1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for detecting a driving behavioral characteristic from the driving inclination of an automobile driver then driving an automotive vehicle.
2. Description of Related Art
The driving behavior detecting apparatus has hitherto been known, which is utilized to analyze the driving inclination of the automobile driver, then driving the automotive vehicle, and/or to make a recording of traffic incidents with the use of a digital tachograph and/or a drive recorder mounted on the automotive vehicle.
Taxi companies utilizing a number of cars for business use are required to stipulate the specific control standards including, for example, the employment of a safety operating manager and/or the periodic implementation of aptitude diagnosis and, in recent years, even general industries using a substantial number of company owned automotive vehicles are required to commit the employment of a safety operating manager and/or the periodic implementation of safety driving guidance. Thus, the necessity of raising the consciousness for the safety driving is increasing in recent years.
As one example of the conventional driving behavior detecting apparatus, the apparatus has been well known, in which a drive recorder is used to detect data representative of the driving inclination of a vehicle driver then driving an automotive vehicle and, based on those data, the driving inclination of the vehicle driver is analyzed. In this respect, see, for example, the patent documents 1 and 2 listed below.
In the driving behavior detecting apparatus in general, an acceleration sensor for detecting the acceleration of the automotive vehicle, a GPS sensor for detecting the position of the automotive vehicle and/or an imaging device for imaging an operating state of the automotive vehicle are mounted on the automotive vehicle and detection data on the driving inclination are detected by those devices. Thereafter, by a manager stationed at, for example, a driving control center, the driving inclination is subjectively analyzed on the basis of detection data such as, for example, detected acceleration data, which may represent hasty behaviors (generally known as “traffic incidents”), and/or contextual image data recorded of those hasty behaviors with the aid of a personal computer (PC) or the like.
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent No. 3044025
[Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent No. 3229297
It has, however, been found that most of the conventional apparatuses are so designed and so configured that if the acceleration representative of one of the driving behaviors is higher than a predetermined value, such higher acceleration is uniformly judged as a dangerous behavior, and reference only to the acceleration data is insufficient. Therefore, reference has also been made to data acquired from other sensors and/or to contextual images recorded of the driving behavior before the final decision as to whether or not it is a hazardous behavior is made. As a result, the problem has hitherto been recognized in that a substantial amount of time is incurred in determining the driving behavior in question.
Also, the conventional apparatus requires the use of, in addition to the acceleration sensor, the various sensors referred to above and the imaging device and is therefore expensive. Accordingly, as apparatus for use primarily in detecting the driving behavior, an expensive alternative and a simplified construction have been desired for.
In view of the foregoing, the present invention has been devised to substantially eliminate the above discussed problems and inconveniences inherent in the prior art apparatuses and is intended to provide a method of and a simplified device for detecting various driving behaviors, exhibited by a vehicle driver, so that determination of whether is good or bad can be accomplished easily.
In order to accomplish the object of the present invention referred to above, out of the driving behave detecting method and apparatus provided according to a first design of the present invention, the driving behavior detecting method (according to the first design of the present invention) referred to above includes a driving behavior detecting unit, mounted on an automotive vehicle and having at least an acceleration sensor, for detecting a driving behavior on the basis of an acceleration of the automotive vehicle detected by the acceleration sensor, in which method on the basis of the frequency of occurrence of the acceleration at a plurality of angles of inclination on a plane containing a predetermined axis of the automotive vehicle and a predetermined axis of the driving behavior detecting unit installed so as to incline relative to this predetermined axis, at least the angle of inclination of an anteroposterior axis of the driving behavior detecting unit installed relative to the anteroposterior axis of the automotive vehicle is automatically detected.
