JPH11203599A - Alarm system for distance between cars - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a vehicle headway distance measurement discriminating function, a vehicle headway distance measuring function and a danger level discriminating function into general purpose by independently executing these functions while referring to present car speed data. SOLUTION: When it is decided the measurement of the headway distance between cars is enabled, while referring to the present car speed directly inputted from a car speed sensor 15, a CPU 3 measures the headway distance between the current car and the preceding car. Further, while referring to the current car speed data directly inputted from the car speed sensor 15, the CPU 3 calculates the safety distance between cars with which the safe brake stop of the current car can be estimated. Then, the relation of this calculated safe headway distance between cars and the headway distance between cars measured this time is compared and based on this compared result, the level of danger in the distance between cars measured this time is decided. Thus, the vehicle headway distance measurement deciding function a vehicle headway distance measuring function and a danger level deciding function are independently executed and the required data are appropriately exchanged with an external connected device so that a novel system can be constructed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an inter-vehicle distance measuring device for measuring the inter-vehicle distance between a host vehicle and a preceding vehicle, and more particularly, for example, both of the inter-vehicle distance data and the risk data are taken into an external connection device. The present invention relates to an inter-vehicle distance warning system capable of satisfying the above-mentioned demands with a minimum necessary simple system configuration even when a demand for building a possible new system arises.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-38991.
In general, an inter-vehicle distance warning system that measures the inter-vehicle distance between a host vehicle and a preceding vehicle and displays the measured inter-vehicle distance to alert a driver to safe driving is generally known as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. H11-163873. Have been.

[0003] The principle of measuring the following distance in this type of following distance warning system will be described. For example, a semiconductor pulse laser beam is mounted ahead of a laser radar head mounted on the front of the own vehicle and provided with a light emitting section and a light receiving section. While irradiating toward the car, the reflected light from the rear reflector etc. of the preceding car is received by the light receiving section of the own vehicle, and the time from light emission to light reception is converted to the inter-vehicle distance value to measure the inter-vehicle distance I am trying to do it.

[0004] The inter-vehicle distance measured as described above is displayed on a display device incorporated in a combination meter or the like in the vehicle cabin, and by reading the inter-vehicle distance value displayed on the display device, the driver can read his / her own vehicle. The distance between the vehicle and the preceding vehicle can be known.

However, since the appropriate inter-vehicle distance changes according to the vehicle speed, simply displaying the inter-vehicle distance immediately determines whether or not the current inter-vehicle distance is appropriate for the own vehicle traveling at a certain vehicle speed. It is not possible.

Therefore, conventionally, a safe inter-vehicle distance, which is presumed to be able to safely stop braking, is stored in association with the vehicle speed, and the stored contents are referred to for the own vehicle traveling at the vehicle speed. The safety inter-vehicle distance is read, the magnitude relation between the read safety inter-vehicle distance and the current inter-vehicle distance is compared, and based on the comparison result, it is determined whether or not the current inter-vehicle distance is within an appropriate range. There is also known one that displays or informs as a degree.

[0007] According to the danger determination display, the driver:
It is possible to immediately know whether or not the current inter-vehicle distance of the own vehicle traveling at a certain vehicle speed is within an appropriate range.

Conventionally, the measurement of the inter-vehicle distance between the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle has been performed in accordance with the running state of the host vehicle, that is, because the necessity of the host vehicle is low when the host vehicle is stopped or running at a low speed. The measurement of the inter-vehicle distance is restricted as much as possible based on whether or not the vehicle speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined speed.

As described above, unnecessary measurement of the inter-vehicle distance is limited as much as possible, thereby contributing to energy saving.

As described above, the conventional inter-vehicle distance warning system has an inter-vehicle distance measurement availability determination function for determining whether or not the inter-vehicle distance can be measured based on whether or not the own vehicle speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined speed. Inter-vehicle distance measurement function to measure, danger degree determination function to determine whether or not the current inter-vehicle distance is within an appropriate range by referring to the own vehicle speed, inter-vehicle distance, and information to display or report data such as danger degree A display function is provided as a basic function, and by appropriately performing these various functions, the running safety of the vehicle is ensured and the global environment is protected.

