JP2002170200A - Vehicle rear-end collision alarm system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To give proper rear-end collision alarm by grasping running information of a vehicle running ahead of own vehicle and images of a road situation ahead of own vehicle in the direction of advance in a vehicle rear-end collision alarm system giving an alarm to prevent the rear-end collision against the vehicle running ahead of own vehicle while the vehicle run. SOLUTION: This vehicle rear-end collision alarm system is provided with a distance measuring device 1 measuring a distance between own vehicle A and the vehicle B running ahead of own vehicle, an image pickup device 2 photographing a road situation ahead of own vehicle A in the direction of advance, a communication device 2 receiving running information of the vehicle B ahead of own vehicle sent from the vehicle B ahead of own vehicle and images of a road situation ahead of own vehicle in the direction of advance and transmitting running information of own vehicle A and images of a road situation ahead of own vehicle in the direction of advance, an information display device 4 displaying the received running information from the vehicle B ahead of own vehicle and images of a road situation ahead of own vehicle in the direction of advance, and an alarm device 5 giving a rear-end collision alarm by judging a possibility of rear-end collision against the vehicle B ahead of own vehicle based on a distance between own vehicle and the vehicle B ahead of own vehicle, its running speed, and a running speed of own vehicle A.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle rear-end collision warning system which issues an alarm to prevent a rear-end collision with a front vehicle while the vehicle is running, and more particularly to driving information of a front vehicle and images of road conditions ahead of the traveling direction. The present invention relates to a vehicle rear-end collision warning system that performs appropriate rear-end collision warning by grasping the vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional vehicle collision warning system of this type is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos.
As described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-183622, etc., while measuring the inter-vehicle distance between the own vehicle and the preceding vehicle, measuring the traveling speed and acceleration of the own vehicle, and further photographing a visual field image ahead in the traveling direction, Judging the possibility of a rear-end collision with the vehicle ahead, a warning was issued.

[0003]

However, in such a conventional vehicle rear-end collision warning system, only the information between the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle is obtained. It was unknown what the road condition was in front of the direction of travel. Therefore, when the inter-vehicle distance with the preceding vehicle approaches, it may not be possible to appropriately determine the possibility of a rear-end collision and issue a rear-end collision warning. Further, in an emergency, information for determining whether or not it is possible to pass the preceding vehicle can not be obtained. Further, it is impossible to provide a warning to a vehicle in front that the vehicle is approaching from behind.

In view of the above, the present invention provides a vehicle rear-end collision warning system which addresses such a problem and provides an appropriate rear-end collision warning by grasping traveling information of a preceding vehicle and an image of a road condition ahead of the traveling direction. The purpose is to:

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a vehicle rear-end collision warning system according to the present invention comprises a distance measuring device for measuring an inter-vehicle distance between a host vehicle and a preceding vehicle; An imaging device that captures the road condition, receives the traveling information of the preceding vehicle and the image of the road condition ahead of the traveling direction sent from the preceding vehicle, and transmits the traveling information of the own vehicle and the image of the road situation ahead of the traveling direction. A communication device, an information display device that displays the received traveling information from the preceding vehicle and an image of a road condition ahead of the traveling direction, and a distance between the preceding vehicle and the traveling speed thereof and the traveling speed of the own vehicle. And an alarm device that issues a rear-end collision warning by determining the possibility of a rear-end collision.

[0006] With such a configuration, the inter-vehicle distance between the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle is measured, the road condition ahead of the own vehicle in the traveling direction is photographed, the traveling information of the preceding vehicle sent from the preceding vehicle, and the traveling information of the preceding vehicle. Receiving the image of the road condition and transmitting the traveling information of the own vehicle and the image of the road condition ahead of the traveling direction, displaying the received traveling information from the preceding vehicle and the image of the road condition ahead of the traveling direction, It operates to determine the possibility of a rear-end collision with the preceding vehicle based on the inter-vehicle distance to the preceding vehicle, the traveling speed thereof, and the traveling speed of the own vehicle, and to issue a rear-end collision warning. As a result, an appropriate rear-end collision warning is issued by grasping the inter-vehicle distance to the preceding vehicle, the traveling information thereof, and the image of the road condition ahead in the traveling direction.

[0007] The above-mentioned imaging device is for photographing a road condition ahead of the traveling direction as a moving image. Thus, an image of a road condition having a large amount of information is provided to another vehicle (for example, a following vehicle).

