Vehicle display device

Abstract

To notify a pedestrian of timing when a vehicle moves and turns right or left when the vehicle turns right or left.SOLUTION: A road surface drawing part draws a notice display 20 on a road surface with a safety color in the case giving way to a pedestrian 46 when a direction indicator of a vehicle 10 operates, and draws the notice display 20 on the road surface with a second color different from the safety color in cases other than giving way to the pedestrian 46. During passage of the vehicle 10 through an intersection 42, during passage of the vehicle 10 through the front of a crosswalk 44, or in the case that it has been recognized that there is the pedestrian 46 in the front of the vehicle 10 and when it has been assumed that a brake of the vehicle 10 is switched ON and the vehicle 10 stops in the front of the crosswalk 44, the road surface drawing part draws the notice display 20 on the road surface with the safety color.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle display device that uses light to display a notification on a road surface in the vehicle's traveling direction. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art A vehicle display device is known that uses light to display a notification sign on the road surface in the vehicle's traveling direction.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a device that, when the braking of a vehicle is switched from on to off, draws on the road surface a departure notification display indicating that the vehicle is about to start moving. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-55519 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The device described in Patent Document 1 merely displays a notification indicating that a vehicle is about to depart, and is unable to notify pedestrians of the timing at which the vehicle will move and turn right or left when the vehicle is about to turn right or left.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to notify pedestrians of the timing when a vehicle is about to turn right or left when the vehicle is moving to turn right or left. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure is a vehicle display device comprising: a road surface drawing unit mounted on a vehicle that draws a notification display with light on the road surface in the direction of travel of the vehicle; and a control unit that, when the vehicle's turn indicator is activated and the vehicle is to give way to a pedestrian, causes the road surface drawing unit to draw the notification display on the road surface in a first color, or turns off the drawing, and, in a case other than the case of giving way to a pedestrian, causes the road surface drawing unit to draw the notification display on the road surface in a second color different from the first color.

[0008] According to the above configuration, when the turn signal of the vehicle is activated, that is, when the vehicle is about to turn right or left, the timing of the vehicle's movement to turn right or left can be notified to pedestrians by changing the color of the notification display. Also, the decision of the vehicle driver regarding whether to give way to the pedestrian can be notified to pedestrians.

[0009] The case where the control unit should give way to a pedestrian is when the control unit recognizes that the vehicle is passing through an intersection based on the position information of the vehicle, recognizes that the vehicle is passing in front of a crosswalk using a camera mounted on the vehicle, or recognizes that there is a pedestrian in front of the vehicle using the camera, and predicts that the vehicle will stop in front of a crosswalk with the brakes on. With this configuration, it is possible to separately control the rendering of the notification display depending on whether the vehicle will stop in front of a crosswalk.

[0010] In a case different from the case of yielding to a pedestrian, the control unit may cause the road surface drawing unit to sequentially draw a plurality of notification displays. With this configuration, it is possible to more clearly inform pedestrians of the direction in which the vehicle is traveling.

[0011] The control unit may further cause the road surface drawing unit to draw a traveling area in which the vehicle is traveling, the traveling area having a width of the vehicle. With this configuration, the traveling area in which the vehicle is traveling can be more clearly notified to pedestrians.

[0012] The control unit may further cause the road surface drawing unit to draw a non-traveling area outside the travelling area in which the vehicle is not to travel, and the travelling area and the non-travelling area may be drawn in different colors. With this configuration, the travelling area in which the vehicle is to travel and the area in which the vehicle is not to travel can be notified to pedestrians by the difference in color.

