JP7702738B2 - Driving assistance systems and programs - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a driving assistance system and a program that assists a driver in driving by notifying the driver.

A driving support system is known that stores the position information of a target object, and issues an alarm to the driver when the vehicle's position detected by GPS and the stored target object's position have a predetermined relationship. Examples of targets include a device that measures vehicle speed and a police/checkpoint area. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a driving support system that can display information identifying the target object on a display or output an audio alarm when the distance between the target object and the vehicle reaches a set distance. Target objects are often installed in dangerous locations where traffic accidents are likely to occur. Therefore, the driving support system can encourage the driver to drive safely in locations where traffic accidents are likely to occur by notifying the driver of the approach to the target object. In this way, notifying the driver of the approach to the target object contributes to the driver's safe driving.

JP 2011-22161 A

In the system described in Patent Document 1, when there are many targets near the vehicle, the driving assistance system frequently notifies the driver. These notifications may include targets that the driver is already fully aware of, or may be false notifications. If such notifications are repeated, the driver will gradually become tired of paying attention to all the notifications, and his or her attention to the notifications will gradually become distracted. This poses the problem that the driver may miss important notifications.

The object of the present invention is to provide a driving assistance system and program that can allow the driver to more appropriately recognize notifications given to the driver than in the past.

The driving assistance system according to the first aspect of the present invention is a driving assistance system that includes a control means for acquiring information related to a traffic monitoring position (hereinafter referred to as traffic monitoring position information) and controlling notifications related to the traffic monitoring position based on the proximity relationship between the current position of the vehicle and the traffic monitoring position, and is characterized in that the control means further acquires timing information related to the traffic monitoring position information and controls notifications related to the traffic monitoring position by taking the timing information into account.

According to the present invention, notification control regarding the traffic monitoring position is performed taking into account time information. Therefore, the driver is notified as a result of notification control regarding the traffic monitoring position taking into account time information. Therefore, the driver can be made to recognize the notification given to the driver more appropriately than in the past.

For example, as the "notification control regarding the traffic monitoring position taking into account the time information", it is preferable to control the notification to the driver using a notification method that takes into account the time information. As the "notification control regarding the traffic monitoring position taking into account the time information", it is preferable to perform notification control that allows the driver to recognize the importance of the notified information by taking into account the time information. For example, it is preferable to perform control to notify the importance based on the time information. Furthermore, as the "notification control regarding the traffic monitoring position taking into account the time information", it is preferable to perform control to notify information regarding the traffic monitoring position in a priority order based on the time information. In this way, the driver can preferentially obtain important information. As the "notification control regarding the traffic monitoring position taking into account the time information", it is preferable to perform control to notify information selected from information regarding a large number of traffic monitoring positions based on the time information. In this way, it is possible to reliably obtain important information from a large number of pieces of information. Furthermore, as the "notification control regarding the traffic monitoring position taking into account the time information", it is preferable to perform notification control in a notification mode according to the importance based on the time information. For example, the higher the importance based on the timing information, the more noticeable the notification is, so that the driver will not miss it. In this way, the driver can be prevented from missing important notifications.

In the first aspect, the control means may obtain information indicating the freshness of the traffic monitoring position information as the time information, and perform notification control that takes into account the information indicating the freshness of the traffic monitoring position information. This allows the driver to be notified of the results of notification control that takes into account the information indicating the freshness of the traffic monitoring position information.

For example, if "notification control that takes into account information indicating the freshness of the traffic monitoring position information" is performed by controlling the notification of information regarding freshness together with the traffic monitoring position information, the driver can recognize the freshness of the notification content regarding the traffic monitoring position. For example, if "notification control that takes into account information indicating the freshness of the traffic monitoring position information" is performed by controlling whether or not to notify the traffic monitoring position information according to information regarding freshness, the driver can receive notification of traffic monitoring position information according to its freshness.

In addition, since fresh information is likely to be highly credible, if control is exercised to notify the driver of fresh traffic monitoring location information so that the driver is given priority, for example as "notification control that takes into account information indicating the freshness of the traffic monitoring location information," the driver can be sure to obtain more credible information.

In a first aspect, the freshness is information relating to the registration/update timing of the traffic monitoring location information, and the control means may perform the notification control based on the proximity relationship between the information relating to the registration/update timing of the traffic monitoring location information and the current time. This allows the driver to be notified of the results of the notification control based on the proximity relationship between the information relating to the registration/update timing of the traffic monitoring information and the current time.

For example, if control is performed to give priority to notifying new information regarding the registration/update time as "notification control based on the proximity relationship between the information regarding the registration/update time of the traffic monitoring position information and the current time," the driver can preferentially recognize the new information regarding the registration/update time. Generally, new information regarding the registration and update time is highly credible and is highly important to the driver. Therefore, if control is performed to give priority to notifying new information regarding the registration/update time so that the driver can preferentially recognize it, the driver can reliably obtain information of high importance. The above-mentioned freshness should be information regarding the acquisition time of the traffic monitoring position information.

For example, as "notification control based on the proximity relationship between information related to the registration/update timing of the traffic monitoring location information and the current time", it is preferable to perform control to notify information related to the registration/update timing of the traffic monitoring location information and information indicating the proximity relationship to the current time together with the traffic monitoring location information. In this way, the driver will be notified of the information indicating the proximity relationship and the traffic monitoring location information, and will be able to recognize the traffic monitoring location information together with the information indicating the proximity relationship. This allows the driver to recognize new traffic monitoring location information at the registration or update timing, and to drive while taking into consideration locations where safety precautions must be taken.

In the first aspect, the control means may acquire information regarding the time period during which traffic monitoring is performed at the location indicated by the traffic monitoring location information as the time information, and perform notification control that takes into account the information regarding the time period during which traffic monitoring is performed at the location indicated by the traffic monitoring location information. In this way, the user will be notified of the results of notification control that takes into account the information regarding the time period during which traffic monitoring is performed.

