JP2015168290A - road surface drawing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a road surface drawing device capable of transmitting more information with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A road surface drawing device comprises: a running state acquisition unit (11) for acquiring a running state of a vehicle; a running area prediction unit (10) for predicting running areas (R1, R2, R3) of the vehicle after a prescribed time on the basis of the running state; and an irradiation unit (20) for irradiating the predicted running areas with a visible light. The irradiation unit irradiates outer edge parts (L1, L2, L3) of the running areas as irradiation object areas.

Description

  The present invention relates to a road surface drawing apparatus.

  There has been devised a road surface drawing device that predicts a vehicle travel area after a predetermined time and irradiates a region corresponding to the predicted travel area with visible light (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP2013-103628A JP 2013-125433 A

"Laser Projector Learning from Zero, Laser Projector" (http://optipedia.info/laser/ld-application/laser-display/laser-projector/), February 24, 2014 search

  In the prior art, the color of visible light and the irradiation pattern are limited, and the amount of information to be transmitted is limited.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a road surface drawing apparatus that can transmit more information with a simple configuration.

  A road surface drawing device for solving the above problems includes a traveling state acquisition unit (11) that acquires a traveling state of a vehicle, and a traveling area (R1, R2, R3) of the vehicle after a predetermined time based on the traveling state. A predicted traveling area prediction unit (10), and an irradiation unit (20) that irradiates the predicted traveling area with visible light, and the irradiation unit irradiates outer edges (L1, L2, L3) of the traveling area. Irradiate as an area.

  With the above configuration, the entire travel area is not irradiated as in the prior art, but only the outer edge of the travel area is irradiated, so energy (electric power) for irradiation can be reduced and the burden on the battery is also reduced. it can. In addition, since the outer edge portion is intensively irradiated, the irradiation mode is more sharp than the configuration in which the entire traveling area is irradiated, and the visual effect can be enhanced. And it becomes easy for a pedestrian or another vehicle to recognize the running state or approach state of a vehicle.

1 is a schematic view of a vehicle equipped with a road surface drawing device of the present invention. The figure which shows the structure of a road surface drawing apparatus. The figure which shows the example of road surface drawing. The figure which shows another example of the road surface drawing of FIG. The figure which shows another example of the road surface drawing of FIG. The figure which shows the example of the road surface drawing which used the acoustic signal together. The figure which shows the example which performs road surface drawing according to a vehicle speed. The figure which shows the example of road surface drawing when the pedestrian is walking ahead of a vehicle. The figure which shows the example of road surface drawing when a pedestrian and a vehicle are approaching the intersection with a bad visibility. The figure which shows the example of road surface drawing when a vehicle turns right at an intersection.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 5 on which the road surface drawing device 1 of the present invention is mounted includes an irradiation unit 20, a GPS (global positioning system) receiver 16, and a speaker 24 (details of each unit will be described later).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the road surface drawing device 1 includes a control unit 10 (traveling area prediction unit of the present invention) and an input / output circuit (I / F) 11 (traveling state acquisition of the present invention) connected to the control unit 10. Part), an irradiation part 20, and a speaker 24 (acoustic signal output part of the present invention). In addition, a speed sensor 12, a handle angle sensor 14, a GPS receiver 16, and a direction indicator 18 are connected to the road surface drawing device 1.

  The control unit 10 is configured as a computer including a known CPU, a memory, and peripheral circuits (all not shown). Various functions of the road surface drawing device 1 are realized by the CPU executing the control program stored in the memory.

  The speed sensor 12 detects the current speed of the vehicle 5 and sends it to the control unit 10. The handle angle sensor 14 detects a rotation angle of a handle (not shown) of the vehicle 5 and sends it to the control unit 10. The GPS receiver 16 obtains the current position, speed, and traveling direction of the vehicle 5 based on the signal received from the GPS satellite 30 and sends it to the control unit 10. The direction indicator 18 detects the state of the direction indicator lever (right turn or left turn) and sends it to the control unit 10.

