JP2013097721A - Traffic signal information providing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a driver of a vehicle to proactively perform driving operations on the basis of a travel plan which the driver has determined with respect to the possibility that the vehicle can pass through traffic signals.SOLUTION: Ring-shaped rotating bodies K (K1, K2, and K3) for showing the possibility that a vehicle can pass through traffic signals are displayed on a display 10. The time required for one revolution of each ring-shaped rotating body K is made equal to the time of one cycle being one round of all cyclic indication states of a traffic signal. A green light area α1 having a peripheral length according with a green light time proportion of the traffic signal is set to the ring-shaped rotating body K. A center of the front of the ring-shaped rotating body K corresponds to an indication state of the traffic signal at the present time.

Description

  The present invention relates to a signal information providing apparatus.

  A traffic light is installed at the intersection of the road, and according to the display of this traffic light (for example, blue, red, or yellow), the vehicle should pass through the intersection with the traffic light or stop in front of it. become.

  Recently, various types of information for driving support have been provided to the vehicle (the driver). Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228667 discloses a vehicle that provides the vehicle with the remaining time of the current display state in the traffic light (time until switching from the current display state to the next display state). Patent Document 2 discloses providing a recommended speed for enabling safe driving on a curve or the like.

JP 2007-170864 A JP 2005-234758 A

  By the way, it is important for the driver to know whether or not he / she can pass an intersection in the traveling direction of his / her vehicle, for example, while maintaining the current vehicle speed, as a part of the traveling plan, particularly a near future traveling plan. . However, since the thing of patent document 1 only provides the remaining time until the display state of a traffic signal switches, it becomes difficult to utilize effectively for a travel plan. In addition, it is conceivable to apply the technique described in Patent Document 2 to provide the driver with a recommended speed that can pass through the next traffic light (where there is an intersection). In this case, the recommended speed is compelled. Such a feeling is given to the driver, which is not preferable in that the driver performs the driving operation.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to allow the driver to perform driving operation based on the driving plan determined by the driver in relation to the possibility of passing traffic lights. An object of the present invention is to provide a signal information providing apparatus which can be used.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, basically, a ring-shaped rotating body is displayed to provide information on the display state of the traffic signal to the driver. The time for one rotation of the ring-shaped rotating body is associated with the time for one cycle in which all the display states of the traffic light are switched. Further, the ring-shaped rotator is displayed so as to identify the length corresponding to the blue display time ratio of the traffic light. In addition to the above, the front center portion of the ring-shaped rotating body corresponds to the current display state of the traffic light (time synchronism).

Specifically, the following solution is adopted in the present invention. That is, as described in claim 1 in the claims,
A signal information providing device that provides information on the possibility of passing a traffic light in the traveling direction of the host vehicle to the driver of the host vehicle,
A display means for displaying the ring-shaped rotating body;
The ring-shaped rotating body is displayed so as to make one rotation in one cycle time until the traffic light changes from blue to blue again,
In the ring-shaped rotating body, a blue corresponding region having a circumferential length according to a blue display time ratio of the traffic light with respect to the time of the one cycle is set.
The ring-shaped rotator is displayed such that the current traffic light display state is located at the front center portion thereof.
It is like that. According to the above solution, the driver grasps the rotational speed of the ring-shaped rotating body while grasping the positional relationship between the blue display area in the ring-shaped rotating body and the front center portion of the ring-shaped rotating body. The possibility of passing traffic lights can be grasped intuitively. This allows the driver to drive while maintaining the current vehicle speed when it is determined that the traffic signal is likely to pass through, or to decelerate early when it is determined that the vehicle cannot pass even if the speed is slightly increased. Based on the travel plan determined by the driver himself, it is possible to perform a driving operation independently. This is also preferable in preventing or suppressing a situation in which sudden stop or acceleration is performed unnecessarily.

  A preferred mode based on the above solution is as follows.

  A plurality of the ring-shaped rotating bodies are displayed side by side so as to correspond to a plurality of traffic lights that are in the closest order in the traveling direction of the host vehicle (corresponding to claim 2). In this case, it is preferable to intuitively grasp the possibility of passing through a plurality of traffic lights in the traveling direction, determine the traveling plan far ahead, and perform an appropriate driving operation accordingly. It will be a thing. For example, if it is determined that the possibility of passing the next traffic light is high, but the possibility of passing the next traffic light is extremely low, for example, a replacement of a music CD is planned in preparation for stopping at the next traffic light. It is extremely preferable in terms of planning mainly a long time ahead, such as planning a change of the guidance route in the navigation device, and appropriately performing the driving operation accordingly.

