JPH06308221A - Display device applied to obstacle detecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a display device applied to an obstacle detecting device capable of estimating an obstacle detected by the obstacle detecting device to some degree. CONSTITUTION:A display section is arranged with a LED display section 20 lighted when an obstacle exists at the front center and LED display sections 21, 22 lighted when obstacles exist on both the front right and left sides. When the distance to the obstacle existing at the center in the advance direction of a vehicle is detected, a green LED 20a is first lighted. As the distance to the obstacle becomes shorter, a green LED 20b, orange LEDs 20c, 20d, and red LEDs 20e, 20f are lighted in this order. Traffic safety can be improved.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a display device mounted on a vehicle and applied to an obstacle detecting device for detecting an obstacle ahead of the vehicle in the traveling direction.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when light is emitted from a light emitting portion toward the front in the traveling direction of a vehicle and an obstacle is present in front of the vehicle, the light reflected by the obstacle is received by a light receiving portion to prevent an obstacle. An obstacle detection device for detecting an object is mounted on a vehicle and used. Such an obstacle detection device is generally provided with a display device for informing the driver of the relationship with the obstacle.

6 and 7 are schematic diagrams showing typical prior art examples of display devices (for example, Automotive Technology Vol. 4).
See 3, No. 2, 1989. ). The display device includes, for example, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, there are an alarm lamp 100 that lights or blinks a light emitting element together with an alarm sound, and as shown in FIG. 7, there is a distance display device 101 that displays the distance to an obstacle by numbers.

The alarm lamp 100, as shown in FIG.
A light emitting element is provided in an instrument (so-called tachometer in the figure) in the vehicle. In this alarm lamp 100, the light emitting element is turned on or blinks when the risk of collision with an obstacle increases. The driver or the like can know that the risk of collision has increased by seeing the lighting or blinking.

As shown in FIG. 7, the distance display device 101 is composed of an LED (light emitting diode) display or the like, and two segments arranged in an "I" shape are arranged on the left side. , 7 segments arranged in a "day" shape are arranged in the center and on the right side so that the minimum "0" and the maximum "199" can be displayed. The distance display device 101 displays the distance to an obstacle.
The driver or the like recognizes the distance to the obstacle by looking at this display.

[0006]

Generally, the driver is driving while looking ahead. Therefore, when there is an obstacle in front of which there is a high risk of collision, it can be recognized. On the other hand, it is difficult to recognize the obstacle clearly at night, in the rain, or when fog occurs and visibility is poor in the front. When such a driver has difficulty in recognizing an obstacle sufficiently, the alarm lamp 100 may light up or blink. In such a case, it is expected that the driver will see the alarm lamp 100 and the front alternately alternately for a moment. However, since the alarm lamp 100 is simply lit or blinking, it may not be possible to estimate what kind of obstacle the obstacle detection device is detecting even when looking ahead. Therefore, it may not be possible to take appropriate measures.

Further, such a thing also occurs in the following cases. That is, this is a case where the obstacle detection device detects an obstacle such as a vehicle parked on a road shoulder that does not hinder traveling or a traffic sign having a high reflectance. When an obstacle that does not hinder driving is detected, the driver can estimate which obstacle is detected and the warning lamp is lit or blinking, no matter how good the visibility is. Can not.

The same thing occurs in the distance display device 101. This is because what is displayed on the distance display device 101 is a simple number indicating the distance to the obstacle. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, and particularly when the forward line of sight is poor, a display device applied to an obstacle detection device capable of estimating the obstacle detected by the obstacle detection device to some extent. Is to provide.

[0009]

A display device applied to an obstacle detection device according to claim 1 for attaining the above object is a display device applied to an on-vehicle obstacle detection device, comprising: And a control unit that selectively operates the plurality of display units according to the distance between the display unit array in which the display units are arranged and the obstacle detected by the obstacle detection device. It is what

Further, a display device applied to the obstacle detection device according to claim 2 is the display device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit row corresponds to a direction in which an obstacle exists. A plurality of control means are provided, and the control means operates the display unit row corresponding to the direction in which the obstacle detected by the obstacle detection device exists.

[0011]

In the structure according to the first aspect, the plurality of display portions are selectively operated in correspondence with the distance to the obstacle.
Therefore, for example, when the distance to the detected obstacle is long, a certain display unit can be operated, and when the distance to the obstacle is short, another display unit can be operated. Therefore, the display units can be sequentially operated as the distance from the obstacle becomes shorter.

Further, in the structure according to the second aspect, the display unit row for displaying the detection direction among the plurality of display unit rows is operated in correspondence with the direction in which the obstacle exists. Therefore, for example, when an obstacle existing on the left side with respect to the traveling direction of the vehicle is detected, it is possible to operate the display unit row displaying the left side. The operation of the display unit row at this time is to selectively operate each display unit as described above in accordance with the distance from the obstacle. Further, when the obstacle existing on the right side is detected, the display unit row for displaying the right side can be operated. Furthermore, when an obstacle existing near the center is detected, the display unit row for displaying the center can be operated.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 2 is a block diagram simply showing the configuration of the obstacle detection device according to the embodiment of the present invention. This device is used by being mounted on a vehicle, and calculates the distance between the light emitting unit 1 that emits light in the forward direction of the vehicle, the light receiving unit 2 that receives the reflected light reflected by an obstacle, and the obstacle. The information processing circuit 3 and the display unit 4 for displaying the distance to the obstacle to the driver.