  Based on the information from the speed sensor 12, the handle angle sensor 14, the GPS receiver 16, and the direction indicator 18 acquired via the I / F 11, the control unit 10 may have reached the vehicle 5 after a predetermined time. Predict the area (traveling area) that has the characteristics. Alternatively, the guide route information may be acquired from the known navigation device 40, and the travel area may be predicted from the guide route information.

  The irradiation unit 20 uses, for example, a laser beam scanning projector that performs contrast using an afterimage of the eye by scanning a laser beam that is a point light source on the irradiation target (see Non-Patent Document 1). For example, a MEMS (micro electro mechanical system) mirror is used for scanning. The irradiation unit 20 is provided separately from the headlight, and irradiates the road surface of the travel area predicted by the control unit 10 with a color such as green-yellow, for example. The attachment position of the irradiation unit 20 may be in the center of the front edge of the ceiling of the vehicle 5 as shown in FIG. 1 or in the front grill depending on the irradiation target region or the vehicle body shape of the vehicle 5.

  It is desirable that the irradiation light of the irradiation unit 20 is visible light and has a different color from the light irradiated by the headlight (not shown) of the vehicle 5 and can be seen even in the daytime. In addition to the laser beam scanning projector, other light sources such as LEDs and light bulbs may be used as the irradiation unit 20 as long as the above functions are satisfied.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the speaker 24 is mounted in the front grill of the vehicle 5 and outputs an acoustic signal based on a control command from the control unit 10. Data serving as the basis of the acoustic signal, an amplifier circuit, and the like are included in the control unit 10.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of road surface drawing. As the travel area R1 (region surrounded by the vehicle 5 and the outer edge portion L1), a region where the vehicle 5 may reach after 0.25 seconds is illustrated. The light source of the irradiating unit 20 starts scanning along the outer edge portion of the traveling area R1 with the side end portion on the left side of the front of the vehicle 5 as a starting point ST (state of L1a, left in FIG. 3). When the scanning continues and reaches the end point SP through the state of L1b (center of FIG. 3), the entire outer edge L1 (irradiation target region of the present invention) of the traveling area R1 is drawn in a substantially arc shape (FIG. 3). right). Thereafter, the scanning is repeated after returning to the starting point ST. Further, after reaching the end point SP, scanning from the end point SP toward the start point ST, that is, the operation of the start point ST → the end point SP → the start point ST may be repeated. Further, the drawing transition from the start point ST to the end point SP may be scanned at a low speed so that the transition can be visually recognized. In addition to the solid line shape, the drawing mode may be a broken line shape. Further, a predetermined pattern such as a circle or characters may be drawn so as to be arranged along the outer edge.

  The configuration of FIG. 3 is “the irradiating unit includes a point light source and irradiates the outer edge portion while moving the point light source from the predetermined start point of the outer edge portion toward the end point”. With this configuration, a road surface drawing device can be manufactured with a simple configuration and low cost by using a widely used point light source.

  FIG. 4 shows another example of the road surface drawing of FIG. In this case, a plurality of predetermined times (3 in FIG. 4) are set, and the traveling area is predicted for each of the plurality of predetermined times. The travel area R1 (region surrounded by the vehicle 5 and the outer edge portion L1) is a region where the vehicle 5 may reach after 0.25 seconds. The travel area R2 is an area excluding R1 from areas where the vehicle 5 may have reached 0.5 seconds later. The traveling area R3 is an area excluding R1 and R2 among areas where the vehicle 5 may reach after 0.75 seconds. The irradiation target area is an outer edge (L1, L2, L3) of each traveling area.

  The configuration of FIG. 4 is “a plurality of predetermined times are set, and the traveling area predicting unit predicts a traveling area after each predetermined time”. With this configuration, a pedestrian or another vehicle can more accurately recognize the running state or the approaching state of the vehicle.

  The irradiation method of the outer edge part of the traveling area by the irradiation unit 20 is the same as in FIG. First, L1 is drawn (FIG. 4 left). Next, L2 is drawn (center of FIG. 4). Finally, the part L3 is drawn (FIG. 4 right). Thereafter, drawing is repeated in this order. The reverse order (L3 → L2 → L1) may be used.

