Communication device and display method

Abstract

To provide a communication device and a display method configured to secure safe travel of a vehicle at an intersection.SOLUTION: A communication device is installed in a vehicle and comprises: a reception unit which receives traffic light information regarding information of a traffic light from a wireless roadside machine; a control unit which detects that another vehicle with larger vehicle body than that of the vehicle travels in front of the vehicle; and a display unit which detects entry of the vehicle to an intersection by receiving the traffic light information by the reception unit and displays color information of the traffic light on a navigation screen on the basis of the traffic light information when the control unit detects travel of the other vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication device and a display information. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) have been attracting attention. Non-Patent Document 1 defines the standard specifications for a transport communication system that has wireless roadside units, which are base stations installed on the roadside, and in-vehicle communication units, which are mobile stations installed in vehicles.

[0003] On the other hand, some vehicles are equipped with a navigation device that displays a navigation screen, allowing the driver to drive efficiently to the destination while looking at the navigation screen. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] ARIB STD-T109 Version 1.3 "700MHz Band Intelligent Transport Systems" Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] For example, consider a case where a vehicle is approaching an intersection and there is a large vehicle ahead. In such a case, the driver of the vehicle may not be able to see the traffic lights installed at the intersection due to the approach of the large vehicle. As a result, the vehicle may not be able to travel safely through the intersection.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a communication device and a display method that can ensure safe driving of vehicles at intersections. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure is a communication device installed in a vehicle, the communication device including: a receiver that receives traffic light information related to traffic lights from a wireless roadside device; a controller that detects that another vehicle larger than the vehicle is traveling ahead of the vehicle; and a display that detects the vehicle's entry into an intersection based on the traffic light information received by the receiver and, when the controller detects the other vehicle traveling, displays traffic light color information on a navigation screen based on the traffic light information.

[0008] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a display method for a communication device, the display method including the steps of receiving, by a receiver, traffic light information related to traffic light information from a wireless roadside device, detecting, by a controller, that a vehicle larger than the vehicle is traveling ahead of the vehicle, detecting an entry into an intersection by the receiver receiving the traffic light information, and, when the controller detects the traveling of the other vehicle, displaying, by a display unit, traffic light color information on a navigation screen based on the traffic light information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to one disclosure, it is possible to ensure safe travel of vehicles at intersections. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a vehicle entering an intersection according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a wireless roadside device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an in-vehicle communication device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 4(A) and 4(B) are diagrams showing examples of navigation screens according to one embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a navigation screen according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of operation according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this specification and the drawings, elements that can be similarly described may be designated as identical or similar, and redundant description may be omitted.

[0012] [First embodiment] First, the first embodiment will be described.

[0013] (Example of communication system configuration) First, a configuration example of a communication system according to the first embodiment will be described. In the following, a traffic communication system using wireless communication based on the standard of Non-Patent Document 1 will be mainly described. However, the communication system according to the first embodiment is not limited to this standard, and wireless communication based on a communication standard for cellular communication, for example, may be performed.

[0014] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication system 10 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 10 includes a wireless roadside device 100 and an in-vehicle communication device 200 mounted on a vehicle 250.

[0015] In the example shown in Fig. 1, another vehicle 300, which is larger in body size than the vehicle 250, is positioned ahead of the vehicle 250. The example shown in Fig. 1 may be a state in which the vehicle 250 is waiting for a traffic light together with the other vehicle 300 positioned ahead of the vehicle 250. Alternatively, the example shown in Fig. 1 may represent a state in which the vehicle 250 is about to enter (or is about to enter) an intersection with a traffic light together with the other vehicle 300.

[0016] The other vehicle 300 may be a large vehicle. The large vehicle may be a large automobile. A large automobile is a large automobile with a gross vehicle weight of 11 tons or more, or a maximum load capacity of 6.5 tons or more, and a passenger capacity of 30 or more. Alternatively, the large vehicle may be a large special-purpose vehicle such as a shovel loader or a forklift. Alternatively, the large vehicle may be a small special-purpose vehicle. A small special-purpose vehicle is a vehicle such as a shovel loader or a forklift that is 4.7 m or less in length, 1.7 m or less in width, and 2.8 m or less in height, with a maximum speed of 15 km / h or less, or an agricultural work vehicle with a maximum speed of less than 35 km / h.

[0017] On the other hand, vehicle 250 may be a standard-sized automobile. A standard-sized automobile is an automobile whose body size does not fall under any of the categories of large, medium, and semi-medium-sized automobiles, and whose passenger capacity is less than 11 people.

