Motor vehicle driving analytically diagnosing method and device

• US 5,546,305 A
• Filed: 06/15/1994
• Issued: 08/13/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Shigeru Kondo
• Original Assignee: Shigeru Kondo
• Inventors: Kondo, Shigeru
• Primary Examiner(s): Teska, Kevin J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US08/267,264
• Time in Patent Office: 790 Days
• Field of Search: 364/424.01, 364/424.03, 364/424.04, 364/426.01, 364/578, 340/439
• US Class Current: 701/29
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0231 Circuits relating to the driving or the functioning of the vehicle monitoring tyres B60C23/00; indicating overspeed B60K31/00; for dash boards B60K37/00, B60Q3/10; for indicating emergencies B60Q1/52; brake control systems B60T; registering or indicating the working of vehicles G07C5/00; measuring distance G01C, e.g. combinations of speed and distance G01C23/00; engine indicators G01L; measuring speed or acceleration G01P
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0841 Registering performance data recording measured values G01D; information storage G11B

Abstract

A motor vehicle driving analytically diagnosing device comprises: running speed detecting means for detecting a running speed of a motor vehicle; acceleration detecting means for detecting acceleration of the motor vehicle; braking detecting means for detecting braking of the motor vehicle; a detected signals analyzing unit for analyzing a running speed signal detected by the running speed detecting means, an acceleration signal detected by the acceleration detecting means and a braking signal detected by the braking detecting means to generate analyzed signals indicative of driving states of a driver; a dangerous driving times counting unit for counting dangerous driving times during which the analyzed signals generated by the detected signals analyzing unit satisfy predetermined danger judging conditions in a certain period of driving, and for detecting maximum values of the analyzed signals generated by the detected signals analyzing unit in the certain period of driving; and a driving diagnosing unit for diagnosing driving of a driver, based on ratios of the periods of dangerous driving to the certain period of driving time and the maximum values of the analyzed signals. Driving states of a motor vehicle can be accurately provided in detail, and driving patterns of the driver can be analytically diagnosed accurately.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle driving analytically diagnosing method for analyzing the driving states of a driver of the motor vehicle comprising the steps of:

detecting a running speed, acceleration, and braking of a motor vehicle and outputting signals representative thereof;

generating analyzed signals indicative of driving states of a driver in response to a detected running speed signal, an acceleration signal and a braking signal from said detecting step;

counting dangerous driving times during which the analyzed signals satisfy predetermined danger judging conditions in a certain period of driving time; and

producing at least one signal representing a driving history of the driver during said certain period of driving time, based on comparisons of the dangerous driving times to corresponding reference signals, wherein said generating step comprises the steps of;

differentiating the running speed signal, the acceleration signal, and the braking signal to generate a differentiated running speed signal, a differentiated acceleration signal, and a differentiated braking signal, respectively;

generating a braking urgency signal indicative of urgency of braking of the driving of the driver based on the differentiated acceleration signal and the differentiated braking signal;

generating a driving roughness signal indicative of roughness of the driving of the driver based on the differentiated running speed signal and the differentiated acceleration signal; and

outputting the acceleration signal, the braking urgency signal, the differentiated running speed signal, the differentiated acceleration signal, and the driving roughness signal as the analyzed signals;

said counting step comprising the steps of counting, as part of said dangerous driving times, a time during which the acceleration signal has exceeded a predetermined value, a time during which the braking urgency signal has exceeded a predetermined value, a time during which a positive value of the differentiated running speed signal has exceeded a predetermined value, a time during which an absolute value of a negative value of the differentiated running speed signal has exceeded a predetermined value, a time during which the differentiated acceleration signal has exceeded a predetermined value, and a time during which the driving roughness signal has exceeded a predetermined value.

2. A motor vehicle driving analytically diagnosing method according to claim 1, wherein

the braking urgency signal is generated by multiplying the differentiated acceleration signal with the differentiated braking signal;

and

the driving roughness signal is generated by multiplying the differentiated running speed signal with the differentiated acceleration signal.