Further, the communication device transmits a warning of approaching a vehicle from behind to the vehicle in front.
This warns that the vehicle is approaching the preceding vehicle from behind.

Further, the communication device performs bidirectional communication with a vehicle ahead only when necessary for a rear-end collision warning. Accordingly, communication is performed only when the inter-vehicle distance to the preceding vehicle is short and it is necessary to issue a rear-end collision warning, thereby reducing costs.

[0010] Further, the vehicle is provided with a position measuring device for measuring the current position of the vehicle on the road. Thus, the present position of the road is measured in real time to know the current position, and the speed limit of the vehicle at the current position is recognized.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a vehicle collision warning system according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a state where the vehicle collision warning system is applied to an actual vehicle. This vehicle rear-end collision warning system issues an alarm in order to prevent a rear-end collision with a preceding vehicle while the vehicle is traveling.
Communication device 3, information display device 4, alarm device 5,
It comprises a position measurement device 6, an image processing device 7, a speedometer 8, and a control unit 9.

The distance measuring device 1 measures the inter-vehicle distance between the host vehicle A and the preceding vehicle B shown in FIG. 2, and emits light, infrared rays, ultrasonic waves, radio waves, etc. from the front end of the host vehicle A. A distance sensor for measuring the distance from the reflected signal to the rear end of the preceding vehicle B is provided at the front end of the host vehicle A.

The image pickup device 2 is for photographing a road condition ahead of the own vehicle A in the traveling direction, and is composed of, for example, a small television camera or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) camera, and is also provided at the front end of the own vehicle A. Have been. It should be noted that the electric signal generated by the photographing of the imaging device 2 is
Is transmitted to the information display device 4 via the control unit 9 described below.
Further, the imaging device 2 may capture a road condition ahead in the traveling direction as a still image, but preferably captures the road condition as a moving image.

The communication device 3 receives traveling information such as the traveling speed of the preceding vehicle B sent from the preceding vehicle B and an image of the road condition ahead of the traveling direction of the traveling vehicle B. And an image of a road condition ahead of the traveling direction to another vehicle (for example, a following vehicle).
The antenna is mounted at an appropriate position in the host vehicle A, and reference numeral 10 denotes its antenna. In addition, the said communication apparatus 3
A warning that the vehicle approaches from behind is transmitted to the preceding vehicle B. In addition, the communication device 3 is configured to perform bidirectional communication with the preceding vehicle B only when necessary for a rear-end collision warning described later.

The information display device 4 displays the received traveling information from the preceding vehicle B and an image of the road condition ahead in the traveling direction as a still image or a moving image, and is composed of a small television monitor or a liquid crystal display. , Near the driver's seat at a position that is easy for the driver to see.

The warning device 5 issues a rear-end collision warning by judging the possibility of a rear-end collision with the front vehicle B based on the inter-vehicle distance to the front vehicle B, the traveling speed thereof, and the traveling speed of the own vehicle A. A signal of an inter-vehicle distance to the preceding vehicle B is input from the measuring device 1, a signal of a traveling speed of the preceding vehicle B is input from the communication device 3, a signal of a traveling speed of the own vehicle A is input from the speedometer 8, The possibility of a rear-end collision with the preceding vehicle B is determined. An alarm buzzer for generating an alarm sound, an alarm lamp for generating blinking light or the like, an audio device for transmitting an alarm message by voice, and the like are provided, and are also provided near the driver's seat.

The position measuring device 6 measures the current position of the vehicle A on a road, for example, a global positioning system (GP) using artificial satellites.
S) or a car navigation device using GPS or the like, and the current position of the vehicle A on the road is displayed on a map using the screen of the information display device 4.

The control section 9 controls the operation of each of the above-mentioned components, and comprises, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and all of the above-mentioned components are connected.

As shown in FIG. 2, the respective components of the vehicle rear-end collision warning system shown in FIG. B, the possibility of a rear-end collision with the preceding vehicle B is determined, and a rear-end collision warning is issued. Further, between the host vehicle A and a subsequent vehicle (not shown), the possibility of a rear-end collision is similarly determined and a rear-end collision warning is issued.

Next, the operation of the vehicle rear-end collision warning system thus configured will be described with reference to FIG. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, it is assumed that the host vehicle A is traveling behind the front vehicle B, and a case in which a rear-end collision warning is issued between the two will be described. First, the traveling speed of the host vehicle A is measured by the speedometer 8 shown in FIG.
Send to Then, it is determined whether or not the traveling speed of the vehicle A is equal to or less than a predetermined speed, for example, 10 km / h (Step S in FIG. 3).
1).

