Notification device, traffic information provision device, and vehicle

Abstract

To provide a notification device, traffic information provision device, and vehicle for enabling appropriate notification about a right / left turn of a preceding vehicle.SOLUTION: A notification device (10) is used in a vehicle (6). The notification device (10) includes a control section for performing notification about existence of a second point closer to a preceding vehicle when there exist a first point and the second point for enabling a right turn or a left turn of the preceding vehicle in a traveling direction of the preceding vehicle. The control section may acquire traffic information including information related to the first point and the second point.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a notification device, a traffic information providing device, and a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, there has been progress in the development of safe driving support systems that install roadside observation devices on the roadside to detect vehicles and pedestrians, etc., and notify approaching vehicles, etc. of danger. In relation to safe driving support, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a device that uses a projector to display information on the road surface when a direction indicator (turn signal lamp) is turned on to turn right or left. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-007581 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In this case, if the leading vehicle with its turn signals on is trying to enter a location (e.g. a parking lot) beyond the entrance of another location where it can turn right or left (e.g. an intersection), the following vehicle may mistake the leading vehicle for the location it is trying to enter and result in a collision.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure, made in consideration of the above circumstances, is to provide a notification device, a traffic information providing device, and a vehicle that enable appropriate notification of right or left turns by a preceding vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) An alarm device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, An alarm device for use in a vehicle, The vehicle control unit includes a control unit that, when there are a first point and a second point where the leading vehicle can turn right or left in the traveling direction of the leading vehicle, notifies the vehicle of the existence of the second point which is closer to the leading vehicle.

[0007] (2) As an embodiment of the present disclosure, in (1), The control unit obtains traffic information including information on the first location and the second location from a traffic information providing device.

[0008] (3) As an embodiment of the present disclosure, in (1) or (2), The control unit determines the manner of the notification based on a distance between the second point and the leading vehicle and a speed of the leading vehicle.

[0009] (4) As an embodiment of the present disclosure, in any one of (1) to (3), The control unit notifies the user of the presence of the second location, including the presence of objects around the second location that may be obstacles to passage.

[0010] (5) As an embodiment of the present disclosure, in any one of (1) to (4), The control unit acquires vehicle information relating to a planned driving route of the leading vehicle, and determines whether or not to issue a notification about the existence of the second location based on the vehicle information.

[0011] (6) A traffic information providing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, A detection device for detecting objects including vehicles on a road; The vehicle is equipped with a control unit that, when there are a first point where a right or left turn is possible in the direction of travel of the leading vehicle and a second point closer to the leading vehicle, the leading vehicle is present within a first distance from the second point, and a following vehicle is present within a second distance from the leading vehicle, outputs traffic information including at least information about the existence of the second point to the following vehicle.

[0012] (7) As an embodiment of the present disclosure, in (6), When it is determined that the leading vehicle is going to turn right or left, the control unit outputs the traffic information to the following vehicle.

[0013] (8) As an embodiment of the present disclosure, in (6) or (7), a communication unit that acquires vehicle information including information regarding a position of the vehicle from the vehicle on the road; The control unit calculates, based on the vehicle information, a distance between the second point and the leading vehicle, and a distance from the leading vehicle to a following vehicle.

[0014] (9) A vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: A vehicle equipped with any of the warning devices listed in (1) to (5). Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a notification device, a traffic information providing device, and a vehicle that enable appropriate notification of right or left turns of a preceding vehicle. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a communication system including a notification device and a traffic information providing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an example of a functional block diagram of a traffic information providing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an example of a functional block diagram of an alarm device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a situation in which a following vehicle mistakes the destination of a leading vehicle. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process executed by the traffic information providing device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process executed by the notification device. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a notification form for a following vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Hereinafter, a notification device 10 (see FIG. 1), a traffic information providing device 5 (see FIG. 1), and a vehicle 6 (see FIG. 1) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the description of this embodiment, the description of the same or corresponding parts will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0018] (Communications Systems) FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a communication system 1 including a traffic information providing device 5 and a notification device 10 according to an embodiment. The traffic information providing device 5 is a road observation device in the example of FIG. 1, but may be realized by a driving support device mounted on a vehicle 6. Specific examples of the road observation device include a roadside unit or a surveillance camera device. In the following, the traffic information providing device 5 is described as a roadside unit arranged near an intersection where multiple roads 7 (roadways) intersect. The communication system 1 is a traffic information providing system that provides traffic information. Specific examples of the communication system 1 may be a safe driving support communication system of an Intelligent Transport System (ITS).