3. A motor vehicle diving analytically diagnosing method according to claim 1, wherein said generating step comprises the steps of:

differentiating the running speed signal, the acceleration signal and the braking signal to generate a differentiated running speed signal, a differentiated acceleration signal and a differentiated braking signal, respectively;

generating a braking urgency signal indicative of urgency of braking of the driving of the driver based on the differentiated acceleration signal and the differentiated braking signal;

generating a driving roughness signal indicative of roughness of the driving of the driver based on the differentiated running speed signal and the differentiated acceleration signal; and

outputting the acceleration signal, the braking urgency signal, the differentiated running speed signal, the differentiated acceleration signal and the driving roughness signal as the analyzed signals;

said counting steps comprising the steps of counting, as part of said period of dangerous driving, a time during which the acceleration signal has exceeded a predetermined value, a time during which the braking urgency signal has exceeded a predetermined value, a time during which a positive value of the differentiated running speed signal has exceeded a predetermined value, a time during which an absolute value of a negative value of the differentiated running speed signal has exceeded a predetermined value, a time during which differentiated acceleration signal has exceeded a predetermined value, and a time during which the driving roughness signal has exceeded a predetermined value.

4. A motor vehicle driving analytically diagnosing method according to claim 3, wherein

the braking urgency signal is generated by multiplying the differential acceleration signal with the differentiated braking signal;

and

the driving roughness signal is generated by multiplying the differentiated running speed signal with the differentiated acceleration signal.

5. A motor vehicle driving analytically diagnosing method for analyzing the driving state of a driver of the motor vehicle comprising the steps of:

detecting a running speed, acceleration, and braking of a motor vehicle and outputting signals representative thereof;

generating analyzed signals indicative of driving states of a driver in response to a detected running speed signal, an acceleration signal, and a braking signal from said detecting step;

counting dangerous driving times during which the analyzed signals satisfy predetermined danger judging conditions in a certain period of driving time;

detecting maximum values of the analyzed signals in the certain period of driving time; and

producing at least one signal representing a driving history of the driver during said certain period of driving time, based on comparisons of the dangerous driving times to corresponding reference signals and the maximum values of the analyzed signals, wherein said generating step comprises the steps of;

differentiating the running speed signal, the acceleration signal, and the braking signal to generate a differentiated running speed signal, a differentiated acceleration signal, and a differentiated braking signal, respectively;

generating a braking urgency signal indicative of urgency of braking of the driving of the driver based on the differentiated acceleration signal and the differentiated braking signal;

generating a driving roughness signal indicative of roughness of the driving of the driver based on the differentiated running speed signal, and the differentiated acceleration signal; and

outputting the acceleration signal, the braking urgency signal, the differentiated running speed signal, the differentiated acceleration signal, and the driving roughness signal as the analyzed signals;

said counting step comprising the steps of counting, as part of said dangerous driving times, a time during which the acceleration signal has exceeded a predetermined value, a time during which the braking urgency signal has exceeded a predetermined value, a time during which a positive value of the differentiated running speed signal has exceeded a predetermined value, a time during which an absolute value of a negative value of the differentiated running speed signal has exceeded a predetermined value, a time during which the differentiated acceleration signal has exceeded a predetermined value, and a time during which the driving roughness signal has exceeded a predetermined value; and

said maximum value detecting step comprising the steps of detecting a maximum value of the acceleration signal, a maximum value of a positive value of the differentiated running speed signal, a maximum value of an absolute value of a negative value of the differentiated running speed signal, a maximum value of the differentiated acceleration signal, and a maximum value of the driving roughness signal.

6. A motor vehicle driving analytically diagnosing method according to claim 5, wherein

the braking urgency signal is generated by multiplying the differentiated acceleration signal with the differentiated braking signal;

and

the driving roughness signal is generated by multiplying the differentiated running speed signal with the differentiated acceleration signal.

