Driving support device

Abstract

To provide a technique for enabling a driver of an oncoming vehicle to recognize that a headlight is in a high beam condition.SOLUTION: A driving support device (driving support section 14a) includes: a detection section 20a mounted on a vehicle so as to detect that the headlight of an oncoming vehicle is in a high beam condition; and a communication control section 22a for transmitting an instruction signal to allow an output section 18 of the oncoming vehicle to output a notification indicating that the headlight is in the high beam condition when it is detected that the headlight of the oncoming vehicle is in the high beam condition.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a driving support device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a notification device that switches a headlight to a passing state according to a stage determined by a determination means when the determination means determines that an oncoming vehicle may approach with high beams.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, depending on the surrounding situation of the vehicle, etc., the driver of the oncoming vehicle may not notice the passing. For example, in the case of heavy rain or in a place where there are many streetlights and it is bright around, passing may be difficult to see. Also, generally, passing is performed in various situations, and the meaning of passing varies depending on the situation. Therefore, even if the driver of the oncoming vehicle notices the passing, they may not be able to immediately understand the meaning of passing.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a technology that makes it easy for the driver of an oncoming vehicle to recognize that the headlight is on high beams.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a driving support device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a detection unit mounted on a vehicle for detecting that the headlight of an oncoming vehicle is on high beams, and a communication control unit that transmits an instruction signal for outputting a notification indicating that it is on high beams to an output unit of the oncoming vehicle when it is detected that the headlight of the oncoming vehicle is on high beams.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique that makes it easy for a driver of an oncoming vehicle to recognize that the headlamp is in the high beam state.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Figs. 1(a) and 1(b) are diagrams for explaining the operation of the vehicle system according to the embodiment. Figs. 1(a) and 1(b) show a night situation in which a second vehicle 1b is traveling in an oncoming lane of a lane in which a first vehicle 1a is traveling. Fig. 1(a) shows a situation in which the headlamp of the first vehicle 1a is set to the low beam and the headlamp of the second vehicle 1b is set to the high beam. The headlamp of the first vehicle 1a illuminates generally the range 50a. The headlamp of the second vehicle 1b illuminates generally the range 50b.

[0010] The first vehicle-mounted device 10a mounted on the first vehicle 1a and the second vehicle-mounted device 10b mounted on the second vehicle 1b can communicate directly with each other using vehicle-to-vehicle communication. The communication distance of the vehicle-to-vehicle communication can be appropriately determined by experiments or simulations.

[0011] The first in-vehicle device 10a has, for example, a known headlight control function called AHB (Adaptive High Beam). When no vehicle or the like is detected in front of the host vehicle, AHB sets the headlight of the host vehicle to high beam, and when a vehicle or the like is detected in front, it automatically switches the headlight from high beam to low beam.

[0012] The second in-vehicle device 10b does not have, for example, the AHB function. Therefore, in the second vehicle 1b, when the driver operates the light switch to switch to high beam, the high beam is maintained unless the driver operates the light switch again to switch to low beam. Even when the first vehicle 1a traveling in the oncoming lane approaches while the driver of the second vehicle 1b has the high beam set, the driver of the second vehicle 1b may forget that it is on high beam and fail to switch to low beam. The driver of the second vehicle 1b may concentrate on the lane in which the host vehicle is traveling and not pay sufficient attention to the presence of the first vehicle 1a, and may also fail to switch to low beam. In this case, the driver of the first vehicle 1a feels dazzled by the high beam light of the second vehicle 1b.

[0013] Therefore, in the embodiment, the first in-vehicle device 10a of the first vehicle 1a detects that the headlight of the second vehicle 1b, which is an oncoming vehicle, is on high beam, and when it is detected that it is on high beam, it transmits an instruction signal to the second in-vehicle device 10b of the oncoming vehicle. The instruction signal is a signal for causing the output unit of the second in-vehicle device 10b of the oncoming vehicle to output a notification indicating that it is on high beam, and is transmitted, for example, by vehicle-to-vehicle communication. When the second in-vehicle device 10b receives the instruction signal, it outputs a notification indicating that it is on high beam into the vehicle interior by at least one of display and sound. The notification indicating that it is on high beam is at least one of a display and sound including a message such as "It is on high beam. Would you like to switch to low beam?" By this notification, the driver of the second vehicle 1b can easily recognize that the headlight of the host vehicle is on high beam and that it is time to switch to low beam. Therefore, the driver of the second vehicle 1b can operate the light switch to switch to low beam.

[0014] Figure 1(b) shows a situation where the driver of the second vehicle 1b that has received the notification has switched the headlamp to the low beam following Figure 1(a). The driver of the first vehicle 1a is less likely to feel dazzled by the light of the headlamp of the second vehicle 1b and it becomes easier to drive.

[0015] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configurations of the first in-vehicle device 10a and the second in-vehicle device 10b in Figures 1(a) and 1(b). The vehicle system 100 includes the first in-vehicle device 10a and the second in-vehicle device 10b. Hereinafter, similar to Figures 1(a) and 1(b), it is assumed that the second vehicle 1b is an oncoming vehicle to the first vehicle 1a. Although not shown, the vehicle system 100 may include a plurality of first in-vehicle devices 10a and a plurality of second in-vehicle devices 10b. The plurality of first in-vehicle devices 10a and the plurality of second in-vehicle devices 10b are mounted on different vehicles, respectively.

