JPS62100900A - Road sign identification system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] This invention relates to a road marking identification method for road markings such as lines drawn with paint etc. on the road surface. [Prior Art] Road Traffic Law Article 8, Paragraph 1 and! Article 13, paragraph 2 stipulates that ``people and vehicles passing on the road must do so in accordance with the traffic regulations provided by road signs and markings.''

Road markings are lines or two characters drawn with paint on the road surface on which vehicles travel, and FIG. 3 shows an example of conventional road markings. In the figure, 1 is a road where paint can be applied;
2 shows road markings painted on this road 1.

2a is a white line marking as a median strip drawn with white paint, 2b is a white dashed line marking as a separation strip to distinguish between driving lanes and passing lanes, and 2c is yellow to indicate a no-passing zone. A yellow line marked with paint indicates gold.

Next, the function of road markings will be explained. Road markings on the road prohibit, restrict, or compel one way of passing, and those that prohibit or restrict all ways of passing are marked in yellow on the road surface. In addition, mandatory traffic rules are marked with white paint.

Use white or yellow paint for road 1.

White line marking 2a, white broken line marking 2b, yellow line marking 2c
etc. are marked.

People passing on the road or driving a vehicle visually check this marking, and depending on the color of the road marking and the shape of the a, etc.
Identifies traffic signs such as "passing allowed", "overtaking prohibited", "overtaking permitted", etc.
By observing this, road traffic safety can be ensured.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

Conventional road markings are structured as described above, so people passing on the road and driving vehicles must visually identify the color, shape, etc. of the road markings. It is necessary to pay attention to and recognize that there are times when road markings are overlooked or overlooked, and when it is dark or the road markings are unclear, it becomes difficult to see. There were problems such as inappropriateness.

This invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and in addition to visually recognizing road markings, it also electromagnetically detects road markings and transmits them using acoustic VC@party.
The purpose is to obtain an acceptable road marking identification method.

[Means to solve all problems]

The road marking identification method according to the present invention provides road markings for traffic regulation with magnetic properties, and detects this magnetic property.
A vehicle is equipped with an identification device that converts the audible sound to identify road markings based on the audible sound.

[Effect]

The road marking identification method according to the second aspect of the present invention uses an identification device to detect a road marking with magnetic characteristics displayed on the road when a vehicle is traveling on the road, and receives a detection signal 5f.
: Converts to audible sound, allowing road markings to be identified using audible sound in addition to visual perception.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings. In Fig. 1, 2 shows a road, and 3 marks the road 1 with a magnetized magnetic material 1, for example, paint containing powdered magnetic material. road markings.

3a, 3b, and 3c, 3a is a white line marking as a median strip, 3b is a white dashed line marking as a separation strip between the driving lane and the passing lane, and 3c is a marking on the median strip indicating a no-passing zone. Yellow line marking 4 indicates a vehicle traveling on road 1.

2, 5 is a magnetic sensor installed in the car @ 4, 6 is an amplification device that amplifies the detection signal of the magnetic sensor 5, and 7
indicates a speaker which converts the amplified signal of the amplifier 6 into audible sound. For example, the magnetic sensor 5 is installed in the lower center of the vehicle 4 as shown in the second figure. In particular, magnetic sensor 5 is placed near the road surface of road 1.
The detection sensitivity of the magnetic sensor 5 increases as the magnetic sensor 5 approaches the magnetic sensor 5.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained. When a vehicle @ 4 traveling on a road 1 approaches and/or is on a road marking 3 to which fine powder of magnetized magnetic material is added, a magnetic sensor provided on the vehicle 4 The road marking 3 is electromagnetically detected by the amplifier 5, the detected signal is amplified by the amplifier 6, and the speaker 7 amplifies the detected signal.
converted to audible. As a result, the person driving the vehicle 4 can visually recognize the road marking 3ft, as well as auditorily confirm and identify the road marking 3't.

In the above embodiment 2, the white line marking 3a and the broken line marking 3b can be distinguished only by the sound depending on whether the sound is continuous or intermittent, but the white line marking 3a and the yellow line marking 3c can be distinguished by painting. This is possible by changing the amount of fine powder of magnetic material mixed into the magnetic sensor 5 and changing the detection sensitivity of the magnetic sensor 5 by using the intensity of the rainbow sound.

In addition, the magnetic sensor 5, the amplifier 6, and the speaker 7 are connected to each other.
It is also possible to provide a set and arrange them on both the left and right sides, and to detect all the left and right road markings 3 individually. In this case, for example, the pair of magnetic sensors 5 may be provided at the bottom of the vehicle 4 on a line connecting the front wheels 4a and rear wheels 4b of the vehicle 4. Further, the amplifier 6 and the speaker 7 may be set as a pair, and a pair of magnetic sensors 5 may be placed on the left and right sides of the vehicle 4.

In Example 2 above, the magnetic material is a magnetized powder, but any magnetic material may be used as long as it has magnetic properties even if it is not magnetized. In this case, the magnetic sensor can be used as a magnetic material. Any device that detects characteristics may be used.

In the above embodiments, the paint to which powder of a magnetic material is added is shown, but a single magnetic material may be used in combination with the paint.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a magnetic material is used, so is there an example of detection based on the presence or absence of magnetism? As shown, the magnetic material on the road surface is magnetized in a specific direction according to the sign.

This also makes it possible to represent a specific type.

By combining magnetism with the presence or absence of magnetism, it is possible to create a road marking identification system that is compatible with various road markings.

It can correspond to a wide range of road markings.

Further, in the above embodiment 2, only a part of the road marking 3 may have magnetic properties, for example, the yellow line marking 3
It is also possible to make only c have magnetic properties and use it as a warning sound.

Further, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which road markings are simply confirmed by auditory sound, but by adding a recording device to the amplification device, it becomes effective for driving analysis in the event of an accident. In particular, by adding it as one of the recording elements of the drive recorder shown in the "drive recorder system" proposed earlier by the applicant, it can be used as effective data for drive analysis.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, road markings are configured to have magnetic properties and are detected by a magnetic sensor and converted into sound. This has the effect of increasing traffic safety in an ever-increasing motorized society.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a road showing a road marking identification system according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle device according to an embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a conventional road marking. It is a diagram. In the figure, 1 is a road, 3 is a road marking with magnetic material added, 4 is a vehicle, 5 is a magnetic detection unit, 6 is an amplifier, and 7 is a speaker. 2. In the figures, the same reference numerals indicate the same or equivalent parts. Patent applicant Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Representative Patent attorney 1) Hiroshi Sawa (2 others)

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) Road markings for traffic regulation are provided on the road surface with paint containing a magnetic material having magnetic properties, and vehicles traveling on the road are shown the magnetic properties of the magnetic material of the road markings. An identification device is provided which detects the signal as an electric signal by the detection unit, amplifies the detected signal, and then converts it into an audible sound, so that the vehicle traveling on the road is detected on the road marking and/or on the road marking. A road marking identification method, wherein the identification device outputs the audible sound for identification of the road marking when the road marking is nearby. (2) The road marking identification system according to claim 1, wherein the road marking paint and a magnetic material are used individually and in combination as the road marking. (3) The road marking identification system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the magnetic material is magnetized.