Vehicle

Abstract

A vehicle includes: a light emitting member provided on a rear wiper; a front camera that captures an image of the front of the vehicle; a control unit that displays a pattern by causing the light-emitting member to flicker in conjunction with the operation of the rear wiper; and a processing unit that acquires, on the basis of an image captured by the front camera, a pattern displayed by flicker of a light-emitting member of the preceding vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to vehicles. Background Art

[0002] The vehicle described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-271813 is provided with light emitting elements arranged in a row on the wiper blades. In this vehicle, the light emitting elements are flashed in conjunction with the operation of the wiper blades, thereby utilizing the afterimage effect of the human eye to display characters, graphics, etc.

[0003] In order to utilize the afterimage effect, it is necessary to operate the wipers at a speed much higher than the speed required to wipe off water droplets, etc. Therefore, the operation or operation sound of the wipers when the display is performed may annoy the passengers. Summary of the invention

[0004] A vehicle that solves the above-mentioned problem comprises: a light-emitting component, which is arranged on a wiper; a camera, which photographs the surroundings of the vehicle; a control unit, which displays a pattern by flashing the light-emitting component in conjunction with the movement of the wiper; and a processing unit, which obtains the pattern displayed by the flashing of the light-emitting component of other vehicles from the image captured by the camera.

[0005] The above-mentioned vehicle has an effect of being able to perform vehicle-to-vehicle communication using the light-emitting components on the wipers even if the wipers are not operated at high speed.

[0006] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals denote like elements. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 It is a diagram schematically showing the structure of one embodiment of a vehicle.

[0008] Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of a pattern display in the vehicle;

[0009] Figure 3 This is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by a processing unit in a modified example of the vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] Below, refer to Figures 1 to 3 An embodiment of a vehicle will be described in detail.

[0011] About the structure of the vehicle

[0012] First, refer to Figure 1The structure of the vehicle 10 of the present embodiment is described. The vehicle 10 is provided with a rear wiper 12 for wiping off raindrops and dirt attached to the rear window 11. In addition, the vehicle 10 is provided with a front camera 13 and a human-machine interface (HMI) 14. The front camera 13 is a camera for photographing the front of the vehicle. The HMI 14 is a device for exchanging information between the system of the vehicle 10 and the occupants. As an example of the HMI 14, a touch panel can be cited.

[0013] The vehicle 10 includes a drive unit 15 for driving the rear wiper 12. The drive unit 15 includes a motor and a link mechanism for converting the rotation of the motor into a reciprocating motion of the rear wiper 12. The rear wiper 12 is reciprocated between a stop position and a return position by the drive unit 15. Figure 1 In FIG. 1 , the state of the rear wiper 12 when it is in the stop position is indicated by a solid line. Figure 1 In FIG. 1 , the state of the rear wiper 12 when located at the folding position is indicated by a dotted line.

[0014] The rear wiper 12 is provided with a plurality of light emitting members 16. The plurality of light emitting members 16 are arranged in a row on the rear wiper 12. As an example of the light emitting member 16, a light emitting diode can be given.

[0015] The vehicle 10 is provided with a control unit 17 and a processing unit 18. The control unit 17 is an electronic circuit that controls the driving of the rear wiper 12 by the driving unit 15 and controls the blinking of the light emitting member 16. The processing unit 18 is an electronic circuit that processes the image captured by the front camera 13.

[0016] About vehicle-to-vehicle communication

[0017] The vehicle 10 is configured to communicate with other vehicles 10 using the light emitting component 16 provided on the rear wiper 12 and the front camera 13. Such inter-vehicle communication is performed by flashing control of the light emitting component 16 by the control unit 17 and image processing of the front camera 13 by the processing unit 18. In the following description, the own vehicle 10 is described as the own vehicle, the vehicle 10 traveling in front of the own vehicle is described as the preceding vehicle, and the vehicle 10 traveling behind the own vehicle is described as the following vehicle.

[0018] First, refer to Figure 2 , the flashing control of the light emitting component 16 performed by the control unit 17 is described. Figure 2 FIG. 2 shows the flashing mode of each light emitting component 16 when the four characters "STOP" are displayed as a pattern. Figure 2 In the figure, the light-emitting components 16 that are lit are indicated by black circles, and the light-emitting components 16 that are extinguished are indicated by hollow circles. The control unit 17 switches the flashing of each light-emitting component 16 in conjunction with the operation of the rear wiper 12, thereby displaying Figure 2Specifically, the control unit 17 switches the flashing of each light emitting member 16 according to the operation position of the rear wiper 12. At each operation position, the combination of the light emitting member 16 that is lit and the light emitting member 16 that is extinguished is predetermined according to the displayed pattern.