For example, as "notification control that takes into account information regarding the time period during which traffic monitoring is performed," if control is performed that prioritizes the notification of traffic monitoring information in which the current time falls within the time period during which traffic monitoring is performed, the driver can prioritize recognition of traffic monitoring location information in which the current time falls within the time period during which traffic monitoring is performed.

For example, as "notification control that takes into account information regarding the time periods during which traffic monitoring is performed," if control is performed in which information regarding the time periods during which traffic monitoring is performed at the location indicated by the traffic monitoring position information is notified together with the traffic monitoring information, the driver can recognize the time periods during which traffic monitoring is performed at the location indicated by the traffic monitoring position information, along with the traffic monitoring information. This allows the driver to recognize the time periods during which traffic monitoring is performed and to drive while taking into consideration the time periods during which care should be taken to drive safely.

The time period may be, for example, a time period within a day. Or, for example, a time period within a week, such as 24 hours on Monday. Or, for example, a time period within a year. Of these, it is particularly preferable to use a time period within a day. In this way, it is preferable to use a certain range of time periods within a certain unit of time.

In the first aspect, the control means may control the notification in a different notification manner depending on whether the time period indicated by the time information includes the current time. In this way, the driver will receive a notification in a different notification manner depending on whether the time period indicated by the time information includes the current time.

For example, the "alert mode that differs depending on whether the time period indicated by the time information includes the current time" may be such that an alert is given if the time period includes the current time, and no alert is given if the time period does not include the current time. Also, for example, the "alert mode that differs depending on whether the time period indicated by the time information includes the current time" may be such that if the time period includes the current time, it is easier to notice compared to if the time period does not include the current time. Also, for example, the "alert mode that differs depending on whether the time period indicated by the time information includes the current time" may be such that a notification is given as to whether the time period includes the current time. This allows the driver to be aware of traffic monitoring being carried out while driving, and allows the driver to immediately focus on driving safely.

In the first aspect, the control means may further acquire information about a traffic monitoring position other than the traffic monitoring position (hereinafter referred to as second traffic monitoring position information) and timing information about the timing of traffic monitoring at the position indicated by the second traffic monitoring position information (hereinafter referred to as second timing information), and may perform notification control for the traffic monitoring position by further taking into account the second timing information. In this way, the driver will be notified of the notification control for the traffic monitoring position that further takes into account the second timing information.

For example, if control is performed to notify the second time information together with the traffic monitoring position information as "notification control regarding the traffic monitoring position further taking into account the second time information", the driver can recognize the second time information regarding the traffic monitoring position. Also, for example, if control is performed as "notification control regarding the traffic monitoring position further taking into account the second time information" as to whether or not to notify the traffic monitoring position information according to the second time information, the driver can be notified of the traffic monitoring position information according to the second time information.

For example, the second time information in the "notification control for the traffic monitoring location that further takes into account the second time information" may be set to the time period of traffic monitoring at the location indicated by the second traffic monitoring location information. The time period may be, for example, a time period within a day. Or, for example, a time period within a week, such as 24 hours on Monday. Or, for example, a time period within a year. In this way, it may be set to a certain range within a certain unit of time.

In a first aspect, the second traffic monitoring position information is information indicating a traffic monitoring position in a wider area than the traffic monitoring position information, and the control means may perform notification control in a different notification mode depending on whether the position indicated by the traffic monitoring position information is included in the position indicated by the second traffic monitoring position information. This allows the driver to receive a notification in a different notification mode depending on whether the position indicated by the traffic monitoring position information is included in the position indicated by the second traffic monitoring position information. Therefore, the driver can distinguish between a case where the traffic monitoring position is included in the second traffic monitoring position and a case where the traffic monitoring position is not included in the second traffic monitoring position.

For example, as a "notification manner that differs depending on whether the location indicated by the traffic monitoring location information is included in the location indicated by the second traffic monitoring location information," if the traffic monitoring location is included in the second traffic monitoring location, it is advisable to notify the driver in a manner that allows the driver to recognize the traffic monitoring location with priority. This allows the driver to identify and recognize particularly important traffic monitoring locations from the wide range indicated by the second traffic monitoring location.

For example, the traffic monitoring location may be a location indicating a very narrow, limited area. Or, it may be a location indicating an area having a certain extent. The second traffic monitoring location may be a location indicating an area wider than the traffic monitoring location.

In the first embodiment, the traffic monitoring location information is based on traffic monitoring location information conducted in the past, and the second traffic monitoring location information is based on planned traffic monitoring location information announced by prefectural police. In this way, the location where traffic monitoring will actually be conducted can be specified in detail from the planned traffic monitoring locations announced by prefectural police. By notifying the driver of this location, the driver can narrow down the points where he or she needs to pay attention when driving.

The program according to the second aspect of the present invention causes the computer of the driving assistance system according to the first aspect to execute various means. This can achieve the same effects as the first aspect.

The above-mentioned driving assistance system may be configured, for example, as follows. The system refers to a storage means in which information indicating a target object to be monitored for traffic and information indicating a registration date and time are stored in association with each other, and controls to notify the driver in a first manner of notification information regarding the target object associated with the registration date and time indicating that the target object was registered within a predetermined time before the time when the positional relationship with the vehicle satisfied the predetermined relationship among the target objects whose positional relationship with the vehicle satisfies the predetermined relationship, and controls to notify the driver in a second manner of notification information regarding the target object associated with the registration date and time indicating that the target object was registered more than the predetermined time. The driving assistance system can change the notification mode when notifying the driver of the notification information according to the registration date and time of the target object. Therefore, the driver can know when the target object was registered based on the notification mode of the notification information. For example, the driving assistance system may notify the notification information by image and sound as a first mode. The driving assistance system may also notify the notification information by only an image as a second mode. In this case, the driver can more clearly recognize the notification information regarding the target object with a new registration date and time. In general, information with a new registration date and time has high credibility and is important to the driver. Therefore, even when there is a large amount of notification information notified by the driving assistance system, the driver can prioritize and recognize notification information related to a target object with a new registration date and time, and can appropriately recognize notification information with high importance.

