Unintended departure prevention guidance device

Abstract

The present invention provides a vehicle departure prevention guidance device that alerts the driver and prevents the vehicle from spontaneously starting when there is a risk of the vehicle starting unexpectedly. [Solution] The system includes a stop detection unit 11 that detects the movement and stopping of the vehicle 1, a door opening / closing detection unit 12 that detects the opening and closing of the vehicle 1's doors, a gradient detection unit 13 that detects the gradient of the road surface on which the vehicle 1 is stopped, stop / hold detection units 14 and 15 that detect the state of the vehicle 1's stop / hold device, a warning information transmission unit 17, and a control device 20 that, when it is determined from the detection information of the stop detection unit 11 that the vehicle 1 is stopped, when it is determined from the detection information of the stop / hold detection units 14 and 15 that the stop / hold device is in an unoperated state, and when the initial movement of opening the door is determined from the detection information of the door opening / closing detection unit 12, the control device 20 transmits warning information to the warning information transmission unit 17 at a level corresponding to the magnitude of the gradient detected by the gradient detection unit 13 to prompt operation of the stop / hold device.

Description

Technical Field

[0005]

[0001] The present invention relates to an unintended vehicle start prevention guidance device that alerts a driver when there is a risk of unintended vehicle start and guides the prevention of unintended vehicle start.

Background Art

[0002] When a driver stops the vehicle and gets off, after stopping the driving source such as the engine, the driver activates the parking brake or sets the transmission to the stopped state and then gets off. For an automatic transmission, setting the transmission means setting the shift lever to the P (parking) position. For a manual transmission, when on an uphill, the shift lever is set to a low gear, and when on a downhill, the shift lever is set to the reverse gear.

[0003] However, when stopping the vehicle and getting off in an emergency, there is a risk of forgetting to activate the parking brake or set the transmission to the stopped state and getting off. In this case, if the road surface (road) where the vehicle is stopped is a slope, the vehicle may start (so-called unintended vehicle start) and roll down the slope due to its own weight.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an invention of an automatic brake device that automatically stops the vehicle when the vehicle starts unintentionally. In this device, when it detects that the engine is stopped, it continues to detect the vehicle speed. When it detects that the vehicle has started moving, it immediately outputs a brake activation instruction signal and automatically activates the brake to stop the vehicle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, the device described in Patent Document 1 stops the vehicle only after detecting that it has started moving, so it cannot prevent the vehicle from spontaneously starting, and the vehicle will move, even if only slightly. For this reason, there is a need for the development of a technology that can prevent the vehicle from spontaneously starting.

[0007] This invention was conceived in response to these challenges, and one of its objectives is to provide a vehicle departure prevention guidance device that alerts the driver when there is a risk of the vehicle spontaneously starting, thereby preventing the vehicle from starting spontaneously. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] This project was undertaken to solve at least some of the above-mentioned problems and can be implemented in the following forms or applications. The spontaneous departure prevention guidance device according to this application example comprises: a stop detection unit that detects the movement and stopping of a vehicle; a door opening / closing detection unit that detects the opening and closing of the vehicle's doors; a gradient detection unit that detects the gradient of the road surface on which the vehicle is stopped; a stop / hold detection unit that detects the state of the vehicle's stop / hold device; a warning information transmission unit that transmits warning information; and a control device that, when it is determined from the detection information of the stop detection unit that the vehicle is stopped, when it is determined from the detection information of the stop / hold detection unit that the stop / hold device is in an unoperated state, and when the initial movement of opening the door is determined from the detection information of the door opening / closing detection unit, transmits warning information to the warning information transmission unit at a level corresponding to the magnitude of the gradient detected by the gradient detection unit, prompting the operation of the stop / hold device.

[0009] According to this application example, if a driver stops the vehicle on a slope and begins to open the doors without operating the stop-holding device, a warning message prompting the driver to operate the stop-holding device will be sent at a level corresponding to the slope of the road surface. Upon receiving the warning message, the driver will stop opening the doors and operate the stop-holding device to the stop-holding position. This prevents the vehicle from spontaneously starting on a slope. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to this case, it is possible to prevent vehicles from spontaneously starting on inclines. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle departure prevention guidance device according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram illustrating a traffic support system according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a vehicle departure prevention guidance device according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram of a road surface (road) showing the operation of a vehicle accident prevention guidance device according to one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The embodiments of this invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are merely illustrative examples, and there is no intention to exclude various modifications or applications of techniques not explicitly shown in these embodiments. Each configuration of the embodiments described below can be modified in various ways without departing from their spirit. Furthermore, they can be selected or combined as needed.

