Vehicle control device

Abstract

A vehicle control device (1) according to the present disclosure is mounted on a vehicle (10), and comprises: a measurement unit (2) that measures the count of two-wheeled vehicles (12) traveling around the vehicle (10); and a control unit (3) that causes a vehicle-mounted display device (5) to display the count information.

Description

Vehicle control device

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle control device that controls an in-vehicle device based on the situation around the vehicle.

[0002] In a vehicle control device that controls an on-board device, there are known technologies that improve the driving stability and safety of a vehicle by implementing control according to the surrounding conditions. For example, there is known a technology that uses a camera or radar to grasp the driving state of other vehicles and notifies the danger level by image or sound. There is also known a technology that determines the danger level of a nearby motorcycle or pedestrian running into the road and issues an alarm or controls the vehicle speed (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0003] JP 2006-85285 A JP 2016-53755 A

[0004] However, motorcycles are capable of more agile maneuvers than four-wheeled vehicles, for example, making sudden lane changes or cutting in between narrow gaps between other vehicles. Therefore, when there are multiple motorcycles around the vehicle, it is difficult to accurately notify the rider of their driving conditions. Particularly in Southeast Asian countries where motorcycles are widely used, the vehicle may be traveling surrounded by many motorcycles, making it difficult to accurately notify the rider of predicted dangers.

[0005] One of the objectives of the present invention, which has been devised in light of the above-mentioned problems, is to provide a vehicle control device that can more accurately notify occupants of the surrounding conditions and improve driving stability and safety. In addition to this objective, another objective of the present invention is to achieve effects derived from the configurations shown in the "Mode for Carrying Out the Invention" below, which cannot be obtained with conventional technologies.

[0006] The disclosed vehicle control device can be realized as the following disclosed aspects (application examples) and solves at least part of the above-mentioned problems. Each of the aspects from aspect 2 onwards is an aspect that can be selected as an additional aspect, and each of the aspects from aspect 2 onwards is an aspect that can be omitted. None of the aspects from aspect 2 onwards discloses an aspect or configuration that is essential to the present invention.

[0007] Aspect 1. The disclosed vehicle control device is a vehicle control device mounted on a vehicle, and includes a counting unit that counts the number of two-wheeled vehicles traveling around the vehicle, and a control unit that displays information about the number on an on-board display device. Aspect 2. With regard to aspects including Aspect 1 above, it is preferable that the control unit displays information about the number of two-wheeled vehicles corresponding to each of a plurality of areas set around the vehicle on the display device.

[0008] Aspect 3. With regard to aspects including Aspect 2 above, it is preferable that the number and shape of the plurality of regions are changed in accordance with a selection made by an occupant of the vehicle. Aspect 4. With regard to aspects including Aspect 1 above, it is preferable that the measurement unit expands the measurement range of the number of vehicles as the vehicle speed increases. Aspect 5. With regard to aspects including Aspect 1 above, it is preferable that the measurement unit expands the measurement range of the number of vehicles in weather or during times of poor visibility.

[0009] Aspect 6. With regard to an aspect including Aspect 1 above, it is preferable that the measurement unit changes the measurement range of the number of vehicles in accordance with a selection made by an occupant of the vehicle. Aspect 7. With regard to an aspect including Aspect 1 above, it is preferable that the control unit changes the display area or color of the information on the number of vehicles displayed on the display device in accordance with the number of vehicles. Aspect 8. With regard to an aspect including Aspect 1 above, it is preferable that the control unit implements motorcycle warning control to encourage caution of the motorcycles in accordance with the number of vehicles.

[0010] According to the disclosed vehicle control device, by displaying information on the number of motorcycles traveling around the vehicle on a display device, it is possible to more accurately notify the rider of the surrounding conditions, thereby improving the driving stability and safety of the vehicle itself and other surrounding vehicles.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a vehicle to which a vehicle control device according to an embodiment is applied. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the display contents of a meter display. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a measurement range related to display control. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the size of the measurement range. (A) to (D) are tables for explaining conditions for changing the measurement range. (A) to (D) are diagrams for explaining information displayed on the meter display. FIG. 5 is a flowchart relating to control performed by the vehicle control device.

[0012] The disclosed vehicle control device is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile or a motorcycle and has a function of displaying information about the surrounding conditions of the vehicle on an on-board display device. The surrounding conditions include, for example, the presence (state) and movement of other vehicles, obstacles, objects, people, etc. The information about the surrounding conditions of the vehicle may be detected by, for example, a detection means (camera, laser radar, millimeter-wave radar) mounted on the vehicle, or may be acquired from an external traffic management system or other vehicles via a network.

