JP2009040236A - Vehicular notification device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicular notification device capable of notifying a person outside a vehicle such as a pedestrian of vehicular information necessary for the avoidance behavior from a collision upon starting the vehicle (at least the starting possibility). <P>SOLUTION: This vehicular notification device includes: notification means capable of notifying a person outside the vehicle of the starting possibility (a laser illuminator 3); and means (a vehicle state detector 1 and a controller 2 for notification) for determining the starting possibility of the vehicle in stages and changing the modes of notification (a lighting/flashing state of the laser illuminator 3) by the notification means according to the determination result. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle notification device capable of notifying pedestrians and the like outside a vehicle of vehicle information necessary for collision avoidance behavior when the vehicle starts.

Recently, the noise of automobiles has been reduced, the driving noise generated by automobiles has been reduced, the interest in preventing air pollution has increased, and the driving noise of engines has become quieter as hybrid vehicles have become more popular and fuel cell vehicles have been researched. Tend to be. While these are favorable evolutions, there are concerns about the occurrence of traffic accidents due to the difficulty of recognizing the approach of cars by sound, and consideration is given to the pedestrians being aware of the approach of cars and the smooth progress of both sides. It is difficult to do.
Based on these problems, as in Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3, an invention is known in which light is irradiated onto a road surface and the irradiation method is changed according to the vehicle speed and the traveling direction. An invention that detects a pedestrian and issues a warning is also known.

  As disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is also known to irradiate a laser spot on a road surface, shake the spot left and right, or arrange a plurality of spots horizontally or vertically. In Patent Document 2, when a laser spot is irradiated, if there is a pedestrian between the own vehicle and the road surface, spot light emission is avoided to avoid the spot, and in that case, a spot corresponding to the speed of the own vehicle is generated. To the road surface. In Patent Document 3, the shape of the laser spot irradiation is further freely changed, and the shape and position of the irradiation are determined in consideration of the friction coefficient between the road and the tire, the distance between the surrounding car and the vehicle. Decide. In Patent Document 4, when laser spot irradiation is performed, irradiation is performed in the middle of an intersection according to the shape of the road, or a linear spot is formed along a road curve.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-238307 JP 2003-231438 A JP 2005-157873 A JP 2006-85313 A

  However, all of the above known techniques only notify the vehicle while it is traveling, and do not notify the surroundings of the “possibility of starting a stopped vehicle”. For this reason, there is a problem that an accident cannot be avoided, for example, when a driver of a car parked in a parking lot suddenly starts a shift or brake operation accidentally.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made paying attention to such problems, and walks on vehicle information (at least information on the possibility of starting, and further information on the direction of travel) necessary for collision avoidance behavior when starting the vehicle. An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle notification device that can notify a person outside the vehicle, such as a person.

  The vehicle notification device of the present application includes a start possibility determination unit that determines which of a plurality of predetermined stages the start possibility of the vehicle, and a notification unit that can notify a person outside the vehicle of the start possibility. And a control unit that changes a mode of notification by the notification unit according to a determination result by the start possibility determination unit.

  In the vehicular alarm device of the present application, since the information on the possibility of starting the vehicle is transmitted to surrounding pedestrians and drivers of other vehicles, it is possible to take a safe avoidance action with respect to the vehicle from which these persons start. An effect is obtained. Moreover, in the present application, the possibility of starting is determined step by step, and the notification mode is changed according to the determination result. For this reason, the degree of possibility of starting is finely transmitted to pedestrians and the like, and pedestrians and the like can be alerted in a manner corresponding to the necessity of avoidance behavior.

  Next, in a preferable aspect of the vehicle notification device of the present application, the start possibility determination unit determines the start possibility determination based on at least one of a shift position and a side brake position of the vehicle. It is characterized by that. In this case, the possibility of starting can be accurately determined.

Further, another preferable aspect of the vehicle notification device of the present application is a traveling direction determination that determines whether the vehicle moves forward or backward when the start possibility determination unit determines that the start possibility exists. In addition to further comprising means, the notifying means can control the position range to be notified, and the control means changes the position range according to the determination result of the traveling direction determining means.
Here, “when it is determined that there is a possibility of start” means that the determination result by the start possibility determination means is other than the determination result that there is no possibility of start. For example, it may be “when the possibility of starting is determined to be the highest level”, “when the possibility of starting is determined to be higher than the lowest level”, or “when the possibility of starting is determined to be higher than a specific level” "If".
In this case, in addition to information on the possibility of starting the vehicle, information on the starting direction of the vehicle is transmitted to surrounding pedestrians and drivers of other vehicles. However, the effect that it can do more reliably is acquired.