In addition, the time when the traffic monitoring is performed may be specified, and when the time when the positional relationship between the target object and the vehicle satisfies the predetermined relationship and the implementation time satisfy the predetermined relationship, the notification information may be controlled to be notified to the driver in the first mode. The driving assistance system can notify the driver of the notification information during the period when traffic monitoring is actually performed. For example, when traffic monitoring is performed during the day, the driving assistance system may notify the notification information only during the day and not during the night. This allows the driver to recognize that traffic monitoring is being performed at the timing when the driving assistance system notifies the driver. In addition, since no notification is performed during the period when traffic monitoring is not being performed, it is possible to prevent the driver from becoming suspicious of the notification information due to repeated notification of the notification information even when traffic monitoring is not actually being performed.

In addition, information indicating the date and time when the traffic monitoring is performed is stored in the storage means in association with the information indicating the target object and the information indicating the registration date and time, and the date and time when the traffic monitoring is performed is identified based on the information stored in the storage means. The driving assistance system can easily and appropriately identify the time when traffic monitoring is performed.

In addition, the location where the traffic monitoring is performed may be identified, and if the positional relationship between the target object and the vehicle satisfies the predetermined relationship, and if the positional relationship between the location where the traffic monitoring is performed at another target object and the vehicle satisfies the predetermined relationship, control may be performed to notify the driver of the notification information in the first manner. When there is a high possibility that traffic monitoring will be performed, the driving assistance system can appropriately notify the driver of the notification information.

In addition, information indicating that the information indicating the target object has been updated may be stored in the storage means in association with the information indicating the target object and the information indicating the registration date and time, and the information indicating the update may be controlled to be notified to the driver as at least a part of the notification information. In general, updated information is highly credible and is of high importance to the driver. Therefore, by having the information indicating the update notified from the driving assistance system, the driver can properly recognize information of high importance.

In addition, a specified time may be specified, and when the time when the positional relationship between the target object and the vehicle satisfies the specified relationship and the specified time, control may be performed to notify the driver of the notification information in the first manner. For example, a period such as a traffic safety reinforcement week may be specified as the specified time. Generally, at such times, there is a high possibility that traffic monitoring will actually be carried out. Therefore, by notifying the notification information from the driving assistance system at such times, the driver can properly recognize information regarding the target object for which traffic monitoring is actually being carried out.

2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the driving assistance system 4. FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a second DB 431. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a third DB 432. 1 is a diagram showing a display screen 100 displayed on a display unit 48. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a display screen 101 displayed on a display unit 48. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a display screen 102 displayed on a display unit 48. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display screen 103 displayed on a display unit 48. FIG.

One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. These drawings are used to explain the technical features that may be adopted by the present invention. The configuration of the device and flowcharts of various processes described herein are not intended to be limiting, but are merely illustrative examples.

An overview of the driving assistance system 4 will be described with reference to Figure 1. The driving assistance system 4 is installed in a vehicle. The driving assistance system 4 supports the driver's driving by outputting various information. An example of the driving assistance system 4 is a radar detector. The driving assistance system 4 is provided with a control unit 41 that performs main control. The control unit 41 is composed of a microcomputer equipped with a CPU 42, an EEPROM 43, a RAM 44, etc. Also connected to the control unit 41 are a GPS receiver (GPS module) 45 that receives radio waves from GPS satellites, a microwave receiver (microwave receiving module) 46 that receives microwaves from a radar used to measure speed, a wireless receiver (wireless receiving module) 47 that receives UHF radio waves used for traffic control communications, a display unit 48 made up of a color LCD that displays various information and warning screens, a touch panel 49 on the surface of the display unit 48, a lamp 50 that flashes or lights up to notify, a speaker 51 that issues a warning sound, a card reader 52 into which an SD card 5 is inserted, and an OBD connector 53 for collecting OBD information about the vehicle.

The control unit 41 creates information to be notified to the driver based on information input from various input devices (GPS receiver 45, microwave receiver 46, wireless receiver 47, touch panel 49, OBD connector 53), and outputs the information using output devices (display unit 48, lamp 50, speaker 51). These basic configurations are essentially the same as those of conventional devices. The functions of the driving assistance system 4 are stored in the EEPROM 43 of the control unit 41 as firmware executed by the CPU 42 provided in the control unit 41, and are realized by the CPU 42 executing this. The firmware stored in the EEPROM 43 can be updated with new firmware stored in the SD card 5.

The main information output from the output device of the driving assistance system 4 to assist the driver in driving is warning information to encourage the driver to drive safely. The warning information is output in the following cases, for example. The driving assistance system 4 calculates the distance between the target object position information (latitude and longitude) stored in the SD card 5 as the second DB 431 (see FIG. 2, described in detail later) and the current position (latitude and longitude) of the vehicle detected by the GPS receiver 45, and outputs warning information from the output device when the calculated distance is equal to or less than a predetermined distance and meets a predetermined condition (described in detail later). For example, the driving assistance system 4 outputs warning information from the output device when a signal corresponding to a microwave in a frequency band emitted from a speed measurement device (a speed measurement device that emits radar waves such as a mobile radar) is detected by the microwave receiver 46 and meets a predetermined condition. Target objects are often installed in dangerous places where traffic accidents are likely to occur. For this reason, the driving assistance system 4 makes the driver aware of dangerous places where traffic accidents are likely to occur by outputting warning information. This allows the driving assistance system 4 to encourage the driver to drive safely.

The SD card 5 stores map data, road information data including road types and speed limits, image or photo data displayed on the display unit 48, sound data output from the speaker 51, and various databases. The various databases include at least a first DB (not shown), a second DB 431 (see FIG. 2), and a third DB 432 (see FIG. 3). The various information stored in the SD card 5 is registered by an operator who operates the server, and is provided to the user via the Internet or the like. The user obtains the information provided via the Internet or the like and stores it in the SD card 5. This allows the user to update the information stored in the SD card 5 to the latest information.