The driving behavior detecting apparatus (according to the first design of the present invention) referred to above includes a driving behavior detecting unit, which is mounted on an automotive vehicle and including an acceleration sensor for detecting at least an acceleration of the automotive vehicle; a display unit; an electric power source unit; and a control unit for detecting the driving behavior on the basis of the acceleration of the automotive vehicle detected by the acceleration sensor, in which apparatus the control unit includes a setting cant state detecting unit for automatically detecting, on the basis of the frequency of occurrence of the acceleration at a plurality of angles of inclination on a plane containing a predetermined axis of the automotive vehicle and a predetermined axis of the driving behavior detecting unit installed so as to incline relative to this predetermined axis, at least the angle of inclination of an anteroposterior axis of the driving behavior detecting unit installed relative to the anteroposterior axis of the automotive vehicle.
According to the first design of the present invention referred to above, since even though the driving behavior detecting apparatus including the driving behavior detecting unit mounted on the automotive vehicle is installed having been inclined relative to the predetermined axis of the automotive vehicle, for example, the anteroposterior axis, the state of inclination thereof is automatically detected on the basis of the detection of the acceleration of the automotive vehicle, accurate data on the driving behavior can be acquired with a simplified construction. Also, there is no need to coincide the predetermined axis of the driving behavior detecting apparatus relative to the predetermined axis of the automotive vehicle and, hence, with a simplified construction, the degree of freedom of installation of the driving behavior detecting apparatus, including the driving behavior detecting unit, in the automotive vehicle can be increased.
Preferably, by detecting the direction of advance of the automotive vehicle the number of times by means of the acceleration sensor, the direction of advance of the automotive vehicle is automatically detected on the basis of the detection angle of the driving behavior detecting unit and the number of times the detection has been made by the acceleration sensor. Accordingly, since the direction of advance of the automotive vehicle is detected merely through the detection by the acceleration sensor, more accurate data on the driving behavior can be acquired.
Out of the driving behave detecting method and apparatus provided according to a second design of the present invention, the driving behavior detecting method (according to the second design of the present invention) includes a driving behavior detecting unit, mounted on an automotive vehicle and having at least an acceleration sensor, for detecting a driving behavior on the basis of an acceleration of the automotive vehicle detected by the acceleration sensor, in which method on the basis of the magnitude of a vibrating state, detected by the acceleration sensor, and the magnitude of a vibrating state before and after a braking operation, a driving behavior state of halt, deceleration, advance and acceleration of the automotive vehicle is detected.
The driving behavior detecting apparatus (according to the second design of the present invention) includes a driving behavior detecting unit, mounted on an automotive vehicle and having at least an acceleration sensor for detecting the acceleration of the automotive vehicle, a display unit, an electric power source unit, and a control unit for detecting the driving behavior on the basis of the acceleration of the automotive vehicle detected by the acceleration sensor, in which apparatus the control unit includes a traveling behavior state detecting unit for detecting a driving behavior state of halt, deceleration, advance and acceleration of the automotive vehicle is detected, on the basis of the magnitude of a vibrating state, detected by the acceleration sensor, and the magnitude of a vibrating state before and after a braking operation.
According to the second design of the present invention, merely by the detection made by the acceleration sensor, the traveling behavior state of halt, deceleration, advance and acceleration of the automotive vehicle can be detected and, since the necessity of use of various sensors such as required in the prior art can be dispensed with, the structure can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.
Preferably, when the vibrating state continues at a value lower than a predetermined value or when a low vibrating state establishes after the braking operation from a high vibrating state, the halt of the automotive vehicle is detected. Accordingly, the halting behavior state of the automobile vehicle, with has hitherto been difficult to achieve only with the acceleration sensor, can be accurately detected.
Out of the driving behave detecting method and apparatus provided according to a third design of the present invention, the driving behavior detecting method (according to the third design of the present invention) includes a driving behavior detecting unit, mounted on an automotive vehicle and having at least an acceleration sensor, for detecting a driving behavior on the basis of an acceleration of the automotive vehicle detected by the acceleration sensor, in which method the interval of time of occurrence of an abrupt operation detected by the acceleration sensor and, based on the abrupt operation occurring time interval so detected, an abrupt behavior state is detected from the amount of change in a difference between an average abrupt operation occurring time interval for a long term and an average abrupt operation occurring time interval for a recent short term.