[0011]

However, the above-mentioned conventional inter-vehicle distance warning system includes an inter-vehicle distance measurement availability determination function, an inter-vehicle distance measurement function, a risk determination function, and an information display function. Each of the various functions, due to the inter-vehicle distance measuring device side and the display device side, which are components of the above-mentioned alarm system, are dispersed, for example, both of the inter-vehicle distance data and the risk level data Is required to build a new system that can be loaded into an external connection device such as a recording device, the system configuration becomes complicated as a result of the lack of versatility of the inter-vehicle distance measurement device. The challenges were inherent.

More specifically, in the conventional inter-vehicle distance warning system, for example, the display device has an inter-vehicle distance measurement availability determination function, a danger degree determination function, and an information display function. As the device side has, each of the various functions is separately distributed between the inter-vehicle distance measuring device side and the display device side, and the respective devices cooperate and appropriately exchange mutually necessary data. In the case where there is a desire to construct the above-described new system because each device performs each of the above functions, the external connection device captures the inter-vehicle distance data from the inter-vehicle distance measurement device, , It is necessary to take complicated procedures such as capturing the risk data from the display device and displaying or recording both the captured data,
The inter-vehicle distance measurement device cannot independently perform the inter-vehicle distance measurement availability determination function, the inter-vehicle distance measurement function, and the danger degree determination function, and lacks versatility, resulting in a complicated system configuration.

In view of such circumstances, for example, even if there is a need to construct a new system capable of taking both the inter-vehicle distance data and the danger level data into an external connection device, it is necessary to construct a new system. The development of an inter-vehicle distance warning system that can satisfy the above demands with a minimum simple system configuration has long been awaited among concerned parties.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem. An inter-vehicle distance measuring device refers to own vehicle speed data directly input from a vehicle speed detecting means, and determines whether or not to measure an inter-vehicle distance. By independently performing the distance measurement function and the risk determination function and appropriately exchanging required data with an external connection device, for example, both the inter-vehicle distance data and the risk data can be externally connected. It is an object of the present invention to provide an inter-vehicle distance alarm system that can satisfy the above demands with a minimum necessary simple system configuration even when a request to build a new system that can be incorporated into the device occurs. I do.

Further, according to the present invention, when communication specification information on communication specifications is received from an external connection device, the communication specifications of the inter-vehicle distance measuring device are set so as to match the received communication specification information, and then the required data is set. Is appropriately exchanged with an externally connected device, for example, when there is a demand to build a new system capable of capturing both the inter-vehicle distance data and the risk level data into the externally connected device. Also, while maintaining the minimum required simple system configuration and matching the communication specifications between the inter-vehicle distance measurement device and the external connection device, while ensuring the reliability of data exchange,
An object of the present invention is to provide an inter-vehicle distance warning system that can satisfy the above demand.

[0016]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a first aspect of the present invention is a vehicle speed detecting means for detecting a vehicle speed, and an inter-vehicle distance measuring device for directly inputting own vehicle speed data from the vehicle speed detecting means. An external connection device for exchanging required data with the inter-vehicle distance measuring device, wherein the inter-vehicle distance measuring device is directly input from the vehicle speed detecting means. With reference to the own vehicle speed data obtained, the following distance measurement availability determination means for determining whether or not the following distance can be measured, and the own vehicle and the preceding vehicle when it is determined that the following distance can be measured by the following distance measurement availability determination means Referring to the vehicle distance measuring means for measuring the distance between the vehicles, and the own vehicle speed data directly input from the vehicle speed detecting means, calculate a safe inter-vehicle distance at which it is estimated that the own vehicle can safely stop braking. Danger degree determination means for comparing the magnitude relationship between the safe inter-vehicle distance and the current inter-vehicle distance measured by the inter-vehicle distance measurement means, and determining the danger degree at the current inter-vehicle distance based on the comparison result, The gist of the present invention is that it is provided with:

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the inter-vehicle distance measuring device, the inter-vehicle distance measurement availability determination means first determines whether or not the inter-vehicle distance measurement is possible by referring to the own vehicle speed data directly input from the vehicle speed detection means. I do. When it is determined that the inter-vehicle distance can be measured as a result of the inter-vehicle distance measurement availability determination, the inter-vehicle distance measurement unit measures the inter-vehicle distance between the own vehicle and the preceding vehicle. Further, the danger determining means refers to the own vehicle speed data directly input from the vehicle speed detecting means, calculates a safe inter-vehicle distance at which it is estimated that the own vehicle can safely stop braking, and calculates the calculated safe inter-vehicle distance. Then, the magnitude relation with the current inter-vehicle distance measured by the inter-vehicle distance measuring means is compared, and the degree of risk at the current inter-vehicle distance is determined based on the comparison result.

In this manner, the inter-vehicle distance measuring device refers to the own vehicle speed data directly input from the vehicle speed detecting means,
By independently performing the inter-vehicle distance measurement availability determination function, the inter-vehicle distance measurement function, and the danger degree determination function, and appropriately exchanging required data with an externally connected device, for example, the inter-vehicle distance data and the danger degree Even if a request arises to construct a new system capable of taking both of the data and the external connection device, the above-mentioned request can be satisfied with a minimum required simple system configuration.

In the invention according to a second aspect, the external connection device displays the inter-vehicle distance measured by the inter-vehicle distance measuring means and the danger at the current inter-vehicle distance determined by the danger determination means. The gist is to provide a display device that performs

Further, the invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the external connection device calculates the inter-vehicle distance measured by the inter-vehicle distance measuring means and the risk at the current inter-vehicle distance determined by the risk determining means. The gist is to be a recording device for recording.

Further, the invention of claim 4 requires a vehicle speed detecting means for detecting the own vehicle speed, an inter-vehicle distance measuring device for directly inputting the own vehicle speed data from the vehicle speed detecting means, and an inter-vehicle distance measuring device. An external connection device for exchanging data of the vehicle, and an inter-vehicle distance alarm system comprising: the inter-vehicle distance measurement device refers to own vehicle speed data directly input from the vehicle speed detection means, An inter-vehicle distance measurement availability determining means for determining whether or not measurement is possible, and an inter-vehicle distance measurement means for measuring an inter-vehicle distance between the own vehicle and a preceding vehicle when it is determined that the inter-vehicle distance can be measured by the inter-vehicle distance measurement availability determination means, Referring to the own vehicle speed data directly input from the vehicle speed detecting means, a safe inter-vehicle distance at which it is assumed that the own vehicle can safely stop braking is calculated, and the calculated safe inter-vehicle distance and the inter-vehicle distance measurement are calculated. A risk degree determination unit that compares the magnitude relationship with the current inter-vehicle distance measured at the step and determines the degree of danger at the current inter-vehicle distance based on the comparison result. The gist of the present invention is to include a communication specification setting means for setting the communication specification of the inter-vehicle distance measuring device when receiving the communication specification information so as to match the received communication specification information.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the following distance measuring apparatus, first, the inter-vehicle distance measurement availability determining means determines whether or not the inter-vehicle distance measurement is possible by referring to the own vehicle speed data directly input from the vehicle speed detecting means. I do. When it is determined that the inter-vehicle distance can be measured as a result of the inter-vehicle distance measurement availability determination, the inter-vehicle distance measurement unit measures the inter-vehicle distance between the own vehicle and the preceding vehicle. Further, the danger determining means refers to the own vehicle speed data directly input from the vehicle speed detecting means, calculates a safe inter-vehicle distance at which it is estimated that the own vehicle can safely stop braking, and calculates the calculated safe inter-vehicle distance. Then, the magnitude relation with the current inter-vehicle distance measured by the inter-vehicle distance measuring means is compared, and the degree of risk at the current inter-vehicle distance is determined based on the comparison result. Then, when receiving the communication specification information on the communication specification from the external connection device, the communication specification setting means sets the communication specification of the inter-vehicle distance measuring device so as to match the received communication specification information.