[0018] A medium-sized vehicle is a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of 7.5 tons or more but less than 11 tons, or a maximum load capacity of 4.5 tons or more but less than 6.5 tons, with a passenger capacity of 11 to 30 people. A medium-sized vehicle is a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of 7.5 tons or more but less than 11 tons, or a maximum load capacity of 4.5 tons or more but less than 6.5 tons, with a passenger capacity of 11 to 30 people. A semi-medium-sized vehicle is a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of 3.5 tons or more but less than 7.5 tons, or a maximum load capacity of 2 tons or more but less than 4.5 tons, with a passenger capacity of less than 11 people.

[0019] The vehicle may be a compact car or a light car. A compact car is a car with a total engine displacement of 2000cc or less, a length of 4.7m or less, a width of 1.7m or less, and a height of 2.0m or less. A light car is a car with a total engine displacement of 660cc or less, a length of 3.4m or less, a width of 3.4m or less, and a height of 2.0m or less.

[0020] Vehicle 250 and other vehicle 300 may be of any type as long as the vehicle body size of other vehicle 300 is larger than that of vehicle 250. For example, vehicle 250 may be a standard automobile, and other vehicle 300 may be a medium-sized vehicle or a mid-sized vehicle.

[0021] The wireless roadside device 100 is installed, for example, at an intersection. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the wireless roadside device 100 is installed in a traffic light (for example, a traffic light). The wireless roadside device 100 may be installed on a pole provided near the intersection. Alternatively, the wireless roadside device 100 may be installed on a utility pole provided near the intersection.

[0022] However, as shown in Fig. 1, the wireless roadside device 100 is installed in a position where it can communicate with the in-vehicle communication device 200 installed in another vehicle 250, even if the vehicle 250 is waiting at a traffic light behind another vehicle 300. Therefore, in the example shown in Fig. 1, the wireless roadside device 100 is installed above the display part of the traffic light. Even if the vehicle 250 is waiting at a traffic light behind another vehicle 300, the wireless roadside device 100 only needs to be installed in a position where it can communicate with the in-vehicle communication device 200 installed in the vehicle 250, and it may be installed in a position away from the traffic light.

[0023] In the following description, communication between the wireless roadside device 100 and the in-vehicle communication device 200 is referred to as road-to-vehicle communication.

[0024] The wireless roadside device 100 may also be connected to a server device via a communication line. The server device is called a central device, and may collect various types of traffic information based on information received by the wireless roadside device 100 from an in-vehicle communication device or the like, and manage road traffic. The wireless roadside device 100 may also be called a base station. Note that, although the example shown in FIG. 1 shows an example in which one wireless roadside device 100 is installed at an intersection, multiple wireless roadside devices 100 may also be installed at an intersection.

[0025] Furthermore, the wireless roadside device 100 may be capable of communicating with other wireless roadside devices. Hereinafter, communication between wireless roadside devices may be referred to as road-to-road communication.

[0026] The in-vehicle communication device 200 is installed in the vehicle 250. The in-vehicle communication device 200 may be a portable communication device, or may be installed in place of the vehicle 250. The in-vehicle communication device 200 is capable of road-to-vehicle communication with the wireless roadside device 100. The in-vehicle communication device 200 is an example of a communication device.

[0027] The in-vehicle communication device 200 may be capable of communicating with an in-vehicle communication device installed in another vehicle 300 (or a vehicle other than the vehicle 300). Hereinafter, communication between in-vehicle communication devices may be referred to as inter-vehicle communication.

[0028] (Road-to-vehicle communication) Here, the road-to-vehicle communication described in Non-Patent Document 1 will be described.

[0029] In the communication system 10, road-to-vehicle communication, road-to-roadside communication, and vehicle-to-vehicle communication are each performed in a time-division manner, taking interference into consideration.

[0030] In road-to-vehicle communication, a road-to-vehicle communication period is allocated to the wireless roadside device 100. In road-to-vehicle communication, the wireless roadside device 100 broadcasts (announces) a road-to-vehicle message during the road-to-vehicle communication period. The road-to-vehicle message includes information about the road-to-vehicle communication period. The road-to-vehicle message has a predetermined format that complies with, for example, the "ITS Wireless Roadside Device Communication Application Common Standard" issued by the Universal Traffic Management System (UTMS) Association. Specifically, the wireless roadside device 100 secures its own transmission time by broadcasting a road-to-vehicle message that includes, as its own transmission information, a transmission time and road-to-vehicle communication period information (number of transfers and road-to-vehicle communication period length).

