curve mirror

Abstract

To provide a curve mirror easy to find the presence of a movable body approaching a corner.SOLUTION: A curve mirror 1 of the present invention is the curve mirror 1 located at an intersection CR and comprises an image analysis part 121 of detecting a movable body to approach an intersection CR and transmitting a detection result, receiving means 14 of receiving a signal indicating approach of the movable body transmitted from the image analysis part 121, and a first light-emitting member 132 and a second light-emitting member 133 of executing an indication displaying the approach of the movable body corresponding to the signal by the receiving means 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a curve mirror disposed at a bend.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, curve mirrors may be disposed at bends such as intersections, T-junctions or curves, especially at bends without traffic signals and with particularly poor visibility. With a curve mirror disposed at a bend, a person looking at the curve mirror can visually recognize a vehicle or the like coming towards the bend from a direction different from their own traveling direction. As a configuration for suppressing a decrease in the visibility of this curve mirror, various curve mirrors have been proposed, such as those with a heater attached to prevent water droplet adhesion, or those provided with an oscillation circuit that applies vibration from the back side of the mirror surface (see, for example, Patent Document 1, etc.).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, even if a curve mirror having a configuration for suppressing a decrease in visibility is disposed at a bend, a person may not notice the presence of the curve mirror itself, or even if they notice the presence of the curve mirror, the curve mirror may reflect a small mirror image and they may not notice the presence of a moving object such as a vehicle approaching the bend. Due to these reasons, there is a risk of head-on traffic accidents occurring even at bends where curve mirrors are installed.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a curve mirror that makes it easy to notice the presence of a moving object approaching a bend.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The curved mirror of the present invention, which solves the above problems, A convex mirror placed at a corner, A detection means that detects a moving object approaching the aforementioned corner and transmits the detection result, A receiving means that receives a signal indicating the approach of a moving object transmitted from the detection means, The system is characterized by comprising a display means that displays an indication of the approach of a moving object in response to the reception of the signal by the receiving means.

[0007] According to this convex mirror, the display means displays an indication that a moving object is approaching the corner, making it easy for people approaching the corner or those in the vicinity of the corner to notice the presence of a moving object approaching the corner. Furthermore, the display by the display means makes it easier for people approaching the corner or those in the vicinity of the corner to recognize the presence of this convex mirror. Hereinafter, people approaching the corner or those in the vicinity of the corner will be referred to as observers.

[0008] Here, the detection means may be an image analysis device that analyzes images captured by a camera. Furthermore, the detection means may be an ultrasonic sensor, or a sensor using millimeter waves or laser light.

[0009] In this convex mirror, It is equipped with a mirror surface that reflects a moving object approaching the aforementioned corner, The display means may be one that displays information on the mirror surface.

[0010] In this convex mirror, The mirrored portion has a light-transmitting portion that allows light from the back side opposite to the front surface facing the curve to be transmitted to the front surface. The display means may include a light-emitting member that irradiates light from the back side of the light-transmitting portion toward the light-transmitting portion.

[0011] Since the light-emitting member irradiates light from the back side of the translucent portion, a part of the mirrored portion is not covered by the light-emitting member.

[0012] In this convex mirror, The light-transmitting portion is capable of reflecting a mirror image when the light-emitting member is not emitting light. The display means may indicate the approach of a moving object by flashing light from the light-emitting member.

[0013] Even if the position in which the moving body approaching the corner is reflected on the mirror surface coincides with the translucent portion, the moving body is reflected on the translucent portion when the light from the light-emitting member is extinguished, so the observer can grasp the position of the moving body approaching the corner.

[0014] In this convex mirror, The mirror surface portion is provided with multiple light-transmitting portions, The light-emitting members may be positioned opposite each of the light-transmitting portions and irradiate light toward the opposing light-transmitting portion at different timings.

[0015] By doing so, both the display time indicating the approach of a moving object due to the light-emitting member irradiating light and the time for which a mirror image is reflected in each light-transmitting portion can be extended, making it easier for viewers to notice the presence of a moving object approaching the corner and to grasp the position of that object.

[0016] In this convex mirror, The detection means is capable of detecting a moving object approaching the corner from one direction, and is also capable of detecting a moving object approaching the corner from a direction other than the one direction, and transmits different signals depending on whether the moving object is approaching from only one direction or from both directions. The display means may perform different displays when the receiving means receives a signal indicating that a moving object has approached from only the one direction and when the receiving means receives a signal indicating that a moving object has approached from both directions. Note that the other direction may be an intersecting direction that intersects the one direction.

