JP7485568B2 - Information processing device, information processing method, information processing program, and information processing system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, an information processing program, and an information processing system capable of short-range communication with a vehicle.

Drivers of vehicles following a large vehicle (such as a bus) may have difficulty perceiving the environment ahead of the large vehicle because their view is blocked by the large vehicle.

JP 2013-206303 A

Buses stop at every bus stop, and stop for a longer period of time than simply stopping temporarily to wait for passengers to get on and off. For this reason, the driver of the following vehicle may want to overtake the stopped bus. However, because the driver of the following vehicle's view is blocked by the body of the bus, it may be difficult for them to know the environment ahead of the bus (whether there are traffic lights, what color the traffic lights are, whether there are pedestrians, whether there are oncoming vehicles, etc.). For this reason, the driver of the following vehicle may not be able to fully check whether it is safe to overtake the bus, which could result in a traffic jam. Alternatively, the driver of the following vehicle may overtake the bus without fully checking for safety.

In view of the above circumstances, the object of the present invention is to assist in communicating the environment ahead of a large vehicle such as a bus to the driver of a following vehicle.

An information processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a communication device configured to transmit data to a vehicle via short-range wireless communication; a vehicle determination unit that determines a vehicle having a display device on the rear of the vehicle body based on vehicle detection information generated by a vehicle detection device that detects vehicles on the road; a light color determination unit that determines the light color of a traffic light based on light color detection information generated by a light color detection device that detects the light color of the traffic light when a traffic light is present ahead of the vehicle in the traveling direction; a light color data generation unit that generates light color data that is data indicating the light color of the traffic light; and a control circuit that operates as a communication control unit that controls the communication device to transmit the light color data to the vehicle. The vehicle receives the light color data via the short-range wireless communication and displays the light color on the display device based on the light color data.

This allows the driver of a following vehicle to see the color of the lights displayed on the display device on the back of the bus, even if he or she cannot actually see the color of the lights at the traffic light in front of the bus, and can find out the color of the lights that are actually on at the traffic light.

According to one embodiment, the control circuit of the information processing device further operates as a forward judgment unit that judges an object present in front of the vehicle body based on environmental information generated by an environmental detection device that detects objects on the road, and an object data generation unit that generates object data that is data related to the object, and the communication control unit controls the communication device to transmit the object data to the vehicle, and the vehicle receives the object data via the short-range wireless communication and displays information related to the object on the display device based on the object data.

As a result, even if the driver of a following vehicle cannot actually see the environment ahead of the bus, he or she can see information about objects displayed on the display device on the back of the bus body and know which objects are actually present in the environment (pedestrians crossing the road, bicycles, oncoming vehicles, etc.) or that there are no objects at all.

According to one embodiment, the vehicle determination unit determines that the vehicle has stopped,
When the vehicle determination unit determines that the vehicle has stopped, the light color determination unit determines the light color.

According to this embodiment, when a bus stops, i.e. when there is a possibility that a following vehicle may overtake the bus, the driver of the following vehicle can see the light color and objects displayed on the display device on the back of the bus body and know the light color and presence or absence of objects at the actual traffic light.

According to one embodiment, the vehicle determination unit determines that the stopped vehicle has resumed traveling, and when the vehicle determination unit determines that the vehicle has resumed traveling, the light color determination unit stops determining the light color, and the communication control unit stops transmitting the light color data.

According to this embodiment, when a stopped bus resumes traveling, i.e. when there is a low possibility that a following vehicle will overtake the bus, the light color is not displayed. This prevents the driver of the following vehicle from being too focused on the display device and becoming distracted from their surroundings.

According to one embodiment, the vehicle determination unit determines that the stopped vehicle has resumed traveling, and when the vehicle determination unit determines that the vehicle has resumed traveling, the forward determination unit stops determining the object, and the communication control unit stops transmitting the object data.

According to this embodiment, when a stopped bus resumes traveling, i.e., when the following vehicle is unlikely to overtake the bus, object information is not displayed. This prevents the driver of the following vehicle from being too focused on the display device and becoming distracted from their surroundings.

According to one embodiment, the light color determination unit continues to determine the light color until it determines that the light color is blue, and when the light color determination unit determines that the light color is blue, the object data generation unit generates the object data.

According to this embodiment, when the traffic light ahead of the bus is green, i.e., when there is a high possibility that a following vehicle will overtake the bus, the driver of the following vehicle can know whether an object is present and can safely determine whether or not he or she can overtake the bus.

According to one embodiment, the light color detection device detects the light color without using a camera.

According to this embodiment, the light color detection device does not detect the light color of a traffic light based on an image of the traffic light captured by a camera, so it can generate accurate light color detection information.

According to one embodiment, the light color detection device is capable of communicating with a traffic light control device that periodically controls the light color of the traffic light, and detects the light color based on communication with the traffic light control device.

This allows the light color detection device to generate more accurate light color detection information because it is not affected by the setting sun.

According to one embodiment, the light color data generating unit generates data for generating and displaying a light color image, which is an image having a color that indicates the light color, as the light color data, and the vehicle displays the light color image on the display device.

This allows drivers who cannot read (such as foreigners) to look at the light color image and understand at a glance what color the lights are lit at the actual traffic light. Drivers who can read can also intuitively understand the light colors by looking at the light color image.

