Patent Document

TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a collision possibility determination device which determines a possibility that a moving body such as a vehicle will collide with an object which exists in the surroundings 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    A technique which detects an obstacle (for example, a pedestrian or a preceding vehicle) which exists in the surroundings of a vehicle and controls the vehicle so as to avoid colliding with the obstacle has been conventionally known. 
         [0003]    Patent Literature 1 discloses a travelling control device provided with radar means that detects an obstacle in front of a concerned vehicle and imaging means that takes an image of an area in front of the concerned vehicle. When the travelling control device determines, from an image taken by the imaging means, that there is a possibility that a preceding vehicle exists on a lane on which the concerned vehicle is travelling, the radar means detects a reflected wave from the lane. When the reception intensity of the reflected wave is equal to or higher than a predetermined intensity, it is determined that the preceding vehicle exists. 
         [0004]    The travelling control device determines a possibility that the concerned vehicle will collide with the preceding vehicle which exists on the lane on which the concerned vehicle is travelling. Accordingly, determination of a collision possibility is preferentially made for an obstacle which exists at a position closer to a center portion in the width direction of the concerned vehicle. 
       CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
       [0005]    Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-079472 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
       [0006]    In some cases, a collision possibility with an obstacle which exits in a center portion in the width direction of a concerned vehicle is higher than that with an obstacle which exists at a distance from the center portion in the width direction. For example, the concerned vehicle collides, with a higher possibility, with a vehicle which suddenly approaches from a side within a near distance from the concerned vehicle than with a vehicle which exists at a distant position on the lane on which the concerned vehicle is travelling. 
         [0007]    However, a conventional travelling control device as disclosed in Patent Literature 1 preferentially determines a collision possibility with an obstacle which exists at a position closer to the center portion in the width direction of the concerned vehicle. Accordingly, even when an obstacle having a high collision possibility exists at a distance from the center portion in the width direction of the concerned vehicle, the collision possibility may be failed to be appropriately determined. 
         [0008]    In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a collision possibility determination device that appropriately determines a collision possibility of a moving body such as a vehicle with an object which exists in the surroundings. 
       Solution to Problem 
       [0009]    A collision possibility determination device according to the present invention includes: a detection unit which detects at least one object which moves relatively with respect to a moving body; and a determination unit which determines a collision possibility of the moving body with the object based on a space between the moving body and the object in a travelling direction of the moving body and a space between the moving body and the object in a width direction of the moving body when the object exists in an area in which the space between the moving body and the object in the travelling direction of the moving body is equal to or larger than a predetermined value, and which determines the collision possibility of the moving body with the object based on the space between the moving body and the object in the travelling direction of the moving body when the object exists in an area in which the space between the moving body and the object in the travelling direction of the moving body is smaller than the predetermined value. 
         [0010]    According to the present invention, the determination unit determines the collision possibility of the moving body with the object based on the space between the moving body and the object in the travelling direction of the moving body and the space between the moving body and the object in the width direction of the moving body when the object is detected in the area in which the space between the moving body and the object in the travelling direction of the moving body is equal to or larger than the predetermined value, while the determination unit determines the collision possibility of the moving body with the object based on the space between the moving body and the object in the travelling direction of the moving body when the object is detected in the area in which the space between the moving body and the object in the travelling direction of the moving body is smaller than the predetermined value. 
         [0011]    That is, when the object is detected at a shorter distance in the travelling direction of the moving body, the collision possibility of the moving body with the object is determined regardless of the space between the moving body and the object in the width direction of the moving body. Accordingly, it is more highly likely to be determined that the moving body has a collision risk with the object which exists at a shorter distance from the moving body, so that the collision possibility can be determined appropriately. 
         [0012]    In the present invention, the space may be expressed by a distance from the moving body to the object or a time required for the moving body to reach the object. 
         [0013]    In determination made by the determination unit, an area which is independent from the space between the moving body and the object in the width direction of the moving body, increases or decreases based on the speed of the moving body. Thus, the predetermined value which is used for determining the collision possibility of the moving body with the object is adjusted based on the moving speed of the moving body. This makes determination of the collision possibility more appropriate. 