[0013] The control unit may change a drawing range of the notification display in accordance with a speed of the vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the vehicle display device according to the present disclosure, when a vehicle is about to turn right or left, it is possible to notify pedestrians of the timing when the vehicle will move and turn right or left. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing notification displays in four directions on the left and right when the vehicle is viewed from above. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a display device for a vehicle; [Figure 3] 10 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment in which a safety-colored notification sign is drawn on a road surface. FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment in which a warning colored notification display is drawn on a road surface. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment in which the notification display drawing is turned off. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams of an embodiment in which sequentially lit notification displays are drawn on the road surface. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams of an embodiment in which a notification display of a travel area is drawn on a road surface. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams of an example in which a notification display of a non-traveling area is drawn on the road surface. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams of an embodiment in which a notification display according to speed is drawn on the road surface. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams of an embodiment in which a notification display according to speed is drawn on the road surface. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] A vehicle equipped with a display device for a vehicle according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram of the vehicle as seen from above. The vehicle 10 is an automobile.

[0017] A pair of left and right headlights 12 is provided at the front of the vehicle 10, and a pair of left and right rear combination lamps 14 is provided at the rear of the vehicle 10.

[0018] The right headlight 12 is provided with a vehicle display device 16a that projects light onto the road surface on the right side in front of the vehicle, and the left headlight 12 is provided with a vehicle display device 16b that projects light onto the road surface on the left side in front of the vehicle.

[0019] The right rear combination lamp 14 is provided with a vehicle display device 16c that projects light onto the road surface on the right rear side of the vehicle, and the left rear combination lamp 14 is provided with a vehicle display device 16d that projects light onto the road surface on the left rear side of the vehicle.

[0020] The rear combination lamp 14 does not necessarily have to be provided with the vehicle display device 16. The vehicle display device 16 may be provided in the center of the front of the vehicle 10, and the direction in which the light is emitted may be switched to the right or left. The same applies to the rear of the vehicle 10.

[0021] The vehicle display device 16 projects light onto the road surface to draw a notification mark 20 on the road surface. The notification mark 20 is composed of, for example, marks 20a, 20b, and 20c arranged in a line. Each of the marks 20a, 20b, and 20c has the shape of an arrow tip. In the notification mark 20 drawn on the road surface in front of the vehicle, the arrow tip points to the right or left in front of the vehicle 10, and in the notification mark 20 drawn on the road surface behind the vehicle, the arrow tip points to the right or left in rear of the vehicle 10. The shapes of the marks shown in FIG. 1 are merely examples, and each mark may have a shape other than the shapes shown. Furthermore, the number of marks is also merely examples, and the notification mark 20 may be composed of one or more marks. The vehicle display device 16 may light up all of the marks 20a, 20b, and 20c at the same time, may light up some of the marks 20a, 20b, and 20c at the same time, or may light up the marks 20a, 20b, and 20c in order in a sequential manner.

[0022] The configuration of the vehicle display device 16, which combines the vehicle display devices 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d, will be described below with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the vehicle display device 16.

[0023] The vehicle display device 16 includes a road surface drawing unit 22 and a control unit 24. A starter switch sensor 26, a shift sensor 28, a brake sensor 30, a steering angle sensor 32, a speed sensor 34, a position information acquisition unit 36, a radar sensor 38, a turn signal sensor 40, and an image capture unit 41 are provided in the vehicle 10 and output signals to the control unit 24.

[0024] The road surface drawing unit 22 includes a light source 22a and a light deflector 22b, and draws the notification display 20 on the road surface by irradiating the road surface with light from the light source 22a. The road surface drawing unit 22 can change the brightness, color, shape, irradiation position, and irradiation range of the light to be irradiated.

[0025] As the light source 22a, for example, a semiconductor light emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode), an LD (Laser Diode), or an EL (Electro Luminescence) element, a light bulb, a halogen lamp, or an incandescent lamp is used.

[0026] The optical deflection device 22b emits light from the light source 22a to the outside of the vehicle display device 16. For example, a DMD (Digital Mirror Device) or DLP (registered trademark), which are examples of micromirror devices, is used as the optical deflection device 22b. For example, the optical deflection device 22b has a micromirror array in which a plurality of minute mirror elements, each having a reflective surface on its surface, are arranged in a matrix. The micromirror array can form various light distribution patterns by controlling the on / off of each mirror element arranged in a matrix.