According to one embodiment, the object data generation unit generates data for generating and displaying an object image, which is an image showing the object, as the object data, and the vehicle displays the object image on the display device.

This allows drivers who cannot read (such as foreigners) to look at the light object image and understand at a glance what objects are actually invisible. Drivers who can read can also intuitively understand the objects by looking at the object image.

In one aspect of the information processing method of the present invention, an information processing device determines a vehicle having a display device on the rear of the vehicle body based on vehicle detection information generated by a vehicle detection device that detects vehicles on a road, and if a traffic light is present ahead in the direction of travel of the vehicle, determines the light color of the traffic light based on light color detection information generated by a light color detection device that detects the light color of the traffic light, generates light color data that is data indicating the light color of the traffic light, controls a communication device to transmit the light color data to the vehicle, and the vehicle receives the light color data via the short-range wireless communication and displays the light color on the display device based on the light color data.

An information processing program according to one embodiment of the present invention operates an information processing device having a communication device configured to transmit data to a vehicle via short-range wireless communication and a control circuit, the control circuit of the information processing device as a vehicle determination unit that determines a vehicle having a display device on the rear of the vehicle body based on vehicle detection information generated by a vehicle detection device that detects vehicles on a road, a light color determination unit that determines the light color of the traffic light based on light color detection information generated by a light color detection device that detects the light color of the traffic light when a traffic light is present ahead of the vehicle in the traveling direction, a light color data generation unit that generates light color data that is data indicating the light color of the traffic light, and a communication control unit that controls the communication device to transmit the light color data to the vehicle, and the vehicle receives the light color data via the short-range wireless communication and displays the light color on the display device based on the light color data.

The information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a vehicle detection device that detects vehicles on a road, a light color detection device that detects the light color of a traffic light ahead of the vehicle in the direction of travel, and an information processing device having a communication device configured to transmit data to the vehicle via short-range wireless communication, a vehicle determination unit that determines a vehicle having a display device on the rear of the vehicle body based on the vehicle detection information generated by the vehicle detection device, a light color determination unit that determines the light color of the traffic light based on the light color detection information generated by the light color detection device when the traffic light is ahead of the vehicle in the direction of travel, a light color data generation unit that generates light color data that is data indicating the light color of the traffic light, and a control circuit that operates as a communication control unit that controls the communication device to transmit the light color data to the vehicle. The vehicle receives the light color data via the short-range wireless communication and displays the light color on the display device based on the light color data.

The present invention aims to help convey the environment ahead of a large vehicle, such as a bus, to the driver of a following vehicle.

The effects described here are not necessarily limited to those described herein, and may be any of the effects described in the present invention.

1 shows a configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 shows an operation flow of the information processing system. The operational flow of the on-board device of the bus is shown below.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

1. Configuration of information processing system

Figure 1 shows the configuration of an information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The information processing system 1 includes an information processing device 10, a vehicle detection device 11, a light color detection device 12, and an environment detection device 13 that are communicatively connected to the information processing device 10 via wired or wireless communication.

The information processing system 1 is installed on the side of a road. More specifically, the information processing system 1 is installed at a bus stop or a traffic light where the bus 20 is expected to stop frequently.

The vehicle detection device 11 detects vehicles such as the bus 20 on the road and generates vehicle detection information. The vehicle detection information includes vehicle position information and size information. The size information may simply be the size (width, length, height), or may include the vehicle type such as a large vehicle, a regular vehicle, or a motorcycle. The vehicle detection information may include information indicating whether the bus 20 has a display device 23 (described later). The vehicle detection device 11 periodically (for example, every second) generates vehicle detection information and continues to transmit it to the information processing device 10. The vehicle detection device 11 is, for example, an optical vehicle sensor (so-called optical beacon) that detects vehicles by emitting near-infrared light. Alternatively, the vehicle detection device 11 may be an image detection device such as a camera, a distance measurement detection device such as a millimeter wave detection device, or a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) that combines an image detection device and a distance measurement detection device. Alternatively, the vehicle detection device 11 may detect vehicles by receiving GPS information transmitted from a vehicle such as the bus 20 via a base station (not shown).

The light color detection device 12 detects the light color (green, yellow, red) of a traffic light that exists ahead of the position (e.g., a bus stop) where the bus 20 is expected to stop, and generates light color detection information. The light color detection information indicates the light color (green, yellow, red) of the traffic light. The light color detection device 12 periodically (e.g., every second) generates light color detection information and continues to transmit it to the information processing device 10. Typically, this traffic light is located in a position where it cannot be seen by the driver of a following vehicle (a passenger car of a typical size) when the bus 20 stops at the stop position (bus stop) because it is blocked by the body of the bus 20. The light color detection device 12 detects the light color without using a camera. In other words, the light color detection device 12 does not detect the light color of the traffic light based on an image of the traffic light captured by a camera. This is because when the image is captured by a camera, it is affected by the environment such as the setting sun, and the detection result may be inaccurate. As an alternative to a camera, for example, the light color detection device 12 can communicate by wire or wirelessly with a traffic light control device (not shown) that periodically controls the light color of the traffic light, and detects the light color based on communication with the traffic light control device. This method is not affected by the setting sun, so the light color detection device 12 can generate more accurate light color detection information.

