Notification device and notification method

Abstract

To provide a notification device capable of appropriately notifying a user of approach of a moving body.SOLUTION: The notification device 2 includes the detection unit 14 that detects a moving body moving while approaching the user 4 on the sidewalk 6 or the roadway 10 adjacent to the sidewalk 6, the determination unit 16 that determines the type of the moving body detected by the detection unit 14, and the notification unit 18 that notifies the user 4 of the approach of the moving body when the detection unit 14 detects the moving body. The notification unit 18 changes a method of notifying the approach of the moving object according to the type of the moving object determined by the determination unit 16.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a notification device and a notification method for notifying a user of the approach of a moving object. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a notification device that notifies a user, such as a hearing-impaired person, of the approach of a moving object (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This notification device is worn by the user and uses millimeter-wave radar to detect moving objects (e.g., automobiles, bicycles, etc.) approaching the user. When the notification device detects a moving object, it notifies the user of the approach of the moving object by light, vibration, etc. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2024-17720 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, when a user is walking on a sidewalk, it is considered that there is a low possibility that a car traveling on a roadway adjacent to the sidewalk will hit the user, but there is a high possibility that a bicycle traveling on the sidewalk will hit the user. Therefore, in such a situation, there is a low need to notify the user of an approaching car, but there is a high need to notify the user of an approaching bicycle.

[0005] However, the above-described conventional notification device notifies the user of both approaching automobiles and approaching bicycles, which poses a problem in that the notification of approaching bicycles is buried in the notification of approaching automobiles.

[0006] Therefore, the present disclosure provides a notification device and a notification method that can appropriately notify a user of the approach of a moving object. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An alarm device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a wearable alarm device for a user, and includes a detection unit that detects a moving object approaching the user on a sidewalk or a roadway adjacent to the sidewalk, a discrimination unit that discriminates the type of the moving object detected by the detection unit, and an alarm unit that alerts the user of the approach of the moving object when the detection unit detects the moving object, and the alarm unit changes the method of alerting the user of the approach of the moving object depending on the type of the moving object discriminated by the discrimination unit.

[0008] These comprehensive or specific aspects may be realized as a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a recording medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), or may be realized as any combination of a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a notification device or the like can appropriately notify a user of the approach of a moving object. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view for explaining an overview of a notification device according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] 1 is a top view for explaining an overview of a notification device according to an embodiment; [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a notification device according to an embodiment; [Figure 4] 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining the function of a determination unit of the notification device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] 3A and 3B are diagrams for explaining functions of a notification unit of the notification device according to the embodiment; [Figure 6]3A and 3B are diagrams for explaining functions of a notification unit of the notification device according to the embodiment; [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of operations of the notification device according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a diagram for explaining a function of a notification unit of a notification device according to a first modified example of the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a diagram for explaining a function of a notification unit of a notification device according to a second modification of the embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] (Technology 1) An alarm device wearable by a user, comprising: a detection unit that detects a moving object approaching the user on a sidewalk or a roadway adjacent to the sidewalk; a discrimination unit that discriminates the type of the moving object detected by the detection unit; and an alarm unit that alerts the user of the approach of the moving object when the detection unit detects the moving object, wherein the alarm unit changes the method of alerting the user of the approach of the moving object depending on the type of the moving object discriminated by the discrimination unit.

[0012] According to Technology 1, the notification unit changes the notification method of the approach of the moving body depending on the type of moving body determined by the determination unit. This makes it possible to prevent notifications that are highly necessary from being overshadowed by notifications that are less necessary, and to appropriately notify the user of the approach of the moving body.

[0013] (Technology 2) The alarm device according to Technology 1, wherein the detection unit detects the moving object by transmitting electromagnetic waves using a radar and receiving the electromagnetic waves reflected by the moving object, and the discrimination unit discriminates the type of the moving object based on at least one of (i) a speed of the moving object calculated based on the electromagnetic waves reflected by the moving object, (ii) a cluster obtained by clustering a point cloud that is a collection of points detected by the radar of the moving object, (iii) an S / N ratio of the electromagnetic waves reflected by the moving object, and (iv) a relative position of the moving object with respect to the user detected by the radar.

[0014] According to the second technique, the type of moving object can be easily and accurately determined.

[0015] (Technology 3) The detection unit detects the plurality of moving bodies moving in formation, and the notification unit notifies the user of only the approach of a leading vehicle if the type of each of the plurality of moving bodies determined by the determination unit is an automobile, and notifies the user of the approach of all of the plurality of moving bodies if the type of each of the plurality of moving bodies is other than an automobile.