[0013] Specific examples of display devices include a meter display, a navigation display, a head-up display, a projector, a side mirror monitor, a rearview mirror monitor, etc. Other in-vehicle devices that can be controlled by the vehicle control device include, for example, an audio device (speaker, woofer, headphones), a power steering device, a drive device (engine, motor), a braking device, a transmission, etc.

[0014] The vehicle control device may not only control the occupants of the vehicle itself, but also control the occupants of other vehicles and motorcycles in the vicinity. For example, the vehicle control device may control a wireless communication device that transmits and receives information to and from other vehicles and motorcycles in the vicinity and a server via a wireless communication network. The vehicle control device may not only control the display of information about the situation around the vehicle itself on an in-vehicle display device, but also control the display of other vehicles and motorcycles in the vicinity.

[0015] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle 10 (host vehicle) to which a vehicle control device 1 according to an embodiment is applied. The vehicle 10 is provided with a camera 4, a meter display 5 (display device), a speaker 6, and a power steering device 7. The camera 4 is an imaging device that is an example of an input device that inputs information to the vehicle control device 1. The camera 4 is provided in a position that allows it to capture images of the surroundings of the vehicle 10, for example, one camera each on the front, rear, left, and right sides of the vehicle 10. Images captured by the camera 4 are transmitted to the vehicle control device 1.

[0016] Other examples of the input device of the vehicle control device 1 include a keyboard, a touch sensor, a switch, etc. (not shown). These input devices can be used when the occupant selects a measurement range R (described later) or when the occupant selects a display mode in the display control (described later). These input devices can also be used when the occupant enables or disables the motorcycle warning control (acoustic control, steering reaction force control) (described later).

[0017] The meter display 5, the speaker 6, and the power steering device 7 are each an on-board device mounted on the vehicle 10 and are examples of output devices controlled by the vehicle control device 1. The meter display 5 is a display device that outputs visual information related to the driving state of the vehicle 10 and is provided, for example, in front of the driver's seat. The speaker 6 is an audio device that outputs voice and music and is provided, for example, on the instrument panel or a side door. The power steering device 7 is a device that reduces the driver's effort in steering by adding an assist force (assist torque) to the steering force of the manual steering and the driving force of the steering angle adjustment mechanism (steering device). The power steering device 7 includes, for example, an electric power steering device and a hydraulic power steering device.

[0018] 2 is a diagram showing the display contents of the meter display 5. A speedometer indicating the traveling speed of the vehicle 10 and a power meter indicating the output are displayed on both the left and right sides of the meter display 5. An information area 8 is provided in the center between the speedometer and the power meter. The information area 8 can display information indicating the situation around the vehicle 10, information indicating the operating status of on-board devices, information detected by various sensors, etc.

[0019] The vehicle control device 1 is a computer (electronic control device) that incorporates a processor (arithmetic processing unit) and memory (storage device). The vehicle control device 1 acquires information about other vehicles 11 and motorcycles 12 (see FIG. 3 ) traveling around the vehicle 10 from images captured by the camera 4, and controls the in-vehicle devices based on this information. The contents of control by the vehicle control device 1 (control program) are stored in the memory and are read into the processor and executed as appropriate.

[0020] The vehicle control device 1 includes a measurement unit 2 and a control unit 3. These elements are shown by conveniently classifying the functions included in the vehicle control device 1, and can be realized by software (programs) or hardware (electronic control circuits). These elements may be integrated into one piece of software or hardware, or may be distributed across multiple pieces of software and hardware.

[0021] The measurement unit 2 counts the number of motorcycles 12 traveling around the vehicle 10. The measurement unit 2 extracts motorcycles 12 from the image captured by the camera 4 and counts the number of motorcycles 12 included within a measurement range R. Figure 3 is a diagram for explaining the measurement range R for the number of motorcycles 12. The measurement range R is set to be narrower than the captureable range of the camera 4 (for example, a range with a radius of about 100 meters), and is set, for example, as a rectangular range that is several tens of meters in the forward and backward directions and several meters in the left and right directions, centered on the vehicle 10.

