JP2001277967A - Preceding car departure announcing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a preceding car departure announcing device having an environment judging means for judging an environment of a present device of one's own car and an alarm prohibiting means for prohibiting preceding car departure alarm output and capable of preventing the alarm output in a departure alarm unnecessary place by prohibiting the alarm output when the one's own car is in a specific place. SOLUTION: This preceding car departure announcing device is featured by having a distance detecting means for detecting a distance from a front obstacle by receiving a reflected wave from the front obstacle of a detecting wave by transmitting the detecting wave to the front of the one's own car, a stopping judging means for judging that both the one's own car and the obstacle stop, an alarm means Q9 for outputting an alarm when a distance increase rate with the front obstacle becomes larger than a prescribed value when judging stopping by the stopping judging means, an environment judging means Q1 for judging the environment of the present position of the one's own car and an alarm prohibiting means Q10 for prohibiting output of the alarm when judging that the one's own car is in the specific place on the basis of output of the environment judging means Q1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a preceding vehicle start notifying device which executes a preceding vehicle start notifying (preceding vehicle starting alarm) when a preceding vehicle stopped ahead of the own vehicle starts.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a device for executing a preceding vehicle start notification when a preceding vehicle stopped in front of the own vehicle starts, there is a device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-115499, for example. That is, a distance detection unit provided at the forefront of the vehicle and detecting a relative distance from the vehicle (own vehicle) to another vehicle (preceding vehicle) located in front of the vehicle at predetermined time intervals, and a vehicle (own vehicle). A traveling state detection unit provided in the traveling system for detecting the traveling and stopped states, and determines whether or not the relative distance detected by the distance detection unit has changed with time; This is a device configured to determine that a preceding vehicle has started when a vehicle-to-vehicle distance between the vehicle and the vehicle has increased, and to output an alarm (notice of preceding vehicle starting).

[0003] According to this conventional device, when the preceding vehicle starts moving, there is an advantage that the driver can be notified of the fact to the host vehicle (driver). Even immediately before a stop line, in a parking lot, in a gas station, etc.), the above-described notification is always executed when the preceding vehicle starts moving.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises an environment determining means for determining an environment of a current device of a vehicle and an alarm prohibiting means for prohibiting a preceding vehicle start warning output, so that the vehicle can be located at a specific location. It is an object of the present invention to provide a preceding-vehicle start notification device which can prevent an alarm output in a place where a start alarm is not required by prohibiting an alarm output when the vehicle is in the position.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a preceding vehicle start notification device which can prevent an alarm output when the vehicle is near or within an intersection.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a preceding vehicle start notification device which can prevent an alarm output when the vehicle is in the vicinity immediately before a stop line.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a preceding vehicle start notification device which can prevent an alarm output when the vehicle is in a parking lot or a gas station.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a preceding vehicle start notification device which can prevent an alarm output when a hazard lamp of a preceding vehicle that blinks during parking is detected.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a preceding vehicle start notification device which can prevent an alarm output when the fuel lid which is opened at the time of refueling is opened.

[0010]

According to the present invention, a preceding vehicle starting and notifying device transmits a detection wave in front of an own vehicle and receives a reflected wave of the detected wave from an obstacle in front of the vehicle, thereby obtaining the above-described front obstacle. Distance detecting means for detecting the distance to an object, stop determining means for determining that both the vehicle and the obstacle are stopped, and a rate of increase in distance to the preceding obstacle during the stop determination by the stop determining means. Is larger than the specified value,
Alarm means for outputting an alarm, environment determination means for determining the environment of the current position of the vehicle, and output of the warning when the vehicle is determined to be at a specific location based on the output of the environment determination means Alarm prohibiting means for prohibiting the operation.

