The present invention relates to a road surface illumination apparatus that illuminates a road surface around a vehicle with light.
Conventionally, as a method of notifying the motion of a vehicle to others outside the vehicle, a technique of illuminating a road surface with laser light has been provided.
For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a method of determining both a possibility that a vehicle starts moving, and a direction in which the vehicle starts moving, and illuminating an area ahead of or behind the vehicle with laser light before the vehicle starts moving.
Further, for example, Patent Literature 2 discloses a method of changing the pattern of a light beam with which a road surface is illuminated in accordance with a vehicle behavior state, such as whether a vehicle is standing, starts moving, is accelerating, is traveling at a very low speed, or is traveling at a high speed. For example, when the vehicle travels at a very low speed, a road surface in the vicinity of the vehicle is illuminated with a visible light pattern having a short length in the traveling direction of the vehicle, whereas when the vehicle travels at a high speed, a road surface far away from the vehicle is illuminated with a visible light pattern having a long length in the traveling direction of the vehicle.
Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-40236
Patent Literature 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-231450
However, the problem with the method disclosed in Patent Literature 1 is that, even if laser light is applied before the vehicle starts moving, a notification indicating what kind of motion the vehicle is going to perform cannot be provided to others if they cannot understand the meaning of the light. For example, even if a road surface is illuminated with uniform laser light, as shown in Patent Literature 1, others do not understand intuitively that the illumination means that the vehicle is going to move theretoward.
Further, a problem with the method disclosed in Patent Literature 2 is that because the visible light pattern with which a road surface is illuminated is changed in accordance with the vehicle speed, by, for example, decreasing the length of the visible light pattern when the vehicle travels at a very low speed, or increasing the length of the visible light pattern when the vehicle travels at a high speed, but the visible light pattern is changed in accordance with the speed at which the vehicle is traveling, others cannot predict the future motion of the vehicle even if they look at the visible light pattern.
The present invention is made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a technique of intuitively notifying the motion which a vehicle is going to perform from now on to persons outside the vehicle.
According to the present invention, there is provided a road surface illumination apparatus which includes: a vehicle information acquisition unit configured to acquire vehicle information from vehicle-mounted equipment mounted in a vehicle; a vehicle motion predictor configured to predict the motion which the vehicle is going to perform from now on in accordance with the vehicle information acquired by the vehicle information acquisition unit; and a light animation setting unit configured to set a light animation expressing the motion predicted by the vehicle motion predictor, and configured to cause an illumination device mounted in the vehicle to illuminate a road surface with the animation before the vehicle performs the motion.
Because before the vehicle performs a motion, the road surface illumination apparatus according to the present invention illuminates a road surface with a light animation expressing the motion, the road surface illumination apparatus can intuitively notify the motion which the vehicle is going to perform from now on to persons outside the vehicle.
Hereafter, in order to explain this invention in greater detail, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
As shown in
The vehicle information acquisition unit 1 acquires vehicle information either from other vehicle-mounted equipment via an in-vehicle network, such as a CAN (Controller Area Network), or directly from other vehicle-mounted equipment. For example, as the vehicle information, CAN data (information about operations such as operations on a blinker, a steering wheel, an accelerator, a brake, a handbrake, and a shift lever), information detected by a touch sensor, such as one attached to a door handle, information about locking or unlocking of doors by using a keyless entry system, etc. are used.
The vehicle information acquisition unit 1 outputs the vehicle information acquired thereby to the vehicle motion predictor 2.
The vehicle motion predictor 2 predicts the motion which the vehicle is going to perform in accordance with the vehicle information received from the vehicle information acquisition unit 1. For example, the motion which the vehicle is going to perform is the one of moving forward from a standing state, the one of moving backward from the standing state, or the one of opening a door. For example, when sensing that the position of the shift lever has been moved from “P (parking)” to “D (drive)”, and the handbrake has been turned “off”, in accordance with the vehicle information, the vehicle motion predictor 2 predicts that the vehicle is going to move forward from the standing state. Further, when sensing that the vehicle is in the standing state, and a passenger has touched a door handle within the cabin, the vehicle motion predictor 2 predicts that a passenger is going to open the door.