  The above-described configuration is “the irradiation unit sequentially performs irradiation from an irradiation target region close to the vehicle”. With this configuration, a pedestrian or another vehicle can more accurately recognize the running state or the approaching state of the vehicle.

  The drawing color of each outer edge may be the same or different. For example, it is good also as a color scheme which makes a pedestrian or another vehicle recognize the presence of the own vehicle earlier like L3: green, L2: yellow, L1: red. The drawing colors may be the same and the luminance may be different. In order to make a pedestrian recognize quickly, the luminance of L3 may be made brighter than other luminances.

  The above-described configuration is “the irradiation unit irradiates with a design corresponding to the irradiation target region”. With this configuration, a pedestrian or another vehicle can more accurately recognize the running state or the approaching state of the vehicle.

  FIG. 5 shows another example of the road surface drawing of FIG. In this case, the region other than the outer edge portion of the traveling area is also set as the irradiation target region. Irradiation is performed, for example, in the order of R1 → L1 (left of FIG. 5) → R2 → L2 (center of FIG. 5) → R3 → L3 (right of FIG. 5), and thereafter repeated. That is, the irradiation unit 20 performs scanning at predetermined distance intervals from the vehicle body side of the vehicle 5 toward L3. At this time, the outer edge portion and the travel area are different in drawing color or luminance. Of course, the drawing color or brightness may be different for each of the outer edge and the travel area.

  The configuration of FIG. 5 is “the irradiation unit also sets a region other than the outer edge of the traveling area as an irradiation target region”. By irradiating a region other than the outer edge portion as if irradiating the outer edge portion with this configuration, the entire traveling area can be irradiated without greatly changing the configuration of the irradiation portion.

  FIG. 6 shows another example of road surface drawing. This is a combination of the output of the acoustic signal from the speaker 24 in FIGS. 3 to 5 and illustrates the modification of FIG. The acoustic signal is output at a volume that can be heard at least within the traveling area. The volume or tone color of the acoustic signal may be different depending on the drawing area. In the example of FIG. 6, when L1 is irradiated, an acoustic signal that can be heard at least within R1 is output (left of FIG. 6). Similarly, when L2 or L3 is irradiated, an acoustic signal that can be heard in at least R2 or R3 is output (center of FIG. 6, right of FIG. 6).

  The configuration of FIG. 6 is “comprising an acoustic signal output unit (24) for outputting an acoustic signal when performing irradiation by the irradiation unit”. More specifically, the “acoustic signal output unit outputs an acoustic signal corresponding to the irradiation target area”. According to the present configuration, the pedestrian or other vehicle can recognize the running state or the approaching state of the vehicle more accurately because it is recognized by hearing in addition to the visual sense.

  FIG. 7 shows an example in which road surface drawing is performed according to the vehicle speed of the vehicle 5. The vehicle 50 is traveling at a higher speed than the vehicle 5 traveling in the lane on the left side. If the vehicle speed increases, the traveling area of the vehicle 50 (R10, R20, R30) becomes wider than the vehicle 5 (R1, R2, R3). Therefore, the outer edge portions (L10, L20, L30) are also longer at least forward in the traveling direction than the vehicle 5 (L1, L2, L3).

  The above-described configuration is “the traveling state includes the speed of the vehicle, and the traveling area prediction unit predicts the traveling area based on the speed of the vehicle”. With this configuration, it is possible to predict an appropriate travel area according to the vehicle speed, and more accurately notify the pedestrian or other vehicle of the traveling state or approaching state of the vehicle.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of road surface drawing when the pedestrian P is walking in front of the vehicle 5. The drawing method is based on FIG. 61 indicates a road shoulder or a building, 62 indicates a roadside belt, and 63 indicates a center line. The pedestrian P is walking on the roadway side with respect to the roadside belt 62. When the vehicle 5 approaches the pedestrian P, first, L3 irradiates the feet of the pedestrian P. It is known that people are more likely to notice that their feet are illuminated than other parts of the human body. Thereby, since the approach of the vehicle 5 from the rear can be recognized at an earlier timing, the vehicle 5 can be moved more safely by moving closer to the road shoulder 61 (in the direction of the left arrow).