The environment detection device 13 detects objects (crossing pedestrians, bicycles, oncoming vehicles, etc.) present in the environment in front of the position (e.g., bus stop) where the bus 20 is expected to stop, and generates environment information. The environment detection device 13 periodically (e.g., every second) generates and continues to transmit the environment information to the information processing device 10. The environment information includes position information and size information of objects present in the environment. The size information may simply be size (width, length, height), or may include the type of pedestrian, bicycle, vehicle, etc. Typically, when the bus 20 stops at a stop position (bus stop), the environment detection device 13 detects objects (crossing pedestrians, bicycles, oncoming vehicles, etc.) that are in a position that cannot be seen by the driver of the following vehicle (a passenger car of a typical size) because they are blocked by the body of the bus 20 when the bus 20 stops at the stop position (bus stop). More specifically, it detects objects that are relatively close to the front of the body of the bus 20. In other words, the environment detection device 13 detects objects that are present in an area where safety must be sufficiently confirmed when the following vehicle passes the stopped bus 20. The environment detection device 13 may be an image detection device such as a camera, a distance measurement detection device such as a millimeter wave detection device, or a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) device that combines an image detection device and a distance measurement detection device. The environment detection device 13 and the vehicle detection device 11 may be a common detection device.

The information processing device 10 has a control circuit 100 and a communication device 14. The information processing device 10 can communicate with the vehicle-mounted device 200 on the bus 20 using the communication device 14.

The control circuit 100 is communicatively connected to the vehicle detection device 11, the light color detection device 12, and the environment detection device 13. The control circuit 100 generates data regarding the environment ahead of the bus 20 based on the detection information generated by the vehicle detection device 11, the light color detection device 12, and the environment detection device 13. The control circuit 100 loads an information processing program stored in a storage device such as a ROM into a RAM and executes it (not shown), thereby operating as a vehicle judgment unit 101, a light color judgment unit 102, a light color data generation unit 103, a forward judgment unit 104, an object data generation unit 105, and a communication control unit 106 (the operation of each unit will be described later with reference to the operation flow).

The communication device 14 is capable of communicating with the vehicle-mounted device 200 of the bus 20 by short-range wireless communication (e.g., LTE (Long Term Evolution)). The communication device 14 is controlled by the control circuit 100, and transmits data about the environment in front of the bus 20 generated by the control circuit 100 to the vehicle-mounted device 200 of the bus 20.

The bus 20 has an on-board device 200 having a communication device 21 and an image processing circuit 22, and a display device 23 as an external device. The display device 23 is installed on the rear 24 of the body of the bus 20 in a position where it can be seen by the driver of the following vehicle. The display device 23 is capable of displaying colorful designs, and is, for example, a liquid crystal or organic EL (Electroluminescence) display. The communication device 21 receives data related to the front of the bus 20 from the information processing device 10 by short-range wireless communication (for example, LTE). The image processing circuit 22 generates an image showing the environment in front of the bus 20 based on the received data and displays it on the display device 23. This allows the driver of the following vehicle to know the environment in front of the bus 20 (the environment of an area that would normally be blocked by the body of the bus 20 and cannot be seen) while the bus 20 is stopped at a bus stop.

2. Operational flow of the information processing system

Figure 2 shows the operational flow of the information processing system.

As a premise, periodically (e.g., every second), the vehicle detection device 11 continues to generate and transmit vehicle detection information, and the vehicle judgment unit 101 continues to receive the vehicle detection information. Periodically (e.g., every second), the light color detection device 12 continues to generate and transmit light color detection information, and the light color judgment unit 102 continues to receive the light color detection information. Periodically (e.g., every second), the environment detection device 13 continues to generate and transmit environment information, and the forward judgment unit 104 continues to receive environment information.

The vehicle determination unit 101 receives vehicle detection information from the vehicle detection device 11. The vehicle determination unit 101 determines whether a vehicle on the road is a bus 20 based on size information (indicating size or vehicle type) included in the vehicle detection information (step S101). Furthermore, the vehicle determination unit 101 may determine whether the bus 20 has a display device 23 (described below) based on the vehicle detection information. Note that the following operation may be executed whenever the presence of a bus 20 is determined (regardless of the presence or absence of a display device 23), or may be executed only when the presence of a bus 20 with a display device 23 is determined if the presence or absence of a display device 23 can be accurately determined.

When the vehicle determination unit 101 determines that the vehicle on the road is a bus 20 (step S101, YES), it determines whether the bus 20 has stopped based on the difference between the position information included in the vehicle detection information and the immediately preceding position information (step S102).

When the bus stops (step S102, YES), the light color determination unit 102 determines the light color (green, yellow, red) of the traffic light ahead of the stopped bus 20 in the direction of travel based on the light color detection information received from the light color detection device 12 (step S103, YES) (step S104).

The light color data generation unit 103 generates light color data that indicates the light color (green, yellow, red) of a traffic light. The light color data is data that can be transmitted to the vehicle-mounted device 200 of the bus 20. The communication control unit 106 controls the communication device 14 to transmit the light color data to the vehicle-mounted device 200 of the bus 20. The communication device 14 transmits the light color data to the vehicle-mounted device 200 of the bus 20 (step S105).