With the above arrangement, the above-mentioned distance detecting means is
By transmitting a detection wave (ultrasonic wave, millimeter wave, laser radar, etc.) ahead of the vehicle and receiving a reflected wave of the detection wave from the obstacle ahead (see the preceding vehicle), the vehicle can recognize the obstacle ahead of itself. The distance between the vehicle and the vehicle is detected, and the above-described stop determination means determines that both the own vehicle and the obstacle ahead are stopped. An alarm is output when the rate of increase of the distance to the vehicle exceeds a predetermined value, and the above-described environment determining means determines the environment of the current position of the own vehicle. When it is determined that the own vehicle is at a specific location based on the above, the output of the alarm is prohibited.

As described above, when the own vehicle is at a specific place, even if the preceding vehicle starts, the warning output to that effect is prohibited, so that the warning output can be prevented at the place where the start warning is unnecessary. it can.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, based on the detection result of the current position detecting means for detecting the current position of the vehicle and the storage contents of the road map information storing means storing the road map information, or on the road side. Based on the reception result of the receiving means for receiving information from the information transmitting means provided in the
When it is determined that the vehicle is within the vicinity of the intersection, the output of the alarm is prohibited. As a result, when the own vehicle is near or within the intersection (in a specific case), it is possible to prevent unnecessary output of the preceding vehicle start warning.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, based on the detection result of the current position detecting means for detecting the current position of the vehicle and the contents stored in the road map information storing means storing the road map information, or on the road side. Based on the reception result of the receiving means for receiving information from the information transmitting means provided in the
When it is determined that the own vehicle is immediately before the stop line, the output of the alarm is prohibited. As a result, unnecessary output of the preceding vehicle start warning can be prevented when the host vehicle is near the straight line of the stop line (specific place).

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, based on the detection result of the current position detecting means for detecting the current position of the vehicle and the contents stored in the road map information storing means storing the road map information, or on the road side. Based on the reception result of the receiving means for receiving information from the information transmitting means provided in the
When it is determined that the vehicle is in the parking lot or the gas station, the output of the alarm is prohibited. As a result, when the vehicle is in a parking lot or a gas station (in a specific case), it is possible to prevent unnecessary output of a preceding vehicle start alarm.

In one embodiment of the present invention, hazard detecting means for detecting the lighting of a hazard lamp of a preceding vehicle is provided, and the alarm inhibiting means inhibits the output of an alarm when the hazard of the preceding vehicle is detected. According to the above configuration, the hazard detection means detects the lighting of the hazard lamp of the preceding vehicle, and the alarm prohibiting means prohibits the output of an alarm when the hazard of the preceding vehicle is detected. In this case, unnecessary output of the preceding vehicle start warning can be prevented.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a lid open state detecting means for detecting an open state of the fuel lid of the own vehicle is provided, and the alarm prohibiting means prohibits output of an alarm when the fuel lid is opened.

With the above arrangement, the lid open state detecting means detects the open state of the fuel lid of the own vehicle, and the alarm inhibiting means inhibits the output of an alarm when the fuel lid is opened. In addition, unnecessary output of a preceding vehicle start warning can be prevented.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The drawing shows a preceding vehicle start notifying device. The preceding vehicle starting notifying device includes an ultrasonic sensor 2 embedded in a front bumper 1 in a host vehicle A (hereinafter simply referred to as host vehicle) in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the distance R between the own vehicle A and the preceding vehicle B or another object (front obstacle) ahead of the own vehicle is detected.

That is, the ultrasonic sensor 2 transmits an ultrasonic wave as a detection wave in front of the own vehicle A, and the preceding vehicle B of the ultrasonic wave.
By receiving the reflected wave from the obstacle ahead including
It detects a distance R between the preceding vehicle B and the own vehicle A.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control circuit of the preceding vehicle start notification device. The CPU 10 as a control means includes an ultrasonic sensor 2, a vehicle speed sensor 3, a parking brake switch 4, a foot brake switch 5, a gear position. A shift position switch 6 such as a switch, a fuel lid detection switch 7 for detecting the open / closed state of the fuel lid, a GPS sensor 8, a CD-ROM 9 in which road map information is stored as data, and a road-to-vehicle transceiver as road-to-vehicle communication means. 11, an inter-vehicle transmitter-receiver 12 as inter-vehicle communication means, an ultrasonic sensor 2, a road-to-vehicle receiver 11, an inter-vehicle transceiver 12, an annunciator according to a program stored in a ROM 14 based on various signal inputs from a power switch 13. (Alarm) The buzzer 15 is controlled as an example. M (storage means) 16 stores necessary data and the like.