[0013] [1. Configuration of the Unintended Departure Prevention Guidance System] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a spontaneous departure prevention guidance device 10 according to one embodiment. The unintended departure prevention guidance device 10 is installed on the vehicle 1 and, as shown in Figure 1, comprises a vehicle speed sensor (stop detection unit) 11, a door opening / closing sensor (door opening / closing detection unit) 12, a road surface gradient sensor (gradient detection unit) 13, a parking brake sensor (stop holding detection unit) 14 and a gear position sensor (stop holding detection unit) 15, a vehicle side sensor 16 for detecting objects to the side of the vehicle 1, a speaker device (warning information transmission unit) 17, a door lock device 18, and an ECU (electronic control unit) 20 as a control device that controls the operation of the speaker device 17 and the door lock device 18 based on information from each sensor.

[0014] The vehicle speed sensor 11 is, for example, a wheel-side sensor that detects the rotational speed of a wheel (not shown) equipped on the vehicle 1, and detects and outputs the vehicle speed of the vehicle 1. It also functions as a stop detection unit that detects when the vehicle 1 stops from moving (i.e., when the moving vehicle 1 comes to a stop).

[0015] The door opening / closing sensor 12 detects and outputs the opening and closing of the door (not shown) of the vehicle 1, and also functions as a door opening / closing detection unit. Here, we will focus on the one installed on the driver's side door. The door opening / closing sensor 12 outputs a "closed signal" if the door is completely closed, and outputs an "open signal" if the door rotates even slightly from its completely closed position.

[0016] The road surface gradient sensor 13 detects and outputs the tilt angle of the vehicle 1 in the longitudinal direction as the gradient of the road surface 6 (road, see Figure 4) on which the vehicle 1 is traveling. Of course, it also detects and outputs the gradient of the road surface 6 for a stationary vehicle 1, and functions as a gradient detection unit as well.

[0017] The parking brake sensor 14 detects and outputs whether or not the parking brake (not shown) of the vehicle 1 is engaged. Engaging the parking brake brings the vehicle 1 to a stopped state, so the parking brake functions as a stop-holding device that maintains the vehicle 1 in a stopped state, and the parking brake sensor 14 functions as a stop-holding detection unit that detects the state of the stop-holding device.

[0018] The gear position sensor 15 detects the gear position of a transmission (not shown) of the vehicle 1. When the vehicle 1 is stopped and the drive source (a traveling engine, a traveling motor, etc., not shown) of the vehicle 1 is stopped, if the gear position is at a predetermined traveling gear, the transmission functions as a stop holding device that holds the vehicle 1 in a stopped state. The predetermined gear in this case is a reverse gear if the road surface 6 of the vehicle 1 is a downhill slope, a low-speed gear (e.g., first gear) among the forward gears if the road surface 6 of the vehicle 1 is an uphill slope, and a reverse gear or a low-speed gear among the forward gears if the road surface 6 of the vehicle 1 is flat (no slope). Since the gear position sensor 15 detects these gear position settings of the transmission, the gear position sensor 15 functions as a stop holding detection unit that detects the state of the stop holding device. Note that the parking lock can also be included in the gear position of the transmission.

[0019] The vehicle side sensor 16 detects and outputs an object on the side of the vehicle 1. For example, a radar sensor is applied. This vehicle side sensor 16 can detect the presence of an object on the side of the vehicle 1 outside the vehicle 1 (e.g., a vehicle (including a bicycle or a motorcycle) or a person) and its position relative to the vehicle 1. In particular, it can reliably detect an object near the outside of the door of the vehicle 1 (including within the opening trajectory of the door).

[0020] The speaker device 17, although not shown in detail, includes a sound source unit in which various emitted sounds and voice messages are stored, and a speaker unit that amplifies and outputs the emitted sounds and voice messages selectively from the sound source unit to an appropriate volume according to an operation command. The "sound" and "voice message" from the speaker device 17 are emitted toward the driver inside the vehicle and the surroundings of the vehicle 1 outside the vehicle, and also include some warning information. Therefore, the speaker device 17 functions as a warning information transmitting unit.