If the light color is blue (step S106, YES), i.e., if there is a high possibility that a following vehicle will overtake the bus 20, the operation of the control circuit 100 proceeds to the next step. On the other hand, if the light color is red or yellow (step S106, NO), the light color determination unit 102 continues to determine the light color (step S104) until the light color changes to blue (step S106, YES), and continues to control the communication device 14 to transmit light color data (step S105).

If the light color is blue (step S106, YES), i.e., if there is a high possibility that a following vehicle will overtake the bus 20, the forward judgment unit 104 judges, based on the environmental information received from the environment detection device 13, whether or not an object is present in the environment ahead of the stopped bus 20 in the direction of travel, and, if an object is present, what type of object it is (pedestrian, bicycle, vehicle, etc.) (step S107).

The object data generation unit 105 generates object data, which is data related to objects. The object data indicates, for example, the type of object present in the environment (pedestrian, bicycle, vehicle, etc.). When no object is present, the object data indicates that the object is not present. The object data is data that can be transmitted to the vehicle-mounted device 200 of the bus 20. The communication control unit 106 controls the communication device 14 to transmit the object data to the vehicle-mounted device 200 of the bus 20. The communication device 14 transmits the object data to the vehicle-mounted device 200 of the bus 20 (step S108).

However, if the light color was blue (step S106, YES) but then changed to red or yellow (step S106, NO), the forward judgment unit 104 stops judging objects present in the forward environment (step S107), and the communication control unit 106 stops generating and transmitting object data (step S108).

Meanwhile, the vehicle judgment unit 101 continues to receive vehicle detection information from the vehicle detection device 11 periodically (for example, every second). Based on the difference between the position information included in the vehicle detection information and the immediately preceding position information, the vehicle judgment unit 101 judges that the stopped bus 20 has resumed running (step S102, NO). When the bus 20 resumes running, the light color judgment unit 102 stops judging the light color, the forward judgment unit 104 stops judging the object, and the communication control unit 106 stops transmitting the light color data and the object data (step S109, YES) (step S110). The communication control unit 106 may simply stop the transmission, or may send a stop notification indicating that the transmission is to be stopped to the vehicle-mounted device 200 of the bus 20. Conversely, as long as the bus 20 is stopped (step S102, YES), the light color determination unit 102 continues to determine the light color, the forward determination unit 104 continues to determine the object, and the communication control unit 106 continues to transmit the light color data and object data.

3. Operation flow of the bus onboard device

Figure 3 shows the operational flow of the bus onboard unit.

The communication device 21 of the onboard device 200 of the stopped bus 20 receives light color data (step S105) from the information processing device 10 (step S201, YES). The light color data indicates the light color (green, yellow, red) of the traffic light ahead of the stopped bus 20 in the direction of travel. The image processing circuit 22 generates a light color image based on the light color data. The light color image is an image having colors indicating the light color (green, yellow, red). For example, the light color image is an image in which a design representing a traffic light is colored with one light color (the light color that is lit in the actual traffic light). The light color image may include characters, but the characters are auxiliary, and the main component that conveys the meaning is the image (design) having color. In other words, the light color image is an image that a driver who cannot read characters (such as a foreigner) can understand at a glance. The image processing circuit 22 displays the generated light color image on the display device 23 on the back 24 of the body of the bus 20 (step S202).

This allows the driver of a vehicle following the bus 20 to know the color of the lights of the traffic lights (which would normally be blocked by the body of the bus 20 and cannot be seen) ahead of the bus 20 when it is stopped at a bus stop.

The communication device 21 of the vehicle-mounted device 200 receives object data (step S108) from the information processing device 10 (step S203, YES). The object data indicates the type of object present in the environment (pedestrian, bicycle, vehicle, etc.), or indicates that the object does not exist if the object does not exist. The image processing circuit 22 generates an object image based on the object data. The object image is an image indicating the type of object (pedestrian, bicycle, vehicle, etc.) or that the object does not exist. Specifically, the object image is an image including a design indicating the type of object (pedestrian, bicycle, vehicle, etc.) or a design indicating that the object does not exist (for example, a design expressing safety). The object image may include characters, but the characters are auxiliary, and the main component that conveys the meaning is the image (design). In other words, the object image is an image that can be understood at a glance by a driver who cannot read characters (foreigners, etc.). The image processing circuit 22 displays the generated object image on the display device 23 on the rear 24 of the body of the bus 20 (step S204).

This allows the driver of a vehicle following the bus 20 to know the environment ahead of the bus 20 in the direction of travel while the bus 20 is stopped at a bus stop (the environment of an area that would normally be blocked by the body of the bus 20 and cannot be seen).

When the stopped bus 20 resumes traveling (step S102, NO), the communication device 21 of the vehicle-mounted device 200 stops receiving the light color data and object data that it had been receiving from the information processing device 10 (step S205, YES). If the information processing device 10 transmits a stop notification, the communication device 21 also receives the stop notification. Then, the image processing circuit 22 of the vehicle-mounted device 200 stops generating light color images and object images, and stops displaying them on the display device 23 (step S206).