The driving behavior detecting apparatus (according to the third design of the present invention) includes a driving behavior detecting unit, which is mounted on an automotive vehicle and includes an acceleration sensor for detecting at least an acceleration of the automotive vehicle, a display unit, an electric power source unit, and a control unit for detecting the driving behavior on the basis of the acceleration of the automotive vehicle detected by the acceleration sensor, in which apparatus the control unit includes a hasty behavior state detecting unit for measuring the interval of time of occurrence of an abrupt operation, detected by the acceleration sensor, and on the basis of the abrupt operation occurring time interval so detected, for detecting a hasty behavior state from the amount of change in a difference between an average abrupt operation occurring time interval for a long term and an average abrupt operation occurring time interval for a recent short term.
According to the third design of the present invention, by detecting the hasty behavior state merely through the detection by the accelerator sensor, it is possible to avoid an accident or an incident by warning and/or displaying that the possibility of occurrence of the accident is high.
Out of the driving behave detecting method and apparatus provided according to a fourth design of the present invention, the driving behavior detecting method (the fourth design of the present invention) includes a driving behavior detecting unit, mounted on an automotive vehicle and having at least an acceleration sensor, for detecting a driving behavior on the basis of an acceleration of the automotive vehicle detected by the acceleration sensor, in which method on the basis of a time distribution of acceleration in a decelerating behavior, which is one of the driving behaviors and by which the automotive vehicle is decelerated, the decelerating behavior state is detected as classified into a predicated deceleration type, an anticipated circumvention type, a determination miscalculation type and an emergency deceleration type in dependence on the presence or absence of a predication or the degree of emergency.
The driving behavior detecting apparatus (according to the fourth design of the present invention) includes a driving behavior detecting unit, which is mounted on an automotive vehicle and including an acceleration sensor for detecting at least an acceleration of the automotive vehicle; a display unit; an electric power source unit; and a control unit for detecting the driving behavior on the basis of the acceleration of the automotive vehicle detected by the acceleration sensor, in which apparatus the control unit includes a decelerating behavior state detecting unit for detecting, on the basis of a time distribution of acceleration in a decelerating behavior, which is one of the driving behaviors and by which the automotive vehicle is decelerated, the decelerating behavior state as classified into a predicated deceleration type, an anticipated circumvention type, a determination miscalculation type and an emergency deceleration type in dependence on the presence or absence of a predication or the degree of emergency.
According to the fourth design of the present invention, since merely through the detection made by the acceleration sensor, the decelerating behavior state can be classified into the predicated deceleration type, the anticipated circumvention type, the determination miscalculation type and the emergency deceleration type in detail, the determination of whether is good or bad can be easily made and a proper driving guidance can be given with a simplified structure.
Preferably, by extracting a feature of each waveform representing the time distribution of the acceleration from an acceleration value and a position of the center of gravity of the waveform in the waveform, the decelerating behavior is classified and then detected. Accordingly, the determination of whether is good or bad can be easily made.
Out of the driving behave detecting method and apparatus provided according to a fifth design of the present invention, the driving behavior detecting method (the fifth design of the present invention) includes a driving behavior detecting unit, mounted on an automotive vehicle and having at least an acceleration sensor, for detecting a driving behavior on the basis of an acceleration of the automotive vehicle detected by the acceleration sensor, in which method on the basis of the comparison between a deceleration time required during the deceleration detected by the acceleration sensor and a plurality of deceleration time range preset in dependence on the deceleration initiating speed, a halting behavior is detected.
The driving behavior detecting apparatus (according to the fifth design of the present invention) includes a driving behavior detecting unit, which is mounted on an automotive vehicle and including an acceleration sensor for detecting at least an acceleration of the automotive vehicle; a display unit; an electric power source unit; and a control unit for detecting the driving behavior on the basis of the acceleration of the automotive vehicle detected by the acceleration sensor, in which apparatus the control unit includes a halting behavior state detecting unit for detecting a halting behavior state on the basis of the comparison between a deceleration time required during the deceleration detected by the acceleration sensor and a plurality of deceleration time range preset in dependence on the deceleration initiating speed.