  According to the vehicle alarm device of the present application, information on a vehicle (at least information on the possibility of starting) necessary for a collision avoidance action when the vehicle starts is transmitted to surrounding pedestrians and drivers of other vehicles. The effect that a safe avoidance action can be taken with respect to the vehicle from which the vehicle starts is obtained.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
First, the first embodiment will be described.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the vehicle notification device of this example. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the apparatus. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a notification operation for a pedestrian when the vehicle moves forward, and FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a notification operation for a pedestrian when the vehicle moves backward.
As shown in FIG. 1, the present apparatus includes a vehicle state detector 1, a notification controller 2, and a laser beam irradiator 3.

Here, the vehicle state detector 1 is used to calculate various information on the vehicle (engine operation state, side brake operation state, foot brake operation state, and transmission) for calculating vehicle start possibility and traveling direction information. ), And is actually configured by various sensors in the vehicle and controllers of other systems.
The notification controller 2 performs control processing in this apparatus, and includes, for example, a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer).
The laser beam irradiator 3 is a device that can irradiate a laser beam to a specific position range around the vehicle. Although not shown, in the case of this example, the laser beam irradiator 3 is disposed, for example, around the headlight of the vehicle and can irradiate a laser beam on a specific range in front (for example, a road surface several meters ahead of the vehicle). The front irradiator 3a and the rear irradiator 3b disposed around the taillight of the vehicle and capable of irradiating the rear specific position range (for example, a road surface several meters behind the vehicle) with laser light.

As will be described later, the notification controller 2 has a function of determining which of a plurality of predetermined stages the vehicle start possibility is based on the output of the vehicle state detector 1, together with the vehicle state detector 1. The start possibility determination means of the present invention is configured.
Moreover, the laser beam irradiator 3 can notify the person who is outside the vehicle of the start possibility, and constitutes a notification means of the present invention.
Further, as will be described later, the notification controller 2 has a function of changing the mode of notification by the laser beam irradiator 3 (notification means) in accordance with the determination result of the start possibility, and constitutes the control means of the present invention.
In addition, as will be described later, the notification controller 2 determines whether the vehicle moves forward or backward when it is determined that there is a possibility of starting (in this example, when the possibility of starting is determined to be the highest level). Is determined on the basis of the output of the vehicle state detector 1, and together with the vehicle state detector 1, constitutes the traveling direction determination means of the present invention. In this example, forward / reverse determination is made based on the shift position (shift position of the transmission).

Next, the function and operation of the notification controller 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
In this example, the notification controller 2 determines the possibility of starting the vehicle in four stages. That is, the stage without possibility of starting (hereinafter referred to as zero stage), the lowest stage with possibility of starting (hereinafter referred to as one stage), the next stage with possibility of starting (hereinafter referred to as two stages), the possibility of starting It is determined as any one of the following stages (hereinafter referred to as three stages). Here, there is a higher possibility of starting in the second stage than in the first stage and in the third stage than in the second stage, and the third stage is the highest stage.

For example, the notification controller 2 periodically executes the process shown in FIG. First, in step S1, it is determined whether or not the vehicle engine is operating. If it is not operating, it is determined that the possibility of starting is zero, and step S1b is executed, and then one sequence of processing is terminated. At this time, in step S1b, if the laser beam irradiator 3 is in the light projection state (any one of the light projection states 1 to 4 described later), control for stopping the light projection state is executed, and the laser beam irradiator is executed. 3 is a non-operating state (a state where there is no laser light irradiation).
If it is determined in step S1 that the engine is operating, the process proceeds to step S2, where the laser beam irradiator 3 (both the front side irradiator 3a and the rear side irradiator 3b) is set to the light projection state 1. Execute. In this light projection state 1, the laser beam irradiator 3 is blinked at the longest interval, and the laser beam is irradiated intermittently at the longest interval. For example, in the light projection state 1, the light is turned on for 2 seconds and turned off for 2 seconds. However, specific numerical values of the turn-on / off intervals are not limited to this example, and can be set as appropriate (the same applies hereinafter).

