Notification method and notification device for emergency vehicle

Abstract

To provide a notification method and a notification device capable of appropriately making a notification to an own vehicle when there are a plurality of emergency vehicles.SOLUTION: In a notification method of an emergency vehicle by a controller that executes a process of notifying an own vehicle of information on an emergency vehicle approaching the own vehicle, a plurality of emergency vehicles approaching the own vehicle are detected within a predetermined range from the own vehicle, the number of the plurality of emergency vehicles is specified, and state information including at least one of a position and a speed is extracted for each of the plurality of emergency vehicles. A notification content to the own vehicle including at least the approaching direction to the own vehicle is determined based on the state information, and the notification content is notified to the own vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and device for notifying an emergency vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a device and method for notifying a vehicle of the location and direction of travel of an emergency vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-125004 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when there are multiple emergency vehicles approaching the vehicle, it may not be possible to provide an appropriate notification to the vehicle.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a notification method and a notification device that can provide an appropriate notification to a vehicle when there are multiple emergency vehicles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A notification method according to one aspect of the present invention is a method for notifying a host vehicle of information about an emergency vehicle approaching the host vehicle by a controller that executes a process of notifying the host vehicle of information about an emergency vehicle approaching the host vehicle. The notification method detects a plurality of emergency vehicles approaching the host vehicle within a predetermined range from the host vehicle, identifies the number of the plurality of emergency vehicles, extracts status information including at least one of a position and a speed for each of the plurality of emergency vehicles, determines notification content for the host vehicle including at least a direction of approach to the host vehicle based on the status information, and notifies the host vehicle of the notification content. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to a notification method according to one aspect of the present invention, when there are multiple emergency vehicles, it is possible to provide an appropriate notification to the vehicle in question. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an emergency vehicle notification device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the processing steps executed by the emergency vehicle notification device in chronological order. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram of the notification content of the notification device of the emergency vehicle. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram of the notification content of the notification device of the emergency vehicle. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A is an explanatory diagram of the notification content of an emergency vehicle notification device near an intersection. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram of the notification content of an emergency vehicle notification device near an intersection. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram of notification content from a notification device for an emergency vehicle near an intersection. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram of the notification content of an emergency vehicle notification device near an intersection. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the notification content when there are multiple emergency vehicles. [Figure 7A] FIG. 7A is an explanatory diagram of notification content near an intersection when there are multiple emergency vehicles. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B is an explanatory diagram of the notification content when there are multiple emergency vehicles. [Figure 8A] FIG. 8A is an explanatory diagram of notification content near an intersection when there are multiple emergency vehicles. [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B is an explanatory diagram of the notification content near an intersection when there are multiple emergency vehicles. [Figure 8C] FIG. 8C is an explanatory diagram of the notification content when there are multiple emergency vehicles. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a description will be given of an emergency vehicle notification method and notification device according to an embodiment, a modification thereof, and specific examples to which the embodiment or the modification thereof is applied. In addition, components having the same functions as those already described will be assigned the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0010] The emergency vehicle notification device according to the embodiment will be described as being applied to a control system that notifies an output unit of a vehicle when an emergency vehicle is approaching the vehicle.

[0011] The configuration of the control system will be described below. The control system according to the embodiment includes a controller 11 and an output unit 21.

[0012] The controller 11 is a general-purpose microcomputer equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), memory, and input / output units. Computer programs (display control program and control program) for functioning as a display control device and a control system are installed in the microcomputer. By executing the computer programs, the microcomputer functions as multiple information processing circuits provided in the control system. Note that in the embodiment, an example is shown in which the multiple information processing circuits provided in the control system are realized by software, but it is also possible to configure the information processing circuits by providing dedicated hardware for executing each information processing described below. Furthermore, the multiple information processing circuits may be configured as individual hardware. Details of the multiple information processing circuits provided in the controller 11 will be described later.

[0013] The controller 11 includes, as a plurality of information processing circuits, an emergency vehicle detection unit 12, an emergency vehicle number identification unit 13, a status information acquisition unit 14, a notification content determination unit 15, and a notification unit 16. The controller 11 may be provided in the vehicle itself, or may be provided in a server accessible by the vehicle itself.