  The plurality of ring-shaped rotating bodies are displayed in series so as to have an interval corresponding to the distance between the plurality of traffic lights (corresponding to claim 3). In this case, it is preferable to determine a travel plan that is considerably farther in consideration of the traffic light interval and to promote a more appropriate driving operation.

  When the ring-shaped rotating body travels while maintaining the current vehicle speed, the ring-shaped rotating body is displayed in blue when it can pass through the traffic light, and is displayed in red when it cannot pass. (Corresponding to claim 4). In this case, it is possible to clearly know the possibility of passing the traffic lights by the color-coded display.

The ring-shaped rotating body has a cut in its circumferential direction,
The circumferential length between one end and the other end of the cut is the length of the blue display area,
(Corresponding to claim 5). In this case, a space called a cut set in the ring-shaped rotating body acts intuitively on being able to pass, and is extremely preferable as a display showing the possibility of passing.

In addition to the blue display area, the ring-shaped rotating body has a red display area having a circumferential length corresponding to the red display time ratio of the traffic light and a circumferential length corresponding to the yellow display time ratio of the traffic light. Yellow display area is set,
The blue display area is displayed in blue, the red-blue display area is displayed in red, and the yellow display area is displayed in yellow;
(Corresponding to claim 6). In this case, the possibility of passage of the traffic light can be known in correspondence with the blue, red, and yellow display of the actual traffic light.

  The diameter of the ring-shaped rotating body is displayed so as to be larger than when it is low when there is a high possibility of passing through a traffic light when traveling with the current vehicle speed maintained. (Corresponding to claim 7). In this case, the possibility of passage of the traffic light can be clearly recognized visually by the size of the diameter of the ring-shaped rotating body.

  The width of the ring-shaped rotating body is displayed so as to increase as the width of the intersection road at the traffic light installation position increases (corresponding to claim 8). In this case, the scale of the intersection road can be intuitively known by looking at the width of the ring-shaped rotating body.

  When there is a high possibility of stopping at a specific traffic signal, the ring-shaped rotating body corresponding to the traffic signal ahead of the specific traffic signal is not displayed or is in a ring shape corresponding to the specific traffic signal. The display is made to be less noticeable than the display of the rotating body (corresponding to claim 9). In this case, the ring-shaped rotating body that is less likely to be involved in the driver's proactive driving plan is hidden or displayed inconspicuously so that the driver's attention is directed to other ring-shaped rotating bodies. Preferred above.

  The rotation direction of the ring-shaped rotating body corresponding to the traffic light having a low possibility of passing is set to be opposite to the rotation direction of the other ring-shaped rotating bodies (corresponding to claim 10). In this case, it is possible to clearly know the possibility of passing the traffic light according to the rotation direction of the ring-shaped rotating body.

The plurality of ring-shaped rotating bodies are displayed in series so that their centers are located on the same straight line extending in a substantially vertical direction,
The host vehicle position is displayed on the same axis on the display means.
(Corresponding to claim 11). In this case, the distance relationship between the own vehicle position and the traffic signal position is clarified, which is preferable for more intuitively and clearly recognizing the possibility of passing through the traffic signal.

  According to the speed of the host vehicle, the approach speed of the plurality of ring-shaped rotating bodies with respect to the display position of the host vehicle is displayed so as to change (corresponding to claim 12). In this case, the relationship between the host vehicle position and the traffic signal position becomes clearer, which is preferable for more intuitively and clearly recognizing the possibility of passing through the traffic signal.

  According to the present invention, by letting the driver intuitively grasp the possibility of passing a traffic light, a main driving operation can be performed based on the travel plan determined by the driver himself.