[0019] The traffic information providing device 5 is a device that observes vehicles 6, objects, people, etc. on the road. The objects include installations such as traffic signs, traffic lights 4, guardrails, signs, curbs, etc. Hereinafter, the vehicles 6, objects, people, etc. on the road observed by the traffic information providing device 5 may be referred to as "targets." The traffic information providing device 5 may be placed on the side of the road other than at an intersection. Details of the traffic information providing device 5 will be described later.

[0020] A vehicle 6 such as an automobile traveling on a road 7 may be equipped with a notification device 10. The notification device 10 is an example of a driving assistance device, and is a device that notifies a driver of the presence of a dangerous object when the dangerous object is detected during driving. Notification means notifying the driver by display (image) or sound. The notification method is not limited to display or sound, and may be performed by vibration or flash, for example. Notification includes issuing a warning. Details of the notification device 10 will be described later. The vehicle 6 may be equipped with an on-board detection device. The on-board detection device is a device that detects surrounding vehicles 6, objects, people, etc., and may function as the traffic information providing device 5. In other words, the traffic information providing device 5 may be a roadside device as in this embodiment, but is not limited thereto, and may be composed of a surveillance camera device, an on-board detection device, or a combination of these. In the communication system 1, the traffic information providing device 5 and a device mounted on the vehicle 6 can wirelessly communicate with each other. In addition, a plurality of vehicles 6 may be capable of wirelessly communicating with each other using a communication function of the device mounted on the vehicle 6. The communication system 1 may further be capable of performing wireless communication including an electronic device carried by the pedestrian 9. The electronic device is, for example, a mobile terminal device such as a smartphone.

[0021] The traffic information providing device 5 can notify the vehicle 6 of traffic information (safe driving support information) for supporting the safe driving of the driver of the vehicle 6. The traffic information may include, for example, information on points where the vehicle 6 can turn right or left, information on the distance between the vehicles, information on the speed of the vehicle 6, the lighting state of the traffic lights 4, and the shape of the road 7. The traffic information providing device 5 also detects nearby vehicles 6 and pedestrians 9. The traffic information providing device 5 can detect, for example, pedestrians 9 crossing the crosswalk 3. The traffic information providing device 5 can detect, for example, vehicles 6 approaching an intersection. The traffic information providing device 5 can notify the vehicle 6 of information on the detected object (such as the vehicle 6 and the pedestrian 9) by including it in the traffic information. The information on the detected object may include the moving state of the object. The traffic information providing device 5 may identify the object by a known method (for example, object recognition by deep learning) and notify the vehicle 6 of the identification code. The identification code may be, for example, a symbol, a letter, a number, or a combination thereof, assigned to each of the vehicle 6, the pedestrian 9, the installation, etc. That is, the traffic information providing device 5 may notify the vehicle 6 of the type of the identified object by the identification code. Also, the traffic information providing device 5 may include the coordinates of the position of the identified object in the traffic information and notify the vehicle 6. Also, the traffic information providing device 5 may extract the movement history of the object from the obtained photographed image, for example, and calculate a vector indicating the direction and speed of movement. The traffic information providing device 5 may include the calculated vector in the traffic information as the movement state of the object and notify the vehicle 6. Also, the traffic information providing device 5 can include information notified from other vehicles 6 in the traffic information notified to the vehicle 6. Also, as described above, the traffic information providing device 5 may be able to notify such information to an electronic device such as a smartphone carried by the pedestrian 9.

