JP2000240018A - Sight line leading device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To guide a vehicle or the like based on change of road condition or the like and simplify wiring. SOLUTION: A plurality of guide signs 1-n are arranged along a road. Correspnding to the guide signs 1-n, individual control parts 13-1-13-n are provided. A feeder circuit 11 feeds positive or negative full wave rectified voltage to the individual control parts 13-1-13-n through feed lines 14, 15 according to input signals. The respective individual control parts 13-1-13n have a discrimination circuit 21 discriminating whether the fed voltage is positive or negative, and the guide signs corresponding to the individual control parts are controlled to be driven so as to light the guide signs 1-n by a lighting pattern and a display pattern according to the discriminated signals from the discrimination circuit 21.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gaze guidance system provided with a plurality of guidance markers arranged at intervals along a road or the like so that a vehicle driver or the like can recognize the shape of a road or the like. The present invention relates to a device, and more particularly to a so-called self-luminous gaze guidance device in which each guide mark is configured to be lit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a line-of-sight guidance apparatus in which a guide mark is configured to be lit, each guide mark can be illuminated and displayed using a lamp or an LED using only a circle or an arrow. The guide signs are arranged at intervals along the road at a point such as a sharp curve of the road. Then, the vehicle guides the vehicle by sequentially lighting each guide mark in the order of the vehicle travel direction and obtaining a visual effect such that the lighting light of the guide mark moves in the vehicle travel direction along the road. The scanning speed (moving speed) of the lighting light is set to match the speed limit of the road.

Further, in such a conventional line-of-sight guidance device, each guide mark is sequentially turned on by sequentially switching the power supply from the power supply unit to each guide mark.

[0004]

However, in the conventional gaze guidance device, as described above, there is always one display pattern for each guide mark to be lit and displayed, and the lighting pattern of a group of guide lights is a lighting light. Was only a sequential lighting pattern in which the scanning speed was always constant. For this reason, even if there is a change in the condition of the road, such as traffic congestion or traffic obstacles or restrictions caused by an accident or construction at the end of the curve, the situation change is followed. It was not possible to guide the vehicle or the like, and it was not always sufficient to secure the safety of the vehicle or the like.

In the conventional gaze guidance apparatus, since the power supply from the power supply unit to each guide mark is sequentially switched, the wiring from the power supply unit to each guide mark is complicated.
For this reason, the amount of use of the wiring cable increases, which leads to an increase in cost. In addition, it takes time and effort to lay the wiring when installing the gaze guidance device.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and can guide a vehicle or the like in accordance with a change in a situation of a road or the like, and can improve the safety of traveling of the vehicle or the like. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaze guidance device that can be used.

Further, the present invention can simplify the wiring, reduce the amount of wiring cables used, reduce costs, and simplify the wiring laying work. The purpose is to provide.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a gaze guidance apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a plurality of illuminable guidance signs arranged at intervals along a road or the like. A gaze guidance device comprising: a control unit configured to drive and control the plurality of guide signs so that the plurality of guide signs are lit in a lighting pattern associated with an input signal among a plurality of types of lighting patterns. It is.

According to the first aspect, a plurality of guidance signs are lit in a lighting pattern selected from a plurality of types of lighting patterns in accordance with an input signal. Therefore, it is possible to guide a vehicle or the like in accordance with a change in a situation such as a road,
It is possible to improve the traveling safety of the vehicle or the like.

The gaze guidance device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the gaze guidance device according to the first aspect, wherein the plurality of types of lighting patterns are first lighting in which each of the plurality of guidance signs is sequentially lighted. And a second lighting pattern in which the plurality of guidance signs blink at the same time.

The gaze guidance device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the gaze guidance device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the plurality of types of lighting patterns are such that each of the plurality of guidance targets is sequentially lighted. It includes two or more types of lighting patterns, each of which includes at least two or more types of lighting patterns and different scanning speeds of the lighting light.

In the second and third aspects, the lighting patterns are exemplified, but in the first aspect, the lighting patterns are not limited to these examples. For example, a lighting pattern in which a group of guide lights arranged in an odd number and a group of guide lights arranged in an even number alternately blink can also be mentioned.

If the scanning speed of the lighting light is changed in the sequential lighting as in the third aspect, the driver of a vehicle or the like has a feeling of adjusting the vehicle speed to the scanning speed. The speed can be guided to a suitably changed speed.

A gaze guidance device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the gaze guidance device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein each of the guide marks selectively lights a plurality of types of display patterns. The control means is configured to display the plurality of guidance signs so that each of the plurality of guidance signs lights and displays a display pattern associated with an input signal among the plurality of types of display patterns when the respective guidance signs are lit. Drive control is performed.

According to the fourth aspect, a display pattern selected from a plurality of types of display patterns in accordance with an input signal is lit and displayed on each guide mark. Therefore, by changing the display pattern in accordance with the change in the condition of the road or the like, it is possible to guide the vehicle or the like in accordance with the change in the condition of the road or the like, and to improve the driving safety of the vehicle or the like. it can. Examples of the display pattern include an arrow “→”, a square mark “>”, a filled circle “●”, a non-filled circle “丸”, and a cross “x”. The display colors of the plurality of types of display patterns do not need to be different from each other, but it is preferable that not only the graphics but also the display colors be different because the visibility is improved.