[0014] The emergency vehicle detection unit 12 detects information about an emergency vehicle 2 approaching the host vehicle 1 within a certain range from the host vehicle 1. For example, the emergency vehicle detection unit 12 receives and detects emergency information transmitted by the emergency vehicle 2 using an antenna provided in the host vehicle 1. When there are multiple emergency vehicles 2 transmitting emergency information, the emergency vehicle detection unit 12 can distinguish and detect the emergency information from each emergency vehicle 2. The emergency vehicle detection unit 12 may also detect the emergency information from the emergency vehicle 2 by accessing a server that stores the emergency information transmitted by the emergency vehicle 2. The emergency vehicle detection unit 12 may also detect an emergency vehicle 2 located within a certain range from the host vehicle 1 by analyzing vehicles around the host vehicle 1 using a camera, sensor, microphone, or the like provided in the host vehicle 1. The certain range may be set as a range of a predetermined distance from the current position of the host vehicle 1, or may be a range in which emergency information from the emergency vehicle 2 can be received by an antenna, or may be a range in which the emergency vehicle 2 can be detected by a sensor or the like.

[0015] The emergency vehicle number determination unit 13 determines the number of emergency vehicles 2 located within a certain range from the host vehicle 1 based on information about each emergency vehicle 2 detected by the emergency vehicle detection unit 12.

[0016] The status information acquisition unit 14 extracts status information for each emergency vehicle 2 based on information about each emergency vehicle 2 detected by the emergency vehicle detection unit 12. As a result, for example, information such as the position, speed, and traveling direction of the emergency vehicle 2 is acquired as the status information.

[0017] The notification content determination unit 15 determines the notification content to be notified to the host vehicle 1 based on the acquired status information for each emergency vehicle 2. The notification content includes, for example, information such as the number of emergency vehicles 2 located within a certain range from the host vehicle 1, the approaching direction of the emergency vehicles 2 to the host vehicle 1, the distance between the emergency vehicles 2 and the host vehicle 1, and the speed of the emergency vehicles 2.

[0018] The notification unit 16 notifies the host vehicle 1 of the notification content determined by the notification content determination unit 15. The host vehicle 1 is equipped with a display 22 and a speaker 23 as an output unit 21. The display 22 may be a display screen of a navigation device mounted on the vehicle, a meter display, or a head-up display. The notification content may also be output as audio by the speaker 23. The driver of the host vehicle 1 can learn information about emergency vehicles 2 located within a certain range of the host vehicle 1 from the notification content displayed on the display 22 and the audio output from the speaker 23. Furthermore, the driver of the host vehicle 1 can change the traveling speed of the host vehicle 1, its position in the traveling lane L1, etc., and prepare for such a change, based on such information.

[0019] The controller 11 can use a global positioning system (GPS) to estimate and acquire self-position information of the vehicle 1. The self-position information includes, for example, the position information of the vehicle 1, the lane in which the vehicle is traveling, and the like.

[0020] Furthermore, the controller 11 can acquire map data. The map data may be installed in the vehicle 1 or may be acquired by accessing a server. The map data may include road structure information such as roads, intersections, bridges, tunnels, etc., as well as lanes, lane divisions, the presence or absence of medians, crosswalks, bicycle lanes, etc.

[0021] Next, the method for notifying an emergency vehicle according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3A. First, a case will be described in which an emergency vehicle 2 is traveling in the lane L1 in which the host vehicle 1 is traveling and is approaching the host vehicle 1 from behind.

[0022] The emergency vehicle detection unit 12 detects information about emergency vehicles 2 approaching the host vehicle 1 from behind within a certain range from the host vehicle 1 (step S1). For example, the emergency information transmitted by the emergency vehicles 2 may be detected. Next, the emergency vehicle number determination unit 13 determines the number of emergency vehicles 2 located within a certain range from the host vehicle 1 based on the information about the emergency vehicles 2 detected by the emergency vehicle detection unit 12 (step S2). In this case, the number of emergency vehicles 2 located within a certain range from the host vehicle 1 is determined to be one based on the information about the detected emergency vehicles 2.

