JP2008269580A - Information providing device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information providing device for a vehicle capable of making a driver aware of the information provision and providing information concerning an obstacle that cannot be detected from the vehicle. <P>SOLUTION: The device determines whether or not it is necessary to acquire information on the situation surrounding the vehicle that cannot be detected by an autonomous sensor mounted on the vehicle from outside the vehicle, and provide the information. If the device determines that the information provision is necessary, it radiates a laser beam LB to a radiation area DA, which is the area DA where a laser beam LB is radiated on the surface of the instrument panel IP and the A-pillar, which are in-vehicle structures included in the peripheral vision of the driver, while changing the radiation direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle information providing apparatus.

  Conventionally, there are technologies described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 for providing information to vehicle occupants. Among these, according to the one described in Patent Document 1, when alerting a vehicle occupant, the display size is changed without changing the display position on the display provided on the instrument panel.

Moreover, according to the thing of patent document 2, when a laser pointer is attached to the room lamp vicinity of the ceiling of the vehicle, and any of the obstacle detection sensors respectively arranged in the front and rear bumper parts of the vehicle detects the obstacle, An occupant is notified by irradiating a laser pointer in a direction corresponding to each installation position of the detected sensor.
JP 2006-327481 A JP 2003-165404 A

  The thing of the said patent document 1 displays the magnitude | size of the display on a display. Therefore, if the location where the occupant is paying attention and the installation position of the display are not on the same line of sight, even if the display size is changed, the occupant is not aware of the change in the display size, and is alerted. It cannot be done effectively.

  Moreover, since the thing of the said patent document 2 detects an obstacle with the obstacle sensor mounted in the vehicle, it cannot alert to the obstacle which cannot be detected from a vehicle.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information providing device for a vehicle that can make information available and provide information on obstacles that cannot be detected from the vehicle. It is to provide.

The vehicle information providing device according to claim 1 is provided.
An irradiation device that is installed in a vehicle interior of the vehicle and that emits generated light generated by collecting light from the light source;
Information acquisition means for acquiring surrounding situation information which is information on the surrounding situation of the vehicle;
Information provision judging means for judging whether it is necessary to provide information to the vehicle occupant based on the surrounding situation information obtained by the information obtaining means;
An irradiation control means for performing irradiation control to irradiate the generated light to the structure in the passenger compartment included in the peripheral vision of the vehicle occupant when it is determined that the information providing determination means needs to provide information;
The irradiation device includes a variable mechanism that changes the irradiation direction of the generated light,
The irradiation control unit includes an irradiation direction changing unit configured to change the irradiation direction while irradiating the irradiation range with the generated light in the irradiation range.

  In the present invention, when the generated light is irradiated onto the surface of the structure in the passenger compartment included in the peripheral vision of the occupant, the irradiation is performed while changing the irradiation direction. Thereby, since the generated light moves and is displayed in the irradiation range, the occupant can notice the generated light that moves and is displayed (information provision) in the peripheral visual field.

  That is, in general, human visual recognition ability is highest in the central visual field, and tends to decrease as the distance from the central visual field increases toward the peripheral visual field. Therefore, when recognizing an object included in the peripheral visual field, a human moves his / her line of sight so that the object is included in the central visual field. In particular, when a change occurs in an object included in the peripheral visual field (for example, when a pedestrian pops out), unconsciously and sensitively reacts to the change in the object, and gazes at the object. Strong tendency to move. Therefore, it is possible to notice the generated light that moves and is displayed in the peripheral visual field.

According to claim 2,
A communication means for communicating with the outside of the vehicle;
The information acquisition means acquires the surrounding situation information from the outside of the vehicle via the communication means,
The information provision judging means judges based on the surrounding situation information acquired from the outside of the vehicle.

  As a result, it is possible to determine whether or not it is necessary to obtain information about the surrounding situation that cannot be detected by the autonomous sensor mounted on the vehicle from the outside of the vehicle and to provide the information.

The vehicle information providing device according to claim 3 is:
An irradiation device that is installed in a vehicle interior of the vehicle and that emits generated light generated by collecting light from the light source;
Information acquisition means for acquiring surrounding situation information which is information on the surrounding situation of the vehicle;
Information provision judging means for judging whether it is necessary to provide information to the vehicle occupant based on the surrounding situation information obtained by the information obtaining means;
An irradiation control means for performing irradiation control to irradiate the generated light to the structure in the passenger compartment included in the peripheral vision of the vehicle occupant when it is determined that the information providing determination means needs to provide information;
Communication means for communicating with the outside of the vehicle,
The information acquisition means acquires the surrounding situation information from the outside of the vehicle via the communication means,
The information provision judging means judges based on the surrounding situation information acquired from the outside of the vehicle.

  As described above, the present invention determines whether or not it is necessary to obtain information on the surrounding situation that cannot be detected by the autonomous sensor mounted on the vehicle from the outside of the vehicle and provide the information. As a result, when it is determined that it is necessary to provide information, the generated light is emitted to the vehicle interior structure included in the peripheral vision of the occupant, so that the occupant notices the display of the generated light. Can pay attention to the surroundings of the vehicle. As a result, information about obstacles that cannot be detected from the vehicle can be provided to the occupant.

According to the description of claim 4,
The irradiation device includes a variable mechanism that changes the irradiation direction of the generated light,
The irradiation control unit includes an irradiation direction changing unit configured to change the irradiation direction while irradiating the irradiation range with the generated light in the irradiation range.