[0027] Light source 22a may be a light source unit of three or more colors, such as red, green, and blue, which is time-divisionally irradiated onto optical deflector 22b, and the mirror elements may be switched on and off to achieve light of a desired color. Furthermore, notification sign 20 having a desired brightness and color and a desired shape can be drawn on the road surface by a collection of light emitted in a matrix.

[0028] As the optical deflection device 22b, an optical MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems), a polygon mirror, or the like may be used instead of the DMD.

[0029] The road surface drawing unit 22 is configured to swing using a motor or the like. The road surface drawing unit 22 of the vehicle display device 16 included in the headlamp 12 is controlled by the control unit 24 to tilt up, down, left, and right, and can switch the direction of light irradiation onto the road surface to either the front or diagonally forward of the vehicle 10. The road surface drawing unit 22 of the vehicle display device 16 included in the rear combination lamp 14 is controlled by the control unit 24 to tilt up, down, left, and right, and can switch the direction of light irradiation onto the road surface to either the rear or diagonally rear of the vehicle 10.

[0030] The control unit 24 determines whether or not it is necessary to draw the notification display 20 based on outputs from at least one of the start switch sensor 26, the shift sensor 28, the brake sensor 30, the steering angle sensor 32, the speed sensor 34, the position information acquisition unit 36, the radar sensor 38, the turn signal sensor 40, and the photographing unit 41. If drawing is necessary, the control unit 24 causes the road surface drawing unit 22 to draw the notification display 20 on the road surface, and if drawing is not necessary, the control unit 24 does not cause the road surface drawing unit 22 to draw the notification display 20.

[0031] The start switch sensor 26 detects whether a start switch (for example, an ignition switch or a start switch) of the vehicle 10 is on or off, and outputs the detection result to the control unit 24.

[0032] The shift sensor 28 detects whether the shift lever of the vehicle 10 is in a forward position (drive D position), a reverse position (reverse R position), or a parking P position, and outputs the detection result to the control unit 24.

[0033] The braking sensor 30 detects whether the braking brake (for example, a foot brake, a hand brake, or an automatic brake in an automatic driving system) of the vehicle 10 is on (braking state) or off (released state), and outputs the detection result to the control unit 24.

[0034] The steering angle sensor 32 detects whether the vehicle 10 is traveling straight or steering to the right or left, and outputs the detection result to the control unit 24. For example, based on the steering angle of the steering wheel when the vehicle 10 is traveling straight, the steering angle when steering in the direction of turning right is defined as a positive angle, and the steering angle when steering in the direction of turning left is defined as a negative angle. The steering angle sensor 32 detects a positive steering angle as steering the vehicle 10 to the right, and detects a negative steering angle as steering the vehicle 10 to the left.

[0035] The speed sensor 34 detects the speed of the vehicle 10 and outputs the detection result to the control unit 24. The speed sensor 34 also detects the acceleration of the vehicle 10 (for example, acceleration G during acceleration, deceleration G during deceleration) and outputs the detection result to the control unit 24.

[0036] The location information acquisition unit 36 ​​acquires location information of the vehicle 10 using a satellite positioning system such as a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) or a Global Positioning System (GPS), and outputs the location information to the control unit 24. The location information acquisition unit 36 ​​may acquire map information, information indicating road conditions (e.g., traffic congestion), location information of other vehicles, and the like via a communication path such as the Internet. The location information acquisition unit 36 ​​may acquire, using a road information communication system, information on traffic congestion at the current location indicated by the current location information of the vehicle 10, information on traffic lights installed at intersections where the vehicle 10 is scheduled to arrive (e.g., stop signals such as red lights), and the like. The road information communication system is, for example, VICS (registered trademark).

[0037] The radar sensor 38 is a microwave radar sensor, a millimeter wave radar sensor, or the like, and detects, for example, objects (e.g., other vehicles, people, animals, and other obstacles) present in front of the vehicle 10 and outputs the detection results to the control unit 24. The radar sensor 38 may also detect objects present to the sides or rear of the vehicle 10 and output the detection results to the control unit 24.