         [0014]    Further, it is preferable that the detection unit detects a plurality of the objects, and that the determination unit preferentially determines the collision possibility with the object which exists in the area in which the space between the moving body and the object in the travelling direction of the moving body is smaller than the predetermined value and which moves relatively toward the moving body, of the plurality of detected objects. 
         [0015]    In general, the collision possibility of the moving body becomes higher with the object which exists at a shorter distance from the moving body and which moves relatively toward the moving body. Therefore, if the collision possibility with such an object is determined preferentially, the collision possibility can be determined more appropriately. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a collision possibility determination device according to a first embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  shows an operation flow of the collision possibility determination device in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a map to which reference is made when the collision possibility determination device in  FIG. 1  selects an object as a determination target. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating a plurality of detected objects, selected determination target candidates, and a determination target object, in the collision possibility determination device in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating another example of a plurality of detected objects and a selected determination target object, in the collision possibility determination device in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a collision possibility determination device according to a second embodiment. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating an operation procedure of a determination unit in the collision possibility determination device in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating another operation procedure of the determination unit in the collision possibility determination device in  FIG. 6 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]    Hereinafter, descriptions will be given in detail of embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. 
       First Embodiment 
       [0025]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a collision avoidance assistance apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as an “assistance apparatus  10 ”) including a collision possibility determination device (hereinafter, referred to as a “determination device  20 ”) of the present embodiment. 
         [0026]    The determination device  20  includes a detection unit  21  that detects a moving body and at least one object moving relatively with respect to the moving body, a selection unit  22  that selects an object (hereinafter, referred to as a “determination target object”) as a determination target for the determination device  20  from among at least the one detected object, and a determination unit  23  that determines a collision possibility of the moving body with the object. In the determination device  20 , a map MP to which reference is made when the selection unit  22  selects the determination target object is stored. 
         [0027]    In the present embodiment, a case where the moving body is a vehicle and the object is a pedestrian will be described below as an example. As an example, a case where the determination device  20  (assistance apparatus  10 ) is provided in the vehicle (installed in the vehicle) will be described. For example, the moving body may be a vehicle such as an automobile and a motorcycle, or a portable terminal such as a smartphone and a tablet terminal The object is an obstacle which may exist or appear in the front of the vehicle such as an automobile or a pedestrian which/who moves relatively with respect to the moving body, or a guardrail, or an electric pole. 
         [0028]    The detection unit  21  includes a radar device (hereinafter, simply referred to as a “radar  21 A”) such as an electromagnetic radar, for example, and an imaging device (hereinafter, simply referred to as a “camera  21 B”) such as a CCD camera, for example. The detection unit  21  detects an object which exists on a travelling course (for example, a road) of the vehicle and sends the detection result (for example, a detection signal or an image) to the selection unit  22 . 
         [0029]    In the present embodiment, a case where the detection unit  21  includes the radar  21 A and the camera  21 B will be described. However, the detection unit  21  may be configured by any one of the radar  21 A and the camera  21 B, for example. 
         [0030]    The assistance apparatus  10  has an assistance unit  30  that assists the vehicle to avoid colliding with the object based on a determination result made by the determination device  20 . The assistance unit  30  includes a notification unit  31  that gives a notification of the determination result made by the determination unit  23  of the determination device  20  and a travelling control unit  32  that controls travelling of the vehicle based on the determination result made by the determination unit  23 . 
         [0031]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , an operation procedure of the determination device  20  will be described. Steps S 10  to S 50  are performed by the selection unit  22 . 
         [0032]    For the objects which exist in an area in which a space (a distance or a reach time) from the vehicle in the traveling direction of the vehicle which is the moving body is equal to or larger than a predetermined value, the selection unit  22  selects the determination target object therefrom on the basis of this space and a space from the vehicle in the width direction of the vehicle. For the objects which exist in an area in which the space from the vehicle in the traveling direction of the vehicle is smaller than the predetermined value, the selection unit  22  selects the determination target object therefrom on the basis of this space. 
         [0033]    More detailed descriptions of the object selection steps (steps S 10  to S 50 ) of the selection unit  22  will be given. First, at step S 10 , the selection unit  22  receives an object detection signal from the radar  21 A. More specifically, the radar  21 A detects the object and sends the object detection signal to the selection unit  22 . The selection unit  22  receives the object detection signal from the radar  21 A. 