When different guidance is given to a vehicle or the like, it is particularly preferable to combine the change of the lighting pattern and the change of the display pattern as in the fourth aspect, in order to enhance the visibility. For example, at the time of sequential lighting, an arrow "→" or a circle "●" is displayed in green and normal gaze guidance is performed, and when there is an obstacle or the like at the end of the road, the cross mark "x" is flashed all at once. If displayed in red, the difference between the two stands out. However, in the first to third aspects, it is not always necessary to combine the change of the lighting pattern with the change of the display pattern, and in the fifth aspect described later, it is not always necessary to combine the change of the display pattern with the change of the lighting pattern. .

A gaze guidance device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is a gaze guidance device having a plurality of illuminable guide signs arranged at intervals along a road or the like, wherein each of the plurality of guide signs is provided. Each kind of display pattern is configured to be selectively lighted and displayed, and each of the guide signs lights and displays a display pattern associated with an input signal among the plurality of kinds of display patterns at the time of lighting. The vehicle further comprises control means for driving and controlling the plurality of guideposts.

A gaze guidance device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the gaze guidance device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the control means comprises: The plurality of guideposts are driven and controlled so as to be turned on at a luminance associated with the input signal among the luminances. Note that in this specification, luminance refers to apparent brightness of a light-emitting portion.

According to the sixth aspect, a plurality of guideposts are turned on at a luminance selected from a plurality of kinds of luminances according to the input signal. Therefore, a plurality of guideposts can be turned on at a luminance in accordance with the situation (for example, weather conditions such as the presence or absence of fog, the difference between day and night), and desired visibility can always be ensured. For example, if the fog is generated, the brightness is increased, and the brightness is reduced at night compared to daytime, so that desired visibility can be secured. If the brightness is the same at night as at daytime, it will be dazzling at night and hinder the driving of vehicles and the like.

A gaze guidance apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is a gaze guidance apparatus having a plurality of illuminable guidance signs arranged at intervals along a road or the like, wherein each of the guidance signs is provided with a plurality of illuminated guidance signs. A control means for driving and controlling the plurality of guideposts so as to emit light at a luminance associated with the input signal among a plurality of kinds of luminances at the time of lighting. According to the seventh aspect, the same advantages as in the sixth aspect can be obtained.

[0021] In the first to seventh aspects, the input signal is not particularly limited. As the input signal, specifically, for example, a command signal from a traffic control center or the like, a setting signal from a setting device operated by a supervisor or a person related to construction, or a time zone currently appropriately set (for example, (A time zone in which traffic congestion occurs, a time zone in which traffic congestion does not occur, a sunshine time zone and a sunset time zone), or a signal from a traffic detector such as a traffic counter. Signal indicating the result of determining the presence or absence of traffic congestion on the road or the degree of traffic congestion on the road, an illuminance discrimination signal based on a detection signal from an illuminance sensor that detects ambient illuminance, etc. And a signal obtained by logically combining these signals with a determination signal of weather conditions such as occurrence of weather and road surface freezing. The same is true for the eighth to fifteenth aspects described later.

A gaze guidance device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is a gaze guidance device having a plurality of illuminable guidance signs arranged at intervals along a road or the like, wherein one line of a power supply line is provided. A power supply means for supplying power to the power supply line in a form associated with an input signal among a plurality of forms, and a plurality of individual control means provided corresponding to the plurality of guideposts, respectively. And a plurality of individual control means for driving and controlling a corresponding guidance mark by the power supplied through the power supply line, wherein each of the individual control means controls a form of the power supplied through the power supply line. It has an identification means for identification, and drives and controls a guide mark corresponding to the individual control means in accordance with an identification result by the identification means.

According to the eighth aspect, each guide mark is driven and controlled by each individual control means by the power supplied from the power supply means via one system of power supply line. The power supplied from the power supply means is supplied in a form associated with the input signal among a plurality of forms, the form is identified by the identification means of each individual control means, and each individual control means according to the identification result. Each guide mark is driven and controlled. Therefore, the power itself supplied from the power supply means to each individual control means via one system power supply line is also used as a control signal, and the power supply means and each individual control means are connected by a special control line. It is not necessary to connect the power supply lines via separate power supply lines. For this reason, the wiring can be simplified, the amount of wiring cables used can be reduced, the cost can be reduced, and the wiring laying work can be simplified, erroneous wiring can be prevented, and the like.

A sight line guiding apparatus according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the sight line guiding apparatus according to the eighth aspect, wherein the plurality of types include a positive full-wave rectified waveform and a negative full-wave rectified waveform. Form, form of positive half-wave rectified waveform, form of negative full-wave rectified waveform, form of positive direct current, form of negative direct current, and each form whose peak value or level is changed for each of these forms , And two or more of these.

In the ninth embodiment, examples of the types of power modes are given, but in the eighth embodiment, the types of power modes are not limited to the examples. However, if the form of power of the type as in the ninth aspect is adopted, the configuration of the power supply means becomes extremely simple and inexpensive.
preferable.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the gaze guidance device according to the eighth or ninth aspect, each of the individual control means includes a plurality of the indices of the plurality of types of lighting patterns. The guide mark corresponding to the individual control means is drive-controlled so that the lighting is performed in a lighting pattern associated with the form of the power supplied from the power supply means or a change thereof.

According to the tenth aspect, a plurality of guideposts are illuminated in a lighting pattern selected from a plurality of types of lighting patterns in accordance with the type of power supplied from the power supply means. Therefore, the lighting pattern can be changed by appropriately switching the form of the power supplied from the power supply means. For this reason, it is possible to guide the vehicle or the like in accordance with a change in the situation of the road or the like, and it is possible to improve the safety of traveling of the vehicle or the like.