[0038] The turn indicator sensor 40 detects whether the turn indicator switch mounted on the vehicle 10 is on or off, and outputs the detection result to the control unit 24 .

[0039] The photographing unit 41 includes an on-board camera 41a and an image processing device 41b, and generates images (for example, moving images or still images) by capturing images using the on-board camera 41a.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 1 , the on-board camera 41a is provided, for example, above the windshield 18 to capture images ahead of the vehicle 10. This arrangement is merely an example, and the on-board camera 41a may be built into the headlight 12, or may be provided on the upper surface of the ceiling, hood, door mirror, or the like of the vehicle 10. Furthermore, an on-board camera that captures images to the side of the vehicle 10 or an on-board camera that captures images behind the vehicle 10 may be provided on the upper surface of the ceiling, hood, door mirror, or the like of the vehicle 10. An on-board camera may also be provided in the rear combination lamp 14.

[0041] The image processing device 41b analyzes an image captured by the on-board camera and outputs the analysis result to the control unit 24. For example, the image processing device 41b analyzes the image to detect objects (e.g., other vehicles, people, animals, signs, and other obstacles) shown in the image and outputs the detection result to the control unit 24.

[0042] The control unit 24 may acquire images captured by the road monitoring camera via a communication path such as the Internet.

[0043] The operation of the vehicle display device 16 will now be described.

[0044] When the turn signal of the vehicle 10 is operating and the vehicle is to give way to a pedestrian, the control unit 24 causes the road surface drawing unit 22 to draw the notification mark 20 on the road surface in a safety color or to turn off the drawing of the notification mark 20. In a case other than when the vehicle is to give way to a pedestrian, the control unit 24 causes the road surface drawing unit 22 to draw the notification mark 20 on the road surface in a warning color different from the safety color. The safety color corresponds to an example of the first color, and the warning color corresponds to an example of the warning color.

[0045] The control unit 24 determines whether or not the turn indicator of the vehicle 10 is operating based on the detection result of the turn indicator sensor 40. If the turn indicator sensor 40 detects that the turn indicator switch is on, the control unit 24 determines that the turn indicator is operating, and if the turn indicator sensor 40 detects that the turn indicator switch is off, the control unit 24 determines that the turn indicator is not operating.

[0046] The safety colors and warning colors are predetermined colors. For example, the safety colors are blue and green, and the warning colors are red and orange. These colors are merely examples, and other colors may be used as the safety colors and warning colors.

[0047] A case where the control unit 24 gives way to a pedestrian occurs when the control unit 24 recognizes that the vehicle 10 is passing through an intersection based on the position information of the vehicle 10, and predicts that the brake of the vehicle 10 is on and that the vehicle 10 will stop in front of the crosswalk.

[0048] The control unit 24 determines whether the vehicle 10 is passing through an intersection based on the location information of the vehicle 10 acquired by the location information acquisition unit 36 ​​and the map information. An intersection is a location where two or more roads intersect, such as a three-way intersection (a T-junction or a Y-junction), a four-way intersection (a 10-way intersection), a five-way intersection, a six-way intersection, a seven-way intersection, a scramble intersection, or a rotary intersection. The map indicated by the map information shows roads whose actual locations, sizes, and shapes are reflected, and crosswalks whose actual locations, sizes, and shapes are reflected. The control unit 24 determines whether the vehicle 10 is passing through an intersection based on such map information and the location information of the vehicle 10.

[0049] The control unit 24 may determine whether the vehicle 10 is passing through an intersection by analyzing an image generated by the in-vehicle camera 41a or an image generated by a camera installed on the road.

[0050] The control unit 24 estimates whether the vehicle 10 will stop in front of the crosswalk based on the distance from the position of the vehicle 10 when the brake is applied to the crosswalk in front of the vehicle 10, the speed of the vehicle 10 detected by the speed sensor 34 when the brake is applied, and the deceleration G detected when the brake is applied.