[0017] By doing so, the viewer can easily understand whether a moving object is approaching from only the one direction or from both directions.

Advantages of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a curved mirror that makes it easy to notice the presence of a moving object approaching a bend angle.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] It is a view showing an installation state of a curved mirror corresponding to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A - A of the curved mirror shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] (a) is an enlarged view showing an enlarged view of the light-transmitting portion shown in FIG. 1, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B - B of the same figure (a). [Figure 4] It is a block diagram showing the configuration of the curved mirror shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] It is a view of the intersection where the curved mirror shown in FIG. 1 is installed as seen from above.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a view showing an installation state of a curved mirror corresponding to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] As shown in Figure 1, the convex mirror 1 comprises a support column 11, a camera 12, and a convex mirror body 13. The lower end of the support column 11 is embedded in the road Rd and extends vertically upward. The camera 12 is fixed to the upper end of the support column 11. This camera 12 continuously records video. The camera 12 may be equipped with a wide-angle lens. Furthermore, the camera 12 may have pan and tilt functions, or it may not have pan and tilt functions. In addition, the camera 12 may have a recording function.

[0022] The curved mirror body 13 has a mirror surface 131 and a first light-emitting member 132. The mirror surface 131 reflects a moving object, such as a vehicle approaching a corner, as a mirror image. The mirror surface 131 is composed of a substrate 1310 (see Figure 3(b)) and a reflective film 1311 (see Figure 3(b)) provided on its back surface that acts as a mirror. The mirror surface 131 has two translucent portions 131a, where small dot-shaped film-less portions 1312 (see Figure 3) without the reflective film are arranged at predetermined intervals. Each translucent portion 131a is circular in shape as a whole, due to the arrangement of numerous film-less portions 1312 in a circular pattern. The translucent portions 131a may also be other shapes such as polygons or stars.

[0023] Four first light-emitting members 132 are arranged so as to surround the mirror surface 131. These first light-emitting members 132 correspond to an example of a display means. The first light-emitting members 132 are composed of tape-shaped LED lights arranged approximately every 90 degrees around the outer circumference of the mirror surface 131. In this embodiment, the first light-emitting members 132 are arranged outside the mirror surface 131 and slightly separated from the periphery of the mirror surface 131, but they may also be arranged in contact with the mirror surface 131 or attached to the front surface of the mirror surface 131. Here, when the curve mirror 1 is installed at an intersection, T-junction, or curve, the side facing the curve is the front surface of the mirror surface 131, and the opposite side is the back surface of the mirror surface 131.

[0024] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view AA of the curved mirror shown in Figure 1. In Figure 2, the mirror surface 131 is shown with cross-hatching except for the light-transmitting portion 131a, while the hatching of the light-transmitting portion 131a is omitted. Note that the mirror surface 131 is a normal mirror with high reflectivity except for the film-less portion 1312 (see Figure 3) provided on the light-transmitting portion 131a. In Figure 2, the light emitted by the first light-emitting member 132 is indicated by a white arrow.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2, the curved mirror body 13 has a base 130 and a second light-emitting member 133 in addition to the mirror surface 131 and the first light-emitting member 132 described above. The base 130 is located on the back side of the mirror surface 131. This base 130 is the base component of the curved mirror body 13 and supports the mirror surface 131, the first light-emitting member 132, and the second light-emitting member 133. The curved mirror body 13 is attached to the support column 11 (see Figure 1) by fixing this base 130 to the support column 11. As shown in Figure 2, the mirror surface 131 has a generally rounded spherical shape with the central part being the most protruding.

[0026] The second light-emitting member 133 is positioned opposite the light-transmitting portion 131a and is located on the back side of the light-transmitting portion 131a. Figure 2 shows one of the two light-transmitting portions 131a. The second light-emitting member 133 is also located on the back side of the other light-transmitting portion 131a, but since the two second light-emitting members 133 have the same configuration, the configuration of the second light-emitting member 133 located on the back side of the other light-transmitting portion 131a will not be explained. These second light-emitting members 133 correspond to an example of a display means and also to an example of a light-emitting member. The second light-emitting member 133 has a plurality of LED elements 1331, a substrate 1332 to which these LED elements 1331 are attached, and legs 1333 attached to the substrate 1332. The second light-emitting member 133 is fixed to the base 130 by its legs 1333. When the second light-emitting member 133 emits light, the light is directed toward the translucent portion 131a located on the left side in Figure 2. In other words, the second light-emitting member 133 directs light toward the translucent portion 131a from its back side. The irradiated light passes through the translucent portion 131a in the dot-shaped film-less portion 1312 (see Figure 3) where the reflective film 1311 (see Figure 3(b)) is not provided, and is therefore visible from the front side of the mirror surface 131 (translucent portion 131a). That is, when the second light-emitting member 133 emits light, the translucent portion 131a appears to glow when viewed from the front side of the mirror surface 131. In Figure 2, the way the light emitted by the second light-emitting member 133 passes through the translucent portion 131a is shown by three parallel arrows.

