Roadside device

Abstract

To improve a technique relating to roadside devices.SOLUTION: A roadside device includes: a photographing unit 10 that photographs a roadway; an output unit 11 that outputs light and / or sound; a communication unit 12 that performs wireless communication; and a control unit 14. When detecting a second vehicle 3 approaching a first vehicle 2 from its behind parked or stopped on the roadway from a video captured by the imaging unit 10, the control unit 14 determines whether or not the second vehicle 3 satisfies a predetermined condition, and when determining that the second vehicle 3 satisfies the predetermined condition, the control unit notifies the second vehicle 3 of the presence of the first vehicle 2 by light and / or sound output from the output unit 11, and when determining that the second vehicle 3 does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the control unit notifies the second vehicle 3 of the presence of the first vehicle 2 by wireless communication using the communication unit 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to roadside devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are known technologies relating to roadside devices that provide traffic information support to pedestrians, vehicle drivers, driver assistants, etc. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for warning vehicles turning right or left at an intersection that there is a vehicle parked dangerously on the road near the intersection. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-182409 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is a need for an improvement in the technology for providing traffic information support to a target user. In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to improve the technology of roadside devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A roadside device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: The device comprises an imaging unit that images a roadway, an output unit that outputs light and / or sound, a communication unit that performs wireless communication, and a control unit, The control unit When a second vehicle approaching a first vehicle parked or stopped on the roadway from behind is detected from the image captured by the imaging unit, it is determined whether or not the second vehicle satisfies a predetermined condition; When it is determined that the second vehicle satisfies the predetermined condition, the output unit notifies the second vehicle of the presence of the first vehicle by outputting light and / or sound; If it is determined that the second vehicle does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the second vehicle is notified of the presence of the first vehicle by wireless communication using the communication unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, roadside device technology is improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a road environment in which a roadside device according to an embodiment is used; [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a roadside device according to an embodiment; [Figure 3] 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the roadside device of FIG. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. In this specification, the term "vehicle" includes any vehicle such as an automobile, a bus, a truck, a motorcycle, or a bicycle. The term "driver" includes a driver of a vehicle and a driving assistant.

[0009] (Outline of the embodiment)

[0010] With reference to FIG. 1, an example of a road environment in which a roadside device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is used will be described. In FIG. 1, a first vehicle 2 is parked on the road near a bus stop. A second vehicle 3 is approaching the first vehicle 2 from behind. A roadside device 1 is installed between the first vehicle 2 and the second vehicle 3. In FIG. 1, the roadside device 1 is installed near the boundary between the roadway and the sidewalk. The roadside device 1 may be installed near an intersection or a pedestrian crossing. The roadside device 1 may or may not be fixed to the roadway or the sidewalk.

[0011] The roadside device 1 includes a camera for capturing images of the roadway. The roadside device 1 can detect a first vehicle 2 and a second vehicle 3 approaching the first vehicle 2 from behind from the camera image.

[0012] First, an overview of this embodiment will be described, and details will be provided later. The roadside device 1 includes a photographing unit 10 that photographs the roadway, an output unit 11 that outputs light and / or sound, a communication unit 12 that performs wireless communication, and a control unit 14. When the control unit 14 detects a second vehicle 3 approaching a first vehicle 2 parked or stopped on the roadway from behind in the image captured by the photographing unit 10, the control unit 14 determines whether the second vehicle 3 satisfies a predetermined condition. If the control unit 14 determines that the second vehicle 3 satisfies the predetermined condition, the control unit 14 notifies the second vehicle 3 of the presence of the first vehicle by light and / or sound output from the output unit 11. If the control unit 14 determines that the second vehicle 3 does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the control unit 14 notifies the second vehicle 3 of the presence of the first vehicle by wireless communication using the communication unit 12.

[0013] According to this embodiment, the roadside device 1 can change the notification method depending on whether the second vehicle 3 approaching the first vehicle 2 from behind satisfies a predetermined condition. For example, the roadside device 1 can switch the notification method to the second vehicle 3 between notification by light and / or sound and notification by wireless communication depending on whether the second vehicle 3 does not support wireless communication. This improves the reliability with which the driver of the second vehicle 3 recognizes the notification from the roadside device 1.

[0014] Furthermore, by issuing a light and / or sound notification only when the second vehicle 3 satisfies a predetermined condition, it is possible to reduce inconveniences caused by the light and / or sound. Such inconveniences include, for example, the problem that the sound notification is noisy, or the problem that drivers of other vehicles near the roadside device 1 mistakenly believe that the light and / or sound notification is directed at them.

[0015] As described above, this embodiment improves the technology for providing traffic information assistance to a target person.

