JP7282069B2 - vehicle alarm device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle notification device that notifies information obtained by a vehicle.

As a device of this type, there has been conventionally known a device in which a sensor mounted on the own vehicle detects the situation around the own vehicle and notifies the occupants of the own vehicle of the situation such as the approach of another vehicle. (See Patent Document 1, for example). The device described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-200001 notifies a predetermined situation such as an approaching other vehicle by blinking a lamp provided on the side mirror.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2006-519427

However, unlike the vehicle having a sensor for detecting the surrounding situation like the device described in Patent Document 1, the surrounding situation of the vehicle is notified to the occupants of the vehicle that does not have a sensor for detecting the surrounding situation. is difficult.

A vehicle notification device, which is one aspect of the present invention, includes a detection unit that detects a surrounding situation of a vehicle, and a degree of approach between a first vehicle and a second vehicle that are located behind the vehicle, detected by the detection unit. a display unit that displays an image that can be visually recognized by the occupant of the first vehicle at a predetermined position on the rear surface of the own vehicle; a storage unit for storing a plurality of images according to a scene; and a plurality of images stored in the storage unit when the driving scene of the own vehicle is specified and the degree of approach calculated by the degree-of-approach calculation unit exceeds a predetermined value. and an output unit for outputting a notification signal so that an image corresponding to the driving scene is displayed on the display unit. The plurality of images stored in the storage unit is a first arrow image representing, with arrows, the mode of approach between the first vehicle and the second vehicle when the second vehicle joins the lane in which the first vehicle is traveling. and a second arrow image showing, by arrows, the mode of approach between the first vehicle and the second vehicle in the overtaking run in which the second vehicle overtakes the running first vehicle.

According to the present invention, it is possible to notify the occupants of other vehicles in the vicinity of the surrounding conditions of the vehicle.

The figure which shows an example of the driving|running|working scene where the vehicle alerting|reporting apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention is applied. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another example of a driving scene to which the vehicle notification device according to the embodiment of the invention is applied; The figure which shows typically the structure of the rear part of the vehicle which has the vehicle alerting|reporting apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 1 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of a vehicle notification device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the controller in FIG. 3; FIG.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1A to 4. FIG. The vehicle notification device according to the present embodiment is configured to notify the driver (passenger) of the vehicle (other vehicle) behind the vehicle (own vehicle) that an obstacle is approaching. .

1A and 1B are diagrams showing examples of driving scenes to which the vehicle notification device according to the present embodiment is applied. FIG. 1A shows an example in which a first lane LN1 (main road) and a second lane LN2 (merging lane) intersect and merge at a merging point (merging point) AR. In FIG. 1A, another vehicle 2 (2A) is traveling behind the own vehicle 1 traveling on the first lane LN1, and another other vehicle 2 (2B) is traveling on the second lane LN2. At this time, after the own vehicle 1 passes through the junction AR, the other vehicles 2A and 2B approach each other in the vicinity of the junction AR.

FIG. 1B is an example in which a first lane LN1 (driving lane) and a second lane LN2 (overtaking lane) extend adjacent to each other. In FIG. 1B, another vehicle 2 (2A) runs behind the host vehicle 1 traveling on the first lane LN1, and further behind the other vehicle 2A, the second lane LN2 is driven at a higher speed than the other vehicle 2A. Another vehicle 2 (2B) is running. At this time, the other vehicle 2B approaches the other vehicle 2A. 1A and 1B, the other vehicle 2B is an obstacle for the other vehicle 2A, and the other vehicle 2A is an obstacle for the other vehicle 2B. The other vehicle 2A may be called the first vehicle, and the other vehicle 2B may be called the second vehicle.

In FIG. 1A, the other vehicles 2A and 2B may suddenly approach each other without the drivers of the other vehicles 2A and 2B noticing each other's presence, and may even collide. In FIG. 1B as well, the other vehicles 2A and 2B may suddenly approach each other without the driver of the other vehicle 2A noticing the existence of the other vehicle 2B, and may even collide. In particular, when the other vehicles 2A and 2B do not have sensors for detecting surrounding conditions, the possibility of collision increases. In such a situation, the present embodiment configures the vehicle notification device as follows so that the own vehicle 1 notifies the drivers of the other vehicles 2A and 2B of information that calls attention to the driving operation.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the main configuration of the host vehicle 1 having the vehicle notification device according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the rear part of the vehicle 1. As shown in FIG. The own vehicle 1 is configured as an automatically driving vehicle having an automatic driving function, for example. The automatically driven vehicle is a vehicle that detects the surrounding conditions of the own vehicle 1 and controls the operation of the own vehicle 1 such as running, turning, braking, and the like. Therefore, the own vehicle 1 has a plurality of sensors for detecting the presence or absence of obstacles around the own vehicle 1 and the distance from the own vehicle 1 to the obstacle (for example, the other vehicle 2). As shown in FIG. 2 , some of the multiple sensors (sensor 10 ) are provided at the rear end of the vehicle 1 .