[0031] The in-vehicle communication device 200 that has received the road-to-vehicle message synchronizes its time based on the transmission time included in the road-to-vehicle message, stops its own transmission based on road-to-vehicle communication period information included in the road-to-vehicle message, and performs transmission at a timing other than the transmission period of the wireless roadside device 100. Specifically, the in-vehicle communication device 200 broadcasts (notifies) the vehicle information message using the CSMA / CA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access / Collision Avoidance) method during times other than the road-to-vehicle communication period allocated to the wireless roadside device 100 and during road-to-vehicle communication periods not allocated to the wireless roadside device 100. The wireless roadside device 100 receives the vehicle information message transmitted from the in-vehicle communication device 200 during the road-to-vehicle communication period that was not used for transmitting its own road-to-vehicle message.

[0032] In this way, a message transmitted from the wireless roadside device 100 may be referred to as a road-to-vehicle message. Also, a message transmitted from the in-vehicle communication device 200 may be referred to as a vehicle information message.

[0033] In the first embodiment, the road-to-vehicle message includes traffic light information related to traffic light information.

[0034] First, the traffic light information includes color information of the traffic light, which may represent the color information (red, green, or yellow) of the current traffic light.

[0035] The in-vehicle communication device 200 that receives the road-to-vehicle message can display the traffic light color information on the navigation screen based on the color information included in the traffic light information. As a result, for example, as shown in Fig. 1, even if the driver of the vehicle 250 cannot see the traffic light signal display due to another vehicle 300 ahead, the driver can check the color currently displayed on the traffic light based on the traffic light color information displayed on the navigation screen (hidden signal display). This makes it possible to ensure safe driving of the vehicle 250 at intersections.

[0036] Second, the traffic light information may include time information indicating the time from the current time until the traffic light changes color to yellow. Alternatively, the traffic light information may include time information indicating the time from the current time until the traffic light changes color to red. Alternatively, the traffic light information may include time information indicating the time from the current time until the traffic light changes color to green. Alternatively, the traffic light information may include time information indicating the time at which the traffic light changes color.

[0037] The in-vehicle communication device 200 that has received the road-to-vehicle message can display on the navigation screen (e.g., a countdown display) the time until the traffic light turns yellow (or red) based on the time information included in the traffic light information. This allows, for example, a driver of the vehicle 250 to check the time until the traffic light turns yellow by looking at the countdown display, even if the driver cannot see the traffic light display due to another vehicle 300 traveling ahead, and can avoid entering an intersection together with the other vehicle 300. This makes it possible to ensure safe driving of the vehicle 250 at the intersection.

[0038] Third, the road-to-vehicle message may include intersection information regarding the intersection. The intersection information may include, for example, information indicating a no-entry area that indicates an area where the vehicle 250 is prohibited from traveling. The no-entry area may be expressed by latitude and longitude. The no-entry area may be incorporated in advance into the information that displays the navigation screen. In other words, information regarding the no-entry area may be included in the information that displays the navigation screen, and when the information regarding the no-entry area is included when the navigation screen is displayed, the no-entry area may be displayed.

[0039] Upon receiving the road-to-vehicle message, the in-vehicle communication device 200 displays, on the navigation screen based on the intersection information, a no-entry area that prohibits the vehicle 250 from entering (display of a no-entry area to prevent wrong-way driving). The no-entry area may be displayed in red. Alternatively, the no-entry area may be displayed in a darker color than an area where entry is permitted, and the area where entry is permitted may be displayed in a brighter color than the no-entry area. This allows, for example, the driver to confirm the no-entry area and avoid driving the vehicle 250 into the no-entry area, i.e., avoiding wrong-way driving, thereby ensuring the safety of the vehicle 250 at the intersection.

[0040] (Example of wireless roadside unit configuration) Next, a configuration example of the wireless roadside device 100 will be described.

[0041] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a wireless roadside device 100 according to an embodiment.

[0042] The wireless roadside device 100 includes a transmitter 110 , a receiver 120 , a communication interface 130 , a storage 140 , and a controller 150 .

[0043] The transmitting unit 110 transmits a radio signal. The transmitting unit 110 converts (up-converts) a message (e.g., a road-to-vehicle message) output from the control unit 150 into a radio signal in a radio band, and transmits (or notifies) the radio signal.

[0044] The receiving unit 120 receives a wireless signal. The receiving unit 120 may receive a wireless signal transmitted (or broadcast) from the in-vehicle communication device 200, or may receive a wireless signal transmitted (or broadcast) from another wireless roadside device. The receiving unit 120 then converts (down-converts) the wireless signal into a received signal in the baseband, thereby extracting a message (for example, a vehicle information message transmitted from the in-vehicle communication device 200) from the wireless signal. The receiving unit 120 outputs the extracted message to the control unit 150.