More specifically, the light emitting section 1 has three light emitting elements 1a including, for example, a light emitting diode and a laser diode, and an optical system 1b including an aspherical plastic lens and the like. The light emitting element 1a includes a power source 1c
Is supplied with electric power from the driving high-voltage power supply unit 1d. Light is sequentially emitted from each of the light emitting elements 1a. The switching of the light emitting element 1a that emits light is performed by the switching drive unit 1
e. That is, the switching drive section 1e is given a laser switching signal from a gate timer described later,
The switching drive unit 1e switches the light emitting element 1a that emits light in the order of right, center, left, for example, based on this switching signal.

The light emitted from the light emitting portion 1 has a shape as shown in FIG. 3 because the three light emitting elements 1a respectively emit light. Therefore, the irradiation light 10a in the center is reflected when the obstacle exists near the front center, and the irradiation lights 10b and 10c on the left and right sides are reflected when the obstacle exists on the left and right sides. The light receiving section 2 has two light receiving elements 2a including a photodiode and a phototransistor, and an optical system 2b including a honeycomb filter and a Fresnel lens. The reflected light received by the light receiving element 2a via the optical system 2b is given to the distance counter 2d after being amplified by the light receiving amplifier 2c.

A gate signal is applied to the distance counter 2d from an oscillator 2e via a gate timer 2f.
The output timing of the gate signal is the same as the laser switching signal given from the gate timer 2f to the switching driver 1b. That is, this gate signal corresponds to the light emitting element 1a irradiated with light. In the distance counter 2d, when the reflected light is received by the light receiving element 2a while the gate signal is being output, the time from the emission of the light until the reflected light is received, that is, the delay time is measured. To be done. This delay time corresponds to the distance to the obstacle.

The measured delay time is given to the signal converter 2g, converted into a desired signal, and then processed by the information processing circuit 3.
Is output to. A gate signal is applied to the signal converter 2g at the same timing as that applied to the distance counter 2d, and the gate signal is also output to the information processing circuit 3 together with the delay time data. Information processing circuit 3
Then, the distance to the obstacle is calculated based on the delay time data given from the light receiving unit 2. That is, the distance to the obstacle is calculated based on the length of the delay time data.
The calculated distance data is given to the display unit 4 together with the gate signal.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram simply showing the structure of the display unit 4. The display unit 4 includes a signal processor 4a, a pattern display driver 4b, and a pattern display 4c. In the signal processor 4a, a threshold value is stored in advance for each LED display element forming a part of the pattern display device 4c described later. In the signal processor 4a, it is judged whether or not the distance data given from the information processing circuit 3 is equal to or less than the threshold value. As a result, when the distance data is equal to or less than the threshold value, the LED corresponding to the threshold value is determined.
The display element is turned on via the pattern display driver 4b. However, at this time, the gate signal is referred to. That is, the gate signal is the light emitting element 1a which is irradiated with light.
(See FIG. 2), it is possible to know in which direction the obstacle is present by referring to this.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing the pattern display 4b. The pattern display device 4b includes an LED display unit 20 that is turned on when an obstacle exists near the front center,
It is composed of LED display parts 21 and 22 which are respectively turned on when obstacles are present on the front left and right sides. More specifically, the LED display unit 20 includes LED display elements 20a and 20b (hereinafter, referred to as "green LEDs 20a and 20b") that emit green light, and LED display elements 20c and 20d (hereinafter, "green LED 20a and 20b") that emit orange light. Orange LEDs 20c and 20d "), and LED display elements 20e and 20f that emit red light (hereinafter," red LEDs ").
20e, 20f ". )have.

In the LED display section 20, the LED display elements are arranged at regular intervals, and the lateral width of each LED display element is the shortest in the green LED 20a and the green L in order.
ED20b, orange LEDs 20c, 20d, red L
Following the ED 20e, the red LED 20f is the longest. As described above, the lighting area of the LED display element that emits red light is large because it is easy to visually call attention.

Further, in the LED display section 20, each L
The ED display element is lit when the distance from the obstacle becomes equal to or less than the threshold value stored in advance in the signal processor 4a. The green LED 20a has the longest threshold,
The red LED 20f is the shortest. This is because the LED display element that emits red light, which is more likely to visually call attention, is more likely to notify the driver of the risk of collision.

When an obstacle is present near the front center, the green LED 20a is first turned on, and the green LED 20b and the orange LE are arranged as the distance to the obstacle becomes shorter.
D20c, 20d, red LED 20e lights up, and when the distance to the obstacle becomes shorter, red LED 20f
Lights up. Here, the LED display element that has been turned on once is
The lighting is continued until the distance to the obstacle becomes equal to or more than the threshold value corresponding to the LED display element.