According to the fifth design of the present invention, since merely through the detection by the acceleration sensor, whether is good or bad of the halting behavior state during the deceleration is detected, the vehicle driver can secure, on a real time basis, a proper time required to halt the automotive vehicle and, therefore, a proper driving guidance can be given with a simplified structure.
Out of the driving behave detecting method and apparatus provided according to a sixth design of the present invention, the driving behavior detecting method (the sixth design of the present invention) includes a driving behavior detecting unit, mounted on an automotive vehicle and having at least an acceleration sensor, for detecting a driving behavior on the basis of an acceleration of the automotive vehicle detected by the acceleration sensor, in which method the radius of curvature of a road is detected on the basis of the acceleration from the acceleration sensor and the speed of the automotive vehicle and a leftward or rightward turning behavior state is detected on the basis of an actual approaching speed relative to a proper approaching speed dependent on the radius of curvature of the road.
The driving behavior detecting apparatus (according to the sixth design of the present invention) includes a driving behavior detecting unit, which is mounted on an automotive vehicle and including an acceleration sensor for detecting at least an acceleration of the automotive vehicle; a display unit; an electric power source unit; and a control unit for detecting the driving behavior on the basis of the acceleration of the automotive vehicle detected by the acceleration sensor, in which apparatus the control unit includes a leftward or rightward turning behavior state detecting unit for detecting the radius of curvature of a road on the basis of the acceleration from the acceleration sensor and the speed of the automotive vehicle and for detecting a leftward or rightward turning behavior state on the basis of an actual approaching speed relative to a proper approaching speed dependent on the radius of curvature of the road.
According to the sixth design of the present invention, since merely through the detection of the acceleration and the detection of the speed, both made by the acceleration sensor, the leftward or rightward turning state is detected, with a simplified structure it is possible to enhance, on an real time basis, the driver's awareness of the importance of the safe driving during the curving.
Preferably, risk evaluation and assessment, including reduction and calculation, for a damage insurance may be carried out on the basis of detection of the traveling behavior state, the decelerating behavior state, the halting behavior state and/or the leftward or rightward turning behavior state so obtained. In this case, by the accurate detection of the behavior of an individual driver, a reasonable and valid risk assessment can be performed.
Thus, as hereinabove described, the present invention makes it possible to detect the various driving behaviors with a simplified structure by means of the detection made by the accelerator sensor, thus facilitating the determination of whether is good or bad thereof.
In any event, the present invention will become more clearly understood from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the embodiments and the drawings are given only for the purpose of illustration and explanation, and are not to be taken as limiting the scope of the present invention in any way whatsoever, which scope is to be determined by the appended claims. In the accompanying drawings, like reference numerals are used to denote like parts throughout the several views, and:
Hereinafter, one preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. In particular,
The acceleration sensor 2 is so designed as to acquire data (G display) on three axis acceleration acting in an anteroposterior direction, a bilateral direction and a vertical direction and is operable to the driving behavior and a particular one (hasty behavior) of the driving behavior such as, for example, abrupt braking, abrupt acceleration and abrupt steering.
The driving behavior detecting apparatus 1 has built therein the electric power source unit 7 such as, for example, a direct current power source (battery) and, accordingly, no wiring is needed to supply an electric power from the automotive vehicle and it can be installed at any arbitrary position inside the automotive vehicle as it is easy to install. The display unit 4 is operable to display a setting cant state as will be detailed later, a traveling behavior state, a hasty behavior state, a deceleration state, a halting behavior state and a leftward or rightward turning behavior state. The warning unit 5 is operable to issue to the vehicle drive a warning in the form of, for example, voiced messages, buzzer sounds and/or lighting in the event of, for example, the detection of the hasty behavior state and/or the detection of an emergency deceleration model included in the decelerating behavior state detection.