In this manner, the inter-vehicle distance measuring device refers to the own vehicle speed data directly input from the vehicle speed detecting means,
The inter-vehicle distance measurement availability determination function, the inter-vehicle distance measurement function, and the risk determination function are independently performed, and further, when communication specification information related to the communication specification is received from the external connection device,
After setting the communication specifications of the inter-vehicle distance measurement device so as to match the received communication specification information, by appropriately exchanging required data with an externally connected device, for example, the inter-vehicle distance data and the risk level data can be compared. Even if there is a demand to build a new system that can incorporate both into an externally connected device, the communication between the inter-vehicle distance measuring device and the externally connected device should be made with the minimum required simple system configuration. By matching the specifications, the above demand can be satisfied while ensuring the reliability of data exchange.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, when the communication specification setting means receives communication specification information on the communication specification from the external connection device via a communication specification matching line, the communication specification setting means of the inter-vehicle distance measuring device is used. The gist of the present invention is to set communication specifications so as to match the received communication specification information.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of an inter-vehicle distance warning system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an inter-vehicle distance warning system according to the present invention, and FIGS.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of an inter-vehicle distance measuring device as one component of the inter-vehicle distance warning system according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is an operation description of an external connection device as one component of the inter-vehicle distance alarm system according to the present invention. FIG.

First, the schematic structure of an inter-vehicle distance warning system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. An external connection device 4 for exchanging required data with the measurement device 2 is configured.

The inter-vehicle distance measuring device 2 is connected to a vehicle speed sensor 15 as a vehicle speed detecting means for detecting the own vehicle speed. The inter-vehicle distance measuring device 2 is configured to directly input own vehicle speed data from the vehicle speed sensor 15. Have been.

The inter-vehicle distance measuring device 2 includes a CPU 3, a light-emitting unit 5 and a light-receiving unit 6, measures the inter-vehicle distance between the host vehicle and the preceding vehicle, and transmits the measured inter-vehicle distance data to the CPU 3.
Laser head 8 having a function of transmitting data to a computer, ROM 7 storing various processing programs and the like, RAM 9 storing various processing data and the like, and communication interface 11
And a power supply circuit 13 for supplying power to the CPU 3 and the like.

The CPU 3 refers to the own vehicle speed data directly input from the vehicle speed sensor 15, and specifically determines an inter-vehicle distance based on whether or not the own vehicle speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined speed. By referring to the measurement availability determination function, the inter-vehicle distance measurement control function that controls the operation or stop of the laser radar head 8 according to the inter-vehicle distance measurement availability determination result, and the own vehicle speed data directly input from the vehicle speed sensor 15, Calculates the safe inter-vehicle distance at which it is assumed that the vehicle can safely stop braking, compares the calculated safe inter-vehicle distance with the measured inter-vehicle distance, and based on the comparison result,
The danger degree determination function for determining the degree of danger at the current inter-vehicle distance and the communication specification of the inter-vehicle distance measurement device 2 when communication specification information on the communication specification is received from the external connection device 4 are included in the received communication specification information. And a communication specification setting function for setting so as to match.

The laser radar head 8 has a controller (not shown).
In accordance with the operation or operation stop command from, the irradiation and reception timing of the laser light are controlled in a sequence, the elapsed time data from the irradiation of the laser light to the reception of the reflected light is captured, and the captured The time data is converted into inter-vehicle distance data, and the obtained inter-vehicle distance data is sent to the CPU 3 for control.