[0051] The application of the brake is detected by the brake sensor 30. A crosswalk in front of the vehicle 10 is detected, for example, based on the position information of the vehicle 10 and map information. The control unit 24 detects a crosswalk in front of the vehicle 10 in the direction of travel based on the current position of the vehicle 10, the direction of travel of the vehicle 10, and the position of the crosswalk indicated in the map information, and further calculates the distance between the current position of the vehicle 10 and the crosswalk. The control unit 24 calculates the travel distance of the vehicle 10 until the vehicle 10, at the speed at which the brake was applied, stops based on the deceleration G obtained by applying the brake. If the travel distance until the vehicle 10 stops is equal to or less than the distance between the current position of the vehicle 10 and the crosswalk, the control unit 24 assumes that the vehicle 10 will stop in front of the crosswalk. If the travel distance until the vehicle 10 stops is longer than the distance between the current position of the vehicle 10 and the crosswalk, the control unit 24 infers that the vehicle 10 will not stop before the crosswalk.

[0052] As another example, a case where the control unit 24 gives way to a pedestrian occurs when the control unit 24 recognizes from the onboard camera 41a that the vehicle 10 is passing in front of a crosswalk, and infers that the brakes of the vehicle 10 are on and the vehicle 10 will stop in front of the crosswalk.

[0053] The control unit 24 determines whether the vehicle 10 is passing in front of a pedestrian crossing based on the position information of the vehicle 10 and map information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 36. For example, the control unit 24 determines whether a pedestrian crossing exists in front of the vehicle 10 in the traveling direction based on the position information of the vehicle 10 and map information. The control unit 24 may determine whether a pedestrian crossing exists in front of the vehicle 10 in the traveling direction by analyzing an image captured by the in-vehicle camera 41a. If a pedestrian crossing exists in front of the vehicle 10 in the traveling direction, the control unit 24 calculates the distance between the vehicle 10 and the pedestrian crossing based on the position information of the vehicle 10 and map information. The control unit 24 may calculate the distance between the vehicle 10 and the pedestrian crossing by analyzing an image captured by the in-vehicle camera 41a. If a pedestrian crossing exists in front of the vehicle 10 in the traveling direction and the distance between the vehicle 10 and the pedestrian crossing is equal to or less than a threshold, the control unit 24 determines that the vehicle 10 is passing in front of the pedestrian crossing.

[0054] As another example, a case where the vehicle should give way to a pedestrian is when the control unit 24 recognizes that there is a pedestrian in front of the vehicle 10 using the onboard camera 41a, and predicts that the brakes of the vehicle 10 are on and that the vehicle 10 will stop in front of a crosswalk.

[0055] The control unit 24 analyzes the image captured by the in-vehicle camera 41a to determine whether or not a pedestrian is present in front of the vehicle 10 within a predetermined distance from the vehicle 10. If a pedestrian is present in front of the vehicle 10 within a predetermined distance from the vehicle 10, the control unit 24 determines that a pedestrian is present in front of the vehicle 10.

[0056] A switch for instructing the driver to give way to pedestrians may be provided in the driver's seat of the vehicle 10, and when the switch is pressed, the control unit 24 may detect that the driver has decided to give way to pedestrians.

[0057] Each embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 3 to 10. Figures 3 to 10 are explanatory diagrams of an embodiment in which a notification display 20 is drawn on the road surface.

[0058] As shown in Figures 3 to 10, vehicle 10 is passing through intersection 42. Intersection 42 is a four-way intersection where four roads intersect. A crosswalk 44 is formed on each road. Vehicle 10 is moving forward and turning left at intersection 42, and crosswalk 44 is located ahead of vehicle 10. A pedestrian 46 is about to cross crosswalk 44 on the sidewalk ahead and to the left of vehicle 10.

[0059] When the vehicle 10 is yielding to a pedestrian 46 while the turn signal is activated, the control unit 24 causes the road surface drawing unit 22 to draw a notification mark 20 on the road surface in a safety color. The notification mark 20 shown in Fig. 3 is drawn on the road surface in a safety color (e.g., blue or green).

