Information Processing Device Associated with Vehicle Traveling

• US 20110205042A1
• Filed: 10/02/2009
• Published: 08/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hitachi Astemo Ltd. (Hitachi, Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems Limited (Hitachi, Ltd.)
• Inventors: Takemura, Masayuki, Muramatsu, Shoji, Monji, Tatsuhiko
• Granted Patent: US 9,058,746 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/435
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/08 Active safety systems predicting or avoiding probable or impending collision or attempting to minimise its consequences
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/93 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/93 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/166 for active traffic, e.g. moving vehicles, pedestrians, bikes

Abstract

Provided are an information processing device and a processing method both of which are capable of executing processing in response to a traveling situation of a vehicle, thereby securing safety at the time of emergency while securing convenience. The aforementioned information processing device includes: an image obtaining section which performs imaging and obtains information associated with an image; an information obtaining section which obtains the information of a traveling state; a first executing section which executes a first application that executes information processing for improving the safety of traveling; a second executing application which executes a second application that executes the information processing associated with an improvement in traveling feeling; and a determining section which, based on the information obtained in the image obtaining section and the information obtained in the information obtaining section, determines with or without a possibility of encountering an emergency event. Based on determination, made by the determining section, that it is likely to encounter the emergency event, the information processing device stops part of or the overall processing executed by the second executing section.

Claims

1. An information processing device associated with vehicle traveling comprising:

an information obtaining section configured to obtain information of a traveling state;

a first executing section configured to execute a first application which executes information processing for improving safety of traveling;

a second executing section configured to execute a second application which executes information processing associated with an improvement in traveling feeling; and

a determining section configured to, based on the information obtained in an image obtaining section and the information obtained in the information obtaining section, determine with or without a possibility that it is likely to encounter an emergency event, wherein

based on determination, made by the determining section, that it is likely to encounter the emergency event, part of or overall processing executed by the second executing section is stopped.

3. The information processing device associated with vehicle traveling according to claim 1, wherein the determining section predicts time required for emergency control based on a result processed by the processing section which recognizes the traveling environment and the information associated with the traveling, and in the case where the aforementioned prediction time is less than a predetermined value, determines that it is likely to encounter the emergency event.

2. An information processing device associated with vehicle traveling comprising:

an imaging section configured to obtain an image associated with a traveling environment;

an information obtaining section configured to obtain information associated with a traveling state;

a processing section configured to, based on the image obtained in the imaging section and the information obtained in the information obtaining section, recognize the traveling environment;

a controlling section configured to control operation of the processing section for recognizing the traveling environment; and

a determining section configured to determine an emergency event, wherein

a processing cycle of the processing section is changed by the controlling section based on the determination of the emergency event.

13. The information processing device associated with vehicle traveling according to claim 2, wherein the determining section predicts time required for emergency control based on a result processed by the processing section which recognizes the traveling environment and the information associated with the traveling, and in the case where the aforementioned prediction time is less than a predetermined value, determines that it is likely to encounter the emergency event.

4. An information processing device associated with vehicle traveling comprising:

an obstacle-information obtaining section configured to obtain information associated with an obstacle;

a traveling-information obtaining section configured to obtain information of a traveling state;

a first executing section configured to execute a first application for detecting the obstacle which exists nearer than a first distance;

a second executing section configured to execute a second application for detecting the obstacle which exists in a distance farther than the first distance; and

a determining section configured to, based on the information obtained in an image obtaining section and the information obtained in the information obtaining section, determine with or without a possibility that it is likely to encounter an emergency event, wherein

based on determination, made by the determining section, that it is likely to encounter the emergency event, an execution cycle of the first executing section is changed.

5. The information processing device associated with vehicle traveling according to claim 4, wherein the obstacle detected by the first and second applications includes a pedestrian.

6. The information processing device associated with vehicle traveling according to claim 5, wherein

the information obtaining section obtains image information in order to obtain the information associated with the obstacle, and

in order to change the execution cycle of the first executing section based on the determination made by the determining section, the first executing section changes conditions of a distance which is a detection object detected from the image information.

7. The information processing device associated with vehicle traveling according to claim 5, wherein

the information obtaining section obtains the image information in order to obtain the information associated with the obstacle, and

in order to change the execution cycle of the first executing section based on the determination made by the determining section, the first executing section changes resolution of the detection object detected from the image information.

8. The information processing device associated with vehicle traveling according to claim 5, wherein

the information obtaining section obtains the image information in order to obtain the information associated with the obstacle, and

in order to change the execution cycle of the first executing section based on the determination made by the determining section, the execution cycle of the first executing section is changed.

9. The information processing device associated with vehicle traveling according to claim 5, wherein

the information obtaining section obtains the image information in order to obtain the information associated with the obstacle, and

in order to change the execution cycle of the first executing section based on the determination made by the determining section, part of or an overall processing function of the second executing section is stopped.

10. An information processing device associated with vehicle traveling comprising:

an image obtaining section configured to execute imaging and obtain information associated with an image;

an information obtaining section configured to obtain information of a traveling state;

a first executing section configured to execute a first application which recognizes a traveling lane in the case where a curvature of the traveling lane is a predetermined curvature or less;

a second executing section configured to execute a second application which recognizes a traveling lane in the case where a curvature of the traveling lane is larger than a predetermined curvature; and

a determining section configured to, based on the information obtained in the image obtaining section and the information obtained in the information obtaining section, determine with or without a possibility that it is likely to encounter an emergency event, wherein

based on determination, made by the determining section, that it is likely to encounter the emergency event, part of or overall processing executed by the second executing section is stopped.

11. An information processing device associated with vehicle traveling comprising:

an image obtaining section configured to execute imaging and obtain information associated with an image;

an information obtaining section configured to obtain information of a traveling state;

a first executing section configured to execute a first application which recognizes a traveling lane or an obstacle;

a second executing section configured to execute a second application which controls an irradiation direction of a light; and

a determining section configured to determine with or without a possibility that it is likely to encounter an emergency event, wherein

based on determination, made by the determining section, that it is likely to encounter the emergency event, an execution cycle of the first executing section is shortened.

12. An information processing device associated with vehicle traveling comprising:

an image obtaining section configured to execute imaging and obtain information associated with an image;

an information obtaining section configured to obtain information of a traveling state;

a first executing section configured to execute a first application which recognizes a traveling lane or an obstacle;

a second executing section configured to execute a second application for detecting a road mark; and

a determining section configured to determine with or without a possibility that it is likely to encounter an emergency event, wherein

based on determination, made by the determining section, that it is likely to encounter the emergency event, an execution cycle of the first executing section is shortened.