Road surface projection device

Abstract

To provide a road surface projection device 1 for projecting and displaying a guide image 12 in the traveling direction of a vehicle C on a road surface R of a road so that a driver can easily notice it.SOLUTION: A road surface projector 1 that projects an image onto a road surface R of a road having a plurality of lanes L, the road surface projector 1 including a projector unit 2 that emits illumination light to an illumination range L1 of a road surface R1 of a first lane A1 to perform desired projected display, and a control unit 3 that controls the projector unit 2, the control unit 3 being configured to form a bright-colored background area 11 having a width-direction size W of the first lane L1 and a predetermined length-direction size D in the illumination range A1 with the illumination light, and a first emission process of controlling emission of the emission light from the projector 2 so that a first guidance image L1 for guiding a traveling direction of a first car C1 traveling in the first lane 12a can be formed in the color of the road surface R1 in the background area 11 by non-emission of the emission light.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a road surface projection device that projects and displays images onto the surface of a road having multiple lanes. [Background technology]

[0002] A traffic sign projection system is known from the past, for example, as described in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 discloses that a display board fixed to an installation surface such as a road is used as a signboard, a sign projection unit, a background projection unit, and a system control unit are arranged in the space behind the display board, and a sign pattern and a background pattern are projected onto the back of the display board. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6042839 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when lane restrictions are implemented due to road construction, for example, guidance on lane changes using display plates such as those shown in Patent Document 1 has the problem that the displayed content is small, making it difficult for drivers to notice the displayed content, especially at night.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has an object to provide a road surface projection device that projects and displays a guide image of the vehicle's traveling direction onto the road surface so that the driver can easily notice it. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention is a road surface projection device 1 that projects onto a road surface R having a predetermined road surface color on a road having a plurality of lanes L including a first lane L1 and a second lane L2, and includes a projection unit 2 that projects light onto an illumination range A of the road surface R of the first lane L1 to perform a desired projection display, and a control unit 3 that controls the projection unit 2, wherein the control unit 3 executes a first illumination process that controls the illumination of the illumination light from the projection unit 2 so that a background area 11 of a first color having a width dimension W of the first lane L1 and a predetermined length dimension D is formed within the illumination range A by the illumination light, and so that a first guide image 12a that guides the traveling direction of a first vehicle C1 traveling on the first lane L1 can be formed in the road surface color in the background area 11 by not illuminating the illumination light. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, a guide image that guides a vehicle in the direction of travel can be projected and displayed on the road surface so that the driver can easily notice it even at night. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of a road surface projection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a first example of a projection display by the road surface projection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second example of a projection display by the road surface projection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the road surface projection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a projected image when a predetermined color is added to a first guide icon in a road surface projection device according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of projected images when the pattern of the background region is a predetermined pattern in a road surface projection device according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (First embodiment of the present invention) The road surface projection device according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. The road surface projection device 1 according to this embodiment projects and displays a guide image that guides a vehicle C in the direction of travel onto a road surface R having a predetermined road surface color on a road with multiple lanes L including a first lane L1 and a second lane L2. Here, the road surface color refers to the color of asphalt, concrete, blocks, and natural stone, as well as the color of these when painted in various colors.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of a road surface projection device according to this embodiment. In Fig. 1, the road surface projection device 1 includes a projection unit 2 that projects light onto an illumination range A (A1, A2) of a road surface R in one or more lanes L (L1, L2) of a road that has multiple lanes L including a first lane L1 and a second lane L2 to produce a desired projection display, a control unit 3 that controls the projection unit 2, and a vehicle detection unit 4 that detects a vehicle C (including a two-wheeled vehicle) (a detection target vehicle) traveling in any lane L (a detection target lane) on which the projection unit 2 produces a projection display.

[0011] 1 is merely an example, and may be configured to have, for example, a plurality of projection units 2 for each lane L, or a plurality of vehicle detection units 4 for each lane L, and may be configured to have a plurality of control units 3 that control them individually, or may be configured to be controlled by a single control unit 3. Also, a calculation device corresponding to the control unit 3 may be prepared as a separate unit rather than inside the road surface projection device 1, and may be configured to be able to remotely control the projection units 2 and vehicle detection units 4 while communicating with them.