         [0034]    Next, at step S 20 , the position of the object detected by the radar  21 A is collated with the map MP, and a determination target candidate CTO is selected. 
         [0035]    Specifically, the selection unit  22  detects (calculates) a relative position on the basis of the object detection signal from the radar  21 A, using the object vehicle as a reference, and maps the position of the object on the map MP. More specifically, the selection unit  22  acquires object positional information on the basis of the reception intensity of an electromagnetic reflected wave of the object from the radar  21 A, and maps the position information on the map MP. The selection unit  22  selects the determination target candidate CTO from among the objects on the basis of the mapped object positions. 
         [0036]      FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating details of the map MP. In the present embodiment, a case where the map MP has a rectangular shape as a whole will be described. 
         [0037]    A near distance area NA on the map MP has a near distance map length L1 which is, in the travelling direction of a vehicle VE, a distance (first distance) D1 from the vehicle VE and a near distance map width W1 in the width direction of the vehicle VE. A far distance area FA has a far distance map length L2 which is, in the travelling direction of the vehicle VE, a distance (second distance) D2 from the near distance area NA and a far distance map width W2 in the width direction of the vehicle VE. 
         [0038]    The lengths of the near and far distance map widths W1 and W2 are distances D3 and D4, respectively, from the center portion in the width direction of the vehicle VE. That is, the magnitudes of the near and far distance map widths W1 and W2 correspond to lengths from the center of the vehicle VE to left and right by the distances D3 and D4, respectively. In the present embodiment, a case where the first and second widths W1 and W2 are equal to each other, that is, where the near distance area NA and the far distance area FA each have the identical map width will be described. 
         [0039]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , each of the near distance area NA and the far distance area FA on the map MP is divided into a plurality of small regions. For example, the near distance area NA is divided into three small regions R 1  to R 3 , and the far distance area FA is divided into seven small regions R 4  to R 10 . The selection unit  22  determines the collision possibility on the basis of in which small region the object exists, actually. 
         [0040]    For example, the small regions R 1  to R 10  are formed such that the regions are ranked in the descending order of the collision possibility of the object with the vehicle VE. For example, the object in the small region R 2  has a higher possibility of collision with the vehicle VE than the object in the small region R 4 . 
         [0041]    In the near distance area NA, the collision possibility of the vehicle VE with the object is set on the basis of the distance in the travelling direction of the vehicle. Therefore, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the small regions R 1  to R 3  in the near distance area NA are defined or set without considering the distance in the width direction of the vehicle VE. 
         [0042]    On the other hand, in the far distance area FA, the collision possibility of the object with the vehicle VE is set by considering both of the distances in the travelling direction and the width direction of the vehicle VE. Therefore, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the small regions R 4  to R 10  in the far distance area FA each have a mountain shape (V shape) the center of which is at the center portion in the width direction of the vehicle VE. 
         [0043]    More specifically, in the near distance area NA, as the object exists at a longer distance from the vehicle VE in the travelling direction of the vehicle VE (as the object is moved from the small region R 1  to R 3 ), the collision possibility of the object with the vehicle VE decreases. 
         [0044]    However, even when the object moves away from the vehicle VE along the width direction of the vehicle VE, the collision possibility of the object with the vehicle VE does not change. On the other hand, in the far distance area FA, in both of a case where the object moves away from the vehicle VE along the travelling direction of the vehicle VE and a case where the object moves away from the vehicle VE along the width direction of the vehicle VE, the collision possibility of the object with the vehicle VE decreases. 
         [0045]    The boundary between the near distance area NA and the far distance area FA, that is, a distance L1 can be adjusted on the basis of a moving speed of the vehicle VE. More specifically, the distance L1 is set relatively longer (the boundary is set at a distant position) when the vehicle VE moves at a high speed, and the distance L1 is set shorter (the boundary is set at a near position) when the vehicle VE moves at a slow speed. Accordingly, a criterion for selecting the determination target object TO can be changed on a highway, in a city, or the like, for example. 
