Vehicle and control method thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle and a method for controlling the same, and aims to provide an optimal route guidance algorithm that takes into account cases where an initially set destination is changed during the driving of the vehicle. To this end, the vehicle control method according to the present invention comprises the steps of: receiving a schedule including an appointment time and an appointment location; selecting a guidance route with the appointment location as a destination; and changing at least one of the schedule and the guidance route based on at least one of whether it is possible to arrive at the appointment location within the appointment time, whether the appointment location can be changed, and vehicle driving conditions.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle, and more specifically to route guidance and driving control of a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] The vehicle's navigation system is designed to guide the route from the current location to the destination.

[0003] However, current navigation systems are operated with a focus solely on the vehicle reaching its destination, and they are unable to intelligently handle situations where the destination changes or intermediate stops are set.

[0004] Therefore, an optimal route guidance algorithm is required that takes into account cases where the initially set destination changes during vehicle operation. The problem to be solved

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, the purpose is to provide an optimal route guidance algorithm that takes into account cases where the initially set destination changes during the driving of a vehicle. means of solving the problem

[0006] A vehicle control method according to the present invention for the above-described purpose comprises the steps of: receiving a schedule including an appointment time and an appointment location; selecting a guidance route with the appointment location as a destination; and changing at least one of the schedule and the guidance route based on at least one of whether it is possible to arrive at the appointment location within the appointment time, whether the appointment location can be changed, and vehicle operation conditions.

[0007] The above-described vehicle control method notifies the appointment participants of a change in the appointment time when all appointment participants participating in the appointment of the above schedule are unable to arrive at the appointment location within the appointment time.

[0008] In the vehicle control method described above, after the announcement of a change in the appointment time, if the appointment location can be changed, the appointment location is changed to an alternative destination where all appointment participants can arrive within the appointment time, and the guidance route is reset using the changed appointment location as the new destination.

[0009] In the vehicle control method described above, if it is impossible to change the meeting place after the notification of the change in the appointment time, the guidance route is reset based on the vehicle operation conditions.

[0010] In the vehicle control method described above, the vehicle driving conditions include the driving difficulty of the guidance path, the driver's driving proficiency, whether the vehicle is equipped with an autonomous driving function, and whether the vehicle is equipped with a driving assistance function.

[0011] The vehicle control method described above resets the guidance route based on the driving difficulty of the guidance route and the driving proficiency of the driver.

[0012] The vehicle control method described above resets the guidance path based on whether the vehicle is equipped with an autonomous driving function and whether the vehicle is equipped with a driving assistance function.

[0013] The above-described vehicle control method further includes the step of guiding the vehicle's path to a parking lot near the destination when parking at the destination is not possible.

[0014] A vehicle according to the present invention for the purpose described above comprises: a navigation system for guiding a route to a destination; a communication unit for communicating with a remote server and a mobile device; and a control unit that receives a schedule including an appointment time and an appointment location, selects a guidance route with the appointment location as a destination, and changes at least one of the schedule and the guidance route based on at least one of whether it is possible to arrive at the appointment location within the appointment time, whether the appointment location can be changed, and vehicle operating conditions.

[0015] In the vehicle described above, the control unit notifies the appointment participants of a change in the appointment time when all appointment participants participating in the appointment of the above schedule are unable to arrive at the appointment place within the appointment time.

[0016] In the vehicle described above, the control unit, after announcing a change in the appointment time, if the appointment location can be changed, changes the appointment location to an alternative destination where all appointment participants can arrive within the appointment time, and resets the guidance route using the changed appointment location as the new destination.

[0017] In the vehicle described above, if the change of the appointment location is impossible after the notification of the change of the appointment time, the control unit resets the guidance route based on the vehicle operation conditions.

[0018] In the vehicle described above, the vehicle operating conditions include the driving difficulty of the guidance route, the driver's driving proficiency, whether the vehicle is equipped with an autonomous driving function, and whether the vehicle is equipped with a driving assistance function.

[0019] In the vehicle described above, the control unit resets the guidance path based on the driving difficulty of the guidance path and the driving proficiency of the driver.

[0020] In the vehicle described above, the control unit resets the guidance path based on whether the vehicle is equipped with an autonomous driving function and whether the vehicle is equipped with a driving assistance function.

[0021] In the vehicle described above, the control unit further includes guiding the vehicle's route to a parking lot near the destination when parking at the destination is not possible.