[0012] The vehicle detection unit 4 is a sensor that detects a vehicle C, such as an infrared sensor, ultrasonic sensor, optical sensor, or image sensor (camera). This sensor detects the presence or absence of a first vehicle C1 traveling behind the illumination range A along the traveling direction of the vehicle C in any lane L that is the detection target, for example, specifically, several hundred meters before the illumination range A1 in the first lane L1. When the vehicle detection unit 4 detects the presence of the vehicle C, the control unit 3 controls the projection unit 2 to execute a projection display process of a projection image P (P1, P2) as described below. The control of the projection unit 2 by the control unit 3 will be specifically described below.

[0013] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a first example of a projection display by the road surface projection device according to this embodiment. Fig. 2(A) is a diagram showing an example of a projection display when the first lane L1 will be closed due to construction work ahead, and Fig. 2(B) is a diagram showing an example of a projection display when the second lane L2 will be closed due to construction work ahead.

[0014] In the example shown in Fig. 2, the road on which vehicle C is traveling has two lanes on each side, including a first lane L1 and a second lane L2. Road surface projection device 1 is installed on the side of the road and projects and displays a desired projection image P1 onto an illumination range A1 of road surface R1 in first lane L1. That is, vehicle detection unit 4 detects a first vehicle C1 (not shown in Fig. 2) traveling in front of illumination range A1 on first lane L1, and control unit 3 executes a first illumination process based on the detection result, whereby projection unit 2 projects and displays a projection image P1 (an arrow image in the color of a road surface on a white background in Fig. 2) that guides first vehicle C1 in the traveling direction onto illumination range A1.

[0015] The projection image P1 shown in Fig. 2(A) is a content that guides the first vehicle C1 traveling on the first lane L1 to change lanes to the second lane L2 in advance because the first lane L1 will be closed due to construction in the future. The projection image P1 shown in Fig. 2(B) is a content that guides the first vehicle C1 traveling on the first lane L1 to maintain travel in the first lane L1 without changing lanes to the second lane L2 because the second lane L2 will be closed due to construction in the future.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the projection image P1 is composed of a background region 11 formed as a rectangle having a width dimension W (e.g., approximately the entire width of the first lane L1) that extends to fill the width of the first lane L1 and a predetermined length dimension D, and a first guide icon 12a formed within the background region 11 and represented by an arrow that guides the first vehicle C1 in the traveling direction. The background region 11 is formed, for example, by the projection unit 2 projecting and displaying light of a light-colored wavelength, such as white (first color), onto the illumination range A1, and the first guide icon 12a is formed in the road surface color of the road surface R1 by the projection unit 2 not emitting the illumination light. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the projection image P1 projected and displayed onto the first lane L1 is projected in a positive display, with the dark-colored first guide icon 12a formed against the light-colored background region 11.

[0017] 3A and 3B are diagrams showing a second example of a projection display by the road surface projection device according to this embodiment. Fig. 3A shows a case where the first lane L1 will be impassable from now on due to construction, and Fig. 3B shows a case where the second lane L2 will be impassable from now on due to construction.

[0018] In the first lane L1 of Fig. 3(A), as in Fig. 2(A), the vehicle detection unit 4 detects a first vehicle C1 (not shown in Fig. 3) traveling in front of the illumination range A1 in the first lane L1. Based on the detection result, the control unit 3 executes a first illumination process, causing the projection unit 2 to project and display a projection image P1 in the illumination range A1, guiding the first vehicle C1 in the direction of travel. This projection image P1 advises the first vehicle C1 traveling in the first lane L1 to change lanes in advance to the second lane L2, because the first lane L1 will be closed due to construction ahead. The display mode of the projection image P1 at this time is a positive display (the background area 11 is bright and the first guide image 12a is dark) as a result of the first illumination process, as in Fig. 2(A).

[0019] 3(A), the vehicle detection unit 4 detects a second vehicle C2 (not shown in FIG. 2) traveling in front of the illumination range A2 on the second lane L2, and the control unit 3 executes the second illumination process based on the detection result, causing the projection unit 2 to project and display a projection image P2 guiding the second vehicle C2 in the traveling direction onto the illumination range A2 of the road surface R2 on the second lane L2. This projection image P2 provides guidance to the second vehicle C2 traveling on the second lane L2 to maintain traveling on the second lane L2 without changing lanes into the first lane L1, because the first lane L1 will be closed due to construction work ahead. Specifically, the projection image P2 includes a second guide image 12b represented by an arrow that guides the direction of travel of the second vehicle C2 traveling on the second lane L2, and the second guide image 12b is formed, for example, by the projection unit 2 projecting and displaying a light-colored illumination light, such as white (second color), within the illumination range A2. At this time, the area corresponding to the background area 11 of the projection image P2 (shown as a virtual dotted line in FIG. 3(A)) is formed in the road surface color of the road surface R2 by the projection unit 2 not illuminating the illumination light. In other words, as shown in FIG. 3(A), the projection image P2 projected and displayed on the second lane L2 is projected in a negative display in which the light-colored second guide image 12b is formed against the dark-colored background area 11 by the second illumination process.

