Driving support device, driving support system, and driving support method

Abstract

In a driving support device, an image output unit outputs an image including a host vehicle object representing a host vehicle and a nearby vehicle object representing a nearby vehicle, to a display unit. The operation signal input unit receives an operation of a user for changing a distance between the host vehicle object and the nearby vehicle object in the image displayed on the display unit. The command output unit outputs a command for instructing one vehicle to travel following another vehicle when the distance between the host vehicle object and the nearby vehicle object is equal to or less than a predetermined distance, to an automatic driving control unit that controls automatic driving.

1 . A driving support device, comprising:
 an image output unit, which, in operation, outputs an image including a plurality of vehicle icons representing a plurality of vehicles, to a display unit;   an operation signal input unit, which, in operation, receives an operation of a user selecting, on a touch panel, the plurality of vehicle objects; and   an instruction unit, which, in operation, outputs line instruction commands to the plurality of vehicles in response to the operation signal input unit receiving the operation, the line instruction commands instructing the plurality of vehicles to travel in a single file line.   
     
     
         2 . The driving support device of  claim 1  wherein the operation includes the user drawing, on the touch panel, a path that surrounds the plurality of vehicle objects. 
     
     
         3 . The driving support device of  claim 2  wherein the path forms a closed region in the image. 
     
     
         4 . The driving support device of  claim 1  wherein the operation includes the user creating, on the touch panel, a rectangular box that surrounds the plurality of vehicle objects. 
     
     
         5 . The driving support device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an input-output unit, which, in operation, transmits at least one of the line instruction commands to at least one of the plurality of vehicles using vehicle-to-vehicle communication or a relay device.   
     
     
         6 . The driving support device of  claim 1  wherein the line instruction commands instruct a first vehicle of the plurality of vehicles to travel following a second vehicle of the plurality of vehicles, and a third vehicle of the plurality of vehicle to travel following the first vehicle. 
     
     
         7 . The driving support device of  claim 6  wherein, in response to the operating signal input unit receiving the operation, the image output unit outputs, in the image, a first following icon representing that the first vehicle is following the second vehicle, and a second following icon representing that the third vehicle is following the first vehicle. 
     
     
         8 . The driving support device of  claim 1  wherein the line instruction commands instruct the plurality of vehicles to maintain a substantially equal distance from each other. 
     
     
         9 . The driving support device of  claim 1  wherein the line instruction commands instruct the plurality of vehicles to travel in a single traffic lane. 
     
     
         10 . The driving support device of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of vehicle icons includes at least three vehicle icons that represent at least three vehicles. 
     
     
         11 . A driving support system comprising:
 a display device, which, in operation, displays an image; and   a driving support device, which, in operation, outputs an image to the display, the driving support device including:
 an image output unit, which, in operation, outputs an image including a plurality of vehicle icons representing a plurality of vehicles, to a display unit; 
 an operation signal input unit, which, in operation, receives an operation of a user selecting, on a touch panel, the plurality of vehicle objects; and 
 an instruction unit, which, in operation, outputs line instruction commands to the plurality of vehicles in response to the operation signal input unit receiving the operation, the line instruction commands instructing the plurality of vehicles to travel in a single file line. 
   
     
     
         12 . The driving support system of  claim 11  wherein the operation includes the user drawing, on the touch panel, a path that surrounds the plurality of vehicle objects. 
     
     
         13 . The driving support system of  claim 11  wherein the operation includes the user creating, on the touch panel, a rectangular box that surrounds the plurality of vehicle objects. 
     
     
         14 . The driving support system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 an input-output unit, which, in operation, transmits at least one of the line instruction commands to at least one of the plurality of vehicles using vehicle-to-vehicle communication or a relay device.   
     
     
         15 . The driving support system of  claim 11  wherein the line instruction commands instruct the plurality of vehicles to maintain a substantially equal distance from each other. 
     
     
         16 . A driving support method, comprising:
 outputting an image including a plurality of vehicle icons representing a plurality of vehicles, to a display unit;   receiving an operation of a user selecting, on a touch panel, the plurality of vehicle objects; and   outputting line instruction commands to the plurality of vehicles in response to the operation signal input unit receiving the operation, the line instruction commands instructing the plurality of vehicles to travel in a single file line.   
     
     
         17 . The driving support method of  claim 16  wherein the operation includes the user drawing, on the touch panel, a path that surrounds the plurality of vehicle objects. 
     
     
         18 . The driving support method of  claim 16  wherein the operation includes the user creating, on the touch panel, a rectangular box that surrounds the plurality of vehicle objects.