Next, in step S3, it is determined whether or not the vehicle side brake is in an inoperative state (that is, whether or not the side brake position is in an OFF position), and an operating state (that is, the side brake position is in an OFF position). If there is no state), the possibility of starting is one stage, and one sequence of processing is terminated.
If it is determined in step S3 that the side brake is in an inoperative state, the process proceeds to step S4, where the laser beam irradiator 3 (both the front side irradiator 3a and the rear side irradiator 3b) is set to the light projection state 2. Execute control to In this light projecting state 2, the laser light irradiator 3 is blinked at an interval shorter than the light projecting state 1, and the laser light is intermittently irradiated at an interval shorter than the light projecting state 1. For example, in the light projection state 2, the light is turned on for 1 second and turned off for 1 second.

Next, after step S4, the process proceeds to step S7. In step S7, it is determined whether or not the shift position (shift position) of the transmission of the vehicle is in any one of “D”, “2”, and “L”. Proceed to “D” is a shift position when moving forward at a normal gear ratio, and “2” is a gear position when moving forward at a lower gear ratio than “D” (the gear ratio at which the engine rotates at a higher speed). This is a shift position, and “L” is a shift position when moving forward at a gear ratio lower than “2”.
If it is determined in step S7 that the shift position is in any one of the above "D", "2", and "L", it is determined that the start possibility is three stages and the start direction is forward, and the process proceeds to step S8. Then, the control for setting the laser beam irradiator 3 to the projection state 3 is executed. In this light projection state 3, the front laser beam irradiator 3 (only the front side irradiator 3a) is completely turned on instead of blinking, and the laser beam is continuously irradiated only forward. In this light projection state 3, the rear side irradiator 3b is turned off.

Next, in step S9, it is determined whether or not the shift position is in the “R” position. If the shift position is not in these positions (that is, if the shift position is “P” or “N”), the possibility of starting is determined. Assuming that there are two stages, the processing of one sequence is terminated. “R” is a shift position for reverse travel, “P” is a shift position for parking, and “N” is a so-called neutral shift position.
If it is determined in step S9 that the shift position is “R”, the start possibility is determined in three stages and the start direction is determined to be backward, and the process proceeds to step S10. 4 is executed. In this light projection state 4, the rear laser light irradiator 3 (only the rear irradiator 3b) is completely turned on instead of blinking, and the laser light is continuously irradiated only backward. In this light projection state 4, the front side irradiator 3a is turned off.

According to the vehicle notification device described above, the above-described control process of the notification controller 2 determines which of the predetermined multiple stages the start possibility of the vehicle is, and has the highest start possibility. In the case of (three steps), the traveling direction of the vehicle is determined, and the state of the laser beam irradiator 3 as the notification means changes according to the determination result, and information (startability possibility or Information on the starting direction) is notified.
That is, when the engine is in the non-operating state, it is determined that the start possibility is zero stage (there is no start possibility) by the processing of steps S1 and S1b, and the laser beam irradiator 3 is controlled to the non-operating state. Laser irradiation is not performed.

  Further, when the engine is in an operating state and the side brake is in an operating state, it is determined that the start possibility is one stage by the processing of steps S1 to S3, and the laser beam irradiator 3 is set to the light projecting state 1. The laser beam is irradiated intermittently at the longest intervals.

Further, when the engine is in an operating state and the side brake is in an inoperative state, and the shift position is not any of “D”, “2”, “L”, and “R”, the processes of steps S1 to S9 are performed. Thus, it is determined that the start possibility is two stages, the laser light irradiator 3 is set to the light projection state 2, and the laser light is irradiated intermittently at a shorter interval than the light projection state 1.
Further, when the engine is in an operating state, the side brake is in an inoperative state, and the shift position is any one of “D”, “2”, “L”, and “R”, steps S1 to S10 are performed. By the process, it is determined that the possibility of starting is in three stages, the laser beam irradiator 3 is set to the light projection state 3 or 4, and the laser beam is continuously irradiated.

Here, when it is determined that the start possibility is three stages, and the shift position is any one of “D”, “2”, and “L”, the start direction is determined to be forward by the process of step S7. The laser beam irradiator 3 is determined to be in the light projection state 3 and, for example, the laser beam is continuously irradiated only forward as shown in FIG.
If it is determined that the start possibility is three stages, and the shift position is “R”, the start direction is determined to be backward by the process of step S9, and the laser beam irradiator 3 is For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the laser beam is continuously irradiated only backward.

