Control device relating to danger notification system, and danger notification system

Abstract

To provide a system that promotes attention to a user such as a driver during driving without depending on attention power or a consciousness level for safety of an individual.SOLUTION: A control device 2 in a danger notification system that notifies of danger, includes control means 21 that compares current position information indicating a current position of a user with dangerous place information relating to a dangerous place to which the user should pay attention, and compares a travel direction of the user with the dangerous place information, and when there is a dangerous place at a predetermined distance or less from the current position of the user and in the same direction as the travel direction of the user, outputs an alarm.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device and a danger notification system for alerting users such as drivers and pedestrians. [Background technology]

[0002] Many businesses have traditionally operated vehicles as part of their work, and although companies have been constantly raising awareness of safe driving in various ways, it remains difficult to eliminate traffic accidents.

[0003] In order to eliminate traffic accidents, businesses notified drivers and other users of dangerous areas using traffic accident hazard maps distributed by police stations and traffic accident hazard maps created independently by the field. These traffic accident hazard maps were posted in offices and guardhouses. Furthermore, during on-board training sessions, businesses verbally communicated to drivers and other users dangerous areas (e.g., intersections with poor visibility), prohibited areas (e.g., tram tracks where cars should not enter), and school commuting times (e.g., 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM).

[0004] However, since users are initially unfamiliar with the area, it is difficult for drivers and other users to understand the local traffic situation using only a traffic accident hazard map. It is also difficult for drivers and other users to recognize that they are approaching a dangerous spot while driving. In particular, in areas where the range of movement is wide and landmarks are scarce, it is difficult to identify dangerous spots while driving.

[0005] However, driving a vehicle largely depends on the skill and attention of the user, such as an employee, and each business does not objectively evaluate the driving of its employees. Furthermore, it is difficult to maintain an awareness of safe driving while driving. Furthermore, the level of awareness of the importance of safe driving varies from person to person.

[0006] Therefore, there is an increasing need for a system that alerts users, such as drivers, while driving, regardless of their individual level of attention or safety awareness.

[0007] A system with similar functionality is a car navigation system, which uses satellite-based GPS (Global Positioning System) to determine the vehicle's (user's) location and displays the results on a map screen. Using the vehicle's location as a base point, the system searches for a route to the desired destination, and once the destination is set, the system displays the optimal route on the screen and provides voice guidance to the destination.

[0008] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a navigation device that can perform a route search that accurately reflects the driver's current proficiency. Specifically, the navigation device includes a search condition specification means for specifying a route to be searched, a map information storage means for storing road map information of the search target, and a search means for searching for and displaying a route to a destination from the road map information under the conditions specified by the search conditions, and further includes a proficiency information storage means for storing proficiency information related to the driver's driving skills, and the search means searches for a route that satisfies the specified conditions and has driving conditions that correspond to the driver's proficiency, based on the conditions specified by the search condition specification means and the driver's proficiency information stored in the proficiency information storage means. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-106475 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] However, in a car navigation system such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1, a user can usually register any point (hazardous location) as a destination, but the announcements and screen displays when approaching a hazardous location are predetermined and cannot be changed. Therefore, it is not possible to output a warning when approaching a hazardous location, to change the point where the warning is output and the distance to the hazardous location, or to change the content of the warning screen display or warning voice according to the type of hazard.

[0011] Incidentally, there is an increasing need for a system that outputs a warning and calls attention when approaching a dangerous location, not only for users such as drivers, but also for users such as pedestrians walking on roads at night.

[0012] Therefore, in order to address the above-mentioned problems, the present invention aims to provide a control device and a danger notification system for a danger notification system that alerts users such as drivers and pedestrians while driving or walking, regardless of their individual level of attention or safety awareness. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 comprises: A control device related to a danger notification system that notifies of danger, comparing current location information indicating the user's current location with dangerous location information relating to dangerous locations that the user should be careful of, and also comparing the user's traveling direction with the dangerous location information; The control device is provided with a control means for outputting a warning when there is a dangerous spot within a predetermined distance from the user's current position and whose direction coincides with the user's traveling direction.

[0014] The invention according to claim 2 is as follows: the control means adjusts the direction of travel of the user to within a predetermined angle, The control device according to claim 1 outputs a warning when there is a dangerous spot whose direction coincides with the user's traveling direction.

[0015] The invention according to claim 3 is as follows: The control means keeps the direction of the dangerous spot within a predetermined angle, The control device according to claim 1 outputs a warning when there is a dangerous spot whose direction coincides with the user's traveling direction.

[0016] The invention according to claim 4 is as follows: The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control means changes the predetermined distance depending on the speed of a vehicle in which the user is riding.

[0017] The invention according to claim 5 is as follows: A control device related to a danger notification system that notifies of danger, comparing current location information indicating the user's current location with dangerous location information relating to dangerous areas that the user should be careful of; The control device is provided with a control means for outputting a warning when it is determined that the user has entered the danger zone.

[0018] The invention according to claim 6 is as follows: A danger notification system including a current location information receiving device that receives and outputs current location information of a user, and a control device, The control device comparing current location information indicating the user's current location with dangerous location information relating to dangerous locations that the user should be careful of, and also comparing the user's traveling direction with the dangerous location information; The danger notification system has a control means for outputting a warning when there is a dangerous spot within a predetermined distance from the user's current position and whose direction coincides with the user's traveling direction.

[0019] The invention according to claim 7 is as follows: the control means adjusts the direction of travel of the user to within a predetermined angle, The danger notification system according to claim 6 outputs a warning when there is a dangerous spot that coincides with the user's traveling direction.