The figure which shows the vehicle and traffic information base station to which this invention was applied. The cycle figure which shows switching of the display state of a traffic light. The figure which shows the example of a display of a ring-shaped rotary body. The figure which shows another example of a display of a ring-shaped rotary body. The figure which shows the example of a display which showed the some ring-shaped rotary body according to the some signal apparatus with the own vehicle position. The figure which shows an example when distinguishing the passage possibility of a traffic light with the color given to a ring-shaped rotary body. The figure which shows an example when distinguishing the passage possibility of a traffic light by the length of the cut set to the ring-shaped rotary body. The figure which shows an example when distinguishing the passage possibility of a traffic light by the magnitude | size of the diameter of a ring-shaped rotary body. The figure which shows the example of a display of the ring-shaped rotary body corresponding to the traffic signal ahead of the traffic signal with low possibility of passage. The figure which shows the example which showed the magnitude | size of the intersection road with the width | variety of a ring-shaped rotary body. The figure which shows the example which reversely rotates the ring-shaped rotary body corresponding to the traffic signal with low possibility of passage. The figure which shows an example when passing possibility is shown by another display. The figure which shows another example when passing possibility is shown by another display. The figure which shows an example when a ring-shaped rotary body is displayed about the some signal apparatus along the guidance path | route containing a curve. The figure which shows an example which displayed the passable speed range about a some signal apparatus. The figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the signal set to several routes and each route. The figure which shows the example which displayed the some ring-shaped rotary body about the some route, respectively. The block diagram which shows the example of a control system in the case of displaying a ring-shaped rotary body using a navigation apparatus. The flowchart which shows the example of control which displays a ring-shaped rotary body.

  In FIG. 1, V is a vehicle (own vehicle), CC is a traffic base station, and A is a traffic light. Although there are actually many traffic lights A, only one representative is shown in FIG. The traffic base station CC centrally manages display state information regarding a large number of traffic lights A, in particular, information relating to one cycle time of the signal display state, display time and display time of each display state. Specifically, for example, when the traffic signal A can be sequentially changed (switched) among three types of display states of blue display (blue lighting), red display (red lighting), and yellow display (yellow lighting). For example, information about one cycle time from the start of blue display to blue display again, the time of each color display, and the display time (for example, display start time or display end time) is centrally managed. For this reason, between the traffic lights A and the traffic base station CC, information related to the display state is exchanged by wire or wirelessly.

  The vehicle V is equipped with a known navigation device NB. In the embodiment, information on the display state of the traffic light A using the ring-shaped rotating body is displayed on the display (display screen) of the navigation sending NB, as will be described later.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of how the display state of the traffic light A changes. In the example of FIG. 2, at time t1, the display is blue, and when time t2 is reached, the blue display is switched to yellow display, and when time t3 is reached, the yellow display is switched to red display, and time t4 is reached. When it becomes, it is switched to blue display again. The time from the time t1 to the time t4 is a time of one cycle in which all the display states go around.

  FIG. 3 shows a display example of the ring-shaped rotating body K for the traffic light A that is switched in the manner shown in FIG. The ring-shaped rotator K is shown in a perspective view in which a belt-like body is rounded into a circular shape. The total circumferential length of the ring-shaped rotating body K corresponds to the time of one cycle of the traffic light A (t4-t1 in FIG. 2). A plurality of (three in the embodiment) display areas α1, α2, and α3 having the length of the time ratio of each display state of the traffic light A are set in the circumferential direction of the ring-shaped rotating body K. . The display area α1 corresponds to blue display, and the circumferential length thereof corresponds to the ratio of blue display time (t2−t1 in FIG. 2). That is, the circumferential length ratio is (t2-t1) / (t4-t1). Similarly, the display area α2 corresponds to yellow display, and the circumferential length thereof corresponds to the ratio of yellow display time (t3-t2 in FIG. 2). The display area α3 corresponds to red display, and the circumferential length thereof corresponds to the ratio of red display time (t4-t3 in FIG. 2). In the example of FIG. 3, the blue display area α1 is displayed in blue, the yellow display area α2 is displayed in yellow, and the red display area α3 is displayed in red.

  In the embodiment, the ring-shaped rotator K as shown in FIG. 3 is shown as a flat shape in a perspective view, and is displayed so as to be symmetric with respect to a center line O extending in the vertical direction. Then, the ring-shaped rotating body K is rotated and displayed so as to rotate once in the time of one cycle of the traffic light A (in the example of FIG. 3, it rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow). Then, the position of the center line O is associated with the display state of the traffic light A at the current time in time synchronization. In the case of FIG. 3, since the red display area α3 is located on the center line O at the current time, it is indicated that the traffic light A is currently red. In the example of FIG. 3, at the position of the center line O that is the current time, the red display area α3 is almost over, and the blue display area α1 is soon positioned on the center line O (switches to blue display soon). ) Is understood. By visually observing the rotating ring-shaped rotating body K displayed on the display, the driver of the vehicle V can intuitively recognize the switching timing of the display state of the traffic light A and use it for the subsequent travel plan. Become. An index δ for clearly indicating the current time position may be displayed separately, or this index δ may not be displayed separately. Further, the current time position may be indicated by a clearly displayed center line O, or the center line O may not be displayed.