         [0046]      FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating the determination target object TO and a plurality of the objects having been detected and mapped.  FIG. 4  illustrates a case where seven pedestrians (seven objects) constituted of pedestrians WP 1  to WP 7  are detected. An example of the criterion for the selection unit  22  to select the determination target object TO at the object selection step (step S 20 ) will be described below with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
         [0047]    For example, the selection unit  22  scans the map MP sequentially from the small region R 1 , and extracts a predetermined number of the determination target candidates CTO from the mapped objects. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the selection unit  22  extracts (selects), as the determination target candidates CTO, five pedestrians WP 3  to WP 7  having higher collision possibilities from among the pedestrians WP 1  to WP 7 . 
         [0048]    Next, at step S 30 , the selection unit  22  receives an object detection signal (image) from the camera  21 B. More specifically, the camera  21 B detects the objects and sends a detection image of the objects to the selection unit  22 . The selection unit  22  receives the detection signal of the objects from the camera  21 B. 
         [0049]    Next, at step S 40 , the selection unit  22  collates the positions of the objects detected by the camera  21 B with the map MP, and selects the determination target candidates CTO. More specifically, for example, the selection unit  22  maps the positions of the objects on the map MP on the basis of the object detection image from the camera  21 B. For example, the selection unit  22  acquires images taken by the camera  21 B, generates edged images from illuminance change points or the like, acquires position information of the objects from the edged images, and maps the position information. 
         [0050]    Next, the selection unit  22  extracts the determination target candidates CTO from among the detected objects. Step S 40  is performed similarly to step S 20 . In the present embodiment, a case where the same determination target candidates CTO are selected at steps S 20  and  40  will be described. 
         [0051]    Next, at step S 50 , the selection unit  22  performs matching among the determination target candidates CTO based on the detection result from the radar  21 A and the determination target candidates CTO based on the detection result from the camera  21 B. More specifically, for example, what the objects are or the positions of the objects are compared (collated) using the object information from the both types of the candidates. Thus, the determination target TO is established from among the determination target candidates CTO. In addition, the position of the determination target object TO is established. 
         [0052]    For example, when the object information is not matched between the both types, the object is excluded from the determination target. For example, when the object has positional information of the object information significantly different from the other positional information, the selection unit  22  excludes the object at different positions from the determination target candidates CTO. 
         [0053]    In this way, the selection unit  22  selects the determination target object TO from among the objects detected by the detection unit  21 . In the present embodiment, one determination target object (pedestrian WP 7 ) is selected. 
         [0054]    As described above, for the object at a predetermined distance D1 or more from the moving body (vehicle VE) in the travelling direction of the vehicle VE, the selection unit  22  of the determination device  20  selects the determination target object TO on the basis of a distance from the vehicle VE to the object in the travelling direction of the vehicle VE, and a distance from the vehicle VE to the object in the width direction of the vehicle VE. 
         [0055]    For the object at a distance which is less than the predetermined distance D1 from the vehicle VE in the travelling direction of the vehicle VE, the selection unit  22  selects the determination target object TO on the basis of the distance from the vehicle VE to the object in the travelling direction of the vehicle VE. Therefore, the object having the highest collision possibility can be reliably selected from among the detected objects. 
         [0056]    As the space to the object which is used for selection of the object, a time required for the vehicle VE to reach the object in the travelling direction of the vehicle VE, that is, a time to collision (TTC) in the travelling direction of the vehicle VE may be considered instead of the distance in the travelling direction of the vehicle VE by the selection unit  22 . 
         [0057]    In this case, the distance (distance D1 in  FIG. 3 , etc.) from the vehicle VE to the object in the travelling direction of the vehicle VE, which is a selection condition to the selection unit  22 , is the length of the time to collision (for example, T1=(distance D1)/(vehicle travelling direction component of a relative speed of the vehicle with respect to the object)). 
         [0058]    More specifically, from among the objects at positions which the times required for the vehicle VE to reach in the travelling direction of the vehicle VE are equal to or more than the predetermined time (T1), the selection unit  22  selects the determination target object TO on the basis of the times required for the vehicle VE to reach the objects and the distances from the vehicle VE to the objects in the width direction of the vehicle VE. 
         [0059]    On the other hand, from among the objects at positions which the times required for the vehicle VE to reach in the travelling direction of the vehicle VE are less than the predetermined time (T1), the selection unit  22  selects the determination target object TO on the basis of the times required for the vehicle VE to reach the objects. The selection unit  22  may select the determination target object TO in this way. 