[0023] The status information acquisition unit 14 extracts status information of the emergency vehicle 2 based on information about the emergency vehicle 2 detected by the emergency vehicle detection unit 12 (step S3). For example, the status information may include information such as the position, speed, and approach direction of the emergency vehicle 2. The notification content determination unit 15 determines the notification content to be notified to the host vehicle 1 based on the acquired status information of the emergency vehicle 2 (step S4). For example, the notification content may include the number of emergency vehicles 2, the position of the emergency vehicle 2, and the approach direction.

[0024] Since the number of emergency vehicles 2 has been identified as one by the emergency vehicle number identification unit 13, the determination in step S5 is "Yes." Thereafter, in step S6, the priority of the emergency vehicles 2 is determined, but since the number of emergency vehicles 2 is one here, the priority determination is not performed. The determination of the priority will be described later.

[0025] The notification unit 16 notifies the host vehicle 1 of the notification content determined by the notification content determination unit 15. As an example, the notification unit 16 notifies the host vehicle 1 of the number of emergency vehicles 2 (step S7). The notification unit 16 also notifies the host vehicle 1 of the direction of the emergency vehicles 2 (step S8). As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the display 22 of the host vehicle 1 displays the driving lane L1, an image A1 showing the host vehicle 1 driving in the driving lane L1, an image A2 showing the emergency vehicles 2 driving in the driving lane L1, and an image A3 showing the approaching direction of the emergency vehicles. No image showing a vehicle is displayed in the oncoming lane L2, which is the lane opposite the driving lane L1. At this time, while displaying FIG. 3A on the display 22, the speaker 23 may output notification information such as the number of emergency vehicles 2, the approaching direction, the distance from the host vehicle 1, and a prompt to move the host vehicle 1 to the edge of the driving lane L1. The image A3 may display the distance between the host vehicle 1 and the emergency vehicles 2, or the distance may be displayed together with the approaching direction. When the emergency vehicle 2 moves out of a certain range from the vehicle 1, the display and output of the image is terminated (step S9).

[0026] A case will be described in which an emergency vehicle 2 is traveling in the oncoming lane L2 of the host vehicle 1 and approaching the host vehicle 1 from the front. In this case, the description of steps S1 to S9 in FIG. 2 will be omitted. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3B, the display 22 of the host vehicle 1 displays an image A1 showing the host vehicle 1 traveling in the traveling lane L1, an image A2 showing the emergency vehicle 2 traveling in the oncoming lane L2, and an image A3 showing the direction in which the emergency vehicle is approaching. At this time, FIG. 3B may be displayed on the display 22, and the above-mentioned notification information may be output from the speaker 23. However, if a median strip is provided separating the traveling lane L1 from the oncoming lane L2, the notification information may not be output.

[0027] A case will be described in which an emergency vehicle 2 is approaching the host vehicle 1 from behind at an intersection C through which the host vehicle 1 is traveling or at an intersection C ahead of the host vehicle 1 on traveling lane L1. In this case, a description of steps S1 to S9 in FIG. 2 will be omitted. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4A, an image A1 showing the host vehicle 1 traveling at the intersection C, an image A2 showing the emergency vehicle 2 traveling at the intersection C, and an image A3 showing the approaching direction of the emergency vehicle are displayed on the display 22 of the host vehicle 1. At this time, FIG. 4A may be displayed on the display 22, and notification information such as the number of emergency vehicles 2, the approaching direction, and the distance from the host vehicle 1, and a prompt to quickly leave the intersection or to stop the host vehicle 1 before entering the intersection may be output from the speaker 23.

[0028] A case will be described in which an emergency vehicle 2 is approaching the host vehicle 1 from the front at an intersection C through which the host vehicle 1 is traveling or at an intersection C ahead of the traveling lane L1. In this case, a description of steps S1 to S9 in FIG. 2 will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 4B as an example, the display 22 of the host vehicle 1 displays an image A1 showing the host vehicle 1 traveling at the intersection C, an image A2 showing the emergency vehicle 2 traveling at the intersection C, and an image A3 showing the approaching direction of the emergency vehicle. At this time, FIG. 4B may be displayed on the display 22, and the above-mentioned notification information and the like may be output from the speaker 23.