[0060] For example, the left turn signal of the vehicle 10 is activated while the vehicle 10 is making a left turn. When the turn signal is activated, the control unit 24 recognizes that the vehicle 10 is passing through the intersection 42 based on the position information of the vehicle 10, and if it estimates that the brake of the vehicle 10 is on and that the vehicle 10 will stop before the crosswalk 44, it causes the road surface drawing unit 22 to draw the notification mark 20 on the road surface in a safety color. When the left turn signal is activated while the vehicle 10 is moving forward, the control unit 24 causes the road surface drawing unit 22 of the vehicle display device 16b provided in the left headlight 12 to draw the notification mark 20 on the road surface in a safety color. As a result, the notification mark 20 is drawn on the road surface ahead of the left side of the vehicle 10, as shown in FIG. 3 .

[0061] As another example, when the turn signal on the left side of vehicle 10 is activated while vehicle 10 is turning left, if control unit 24 recognizes through on-board camera 41a that vehicle 10 is passing in front of crosswalk 44, and infers that the brakes of vehicle 10 are on and vehicle 10 will stop in front of crosswalk 44, it may cause road surface drawing unit 22 to draw notification display 20 in a safety color on the road surface in front of the left side of vehicle 10.

[0062] As yet another example, when the turn signal on the left side of the vehicle 10 is activated while the vehicle 10 is turning left, if the control unit 24 recognizes through the onboard camera 41a that there is a pedestrian 46 in front of the vehicle 10, and estimates that the brakes of the vehicle 10 are on and the vehicle 10 will stop in front of the crosswalk 44, the road surface drawing unit 22 may draw a notification display 20 in a safety color on the road surface in front of the left side of the vehicle 10.

[0063] The control unit 24 may further cause the road surface drawing unit 22 of the vehicle display device 16d provided in the left rear combination lamp 14 to draw the notification mark 20 on the road surface in a safety color. As a result, the notification mark 20 is drawn on the road surface in front of the left side of the vehicle 10 and on the road surface in rear of the left side of the vehicle 10.

[0064] In cases other than when giving way to a pedestrian 46, the control unit 24 causes the road surface drawing unit 22 to draw the notification mark 20 on the road surface in a warning color. For example, when the turn signal is activated and the brake of the vehicle 10 is off, or when the brake of the vehicle 10 is on and it is estimated that the vehicle 10 will not stop before the crosswalk 44, the control unit 24 causes the road surface drawing unit 22 to draw the notification mark 20 on the road surface in a warning color on the left front side of the vehicle 10, as shown in Fig. 4. The notification mark 20 shown in Fig. 4 is displayed in, for example, red or orange.

[0065] As described above, when the turn signal is activated, the notification sign 20 is drawn on the road surface in different colors depending on whether the vehicle 10 is to give way to the pedestrian 46 or not. This allows the pedestrian 46 who sees the notification sign 20 to be notified of the timing when the vehicle 10 will move and turn right or left. It also allows the pedestrian 46 to recognize the driver of the vehicle 10's decision as to whether or not to give way. For example, by drawing the notification sign 20 in a safety color, the pedestrian 46 can be notified that it is okay to cross the road.

[0066] When the turn signal is activated and the driver is to give way to a pedestrian 46, the control unit 24 may cause the road surface drawing unit 22 to turn off the drawing of the notification display 20, as shown in Fig. 5. In this way, the driver may notify the pedestrian 46 that the driver should give way.

[0067] The control unit 24 may cause the road surface drawing unit 22 to turn off the drawing of the notification display when the brake is on while the turn indicator is operating, and may cause the road surface drawing unit 22 to draw the notification display on the road surface when the brake is off while the turn indicator is operating. The reverse control may also be performed.

[0068] In a case other than when giving way to a pedestrian 46, the control unit 24 may cause the road surface drawing unit 22 to draw the notification display 20 by sequential lighting. Sequential lighting means sequentially displaying and drawing the marks 20a, 20b, and 20c included in the notification display 20 on the road surface.