7. A motor vehicle driving analytically diagnosing method according to claim 5, wherein said generating step comprises the steps of:

differentiating the running speed signal, the acceleration signal and the braking signal to generate a differentiated running speed signal, a differentiated acceleration signal and a differentiated braking signal, respectively;

generating a braking urgency signal indicative of urgency of braking of the driving of the driver based on the differentiated acceleration signal and the differentiated braking signal;

generating a driving roughness signal indicative of roughness of the driving of the driver based on the differentiated running speed signal and the differentiated acceleration signal; and

outputting the acceleration signal, the braking urgency signal, the differentiated running speed signal, the differentiated acceleration signal and the driving roughness signal as the analyzed signals;

said counting step comprising the steps of counting, as part of said dangerous driving times, a time during which the acceleration signal has exceeded a predetermined value, a time during which the braking urgency signal has exceeded a predetermined value, a time during which a positive value of the differentiated running speed signal has exceeded a predetermined value, a time during which an absolute value of a negative value of the differentiated running speed signal has exceeded a predetermined value, a time during which differentiated acceleration signal has exceeded a predetermined value, and a time during which the driving roughness signal has exceeded a predetermined value; and

said maximum value detecting step comprising the steps of detecting a maximum value of the acceleration signal, a maximum value of a positive value of the differentiated running speed signal, a maximum value of an absolute value of a negative value of the differentiated running speed signal, a maximum value of the differentiated acceleration signal, and a maximum value of the roughness signal.

8. A motor vehicle driving analytically diagnosing method according to claim 7, wherein

the braking urgency signal is generated by multiplying the differentiated braking signal;

and

the driving roughness signal is generated by multiplying the differentiated running speed signal with the differentiated acceleration signal.

9. A motor vehicle driving analytically diagnosing device for analyzing the driving states of a driver of the motor vehicle, comprising:

running speed detecting means for detecting a running speed of a motor vehicle and outputting a running speed signal;

acceleration detecting means for detecting an acceleration of the motor vehicle and outputting an acceleration signal;

braking detecting means for detecting a braking of the motor vehicle and outputting a braking signal;

a detected signals analyzing unit for generating analyzed signals in response to said running speed signal, said acceleration signal, and said braking signal, said analyzed signals indicating driving states of a driver;

a dangerous driving times counting unit for counting dangerous driving times during which the analyzed signals satisfy predetermined danger judging conditions in a certain period of driving time; and

a driving diagnosing unit for producing at least one signal representing a driving history of the driver during said certain period of driving time, based on comparisons of the dangerous driving times to corresponding reference signals, wherein;

the detected signals analyzing unit includes;

signals differentiating means for differentiating the running speed signal, the acceleration signal, and the braking signal to generate a differentiated running speed signal a differentiated acceleration signal, and a differentiated braking signal, respectively,

braking urgency signal generating means for generating a braking urgency signal indicative of braking urgency in the driving of the driver, based on the differentiated acceleration signal and the differentiated braking signal, and

driving roughness signal generating means for generating a driving roughness signal indicative of the driving roughness of the driving of the driver, based on the differentiated running speed signal and the differentiated acceleration signal;

the detected signals analyzing unit outputting the acceleration signal, the braking urgency signal, the differentiated running speed signal, the differentiated acceleration signal, and the driving roughness signal as the analyzed signals; and

wherein the dangerous driving times counting unit comprises means for counting, as part of the dangerous driving times, a time during which the acceleration signal has exceeded a predetermined value, a time during which the braking urgency signal has exceeded a predetermined value, a time during which a positive value of the differentiated running speed signal has exceeded a predetermined value, a time during which an absolute value of a negative value of the differentiated running speed signal has exceeded a predetermined value, a time during which the differentiated acceleration signal has exceeded a predetermined value, and a time during which the driving roughness signal has exceeded a predetermined value.

10. A motor vehicle driving analytically diagnosing device according to claim 9, wherein

the braking urgency signal generating means multiplies the differentiated acceleration signal with the differentiated braking signal to generate the braking urgency signal;

and

the driving roughness signal generating means multiplies the differentiated running speed signal with the differentiated acceleration signal to generate the driving roughness signal.