  FIG. 4 shows another display example of the ring-shaped rotating body K. In this example, a cut 1 (a place where no belt-like body exists) is set in the ring-shaped rotating body K, and the circumferential length of the cut 1 (the circumferential length between one end and the other end of the cut 1). Corresponds to the length of the blue display area α1. The ring-shaped rotator K is entirely colorless or single color (preferably a color different from the color used in the traffic light A, such as white). That is, in the example of FIG. 4, the blue display area α1 that can pass through the traffic light A can be highlighted and displayed (since the driver wants to know whether or not the traffic light A can pass through). In the case of FIG. 4 as well, the ring-shaped rotating body K is shown in a flat shape in a perspective view, and is displayed so as to be symmetric with respect to the center line O that is the current axial position. Then, an index δ indicating the current time position is displayed at the front center of the ring-shaped rotator K, and the position of the index δ is associated with the display state of the traffic light A at the current time. In the case of FIG. 4, it is understood that at the current time, the traffic light A is displayed in blue and is soon near the end of the blue display.

  FIG. 5 shows an example in which the ring-shaped rotating bodies K1 to K3 corresponding to the plurality of traffic lights A1, A2, and A3 are displayed on the display 10 of the navigation device NB. That is, the position display of the vehicle V is displayed with the symbol β on the map displayed on the display 10. And among the traffic lights in the running direction (in front) on the running road that is currently running, a predetermined number (three in the embodiment) of traffic lights are A1, A2, and A3. ing. The ring-shaped rotator for the nearest traffic light A1 is denoted by K1, the ring-shaped rotator for the first traffic light A2 is denoted by K2, and the ring-shaped rotator for the third closest traffic light A3 is denoted by symbol K3. Indicated. The display state of each of the ring-shaped rotators K1 to K3 corresponds to FIG. 3 (the display area is color-coded by three colors of blue, yellow, and red).

  Each of the ring-shaped rotating bodies K1 to K3 is shown in a flat shape (perspective view) so as to be symmetrical with respect to the center line O. Of course, the position of the center line O corresponds to the current time. And each ring-shaped rotary body K1-K3 is rotated in the arrow direction centering on the centerline O, respectively. Of course, the time for one rotation of the ring-shaped rotating body K1 is the time for one cycle of the corresponding traffic light A1. Similarly, the time for one rotation of the ring-shaped rotating body K2 is the time for one cycle of the corresponding traffic light A2, and the time for one rotation of the ring-shaped rotating body K3 is the time for one cycle of the corresponding traffic light A3. . Depending on the difference in the time of one cycle between the traffic lights A1 to A3, the time required for one rotation of the ring-shaped rotating bodies K1 to K3 is different.

  The positions of the ring-shaped rotating bodies K1 to K3 are positions corresponding to the positions of the traffic lights A1 to A3. That is, the interval between the ring-shaped rotating bodies K1 and K2 is set according to the actual distance between the traffic lights A1 and A2. Similarly, the interval between the ring-shaped rotating bodies K2 and K3 is set according to the actual distance between the traffic lights A2 and A3. A vehicle position display γ indicating the position of the vehicle V is displayed on the most front side of the center line O, and the interval between the vehicle position display γ and the ring-shaped rotating body K1 is set so that the vehicle V and the traffic light. It depends on the actual distance from A1. Then, for example, the position of the vehicle position display γ is unchanged, and the ring-shaped rotating bodies K1 to K3 approach toward the vehicle display position γ at a speed according to the vehicle V traveling toward the traffic light A1. Is displayed.

