JP5580264B2 - Operation restriction device, gripping state identification device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for identifying a gripping state of a handle, and further to a technique for restricting operation of an in-vehicle device or a carry-in terminal that operates in cooperation with the gripping state identification result.

  In recent years, in-vehicle devices having a navigation function are widely installed in vehicles. Some in-vehicle devices have many functions such as a TV broadcast reception function and a music playback function in addition to a navigation function, which greatly contributes to the comfort in the vehicle.

  In addition, there is a usage form in which mobile terminals such as smartphones and PDAs are linked with the in-vehicle device, and the navigation function and music playback function of the mobile terminal (carry-in terminal) brought into the vehicle can be used in the in-vehicle device. It is.

  However, it is dangerous for the driver to operate the in-vehicle device or the carry-in terminal while the vehicle is traveling. For this reason, a technique for promoting safe driving by restricting the operation of these devices while the vehicle is traveling has been conventionally considered.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-133867 discloses a technology in which travel information of a vehicle is transmitted to a mobile terminal in a system in which the mobile terminal and the in-vehicle device operate in cooperation, and the operation of the mobile terminal is regulated during travel.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a technology that displays a warning when it is detected that a mobile phone is used in a vehicle and prompts the user to stop using the mobile phone in the vehicle.

  Patent Document 3 discloses an input device provided with fingerprint authentication means. The input device detects whether or not the person who has operated the touch panel is a driver by detecting a fingerprint, and restricts the operation when a driver's operation is detected.

JP 2010-130670 A JP 2007-249478 A JP 2005-82086 A

  As described above, a technique for restricting the operation of a car navigation system or a portable terminal linked with the car navigation system while the vehicle is traveling has been proposed.

  However, when there is a passenger, it is difficult to distinguish whether the driver is the driver or the passenger. Even if the vehicle is traveling, there is no danger in the passenger's operation, so it is necessary to permit it, and it is preferable to limit only the driver's operation.

  In that respect, the in-vehicle system described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that since the operation is uniformly restricted while the vehicle is traveling, the operation of the passenger is restricted.

  In addition, the mobile phone use warning device described in Patent Document 2 warns by identifying that the driver is using a mobile phone when it is detected that there is only one passenger. When there are multiple drivers, only the driver's operation cannot be restricted. The number of occupants is detected by, for example, a method of detecting the weight of the occupant with a weight sensor, a method of detecting the number of occupants based on the amount of deflection of the suspension of the vehicle, and a switch provided on the seat and turned on when the occupant is seated A method of using is considered. However, in these detection methods, for example, when a dummy weight is mounted on the passenger seat, the number of passengers is detected more than the actual number, so the number of passengers is not detected with high accuracy.

  Further, the input device described in Patent Document 3 requires a process of registering a fingerprint periodically, for example, every time a driver changes. Further, when the passenger registers a fingerprint instead of the driver, the driver can freely operate the device while the vehicle is traveling.

  In view of the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an operation restriction device and a gripping state detection device that can prompt a driver to drive safely without restricting the passenger's operation as much as possible.

Operation limiting device of the present invention, a carrying-terminal that work vehicle device and / or vehicle device brought into the vehicle as a control target, a handling restriction device for controlling the operation permission of the control target device, wherein Travel information acquisition means for acquiring travel information indicating whether or not the vehicle is traveling from the vehicle, grip state identification means for identifying whether or not the steering handle of the vehicle is in a predetermined two-hand grip state, and the travel When the information indicates the traveling of the vehicle and the gripping state identifying means identifies that the steering handle is not in a predetermined two-handed gripping state, a control signal for restricting the operation of the control target device is sent to the control target device The steering handle is electrically divided into a plurality of areas, and the gripping state identifying means includes a current detecting means electrically connected between the divided areas of the steering handle. If the current detection value of the current detection means is less than a first threshold value, the steering handle is identified as not being held in a predetermined two-handed state, and the first threshold value is greater than or equal to the first threshold value. The steering handle is identified as being in a predetermined two-hand grip state when it is less than the second threshold value, and the steering handle is identified as not being in the predetermined two-hand grip state when it is equal to or greater than the second threshold value. .