Here, the above-mentioned GPS sensor 8 is a current position detecting means for receiving the GPS signal from the GPS satellite 17 and detecting the current position of the vehicle A. The above-mentioned road-to-vehicle transceiver 11 is a receiving means for receiving information from an information transmitting means 18 using FM multiplex broadcasting, radio beacons and optical beacons of a road traffic information system provided on the road side. Note that the GPS sensor 8 and the road-to-vehicle transceiver 11 may be used alternatively.

The above-mentioned inter-vehicle transceiver 12 is a hazard detecting means for transmitting and receiving (communicating) between the preceding vehicle B and the own vehicle A and detecting the lighting of the hazard lamp of the preceding vehicle B. In addition, the CPU 10 described above controls the vehicle speed sensor 3
Vehicle speed detecting means for detecting the vehicle speed V based on the input from the vehicle (refer to the first step S1 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 4)
Distance detecting means for detecting a distance R between the host vehicle A and the preceding vehicle B as a front obstacle using the ultrasonic sensor 2 (see the third step S3 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 4);
Stop determination means (see the seventh step S7 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 4) for determining that both the own vehicle A and the preceding vehicle B are stopped, and the distance between the preceding vehicle B during the stop determination by the stop determination means. When the rate of increase becomes larger than a predetermined value, an alarm means for outputting an alarm (refer to the ninth step Q9 of the subroutine shown in FIG. 9) and an environment judging means for judging the environment of the current position of the vehicle A (see FIG. When the vehicle A is determined to be at a specific location based on the output of the environment determining means, an alarm prohibiting means (see FIG. 9). (See the tenth step Q10 of the subroutine shown).

The environment determining means (refer to the first step Q1)
Determines the environment of the current position of the vehicle A based on both the detection result of the GPS sensor 8 and the storage contents of the CD-ROM 9 as the road map information storage unit storing the road map information, or the information transmission unit. The environment of the current position of the vehicle A is determined based on the reception result of the road-to-vehicle transceiver 11 receiving the information from the vehicle 18.

The operation of the preceding vehicle start notifying device constructed as described above will be described in detail below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In a first step S 1, the CPU 10 measures the own vehicle speed V based on the input from the vehicle speed sensor 3. Next, in a second step S2, the CPU 10 determines whether or not it is a predetermined timing, for example, a timing of 100 msec. When the determination is NO, the process returns to the first step S1, whereas when the determination is YES, the process proceeds to the next third step S3.

In the third step S3, the CPU 10 measures the inter-vehicle distance R using the ultrasonic sensor 2. This inter-vehicle distance R can be obtained by the following [Equation 1]. [Equation 1] R = Va × t ÷ 2 where Va is a sound speed (340 m / sec) t is an ultrasonic wave, and this ultrasonic wave is reflected by the preceding vehicle B or another object until the reflected wave is received. Time required, in seconds

Next, in a fourth step S4, the CPU 10 executes a filtering process of the inter-vehicle distance R in order to eliminate an error or the like, and smoothes it.

Next, in a fifth step S5, the CPU 10 calculates the relative speed Vb based on the following [Equation 2]. [Equation 2] Vb = (R _n−1 −R _n ) / Δt [m / s] where R _n−1 is the previously measured inter-vehicle distance R _n is the currently measured inter-vehicle distance Δt is an example of a predetermined timing. Of 100msec

Next, in a sixth step S6, the CPU 10 executes a filtering process of the relative speed Vb and smoothes it for the purpose of eliminating errors and the like.