  For this reason, according to this apparatus, in addition to information on the possibility of starting the vehicle, information on the starting direction of the vehicle is appropriately and instantaneously transmitted to surrounding pedestrians and drivers of other vehicles. The effect that safe avoidance action can be taken accurately is obtained. Moreover, in this device, the possibility of starting is determined in stages, and the notification mode is changed according to the determination result. For this reason, the degree of possibility of starting is transmitted to the pedestrian and the like, and the pedestrian and the like can be alerted to the extent according to the necessity of the avoidance action. In this device, the possibility of starting is determined based on the shift position and the side brake position of the vehicle. Since the shift position and side brake position of the vehicle always change before the vehicle starts, it is possible to accurately determine the possibility of starting.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the notification controller 2 in this example.
In this example, the operation of the notification controller 2 is different as follows from the first embodiment. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, steps S5 and S6 are added between steps S4 and S7 with respect to the flowchart of the first embodiment (FIG. 2).
In step S5, it is determined whether or not the foot brake of the vehicle is operating. If it is not operating, it is determined that the start possibility is two stages, and one sequence of processing is terminated.
If it is determined in step S5 that the foot brake is operating, the process proceeds to step S6, where the laser beam irradiator 3 (both the front side irradiator 3a and the rear side irradiator 3b) is set to the light projection state 3. Execute control. In the light projection state 3, the laser light irradiator 3 is blinked at intervals shorter than the light projection state 2, and the laser light is intermittently emitted at intervals shorter than the light projection state 2. For example, in the light projection state 3, the lighting state is 0.3 second lighting / 0.3 second lighting off.

In this example, by adding the above steps S5 and S6, the stage of possibility of starting to be determined is increased by one to become five stages (zero stage to four stages), and the light projection state of steps S8 and S10 The number increases by one.
That is, in step S7, it is determined whether or not the shift position (shift position) of the transmission of the vehicle is in any one of “D”, “2”, and “L”. Proceed to step S9.
If it is determined in step S7 that the shift position is in any of the above "D", "2", and "L", it is determined that the start possibility is four stages and the start direction is forward, and the process proceeds to step S8. Then, the control for setting the laser beam irradiator 3 to the light projection state 4 is executed. In this light projection state 4, the front laser beam irradiator 3 (only the front side irradiator 3a) is completely turned on instead of blinking, and the laser beam is continuously irradiated only forward. In this light projection state 4, the rear side irradiator 3b is turned off.

Next, in step S9, it is determined whether or not the shift position is in the “R” position. If the shift position is not in these positions (that is, if the shift position is “P” or “N”), the possibility of starting is determined. Assuming that there are three stages, the processing of one sequence is terminated.
If it is determined in step S9 that the shift position is in the above "R", it is determined that the start possibility is four stages and the start direction is backward, and the process proceeds to step S10, where the laser beam irradiator 3 is in a light projection state. 5 is executed. In this light projection state 5, the rear laser beam irradiator 3 (only the rear irradiator 3b) is completely turned on instead of blinking, and the laser beam is continuously irradiated only backward. In this light projection state 5, the front side irradiator 3a is turned off.

According to the vehicle notification device described above, the possibility of starting the vehicle is determined in stages by the above-described control process of the notification controller 2, and the start possibility is at the highest level (four steps). The advancing direction of the vehicle is determined, and the state of the laser beam irradiator 3 as a notification means changes according to the determination result, and the information (startability and information on the starting direction) is notified to pedestrians and the like outside the vehicle. The
That is, when the engine is in the non-operating state, it is determined that the start possibility is zero stage (there is no start possibility) by the processing of steps S1 and S1b, and the laser beam irradiator 3 is controlled to the non-operating state. Laser irradiation is not performed.

Further, when the engine is in an operating state and the side brake is in an operating state, it is determined that the start possibility is one stage by the processing of steps S1 to S3, and the laser beam irradiator 3 is set to the light projecting state 1. The laser beam is irradiated intermittently at the longest intervals.
Further, when the engine is in operation, the side brake is inactive, and the foot brake is inactive, it is determined that the start possibility is two stages by the processing of steps S1 to S5, and the laser beam irradiator 3 is in the light projection state 2, and the laser light is irradiated intermittently at relatively short intervals.