         [0060]    The selection unit  22  may consider moving speeds (that is, relative speeds) of the detected objects to select the determination target object TO. More specifically, the selection unit  22  may select the determination target object TO on the basis of not only the relative positions of the objects but also the relative speeds (moving speeds) of the objects. 
         [0061]    With reference to  FIG. 5 , descriptions will be given of the criterion for the selection unit  22  to select the determination target object TO in a case where a moving direction is considered.  FIG. 5  illustrates a case where the pedestrian WP 6  of the determination target candidates CTO moves (walks) toward the vehicle VE. A broken-line arrow in  FIG. 5  shows the moving direction of the pedestrian WP 6 . 
         [0062]    First, the selection unit  22  determines, as the determination target object TO, the pedestrian WP 7  of the objects (pedestrians), which exists across the small regions R 1  and R 2  each having the highest collision possibility. However, the pedestrian WP 6  is walking (moving) toward the vehicle VE. In this case, the selection unit  22  determines the pedestrian WP 6  as the determination target object. 
         [0063]    That is, the selection unit  22  preferentially selects, as the determination target object TO, the pedestrian WP 6  who is moving toward the vehicle VE in the near distance area NA. In other words, the selection unit  22  preferentially determines, as the determination target object TO, the object which exists at a distance less than the predetermined distance L1 from the vehicle VE in the travelling direction of the vehicle VE and which is moving relatively toward the vehicle VE, of the plurality of detected objects. 
         [0064]    When the determination target object TO is selected on the basis of the time to collision, the selection unit  22  preferentially selects, as the determination target object TO, the object which exists at a position which the time required for the vehicle VE to reach is less than the predetermined time T1 and which is moving relatively toward the vehicle VE. 
         [0065]    When the detection unit  21  includes only one of the radar  21 A and the camera  21 B, or when the detection unit  21  uses only one of the radar  21 A and the camera  21 B to detect the objects, the corresponding selection steps are omitted. For example, when the detection unit  21  includes only the radar  21 A, steps S 30 , S 40 , and S 50  are omitted. That is, at step S 20 , the determination target object TO is selected and established. 
         [0066]    Next, at step S 60 , the determination unit  23  determines the collision possibility of the determination target object TO with the vehicle VE. More specifically, the determination unit  23  determines the collision possibility (risk) of the determination target object TO with the vehicle VE considering the positions, sizes, moving directions, moving speeds, or the like of the vehicle VE and the determination target object TO, for example. 
         [0067]    Next, at step S 70 , assisting the vehicle to avoid collision with the object is performed on the basis of the determination result made by the determination unit  23  of the determination device  20 . More specifically, the determination unit  23  sends collision avoidance assistance information to the assistance unit  30  on the basis of the determination result. The notification unit  31  or the travelling control unit  32  of the assistance unit  30  having received the information notifies the information about the collision risk or a collision avoiding method, etc., for example, to the vehicle (a user). In this way, the assistance apparatus  10  performs assistance to avoid collision of the vehicle with the object 
         [0068]    More specifically, the notification unit  31  notifies the driver of the vehicle of the collision possibility (risk) with the object through a voice, a lamp, a character display, or the like using a speaker, a lamp, or a display part (not illustrated), for example. The notification unit  31  may guide the vehicle to avoid the collision with the object 
         [0069]    The assistance unit  30  has the travelling control unit  32  that controls travelling of the vehicle on the basis of the determination result made by the determination unit  23 . For example, the travelling control unit  32  controls travelling of the vehicle to avoid collision with the determination target object by cooperating with a braking mechanism or a steering mechanism (not illustrated) of the vehicle. 
         [0070]    The notification unit  31  allows a user riding on the moving body such as the vehicle or a user operating the portable terminal, for example, to recognize existence of the object having the high collision possibility in the travelling direction. The travelling control unit  32  can control travelling (for example, a braking operation or a handling operation) of the vehicle, for example. Accordingly, for example, even when a time to consider avoiding collision with the object before actual collision is little (that is, in an emergency), the collision can be avoided. 