Next, in a seventh step S7, the CPU 10 determines the host vehicle A based on the host vehicle speed V and the smoothed relative speed Vb.
It is determined whether both the vehicle and the preceding vehicle B have stopped. V =
If 0 and Vb = 0, the own vehicle A and the preceding vehicle B are both stopped, so a YES determination is made, otherwise N
O is determined. If YES is determined in the above-described seventh step S7, the process proceeds to the next eighth step S8, and if NO is determined, the process returns to the first step S1.

In the above-mentioned eighth step Q8 (confirmation means), C
The PU 10 determines whether or not the stop of the preceding vehicle B has been recognized for a predetermined second, for example, one second. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, the sample timings n, n-1, n-2, n-
3, n-4 (where n is the current sample timing, n
-1 is the immediately preceding sample timing, n-2 is the two preceding sample timing, n-3 is the three previous sample timing, and n-4 is the four previous sample timing). Rn-1, Rn-2, Rn-3, Rn
-4 is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 16, and an average value Rs of the inter-vehicle distance R is obtained according to the detection situation examples a and b.

In the case of the detection situation example a in FIG. 5, that is, when the preceding vehicle detection and the preceding vehicle non-detection are included, the average value Rs is obtained by the following [Equation 3] in order to exclude the data of the preceding vehicle non-detection. . [Equation 3] Rs = (Rn + Rn-1 + Rn-2 + Rn-3) / 4

In the case of the detection situation example b in FIG. 5, that is, when the minimum value and the maximum value of the preceding vehicle detection are included, the average value Rs is calculated by the following [Equation 4] in order to exclude these minimum and maximum values.
Ask for. [Equation 4] Rs = (Rn−1 + Rn−2 + Rn−3) / 3

Next, the inter-vehicle distance Rn-i used when calculating the inter-vehicle distance average value Rs with the preceding vehicle B (where i is 0)
Or 1, 2, 3) and the inter-vehicle distance average value Rs
Is calculated by the following [Equation 5]. [Equation 5] Ra = | Rs−Rni− |

Next, it is determined whether or not the above-mentioned absolute value Ra is equal to or smaller than an allowable value ΔR for stop determination (for example, ΔR = 5 cm), that is, Ra <Δ
It is determined whether it is R or not, and when Ra <ΔR, it is determined that the preceding vehicle B has stopped. The above is the content of the processing in the eighth step S8. When the determination is YES, the process shifts to the next ninth step S9, whereas when the determination is NO, the process returns.

In the above-described ninth step S9, the CPU 10 drives the buzzer 15 and informs the occupant of the fact that the stop of the preceding vehicle B has been recognized only for the first time when the stop of the preceding vehicle B has been recognized. (For example, the number of times of acceleration motion detection Y described later) is initialized.

The driving of the buzzer 15 is a notification that the starting means is to be detected by the checking means (see the eighth step Q8) for checking the stop of the preceding vehicle B. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. In the above notification, the buzzer 15 outputs one notification sound. In this step S9, it is also possible to execute only the initialization of various parameters and not to output the notification sound.

Next, in a tenth step S10 (preceding vehicle start detecting means), the CPU 10 executes verification and determination of the moving distance of the preceding vehicle B. That is, when the preceding vehicle B starts,
The change value (increase rate) of the inter-vehicle distance R between the own vehicle A and the preceding vehicle B is equal to or greater than the creep running characteristic corresponding to the acceleration 0.03G shown in FIG. It is verified and determined whether it is within a predetermined range (see a hatched portion in FIG. 7).

FIG. 7 shows the travel distance of the preceding vehicle from the start of the preceding vehicle by taking the time on the horizontal axis and the inter-vehicle distance R on the vertical axis. When the preceding vehicle B starts, the acceleration of FIG. 03
It is in the region between G and the acceleration 0.3G.

In short, in the above-described tenth step S10, it is determined whether or not the moving distance of the preceding vehicle B is within the hatching in FIG. 7, and the process returns when the determination is NO, whereas the process proceeds to the next eleventh step S11 when the determination is YES. I do.