4. Modifications

If there is no traffic light ahead of the position (e.g., a bus stop) where the bus 20 is expected to stop, the information processing system 1 does not need to have the light color detection device 12. In that case, the control circuit 100 of the information processing device 10 does not need to have the functions of the light color judgment unit 102 and the light color data generation unit 103. In that case, as for the operation flow of the information processing device 10, the information processing device 10 does not receive light color detection information (step S103, NO), so the processing of steps S103 to S106 is eliminated. In short, when the vehicle judgment unit 101 judges that the bus has stopped (step S102, YES), the forward judgment unit 104 judges the object based on the environmental information (step S107). In this way, since the same operation flow can be used, even if there is no traffic light, the control circuit 100 of the information processing device 10 may or may not have the light color judgment unit 102 and the light color data generation unit 103 in terms of hardware and software.

In this embodiment, the information processing device 10 determines the object (step S107) and transmits the object data to the vehicle-mounted device 200 of the bus 20 (step S108) only if the light color is blue (step S106, YES). In contrast, the information processing device 10 may determine the object and transmit the object data to the vehicle-mounted device 200 of the bus 20 regardless of the light color. The operation flow of the information processing device 10 simply eliminates the processing of step S106.

5. Conclusion

(1) According to one embodiment, the information processing device 10 has a communication device 14 configured to transmit data to the bus 20 by short-range wireless communication, and a control circuit 100. The control circuit 100 operates as a vehicle determination unit 101 that determines the bus 20 having a display device 23 on the rear surface 24 of the vehicle body based on vehicle detection information generated by a vehicle detection device 11 that detects the bus 20 on the road, a light color determination unit 102 that determines the light color of the traffic light based on light color detection information generated by a light color detection device 12 that detects the light color of the traffic light when a traffic light is present ahead of the bus 20 in the traveling direction, a light color data generation unit 103 that generates light color data that is data indicating the light color of the traffic light, and a communication control unit 106 that controls the communication device 14 to transmit the light color data to the bus 20. The bus 20 receives the light color data by short-range wireless communication and displays the light color on the display device 23 based on the light color data.

The driver of a vehicle following the bus 20 may have difficulty knowing the color of the traffic light ahead of the bus 20 because the driver's view is obstructed by the body of the bus 20. In consideration of the above circumstances, according to this embodiment, the information processing device 10 determines the color of the traffic light, generates light color data, and transmits the light color data to the bus 20, which has a display device 23 on the rear 24 of the body. The bus 20 displays the light color on the display device 23 on the rear 24 of the body based on the received light color data. This allows the driver of the following vehicle to know the color of the light that is actually on at the traffic light, even if he or she cannot actually see the color of the traffic light ahead of the bus 20, by looking at the light color displayed on the display device 23 on the rear 24 of the bus body.

(2) According to one embodiment, the control circuit 100 of the information processing device 10 further operates as a forward determination unit 104 that determines an object present in front of the vehicle body based on environmental information generated by an environment detection device 13 that detects objects on the road, and an object data generation unit that generates object data that is data related to the object. The communication control unit 106 controls the communication device 14 to transmit the object data to the bus 20. The bus 20 receives the object data via short-range wireless communication, and displays information related to the object on the display device 23 based on the object data.

As a result, even if the driver of the following vehicle cannot actually see the environment ahead of the bus 20 in the direction of travel, the driver can see information about objects displayed on the display device 23 on the rear 24 of the bus body and know whether objects are actually present in the environment (crossing pedestrians, bicycles, oncoming vehicles, etc.) or whether there are no objects at all. This allows the driver of the following vehicle to know about safety, such as whether there is a possibility of an unexpected pedestrian jumping out into the road.

(3) According to one embodiment, the vehicle determination unit 101 determines that the bus 20 has stopped, and when the vehicle determination unit 101 determines that the bus 20 has stopped, the light color determination unit 102 determines the light color.

A bus stops at every bus stop, and stops for a relatively long time compared to a simple temporary stop to wait for passengers to get on and off. For this reason, the driver of the following vehicle may want to overtake the stopped bus. However, since the driver of the following vehicle has his/her view blocked by the body of the bus, it may be difficult for him/her to know the environment in front of the bus (presence or absence of traffic lights, the color of the traffic lights, presence or absence of pedestrians, presence or absence of oncoming vehicles, etc.). For this reason, the driver of the following vehicle may not be able to overtake the bus without being able to fully confirm safety, which may cause a traffic jam. Alternatively, the driver of the following vehicle may overtake the bus without fully confirming safety. Therefore, according to this embodiment, when the bus 20 stops, that is, when there is a possibility that the following vehicle will overtake the bus 20, the information processing device 10 transmits light color data and object data to the bus 20 having a display device 23 on the rear 24 of the vehicle body. The bus 20 displays light color and object information on the display device 23 on the rear 24 of the vehicle body based on the received light color data and object data. As a result, even if the driver of the following vehicle cannot actually see the traffic light color or objects in front of the bus 20, the driver can see the traffic light color and objects displayed on the display device 23 on the rear 24 of the bus body, know the actual traffic light color and whether or not there are objects, and can safely determine whether or not they can overtake the bus.