The above-mentioned controller is constructed by appropriately combining light emitting elements such as a semiconductor pulse laser (not shown), a lens, a mirror and the like, and is connected to a light emitting section 5 for irradiating laser light, while a photo conductor or a phototransistor (not shown) is provided. The light receiving unit 6 is configured by appropriately combining light receiving elements, lenses, mirrors, and the like, and receives a reflected light of the laser light emitted from the light emitting unit 5.

The RAM 7 stores information from the laser radar head 8 to C
An inter-vehicle distance data storage function for sequentially updating and storing inter-vehicle distance data taken in through the PU 3 is provided.

The communication interface 11 sets the communication specifications in accordance with the communication specification setting command from the CPU 3 and, based on the set communication specifications,
And a function of transmitting various data such as own vehicle speed data, inter-vehicle distance data, and danger level data internally processed to the external connection device 4.

On the other hand, the external connection device 4 includes a display device 17 or a recording device 19, for example.

The display device 17 is connected to the inter-vehicle distance measuring device 2 via a communication line 21.
It has a display function of fetching various data such as own vehicle speed data, inter-vehicle distance data, and risk data from the side, and displaying the fetched various data. In addition, as a display form of the degree of danger, for example, three colors of red, yellow, and green LEDs may be used, red may be danger, yellow may be caution, and green may be a preceding vehicle. It is also possible to adopt a mode in which the buzzer sounds in a predetermined sound pattern corresponding to the degree of danger.

The display device 17 is connected to the CP installed in the inter-vehicle distance measuring device 2 via the communication specification matching line 25.
It is connected to U3 and has a communication specification information transmission function of transmitting communication specification information relating to the display device 17 from the display device 17 to the CPU 3 via the communication specification matching line 25.

On the other hand, the recording device 19 is connected to the inter-vehicle distance measuring device 2 through a communication line 23, and receives various data such as own vehicle speed data, inter-vehicle distance data, and danger degree data from the inter-vehicle distance measuring device 2 side. And a recording function for recording the various data taken.

The recording device 19 is connected to the CPU 3 incorporated in the inter-vehicle distance measuring device 2 via a communication specification matching line 25 branched at a branch point 27, and is transmitted from the recording device 19 to the communication specification matching device. CPU 3 via line 25
And a communication specification information transmission function of transmitting communication specification information relating to the recording device 19.

The communication specification matching line 25 includes a line connecting the inter-vehicle distance measuring device 2 and the display device 17 and a line connecting the inter-vehicle distance measuring device 2 and the recording device 19. Alternatively, a mode in which the system is divided into independent systems may be adopted.

Next, the schematic operation of the above-described inter-vehicle distance warning system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG. 1 and the operation flowcharts shown in FIGS. .

As shown in FIG. 2, in the following distance measuring apparatus 2, first, the CPU 3 sets the number of light emitting pulses of the semiconductor pulse laser used for measuring the following distance to an initial value, and requires communication specifications to be described later. Initial setting processing for setting values is performed (subroutine SUB1), and after this initial setting processing, own vehicle speed data is directly input from the vehicle speed sensor 15 (step S1).

Next, the CPU 3 performs a speed determination process for comparing the magnitude relationship between the vehicle speed v and a predetermined speed A (step S2). As a result of the speed determination processing, when it is determined that the own vehicle speed v is higher than the predetermined speed A, the CPU 3 determines that the measurement of the inter-vehicle distance between the own vehicle and the preceding vehicle is highly effective, and sends the result to the laser radar head 8. Sends an operation command.

In response to the operation command, the laser radar head 8 executes light emission control for emitting laser light (step S3), and also stores elapsed time data from when the laser light is emitted to when the reflected light is received. Then, an inter-vehicle distance measurement process for converting the acquired elapsed time data into inter-vehicle distance data is executed (step S4), and step S4 is performed.
Is transmitted to the CPU 3. In response to this, the CPU 3 executes a process of capturing the inter-vehicle distance data measured by the laser radar head 8, and the captured inter-vehicle distance data is stored at a predetermined address in the RAM 9.