This eleventh step S11 (counting means)
Then, the CPU 10 counts up the number Y of times of acceleration motion detection. Next, in the twelfth step S12 (comparing means), the CP
U10 compares the current number of detections Y with the number of measurements X of preceding vehicle start recognition, and determines the next thirteenth step S only when Y> X.
Go to step 13.

That is, if the current number of detections Y is only one, it is impossible to accurately recognize the start of the preceding vehicle B, so that detection and measurement are performed until the predetermined number of measurements X is reached. In addition, as shown in FIG.
The number of times X (predetermined value) of the preceding vehicle start recognition is varied in accordance with the inter-vehicle distance R (in other words, the preceding vehicle stopping distance).

In this embodiment, when the inter-vehicle distance R is up to 4 m, the number of measurements X is set to 5 and the inter-vehicle distance R is 4 to 4.5 m.
In this case, the number of measurements X is set to 4 times, and when the inter-vehicle distance R is 4.5 m or more, the number of measurements X is set to 3 times, but is not limited to these numerical values.

That is, if the inter-vehicle distance R between the host vehicle A and the preceding vehicle B stopped in front thereof is short, the preceding vehicle B
The number of measurements X is increased in order to improve the start detection accuracy because the sufficient number of measurements can be ensured even when the vehicle starts, and conversely, the distance between the vehicle A and the preceding vehicle B stopped in front of the vehicle A When the distance R is long, if the preceding vehicle B starts, a sufficient number of measurements cannot be expected, so the number of measurements X for reliably detecting whether or not the preceding vehicle B starts is reduced.

Thus, in the twelfth step S12, Y> X
Is determined (YES determination), the process proceeds to the next thirteenth step S13. In the thirteenth step S13, C
The PU 10 executes the alarm control. The alarm control will be described in detail below with reference to a subroutine shown in FIG.

In the first step Q1 (environment determination means), the CP
U10 is the current position data from the GPS sensor 8 and the CD
-Input the road map data from the ROM 9 and detect and determine the environment of the current position of the vehicle A. Alternatively, the reception data from the road-to-vehicle transceiver 11 is input to detect and determine the environment of the current position of the vehicle A.

Next, in a second step Q2, the CPU 10 reads an ON or OFF output signal of the fuel lid detection switch 7. Next, in a third step Q3, the CPU 10
Determines whether the vehicle A is near the intersection or within the intersection (specific location). If YES, the tenth step Q1
0, and when the determination is NO, the next fourth step Q
Move to 4.

In this fourth step Q4, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the vehicle A is near the straight line of the stop line (a specific place). When the determination is YES, the process proceeds to the tenth step Q10, while when the determination is NO, the process proceeds to step Q10. The process proceeds to the next fifth step Q5.

In the fifth step Q5, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the host vehicle A is in a parking lot (specific place).
At the time of ES determination, the process proceeds to the tenth step Q10.
When the determination is NO, the process proceeds to the next sixth step Q6.

In this sixth step Q6, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the vehicle A is inside the gas station (specific place). When the determination is YES, the process proceeds to the tenth step Q10. The process proceeds to the seventh step Q7.

In the seventh step Q7, the CPU 10 receives the received signal from the inter-vehicle transceiver 12 and receives
It is determined whether or not the hazard lamp of
At the time of S determination, the process proceeds to the tenth step Q10, while N
When the determination is O, the process proceeds to the next eighth step Q8.

In the eighth step Q8, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the fuel lid of the own vehicle A is open based on the read data in the second step Q2.
At the time of ES determination, the process proceeds to the tenth step Q10.
When the determination is NO, the process proceeds to the next ninth step Q9.