[0020] The invention according to claim 8 is as follows: The control means keeps the direction of the dangerous spot within a predetermined angle, The danger notification system according to claim 6 outputs a warning when there is a dangerous spot that coincides with the user's traveling direction.

[0021] The invention according to claim 9 is as follows: The danger notification system according to claim 6, wherein the control means changes the predetermined distance depending on the speed of the vehicle in which the user is riding.

[0022] The invention according to claim 10 is as follows: A danger notification system including a current location information receiving device that receives and outputs current location information of a user, and a control device, The control device comparing current location information indicating the user's current location with dangerous location information relating to dangerous areas that the user should be careful of; The danger notification system has a control means for outputting a warning when it is determined that the user has entered the danger area. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] According to the present invention, when a user approaches, for example, within a predetermined distance from a dangerous location while the user is driving a vehicle or walking, a warning is output, thereby objectively alerting users such as drivers and pedestrians, regardless of the user's level of attention or safety awareness. This contributes to the eradication of traffic accidents and the avoidance of danger. Furthermore, unlike car navigation systems, the present invention does not require complex configurations such as a map information storage means for storing road map information and a search means for searching and displaying a route to a specified destination from the road map information. Instead, the present invention uses a relatively simple configuration to objectively alert users such as drivers and pedestrians when they approach, for example, within a predetermined distance from a dangerous location.

[0024] Regarding objectively warning users such as drivers, for example, when a user such as a driver is unfamiliar with the area, when the area is filled with the same scenery and there are no landmarks, or when the driving is long and monotonous with no traffic lights and the driver tends to drive absentmindedly, it is convenient to automatically warn the user such as a driver when approaching a dangerous area.

[0025] Furthermore, according to the present invention, current location information indicating the user's current location is compared with hazardous location information indicating hazardous locations that the user should be careful of, and the user's traveling direction is compared with the hazardous location information. If there is a hazardous location within a predetermined distance from the user's current location that coincides with the user's traveling direction, a warning is output. In other words, the present invention is configured to perform control based on a vector-like concept, such as "distance" and "direction." If determining whether or not to output a warning based solely on the distance between the user's current location and the hazardous location, hazardous locations in a direction different from the user's traveling direction would also be subject to the warning. Therefore, the present invention is configured to output a warning not only by checking the distance between the current location and the hazardous location, but also by checking that the user's traveling direction coincides with the direction of the hazardous location. This allows for highly accurate warning output, which is convenient.

[0026] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the current location information indicating the user's current location is compared with dangerous area information relating to dangerous areas that the user should be careful of, and if it is determined that the user has entered the dangerous area, a warning is output. This configuration is convenient because it can prevent a situation in which the approach of multiple dangerous areas results in continuous warnings being displayed and alarms sounding, which in turn distracts the attention of the user, such as a driver. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a danger notification system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a control device of a danger notification system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the direction of a vehicle and the direction of a dangerous spot in the danger notification system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the direction of a vehicle and the direction of a dangerous spot in the danger notification system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a detection distance and a detection angle of a dangerous spot in a danger notification system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sign of a danger notification system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a risk location information storage area of a risk notification system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the flow of processing in the danger notification system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 3 is a flowchart showing a process flow of a control device of the danger notification system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the direction of a dangerous spot in a danger notification system according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the direction of a dangerous spot in a danger notification system according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a danger area in the danger notification system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a danger area in the danger notification system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] Car navigation systems are devices with similar functions to the danger notification system of the present invention. However, in order to provide users, such as drivers, with directions to their destinations, car navigation systems require map information packed with a vast amount of relevant information covering the entire country of Japan. In comparison, the danger notification system of the present invention requires a much smaller amount of information, such as information on dangerous locations. The only information required is location information, such as the latitude and longitude of the dangerous locations.

[0029] In addition, in the case of car navigation systems, many types of information are displayed on the screen for users such as drivers, and many types of information are output by voice according to the location of the vehicle. However, the danger notification system according to the present invention displays signs related to approaching danger on the screen and outputs voice information that the vehicle is approaching a dangerous location, and displays on the screen and outputs voice information only that is necessary for users such as drivers and pedestrians to avoid danger.

[0030] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the components described in the embodiment are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0031] <Embodiment Example 1> Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a danger notification system according to the present embodiment 1. In the present embodiment 1, a case will be described in which a user rides in a vehicle 5, which is a four-wheeled vehicle such as a truck, equipped with a danger notification system.

[0032] The danger notification system mainly includes a current location information receiving device 1, a control device 2, a DB server 3, and a terminal 4.

[0033] As enclosed by a dotted line in FIG. 1, the current position information receiving device 1 and the control device 2 are mounted on a vehicle 5 (see FIG. 5).

[0034] The current location information receiving device 1 and the control device 2 are connected to each other via a wired connection such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) so that they can communicate with each other. The control device 2 and the DB server 3 are connected to each other via a network 7 such as the Internet so that they can communicate with each other. Furthermore, the terminal 4 is connected to the control device 2 via a wireless connection such as a wireless LAN so that they can communicate with each other.

[0035] <Configuration of current location information receiving device 1> The current position information receiving device 1 can acquire current position information and GNSS time based on the received GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) signal. Note that the GNSS signal refers to a GNSS signal received as a radio wave transmitted from a GNSS satellite. The current position information receiving device 1 then outputs current position information to the connected control device 2 at predetermined time intervals (for example, every 3 seconds).