Further, when the engine is operating, the side brake is not operating, the foot brake is operating, and the shift position is not any of “D”, “2”, “L”, and “R”, By the processing of steps S1 to S9, it is determined that the start possibility is three stages, the laser beam irradiator 3 is set to the light projection state 3, and the laser beam is irradiated intermittently at the shortest interval.
Further, when the engine is in operation, the side brake is inactive, the foot brake is in operation, and the shift position is any one of “D”, “2”, “L”, “R” By the processing of steps S1 to S10, it is determined that the start possibility is four stages, the laser beam irradiator 3 is set to the light projection state 4 or 5, and the laser beam is continuously irradiated.

Here, when it is determined that the start possibility is four stages, and the shift position is any one of “D”, “2”, and “L”, the start direction is determined to be forward by the process of step S7. The laser beam irradiator 3 is determined to be in the light projection state 4 and, for example, the laser beam is continuously irradiated only forward as shown in FIG.
If it is determined that the start possibility is four stages, and the shift position is “R”, it is determined by the process of step S9 that the start direction is backward, and the laser beam irradiator 3 is In the light projection state 5, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the laser beam is continuously irradiated only backward.

  For this reason, according to the present apparatus, as in the first embodiment, in addition to information on the possibility of starting the vehicle, information on the starting direction of the vehicle is appropriately and instantaneously transmitted to surrounding pedestrians and drivers of other vehicles. The effect that a safe avoidance action can be taken accurately with respect to the vehicle from which these persons start is obtained. Moreover, in this device, the possibility of starting is determined in more stages in consideration of the operating state of the foot brake, and the notification mode is changed according to the determination result. For this reason, the degree of the possibility of starting is transmitted to the pedestrian and the like more finely, and the pedestrian and the like can be alerted to the extent according to the necessity of the avoidance action.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the notification controller 2 in this example.
In this example, the operation of the notification controller 2 is different from that of the first embodiment as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, steps S2b and S2c are added between steps S2 and S3 with respect to the flowchart of the first embodiment (FIG. 2), and steps S4b and S7 are added between steps S4 and S7. S6 is added.
In step S2b, it is determined whether or not there is an occupant in the vehicle. If no occupant is detected, it is determined that the possibility of starting is one stage, and one sequence of processing is terminated. In addition, as a detection method of the occupant, a method of estimating from a resistance value change using a pressure sensor or a strain gauge installed under the seat, or a radio wave sensor installed on the back of the seat, the amount of reflected radio waves, the arrival time of the reflected wave There are a method for estimating the presence of a human body from a camera image.

When it is detected in step S2b that there is an occupant in the vehicle, the process proceeds to step S2c, where the laser light irradiator 3 (both the front side irradiator 3a and the rear side irradiator 3b) is controlled to be in the light projection state 2. Execute. In this light projecting state 2, the laser light irradiator 3 is blinked at an interval shorter than the light projecting state 1, and the laser light is intermittently irradiated at an interval shorter than the light projecting state 1. For example, in the light projection state 2, it is set to 1.5 seconds on / 1.5 seconds off.
Next, in step S3, it is determined whether or not the vehicle side brake is in an inoperative state (that is, whether or not the side brake position is in an OFF position), and an operating state (that is, the side brake position is in an OFF position). If there is no state), the possibility of starting is two stages, and the processing of one sequence is terminated.
If it is determined in step S3 that the side brake is in an inoperative state, the process proceeds to step S4, where the laser beam irradiator 3 (both the front side irradiator 3a and the rear side irradiator 3b) is set to the projection state 3. Execute control to In the light projection state 3, the laser light irradiator 3 is blinked at intervals shorter than the light projection state 2, and the laser light is intermittently emitted at intervals shorter than the light projection state 2. For example, in the light projection state 2, the light is turned on for 1 second and turned off for 1 second.