[0021] The door lock device 18 automatically locks the door in a fully closed state or a semi-closed state (so-called half-door state) according to a command signal. Generally, when the door is fully closed and the vehicle 1 is started, and when the vehicle speed rises to a predetermined vehicle speed, the door is automatically locked in the fully closed state. After that, until the vehicle 1 stops, the door is kept in the locked state. In this embodiment, when attempting to open the door in the fully closed state when the vehicle 1 stops, under predetermined conditions, the door is automatically locked in the semi-closed state. The function of automatically locking the door in the semi-closed state is provided at least for the door used when the driver gets on and off.

[0022] When the ECU 20 determines from the detection information of the vehicle speed sensor 11 that the vehicle 1 has stopped, determines from the detection information of the stop holding sensors 14 and 15 that the stop holding device is in a non-operating state, and detects the start of the door opening operation from the detection information of the door opening / closing sensor 12, the ECU 20 causes the speaker device 17 to emit warning information for prompting the operation of the stop holding device at a level corresponding to the magnitude of the gradient detected by the road surface gradient sensor 13.

[0023] In addition, "the stop holding device is in a non-operating state" means that "at least one of the determination that the parking brake is in a non-operating state from the detection information of the parking brake sensor 14 and the determination that the gear position of the transmission is a gear position that holds the stopped state from the detection information of the gear position sensor 15" is established.

[0024] Furthermore, an explanation will be given regarding "causing the speaker device 17 to emit warning information for prompting the operation of the stop holding device at a level corresponding to the magnitude of the gradient detected by the road surface gradient sensor 13". In this embodiment, when the road surface gradient sensor 13 detects the gradient angle θ of the road surface 6, the ECU 20 compares the gradient angle θ with the judgment criteria values ​​θ1 and θ2 (>θ1) to determine the level of θ. That is, it determines whether θ is at the small angle (θ≦θ1), medium angle (θ1<θ≦θ2), or large angle (θ2<θ). Then, according to the level of the gradient angle θ, it transmits warning information to the speaker device 17 prompting the operation of the stop-holding device. In this embodiment, as described above, the level of the gradient angle θ is divided into stages such as small angle, medium angle, and large angle to set the warning information, but it is also possible to determine the level of the gradient angle θ steplessly and transmit warning information according to the determination result. Stepless here can include not only broad stages such as small angle, medium angle, and large angle, but also fine stages such as 1 degree increments of the gradient angle.

[0025] In this case, the warning information may use a predetermined "sound" that allows the driver or other system to recognize the degree of the warning. In this case, as the "sound" used as warning information, for example, multiple types of "sounds" are prepared, such as Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3, where the sense of urgency increases as the warning level increases. If the gradient angle θ is a small, gentle slope, a "sound" that does not convey a strong sense of urgency is selected; if the gradient angle θ is a medium, moderate slope, a "sound" that conveys a slightly stronger sense of urgency is selected; and if the gradient angle θ is a large, steep slope, a "sound" that conveys an even stronger sense of urgency is selected and transmitted to the speaker device 17.

[0026] Furthermore, voice messages may be used for warning information. In this case, for example, multiple types of "voice messages" are prepared, such that the sense of urgency increases as the warning level rises, such as Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. Then, for a gentle slope, a "voice message" that does not convey a strong sense of urgency is selected; for a moderate slope, a "voice message" that conveys a slightly stronger sense of urgency is selected; and for a steep slope, a "voice message" that conveys an even stronger sense of urgency is selected and transmitted to the speaker device 17.

[0027] Furthermore, when the ECU 20 determines from the vehicle speed sensor 11 that vehicle 1 is stopped, detects the initial movement of a door opening operation from the door opening / closing sensor 12, and determines from the vehicle side sensor 16 that an object is present near the door on the outside (including within the door opening trajectory), it activates the door lock device 18 to automatically lock the door in a semi-closed state (half-door state). At the same time, it transmits a warning message to the speaker device 17 to inform the driver of this. This warning message may also be a predetermined "sound" or a "voice message".

[0028] [2. Configuration of the traffic support system] The driver of vehicle 1 according to this embodiment carries a traffic support terminal 5 of the traffic support system 2. The traffic support system will now be described. This traffic support system 2 detects when pedestrians and other vulnerable road users are in need of assistance (a state requiring assistance), notifies them of the danger, and suggests assistance to users around the vulnerable road user (supporters who carry the traffic support terminal 5 and can protect vulnerable road users), thereby creating an opportunity for mutual assistance and providing an environment in which vulnerable road users can be protected.

