JP2009104414A - Communication system between pedestrian and vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication system between a pedestrian and a vehicle, which prevents notification of danger from becoming impossible due to shortage in remaining amount of battery in a mobile communication device. <P>SOLUTION: The communication system between a pedestrian and a vehicle comprises: the mobile communication device 10; and a vehicle communication device mounted to a vehicle. The mobile communication device 10 is provided with a remaining amount of battery detection section 12, an acquiring section for acquiring distance between a pedestrian and a vehicle 13, a communication cycle setting section 14, a display and alarm control section 15 and a communication control section 17. The display and alarm control section 15 is provided with a display and alarm condition setting section 16. A communication cycle setting section 17 sets a longer communication cycle than the communication cycle when the remaining amount for the battery is a first prescribed amount or more when the remaining amount for the battery acquired by the remaining amount of the battery detection section 12 is less than the prescribed amount. Thus, since the frequency of the communication can be made lower when the remaining amount of the battery is low, consumed amount of the battery is suppressed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an inter-pedal communication system that performs mutual communication between a portable communication device possessed by a pedestrian and an in-vehicle communication device mounted on a vehicle.

As a conventional inter-vehicle communication system, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, data is transmitted between a pedestrian portable transceiver (mobile communication device) and an in-vehicle device (in-vehicle communication device) mounted on a vehicle. To determine the distance and positional relationship between the vehicle and the pedestrian portable transceiver, find a pedestrian with a high probability of colliding with the vehicle, both the in-vehicle device and the pedestrian portable transceiver or There is known one that can notify danger by notifying either one.
JP 7-306995 A

  However, the above-described conventional technology performs communication at any time between the in-vehicle communication device and the portable communication device, and determines the risk level. If communication is continued to be repeated in this way, the battery of the mobile communication device will continue to be consumed. For this reason, when the remaining battery power is eventually exhausted, communication between the in-vehicle communication device and the portable communication device becomes impossible, and a situation in which it is impossible to notify the degree of danger occurs.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an inter-pedal communication system that can prevent communication between an in-vehicle communication device and a mobile communication device due to a shortage of remaining battery power of the mobile communication device.

  The present invention is an inter-pedestrian communication system that performs communication between an in-vehicle communication device mounted on a vehicle and a portable communication device possessed by a pedestrian, and sets a communication cycle between the in-vehicle communication device and the portable communication device. A communication cycle setting unit; and a detection unit that detects a remaining battery level of the portable communication device. The communication cycle setting unit is configured to detect the remaining battery level when the remaining battery level is less than a first predetermined value. A communication cycle longer than the communication cycle at the above time is set. Here, the pedestrian includes a person riding a bicycle.

  In the inter-vehicle communication system according to the present invention, when the remaining battery level of the mobile communication device is less than the first predetermined value, the communication cycle is longer than the communication cycle when the remaining battery level is equal to or higher than the first predetermined value. Since communication between the in-vehicle communication device and the portable communication device is performed, the frequency of communication can be reduced. As a result, when the battery of the mobile communication device is low, the power consumption of the battery can be suppressed, so that the communication between the in-vehicle communication device and the mobile communication device cannot be performed due to the shortage of the battery remaining, for example, notification of risk information etc. Can be prevented.

  Preferably, distance acquisition means for acquiring information about the distance between the in-vehicle communication device and the portable communication device, and when the distance between the devices is less than a reference value, the risk information is displayed or alarmed on the in-vehicle communication device or the portable communication device. Display / alarm condition setting means for setting display / alarm conditions for performing the operation according to the distance between the devices, and the display / alarm condition setting means is configured to display the battery when the remaining battery level is less than the second predetermined value. It is characterized in that it is determined whether the inter-device distance is less than the reference value using a reference value that is larger than the reference value when the remaining amount is equal to or greater than the second predetermined value.