In the ninth step S9 (alarm means), the CP
U10 drives the buzzer 15 to notify the occupant that the preceding vehicle B has started. The start notification of the preceding vehicle B, that is, the alarm output detects the start state of the preceding vehicle and notifies that the start is to be started.
(See FIG. 6) and its notification mode are executed differently. In this embodiment, the buzzer 15 outputs two intermittent notification sounds as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, in the above-described tenth step Q10 (alarm prohibiting means), the CPU 10 determines the specific location (within the vicinity of the intersection, immediately before the stop line, in the parking lot, in the gas station) or the vehicle A based on the environment judgment. In response to a specific condition of the vehicle B (the fuel lid of the own vehicle A being opened and the hazard lamp of the preceding vehicle B being blinking), the output of the alarm is prohibited. That is, the buzzer 15 is not operated even when the preceding vehicle B starts.

In short, the preceding vehicle start notification device of the above embodiment transmits a detection wave (refer to an ultrasonic wave) ahead of the vehicle A,
Distance detecting means (the ultrasonic sensor 2 and the step S3) for detecting the distance R from the front obstacle by receiving the reflected wave of the detection wave from the front obstacle (see the preceding vehicle B).
Stop determination means (step S7) for determining that both the vehicle A and the obstacle (see the preceding vehicle B) are stopped.
7), and the distance increase rate between the obstacle and the preceding obstacle (see the preceding vehicle B) during the stop determination by the stop determination means is a predetermined value (FIG. 7).
(See step Q9), an alarm means for outputting an alarm (see step Q9), an environment determining means for determining the environment of the current position of the vehicle A (see step Q1), and the environment determining means And alarm prohibiting means (see step Q10) for prohibiting the output of the alarm when it is determined that the vehicle A is at a specific location based on the output of the vehicle.

With this configuration, the above-described distance detecting means (the ultrasonic sensor and step S3) transmits a detection wave (see the ultrasonic wave) ahead of the own vehicle A, and the preceding vehicle B of the detection wave.
From the preceding vehicle B and own vehicle A
The stop determination means (see step S7) determines that both the own vehicle A and the preceding vehicle B have stopped, and the warning means (see step Q9) An alarm is output when the rate of increase in the distance to the preceding vehicle B becomes larger than a predetermined value during the stop determination by the stop determination means, and the above-described environment determination means (see step Q1) outputs the current environment of the own vehicle A. Is determined, the above-described alarm prohibition means (step Q1
0) prohibits the output of the alarm when it is determined that the vehicle A is at a specific location based on the output of the environment determining means.

Therefore, when the own vehicle A is at a specific place, even if the preceding vehicle B starts, the warning output to that effect is prohibited, so that the warning output can be prevented at the place where the start warning is unnecessary. it can.

A detection result of the current position detection means (see GPS sensor 8) for detecting the current position of the vehicle (see own vehicle A) and a road map information storage means (see map data) storing road map information (see map data). Based on the stored contents of the CD-ROM 9 or on the basis of the reception result of the receiving means (see the road-to-vehicle transceiver 11) for receiving information from the information transmitting means 18 provided on the road side, the own vehicle A When it is determined that is within the vicinity of the intersection, the output of the alarm is prohibited.
As a result, when the own vehicle A is near or within the intersection (in a specific case), it is possible to prevent unnecessary output of the preceding vehicle start warning.

Further, the detection result of the current position detecting means (see GPS sensor 8) for detecting the current position of the vehicle (see own vehicle A) and the road map information storing means (see the map data) storing the road map information (see map data). Receiving means for receiving information from the information transmitting means 18 provided on the road side or on the basis of the stored contents of the CD-ROM 9 (see the road-vehicle transceiver 11).
When it is determined that the vehicle A is immediately before the stop line based on the reception result of the above, the output of the alarm is prohibited. As a result, the vehicle A is positioned near the straight line of the stop line (specific place).
Thus, unnecessary output of the preceding vehicle start warning can be prevented.

In addition, a detection result of the current position detecting means (see GPS sensor 8) for detecting the current position of the vehicle (see own vehicle A) and a road map information storing means storing road map information (see map data). (See the CD-ROM 9) or receiving means for receiving information from the information transmitting means 18 provided on the road side (see the road-to-vehicle transceiver 11).
When it is determined based on the result of receiving that the vehicle A is in the parking lot or the gas station, the output of the alarm is prohibited. As a result, when the vehicle A is in a parking lot or a gas station (in a specific case), it is possible to prevent unnecessary output of a preceding vehicle start alarm.