[0036] <Configuration of control device 2> The control device 2 is, for example, a web server, and preferably uses a single-board computer (SBC). An SBC is a palm-sized electronic circuit board that implements almost all the functions and elements required for a standalone computer. It is a small computer that implements a CPU (central processing unit, or microprocessor (MPU)), main memory (RAM), storage, a chipset, input / output terminals, etc. on the board, and may also be equipped with a screen output, I / F, etc.

[0037] Furthermore, if the control device 2 is a web server, it can be accessed from a "browser," an application used to view websites, on the terminal 4 held by a user such as a driver, which makes it easier to link and expand with the terminal 4 and other devices, which is convenient.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 2 mainly includes a control means 21, a storage means 22, a RAM 23, a ROM 24, a display means 25, an audio output means 26, a communication means 27, and a bus .

[0039] The control means 21 is, for example, a CPU, and executes application programs (=apps), operating systems (OS), control programs, etc. stored in storage means 22 such as flash memory, and controls the temporary storage of data, files, etc. necessary for executing the programs in RAM 23.

[0040] In particular, the control means 21 compares the current location information received from the current location information receiving device 1 with each of the multiple pieces of hazardous location information. As a result, if it is determined that the current location is within the detection distance of one of the hazardous locations and that the vehicle is "approaching the hazardous location," it compares the direction (travel direction) of the vehicle in which the user is riding with the information on the hazardous location that the user is determined to be approaching. As a result, if the control means 21 determines that the direction of the vehicle 5 matches the direction of the hazardous location, it outputs a warning. This will be explained in detail below.

[0041] "Comparing the current location information received from the current location information receiving device 1 with each of the plurality of pieces of danger spot information" specifically means that the control means 21 compares, for example, current location information consisting of latitude and longitude relating to the current location with each of the danger spot location information consisting of latitude and longitude and the detection distance relating to the plurality of danger spots stored in the danger spot information storage area 221. Then, if the distance between the current location and any of the danger spots is equal to or less than the detection distance (for example, 1 km), the control means 21 determines that "the vehicle is approaching the danger spot."

[0042] "Comparing the heading (direction of travel) of the vehicle in which the user is riding with the information about the hazardous location determined to be approaching" specifically means that the control means 21 compares the current location information of the vehicle 5, consisting of latitude and longitude, with the location information of the vehicle 5 from a predetermined time ago (e.g., one minute ago), consisting of latitude and longitude. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, if the current location information of the vehicle 5 in which the user is riding is Sumiyoshi Station (latitude: 35.68916, longitude: 139.81586) and the location information of the vehicle 5 from a predetermined time ago (one minute ago) is 1-9-8 Oshima, Koto-ku, Tokyo (latitude: 35.68928, longitude: 139.82350), the heading (direction of travel) of the vehicle 5 is 268.894338°, facing west. Note that the azimuth angles here are north: 0°, east: 90°, south: 180°, and west: 270°.

[0043] In this way, the control means 21 calculates the direction (traveling direction) of the vehicle 5 based on the latitude and longitude of the two points.

[0044] Next, the control means 21 compares the orientation of the vehicle 5 with the direction of the danger spot. For example, if the content of the danger spot is that the lane toward Shin-Ohashi Street in the vicinity of Kikugawa Station (danger spot D5, latitude: 35.68839, longitude: 139.80645) is under construction and lane restrictions are in place, as shown in FIG. 3, the direction of the danger spot D5 is west (270°). Therefore, the control means 21 determines that the orientation (direction of travel) of the vehicle 5 matches the direction of the danger spot D5. Note that, as will be described later, the orientation of the vehicle 5 (268.89°) is within a predetermined angle (detection angle) (20° = 10° to the left and right of the vehicle 5) set at the danger spot D5 (see FIG. 7) with respect to the direction of the danger spot D5 (270°), and therefore the orientation (direction of travel) of the vehicle 5 matches the direction of the danger spot D5.

[0045] On the other hand, if the content of the danger point is, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, near Kikugawa Station (danger point D6, latitude: 35.68846, longitude: 139.80638) in the lane toward the Arakawa River on Shin-Ohashi Street, where lane restrictions are in place due to construction, the direction of the danger point is east (90°). The direction of vehicle 5 is 268.89°, which exceeds the predetermined angle (detection angle) of 20° set at danger point D6 (see FIG. 7) with respect to the direction of danger point D6. In other words, danger point D6 near Kikugawa Station, where lane restrictions are in place due to construction, is in the lane opposite to the lane in which vehicle 5 is traveling. In this case, control means 21 determines that the direction of vehicle 5 does not match the direction of danger point D6.

[0046] Note that the control means 21 determines that the direction (traveling direction) of the vehicle 5 matches the direction of the dangerous spot that the vehicle 5 is approaching if the direction of the dangerous spot is within a predetermined angle (detection angle) set for each dangerous spot. Here, the predetermined angle (detection angle) is, for example, 30 degrees (= 15 degrees on each side of the vehicle 5) or 20 degrees (= 10 degrees on each side of the vehicle 5), as shown in FIG. 5. The reason why there is such a range for determining whether the direction is within the predetermined angle (detection angle) and whether the direction matches is to take into account the case where the road bends before reaching the dangerous spot and to accommodate the bend in the road.