  Thereby, since the generated light moves and is displayed in the irradiation range, the occupant can notice the generated light displayed by moving in the peripheral visual field.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the irradiation control means performs the irradiation control so that the generated light is irradiated in a guiding direction in which the line of sight of the vehicle occupant should be guided. This is because the occupant can recognize the direction to be noted.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the irradiation direction changing means sets the guide direction as the irradiation reference direction of the generated light, and the irradiation direction of the generated light so that the generated light is irradiated in the vicinity of the irradiation reference direction. It is good to change. This is because the generated light displayed in the peripheral visual field of the occupant can be changed, so that the occupant can easily notice the generated light.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the irradiation direction changing means generates the irradiation direction so that the generation light is irradiated while moving from the irradiation reference direction to a direction different from the induction direction, with the induction direction being the irradiation reference direction of the generation light. You may make it change the irradiation direction of light. Even by such a change in the irradiation direction, the generated light displayed in the peripheral visual field of the occupant can be changed, so that the occupant can easily notice the generated light.

  According to the description of claim 8, the peripheral status information acquired by the information acquisition means is obtained by at least one of road-to-vehicle communication with the roadside infrastructure and vehicle-to-vehicle communication with other vehicles, and other information existing around the vehicle. It is information regarding at least one of a vehicle, a two-wheeled vehicle, and a pedestrian.

  Thereby, the information regarding obstacles, such as another vehicle, a two-wheeled vehicle, a pedestrian, etc. which cannot be detected from a vehicle by road-to-vehicle communication or vehicle-to-vehicle communication can be obtained as surrounding state information.

According to the description of claim 9, the vehicle includes a collision determination unit that determines whether or not the vehicle and at least one of the other vehicle, the two-wheeled vehicle, and the pedestrian obtained from the surrounding situation information may collide,
The information provision judging means judges that it is necessary to provide information to the occupant when the collision judgment means judges that there is a possibility of collision.

  Thereby, when there is a possibility that the vehicle may collide with other vehicles, two-wheeled vehicles, pedestrians, etc., information can be provided to the occupant. As a result, the occupant can pay attention to the periphery of the vehicle.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the collision determination means determines the traveling direction of the vehicle from the blinker information and the vehicle speed information of the vehicle, and there is at least one of another vehicle, a two-wheeled vehicle, and a pedestrian entering the traveling direction. It is characterized by determining that there is a possibility of collision in some cases.

  Accordingly, when there is at least one of another vehicle, a two-wheeled vehicle, and a pedestrian that may interfere with the progress of the vehicle, it can be determined that there is a possibility of colliding with them.

  According to the eleventh aspect, it is preferable that the irradiation control unit performs the irradiation control so that the generated light corresponding to the other vehicle, the two-wheeled vehicle, and the pedestrian is irradiated. Thereby, the occupant can grasp the type of the obstacle from the irradiation of the generated light.

As claimed in claim 12, comprising a risk level judging means for judging the risk level of the vehicle based on the surrounding situation information,
The irradiation control means preferably performs the irradiation control so that the generated light corresponding to the level of risk is irradiated. This is because the occupant can grasp the level of danger from the irradiation of the generated light.

And as in claim 13, the irradiation direction changing means is
The higher the level of danger, the faster the direction of irradiation of the generated light,
It is better to change the irradiation direction of the generated light later as the risk level is lower.

  As a result, the occupant can grasp the level of danger from the speed of movement of the generated light displayed.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the irradiation control means controls to irradiate the generated light to at least one of the instrument panel in the vehicle interior and the front pillar.

  Thereby, the generation | occurrence | production light can be irradiated to the instrument panel contained in the peripheral visual field when a passenger | crew takes a driving posture, and the surface of a front side pillar.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the apparatus includes an alarm generation unit that generates an alarm when it is determined that the information provision determination unit needs to provide information. This makes it easier for the occupant to notice that the generated light has been irradiated.

  By the way, route guidance devices that perform route guidance are widely known. This route guidance device is generally called a car navigation device, and there is a device that can guide lane change among the car navigation devices. The process for guiding the lane change is performed, for example, by determining whether or not it is necessary to travel in a predetermined lane for a right or left turn and determining the lane in which the host vehicle is traveling. As a result of the determination by the lane change determination unit, if it is determined that it is necessary to instruct the lane change, the lane change instruction signal for instructing the lane change and the lane change indicating the direction of the lane change are sent to the audio output unit. Send direction signal. Based on these signals, the sound output unit outputs a sound for prompting the lane change and guiding the lane change direction from the speaker.

  However, simply providing information related to lane change by voice does not necessarily mean that the driver is aware of providing information related to lane change. In addition, in providing information by voice, it is difficult for the driver to accurately grasp the timing of the lane change.

Therefore, the vehicle information providing device according to claim 16 is:
An irradiation device that is installed in a vehicle interior of the vehicle and that emits generated light generated by collecting light from the light source;
Information acquisition means for acquiring surrounding situation information which is information on the surrounding situation of the vehicle;
Lane change signal acquisition means for acquiring a lane change instruction signal indicating a lane change instruction and a lane change direction signal indicating a lane change direction from a route guidance device that performs route guidance including lane change guidance;
Timing suitability determination means for determining whether or not the vehicle can safely change the lane in the lane change direction indicated by the lane change direction signal based on the fact that the lane change instruction signal has been acquired,
Irradiation control means for performing irradiation control for irradiating the structure light positioned in the lane change direction indicated by the lane change signal in the passenger compartment with the irradiation mode according to the determination result in the timing suitability determination means. It is characterized by.