Further, a hazard detecting means (see the inter-vehicle transceiver 12) for detecting the lighting of the hazard lamp of the preceding vehicle B is provided, and when the hazard of the preceding vehicle B is detected, the above-mentioned alarm inhibiting means is provided.
(See step Q10) prohibits the output of the alarm. Thus, the hazard detection means (the inter-vehicle transceiver 1)
2) detects the lighting of the hazard lamp of the preceding vehicle B,
Since the warning prohibiting means (see step Q10) prohibits the output of a warning when the hazard of the preceding vehicle B is detected, when the preceding vehicle B is going to park by lighting the hazard lamp,
Unnecessary output of the preceding vehicle start alarm can be prevented.

Further, a lid open state detecting means (see fuel lid detection switch 7) for detecting an open state of the fuel lid of the vehicle A is provided. When the fuel lid is opened, the alarm prohibiting means (see step Q10) outputs an alarm. Is prohibited.

As described above, the lid open state detecting means (see the fuel lid detection switch 7) detects the open state of the fuel lid of the vehicle A, and the alarm inhibiting means (step Q).
10) prohibits the output of an alarm when the fuel lid is open, so when refueling the fuel tank of the vehicle A,
Unnecessary output of the preceding vehicle start warning can be prevented.

FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of the preceding vehicle start notifying device, which is the eighth step Q in the flowchart shown in FIG.
The processing step Q11 is additionally set between the eighth step and the ninth step Q9. In the eleventh step Q11, it is determined whether or not the current position of the vehicle A is immediately before the level crossing without a stop line,
When the determination is YES, the process proceeds to the tenth step Q10, and when the determination is NO, the process proceeds to the ninth step Q9. In this embodiment, the circuit device shown in FIG. 3 and the main routine shown in FIG. 4 are used.

As described above, the detection result of the current position detecting means (see GPS sensor 8) for detecting the current position of the vehicle (see own vehicle A) and the road map information storing means storing the road map information (see map data) (See CD-ROM 9) or information transmitting means 18 provided on the road side
Is configured to prohibit an alarm output when it is determined based on the reception result of the receiving means (see the road-to-vehicle transceiver 11) that receives information from the vehicle A when it is determined that the own vehicle A is in the vicinity immediately before a railroad crossing without a stop line. Then, similarly to the previous embodiment, it is possible to prevent the buzzer 15 from outputting an alarm when the preceding vehicle start alarm is unnecessary.

In this embodiment, the same functions and effects as those of the previous embodiment are obtained in other respects. Therefore, in FIG. 11, the same parts as those in FIG. Description is omitted.

In the correspondence between the configuration of the present invention and the above-described embodiment, the detection wave of the present invention corresponds to the ultrasonic wave of the embodiment, and similarly, the forward obstacle corresponds to the preceding vehicle B, The distance detecting means corresponds to the third step S3 controlled by the ultrasonic sensor 2 and the CPU 10, and the stop determining means corresponds to the seventh step S3.
Corresponding to step S7, the alarm means sets the ninth step Q9
, The environment determining means corresponds to the first step Q1, the alarm prohibiting means corresponds to the tenth step Q10,
The current position detecting means corresponds to the GPS sensor 8, the road map information storage means corresponds to the CD-ROM 9, the receiving means corresponds to the road-to-vehicle transceiver 11, and the hazard detecting means corresponds to the vehicle-to-vehicle transceiver 12. Correspondingly, the lid open state detection means corresponds to the fuel lid detection switch 7,
The present invention is not limited only to the configuration of the above embodiment.

For example, instead of the ultrasonic wave, another detection wave such as a millimeter wave or a laser radar may be used as the detection wave. Each step under the control of the CPU 10 constitutes each means corresponding to the processing.