[0016] According to Technology 3, when the type of each of the multiple moving bodies determined by the determination unit is an automobile, only the approach of the leading vehicle is notified to the user, so the user can easily predict the approach of the following vehicle upon receiving the notification of the approach of the leading vehicle. This makes it possible to prevent unnecessary notifications of the approach of the following vehicle to the user. Furthermore, when the type of each of the multiple moving bodies determined by the determination unit is other than an automobile (for example, a bicycle), the user is notified of the approach of all of the multiple moving bodies, so the user can be given the necessary warning each time a moving body approaches the user. As a result, the user can be appropriately notified of the approach of the moving bodies.

[0017] (Technology 4) The notification device described in Technology 3, wherein when the discrimination unit determines that the type of each of the plurality of moving bodies is an automobile, the discrimination unit determines whether each of the plurality of moving bodies is a leading automobile or a following automobile based on the positional relationship of the plurality of moving bodies or the time difference between the notifications of the approach of each of the plurality of moving bodies.

[0018] According to the fourth technique, it is possible to easily and accurately determine whether each of a plurality of moving bodies is a leading vehicle or a following vehicle.

[0019] (Technology 5) The detection unit further detects whether or not the sidewalk exists on the road on which the user is walking, and when the detection unit detects that the sidewalk exists and when the type of the moving object determined by the determination unit is an automobile, the notification unit does not notify the user of the approach of the automobile.

[0020] According to Technology 5, when the detection unit detects that a sidewalk exists on the road where the user is walking, it is considered that there is a low possibility that a car traveling on the roadway will hit the user. Therefore, in this case, by not notifying the user of the approaching car, it is possible to prevent unnecessary notifications of the approaching car to the user. As a result, it is possible to appropriately notify the user of the approaching moving object.

[0021] (Technology 6) The notification device described in any one of techniques 1 to 5, wherein when the moving object is detected by the detection unit, the notification unit notifies the user of the approach of the moving object at a timing predetermined for each speed range of the moving object.

[0022] According to the sixth technique, it is possible to notify the user of the approach of a moving object at an appropriate timing.

[0023] (Technology 7) The notification device described in any one of techniques 1 to 5, wherein the notification unit notifies the user of the approach of the moving object when the predicted time until the moving object comes closest to the user is less than a threshold, and does not notify the user of the approach of the moving object when the predicted time is equal to or greater than the threshold.

[0024] According to Technique 7, it is possible to notify the user of the approach of a moving object at an appropriate timing.

[0025] (Technology 8) A notification method using a notification device worn by a user, comprising the steps of: (a) detecting a moving object approaching the user on a sidewalk or a roadway adjacent to the sidewalk; (b) determining the type of the moving object detected in (a); and (c) notifying the user of the approach of the moving object when the moving object is detected in (a), wherein in (c), the method of notifying the user is changed depending on the type of the moving object determined in (b).

[0026] According to Technique 8, the method of notifying the approach of a moving object is changed depending on the type of the determined moving object. This prevents notifications that are highly necessary from being overshadowed by notifications that are less necessary, and allows the user to be appropriately notified of the approach of a moving object.

[0027] (Technology 9) An alarm device wearable by a user, comprising: a detection unit that detects a moving object approaching the user on a sidewalk or a roadway adjacent to the sidewalk; and an alarm unit that, when the detection unit detects the moving object, notifies the user of the approach of the moving object, wherein, when the detection unit detects the moving object, the alarm unit notifies the user of the approach of the moving object at a timing that is predetermined for each speed range of the moving object.

[0028] According to Technique 9, it is possible to notify the user of the approach of a moving object at an appropriate timing.

[0029] (Technology 10) An alarm device wearable by a user, comprising: a detection unit that detects a moving object approaching the user on a sidewalk or a roadway adjacent to the sidewalk; and an alarm unit that, when the detection unit detects the moving object, notifies the user of the approach of the moving object, wherein the alarm unit notifies the user of the approach of the moving object if a predicted time until the moving object comes closest to the user is less than a threshold, and does not notify the user of the approach of the moving object if the predicted time is equal to or greater than the threshold.

[0030] According to Technique 10, it is possible to notify the user of the approach of a moving object at an appropriate timing.

[0031] These comprehensive or specific aspects may be realized as a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or may be realized as any combination of a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a recording medium.