The plurality of sensors includes a lidar that measures the scattered light of the omnidirectional irradiation light of the own vehicle 1 to measure the distance from the own vehicle 1 to surrounding obstacles, and a lidar that emits electromagnetic waves and detects the reflected waves. A radar that detects other vehicles and obstacles around the vehicle 1, is mounted on the own vehicle 1, has an imaging device such as a CCD or CMOS, and images the surroundings (front, rear, and side) of the own vehicle 1. Including cameras. The inter-vehicle distance from own vehicle 1 to another vehicle can be measured by any of lidar, radar, and an on-vehicle camera. In particular, the sensor 10 provided at the rear end of the own vehicle 1 detects the presence or absence of another vehicle 2 (FIGS. 1A and 1B) traveling behind the own vehicle 1 and the distance from the own vehicle 1 to the other vehicle 2. can be detected.

A transparent or translucent transmissive screen 12 is attached to the inner surface of the rear window 11 of the own vehicle 1 . A projection device (projector) 14 that projects a predetermined image onto a transmissive screen 12 is provided on the ceiling above a seat (for example, a rear seat) 13 of the vehicle 1 . The projection device 14 is arranged at a position where projection is not obstructed by an occupant sitting on the seat 13 . The transmissive screen 12 and the projection device 14 constitute the display unit DU.

The predetermined image is an image representing characters and figures that can be visually recognized by the driver of the other vehicle 2 behind the vehicle. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, it is a character image such as "Caution to the side" at the junction AR, and an arrow image showing the approaching situation of other vehicles 2A and 2B at the junction AR. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 1B, it may be a character image such as "beware of the rear and side" when the other vehicle 2B is approaching from behind, or an image of an arrow indicating the approaching situation of the other vehicle 2B. These images are displayed in colors and sizes that can be easily viewed by the driver of the other vehicle 2 . The image displayed on the rear window 11 is changed according to the driving scene.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the vehicle notification device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3 , vehicle notification device 100 includes sensor 10 , projection device 14 , GPS sensor 15 , and controller 20 . Sensor 10 , projection device 14 and GPS sensor 15 are each communicatively connected to controller 20 . The GPS sensor 15 has a receiver that receives positioning signals from GPS satellites, and can measure the absolute position (latitude, longitude, etc.) of the vehicle 1 based on the signals received by the GPS sensor 15 .

The controller 20 includes a computer having a CPU, ROM, RAM and other peripheral circuits. The controller 20 has a storage unit 21, an approach degree calculation unit 22, and an output unit 23 as functional configurations. The output unit 23 has a display control unit 24 .

The storage unit 21 stores a plurality of images corresponding to driving scenes to be projected onto the transmissive screen 3 . For example, images projected on the rear window 11 as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B and images corresponding to other driving scenes are stored. The storage unit 21 also stores a threshold value (α1) for determining whether or not to output a notification signal, which will be described later. The storage unit 21 also stores road map information for grasping the presence of merging points AR and passing lanes on the road.

Based on the signal from the sensor 10, the approach degree calculator 22 calculates the degree of approach (degree of approach) α between the other vehicles 2A and 2B behind the own vehicle 1. FIG. For example, the smaller the distance difference between the distance (first distance) from the subject vehicle 1 to the other vehicle 2A detected by the sensor 10 and the distance (second distance) from the subject vehicle 1 to the other vehicle 2B, the closer the degree of approach α. The degree of proximity α is calculated using the increasing relationship. From the rate of change in the first distance and the rate of change in the second distance, the relative vehicle speed of the other vehicle 2A with respect to the own vehicle 1 (first relative vehicle speed) and the relative vehicle speed of the other vehicle 2B with respect to the own vehicle 1 (second relative vehicle speed) may be calculated respectively, and the degree of approach α may be calculated in consideration of the difference between the first relative vehicle speed and the second relative vehicle speed. For example, the greater the difference between the first relative vehicle speed and the second relative vehicle speed, the greater the approach degree α of the other vehicles 2A and 2B. The degree of approach α may be calculated in consideration of road conditions such as the gradient of the road surface.