Assuming that the traveling speed of the vehicle A is 10 km / h or less, step S1 proceeds to the "YES" side. In this case, the vehicle is running or stopped at a low speed just before the intersection, at a traffic light, or in traffic congestion, and the process ends without operating the vehicle collision warning system.

On the other hand, if the traveling speed of the host vehicle A exceeds 10 km / h, step S1 proceeds to the "NO" side.
As a result, the vehicle rear-end collision warning system starts operating, and the distance measurement device 1 shown in FIG.
Is measured (step S2).

The signal of the measured inter-vehicle distance is sent to the control unit 9 shown in FIG. 1, and it is determined whether or not the inter-vehicle distance is equal to or less than a predetermined distance (step S3). The predetermined distance serves as an indicator of whether or not the vehicle has entered a range in which a rear-end collision alarm should be issued, and the distance necessary for preventing rear-end collision may be appropriately determined. And
When the inter-vehicle distance with the preceding vehicle B is larger than a predetermined distance,
The step S3 proceeds to the "NO" side to continue monitoring the inter-vehicle distance, and to the "YES" side when the inter-vehicle distance becomes equal to or less than a predetermined distance.

Next, the communication device 3 shown in FIG. 2 receives from the preceding vehicle B the traveling information of the preceding vehicle B and the image of the road condition ahead in the traveling direction (step S4). At this time, in the forward vehicle B, as shown in FIG. 2, the traveling speed of the vehicle is measured by the speedometer 8, the image of the road condition ahead in the traveling direction is captured by the imaging device 2, and the information is transmitted to the communication device 3. Has been sent. Then, the own vehicle A sends the received traveling information of the preceding vehicle B and the image of the road condition ahead to the information display device 4 via the control unit 9, and the information display device 4.
Display on the screen.

On the other hand, in the host vehicle A, the current position of the road is measured by the position measuring device 6 shown in FIG. 2 to confirm the current position, and the traveling speed measured by the speedometer 8 is taken in (step S5). Also, the speed limit of the vehicle at the current location is read from the confirmed current location using a navigation map or the like (step S6). Own vehicle A
Is transmitted to the control unit 9.

In this state, the control unit 9 determines whether the vehicle A has exceeded the speed limit (step S).
7). Now, assuming that the speed limit is not exceeded,
Step S7 proceeds to the "NO" side. In this case, there is no possibility of a collision with the vehicle B ahead, but the communication device 3 shown in FIG.
Then, an approach warning that the vehicle is approaching the front vehicle B from behind is transmitted through the vehicle (step S8). Then, the preceding vehicle B receives the approach warning by its own communication device 3 and the driver recognizes that the vehicle is approaching from behind.

The vehicle A issues an approach warning that the vehicle A is approaching the vehicle B ahead (step S9).
Thereby, the driver drives while paying attention so as not to collide with the preceding vehicle B. In this state, after a few seconds,
The warning device 5 that has issued the approach warning is released (step S10), and the operation is terminated.

On the other hand, if the host vehicle A has exceeded the speed limit, step S7 proceeds to the "YES" side. In this case, it is determined that there is a possibility of a rear-end collision with the preceding vehicle B,
The alarm device 5 issues an overspeed alarm and a rear-end collision alarm (step S11). That is, an alarm message is transmitted by an alarm buzzer, an alarm lamp, or a voice to notify the driver of the danger of a rear-end collision. As a result, the driver applies the brake and reduces the traveling speed to increase the inter-vehicle distance, or stops to avoid a rear-end collision. Alternatively, in an emergency, the image of the road condition ahead of the traveling direction of the preceding vehicle B displayed on the screen of the information display device 4 is checked, and it is determined whether or not overtaking is possible. Overtake to avoid rear-end collision.

In this state, after a lapse of several seconds, the alarm device 5 that has issued the speed over alarm and the rear-end collision alarm is released (step S10), and the operation is terminated.

The above operation is the same when a rear-end collision alarm is issued between both the own vehicle A and the following vehicle (not shown) in FIG. That is, if each vehicle is equipped with the vehicle rear-end collision warning system shown in FIG. 1, the above-mentioned rear-end collision warning can be issued between all vehicles, which can be used for preventing rear-end collision.