  As described above, in the present invention, when the lane change instruction signal is acquired from the route guidance device, it is determined whether or not it is the timing at which the lane change direction can be safely changed in the lane change direction indicated by the lane change direction signal from the surrounding situation information. . Then, the generated light is irradiated in an irradiation mode according to the determination result. The occupant can determine the timing of the lane change by providing the irradiation information according to whether or not the visual information of the generated light is the timing at which the lane can be changed safely. Can be judged accurately. Moreover, since the generated light is irradiated to the structure located in the lane change direction indicated by the lane change signal, the generated light can be noticed.

  As described in claim 17, when the determination result is a determination result indicating that it is a timing at which the lane can be changed safely, the irradiation control means generates a display pattern which means that the lane may be changed. It is preferable to perform irradiation control as described above. Thus, the driver can accurately determine whether or not it is time to change the lane by viewing this display pattern.

  In addition, as in claim 18, when the determination result is a determination result indicating that it is not the timing at which the lane can be changed safely, the irradiation control means generates a display pattern which means that the lane change should not be performed. It is also preferable to perform irradiation control as described above. As a result, the driver can accurately determine whether or not it is time to change the lane by viewing this display pattern.

  In addition, you may perform irradiation control which produces | generates only one of the display pattern which means that a lane may be changed, and the display pattern which means that a lane must not be changed, and produces | generates both Irradiation control may be performed.

  According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, the irradiation control means preferably performs control to irradiate the generated light to the vehicle interior surface of the front pillar in the direction indicated by the lane change direction signal among the left and right front pillars. When the driver wants to change the lane, the front pillar positioned in the lane change direction enters the field of view. Therefore, when the irradiation position of the generated light is set as in claim 19, the generated light is surely given to the driver. Can be noticed.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle information providing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, the whole structure of the vehicle information provision apparatus of 1st Embodiment is shown. As shown in the figure, the vehicle information providing apparatus of the first embodiment is mainly configured by an information input device 10, a control device 20, a speaker 30, and irradiation devices 40 and 50.

  The information input device 10 acquires various information from a navigation device, a wireless communication device, and an in-vehicle LAN (not shown), and inputs the acquired various information to the control device 20. The information input device 10 inputs navigation information including road information around the host vehicle, guidance route information, and the like, and position information indicating the current position of the host vehicle from the navigation device.

  The information input device 10 is an obstacle detection sensor (ultrasonic wave) mounted on the host vehicle obtained by road-to-vehicle communication with a roadside infrastructure outside the vehicle or vehicle-to-vehicle communication with another vehicle using a wireless communication device. Information (peripheral situation information) related to objects (generally obstacles) that may hinder the progress of the host vehicle, such as other vehicles, two-wheeled vehicles, pedestrians, etc. that cannot be detected by autonomous sensors such as sensors and radar sensors). This peripheral situation information includes the type of obstacle, position (longitude and longitude), traveling direction (direction), moving speed (speed).

  In addition, the information input device 10 inputs turn signal information and vehicle speed information of the host vehicle via the in-vehicle LAN. The control device 20 determines the traveling direction of the host vehicle from the blinker information and the vehicle speed information. Note that the steering angle information of the steering of the host vehicle may be further input to determine the traveling direction of the host vehicle.

  The speaker 30 is disposed at an appropriate location in the passenger compartment of the host vehicle, and is used to generate an alarm for passengers including the driver of the host vehicle. This alarm is generated when the laser beam LB is emitted from the irradiation devices 40 and 50. This makes it easier for the occupant to notice that the laser beam LB has been emitted.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the irradiation devices 40 and 50 are mounted in front of the inner mirror (or an appropriate position on the ceiling) in the passenger compartment of the host vehicle and irradiate the laser beam LB. The irradiation devices 40 and 50 include light emitting units 40a and 50a and motors 40b and 50b for changing the irradiation direction of the laser beam LB, respectively.

  The light emitting units 40a and 50a use a laser diode (not shown) as a light source, and generate a laser beam LB (generated light) by condensing light from the light source. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the laser beam LB is an instrument panel (hereinafter, instrument panel) IP that is a vehicle interior structure included in the peripheral visual field when the occupant including the driver takes a driving posture. Further, the irradiation direction DA is changed by driving the motors 40b and 50b while irradiating the irradiation range DA with the surfaces of the left and right front pillars (A pillars) and irradiating the irradiation range with the laser beam LB. The irradiation control of the laser beam LB and the change of the irradiation direction are executed in the control device 20.

  The control device 20 is a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and a bus connecting these, and the CPU executes arithmetic processing according to a program written in the ROM. The control device 20 includes functions of a collision pattern determination unit 21, a collision determination unit 22, a display pattern determination unit 23, a light emitting unit drive circuit 24, a mechanical mechanism drive unit 25, and an alarm sound generation unit 26.

  The collision pattern determination unit 21 determines a pattern in which the host vehicle and the obstacle collide from the navigation information, the position information, and the surrounding situation information from the information input device 10. In this embodiment, in order to make the explanation easy to understand, when the surrounding situation information is acquired by road-to-vehicle communication, it is determined that the pattern is a pattern that collides with another vehicle when the vehicle joins the priority road. At the same time, it is determined whether the vehicle is on the priority road. Further, when the surrounding situation information is acquired by inter-vehicle communication, it is determined that the other vehicle collides with the own vehicle when changing the lane from the traveling lane of the own vehicle to the passing lane. Then, the determined collision pattern is sent to the display pattern determination unit 23.