[0022] Another vehicle control method according to the present invention for the above-described purpose comprises the steps of: receiving a schedule including an appointment time and an appointment location; selecting a guidance route with the appointment location as a destination; and changing at least one of the schedule and the guidance route based on at least one of whether it is possible to arrive at the appointment location within the appointment time, whether the appointment location can be changed, the driving difficulty of the guidance route, the driving proficiency of the driver, whether the vehicle is equipped with an autonomous driving function, and whether the vehicle is equipped with a driving assistance function.

[0023] A vehicle according to the present invention for the purpose described above comprises: a navigation system for guiding a route to a destination; a communication unit for communicating with a remote server and a mobile device; and a control unit that receives a schedule including an appointment time and an appointment location, selects a guidance route with the appointment location as a destination, and modifies at least one of the schedule and the guidance route based on at least one of whether it is possible to arrive at the appointment location within the appointment time, whether the appointment location can be changed, the driving difficulty of the guidance route, the driving proficiency of the driver, whether the vehicle is equipped with an autonomous driving function, and whether the vehicle is equipped with a driving assistance function. Effects of the invention

[0024] According to one aspect of the present invention, an optimal route guidance algorithm is provided that takes into account cases where the initially set destination is changed during the driving of a vehicle. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0025] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a control system of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a vehicle control method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a diagram specifically illustrating ‘driving control based on whether arrival is made within the promised time’ in the vehicle control method shown in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a diagram specifically illustrating the 'driving control based on whether the destination can be changed' in the vehicle control method shown in Figure 2. Figure 5 is a diagram specifically illustrating ‘driving control according to path environment and driver proficiency’ in the vehicle control method shown in Figure 2. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0026] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a control system of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit (110) is connected to a navigation unit (122), a camera (124), a sensor unit (126), a safety driving assistance device (128), a communication unit (152), a steering device (154), a braking device (156), and a power unit (158) so as to be able to communicate.

[0028] The control unit (110) may be an electronic control unit provided in the vehicle.

[0029] The navigation (122) is provided to guide the route from the current location to the destination. The navigation (122) presents various routes to the destination and allows one of them to be selected. The selection of the route can be performed by the control unit (110) or the user (driver).

[0030] The camera (124) and sensor unit (126) are configured to acquire information about the surroundings of the vehicle for autonomous driving. The camera (124) may include a front camera that captures the front of the vehicle and an around-view camera that captures the surroundings of the vehicle. The sensor unit (126) may be a radar or a lidar.

[0031] A safety driving assistance device (128) is a general term for a device that assists the driver to drive the vehicle safely, and examples include a lane keeping assistant, a cruise control system, and a parking assist system.

[0032] The communication unit (152) is configured to communicate with a remote server or mobile device. The server may be a server located in a telematics center or a server of a vehicle sharing service provider. The mobile device may be one registered with the server by a user of the vehicle.

[0033] A steering device (154) is provided to control the driving direction of the vehicle. A braking device (156) is provided for decelerating and stopping the vehicle. A power unit (158) includes an engine and a transmission and is provided to generate power for the vehicle to drive.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle control method according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the vehicle control method shown in FIG. 2, it is assumed that a number of meeting participants agree to meet at a specific place at a specific time, and a vehicle moves to the meeting place, but some of the meeting participants board the vehicle at a different location than the starting point. To this end, the destination (meeting place) is entered into the navigation (122) at the starting point to receive route guidance, and the basic schedule is to move along the route guided by the navigation (122). However, while driving toward the destination following the guidance of the navigation (122), the destination or intermediate route is changed if necessary by considering factors such as 'arrival within the appointment time,' 'possibility of changing the destination,' and 'the environment of the driving route and the driver's proficiency,' thereby ensuring optimal operation that matches the driving situation of the vehicle.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 2, first, the control unit (110) receives a destination setting through the navigation (122) and starts driving along the route to the set destination (210). Next, the control unit (110) determines whether it is possible to arrive at the destination (meeting place) within the appointed time based on the route guidance of the navigation (122), and controls the driving of the vehicle according to the result of the determination (220). In addition, if the control unit (110) determines that the meeting participants cannot arrive at the destination within the appointed time, it determines whether the destination can be changed and controls the driving of the vehicle according to the result of the determination (240). In addition, the control unit (110) controls the driving of the vehicle by considering the environment of the driving route and the driving proficiency of the driver, etc., depending on whether the destination can be changed or not (260). The driving proficiency of the driver is determined from the result of evaluating the driver's usual driving habits. For example, the driver's driving proficiency can be evaluated by obtaining information such as the driver's start, stop, acceleration, and average speed through a recording device normally installed inside or outside the vehicle.