[0032] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

[0033] The embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement and connection configurations, steps, and step order shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not described in the independent claims that represent the highest concepts are described as optional components.

[0034] (Embodiment) [1. Overview of the alarm device] First, an overview of a notification device 2 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a perspective view for explaining the overview of the notification device 2 according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is a top view for explaining the overview of the notification device 2 according to an embodiment.

[0035] 1, the notification device 2 is worn by a user 4, such as a hearing impaired person, when used. Specifically, the notification device 2 is formed, for example, in a U-shape, and worn around the neck of the user 4 when used.

[0036] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a user 4 is walking on a sidewalk 6 while wearing a notification device 2. A bicycle 8, which is a moving object, is traveling (moving) on ​​the sidewalk 6, approaching the user 4 from directly behind. In addition, a car 12, which is also a moving object, is traveling on a roadway 10 adjacent to the sidewalk 6, approaching the user 4 from the right rear diagonally. In this specification, the term "car" refers to vehicles that mainly travel in the car lane, such as passenger cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles (including mopeds), and special vehicles.

[0037] For example, if the user 4 is hearing impaired, the user 4 cannot hear the horn and sounds of the automobile 12 or the bell of the bicycle 8. Therefore, when the alarm device 2 detects a bicycle 8 traveling close to the user 4 on the sidewalk 6, and a car 12 traveling close to the user 4 on the roadway 10, the alarm device 2 alerts the user 4 to the approach of the bicycle 8 and the car 12, for example, by vibration. This allows the user 4 to recognize that a moving object (for example, the bicycle 8 or the car 12) is approaching him / her.

[0038] [2. Functional configuration of the alarm device] Next, the functional configuration of the notification device 2 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2 to Fig. 6. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the notification device 2 according to the embodiment. Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining the function of the determination unit 16 of the notification device 2 according to the embodiment. Figs. 5 and 6 are diagrams for explaining the function of the notification unit 18 of the notification device 2 according to the embodiment.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, the notification device 2 includes a detection unit 14, a determination unit 16, and a notification unit 18 as functional components.

[0040] The detection unit 14 detects a moving object approaching the user 4 in the detection area 20, for example, by using a millimeter wave radar (hereinafter simply referred to as "radar"). Specifically, the detection unit 14 transmits electromagnetic waves in a frequency band of, for example, 30 GHz to 300 GHz toward the detection area 20 and receives the electromagnetic waves reflected by a moving object present in the detection area 20, thereby detecting (a) the presence or absence of a moving object in the detection area 20, (b) the distance between the alarm device 2 and the moving object, (c) the speed of the moving object, and (d) the angle of the moving object relative to the alarm device 2, etc. The radar detection area 20 is an area that spreads in a fan shape from the alarm device 2 at its center toward the rear of the user 4, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0041] 4, the detection unit 14 detects clusters obtained by clustering a point cloud, which is a collection of points detected by the radar of a moving object. Here, a cluster means a group of multiple detected points recognized as a single object.

[0042] In the example shown in FIG. 4, the detection unit 14 detects a cluster obtained by clustering five point clouds (point clouds 4 to 8) as "cluster 1." The detection unit 14 also detects a cluster obtained by clustering seven point clouds (point clouds 9 to 15) as "cluster 2." The detection unit 14 also detects a cluster obtained by clustering three point clouds (point clouds 16 to 18) as "cluster 3." The detection unit 14 also detects a cluster obtained by clustering four point clouds (point clouds 19 to 22) as "cluster 4." The detection unit 14 determines the three point clouds (point clouds 1 to 3) that cannot be clustered as noise, and does not detect them as clusters.

[0043] The discrimination unit 16 discriminates the type of the moving object detected by the detection unit 14. Specifically, the discrimination unit 16 discriminates the type of the moving object based on at least one of (i) the speed of the moving object (hereinafter referred to as "discrimination method 1"), (ii) the cluster (hereinafter referred to as "discrimination method 2"), (iii) the S / N ratio of the electromagnetic wave reflected by the moving object (hereinafter referred to as "discrimination method 3"), and (iv) the position of the moving object (hereinafter referred to as "discrimination method 4"). That is, the discrimination unit 16 discriminates the type of the moving object by using any one of the above discrimination methods 1 to 4 or by combining two or more of the above discrimination methods 1 to 4. The above discrimination methods 1 to 4 will be described below.