  When the surrounding state information is acquired by road-to-vehicle communication, the collision determination unit 22 determines whether or not there is a possibility of a collision by comprehensively comparing the own vehicle and the other vehicle, the two-wheeled vehicle, the position of the pedestrian, the traveling direction, and the moving speed. At the same time, if there is a possibility of collision, the risk level (high, medium, low) is judged. About the possibility of collision, it is determined that there is a possibility of collision when there are other vehicles, two-wheeled vehicles, pedestrians, and the like that enter the traveling direction of the host vehicle determined from the blinker information and the vehicle speed information.

  Accordingly, when there is at least one of another vehicle, a two-wheeled vehicle, and a pedestrian that may hinder the progress of the host vehicle, it can be determined that there is a possibility of collision with them. Then, when there is a possibility that the host vehicle collides with other vehicles, two-wheeled vehicles, pedestrians, etc., information can be provided to the occupant. As a result, the occupant can pay attention to the periphery of the vehicle.

  In addition, the collision determination unit 22 determines whether or not there is a possibility of a collision when the surrounding situation information is acquired through inter-vehicle communication, and the position, traveling direction, moving speed, and the like of the host vehicle and the other vehicle are comprehensively determined. If there is a possibility, the risk level (high, medium, low) is judged. About the possibility of collision, it is determined that there is a possibility of collision when there is another vehicle entering the traveling direction (passing lane) of the host vehicle determined from the blinker information and the vehicle speed information.

  When it is determined that there is a possibility of a collision, the collision determination unit 22 determines that it is necessary to provide information to the passenger of the host vehicle, and whether or not there is a possibility of the collision, the level of danger, and the collision Information on the type and number of possible obstacles is sent to the display pattern determination unit 23.

  In the display pattern determination unit 23, the collision pattern determined by the collision pattern determination unit 21, the presence / absence of the collision possibility determined by the collision determination unit 22, the level of danger, and the obstacle that may collide By irradiating the laser beam LB toward the irradiation range DA on the basis of the information on the type and the number, the display pattern for displaying the irradiation light of the laser beam LB in the irradiation range DA is determined. This display pattern will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an irradiation example of the laser beam LB when another vehicle comes from the left side of the priority road when the own vehicle joins the priority road by making a right turn. In such a case, the display pattern determination unit 23 indicates the guidance direction (the left side in FIG. 4 where there is another vehicle that cannot be seen hidden behind the wall) to guide the line of sight of the passenger of the host vehicle. The irradiation reference direction is determined from the irradiation reference direction in a direction different from the guidance direction (the traveling direction of the other vehicle), for example, and the display pattern is determined such that the irradiation light of the red laser beam LB is displayed in the irradiation range DA.

  By changing the irradiation direction while irradiating the laser beam LB so that the irradiation light of the laser beam LB is displayed with the determined display pattern, the occupant can recognize the direction to be careful and change the irradiation direction. Can change the irradiation light displayed in the peripheral visual field of the occupant, so that the occupant can easily notice the irradiation light.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an irradiation example of the laser beam LB when another vehicle comes from the right side of the priority road when the own vehicle joins the priority road by making a left turn. In such a case, the display pattern determining unit 23 indicates the guidance direction (the right side where there is another vehicle that cannot be seen hidden behind the wall in FIG. 5) to guide the line of sight of the passenger of the host vehicle. The irradiation reference direction is determined from the irradiation reference direction to a direction different from the guidance direction (advancing direction of the other vehicle), for example, a display pattern in which the irradiation light of the green laser beam LB is displayed in the irradiation range DA.

  4 and 5 are examples in which the surface of the instrument panel IP is set to the irradiation range DA, but a display pattern as shown in FIG. 8 may be used. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an irradiation example of the laser beam LB when another vehicle comes from the right side of the priority road when the own vehicle joins the priority road by a left turn as in the scene of FIG.

  In such a case, in the display pattern determination unit 23, the surface of the A pillar is set as the irradiation range DA, and the guidance direction (right side in FIG. 8) to guide the sight line of the vehicle occupant is set as the irradiation reference direction of the laser beam LB. It is good also as a display pattern irradiated with green irradiation light moving in the vicinity of the irradiation reference direction (irradiating the A pillar so as to draw a circle). Thereby, since the irradiation light displayed in the passenger | crew's peripheral visual field can be changed, a passenger | crew becomes easy to notice the irradiation light.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the display pattern determination unit 23 may use a display pattern according to the type of obstacle. FIG. 9 shows a display pattern when a two-wheeled vehicle and a pedestrian approach from the left side of the own vehicle in the scene of FIG. By setting it as such a display pattern, the passenger | crew can grasp | ascertain the kind of obstruction from the irradiation light of the laser beam LB.

  Furthermore, when there is a possibility that the host vehicle and the obstacle collide, the display pattern determination unit 23 determines the display pattern so that the irradiation light of the laser beam LB corresponding to the danger level is displayed. Also good. For example, the higher the danger level, the faster the irradiation direction of the laser beam LB, and the lower the danger level, the slower the irradiation direction of the laser beam LB. Thereby, the passenger | crew becomes able to grasp | ascertain the level of a danger from the speed of the movement of the irradiated light displayed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10A, when the level of danger is low, a display pattern may be displayed in which the locus of irradiation light of the laser beam LB having a low frequency and a small amplitude is displayed. Further, as shown in FIG. 10B, when the level of risk is medium, a display pattern may be displayed in which the locus of irradiation light of the laser beam LB with high frequency and small amplitude is displayed. And as shown in FIG.10 (c), when the level of danger is high, it is good also as a display pattern which displays the locus | trajectory of the irradiation light of the laser beam LB with a high frequency and a large amplitude. These display patterns also allow the occupant to grasp the risk level.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a case where another vehicle comes from the left side of the priority road when the host vehicle joins the priority road by making a left turn. In such a case, the collision determination unit 22 determines that there is no possibility (low) of collision between the host vehicle and another vehicle traveling on the priority road, and therefore the laser beam LB is not irradiated.