Since the lighting pattern formed by the entire guidepost is selected depending on the form of power or its change, it goes without saying that the drive control operation of each individual control means may differ depending on the lighting pattern. No. For example, when the lighting pattern associated with a certain power mode is sequential lighting, each individual control means performs an inductive sign corresponding to the individual control means at different timings necessary to realize the sequential lighting. Will blink.

Examples of the lighting pattern in the tenth aspect include the lighting patterns described in the second and third aspects, and the odd-numbered guide signs and the even-numbered guide signs blink alternately. A lighting pattern and the like can be given.

The tenth aspect corresponds to a specific example of the first aspect, and the power supply means and the individual control means of the tenth aspect are entirely controlled by the control of the first aspect. Corresponds to the means. However, the first aspect is not limited to the configuration of the tenth aspect, and may employ a configuration using a control line or the like in addition to the power supply line. This is the same for the second to seventh aspects.

The gaze guidance device according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is the gaze guidance device according to the tenth aspect, wherein each of the individual control means associates a type of the power form with a type of the lighting pattern. It has setting means for arbitrarily setting in advance.

If the setting means is provided as in the eleventh aspect, even if the number of types of power modes that can be switched by the power supply means is small, the setting can be made in accordance with the installation location of the gaze guidance device. The type of lighting pattern can be arbitrarily selected at the time of installation, which is convenient.

A sight line guiding apparatus according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is the sight line guiding apparatus according to any one of the eighth to eleventh aspects, wherein each of said guide signs selectively lights a plurality of display patterns. The individual control means is configured to be able to display, and when the guide mark corresponding to the individual control means is turned on, the form of the electric power supplied from the power supply means of the plurality of types of display patterns or the form thereof. The guide mark corresponding to the individual control means is driven and controlled so that the display pattern associated with the change is lit and displayed.

According to the twelfth aspect, a plurality of guidance signs are turned on in a display pattern selected from a plurality of types of display patterns according to the type of power supplied from the power supply means. Therefore, the display pattern can be changed by appropriately switching the form of the power supplied from the power supply means. For this reason, it is possible to guide the vehicle or the like in accordance with a change in the situation of the road or the like, and it is possible to improve the safety of traveling of the vehicle or the like.

As an example of the lighting pattern in the twelfth aspect, the display pattern described in the description of the fourth aspect can be given.

A gaze guidance device according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the gaze guidance device according to the twelfth aspect, wherein each of the individual control means includes a type of the power form and a guidance mark corresponding to the individual control means. Setting means for arbitrarily setting the association with the type of the display pattern in advance.

If the setting means is provided as in the thirteenth aspect, even if the number of types of power modes that can be switched by the power supply means is small, the setting means can be set according to the installation location of the gaze guidance device. The type of display pattern can be arbitrarily selected at the time of installation, which is convenient.

A gaze guidance device according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the gaze guidance device according to any one of the eighth to thirteenth aspects, wherein each of the individual control means includes a guide mark corresponding to the individual control means. A device for driving and controlling a guide mark corresponding to the individual control means so as to light at a luminance associated with the form of the power supplied from the power supply means or a change in the power at the time of the lighting. It is.

According to the fourteenth aspect, a plurality of guideposts are turned on at a luminance selected from a plurality of types of display patterns according to the type of power supplied from the power supply means. Therefore, the luminance can be changed by appropriately switching the form of the power supplied from the power supply means. For this reason, a plurality of guideposts can be illuminated with a luminance in accordance with the situation (for example, weather conditions such as the presence or absence of fog, the difference between day and night), and desired visibility can be always secured.

A gaze guidance device according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention is a gaze guidance device provided with a plurality of illuminable guidance signs arranged at intervals along a road or the like, wherein one line of a power supply line is provided. Power supply means for supplying power modulated by a control signal to the power supply line, and a plurality of individual control means provided in correspondence with the plurality of guideposts, each of which is supplied with power via the power supply line. A plurality of individual control means for driving and controlling the corresponding guidance mark with the supplied power, wherein each of the individual control means has a demodulation means for demodulating the control signal from the power supplied through the power supply line. In accordance with the control signal demodulated by the demodulating means, the corresponding guide mark is driven and controlled.

In the eighth aspect, the form of the power supplied to the power supply line is switched, and the power itself is also used as a control signal. In the fifteenth aspect, the power is modulated by the control signal. Although the two are different in that a control signal is superimposed thereon using electric power as a carrier,
According to the fifth aspect, advantages similar to those of the eighth aspect can be obtained. However, when the power is modulated by the control signal as in the fifteenth aspect, the configuration of the modulation circuit and the demodulation circuit becomes complicated, and the wiring cable and the circuit configuration having high noise resistance in order to improve the reliability of the signal. Therefore, the cost is inevitably increased as compared with the eighth aspect.

In the fifteenth aspect, since many types of control signals can be substantially simultaneously performed by modulation, the control signals to be modulated into electric power are common to each individual control means. The control signal may be a separate control signal for each individual control means.

[0043]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment]

The gaze guidance apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the gaze guidance apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the arrangement of the guidance markers 1 to n of the eye guidance device according to the present embodiment.