[0036] Steps 220, 240, and 260 in FIG. 2 do not necessarily have to be performed sequentially, and step 240 or step 260 may be omitted as needed. For example, if it is possible to reach the destination within the scheduled time in step 220, steps 240 and 260 may be omitted and the process may proceed directly to step 282. Additionally, one or more of 220, 240, and 260 may be repeated multiple times regardless of the order.

[0037] If parking is possible because a parking space is secured at the destination ('Yes' of 282), the control unit (110) controls the vehicle's driving to the parking lot at the destination (284). In contrast, if parking is impossible because a parking space is not secured at the destination ('No' of 282), the control unit (110) works in cooperation with the navigation (122) to search for the nearest parking lot near the destination and controls the vehicle's driving to the searched parking lot (286).

[0038] FIG. 3 is a diagram specifically illustrating the ‘driving control (220) based on whether the vehicle arrives within the promised time’ in the vehicle control method shown in FIG. 2.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, after starting to drive along the route to the set destination (210), the control unit (110) checks whether all appointment participants can arrive at the destination within the appointed time (302). Here, appointment participants refer to the group on the driver's side traveling to the appointment location with the driver of the vehicle. Checking whether all appointment participants can arrive at the destination within the appointed time can be implemented through communication with the mobile device carried by each appointment participant. An application for schedule management is installed on the mobile device. Through this schedule management application, users can perform mutual communication, information exchange, schedule changes, etc., in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] If all participants in the appointment can arrive at the destination within the appointed time ('Yes' of 302), the control unit (110) moves to the destination along the initial route set in step 210 of FIG. 2 (306). That is, if all participants in the appointment can arrive at the destination within the appointed time, they still move to the destination along the initial route guided by the navigation (122).

[0041] If, in step 302, it is impossible for all appointment participants to arrive at the destination within the appointment time ('No' in 302), the control unit (110) changes the appointment time to a time when all appointment participants can arrive at the appointment place and notifies all appointment participants of the changed appointment time (308).

[0042] Next, the control unit (110) proceeds to the 'driving control (240) based on whether the destination can be changed' step of FIG. 2. The 'driving control (240) based on whether the destination can be changed' step of FIG. 2 will be explained in detail through FIG. 4, which will be described later.

[0043] FIG. 4 is a diagram specifically illustrating the ‘driving control (240) based on whether the destination can be changed’ in the vehicle control method shown in FIG. 2.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 4, in step 302 mentioned earlier in the description of FIG. 3, if it is impossible for all appointment participants to arrive at the destination within the appointment time ('No' in 302), the control unit (110) performs the appointment time change and notification, and then checks whether the destination set in step 210 of FIG. 2 can be changed (402). That is, when it is impossible for all appointment participants to arrive at the destination within the appointment time, an attempt can be made to change the destination so that everyone can meet within the appointment time.

[0045] If the destination is not strictly adhered to in step 210 of FIG. 2 and the destination is changed to another location (e.g., 'Yes' in 402), the control unit (110) changes the existing destination that has already been set to a new alternative destination where all participants can arrive before the scheduled time, and also changes the route to the new alternative destination (404). In addition, the control unit (110) guides the vehicle to drive along the new route to the changed alternative destination (406). After 406, the process proceeds to step 282 of FIG. 2 described above.

[0046] If, in step 408, the driver of the vehicle has enough time to arrive within the scheduled time ('Yes' in 408), the control unit (110) proceeds to the 'driving control according to route environment and driver proficiency (260)' step of FIG. 2. The 'driving control according to route environment and driver proficiency (260)' step of FIG. 2 will be explained in detail through FIG. 5, which will be described later.

[0047] If, in step 408, the driver of the vehicle does not have enough time to arrive within the scheduled time ('No' in 408), the control unit (110) can guide the vehicle to drive based on an existing schedule (schedule time, destination, route, etc.) (410).

[0049] FIG. 5 is a diagram specifically illustrating ‘driving control (260) according to route environment and driver proficiency’ in the vehicle control method shown in FIG. 2. In particular, the control method of FIG. 5 illustrates picking up other participants in an appointment midway along the route to the destination when the driver currently driving the vehicle has enough time to arrive within the appointment time.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 5, if, in step 408 of FIG. 4, the driver has enough time to arrive within the scheduled time ('yes' in 408), the control unit (110) proceeds to step 502 of the 'driving control according to route environment and driver proficiency (260)' in FIG. 5.