[0044] First, discrimination method 1 will be described. In discrimination method 1, discrimination unit 16 discriminates whether the type of moving object is a bicycle or an automobile based on the speed (unit: km / h) of the moving object detected (calculated) by detection unit 14. If the speed of the moving object is equal to or greater than a first threshold, discrimination unit 16 discriminates the type of moving object as "automobile." If the speed of the moving object is less than the first threshold, discrimination unit 16 discriminates the type of moving object as "bicycle."

[0045] Next, discrimination method 2 will be described. In discrimination method 2, the discrimination unit 16 discriminates whether the type of moving object is a bicycle or an automobile based on the number of point clouds included in a cluster detected by the detection unit 14. If the number of point clouds included in a cluster is equal to or greater than a second threshold (for example, four), the discrimination unit 16 discriminates the type of moving object as an "automobile." Furthermore, if the number of point clouds included in a cluster is less than the second threshold, the discrimination unit 16 discriminates the type of moving object as a "bicycle." In the example shown in FIG. 4, if the cluster detected by the detection unit 14 is cluster 1, 2, or 4 including four or more point clouds, the discrimination unit 16 discriminates the type of moving object as an "automobile." If the cluster detected by the detection unit 14 is cluster 3 including less than four point clouds, the discrimination unit 16 discriminates the type of moving object as a "bicycle." Note that the number of point clouds (= N) is inversely proportional to the square of the distance (= D) between the alarm device 2 and the moving object, and therefore the value obtained by dividing the number of point clouds by the square of the distance (= N / D 2 ) may be used as the second threshold.

[0046] Furthermore, the discrimination unit 16 determines whether the type of moving object is a bicycle or an automobile based on the width (unit: m) of the cluster detected by the detection unit 14. If the width of the cluster is equal to or greater than a third threshold, the discrimination unit 16 determines the type of moving object as an "automobile." If the width of the cluster is less than the third threshold, the discrimination unit 16 determines the type of moving object as a "bicycle." Note that since the width of the cluster (= W) is inversely proportional to the distance (= D) between the alarm device 2 and the moving object, the value obtained by dividing the width of the cluster by the distance (= W / D) may be used as the third threshold.

[0047] The discrimination unit 16 also calculates the area (unit: m 2 ) and determines whether the type of moving object is a bicycle or an automobile. If the area of ​​the cluster is equal to or greater than the fourth threshold, the determination unit 16 determines the type of moving object as "automobile." If the area of ​​the cluster is less than the fourth threshold, the determination unit 16 determines the type of moving object as "bicycle." Note that the area of ​​the cluster (= S) is inversely proportional to the square of the distance (= D) between the notification device 2 and the moving object, so the value obtained by dividing the area of ​​the cluster by the square of the distance (= S / D 2 ) may be used as the fourth threshold.

[0048] Next, discrimination method 3 will be described. In discrimination method 3, discrimination unit 16 discriminates whether the type of moving object is a bicycle or an automobile based on the S / N ratio of the electromagnetic waves reflected by the moving object. If the S / N ratio is equal to or greater than a fifth threshold, discrimination unit 16 discriminates the type of moving object as "automobile." Furthermore, if the S / N ratio is less than the fifth threshold, discrimination unit 16 discriminates the type of moving object as "bicycle." This means that the larger the moving object, the more electromagnetic waves are reflected by the moving object, and the higher the S / N ratio.

[0049] Next, discrimination method 4 will be described. In discrimination method 4, the discrimination unit 16 discriminates the type of moving object based on the relative position of the moving object with respect to the user 4, which is detected by radar. If the relative position of the moving object with respect to the user 4 is a "lateral position," the discrimination unit 16 discriminates the type of moving object as a "car." This means that, as shown in FIG. 2, the car 12 is traveling on the roadway 10 adjacent to the sidewalk 6 on which the user 4 is walking in the lateral direction. Furthermore, if the relative position of the moving object with respect to the user 4 is a "position directly behind," the discrimination unit 16 discriminates the type of moving object as a "bicycle." This means that, as shown in FIG. 2, the bicycle 8 is traveling on the sidewalk 6 directly behind the user 4.

[0050] Here, consider a case where the detection unit 14 detects two moving objects traveling in a convoy on the roadway 10, as shown in Figure 5, and the discrimination unit 16 discriminates each of the two moving objects detected by the detection unit 14 as an "automobile."