[0022] The vehicle 6 may transmit the vehicle information to the traffic information providing device 5 or another vehicle 6. The vehicle information may be transmitted to another vehicle 6 via the traffic information providing device 5. The vehicle information may include, for example, information on the position, speed, driving direction, and blinker status of the vehicle 6. The vehicle information may include information on the planned driving route of the vehicle 6. The planned driving route may be generated by a driving route set by a car navigation system mounted on the vehicle 6. The vehicle 6 can receive various information notified from the traffic information providing device 5 and the like by the mounted notification device 10. The notification device 10 may be, for example, a car navigation system or a drive recorder. The notification device 10 can support the driver's safe driving by notifying the driver of a warning or the like based on the information notified from the traffic information providing device 5. Here, when the vehicle 6 is equipped with the above-mentioned on-board detection device, the detection result may be transmitted to the other vehicle 6 as traffic information.

[0023] In this way, the communication system 1 supports safe driving of the driver of the vehicle 6. Here, the vehicle 6 is not limited to an automobile. For example, the vehicle 6 may include a motorcycle, a bus, a streetcar, and a bicycle.

[0024] (Functional block diagram of the traffic information providing device) 2 is a functional block diagram of the traffic information providing device 5 according to this embodiment. The traffic information providing device 5 includes a detection device 50, a communication unit, a storage unit, and a control unit. In order to distinguish the communication unit, storage unit, and control unit of the traffic information providing device 5 from the components of the notification device 10, the communication unit, storage unit, and control unit are referred to as a provider-side communication unit 51, a provider-side storage unit 52, and a provider-side control unit 53, respectively, in the following description. There may be multiple detection devices 50. Each of the multiple detection devices 50 may be capable of operating independently.

[0025] The detection device 50 detects targets including vehicles 6, objects, and people (pedestrians 9) on the road. The detection device 50 includes a sensor. The detection device 50 may be, for example, a visible light camera including an image sensor. The detection device 50 may also be an infrared camera including an infrared sensor.

[0026] Here, the sensor included in the detection device 50 is not limited to an image sensor and an infrared sensor. The sensor included in the detection device 50 may include, for example, a 3D laser scanner. The detection device 50 outputs the captured image detected by the sensor to the provider-side control unit 53.

[0027] The provider communication unit 51 is controlled by the provider control unit 53 to perform wireless communication with the vehicle 6. The provider communication unit 51 may be composed of a communication circuit and an antenna. The antenna may be, for example, an omnidirectional antenna. The provider communication unit 51 may perform wireless communication using, for example, the 700 MHz band allocated to ITS. The provider communication unit 51 may also perform wireless communication using, for example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like.

[0028] The provider-side communication unit 51 performs various processes such as amplification processing on a signal received by the antenna, and outputs the processed received signal to the provider-side control unit 53. The provider-side control unit 53 may also output a transmission signal including information to the provider-side communication unit 51. The provider-side communication unit 51 may perform various processes such as amplification processing on a transmission signal input from the provider-side control unit 53, and wirelessly transmit the processed transmission signal from the antenna.

[0029] The provider-side storage unit 52 may function as a memory that stores various types of information. The provider-side storage unit 52 may store, for example, a program executed in the provider-side control unit 53 and the results of processing executed in the provider-side control unit 53. The provider-side storage unit 52 may also function as a work memory for the provider-side control unit 53. The provider-side storage unit 52 may be configured, for example, by semiconductor memories such as ROM and RAM, but is not limited thereto and may be any storage device. The provider-side storage unit 52 may include, for example, a small hard disk drive and an SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0030] In this embodiment, the provider-side storage unit 52 stores map information about the area where the traffic information providing device 5 is installed. Also, in this embodiment, the provider-side storage unit 52 stores detection results such as images captured by the detection device 50.

[0031] The provider-side control unit 53 controls the operation of the traffic information providing device 5. The provider-side control unit 53 may include one or more processors. The processor may load a program from an accessible memory (e.g., the provider-side storage unit 52) ​​to realize various functions of the traffic information providing device 5. The processor may include at least one of a general-purpose processor that loads a specific program and executes a specific function, and a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The dedicated processor may include an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The processor may include a programmable logic device (PLD). The PLD may include a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The provider-side control unit 53 may include at least one of a system-on-a-chip (SoC) and a system in a package (SiP) in which one or more processors work together.

[0032] (Functional block diagram of the notification device) 3 is a functional block diagram of the notification device 10 according to this embodiment. The notification device 10 includes a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, a control unit 13, and a notification unit 14.

