JP2015207157A - Alarm device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an alarm device for vehicle capable of preventing unnecessary alarm output associated with obstacle detection at a time of traveling on a road.SOLUTION: An alarm device 10 for vehicle comprises: an own vehicle position detection section 18 for detecting an own vehicle position; a stop detection section 16 for detecting that an own vehicle is stopping; an obstacle detection section 12 for detecting an obstacle around the own vehicle; an obstacle information section 14 for informing about approach of the obstacle when the obstacle detection section 12 detects that the obstacle is within a predetermined range around the own vehicle; and a stop position determination section 20 and an information limitation section 26 for limiting information by means of the obstacle information section 14, when the own vehicle position detected by the own vehicle position detection means is included in a predetermined stop supposition region set on the road and the stop detection section 16 detects that the own vehicle position is stopping.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular alarm device that performs a predetermined alarm when an obstacle relatively approaches a vehicle.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a vehicle obstacle detection device in which clearance sonar sensors are installed at four corners of a vehicle, and obstacles approaching with each sensor are detected and an alarm is issued (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .) In this vehicle obstacle detection device, when a vehicle travels on a general road, an alarm is less likely to occur than when traveling on a parking lot. Specifically, a signal indicating the presence of an obstacle output from the clearance sonar sensor, which is a threshold for detecting the presence of an obstacle, is used to suppress an excessive warning. The predetermined number N0 representing the number of continuous receptions or the time interval T1 representing the transmission period of ultrasonic waves by the clearance sonar sensor is changed. Thereby, it is possible to lengthen the time until an alarm is issued after an obstacle around the vehicle is detected. Whether or not the vehicle is traveling on a general road is determined based on the vehicle steering angle and the vehicle speed, or based on information supplied from the navigation device.

JP 2004-345495 A

  By the way, in the vehicle obstacle detection device disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, it only takes a long time to detect an obstacle around the vehicle and issue an alarm. After the obstacle is detected once, The alarm will continue. For this reason, for example, when a motorcycle stops near the rear of the vehicle while waiting for a signal at an intersection, the alarm continues to sound. After that, considering that the vehicle starts to run instead of a green light, such an alarm is almost unnecessary, and rather gives the driver discomfort.

  The present invention was created in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular alarm device that can prevent unnecessary alarm output associated with obstacle detection during road travel. is there.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a vehicle alarm device according to the present invention includes a vehicle position detection unit that detects a vehicle position, a vehicle stop detection unit that detects that the vehicle is stopped, and a vehicle periphery. Obstacle detection means for detecting the obstacle, obstacle detection means for notifying the approach of the obstacle when the obstacle detection means detects that the obstacle is within a predetermined range around the host vehicle, When the vehicle position detected by the vehicle position detection means is included in a predetermined stoppage assumed area set on the road and the vehicle position is detected by the stop detection means. And a notification limiting means for limiting the notification by the obstacle notification means. In particular, it is desirable that the notification restriction unit described above invalidates the notification. Further, it is desirable that the above-described notification limiting unit invalidates the notification after performing the notification for a predetermined time.

  If you stop temporarily at an intersection while driving on the road, you can limit notifications associated with obstacle detection around your vehicle, so there is no need for notifications (alarms) when a motorcycle stops at a nearby location. Can be prevented.

  Moreover, it is desirable that the above-described notification limiting unit invalidates the notification when the distance between the host vehicle and the obstacle is constant. As a result, when the two-wheeled vehicle stopped at the close position approaches further, the notification can be resumed to alert the driver.

  Further, it is desirable that the above-described assumed stop area is a range from a stop line on the road to a predetermined distance before. Thereby, an unnecessary alarm output when the vehicle is stopped according to the stop line can be prevented.

  Further, it is desirable that the above-described assumed stop area is provided corresponding to the traffic signal. Thereby, an unnecessary alarm output when the vehicle is stopped according to the instruction of the traffic light can be prevented.

  Moreover, it is desirable that the notification restriction unit described above cancels the restriction of the notification when the lighting state of the traffic light changes from red to blue. As a result, when the own vehicle or a surrounding vehicle or the like starts traveling from a red signal to a green signal, notification associated with the detection of an obstacle around the own vehicle can be resumed. As a result, for example, it is possible to alert the driver to the involvement of a bicycle.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the alarm device for vehicles of one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of installation of an obstruction detection part. It is explanatory drawing of a stop assumption area | region. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement procedure when an obstruction is detected when the own vehicle stops on a road. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement procedure of the modification in case an obstruction is detected when the own vehicle stops on a road. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement procedure of the other modification at the time of detecting an obstruction when the own vehicle stops on a road. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement procedure of the other modification at the time of detecting an obstruction when the own vehicle stops on a road.