Further, the vehicle motion predictor 2 can not only predict the motion of the vehicle, but also determine the state of the vehicle (e.g., a state in which the doors have been unlocked by using the keyless entry system).
The vehicle motion predictor 2 outputs the information about the predicted vehicle motion to the light animation setting unit 3. Not only the predicted motion of the vehicle but also the state of the vehicle can be included in the vehicle motion information.
The light animation setting unit 3 sets alight animation with which a road surface is to be illuminated, in accordance with the vehicle motion information received from the vehicle motion predictor 2. The light animation is light expressing a graphic for intuitively notifying the motion of the vehicle by using an animation. For example, the light animation is the one which is applied when the vehicle is going to move forward from the standing state, the one which is applied when the vehicle is going to move backward from the standing state, or the one which is applied when a door is going to be opened. The light animation setting unit 3 outputs the light animation set thereby to the illumination device 4.
The light animation setting unit 3 can hold light animations provided for vehicle motions, and select a light animation from among the light animations in accordance with the vehicle motion information received from the vehicle motion predictor 2.
The illumination device 4 illuminates a road surface with the light animation received from the light animation setting unit 3. Although a method of projecting laser light onto a road surface, or the like can be considered as a method of illuminating a road surface with the light animation, this embodiment is limited to this method.
Next, the operation of the road surface illumination apparatus will be explained using a flow chart shown in
First, in step ST1, the vehicle information acquisition unit 1 acquires the vehicle information from the vehicle and outputs the vehicle information to the vehicle motion predictor 2. For example, the vehicle information acquisition unit 1 acquires the vehicle information showing that the position of the shift lever has been moved from “P” to “D”, and the handbrake has been turned “off.”
The vehicle motion predictor 2, in step ST2, predicts the motion of the vehicle in accordance with the vehicle information, and outputs the vehicle motion information to the light animation setting unit 3. For example, when the vehicle information shows what the position of the shift lever has been moved from “P” to “D”, and the handbrake has been turned “off”, the vehicle motion predictor 2 predicts that the vehicle is going to move forward from the standing state.
The vehicle motion predictor 2 can not only predict the motion of the vehicle, but also determine the state of the vehicle (e.g., a state in which the doors have been unlocked by using the keyless entry system).
The light animation setting unit 3, in step ST3, sets a light animation in accordance with the vehicle motion information, and outputs the light animation to the illumination device 4. For example, when the vehicle motion information shows that the vehicle is going to move forward from the standing state, the light animation setting unit 3 sets a light animation for forward movement.
The illumination device 4, in step ST4, illuminates a road surface with the light animation received from the light animation setting unit 3.
The road surface illumination apparatus can instruct a vehicle-mounted speaker to output a sound suited to the light animation when illuminating the road surface with the light animation. At this time, the road surface illumination apparatus can output the sound toward the driver and others existing within the vehicle, or output the sound toward persons outside the vehicle.
The road surface illumination apparatus repeatedly carries out processing shown in a flow chart of
Next, light animations will be explained.
First, examples of light animations when the vehicle is going to move forward from the standing state will be explained with reference to
This light animation expresses that life has been breathed into the vehicle because of the start of the engine of the vehicle 100. Asa result, the road surface illumination apparatus can provide, to the nearby person 101, a notification of the state indicating that the vehicle is capable of moving after the engine has been started.
The light animation shown in
Because the two straight lines with which the road surface is illuminated express the vehicle width of the vehicle 100 and the area occupied by the single vehicle, the nearby person 101 can intuitively predict that the vehicle 100 is going to move forward from the forward movement of the two straight lines.