Next, in step S4b, it is determined whether or not the steering wheel of the vehicle is being gripped. If it is determined that the vehicle is not being gripped, the process of one sequence is terminated assuming that the possibility of starting is three stages. As a method for determining whether or not the steering handle is being gripped, there is a method using a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a sweat detection sensor, or the like installed on the handle.
If it is determined in step S4b that the steering wheel is being gripped, the process proceeds to step S6, where the laser beam irradiator 3 (both the front side irradiator 3a and the rear side irradiator 3b) is set to the light projection state 4. Execute control. In the light projecting state 4, the laser light irradiator 3 is blinked at intervals shorter than the light projecting state 3, and the laser light is intermittently irradiated at intervals shorter than the light projecting state 3. For example, in the light projection state 4, the light is 0.3 seconds on / 0.3 seconds off.

In this example, by adding the above steps S2b and S2c and steps S4b and S6, the stage of the possibility of starting to be determined is increased by two from the first embodiment, so that there are six stages (zero stage to five stages). ), And the light projection state numbers in steps S8 and S10 are also increased by two.
That is, in step S7, it is determined whether or not the shift position (shift position) of the transmission of the vehicle is in any one of “D”, “2”, and “L”. Proceed to step S9.
If it is determined in step S7 that the shift position is one of the above "D", "2", or "L", it is determined that the start possibility is 5 stages and the start direction is forward, and the process proceeds to step S8. Then, control is performed to bring the laser beam irradiator 3 into the light projection state 5. In this light projection state 5, the front laser beam irradiator 3 (only the front side irradiator 3a) is completely turned on instead of blinking, and the laser beam is continuously irradiated only forward. In this light projection state 5, the rear side irradiator 3b is turned off.

Next, in step S9, it is determined whether or not the shift position is in the “R” position. If the shift position is not in these positions (that is, if the shift position is “P” or “N”), the possibility of starting is determined. Assuming that there are four stages, the processing of one sequence is terminated.
If it is determined in step S9 that the shift position is in the “R”, it is determined that the start possibility is 5 stages and the start direction is backward, and the process proceeds to step S10. 6 is executed. In this light projection state 6, the rear laser light irradiator 3 (only the rear irradiator 3b) is completely turned on instead of blinking, and the laser light is continuously irradiated only backward. In this light projection state 6, the front side irradiator 3a is turned off.

According to the vehicle notification device described above, when the vehicle start possibility is determined stepwise by the above-described control process of the notification controller 2, the vehicle start possibility is at the highest level (five steps). The advancing direction of the vehicle is determined, and the state of the laser beam irradiator 3 as a notification means changes according to the determination result, and the information (startability and information on the starting direction) is notified to pedestrians and the like outside the vehicle. The
That is, when the engine is in the non-operating state, it is determined that the start possibility is zero stage (there is no start possibility) by the processing of steps S1 and S1b, and the laser beam irradiator 3 is controlled to the non-operating state. Laser irradiation is not performed.

Further, in a state where the occupant is not detected while the engine is operating, it is determined that the start possibility is one stage by the processing of steps S1 to S2b, and the laser beam irradiator 3 is set to the light projecting state 1, and the laser Light is emitted intermittently at the longest intervals.
If the occupant is detected while the engine is in operation and the side brake is in operation, it is determined that the start possibility is two stages by the processing of steps S1 to S3, and the laser beam irradiator 3 Is in the light projection state 2, and the laser light is intermittently emitted at a shorter interval than in the light projection state 1.
If it is determined that the occupant is detected while the engine is in operation, the side brake is inactive, and the steering wheel is not being gripped, the possibility of starting is determined by the processing in steps S1 to S4b. Is determined to be in three stages, the laser light irradiator 3 is set to the light projection state 3, and the laser light is intermittently emitted at a shorter interval than the light projection state 2.

Further, it is determined that an occupant is detected while the engine is in operation, the side brake is in an inoperative state, the steering wheel is being gripped, and the shift position is “D”, “2”, “ If neither “L” nor “R” is determined, it is determined that the start possibility is four stages by the processing of steps S1 to S9, the laser beam irradiator 3 is set to the light projection state 4, and the laser beam is emitted. Irradiated intermittently at the shortest interval.
Further, it is determined that an occupant is detected while the engine is in operation, the side brake is in an inoperative state, the steering wheel is being gripped, and the shift position is “D”, “2”, “ When it is either “L” or “R”, it is determined that the start possibility is five stages by the processing of steps S1 to S10, the laser light irradiator 3 is set to the light projection state 5 or 6, Laser light is continuously irradiated.