  Hereinafter, an alarm device for a vehicle according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a vehicle alarm device according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle alarm device 10 of the present embodiment includes an obstacle detection unit 12, an obstacle notification unit 14, a stop detection unit 16, a host vehicle position detection unit 18, a stop position determination unit 20, and a map DB. (Database) 22, optical beacon receiver 24, notification restriction unit 26, speaker 28, and display unit 29.

  The obstacle detection unit 12 is a sensor using ultrasonic waves, and is provided at four locations on the front, rear, left and right sides of the vehicle. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an installation example of the obstacle detection unit 12. In the example shown in FIG. 2, a sensor 12A is installed on the front left side of the vehicle G, a sensor 12B is installed on the front right side, a sensor 12C is installed on the rear left side, and a sensor 12D is installed on a part of the bumper. . Each of the sensors 12A to 12D detects the presence or absence of an obstacle present in a detection range up to 50 cm, for example, and the distance to the obstacle. For example, an ultrasonic wave is transmitted from the sensor 12A or the like, a reflected wave generated by the obstacle is received, and the distance to the obstacle is detected from the time difference. The obstacles to be detected include motorcycles and bicycles in addition to people and buildings. In addition, when detecting an approaching obstacle, in addition to the case where an obstacle approaches the vehicle, the case where the vehicle approaches the obstacle, or both the vehicle and the obstacle move. The case where the distance between each other is shortened is also included. Further, the sensor 12A and the like may detect an obstacle using infrared rays or other methods in addition to the case of detecting an obstacle using ultrasonic waves. Further, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the case where the four sensors 12A to 12D are provided at the four corners of the vehicle. Two sensors may be provided only at the rear or only at the front, or five or more sensors may be provided.

  When the obstacle detection unit 12 (any one of the four sensors 12A to 12D) detects that the obstacle exists in the detection range and the distance to the obstacle, the obstacle notification unit 14 performs a predetermined notification. Output a signal. This notification signal is input to the speaker 28 and the display unit 29, and notification by an alarm sound from the speaker 28 and notification by an alarm display by the display unit 29 are performed. For example, a notification sound signal corresponding to the detected distance to the obstacle is input to the speaker 28, and an alarm sound having a larger sound pressure level is output from the speaker 28 as the distance is shorter. Further, when a schematic vehicle is depicted and provided with display units 29 having LEDs provided at each of the four places on the front, rear, left, and right, the corresponding sensor 12A that detects an obstacle is provided with the corresponding LED. A notification display signal for turning on is input to the display unit 29, and the LED at the corresponding position is turned on.

  The stop detection unit 16 detects that the own vehicle is stopped. For example, the stop is detected based on a pulse output at a certain distance from a vehicle speed sensor (not shown) provided in the vehicle. The detection method is not limited to this, and any method may be used to detect a stop. The own vehicle position detection unit 18 detects the position of the own vehicle.

  When the stop detection unit 16 detects that the host vehicle is stopped, the stop position determination unit 20 determines that the host vehicle position detected by the host vehicle position detection unit 18 is a predetermined value set on the road. It is determined whether or not the vehicle is included in the assumed stop area. Here, the “assumed stop area” is a section in which it can be assumed in advance that the vehicle stops on the road. For example, when there is a stop line, a section from the stop line to a predetermined distance in front of the stop line is the assumed stop area. In general, a stop line is drawn on the road corresponding to a temporary stop intersection, an intersection with a traffic light, a pedestrian crossing, and the like. When the vehicle is temporarily stopped at such a stop line, a plurality of vehicles including the following vehicle may stop, and a range in which such a plurality of vehicles may stop is set as an assumed stop region. The FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an assumed stop area. In the example shown in FIG. 3, a Wm range is set as an assumed stop area in front of a stop line L at an intersection with a traffic light. Instead of setting the length of the assumed stop area based on the position of the stop line, the length of the assumed stop area may be set based on the position of the traffic light, the position of the intersection, or the like.

  In the map DB 22, information for identifying roads including intersections, traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, and stop lines is stored as map data. The stop position determination unit 20 determines whether or not the own vehicle position is included in the expected stop area based on the map data stored in the map DB 22.

  In addition, since the own vehicle position detection unit 18 and the map DB 22 are always included in a navigation device that displays a map image around the own vehicle position and searches for a route, the own vehicle position detection unit 18 and the map DB 22 You may make it implement | achieve the stop position determination part 20 as a part of function of a navigation apparatus, and implement | achieve all or one part of the alarm device 10 for vehicles of this embodiment using a navigation apparatus.

