to the emergency power-saving driving mode EE. Specifically, the driving information management unit 115A determines, for example, based on information received from the driving mode selection unit 114, whether or not the power-saving driving mode ED has been selected. When the driving information management unit 115A determines that the power saving driving mode ED has been selected, it calculates the driving distance AD ​​of the vehicle V based on the remaining battery charge BD for driving, and determines whether or not it is possible to pass through the difficult-to-communicate area WR. Then, if it is determined that passing through the difficult-to-communicate area WR is difficult in the power-saving driving mode ED, the driving information management unit 115A proposes, for example, via the notification unit 130, a change from the power-saving driving mode ED to the emergency power-saving driving mode EE. <Processing of the in-vehicle device 10A> The process of the in-vehicle device 10A according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0047] The driving information management unit 115A determines whether or not the power-saving driving mode ED is selected in the driving mode DM based on the information received from the driving mode selection unit 114 (step S210).

[0048] When the driving information management unit 115A determines that the power-saving driving mode ED has not been selected ("NO" in step S210), the driving information management unit 115A transitions the process to step S210.

[0049] On the other hand, if the driving information management unit 115A determines that the power-saving driving mode ED has been selected ("YES" in step S210), the driving information management unit 115A determines whether or not there is a difficult-to-communicate area WR on the driving route RA determined as the guideway to the destination or in the driving direction of the vehicle V (step S220).

[0050] 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 host vehicle V ("NO" in step S220), the travel information management unit 115A transitions the process to step S210.

[0051] On the other hand, if the driving information management unit 115A determines that there is a difficult-to-communicate area WR on the driving route RA or in the driving direction of the vehicle V ("YES" in step S220), it checks the remaining battery level BV for driving the vehicle V based on the information transmitted from the battery level monitoring unit 113 (step S230).

[0052] The travel information management unit 115A calculates the possible travel distance AD ​​based on the remaining battery charge BV for travel, and determines whether or not it is possible to pass through the difficult-to-communicate area WR (step S240).

[0053] If the travel information management unit 115A determines that it is possible to pass through the difficult-to-communicate area WR ("YES" in step S240), the travel information management unit 115A transitions the process to step S210.

[0054] On the other hand, if the driving information management unit 115A determines that passing through the difficult-to-communicate area WR is difficult based on the remaining driving battery charge BV ("NO" in step S240), the driving information management unit 115A suggests to the occupant via the notification unit 130 that the driving mode DM be changed from the power-saving driving mode ED to the emergency power-saving driving mode EE (step S250).

[0055] Then, the travel information management unit 115A determines whether or not the host vehicle V has passed through the difficult-to-communicate area WR (step S260).

[0056] When the driving information management unit 115A determines that the vehicle V has not passed through the communication difficult area WR ("NO" in step S260), the driving information management unit 115A transitions the process to step S260.

[0057] On the other hand, if the driving information management unit 115A determines that the vehicle V has passed through the difficult-to-communicate area WR ("YES" in step S260), the driving information management unit 115A notifies the occupant via the notification unit 130 that the vehicle V has passed through the difficult-to-communicate area WR (step S270), and terminates the processing.

[0058] <Actions and Effects> As described above, when the in-vehicle device 10A of this embodiment has the power-saving driving mode ED selected in the driving mode DM, if the driving information management unit 115A 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, and determines that it is difficult for the vehicle V to pass through the difficult-to-communicate area in the power-saving driving mode ED, the driving information management unit 115A suggests to the occupant that the driving mode DM be changed to the emergency power-saving driving mode EE. In other words, when the power-saving driving mode ED is selected and the driving information management unit 115A determines that it is difficult to pass through the difficult-to-communicate area WR, the driving information management unit 115A suggests to the occupant that the driving mode DM be changed from the power-saving driving mode ED to the emergency power-saving driving mode EE, thereby enabling the occupant to select the emergency power-saving driving mode EE, which is effective for the vehicle V to pass through the difficult-to-communicate area WR. Therefore, when the vehicle enters an area where communication is difficult, the consumption of the battery for driving the vehicle can be reduced in advance, thereby preventing the remaining capacity of the battery for driving the vehicle from becoming insufficient.

[0059] The in-vehicle device 10 of the present invention can be realized by recording the processing of the processor units 100 and 100A in a recording medium readable by a computer system, and having the processor units 100 and 100A read and execute the programs recorded in the recording medium. The computer system here includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices.