11. A motor vehicle driving analytically diagnosing device according to claim 9, wherein:

the detected signals analyzing unit includes;

signals differentiating means for differentiating the running speed signal, the acceleration signal and the braking signal to generate a differentiated running speed signal, a differentiated acceleration signal and a differentiated braking signal, respectively,

braking urgency signal generating means for generating a braking urgency signal indicative of braking urgency in the driving of the driver, based on the differentiated acceleration signal and the differentiated braking signal, and

driving roughness signal generating means for generating a driving roughness signal indicative of driving roughness of the driving of the driver, based on the differentiated running speed signal and the differentiated acceleration signal;

the detected signals analyzing unit outputting the acceleration signal, the braking urgency signal, the differentiated running speed signal, the differentiated acceleration signal and the driving roughness signal as the analyzed signals; and

wherein the times counting unit comprises means for counting, as part of the dangerous driving times, a time during which the acceleration signal has exceeded a predetermined value, a time during which the braking urgency signal has exceeded a predetermined value, a time during which a positive value of the differentiated running speed signal has exceeded a predetermined value, a time during which an absolute value of a negative value of the differentiated running speed signal has exceeded a predetermined value, a time during which the differentiated acceleration signal has exceeded a predetermined value, and a time during which the driving roughness signal has exceeded a predetermined value.

12. A motor vehicle driving analytically diagnosing device according to claim 11, wherein

the braking urgency signal generating means multiplies the differentiated acceleration signal with the differentiated braking signal to generate the braking urgency signal;

and

the driving roughness signal generating means multiplies the differentiated running speed signal with the differentiated acceleration signal to generate the driving roughness signal.

13. A motor vehicle driving analytically diagnosing device for analyzing the driving states of a driver of the motor vehicle, comprising:

running speed detecting means for detecting a running speed of a motor vehicle and outputting a running speed signal;

acceleration detecting means for detecting acceleration of the motor vehicle and outputting an acceleration signal;

braking detecting means for detecting braking of the motor vehicle and outputting a braking signal;

a detected signals analyzing unit for generating analyzed signals in response to said running speed signal, said acceleration signal and said braking signal, said analyzed signals indicating driving states of a driver;

a dangerous driving times counting unit for counting dangerous driving times during which the analyzed signals satisfy predetermined danger judging conditions in a certain period of driving, and for detecting maximum, values of the analyzed signals in the certain period of driving; and

a driving diagnosing unit for producing at least one signal representing a driving history of the driver during said certain period of driving, based on comparisons of the dangerous driving times to corresponding reference signals and the maximum values of the analyzed signals, wherein;

the detected signals analyzing unit includes;

signals differentiating means for differentiating the running speed signal, the acceleration signal, and the braking signal to generate a differentiated running speed signal, a differentiated acceleration signal, and a differentiated braking signal, respectively,

braking urgency signal generating means for generating a braking urgency signal indicative of braking urgency in the driving of the driver, based on the differentiated acceleration signal and the differentiated braking signal, and

driving roughness signal generating means for generating a driving roughness signal indicative of driving roughness of the driving of the driver, based on the differentiated running speed signal and the differentiated acceleration signal;

the detected signals analyzing unit outputting the acceleration signal, the braking urgency signal, the differentiated running speed signal, the differentiated acceleration signal, and the driving roughness signal as the analyzed signals;

wherein the dangerous driving times counting unit comprises means for counting, as part of the dangerous driving times, a time during which the acceleration signal has exceeded a predetermined value, a time during which the braking urgency signal has exceeded a predetermined value, a time during which a positive value of the differentiated running speed signal has exceeded a predetermined value, a time during which an absolute value of a negative value of the differentiated running speed signal has exceeded a predetermined value, a time during which the differentiated acceleration signal has exceeded a predetermined value, and a time during which the driving roughness signal has exceeded a predetermine value; and

the time counting unit detects as the maximum values of the analyzed signals a maximum value of the acceleration signal, a maximum value of a positive value of the differentiated running speed signal, a maximum value of an absolute value of a negative value of the differentiated running speed signal, a maximum value of the differentiated acceleration signal, and a maximum value of the driving roughness signal.