[0022] The measurement range R may be a fixed range set in advance, or may be a range that varies depending on the situation. For example, as shown in Fig. 4, three ranges of different sizes may be prepared, and one of the ranges may be selected depending on the choice of the occupant of the vehicle 10 or the driving situation. The first range R in Fig. 4 １ is the narrowest range, and the second range R ２ is the first range R １ is a rectangular range having a size that completely encompasses the third range R ３ is the second range R ２ It is a rectangular range that completely contains the

[0023] First range R １ The second range R is set as a rectangular range of, for example, several meters in the front-rear direction and several meters in the left-right direction (e.g., equivalent to one lane) centered on the vehicle 10. ２ The third range R is set as a rectangular range, for example, several meters to several tens of meters in the front-rear direction and having a width equivalent to three lanes including the adjacent lanes. ３ is set as a rectangular range that is even longer in the front-rear direction and has a width equivalent to five lanes.

[0024] The size of the measurement range R can be changed or selected depending on, for example, the vehicle speed, the number of lanes, the weather, the time of day, etc. The table in FIG. 5A shows the setting of the measurement range R according to the vehicle speed. For example, when the vehicle speed rounded to the first decimal place is 5 [km / m] or less, the first range R １ When the vehicle speed is between 6 and 30 km / m, the second range R ２ is selected, and when the vehicle speed is 31 [km / m] or more, the third range R ３ By widening the measurement range R as the vehicle speed increases, the number of two-wheeled vehicles 12 that may adversely affect the vehicle 10 can be more accurately determined.

[0025] 5B shows the setting of the measurement range R according to the number of lanes in the traveling direction of the road on which the vehicle 10 is traveling. For example, when the number of lanes is 1, the first range R １ When the number of lanes is 2 to 3, the second range R ２ is selected, and when the number of lanes is four or more, the third range R ３ is selected. By expanding the measurement range R as the number of lanes increases, the number of two-wheeled vehicles 12 that may adversely affect the vehicle 10 can be more accurately determined. The number of lanes may be determined, for example, from an image captured by the camera 4, or may be determined based on map information from a car navigation system.

[0026] The table in FIG. 5C shows how the measurement range R is set according to the weather. For example, when it is sunny, the first range R １ is selected, and when it is cloudy, the second range R ２ is selected, and when it is raining (including snow), the third range R ３ is selected. By expanding the measurement range R as the weather becomes worse, the presence of the two-wheeled vehicle 12 is reliably notified to the occupant of the vehicle 10 even if the occupant does not visually notice the presence of the two-wheeled vehicle 12. Furthermore, by expanding the measurement range R in rainy weather when it is easy to slip, the number of two-wheeled vehicles 12 that may have a negative impact on the vehicle 10 can be more accurately determined.

[0027] The table in FIG. 5D shows the setting of the measurement range R according to the time period. For example, during the day, the first range R １is selected, and the second range R ２ is selected, and at night, the third range R ３ is selected. By expanding the measurement range R as visibility worsens, it becomes easier to prevent the occupants of the vehicle 10 from visually overlooking the motorcycle 12. Furthermore, by expanding the measurement range R at night, when accidents are more likely to occur due to carelessness, the number of motorcycles 12 that may have a negative impact on the vehicle 10 can be more accurately determined.

[0028] The control unit 3 performs display control to display information on at least the number of motorcycles 12 measured by the measurement unit 2 on the meter display 5. Furthermore, when the total number of motorcycles 12 measured by the measurement unit 2 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the control unit 3 can perform motorcycle warning control to urge drivers to be on guard for these motorcycles 12. The motorcycle warning control includes acoustic control of the speaker 6 and steering reaction force control of the power steering device 7. The acoustic control is control to output an alarm sound or a warning message from the speaker 6. The warning message includes a message regarding the total number of motorcycles 12 and a direction (a direction of high risk) where two or more motorcycles 12 are clustered together. It is preferable that the output of the acoustic control be set to be higher as the number of motorcycles 12 increases.

[0029] Steering reaction force control is a control that increases the steering reaction force of the power steering device 7 in order to reduce the possibility of contact with the two-wheeled vehicles 12. For example, if two or more two-wheeled vehicles 12 are located on the right side of the vehicle 10, the steering reaction force is controlled so that steering to the right becomes heavier. Also, if two-wheeled vehicles 12 are scattered in multiple directions as seen from the vehicle 10, the steering reaction force is controlled so that steering to both the left and right becomes heavier. It is preferable that the magnitude of the steering reaction force is set to be stronger the greater the number of two-wheeled vehicles 12.