[0051] In this case, the discrimination unit 16 discriminates whether each of the two moving bodies (two automobiles 12) is the leading automobile 12a or the following automobile 12b based on the positional relationship between the two moving bodies. Specifically, when the distance (unit: m) between the two clusters detected by the detection unit 14 is less than a sixth threshold, the discrimination unit 16 discriminates the moving body closer to the user 4 as the leading automobile 12a and the moving body farther from the user 4 as the following automobile 12b. On the other hand, when the distance between the two clusters detected by the detection unit 14 is equal to or greater than the sixth threshold (i.e., when the two moving bodies are too far apart), the discrimination unit 16 does not discriminate the two moving bodies as the leading automobile 12a and the following automobile 12b, respectively. Note that the discrimination unit 16 may use the time obtained by dividing the distance between the two clusters by the speed of the moving body (the following automobile 12b) as the sixth threshold.

[0052] Furthermore, the discrimination unit 16 discriminates whether each of the two moving bodies is the leading vehicle 12a or the following vehicle 12b based on the time difference between the notification of the approach of each moving body by the notification unit 18. Specifically, if the time (unit: sec) from when the notification unit 18 notifies the approach of one moving body to when it notifies the approach of the next moving body is less than a seventh threshold, the discrimination unit 16 discriminates the one of the two moving bodies that was notified first as the leading vehicle 12a and the one that was notified later as the following vehicle 12b. On the other hand, if the time from when the notification unit 18 notifies the approach of one moving body to when it notifies the approach of the next moving body is equal to or greater than the seventh threshold (i.e., if the two moving bodies are too far apart), the discrimination unit 16 does not discriminate the two moving bodies as the leading vehicle 12a and the following vehicle 12b, respectively.

[0053] 3 , when a moving object is detected by the detection unit 14, the notification unit 18 notifies the user 4 of the approach of the moving object, for example, by vibration. Here, the notification unit 18 changes the notification method of the approach of the moving object depending on the type of moving object determined by the determination unit 16.

[0054] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5 , consider a case where the detection unit 14 detects two moving objects traveling in a convoy on the roadway 10, and the discrimination unit 16 discriminates each of the two moving objects detected by the detection unit 14 as an "automobile." In this case, the notification unit 18 notifies the user 4 only of the approach of the lead vehicle 12a, but does not notify the user 4 of the approach of the following vehicle 12b. This allows the user 4 to easily predict the approach of the following vehicle 12b traveling on the roadway 10 upon receiving the notification of the approach of the lead vehicle 12a traveling on the roadway 10. Note that instead of such a notification method, the notification unit 18 may, for example, notify the user 4 of the approach of the lead vehicle 12a with a stronger vibration, and of the approach of the following vehicle 12b with a weaker vibration.

[0055] 6, consider a case where the detection unit 14 detects two moving objects traveling in a line on the sidewalk 6, and the discrimination unit 16 discriminates each of the two moving objects detected by the detection unit 14 as a "bicycle" (i.e., other than an "automobile"). In this case, the notification unit 18 notifies the user 4 of the approach of all bicycles 8a, 8b. This allows the user 4 to pay attention to all bicycles 8a, 8b traveling on the sidewalk 6.

[0056] The detection unit 14 may detect whether or not a sidewalk 6 exists on the road on which the user 4 is walking, for example, by using a global positioning system (GPS) and digital map information. If the detection unit 14 detects that a sidewalk 6 exists and the type of moving object determined by the determination unit 16 is a "car," it is considered that the car 12 is unlikely to collide with the user 4 walking on the sidewalk 6, and therefore the notification unit 18 may not notify the user 4 of the approach of the car 12.

[0057] [3. Operation of the alarm device] Next, the operation of the notification device 2 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation of the notification device 2 according to the embodiment.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 7, first, the user 4 turns on the power of the notification device 2 (S101), and walks on the sidewalk 6 while wearing the notification device 2.

[0059] Next, the detection unit 14 of the notification device 2 detects the presence or absence of one or more moving objects moving while approaching the user 4 (S102).

[0060] If the detection unit 14 does not detect one or more moving objects (NO in S103), the process proceeds to step S104. If the user 4 does not turn off the power of the notification device 2 (NO in S104), the process returns to step S102. On the other hand, if the user 4 turns off the power of the notification device 2 (YES in S104), the operation of the notification device 2 ends.

[0061] Returning to step S103, if the detection unit 14 detects one or more moving objects (YES in S103), the discrimination unit 16 of the alarm device 2 discriminates the type of the one or more moving objects detected by the detection unit 14 (S105).