[0047] "Outputting a warning" specifically means that the control means 21 displays a warning on the display means 25. As shown in FIG. 6, a "sign" may be displayed as the warning. For example, FIG. 6(a) shows a sign indicating that "the road narrows," FIG. 6(b) shows a sign indicating that "there is a sharp curve," and FIG. 6(c) shows a sign indicating that "there is a railroad crossing." Displaying a "sign" is more convenient than simply displaying a warning message, as it allows a user such as a driver to quickly recognize the content of the warning. Furthermore, in addition to displaying the warning on the display means 25, the control means 21 outputs the warning by voice via the voice output means 26. Furthermore, the warning may also be displayed on the terminal 4 and output by voice.

[0048] The control means 21 stores information such as the date and time of travel, the travel route, dangerous spots encountered, spots where the vehicle 5 is traveling slowly, and spots where the airbag was deployed as a log (travel information) in the travel information storage area 223 of the storage means 22, in association with identification information (ID), and outputs the information to the DB server 3 every predetermined time (for example, every 12 hours). Specifically, with regard to the above-mentioned "travel route," the control means 21 stores the location information of the vehicle 5, consisting of latitude and longitude, in association with date and time information every predetermined time (for example, every minute). In this way, the control device 2 is configured to store travel information and output it to the DB server 3 every predetermined time, and therefore serves as an operation recording (management) device for the vehicle 5. It also serves as a drive recorder that records traffic accidents, etc.

[0049] When the control means 21 receives danger spot information from the DB server 3, it stores it in the danger spot information storage area 221, and when it receives sign information, it stores it in the sign information storage area 222.

[0050] The storage means 22 functions as a large-capacity memory. The storage means 22 includes a danger spot information storage area 221, a sign information storage area 222, and a driving information storage area 223. As shown in FIG. 7, the danger spot information storage area 221 stores, in association with a danger spot ID (identification information), danger spot location information (latitude, longitude) that indicates the location of the danger spot, the type of danger (details of the danger), the type of sign to be displayed, the detection distance, the direction of the danger spot, the detection angle, and the like. There are two types of detection distances, for example, for urban areas and wide-area areas. For urban areas, the detection distance is "30 m," and for wide-area areas, the detection distance is "1 km." In the first embodiment, there are two types of detection distances, but the user can arbitrarily set the detection distance for each danger spot. The direction of the danger spot indicates the direction from which access to the danger spot is dangerous. For example, as described above with reference to FIG. 3, if the vicinity of Kikugawa Station in the lane toward Shin-Ohashi Bridge on Shin-Ohashi Street is a danger spot, the direction of the danger spot D5 is west. On the other hand, as described above with reference to FIG. 4, when the vicinity of Kikugawa Station in the lane of Shin-Ohashi Street toward the Arakawa River is a dangerous spot, the direction of the dangerous spot D6 is east. Furthermore, there are two types of detection angles, for example, for urban areas and wider areas, with "30°" for urban areas and "20°" for wider areas. In the first embodiment, there are two types of detection angles, but the user can arbitrarily set one for each dangerous spot. In this way, the detection distance, direction of the dangerous spot, and detection angle are registered (stored) for each dangerous spot, which is convenient because it is possible to effectively alert users, such as drivers, to dangerous spots.

[0051] The sign information storage area 222 also stores images of signs such as those shown in Fig. 6. Although Fig. 6 shows three types of signs, such as a sign indicating "the road narrows," the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, various types of signs are possible, such as a sign indicating "under construction," a sign indicating "there is a curved hill," a sign indicating "rough road," a sign indicating "houses are nearby," and a sign indicating "there is an intersection."

[0052] The display means 25 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or a dot matrix display, and displays the input commands, the response outputs of the control device 2 thereto, and the like. In particular, the display means 25 displays warnings such as signs. Further, a touch panel is provided on the display screen of the display means 25, and the display means 25 receives the input of commands and information through the operation by the finger of a user such as a driver.

[0053] The voice output means 26 is, for example, a speaker, and outputs voice to the outside of the control device 2. For example, it outputs a warning such as "The road is getting narrow" as voice to the outside. By warning by voice, a user such as a driver can recognize the warning without looking at the screen of the display means 25, which is convenient.

[0054] The communication means 27 is an I / F (interface) that transmits and receives commands and information by communicating with the current position information receiving device 1, the DB server 3, and the terminal 4. The communication method of the communication means 27 is not particularly limited, but in the first exemplary embodiment, for example, a wireless communication method such as wireless LAN, BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy), or LTE (Long Term Evolution) or a wired communication method such as USB is used. The bus 28 controls the flow within the control device 2.

[0055] Further, it can also be configured as a substitute for the hardware device by software that realizes functions equivalent to those of the above devices.

[0056] <Configuration of the DB server 3> The DB (database) server 3 is an information processing device that receives input of danger spot information and sign information from a user, stores (registers) the danger spot information, etc., and outputs the registered danger spot information, etc. to each control device 2 at predetermined intervals (for example, every 12 hours). It also receives travel information from each control device 2 and stores and compiles it. In detail, the DB server 3 recognizes a location as a "danger spot" based on a location where the vehicle 5 is moving slowly, a location where an airbag has been deployed, etc., compared to other locations included in the travel information received from each control device 2, and outputs the location as a danger spot to each control device 2. The DB server 3 mainly has a control means such as a CPU, a storage means such as an SSD (Solid State Drive), a RAM, a ROM, a display means, an audio output means, a communication means, and a bus.