[0020] 3(B), the vehicle detection unit 4 detects a first vehicle C1 traveling in front of the illumination range A1 in the first lane L1. Based on the detection result, the control unit 3 executes a first illumination process, causing the projection unit 2 to project and display a projection image P1 in the illumination range A1, guiding the first vehicle C1 in the direction of travel. This projection image P1 advises the first vehicle C1 traveling in the first lane L1 to maintain travel in the first lane L1 without changing lanes into the second lane L2, because the second lane L2 will be closed due to construction ahead. The display mode of this projection image P1 is a projection display in a positive display mode, due to the execution of the first illumination process by the control unit 3.

[0021] 3(B), the vehicle detection unit 4 detects a second vehicle C2 traveling in front of the illumination range A2 in the second lane L2, and the control unit 3 executes the second illumination process based on the detection result, causing the projection unit 2 to project and display a projection image P2 in the illumination range A2, guiding the second vehicle C2 in the traveling direction. This projection image P2 advises the second vehicle C2 traveling in the second lane L2 to change lanes into the first lane L1 in advance, because the second lane L2 will be closed due to construction ahead. The display mode of this projection image P2 is a negative projection display due to the execution of the second illumination process by the control unit 3.

[0022] In Fig. 3(A), the first lane L1 is a lane that is impassable due to construction, and the projection display of the first lane L1 is a positive display, while the projection display of the second lane L2 is a negative display. However, the first lane L1 may be a lane that is impassable due to construction, and the projection display of the first lane L1 may be a negative display, while the projection display of the second lane L2 may be a positive display. Similarly, in Fig. 3(B), the second lane L2 is a lane that is impassable due to construction, and the projection display of the first lane L1 is a positive display, while the projection display of the second lane L2 is a negative display. However, the second lane L2 may be a lane that is impassable due to construction, and the projection display of the first lane L1 may be a negative display, while the projection display of the second lane L2 may be a positive display. It is more preferable to project the projection image P so that it is displayed positively by the first irradiation process in restricted lanes where passage is restricted due to construction, merging, etc., and to project the projection image P so that it is displayed negatively by the second irradiation process in non-restricted lanes where passage is not restricted.

[0023] In addition, the first guidance image 12a and the second guidance image 12b of the projected image P may be any image other than the arrows mentioned above that provides guidance on the direction of travel of the vehicle C, and may be, for example, a series of multiple triangular shapes lined up in the direction of travel, or may be textual guidance (for example, "Turn right →", "Turn left ←", etc.).

[0024] Furthermore, the control unit 3 may control the irradiation of the irradiation light from the projection unit 2 in at least one of the first irradiation process and the second irradiation process so that the corresponding guide icon 12, either the first guide icon 12a or the second guide icon 12b, dynamically changes and is displayed as an animation. For example, an animation display may be performed in which an arrow extends over time, or an animation display in which a pattern of a predetermined shape (e.g., a triangular shape) moves in the direction of travel to guide the vehicle C. Alternatively, an animation display may be performed in which an arrow simply flashes.

[0025] Furthermore, although Figures 2 and 3 have been described using an example of a road with two lanes on each side, the road surface projection device of this embodiment can also be applied to roads with three or more lanes on each side, and the above-mentioned regulated lanes can be displayed in a positive or negative manner, and unregulated lanes can be displayed in the opposite manner.

[0026] Next, the operation of the road surface projection device 1 according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the road surface projection device 1 according to this embodiment. Here, a process will be described in which a positive display is given to a vehicle C traveling in a regulated lane to guide the vehicle C in the direction of travel, and a negative display is given to a vehicle C traveling in an unregulated lane to guide the vehicle C in the direction of travel.

[0027] First, the vehicle detection unit 4 senses the area in front of the illumination range A (S1) and detects whether or not there is a traveling vehicle C (S2). If vehicle C is not detected, the process returns to S1 and the vehicle detection unit 4 continues sensing. If vehicle C is detected, it determines whether or not the lane in which vehicle C is traveling is a restricted lane (S3). It is assumed that which lanes out of the multiple lanes L are restricted lanes are registered in advance.