(4) According to one embodiment, the vehicle determination unit 101 determines that the stopped bus 20 has resumed running, and when the vehicle determination unit 101 determines that the bus 20 has resumed running, the light color determination unit 102 stops determining the light color, and the communication control unit 106 stops transmitting light color data.

According to this embodiment, when the stopped bus 20 resumes traveling, i.e., when it is unlikely that the following vehicle will overtake the bus 20, the information processing device 10 stops transmitting the light color data, and the bus 20 does not display the light color. In other words, when it is unlikely that the following vehicle will overtake the bus 20, the display is stopped. This prevents the driver of the following vehicle from being too conscious of the display device 23 and becoming distracted from their surroundings.

(5) According to one embodiment, the vehicle judgment unit 101 judges that the stopped bus 20 has resumed traveling, and when the vehicle judgment unit 101 determines that the bus 20 has resumed traveling, the forward judgment unit 104 stops judging objects, and the communication control unit 106 stops transmitting object data.

According to this embodiment, when the stopped bus 20 resumes traveling, i.e., when it is unlikely that the following vehicle will overtake the bus 20, the information processing device 10 stops transmitting the object data, and the bus 20 does not display the object information. In other words, when it is unlikely that the following vehicle will overtake the bus 20, the display is stopped. This prevents the driver of the following vehicle from being too conscious of the display device 23 and becoming distracted from his or her surroundings.

(6) According to one embodiment, the light color determination unit 102 continues to determine the light color until it determines that the light color is blue, and when the light color determination unit 102 determines that the light color is blue, the object data generation unit 105 generates object data.

A following vehicle is highly likely to overtake the bus 20 when the traffic light ahead of the bus 20 is green. Therefore, when the traffic light ahead of the bus 20 is green, i.e., when there is a high possibility that a following vehicle will overtake the bus 20, the information processing device 10 transmits object data in addition to light color data to the bus 20, which has a display device 23 on the rear face 24 of the vehicle body. The bus 20 displays object information on the display device 23 on the rear face 24 of the vehicle body in addition to the light color. This allows the driver of the following vehicle to know whether or not the object is present when there is a high possibility that the following vehicle will overtake the bus 20, and to determine in a sufficiently safe manner whether or not they can overtake the bus.

(7) According to one embodiment, the light color detection device 12 detects light color without using a camera.

When photographing with a camera, the detection results may be inaccurate due to environmental influences such as afternoon sun. According to this embodiment, the light color detection device 12 does not detect the light color of a traffic light based on an image of the traffic light photographed by a camera, so accurate light color detection information can be generated.

(8) According to one embodiment, the light color detection device 12 is capable of communicating with a traffic light control device that periodically controls the light color of a traffic light, and detects the light color based on communication with the traffic light control device.

This allows the light color detection device 12 to generate more accurate light color detection information because it is not affected by the setting sun.

(9) According to one embodiment, the light color data generation unit 103 generates data for generating and displaying a light color image, which is an image having a color indicating the light color, as light color data, and the bus 20 displays the light color image on the display device 23.

A light color image is an image with colors that indicate light colors (green, yellow, red). For example, a light color image is an image in which a single light color (the light color that is lit at an actual traffic light) is colored onto a design that represents a traffic light. A light color image may include text, but the text is secondary, and the main component that conveys meaning is the colored image (design). This allows drivers who cannot read text (such as foreigners) to look at the light color image and understand at a glance the light color that is lit at an actual traffic light. Drivers who can read text can also intuitively understand the light color by looking at the light color image, which shortens the time it takes to make a decision and leads to safer driving.

(10) According to one embodiment, the object data generation unit 105 generates data for generating and displaying an object image, which is an image showing an object, as object data, and the bus 20 displays the object image on the display device 23.

An object image is an image that indicates the type of object (pedestrian, bicycle, vehicle, etc.) or the absence of an object. Specifically, an object image is an image that includes a design that indicates the type of object (pedestrian, bicycle, vehicle, etc.) or a design that indicates the absence of an object (for example, a design that expresses safety). An object image may include text, but the text is auxiliary and the main conveying of meaning is the image (design). This allows drivers who cannot read text (foreigners, etc.) to look at the light object image and understand at a glance the object that is not actually visible. Furthermore, drivers who can read text can also intuitively understand the object by looking at the object image, which shortens the decision time and leads to safer driving.

Although the embodiments and variations of the present technology have been described above, the present technology is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can of course be made without departing from the spirit of the present technology.

Information Processing System 1
Information processing device 10
Vehicle detection device 11
Light color detection device 12
Environment detection device 13
Communication device 14
Bus 20
Communication device 21
Image processing circuit 22
Display device 23
Back 24
Control circuit 100
Vehicle determination unit 101
Light color determination unit 102
Light color data generating unit 103
Forward judgment unit 104
Object data generation unit 105
Communication control unit 106
Vehicle-mounted device 200