[0057] The "speed" of vehicle 5 is calculated at predetermined time intervals (e.g., every minute) based on the position information of vehicle 5 consisting of latitude and longitude included in the travel information of each control device 2. In more detail, for example, the control means of DB server 3 calculates the distance between the latitude and longitude of the position of vehicle 5 at a certain time point and the latitude and longitude of the position of vehicle 5 a predetermined time before that (e.g., one minute). Then, the calculated distance is divided by the predetermined time to calculate the speed of vehicle 5.

[0058] Next, the determination of the location where the airbag has deployed in the vehicle 5 will be explained. The control device 2 is provided with an imaging means (not shown), such as a video camera, which captures an image of the area around the driver's seat of the vehicle 5 and stores the image information together with date and time information in the travel information storage area 223. The control means of the DB server 3 compares, by pattern matching, the image information included in the travel information received from each control device 2 with the "image information indicating the airbag is deployed" stored in its own storage means. If the correlation value obtained by pattern matching is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the control means of the DB server 3 determines that the airbag is deployed in the vehicle 5. Then, based on the image date and time of the image capture indicating the airbag is deployed and the position information of the vehicle 5, the control means of the DB server 3 identifies the position of the vehicle 5 corresponding to the image date and time. The identified position is then considered to be a dangerous location and stored (registered) in its own storage means.

[0059] The control means of the DB server 3 searches the Internet to acquire information on congested areas and accident locations, and outputs the locations as dangerous areas to each control device 2. The DB server 3 accepts input of dangerous area information through input means such as a keyboard or mouse (not shown). The dangerous area location information can be input as coordinates such as latitude and longitude, or current location information can be received at the relevant location through the current location information receiving device 1, and the current location information can be input as the location information of the dangerous area. The DB server 3 may also be configured to accept input of sign information designed by the user through input means such as a keyboard or mouse (not shown). The control devices 2 and the DB server 3 are not always connected to each other, but are connected at predetermined intervals (e.g., every 12 hours) before and after work hours, for example, to exchange dangerous area information and driving information.

[0060] <Configuration of Terminal 4> The terminal 4 is, for example, a smartphone or tablet PC (personal computer) owned by a user such as a driver. The terminal 4 receives a warning from the control device 2, for example, in the form of a push notification. Upon receiving the warning, the terminal 4 displays a "sign" on the screen, outputs a ringtone (audio), and vibrates itself. Note that, when a user such as a driver operates the terminal 4 to allow push notifications, for example, a "token," an ID for identifying the terminal, is issued from the terminal 4. The control device 2 uses this token to output a warning to the terminal 4 in the form of a push notification.

[0061] <Processing flow of the danger notification system> Next, the flow of processing in the danger notification system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0062] A driver user is driving a vehicle 5, for example, on a road 6 shown in Fig. 8(a). The control device 2 compares current location information relating to the current location with the hazardous spot position information and detection distances relating to a plurality of hazardous spots stored in the hazardous spot information storage area 221 (step S901).

[0063] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 7, when four danger points D1 to D4 are stored in the danger point information storage area 221, a comparison is made at predetermined time intervals (e.g., every 3 seconds) based on the current position information received from the current position information receiving device 1 and the position information of each danger point related to that danger point to determine whether the distance between the current position and the position of each danger point is equal to or less than the detection distance set in the danger point information. For example, for danger point D1, a comparison is made to determine whether the distance between the current position and the position of danger point D1 is equal to or less than "1 km", which is set as the detection distance for danger point D1. Note that, as shown in Fig. 8(a), the current position of the vehicle 5 at this point in time is not equal to or less than the detection distance of 1 km related to danger point D1, which has a "sharp curve".

[0064] Next, as shown in FIG. 8(b), when the control device 2 determines that the current position of the vehicle 5 is within 1 km of the detection distance from the dangerous spot D1 where a "sharp curve exists" ("YES" in step S902), it compares the direction of the vehicle 5 with the dangerous spot information for the dangerous spot D1 that it has determined to be approaching (step S903). As a result, when it determines that the direction of the vehicle 5 (direction of travel, in this case, northward) matches the direction of the dangerous spot that it has determined to be approaching (the direction of D1 is northward) ("YES" in step S904), it outputs a warning (step S905). Specifically, for example, a sign as shown in FIG. 4(b) is displayed on the display means 25 and the terminal 4. At the same time, a warning that "there is a sharp curve ahead" is output by voice via the audio output means 26, such as a speaker.

[0065] As described above, according to the danger notification system of the first embodiment, when the vehicle 5 approaches or approaches a hazardous location within a predetermined distance while traveling, a warning is output, and thus it is possible to objectively warn users such as drivers, regardless of an individual's level of attention or safety awareness. This contributes to the eradication of traffic accidents. Furthermore, unlike car navigation systems, it is not necessary to have complex configurations such as a map information storage means for storing road map information and a search means for searching and displaying a route to a specified destination from the road map information. Instead, it is possible to objectively warn users such as drivers and pedestrians, when they approach or approach or approach a hazardous location within a predetermined distance, with a relatively simple configuration.

[0066] Specifically, in terms of objectively alerting users such as drivers to danger, for example, when a user such as a driver is unfamiliar with the area, when the area is filled with the same scenery and there are no landmarks, or when the driving is long distances and there are no traffic lights, resulting in monotonous driving and a tendency to drive aimlessly, the user such as a driver can be automatically alerted when approaching a dangerous area, which is convenient.