[0029] A case will be described in which an emergency vehicle 2 is approaching from the right side (the right side of the traveling direction of the vehicle 1) as viewed from the vehicle 1 at an intersection C through which the vehicle 1 is traveling or at an intersection C ahead of the traveling lane L1. In this case, a description of steps S1 to S9 in FIG. 2 will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 5A, the display 22 of the vehicle 1 displays an image A1 showing the vehicle 1 traveling at the intersection C, an image A2 showing the emergency vehicle 2 traveling at the intersection C, and an image A3 showing the approaching direction of the emergency vehicle. At this time, FIG. 5A may be displayed on the display 22, and the above-mentioned notification information and the like may be output from the speaker 23.

[0030] A case will be described in which an emergency vehicle 2 is approaching from the left (left of the traveling direction of the vehicle 1) as viewed from the vehicle 1 at an intersection C through which the vehicle 1 is traveling or at an intersection C ahead of the traveling lane L1. In this case, a description of steps S1 to S9 in FIG. 2 will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 5B as an example, the display 22 of the vehicle 1 displays an image A1 showing the vehicle 1 traveling at the intersection C, an image A2 showing the emergency vehicle 2 traveling at the intersection C, and an image A3 showing the approaching direction of the emergency vehicle. At this time, FIG. 5B may be displayed on the display 22, and the above-mentioned notification information and the like may be output from the speaker 23.

[0031] Next, a case will be described in which two or more emergency vehicles 2 are traveling in the driving lane L1 in which the host vehicle 1 is traveling and approaching the host vehicle 1 from behind. The emergency vehicle detection unit 12 detects emergency vehicles 2 approaching the host vehicle 1 from behind within a certain range from the host vehicle 1 (step S1). When there are two or more emergency vehicles 2, the emergency vehicle detection unit 12 can distinguish and detect each emergency vehicle 2. Next, the emergency vehicle number determination unit 13 determines the number of emergency vehicles 2 located within the certain range from the host vehicle 1 based on information about the emergency vehicles 2 detected by the emergency vehicle detection unit 12 (step S2). Here, it is assumed that the number of emergency vehicles 2 located within the certain range from the host vehicle 1 is determined to be (n+1).

[0032] The status information acquisition unit 14 extracts status information of each emergency vehicle 2 based on information about each emergency vehicle 2 detected by the emergency vehicle detection unit 12 (step S3). For example, the status information acquired includes information such as the position, speed, and direction of travel of each emergency vehicle 2. Next, the notification content determination unit 15 determines the notification content to be notified to the host vehicle 1 based on the acquired status information about each emergency vehicle 2 (step S4).

[0033] In step S2, the emergency vehicle number determination unit 13 determines that the number of emergency vehicles 2 is (n+1), so the determination in step S5 is "Yes." In step S6, the priority of the emergency vehicle 2 is determined. The priority of the emergency vehicle 2 may mean the priority with which the notification content of the emergency vehicle 2 is notified to the host vehicle 1.

[0034] For example, the priority of each emergency vehicle 2 can be determined based on the position, speed, approaching direction, and distance from the host vehicle 1 of each emergency vehicle 2, and the priority of the notification content of each emergency vehicle 2 can be determined. The host vehicle 1 is notified of each notification content according to its priority. This allows multiple emergency vehicles 2 to be notified according to their priority. For example, consider a case where emergency vehicles 2 detected approaching the host vehicle 1 include: (1) an emergency vehicle 2 traveling in the lane L1 of the host vehicle 1; (2) an emergency vehicle 2 approaching the host vehicle 1 from the left or right at an intersection C in which the host vehicle 1 is traveling or an intersection C ahead of the lane L1 of travel; and (3) an emergency vehicle 2 traveling in the oncoming lane L2 of the host vehicle 1 and approaching the host vehicle 1. In this case, for example, the notification information of (1) is determined to have the highest priority. Furthermore, the notification information of (2) is determined to have a higher priority than the notification information of (3). The determination of priority is not limited to the above. That is, depending on the conditions of the position, speed, approaching direction, and distance from the vehicle 1 of each emergency vehicle 2, the notification information of (2) may be determined to have the highest priority.

[0035] Furthermore, if there are multiple emergency vehicles that fall under (1), for example, the priority is determined to be higher in descending order of distance from the vehicle 1. The same determination may be made for (2) and (3).

[0036] Furthermore, among emergency vehicles 2 detected as approaching the host vehicle 1, if it is determined that the vehicle has passed a position near the host vehicle 1 and is now at a greater distance from the host vehicle 1, the vehicle may be excluded from the priority determination. Alternatively, in step S4, the notification content determination unit 15 may exclude the vehicle from the determination of notification content.