[0016] Next, each component of the roadside device 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0017] (Configuration of roadside device 1) 2, the roadside device 1 includes an image capturing unit 10, an output unit 11, a communication unit 12, a storage unit 13, and a control unit 14. The roadside device 1 is installed in a position where the image capturing unit 10 can capture an image of the roadway.

[0018] The photographing unit 10 includes one or more cameras for photographing the roadway. The cameras can photograph a first vehicle 2 parked or stopped on the roadway and a second vehicle 3 approaching the first vehicle 2 from behind. The photographing unit 10 may include, for example, one or more 90-degree cameras, one or more 180-degree cameras, or one 360-degree camera.

[0019] The output unit 11 includes one or more output devices for outputting light and / or sound. The output devices may include optical output devices such as lamps, electronic signs, displays, etc., and / or audio output devices such as directional or omnidirectional speakers.

[0020] The communication unit 12 includes one or more communication interfaces for connecting to a network. The communication interfaces support P2P communication such as DSRC. The communication interfaces may support V2X communication standards such as cellular V2X, wireless LAN communication standards such as IEEE802.11, or mobile communication standards such as 4G or 5G. "DSRC" is an abbreviation for dedicated short range communications. "P2P" is an abbreviation for "Peer-to-Peer". "V2X" is an abbreviation for vehicle-to-everything. "4G" is an abbreviation for 4th Generation, and "5G" is an abbreviation for 5th Generation.

[0021] The storage unit 13 includes one or more memories. Each memory included in the storage unit 13 may function as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 13 stores any information used in the operation of the roadside device 1. For example, the storage unit 13 may store a system program, an application program, embedded software, map information, etc. The information stored in the storage unit 13 may be updatable with information obtained by the communication unit 12 from an information processing device such as a server via a network.

[0022] The control unit 14 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or any combination thereof. The control unit 14 controls the operation of the roadside device 1.

[0023] (Operation flow of roadside device 1) The operation of the roadside device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG.

[0024] S100: The control unit 14 of the roadside device 1 detects, from the image captured by the image capturing unit 10, the first vehicle 2 parked or stopped on the roadway.

[0025] The control unit 14 of the roadside device 1 detects the first vehicle 2 captured in the video by any object recognition process. The control unit 14 may detect the first vehicle 2 directly or by wireless communication via an information processing device such as a server.

[0026] S101: The control unit 14 of the roadside device 1 detects the second vehicle 3 approaching the first vehicle 2 from behind from the image captured by the image capturing unit 10.

[0027] The control unit 14 detects the second vehicle 3 appearing in the video by any object recognition process. The control unit 14 may calculate the speed of the second vehicle 3 and the direction in which the second vehicle 3 approaches the first vehicle 2 from the video. The control unit 14 may detect the second vehicle 3 and obtain the speed of the second vehicle 3 directly or by wireless communication with the second vehicle 3 via an information processing device such as a server.

[0028] S102: The control unit 14 determines whether the second vehicle 3 satisfies a predetermined condition. If it is determined that the second vehicle 3 satisfies the predetermined condition (S102-Yes), the process proceeds to S103. If it is determined that the second vehicle 3 does not satisfy the predetermined condition (S102-No), the process proceeds to S104.

[0029] The predetermined condition may be a first condition that the second vehicle 3 is not compatible with wireless communication. For example, the control unit 14 may transmit a beacon signal to the second vehicle 3 via the communication unit 12. If the second vehicle 3 does not respond within a predetermined period of time after the transmission of the beacon signal, the control unit 14 may determine that the second vehicle 3 satisfies the first condition.

[0030] The predetermined condition may be a second condition that the speed of the second vehicle 3 is equal to or greater than a threshold. For example, the control unit 14 may calculate the speed of the second vehicle 3 from the video of the image capturing unit 10. Then, if the calculated speed is equal to or greater than the threshold, the control unit 14 may determine that the second vehicle 3 satisfies the second condition.

[0031] Notification via wireless communication is preferable from the perspective of reliability of information transmission, as it allows for individual notification to the driver. However, if the speed of the second vehicle 3 is relatively high, such notification may cause driver distraction and is therefore not appropriate from the perspective of safety. In contrast, by switching to notification via light and / or sound when the second vehicle 3 meets the second condition, it is possible to notify the second vehicle 3 of the presence of the first vehicle 2 while reducing the possibility of causing driver distraction.

[0032] The predetermined condition may be a third condition that the first vehicle 2 is located in the blind spot of the driver of the second vehicle 3. Examples of cases in which the first vehicle 2 is located in the blind spot of the driver of the second vehicle 3 include cases in which the distance between the first vehicle 2 and the second vehicle 3 exceeds a threshold, or cases in which there is an obstacle between the first vehicle 2 and the second vehicle 3 (for example, a building or terrain such as the top of an uphill slope).