  In the embodiment, it is set so that a predetermined number (three in the embodiment) of ring-shaped rotating bodies is always displayed. That is, when the vehicle V passes the traffic light A1, the display of the ring-shaped rotating body K1 corresponding to the traffic light A1 is erased. That is, the ring-shaped rotating body K2 corresponding to the traffic light A2 is displayed at a position closest to the vehicle position display γ. Then, a traffic light (not shown) that comes after the traffic light A3 is newly displayed.

  The driver of the vehicle V can intuitively determine the possibility of passing the closest traffic light A1 by visually observing the ring-shaped rotating body K1. In addition to this, the possibility of passing through the traffic lights A2 and A3 can be intuitively determined by visually observing the ring-shaped rotating bodies K2 and K3. As a result, the driver independently makes a travel plan considering the possibility of passing through the plurality of traffic lights, and performs the subsequent driving operation.

  Next, various display methods of the ring-shaped rotating body will be described with reference to FIGS. First, in FIG. 6, the ring-shaped rotating body K shows the blue display region α1 with the cut 1 as in the case shown in FIG. The ring-shaped rotator K is displayed in a single color as a whole, but the color display is changed depending on the possibility of passage of the traffic light. That is, on the assumption that the current vehicle speed is maintained, the ring-shaped rotating body K is displayed in blue as a whole when there is a high possibility of passing through the traffic light. When the possibility of passing through the traffic light is medium, the ring-shaped rotating body K is displayed in yellow as a whole. Furthermore, when the possibility of passing through the traffic light is low, the ring-shaped rotating body K is displayed in red as a whole. Thus, by changing the color of the ring-shaped rotating body K as a whole, the possibility of passing the traffic light can be more intuitively determined.

  In FIG. 7, when the blue display area α <b> 1 is indicated by the cut line 1, the length of the cut line 1 is corrected in accordance with the magnitude of the possibility of passage of the traffic light. First, when the possibility of passing is medium, as shown in FIG. 7B, the length of the cut 1 is not corrected (basic length). When the possibility of passage is low, as shown in FIG. 7A, the cut length 1 is corrected to be shorter than the basic length. When there is a high possibility of passage, correction is made so that the length of the cut 1 is longer than the basic length, as shown in FIG. With this setting, the driver can more intuitively determine the possibility of passing the traffic light by looking at the length of the cut 1.

  In FIG. 8, when the blue display area α <b> 1 is indicated by the cut line 1, the size of the ring-shaped rotating body K is corrected according to the size of the possibility of passing the traffic light. When the possibility of passing is medium, as shown in FIG. 8B, the diameter and width of the ring-shaped rotating body K (the width of the strip-shaped body) are set as basic sizes. When the possibility of passing is low, as shown in FIG. 8A, the basic size is corrected so that both the diameter and the width become smaller. When the possibility of passing is high, as shown in FIG. 8C, both the diameter and the width are increased with respect to the basic size. Only the diameter or the width may be changed according to the possibility of passage.

  In FIG. 9, when displaying a plurality of ring-shaped rotating bodies K1 to K3 as shown in FIG. 5, the display of the ring-shaped rotating body K corresponding to a traffic signal farther away than a traffic signal having a low possibility of passing is erased or conspicuous. It is made to disappear. That is, in the example of FIG. 9, since the traffic possibility of the traffic light A2 is low, the display of the ring-shaped rotating body K3 corresponding to the traffic light A3 passing thereafter is deleted (no display) or another ring-shaped rotation is performed. The display is less conspicuous than the bodies K1 and K2 (as the inconspicuous display, for example, it is displayed lightly or the outline is displayed with a broken line).

  FIG. 10 shows an example in which the size (width) of an intersection that intersects at an intersection with a traffic light is displayed using a ring-shaped rotating body K. That is, when the size of the crossing road is one lane on one side, the width of the ring-shaped rotating body K is set to the basic width as shown in FIG. When the size of the intersection is three lanes on one side, as shown in FIG. 10B, the width of the ring-shaped rotating body K is set to be three times the basic width. In this case, three ring-shaped rotating bodies having a basic width are arranged with a small interval so that the number of lanes becomes clear. Although illustration is omitted, in the case of two lanes on one side, two ring-shaped rotating bodies K having a basic width may be displayed side by side with a small interval. In addition, you may make it enlarge the width | variety of a ring-shaped rotary body, so that there are many lanes, without leaving a micro space | interval.