  FIG. 7A is a diagram showing an irradiation example of the laser beam LB when another vehicle approaches from the right rear side when the own vehicle changes lanes from the traveling lane to the passing lane. In such a case, the display pattern determination unit 23 sets the surface of the A pillar as the irradiation range DA and sets the guide direction (right side in FIG. 7A) to guide the line of sight of the vehicle occupant as the irradiation reference of the laser beam LB. The direction may be a display pattern in which green irradiation light is irradiated while moving in the vicinity of the irradiation reference direction (irradiated so as to draw a straight line on the A pillar). Thereby, since the irradiation light displayed in the passenger | crew's peripheral visual field can be changed, a passenger | crew becomes easy to notice the irradiation light.

  FIG. 7B is a diagram showing the other vehicle after overtaking the host vehicle. As shown in FIG. 7 (b), after the other vehicle overtakes the own vehicle, there is no possibility that the own vehicle and the other vehicle collide with each other, and it is not necessary to alert the occupant. End irradiation.

  The light emitting unit driving circuit 24 and the mechanical mechanism driving unit 25 shown in FIG. 1 have the display pattern determined by the display pattern determining unit 23 and the laser beam LB when the collision determining unit 22 determines that there is a possibility of a collision. The light emission timing of the laser beam LB is controlled and the irradiation direction is changed so that the irradiation light is displayed.

  Next, the operation of the vehicle information providing apparatus will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. When the ignition switch of the host vehicle is turned on in step S101 shown in FIG. 11, in step S102, the surrounding situation information of the host vehicle is input. In step S103, it is determined whether the surrounding state information is input through road-to-vehicle communication or vehicle-to-vehicle communication.

  If it is determined that the input is made by road-to-vehicle communication, the process proceeds to step S104. If it is determined that the input is made from vehicle-to-vehicle communication, the process proceeds to step S109. In step S <b> 104, it is determined whether or not the vehicle is a scene that goes out to the priority road. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S105. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S102, and the above-described process is repeated.

  In step S105, it is determined whether there is a possibility of collision of the host vehicle. If it is determined that there is a possibility of collision, the process proceeds to step S106. If it is determined that there is no possibility of collision, the process proceeds to step S102, and the above-described process is repeated.

  When it is determined in step S103 that the input is made by inter-vehicle communication, in step S109, it is determined whether another vehicle approaches from the rear of the host vehicle. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S110. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S102, and the above-described process is repeated.

  In step S110, blinker information and vehicle information are input, and in step S111, it is determined whether or not the host vehicle may collide. If it is determined that there is a possibility of collision, the process proceeds to step S106. If it is determined that there is no possibility of collision, the process proceeds to step S102, and the above-described process is repeated.

  In step S106, the display pattern of the laser beam LB is determined. In step S107, the motors 40b and 50b are driven so that the irradiation light is displayed in the display pattern determined in step S106. In step S108, the irradiation light is displayed in the display pattern determined in step S106. The light emitting units 40a and 50a are driven.

  As described above, the vehicle information providing apparatus according to the present embodiment determines whether it is necessary to obtain information about the surrounding situation that cannot be detected by the autonomous sensor mounted on the vehicle from the outside of the vehicle. If it is determined that information needs to be provided, the surface of the instrument panel IP or A pillar, which is a structure in the passenger compartment included in the peripheral vision of the occupant, is set as an irradiation range DA for irradiating the laser beam LB. The irradiation direction is changed while irradiating the laser beam LB toward.

  Accordingly, since the irradiation light of the laser beam LB moves and is displayed in the irradiation range, the occupant can notice the irradiation light of the laser beam LB that moves and is displayed (information provision) in the peripheral visual field. Attention can be paid to the displayed direction of the light.

  That is, in general, human visual recognition ability is highest in the central visual field, and tends to decrease as the distance from the central visual field increases toward the peripheral visual field. Therefore, when recognizing an object included in the peripheral visual field, a human moves his / her line of sight so that the object is included in the central visual field. In particular, when a change occurs in an object included in the peripheral visual field (for example, when a pedestrian pops out), unconsciously and sensitively reacts to the change in the object, and gazes at the object. Strong tendency to move. Therefore, it is possible to notice the irradiation light of the laser beam LB that is moved and displayed in the peripheral visual field.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of the vehicle information providing apparatus according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, the vehicle information providing apparatus according to the second embodiment also includes an information input device 10, a control device 20, and irradiation devices 40 and 50. Further, although not shown in FIG. 12, a speaker may be provided.

  As in the first embodiment, the information input device 10 acquires navigation information, position information, blinker information, and vehicle speed information. Also, the surrounding situation information is acquired. Then, the acquired various information is input to the control device 20.

  The navigation information is acquired from a navigation device provided in the vehicle via an in-vehicle LAN. The navigation information in the second embodiment includes a lane change in addition to the road information and the guidance route information described above. A lane change instruction signal indicating the direction of the lane change and a lane change direction signal indicating the direction of lane change (ie, right or left) are included.