The gaze guidance device according to the present embodiment is similar to that of FIG.
As shown in the figure, n guide signs 1 to n which can be turned on, a general control unit 12 having a power supply circuit 11, and n individual control units 13- provided corresponding to the guide signs 1 to n respectively. 1 to
13-n and two power supply lines 14 and 15.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the guideposts 1 to n are arranged at intervals along the road 10, such as at a curve or the like of the road 10. The signs 1 to n assigned to the guide signs are assigned in order from the guide signs arranged on the near side in the traveling direction X of the vehicle. In the present embodiment, each of the guide signs 1 to n is configured to selectively light and display each of a plurality of types of display patterns. Specifically, in the present embodiment, each of the guide markers 1 to n is configured by a group of light-emitting elements (not shown) such as LEDs arranged in a matrix, and the guide specimens 16-1 to 16- n are provided on the front surface of the n. Light-emitting elements of different colors are mixed in a group of light-emitting elements, and a plurality of colors (for example, green and red) can be displayed.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a display pattern (especially its graphic pattern) in which the guide signs 1 to n can be lit and displayed. A hatched area in FIG. 3 indicates an area where a light-emitting element of the group of light-emitting elements is present. 3A shows an example of a filled circle “●”, FIG. 3B shows an example of an arrow “→” indicating the vehicle traveling direction X, and FIG. An example of the mark “>”, and FIG. 3D is an example of the cross “x”.

When the display patterns to be lit and displayed are, for example, only a circle “●” and a cross “X”,
It goes without saying that the light emitting element does not have to be arranged in a region other than the region lit by any of these display patterns.

The individual control units 13-1 to 13-n are also accommodated in the guide specimens 16-1 to 16-n, respectively. The guide specimens 16-1 to 16-n are supported on the shoulders of the road 10 by the columns 17, respectively. When the guide specimens 16-1 to 16-n are arranged on a wall surface of a tunnel or the like, the support pillar 17 is unnecessary.

The two power supply lines 14 and 15 are connected to two output terminals 11 a and 11 b of the power supply circuit 11, respectively. The individual control units 13-1 to 13-n are connected in parallel between the power supply lines 14 and 15. That is,
One power supply line 14 is connected to each of the individual control units 13-1 to 13-
n are connected to one input terminal 13a, and the other power supply line 15 is connected to the other input terminal 13b of each of the individual control units 13-1 to 13-n. As a result of this connection, the power supply lines 14 and 15 constitute one system of power supply lines.

A power supply (AC power supply) 18 such as a commercial power supply is connected between the input terminals 11c and 11d of the power supply circuit 11. The power supply circuit 11 supplies power to the power supply lines 14 and 15 in a form associated with an input signal among a plurality of forms based on the single-phase AC voltage input from the facility power supply 18.
Power. In the present embodiment, the power supply circuit 11 is configured as a voltage source, and supplies power between the power supply lines 14 and 15 as a voltage waveform between the output terminals 11a and 11b. In the present embodiment, the power supply circuit 11 has two types of the plurality of types, that is, a positive full-wave rectified waveform shown in FIG. 4 and a negative full-wave rectified waveform shown in FIG. A voltage waveform in a form associated with an input signal from the traffic trouble occurrence setting unit 20 provided in the general control unit 12 is supplied between the power supply lines 14 and 15 among these forms. Both the voltage waveform shown in FIG. 4 and the voltage waveform shown in FIG. 5 have the same peak value (100%) as the peak value of the voltage waveform input from the facility power supply 18.

Such a power supply circuit 11 is, specifically,
For example, a full-wave rectifier that performs full-wave rectification of the AC voltage from the facility power supply 18 and an electromagnetic contactor are used, and the electromagnetic contactor is operated according to the input signal. The two rectified output terminals of the wave rectifier may be connected to the output terminals 11a and 11b.

The traffic obstacle occurrence setting unit 20 is provided with a
This is a setting device that is operated by a supervisor or a person involved in the construction when a traffic obstacle or restriction or the like occurs due to an accident or construction at the end of the curve of the road 10 on which the roads .about.n are arranged. Therefore, a signal indicating whether a traffic obstacle or the like has occurred at the end of the curve is input from the traffic obstacle occurrence setting unit 20 to the power supply circuit 11 as the input signal. In the present embodiment, the positive full-wave rectified voltage shown in FIG. 4 is output between the output terminals 11a and 11b when a failure or the like does not occur, and the negative full-wave rectified voltage shown in FIG. It is associated so that the wave rectified voltage is output between the output terminals 11a and 11b. In addition, traffic obstacle occurrence setting unit 2
Instead of providing 0, a signal indicating whether a traffic obstacle or the like has occurred at the end of the curve may be input to the power supply circuit 11 as a command signal from a traffic control center or the like.

Each of the individual control units 13-1 to 13-n has an identification circuit 21 for identifying the form of power supplied from the input terminals 13a and 13b via the power supply lines 14 and 15.
In accordance with the identification signal obtained as a result of the identification from the identification circuit 21, the driving of the guidance markers 1 to n corresponding to the individual control units 13-1 to 13-n is controlled.

In this embodiment, the individual control units 13-1 to 13-1
13-n has the same specific configuration.
The individual control unit 13-1 will be described. In the present embodiment, the individual control unit 13-1 has the identification circuit 21, the power supply circuit 22, the control circuit 23, and the setting unit 24.

The discriminating circuit 21 can be composed of, for example, a series circuit composed of a diode, a resistor, and a coil portion of a relay in which a series circuit is connected between the input terminals 13a and 13b. In this case, when one of the positive full-wave rectified voltage shown in FIG. 4 and the negative full-wave rectified voltage shown in FIG. 5 is supplied between the input terminals 13a and 13b, the relay operates and When the other is powered, the relay does not operate. Therefore, the open / closed state of the contact of the relay becomes an identification signal indicating which polarity of the full-wave rectified voltage is supplied.