The control unit (CPU) 8 referred to above is operable to control the entire apparatus itself and includes a setting cant state detecting unit 11, a travelling behavior state detecting unit 12, a hasty behavior detecting unit 13, a decelerating behavior state detecting unit 14, a halting behavior state detecting unit 15 and a leftward or rightward turning behavior state detecting unit 16, all cooperating with each other to detect respective driving behavior states on the basis of the acceleration data acquired from the acceleration sensor 2.
The setting cant state detecting unit 11 shown in
As best shown in
The setting cant state detecting unit 11 shown in
Along therewith, anteroposterior and bilateral directions of the automotive vehicle A are determined in reference to waveforms of accelerations during the travel for the predetermined length of time and are then automatically determined. By way of example, the start of the automotive vehicle after the vehicle halt is detected and the anteroposterior traveling direction of the automotive vehicle A is then determined. Utilization is made that during ordinary travel, forward start occupies most proportions and rearward start is limited to parking and so on and occupies a little proportion. In the characteristic chart shown in
It is to be noted that of the acceleration data in predetermined three axes, bilateral axes can be detected in a manner similar to the anteroposterior axes described hereinbefore. Also, with respect to the vertical axes, they can be easily detected from a relation with the center of gravity of the automotive vehicle A.
Accordingly, acquisition of the accurate driving behavior data is made possible with a simplified structure since even through the driving behavior detecting apparatus 1 including the driving behavior detecting unit 3 mounted on the automotive vehicle A is installed having been inclined relative to the predetermined axis of the automotive vehicle A, for example, the anteroposterior axis, the angle of such inclination is automatically detected on the basis of only the detection made by the acceleration sensor 2 of the automotive vehicle A. Also, there is no need to align the predetermined axis of the driving behavior detecting apparatus 1 with the predetermined axis of the automotive vehicle and, hence, with a simplified structure, the degree of freedom of installation of the driving behavior detecting apparatus 1, including the driving behavior detecting unit 3, in the automotive vehicle A can be increased.
The traveling behavior state detecting unit 12 shown in
At the outset, the acceleration data are acquired at step S1. A change in acceleration differential value is monitored at step S2. The differential value D1 of an average change is calculated at step S3. At step 4, determination is made to see whether or not acceleration is effected. In the event that the acceleration is effected as determined at step S4, the change in acceleration differential value is monitored at step S5, followed by the calculation of a differential value D2 of an average change at step S6. Then at step S7, the differential values of the respective average changes are compared, and, in the event of D1>D2, it is determined as an acceleration event at step S8, but in the event of D1<D2, it is determined as a start event at step S9. If decision at step S4 determines that no acceleration take place, a decision is made at step S10 to determine whether or not the braking takes place and, in the event of occurrence of the braking as determined at step S10, a change in acceleration differential value is monitored at step S11, followed by the calculation of a differential value D3 of an average change at step S12. Thereafter, the differential values D1 and D3 of the average changes are compared at step S13 and, in the event of D1<D3, it is determined as a deceleration event at step S14, but in the event of D1>D3, it is determined as a halt event at step S15.
Accordingly, the traveling behavior state detecting unit 12 referred to above can detect the traveling behavior state such as halt, deceleration, start and acceleration of the automotive vehicle A merely by means of the detection accomplished by the acceleration sensor 2 and, therefore, the use of various sensors such as hitherto required can be dispensed with, making it possible to simplify the structure and also to reduce the cost.
The hasty behavior state detecting unit 13 shown in
By detecting an abrupt operation with the acceleration sensor 2 and then measuring the time interval between the abrupt operation and the subsequent abrupt operation, the average value thereof becomes the individual average abrupt operation occurring time. From this average abrupt operation occurring time, the driver is classified into three as shown in
Also, as shown in
Thereby, by causing the hasty behavior state detecting unit 13 to detect the hasty state only through the detection by the acceleration sensor 2, and by displaying or warning the high possibility of an accident, the traffic incident or accident can be prevented.