14. A motor vehicle driving analytically diagnosing device according to claim 13, wherein

the braking urgency signal generating means multiplies the differentiated acceleration signal with the differentiated braking signal to generate the braking urgency signal;

and

the driving roughness signal generating means multiplies the differentiated running speed signal with the differentiated acceleration signal to generate the driving roughness signal.

15. A motor vehicle driving analytically diagnosing device according to claim 13, wherein:

the detected signals analyzing unit includes;

signals differentiating means for differentiating the running speed signal, the acceleration signal and the braking signal to generate a differentiated running speed signal, a differentiated acceleration signal and a differentiated braking signal, respectively,

braking urgency signal generating means for generating a braking urgency signal indicative of braking urgency in the driving of the driver, based on the differentiated acceleration signal and the differentiated braking signal, and

driving roughness signal generating means for generating a driving roughness signal indicative of driving roughness of the driving of the driver, based on the differentiated running speed signal and the differentiated acceleration signal;

the detected signals analyzing unit outputting the acceleration signal, the braking urgency signal, the differentiated running speed signal, the differentiated acceleration signal and the driving roughness signal as the analyzed signals;

wherein the times counting unit comprises means for counting, as part of the dangerous driving times, a time during which the acceleration signal has exceeded a predetermined value, a time during which the braking urgency signal has exceeded a predetermined value, a time during which a positive value of the differentiated running speed signal has exceeded a predetermined value, a time during which an absolute value of a negative value of the differentiated running speed signal has exceeded a predetermined value, a time during which the differentiated acceleration signal has exceeded a predetermined value, and a time duping which the driving roughness signal has exceeded a predetermined value; and

the times counting unit further comprising means for detecting, as part of the maximum values of the analyzed signals, a maximum value of the acceleration signal, a maximum value of a positive value of the differentiated running speed signal, a maximum value of an absolute value of a negative value of the differentiated running speed signal, a maximum value of the differentiated acceleration signal, and a maximum value of the driving roughness signal.

16. A motor vehicle driving analytically diagnosing device according to claim 15, wherein

the braking urgency signal generating means multiplies the differentiated acceleration signal with the differentiated braking signal to generate the braking urgency signal;

and

the driving roughness signal generating means multiplies the differentiated running speed signal with the differentiated acceleration signal to generate the driving roughness signal.

17. A motor vehicle driving analytically diagnosing method for analyzing the driving state of a driver of the motor vehicle comprising the steps of:

detecting a running speed, an engine rotation number, and a braking of a motor vehicle;

outputting a running speed signal, an engine rotation number signal, and a braking signal representative of the detected running speed, engine rotation number, and braking of the motor vehicle, respectively;

generating analyzed signals indicative of a driving state of a driver from the running speed signal, the engine rotation number signal, and the braking signal;

counting dangerous driving times during which the analyzed signals satisfy predetermined danger judging conditions;

evaluating the dangerous driving times with respect to respective evaluation thresholds to produce evaluation signals; and

combining the evaluation signals to produce at least one signal representing an evaluation of the driving history of the driver in a certain period of time.

18. A motor vehicle driving analytically diagnosing method for analyzing the driving state of a driver of the motor vehicle comprising the steps of:

detecting a running speed, an engine rotation number, and a braking of a motor vehicle;

outputting a running speed signal, an engine rotation number signal, and a braking signal representative of the detected running speed, engine rotation number, and braking of the motor vehicle, respectively; and

displaying simultaneously graphical representations of the running speed signal, the engine rotation number signal, and the braking signal to provide a visual representation of a driving history of a driver of the motor vehicle over a certain period of time.

19. A motor vehicle driving analytically diagnosing method for analyzing the driving state of a driver of the motor vehicle comprising the steps of:

detecting a running speed, an engine rotation number, and a braking of a motor vehicle;

outputting a running speed signal, an engine rotation number signal, and a braking signal representative of the detected running speed, engine rotation number, and braking of the motor vehicle, respectively;

generating a differentiated running speed signal from the running speed signal;

generating a driving roughness signal from the running speed signal and the engine rotation number signal;

generating a braking urgency signal from the running speed signal and engine rotation number signal; and

displaying simultaneously graphical representations of the differentiated running speed signal, the driving roughness signal, and the braking urgency signal to provide a visual representation of a driving history of a driver of the motor vehicle over a certain period of time.