[0019] Next, the image processing performed by the processing unit 18 is described. The processing unit 18 obtains a pattern displayed by the flashing of the light-emitting component 16 of the rear wiper 12 of the preceding vehicle based on the image captured by the front camera 13. Specifically, the processing unit 18 periodically obtains the image of the front camera 13 obtained by capturing the rear window 11 of the preceding vehicle, and generates a composite image synthesized by synthesizing a series of acquired images. At this time, the acquisition cycle and acquisition period of the image of the front camera 13 are set with an appropriate cycle and period so that an image representing the pattern displayed by the flashing of the light-emitting component 16 of the preceding vehicle can be generated as a composite image. Then, the processing unit 18 displays the generated composite image on the HMI 14.

[0020] Functions and effects of implementation methods

[0021] The function and effect of the present embodiment are explained. The vehicle 10 of the present embodiment displays a pattern by flashing a plurality of light-emitting components 16 provided on the rear wiper 12 in conjunction with the movement of the rear wiper 12. At this time, if the rear wiper 12 is operated at a high speed, the occupants of the following vehicle can directly recognize the displayed pattern through the afterimage effect. However, if the high-speed operation is performed to the extent that an afterimage effect is produced, the occupants may become annoyed by the movement and the sound of the movement of the rear wiper 12. In contrast, the vehicle 10 of the present embodiment processes the image captured by the front camera 13 through the processing unit 18 to recognize the pattern displayed by the flashing of the light-emitting components 16 of the rear wiper 12 of the preceding vehicle. Therefore, it is not necessary to operate the rear wiper 12 at a high speed to the extent that an afterimage effect is produced in order to display the pattern.

[0022] The vehicle 10 according to the present embodiment described above achieves the following effects.

[0023] (1) The vehicle 10 includes a control unit 17 that flashes a plurality of light emitting components 16 provided on the rear wiper 12 in conjunction with the operation of the rear wiper 12. In addition, the vehicle 10 includes a processing unit 18 that obtains a pattern displayed by flashing the light emitting components 16 of the preceding vehicle based on an image captured by the front camera 13. Therefore, even if the rear wiper 12 is not operated at high speed, information can be conveyed to the following vehicle by displaying a pattern based on the flashing of the light emitting components 16. As a result, the occupants are less likely to feel annoyed by the sound and movement of the rear wiper 12 used for the pattern display.

[0024] (2) The processing unit 18 notifies the occupant of the information represented by the pattern acquired based on the image of the front camera 13. Therefore, the information can be conveyed to the occupant of the following vehicle.

[0025] (3) When the flashing of the light emitting component 16 is confirmed by the human eye, it is necessary to increase the brightness of the light emitting component 16 in a bright environment such as during the day. However, if the brightness of the light emitting component 16 is increased, the passengers of other vehicles who see the light emitting component 16 may feel glaring. In the vehicle 10 of the present embodiment, the flashing of the light emitting component 16 is confirmed by the front camera 13. Therefore, the brightness of the light emitting component 16 can be suppressed to a level that does not feel glaring even when observed by a human.

[0026] Other Implementations

[0027] This embodiment can be implemented by being modified as follows. This embodiment and the following modified examples can be implemented in combination with each other within the range that there is no technical contradiction.

[0028] Information transmission to multiple vehicles

[0029] The vehicle 10 of the above embodiment is configured to transmit information to the following vehicle by flashing the light emitting member 16. The above vehicle 10 is configured as follows to enable information transmission between three or more vehicles.

[0030] Figure 3 FIG. 2 shows the flow of processing performed by the processing unit 18 in the vehicle 10 in this case. The processing unit 18 repeatedly performs the processing at predetermined control cycles while the vehicle 10 is traveling. Figure 3 processing.

[0031] When to start Figure 3 In the process of the control cycle, the processing unit 18 first obtains the image captured by the front camera 13 in S100. In the next S110, the processing unit 18 confirms whether the flashing of the light-emitting component 16 of the rear wiper 12 of the preceding vehicle is captured based on the acquired image. Then, if the flashing of the light-emitting component 16 is confirmed (S100: Yes), the processing unit 18 advances the processing to S120. In addition, if the flashing of the light-emitting component 16 is not confirmed (S110: No), the processing in this control cycle ends.

[0032] If the process proceeds to S120, the processing unit 18 recognizes the pattern displayed by the flashing of the light emitting member 16 of the preceding vehicle based on the series of images captured by the front camera 13 in S120. Then, the processing unit 18 notifies the passenger of the information represented by the recognized pattern in the next S130. Furthermore, the processing unit 18 instructs the control unit 17 to display the same pattern as the recognized pattern in the next S140.