The first DB, the second DB 431, and the third DB 432 will be described in detail. The first DB stores polygon data that can identify administrative districts based on location information. Administrative districts are defined for each city, ward, town, or village. Hereinafter, the area represented by the administrative districts will also be referred to as a partitioned area. The polygon data is associated with area identification information for identifying the partitioned area. By referring to the first DB based on the location information output from the GPS receiver 45, the control unit 41 can specify area identification information for identifying the partitioned area in which the vehicle is located, on a city, ward, town, or village basis, which is smaller than the prefecture level.

The second DB431 stores information about targets to be notified to the driver (hereinafter referred to as "target information"). Targets include, for example, speed measuring devices (including speed measuring devices that emit radar waves (microwaves) like radars and speed measuring devices that do not emit radar waves like loop coils), speed limit change points, enforcement areas, checkpoint areas, parking monitoring areas, N systems, traffic monitoring systems, intersection monitoring points, signal ignoring prevention systems, police stations, accident-prone areas, areas where vehicle thefts are frequent, sharp/continuous curves (expressways), branching/merging points (expressways), ETC lane advance guidance (expressways), service areas (expressways), parking areas (expressways), parking areas (expressways), highway oases (expressways), smart interchanges (expressways), PA/SA gas stations (expressways), tunnels (expressways), highway radio receiving areas (expressways), prefectural border notices, roadside stations, and viewpoint parking. The target information is created based on information posted by the general public. The operator compiles the posted information posted by the general public and stores it in the second DB 431.

The second DB 431 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the second DB 431 stores information on latitude and longitude indicating the position of the target object (hereinafter referred to as "target object position information"), information indicating the type of target object, frequency, registration date and time, update date and time, and other information in association with each other, as target object information.

Of the target information stored in the second DB431, frequency is a parameter associated by the operator based on the number of posted information from the general public. Frequency is only associated with target objects whose type is "enforcement." A higher frequency indicates a higher possibility that the corresponding target object is actually installed. The driver can set a frequency threshold for the driving assistance system 4 for each target object. When a target object associated with a frequency equal to or greater than the set threshold approaches the vehicle, the driving assistance system 4 notifies the driver by outputting warning information from an output device. The driver can narrow down the warning information output from the driving assistance system 4 according to frequency.

The registration date and time indicates the date and time when the target information was first registered in the second DB 431 by the operator. The update date and time indicates the date and time when the type of target registered in the second DB 431 or other information was changed. As will be described in detail later, the driving assistance system 4 outputs warning information when a new target with a registration date and time and an update date and time approaches the vehicle. This is because the credibility of the new target information with a registration date and time and an update date and time is high, and there is a high possibility that the target has actually been installed.

The above-mentioned registration date and time should preferably be the date and time when the posted information was posted by a member of the public, rather than the date and time when the target object was first registered in the second DB431 by the operator. Similarly, the update date and time should preferably be the date and time when the information for updating the target object information was posted by a member of the public. This allows the registration date and time and update date and time to be approximated to the date and time when the target object was actually installed.

Other information stored is the implementation time when traffic monitoring, etc. is performed by the corresponding target object. Details will be described later, but the driving assistance system 4 outputs warning information if the time when the vehicle approaches the target object is within the implementation time range. The reason is that in such a case, there is a high possibility that traffic monitoring, etc. is actually being performed by a target object installed near the vehicle.

The implementation time may be a time period within a day as described above, but may also be a time period within a week, such as 24 hours on Monday. It may also be a time period within a year. Of these, it is particularly preferable to use the time period within a day as described above.

The third DB 432 will be described. The third DB 432 contains information (hereinafter referred to as "surveillance activity information") relating to activities to promote safe driving by monitoring traffic conditions (hereinafter referred to as "surveillance activities"). One example of surveillance activities is police crackdowns and checkpoints. Surveillance activities are carried out irregularly in unspecified locations. The control unit 41 can identify details of surveillance activities being carried out near the vehicle by referring to the third DB 432.

The details of the third DB 432 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. The upper rows of indexes 1 to 15 correspond to the "prefectures" where the surveillance activities are carried out, the "start date", the "start time", the "end date", the "end time", the "jurisdictional" police station where the surveillance activities are carried out, and the "location of surveillance activities". The lower rows correspond to information showing the details of the surveillance activities (hereinafter referred to as "detailed information"). For example, the information of index 2 in FIG. 3 ("Start date: 20111107", "Start time: 12h00m", "End date: 20111107", "End time: 18h00m", "Jurisdiction: Iwate Prefectural Police", "Location of surveillance activities: Kuzumaki Town: 302", "Detailed information: [Crackdown] Afternoon Iwate Prefectural Police~") means that surveillance activities will be carried out in some area of Kuzumaki Town under the jurisdiction of Iwate Prefectural Police between 12h00 and 18h00 on November 7, 2011. 302 of the "Location" field is area identification information for identifying a city, ward, town, or village.

Text information on surveillance activities is stored as detailed information. The text information stored as detailed information is used as it is as a message to be displayed on the display unit 48 (see FIG. 1). The detailed information is information published via the homepages (hereinafter referred to as HP) of prefectural police departments throughout the country, digitized based on a specified format. The control unit 41 displays a message based on the detailed information as a subtitle on the display unit 48 at a place and time appropriate to the content. When a driver notices the message displayed as a subtitle, he or she will be more conscious of driving safely. Hereinafter, information on surveillance activities that is published via the homepages of prefectural police departments throughout the country is collectively referred to as public enforcement information. The information stored in the third DB 432 is created by an operator digitizing the enforcement information published via the homepages of prefectural police departments throughout the country.

The "location" associated with the surveillance activity information stores area identification information for identifying the area on a municipal level. For this reason, for example, when the information published as the location where surveillance activities are to be carried out spans multiple municipalities, such as a "prefectural road," all area identification information identifying the relevant municipalities is set as the "location." For example, in the information of index 5 of the third DB 432 in FIG. 3, when surveillance activities are carried out on a "prefectural road," area identification information "302 (Kuzumaki Town)," "501 (Karumai Town)," and "209 (Ichinoseki City)" are associated with the surveillance activity information as the "location." In this way, when surveillance activities are published over a wide area, multiple area identification information is associated with the same surveillance activity information. This clarifies the area where the surveillance activities are to be carried out.