Further, the person 101 existing ahead of the vehicle 100 can also sense a message showing that the person must not cross the street in front of the vehicle 100 because the two straight lines expressing the vehicle width gets longer toward a road surface in the vicinity of his or her feet.
The light animation shown in
In the above-mentioned example, the road surface illumination apparatus enables the person 101 to predict and recognize the motion which the vehicle is going to perform from now on, by providing the expression (animation) of the light which varies from
Further, in the case of the light animation shown in
The light animations applied at the time that the vehicle starts moving forward, which are introduced in the above-mentioned example, are an example, and light animations other than those in the above-mentioned example can be used. Further, by changing the color of the illumination light, a notification of the motion of each of the light animations can be effectively provided to persons outside the vehicle. In addition, a sound can be outputted together with each of the light animations.
Next, another example of the expression of the light animation when the position of the shift lever of the vehicle 100 has been moved from “P” to “D” will be explained with reference to
The illumination device 4 moves two straight lines with which road surfaces to the left and right of the vehicle 100 are illuminated toward an area ahead of the vehicle in such a way that the two straight lines vary from those shown in
The road surface illumination apparatus expresses the traveling direction of the vehicle 100 with the light and the motion of the three arrows, and also expresses the place where the vehicle is going to pass through with the expression of the vehicle width using the two straight lines.
Next, an example of a light animation when the steering wheel of the vehicle 100 turns will be explained with reference to
By providing this light animation, the road surface illumination apparatus can notify persons around the vehicle that the vehicle is going to move forward while turning.
Next, an example of light animations when the vehicle is going to move backward from the standing state will be explained with reference to
Further, like in the case of the light animation shown in
The road surface illumination apparatus expresses the traveling direction of the vehicle 100 with the light and the motion of the six bow-shaped lines, and also expresses the place where the vehicle is going to pass through with the expression of the vehicle width using the two straight lines.
While in the case of the light animation (
Next, an example of a light animation when the position of the shift lever of the vehicle 100 has been moved from “R” to “P”, “D” or the like will be explained with reference to
Next, an example of a light animation when the steering wheel of the vehicle 100 turns will be explained with reference to
The light animations applied at the time that the vehicle starts moving backward, which are introduced in the above-mentioned example, are an example, and light animations other than those in the above-mentioned example can be used. Further, by changing the color of the illumination light, a notification of the motion of each of the light animations can be effectively provided to persons outside the vehicle. Further, in order to make a distinction between a forward movement and a backward movement intelligible, for example, the road surface illumination apparatus can change the color of the light animation to green at a time of a forward movement and the color of the light animation to red at a time of a backward movement. In addition, in order to make a backward movement more noticeable, the animation can be combined with a blinking animation in which illumination light blinks, or a moving animation. A moving animation is one in which there is a flow as expressed in, for example,
In addition, a sound can be outputted together with each of the light animations.
Next, an example of a light animation when a passenger within the vehicle is going to open a door will be explained with reference to
In a case in which this light animation is applied to the automatic door for the rear seat of a taxi, the road surface illumination apparatus can prevent motorbikes, bicycles, etc. from passing through between the taxi and the road shoulder. Further, the road surface illumination apparatus can notify a passenger who is about to get into the taxi from now on in advance that the door is going to be opened.
Next, an example of a light animation when the doors have been unlocked by using the keyless entry system will be explained with reference to
By applying such the light animation, the road surface illumination apparatus can provide direction to give passengers within the vehicle 100 a warm welcome. Further, there is provided an advantage of making it easy for passengers to find the vehicle 100.
In a case in which this light animation is applied to a taxi, there is provided an advantage of being able to express an intention to giving passengers a warm welcome.