[0033] The communication unit 11 is controlled by the control unit 13 to perform wireless communication with the provider communication unit 51 and other vehicles 6. The communication unit 11 may be composed of a communication circuit and an antenna. The antenna may be, for example, an omnidirectional antenna. The communication unit 11 may perform wireless communication using, for example, the 700 MHz band allocated to ITS. The communication unit 11 may also perform wireless communication using, for example, wireless LAN, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc.

[0034] The communication unit 11 performs various processes such as amplification on the signal received by the antenna, and outputs the processed received signal to the control unit 13. The control unit 13 may also output a transmission signal including information to the communication unit 11. The communication unit 11 may perform various processes such as amplification on the transmission signal input from the control unit 13, and wirelessly transmit the processed transmission signal from the antenna.

[0035] The storage unit 12 may function as a memory that stores various information. The storage unit 12 may store, for example, a program executed in the control unit 13 and the results of processing executed in the control unit 13. The storage unit 12 may also function as a work memory for the control unit 13. The storage unit 12 may be configured, for example, by semiconductor memories such as ROM and RAM, but is not limited thereto and may be any storage device. The storage unit 12 may include, for example, a small hard disk drive and an SSD.

[0036] The control unit 13 controls the operation of the alarm device 10. The control unit 13 may include one or more processors. The processor may load a program from an accessible memory (e.g., the storage unit 12) to realize various functions of the alarm device 10. The processor may include at least one of a general-purpose processor that loads a specific program and executes a specific function, and a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The dedicated processor may include an application-specific IC. The processor may include a programmable logic device. The PLD may include an FPGA. The control unit 13 may include at least one of a SoC and a SiP in which one or more processors work together.

[0037] In this embodiment, the control unit 13 obtains traffic information from the traffic information providing device 5 via the communication unit 11, and based on the traffic information, issues a notification of an object that may be an obstacle to the passage of the vehicle 6 (own vehicle). When the own vehicle is a following vehicle 6B (see FIG. 4) of a leading vehicle 6A (see FIG. 4), and a first point 71 and a second point 72 (see FIG. 4) at which the leading vehicle 6A can turn right or left exist in the traveling direction, the control unit 13 issues a notification of a second point 72 that is closer to the leading vehicle 6A. The first point 71, the second point 72, and the notification will be described in detail later. In addition, the control unit 13 may obtain information indicating the traveling state, such as the position and speed, of the vehicle 6 (own vehicle) on which the notification device 10 is mounted, from, for example, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) or the like.

[0038] The notification unit 14 is a device used to notify the driver. The notification may be, for example, a warning that notifies the driver of the presence of a dangerous object when the object is detected while driving. The notification unit 14 may be, for example, a display that displays a warning image, or a speaker that issues a warning by voice. In this embodiment, the notification unit 14 is configured to include a head-up display (HUD). The head-up display projects an image onto the windshield (front glass) so that the passengers (particularly the driver) of the vehicle 6 can see it. The windshield onto which the image is projected corresponds to a display that displays a warning image. In this embodiment, the notification unit 14 also includes a speaker, and can issue a warning by using voice in addition to the speaker.

[0039] (Notification method) In the communication system 1, for example, the presence of a high-risk point as shown in FIG. 4 can be notified to attract the driver's attention. As shown in the left diagram of FIG. 4, assume that the vehicle is traveling in the same lane as the vehicle 6B following the preceding vehicle 6A. When the preceding vehicle 6A activates (lights up) a turn signal for a left turn, there are a first point 71 and a second point 72 where the preceding vehicle 6A can turn left in the traveling direction. In the example of FIG. 4, the first point 71 is an intersection, and the second point 72 is an entrance of a store. For example, the driver of the following vehicle 6B may not notice the presence of the entrance of the store (second point 72) and may mistakenly think that the preceding vehicle 6A is entering the intersection (first point 71). In such a case, as shown in the right diagram of FIG. 4, if the preceding vehicle 6A turns left at the second point 72 closer to the preceding vehicle 6A, the following vehicle 6B may collide with the preceding vehicle 6A. Here, even if the driver of the following vehicle 6B does not know the existence of the second point 72, the traffic information providing device 5 can detect such a high-risk point. In the communication system 1, the traffic information providing device 5 and the notification device 10 cooperate with each other to share the existence of a high-risk point as traffic information. That is, the notification device 10 according to the present embodiment can obtain traffic information from the traffic information providing device 5 and warn the driver so that a collision can be avoided based on the traffic information. Here, in the example of FIG. 4, the second point 72 is a point where the leading vehicle 6A can turn left, but it may be a point on the opposite side of the road where the leading vehicle 6A can turn right. In this case, if the driver of the following vehicle 6B misunderstands the destination of the leading vehicle 6A, the leading vehicle 6A and the following vehicle 6B may collide.