The LED display sections 21 and 22 are respectively composed of LED display elements 21a and 22a (hereinafter referred to as "orange LEDs 21a and 22a") which emit orange light, and LED display elements 21b and 22b (hereinafter referred to as "orange color LEDs 21a and 22a"). Red LE
D21b, 22b ". )have. Also, L
Also in the ED display portions 21 and 22, the width of each LED display element is different, and the orange LEDs 21a and 22a
Is relatively short, and the red LEDs 21b and 22b are relatively long.

Further, each of the LED display elements constituting the LED display sections 21 and 22 is also turned on when the distance from the obstacle becomes equal to or less than the threshold value previously stored in the signal processor 4a. . That is, when the obstacle is on the front left side, first, the orange LED 21
When a is turned on and an obstacle approaches, the red LED 21b is turned on. Further, when the obstacle exists on the front right side, the orange LED 22a first lights up, and when the obstacle approaches, the red LED 22b lights up. The threshold value corresponding to the orange LEDs 21a and 22a is the same as the threshold value corresponding to the orange LED 20d, and the red LE
The threshold value corresponding to D21b and 22b is the red LED 20e.
Is the same as the threshold value corresponding to.

As described above, according to the obstacle detecting apparatus of this embodiment, the LED display elements of the pattern display 4c are sequentially turned on as the obstacle approaches,
The driver can perceptually recognize that the obstacle detected by the obstacle detection device is an approaching obstacle. Therefore, even if the forward visibility is poor, the detected obstacle can be estimated to some extent.

In addition, obstacles are located on the left side, near the center, and on the right side.
Since the LED display unit to be turned on is selected corresponding to the presence in one direction, the driver determines whether the detected obstacle is in the center of the road or on both the left and right sides. Can be recognized. Therefore, even if the forward visibility is poor, the detected obstacle can be estimated to some extent.

The description of the present embodiment is as described above.
The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the pattern display 4d has an LED.
Although the example using the display element has been described, a liquid crystal display element (LCD) 30 may be used as shown in FIG. 5, for example.
In this case, for example, a color filter may be used for color display. Alternatively, a light bulb, electroluminescence or the like may be used. However, considering safety and reliability, electronic components such as light emitting diodes are more preferable than light bulbs.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the case where the positional relationship with the obstacle is displayed on the pattern display 4c has been described, but as shown in FIG.
It is also possible to provide a distance display unit 40 for displaying the distance as a number together with c and display the distance to the obstacle in addition to the positional relationship. A distance indicator may be provided separately from the pattern indicator 4c.

Further, in the above embodiment, all LEDs are
Although the display element is lit, for example, all LEDs
You may make it blink a display element. Further, it may be made to blink depending on the distance to the obstacle. For example, when the distance to the obstacle becomes short, the LED display element corresponding to the distance can be made to blink so that the driver can be more alerted.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the LED display portions 20, 21, 22 are provided at the center and both left and right sides, but for example, only the LED display portion 20 is provided at the center and the other LED display portions 21, 22 may not be provided. In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the light emitting element 1
An example in which an obstacle detection device for detecting an obstacle is applied based on the delay time from the irradiation of light from a to the reception of the reflected light has been described. An obstacle detection device that detects an obstacle depending on the difference or an obstacle detection device that detects an obstacle by another method may be applied.

In addition, various design changes can be made without changing the gist of the present invention.

[0032]

As described above, according to the display device applied to the obstacle detecting device according to the first aspect, since the display portion is selectively operated in correspondence with the distance to the obstacle, the driver is The distance to the detected obstacle can be perceptually recognized. Therefore, even if the forward line of sight is poor, the driver can estimate the detected obstacle to some extent. Therefore, since it is possible to take appropriate measures as compared with the conventional one, it is possible to improve traffic safety.

Further, according to the display device applied to the obstacle detecting device according to the second aspect, since the display unit row is selectively operated in correspondence with the direction in which the obstacle exists, the driver is not limited to any one. It is possible to recognize whether an obstacle existing in the direction is detected. Therefore, even if the forward line of sight is poor, the driver can estimate the detected obstacle to some extent. Therefore, since it is possible to take appropriate measures as compared with the conventional one, it is possible to improve traffic safety.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a display device used in an obstacle detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an obstacle detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a pattern of light emitted from a light emitting unit.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a display unit.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a display device of a modified example of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional display device.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional display device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 3 Information processing circuit 4a Signal processor 4c Pattern display 20, 21, 22 LED display 20a, 20b Green LED 20c, 20d, 21a, 22a Orange LED 20e, 20f, 21b, 22b Red LED

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A display device applied to an on-vehicle obstacle detection device, which corresponds to a distance between a display unit row in which a plurality of display units are arranged and an obstacle detected by the obstacle detection device. And a control unit for selectively operating the plurality of display units. 2. A display device applied to the obstacle detection device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the display section rows are provided corresponding to a direction in which an obstacle exists, and the control means is an obstacle. A display device, wherein a display unit row corresponding to a direction in which an obstacle detected by the detection device is present is operated.