[0027] Figure 3(a) is an enlarged view showing the translucent portion shown in Figure 1, and Figure 3(b) is a cross-sectional view of BB in Figure 3(a). Note that the thickness of the reflective film is exaggerated in Figure 3(b).

[0028] As shown in Figure 3(a), the light-transmitting portion 131a is a portion where numerous dot-shaped film-less portions 1312 are provided in a staggered arrangement. Each film-less portion 1312 is a small circle. However, the film-less portions 1312 may also be of other shapes such as polygons or stars. As described above, light from the second light-emitting member 133 passes through each of these numerous film-less portions 1312 and is irradiated to the front side. In Figure 3(b), the transmitted light is indicated by arrows pointing horizontally. As shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), the film-less portions 1312 are portions on the back surface of the transparent resin substrate 1310 where the reflective film 1311 is not provided, and as described above, they are arranged at predetermined intervals within the light-transmitting portion 131a. Therefore, the areas between the film-less portions 1312 are portions where the reflective film 1311 is provided. Light is reflected in these areas where the reflective film 1311 is provided. Figure 3(b) shows how light is reflected, indicated by arrows inclined with respect to the horizontal. The area of ​​the translucent portion 131a where the reflective film 1311 is provided is larger than the area of ​​the portion without the film 1312. In this embodiment, when the second light-emitting member 133 is emitting light, the light passes through the portion without the film 1312, so the mirror image is almost invisible from the front side. However, when the second light-emitting member 133 is not emitting light, the mirror image is projected onto the portion of the translucent portion 131a where the reflective film 1311 is provided, so a viewer looking at the translucent portion 131a can see the mirror image. Hereinafter, the state when the second light-emitting member 133 is not emitting light may be referred to as "off." At this time, the mirror image of the portion without the film 1312 is missing, but since each portion without the film 1312 is small, the viewer can recognize the position and shape of the projected moving object. Here, the light-transmitting portion 131a may be constructed using a half-mirror that reflects some of the incident light and transmits some of the light, instead of arranging dot-shaped film-less portions 1312. However, constructing the light-transmitting portion 131a with an arrangement of dot-shaped film-less portions 1312 is preferable because it makes the outline of the irradiated light more clearly visible, allows for a better balance between light transmittance and the visibility of the mirror image, and allows for the inexpensive manufacture of the mirror surface portion 131.

[0029] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the convex mirror shown in Figure 1.

[0030] As shown in Figure 4, the curve mirror 1 includes the camera 12, four first light-emitting members 132 and two second light-emitting members 133 described above, as well as an image analysis unit 121, a receiving means 14, and a display control unit 15. These image analysis unit 121, receiving means 14, and display control unit 15 are located on the back side of the curve mirror body 13 (see Figure 1) and are housed in an unillustrated control box fixed to the support column 11 (see Figure 1). The image analysis unit 121 is a computer that analyzes the video captured by the camera 12 to detect whether or not there is a moving object, such as a vehicle, approaching the curve mirror 1. This image analysis unit 121 is an example of a detection means. Since the curve mirror 1 is installed at intersections, T-junctions, or corners such as curves, a moving object approaching the curve mirror 1 corresponds to a moving object approaching a corner. The image analysis unit 121 transmits the detection result of whether or not there is an approaching moving object. The analysis content of this image analysis unit 121 and the transmitted detection results will be described in detail later. The image analysis unit 121 may transmit detection results at all times, or it may transmit detection results only when a moving object is approaching the curve mirror 1.

[0031] The receiving means 14 receives the detection results transmitted from the image analysis unit 121 and transmits them to the display control unit 15. The display control unit 15 controls the illumination of the four first light-emitting members 132 and the two second light-emitting members 133 in response to the signals received by the receiving means 14. The display control unit 15 is a so-called PLC (Programmable Logic Controller). The control contents of the display control unit 15, the illumination patterns of the first light-emitting members 132 and the illumination patterns of the second light-emitting members 133 will be described later.