[0040] Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 are flowcharts showing an example of processing for notifying the driver, which is executed in the communication system 1. Fig. 5 shows the processing executed in the traffic information providing device 5, and Fig. 6 shows the processing executed in the notification device 10. Below, the processing will be explained in the order of the traffic information providing device 5 and the notification device 10.

[0041] The provider-side control unit 53 determines whether there is a point where the vehicle 6 can turn right or left (step S1). The point where the vehicle 6 can turn right or left is, for example, an entrance to a store, a facility, or a parking lot, and an intersection. The provider-side control unit 53 may grasp the existence of a point where the vehicle 6 can turn right or left by any means. The provider-side control unit 53 may grasp the existence of a point where the vehicle 6 can turn right or left based on, for example, map information stored in the provider-side storage unit 52. The provider-side control unit 53 may also specify a point where the vehicle 6 can turn right or left based on, for example, a detection result for the past vehicle 6 stored in the provider-side storage unit 52. The provider-side control unit 53 may also grasp the existence of a point where the vehicle 6 can turn right or left based on observation of the surrounding environment. Specifically, the provider-side control unit 53 may determine, based on the captured image acquired from the detection device 50, a point where there is a height difference in the curb, a point where there is a store sign, a point where there is a parking lot, and the like, as a point where the vehicle 6 can turn right or left.

[0042] If there is a point where the vehicle 6 can turn right or left (Yes in step S1), the provider-side control unit 53 acquires the position information of the point (step S2). The acquired position information may be, for example, coordinate information based on map information, and may be stored (registered) in the provider-side storage unit 52. The acquired position information may be calculated based on a relative positional relationship with the position of the traffic information providing device. After acquiring the position information, the provider-side control unit 53 proceeds to step S3. Here, if there is no point where the vehicle 6 can turn right or left (No in step S1), the process proceeds to step S3. Here, the case where there is no point where the vehicle 6 can turn right or left includes the case where all the points where the vehicle 6 can turn right or left have already been grasped, and there is no point to be newly registered. In the following description, it is assumed that the points where the vehicle 6 can turn right or left include the first point 71 and the second point 72 (see FIG. 4). In addition, it is assumed that the second point 72 is closer to the preceding vehicle 6A than the first point 71.

[0043] The detection device 50 detects targets including vehicles 6, objects, and people on the road (step S3). The detection device 50 outputs captured images of surrounding vehicles 6, etc. to the provider-side control unit 53. In the following description, it is assumed that the surrounding vehicles 6 include a leading vehicle 6A and a following vehicle 6B (see FIG. 4).

[0044] When the preceding vehicle 6A turns right or left (Yes in step S4), the providing-side control unit 53 proceeds to the process of step S5. The providing-side control unit 53 may determine that the preceding vehicle 6A will turn right or left based on the operation (lighting) of the direction indicator of the preceding vehicle 6A based on, for example, a captured image. The providing-side control unit 53 may determine that the lane of the road on which the preceding vehicle 6A is traveling is dedicated to right turns or left turns based on, for example, a captured image, and determine that the preceding vehicle 6A will turn right or left. The providing-side control unit 53 may determine that the preceding vehicle 6A will turn right or left based on, for example, information about a blinker included in the vehicle information about the preceding vehicle 6A. When the preceding vehicle 6A does not turn right or left (No in step S4), that is, when the preceding vehicle 6A goes straight, the providing-side control unit 53 ends the series of processes. Here, the traffic information providing device 5 may return to step S1 or step S3 and start the series of processes again.