[0045] The communication interface unit 130 is connected to the server device via a wired line and exchanges messages with the server device. The communication interface unit 130 exchanges messages between the wireless roadside device 100 and the server device in accordance with a protocol (for example, TCP / IP protocol) set between the wireless roadside device 100 and the server device.

[0046] The storage unit 140 stores various types of information or various types of data, and may store a program to be executed by the control unit 150. In this case, the control unit 150 may realize various functions of the wireless roadside device 100 by reading out the program from the storage unit 140 and executing it.

[0047] The control unit 150 controls the units 110, 120, 130, and 140 in the wireless roadside device 100. The control unit 150 may include a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processing or operations executed by the wireless roadside device 100 may be performed by the control unit 150 (or the processor).

[0048] (Example of vehicle communication device configuration) Next, a configuration example of the vehicle-mounted communication device 200 will be described.

[0049] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the vehicle-mounted communication device 200 according to an embodiment.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 3, the in-vehicle communication device 200 includes a receiving unit 210, a transmitting unit 220, an imaging unit 230, a display unit 240, and a storage unit 255.

[0051] The receiving unit 210 receives a wireless signal transmitted from the wireless roadside device 100. The receiving unit 210 converts (down-converts) the wireless signal into a received signal in a baseband, thereby extracting a message (for example, a road-to-vehicle message transmitted from the wireless roadside device 100) from the wireless signal. That is, the receiving unit 210 receives the road-to-vehicle message, thereby receiving traffic light information and / or intersection information from the wireless roadside device 100. The receiving unit 210 outputs the extracted (or received) message (the traffic light information and / or intersection information included in the message) to the control unit 260.

[0052] The transmitting unit 220 transmits (or notifies) a radio signal. The transmitting unit 220 converts (up-converts) the vehicle information message output from the control unit 260 into a radio signal, and transmits the radio signal.

[0053] The imaging unit 230 captures an image ahead of the vehicle 250. The imaging unit 230 may be a camera. The imaging unit 230 may capture an image in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 260. The imaging unit 230 outputs the captured image to the control unit 260 as image data. The image may be a moving image or an image of one image frame.

[0054] The display unit 240 displays a navigation screen. The display unit 240 displays traffic light color information on the navigation screen based on traffic light information included in the road-to-vehicle message. The display unit 240 may also display no-entry areas for the vehicle 250 on the navigation screen based on intersection information included in the road-to-vehicle message. The display unit 240 may display various types of information. The display unit 240 may display a navigation screen or the like under the control of the control unit 260.

[0055] The storage unit 255 stores various types of information or various types of data, etc. The storage unit 255 may store a program to be executed by the control unit 260. In this case, the control unit 260 may implement various functions of the in-vehicle communication device 200 by reading out the program from the storage unit 255 and executing it.

[0056] The control unit 260 controls the units 210, 220, 230, 240, and 250 in the in-vehicle communication device 200. The control unit 260 may include a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 260 (or the processor) may perform the processes or operations executed by the wireless roadside device 100 in the operation example described below.

[0057] The control unit 260 according to one embodiment can use a machine learning function to detect whether or not another vehicle 250 is traveling, based on a forward image captured by the imaging unit 230. The control unit 260 may detect whether or not another vehicle 250 is traveling, for example, in the following manner.

[0058] That is, the storage unit 255 stores image data of a rear image of another vehicle 300, such as a large vehicle, as training data. The control unit 260 compares the image data with image data captured by the imaging unit 230. Specifically, the control unit 260 uses a convolutional neural network (CNN) to extract feature amounts of the image data of the rear image of the other vehicle 300 and feature amounts of the image data captured by the imaging unit 230, and compares the two. If the difference between the two feature amounts is within a threshold, the control unit 260 determines that the image captured by the imaging unit 230 is an image of a large vehicle, i.e., an image in which the other vehicle 300 is traveling, and detects that the other vehicle 250 is traveling. On the other hand, if the difference between the two feature amounts is greater than the threshold, the control unit 260 detects that the other vehicle 300 is not shown in the image captured by the imaging unit 230, i.e., that the other vehicle 300 is not traveling. The control unit 260 may use a machine learning method other than CNN to detect the traveling of the other vehicle 300. Alternatively, the control unit 260 may use a known machine learning method to detect the traveling of the other vehicle 300.

[0059] (Navigation screen example) Next, an example of a navigation screen according to an embodiment will be described.

[0060] 4A to 5 are diagrams showing examples of navigation screens.