  In the inter-vehicle communication system according to the present invention, when the battery remaining amount is less than the second predetermined value, the vehicle-mounted communication is performed using a reference value that is larger than the reference value when the battery remaining amount is equal to or greater than the second predetermined value. It is determined whether or not the device-to-device distance between the device and the portable communication device is less than a reference value, and display / alarm conditions for displaying the risk information or performing an alarm are set according to the device-to-device distance. For this reason, when the in-vehicle communication device and the portable communication device become closer, the distance between the devices becomes shorter. When the remaining battery level is less than the second predetermined value, the remaining battery level is higher than the second predetermined value. At an early point, the in-vehicle communication device or the portable communication device is caused to display the danger level information or issue an alarm. Therefore, even when the remaining battery level is low and the frequency of communication between the in-vehicle communication device and the portable communication device is reduced, it is possible to cause the pedestrian or the vehicle driver to take early avoidance action. It becomes possible to solve the problem associated with the decrease in the notification frequency. Note that the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value may be the same value or different values.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it can prevent that communication with a vehicle-mounted communication apparatus and a portable communication apparatus becomes impossible by lack of the battery remaining charge of a portable communication apparatus. As a result, it is possible to sufficiently ensure the safety of the owner of the portable communication device even when the remaining amount of battery of the portable communication device is small.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an inter-vehicle communication system according to the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an inter-pedal communication system according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the inter-pedestrian communication system 1 of the present embodiment includes a mobile communication device 10 owned by a pedestrian 3 (see FIG. 3) and an in-vehicle communication device 20 mounted on the vehicle 2. The mobile communication device 10 and the in-vehicle communication device 20 can perform wireless communication with each other. By transmitting and receiving data related to behavior information such as position information and speed information between the mobile communication device 10 and the in-vehicle communication device 20, the distance and positional relationship between the vehicle 2 and the pedestrian 3 are determined, and the pedestrian 3 and the like. By calculating the degree of risk indicating the possibility of collision with the vehicle 2 and notifying either or both of the in-vehicle communication device 20 and the mobile communication device 10, the danger can be notified. As the mobile communication device 10, it is generally considered that a mobile phone is used. However, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) terminal or a dedicated terminal device may be used.

  When the vehicle 2 starts, the in-vehicle communication device 20 transmits communication data intermittently or continuously using radio waves of a predetermined frequency. The communication data transmitted here includes ID information for uniquely identifying the vehicle 2. When the mobile communication device 10 enters the reachable range of the radio wave transmitted from the in-vehicle communication device 20, the mobile communication device 10 can receive the radio wave transmitted from the in-vehicle communication device 20. The portable communication device 10 transmits communication data including ID information uniquely identifying itself to the in-vehicle communication device 20 by radio waves in order to inform the in-vehicle communication device 20 of the presence of the mobile communication device 10. The in-vehicle communication device 20 can recognize the presence of the mobile communication device 10 together with the ID information when receiving the radio wave transmitted from the mobile communication device 10.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the mobile communication device 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the mobile communication device 10 includes a transmission / reception unit 11, a battery remaining amount detection unit 12, an inter-pedestrian distance acquisition unit 13, a communication cycle setting unit 14, a display / alarm control unit 15, a communication A control unit 17, an alarm unit 18, and a display unit 19 are provided. In addition, the display / alarm control unit 15 includes a display / alarm condition setting unit 16.

  The transmission / reception unit 11 transmits / receives information to / from the in-vehicle communication device 20. Here, the information received from the in-vehicle communication device 20 includes an inter-pedestrian distance L indicating the distance between the pedestrian 3 carrying the mobile communication device 10 and the vehicle 2 in which the in-vehicle communication device 20 is mounted (FIG. 3). reference). In addition, the transmission / reception unit 11 sends the received information about the inter-pedal distance L to the inter-pedal distance acquisition unit 13.

  The battery remaining amount detection unit 12 detects the remaining amount of battery power (battery remaining amount) included in the mobile communication device 10. Further, the remaining battery level detection unit 12 sends the detected remaining battery level to the communication cycle setting unit 14 and the display / alarm condition setting unit 16.

  The inter-pedestrian distance acquisition unit 13 acquires information about the inter-pedal distance L sent from the transmission / reception unit 11. This inter-pedal distance L is measured by, for example, a millimeter wave radar mounted on the vehicle 2. The inter-step distance acquisition unit 13 sends the inter-step distance L to the communication cycle setting unit 14 and the display / alarm control unit 15.