[0029] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the traffic support system 2 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, the traffic support system 2 includes a management server 3, a network 4, and multiple traffic support terminals 5-1 to 5-3 (three are shown in Figure 2) (indicated by the symbol "5" if not individually distinguished). Here, it is assumed that the person with limited mobility carries traffic support terminal 5-1, the supporter carries traffic support terminal 5-2, and the driver of vehicle 1 carries traffic support terminal 5-3.

[0030] Each traffic support terminal 5 is configured as a computer, for example, equipped with a processor 51, memory 52, interface 53, storage device 54, GPS receiver 55, emergency switch 56, motion sensor 57, and speaker 58. The traffic support terminal 5 also includes a battery (not shown), and each component operates using power supplied from this battery.

[0031] Interface 53 is a communication interface that controls the connection and communication between its own traffic support terminal 5 (hereinafter referred to as "own traffic support terminal 5") and the management server 3 and other traffic support terminals 5. The storage device 54 can store, for example, information about a person with mobility impairments who carries a transportation support terminal 5-1, such as disability information, care needs information, pregnancy information, chronic illness information, physical condition information, and mental state information.

[0032] The GPS receiver 55 receives signals transmitted from GPS satellites and determines the location of the self-driving assistance terminal 5. The emergency switch 56 is a switch that the user of the traffic support terminal 5 can operate. The user can turn it on by pressing or performing other operational inputs when they wish to receive assistance in an emergency.

[0033] The motion sensor 57, for example, includes an accelerometer and a gyroscope, and detects the movement of the self-driving assistance terminal 5. Based on the signal detected by this motion sensor 57, the processor 51 can determine whether the user of the driving assistance terminal 5 is walking, standing still, etc. Speaker 58 is an output device that outputs sound. Emergency switch 56 is a switch that the user of the self-driving assistance terminal 5 operates, and the user turns it on by pressing or performing other operation inputs when they wish to receive assistance in an emergency.

[0034] The management server 3 communicates with the traffic support terminals 5 via the network 4 and manages each traffic support terminal 5. The management server 3 is an example of an external device and also an example of a traffic support control device. The management server 3 is a computer with server functions and includes, for example, a processor 31, memory 32, interface 33, and storage device 34. The memory 32 of the management server 3 stores information such as the user's movement history, including vehicle driving history.

[0035] With the above configuration, the traffic support system 2 can be used to provide assistance suggestions to users (supporters carrying the traffic support terminal 5 who can protect vulnerable road users) when a vulnerable road user such as a pedestrian is in need of assistance (in need of assistance). The user can then provide assistance in response to the suggestion. Furthermore, by coordinating with the vehicle 1's unintended departure prevention guidance device 10, it is expected that pedestrians and other vulnerable road users can be protected from danger and guided to alternative routes. Furthermore, while the above describes support for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, the support system is not limited to these. By having supporters, the driver of vehicle 1, or passengers of vehicle 1 carry the traffic support terminal 5, supporters, drivers, or passengers of vehicle 1 may also find themselves in a state requiring support (a state of needing support) depending on the circumstances. For example, if a driver or passenger of vehicle 1 becomes in need of rescue from inside the vehicle (a state of needing support), the system can provide a suggestion for support to users in the vicinity of this person (supporters carrying the traffic support terminal 5 who can protect vulnerable road users in need of support). These users can then provide protection to the driver or passenger in question in response to the suggestion.

[0036] [3. Action and Effects] The spontaneous departure prevention guidance device 10 according to this embodiment is configured as described above, and can provide guidance to prevent spontaneous departure by controlling the ECU 20, for example, as shown in the flowchart of Figure 3. The flowchart of Figure 3 is performed at a predetermined interval unless the vehicle 1's system completely shuts down.

[0037] As shown in Figure 3, first, various information is acquired, namely, vehicle speed information from the vehicle speed sensor 11, door open / close information from the door open / close sensor 12, stop / hold information (information on whether either of them is in a stop / hold state) from the parking brake sensor 14 and gear position sensor 15, gradient information of the road surface 6 on which the vehicle 1 is traveling from the road surface gradient sensor 13, and information on the presence or absence of an object to the side of the vehicle 1 from the vehicle side sensor 16 (step S10). If necessary, information such as vehicle travel history may also be acquired from the management server 3.