[0016] The first in-vehicle device 10a includes a camera 12a, a driving support unit 14a, and a communication unit 16a. The driving support unit 14a has a detection unit 20a and a communication control unit 22a. The driving support unit 14a also has a headlamp control unit (not shown) that executes the above-described AHB control. The driving support unit 14a can be configured by, for example, an ADAS-ECU (Advanced Driving Assistant System - Electronic Control Unit). The driving support unit 14a corresponds to a driving support device.

[0017] The second in-vehicle device 10b includes a driving support unit 14b, a communication unit 16b, and an output unit 18. The driving support unit 14b has an output control unit 24. The driving support unit 14b does not necessarily have a headlamp control unit that executes AHB control. The driving support unit 14b can be configured by, for example, an ADAS-ECU.

[0018] The configurations of the driving support units 14a and 14b can be realized in terms of hardware by the CPU, memory, and other LSIs of any computer, and in terms of software by a program loaded in the memory or the like. Here, however, functional blocks realized by their cooperation are depicted. Therefore, it is understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by hardware only, software only, or a combination thereof.

[0019] The communication units 16a and 16b exchange information through vehicle-to-vehicle communication using an infrared laser or radio waves. The communication units 16a and 16b can each be configured by, for example, a DCM (Data Communication Module).

[0020] The camera 12a periodically captures an image of the front of the first vehicle 1a at a predetermined frame rate and supplies the captured image to the driving support unit 14a. The camera 12a can capture an oncoming vehicle. The image captured by the camera 12a may also be used for AHB control.

[0021] The detection unit 20a performs image recognition on the image supplied from the camera 12a and detects that the headlamp of an oncoming vehicle in front of the host vehicle is high beam. The detection unit 20a may detect high beam based on the brightness of the image. Since various known techniques can be applied to the detection of high beam in the detection unit 20a, the detailed description thereof is omitted. For example, the detection unit 20a may detect that the oncoming vehicle is high beam by performing image recognition using a deep-learned neural network. When the detection unit 20a detects that the headlamp of the oncoming vehicle is high beam, it notifies the communication control unit 22a to that effect. When the detection unit 20a does not detect that the headlamp of the oncoming vehicle is high beam, it does not notify the communication control unit 22a. That is, the detection unit 20a does not notify the communication control unit 22a when there is no oncoming vehicle, when the headlamp of the oncoming vehicle is low beam, or when the headlamp of the oncoming vehicle is turned off.

[0022] When the detection unit 20a detects that the headlight of the oncoming vehicle is high beam, the communication control unit 22a transmits, via the communication unit 16a, an instruction signal to the oncoming vehicle to cause the output unit 18 of the oncoming vehicle to output a notification indicating that it is high beam. When the detection unit 20a does not detect that the headlight of the oncoming vehicle is high beam, the communication control unit 22a does not transmit the instruction signal.

[0023] The communication unit 16a transmits the instruction signal obliquely forward to the right of the first vehicle 1a in a direction where the oncoming vehicle may exist, for example, by an infrared laser. In a country where vehicles drive on the right side, the communication unit 16a may transmit the instruction signal obliquely forward to the left of the first vehicle 1a. The instruction signal does not have to include information specifying the destination vehicle. The direction and range for transmitting the instruction signal can be appropriately determined by experiments or simulations. In this configuration example, since the destination vehicle is not specified, the instruction signal can be transmitted with relatively simple control.

[0024] In the second vehicle 1b, when the communication unit 16b receives the instruction signal, it supplies the received instruction signal to the output control unit 24.

[0025] When receiving the instruction signal from the communication unit 16b, the output control unit 24 causes the output unit 18 to output a notification indicating that it is high beam.

[0026] Note that the output control unit 24 may acquire whether the headlamp of the host vehicle is high beam or low beam. When the output control unit 24 receives an instruction signal from the communication unit 16b, it may cause the output unit 18 to output a notification indicating that it is high beam, only when the headlamp of the host vehicle is high beam. For example, a following vehicle (not shown) of the second vehicle 1b is equipped with the second vehicle-mounted device 10b. In a situation where the following vehicle is traveling with low beam, depending on the traveling position, the following vehicle may also receive the instruction signal. However, with this configuration, the second vehicle-mounted device 10b of the following vehicle does not output a notification. Therefore, unnecessary notifications at the following vehicle can be suppressed. Also, for example, another vehicle (not shown) in front of the lane of the first vehicle 1a is equipped with the second vehicle-mounted device 10b. In a situation where the other vehicle is traveling with low beam, even if the other vehicle receives the instruction signal due to reflection of the infrared laser or the like, the second vehicle-mounted device 10b of the other vehicle does not output a notification. Therefore, unnecessary notifications at the other vehicle can also be suppressed.