As mentioned above, the road surface illumination apparatus according to Embodiment 1 is configured so as to include the vehicle information acquisition unit 1 to acquire vehicle information from vehicle-mounted equipment mounted in a vehicle, the vehicle motion predictor 2 to predict the motion which the vehicle is going to perform from now on in accordance with the vehicle information acquired by the vehicle information acquisition unit 1, and the light animation setting unit 3 to set a light animation expressing the motion predicted by the vehicle motion predictor 2, and to cause the illumination device 4 to illuminate a road surface with the animation before the vehicle performs the motion, the road surface illumination apparatus can intuitively notify the motion which the vehicle is going to perform from now on to persons outside the vehicle. Persons outside the vehicle are enabled to predict the motion of the vehicle from the light animation with which the road surface is illuminated.
Further, because the road surface illumination apparatus according to Embodiment 1 is configured in such a way that the vehicle motion predictor 2 determines the state of the vehicle in accordance with the vehicle information acquired by the vehicle information acquisition unit 1, and the light animation setting unit 3 sets a light animation expressing the vehicle state determined by the vehicle motion predictor 2, and causes the illumination device 4 to illuminate a road surface with the light animation, the road surface illumination apparatus can provide direction to give passengers a warm welcome by using the light animation when, for example, the doors have been unlocked by using the keyless entry system.
The nearby object detector 21 acquires sensing information from sensors mounted in a vehicle, and detects the positions of pedestrians, other vehicles, etc. (referred to as nearby objects from here on) existing in an area around the vehicle. As a sensing method, there is a method of determining information showing what each nearby object is (e.g., a walking person, a standing person, a child or a vehicle), the direction of and the distance to each nearby object, and other information about each nearby object from an image captured by the imaging sensor of a camera. Further, there is a method of determining information showing what each nearby object is, the direction of and the distance to each nearby object, and other information about each nearby object, by using a photosensor which employs an LED source. Another method can be alternatively used as the sensing method.
The nearby object detector 21 outputs the nearby object information acquired thereby to the illumination method determination unit 22.
The illumination method determination unit 22 determines a method of applying a light animation in accordance with vehicle motion information received from a vehicle motion predictor 2, and the nearby object information received from the nearby object detector 21. For example, the illumination method determination unit determines a method of extending the illuminated range of a light animation toward a direction in which a pedestrian or another vehicle is existing, or making the light animation more noticeable as the light animation gets closer to a pedestrian or another vehicle. In contrast, the illumination method determination unit determines a method of reducing or eliminating the illuminated range of a light animation in a direction in which neither a pedestrian nor another vehicle is existing, or processing a light animation in such a way that the light animation becomes blurred and faint more greatly as the light animation gets closer to a place where neither a pedestrian nor another vehicle is existing.
The illumination method determination unit 22 provides the illumination method determined thereby to a light animation setting unit 3a and the illumination range setting unit 23.
The illumination range setting unit 23 sets the illuminated range of a light animation in accordance with the illumination method determined by the illumination method determination unit 22, and provides the illuminated range as illuminated range information to the light animation setting unit 3a. The light animation setting unit 3a sets a light animation based on the vehicle motion information received from the vehicle motion predictor 2 for the illuminated range based on the illuminated range information received from the illumination range setting unit 23. The light animation setting unit 3a also processes the light animation in accordance with the illumination method determined by the illumination method determination unit 22. For example, the light animation setting unit 3a makes the light animation more noticeable. The illumination device 4a applies the light animation set by the light animation setting unit 3a.
Next, the operation of the road surface illumination apparatus will be explained using a flow chart shown in
The nearby object detector 21, in step ST21, determines whether a nearby object exists around the vehicle and detects the distance from the vehicle to a nearby object, and so on, in accordance with the sensing information, and outputs the nearby object information to the illumination method determination unit 22.
The illumination method determination unit 22, in step ST22, determines an illumination method for light animations in accordance with the nearby object information, and outputs the illumination method information to the light animation setting unit 3a and the illumination range setting unit 23.
The illumination range setting unit 23, in step ST23, determines the illuminated range of light animations in accordance with the illumination method information, and outputs the illuminated range information to the light animation setting unit 3a. The light animation setting unit 3a, in step ST3a, sets a light animation corresponding to the vehicle motion information, and changes the illuminated range of light animations in accordance with the illuminated range information and changes a method of expressing the light animation in accordance with the illumination method information. The illumination device 4a, in step ST4a, illuminates a road surface with the light animation set by the light animation setting unit 3a.