[0067] Furthermore, according to the danger notification system of the first embodiment, the distance between the current location and the location of a hazardous area is equal to or less than the distance set as the detection distance for the hazardous area, and it is determined that the vehicle is approaching the hazardous area. The system then compares the direction of the vehicle 5 with the information about the hazardous area where the vehicle 5 is determined to be approaching, and outputs a warning if it determines that the direction of the vehicle 5 matches the direction of the hazardous area. In other words, the system performs control based on a vector-like concept of "distance" and "direction." If determining whether or not to output a warning is based solely on the distance between the current location and the hazardous area, hazardous areas in a direction different from the vehicle's direction will also be subject to the warning. Therefore, the system is configured to output a warning not only by checking the distance between the current location and the hazardous area, but also by checking that the direction of the vehicle 5 matches the direction of the hazardous area. This allows for highly accurate and convenient output of warnings.

[0068] Furthermore, car navigation systems with similar functions require map information packed with a vast amount of relevant information covering the entire country of Japan to provide users such as drivers with route guidance to their destinations. In comparison, the danger notification system according to the first embodiment requires a much smaller amount of information, such as information on dangerous locations. The information that is primarily required is only location information such as the latitude and longitude of the dangerous locations. In other words, the danger notification system according to the first embodiment requires only information primarily related to dangerous locations, based on the purpose of allowing users such as drivers and pedestrians to avoid danger.

[0069] Furthermore, in the case of a car navigation system, many types of information such as map information and related information (for example, telephone numbers of facilities displayed on the map) are displayed on the screen for users such as drivers, and many types of information are output by voice according to the driving location, such as "number of lanes" and "time required to reach destination." However, the danger notification system according to the first embodiment mainly displays on the screen signs and the like relating to approaching danger and outputs by voice a message that a dangerous location is being approached, and mainly displays on the screen and outputs by voice only information necessary for users such as drivers and pedestrians to avoid danger.

[0070] <Variation 1> Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the control means 21 determines that the distance between the current position and the hazardous location is equal to or less than the detection distance set for the hazardous location and that the vehicle is approaching the hazardous location, and then compares the current vehicle position information consisting of latitude and longitude and the orientation of the vehicle 5 calculated based on the vehicle's position information from a predetermined time ago, also consisting of latitude and longitude, with the hazardous location information determined to be approaching, and outputs a warning if the orientation of the vehicle 5 matches the direction of the hazardous location. However, this configuration is not limited to this. For example, the control means 21 of the control device 2 may compare the current position information received from the current position information receiving device 1 with each of the plurality of pieces of hazardous location information, and the control means 21 may compare the orientation of the vehicle 5 calculated based on the current vehicle position information consisting of latitude and longitude and the vehicle's position information from a predetermined time ago, also consisting of latitude and longitude, with each of the plurality of pieces of hazardous location information, and output a warning if there is a hazardous location that satisfies both Condition 1, that is, "the distance between the current position and the hazardous location is equal to or less than the detection distance," and Condition 2, that is, "the orientation of the vehicle 5 matches the direction of the hazardous location."

[0071] Furthermore, for example, the control means 21 of the control device 2 may be configured to compare the current vehicle position information consisting of latitude and longitude, the orientation of the vehicle 5 calculated based on the vehicle position information from a predetermined time ago consisting of latitude and longitude, with multiple pieces of dangerous location information, and output a warning when it is determined that the distance between the current position and the dangerous location whose direction matches the orientation of the vehicle 5 is less than the distance set as the detection distance for the dangerous location and that the vehicle is approaching.

[0072] Furthermore, the control means 21 of the control device 2 may be configured to compare the current location information received from the current location information receiving device 1 with multiple pieces of dangerous location information, and output a warning if there is a dangerous location that meets the condition that "the distance between the current location and the dangerous location is less than the detection distance."

[0073] <Variation 2> In the first embodiment, the control means 21 of the control device 2 calculates the orientation of the vehicle 5 by using current vehicle position information consisting of latitude and longitude and position information of the vehicle 5 from a predetermined time ago also consisting of latitude and longitude. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the control device 2 includes a vehicle orientation detection means (not shown) such as an acceleration sensor. The vehicle orientation detection means detects gravitational acceleration in each axis (X, Y, Z) direction, determines the orientation of the vehicle 5 based on the gravitational acceleration, and outputs the determined orientation to the control means 21. The control means 21 then compares the orientation (direction of travel) of the vehicle received from the vehicle orientation detection means with information about the hazardous location that the vehicle 5 is approaching. As a result, the control means 21 may be configured to output a warning if it recognizes that the orientation of the vehicle 5 matches the direction of the hazardous location. Furthermore, the vehicle orientation detection means is not limited to an acceleration sensor and may be an electronic compass or a gyro sensor. In short, the vehicle orientation detection means may be configured to detect the orientation of the vehicle 5 and output the information to the control means 21.

[0074] <Variation 3> In this embodiment, the timing for outputting a warning is set to when the distance between the current position and the dangerous location is equal to or less than a predetermined distance and the direction of the vehicle 5 matches the direction of the dangerous location. However, the timing for outputting a warning may be changed depending on the speed of the vehicle 5.

[0075] The travel information storage area 223 stores position information of the vehicle 5, consisting of latitude and longitude, associated with date and time information, at predetermined time intervals (e.g., every minute). Therefore, for example, the control means 21 calculates the speed of the vehicle 5 using the position information of the vehicle 5 at a certain time and the position information of the vehicle 5 a predetermined time before that. The control means 21 of the control device 2 may be configured to change the timing of issuing a warning depending on whether the speed of the vehicle 5 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value or lower. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 7 , the detection distance of the dangerous spot D1 is set to 1 km, and the predetermined value for the speed of the vehicle 5 is set to 70 km / h. If the control means 21 recognizes that the speed of the vehicle 5 is lower than 70 km / h, it outputs a warning without changing the set detection distance. On the other hand, when the speed of the vehicle 5 is 70 km / h or more, the control means 21 increases the set detection distance from 1 km to 1.5 km, and outputs a warning when it determines that the distance between the current position of the vehicle 5 and the danger point D1 is 1.5 km or less.