Further, the CPU 3 calculates the safe inter-vehicle distance by which the self-vehicle is assumed to be able to safely stop braking with reference to the own vehicle speed data taken in step S1, and calculates the calculated safe inter-vehicle distance and step S4. Then, a risk level determination process for determining the risk level at the current inter-vehicle distance is performed based on the comparison result with the current inter-vehicle distance measured in step S5.

On the other hand, as a result of the speed determination processing in step S2, when it is determined that the own vehicle speed v is lower than the predetermined speed A, the CPU 3 determines that the measurement of the inter-vehicle distance between the own vehicle and the preceding vehicle is low in effectiveness. Then, an operation stop command is sent to the laser radar head 8, and in response to the operation stop command, the laser radar head 8 stops emitting the laser beam and waits without measuring the following distance (step S6).

Next, the CPU 3 reads the own vehicle speed data, the following distance data, and the danger level data when the following distance measurement is executed, and the own vehicle speed data when the following distance measurement is not executed. The data is transmitted to the external connection device 4 (step S7).
1 and the following processing is repeatedly executed.

Next, the initial setting process of the subroutine SUB1 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. In the following distance measuring apparatus 2, the CPU 3 performs the following steps as an initial setting process for setting the communication specifications to required values. Execute sequentially.

First, the CPU 3 executes an initial communication specification setting process for setting the communication specification of the communication interface 11 to a preset initial value (step S11). Here, the setting of the communication specifications includes the setting of the communication speed, the transmission method such as start-stop synchronization and clock synchronization, or the setting of communication output synchronization, and the selection of communication data.

Next, the CPU 3 transmits, via the communication specification matching line 25 from the external connection device 4, a communication speed signal in which the communication speed information employed by the external connection device 4 is expressed in the form of signal level strength. Receiving input (step S12),
With reference to the signal level strength of the input communication speed signal, it is intended to match the communication speed of the communication interface 11 with the communication speed of the external connection device 4 to be communicated.
It is determined whether the communication speed currently set to the initial value needs to be changed (step S13). In a storage device such as the RAM 9, communication speeds associated with a plurality of signal level intensities, for example, large, medium, and small, are stored in advance as a communication speed table, and the communication speed table is referred to. Accordingly, the CPU 3 specifies the communication speed employed by the external connection device 4, and determines the communication speed based on whether the specified communication speed matches the currently set communication speed. The necessity of the change is determined.

As a result of the determination in step S13, the CPU 3
Executes the communication speed change process when it is determined that the communication speed needs to be changed (step S14),
After the communication speed change processing, or when it is determined that the communication speed does not need to be changed, reception standby is performed (step S15).

While waiting for reception in step S15, the CPU 3
Is received when communication setting data including communication specification information is received via the communication interface 11 (step S1).
6) In order to match the communication specifications of the communication interface 11 with the communication specifications of the external connection device 4 to be communicated, it is determined whether the communication specifications currently set to the initial values need to be changed (step S17). ).

As a result of the determination in step S17, the CPU 3
Executes the communication specification resetting process when it is determined that the communication specification needs to be changed (step S18), and executes step S1.
After the communication specification resetting process of step 8 or when it is determined that the communication specifications need not be changed, the flow of the processing is returned to the main control routine. Here, the communication specification resetting process of step S18 is a process of setting the communication specification of the communication interface 11 to
This means that settings are made so as to match the communication specification information received from the external connection device 4 to be communicated. Mutual data exchange between the inter-vehicle distance measurement device 2 and the external connection device 4 is performed by this communication specification resetting process. Is made possible.

The CPU 3 determines whether the communication speed signal cannot be received in step S12,
When the predetermined time elapses in a state where the communication setting data cannot be received, the processing flow may be returned to the main control routine.