[0069] Sequential lighting will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 6. For example, under the control of the control unit 24, the road surface drawing unit 22 draws each mark on the road surface in order from the mark closest to the vehicle 10 to the leading edge. In the example shown in Fig. 6, the road surface drawing unit 22 draws mark 20c closest to the vehicle 10 on the road surface, then turns off the drawing of mark 20c and draws mark 20b on the road surface, and then turns off the drawing of mark 20b and draws mark 20a on the road surface. In this way, the marks appear to gradually progress in the traveling direction of the vehicle 10, so that a pedestrian 46 looking at each mark can more clearly recognize the traveling direction of the vehicle 10.

[0070] Instead of sequential lighting, the control unit 24 may blink the notification display 20. For example, the control unit 24 blinks all or some of the marks 20a, 20b, and 20c included in the notification display 20.

[0071] The control unit 24 may cause the road surface drawing unit 22 to draw a proceeding area (warning area) in which the vehicle 10 proceeds with a vehicle width. In this case, the control unit 24 may cause the road surface drawing unit 22 to draw the proceeding area and a non-proceeding area (safety area) in which the vehicle 10 does not proceed in different colors.

[0072] The control unit 24 estimates the direction in which the vehicle 10 will travel based on the steering angle detected by the steering angle sensor 32, and calculates the distance the vehicle 10 will travel within a predetermined time (e.g., several seconds) based on the speed detected by the speed sensor 34. The control unit 24 determines the orientation of the travel area based on the position of the vehicle 10 based on the direction, and determines the size of the travel area (e.g., the length of the travel area in the travel direction of the vehicle 10) based on the travel distance.

[0073] 7 shows a travel area 48. Because the vehicle 10 is turning left while moving forward, the travel area 48 is drawn by the road surface drawing unit 22 on the road surface ahead and to the left of the vehicle 10. The distance traveled by the vehicle 10 within a predetermined time is calculated based on the speed of the vehicle 10, and this travel distance corresponds to the length of the travel area 48 in the travel direction of the vehicle 10. The width of the travel area 48 corresponds to the vehicle width of the vehicle 10.

[0074] 8 shows a non-traveling area 50. For example, the non-traveling area 50 is a certain area outside the traveling area 48. The non-traveling area 50 is not drawn in a location where it is estimated that the vehicle 10 will travel based on the steering angle.

[0075] In addition, under the control of the control unit 24, the road surface drawing unit 22 may draw the proceeding area 48 and the non-proceeding area 50 together on the road surface, or may draw either the proceeding area 48 or the non-proceeding area 50 on the road surface.

[0076] The proceeding area 48 is drawn in a safety color such as blue or green, and the no-proceeding area 50 is drawn in a warning color such as red or orange. Of course, the proceeding area 48 and the no-proceeding area 50 may be drawn in colors other than these.

[0077] By displaying the proceeding area 48, it is possible to inform pedestrians 46 of areas into which the vehicle 10 may proceed. In addition, by drawing the no-proceeding area 50, it is possible to inform pedestrians 46 of areas into which the vehicle 10 may not proceed. By drawing the proceeding area 48 and the no-proceeding area 50 in different colors, it is possible to clearly inform pedestrians 46 of the difference between the areas.

[0078] The control unit 24 may change the drawing range of the notification display depending on the speed of the vehicle 10. For example, under the control of the control unit 24, when the speed of the vehicle 10 is fast, the road surface drawing unit 22 draws the notification display on the road surface at a position farther away from the position of the vehicle 10, and when the speed of the vehicle 10 is slow, the road surface drawing unit 22 draws the notification display on the road surface at a position closer to the position of the vehicle 10.

[0079] This control will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. For example, a first threshold and a second threshold are defined as the speed threshold. The second threshold is smaller than the first threshold.

[0080] 9, the road surface drawing unit 22 draws a mark 20a included in the notification display 20. The mark 20a is the mark formed at the position in the notification display 20 that is farthest from the vehicle 10, that is, the mark formed at the tip of the notification display 20.