[0062] If the type of one or more moving objects is "bicycle" ("bicycle" in S106), the notification unit 18 notifies the user 4 of the approach of all bicycles 8 (S107). Then, the process proceeds to step S104.

[0063] If the type of one or more moving objects is "automobile" ("automobile" in S106) and the detection unit 14 detects multiple moving objects (multiple automobiles 12) moving in a convoy (YES in S108), the notification unit 18 notifies the user 4 of only the approach of the leading automobile 12a (S109). Then, the process proceeds to step S104.

[0064] On the other hand, if the type of one or more moving objects is "automobile" ("automobile" in S106) and the detection unit 14 does not detect multiple moving objects moving in a convoy (NO in S108), the notification unit 18 notifies the user 4 of the approach of the automobile 12 (S110). Then, the process proceeds to step S104.

[0065] [4. Effects] In this embodiment, as described above, the notification unit 18 changes the notification method of the approach of a moving object depending on the type of moving object identified by the discrimination unit 16. This makes it possible to prevent notifications that are highly necessary to notify of the approach of a moving object (for example, a notification of the approach of a bicycle 8 traveling on the sidewalk 6) from being overshadowed by notifications that are less necessary to notify of the approach of a moving object (for example, a notification of the approach of an automobile 12 traveling on the roadway 10), and to appropriately notify the user 4 of the approach of a moving object.

[0066] [5. Variation 1] Next, the function of the notification unit 18 of the notification device 2 according to the first modification of the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining the function of the notification unit 18 of the notification device 2 according to the first modification of the embodiment.

[0067] Note that in FIG. 8, the position of user 4 is indicated by a circle, but this does not indicate that user 4 is located at the position of the circle itself; rather, it indicates that user 4's position on the X coordinate (horizontal direction) is on the vertical line from the circle. Specifically, we will explain the portion illustrating the case where a moving object traveling at 20 km / h to 30 km / h is approaching horizontally to the left. In FIG. 8, the portion with "20 km / h to 30 km / h" written on the vertical line below user 4's circle is the actual user position (in the case where a moving object traveling at 20 km / h to 30 km / h is approaching), and the case is shown where a moving object traveling at 20 km / h to 30 km / h is approaching from a position 33.33 m to the right of the user position, to the left. Similarly, in the case where a moving object traveling at 15 km / h to 20 km / h is approaching, the portion with "15 km / h to 20 km / h" written on the vertical line below user 4's circle indicates the actual user position.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 8, when a moving object is detected by the detection unit 14, the notification unit 18 according to the first modification notifies the user 4 of the approach of the moving object at a distance predetermined for each speed range of the moving object.

[0069] For example, if the speed range of the moving body is 20 km / h to 30 km / h, the notification unit 18 notifies the user 4 of the approach of the moving body when the predicted time until the moving body gets closest to the user 4 is 3.5 seconds to 6.0 seconds (i.e., when the distance between the user 4 and the moving body is 29.16 m to 33.33 m).

[0070] For example, if the speed range of the moving body is 15 km / h to 20 km / h, the notification unit 18 notifies the user 4 of the approach of the moving body when the predicted time until the moving body gets closest to the user 4 is 3.5 seconds to 6.0 seconds (i.e., when the distance between the user 4 and the moving body is 19.44 m to 25.00 m).

[0071] For example, if the speed range of the moving body is 10 km / h to 15 km / h, the notification unit 18 notifies the user 4 of the approach of the moving body when the predicted time until the moving body gets closest to the user 4 is 3.5 seconds to 6.0 seconds (i.e., when the distance between the user 4 and the moving body is 14.58 m to 16.67 m).

[0072] For example, if the speed range of the moving body is 7.5 km / h to 10 km / h, the notification unit 18 notifies the user 4 of the approach of the moving body when the predicted time until the moving body gets closest to the user 4 is 3.5 seconds to 6.0 seconds (i.e., when the distance between the user 4 and the moving body is 9.72 m to 12.50 m).

[0073] For example, if the speed range of the moving body is 5 km / h to 7.5 km / h, the notification unit 18 notifies the user 4 of the approach of the moving body when the predicted time until the moving body gets closest to the user 4 is 3.5 seconds to 6.0 seconds (i.e., when the distance between the user 4 and the moving body is 7.29 m to 8.33 m).