As described above, the first DB stores polygon data that can identify area identification information on a city, ward, town, or village basis, so the area identification information of the partitioned area in which the vehicle is located is identified on a city, ward, town, or village basis. The area identification information of the partitioned area in which the vehicle is located and the area identification information associated with the surveillance activity information as the "location of implementation" are both on a city, ward, town, or village basis and are the same. Therefore, the same area as the partitioned area in which the vehicle is located can be uniformly searched for from the "location of implementation" in the surveillance activity information, so that surveillance activity information for surveillance activities being implemented near the vehicle can be easily identified.

The display image displayed on the display unit 48 of the driving assistance system 4 will be described with reference to Figs. 4 to 7. The driving assistance system 4 displays different display screens on the display unit 48 depending on the display mode set. The driving assistance system 4 has a radar standby display mode, an OBD display mode, and a MAP display mode as constant display modes. In the radar standby display mode, a screen showing the clock and speed, a screen showing the GPS positioning status, a screen showing the vehicle's tilt state, a screen showing the acceleration applied to the vehicle, and the like are displayed on the display unit 48. In the OBD display mode, a screen showing the instantaneous fuel consumption, current fuel consumption, fuel flow rate, vehicle speed, coolant temperature, trip meter, national road average fuel consumption, general road average fuel consumption, expressway average fuel consumption, engine speed, engine load factor, throttle opening, and the like are displayed on the display unit 48. In the MAP display mode, a map image 31 (see Figs. 4 to 7) of the vicinity of the vehicle is displayed on the display unit 48.

The following describes the case where warning information is output in each display mode. In the radar standby display mode and the OBD display mode, a caption indicating the warning information is superimposed on the screen corresponding to each constant display mode, and a warning sound is output from the speaker 51. In contrast, in the MAP display mode, a target icon 21 or the like (see Figures 4 to 7) is superimposed on the map image 31 as information indicating a target object approaching the vehicle. In addition, characters or the like indicating the target object information are displayed. The driving assistance system 4 in this embodiment is characterized by the manner in which warning information is output in this MAP display mode. This will be described in detail below.

With reference to FIG. 4, a display screen 100, which is an example of a display screen displayed on the display unit 48, will be described. Note that FIG. 4 assumes that the display screen 100 is displayed on the display unit 48 at 9:15 on November 10, 2011. The vehicle is assumed to be traveling on National Route 396 (road 28 in FIG. 4) in Tono City. Therefore, at this point in time, the update date and time (2011/11/11 9:00) of index 6 in the second DB 431 (see FIG. 2) is not stored.

The display screen 100 is provided with a main display area 11, a first sub-display area 12, a second sub-display area 13, a third sub-display area 14, and a fourth sub-display area 15. The main display area 11 is provided over the entire display unit 48. The first sub-display area 12 is provided at the top end and in the center left and right of the display unit 48. The third sub-display area 14 is provided at the bottom end of the display unit 48. The second sub-display area 13 is provided above the third sub-display area 14. The fourth sub-display area 15 is provided above and to the right of the second sub-display area 13. Each display area is described in detail below.

The main display area 11 will be described. The main display area 11 is an area for displaying an image showing the positional relationship between the vehicle and a target object. The map image 31 is displayed in the entire main display area 11. The map image 31 is generated by reading map data around the vehicle's position from the SD card 5. The range of the map image 31 to be displayed in the main display area 11 is determined based on the driver's settings. The vehicle icon 20, the target icons 21, 22, ..., and the speed limit icon 24 are displayed superimposed on the map image 31 displayed in the main display area 11. The vehicle icon 20 is for indicating the position of the vehicle relative to the map image 31. The control unit 41 identifies the vehicle's position based on the position information output from the GPS receiver 45, and displays the vehicle icon 20 superimposed on the part of the map image 31 that corresponds to the vehicle's position. The target icons 21, 22, ... are for indicating the position of a target object that is located at a distance less than a predetermined distance from the vehicle and satisfies a predetermined condition, relative to the map image 31. Characters, figures, etc. displayed inside the target icons 21, 22, etc. indicate the type of target object. The control unit 41 identifies the position of the target object based on the second DB 431 (see FIG. 2), and displays the target icons 21, 22, etc. superimposed on the portion of the map image 31 that corresponds to the position of the target object. The speed limit icon 24 indicates the speed limit of the road on which the vehicle is traveling. The control unit 41 reads road information data corresponding to the road on which the vehicle is traveling from the SD card 5, obtains the speed limit, and displays it within the speed limit icon 24.

The control unit 41 aligns the vehicle icon 20 and the target icons 21, 22 displayed in the main display area 11 with the map image 31, and displays them in synchronization. Specifically, the display position of the vehicle icon 20 is fixed in the lower center of the main display area 11. The map image 31 is rotated so that the vehicle's traveling direction is at the top. In other words, if the traveling direction of the vehicle changes (turns), the map image 31 is also rotated accordingly. If the vehicle moves forward, the displayed map image 31 is scrolled downward (so-called heading-up display). This type of display control can be realized by using the map display control in a car navigation system, that is, control that scrolls the map image 31 appropriately while fixing the position of the vehicle in the center of the screen.

When the distance between the vehicle icon 20 and the target icons 21, 22 is within a predetermined distance, the control unit 41 reads out diagram or photo data from the SD card 5 according to the type of target object, and displays it superimposed on the map image 31. It also reads out audio data according to the type of target object from the SD card 5 and outputs it from the speaker 51. For example, when a speed measuring device approaches within 500 m, it reads out diagram or photo data of the speed measuring device from the SD card 5 and displays it superimposed on the map image 31. It also reads out an audio message from the SD card 5 saying "Speed measuring device 500 m ahead. Watch your speed" and outputs it from the speaker 51.

The first sub-display area 12 will now be described. The first sub-display area 12 is provided to display, in text, information about the target objects indicated by the target icons 21, 22, ... displayed in the main display area 11. The information displayed in the first sub-display area 12 is the type of target object and the distance between the vehicle and the target object. If the text does not fit within the first sub-display area 12, the control unit 41 scrolls the text as shown in FIG. 4.