[0028] If the vehicle C detected in S3 is traveling in a restricted lane, the control unit 3 performs a first illumination process so that a positive display is made for the illumination range A of the traveling lane of the vehicle C (S4), and then returns to S1 to repeat the same process. If the vehicle C detected in S3 is traveling in a non-restricted lane, the control unit 3 performs a second illumination process so that a negative display is made for the illumination range A of the traveling lane of the vehicle C (S5), and then returns to S1 to repeat the same process.

[0029] The location where the projection unit 2 of the road surface projection device 1 is installed may be located further forward than the illumination range A when viewed from the traveling direction of the vehicle C, so that the projection image P is projected and displayed. This prevents the projection image P from being properly projected and displayed due to the shadow of the vehicle C.

[0030] In addition, one projection unit 2 may be installed for each lane L, or if the luminous flux is high and the brightness is sufficient, one projection unit 2 may be configured to project and display onto multiple lanes L.

[0031] As described above, the road surface projection device 1 according to this embodiment includes a projection unit 2 that projects light onto an illumination range A1 of the road surface R1 of the first lane L1 (regulated lane or unregulated lane) to produce the desired projection display, and a control unit 3 that controls the projection unit 2. The control unit 3 executes a first illumination process that controls the emission of the illumination light from the projection unit 2 so that a bright first-color background area 11 having a width dimension W that extends to fill the lane width of the first lane L1 and a predetermined length dimension D is formed within the illumination range A1 by the illumination light, and a first guide image 12a that guides the traveling direction of the first vehicle C1 traveling on the first lane L1 can be formed in the road surface color within the background area 11 without the illumination light. Therefore, the first guide image 12a is displayed large in a hollowed-out manner against the vast background area 11 that is wide enough to fill the lane width of the first lane L1, making it easier for the driver of the first vehicle C1 to notice the projection display even at night and to recognize the width of the restricted lane.

[0032] Furthermore, if necessary, the control unit 3 executes a second irradiation process that controls the irradiation of the light from the projection unit 2 so that a second guide image 12b of a bright second color that guides the direction of travel of the second vehicle C2 traveling on the second lane L2 (regulated lane or unregulated lane) is formed within the irradiation range A2 by the irradiation light. By performing a positive display on the first lane L1 and a negative display on the second lane, the display mode is changed for the two lanes L, allowing the driver to easily recognize the difference between the two types of lanes L.

[0033] Furthermore, if necessary, the first lane L1 is a restricted lane in which travel is not possible ahead of the first vehicle C1 in the direction of travel due to lane restrictions, and the second lane L2 is an unrestricted lane among the multiple lanes L other than the restricted lane. In the first illumination process, the control unit 3 controls the projection unit 2 to form a first guide image 12a that guides the travel direction of the first vehicle C1 traveling on the restricted lane, and in the second illumination process, controls the projection unit 2 to form a second guide image 12b that guides the travel direction of the second vehicle C2 traveling on the unrestricted lane.Therefore, a positive display against a large background is displayed on the restricted lane to ensure that the driver is aware that lane L will be restricted and will no longer be usable as a travel lane, while a negative display can ensure that the driver is informed that the unrestricted lanes can be used as normal travel lanes.

[0034] Furthermore, if necessary, the vehicle detection unit 4 may further include a vehicle detection unit 4 that detects a vehicle C (detection target vehicle) traveling in a lane L (detection target lane), which is at least one of the first lane L1 and the second lane L2. When the vehicle detection unit 4 detects the detection target vehicle on the detection target lane behind the illumination range A along the traveling direction of the detection target vehicle, the control unit 3 executes at least one of the first illumination process and the second illumination process for the detection target lane, thereby preventing unnecessary projection display when there is no traveling vehicle C.

[0035] Furthermore, in at least one of the first and second illumination processes, the control unit 3 controls the irradiation of the light from the projection unit 2 so that the corresponding guide image, either the first guide image 12a or the second guide image 12b, changes dynamically and is displayed as an animation, thereby making the first guide image 12a or the second guide image 12b more noticeable and ensuring that the driver can recognize it.

[0036] (Other embodiments of the present invention) Other embodiments will be described below with reference to Figures 5 and 6. In these embodiments, other display modes of the projection image P will be described.