In addition, the gripping state identification device of the present invention includes a current detection unit that detects current by being electrically connected between the divided regions of the steering handle of the vehicle that is electrically divided into a plurality of regions. Whether the steering wheel is in a predetermined two-hand grip state based on the detected current value
When the current detection value of the current detection means is less than a first threshold value, it is identified that the steering handle is not in a predetermined two-hand grip state, and the current detection value of the current detection means is the first threshold value. The steering handle is identified as being in a predetermined two-handed gripping state when it is greater than the first threshold and less than the second threshold, and when the steering handle is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the steering handle is predetermined. to identify and not in the hands gripping state.

In operation limiting device of the present invention, when said gripping state identification means has identified between the steering wheel is not in predetermined hands holding state, the control target of the control signal which the signal sending means for limiting an operation of the controlled device Send to device. The steering handle is electrically divided into a plurality of areas, and the gripping state identifying means includes current detection means electrically connected between the divided areas of the steering handle, and the current detection means detects the current. When the value is less than the first threshold, the steering handle is identified as not being held in a predetermined two-handed state, and is greater than the first threshold and less than the second threshold greater than the first threshold. The steering handle is identified as being in a predetermined two-handed gripping state, and if the steering handle is equal to or greater than the second threshold, the steering handle is identified as not being in a predetermined two-handed gripping state. Thereby, it can restrict | limit that a driver | operator operates a to-be-controlled device, carrying out one-hand driving. If the operation of the control target device is permitted when it is identified that the steering handle is in a predetermined two-hand grip state, the passenger can operate .

In addition, the gripping state identification device of the present invention includes a current detection unit that detects current by being electrically connected between the divided regions of the steering handle of the vehicle that is electrically divided into a plurality of regions. Whether or not the steering handle is in a predetermined both-hands gripping state, and when the current detection value of the current detection means is less than a first threshold, the steering handle When the current position of the current detection means is not less than the first threshold value and less than the second threshold value that is greater than the first threshold value, the steering handle is gripped with a predetermined two-handed grip. identified as a state, the steering wheel is identified as not in the predetermined hands gripping state when the is second threshold value or more. Thereby, it is possible to identify the gripping state of the handle.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of an operation restriction apparatus and a control object apparatus. It is a figure which shows the state in which the electric current detection means is connected to the steering wheel of a vehicle. It is a figure which shows the variation of how to hold a handle. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of an operation restriction apparatus and a control object apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of mounting to the handle | steering-wheel of a pressure sensor.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an operation restriction device 1 according to the present embodiment and an in-vehicle device 8 that is a control target device of the operation restriction device 1. The operation restriction device 1 restricts the driver from operating the vehicle-mounted device 8 such as a car navigation system while the vehicle is traveling.

  The operation restriction device 1 includes a travel information acquisition unit 2, a current detection unit 5 connected to a steering handle (hereinafter simply referred to as “handle”) of the vehicle, and the travel information and current detection acquired by the travel information acquisition unit 2. Control means 6 for determining whether or not to restrict the operation based on the current detection value of means 5 and signal sending means 7 for transmitting a control signal for restricting the operation to the device to be controlled are provided.

  The travel information acquisition unit 2 acquires travel information indicating whether or not the vehicle is traveling from the vehicle. Here, the travel information includes vehicle speed information indicating the vehicle speed and parking brake information indicating the operating state of the parking brake, and the travel information acquisition means 2 acquires vehicle speed information acquisition means 3 and parking brake information acquisition means for acquiring them. 4 is provided.