The power supply circuit 22 has input terminals 13a, 13b
On the basis of the voltage supplied between them, a voltage necessary for the operation of the IC and the like constituting the control circuit 23 is obtained, and
Is configured to obtain a drive voltage necessary to drive the. The polarity of the full-wave rectified voltage shown in FIG. 4 is different from that of the full-wave rectified voltage shown in FIG.
If a full-wave rectifier is used as a former stage of the above, no matter what polarity the full-wave rectified voltage is input between the input terminals 13a and 13b, it can always be converted to a unipolar full-wave rectified voltage.

The setting section 24 is provided with the guide mark 1 shown in FIGS.
It has a function of arbitrarily setting a plurality of types of display patterns as shown in (d) in advance and associating any display pattern with the power form shown in FIG. 4 and the power form shown in FIG. The setting unit 24 has a function of arbitrarily setting a plurality of types of individual lighting patterns of the guidepost 1 in advance and associating each of the individual lighting patterns with the power form shown in FIG. 4 and the power form shown in FIG. have. The setting unit 24 having such a function can be configured using, for example, a dip switch or the like. Here, the individual lighting pattern is a lighting pattern as a whole of the guide signs 1 to n (this is simply called a “lighting pattern”).
Rather, it refers to the lighting pattern of each guidepost. Therefore, the lighting pattern of each of the guide signs 1 to n is
.. N can be said to be a set of individual lighting patterns. Therefore, setting the association between the form of the power and the individual lighting pattern of the guideposts 1 results in setting the association between the form of the power and the lighting patterns of the guides 1 to n. Become.

In the present embodiment, the setting unit 24 of the individual control unit 13-1 sets a green display pattern with a circle “●” shown in FIG. 5 (d), and a red display pattern is set by a cross “x” shown in FIG.
(Negative full-wave rectified waveform). In the present invention, even in the same lighting pattern, the display patterns of all guide signs at the time of lighting do not necessarily have to be the same.

Here, each example of the lighting patterns of the guide signs 1 to n, the setting of the lighting patterns by the setting unit 24, and the association between the lighting patterns and the forms of the electric power are shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6 is a time chart showing an example of a lighting pattern in which the guide signs 1 to n are sequentially lit (hereinafter, referred to as a “sequential lighting pattern”). FIG. 7 is a time chart illustrating an example of a lighting pattern in which the guideposts 1 to n flash simultaneously (hereinafter, referred to as a “simultaneous flashing pattern”).

In the examples shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the power form (positive full-wave rectified waveform) shown in FIG. 4 is sequentially associated with the lighting pattern, and the power form (negative full-wave rectified waveform) shown in FIG. ) Is associated with the flashing pattern. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the time point A at which the waveform is switched from the negative full-wave rectified waveform to the positive full-wave rectified waveform is the start time of the lighting pattern. The time point B at which the waveform is switched from the positive full-wave rectified waveform to the negative full-wave rectified waveform is the start time of the simultaneous blinking pattern.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the individual lighting pattern of the guidepost 1 is determined by the waiting time (first light-off time) ta1, the lighting time tb1, and the lighting cycle T1 from the start time A or B. The individual lighting pattern of the guidepost 2 is a standby time (initial light-off time) ta from the start time A or B.
2, determined by lighting time tb2 and lighting cycle T2. The individual lighting pattern of the guide mark n is determined by the standby time (initial light-off time) tan from the start time A or B, the lighting time tbn, and the lighting cycle Tn.

In the sequential lighting pattern, as shown in FIG. 6, the lighting periods T1 to Tn are the same, and the standby time ta1
To tan increase in order. By appropriately setting the standby times ta1 to tan according to the arrangement intervals of the guide signs 1 to n, the scanning speed of the lighting light of the guide signs 1 to n can be set to a desired speed. As a plurality of types of lighting patterns, two or more types of lighting patterns having different scanning speeds can be set.

In the simultaneous blinking pattern, as shown in FIG. 7, the standby times ta1 to tan are the same, and the lighting cycle T
1 to Tn are also the same.

By appropriately setting the standby times ta1 to tan, the lighting times tb1 to tbn, and the lighting periods T1 to Tn, for example, a group of odd-numbered guideposts and a group of even-numbered guideposts are provided. It is also possible to obtain various lighting patterns such as a lighting pattern in which the guide light alternately flashes.

In the present embodiment, the setting section 24 of the individual control section 13-1 sets the standby time ta1, the lighting time tb1, and the waiting time ta1, which determine the individual lighting pattern of the guidepost 1 for realizing the sequential lighting pattern shown in FIG. The lighting period T1 is set and is associated with an identification signal indicating the identification of the positive full-wave rectified waveform by the identification circuit 21. In addition, the individual control unit 13
The standby time ta1, the lighting time tb1, and the lighting cycle T1 that determine the individual lighting pattern of the guidepost 1 for realizing the simultaneous blinking pattern shown in FIG. It is associated with an identification signal indicating the identification of the full-wave rectified waveform. Similarly, the setting unit 24 (not shown) of the individual control unit 13-n causes the setting unit 24 shown in FIG.
The standby time tan and the lighting time tb that determine the individual lighting pattern of the guide mark n for realizing the sequential lighting pattern shown in FIG.
n and the lighting period Tn are set and associated with an identification signal indicating the identification of the positive full-wave rectified waveform by the identification circuit 21. In addition, the setting unit 24 of the individual control unit 13-n sets a standby time tan, a lighting time tbn, and a lighting cycle Tn that determine an individual lighting pattern of the guide mark n for realizing the simultaneous blinking pattern shown in FIG. Identification circuit 21
Associated with an identification signal indicating the identification of the negative full-wave rectified waveform by