  The communication cycle setting unit 14 sets a communication cycle of communication performed between the mobile communication device 10 and the in-vehicle communication device 20 based on the remaining battery capacity and the inter-pedestrian distance L acquired from the inter-pedestrian distance acquiring unit 13. . In addition, the communication cycle setting unit 14 sends the set communication cycle to the communication control unit 17. The communication cycle setting unit 14 stores in advance the relationship between the inter-pedal distance L and the communication cycle set according to the inter-pedal distance L. In the following, the relationship between the remaining battery capacity and the inter-pedal distance L and the communication cycle will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4B is a graph showing the relationship between the inter-pedal distance L and the communication cycle, where the horizontal axis is the inter-step distance L and the vertical axis is the communication period. Here, the communication cycle set when the remaining battery level is equal to or higher than the predetermined value is shown as a curve t1, and the communication cycle set when the remaining battery level is lower than the predetermined value is shown as a curve t2. For example, when walking the inter-vehicle distance L is d _1, the communication cycle when the battery remaining amount is equal to or higher than the predetermined value becomes p _11, the communication cycle when the battery remaining amount is less than the predetermined value is p _21. In this way, a longer communication cycle is set when the battery remaining amount is less than the predetermined value as compared to when the battery remaining amount is greater than or equal to the predetermined value.

  The display / alarm control unit 15 refers to the display / alarm conditions set by the display / alarm condition setting unit 16 and sets the alarm level based on the inter-pedal distance L. Then, the display / alarm control unit 15 causes the display unit 19 or the alarm unit 18 to display risk information or an alarm according to the set alarm level. This risk level information alerts the driver of the vehicle 2 and the pedestrian 3 because the pedestrian 3 who owns the mobile communication device 10 and the vehicle 2 equipped with the in-vehicle communication device 20 are approaching. Is to do. In addition, this alarm indicates that the distance between the vehicle 2 on which the in-vehicle communication device 10 is mounted and the pedestrian 3 who owns the mobile communication device 10 is close and there is a high possibility that the two will collide. It is for letting a person and a pedestrian 3 know. Further, the display / alarm controller 15 sends the risk information or information indicating that an alarm should be issued to the communication controller 17. Below, the relationship between the battery remaining amount, the distance L between pedestrians, and the alarm level will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4A is a graph showing the relationship between the inter-pedal distance L and the alarm level set according to the inter-pedal distance L, with the horizontal axis as the inter-step distance L and the vertical axis as the alarm level. . Here, the alarm level set when the remaining battery level is equal to or higher than a predetermined value is shown as a curve v1, and the alarm level set when the remaining battery level is lower than a predetermined value is shown as a curve v2. When the alarm level is A1 or more and less than A2, the danger level information is displayed on the display unit 19. Further, when the alarm level is A2 or higher, an alarm is given by the alarm unit 18. For example, when the battery remaining amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the risk information is displayed on the display unit 19 when the inter-pedal distance L becomes d ₄ (point a ₁₄ ). On the other hand, when the battery remaining amount is less than the predetermined value, step inter-vehicle distance L is displayed risk information by the display unit 19 becomes d ₃ is performed (point a _23). Thus, the danger level information is displayed at an earlier time when the battery remaining amount is less than the predetermined value compared to when the remaining battery amount is greater than or equal to the predetermined value.

  The communication control unit 17 causes the transmission / reception unit 11 to communicate with the in-vehicle communication device 20 based on the communication cycle acquired from the communication cycle setting unit 14.

  The alarm unit 18 emits an alarm sound based on the control performed by the display / alarm control unit 15. The display unit 19 displays risk information based on the control performed by the display / alarm control unit 15.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure executed by the mobile communication device 10.

  First, in step S <b> 1, the remaining battery level detection unit 12 detects the remaining battery level and sends the detected remaining battery level to the communication cycle setting unit 14 and the display / alarm condition setting unit 16.

  Subsequently, in step S <b> 2, the communication cycle setting unit 14 and the display / alarm condition setting unit 16 determine whether the remaining battery level acquired from the remaining battery level detection unit 12 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. If the remaining battery level is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S3. If the remaining battery level is less than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S4.

  In step S <b> 3, the communication cycle setting unit 14 sets the communication cycle setting condition to a normal condition used when the remaining battery level is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Setting the normal condition in this way corresponds to setting the relationship between the inter-pedal distance L and the communication cycle to the curve t1 in the graph of FIG. 4B, for example. The display / alarm condition setting unit 16 sets the alarm level setting condition to a normal condition used when the remaining battery level is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. Setting the normal condition in this way corresponds to setting the relationship between the inter-pedal distance L and the alarm level to the curve v1 in the graph of FIG. 4A, for example.