  FIG. 11 shows a case where the possibility of passing a traffic light is indicated by the rotation direction of the ring-shaped rotating body. That is, when the possibility of passage is high or moderate (that is, when the possibility of passage is not low), the ring-shaped rotating body K is rotated in the basic direction as shown in FIG. On the other hand, the ring-shaped rotating body K corresponding to the traffic signal having a low possibility of passing is rotated in the direction opposite to the basic direction. The driver can intuitively and immediately determine the possibility of passing the traffic light by looking at the rotation direction of the ring-shaped rotating body K.

  12 and 13 show an example in which auxiliary information regarding the possibility of passing a traffic light is displayed alongside the ring-shaped rotating body K. That is, in the case of FIG. 12, an auxiliary display 11 is displayed on the side of the ring-shaped rotator K to the effect that the traffic light can be passed if the current speed is maintained. The auxiliary display 11 is, for example, a character display that “a signal can pass at this speed”. In the example of FIG. 13, an auxiliary indicator lamp (pilot lamp) 12 capable of selectively displaying red and blue is displayed on the side of the ring-shaped rotating body K. That is, when the traffic signal is highly likely to pass, the auxiliary indicator lamp 12 is lit in blue, and when the traffic possibility is low, the auxiliary indicator lamp 12 is lit in red. When the possibility of passing is medium, both blue and red are turned off.

  FIG. 14 shows a case in which the traffic light A3 appears after making a right turn among the traffic lights A1 to A3. That is, in FIG. 14, when the vehicle V (the position on the display of the vehicle V is indicated by the symbol β) is routed toward the destination, according to the route guidance, turn right at the position of the traffic light A2 (intersection). After that, the traffic light A3 is installed. In this case, a direction change mark 13 (a right turn mark in the case of FIG. 14) is displayed beside the ring-shaped rotating body K3 corresponding to the traffic light A3. Thereby, the driver can intuitively understand that the traffic light A3 is after the right turn. Although FIG. 14 shows the case of a right turn, the direction change mark 13 is displayed in a direction away from the currently traveling road, for example, a left turn, Diagonal right direction, diagonal left direction, etc. In addition, in FIG. 14, while corresponding to the ring-shaped rotary bodies K1 to K3, a travel path display D corresponding to the travel path of the vehicle V is displayed symbolically, and beside the travel path display D, Signal indications A1 'to A3' corresponding to the signals A1 to A3 are performed.

  FIG. 15 shows a case where the speed range of the vehicle V that can pass through a plurality of traffic lights is displayed. That is, in the ring-shaped rotating body K, the cut 1 indicates the blue display region α1, and a state in which the speed display body 14 (band-shaped arrow in the embodiment) having a certain width passes through the plurality of cuts 1 is shown. . In this case, the right end of the width of the speed indicator 14 indicates the upper limit speed, and the left end of the width indicates the lower limit speed. That is, the larger the width of the speed indicator 14, the wider the allowable range of speed that can pass through the plurality of traffic lights. Note that the speed may be displayed numerically on the right and left ends of the width of the speed display body 14, and speed scales may be added in the left-right direction (X-axis direction) in FIG.

  FIG. 16 shows an example in which the traffic possibility of a traffic signal is displayed by a plurality of ring-shaped rotating bodies K for the traffic signals of a plurality of routes. That is, in FIG. 16, the current route guide route is route 1, and the route passes through traffic lights A11, A12, A13, A14, A15. Route 2 is a detour, and is routed from traffic light A11 through A22, A23, A24, A14, and A15. Furthermore, route 3 is a detour and is a route that passes through traffic lights A11, A22, A33, A34, and A15.

  In FIG. 17, the vehicle V is stopped in front of it according to the traffic light A11, and in this state, the possibility of passing the traffic light for each route is displayed by the ring-shaped rotating body. That is, in FIG. 17, the ring-shaped rotating body corresponding to the traffic light A11 is not displayed, and the ring-shaped rotating body corresponding to the subsequent traffic light is displayed. Specifically, ring-shaped rotating bodies corresponding to the traffic lights A12, A13, and A14 for the route 1 are indicated as K12, K13, and K14. Moreover, the ring-shaped rotary bodies corresponding to the traffic lights A22, A23, A24 for the route 2 are indicated as K22, K23, K24. Further, ring-shaped rotating bodies corresponding to the traffic lights A22, A33, A34 for the route 3 are indicated as K22, K33, K34.