  The lane change instruction signal and the lane change direction signal are output from the lane change determination unit in the navigation device, and are continuously output until the lane change of the vehicle is completed (or substantially ended). . These signals are not only supplied to the vehicle information providing apparatus, but also supplied to an audio output unit in the navigation apparatus. Based on these signals, the audio output unit causes the speaker to output a sound for prompting the lane change and guiding the lane change direction.

  Similar to the first embodiment, the surrounding situation information is information regarding obstacles that may hinder the progress of the host vehicle, such as the types, positions, traveling directions, and moving speeds of the obstacles around the host vehicle. However, unlike the first embodiment, it may be information on an obstacle that can be detected using an obstacle detection sensor or a vehicle-mounted camera mounted on the host vehicle. Of course, it may be information that can be acquired from the outside of the vehicle by the wireless communication device as in the first embodiment.

  The control device 20 has the same hardware configuration as that of the first embodiment, but a part of the program written in the ROM is different. The control device 20 in the second embodiment includes the functions of the light emitting unit drive circuit 24 and the mechanical mechanism drive unit 25 as in the first embodiment, and also includes the function of the timing determination unit 26 that is not provided in the first embodiment. . Further, the function of the display pattern determination unit 23 is also different from that of the first embodiment.

  Whether the timing suitability determination unit 26 is a timing at which the lane change instruction signal and the lane change direction signal included in the navigation information can be safely changed to the direction indicated by the lane change direction signal when input from the information input device 10. Determine whether or not. This determination is continuously performed until the lane change instruction signal is not input.

  In determining whether it is time to change the lane safely, the surrounding situation information is used, and the position information is also used as necessary. And it determines using various well-known methods. For example, a technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-341812 can be used.

  An example of the determination method will be described. Based on the surrounding situation information and the like, an approach degree indicating how close the other vehicle traveling in the travel lane after the lane change is to the own vehicle is calculated. In addition, a time (hereinafter, lane change time) required from when the driver starts an operation for changing the lane of the vehicle to when the operation is completed is set in advance. This lane change time may be a fixed value that does not depend on the driver, or may be set for each driver. Moreover, you may change lane change time according to vehicle speed information. In addition, the actual lane change time may be learned and sequentially updated. Based on this lane change time, a lower limit value of the approach degree is set.

  If the calculated approach level is less than the lower limit, it is determined that it is not safe to change the lane. Conversely, if the actually calculated approach level exceeds the lower limit, Determines that it is time to safely change lanes.

  The display pattern determination unit 23 of the second embodiment determines a display pattern to be generated by the laser beam LB according to the determination result in the timing suitability determination unit 26. Specifically, if it is a determination result that it is safe to change lanes, the display pattern ("○" in this case) indicating that the lanes may be changed is determined, and the lanes are changed safely. If the determination result indicates that it is not possible timing, the display pattern (in this case, “x”) that means that the lane must not be changed is determined.

  Then, the display pattern determining unit 23 outputs a signal instructing to generate the determined display pattern to the light emitting unit driving circuit 24 and the mechanical mechanism driving unit 25. The light emitting unit driving circuit 24 and the mechanical mechanism driving unit 25 drive the light emitting units 40a and 50a and the motors 40b and 50b, respectively, based on signals from the display pattern determining unit 23.

  In the second embodiment, the irradiation range of the laser beam LB is set on the surface of the interior of the A pillar. Accordingly, when the light emitting unit driving circuit 24 and the mechanical mechanism driving unit 25 drive the light emitting units 40a and 50a and the motors 40b and 50b, a display pattern of “◯” or “x” is generated on the A pillar.

  FIGS. 13 and 14 are diagrams illustrating an irradiation mode of the laser beam LB when the lane change direction is the right direction. FIG. 13 is a timing diagram when it is determined that it is not time to change the lane safely. It is a figure when it determines with not being the timing which can change a lane safely.

  In the lane to be changed, if the position of the other vehicle relative to the host vehicle is the position shown in FIG. 13 or the position shown in FIG. 15, the determination result is that it is not the timing when the lane can be changed safely. As shown in FIG. 13, a display pattern of “x” is generated in the A pillar. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 16, when there is no other vehicle in the vicinity of the own vehicle from the side to the rear of the own vehicle in the lane to be changed, it is determined that it is time to change the lane safely. As a result, as shown in FIG. 14, a display pattern of “◯” is generated in the A pillar.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining processing of the vehicle information providing apparatus according to the second embodiment. The process shown in FIG. 17 is repeatedly executed at a predetermined cycle when the ignition switch of the host vehicle is on.

  First, in step S <b> 201, the information input device 10 inputs various information such as navigation information to the control device 20. The subsequent step S202 and subsequent steps are processing of the control device 20. In step S202, it is determined whether or not a lane change signal (lane change instruction signal and lane change direction signal) has been acquired. If this determination is negative, the process shown in FIG. 17 ends. In this case, after the predetermined period has elapsed, the process is executed again from step S201.

  If step S202 is affirmative, it is determined in step S203 whether it is time to change the lane safely. Since the processing content in this step S203 has already been described in detail, it is omitted here. In subsequent step S204, it is determined whether or not the determination result in step S203 is a determination result that there is a possibility of a collision (that is, a determination result that is not a timing at which the lane can be changed safely).

