Driving assistance device

• US 9,304,513 B2
• Filed: 06/16/2010
• Issued: 04/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Kindo, Toshiki, Ichikawa, Kentaro
• Primary Examiner(s): To, Tuan C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hilgendorf, Dale W
• Application Number:
  US13/704,251
• Publication Number:
  US 20130110343A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,120 Days
• Field of Search: 701/23, 701/24, 701/25, 701/26, 701/27, 701/28, 701/93, 701/96, 701/30
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/06 responsive to incapacity of driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/46 for giving flashing caution signals during drive, other than signalling change of direction, e.g. flashing the headlights or hazard lights
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2720/10 Longitudinal speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/10 Interpretation of driver requests or demands
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 60/001 Planning or execution of driving tasks
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 60/0051 from occupants to vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 60/0053 from vehicle to occupant
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3415 Dynamic re-routing, e.g. recalculating the route when the user deviates from calculated route or after detecting real-time traffic data or accidents
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3617 using user history, behaviour, conditions or preferences, e.g. predicted or inferred from previous use or current movement
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/00 Control of position, course, altitude or attitude of land, water, air or space vehicles, e.g. using automatic pilots drive control systems specially adapted for autonomous road vehicles B60W60/00

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a driving assistance device which it is easy to instinctively manipulate without causing a driver to feel a sense of discomfort. According to the driving assistance device according to the present invention, when it is instructed to perform automated driving using an automated driving switch and a destination has been set using a destination setting unit, an ECU generates a route for automated driving to the destination and starts the automated driving. When a destination has not been set using the destination setting unit and it is detected that the driver has travel continuation intention by a travel intention detection unit, the ECU generates a route for automated driving along the road and starts the automated driving. When a destination has not been set using the destination setting unit and it is detected that the driver does not have the travel continuation intention by the travel intention detection unit, the ECU generates a route for automated stopping and starts the automated driving. Therefore, since the automated driving automatically starts based on the intention of the driver, the driving assistance device is easy to instinctively manipulate without causing the driver to feel a sense of discomfort.

Claims

1. A driving assistance device, comprising:

an instruction unit for instructing a start of automated driving of a host vehicle according to manipulation performed by a driver;

a setting unit for setting a destination of the host vehicle;

a determination unit for determining a driving mode as an automated driving mode based on whether or not the destination has been set when the instruction unit is manipulated by the driver; and

a control unit for performing vehicle travel control based on the automated driving mode determined by the determination unit,

wherein when the instruction unit is manipulated but the destination has not been set, the determination unit determines the automated driving mode as either

automated driving in which travel is continued along a current travel path of the host vehicle, or

automated stopping in which the host vehicle stops, and

wherein when the instruction unit is manipulated while the host vehicle is driving, the driving mode switches from manual driving to the automated driving mode.

2. The driving assistance device according to claim 1,

wherein, when the determination unit determines the automated driving mode as automated driving in which travel is continued along the current travel path of the host vehicle but there are a plurality of travel lanes on a road on which travel is being performed, a through lane is selected.

3. The driving assistance device according to claim 2,

wherein, when there are a plurality of through lanes, a lane other than a passing lane is selected.

4. The driving assistance device according to claim 2,

wherein, when there are a plurality of through lanes, an uncrowded lane is selected.

5. The driving assistance device according to claim 2,

wherein, when there are a plurality of through lanes, a lane is selected according to a direction of a traffic indicator manipulated by the driver.

6. The driving assistance device according to claim 1,

wherein, when the determination unit determines the automated driving mode as automated driving in which travel is continued along the current travel path of the host vehicle but it is impossible to go straight or there are a plurality of candidates along a road, a direction of a small intersection angle with respect to the road on which travel is being performed or a direction of a small steering angle is selected.

7. The driving assistance device according to claim 1,

wherein, when the determination unit determines the automated driving mode as automated driving in which travel is continued along the current travel path of the host vehicle d but it is impossible to go straight or there are a plurality of candidates along a road, a road with a bigger width is selected.

8. The driving assistance device according to claim 1,

wherein, when the determination unit determines the automated driving mode as automated driving in which travel is continued along the current travel path of the host vehicle, a lane which enables the host vehicle to continue safe travel according to traffic rules is selected.