  The control means 6 receives the travel information from the travel information acquisition means 2 and determines whether or not the vehicle is traveling. For example, if the parking brake information indicates that the parking brake is released and the vehicle speed information indicates that the vehicle speed is not 0 km / h, it is determined that the vehicle is running. If the vehicle speed is not 0 km / h, it can be determined that the vehicle is traveling regardless of the state of the parking brake. Therefore, the parking brake information acquisition unit 4 is not an essential component of the traveling information acquisition unit 2.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the current detection means 5 is connected to the handle. The handle is electrically divided into a right half and a left half, and the current detection means 5 is electrically connected between them to detect a weak current.

  As shown in FIG. 2, Case A is a case where the driver has the right half of the handle with the right hand and the left half of the handle with the left hand. In case A, a closed circuit is formed in which the left half of the steering wheel → the human body of the driver → the right half of the steering wheel → the current detection means 5 → the left half of the steering wheel, and thus a weak current corresponding to the driver's bioimpedance is generated. It is detected by the current detection means 5.

  On the other hand, when the handle is gripped with only one hand or not gripped at all, a weak current does not flow because the closed circuit as described above is not formed. Therefore, the control means 6 compares the current detection value of the current detection means 5 with the first threshold value, and when the current detection value is less than the first threshold value, the handle is in a predetermined (that is, correct or desirable) two-hand grip state. Identify what is not. For example, the current value necessary for measuring the body fat percentage of the human body may be set as the first threshold value. Here, the predetermined two-hand gripping state refers to a state of case A in which the driver has the right half of the handle with the right hand and the left half of the handle with the left hand. Thus, the current detection means 5 and the control means 6 operate as a handle gripping state identification means. Further, a gripping state identification device that identifies the gripping state of the handle by taking out only the functions of the current detection unit 5 and the control unit 6 may be configured.

  When the control unit 6 recognizes that the vehicle is traveling from the travel information acquired by the travel information acquisition unit 2, the control unit 6 recognizes from the current detection value of the current detection unit 5 that the handle is not in a predetermined two-hand grip state. The operation of the control target device is restricted. Specifically, a control signal for limiting the operation is transmitted from the signal sending means 7 to the in-vehicle device 8. On the other hand, when the vehicle is stopped or when it is identified that the steering wheel is in a predetermined two-hand grip state even when the vehicle is traveling, the operation is not limited.

  According to such an operation restriction method, the operation is restricted when the driver removes one hand from the handle to operate the device to be controlled while the vehicle is traveling. The operation can be performed while the vehicle is running only when the driver appropriately holds the steering wheel with both hands. In this case, since the driver cannot physically touch devices other than the steering wheel, the operation of the in-vehicle device 8 is restricted, but the passenger can freely operate. In this way, it is possible to distinguish between the driver and the passenger and to limit the operation of only the driver.

  The operation restriction device according to the present embodiment identifies whether or not the handle is in a predetermined two-handed gripping state (case A). Several patterns are assumed as the two-handed gripping state other than case A. . FIG. 3 shows four ways of holding the handle with both hands, from case A to case D.

  Case B shows the case where both hands have the right half of the handle, and Case C shows the state where both hands have the left half of the handle. In these cases, unlike the case A, since a closed circuit including the current detection means 5 is not formed, a weak current is not detected. Therefore, the control means 6 does not identify that the handle is in a predetermined two-hand grip state, and restricts the operation of the in-vehicle device 8. Cases B and C are considered to be steering operations when turning a curve. In such a case, by restricting the operation of the in-vehicle device 8, the passenger in the vehicle traveling the curve is accelerating the vehicle interior. You can avoid dangers such as bumping into the surroundings due to changes.

  Alternatively, when it is desired to avoid restricting the operation every time the handles of the cases B and C are temporarily gripped, the timing at which the signal transmission means 7 transmits the control signal may be delayed for a certain period. That is, when a state in which the control unit 6 recognizes that the steering wheel is not in a predetermined two-hand grip state continues for a certain period while the vehicle is running, the signal transmission unit 7 transmits a control signal for restricting the operation to the in-vehicle device 8. To do. As a result, it is possible to somewhat eliminate the inconvenience that the passenger's operation is restricted every time a curve is made.