[0027] The output unit 18 includes, for example, a display control ECU, a MID (Multi Information Display) which is a display unit provided on the meter panel, and a speaker provided in the vehicle interior, and provides various information to the driver of the second vehicle 1b by at least one of display and sound. The display control ECU controls the display content of the MID.

[0028] The output unit 18 outputs a notification indicating that it is high beam by at least one of display and sound according to the control of the output control unit 24. The display may include characters representing the above-described message, or may include an image indicating that it is high beam. The sound may be the voice representing the above-described message, or may further include an alarm sound. In order for the driver to easily notice the notification, it is preferable that the output unit 18 outputs the notification by at least sound. The message of the notification is not particularly limited as long as the driver can recognize that it is high beam, and may be "High beam" or "Don't you want to switch to low beam?".

[0029] In addition to at least one of display and sound, the output unit 18 may output a notification by vibration. In this case, the output unit 18 includes, for example, a vibration generator that vibrates at least one of the steering wheel and the seat of the second vehicle 1b. By vibration, it is possible to make the driver easily notice the notification. The output unit 18 may output a notification by vibration in a specific pattern that allows the driver to recognize that the high beam is on. In this case, the output unit 18 may not output a notification by display and sound.

[0030] In addition to or instead of the MID, the output unit 18 may include a head-up display that projects a notification onto the windshield of the second vehicle 1b.

[0031] Next, the overall operation of the driving support unit 14a with the above configuration will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the driving support unit 14a in FIG. 2. The process in FIG. 3 is periodically repeated at a predetermined cycle.

[0032] The detection unit 20a acquires an image in front of the host vehicle captured by the camera 12a (S10) and detects that the headlamp of the oncoming vehicle is on high beam. When it is detected that the headlamp of the oncoming vehicle is on high beam (Y in S12), the communication control unit 22a transmits an instruction signal to the oncoming vehicle (S14), and the driving support unit 14a ends the process. When it is not detected that the headlamp of the oncoming vehicle is on high beam (N in S12), the driving support unit 14a ends the process.

[0033] According to the embodiment, when the first in-vehicle device 10a detects that the oncoming vehicle is on high beam, it transmits an instruction signal to the oncoming vehicle. Therefore, the output unit 18 of the oncoming vehicle can output a notification indicating that it is on high beam in response to the instruction signal. Thus, regardless of the surrounding situation of the vehicle, it is easy for the driver of the oncoming vehicle to recognize that the headlamp of the host vehicle is on high beam. In addition, the driver of the oncoming vehicle who receives the notification indicating that it is on high beam can immediately understand that it is on high beam.

[0034] Thus, even in the second vehicle 1b not equipped with the AHB function, when the first vehicle 1a is traveling in the oncoming lane, it is possible to easily cause the driver of the second vehicle 1b to switch to low beam, so it is difficult for the driver of the first vehicle 1a to feel dazzled.

[0035] As described above, the present invention has been described based on the embodiments. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments are merely examples, and various modifications are possible for combinations of each component and each processing process, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0036] (First Modification Example) In the embodiment, the communication control unit 22a of the first vehicle 1a transmits the instruction signal without specifying the destination vehicle, but the destination vehicle of the instruction signal may be specified. In this case, the communication control unit 22a may have a position relationship map created by a known vehicle-to-vehicle communication technology. The position relationship map includes the position of the host vehicle and information on the positions and vehicle IDs of other vehicles around the host vehicle. The communication control unit 22a periodically acquires the position information of the host vehicle, periodically acquires the position information and vehicle ID from other vehicles around the host vehicle by vehicle-to-vehicle communication, and periodically updates the position relationship map. When it is detected that the oncoming vehicle is high beam, the communication control unit 22a estimates the oncoming vehicle that is high beam based on the position relationship map, identifies the vehicle ID of the estimated oncoming vehicle, and may transmit the instruction signal by specifying the vehicle ID of the identified oncoming vehicle. In this case, the second in-vehicle device 10b of the vehicle having the vehicle ID specified by the instruction signal executes the notification output process of the embodiment based on the received instruction signal. On the other hand, the second in-vehicle device 10b of the vehicle not having the vehicle ID specified by the instruction signal discards the received instruction signal and does not execute the notification output process. According to this modification example, it is possible to more reliably prevent unnecessary notifications from being output in vehicles other than the oncoming vehicle that is high beam.

[0037] (Second Modification Example) When transmitting the instruction signal, the driving support unit 14a of the first vehicle 1a may control the headlamp of the host vehicle to pass. The first modification example and the second modification example may be combined.

Description of Signs

[0038] 10a…First in-vehicle device, 10b…Second in-vehicle device, 12a…Camera, 14a, 14b…Driving support unit, 16a, 16b…Communication unit, 18…Output unit, 20a…Detection unit, 22a…Communication control unit, 24…Output control unit, 100…Vehicle system.

Claims

【Claim 1】 A detection unit mounted on a vehicle for detecting that the headlamp of an oncoming vehicle is on high beam; A communication control unit that transmits an instruction signal for causing an output unit of the oncoming vehicle to output a notification indicating that the headlamp is on high beam when it is detected that the headlamp of the oncoming vehicle is on high beam; A driving support device, characterized by comprising the above.

Images