[0074] The above-described division of each speed range must be performed so as to satisfy two conditions: the speed range (for example, 5 km / h to 30 km / h) that can be detected by the notification device 2 according to this embodiment must be divided so that multiple speed ranges can cover the entire range, and the approach of a moving object must be notified to the user 4 within a range of positions (distances between the user 4 and the moving object) where the predicted time until the moving object gets closest to the user 4 falls within a predetermined range (3.5 seconds to 6.0 seconds in this embodiment). In this embodiment, an example of division of each speed range that satisfies both of the above-described conditions (five divisions: 5 km / h to 7.5 km / h, 7.5 km / h to 10 km / h, 10 km / h to 15 km / h, 15 km / h to 20 km / h, and 20 km / h to 30 km / h) is shown (however, this is merely one example of division that satisfies the conditions, and the division pattern that satisfies the conditions is not necessarily limited to this division pattern). If the allowable range of the predicted time until the moving body comes closest to the user 4 is changed, the division pattern for each speed band that satisfies both of the above-mentioned conditions may also change, so the division pattern is designed to be an appropriate speed band division pattern according to the requirements of the alarm device 2 (if the required specifications regarding the notification timing of the alarm device 2 are changed or if the notification timing of the alarm device 2 can be changed according to the preferences of each individual user, the allowable range of the predicted time until the moving body comes closest to the user 4 will also change according to the change).

[0075] As described above, the faster the speed of the moving object, the further the moving object is from the user 4 when the moving object is notified of its approach, thereby ensuring sufficient time for the user 4 to take action such as avoiding the moving object, and eliminating any delay between when the approach of the moving object is notified and when the moving object actually comes closest to the user 4. As a result, the user 4 can be notified of the approach of the moving object at an appropriate timing.

[0076] [6. Variation 2] Next, the function of the notification unit 18 of the notification device 2 according to the second modification of the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a diagram for explaining the function of the notification unit 18 of the notification device 2 according to the second modification of the embodiment. In Fig. 9, the position of the user 4 is indicated by a circle, as in Fig. 8, but as in Fig. 8, it does not indicate that the user 4 is at the position of the circle itself, but rather indicates that the position of the user 4 on the X coordinate (horizontal direction) is on a line vertical from the circle.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 9, the notification unit 18 according to the second modification notifies the user 4 of the approach of the moving body when the predicted time until the moving body comes closest to the user 4 is less than a threshold value, and does not notify the user 4 of the approach of the moving body when the predicted time is equal to or greater than the threshold value.

[0078] For example, assume that the speed of the moving object is V1 = 30 km / h and the distance between user 4 and the moving object is L1 = 62.50 m. When V1 is converted into m / s, V1 = 8.33 m / s, so the predicted time until the moving object comes closest to user 4 is L1 / V1 = 62.50 / 8.33 = 7.5 seconds. The notification unit 18 compares the predicted time of 7.5 seconds with a threshold value (e.g., 6 seconds). In this case, since the predicted time is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the notification unit 18 does not notify user 4 of the approach of the moving object.

[0079] For example, suppose the speed of the moving object is V2 = 20 km / h, and the distance between the user 4 and the moving object is L2 = 30.55 m. When V2 is converted into m / s, V2 = 5.55 m / s, so the predicted time until the moving object comes closest to the user 4 is L2 / V2 = 30.55 / 5.55 = 5.5 seconds. The notification unit 18 compares the predicted time of 5.5 seconds with the threshold value. In this case, since the predicted time is less than the threshold value, the notification unit 18 notifies the user 4 of the approach of the moving object.

[0080] By notifying the user 4 of the approach of a moving object at the above-mentioned timing, it is possible to ensure sufficient time for the user 4 to take action such as avoiding the moving object, and there is no delay in time from when the approach of the moving object is notified until the moving object actually comes closest to the user 4. As a result, it is possible to notify the user 4 of the approach of a moving object at an appropriate timing.

[0081] In addition, when multiple detection widths (in Figure 9, the vertical length of the area is the detection width) are provided depending on the speed range of the moving object, first (i) the entire detection area is calculated by logically adding the detection areas having multiple detection widths, and it is determined whether the moving object is within that entire detection area, and if the moving object is within that entire detection area, (ii) the predicted time until the moving object comes closest to user 4 can be calculated.

[0082] (Other variations) While the notification device according to one or more aspects has been described based on the above-mentioned embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. As long as it does not deviate from the spirit of the present disclosure, various modifications conceivable by a person skilled in the art to the above-mentioned embodiment or configurations constructed by combining components of different embodiments may also be included within the scope of one or more aspects.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the notification device 2 is used by being worn around the neck of the user 4, but this is not limiting and the notification device 2 may be used by being worn around the wrist of the user 4 or by being hung from the neck of the user 4 with a strap or the like. Alternatively, the notification device 2 may be used by being stored in a bag or the like that is carried by the user 4.