  Furthermore, case D in FIG. 3 shows a state where both hands or one hand straddles the divided region of the handle. In this case, since the bioelectrical impedance in the closed circuit is smaller than that in case A, the current detection value of the current detection means 5 is larger than that in case A. The control means 6 identifies that the handle is in a predetermined two-hand grip state when the detected current value is equal to or greater than the first threshold value.

  Since it can be said that the case D is an unnatural handle operation, in order to identify the case D as not being held in a predetermined two-handed state, the current detection value threshold value of the current detection means 5 is greater than the first threshold value. What is necessary is just to add a big 2nd threshold value. The control means 6 identifies that the handle is in a predetermined two-hand grip state when the detected current value is not less than the first threshold value and less than the second threshold value. In this case, in case D, when the detected current value is equal to or greater than the second threshold value, it is identified that the handle is not in a predetermined two-hand grip state.

  In this way, since the passenger's operation is restricted while the driver is holding the case D, there is an effect of urging the driver to perform an appropriate steering wheel operation.

<Modification>
In the above description, the in-vehicle device 8 is the device to be controlled by the operation restriction device. However, a portable information terminal such as a smartphone or PDA that operates in cooperation with the in-vehicle device 8 (hereinafter referred to as “carry-in terminal”). May be the control target device.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an operation restriction device having the carry-in terminal 10 as a control target device. In FIG. 4, the same components as those in FIG. The in-vehicle device 8 includes a short-range communication unit 9, and the carry-in terminal 10 includes a short-range communication unit 11. The control signal transmitted from the signal sending means 7 of the operation restriction device 1 is received by the in-vehicle device 8, and further transmitted from the in-vehicle device 8 to the carry-in terminal 10 through the short-range communication means 9 and 11. In this way, operation restriction of the carry-in terminal 10 as well as the in-vehicle device 8 is performed.

  In addition, although the handle is electrically divided into two, the number of divisions is not limited to two. If the number of divisions is further increased, the possibility of being in a state such as case B or case C in which the same divided region is held with both hands is reduced.

<Effect>
The operation restriction device according to the first embodiment is an operation restriction device that controls the availability of operation of the control target device with the in-vehicle device 8 and / or the carry-in terminal 10 brought into the vehicle and operating in cooperation with the in-vehicle device 8 as a control target. A travel information acquisition unit 2 that acquires travel information indicating whether or not the vehicle is traveling, a grip state identification unit that identifies whether or not the steering handle of the vehicle is in a predetermined two-hand grip state, When the travel information indicates the travel of the vehicle, and the gripping state identifying means identifies that the steering handle is not in a predetermined two-handed gripping state, a signal transmission for sending a control signal for restricting the operation of the control target device to the control target device Means 7. Therefore, since the operation of the control target device is restricted when the driver releases one hand from the steering wheel, the driver cannot operate the control target device while the vehicle is traveling.

  Further, the signal sending means 7 is a control signal that restricts the operation of the control target device only when the travel information indicates the travel of the vehicle and the gripping state identifying means identifies that the steering handle is not in a predetermined two-hand gripped state. When the steering wheel is in a predetermined two-hand grip state, the driver is physically blocked and cannot operate the control target device, but the passenger can freely operate the control target device. I can do it. In this way, it is possible to limit only the operation of the driver.

  In the operation limiting device according to the first embodiment, the steering handle is electrically divided into a plurality of areas, and the gripping state identifying means includes a current detecting means 5 electrically connected between the divided areas of the steering handle. When the current detection value of the current detection means 5 is less than the first threshold value, it is identified that the steering handle is not in a predetermined two-handed gripping state, so the gripping state of the steering wheel can be identified from the current detection value. .

  In the operation limiting device according to the first embodiment, the gripping state identification unit is configured such that the current detection value of the current detection unit 5 is greater than or equal to the first threshold and less than the second threshold greater than the first threshold. In this case, the steering handle is identified as being in a predetermined two-handed gripping state, and if the steering handle is not in the predetermined two-handed gripping when it is equal to or greater than the second threshold value, the handle is gripped across a plurality of divided areas. In the case of D (see FIG. 3), it is possible to limit the operation of the control target device.