  FIG. 9 shows an example of road surface drawing when the pedestrian P and the vehicle 5 are approaching an intersection (T-shaped road) with poor visibility. As the vehicle 5 approaches the intersection, drawing is performed in the intersection in the order of L3 → L2 → L1. As the drawing area becomes smaller, the pedestrian P in the roadside belt 65 can recognize that the vehicle 5 is approaching the intersection.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of road surface drawing when the vehicle 5 turns right at the intersection. It can be estimated from the state of the steering angle sensor 14 or the direction indicator 18 that the vehicle 5 is waiting for a right turn at the intersection, and from the state of the speed sensor 12 or the GPS receiver 16 that it is stopped. When the vehicle is stopped, it is impossible to determine when the vehicle 5 can start. For example, when the vehicle 5 starts or reaches a predetermined speed (for example, 10 km / h) after a predetermined time (for example, 0.25 seconds). Assuming that the travel areas (R1, R2, R3) are predicted. Based on this prediction, drawing (L1, L2, L3) is performed on the road surface of the vehicle 5 on the right front (that is, in the right turn direction). Thus, the vehicles 51 and 52 can predict that the vehicle 5 is about to turn right from the front of the intersection as compared with the case of only the direction indicator.

  Since the vehicle 51 is not equipped with a road surface drawing device, it is difficult to understand whether the vehicle 51 goes straight or turns right. The driver of the vehicle 5 can determine whether or not to turn right in the state of the direction indicator of the vehicle 51, but it is difficult to determine because the number of drivers blinking the direction indicator immediately before turning right is increasing.

  Since the vehicle 52 is equipped with a road surface drawing device, the driver of the vehicle 5 does not turn left at the intersection from the drawing state (L11, L21, L31) of the traveling area (R11, R21, R31) and goes straight ahead. You can expect to pass. Even if the vehicle 52 is traveling within the blind spot of the vehicle 51, the driver of the vehicle 5 can recognize its presence. Thereby, the driver of the vehicles 5 and 52 can predict the behavior of the opponent vehicle earlier each other, and can clearly notify the other vehicle of the course of the own vehicle. In addition, since there is an area RX where the drawing areas of the vehicles 5 and 52 overlap, it can be seen that the course of both approaches and intersects, and how to deal with it can be determined with a margin.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and the knowledge of those skilled in the art can be used without departing from the spirit of the claims. Various modifications based on this are possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Road surface drawing apparatus 5 Vehicle 10 Control part (traveling area prediction part)
11 Input / output circuit (I / F) (running state acquisition unit)
20 Irradiation unit 24 Speaker (acoustic signal output unit)
L1, L2, L3 Outer edge R1, R2, R3 Travel area

Claims (8)

A traveling state acquisition unit (11) for acquiring a traveling state of the vehicle;
A travel area prediction unit (10) for predicting a travel area (R1, R2, R3) of the vehicle after a predetermined time based on the travel state;
An irradiation unit (20) for irradiating the predicted travel area with visible light;
With
The said irradiation part irradiates the outer edge part (L1, L2, L3) of the said travel area as an irradiation object area | region, The road surface drawing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The irradiation unit includes a point light source,
The road surface drawing device according to claim 1, wherein the outer edge portion is irradiated while moving the point light source from a predetermined start point of the outer edge portion toward an end point.   The road surface drawing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of the predetermined times are set, and the travel area prediction unit predicts a travel area after each predetermined time.   The road surface drawing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the irradiation unit also sets an area other than an outer edge of the traveling area as an irradiation target area.   The road surface drawing device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the irradiation unit sequentially irradiates from an irradiation target area close to the vehicle.   The road surface drawing device according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation unit irradiates with a design corresponding to the irradiation target region.   The road surface drawing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising an acoustic signal output unit (24) that outputs an acoustic signal when the irradiation unit performs irradiation.   The road surface drawing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the acoustic signal output unit outputs an acoustic signal corresponding to the irradiation target region.

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