The output unit 23 first detects the current position of the vehicle 1 by using the GPS sensor 15 mounted on the vehicle 1, and based on the detected current position and the road map information stored in the storage unit 21, determines the road map information. The position of the own vehicle 1 on the map is grasped, and from this, the driving scene (merging, overtaking, etc.) of the own vehicle 1 and the other vehicle 2 is grasped. A driving scene of the own vehicle 1 may be grasped by a camera or the like mounted on the own vehicle 1 . Next, it is determined whether or not the degree of approach α calculated by the degree-of-approach calculator 22 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value α1 predetermined for each driving scene. This determination is to determine whether or not the possibility of collision between the other vehicles 2A and 2B is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. For example, it is determined whether or not the difference between the first distance and the second distance is less than or equal to a predetermined value. Equivalent to judgment.

When it is determined that the degree of approach α is equal to or greater than the predetermined value α1, the display control unit 24 selects an image corresponding to the driving scene from among the plurality of images stored in advance in the storage unit 21, and displays the image. A corresponding image signal is output to the projection device 14 . In other words, the output unit 23 (display control unit 24) outputs a predetermined notification signal corresponding to the driving scene, which calls attention to the passengers of the other vehicle 2. FIG. For example, the notification signal corresponding to the image of the merging driving scene (FIG. 1A) and the notification signal corresponding to the overtaking driving scene image (FIG. 1B) are output to the projection device 14 . As a result, a predetermined image is projected onto the transmissive screen 12 of the rear window 11 .

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of processing executed by the CPU of the controller 20 according to a predetermined program. The processing shown in this flowchart is started, for example, when the main power source of the vehicle 1 is turned on, and is repeated at a predetermined cycle. First, in step S1, signals from the sensor 10 and the GPS sensor 15 are read.

Next, in step S2, based on the road map information stored in the storage unit 21 and the current position of the vehicle 1 detected by the GPS sensor 15, the driving scene of the vehicle 1 is specified. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, a road on which the first lane LN1 and the second lane LN2 meet, or on which the first lane LN1 and the second lane LN2 exist, as shown in FIG. A driving scene such as driving in the first lane LN1 of is specified. A driving scene may be specified based on an image acquired by a camera mounted on the own vehicle 1 .

Next, in step S3, based on the signal from the sensor 10, it is determined whether or not another vehicle 2A (rear vehicle) exists behind the own vehicle 1 and another vehicle 2B exists around the other vehicle 2A. That is, it is determined whether or not there are a plurality of other vehicles 2A and 2B behind the own vehicle 1 . If the result in step S3 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S4, and if the result is negative, the process proceeds to step S7.

At step S4, based on the signal from the sensor 10, the approach degree α of the other vehicles 2A and 2B is calculated. Next, in step S5, it is determined whether or not the calculated degree of approach α is greater than or equal to a predetermined value α1. A value corresponding to the driving scene specified in step S2 is adopted as the predetermined value α1. If the result in step S5 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S6, and if the result is negative, the process proceeds to step S7.

In step S6, the projection device 14 is operated to project a predetermined image corresponding to the driving scene onto the transmissive screen 12 of the rear window 11. FIG. For example, images as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B are projected. On the other hand, in step S7, the operation of the projection device 14 is stopped, that is, the projection device 14 is made non-operational.

The main operations of the vehicle notification device 100 according to this embodiment are summarized below. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, when the own vehicle 1 passes the merging point AR, another vehicle 2B traveling on the merging lane LN2 approaches another vehicle 2A behind the own vehicle 1 traveling on the main line LN1. , the controller 20 of the host vehicle 1 calculates the degree of proximity α between the other vehicles 2A and 2B based on the signal from the sensor 10 (step S4). When the degree of approach α reaches or exceeds a predetermined value α1, the projection device 14 is operated to project a predetermined image on the rear window 11 to notify that the other vehicle 2B is approaching the other vehicle 2A (step S6). As a result, the drivers of the other vehicles 2A and 2B can easily recognize the surrounding conditions, and the driving safety at the merging point AR is enhanced.