         [0071]    As described above, in the present embodiment, when selecting the determination target object TO, the selection unit  22  sets regions for which the distance in the width direction of the vehicle is not considered, and considers only the traveling direction for the regions. Accordingly, for example, even when a pedestrian who exists at a position near the vehicle suddenly runs out from a side, the pedestrian can be reliably set as the determination target for the collision possibility. 
         [0072]    Various parameters are considered in determination of the collision possibility. Thus, a considerable time is required to simultaneously determine the collision possibilities with a plurality of objects. However, in the present embodiment, a calculation time can be focused on only the object having a high risk of collision so that load on the device to determine the collision possibility can be reduced. 
       Second Embodiment 
       [0073]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a collision possibility determination device  20 A according to the second embodiment. The collision possibility determination device  20 A has an operation flow similar to that the determination device  20  has in the first embodiment except that a determination unit  23 A uses the map MP. That is, in the second embodiment, the determination unit  23 A also uses the map MP in determining the collision possibility of the vehicle with the object. Operations of the determination unit  23 A will be described below. 
         [0074]      FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating a detailed flow of a determination step (step S 60 A) to be performed by the determination unit  23 A. First, before determining the collision possibility, the determination unit  23 A performs conditional branching (JC 1 ) on the basis of the position, on the map MP, of the detected object or selected object. More specifically, the conditional branching is performed on the basis of whether or not the object exists in the near distance area NA. 
         [0075]    Next, when the object is positioned in the near distance area NA (“Yes” in the conditional branching JC 1 ), the determination unit  23 A determines the collision possibility of the vehicle with the object on the basis of the distance from the vehicle to the object in the travelling direction of the vehicle (step S 61 A). On the other hand, when the object is positioned in the far distance area FA (“No” in the conditional branching JC 1 ), the determination unit  23 A determines the collision possibility on the basis of the distance from the vehicle to the object in the travelling direction of the vehicle and the distance from the vehicle to the object in the width direction of the vehicle (step S 62 A). 
         [0076]    In other words, of the detected objects, for the object which exists at a predetermined distance (the near distance map length L1 in  FIG. 3 , that is, the distance D1) or more from the vehicle in the travelling direction of the vehicle, the determination unit  23 A determines the collision possibility of the vehicle with the object on the basis of the distance from the vehicle to the object in the travelling direction of the vehicle and the distance from the vehicle to the object in the width direction of the vehicle. 
         [0077]    On the other hand, for the object which exists at a distance which is less than the predetermined distance (D1) from the vehicle in the travelling direction of the vehicle, the determination unit  23 A determines the collision possibility of the vehicle with the object on the basis of the distance from the vehicle to the object in the travelling direction of the vehicle. 
         [0078]    When determining the collision possibility, the determination unit  23 A may consider a time required for the vehicle VE to reach the object in the travelling direction of the vehicle VE, that is, a time to collision (TTC) in the travelling direction of the vehicle VE, instead of the distance in the travelling direction of the vehicle VE. 
         [0079]    In this case, the distance (the distance D1 in  FIG. 3 , etc.) from the vehicle VE to the object in the travelling direction of the vehicle VE, which is the determination condition for the determination unit  23 A, is the length of the time to collision (for example, T2=distance D1/vehicle travelling direction component of the relative speed of the vehicle with respect to the object). 
         [0080]    More specifically, the determination unit  23 A may perform conditional branching (conditional branching JC 2 ) on the basis of a time required for the object to reach the vehicle in the travelling direction of the vehicle, as in step S 60 B shown in  FIG. 8 , to determine the collision possibility on the basis of the conditional branching. 
         [0081]    First, for the object which exists at a position which the time for the vehicle to reach in the travelling direction of the vehicle is less than the predetermined time (T2) (“Yes” in the conditional branching JC 2 ), the determination unit  23 A determines the collision possibility of the vehicle with the object on the basis of the time required for the vehicle to reach the object in the travelling direction of the vehicle (step S 61 B). 
         [0082]    On the other hand, for the object which exists at a position which the time required for the vehicle to reach in the travelling direction of the vehicle is the predetermined time (T2) or more (“No” in the conditional branching JC 2 ), the determination unit  23 A determines the collision possibility of the vehicle with the object on the basis of the time required for the vehicle to reach the object in the travelling direction of the vehicle and the time required for the vehicle to reach the object in the width direction of the vehicle (step S 62 B). 