  When step S204 is negative determination, it progresses to step S205 and determines a display pattern as "(circle)". On the other hand, when the determination in step S204 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S206, and the display pattern is determined to be “x”. After executing these steps S205 or S206, steps S207 and S208 are executed.

  In step S207, the motors 40b and 50b are driven so that the irradiation light is displayed in the display pattern determined in step S205 or S206. In step S208, the irradiation light is displayed in the display pattern determined in step S205 or S206. Thus, the light emitting units 40a and 50a are driven.

  Thereafter, step S201 and subsequent steps are executed again. For this reason, the display pattern is changed from “◯” to “×” or “×” to “◯” corresponding to the surrounding situation that changes every moment. Further, when the lane change signal cannot be acquired, the irradiation with the laser beam LB ends.

  As described above, in the second embodiment described above, when the lane change instruction signal is acquired, it is determined from the surrounding state information whether it is a timing at which it is possible to safely change the lane in the lane change direction indicated by the lane change direction signal. When the determination result is a determination result indicating that it is a time when the lane can be changed safely, “○” is displayed. When the determination result is not a timing when the lane can be changed safely, “X” is displayed. A pattern is generated on the A pillar. The driver can accurately determine when the lane can be changed by looking at the “◯” or “X”. Moreover, since the laser beam LB is irradiated to the A pillar located in the lane change direction, the driver can be surely noticed the display pattern by the laser beam LB.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  In the first embodiment, an alarm is generated when the laser beam LB is irradiated. However, the alarm generation method may be changed in accordance with the change of the irradiation direction of the laser beam LB. For example, when the irradiation direction of the laser beam LB is changed from the left side to the right side in the passenger compartment, an alarm is issued from the speaker arranged on the left side in the passenger compartment, and then from the speaker arranged on the right side in the passenger compartment. An alarm may be generated. Moreover, you may change an alarm sound according to the kind of obstruction.

  Moreover, it is good also as a vehicle information provision apparatus provided with both the function of the vehicle information provision apparatus of 1st Embodiment, and the function of the vehicle information provision apparatus of 2nd Embodiment.

  In the second embodiment, the irradiation range of the laser beam LB is the A pillar, but other ranges may be set as the irradiation range as long as the lane change direction is the vehicle traveling direction. In this case, similarly to the first embodiment, the irradiation range may be set on the surface of the structure in the vehicle interior included in the peripheral vision of the driver.

  Further, in the second embodiment, the display pattern may be blinked. Further, the irradiation direction may be changed while irradiating the laser beam LB.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the information provision apparatus for vehicles of 1st Embodiment. It is the figure which showed the mounting position of the irradiation apparatuses 40 and 50, and the irradiation range DA in the instrument panel IP. It is the figure which showed irradiation range DA in instrument panel IP and A pillar. It is a figure for demonstrating the irradiation example of the laser beam LB in case another vehicle comes from the left side of a priority road when the own vehicle turns right and joins to a priority road. It is a figure for demonstrating the irradiation example of the laser beam LB in case another vehicle comes from the right side of a priority road when the own vehicle turns to the priority road and merges. It is a figure for demonstrating the case where another vehicle comes from the left side of a priority road when the own vehicle turns to the priority road and merges. (A) is the figure which showed the example of irradiation of the laser beam LB when another vehicle approaches from the right rear, when changing a lane from a driving lane to an overtaking lane, (b) is another vehicle's own vehicle It is the figure which showed after overtaking. It is the figure which showed the irradiation light of the laser beam LB when A pillar was made into the irradiation range. It is the figure which showed the example of irradiation of the laser beam LB when a two-wheeled vehicle and a pedestrian approach from the same direction simultaneously. (A) is the figure which showed the locus | trajectory of the irradiation light of the laser beam LB with a small amplitude at a low frequency, (b) is the figure which showed the locus | trajectory of the irradiation light of the laser beam LB with a high frequency and a small amplitude. (C) is the figure which showed the locus | trajectory of the irradiation light of the laser beam LB with a high amplitude with a high frequency. It is the flowchart which showed operation | movement of the vehicle information provision apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the information provision apparatus for vehicles of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the irradiation aspect of the laser beam LB in case a lane change direction is a right direction. It is a figure which shows the irradiation aspect of the laser beam LB in case a lane change direction is a right direction. It is a figure which illustrates the situation which becomes a judgment result that it is not the timing which can change to a right lane safely. It is a figure which illustrates the condition used as the determination result that it is a timing which can change a lane to a right lane safely. It is a flowchart explaining the process of the information provision apparatus for vehicles in 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Information input device 20 Control apparatus 21 Collision pattern judgment part 22 Collision judgment part 23 Display pattern determination part 24 Light emission part drive circuit 25 Mechanical mechanism drive part 26 Timing appropriateness judgment part 30 Speaker 40, 50 Irradiation apparatus 40a, 50a Light emission part 40b, 50b motor

Claims (19)