[0031]

The present invention has been configured as described above.
According to the invention according to claim 1, the inter-vehicle distance between the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle is measured, the road condition ahead of the own vehicle in the traveling direction is photographed, and the traveling information and traveling direction of the preceding vehicle sent from the preceding vehicle are sent. While receiving the image of the road condition ahead and transmitting the traveling information of the own vehicle and the image of the road condition ahead in the traveling direction, displaying the received traveling information from the preceding vehicle and the image of the road condition ahead in the traveling direction, A rear-end collision warning can be issued by determining the possibility of a rear-end collision with the front vehicle based on the inter-vehicle distance to the preceding vehicle, the traveling speed thereof, and the traveling speed of the own vehicle. Therefore, it is possible to recognize an inter-vehicle distance to a preceding vehicle, traveling information thereof, and an image of a road condition ahead in the traveling direction, and perform an appropriate rear-end warning.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the image capturing apparatus captures a road condition ahead of the traveling direction as a moving image, thereby providing a large amount of information to other vehicles (for example, following vehicles). An image of the road condition can be provided. From this, in the case of an emergency, the following vehicle checks the image of the road condition ahead of the traveling direction of the preceding vehicle displayed on the screen of the information display device, and determines whether or not it is possible to pass. For example, it is possible to overtake a vehicle ahead and avoid a rear-end collision.

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the communication device transmits a vehicle approach warning from behind to the front vehicle, so that the vehicle is approaching from behind the front vehicle. It can alert you. Therefore, the preceding vehicle receives the approach warning by its own communication device, and the driver can recognize that the vehicle is approaching from behind and take a corresponding action.

Further, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the communication device communicates with the preceding vehicle in two directions only when necessary for a rear-end collision warning, so that the inter-vehicle distance with the preceding vehicle is reduced. Then, communication is performed only when it is necessary to issue a rear-end collision warning, and cost can be reduced.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, by providing the position measuring device for measuring the current position of the vehicle on the road, the current position of the road is measured in real time to know the current position. At the same time, it is possible to recognize the speed limit of the vehicle traveling at the current location. Therefore, an appropriate rear-end collision warning can be issued.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a vehicle collision warning system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the vehicle collision warning system is applied to an actual vehicle.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the vehicle rear-end collision warning system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Distance measuring device 2 ... Imaging device 3 ... Communication device 4 ... Information display device 5 ... Alarm device 6 ... Position measuring device 7 ... Image processing device 8 ... Speedometer 9 ... Control unit A ... Own vehicle B ... Front vehicle

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (Reference) B60R 21/00 626 B60R 21/00 626A 628 628C 630 630G G01S 17/93 G08B 21/00 H G08B 21/00 25/04 C 25/04 25/10 D 25/10 G08G 1/09 H G08G 1/09 G01S 17/88 A F term (reference) 5C086 AA54 BA22 DA40 5C087 AA02 AA03 AA25 BB21 BB74 DD03 DD13 EE05 EE16 FF01 FF04 GG66 GG70 GG83 5 AA01 BB15 CC02 CC04 CC11 CC12 FF05 FF13 FF22 FF33 LL01 LL04 LL07 LL08 5J084 AA02 AA05 AB01 AC02 CA80 EA22 EA29

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A distance measuring device for measuring an inter-vehicle distance between a host vehicle and a preceding vehicle, an imaging device for photographing a road condition in front of the host vehicle in a traveling direction, traveling information of the preceding vehicle sent from the preceding vehicle, and A communication device that receives the image of the road condition ahead of the traveling direction and transmits the traveling information of the own vehicle and the image of the road condition ahead of the traveling direction; and the received traveling information from the preceding vehicle and the road condition ahead of the traveling direction. An information display device that displays an image, and an alarm device that determines the possibility of a rear-end collision with the preceding vehicle based on the inter-vehicle distance to the preceding vehicle and its traveling speed and the traveling speed of the own vehicle, and issues a rear-end collision warning. A rear-end collision warning system for a vehicle. 2. The vehicle rear-end collision warning system according to claim 1, wherein the imaging device is configured to photograph a road condition ahead of the traveling direction as a moving image. 3. The vehicle collision warning system according to claim 1, wherein the communication device transmits a warning of approaching the vehicle from behind to the vehicle in front. 4. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said communication device performs bidirectional communication with a preceding vehicle only when necessary for a rear-end collision warning. Rear-end collision warning system. 5. The vehicle rear-end collision warning system according to claim 1, further comprising a position measuring device for measuring a current position of the vehicle on a road.