  In addition, when the steering handle is electrically divided into two, a state where the right hand holds the right half of the handle and the left hand holds the left half of the handle is a predetermined two-hand holding state, and the other holding state. In this case, it is possible to restrict the operation of the control target device.

  Further, the signal sending unit 7 restricts the operation of the control target device (the in-vehicle device 8 and the carry-in terminal 10) when the gripping state identification unit identifies that the handle is not in the predetermined two-handed gripping state for a predetermined period. Since the control signal to be transmitted is sent to the device to be controlled, the inconvenience that the passenger's operation is restricted every time a curve is turned is somewhat solved.

  Moreover, since the travel information acquisition means 2 acquires the travel speed of the vehicle, it is determined whether the vehicle is traveling based on the vehicle speed.

  Moreover, since the travel information acquisition means 2 acquires the operation state of the parking brake of the vehicle, it is determined whether or not the vehicle is traveling based on the operation state of the parking brake.

  The gripping state identification device according to the present embodiment includes current detection means 5 that is electrically connected between the divided areas of the steering wheel of the vehicle that is electrically divided into a plurality of areas, and detects current. It is possible to identify whether or not the handle is in a predetermined two-hand grip state based on the detected current value.

  In addition, the gripping state identifying device of the present embodiment identifies that the handle is not in a predetermined two-handed gripping state when the current detection value of the current detection unit 5 is less than the first threshold value. It is possible to identify the gripping state.

  In addition, the gripping state identification device of the present embodiment is configured so that the steering wheel is turned on when the current detection value of the current detection unit 5 is equal to or greater than the first threshold and less than the second threshold greater than the first threshold. Is identified as being in a predetermined two-handed gripping state, and the steering handle is identified as not being in the predetermined two-handed gripping state when it is equal to or greater than the second threshold value. It is possible to identify the case of D (see FIG. 3) that is not in a predetermined two-hand grip state.

(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment, the gripping state of the handle is identified using the current detection unit 5, but a pressure sensor may be used instead of the current detection unit 5.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of mounting the pressure sensor on the handle. In this example, the pressure sensor 12R is mounted on the right half of the handle and the pressure sensor 12L is mounted on the left half. The pressure sensor 12R may be mounted over the entire right half of the handle, or may be mounted at one location to detect that the handle material is dented when gripped. The same applies to the pressure sensor 12L.

  When a current output type pressure sensor is used, it is detected that the handle is grasped with both hands when the pressure sensors 12R and 12L both output a current value equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value. Since the method other than the method for detecting the gripping state of the handle is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  Only when the steering wheel is gripped by both hands during traveling, by allowing the operation of the control target device, it is possible to distinguish the driver from the passenger and restrict only the operation of the driver.

  In addition, the mounting form of the pressure sensor is not limited to a pair of left and right. If the number of mounts is increased and the mount area is further discriminated, it is possible to identify which part of the handle is gripped, and it is possible to perform an operation restriction according to how the handle is held.

<Modification>
A temperature sensor may be used instead of the pressure sensor. The mounting form of the temperature sensor on the handle is the same as that of the pressure sensor. When the threshold value of the measurement temperature of the temperature sensor is, for example, 30 ° C., and the measurement temperature is 30 ° C. or more, it is recognized that the handle is gripped.

  If such temperature sensors are provided on the left half and the right half of the handle and both the temperature sensors measure 30 ° C. or higher, it can be identified that the handle is being held with both hands.

  The mounting form of the temperature sensor is not limited to a pair of left and right. If the number of mounts is increased and the mount area is further discriminated, it is possible to identify which part of the handle is gripped, and it is possible to perform an operation restriction according to how the handle is held.