The control circuit 23 of the individual control section 13-1 receives the voltage from the power supply circuit 22 and controls the driving of the guidepost 1. The control circuit 23 has a timer circuit and a drive circuit for driving the guidepost 1, and has a standby time ta1 and a lighting time t associated with the identification signal from the identification circuit 21.
b1 and the lighting cycle T1 are read, and based on these,
The lighting timing is determined while counting and clocking the clock pulse by the timer circuit. During the lighting time t1, the guide mark 1 is displayed in the display pattern set by the setting unit 24 and associated with the identification signal from the identification circuit 21. The guide mark 1 is driven so as to be turned on. The clock pulse may be, for example, a pulse generated by a crystal oscillator or the like, or a pulse generated from a voltage waveform between the input terminals 13a and 13b so as to be synchronized with the frequency. When the power supply waveform is used, each individual control unit 13-1
13-n are synchronized with the power supply, and there is an effect that the counting time of the timer circuit between the individual control units 13-1 to 13-n does not shift.

As can be seen from the above description, according to the present embodiment, if there is no traffic obstacle or the like at the end of the curve on which the guideposts 1 to n are provided, the power supply circuit 11 is switched to the power supply circuit 11 shown in FIG.
The positive full-wave rectified voltage shown in FIG. 1 is supplied to the input terminals 13a, 13-n of the individual control units 13-1 to 13-n via the power supply lines 14, 15.
Power is supplied between 13b. The form of the power is identified by the identification circuit 21 of each of the individual control units 13-1 to 13-n,
Each guide mark 1 is controlled by each individual control unit 13-1 to 13-n.
Drive control is performed so that .about.n are the sequential lighting patterns shown in FIG. 6, and each display pattern at the time of lighting is lit with a green circle "●". Thereby, the line of sight of the driver of the vehicle can be guided along the curve.

On the other hand, when a traffic obstacle or the like occurs at the end of the curve, a negative full-wave rectified voltage shown in FIG.
Power is supplied between input terminals 13a and 13b of 13-n. The form of the power is identified by the identification circuit 21 of each of the individual control units 13-1 to 13-n.
By 3-n, driving control is performed such that each of the guideposts 1 to n is a simultaneous blinking pattern shown in FIG. 7 and each display pattern at the time of lighting is lit with a red cross “x”. As a result, the driver of the vehicle can be notified of the occurrence of a traffic obstacle or the like.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, a change in the road condition (in the present embodiment, the presence or absence of an obstacle at the end of a curve, but in the present invention, a change in another condition). May be guided in accordance with the above-mentioned method, and safety of traveling of the vehicle or the like can be improved. And
In the present embodiment, both the lighting pattern and the display pattern are changed according to the change of the road condition, so that the difference between them is conspicuous, which is preferable. However, in the present invention, only one of the lighting pattern and the display pattern may be changed.

Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, each of the guideposts 1 to n uses the power supplied from the power supply circuit 11 via one of the power supply lines 14 and 15 to control each individual control unit 13-n. Drive control is performed by 1 to 13-n. The power supplied from the power supply circuit 11 is supplied in a form associated with the input signal in the form shown in FIG. 4 and the form shown in FIG. 5, and the form is controlled by each of the individual control units 13-1 to 13-1.
Each of the guidance markers 1 to n is driven and controlled by each of the individual control units 13-1 to 13-n in accordance with the identification result. Therefore, the power itself supplied from the power supply circuit 11 to the individual control units 13-1 to 13-n via one system of power supply lines 14 and 15 is also used as a control signal. It is not necessary to connect the control units 13-1 to 13-n with a special control line or to connect them with power supply lines of different systems. For this reason, the wiring can be simplified, the amount of wiring cables used can be reduced, the cost can be reduced, and the wiring laying work can be simplified, erroneous wiring can be prevented, and the like.

In the present embodiment, the form of power supplied from the power supply circuit 11 to one system of power supply lines 14 and 15 is shown in FIG.
And the form shown in FIG. However, in the present invention, the form of the electric power supplied by the power supply circuit 11 is, for example, the form shown in FIGS.
8 to 13, FIGS. 10 to 13
And two or more of the modes in which the peak value or the level is changed in the mode shown in FIG. In this case, it goes without saying that the configurations of the power supply circuit 11, the identification circuit 21, and the power supply circuit 22 are appropriately changed.

FIG. 8 shows a form of a positive full-wave rectified waveform in which the peak value is 70% of the peak value of the waveform input from the equipment power supply 18, and FIG. 9 shows a negative wave rectified waveform in which the peak value is 70%. 10 is a positive half-wave rectified waveform with a peak value of 100%, FIG. 11 is a negative half-wave rectified waveform with a peak value of 100%, FIG. FIG. 13 shows a form of negative direct current.

The type and number of input signals to the power supply circuit 11 are not limited to the above-described example.

[Second Embodiment]

Next, a gaze guidance apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram showing the general control unit 12 of the gaze guidance apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG.
In FIG. 4, the same or corresponding elements as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. The configuration other than the general control unit 12 in the gaze guidance device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the following points. That is, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the overall control unit 12 determines whether the illuminance detected by the illuminance sensor 30 is higher or lower than a predetermined illuminance. An illuminance discriminating circuit 31 for discriminating is added. The illuminance discrimination circuit 31 is mainly for discriminating between day and night.