[0033] In such a case, the vehicle 10 displays the same pattern as that displayed by the preceding vehicle by flashing the light emitting member 16 of its rear wiper 12. Thus, the information transmitted from the preceding vehicle to the vehicle is also transmitted to the following vehicle. If the processing unit 18 of the following vehicle also performs the same processing, the same information is also transmitted to the vehicle 10 traveling behind the following vehicle. Thus, information is transmitted to the following vehicles in sequence, so that information can be transmitted to a plurality of vehicles 10.

[0034] Notice to passengers

[0035] The processing unit 18 can also regenerate a series of images captured by the front camera 13 at high speed through the HMI 14, thereby prompting the occupants with the pattern displayed by the flashing of the light-emitting component 16 of the preceding vehicle. In this case, in the image displayed on the HMI 14, the rear wiper 12 operates at a higher speed than in reality. Therefore, even if the rear wiper 12 is not actually operated at high speed, the occupants can recognize the pattern displayed by the flashing of the light-emitting component 16 through the afterimage effect.

[0036] The processing unit 18 may read information represented by a pattern obtained based on an image of the front camera 13 , and convert the read information into text, sound, or the like to notify the occupant.

[0037] A pattern indicating information used in controlling the automatic driving of the vehicle 10 may be displayed by blinking the light emitting member 16. In this case, if it is not necessary to notify the occupant of the information indicated by the displayed pattern, notification to the occupant may be omitted.

[0038] About the displayed pattern

[0039] The patterns displayed by the flashing of the light emitting member 16 linked to the operation of the rear wiper 12 may be switched in sequence, and a plurality of patterns may be combined to transmit information. For example, each time the rear wiper 12 reciprocates, the text displayed as the pattern may be switched, and the content formed by combining these texts may be transmitted as a message to the following vehicle.

[0040] The control unit 17 may also display patterns other than text and images by flashing the light emitting member 16 in conjunction with the operation of the rear wiper 12. For example, the control unit 17 may also control the flashing of the light emitting member 16 in such a manner that a two-dimensional code indicating information notified to the following vehicle is displayed as the above-mentioned pattern. In this case, the processing unit 18 obtains the two-dimensional code displayed by the flashing of the light emitting member 16 of the preceding vehicle based on the image of the front camera 13. Furthermore, the processing unit 18 can transmit information between vehicles by deciphering the obtained two-dimensional code.

[0041] About light-emitting components

[0042] The number and arrangement of the light emitting components 16 provided on the rear wiper 12 may also be different from Figure 1 different.

[0043] In the vehicle 10, the flashing of the light emitting component 16 is confirmed by the front camera 13. Therefore, a component that emits light of a wavelength other than visible light, such as an infrared light emitting component or an ultraviolet light emitting component, can be used as the light emitting component 16. In this case, it is possible to prevent the passengers of the following vehicle from being annoyed by the flashing of the light emitting component 16.

[0044] other

[0045] The light emitting member 16 may be provided on the front wiper of the vehicle 10. In this case, the processing unit 18 captures the flashing of the light emitting member 16 provided on the front wiper of the following vehicle by using a rear camera that captures the rear of the vehicle, and acquires a pattern displayed by the flashing.

[0046] Any camera may be used as long as it captures the surroundings of the vehicle. For example, a camera that captures the entire periphery of the vehicle 10 may be used to capture the flashing of the light emitting components 16 of the surrounding vehicles 10 .

[0047] The control unit 17 and the processing unit 18 can be respectively configured as one or more processors that act according to a computer program, one or more dedicated hardware circuits such as dedicated hardware that performs at least a part of various processes, or a circuit including a combination thereof. As dedicated hardware, for example, an ASIC that is an integrated circuit for a specific purpose can be cited. The processor includes a CPU and a memory such as RAM and ROM, and the memory stores program codes or instructions configured to enable the CPU to execute processing. The memory, that is, the storage medium, includes all available media that can be accessed by a general or dedicated computer. In addition, the vehicle 10 can also be configured in a manner that a single circuit implements the processing of both the control unit 17 and the processing unit 18.

Claims

1. A vehicle, wherein: The vehicle has: A light-emitting component, arranged on the wiper; A camera is used to take pictures of the surroundings of the vehicle; a control unit that displays a pattern by flashing the light-emitting component in conjunction with the operation of the wiper; as well as The processing unit acquires a pattern displayed by the flashing of the light emitting member of another vehicle based on the image captured by the camera.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The light emitting component is arranged on the rear wiper, and the camera is a front camera for photographing the front of the vehicle.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The light emitting component is an infrared light emitting component or an ultraviolet light emitting component.

4. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit displays a two-dimensional code as the pattern.

5. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit displays the same pattern as the pattern acquired by the processing unit using the light emitting member of the host vehicle.

Images