Here, when it is determined that the start possibility is five stages, and the shift position is any one of “D”, “2”, and “L”, the start direction is determined to be forward by the process of step S7. The laser beam irradiator 3 is determined to be in the light projection state 5, and for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the laser beam is continuously irradiated only forward.
If it is determined that the start possibility is 5 stages, and the shift position is “R”, it is determined by the process of step S9 that the start direction is backward, and the laser beam irradiator 3 is For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the laser beam is continuously irradiated only in the backward direction.

  For this reason, according to the present apparatus, as in the first embodiment, in addition to information on the possibility of starting the vehicle, information on the starting direction of the vehicle is appropriately and instantaneously transmitted to surrounding pedestrians and drivers of other vehicles. The effect that a safe avoidance action can be taken accurately with respect to the vehicle from which these persons start is obtained. In addition, in this device, the possibility of starting is determined in more stages in consideration of the presence of an occupant and whether or not the steering wheel is being gripped, and the notification mode is changed according to the determination result. For this reason, the degree of the possibility of starting is transmitted to the pedestrian and the like more finely, and the pedestrian and the like can be alerted to the extent according to the necessity of the avoidance action.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and applications are possible.
For example, there may be various examples of notification modes and changes by the notification means. In the case of a notification means for irradiating laser light, for example, the following may be used. That is, for example, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 of the second embodiment, the laser light illuminates 1 m ahead of the vehicle in the step corresponding to “light projection state 1”, and 3 m ahead in “light projection state 2”. In the “lighting state 3”, the front is illuminated 10 m, and in the “lighting state 4”, the front is illuminated 20 m. In the “lighting state 5”, the rear is illuminated 20 m, not the front. There may be a way to change the relative distance to the car.
In addition, the light notification means is preferably one that emits laser light, but a spotlight with high visibility may be used. The spotlight is preferably condensed using a reflector or a lens.
Further, instead of emitting the laser beam, existing lights (a headlight, a taillight, a hazard lamp, etc.) and a bumper provided in advance in the vehicle can be illuminated in a form according to the above-described embodiment. In addition, when making a bumper shine, it can implement | achieve by comprising the outer side of a bumper with transparent or semi-transparent resin etc., and incorporating the existing light-emitting bodies, such as a light, in the inside.

Moreover, it is good also as an alerting | reporting means by the sound which can be controlled to a specific range. As the sound notification means, it is preferable to narrow down the sound in a specific direction or range by ultrasonic modulation. It is preferable that the sound notification means is also installed at at least two locations on the front and rear of the vehicle, with the front side beside the headlight and the rear side beside the taillight.
Further, when using sound instead of using light, for example, the interval for sounding is increased in the step corresponding to “light projection state 1” in the second embodiment, and the step corresponding to “light projection state 2”. Then, it is shorter than that, and is further shortened in the step corresponding to the “light projection state 3”. Then, it can be replaced such that the sound corresponding to the “light projecting state 4” is sounded continuously and the sound corresponding to the “light projecting state 5” is not sounded. As the sound notification means, an existing horn or the like provided in advance in the vehicle can be used, or a mechanism for generating sound can be prepared separately.

It is a figure explaining the structure of the alerting | reporting apparatus for vehicles. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the apparatus. It is a figure explaining the alerting | reporting operation | movement to the pedestrian at the time of vehicle advance. It is a figure explaining the alerting | reporting operation | movement to the pedestrian at the time of vehicle reverse. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the 2nd form example of the same apparatus. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the 3rd example of the apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1 Vehicle state detector (startability determination means, travel direction determination means)
2 Notification controller (control means, start possibility determination means, travel direction determination means)
3 Laser beam irradiator (notification means)

Claims (3)

By a start possibility determination means for determining which of the predetermined multiple stages the start possibility of the vehicle, an informing means capable of notifying a person outside the vehicle of the start possibility, and the start possibility determination means A vehicle notification device comprising: a control unit that changes a mode of notification by the notification unit according to a determination result. 2. The vehicle notification according to claim 1, wherein the start possibility determination unit determines the start possibility determination based on at least one of a shift position and a side brake position of the vehicle. apparatus. When the start possibility determination means determines that the start possibility exists, the vehicle further comprises a traveling direction determination means for determining whether the vehicle moves forward or backward, and the notification means controls a position range to be notified. The vehicle notification device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes the position range according to a determination result of the traveling direction determination unit.

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