[0038] Next, it is determined from the vehicle speed information whether or not vehicle 1, which was in motion, has stopped (step S20). If it is determined that vehicle 1 has not stopped, both the first warning information (i.e., a warning that "the stop-holding device is in an inoperable state") and the second warning information (i.e., a warning that "an object is present near the door on the outside of the door (including within the door's opening trajectory)") are stopped from being issued (step S52).

[0039] If it is determined in step S20 that vehicle 1 is stopped, it is determined from the door opening / closing information whether the closed door has started to be opened (i.e., whether there has been an initial movement to open it) (step S30). If the door has not started to be opened, it is determined that there has been no door opening operation, and the first warning information is not transmitted (step S56).

[0040] If it is determined in step S30 that the door has started to be opened, it is determined from the stop-hold information whether either the parking brake sensor 14 or the gear position sensor 15 is in a stop-hold state (step S40). If it is determined that either the parking brake sensor 14 or the gear position sensor 15 is in a stop-hold state, the first warning information is stopped from being sent (step S56).

[0041] If, in step S40, it is determined that neither the parking brake sensor 14 nor the gear position sensor 15 is in a stopped position, the gradient angle θ of the road surface 6 based on the gradient information is compared with reference values ​​θ1 and θ2 to determine the gradient level of the road surface 6, and warning information corresponding to the gradient level is set (step S50). Then, based on this setting, the speaker device 17 transmits the first warning information (step S54).

[0042] Next, the process proceeds from step S54, or from step S56 to step S60, where it is determined from the information on the presence or absence of objects on the side of the vehicle 1, in particular, near the outer door of the door being opened (including within the door's opening trajectory). If it is determined that an object is present near the outside of the door, the speaker device 17 transmits a second warning (step S62), and the door lock device 18 is activated to automatically lock the door in a semi-closed state (half-door state) (step S70). If it is not determined that an object is present near the outside of the door, the transmission of the second warning (step S64) is stopped. Also, the automatic locking of the door in a semi-closed state (half-door state) is not performed or is canceled (step S72).

[0043] Next, the system proceeds from step S52, step S70, or step S72 to step S80, where it is determined whether or not the system is in a control stop state. A control stop state is a state in which the system of vehicle 1 has completely shut down. If it is determined that the system is in a control stop state, the warning information (first warning information and second warning information) is stopped (step S90), and this control is terminated. If it is not determined in step S80 that the system is in a control stop state, this control is continued.

[0044] Next, we will explain with specific examples, referring to Figure 4. The driver 1D of vehicle 1 is carrying a traffic support terminal 5-3 of the traffic support system 2. Here, a vulnerable road user is walking ahead of the road surface 6 as the driver 1D of vehicle 1 is driving, and as vehicle 1 approaches, the vulnerable road user carrying the traffic support terminal 5-1 either performs an operation to indicate that they need assistance, or the traffic support system 2 determines that the vulnerable road user is in a situation where they need assistance. This information is transmitted to the driver of vehicle 1 via the traffic support terminal 5-3 as it approaches the vulnerable road user who needs assistance.

[0045] As shown in Figure 4, the driver 1D of vehicle 1 stops vehicle 1 in front of a vulnerable road user (see star in the figure) on the road surface 6 inside tunnel 7 who is in need of assistance, and tries to get out of the vehicle in a hurry to provide assistance. At this time, if the driver 1D providing assistance is in a hurry, it is possible that he will try to get out of the vehicle without setting either the parking brake or the transmission to the stop-hold position. In this case, as shown in Figure 4, if the road surface 6 on which vehicle 1 has stopped is on a slope (in this case, a downhill slope), there is a risk that vehicle 1 will spontaneously start moving due to its own weight if it is not set to the stop-hold position.

[0046] At this time, the vehicle departure prevention guidance device 10 activates, and when the driver 1D begins to operate to open the door, it detects the initial movement and transmits a first warning message. At this time, if the slope of the road surface 6 on which the vehicle 1 is stopped is slight, the risk of spontaneous departure is low, but the steeper the slope of the road surface 6, the higher the risk of spontaneous departure. The device 10 transmits a "sound" or "voice message" as the first warning information, selecting a type that conveys a stronger sense of urgency the steeper the slope (the larger the slope angle), according to the level of the slope.