An irradiation device that is installed in a vehicle interior of the vehicle and that emits generated light generated by collecting light from the light source;
Information acquisition means for acquiring surrounding situation information which is information on the surrounding situation of the vehicle;
Information provision judging means for judging whether or not it is necessary to provide information to the vehicle occupant based on the surrounding situation information obtained by the information obtaining means;
An irradiation control means for performing irradiation control to irradiate the generated light to a structure in the vehicle compartment included in a peripheral visual field of the occupant of the vehicle when it is determined that the information providing determination means needs to provide information; With
The irradiation device includes a variable mechanism that varies an irradiation direction of the generated light,
The vehicle information providing apparatus, wherein the irradiation control unit includes an irradiation direction changing unit that sets the surface of the structure as an irradiation range and changes the irradiation direction while irradiating the irradiation range with the generated light. Comprising communication means for communicating with the outside of the vehicle;
The information acquisition means acquires the surrounding situation information from outside the vehicle via the communication means,
The vehicle information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information provision determining unit makes a determination based on surrounding situation information acquired from the outside of the vehicle. An irradiation device that is installed in a vehicle interior of the vehicle and that emits generated light generated by collecting light from the light source;
Information acquisition means for acquiring surrounding situation information which is information on the surrounding situation of the vehicle;
Information provision judging means for judging whether or not it is necessary to provide information to the vehicle occupant based on the surrounding situation information obtained by the information obtaining means;
An irradiation control means for performing irradiation control to irradiate the generated light to a structure in the vehicle compartment included in a peripheral visual field of the occupant of the vehicle when it is determined that the information providing determination means needs to provide information;
Communication means for communicating with the outside of the vehicle,
The information acquisition means acquires the surrounding situation information from outside the vehicle via the communication means,
The information provision device for a vehicle, wherein the information provision determination means makes a determination based on surrounding situation information acquired from the outside of the vehicle. The irradiation device includes a variable mechanism that varies an irradiation direction of the generated light,
The vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the irradiation control unit includes an irradiation direction changing unit that sets the surface of the structure as an irradiation range and changes the irradiation direction while irradiating the generated light to the irradiation range. Information provision device.   5. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation control means performs irradiation control so that the generated light is irradiated in a guidance direction in which a line of sight of an occupant of the vehicle is to be guided. Information providing device.   The irradiation direction changing means changes the irradiation direction of the generated light so that the generated light is irradiated while moving in the vicinity of the irradiation reference direction, with the guidance direction as the irradiation reference direction of the generated light. The vehicle information providing apparatus according to claim 5.   The irradiation direction changing unit is configured to irradiate the generated light so that the generated light is irradiated while moving from the irradiation reference direction to a direction different from the guide direction, with the guide direction being an irradiation reference direction of the generated light. 6. The vehicle information providing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the direction is changed.   The surrounding situation information acquired by the information acquiring means is obtained by at least one of road-to-vehicle communication with roadside infrastructure and vehicle-to-vehicle communication with other vehicles, and other vehicles, two-wheeled vehicles, and walking that exist around the vehicle. The information providing device for vehicles according to claim 2, wherein the information providing device is information on at least one of the persons. A collision determination means for determining whether or not there is a possibility of collision between the vehicle and at least one of another vehicle, a two-wheeled vehicle, and a pedestrian obtained from the surrounding situation information;
9. The vehicle according to claim 8, wherein the information provision determination unit determines that information needs to be provided to the occupant when the collision determination unit determines that there is a possibility of a collision. Information providing device.   The collision determination means determines a traveling direction of the vehicle from the blinker information and vehicle speed information of the vehicle, and collides when there is at least one of the other vehicle, a two-wheeled vehicle, and a pedestrian entering the traveling direction. 10. The vehicular information providing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein it is determined that there is a possibility.   The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation control unit performs irradiation control so that the generated light corresponding to the other vehicle, the two-wheeled vehicle, and the pedestrian is irradiated. Information provision device. Based on the surrounding situation information, comprising a risk determination means for determining the risk of the vehicle,
The vehicle information providing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the irradiation control unit performs irradiation control so that the generated light corresponding to the level of risk is irradiated. . The irradiation direction changing means includes
The higher the risk level, the faster the direction of irradiation of the generated light,
The vehicle information providing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the lower the risk level, the slower the irradiation direction of the generated light is changed.   The said irradiation control means performs control which irradiates the said generated light to the at least one structure of the instrument panel in the said vehicle interior, and a front side pillar, The one of Claims 1-13 characterized by the above-mentioned. Vehicle information providing device.   The vehicular information providing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising alarm generating means for generating an alarm when it is determined by the information providing determining means that information needs to be provided. . An irradiation device that is installed in a vehicle interior of the vehicle and that emits generated light generated by collecting light from the light source;
Information acquisition means for acquiring surrounding situation information which is information on the surrounding situation of the vehicle;
Lane change signal acquisition means for acquiring a lane change instruction signal indicating a lane change instruction and a lane change direction signal indicating a lane change direction from a route guidance device that performs route guidance including lane change guidance;
Timing suitability determination that determines whether or not the vehicle can safely change lanes in the lane change direction indicated by the lane change direction signal from the surrounding situation information based on the acquisition of the lane change instruction signal Means,
Irradiation control means for performing irradiation control for irradiating the structure positioned in the lane change direction indicated by the lane change signal in the passenger compartment with the generated light in an irradiation mode according to a determination result in the timing suitability determination means. An information providing device for a vehicle, comprising:   When the determination result is a determination result that it is a timing at which it is possible to safely change the lane, the irradiation control unit performs the irradiation control so that a display pattern that means that the lane may be changed is generated. The vehicular information providing apparatus according to claim 16.   When the determination result is a determination result indicating that it is not the timing at which the lane can be changed safely, the irradiation control means performs the irradiation control so as to generate a display pattern that means that the lane must not be changed. The vehicle information providing apparatus according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that   The said irradiation control means performs control which irradiates the said production | generation light to the vehicle interior surface of the front side pillar of the direction which the said lane change direction signal shows among right and left front side pillars. The vehicle information providing device according to claim 1.

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