[0037] In steps S7 and S8, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the display 22 of the host vehicle 1 displays the driving lane L1, an image A1 showing the host vehicle 1 driving in the driving lane L1, an image A2 showing the emergency vehicle 2 with the highest priority, an image A3 showing the approaching direction of the emergency vehicle 2, and an image A4 showing information about other emergency vehicles 2. No images showing vehicles are displayed in the oncoming lane L2. At this time, since the number of emergency vehicles 2 is determined to be (n+1) in step S2, the image A4 showing information about the other emergency vehicles 2 may display, for example, "n other vehicles approaching" (see FIG. 6). The image A4 showing information about the other emergency vehicles 2 may display not only the number of vehicles but also other information. In addition, the speaker 23 may output notification information such as the number of emergency vehicles 2, the approaching direction, the distance from the host vehicle 1, and a prompt to move the host vehicle 1 to the edge of the driving lane L1. When the emergency vehicle 2 moves out of a certain range from the vehicle 1, the display and output of the image is terminated (step S9).

[0038] Next, a case will be described in which (1) one emergency vehicle 2 is traveling in the lane L1 in which the host vehicle 1 is traveling and is approaching the host vehicle 1 from behind, and further, (2) another emergency vehicle 2 is approaching from the right as seen from the host vehicle 1 at an intersection C ahead of the lane L1 in which the host vehicle 1 is traveling. In this case, the priority of the notification information (1) is determined to be higher than the priority of the notification information (2) (step S6). In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 7A, the image A2 of the higher priority (1) may be displayed more emphasized than the image A2 of the higher priority (2). The emphasized display may, for example, change the hue, saturation, or brightness of at least a part of the image, or may change the display pattern, such as blinking.

[0039] A case will be described in which (1) one emergency vehicle 2 is traveling in the lane L1 in which the host vehicle 1 is traveling and is approaching the host vehicle 1 from behind, and (2) another emergency vehicle 2 is traveling in the oncoming lane L2 and is approaching the host vehicle 1 from the front. In this case, the priority of the notification information of (1) is determined to be higher than the priority of the notification information of (2) (step S6). In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 7B, the image A2 of (1) which has a higher priority may be displayed more highlighted than the image A2 of (2).

[0040] A case will be described in which two emergency vehicles 2 are approaching from the right as viewed from the vehicle 1 at intersection C ahead of the vehicle 1 on the lane L1 in which the vehicle 1 is traveling. In this case, of the two emergency vehicles 2, the notification information of the emergency vehicle 2 that is closer to the vehicle 1 is determined to have a higher priority (step S6). In this case, as shown in FIG. 8A as an example, the image A2 of the emergency vehicle 2 with the higher priority may be highlighted.

[0041] A case will be described in which two emergency vehicles 2 are traveling in the lane L1 in which the host vehicle 1 is traveling and approaching the host vehicle 1 from behind. In this case, of the two emergency vehicles 2, the notification information of the emergency vehicle 2 that is closer to the host vehicle 1 is determined to have a higher priority (step S6). In this case, as shown in FIG. 8B as an example, the image A2 of the emergency vehicle 2 with the higher priority may be highlighted.

[0042] A case will be described in which two emergency vehicles 2 are traveling in the oncoming lane L2 of the host vehicle 1 and approaching the host vehicle 1 from the front. In this case, of the two emergency vehicles 2, the priority of the notification information of the emergency vehicle 2 that is closer to the host vehicle 1 is determined to be higher (step S6). In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 8C, the image A2 of the emergency vehicle 2 with the higher priority may be highlighted.

[0043] (1) The method for notifying an emergency vehicle of the embodiment is a method for notifying an emergency vehicle 2 by a controller 11 that executes a process of notifying the host vehicle 1 of information about an emergency vehicle 2 approaching the host vehicle 1, in which the controller 11 detects multiple emergency vehicles 2 approaching the host vehicle 1 within a predetermined range from the host vehicle 1, identifies the number of the multiple emergency vehicles 2, extracts status information including at least one of the position and speed for each of the multiple emergency vehicles 2, determines the content of the notification to the host vehicle 1 based on the status information, including at least the direction of approach to the host vehicle 1, and notifies the host vehicle 1 of the notification content.