Next, the flow of processing in the external connection device 4 will be described with reference to the operation flowchart shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, first, the display device 17
Communicates with its own device 1 via the communication specification matching line 25.
7 outputs a communication speed signal in which the communication speed information employed is expressed in the form of a signal level intensity (step S2).
1) Further, communication setting data including communication specification information adopted by the own device 17 is transmitted via the communication line 21 (step S22).

After transmitting the communication setting data in step S22, the display device 17 waits for a predetermined time (step S22).
23), when data is received from the inter-vehicle distance measurement device 2 via the communication line 21 during this reception standby (step S2).
4) A display process for displaying the received data is executed (step S25). If data cannot be received even after waiting for a predetermined time in step S23,
The display device 17 may be configured to return to step S21 or step S22 and sequentially execute the following processing.

As described above, according to the inter-vehicle distance warning system 1 according to the present invention, the inter-vehicle distance measurement device 2 refers to the own vehicle speed data directly input from the vehicle speed sensor 15 to determine whether or not the inter-vehicle distance measurement can be performed. Since the distance measurement function and the risk determination function are performed independently and required data is appropriately exchanged with the external connection device 4, for example, both the inter-vehicle distance data and the risk data are exchanged. Even if there is a demand to build a new system that can be loaded into an external connection device, the above demand can be satisfied with a minimum necessary simple system configuration.

Further, the inter-vehicle distance measuring device 2 independently performs the inter-vehicle distance measurement availability determination function, the inter-vehicle distance measurement function, and the danger degree determination function with reference to the own vehicle speed data directly input from the vehicle speed sensor 15. And the external connection device 4
When the communication specification information on the communication specification is received from, the communication specifications of the inter-vehicle distance measurement device 2 are set so as to match the received communication specification information, and the necessary data is appropriately exchanged with the external connection device 4. So, for example,
Even if a request arises to build a new system capable of taking both the inter-vehicle distance data and the risk data into the external connection device 4, the system must have a minimum necessary simple system configuration, and By matching the communication specifications between the distance measurement device 2 and the external connection device 4, the above-described demand can be satisfied while ensuring the reliability of data exchange.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but by making appropriate changes.
It can be implemented in other aspects.

That is, for example, in this embodiment,
Although the form in which laser light is adopted as the measurement medium used by the following distance measuring apparatus 2 has been exemplified, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, ultrasonic waves or the like can be adopted as the measurement medium.

Finally, in the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the vehicle speed is adopted as a parameter for calculating the safe inter-vehicle distance. However, the present invention is not limited to this. And the type of vehicle such as whether the vehicle is a large truck, a small truck, or a passenger car, can be adopted as parameters for calculating the safe inter-vehicle distance. By doing so, a highly versatile inter-vehicle distance warning system can be obtained.

[0063]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the inter-vehicle distance measuring device refers to the own vehicle speed data directly input from the vehicle speed detecting means, and determines whether or not the inter-vehicle distance can be measured, the inter-vehicle distance measuring function, and the degree of risk. By performing the judgment function independently and appropriately exchanging required data with an externally connected device,
For example, we have constructed a new system that can take both inter-vehicle distance data and danger data into an externally connected device.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the inter-vehicle distance measuring device refers to the own vehicle speed data directly input from the vehicle speed detecting means, and determines whether or not the inter-vehicle distance can be measured, the inter-vehicle distance measuring function, and the risk level. Performing the determination function independently, and further, when receiving communication specification information related to the communication specification from the external connection device, after setting the communication specification of the inter-vehicle distance measurement device to match the received communication specification information, When a need arises to build a new system capable of taking both the inter-vehicle distance data and the risk data into the external connection device by appropriately exchanging required data with the external connection device, for example. However, the reliability of data exchange is ensured by using the minimum required simple system configuration and by matching the communication specifications between the inter-vehicle distance measurement device and the external connection device. While, exhibits an extremely excellent effect that it is possible to satisfy the above requirements.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an inter-vehicle distance warning system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of an inter-vehicle distance measuring device which is one component of the inter-vehicle distance warning system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of an inter-vehicle distance measuring device which is one component of the inter-vehicle distance warning system according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of an external connection device which is one component of the following distance alarm system according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 inter-vehicle distance alarm system 2 inter-vehicle distance measuring device 3 CPU 4 external connection device 5 light emitting unit 6 light receiving unit 7 ROM 8 laser radar head 9 RAM 11 communication interface 13 power supply circuit 15 vehicle speed sensor 17 display device 19 recording device 21, 23 communication line 25 Communication specification matching line 27 Branch point