[0030] 6A to 6D are diagrams illustrating information displayed in the information area 8 of the meter display 5 by display control. An image simulating a bird's-eye view of the vehicle 10 from above and behind the vehicle 10 is displayed in the center of the information area 8. FIG. 6A is an example display in which the total number of motorcycles 12 present within the measurement range R is displayed numerically. The total number is displayed in the information area 8 together with, for example, a side view icon representing the motorcycle 12. FIG. 6B is an example display in which the inside of the measurement range R is divided into four regions and the number of motorcycles 12 present in each region is displayed. In this example display, numerical information is displayed corresponding to the number of motorcycles 12 present in each of the four regions (front right, front left, rear right, and rear left) of the vehicle 10.

[0031] Fig. 6(C) is an example display in which information on the number of motorcycles 12 corresponding to each of the four regions shown in Fig. 6(B) is displayed in a rear view image of the motorcycle 12. The position at which the rear view image of the motorcycle 12 is rendered in Fig. 6(C) corresponds, for example, to the actual position and direction at which the motorcycle 12 is detected. Fig. 6(D) is an example display in which the inside of the measurement range R is divided into six regions and the number of motorcycles 12 present in each region is displayed. In this example display, information on the number of motorcycles 12 corresponding to each of the six regions (forward of the vehicle 10's driving lane, backward of the driving lane, forward of the right adjacent lane, backward of the right adjacent lane, forward of the left adjacent lane, and backward of the left adjacent lane) is displayed numerically.

[0032] The number and shape of the areas in which the information on the number of motorcycles is displayed may be changed according to the selection of the occupant of the vehicle 10 or according to the driving conditions. For example, when the total number of motorcycles 12 present within the measurement range R is relatively small, the total number may be displayed as shown in FIG. 6A. When the total number of motorcycles 12 increases, the number of motorcycles for each of the multiple areas may be displayed as shown in FIGS. 6B to 6D. Furthermore, in each of the multiple areas shown in FIGS. 6B to 6D, the larger the number of motorcycles 12, the larger the number of motorcycles 12, and the larger the size of the number of motorcycles or the rear view image, or the larger the display may be highlighted in a conspicuous color.

[0033] 7 is a flowchart relating to the control performed by the vehicle control device 1. The control shown in this flowchart is repeatedly performed at a predetermined cycle when the main power supply of the vehicle 10 is turned on. Steps A1 to A6 correspond to display control, and steps A7 and A8 correspond to motorcycle alarm control (acoustic control, steering reaction force control).

[0034] In step A1, the image captured by the camera 4 and information on the vehicle speed are input to the vehicle control device 1. In step A2, the size of the measurement range R is set according to the vehicle speed based on the table in FIG. 5A. In step A3, a plurality of areas are set inside the measurement range R, for example, according to a selection made by the occupant of the vehicle 10. In step A4, it is determined whether or not the two-wheeled vehicle 12 is present inside the measurement range R. If this condition is met, the process proceeds to step A5; if not, the control for this cycle ends.

[0035] In step A5, motorcycles 12 are extracted from the image captured by the camera 4, and the number of motorcycles 12 is counted for each of the multiple regions included in the measurement range R. In step A6, as shown in FIG. 6B, for example, information about the number of motorcycles 12 in each of the four regions is displayed in the information area 8 of the meter display 5. In step A7, it is determined whether the total number of motorcycles 12 in the entire measurement range R is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. If the condition in step A7 is met, the process proceeds to step A8, where motorcycle warning control is implemented. If the condition in step A7 is not met, motorcycle warning control is not implemented, and the control for this cycle ends.

[0036] [3. Effects] (1) The vehicle control device 1 of this embodiment is mounted on a vehicle 10 and includes a counting unit 2 that counts the number of motorcycles 12 traveling around the vehicle 10, and a control unit 3 that displays the number information on an on-board meter display 5 (display device). In this way, by counting the number of motorcycles 12 and displaying that information, the rider can be accurately informed of the status of surrounding motorcycles 12. This improves the convenience of the vehicle control device 1 and the driving stability and safety of the vehicle 10, which in turn improves the driving stability and safety of surrounding other vehicles 11 and motorcycles 12. The vehicle control device 1 of this embodiment is particularly useful in regions where motorcycles 12 are widely used (e.g., Southeast Asia).

[0037] (2) The control unit 3 can display information on the number of motorcycles 12 corresponding to each of multiple areas set around the vehicle 10 on the meter display 5, as shown in Figures 6(B) to 6(D), for example. This configuration makes it easy for the rider to intuitively grasp the status of the surrounding motorcycles 12 and to inform the rider in an easy-to-understand manner. This further improves the convenience of the vehicle control device 1 and the driving stability and safety of the vehicle 10.