[0044] With the above configuration, when a plurality of emergency vehicles 2 are approaching the host vehicle 1, it is possible to provide the host vehicle 1 with an appropriate notification.

[0045] (2) In addition, in the embodiment, when it is determined that an emergency vehicle 2 detected as approaching the host vehicle 1 has passed the position of the host vehicle 1 and is now at a greater distance from the host vehicle 1, the status information of the emergency vehicle 2 is excluded from determining the content of the notification. This makes it possible to exclude, from among multiple emergency vehicles 2, the status information of emergency vehicles 2 that do not require notification to the host vehicle 1.

[0046] (3) Furthermore, in the embodiment, the priority of each notification content is determined based on at least one of the positions, speeds, and approaching directions of the multiple emergency vehicles 2, and each notification content is notified to the vehicle 1 according to the priority. This allows for appropriate notification of multiple emergency vehicles 2 according to the priority.

[0047] (4) In the embodiment, when the status information of an emergency vehicle 2 traveling in a lane L2 opposite the lane L1 of the host vehicle 1 and approaching the host vehicle 1 is extracted from the respective status information, notification content determined based on the status information and alarm information urging the host vehicle 1 to move to the edge of the lane L1 are notified to the host vehicle 1. This allows notification and alarm to be given regarding the emergency vehicle 2 traveling in the opposite lane L2 among multiple emergency vehicles 2.

[0048] (5) Furthermore, in the embodiment, when there is a median separating the driving lane L1 from the oncoming lane L2, the notification content and the alarm information are not sent to the vehicle 1. This makes it possible to exclude unnecessary notifications regarding the emergency vehicle 2 traveling in the oncoming lane L2 among multiple emergency vehicles 2.

[0049] (6) In the embodiment, when the status information of an emergency vehicle 2 traveling in the travel lane L1 and approaching the host vehicle 1 is extracted from the respective status information, the notification content determined based on the status information and alarm information urging the host vehicle 1 to move to the edge of the travel lane L1 are notified to the host vehicle 1. This allows for notification and alarming of the emergency vehicle 2 in the travel lane L1 among multiple emergency vehicles 2.

[0050] (7) Furthermore, in the embodiment, when status information of an emergency vehicle 2 approaching the vehicle 1 at an intersection C through which the vehicle 1 is traveling or an intersection C ahead of the traveling lane L1 is extracted from the respective status information, the notification content determined based on the status information, and notification information urging the vehicle 1 to move away from the intersection C if the vehicle 1 is located within the intersection C, and notification information urging the vehicle 1 to stop if the vehicle 1 is located before the intersection C, are notified to the vehicle 1. This allows appropriate notifications and alerts to be made for multiple emergency vehicles 2 at the intersection C.

[0051] (8) In the embodiment, an image A1 showing the host vehicle 1, an image A2 showing multiple emergency vehicles 2, and an image A3 showing either the distance between the host vehicle 1 and the emergency vehicle 2 or the approaching direction of the emergency vehicle are displayed on the display 22 provided on the host vehicle 1. This allows appropriate display on the display 22 to notify and warn.

[0052] (9) In the embodiment, the image A2 of the emergency vehicle 2 with the highest priority is highlighted among the images A2 displaying multiple emergency vehicles 2. This allows notifications and alerts to be made on the display 22 according to priority.

[0053] (10) An emergency vehicle notification device according to an embodiment includes a controller 11 that executes processing to notify the host vehicle 1 of information about an emergency vehicle 2 approaching the host vehicle 1, an emergency vehicle detection unit 12 that detects multiple emergency vehicles 2 approaching the host vehicle 1 within a predetermined range from the host vehicle 1, an emergency vehicle number determination unit 13 that determines the number of the multiple emergency vehicles 2, a status information acquisition unit 14 that extracts status information including at least one of the position and speed for each of the multiple emergency vehicles 2, a notification content determination unit 15 that determines the content of the notification to the host vehicle 1 based on the status information, including at least the direction of approach to the host vehicle 1, and a notification unit 16 that notifies the host vehicle 1 of the notification content. With the above configuration, even when multiple emergency vehicles are approaching, it is possible to provide an appropriate notification to the host vehicle.