Claims (5)

[Claims] A vehicle speed detecting means for detecting a vehicle speed, an inter-vehicle distance measuring device for directly inputting own vehicle speed data from the vehicle speed detecting means, and an external connection for exchanging required data with the inter-vehicle distance measuring device. An inter-vehicle distance alarm system comprising: the inter-vehicle distance measurement device, wherein the inter-vehicle distance measurement device refers to own vehicle speed data directly input from the vehicle speed detection means to determine whether or not the inter-vehicle distance can be measured. Measurement possible / impossible determining means, an inter-vehicle distance measuring means for measuring an inter-vehicle distance between the own vehicle and the preceding vehicle when the inter-vehicle distance measuring feasibility determining means determines that the inter-vehicle distance can be measured, and direct input from the vehicle speed detecting means Referring to the obtained own vehicle speed data, a safe inter-vehicle distance that is assumed that the own vehicle can be safely stopped by braking is calculated, and the calculated safe inter-vehicle distance and the current safe inter-vehicle distance measured by the inter-vehicle distance measuring means are calculated. It compares the magnitude relation between the between the distance, based on the comparison result, distance warning system, characterized in that the risk assessment means for determining the risk of in this inter-vehicle distance, is configured with a. 2. The external connection device may be a display device that displays an inter-vehicle distance measured by the inter-vehicle distance measurement unit and a danger at the current inter-vehicle distance determined by the danger determination unit. Claim 1 characterized by the following:
The inter-vehicle distance warning system according to the above. 3. The external connection device may be a recording device that records an inter-vehicle distance measured by the inter-vehicle distance measurement unit and a danger at the current inter-vehicle distance determined by the danger determination unit. Claim 1 characterized by the following:
The inter-vehicle distance warning system according to the above. 4. An external connection for exchanging required data between the vehicle speed detecting means for detecting the vehicle speed, an inter-vehicle distance measuring device for directly inputting the own vehicle speed data from the vehicle speed detecting means, and an inter-vehicle distance measuring device. An inter-vehicle distance alarm system comprising: the inter-vehicle distance measurement device, wherein the inter-vehicle distance measurement device refers to own vehicle speed data directly input from the vehicle speed detection means to determine whether or not the inter-vehicle distance can be measured. Measurement possible / impossible determining means, an inter-vehicle distance measuring means for measuring an inter-vehicle distance between the own vehicle and the preceding vehicle when the inter-vehicle distance measuring feasibility determining means determines that the inter-vehicle distance can be measured, and direct input from the vehicle speed detecting means Referring to the obtained own vehicle speed data, a safe inter-vehicle distance that is assumed that the own vehicle can be safely stopped by braking is calculated, and the calculated safe inter-vehicle distance and the current safe inter-vehicle distance measured by the inter-vehicle distance measuring means are calculated. Comparing the magnitude relationship with the inter-distance, based on the comparison result, a danger determining means for determining the danger at the current inter-vehicle distance, and when receiving communication specification information on the communication specifications from the external connection device. A communication specification setting means for setting the communication specification of the inter-vehicle distance measuring device so as to match the received communication specification information. 5. The communication specification setting means, when receiving communication specification information on the communication specification from the external connection device via a communication specification matching line, receives the communication specification of the inter-vehicle distance measuring device. The inter-vehicle distance warning system according to claim 4, wherein the setting is made so as to match the communication specification information.