  On the other hand, in step S4, the communication cycle setting unit 14 sets the communication cycle setting condition to the low remaining amount condition used when the remaining battery level is less than a predetermined value. Setting the low remaining amount condition in this way corresponds to setting the relationship between the inter-pedal distance L and the communication cycle to the curve t2 in the graph of FIG. 4B, for example. In addition, the display / alarm condition setting unit 16 sets the alarm level setting condition to a low remaining amount condition used when the remaining battery level is less than a predetermined value. Setting the low remaining amount condition in this way corresponds to setting the relationship between the inter-pedal distance L and the alarm level to the curve v2 in the graph of FIG. 4A, for example.

  The predetermined value used for determining the remaining battery level in step S2 may be different between the communication cycle setting unit 14 and the display / alarm condition setting unit 16. In this case, as a result of the determination process in step S2, one of the communication cycle setting unit 14 and the display / alarm condition setting unit 16 performs the setting process in step S3, and the other performs the setting process in step S4. May be.

  In step S <b> 5, the transmission / reception unit 11 communicates with the in-vehicle communication device 20 according to the set communication cycle, and receives the inter-pedal distance L from the in-vehicle communication device 20. Further, the transmission / reception unit 11 sends the received inter-pedal distance L to the inter-pedal distance acquisition unit 13.

  Subsequently, in step S <b> 6, the inter-pedestrian distance acquisition unit 13 acquires the inter-pedal distance L sent from the transmission / reception unit 11.

  In step S <b> 7, the display / alarm condition setting unit 16 determines whether or not the inter-pedal distance L acquired from the inter-pedal distance acquisition unit 13 satisfies the alarm condition. For example, in the graph of FIG. 4A, this determination process is a process of determining whether or not the alarm level corresponding to the acquired inter-pedal distance L is A2 or higher. If the alarm condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S8. If the alarm condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S9.

  In step S <b> 8, the display / alarm control unit 15 causes the alarm unit 18 to perform an alarm. Thus, when the warning unit 18 issues a warning, the pedestrian 3 can recognize that the possibility of collision with the vehicle 2 is high.

  On the other hand, in step S <b> 9, the display / alarm condition setting unit 16 determines whether or not the inter-pedal distance L acquired from the inter-pedal distance acquiring unit 13 satisfies the display condition. For example, in the graph of FIG. 4A, this determination process is a process of determining whether or not the alarm level corresponding to the acquired inter-pedal distance L is not less than A1 and less than A2. If the display condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S10. If the display condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S11.

  In step S10, the display / alarm control unit 15 causes the display unit 19 to display the risk level information. Thus, when the display unit 19 displays the risk level information, the pedestrian 3 can recognize that the vehicle 2 is approaching and take an avoidance action.

  Subsequently, in step S11, the communication cycle setting unit 14 sets a communication cycle according to the normal condition or the low remaining amount condition. In the communication cycle setting process, for example, in FIG. 4B, either the normal condition (curve t1) set in step S3 or the low remaining amount condition (curve t2) set in step S4 is used. It is done. That is, the communication cycle setting unit 14 acquires the communication cycle corresponding to the inter-pedal distance L acquired from the inter-pedal distance acquisition unit 13 according to the curve t1 or t2. Then, the communication cycle setting unit 14 sends the set communication cycle to the communication control unit 17. The communication control unit 17 performs the next communication (step S5) with the mobile communication device 10 according to the acquired communication cycle.

  In the above, the communication cycle setting unit 14 and the processes of steps S2 to S4 and S11 shown in FIG. 5 constitute a communication cycle setting means for setting the communication cycle between the in-vehicle communication device and the portable communication device. The remaining battery level detection unit 12 and the process of step S1 shown in FIG. 5 constitute detection means for detecting the remaining battery level of the mobile communication device. The inter-pedal distance acquisition unit 13 and the process of step S6 shown in FIG. 5 constitute distance acquisition means for acquiring the inter-device distance between the in-vehicle communication device and the portable communication device. The display / alarm condition setting unit 16 and the processing of steps S2 to S4 shown in FIG. 5 are displays for displaying risk information or warning on the in-vehicle communication device or portable communication device when the distance between the devices is less than the reference value. -Configure display / alarm condition setting means to set alarm conditions according to the distance between devices.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the relationship between the inter-pedal distance L and the communication cycle is changed according to the remaining battery level of the mobile communication device 10, and in particular, the remaining battery level is less than a predetermined value. In this case, a longer communication cycle is set than when the remaining battery level is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Since the communication cycle is set in this way, when the remaining battery capacity is low, it is possible to suppress battery power consumption due to communication between the mobile communication device 10 and the in-vehicle communication device 20. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the mobile communication device 10 from being disabled due to a shortage of the remaining battery power.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the relationship between the inter-pedal distance L and the alarm level is changed according to the remaining battery level of the mobile communication device 10, and particularly when the remaining battery level is less than a predetermined value, A higher alarm level is set than when the remaining battery level is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. Since the alarm level is set in this way, if the inter-pedal distance L becomes shorter as the vehicle 2 and the owner of the mobile communication device 10 approach, the remaining battery level is lower when the remaining battery level is less than the predetermined value. The danger level information is displayed at a time earlier than the predetermined value or more. For this reason, even if it is a case where the communication frequency of the portable communication apparatus 10 and the vehicle-mounted communication apparatus 20 is decreased, it becomes possible to solve the problem accompanying the decrease in the communication frequency. Accordingly, it is possible to sufficiently ensure the safety of the owner of the mobile communication device 10.