         [0083]    In this manner, the determination unit  23 A can determine the collision possibility of the moving body with the object through step S 60 A in  FIG. 7  or step S 60 B in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0084]    As described above, in the present embodiment, the collision possibility can be appropriately determined for the object, etc. which suddenly runs out in the front of the moving body within the near distance of the moving body, for example. In addition, even when a plurality of objects are detected, the object which suddenly runs out within the near distance, for example, can be reliably determined as the object having the high collision possibility. 
         [0085]    In the present embodiment, the map MP is used for both selection of the objects made by the selection unit  22  and determination of the collision possibility made by the determination unit  23 A. However, the map MP may be used for only determination of the collision possibility made by the determination unit  23 A. 
         [0086]    Within the near distance, the determination unit  23 A determines the collision possibility with the object by considering only the distance in the travelling direction of the vehicle or the time to collision in the travelling direction of the vehicle. This enables accurate calculation of the collision possibility. Therefore, when the object suddenly approaches the vehicle from a side of the vehicle, determination of the collision possibility and a collision avoidance action based thereon can be reliably performed. 
         [0087]    In the above embodiment, the case where the plurality of objects are detected has been described. However, when only one object is detected, the collision possibility for the one object may be directly determined by the determination unit without performing the selection step to be made by the selection unit  22 . 
         [0088]    In addition, the case where only one determination target object is selected has been described. However, a plurality of determination target objects may be selected. For example, two determination target objects may be selected such that the determination unit determines the collision possibility for each determination target object. The determination unit may determine the collision possibility for a part of the determination target objects by using the map MP. 
         [0089]    When the time to collision in the travelling direction of the moving body is used in selection of the determination target object and in determination of the collision possibility, the time to collision may be also considered for the distance in the width direction of the moving body. That is, for the objects which exist at positions each having the time to collision in the travelling direction of the moving body equal to or longer than a predetermined time, selection of the determination target object and determination of the collision possibility may be performed on the basis of the time to collision in the travelling direction and the time to collision in the width direction. 
         [0090]    Further, the area may be divided into regions also in the width direction of the moving body (vehicle) to determine the collision possibility (risk level). For example, when a stationary object is detected in a region having a predetermined space or less, in the width direction (the lateral direction with respect to the travelling direction) of the vehicle including a front travelling course of a travelling vehicle (concerned vehicle), the stationary object is determined to have the lower collision possibility than the moving body in the travelling direction. When the object is detected in a region outside the above region, the object is determined to have the low collision possibility (risk level) as long as (1) the movement distance (lateral movement amount) of the concerned vehicle in the width direction is not more than a predetermined value, (2) a predetermine period of time has not elapsed since a steering operation, and (3) the moving speed (lateral movement speed) of the concerned vehicle in the width direction is not more than a predetermined value. Alternatively, when not all but any one or two of the conditions (1) to (3) are satisfied, the object may be determined to have the low collision possibility. 
         [0091]    The embodiments illustrated in the drawings have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. 
         [0092]    In the above embodiments, the case where the detection unit detects the objects has been described. However, detection of the objects and the relative positions of the objects to the moving body are not limited to those performed by the detection unit. For example, the assistance apparatus may receive positional information of the moving body and the objects through the GPS (global positioning system), etc. 
         [0093]    The collision possibility determination device may be provided separately from the moving body (the vehicle or the portable terminal) In this case, the collision possibility, with the object, of the moving body (for example, the vehicle or the portable terminal) separated from the collision possibility determination device may be determined such that the determination result is sent to the moving body. When the collision possibility determination device has this configuration, the collision possibility determination device may be fixed to an electric pole at an intersection, etc., for example. Accordingly, determination of the collision possibility and assistance to avoid collision can be performed for a plurality of moving bodies entering the intersection. 
         [0094]    In the above embodiments, the case where the assistance unit  30  is provided separately from the determination device  20  has been described. However, the assistance unit  30  may be provided in the determination device  20 , for example. In addition, in the above embodiments, the case where the determination device  20  is provided in the assistance apparatus  10  has been described. However, the collision possibility determination device may be provided separately from the collision avoidance assistance apparatus.

Technology Category: g