[0038] (3) The number and shape of the above-mentioned regions can be changed according to the selection of the occupant of the vehicle 10. This can further improve the convenience of the vehicle control device 1. (4) As shown in FIG. 5A, for example, the measurement unit 2 can expand the measurement range R for the number of two-wheeled vehicles 12 as the vehicle speed of the vehicle 10 increases. This configuration can more accurately grasp the number of two-wheeled vehicles 12 that may have a negative impact on the vehicle 10. Therefore, the convenience of the vehicle control device 1 and the driving stability and safety of the vehicle 10 can be further improved.

[0039] (5) As shown in Figures 5(C) and 5(D), for example, the measurement unit 2 can expand the measurement range R for the number of two-wheeled vehicles 12 in poor weather or during times of poor visibility. With this configuration, even if a two-wheeled vehicle 12 is overlooked visually, the presence of the two-wheeled vehicle 12 can be reliably notified to the occupant. This can further improve the convenience of the vehicle control device 1 and the driving stability and safety of the vehicle 10. (6) The measurement unit 2 can change the measurement range R for the number of two-wheeled vehicles 12 in accordance with the selection of the occupant of the vehicle 10. This can further improve the convenience of the vehicle control device 1.

[0040] (7) The control unit 3 may change the display area or color of the information on the number of motorcycles 12 displayed on the meter display 5 depending on the number of motorcycles 12. For example, the larger the number of motorcycles 12, the larger the size of the number indicating the number and the rear view image. Furthermore, the larger the number of motorcycles 12, the more noticeable the color (yellow or red) the number indicating the number and the rear view image may be. This configuration can increase the understandability of the displayed information, further improving the convenience of the vehicle control device 1 and the driving stability and safety of the vehicle 10.

[0041] (8) The control unit 3 can implement motorcycle warning control to warn of motorcycles 12 depending on the number of motorcycles 12. For example, when the total number of motorcycles 12 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, sound control of the speakers 6 and steering reaction force control of the power steering device 7 can be implemented. This configuration can inform the occupants that the motorcycles 12 pose a high level of danger (degree of threat to the vehicle 10), further improving the convenience of the vehicle control device 1 and the driving stability and safety of the vehicle 10.

[0042] [4. Other] The above-described embodiments are merely illustrative and are not intended to exclude various modifications or applications of techniques not explicitly described in the present embodiments. Each configuration of the present embodiments can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present embodiments. Furthermore, each configuration of the present embodiments can be selected as needed, or can be appropriately combined with various configurations included in known techniques.

[0043] In the above embodiment, motorcycle warning control including sound control of the speaker 6 and steering reaction force control of the power steering device 7 was exemplified, but a wide variety of types of motorcycle warning control are conceivable. Motorcycle warning control may include, for example, driving force control, braking force control, gear shift control, etc. By implementing motorcycle warning control to prompt caution against motorcycles depending on at least the number of motorcycles, the convenience of the vehicle control device 1 and the driving stability and safety of the vehicle 10 can be improved.

[0044] The present invention is applicable to the vehicle control device manufacturing industry and the vehicle manufacturing industry equipped with a vehicle control device.

[0045] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Vehicle control device 2 Measurement unit 3 Control unit 4 Camera 5 Meter display (display device) 6 Speaker 7 Power steering device 8 Information area 10 Vehicle (own vehicle) 11 Other vehicle 12 Two-wheeled vehicle R Measurement range R １ First range R ２ Second Range R ３ Third Range

Claims

1. A vehicle control device mounted on a vehicle, comprising: a counting unit that counts the number of two-wheeled vehicles traveling around the vehicle; and a control unit that displays information about the number of vehicles on an on-board display device.

2. A vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the display device to display the information on the number of vehicles corresponding to each of a plurality of areas set around the vehicle.

3. A vehicle control device according to claim 2, wherein the number and shape of the plurality of areas are changed in response to a selection made by an occupant of the vehicle.

4. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein the measurement unit expands the measurement range of the number of vehicles as the vehicle speed increases.

5. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein the measurement unit expands the measurement range of the number of vehicles in weather or during times of poor visibility.

6. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein the measurement unit changes the measurement range of the number of vehicles in accordance with a selection made by an occupant of the vehicle.

7. The vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes the display area or color of the information about the number of vehicles displayed on the display device according to the number of vehicles.

8. A vehicle control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit implements a motorcycle warning control for urging caution to motorcycles according to the number of motorcycles.

Images