In the present embodiment, not only the signal from the traffic obstacle occurrence setting unit 20 but also the discrimination signal from the illuminance discrimination circuit 31 is input to the power supply circuit 11. Feeding circuit 1
1 supplies a voltage between the power supply lines 14 and 15 in four forms, for example, in the form of the waveforms shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 8 and 9 described above, in response to these input signals. Is configured. Specifically, such a power supply circuit 11 includes, for example, a full-wave rectifier that performs full-wave rectification of an AC voltage from the facility power supply 18 and a transformer with a tap that changes a peak value between two rectification output terminals. An electromagnetic contactor that operates in response to a signal from the traffic obstacle occurrence setting unit 20 and an electromagnetic contactor that operates in response to a signal from the illuminance determination circuit 31 can be used.

In the present embodiment, the positive full-wave rectified voltage shown in FIG. 4 is shown in FIG. 4 when no obstacle or the like occurs and the surrounding illuminance is high, and shown in FIG. 5 when the obstacle or the like and the surrounding illuminance is high. The negative full-wave rectified voltage shown in FIG. 8 is a negative full-wave rectified voltage when no obstacle or the like occurs and the ambient illuminance is low. Are connected such that the full-wave rectified voltage is output between the output terminals 11a and 11b, respectively.

The discriminating circuit 21 of each of the individual control units 13-1 to 13-n includes, for example, a polarity discriminating circuit for the voltage between the input terminals 13a and 13b and a peak value discriminating circuit for discriminating the peak value of the voltage. And can be composed of

Since voltages having different peak values are input between the input terminals 13a and 13b, the power supply circuit 22 is provided with a constant voltage section such as an active filter.

The control circuit 23 is provided with a luminance control circuit for controlling the luminance of the guidepost at the time of lighting. The brightness control circuit may be configured to change the duty of the current flowing through the light emitting element forming the guidepost, for example. Thereby, the apparent brightness of the guide mark is controlled. The control circuit 23 performs the same operation as that in the first embodiment described above according to the identification signal from the identification circuit 21 depending on whether a failure or the like has occurred. In this case, whether the ambient illuminance is high or low Controls whether to increase or decrease the luminance of the guidance sign at the time of lighting.

According to this embodiment, the same advantages as those of the above-described first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, the brightness at the time of lighting the guideposts 1 to n at night is lower than that at daytime. Thus, desired visibility can be ensured without dazzling at night and hindering the driver of the vehicle.

[Third Embodiment]

Next, a gaze guidance device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the gaze guidance apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG.
In FIG. 1, the same or corresponding elements as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping description will be omitted.

This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the power supply circuit 11 is configured as a current source,
A transformer 40 is added to the input side of each of the individual control units 13-1 to 13-n, and the primary side of each transformer 40 is connected to the input terminal 1
The point is that they are connected in series via 3a, 13b and bus 41. This bus 41 also constitutes one system power supply line.

In the first embodiment described above, the power supply circuit 11 supplies power in the form of a plurality of types of voltage waveforms. However, in the present embodiment, power is supplied in the form of a plurality of types of current waveforms. Power will be supplied. As an example of the form of the waveform,
4, 5, and 8 to 11 can be given.

According to this embodiment, advantages similar to those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

Here, for convenience of explanation, the entire combination of the lighting pattern and the display pattern is referred to as the operation pattern of the guide signs 1 to n. In the first embodiment described above, the number of types of power supplied by the power supply circuit 11 matches the number of types of operation patterns that can be switched. However, if the change between the various modes is used, it is also possible to switch to a greater number of types of operation patterns than the number of types of power supplied by the power supply circuit 11. Now, assuming that the power supply circuit 11 supplies two types of power and three types of operation patterns to be switched, for example, the individual control units are configured to supply power from one side to the other. The individual control units 13-1 to 13-n may be configured so that the three types of operation patterns are sequentially and cyclically switched each time the mode is switched from the other to the one. In the present invention, as described above, each individual control unit 1
3-1 to 13-n drive-control the corresponding guidance signs 1 to n so that the guidance signs 1 to n are lit in a lighting pattern or a display pattern associated with a change in the form of power supplied by the power supply circuit 11. Is also good.

In the above-described embodiment, the form of the power supplied to the power supply lines 14 and 15 is switched, and the power itself is also used as a control signal. On the other hand, in the present invention, a modulation circuit is provided in the supply circuit 11 so that the power supply circuit 11 supplies the power modulated by the control signal to the power supply lines 14 and 15, and the supplied power is replaced in place of the identification circuit 21. And a demodulation circuit for demodulating the control signal from the control signal.

[0096]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to guide a vehicle or the like in accordance with a change in the situation of a road or the like, and to improve the safety of traveling of the vehicle or the like.

Further, according to the present invention, the wiring can be simplified, the amount of wiring cables used can be reduced, the cost can be reduced, and the wiring laying work can be simplified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a gaze guidance device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an arrangement of guideposts of the gaze guidance device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display pattern of a guide mark.

FIG. 4 is a waveform chart showing an example of a form of electric power.

FIG. 5 is a waveform chart showing another example of the form of electric power.

FIG. 6 is a time chart illustrating an example of a lighting pattern of a guidepost.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing another example of the lighting pattern of the guidepost.

FIG. 8 is a waveform chart showing still another example of the power mode.

FIG. 9 is a waveform chart showing still another example of the form of electric power.

FIG. 10 is a waveform chart showing still another example of the form of electric power.

FIG. 11 is a waveform chart showing still another example of the form of electric power.