[0045] If the second point 72 is within the first distance from the preceding vehicle 6A (Yes in step S5), the provider control unit 53 proceeds to the process of step S6. The first distance may be determined, for example, according to the legal speed of the roadway on which the preceding vehicle 6A and the following vehicle 6B are traveling, and is 50 m as an example, but is not limited to a specific value. The first distance may be determined according to the actual speed at which the preceding vehicle 6A is traveling. If the second point 72 is farther away from the preceding vehicle 6A than the first distance (No in step S5), the provider control unit 53 ends the series of processes. Here, the traffic information providing device 5 may return to step S1 or step S3 and start the series of processes again.

[0046] When the following vehicle 6B is present within the second distance from the preceding vehicle 6A (Yes in step S6), the providing side control unit 53 proceeds to the process of step S7. The second distance may be determined according to the legal speed of the roadway on which the preceding vehicle 6A and the following vehicle 6B are traveling, and is 30 m as an example, but is not limited to a specific value. The second distance may be determined according to the speed at which the following vehicle 6B is actually traveling. When the following vehicle 6B is present at a distance greater than the second distance from the preceding vehicle 6A (No in step S6), that is, when the inter-vehicle distance between the preceding vehicle 6A and the following vehicle 6B is greater than the second distance, the providing side control unit 53 ends the series of processes. Here, the traffic information providing device 5 may return to step S1 or step S3 and start the series of processes again.

[0047] The providing-side control unit 53 outputs the traffic information to the following vehicle 6B (step S7). In this way, when the providing-side control unit 53 determines that the second point 72 is within the first distance from the leading vehicle 6A and that the following vehicle 6B is present within the second distance from the leading vehicle 6A, the providing-side control unit 53 outputs the traffic information to the following vehicle 6B. The traffic information includes at least information on the existence of the second point 72. In this embodiment, the traffic information includes information on the existence of a point where the vehicle 6 can turn right or left, information on the distance between the vehicles (position information of the vehicle 6), information on the speed of the vehicle 6, and information on the moving state of objects such as pedestrians 9 in the vicinity. That is, in this embodiment, the providing-side control unit 53 outputs the traffic information to the following vehicle 6B, including the existence of objects that may be an obstacle to the passage of the following vehicle 6B around the second point 72. The notification device 10 mounted on the following vehicle 6B executes the following process.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 13 acquires traffic information (step S11). When the preceding vehicle 6A has already passed the second point 72 (Yes in step S12), the control unit 13 terminates the series of processes without issuing a notification or by erasing the display of an arrow Da or the like, which will be described later. When the preceding vehicle 6A has not yet passed the second point 72 (No in step S12), the control unit 13 proceeds to the process of step S13. Here, the control unit 13 may issue a notification about the existence of the second point 72, including the existence of objects around the second point 72 that may be obstacles to passage. Furthermore, when the control unit 13 can acquire vehicle information about the planned travel route of the preceding vehicle 6A, the control unit 13 may determine whether or not to issue a notification about the existence of the second point 72 based on the acquired vehicle information.

[0049] The control unit 13 determines the form of notification based on the distance to the leading vehicle 6A and the speed of the leading vehicle 6A (step S13). The control unit 13 executes the notification (step S14), returns to step S11, and starts a series of processes again. As described above, in this embodiment, the notification unit 14 is configured to include a head-up display. In this embodiment, the form of notification includes the shape, color, and blinking of a figure projected on the windshield. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a form of notification in the following vehicle 6B. As shown in FIG. 7, an arrow Da projected on the windshield may indicate that the leading vehicle 6A may turn left at the second point 72. For example, when the distance to the leading vehicle 6A becomes closer or the leading vehicle 6A decelerates, the control unit 13 may cause the arrow Da to blink to further attract the driver's attention. At this time, the display color of the arrow Da may change, or a warning sound may be emitted. For example, when the preceding vehicle 6A accelerates, the control unit 13 may determine that the possibility of turning left at the second point 72 is low, and may reduce or erase the display of the arrow Da. For example, when the preceding vehicle 6A approaches within a predetermined third distance from the second point 72 but does not decelerate, the control unit 13 may determine that the possibility of turning left at the second point 72 is low, and may reduce or erase the display of the arrow Da. The third distance may be a distance at which the preceding vehicle 6A needs to start decelerating in order to safely turn left at the second point 72. The third distance may be determined by the speed of the preceding vehicle 6A. The third distance may be the same distance as the first distance. Also, as shown in FIG. 7, the presence of an object (a bicycle as a specific example) that may be an obstacle to passage around the second point 72 may be indicated by another arrow Db.