[0054] The above-described embodiments are merely examples described to facilitate understanding of the invention. The technical scope of the invention is not limited to the specific technical matters disclosed in the above-described embodiments, but also includes various modifications, changes, alternative technologies, etc. that can be easily derived therefrom. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1. Your vehicle 2. Emergency vehicles 11 Controller 12 Emergency vehicle detection unit 13 Emergency Vehicle Number Identification Department 14 Status information acquisition unit 15 Notification Content Judgment Department 16 Notification Department 22 Display A1 Image showing your vehicle A2 Image showing emergency vehicles A3 Image showing either the relative distance or the approaching direction of an emergency vehicle C intersection L1 driving lane L2 Oncoming lane (oncoming traffic)

Claims

1. 1. A method for notifying an emergency vehicle of information about an emergency vehicle approaching a host vehicle by a controller that executes a process of notifying the host vehicle of information about the emergency vehicle approaching the host vehicle, Detecting a plurality of emergency vehicles approaching the vehicle within a predetermined range from the vehicle; Identifying the number of emergency vehicles; extracting status information including at least one of a position and a speed for each of the plurality of emergency vehicles; determining notification content to the host vehicle, the notification content including at least the approach direction to the host vehicle, based on the state information; notifying the vehicle of the notification content; How emergency vehicles are notified.

2. When it is determined that the emergency vehicle detected as approaching the host vehicle has passed the position of the host vehicle and is now at a greater distance from the host vehicle, the status information of the emergency vehicle is excluded from determining the content of the notification. The emergency vehicle notification method of claim 1 .

3. determining a priority of each of the notification contents based on at least one of the positions, speeds, and approaching directions of the plurality of emergency vehicles; notifying the vehicle of each of the notification contents according to the priority; The method for notifying an emergency vehicle according to claim 1 or 2.

4. When the state information of the emergency vehicle traveling in a lane opposite to the lane of travel of the host vehicle and approaching the host vehicle is extracted from each of the state information, the notification content determined based on the state information and notification information urging the host vehicle to move to the edge of the lane of travel of the host vehicle are notified to the host vehicle. The emergency vehicle notification method according to claim 3 .

5. When there is a median strip separating the driving lane from the oncoming lane, the notification content and the alarm information are not notified to the host vehicle. The emergency vehicle notification method according to claim 4.

6. When the state information of the emergency vehicle traveling in the lane of the host vehicle and approaching the host vehicle is extracted from each of the state information, the notification content determined based on the state information and notification information prompting the host vehicle to move to the edge of the lane of the vehicle are notified to the host vehicle. The emergency vehicle notification method according to claim 3 .

7. When the status information of the emergency vehicle approaching the host vehicle at an intersection where the host vehicle is traveling or an intersection ahead of the traveling lane of the host vehicle is extracted from each of the status information, the notification content determined based on the status information, and, if the host vehicle is located within the intersection, notification information urging the host vehicle to move out of the intersection, and, if the host vehicle is located before the intersection, notification information urging the host vehicle to stop, are notified to the host vehicle. The emergency vehicle notification method according to claim 3 .

8. an image displaying the host vehicle, an image displaying the plurality of emergency vehicles, and an image displaying either the distance between the host vehicle and the emergency vehicle or the approaching direction of the emergency vehicle are displayed on a display provided in the host vehicle; The emergency vehicle notification method according to claim 3 .

9. highlighting the image of the emergency vehicle having the highest priority among the images displaying the plurality of emergency vehicles; The emergency vehicle notification method of claim 8.

10. 1. An emergency vehicle notification device including a controller that executes a process of notifying a host vehicle of information about an emergency vehicle approaching the host vehicle, an emergency vehicle detection unit that detects a plurality of emergency vehicles approaching the host vehicle within a predetermined range from the host vehicle; an emergency vehicle number determination unit that determines the number of the plurality of emergency vehicles; a status information acquisition unit that extracts status information including at least one of a position and a speed for each of the plurality of emergency vehicles; a notification content determination unit that determines a notification content to be sent to the host vehicle, the notification content including at least an approaching direction to the host vehicle, based on the state information; a notification unit that notifies the vehicle of the notification content; An emergency vehicle notification device comprising:

Images