[0047] These "sounds" and "voice messages" are emitted from the speaker device 17 towards the driver 1D inside the vehicle and the area around the vehicle 1 outside the vehicle. This allows the driver 1D to be prompted to set the parking brake or the transmission to a stopped position as needed. Driver 1D can prevent vehicle 1 from spontaneously starting by responding to the first warning information and setting the parking brake or transmission to a stopped / held state. Furthermore, by hearing this warning information, those around vehicle 1 can pay attention to the vehicle's behavior, and if driver 1D fails to respond to the first warning information, it becomes possible to take some kind of action.

[0048] Furthermore, in addition to preventing the vehicle 1 from spontaneously moving, the device 10 also issues a second warning message and automatically locks the door in a semi-closed state (half-door state) if an object is detected near the door outside the door that is being opened. This prevents the driver 1D from opening the door and causing it to collide with an object outside the door (including a person or a motorcycle with a person on it). In this case, the object outside the door will usually move, and the door will be released after it has moved.

[0049] Figure 4 illustrates the case where a vulnerable road user requiring assistance is on the road surface 6 inside tunnel 7, which is also to explain the advantages of the traffic assistance system 2. In other words, if a vulnerable road user requiring assistance enters tunnel 7 and does not come out of it in a situation where GPS etc. cannot be used, such as inside tunnel 7, it is considered that the vulnerable road user is stopped inside tunnel 7 and requires assistance. In this case, by using the traffic assistance system 2 to inform the driver 1D of vehicle 1 approaching tunnel 7 that a vulnerable road user is stopped inside tunnel 7 and requires assistance, the driver 1D can drive cautiously, find the vulnerable road user, and provide assistance.

[0050] [4. Others] Although one embodiment has been described above, the following configurations can also be added to or modified in this embodiment. In other words, in the above embodiment, the type of "sound" or "voice message" transmitted as the first warning information is simply changed based solely on the gradient angle of the road surface 6. However, the conditions under which a vehicle is more likely to spontaneously start on a slope depend on factors other than the gradient of the road surface. For example, factors such as road surface friction coefficient (μ), weather conditions like rainfall, and the load on the vehicle (especially commercial vehicles) also affect spontaneous starting on inclines. For instance, the lower the road surface friction coefficient, the heavier the rainfall, and the heavier the load, the more likely a vehicle is to spontaneously start on an incline. Therefore, it is preferable to take these factors into account and change the type of "sound" or "voice message" transmitted as the first warning information.

[0051] Furthermore, as an example of how this device 10 can be effectively used, we have described a case where the driver 1D of vehicle 1 is carrying the traffic support terminal 5-3 of the traffic support system 2 and attempts to rescue a vulnerable road user. However, this device 10 can be widely used in various situations to avoid or reduce the risk of vehicle 1 spontaneously starting due to the driver 1D forgetting to perform the stop-hold operation.

[0052] In addition to stopping and holding operations, it can also be widely used to avoid or reduce the risk of danger inside vehicle 1 when a driver error by driver 1D occurs. Furthermore, while this device detects the initial movement of the door opening operation, it may be assumed that there is a person in the driver's seat of vehicle 1 at the time of the initial movement of the door opening operation or immediately before it. In this case, if an accelerator opening sensor (accelerator opening sensing unit) or a seating sensor is provided, the determination of whether or not there is a person in the driver's seat of vehicle 1 may be made based on the information detected by this accelerator opening sensor (accelerator opening sensing unit) or seating sensor. In the case of an accelerator opening sensor (accelerator opening sensing unit), for example, it may be determined that there is a person in the driver's seat if the access opening is greater than a predetermined value (for example, greater than 0).

[0053] In the above embodiment, the system is applied to a vehicle where the driver's seat and passenger seat are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction. However, it is not limited to this configuration and may also be applied to a vehicle where, for example, the driver's seat is in the center in the vehicle width direction. In this case, the driver and passengers can get in and out of the vehicle from either the left or right door. Therefore, in cases where there is no distinction between the driver's side door and the passenger's side door, as in the above-described vehicle where the driver's seat and passenger seat are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction, the driver and other occupants are expected to get in and out from either the right or left side in the vehicle width direction. In such cases, the system may determine whether the person is an adult or a child using, for example, the traffic support terminals 5-1 to 5-3 or the seating sensor, and change the control of the warning information transmission unit 17 or the door lock device 18 according to this determination. The determination of whether the person is an adult or a child can be made by the traffic support terminals 5-1 to 5-3 using pre-registered information such as age, or by using information such as weight that can be determined by the seating sensor.