<Effect>
In the operation restriction device according to the second embodiment, the handle is divided into a plurality of regions, the gripping state identifying means includes pressure sensors 12L and 12R provided in each of the divided regions of the handle, and the operation restriction device includes the different divided regions. Two pressure sensors 12L. When the detected value of 12R is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, it is identified that the handle is in a predetermined two-handed gripping state, and in other cases, it is identified that the handle is not in the predetermined two-handed gripping state. With such a configuration, it is possible to identify the gripping state of the handle using the detection value of the pressure sensor.

  Further, in the operation restriction device according to the second embodiment, the handle is divided into a plurality of regions, the gripping state identification means includes a temperature sensor provided in each divided region of the handle, and the operation restriction device is provided in the different divided regions. When the detected values of the two temperature sensors provided are equal to or higher than the first threshold, it is identified that the handle is in a predetermined two-handed grip state, and in other cases, the handle is not in the predetermined two-handed grip state. Identify With such a configuration, it is possible to identify the gripping state of the handle using the detection value of the temperature sensor.

  In the present invention, within the scope of the invention, any combination of each embodiment, any component of each embodiment can be modified, or any component can be omitted in each embodiment. .

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Operation limiting device, 2 Driving information acquisition means, 3 Vehicle speed information acquisition means, 4 Parking brake information acquisition means, 5 Current detection means, 6 Control means, 7 Signal sending means, 8 Vehicle-mounted apparatus, 9, 11 Short-distance communication means, 10 carry-in terminal, 12R, 12L pressure sensor, 13R, 13L temperature sensor.

Claims (7)

An in-vehicle device, and / or an operation restriction device that controls a propriety terminal that is brought into a vehicle and operates in cooperation with the in-vehicle device, and controls whether the control target device can be operated.
Traveling information acquisition means for acquiring, from the vehicle, traveling information indicating whether or not the vehicle is traveling;
Gripping state identifying means for identifying whether the steering handle of the vehicle is in a predetermined two-handed gripping state;
When the traveling information indicates the traveling of the vehicle and the gripping state identifying unit identifies that the steering handle is not in a predetermined two-handed gripping state, a control signal that restricts the operation of the control target device is transmitted to the control target device And a signal sending means for sending to
The steering handle is electrically divided into a plurality of regions,
The gripping state identifying means includes
Current detection means electrically connected between the divided areas of the steering handle;
When the current detection value of the current detection means is less than a first threshold, the steering handle is identified as not being in a predetermined two-hand grip state, and is greater than or equal to the first threshold and greater than the first threshold. When the steering handle is less than a second threshold, the steering handle is identified as being in a predetermined two-hand grip state, and when the steering handle is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the steering handle is identified as not being in a predetermined two-hand grip state.
Operation restriction device. The signal sending means restricts the operation of the control target device only when the traveling information indicates the traveling of the vehicle and the gripping state identifying means identifies that the steering handle is not in a predetermined two-hand gripping state. Sending a control signal to the device to be controlled;
The operation limiting device according to claim 1. The steering handle is electrically divided into two parts,
The operation limiting device according to claim 1 or 2. The signal sending means sends a control signal for restricting the operation of the control target apparatus when the gripping state identification means identifies that the steering handle is not in a predetermined two-hand holding state for a predetermined period of time. Send to
The operation limiting device according to claim 1. The travel information acquisition means acquires the travel speed of the vehicle;
The operation limiting device according to claim 1. The travel information acquisition means acquires an operation state of a parking brake of the vehicle;
The operation limiting device according to claim 5. A current detection means for detecting current by being electrically connected between the divided areas of the steering wheel of the vehicle which is electrically divided into a plurality of areas;
Identifying whether or not the steering handle is in a predetermined two-hand grip state based on a current detection value of the current detection means;
When the current detection value of the current detection means is less than a first threshold, the steering handle is identified as not being in a predetermined two-hand grip state,
Identifying that the steering handle is in a predetermined two-hand gripping state when a current detection value of the current detection means is equal to or greater than the first threshold and less than a second threshold greater than the first threshold; Identifying that the steering handle is not in a predetermined two-handed gripping state when it is greater than or equal to a second threshold;
Grasping state identification device.

Images