[0076] 7, for example, the detection distance of the dangerous location D1 is set to 1 km, and the predetermined value for the speed of the vehicle 5 is set to 40 km / h. If the control means 21 recognizes that the speed of the vehicle 5 is slower than 40 km / h, it shortens the set detection distance from 1 km to 700 m, and outputs a warning when it determines that the distance between the current position of the vehicle 5 and the dangerous location D1 is 700 m or less. On the other hand, if the control means 21 recognizes that the speed of the vehicle 5 is 40 km / h or more, it does not change the set detection distance, and outputs a warning when it determines that the distance between the current position of the vehicle 5 and the dangerous location D1 is 1 km or less.

[0077] In this way, by configuring the timing of warning output to be changed depending on the speed of vehicle 5, it is possible to solve the problem of not being able to output a warning at the optimal timing depending on whether the speed of vehicle 5 is fast or slow, which is convenient.

[0078] <Variation 4> Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the vehicle 5 ridden by a user such as a driver has been described as being a four-wheeled vehicle such as a truck as shown in Fig. 5, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the danger notification system according to the present invention may be mounted on a two-wheeled motor vehicle such as a motorcycle or a bicycle ridden by a user such as a postal worker or newspaper delivery person.

[0079] Furthermore, the danger notification system according to the present invention is not limited to application to vehicles, but may be configured so that a user, such as a pedestrian walking on a road at night, carries the danger notification system. If the user carries the danger notification system, the user, such as a pedestrian, can be notified in advance of approaching a dangerous location, so that the user can take a route that avoids the dangerous location and avoid accidents and danger before they occur.

[0080] <Variation 5> In the first embodiment, the control means 21 is configured to determine that the direction (traveling direction) of the vehicle 5 matches the direction of the dangerous location that it has determined to be approaching, if the difference between the direction (traveling direction) of the vehicle 5 and the direction of the dangerous location is within a predetermined angle (detection angle) set for each dangerous location. In other words, the direction of the vehicle 5 is given a certain range, that is, a predetermined angle, relative to the direction of the dangerous location, thereby providing a range for determining whether or not the vehicle 5 matches.

[0081] However, this configuration is not limited to this. For example, instead of providing a range for the direction of the vehicle 5, a configuration may be adopted in which the direction of the hazardous location is provided within a range of a predetermined angle. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10 , the predetermined angle for the hazardous location D15 is set to be from northwest (315°) to northeast (45°). Therefore, if the direction of the vehicle 5 is included in the direction of the hazardous location D15, the control means 21 determines that the direction (traveling direction) of the vehicle 5 matches the direction of the position related to the hazardous location D15. In this way, if a range within a predetermined angle is provided for the direction of each hazardous location, the direction of each hazardous location can be set in detail, and the presence or absence of a hazard can be appropriately determined according to the direction of the vehicle 5 approaching the hazardous location. Note that the range within a predetermined angle is not limited to a singular number, and may be multiple. For example, as in the case of danger point D16 shown in Figure 11, two ranges, from northwest (315°) to northeast (45°) and from southeast (135°) to southwest (225°), may be set as predetermined angles and used as the direction of the danger point location.

[0082] <Embodiment Example 2> In this embodiment example 1, the control means 21 determines that the distance between the current position of the vehicle in which the user is riding and the hazardous location is less than the distance set as the detection distance for the hazardous location and that the vehicle is approaching, and then compares the current position information of the vehicle 5 consisting of latitude and longitude and the orientation of the vehicle 5 calculated based on the position information of the vehicle 5 from a predetermined time ago consisting of latitude and longitude with the information on the hazardous location that has been determined to be approaching, and outputs a warning if the orientation of the vehicle 5 matches the direction of the hazardous location.

[0083] However, in urban areas, there are many dangerous locations, such as narrow roads, railroad crossings, and sharp curves, and when vehicle 5 is traveling through urban areas, it approaches dangerous locations one after another, causing warnings to be displayed continuously and alarms to sound continuously.

[0084] Therefore, as the second embodiment, a configuration will be described below in which a designated area is set as a danger area, and a warning is output when the vehicle travels in the area at a predetermined speed or above for a predetermined time or longer. Note that only the differences from the first embodiment will be described below, and the same parts will not be described.

[0085] For example, as shown in FIG. 12, a circle having a specified radius and centered on a specified point (latitude and longitude) is set as the danger area A1. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 13, a specified quadrangular area (an area enclosed by four vertices each consisting of latitude and longitude) is set as the danger area A2. In detail, a user specifies and sets these danger areas by latitude and longitude through an input means such as a keyboard (not shown), and stores the information in the DB server 3. The DB server 3 outputs information related to the danger areas to each control device 2 as danger location information. As shown in FIG. 7, the control means 21 of each control device 2 stores information related to the danger areas in the danger location information storage area 221. When registering a danger area, the latitude and longitude related to the danger area are mainly stored in the danger location information storage area 221. In the second embodiment, the shape of the danger zone is explained as a circle or a rectangle, but the shape of the danger zone is not limited to these shapes and may be a triangle or a pentagon, or in other words, any shape that can be identified by latitude and longitude is acceptable.