[0050] In this way, the control unit 13 may determine the form of notification based on the distance between the second point 72 and the preceding vehicle 6A and the speed of the preceding vehicle 6A. The control unit 13 may also notify the presence of the second point 72, including the presence of objects that may be obstacles to traffic around the second point 72. For example, when the preceding vehicle 6A is an autonomous vehicle and information such as the destination is obtained as traffic information via the traffic information providing device 5, the control unit 13 may use the information such as the destination to determine the form of notification. For example, when the destination of the preceding vehicle 6A is far away and there is a low possibility of turning left at the second point 72, the control unit 13 may make the arrow Da smaller or erase it. Furthermore, when the control unit 13 determines that the preceding vehicle 6A has no plans to enter the second point 72 based on information regarding the planned travel route included in the vehicle information regarding the preceding vehicle 6A, the arrow Da may not be displayed. The control unit 13 may determine that the leading vehicle 6A has no plans to enter the second point 72 when the information regarding the planned driving route indicates that the leading vehicle 6A is entering the first point 71.

[0051] As described above, the notification device 10, traffic information providing device 5, and vehicle 6 according to this embodiment enable appropriate notification of the right or left turn of the leading vehicle 6A by the above configuration. If the driver of the following vehicle 6B judges by visual inspection, there is a risk that he or she will mistake the location where the leading vehicle 6A will turn right or left and enter. The notification device 10, traffic information providing device 5, and vehicle 6 (following vehicle 6B) according to this embodiment enable appropriate notification of the right or left turn of the leading vehicle 6A, which contributes to safe driving.

[0052] Although the present disclosure has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can easily make various modifications and corrections based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and corrections are included in the scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure may also be realized as a program substantially equivalent to these, or a storage medium on which the program is recorded, and it should be understood that these are also included in the scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1. Communication Systems 3. Crosswalks 4. Traffic lights 5 Traffic information provision device 6 Vehicles 6A Leading vehicle 6B Trailing vehicle 7 road 9. Pedestrians 10. Notification device 11 Communications Department 12 Storage section 13 Control section 14. Notification Department 50 Detection Device 51 Provider Communication Department 52 Provider storage unit 53 Provider control section 71 Location 1 72 Location 2

Claims

1. An alarm device for use in a vehicle, An alarm device comprising a control unit that, when there are a first point and a second point where the leading vehicle can turn right or left in the direction of travel of the leading vehicle, provides an alarm about the existence of the second point that is closer to the leading vehicle.

2. The notification device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit acquires traffic information including information on the first location and the second location from a traffic information providing device.

3. The notification device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit determines the manner of notification based on a distance between the second point and the leading vehicle and a speed of the leading vehicle.

4. The notification device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit notifies the user of the presence of the second point, including the presence of an object that may be an obstacle to passage around the second point.

5. The notification device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit acquires vehicle information relating to a planned driving route of the leading vehicle, and determines whether to issue a notification about the existence of the second location based on the vehicle information.

6. A detection device for detecting objects including vehicles on a road; a control unit that outputs traffic information including at least information about the existence of the second point to a following vehicle when a first point where a right or left turn is possible in the direction of travel of the leading vehicle and a second point closer to the leading vehicle exist, the leading vehicle exists within a first distance from the second point, and a following vehicle exists within a second distance from the leading vehicle.

7. The traffic information providing device according to claim 6 , wherein the control unit outputs the traffic information to the following vehicle when it determines that the leading vehicle is going to turn right or left.

8. a communication unit that acquires vehicle information including information regarding a position of the vehicle from the vehicle on the road; The traffic information providing device according to claim 6 , wherein the control unit calculates a distance between the second point and the preceding vehicle, and a distance from the preceding vehicle to a following vehicle, based on the vehicle information.

9. A vehicle equipped with the notification device according to claim 1 or 2.

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