[0051] In FIG. 5, if there is a participant among the appointment participants who is within the range where they can be picked up within the arrival time ('Yes' of 502), the control unit (110) checks the driving proficiency of each appointment participant through the app on the appointment participant's mobile device and checks whether there is an appointment participant whose driving proficiency is 'medium' or higher (504). Here, a driving proficiency of 'medium' or higher means that when driving proficiency is classified into 'high', 'medium', and 'low', the driving proficiency is 'high' or 'medium'. The driver's driving proficiency can be determined by applying at least one of a plurality of criteria, such as the elapsed time since obtaining a driver's license, the cumulative driving distance of the vehicle over a certain period in the past from the present, whether there have been no accidents, the number of times an accident was caused (in the case of a similar accident), and whether the driver has completed training at a driving school. The driving proficiency of each appointment participant can be entered and shared through the app on the mobile device. Driving proficiency is not limited to the classification of 'high,' 'medium,' and 'low,' but can also be classified into other forms such as 1, 2, 3, 10, or A, B, C, D. A driver's driving proficiency is determined from the results of evaluating the driver's usual driving habits. For example, the driver's driving proficiency can be evaluated by obtaining information such as the driver's start, stop, acceleration, and average speed through a recording device installed inside or outside the vehicle.

[0052] If there is a meeting participant with a driving proficiency of ‘medium’ or higher (e.g., ‘yes’ in 504), the control unit (110) selects a pickup route based on the driving difficulty of the currently set guidance route and updates the guidance route if necessary (506). That is, when there are multiple meeting participants, there may also be multiple guidance routes for picking them up. In this case, the driving difficulty based on the road conditions of each of the multiple guidance routes is distinguished, and the guidance routes for pickup are updated in order of the guidance routes with the lowest driving difficulty. The driving difficulty of the guidance route can be evaluated based on, for example, the slope or curvature of the route, the number of intersections, and the frequency of accidents. If a specific route has a section with a high slope, or if a route where slope sections appear frequently even if the slope is low, it is classified as a route with high driving difficulty. In addition, if the curvature of the guidance route is severe, such as a road in a mountainous area, it is classified as a route with high driving difficulty. Also, if the route has many railroad crossings or bridges, it is classified as a route with high driving difficulty. Additionally, if there is an accident-prone area, particularly a fatal accident-prone area, on a specific route, that guidance route is classified as a route with high driving difficulty. When presenting a guidance route for pickup, it is desirable to prioritize a route with low driving difficulty that allows for safe driving, rather than a route with high driving difficulty. Once the update and selection of the guidance route for pickup are complete, the control unit (110) guides the vehicle to drive along the route and proceeds to step 282 of FIG. 2 described above. Pickup of the meeting participants can take place while driving along the guidance route for pickup.

[0053] In step 504, if there is no promise participant with a driving proficiency of ‘medium’ or higher (‘no’ in 504), the control unit (110) checks whether the vehicle has an autonomous driving function (512). Here, the autonomous driving function may be at autonomous driving level 3 or higher.

[0054] If the vehicle is a vehicle with autonomous driving capabilities (e.g., 'Yes' of 512), the control unit (110) updates the pickup route in order of shortest paths and starts driving for pickup from the shortest path. If the vehicle is a vehicle with autonomous driving capabilities of level 3 or higher, it is possible to drive relying on the autonomous driving capabilities, so it is desirable to prioritize guidance from the shortest path without considering the driving difficulty of the driving route.

[0055] Conversely, if the vehicle is not equipped with autonomous driving functions ('No' in 512), the control unit (110) assigns priority to each of the multiple paths based on the safety driving assistance functions and driving difficulty provided in the vehicle (524). That is, the higher the level of safety driving assistance functions provided in the vehicle (or the more assistance functions there are), and the lower the driving difficulty for each path, the higher priority can be assigned to that path. If the vehicle is not equipped with safety driving assistance functions, priority can be assigned sequentially to each driving path based on driving difficulty. Safety driving assistance functions may include, for example, cruise control, lane keeping assistant, collision avoidance, etc.

[0056] When the priority of multiple driving paths is determined, the control unit (110) guides the vehicle to drive along the highest priority path (526).