Claims (13)

a communication device configured to transmit data to a vehicle via short-range wireless communication;
a vehicle determination unit that determines a vehicle having a display device on a rear surface of a vehicle body based on vehicle detection information generated by a vehicle detection device that detects vehicles on a road;
a light color determination unit that determines a light color of the traffic light based on light color detection information generated by a light color detection device that detects the light color of the traffic light when a traffic light is present ahead in a traveling direction of the vehicle;
a light color data generating unit that generates light color data that is data indicating the light color of the traffic light;
a control circuit that operates as a communication control unit that controls the communication device to transmit the light color data to the vehicle;
Equipped with
The vehicle receives the light color data through the short-range wireless communication and displays the light color on the display device based on the light color data .
The vehicle determination unit determines that the vehicle has stopped,
When the vehicle determination unit determines that the vehicle has stopped, the light color determination unit determines the light color,
The vehicle determination unit determines that the stopped vehicle has resumed traveling,
When the vehicle determination unit determines that the vehicle has resumed traveling, the light color determination unit stops determining the light color, and the communication control unit stops transmitting the light color data.
Information processing device. a communication device configured to transmit data to a vehicle via short-range wireless communication;
a vehicle determination unit that determines a vehicle having a display device on a rear surface of a vehicle body based on vehicle detection information generated by a vehicle detection device that detects vehicles on a road;
a light color determination unit that determines a light color of the traffic light based on light color detection information generated by a light color detection device that detects the light color of the traffic light when a traffic light is present ahead in a traveling direction of the vehicle;
a light color data generating unit that generates light color data that is data indicating the light color of the traffic light;
a communication control unit that controls the communication device to transmit the lamp color data to the vehicle;
a forward determination unit that determines an object present in front of the vehicle body based on environmental information generated by an environmental detection device that detects objects on a road;
an object data generating unit for generating object data relating to the object;
a control circuit operating as
Equipped with
the communication control unit controls the communication device to transmit the object data to the vehicle;
the vehicle receives the object data via the short-range wireless communication and displays information about the object on the display device based on the object data;
The vehicle receives the light color data through the short-range wireless communication and displays the light color on the display device based on the light color data.
The vehicle determination unit determines that the vehicle has stopped,
When the vehicle determination unit determines that the vehicle has stopped, the light color determination unit determines the light color,
The vehicle determination unit determines that the stopped vehicle has resumed traveling,
When the vehicle determination unit determines that the vehicle has resumed traveling, the forward determination unit stops determining the object, and the communication control unit stops transmitting the object data.
Information processing device. a communication device configured to transmit data to a vehicle via short-range wireless communication;
a vehicle determination unit that determines a vehicle having a display device on a rear surface of a vehicle body based on vehicle detection information generated by a vehicle detection device that detects vehicles on a road;
a light color determination unit that determines a light color of the traffic light based on light color detection information generated by a light color detection device that detects the light color of the traffic light when a traffic light is present ahead in a traveling direction of the vehicle;
a light color data generating unit that generates light color data that is data indicating the light color of the traffic light;
a communication control unit that controls the communication device to transmit the lamp color data to the vehicle;
a forward determination unit that determines an object present in front of the vehicle body based on environmental information generated by an environmental detection device that detects objects on a road;
an object data generating unit for generating object data relating to the object;
a control circuit operating as
Equipped with
the communication control unit controls the communication device to transmit the object data to the vehicle;
the vehicle receives the object data via the short-range wireless communication and displays information about the object on the display device based on the object data;
The light color determination unit continues to determine the light color until it determines that the light color is blue,
When the light color determination unit determines that the light color is blue, the object data generation unit generates the object data.
Information processing device. 4. The information processing device according to claim 1 ,
The light color detection device is an information processing device that detects the light color without using a camera. 5. The information processing device according to claim 4 ,
The light color detection device is capable of communicating with a traffic light control device that periodically controls the light color of the traffic light, and detects the light color based on communication with the traffic light control device. 6. The information processing device according to claim 1 ,
The light color data generating unit generates, as the light color data, data for generating and displaying a light color image, which is an image having a color indicating the light color;
The vehicle displays the light color image on the display device. 4. The information processing device according to claim 2 ,
the object data generating unit generates, as the object data, data for generating and displaying an object image which is an image showing the object;
The vehicle displays the object image on the display device. An information processing device,
A vehicle having a display device on a rear surface of a vehicle body is determined based on vehicle detection information generated by a vehicle detection device that detects vehicles on a road;
When a traffic light is present ahead in the traveling direction of the vehicle, a light color of the traffic light is determined based on light color detection information generated by a light color detection device that detects the light color of the traffic light;
generating light color data which is data indicating the light color of the traffic light;
Controlling a communication device to transmit the light color data to the vehicle;
The vehicle,
The light color data is received by short-range wireless communication,
Displaying the light color on the display device based on the light color data;
The information processing device,
When it is determined that the vehicle has stopped, the light color is determined;
determining that the stopped vehicle has resumed traveling;
When it is determined that the vehicle has resumed traveling, the determination of the light color is stopped and the transmission of the light color data is stopped.
Information processing methods. An information processing device,
A vehicle having a display device on a rear surface of a vehicle body is determined based on vehicle detection information generated by a vehicle detection device that detects vehicles on a road;
When a traffic light is present ahead in the traveling direction of the vehicle, a light color of the traffic light is determined based on light color detection information generated by a light color detection device that detects the light color of the traffic light;