[0086] That is, in the first embodiment, the dangerous areas were points identified by latitude and longitude, but in the second embodiment, the dangerous areas are areas where points identified by latitude and longitude are gathered.

[0087] The control means 21 outputs a warning when it determines, for example, that the vehicle 5 traveling at a predetermined speed (e.g., 40 km / h) or faster has entered the circular danger zone in FIG. 12 and a predetermined time (e.g., 30 seconds or longer) has elapsed, based on the vehicle's current location information and location information related to the danger zone. The reason for specifying "above a predetermined speed" is that if the speed is slow, the vehicle can quickly slow down and stop even if a danger occurs, and therefore there is little danger. The reason for specifying "above a predetermined time" is that there is little danger even if the vehicle 5 leaves the danger zone in a short period of time. Furthermore, when the speed of the vehicle 5 is set as a condition for warning output in this way, the control means 21 calculates the speed of the vehicle 5, for example, by using the location information of the vehicle 5 at a certain point in time and the location information of the vehicle 5 before a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0088] Furthermore, when the control means 21 determines that the vehicle has passed through a dangerous area based on the vehicle's current position information and position information related to the dangerous area, it displays this information on the display means 25 and outputs this information by voice via the voice output means 26.

[0089] In this way, if a warning is output based on entry into a dangerous area, it is possible to prevent a situation in which warnings are continuously displayed and alarms are continuously sounded due to the approach of multiple dangerous areas, which would actually distract the driver or other user, which is convenient.

[0090] In the second embodiment, a designated area is set as a danger area, and the control means 21 outputs a warning when the vehicle 5 carrying the user or the user travels in the danger area at a speed greater than or equal to a predetermined speed for a predetermined period of time. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the control means 21 may be configured to output a warning when it determines that the vehicle 5 carrying the user or the user has entered the designated danger area. The control means 21 may also be configured to output a warning when the vehicle 5 travels in the danger area for a predetermined period of time. Furthermore, the control means 21 may be configured to output a warning when the vehicle travels in the danger area at a speed greater than or equal to a predetermined speed.

[0091] <Variation 6> It is also possible to combine the configuration of embodiment 1, which outputs a warning when the distance between the vehicle 5 in which the user is riding or the current position of the user who is a pedestrian and the dangerous location is less than the detection distance and the direction (direction of travel) of the vehicle 5 or pedestrian matches the direction of the dangerous location, with the configuration of embodiment 2, which outputs a warning based on the vehicle 5 in which the user is riding or the user who is a pedestrian entering a dangerous area.

[0092] In this way, whether in a place with few dangerous spots such as a wide area or in a place with many dangerous spots such as an urban area, it is possible to notify users such as drivers and pedestrians of warnings at the most appropriate timing and in the most appropriate manner depending on the number of dangerous spots, which is convenient. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 1: current location information receiving device, 2: control device, 21: control means, 22: storage means, 221: danger spot information storage area, 222: sign information storage area, 223: driving information storage area, 23: RAM, 24: ROM, 25: display means, 26: audio output means, 27: communication means, 28: bus, 3: DB server, 4: Terminal, 5: Vehicle, 6: Road, 7: Network

Claims

1. A control device related to a danger notification system that notifies of danger, comparing current location information indicating the user's current location with dangerous location information relating to dangerous locations that the user should be careful of, and also comparing the user's traveling direction with the dangerous location information; A control device comprising a control means for outputting a warning when a dangerous location is located within a predetermined distance from a user's current location and whose direction coincides with the user's traveling direction.

2. the control means adjusts the direction of travel of the user to within a predetermined angle, 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein a warning is output when there is a dangerous spot whose direction coincides with the user's traveling direction.

3. The control means keeps the direction of the dangerous spot within a predetermined angle, 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein a warning is output when there is a dangerous spot whose direction coincides with the user's traveling direction.

4. 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control means changes the predetermined distance depending on the speed of the vehicle in which the user is riding.

5. A control device related to a danger notification system that notifies of danger, comparing current location information indicating the user's current location with dangerous location information relating to dangerous areas that the user should be careful of; A control device comprising control means for outputting a warning when it is determined that a user has entered the danger zone.

6. A danger notification system including a current location information receiving device that receives and outputs current location information of a user, and a control device, The control device comparing current location information indicating the user's current location with dangerous location information relating to dangerous locations that the user should be careful of, and also comparing the user's traveling direction with the dangerous location information; A danger notification system characterized by having a control means for outputting a warning when there is a dangerous spot within a predetermined distance from the user's current location and whose direction coincides with the user's traveling direction.

7. the control means adjusts the direction of travel of the user to within a predetermined angle, 7. The danger notification system according to claim 6, wherein a warning is output when there is a dangerous location that coincides with the user's traveling direction.

8. The control means keeps the direction of the dangerous spot within a predetermined angle, 7. The danger notification system according to claim 6, wherein a warning is output when there is a dangerous location that coincides with the user's traveling direction.

9. 7. The danger notification system according to claim 6, wherein the control means changes the predetermined distance depending on the speed of the vehicle in which the user is riding.

10. A danger notification system including a current location information receiving device that receives and outputs current location information of a user, and a control device, The control device comparing current location information indicating the user's current location with dangerous location information relating to dangerous areas that the user should be careful of; A danger notification system comprising a control means for outputting a warning when it is determined that a user has entered the danger area.

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