  In addition, the above-described assumed stop area may be set to have a different size corresponding to the size of an intersection, the presence or absence of a traffic light, a pedestrian crossing, and the like. Moreover, although the data which specify the stop assumption area | region mentioned above may be previously included in the map data of map DB6, you may make it determine a stop assumption area | region based on the position of a stop line, etc. each time.

  The optical beacon receiver 24 transmits and receives various information to and from the optical beacon roadside unit 30 installed on the road using far infrared rays. In the vehicle alarm device 10 of the present embodiment, the distance to the traffic light and lighting information of the traffic light (when to switch to blue, yellow, red using a driving safety support system (DSSS)). It is assumed that the received information) is received. Note that equivalent information may be transmitted using a DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communications) roadside device instead of the optical beacon roadside device 30 or together with the optical beacon roadside device 30. However, in this case, it is necessary to provide a DSRC on-board unit in order to receive this information.

  The notification restriction unit 26 restricts the notification performed by the obstacle notification unit 14 when it is determined by the stop position determination unit 20 that the own vehicle position is included in the assumed stop region when the vehicle is stopped. For example, the notification limiting unit 26 blocks (disables) the notification audio signal and the notification display signal output from the obstacle notification unit 14 immediately or after a predetermined time, and these signals are output to the speaker 28 or the display unit. 29 is not input.

  The vehicle position detection unit 18 described above is the vehicle position detection unit, the stop detection unit 16 is the stop detection unit, the obstacle detection unit 12 is the obstacle detection unit, and the obstacle notification unit 14 is the obstacle notification unit. The stop position determination unit 20 and the notification restriction unit 26 correspond to notification restriction means, respectively.

  The vehicle alarm device 1 of this embodiment has such a configuration, and the operation thereof will be described next. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an operation procedure when an obstacle is detected when the host vehicle stops on the road. The operation procedure shown in FIG. 4 is repeated at regular time intervals, for example.

  The obstacle notification unit 14 determines whether an obstacle is detected by the obstacle detection unit 12 (step 100). If no obstacle is detected, a negative determination is made, and a series of processing relating to the obstacle notification is terminated. If an obstacle is detected, an affirmative determination is made in the determination of step 100. Next, the own vehicle position detection unit 18 detects the own vehicle position (step 102). Further, the notification limiting unit 26 determines whether or not a stop is detected by the stop detection unit 16 (step 104).

  If the host vehicle is not stopped, a negative determination is made. In this case, the notification restriction by the notification restriction unit 26 is not performed, and the notification operation using the speaker 28 and the display unit 29 by the obstacle notification unit 14 is performed (step 106).

  On the contrary, when the host vehicle is stopped, the stop position determination unit 20 determines whether or not the host vehicle position is included in the expected stop range (step 108). If it is not included (when the vehicle stops at a position far from a stop line such as an intersection), a negative determination is made. In this case, the process proceeds to step 106, and the notification operation using the speaker 28 and the display unit 29 by the obstacle notification unit 14 is performed.

  Further, when the vehicle position is included in the assumed stop range, an affirmative determination is made in the determination of step 108. The notification limiting unit 26 performs notification limitation and invalidates the notification performed by the obstacle notification unit 14 (step 110). In this case, notification accompanying obstacle detection (approach) is not performed.

  As described above, in the vehicle alarm device 10 according to the present embodiment, when the vehicle is temporarily stopped at an intersection or the like while traveling on the road, the notification accompanying the detection of an obstacle such as a motorcycle around the own vehicle may be invalidated. Therefore, it is possible to prevent unnecessary notifications (alarms) from continuing when a motorcycle or the like stops at a close position.

  In particular, by setting the estimated stop area as a range from the stop line on the road to a short distance before the road, unnecessary alarm output when the vehicle is stopped according to the stop line can be prevented. Further, by providing the assumed stop area corresponding to the traffic light, unnecessary alarm output when the vehicle is stopped according to the instruction of the traffic light can be prevented.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an operation procedure of a modified example in the case where an obstacle is detected when the host vehicle stops on the road. The operation procedure shown in FIG. 5 is different from the operation procedure shown in FIG. 4 in that step 120 is added between step 108 and step 110. Hereinafter, description will be made by paying attention to the added operation of Step 120.