The second sub-display area 13 will now be described. The second sub-display area 13 is provided to display various status information 131 and the current time 132. The status information 131 includes information on areas where vehicle thefts are common, information on areas where parking is prohibited, reception sensitivity mode information, GPS radio wave reception level information, etc. The current time 132 is identified and displayed by the control unit 41 based on the GPS radio waves received by the GPS receiver 45.

The third sub-display area 14 will be described. The third sub-display area 14 is divided into display areas 141 and 142. The display area 141 displays the name of the demarcated area in which the vehicle is located. The control unit 41 identifies the area identification information of the demarcated area in which the vehicle is located by referring to the first DB based on the position information output from the GPS receiver 45. The control unit 41 displays the name of the demarcated area identified by the identified area identification information in the display area 141. The display area 142 displays a message regarding surveillance activities. This message is created based on detailed information stored in the third DB 432 (see FIG. 3). The message includes information such as the date and time of enforcement, the type of enforcement, and the location of enforcement (route, jurisdiction, etc.).

The current speed of the vehicle is displayed in the fourth sub-display area 15. The control unit 41 displays the current speed output from the GPS receiver 45 in the fourth sub-display area 15.

The process executed by the control unit 41 to display the display screen 100 on the display unit 48 will be described. First, the control unit 41 refers to the second DB 431 (see FIG. 2). In order to specify the target icons 21, 22 to be displayed in the main display area 11, the control unit 41 selects a target object that satisfies the following conditions (1) to (3) from the second DB 431.
(1) When the distance between the vehicle and the target vehicle is less than a predetermined distance; (2) When the time elapsed since the target information was registered in the second DB 431 is within four months, or when the time elapsed since the target information stored in the second DB 431 was updated is within four months; (3) When the current time is included in the implementation time.

For example, the control unit 41 specifically executes the following process to display the display screen 100 of FIG. 4 on the display unit 48. First, the control unit 41 acquires the current position (latitude and longitude) of the vehicle using the GPS receiver 45. Next, the control unit 41 references the position information in the second DB 431 (see FIG. 2) and selects a target object that is set at a position within a predetermined distance from the vehicle. For example, assume that all of the target objects stored in the second DB 431 in FIG. 2 are installed at positions within a predetermined distance from the vehicle.

Next, the control unit 41 refers to the registration date and time and the update date and time associated with the selected target object. The control unit 41 selects a target object that has been registered or updated within the past four months from the current date and time. Specifically, the control unit 41 selects a target object stored in the second DB 431 that is associated with a registration date and time or an update date and time that is four months prior to the current date and time (9:15 on November 10, 2011) or later (9:15 on July 10, 2011). As a result, the control unit 41 selects the target object "loop coil" of index 1 (registration date and time: 10:00 on July 16, 2011), the target object "new H system" of index 4 (update date and time: 18:00 on September 11, 2011), and the target object "police (speed trap)" of index 5 (registration date and time: 19:00 on September 2, 2011).

Next, the control unit 41 refers to other information associated with the selected target object. The control unit 41 judges whether the current time is included in the implementation time stored as other information. In the case of the second DB 431 in FIG. 2, the implementation times of indexes 1 and 4 are all day, so the current time is included in the implementation time. On the other hand, the implementation time of index 5 (18:00-0:00) does not include the current time (9:15). Therefore, it is highly likely that traffic monitoring by the target object "police (speed trap)" of index 5 is not being carried out at the moment. Therefore, the control unit 41 finally selects the target object "loop coil" of index 1 and the target object "new H system" of index 4, excluding the target object "police (speed trap)" of index 5, as the target objects to be displayed as target icons superimposed on the map image 31.

The control unit 41 displays the target icon 21 indicating the selected target object "loop coil" and the target icon 22 indicating the target object "new H system" in the main display area 11, superimposed on the position indicated by the position information in the map image 31. The control unit 41 also selects, from the selected target objects, a target object associated with a registration date and time or update date and time two months prior to the current date and time (9:15 on September 10, 2011) or later. In the second DB, this corresponds to index 4 "new H system". The control unit 41 displays a balloon image 23 indicating that the update date and time is recent, superimposed on the target icon 22 of the selected target object "new H system". Note that the balloon image indicating that the registration date and time is recent is superimposed on a balloon image indicating that the registration date and time is recent.

The control unit 41 also scrolls and displays in the first sub-display area 12 text indicating the type of target object indicated by the target icons 21 and 22 and the distance between the target object and the vehicle. Note that the text indicating the type and distance of the target object indicated by the target icon 22 with the speech bubble image 23 superimposed thereon has the words "!Update" added to the beginning. As a result, the display screen 100 shown in FIG. 4 is displayed.

Furthermore, the control unit 41 identifies the area identification information of the demarcated area in which the vehicle is located by referring to the first DB based on the position information output from the GPS receiver 45. The control unit 41 displays the name of the demarcated area identified by the identified area identification information in the display area 141 of the third sub-display area 14. The driver can recognize the demarcated area in which the vehicle is located by visually checking the name displayed in the display area 141 of the third sub-display area 14.

Next, the control unit 41 refers to the third DB 432 (see FIG. 3). The control unit 41 executes the following process to display information on the monitoring activity being carried out in the vicinity of the vehicle in the display area 142 of the third sub-display area 14. The control unit 41 identifies the position information of the vehicle and the current date and time based on the information output from the GPS receiver 45. Next, the control unit 41 refers to the third DB 432. Among the monitoring activity information stored in the third DB 432, the control unit 41 selects monitoring activity information in which the same area identification information as the area identification information of the partitioned area in which the vehicle is located is associated as the "implementation location". Next, the control unit 41 identifies the period in which the monitoring activity is being carried out based on the "start date", "start time", "end date", and "end time" (see FIG. 3) associated with the selected monitoring activity information. Then, the control unit 41 further selects monitoring activity information in which the current date and time are included within the identified period. If there is matching monitoring activity information, the control unit 41 creates a message based on the detailed information of the selected monitoring information and displays it in the display area 142 of the third sub-display area 14.