[0084] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the discrimination unit 16 discriminated the moving object moving on the sidewalk 6 as a "bicycle," but this is not limited to this, and it may be discriminated as, for example, a "person moving on a kickboard" or a "person jogging," etc.

[0085] In the above embodiment, the notification unit 18 notifies the user 4 of the approach of a moving object by vibration, but this is not limited thereto, and the notification may be made by light, for example. Alternatively, if the user 4 is visually impaired, the notification unit 18 may notify the user 4 of the approach of a moving object by sound or vibration.

[0086] The notification unit 18 may also notify the user 4 of the approach of a moving object by displaying a message such as "A bicycle is approaching" on a liquid crystal panel or the like.

[0087] In the above-described embodiments, each component may be configured with dedicated hardware, or may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may also be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

[0088] Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the notification device according to the above-described embodiment may be realized by a processor such as a CPU executing a program.

[0089] The present disclosure may be the method described in Technology 8 above. It may also be a computer program for implementing these methods on a computer, or a digital signal comprising the computer program. The present disclosure may also be the computer program or the digital signal recorded on a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium, such as a flexible disk, hard disk, CD-ROM, MO, DVD, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, BD (Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc), semiconductor memory, etc. [Industrial Applicability]

[0090] The present disclosure is applicable to, for example, an alarm device for notifying a user, such as a hearing-impaired person, of the approach of a moving object. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 2. Alarm device 4 users 6. Sidewalks 8, 8a, 8b Bicycle 10 Roadway 12. Automobiles 12a Leading car 12b Following vehicle 14 Detector 16 Discrimination part 18. Information Department 20 detection area

Claims

1. An alarm device that can be worn by a user, a detection unit that detects a moving object approaching the user on a sidewalk or a roadway adjacent to the sidewalk; a discrimination unit that discriminates the type of the moving object detected by the detection unit; a notification unit that notifies the user of the approach of the moving object when the moving object is detected by the detection unit, The notification unit changes a notification method of the approach of the moving object depending on the type of the moving object determined by the determination unit. Alarm device.

2. the detection unit detects the moving object by transmitting electromagnetic waves using a radar and receiving the electromagnetic waves reflected by the moving object; The discrimination unit discriminates the type of the moving object based on at least one of (i) the speed of the moving object calculated based on the electromagnetic waves reflected by the moving object, (ii) clusters obtained by clustering a point cloud that is a collection of points detected by the radar on the moving object, (iii) the S / N ratio of the electromagnetic waves reflected by the moving object, and (iv) the relative position of the moving object with respect to the user detected by the radar. The notification device according to claim 1 .

3. the detection unit detects the plurality of moving bodies moving in formation, The notification unit notifies the user of the approach of only the leading vehicle when the type of each of the plurality of moving bodies determined by the determination unit is an automobile, and notifies the user of the approach of all of the plurality of moving bodies when the type of each of the plurality of moving bodies is other than an automobile. The notification device according to claim 1 .

4. When the determination unit determines that each of the plurality of moving bodies is a vehicle, the determination unit determines whether each of the plurality of moving bodies is a leading vehicle or a following vehicle based on the positional relationship of the plurality of moving bodies or the time difference between notifications of the approach of each of the plurality of moving bodies. The notification device according to claim 3.

5. The detection unit further detects whether or not the sidewalk exists on the road on which the user is walking, When the detection unit detects that the sidewalk exists and the type of the moving object determined by the determination unit is an automobile, the notification unit does not notify the user of the approach of the automobile. The notification device according to claim 1 .

6. When the moving object is detected by the detection unit, the notification unit notifies the user of the approach of the moving object at a timing predetermined for each speed range of the moving object. The notification device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The notification unit notifies the user of the approach of the moving object when the predicted time until the moving object comes closest to the user is less than a threshold, and does not notify the user of the approach of the moving object when the predicted time is equal to or greater than the threshold. The notification device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. A notification method using a notification device worn by a user, comprising: (a) detecting a moving object moving toward the user on a sidewalk or a roadway adjacent to the sidewalk; (b) determining the type of the moving object detected in (a); (c) when the moving object is detected in (a), notifying the user of the approach of the moving object; In the step (c), a method of notifying the user is changed depending on the type of the moving object determined in the step (b). Notification method.

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