As another example, as shown in FIG. 1B, when another vehicle 2B traveling in the overtaking lane LN2 approaches another vehicle 2A traveling behind the own vehicle 1 traveling in the traveling lane LN1, the own vehicle 1 The controller 20 calculates the degree of proximity α between the other vehicles 2A and 2B based on the signal from the sensor 10 (step S4). When the degree of approach α reaches or exceeds a predetermined value α1, the projection device 14 is operated to project a predetermined image on the rear window 11 to notify that the other vehicle 2B is approaching the other vehicle 2A (step S6). As a result, the driver of the other vehicle 2A can easily recognize the surrounding situation, and the traveling safety is enhanced when the other vehicle 2B overtakes the other vehicle 2A.

According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The vehicle notification device 100 includes a sensor 10 that detects the surrounding situation of the own vehicle 1, a rear vehicle (another vehicle 2A) located behind the own vehicle 1 detected by the sensor 10, and other vehicles 2A. A degree-of-approach calculation unit 22 that calculates a degree of approach α to the other vehicle 2B serving as an obstacle. and an output unit 23 for outputting a notification signal for calling attention to both drivers 2A and 2B (FIG. 3). As a result, the drivers of the other vehicles 2A and 2B around the own vehicle 1 can be notified of the surrounding conditions of the other vehicles 2A and 2B. That is, it is possible to provide useful information to the occupants of the other vehicles 2A and 2B, which do not have sensors for detecting surrounding conditions, and to improve the traveling safety of the other vehicles 2A and 2B.

(2) The vehicle notification device 100 has a display unit DU for displaying an image visible to the drivers of the other vehicles 2A and 2B in the rear at a predetermined position of the own vehicle 1, that is, the rear window 11, and an output unit 23. and a display control unit 24 for controlling the display unit DU to display a predetermined image corresponding to the received notification signal (FIG. 3). Accordingly, the driver of the other vehicle 2 can easily recognize the surrounding conditions regardless of the configurations of the other vehicles 2A and 2B.

(3) The display unit DU has a transmissive screen 12 provided on the rear window 11 of the vehicle 1 and a projection device 14 that projects an image onto the transmissive screen 12 (FIG. 3). In this way, by projecting an image on the rear window 11 of the forward vehicle (self-vehicle 1), which is highly visible to the driver of the other vehicle 2, the driver of the other vehicle 2 can easily grasp the notified information. can do. Further, since the transmissive screen 12 is configured to be transparent or translucent, it is possible to sufficiently ensure the driver's view through the transmissive screen 12 while driving (the driver of the vehicle 1).

(4) The degree-of-approaching calculation unit 22 detects by the sensor 10 after the vehicle 1 passes through the merging point AR (merging point) where the first lane LN1 and the second lane LN2 that joins the first lane LN1 intersect. The degree of approach α between the other vehicle 2A traveling on the first lane LN1 behind the own vehicle 1 and the other vehicle 2B traveling on the second lane LN2 is calculated (FIGS. 1A and 4). When the degree of approach α calculated by the degree-of-approach calculator 22 reaches or exceeds a predetermined value α1, the output unit 23 outputs a notification signal to warn the drivers of the other vehicles 2A and 2B (FIGS. 1A and 4). ). This increases the driving safety at the merging point AR where the merging lane joins the main line.

(5) The degree-of-approach calculation unit 22 drives the first lane LN1 behind the vehicle 1 detected by the sensor 10 while the vehicle 1 is driving along the first lane LN1 adjacent to the second lane LN2. A degree of proximity α between the other vehicle 2A and the other vehicle 2B traveling on the second lane LN2 is calculated (FIGS. 1B and 4). When the degree of approach α calculated by the degree-of-approach calculator 22 reaches or exceeds a predetermined value α1, the output unit 23 outputs a notification signal to warn the driver of the other vehicle 2A (FIGS. 1B and 4). As a result, driving safety during overtaking is enhanced.