The current date and time is 9:15 on November 10, 2011, and the location where the vehicle is traveling is Tono City. Meanwhile, the third DB 432 (see FIG. 3) does not store any information on surveillance activities being carried out within the period including the current date and time, or within Tono City. Therefore, no message indicating surveillance activities is displayed in the display area 142 of the third sub-display area 14 on the display screen 100. An example of a case where a message indicating surveillance activities is displayed in the display area 142 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

As described above, the driving assistance system 4 can notify the driver of information on the target object by taking into account the registration date and time when the target object information was registered in the second DB 431 (see FIG. 2) and the update date and time when the target object information was updated (condition (2) above). In the above, of the six target objects stored in the second DB 431, i.e., the target objects installed within a predetermined distance from the vehicle, only the target icons 21 and 22 indicating the loop coil (index 1) and the new H system (index 4) are displayed superimposed on the map image 31. For example, when all of the target objects installed in the vicinity of the vehicle are notified, a large number of target icons are displayed superimposed on the map image 31, making it difficult for the driver to pay attention to all the target icons. On the other hand, in the present invention, as described above, only the target icons 21 and 22 indicating the new target objects with the registration date and update date and time, i.e., the target objects that are likely to be actually installed, are displayed superimposed on the map image 31. Therefore, the driver can reliably recognize only the target objects that are likely to be actually installed among the target objects installed in the vicinity of the vehicle. This allows the driver to properly obtain highly reliable target information and drive more safely.

Target information showing areas for crackdowns and checkpoints is the ultimate example of word-of-mouth information, consisting essentially of information seen and heard by members of the public. Therefore, newly added (registered) information is particularly likely to indicate that crackdowns and checkpoints have recently taken place there, and is therefore highly important. Therefore, by looking up the registration and update information contained in the target information, it is possible to determine whether the data was newly created within the last X months, for example.

Furthermore, until a certain amount of time has passed, when an alarm sounds, a "! New" mark or an "! Updated" mark is displayed to indicate that the information is new. This allows the driver to recognize that this area requires greater caution. The second DB 431 may also be associated with word-of-mouth information (such as visually distinctive information about the area) contained in posted information posted by members of the public. When outputting target information, the control unit 41 may display the word-of-mouth information as a sub-display or provide audio guidance.

In FIG. 4, assume that the vehicle travels again on the same road (National Route 396) as the one it is currently traveling on, at a different time, for example, 20:10. In this case, the current time (20:10) is included in the implementation time (18:00-0:00) of index 5 in the second DB 431 (see FIG. 2). In this case, it is highly likely that traffic monitoring using the target object of index 5, "cracking (speed trap)," is being carried out while the vehicle is traveling. Therefore, in addition to the display screen 100 of FIG. 4, the control unit 41 displays a target icon 25 indicating the target object of index 5, "cracking (speed trap)," together with the target icons 21 and 22, superimposed on the map image 31. As a result, the display screen 101 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed.

As explained above, when the time period for traffic monitoring, etc., performed by the target object is limited, the driving assistance system 4 displays the target icon of the corresponding target object superimposed on the map image 31 only when the current time is included in the time period (condition (3) above). Therefore, the driver can accurately recognize the time period during which traffic monitoring, etc., is performed by the target object, and can drive with particular attention to safe driving during this time period.

Note that in the above description, only target objects associated with implementation times that include the current time are notified to the driver by the target icon (see FIG. 5, display screen 101); target objects associated with implementation times that do not include the current time are not notified to the driver (see FIG. 4, display screen 100). In contrast, for example, target objects associated with implementation times that include the current time and target objects associated with implementation times that do not include the current time may be distinguished and notified to the driver. In this case, it is preferable to notify the driver in a manner that allows the target objects associated with implementation times that include the current time to be more clearly recognized. This allows the driver to clearly recognize the locations where the target objects are installed, while distinguishing and recognizing target objects for which traffic monitoring, etc. are actually being performed.

Enforcement and checkpoints are actually carried out by humans, and each area has its own quirks and biases. Locations where enforcement and checkpoints are often carried out are registered, but the times at which they are actually carried out also tend to vary. For example, if it is widely known that speed traps are only set up in a certain enforcement area during the day, and this information is available, then there is no need to sound an alarm at night, to put it bluntly. Since it is safer for the driving assistance system 4 to exaggerate the warning rather than not sounding a warning, for example, it is a good idea to increase the frequency of warnings during the effective time periods of a certain enforcement area, or to display or announce additional information such as "This is a time period when caution is required" through audio. Changing the color to a more warning color is also effective.

In Figs. 4 and 5, suppose the vehicle travels again on the same road (National Route 396) as the one it is traveling on, on a different date and time, for example, 12:10 on Nov. 11, 2011. In this case, the current date and time is included in the implementation period (12:00 to 21:00 on Nov. 11, 2011) of the surveillance activity information in index 14 of third DB 432 (see Fig. 3). Therefore, the control unit 41 creates a message based on the surveillance activity information in index 14 and displays it in the display area 142 of the third sub-display area 14. As a result, the display screen 102 shown in Fig. 6 is displayed on the display unit 48. In Fig. 6, the message "Crackdown Afternoon Tono Police Station Tono City National Route 396" is displayed in the display area 142.

At the same time as displaying the message in the display area 142 of the third sub-display area 14, the control unit 41 highlights the portion of the map image 31 displayed in the main display area 11 that indicates the location where the surveillance activity is being carried out. Specifically, the control unit 41 extracts the location where the surveillance activity is being carried out, "National Route 396", from the detailed information of the surveillance activity information in the index 14 of the third DB 432. The control unit 41 highlights the location on the map image 31 that corresponds to the extracted location by showing it with a thick line. As a result, as shown on the display screen 102 of Figure 6, the road 28 indicating National Route 396 is highlighted with a thick line. This allows the driver to narrow down and recognize the location where the surveillance activity is currently being carried out from the area (Tono City) shown by the map image 31.