[0057] The above description is merely an illustrative explanation of the technical concept, and those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications, changes, and substitutions within the scope of the essential characteristics without departing from the nature of the invention. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed above and the attached drawings are intended to explain, not limit, the technical concept, and the scope of the technical concept is not limited by such embodiments and attached drawings. The scope of protection shall be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical concepts within an equivalent scope shall be interpreted as being included within the scope of rights. Explanation of the symbols

[0058] 110 : Control unit 122 : Navigation 124 : Camera 126 : Sensor section 128 : Safe driving assistance device 152 : Communications Department 154 : Steering system 156 : Braking device 158 : Power unit

Claims

Claim 1 The method comprises the steps of: receiving a schedule including an appointment time and an appointment location; selecting a guidance route with the appointment location as a destination; and modifying at least one of the schedule and the guidance route based on at least one of whether it is possible to arrive at the appointment location within the appointment time, whether the appointment location can be changed, and vehicle operating conditions, wherein the vehicle operating conditions include the driving difficulty of the guidance route, the driving proficiency of the driver, whether the vehicle is equipped with an autonomous driving function, and whether the vehicle is equipped with a driving assistance function, and the step of modifying at least one of the schedule and the guidance route includes resetting the guidance route when a plurality of appointment participants fail to arrive at the destination within the appointment time, wherein resetting the guidance route involves, if the driver's driving proficiency is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, prioritizing a route with a lower driving difficulty among a plurality of guidance routes for picking up the plurality of appointment participants; if the driver's driving proficiency is less than a predetermined value and the vehicle is equipped with an autonomous driving function, prioritizing a route with a shorter driving time among the guidance routes; and if the driver's driving proficiency is less than a predetermined value and the vehicle is not equipped with an autonomous driving function, the vehicle A vehicle control method comprising selecting one of the guidance paths based on a driving assistance function and the driving difficulty level. Claim 2 A vehicle control method according to claim 1, which notifies the appointment participants of a change in the appointment time when all appointment participants participating in the appointment of the above schedule are unable to arrive at the appointment place within the said appointment time. Claim 3 A vehicle control method according to claim 2, wherein, after the announcement of a change in the aforementioned appointment time, if the aforementioned appointment location can be changed, the aforementioned appointment location is changed to an alternative destination where all said appointment participants can arrive within the said appointment time, and the aforementioned guidance route is reset with the said changed appointment location as the new destination. Claim 4 A vehicle control method according to claim 3, wherein if it is impossible to change the appointment location after the announcement of the change in the appointment time, the guidance route is reset based on the vehicle operation conditions. Claim 5 delete Claim 6 delete Claim 7 delete Claim 8 A vehicle control method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of guiding the vehicle's path to a parking lot near the destination when parking at the destination is not possible. Claim 9 The system includes a navigation system for guiding a route to a destination; a communication unit for communicating with a remote server and a mobile device; and a control unit that receives a schedule including an appointment time and an appointment location, selects a guidance route with the appointment location as the destination, and modifies at least one of the schedule and the guidance route based on at least one of whether it is possible to arrive at the appointment location within the appointment time, whether the appointment location can be changed, and vehicle operating conditions. The vehicle operating conditions include the driving difficulty of the guidance route, the driving proficiency of the driver, whether the vehicle is equipped with an autonomous driving function, and whether the vehicle is equipped with a driving assistance function. The control unit includes resetting the guidance route when a plurality of appointment participants fail to arrive at the destination within the appointment time. Resetting the guidance route involves, if the driver's driving proficiency is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, prioritizing a route with a lower driving difficulty among a plurality of guidance routes for picking up the plurality of appointment participants; if the driver's driving proficiency is less than a predetermined value and the vehicle is equipped with an autonomous driving function, prioritizing a route with a shorter driving time among the guidance routes; and if the driver's driving proficiency is less than a predetermined value A vehicle comprising selecting one of the guidance paths based on the vehicle's driving assistance function and driving difficulty, when the vehicle is less than and the vehicle is not equipped with an autonomous driving function. Claim 10 In claim 9, the control unit is a vehicle that notifies the appointment participants of a change in the appointment time when all appointment participants participating in the appointment of the said schedule are unable to arrive at the said appointment place within the said appointment time. Claim 11 In claim 10, the control unit is a vehicle that, after announcing a change in the appointment time, changes the appointment location to an alternative destination where all appointment participants can arrive within the appointment time if a change in the appointment location is possible, and resets the guidance route with the changed appointment location as the new destination. Claim 12 In claim 11, the control unit is a vehicle that resets the guidance route based on the vehicle operation conditions if, after the notification of a change in the appointment time, it is impossible to change the appointment location. Claim 13 delete Claim 14 delete Claim 15 delete Claim 16 In claim 9, the vehicle further comprises a control unit that guides the vehicle's route to a parking lot near the destination when parking at the destination is not possible. Claim 17 delete Claim 18 delete

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