  In the present embodiment, the inter-pedal distance L is acquired by the millimeter wave radar mounted on the vehicle, but is not particularly limited to this aspect. For example, the mobile communication device 10 may calculate the inter-pedal distance L based on the position information of the vehicle 2 received from the in-vehicle communication device 20 and the position information of the mobile communication device 10. In this case, the position information of the mobile communication device 10 and the position information of the vehicle 2 can be acquired by a GPS device or the like, respectively.

  In the present embodiment, the display / alarm control unit 15 controls the display unit 19 and the alarm unit 18 to display the danger level information and perform the alarm. However, the present invention is not limited to this mode. For example, the mobile communication device 10 may be configured to transmit risk level information, information indicating that an alarm should be issued, or information regarding an alarm level to the in-vehicle communication device 20 via the transmission / reception unit 11. By setting it as such an aspect, the vehicle-mounted communication apparatus 20 becomes possible to display or alert | report warning information to the driver | operator of the vehicle 2 based on the received information.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the processing shown in steps S1 to S11 in FIG. 5 is performed by each functional unit of the mobile communication device 10, but the present invention is not limited to this mode. Each function unit corresponding to the communication cycle setting unit 14, the display / alarm control unit 15, the display / alarm condition setting unit 16, and the communication control unit 17 included in the mobile communication device 10 is provided in the in-vehicle communication device 20. Alternatively, processing corresponding to the processing shown in steps S1 to S11 in FIG. 5 may be executed.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the communication system between steps based on this invention. It is a block diagram of the portable communication apparatus shown in FIG. It is the figure which showed the distance (distance between pedestrians) of a vehicle and the owner of a portable communication apparatus. It is the figure which showed the relationship between the distance between pedestrians and a communication cycle, and the relationship between the distance between pedestrians and an alarm level. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence which the portable communication apparatus shown in FIG. 2 performs.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Inter-walk communication system, 10 ... Portable communication apparatus, 11 ... Transmission / reception part (detection means, distance acquisition means), 12 ... Battery remaining charge detection part (detection means), 13 ... Inter-step distance acquisition part (distance acquisition means) , 14 ... Communication cycle setting section (communication cycle setting means), 15 ... Display / alarm control section (display / alarm condition setting means), 16 ... Display / alarm condition setting section (display / alarm condition setting means), 17 ... Communication Control unit (communication cycle setting means), 18 ... alarm unit, 19 ... display unit, 20 ... in-vehicle communication device.

Claims (2)

An inter-pedestrian communication system that performs communication between an in-vehicle communication device mounted on a vehicle and a portable communication device possessed by a pedestrian,
Communication cycle setting means for setting a communication cycle between the in-vehicle communication device and the portable communication device;
Detecting means for detecting a remaining battery capacity of the mobile communication device;
The communication cycle setting means sets a communication cycle longer than the communication cycle when the remaining battery level is equal to or higher than the first predetermined value when the remaining battery level is less than a first predetermined value. To walk-to-vehicle communication system. Distance acquisition means for acquiring information on the distance between the in-vehicle communication device and the portable communication device;
Display / alarm conditions for setting display / alarm conditions for displaying risk information or warning on the in-vehicle communication device or the portable communication device according to the inter-device distance when the inter-device distance is less than a reference value Further comprising setting means,
The display / alarm condition setting means uses a reference value larger than a reference value when the remaining battery level is equal to or higher than the second predetermined value when the remaining battery level is less than a second predetermined value. The inter-pedestrian communication system according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not the inter-device distance is less than a reference value.

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