[0060] Furthermore, "computer system" also includes the homepage providing environment (or display environment) if a WWW (World Wide Web) system is used. The above program may be transmitted from a computer system in which the program is stored 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) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line.

[0061] The program may be 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 recorded in the computer system.

[0062] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and designs that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention are also included. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1. Vehicle control system 1A: Vehicle control system 10;In-vehicle equipment 10A; In-vehicle device 20;Server 110;Processor 110A; Processor 111; Navigation Department 112; Area information extraction unit 113: Battery level monitor 114: Driving mode selection section 115; Driving Information Management Department 115A; Driving information management section 120;Memory 120A;Memory 121;Memory part 121A;Storage section 130; Notification Department DI; Driving information DM; Driving mode ED: Energy saving driving mode EE: Emergency power saving mode ND: Normal driving mode TS; Communication status RA; Travel route WD: Distance traveled in communication-challenged areas WP1: Entry point into communication-impaired area WP2: Passing through a difficult communication area WR: Difficult communication area

Claims

1. a navigation unit that acquires a current position of the vehicle, provides map information of the surrounding area where the vehicle is traveling, and guides the vehicle according to a determined travel route; an area information extraction unit that extracts areas where communication conditions are deteriorating, the areas being included in the map information; a battery remaining amount monitoring unit that monitors a remaining amount of a battery for driving the vehicle; a driving mode selection unit that allows a passenger to select a desired driving mode from among a plurality of driving modes; a travel information management unit that determines the communication situation in the travel direction of the vehicle based on information from the area information extraction unit, and calculates a travelable distance of the vehicle based on the travel mode selected by the travel mode selection unit and the remaining battery charge from the battery charge monitoring unit; a notification unit that notifies the occupant of the vehicle's driving information transmitted from the driving information management unit; Equipped with When the driving information management unit determines that the vehicle is traveling through 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 proposes to the occupant via the notification unit to change to the driving mode that enables the vehicle to pass through the area where the communication conditions are deteriorating; When it is determined from the area information extraction unit that the vehicle has passed through the area where the communication condition is deteriorating, notifying an occupant via the notification unit of information that the vehicle has passed through the area where the communication condition is deteriorating; When a power-saving driving mode that reduces the power consumption of electrical devices in the vehicle is selected as the driving mode, the driving information management unit determines that the vehicle is driving through an area where the communication conditions are deteriorating, or that the determined driving route includes an area where the communication conditions are deteriorating, and if it determines that it is difficult for the vehicle to pass through the area where the communication conditions are deteriorating in the power-saving driving mode, the in-vehicle device suggests to the occupant that the power-saving driving mode be changed to an emergency power-saving driving mode that further reduces the power consumption of electrical devices in the vehicle.

2. one or more processors; and one or more memories communicatively coupled to the one or more processors; A notification unit that notifies a driver of the vehicle of driving information of the vehicle; Equipped with The one or more memories include A storage unit stores map information on a route and information including areas where communication conditions are deteriorating, The one or more processors: a navigation unit that acquires a current position of the vehicle, provides map information of the surrounding area where the vehicle is traveling, and guides the vehicle according to a determined travel route; an area information extraction unit that extracts the area where the communication situation deteriorates, which is included in the map information; a battery remaining amount monitoring unit that monitors a remaining amount of a battery for driving the vehicle; a driving mode selection unit that allows a passenger to select a desired driving mode from among a plurality of driving modes; a travel information management unit that determines the communication situation in the travel direction of the vehicle based on information from the area information extraction unit, and calculates a travelable distance of the vehicle based on the travel mode selected by the travel mode selection unit and the remaining battery charge from the battery charge monitoring unit; Including, When the driving information management unit determines that the vehicle is traveling through 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 proposes to the occupant via the notification unit to change to the driving mode that enables the vehicle to pass through the area where the communication conditions are deteriorating; When it is determined from the area information extraction unit that the vehicle has passed through the area where the communication condition is deteriorating, notifying an occupant via the notification unit of information that the vehicle has passed through the area where the communication condition is deteriorating; When a power-saving driving mode that reduces the power consumption of electrical devices in the vehicle is selected as the driving mode, the driving information management unit determines that the vehicle is driving through an area where the communication conditions are deteriorating, or that the determined driving route includes an area where the communication conditions are deteriorating, and if it determines that it is difficult for the vehicle to pass through the area where the communication conditions are deteriorating in the power-saving driving mode, the in-vehicle device suggests to the occupant that the power-saving driving mode be changed to an emergency power-saving driving mode that further reduces the power consumption of electrical devices in the vehicle.

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