[0032] Figure 5 is a view from above of the intersection where the convex mirror shown in Figure 1 is installed. In reality, the camera 12 and the convex mirror body 13 are positioned in overlapping locations when viewed from above, but in Figure 5, the camera 12 and the convex mirror body 13 are shown separated for easier understanding. Note that this example shows the convex mirror 1 installed at an intersection (crossroads), but the convex mirror 1 can also be installed at other corners such as T-junctions and curves.

[0033] As shown in Figure 5, camera 12 is positioned facing the center of the intersection CR. That is, the shooting direction (direction of the center of the field of view) of camera 12 is towards the center of the intersection CR. This intersection CR corresponds to an example of a curve. The curve mirror body 13 is also positioned so that its protruding direction is the same as the shooting direction of camera 12, towards the center of the intersection CR. Camera 12 has a field of view of 90 degrees or more and photographs both the first road Rd1 and the second road Rd2 that intersect each other at the intersection CR. As a result, camera 12 can photograph a first vehicle V1 traveling on the first road Rd1 and approaching the intersection CR, and can also simultaneously photograph a second vehicle V2 traveling on the second road Rd2 and approaching the intersection CR. These first vehicle V1 and second vehicle V2 each correspond to an example of a moving object. Hereinafter, one of the directions in which the first road Rd1 extends and the direction in which the second road Rd2 extends will be referred to as one direction, and the other as the other direction. Furthermore, at T-junctions and intersections like the one shown in Figure 5, the direction of intersection that crosses the direction the observer is traveling in becomes the other direction. Similarly, on curves where the road the observer is traveling on is curved, the direction opposite to the direction the observer is traveling in becomes the other direction.

[0034] The image analysis unit 121 (see Figure 4) analyzes the images captured by the camera 12 to detect moving objects approaching the intersection CR from one direction, and also detects moving objects approaching the intersection CR from other directions, distinguishing them from those approaching from one direction. The image analysis unit 121 then transmits different signals depending on whether it detects that a moving object is approaching the intersection CR from only one direction or from both directions.

[0035] The display control unit 15 (see Figure 4) intermittently illuminates the four first light-emitting members 132 (see Figure 4) if the signal received by the receiving means 14 (see Figure 4) indicates that the moving object is approaching the intersection CR from only one direction. In other words, by flashing the four first light-emitting members 132, it indicates that the moving object is approaching the intersection CR. Furthermore, if the signal received by the receiving means 14 indicates that the moving object is approaching the intersection CR from both directions, the display control unit 15 intermittently illuminates the four first light-emitting members 132 and alternately illuminates the two second light-emitting members 133 (see Figure 4). In other words, by flashing the four first light-emitting members 132 simultaneously and flashing the two second light-emitting members 133 at different timings, it indicates that the moving object is approaching the intersection CR from both directions. The flashing duration of each second light-emitting member 133 is 15 seconds from the detection of the moving object's approach to the intersection CR, and the illumination and extinguishing times are each 0.5 seconds. In other words, one cycle consists of 0.5 seconds of illumination followed by 0.5 seconds of blackout, and this is repeated 15 times during a flashing duration of 15 seconds. This flashing duration may be changed according to the speed of passing vehicles, and is preferably between 5 and 20 seconds, and more preferably between 8 and 15 seconds. Furthermore, the illumination and blackout times are preferably between 0.2 seconds and 1.0 second or less. By setting the illumination and blackout times to 0.2 seconds or more, it becomes easier for viewers to notice the approach of a moving object indicated by the illumination of the second light-emitting member 133, and it also becomes easier for viewers to recognize the position of the moving object reflected as a mirror image in the translucent portion 131a when the second light-emitting member 133 is blackout. On the other hand, by setting the illumination and blackout times to 1.0 second or less, it is possible to prevent a moving object approaching the intersection CR from entering the intersection CR before the switch from blackout to illumination is made.