The road surface illumination apparatus repeatedly carries out processing shown in a flow chart of
Next, an example of a light animation when the position of a shift lever has been moved from “P” to “D” in order for the vehicle to move forward from a standing state will be explained using
As shown in
In contrast, when the nearby object detector 21 of the road surface illumination apparatus does not detect any nearby object, such as a person, in an area around the vehicle 100, as shown in
Next, an example of a light animation when the doors are unlocked by using a keyless entry system will be explained with reference to
As shown in
In contrast, when the nearby object detector 21 of the road surface illumination apparatus detects persons 101 in areas to the left and right of the vehicle 100, as shown in
In this way, the road surface illumination apparatus can change the illuminated range of the light animation, and the expressing method, in accordance with nearby objects. As a result, the road surface illumination apparatus does not have to illuminate an area in any direction in which no nearby object is existing with a light animation, there is provided an advantage of preventing the whole town from being full of light. Further, there is provided an advantage of being able to illuminate an area in a direction in which a detected nearby object is existing with a light animation which is emphasized to be more noticeable, and illuminate the area in the direction with a light animation while limiting the illuminated range of the light animation to the area.
Further, when detecting a person as a nearby object, the road surface illumination apparatus can illuminate only an area in a direction in which the person is existing with a light animation which is directed to give the person a warm welcome, and provides an advantage of being able to emphasize the intention to give persons a warm welcome.
As mentioned above, the road surface illumination apparatus according to Embodiment 2 includes the nearby object detector 21 to acquire the information indicating the existence or non-existence and direction of a nearby object around the vehicle, and the illumination method determination unit 22 to determine a method of applying an animation in accordance with the nearby object information acquired by the nearby object detector 21, and the light animation setting unit 3a is configured so as to change the animation set in accordance with the motion of the vehicle, in accordance with the illumination method determined by the illumination method determination unit 22. For example, the light animation setting unit 3a makes the animation, with which a road surface in a direction in which a nearby object is existing is to be illuminated, more noticeable in accordance with the illumination method determined by the illumination method determination unit 22, and limits the range which is to be illuminated with the animation to a road surface in a direction in which a nearby object is existing. As a result, the road surface illumination apparatus does not have to perform the illumination in any direction in which no nearby object is existing, thereby preventing the whole town from being full of light. Further, the road surface illumination apparatus can illuminate an area in a direction in which a nearby object is existing with a more noticeable animation, or alternatively illuminate only the area in the direction with an animation.
Further, the light animation setting unit 3a according to Embodiment 2 can not only change the animation set in accordance with the motion of the vehicle, in accordance with the illumination method, but also change the animation set in accordance with the vehicle state, in accordance with the illumination method. As a result, the road surface illumination apparatus can illuminate only a road surface in a direction in which a person is existing with an animation, thereby being able to emphasize the intention to give persons a warm welcome.
While the present invention has been described in its preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that an arbitrary combination of two or more of the above-mentioned embodiments can be made, various changes can be made in an arbitrary component according to any one of the above-mentioned embodiments, and an arbitrary component according to any one of the above-mentioned embodiments can be omitted within the scope of the invention.
Because the road surface illumination apparatus according to the present invention illuminates a road surface with a light animation expressing a motion which the vehicle is going to perform, the road surface illumination apparatus is suitable for use as a road surface illumination apparatus or the like that provides a notification of the motion of the vehicle to others outside the vehicle.
1 vehicle information acquisition unit, 2 vehicle motion predictor, 3, 3a light animation setter, 4, 4a illumination device, 21 nearby object detector, 22 illumination method determination unit, and 23 illumination range setting unit.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/JP2014/071656 | 8/19/2014 | WO | 00 |