20. A motor vehicle driving analytically diagnosing method for analyzing the driving state of a driver of the motor vehicle comprising the steps of:

detecting a running speed, an engine rotation number, and a braking of a motor vehicle;

outputting a running speed signal, an engine rotation number signal, and a braking signal representative of the detected running speed, engine rotation number, and braking of the motor vehicle, respectively;

generating a differentiated running speed signal from the running speed signal;

generating a driving roughness signal from the running speed signal and the engine rotation number signal;

generating a braking urgency signal from the running speed signal and engine rotation number signal; and

displaying simultaneously graphical representations of the running speed signal, the engine speed signal, the braking signal, The differentiated running speed signal, the driving roughness signal, and the braking urgency signal to provide a visual representation of a driving history of a driver the motor vehicle over a certain period of time.

21. A motor vehicle driving analytically diagnosing apparatus for analyzing the driving state of a driver the motor vehicle comprising:

means for detecting a running speed, an engine rotation number, and a braking of a motor vehicle;

means for outputting a running speed signal, an engine rotation number signal, and a braking signal representative of the detected running speed, engine rotation number, and braking of the motor vehicle, respectively;

means for generating analyzed signals indicative of a driving state of a driver from the running speed signal, the engine rotation number signal, and the braking signal;

means for counting dangerous driving times during which the analyzed signals satisfy predetermined danger judging conditions;

means for evaluating the dangerous driving times with respect to respective evaluation thresholds to produce evaluation signals; and

means for combining the evaluation signals to produce at least one signal representing an evaluation of the driving history of the driver in a certain period of time.

22. A motor vehicle driving analytically diagnosing apparatus for analyzing the driving state of a driver of the motor vehicle comprising:

means for detecting a running speed, an engine rotation number, and a braking of a motor vehicle;

means for outputting a running speed signal, an engine rotation number signal, and a braking signal representative of the detected running speed, engine rotation number, and braking of the motor vehicle, respectively; and

means for displaying simultaneously graphical representations of the running speed signal, the engine rotation number signal, and the braking signal to provide a visual representation of a driving history of a driver of the motor vehicle over a certain period of time.

23. A motor vehicle driving analytically diagnosing apparatus for analyzing the driving state of a driver of the motor vehicle comprising:

means for detecting a running speed, an engine rotation number, and a braking of a motor vehicle;

means for outputting a running speed signal, an engine rotation number signal, and a braking signal representative of the detected running speed, engine rotation number, and braking of the motor vehicle, respectively;

means for generating a differentiated running speed signal from the running speed signal;

means for generating a driving roughness signal from the running speed signal and the engine rotation number signal;

means for generating a braking urgency signal from the running speed signal and engine rotation number signal; and

means for displaying simultaneously graphical representations of the differentiated running speed signal, the driving roughness signal, and the braking urgency signal to provide a visual representation of a driving history of a driver of the motor vehicle over a certain period of time.

24. A motor vehicle driving analytically diagnosing apparatus for analyzing the driving state of a driver of the motor vehicle comprising:

means for detecting a running speed, an engine rotation number, and a braking of a motor vehicle;

means for outputting a running speed signal, an engine rotation number signal, and a braking signal representative of the detected running speed, engine rotation number, and braking of the motor vehicle, respectively;

means for generating a differentiated running speed signal from the running speed signal;

means for generating a driving roughness signal from the running speed signal and the engine rotation number signal;

means for generating a braking urgency signal from the running speed signal and engine rotation number signal; and

means for displaying simultaneously graphical representations of the running speed signal, the engine speed signal, the braking signal, the differentiated running speed signal, the driving roughness signal, and the braking urgency signal to provide a visual representation of a driving history of a driver of the motor vehicle covers certain period of time.