[0081] 10, the road surface drawing unit 22 draws a mark 20c included in the notification display 20. The mark 20c is a mark formed in the notification display 20 at a position closest to the vehicle 10.

[0082] When the speed is equal to or greater than the second threshold and less than the first threshold, the road surface drawing unit 22 draws the mark 20b included in the notification display 20. The mark 20b is a mark formed in the notification display 20 between the marks 20a and 20c.

[0083] As described above, when the speed of the vehicle 10 is high, the mark is drawn at a position farther away from the position of the vehicle 10 than when the speed of the vehicle 10 is low.

[0084] By changing the display position of a mark, which is an example of a notification display, depending on the speed of the vehicle 10, it is possible to notify the pedestrian 46 of the location where the vehicle 10 is approaching depending on the speed. This makes it possible to notify the pedestrian 46 of safe areas and unsafe areas depending on the speed.

[0085] 9 and 10, the drawing positions of the marks are changed among three locations according to the speed of the vehicle 10, but the drawing positions of the marks may be changed among two locations, or the drawing positions may be changed more finely. Also, the shape and size of the marks may be changed according to the speed.

[0086] As a control other than the above-described control, the control unit 24 may cause the road surface drawing unit 22 to draw a notification display when the start switch sensor 26 detects that the start switch of the vehicle 10 has been switched from off to on.

[0087] In the above-described embodiment, the case where the vehicle 10 moves forward has been described, but similar control may be performed when the vehicle 10 moves backward. When the vehicle 10 moves backward, a notification display is drawn on the road surface by the road surface drawing unit 22 of the vehicle display devices 16c, 16d provided in the rear combination lamp 14.

[0088] The functions of each unit of the vehicle display device 16 are realized, for example, by cooperation between hardware and software. For example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) reads and executes a program stored in the memory of the vehicle display device 16, thereby realizing the functions of the vehicle display device 16. The program is stored in the memory via a recording medium such as a CD or DVD, or via a communication path such as a network. The functions of each unit of the vehicle display device 16 may be realized by an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or other programmable logic device, or may be realized by hardware such as an electronic circuit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 10 vehicle, 12 headlight, 14 rear combination lamp, 16 (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d) vehicle display device, 20 notification display, 22 road surface drawing unit, 24 control unit.

Claims

1. a road surface drawing unit mounted on the vehicle for drawing a notification display on a road surface in a traveling direction of the vehicle with light; a control unit that causes the road surface drawing unit to draw the notification indication on the road surface in a first color or turn off the drawing when the vehicle is to give way to a pedestrian while a turn indicator of the vehicle is operating, and causes the road surface drawing unit to draw the notification indication on the road surface in a second color when the vehicle is not to give way to a pedestrian; and When the first color is drawn on the road surface when giving way to a pedestrian, the first color is different from the second color; The case where the control unit gives way to a pedestrian is when the control unit recognizes that the vehicle is passing through an intersection based on the position information of the vehicle, recognizes that the vehicle is passing in front of a pedestrian crossing using a camera mounted on the vehicle, or recognizes that there is a pedestrian in front of the vehicle using the camera, and predicts that the brakes of the vehicle are on and the vehicle will stop in front of a pedestrian crossing. A vehicle display device comprising:

2. In a case different from the case of yielding to a pedestrian, the control unit causes the road surface drawing unit to sequentially draw a plurality of notification displays.

2. The vehicle display device according to claim 1.

3. The control unit further causes the road surface drawing unit to draw a traveling area in which the vehicle is traveling, the traveling area having a width of the vehicle.

3. The vehicle display device according to claim 1, wherein the display device is a display unit for a vehicle.

4. The control unit further causes the road surface drawing unit to draw a non-traveling area outside the travelling area, in which the vehicle does not travel, and changes the drawing colors of the travelling area and the non-travelling area.

4. The vehicle display device according to claim 3.

5. The control unit changes a drawing range of the notification display in accordance with a speed of the vehicle.

5. The display device for a vehicle according to claim 1.

Images