The decelerating behavior state detecting unit 14 shown in
In other words, the decelerating behavior state detecting unit 15 referred to above is operable to analyze respective waveforms of the time distribution of the acceleration of the decelerating behavior so that a feature of each of the waveforms can be extracted from the position of the center of gravity of an integrated value and ups and downs of the level. The waveforms of the time distribution are integrated to calculate the surface area and, then, the position of the center of gravity thereof is determined. Data so obtained are stored in the memory 6. As shown in
The predicated deceleration type is such that the waveform peak is lower than the standard value S0 and that since a halting point is sufficiently predicated, the safety is highest of all types.
Since the anticipated circumvention type is such that the position of the center of gravity of the waveform lies in the first half F with the waveform peak exceeding the standard value S0 and that since the emergency deceleration of a high degree of acceleration is performed in sufficiently good time in anticipation of an event that a person may suddenly pounce out, the safety can be secured despite of the abrupt deceleration taking place. The determination miscalculation type is such that the position of the center of gravity lies in the latter half R with the waveform peak exceeding the standard value S0 and that since although predication is made in good time, determination of the halting point is in error and, therefore, a highly abrupt deceleration of a high degree of acceleration takes place at the last minute, the hazardous nature is high. The emergency deceleration type is such that the position of the center of gravity lies at the center with the waveform peak exceeding the standard value S0 and that due to an insufficient predication and delay in determination of the halting point, the abrupt deceleration of a high degree of acceleration continues a substantial length of time. This emergency deceleration type is highest in hazardous nature and a warning is issued from the warning unit 5.
At the outset, acceleration data are acquired at step P1. Decision is subsequently made at step P2 to determine whether or not the behavior occurs. In the event of occurrence of the behavior, another decision is made at step P3 to determine whether or not the acceleration exceeds a threshold value, and, if it does not exceed the threshold value as determined at step P3, a further decision is made at step P4 to determine whether or not the behavior is terminated. In the event that the behavior has not yet terminated as determined at step P4, the program flow returns to step P1, but in the event that the behavior has terminated as determined at step P4, it is determined as the predicated deceleration type at step P5. On the other hand, in the event that the acceleration exceeds the threshold value as determined at step P3, decision is made at step P6 to determine whether or not the behavior has terminated and, in the event that the behavior has not yet terminated as determined at step P6, the program flow returns to step P1, but in the event that the behavior has terminated as determined at step P6, the center of gravity of time is determined from the waveform of the behavior at step P7. In the event that the center of gravity is within 0 to 30% of the duration of the behavior as determined at step P8, it is determined as the anticipated circumvention type at the subsequent step P9. On the other hand, in the event that the center of gravity is not within 0 to 30% of the duration of the behavior, but falls within 30 to 70% as determined at step P10, it is determined as the emergency deceleration type at step P11, but in the event that the center of gravity exceeds 70% as determined at step P10, it is determined as the determination miscalculation type at step P12.
Accordingly, the decelerating behavior state detecting unit 14 discussed above can classify the decelerating behavior state at full length into one of the predicated deceleration type, the anticipated circumvention type, the determination miscalculation type and the emergency deceleration type, merely through the detection by the acceleration sensor 2. Therefore, there is no need to carry out a detailed examination with reference to the preceding and subsequent images of the hazardous behavior such as hitherto required, the determination of whether is good or bad can be easily made and a proper driving guidance can be given with a simplified structure. While in the past the anticipated circumvention type having the acceleration exceeding a certain value has been considered the hazardous behavior, the detection made by the decelerating behavior state detecting unit 14 employed in the practice of the present invention is effective to determine the safety being secured.