  The driver judges the possibility of passing traffic lights for each of the routes 1 to 3 by looking at the ring-shaped rotating body corresponding to each route, and determines whether to drive the current route 1 or the route 2 or It is possible to determine whether to change the route to route 3. In FIG. 17, three ring-shaped rotators are shown for each route. However, the route selection can be determined more accurately by displaying a larger number such as four to five. In particular, the maximum display number of the ring-shaped rotating body in each route is set to 6, for example, and if it is within the range of this maximum display number, the display up to the traffic light A15 that finally becomes the meeting point of each route is performed. Is preferable. In addition, when the route is not guided, a plurality of ring-shaped rotating bodies corresponding to a plurality of traffic lights on a road parallel to the current traveling route are displayed in parallel as shown in FIG. It can also be an auxiliary.

  FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a control system of the navigation device NB. In FIG. 18, U is a controller (control unit) configured using a microcomputer. In FIG. 18, the controller U is connected with a GPS 21 and map data 22 in addition to a display 10 that displays a map and a ring-shaped rotating body, and further receives a vehicle speed signal from a vehicle speed sensor 23. In addition, information related to a large number of traffic signals is input from the traffic base station CC via the communication device 24 (for example, road-to-vehicle communication, Internet communication, telephone line communication).

  FIG. 19 shows a control example of the controller U shown in FIG. In the control example shown in FIG. 19, as shown in FIG. 5, a predetermined number (three in the embodiment) of ring-shaped rotating bodies are displayed on a part of the display 10 together with a normal navigation map display. I have to do it.

  Hereinafter, the control example of FIG. 19 will be described. In the following description, Q indicates a step. First, in Q1, the vehicle V communicates with the traffic base station CC, and information on a plurality of traffic lights in the extension direction of the current travel path of the vehicle V is obtained. When the route is being guided, information on traffic lights on the guide route is obtained. The information acquired in Q1 includes the time for one cycle in which the display state makes a round for each of the traffic lights, the display time for each display state, and the display start time for at least one display state. Thereafter, in Q2, a predetermined number (three in the embodiment) of traffic signals (information in the embodiment) is selected in order from the closest to the vehicle V among the plurality of traffic signals (information regarding) obtained.

  Thereafter, in Q3, ring-shaped rotating bodies K1 to K3 as shown in FIG. 4 are created corresponding to the respective traffic lights based on the information obtained in Q1 for the selected three traffic lights. Thereafter, in Q4, the interval between the ring-shaped rotators K1 to K3 with respect to the vehicle position display γ for displaying the current position of the vehicle V is determined on the center line O meaning the current time (current position of the vehicle V). Determine the interval according to the actual distance of each traffic light).

  After Q4, at Q5, the vehicle position display γ and the ring-shaped rotating bodies K1 to K3 are displayed on the display 10 as shown in FIG. Of course, each of the ring-shaped rotating bodies K1 to K3 is rotated in the same direction so as to make one rotation in one cycle of display switching of the corresponding traffic signal, and the position of the center line O is the current display state in each traffic signal. (In addition to or instead of displaying the center line O, an index δ indicating the current time may be displayed). Thereafter, in Q6, according to the current vehicle speed of the vehicle V, each of the ring-shaped rotating bodies K1 to K3 is moved so as to approach the vehicle position display γ.

  After Q6, in Q7, it is determined whether or not the vehicle V has stopped at the position of the traffic light A1 at the closest position or has passed this traffic light. If the determination in Q7 is NO, the process returns to Q5. If YES in Q7, the display of the ring-shaped rotating body K1 corresponding to the traffic signal that has passed is erased in Q8, and then the process returns to Q1. Thereby, in the next display state, the ring-shaped rotating body K2 becomes K1, K3 becomes K2, and a new ring-shaped rotating body K3 appears (update of the ring-shaped rotating body).