[0037] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a projection image in which a predetermined color is added to the first guide icon 12a in the road surface projection device 1 according to this embodiment. Here, the control unit 3 executes a third illumination process that adds a predetermined color to dark portions of a positive display. Specifically, the projection unit 2 controls the illumination of light so that the first guide icon 12a formed in the first illumination process described above is given a predetermined color (third color) that is complementary to the background color (first color) of the background area 11. The projection unit 2 is controlled so that the combination of the background color of the background area 11 and the predetermined color of the first guide icon 12a is, for example, orange and blue, red and cyan, magenta and green, or yellow and blue-purple. Note that in FIG. 5, for convenience of illustration, the difference in color in each combination is represented by different hatching.

[0038] In this way, a third irradiation process is performed to control the irradiation of the light from the projection unit 2 so that the first guidance image 12a formed in the first irradiation process is given a predetermined color that is complementary to the color of the background area 11, making the first guidance image 12a stand out more clearly and reliably recognized by the driver.

[0039] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a projected image when the pattern of the background area 11 is a predetermined pattern in the road surface projection device 1 according to this embodiment. In Fig. 6, the background area 11 is expressed with diagonal stripes rather than a solid bright color. In addition to this, various patterns can be applied, such as vertical stripes, horizontal stripes, polka dots, waves, checkerboard patterns, and mesh patterns, as long as the first guide icon 12a is clearly recognizable. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] A(A1, A2) Irradiation range C vehicle C1 1st car C2 2nd vehicle D Lengthwise dimension L lane L1 Lane 1 L2 Second lane P(P1,P2) Projection image R(R1,R2) Road surface W Width dimension 1 Road projection device 2 Projection section 3. Control Unit 4 Vehicle detection unit 11 Background area 12a First guide image 12b Second guide image

Claims

1. A road surface projection device that projects onto a road surface having a predetermined road surface color on a road having a plurality of lanes including a first lane and a second lane, a projection unit that projects light onto an illumination range of the road surface of the first lane to perform a desired projection display; a control unit that controls the projection unit; Equipped with The control unit A first illumination process is executed to control the illumination of the illumination light from the projection unit so that a background area of ​​a first color having a width dimension of the first lane and a predetermined length dimension is formed within the illumination range by the illumination light, and a first guide image that guides a first vehicle traveling in the first lane in the traveling direction can be formed in the background area in the road surface color without illumination of the illumination light. A road surface projection device characterized by:

2. The control unit further A second illumination process is executed to control the illumination of the illumination light from the projection unit so that a second guide image of a second color that guides a second vehicle traveling in the second lane in the traveling direction is formed within the illumination range by the illumination light.

2. The road surface projection device according to claim 1.

3. the first lane is a restricted lane in which travel is prohibited ahead of the first vehicle in the traveling direction due to lane restriction, the second lane is an unrestricted lane other than the restricted lane among the plurality of lanes, The control unit In the first illumination process, the projection unit is controlled so that the first guide image that guides the first vehicle traveling in the restricted lane in the traveling direction is formed; In the second illumination process, the projection unit is controlled so that the second guide image that guides the second vehicle traveling in the non-regulated lane in the traveling direction is formed.

3. The road surface projection device according to claim 2.

4. A third illumination process is executed to control the illumination of the illumination light from the projection unit so that the first guide image formed in the first illumination process is given a third color that is complementary to the first color of the background area.

3. The road surface projection device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. a vehicle detection unit configured to detect a detection target vehicle traveling in a detection target lane, which is at least one of the first lane and the second lane; The control unit When the vehicle detection unit detects a target vehicle on the target lane behind the illumination range along the traveling direction of the target vehicle, the vehicle detection unit executes at least one of the first illumination process and the second illumination process for the target lane.

3. The road surface projection device according to claim 2.

6. The control unit In at least one of the first illumination process and the second illumination process, the illumination of the illumination light from the projection unit is controlled so that the corresponding guide image of the first guide image or the second guide image is dynamically changed and displayed as an animation.

3. The road surface projection device according to claim 2.

7. The widthwise dimension extends to fill the width of the first lane.

2. The road surface projection device according to claim 1.

8. The second guide image has a background area formed in the road surface color within the illumination range by non-irradiation of the illumination light.

3. The road surface projection device according to claim 2.

9. The projection unit is installed at a position forward of the illumination range when viewed from the traveling direction of the first vehicle.

2. The road surface projection device according to claim 1.

Images