The halting behavior state detecting unit 15 shown in
In order to properly decelerate an arbitrary speed to a halt, the deceleration for a certain length of time is needed. The smooth deceleration and halt requires time comparable to or greater than the proper length of time. Conversely, the abrupt deceleration requires a length of time shorter than the proper time. From this frequency, the proper halting time characteristic of the driver is evaluated.
Also, by conveying the proper time thereof to the driver on a real time basis, a target is given.
By way of example, as shown in
As shown in
In view of the above, the halting behavior state detecting unit 15 referred to previously detects the goodness or badness of the halting behavior state during the deceleration merely through the detection by the acceleration sensor 2, and, since the driver can therefore acquire during the deceleration on a real time basis, a proper length of time required to halt, a proper guidance can be given with a simplified structure. Also, classification into three or more stages makes it possible to uniformly comprehend the halting behavior state of the driver.
The leftward or rightward turning behavior state detecting unit 16 shown in
In the first place, from the acceleration of the automotive vehicle A and the speed thereof, the radius of curvature of the road and the turning angle of the automotive vehicle, which are incident to the change in course, are determined. When the vehicle speed [v (m/s), V (km/h)], the acceleration [a (m/s2), G (g)] and the curving time [t (s)] are known, the radius r (m) at the moment of curving of the road can be obtained from the following equation (1):
r(m)=v2(m2/s2)/a(m/s2)=V2(km2/h2)/(127×G (g)) . . . (1)
The radius r (m) at the moment obtained from the equation (1) above is that for unitary time and, therefore, the entire curve R (m) is expressed by the following equation (2):
R(m)=Σ(r(m))/n . . . (2)
In this equation (2) above, Σ represents an integration of r at those moments during the curving and the average R is determined by dividing it by its time (sampling number being n).
There is a proper approaching speed for a particular radius of curvature of the road. Relative to the proper approaching speed, classification is made from the actual approaching speed into three or more stages, for example, the following four stages (a) to (d) when at the radius r in the above equation (1), a proper acceleration (0.2 g) is generated as the automotive vehicle turns at the intersection or along the curve. In a hazardous case, a warning is issued on a real time basis from the warning unit 5. Also, by acquiring from the frequency of occurrences a feature of the drive relative to the curve, it is possible to diagnose whether the leftward or rightward turn is in a risky condition at all times or whether it occurs only at the same intersection.
In view of the above, the leftward or rightward turning behavior state detecting unit 16 referred to above detects the leftward or rightward turning behavior state by detecting the acceleration and speed by means of the acceleration sensor 2 and, accordingly, for each of the intersections and curves, the excess amount of the approaching speed is detected, and, therefore, the hazardous nature can be ascertained during the curving. Thus, with a simplified structure, it is possible to enhance, on a real time basis, the driver's awareness of the importance of the safe driving during the curving.
Based on the detection so obtained of the traveling behavior state, the hasty behavior state, the decelerating behavior state, the halting behavior state and/or the leftward or rightward turning behavior state, risk evaluation and assessment, including reduction and calculation, for the damage insurance may be performed. In such case, a reasonable and valid risk assessment can be performed by the accurate detection of the particular behavior of an individual driver can be appreciated.
It is to be noted that although in describing the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 8 has been shown and described as including the various detecting units 11 to 16 all in one unit, one or two or more of them can be dispensed with if so desired.
Although the present invention has been fully described in connection with the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings which are used only for the purpose of illustration, those skilled in the art will readily conceive numerous changes and modifications within the framework of obviousness upon the reading of the specification herein presented of the present invention. Accordingly, such changes and modifications are, unless they depart from the scope of the present invention as delivered from the claims annexed hereto, to be construed as included therein.
[Reference Numerals]
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2009-281245 | Dec 2009 | JP | national |
This application is a continuation application, under 35 U.S.0 §111 (a) of international application No. PCT/JP2010/072352, filed Dec. 13, 2010, which claims priority to Japanese patent application No. 2009-281245, filed Dec. 11, 2009, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference as a part of this application.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/JP2010/072352 | Dec 2010 | US |
Child | 13492366 | US |