The target object "police (mobile speed camera)" of index 6 in the second DB 431 (Figure 2) was recently updated at the update date and time "2011/11/11 9:00". Since the target object information was updated within the last four months prior to the current date and time, the control unit 41 displays a new target icon 26 indicating the target object "police (mobile speed camera)" superimposed on the map image 31 in the main display area 11. In addition, since the condition that it was updated after two months prior to the current date and time (2011/9/11 12:10), a speech bubble image 27 is superimposed on the target icon 26.

In Figure 6, assume that the vehicle travels again on the same road (National Route 396) as the road on which it is traveling, on the same day as in Figure 6 but at a different time, for example, 20:10 on November 11, 2011. In this case, the current date and time is included in the period during which the surveillance activity "crackdown" of index 14 in the third DB 432 (see Figure 3) is being carried out (12:00-21:00 on November 11, 2011), and the current time is included in the implementation time (18:00-0:00) of the target object "crackdown (speed trap)" of index 5 in the second DB 431 (see Figure 2). Therefore, the vehicle is approaching the target object "crackdown (speed trap)" installed on National Route 396 where the surveillance activity "crackdown" is currently being carried out. Since the current time is included in the implementation time of the target "crackdown (speedtrap)," it is highly likely that traffic monitoring, etc. is actually being carried out at the target "crackdown (speedtrap)."

Therefore, the control unit 41 highlights the road 28 indicating National Route 396, where the surveillance activity will be carried out, and at the same time enlarges the target icon 25 indicating the target object "police enforcement (speed trap)" and displays it superimposed on the road 28. As a result, the display screen 103 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display unit 48. By visually checking the enlarged target icon 25, the driver can recognize that there is a very high possibility that traffic surveillance or the like is actually being carried out at the target object "police enforcement (speed trap)."

As described above, the driving assistance system 4 can output warning information to the driver, taking into account the time when traffic monitoring, etc., is carried out at the target object (see the second DB 431 and other information) and the period during which the monitoring activity is carried out (see the third DB 432). This allows the driver to recognize that the specific location where the target object is installed (the location where the target icon 25 is located in FIG. 7) within the wide area indicated by the location where the monitoring activity is carried out (road 28 in FIGS. 6 and 7) is an important location where special attention should be paid when driving. This allows the specific location where traffic monitoring, etc. is actually carried out to be specified in detail from the wide area where monitoring activities are carried out announced by the prefectural police. This allows the driver to narrow down the locations where attention should be paid when driving from a wide area.

As described above, the driving assistance system 4 notifies public crackdown information by division such as prefectural borders, jurisdictions, and cities, towns, and villages. On the other hand, in known general driving assistance systems, public crackdown information is notified when the power is turned on or when the prefectural border is crossed. In the driving assistance system 4, the boundaries of the alert area that requires attention are clearly known over the entire area using map data, so it is possible to determine whether the crackdown or checkpoint area that is the POI currently belongs to an alert area (an area within a specified distance from the vehicle). Therefore, in addition to notifying of changes in boundaries and time periods, when reporting an alert for a crackdown or checkpoint area located in a public crackdown "alert" area, a method different from the normal alert can be used (for example, enlarging and displaying the target icon 25 as described above). Other specific examples include: (a) issuing warnings more frequently than usual (e.g., from level 4 to 5); (b) adding to the display an indication that the vehicle is "in a high-alert area" or "in a public surveillance zone"; and (c) adding an audio message saying "in a high-alert area."

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. In the above, the target icon of the target object with the most recent registration date and update date was displayed superimposed on the map image 31. In response to this, the control unit 41 may increase the frequency value of the target object information with the most recent registration date and update date, thereby actively displaying the target icon of the corresponding target object on the map image 31. In this case, the target icon of the target object with a high frequency is displayed superimposed on the map image 31 at the same time as the target object with the most recent registration date and update date, so that the driver can recognize the corresponding target object even if the target object has a relatively old registration date and update date, if the frequency is high.

The control unit 41 may display all target icons indicating target objects installed near the vehicle on the map image 31. The control unit 41 may also display the target icons of target objects with newer registration dates and updates in a manner different from the other target icons. For example, the control unit 41 may display the target icons of target objects with newer registration dates and updates larger than the other target icons. Alternatively, a bubble image indicating that the registration date and update date and time are new may be displayed superimposed on the target icon. It may be displayed in the second sub-display area 12 that the target object has a new registration date and update date and time. At the same time, it may be notified by voice that the target object has a new registration date and update date and time.

Instead of displaying the detailed information from the third DB 432 as a message regarding the surveillance activity in a caption in the display area 142, or simultaneously with displaying the caption, the control unit 41 may display a sub-window in the main display area 11 and display the detailed information in the sub-window. Alternatively, a speech bubble may be displayed instead of the sub-window, and the detailed information may be displayed in the speech bubble while at the same time as associating the speech bubble with a target icon, road, etc.

4 Driving assistance system 11 Main display area 12 First sub-display area 13 Second sub-display area 14 Third sub-display area 15 Fourth sub-display area 20 Vehicle icon 21, 22, 25, 26 Target icon 31 Map image 41 Control unit 48 Display unit

Claims (4)

A function of displaying, on a map, target icons updated after a first time point that is a predetermined period before the present ;
A system characterized by having a function of displaying, overlaid on an icon of an object that has been updated at or after a second point in time that is later than the first point in time, a different image indicating the update. A function of displaying icons of targets registered after a third point in time that is a predetermined period before the present time on a map by superimposing the icons on the map;
The system described in claim 1, characterized in that it has a function of displaying a different image indicating the registration over the icon of an object among the objects registered at a fourth time point or later than the third time point . a function of scrolling and displaying characters indicating the type of object represented by the icon in a location separate from the icon;
The function of performing the scroll display is
The system described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that if the icon is an icon indicating an object that has been updated after the second point in time, the system has a function of adding characters indicating the update to the characters indicating the type of the object and scrolling the display in a location separate from the icon. A program for causing a computer to realize the functions of the system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 .

Images