FIG. 12 is a waveform chart showing still another example of the form of electric power.

FIG. 13 is a waveform chart showing still another example of the form of electric power.

FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an overall control unit of a gaze guidance device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a gaze guidance device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 to n Guidance mark 11 Power supply circuit 12 Overall control unit 13-1 to 13-n Individual control unit 14, 15 Power supply line 16-1 to 16-n Induction specimen 21 Identification circuit 24 Setting unit

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Kazuo Yamazaki 100 term Maeda-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture F-term (reference) 2D064 AA11 AA22 AA24 BA08 BA13 EA02 EA03 EA25 EB05 EB12 EB38 FA01 FA03 FA04 GA01

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A gaze guidance device having a plurality of illuminable guide signs arranged at intervals along a road or the like, wherein the plurality of guide signs are associated with an input signal among a plurality of types of lighting patterns. A gaze guidance device, comprising: a control unit configured to drive and control the plurality of guidance targets so as to be lit in a given lighting pattern. 2. The plurality of types of lighting patterns include: a first lighting pattern in which each of the plurality of guide signs is sequentially lit;
The gaze guidance device according to claim 1, further comprising: a second lighting pattern in which the plurality of guidance signs blink at the same time. 3. The plurality of types of lighting patterns include two or more types of lighting patterns in which each of the plurality of guideposts is sequentially lit, and two or more types of lighting patterns having different scanning speeds of lighting light from each other. The gaze guidance device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: 4. Each of the guide signs is configured to selectively light and display each of a plurality of display patterns, and the control means controls the display of the plurality of display patterns when each of the guide signs is lit. The gaze guidance device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of guidance targets are drive-controlled so that a display pattern associated with the input signal is displayed. 5. A line-of-sight guidance apparatus comprising a plurality of illuminable guide signs arranged at intervals along a road or the like, wherein each of the guide signs selectively illuminates each of a plurality of display patterns. Control means for driving and controlling the plurality of guide marks so that each of the plurality of guide marks lights up and displays a display pattern associated with an input signal among the plurality of types of display patterns when the respective guide marks are lit. A gaze guidance device, comprising: 6. The control means controls the plurality of guide signs so that each of the plurality of guide signs is lit at a luminance associated with an input signal among a plurality of kinds of luminances when the respective guide signs are lit. The gaze guidance device according to claim 1. 7. A line-of-sight guidance device comprising a plurality of illuminable guide signs arranged at intervals along a road or the like, wherein each of the guide signs includes an input signal of a plurality of types of luminance when the guide signs are lit. To be lit at the brightness associated with
A gaze guidance device, comprising: control means for driving and controlling the plurality of guidance targets. 8. A line-of-sight guidance device having a plurality of illuminable guidance signs arranged at intervals along a road or the like, comprising: a single power supply line; Power supply means for supplying to the power supply line in a form associated with, and a plurality of individual control means provided respectively corresponding to the plurality of guideposts, each power supplied via the power supply line And a plurality of individual control means for driving and controlling the corresponding guidance mark according to: each of the individual control means has an identification means for identifying a form of power supplied through the power supply line, and the identification means A gaze guide device for driving and controlling a guide mark corresponding to the individual control means in accordance with a result of the identification performed by the gaze guide device. 9. The plurality of types include a positive full-wave rectified waveform, a negative full-wave rectified waveform, a positive half-wave rectified waveform, a negative full-wave rectified waveform, a positive full-wave rectified waveform, 9. The line of sight according to claim 8, wherein the line of sight includes two or more of a direct current form, a negative direct current form, and a form in which the peak value or level is changed for each of these forms. Guidance device. 10. The individual control means may cause the plurality of guideposts to light up in a lighting pattern associated with a form of the power supplied from the power supply means or a change thereof among a plurality of kinds of lighting patterns. The gaze guidance device according to claim 8, wherein the gaze guide corresponding to the individual control means is drive-controlled. 11. The gaze guidance according to claim 10, wherein each of the individual control units includes a setting unit that arbitrarily sets in advance the association between the type of the power mode and the type of the lighting pattern. apparatus. 12. Each of the guide signs is configured to selectively light up and display each of a plurality of types of display patterns, and each of the individual control means is configured such that when the guide mark corresponding to the individual control means is lit, Driving control of a guide mark corresponding to the individual control means so that a display pattern associated with a form of the power supplied from the power supply means or a change thereof is displayed among the plurality of types of display patterns. The gaze guidance device according to claim 8, wherein: 13. Each of the individual control means has setting means for arbitrarily setting in advance the association between the type of the electric power mode and the type of the display pattern of the guidepost corresponding to the individual control means. The gaze guidance device according to claim 12, wherein: 14. Each of the individual control means is associated with a form of the electric power supplied from the power supply means or a change thereof among a plurality of types of luminance when the guide mark corresponding to the individual control means is turned on. The gaze guidance device according to any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein the guidance target corresponding to the individual control means is drive-controlled so as to be lit at a different luminance. 15. A line-of-sight guidance device having a plurality of illuminable guidance signs arranged at intervals along a road or the like, comprising: a single power supply line; and a power supply line modulated by a control signal. And a plurality of individual control means provided corresponding to each of the plurality of guideposts, each of which controls driving of the corresponding guidepost by power supplied via the power supply line. A plurality of individual control means, wherein each of the individual control means has a demodulation means for demodulating the control signal from power supplied via the power supply line,
A line-of-sight guidance device, wherein a corresponding guidance target is driven and controlled according to a control signal demodulated by the demodulation means.