[0033] The control unit 14 may determine whether the first vehicle 2 is located in a blind spot of the driver of the second vehicle 3 based on map information and / or position information of the first vehicle 2 and the second vehicle 3. The control unit 14 may calculate the positions of the first vehicle 2 and the second vehicle 3 from the image captured by the image capturing unit 10, or may acquire the positions of the first vehicle 2 and the second vehicle 3 directly or by wireless communication with the first vehicle 2 and the second vehicle 3 via an information processing device such as a server device. If the first vehicle 2 is located in a blind spot of the driver of the second vehicle 3, the control unit 14 may determine that the second vehicle 3 satisfies the third condition.

[0034] The predetermined conditions may include two or more of the first to third conditions, or a combination of one or more of the first to third conditions and any other condition. The control unit 14 may determine the first to third conditions in any order. For example, the control unit 14 may determine the second condition after determining the first condition, and may determine whether the second vehicle 3 satisfies the predetermined conditions depending on the determination result of the second condition.

[0035] S103: If the control unit 14 determines that the second vehicle 3 satisfies the predetermined condition (S102-Yes), it notifies the second vehicle 3 of the presence of the first vehicle by outputting light and / or sound from the output unit 11. Then, the process ends.

[0036] The optical notification may include a flashing lamp or a message displayed on an electronic sign or display. The audio notification may include a warning sound or a message output by a speaker. For example, the message displayed on the electronic sign or display or output by a speaker may be a message such as "There is a vehicle parked 50 meters ahead."

[0037] S104: If the control unit 14 determines that the second vehicle 3 does not satisfy the predetermined condition (S102-No), it notifies the second vehicle 3 of the presence of the first vehicle by wireless communication using the communication unit 12. Then, the process ends.

[0038] The notification via wireless communication may include transmission of information such as a message such as, for example, "There is a vehicle parked 50 meters ahead." When the second vehicle 3 receives the notification via wireless communication, it displays the notified information such as the message on a screen or outputs it by voice.

[0039] After executing the processes of S102-S104, the control unit 14 may determine a predetermined condition other than the predetermined condition determined in S102. For example, if the control unit 14 determines in S102 that the second vehicle 3 does not satisfy the first condition (No in S102) and issues a notification via wireless communication in S104, the control unit 14 may further determine whether the second vehicle 3 satisfies a second condition. If the control unit 14 determines that the second vehicle 3 satisfies the second condition, the control unit 14 may issue a notification to the second vehicle 3 using light and / or sound after a predetermined period has elapsed since the determination. This increases the reliability with which the driver of the second vehicle 3 will recognize the notification from the roadside device 1, even if the driver does not notice the notification via wireless communication. If the control unit 14 determines that the second vehicle 3 does not satisfy the second condition, it may not issue a notification.

[0040] As described above, according to this embodiment, the roadside device 1 can change the notification method depending on whether the second vehicle 3 approaching the first vehicle 2 from behind satisfies a predetermined condition. For example, the roadside device 1 can switch the notification method to the second vehicle 3 between notification by light and / or sound and notification by wireless communication depending on whether the second vehicle 3 does not support wireless communication. This improves the reliability with which the driver of the second vehicle 3 recognizes the notification from the roadside device 1.

[0041] Furthermore, by issuing a light and / or sound notification only when the second vehicle 3 satisfies a predetermined condition, it is possible to reduce inconveniences caused by the light and / or sound. Such inconveniences include, for example, the problem that the sound notification is noisy, or the problem that drivers of other vehicles near the roadside device 1 mistakenly believe that the light and / or sound notification is directed at them.

[0042] As described above, this embodiment improves the technology of roadside devices.

[0043] Although the present disclosure has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each component or process can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and multiple components or processes can be combined or divided into one.

[0044] In the above-described embodiment, some or all of the processing performed by the roadside device 1 may be executed by an information processing device such as a server communicatively connected to the roadside device 1 via a network including the Internet and a mobile communication network. For example, the server may detect the first vehicle 2, the second vehicle 3, and determine whether the second vehicle 3 satisfies the processing conditions.

Claims

[Claim 1] A roadside device comprising: an imaging unit that images a roadway; an output unit that outputs light and / or sound; a communication unit that performs wireless communication; and a control unit, The control unit When a second vehicle approaching a first vehicle parked or stopped on the roadway from behind is detected from the image captured by the image capturing unit, it is determined whether or not the second vehicle satisfies a predetermined condition; When it is determined that the second vehicle satisfies the predetermined condition, the output unit notifies the second vehicle of the presence of the first vehicle by outputting light and / or sound; When it is determined that the second vehicle does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the roadside device notifies the second vehicle of the presence of the first vehicle by wireless communication using the communication unit.

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