[0036] According to this embodiment, the illumination of the first light-emitting member 132 or the second light-emitting member 133 allows the viewer of the convex mirror 1 to recognize its presence. Furthermore, by indicating that a moving object is approaching the intersection CR through the illumination of the first light-emitting member 132 and the second light-emitting member 133, even if the moving object is difficult to see from the mirror surface 131 alone, the viewer of the convex mirror 1 can be made aware of the presence of a moving object approaching the intersection CR. Moreover, since the illumination of the second light-emitting member 133 displays an indication on the translucent portion 131a, which is a part of the mirror surface 131, the viewer can be aware of the presence of a moving object approaching the intersection CR without moving their gaze away from the mirror surface 131. In addition, if the second light-emitting member 133 were placed on the front surface of the mirror surface 131, a part of the mirror surface 131 would be hidden, but since the second light-emitting member 133 is placed on the back side of the mirror surface 131, the mirror surface 131 is not hidden by the second light-emitting member 133. Furthermore, the translucent portion 131a is configured to allow a mirrored image to be seen when the second light-emitting member 133 is not emitting light, and the second light-emitting member 133 is flashed to indicate that a moving object is approaching the intersection CR. As a result, even if the position where the moving object approaching the intersection CR is projected coincides with the position of the translucent portion 131a, the moving object will be projected onto the translucent portion 131a when the light from the second light-emitting member 133 turns off, allowing the viewer to grasp the position of the moving object approaching the intersection CR. In addition, two translucent portions 131a are provided, and the second light-emitting member 133 is placed at a position opposite to each translucent portion 131a, and the second light-emitting member 133 is projected at different timings, so both the time when one of the two second light-emitting members 133 is projecting light and the time when a mirrored image is projected on each translucent portion 131a are extended. As a result, it is easier for the viewer to notice that a moving object is approaching the intersection CR and to grasp the position of that moving object. Furthermore, three or more light-transmitting portions 131a may be provided. In that case, the time for which the mirror image is projected in each light-transmitting portion 131a can be extended by illuminating the second light-emitting members 133 one by one in sequence.Furthermore, the display control unit 15 illuminates (flashes) only the first light-emitting member 132 when the moving object is approaching from only one direction, and illuminates (flashes) both the first light-emitting member 132 and the second light-emitting member 133 when the moving object is approaching from both directions. In other words, different displays are shown depending on whether the moving object is approaching the intersection CR from only one direction or from both directions, so that viewers can easily understand whether the moving object is approaching from only one direction or from both directions.

[0037] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be modified in various ways within the scope of the claims. For example, in this embodiment, an image analysis unit 121 that analyzes images captured by the camera 12 is used as the detection means, but an ultrasonic sensor may be used instead of the camera 12 and the image analysis unit 121, or a sensor using millimeter waves or laser light may be used. Alternatively, the system may detect when a vehicle approaches the intersection CR by receiving radio waves from the vehicle. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the display (light emission) position is changed depending on whether the moving object is approaching from only one direction or from both directions, but the display color may be changed, the size of the display unit may be changed, the flashing speed of the display may be changed, or the display may be switched between flashing and lit. In addition, as the display means, a device that displays characters or patterns in response to the approach of a moving object may be used, or a device that displays by means other than light emission may be used. In addition, although an example was used in which the light-transmitting portions 131a are provided at two locations on the lower side of the mirror surface portion 131, the light-transmitting portions 131a may also be provided on the upper side of the mirror surface portion 131, or on both the upper and lower sides of the mirror surface portion 131.

[0038] According to the embodiments and modifications described above, it is possible to provide a curve mirror 1 that makes it easy to notice the presence of a moving object approaching a corner.

[0039] Furthermore, even if a constituent element is included only in the description of each of the modified examples described above, that constituent element may be applied to other modified examples. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1. Curve mirror 14 Receiving means 121 Image Analysis Unit 121 132 First light-emitting member 133 Second light-emitting member

Claims

1. A convex mirror placed at a corner, A detection means that detects a moving object approaching the aforementioned corner and transmits the detection result, A receiving means that receives a signal indicating the approach of a moving object transmitted from the detection means, A display means that displays an indication of the approach of a moving object in response to the reception of the signal by the receiving means, It comprises a mirror surface that reflects a moving object approaching the aforementioned corner, The mirrored portion has a light-transmitting portion that allows light from the back side opposite to the front surface facing the curve to be transmitted to the front surface. The display means displays on the mirror surface and includes a light-emitting member that irradiates light from the back side of the light-transmitting portion toward the light-transmitting portion. The translucent portion is characterized by being formed by arranging dot-shaped film-free portions, which do not have a reflective film, at predetermined intervals.

2. The translucent portion is formed only on a part of the mirror surface portion, as described in Claim 1.

3. The light-transmitting portion is capable of reflecting a mirror image when the light-emitting member is not irradiating light, The aforementioned display means indicates the approach of a moving object by flashing light from the light-emitting member, The mirror surface portion is provided with multiple light-transmitting portions, The curved mirror according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the light-emitting member is positioned opposite each of the light-transmitting portions and irradiates light toward the opposing light-transmitting portions at different timings in order to extend the time during which a mirror image can be projected in each of the light-transmitting portions.

Images