[0054] Furthermore, the door opening / closing sensor 12 and the control resulting from the detection of opening and closing by this door opening / closing sensor 12 may be equipped not only on the driver's seat, but also on some other doors such as the passenger seat or cargo area, or on all doors. In this case, the vehicle side sensor 16 may be provided on the passenger side, or it may be replaced by a sensor that detects the vehicle's front-rear direction or up-down direction in addition to or instead of the vehicle side sensor 16. The vehicle side sensor 16 may be a camera, a LiDAR (next-generation radar), or a human presence sensor (next-generation sensor). Furthermore, the vehicle side sensor 16 may be a radar sensor that uses invisible or visible light.

[0055] Furthermore, in addition to or instead of the speaker device 17 in Figure 1, a light device may be provided in the vehicle 1. In this case, the light device includes a light unit that selectively outputs a color or color message from a color-emitting unit according to an operation command of a color-emitting unit that stores various light-emitting colors (e.g., conditional red warning light, flashing light, etc.) and color messages (e.g., light-emitting messages (text information), etc.). The "color" and "color message" from the light device are emitted towards the driver 1D inside the vehicle and the surroundings of the vehicle 1 outside the vehicle, and may include some warning information. For this reason, the light device functions as a warning information emitter that is more easily communicated to children, people with hearing impairments, etc. When a lighting device is provided in this manner, for example, in Figure 3 and its explanation, the above-mentioned light-emitting colors and color messages can be applied to the first warning information, second warning information, etc.

[0056] Furthermore, if both a speaker system and a lighting system are installed, the sound and light may be synchronized. Furthermore, the speaker device 17 does not have a sound source unit; for example, the sound source unit may be included in the ECU (control unit) 20. The speaker device 17 may have multiple sound source units and speaker units installed separately. In environments where the speaker device 17 is not needed, it may be possible to disable it automatically or through the manufacturer or driver. Furthermore, while the gradient level was used in step 50 of Figure 3, the level of warning information may be determined by combining it with other information. For example, rain information may be used as other information. In this case, vehicle 1 may be equipped with a raindrop sensor, and when there are many raindrops, a type of warning that conveys a stronger sense of urgency may be selected and transmitted compared to when there are few raindrops. In addition to the combination of gradient level and rain information, multiple pieces of information may also be combined. When using rain information, rain information included in the vehicle driving history, etc., may be obtained from the management server 3 shown in Figure 2 as needed. Furthermore, the gradient level may be combined with the various pieces of information from the management server 3 shown in Figure 2 as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0057] 1 vehicle 1D driver 2. Traffic support system 3. Management Server 4 Network 5-1~5-3 Transportation support terminals 6. Road surface (driving surface, road) 7 Tunnel 10. Unintended Departure Prevention Guidance Device 11. Vehicle speed sensor (stop detection unit) 12. Door opening / closing sensor (door opening / closing detection unit) 13. Road surface gradient sensor (gradient detection unit) 14. Parking brake sensor (stop and hold detection unit) 15. Gear position sensor (stop / hold detection unit) 16. Vehicle side sensors 17. Speaker device (warning information transmission unit) 18 Door locking device 20. ECU (Electronic Control Unit) as a control device

Claims

[Claim 1] A stop detection unit that detects when a vehicle is moving and when it is stopped, A door opening / closing detection unit that detects the opening and closing of the vehicle's doors, A gradient detection unit that detects the gradient of the road surface on which the vehicle is stopped, A stop-hold detection unit that detects the state of the vehicle's stop-hold device, A warning information dissemination unit that issues warning information, The control device includes a control device that, when it is determined from the stop detection unit that the vehicle is stopped, when it is determined from the stop-hold detection unit that the stop-hold device is in an inoperable state, and when it is determined from the door-open / close detection unit that the door has just opened, it causes the warning information transmitting unit to transmit warning information to prompt the operation of the stop-hold device at a level corresponding to the magnitude of the gradient detected by the gradient detection unit. A guidance device to prevent unintended departure, characterized by the above features.

Images