[0070]

According to the present invention, there is provided an environment determining means for determining the environment of the current position of the vehicle and an alarm prohibiting means for prohibiting an alarm output. Prohibiting the alarm output has the effect of preventing an alarm output at a place where a start alarm is not required.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a host vehicle provided with a preceding vehicle start notification device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a distance between a host vehicle and a preceding vehicle.

FIG. 3 is a control circuit block diagram of the preceding vehicle start notification device.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing stop and start determination control.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing sampling of an inter-vehicle distance.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a notification sound at the start of detection of starting of a preceding vehicle.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing acceleration motion of a preceding vehicle.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the setting of the number of measurements according to the size of the inter-vehicle distance.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a preceding vehicle start warning and a warning output prohibition control.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a notification sound when a preceding vehicle starts.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing another embodiment of the alarm output prohibition control.

[Explanation of symbols]

A: own vehicle B: preceding vehicle 2: ultrasonic sensor (distance detection means) 7: lid open state detection means (fuel lid detection switch) 8: GPS sensor (current position detection means) 9: CD-ROM (road map information storage) Means) 11: Roadside-vehicle transceiver (receiving means) 12: Vehicle-to-vehicle transceiver (hazard detecting means) S3: Distance detecting means S7: Stop determining means Q1: Environmental determining means Q9: Warning means Q10: Warning prohibiting means

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI theme coat ゛ (Reference) B60R 21/00 628 B60R 21/00 628D B60K 28/10 B60K 28/10 Z G08G 1/16 G08G 1/16 A (72) Inventor Takuji Oka 3-1, Shinchi, Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima Mazda Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tsukasa Harada 3-1 Shinchi, Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima Mazda F-term (reference) 3D037 FA23 FB09 5H180 AA01 BB04 BB13 CC11 CC14 EE18 FF05 FF27 LL01 LL07

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A distance detecting means for transmitting a detection wave in front of an own vehicle and receiving a reflected wave of the detected wave from the front obstacle to detect a distance from the front obstacle, And a stop determining means for determining that both of the obstacles have stopped, and an alarm for outputting an alarm when a rate of increase in distance to the forward obstacle becomes larger than a predetermined value during the stop determination by the stop determining means. Means, environment determination means for determining the environment of the current position of the vehicle, and alarm prohibition for prohibiting output of the warning when the vehicle is determined to be at a specific location based on the output of the environment determination means. Preceding vehicle start notification device comprising: 2. An information transmitting means provided on the road side, based on a detection result of a current position detecting means for detecting a current position of a vehicle and a storage content of a road map information storing means storing road map information. 2. The preceding vehicle start notification device according to claim 1, wherein when the own vehicle is determined to be within the vicinity of the intersection based on the reception result of the receiving means for receiving the information from the vehicle, the output of the warning is prohibited. 3. An information transmitting means provided based on a detection result of a current position detecting means for detecting a current position of a vehicle and a storage content of a road map information storing means storing road map information, or provided on a road side. 2. The preceding vehicle start notifying means according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined based on a reception result of the receiving means for receiving information from the vehicle that the own vehicle is in the vicinity immediately before the stop line, output of an alarm is prohibited. 4. An information transmission means provided based on a detection result of a current position detection means for detecting a current position of a vehicle and a storage content of a road map information storage means storing road map information, or provided on a road side. 2. The preceding vehicle start notification device according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that the vehicle is in a parking lot or a gas station on the basis of a reception result of a reception unit that receives information from the vehicle, output of an alarm is prohibited. 5. A preceding vehicle start notifying device according to claim 1, further comprising hazard detecting means for detecting the lighting of a hazard lamp of the preceding vehicle, wherein said alarm prohibiting means prohibits the output of an alarm when the hazard of the preceding vehicle is detected. 6. The preceding vehicle start alerting device according to claim 1, further comprising a lid open state detecting means for detecting an open state of the fuel lid of the own vehicle, wherein said alarm inhibiting means inhibits the output of an alarm when said fuel lid is opened.