The above embodiment can be modified in various forms. Some modifications will be described below. In the above embodiment, the sensor 10 provided at the rear end of the vehicle 1 detects the surrounding conditions of the vehicle 1, but the configuration (arrangement, etc.) of the detection unit is not limited to that described above. In the above-described embodiment, the degree-of-approach calculation unit 22 is configured to calculate the degree of approach α between the other vehicle 2A and the other vehicle 2B (obstacle) located behind the host vehicle 1. may be calculated. In the above embodiment, the display unit DU is composed of the transmissive screen 12 provided on the rear window 11 and the projection device (projection unit) that projects an image onto the transmissive screen 12. Any configuration of the display section may be used as long as it displays a wide range of images.

In the above-described embodiment, when the approach degree α of the other vehicles 2A and 2B reaches or exceeds the predetermined value α1, the output unit 23 causes the display unit DU to display a signal (notification signal ), but the form of the notification signal is not limited to this. For example, a notification signal may be output to the rear vehicle via the communication unit so that a predetermined image is displayed on an instrument panel or monitor mounted in the rear vehicle. A speaker mounted in the rear vehicle may be audibly notified of information calling attention to an approaching obstacle. A display grounded on the road may output a warning signal so as to display information to warn passengers in the rear vehicle of an approaching obstacle.

In the above embodiment, the own vehicle 1 is configured as an automatically driven vehicle having an automatic driving function, but the own vehicle may be a vehicle without an automatic driving function, that is, a manually driven vehicle. In the above-described embodiment, the vehicle notification device 100 is applied to the scene in which the other vehicle 2B approaches and merges with the other vehicle 2A and the scene in which the other vehicle 2B approaches and overtakes the other vehicle 2A. The present invention is not limited to the driving scene described above, but can be applied to various driving scenes in which the vehicle behind approaches an obstacle.

The above description is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited by the above-described embodiments and modifications as long as the features of the present invention are not impaired. It is also possible to arbitrarily combine one or more of the above embodiments and modifications, and it is also possible to combine modifications with each other.

1 vehicle, 2, 2A, 2B other vehicle, 10 sensor, 12 transmissive screen, 14 projection unit, 20 controller, 22 approach degree calculation unit, 23 output unit, 24 display control unit, 100 vehicle information device, LN1 first lane , LN2 2nd lane

Claims (4)

a detection unit that detects surrounding conditions of the own vehicle;
a degree-of-approach calculation unit that calculates the degree of proximity between a first vehicle and a second vehicle positioned behind the subject vehicle detected by the detection unit;
a display unit that displays an image that can be visually recognized by an occupant of the first vehicle at a predetermined position on the rear surface of the own vehicle;
a storage unit that stores a plurality of images corresponding to a plurality of driving scenes that call attention to the occupants of the first vehicle;
When the driving scene of the own vehicle is identified and the degree of approach calculated by the degree-of-approach calculating unit reaches a predetermined value or more, an image corresponding to the driving scene is selected from among the plurality of images stored in the storage unit. and an output unit that outputs a notification signal to be displayed on the display unit ,
The plurality of images stored in the storage unit are represented by arrows representing the manner in which the first vehicle and the second vehicle approach each other when the second vehicle merges into the lane in which the first vehicle is traveling. and a second arrow image showing, by arrows, a mode of approach between the first vehicle and the second vehicle in overtaking travel in which the second vehicle overtakes the running first vehicle. A vehicle notification device characterized by: In the vehicle notification device according to claim 1,
A vehicle notification device, wherein the predetermined value is determined according to a driving scene. In the vehicle notification device according to claim 1 or 2,
The degree-of-approach calculation unit calculates, after the vehicle passes through a merging point where a first lane and a second lane that joins the first lane, calculating the degree of proximity between the first vehicle traveling in the first lane and the second vehicle traveling in the second lane;
The output unit corresponds to a junction that calls attention to at least one of the occupants of the first vehicle and the second vehicle when the degree of proximity calculated by the degree-of-approach calculation unit reaches or exceeds the predetermined value. and outputting the notification signal so that the received information is displayed on the display unit. In the vehicle notification device according to claim 1 or 2,
The degree-of-approach calculation unit detects the first vehicle running in the first lane behind the vehicle, which is detected by the detection unit while the vehicle is running in the first lane adjacent to the second lane. and calculating the degree of proximity with the second vehicle traveling in the second lane,
When the degree of approach calculated by the degree-of-approach calculation unit reaches or exceeds the predetermined value, the output unit responds to overtaking such as to call attention to the occupants of at least one of the first vehicle and the second vehicle. and outputting the notification signal so that the received information is displayed on the display unit.

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