  If the host vehicle is stopped and the host vehicle position is included in the expected stop range, an affirmative determination is made in the determination of step 108. Next, the notification limiting unit 26 determines whether or not a certain time has elapsed after the start of notification (step 120). If the time has not elapsed, a negative determination is made, and the process proceeds to step 106 where a notification operation using the speaker 28 and the display unit 29 by the obstacle notification unit 14 is performed. If a certain time has elapsed after the start of notification, an affirmative determination is made in the determination of step 120, and the process proceeds to step 110 to disable the notification operation. In this way, by starting the notification and stopping the notification after a predetermined time has elapsed, it is possible to prevent continuation of unnecessary notifications (alarms) when a motorcycle or the like stops at a close position.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an operation procedure of another modified example in the case where an obstacle is detected when the host vehicle stops on the road. The operation procedure shown in FIG. 6 is different from the operation procedure shown in FIG. 4 in that step 130 is added between step 108 and step 110. Hereinafter, description will be made by paying attention to the added operation of Step 130.

  If the host vehicle is stopped and the host vehicle position is included in the expected stop range, an affirmative determination is made in the determination of step 108. Next, the notification limiting unit 26 determines whether the distance between the host vehicle and the detected obstacle is constant (step 130). If not constant, a negative determination is made, and the process proceeds to step 106 where the notification operation using the speaker 28 and the display unit 29 by the obstacle notification unit 14 is performed. If the distance between the host vehicle and the obstacle is constant, an affirmative determination is made in step 130, and the process proceeds to step 110 to disable the notification operation. As described above, when the two-wheeled vehicle stopped at the close position further approaches, the notification can be resumed to alert the driver.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an operation procedure of another modified example in the case where an obstacle is detected when the host vehicle stops on the road. The operation procedure shown in FIG. 7 is different from the operation procedure shown in FIG. 4 in that step 140 is added between step 108 and step 110. Hereinafter, description will be made by paying attention to the added operation of Step 140.

  If the host vehicle is stopped and the host vehicle position is included in the expected stop range, an affirmative determination is made in the determination of step 108. Next, the notification limiting unit 26 determines whether or not the lighting state of the front traffic light has changed to blue (step 140). This determination can be made based on the lighting information of the traffic light received by the optical beacon receiver 24. When the signal changes to a green signal, an affirmative determination is made in the determination of step 140, and the process proceeds to step 106 where a notification operation using the speaker 28 and the display unit 29 by the obstacle notification unit 14 is performed. If the red signal state is maintained, a negative determination is made in the determination of step 140, and the process proceeds to step 110 to disable the notification operation. In this way, when the own vehicle or a surrounding vehicle starts traveling from the red signal to the green signal, the notification accompanying the detection of the obstacle around the own vehicle can be resumed. As a result, for example, when the vehicle turns into a green light, it is possible to alert the driver to the involvement of a bicycle.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation implementation is possible within the range of the summary of this invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment (example shown in FIG. 7), it is determined that the lighting state of the traffic light has changed from red to blue based on the lighting information of the traffic light received by the optical beacon receiver 24. A traffic light in front of the vehicle may be photographed to determine that the lighting state has changed from red to blue.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when the vehicle is temporarily stopped at an intersection or the like while traveling on the road, the notification accompanying the obstacle detection around the own vehicle can be limited. It is possible to prevent continuation of unnecessary notifications (alarms) when stopped.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Vehicle warning device 12 Obstacle detection part 14 Obstacle notification part 16 Stop detection part 18 Own vehicle position detection part 20 Stop position determination part 22 Map DB (database)
24 Optical Beacon Receiver 26 Notification Limiting Unit 28 Speaker 29 Display Unit

Claims (7)

Own vehicle position detecting means for detecting the own vehicle position;
Stop detection means for detecting that the host vehicle is stopped;
Obstacle detection means for detecting obstacles around the vehicle;
An obstacle notifying means for notifying the approach of an obstacle when the obstacle detecting means detects that the obstacle is within a predetermined range around the vehicle; and
The own vehicle position detected by the own vehicle position detecting means is included in a predetermined stoppage assumed area set on the road, and the own vehicle position is detected to be stopped by the stop detecting means. A notification limiting means for limiting the notification by the obstacle notification means;
A vehicle alarm device comprising: In claim 1,
The vehicle alarm device, wherein the notification restriction unit invalidates the notification. In claim 2,
The vehicle alarm device, wherein the notification restriction unit invalidates the notification after performing the notification for a predetermined time. In claim 2 or 3,
The notification limiting unit invalidates the notification when the distance between the host vehicle and the obstacle is constant. In any one of Claims 1-4,
The assumed stop area is a range from a stop line on a road to a predetermined distance before the vehicle warning device. In claim 5,
The vehicle assumed warning area is provided corresponding to a traffic light. In claim 6,
The notification restriction unit releases the restriction of the notification when the lighting state of the traffic light changes from red to blue.

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