  Although the embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and can be appropriately changed within the scope described in the scope of claims. For example, the invention includes the following cases. . The ring-shaped rotating body K may be displayed in a perfect circle instead of being displayed in a flat perspective view format. You may make it display the ring-shaped rotary body K other than the display for navigation apparatuses NB. For example, the display position of the ring-shaped rotating body such as displaying the ring-shaped rotating body in front of the front window glass (head-up display) can be appropriately selected. The ring-shaped rotator K may be displayed only for the traffic light closest to the vehicle V (only one ring-shaped rotator K is displayed). When displaying a plurality of ring-shaped rotators, the display is not limited to being displayed in series in the vertical direction (vertical direction), but may be displayed in series in the horizontal direction (horizontal direction). The various ways of display of the ring-shaped rotating body K can be displayed in any combination as long as they are not mutually exclusive (for example, display is performed in combination with the display state of FIG. 8 and the display state of FIG. 10). etc). Of course, the object of the present invention is not limited to what is explicitly stated, but also implicitly includes providing what is substantially preferred or expressed as an advantage. The present invention can also be grasped as a method for displaying traffic signal passing information.

  The present invention is useful for allowing a driver to intuitively grasp the possibility of passing a traffic light and to make an independent travel plan by the driver.

V: Vehicle CC: Traffic base station NB: Navigation devices A, A1, A2, A3: Traffic lights K, K1, K2, K3: Ring-shaped rotating body α1: Blue display area α2: Yellow display area α3: Red display area β: Own vehicle position display (map support)
γ: Vehicle position display (corresponding to ring-shaped rotating body)
δ: Indicator (corresponding to the current time)
O: Center line (current time supported)
1: Cut (corresponding to blue display area)
10: Display

Claims (12)

A signal information providing device that provides information on the possibility of passing a traffic light in the traveling direction of the host vehicle to the driver of the host vehicle,
A display means for displaying the ring-shaped rotating body;
The ring-shaped rotating body is displayed so as to make one rotation in one cycle time until the traffic light changes from blue to blue again,
In the ring-shaped rotating body, a blue corresponding region having a circumferential length according to a blue display time ratio of the traffic light with respect to the time of the one cycle is set.
The ring-shaped rotator is displayed such that the current traffic light display state is located at the front center portion thereof.
A signal information providing apparatus characterized by that. In claim 1,
A signal information providing apparatus, wherein a plurality of the ring-shaped rotators are displayed side by side in correspondence with a plurality of traffic lights that are arranged in a close order in the traveling direction of the host vehicle. In claim 2,
The said ring-shaped rotary body is displayed in series so that it may have the space | interval according to the distance between these traffic lights, The signal information provision apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3,
The ring-shaped rotating body is displayed in blue when it can pass through a traffic light when traveling while maintaining the current vehicle speed, and is displayed in red when it cannot pass. A signal information providing apparatus characterized by the above. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4,
The ring-shaped rotating body has a cut in its circumferential direction,
The circumferential length between one end and the other end of the cut is the length of the blue display area,
A signal information providing apparatus characterized by that. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3,
In addition to the blue display area, the ring-shaped rotating body has a red display area having a circumferential length corresponding to the red display time ratio of the traffic light and a circumferential length corresponding to the yellow display time ratio of the traffic light. Yellow display area is set,
The blue display area is displayed in blue, the red-blue display area is displayed in red, and the yellow display area is displayed in yellow;
A signal information providing apparatus characterized by that. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 6,
The diameter of the ring-shaped rotating body is displayed so as to be larger than when it is low when the possibility of passing through a traffic light is high when traveling while maintaining the current vehicle speed. Signal information providing device. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 7,
The signal information providing apparatus, wherein the width of the ring-shaped rotating body is displayed so as to increase as the width of the intersection road at the traffic light installation position increases. In claim 2 or claim 3,
When there is a high possibility of stopping at a specific traffic signal, the ring-shaped rotating body corresponding to the traffic signal ahead of the specific traffic signal is not displayed or is in a ring shape corresponding to the specific traffic signal. A signal information providing apparatus, characterized in that the display is less noticeable than the display of a rotating body. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 9,
A signal information providing apparatus, characterized in that a rotating direction of a ring-shaped rotating body corresponding to a traffic light having a low possibility of passing is opposite to a rotating direction of another ring-shaped rotating body. In claim 3,
The plurality of ring-shaped rotating bodies are displayed in series so that their centers are located on the same straight line extending in a substantially vertical direction,
The host vehicle position is displayed on the same axis on the display means.
A signal information providing apparatus characterized by that. In claim 11,
A signal information providing apparatus, characterized in that the signal is displayed such that the approach speeds of the plurality of ring-shaped rotating bodies with respect to the display position of the host vehicle change according to the speed of the host vehicle.

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