generating light color data which is data indicating the light color of the traffic light;
Controlling a communication device to transmit the light color data to the vehicle;
determining an object present in front of the vehicle body based on environmental information generated by an environmental detection device that detects objects on a road;
generating object data relating to the object;
controlling a communication device to transmit the object data to the vehicle;
The vehicle,
receiving the object data by short-range wireless communication, and displaying information about the object on the display device based on the object data;
receiving the light color data by short-range wireless communication, and displaying the light color on the display device based on the light color data;
The information processing device,
When it is determined that the vehicle has stopped, the light color is determined;
determining that the stopped vehicle has resumed traveling;
When it is determined that the vehicle has resumed traveling, the determination of the object is stopped and the transmission of the object data is stopped.
Information processing methods. An information processing device,
A vehicle having a display device on a rear surface of a vehicle body is determined based on vehicle detection information generated by a vehicle detection device that detects vehicles on a road;
When a traffic light is present ahead in the traveling direction of the vehicle, a light color of the traffic light is determined based on light color detection information generated by a light color detection device that detects the light color of the traffic light;
generating light color data which is data indicating the light color of the traffic light;
Controlling a communication device to transmit the light color data to the vehicle;
determining an object present in front of the vehicle body based on environmental information generated by an environmental detection device that detects objects on a road;
generating object data relating to the object;
controlling the communication device to transmit the object data to the vehicle;
The vehicle,
receiving the object data by short-range wireless communication, and displaying information about the object on the display device based on the object data;
The information processing device,
Continue determining the light color until it is determined that the light color is blue;
If it is determined that the light color is blue, the object data is generated.
Information processing methods. a communication device configured to transmit data to a vehicle via short-range wireless communication;
A control circuit;
The control circuit of an information processing device having
a vehicle determination unit that determines a vehicle having a display device on a rear surface of a vehicle body based on vehicle detection information generated by a vehicle detection device that detects vehicles on a road;
a light color determination unit that determines a light color of the traffic light based on light color detection information generated by a light color detection device that detects the light color of the traffic light when a traffic light is present ahead in a traveling direction of the vehicle;
a light color data generating unit that generates light color data that is data indicating the light color of the traffic light;
a communication control unit that controls the communication device to transmit the light color data to the vehicle;
The vehicle receives the light color data through the short-range wireless communication and displays the light color on the display device based on the light color data .
The vehicle determination unit determines that the vehicle has stopped,
When the vehicle determination unit determines that the vehicle has stopped, the light color determination unit determines the light color,
The vehicle determination unit determines that the stopped vehicle has resumed traveling,
When the vehicle determination unit determines that the vehicle has resumed traveling, the light color determination unit stops determining the light color, and the communication control unit stops transmitting the light color data.
Information processing program. a communication device configured to transmit data to a vehicle via short-range wireless communication;
A control circuit;
The control circuit of an information processing device having
a vehicle determination unit that determines a vehicle having a display device on a rear surface of a vehicle body based on vehicle detection information generated by a vehicle detection device that detects vehicles on a road;
a light color determination unit that determines a light color of the traffic light based on light color detection information generated by a light color detection device that detects the light color of the traffic light when a traffic light is present ahead in a traveling direction of the vehicle;
a light color data generating unit that generates light color data that is data indicating the light color of the traffic light;
a communication control unit that controls the communication device to transmit the lamp color data to the vehicle;
a forward determination unit that determines an object present in front of the vehicle body based on environmental information generated by an environmental detection device that detects objects on a road;
an object data generating unit for generating object data relating to the object;
Operate as
the communication control unit controls the communication device to transmit the object data to the vehicle;
the vehicle receives the object data via the short-range wireless communication and displays information about the object on the display device based on the object data;
The vehicle receives the light color data through the short-range wireless communication and displays the light color on the display device based on the light color data.
The vehicle determination unit determines that the vehicle has stopped,
When the vehicle determination unit determines that the vehicle has stopped, the light color determination unit determines the light color,
The vehicle determination unit determines that the stopped vehicle has resumed traveling,
When the vehicle determination unit determines that the vehicle has resumed traveling, the forward determination unit stops determining the object, and the communication control unit stops transmitting the object data.
Information processing program. A vehicle detection device for detecting vehicles on a road;
a light color detection device for detecting the light color of a traffic light present ahead in the traveling direction of the vehicle;
An information processing device,
a communication device configured to transmit data to a vehicle via short-range wireless communication;
a vehicle determination unit that determines a vehicle having a display device on a rear surface of a vehicle body based on the vehicle detection information generated by the vehicle detection device;
a light color determination unit that determines a light color of the traffic light based on light color detection information generated by the light color detection device when the traffic light is present ahead in a traveling direction of the vehicle;
a light color data generating unit that generates light color data that is data indicating the light color of the traffic light;
a control circuit that operates as a communication control unit that controls the communication device to transmit the light color data to the vehicle;
and an information processing device having
The vehicle receives the light color data through the short-range wireless communication and displays the light color on the display device based on the light color data .
The vehicle determination unit determines that the vehicle has stopped,
When the vehicle determination unit determines that the vehicle has stopped, the light color determination unit determines the light color,
The vehicle determination unit determines that the stopped vehicle has resumed traveling,
When the vehicle determination unit determines that the vehicle has resumed traveling, the light color determination unit stops determining the light color, and the communication control unit stops transmitting the light color data.
Information processing system.

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