[0061] First, the display unit 240 of the in-vehicle communication device 200 according to one embodiment detects that the vehicle 250 is entering an intersection when the receiving unit 210 receives a road-to-vehicle message (specifically, traffic light information), and when the control unit 260 detects that another vehicle 300 is traveling, displays traffic light color information on the navigation screen based on the traffic light information.

[0062] FIG. 4(A) is a diagram showing an example of a navigation screen including color information. As shown in FIG. 4(A), color information 241 of the current traffic light is displayed on the navigation screen. In the example shown in FIG. 4(A), color information 241 is displayed in the upper left corner of the screen, but it may also be displayed in the upper right corner of the screen. Color information 241 may be displayed at any position on the screen. Furthermore, color display 241 may have any size. For example, color display 241 may be about half the size of the entire screen, or may be almost the same size as the entire screen. Furthermore, in the area where color display 241 and the navigation screen overlap, the navigation screen may be displayed in a skeleton view rather than being displayed with color display 241 obscuring the navigation screen.

[0063] Secondly, the display unit 240 according to one embodiment displays a countdown until the traffic light turns yellow, based on the time information included in the road-to-vehicle message.

[0064] FIG. 4(B) is a diagram showing an example of a navigation screen including a countdown display 242. In the example shown in FIG. 4(BA), "5" is displayed, and as time passes, the number decreases. When it reaches "0," the traffic light changes color from green to yellow. While FIG. 4(B) shows an example of a countdown display 242 until the light turns yellow, it may also display a countdown until the light turns red or until the light turns blue. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4(B), the countdown display 242 may be larger than a predetermined size on the screen, and may be displayed in half or more of the screen, or may fill the entire screen. Alternatively, the countdown display 242 may be approximately the same size as the entire screen. In the overlapping portion between the countdown display 242 and the navigation screen, the navigation screen may be displayed in a skeleton view.

[0065] Thirdly, the display unit 240 according to one embodiment displays no-entry areas for the vehicle 250 on the navigation screen based on intersection information included in the road-to-vehicle message.

[0066] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a navigation screen including a no-entry area 243. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the no-entry area 243 is displayed with diagonal lines. However, instead of the diagonal lines, the no-entry area 243 may be displayed in red, or may be displayed in a color darker than the other areas. Furthermore, roads other than the no-entry area for the vehicle 250 may be displayed in a color brighter than the no-entry area 243 to emphasize that they are areas where the vehicle 250 is permitted to enter. The no-entry area 243 may be displayed in any manner that makes it clear that entry is prohibited compared to other areas. Alternatively, the permitted area may be displayed in any manner that makes it clear that entry is permitted compared to the no-entry area 243. Furthermore, the no-entry area 243 may be displayed in the area of ​​the entrance to a road where entry is prohibited. Displaying the no-entry area 243 at the entrance makes it easier for the driver to understand that entry is prohibited for the vehicle 250. In addition, even if there are multiple lanes (or roadways) on a road, if one lane is prohibited and another lane is permitted, a no-entry area 243 may be displayed for the no-entry lane.

[0067] In the example shown in FIG. 5, there are a plurality of no-entry areas 243 on the navigation screen, but there may be only one no-entry area 243 on the navigation screen.

[0068] (Operation example according to the first embodiment) Next, an example of operation according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0069] 6 is a diagram showing an example of operation performed by the vehicle-mounted communication device 200. In FIG.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 6, in step S10, the control unit 260 of the in-vehicle communication device 200 starts processing.

[0071] In step S11, the imaging unit 230 captures a forward image. For example, the imaging unit 230 may capture a forward image in response to the receiving unit 210 of the in-vehicle communication device 200 receiving an inter-vehicle message (e.g., a basic message) from an in-vehicle communication device mounted on another vehicle 250 traveling ahead. Alternatively, the imaging unit 230 may start capturing an image based on position information of the other vehicle 300 included in the inter-vehicle message received by the receiving unit 210. Specifically, the control unit 260 may compare the position information included in the inter-vehicle message with position information acquired using a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiving function included in the in-vehicle communication device 200, and if the difference is within a predetermined range, the control unit 260 may determine that the vehicle 250 is approaching the other vehicle 300 ahead and cause the imaging unit 230 to start capturing an image. Alternatively, time information included in the inter-vehicle message may be used instead of the position information. In this case, the control unit 260 may compare the time information with time information obtained from a timer included in the in-vehicle communication device 200, and if the difference is within a predetermined time, cause the imaging unit 230 to start imaging.

[0072] In step S12, the control unit 260 determines whether or not it has detected that another vehicle 300 is traveling ahead of the vehicle 250. The control unit 260 may make this determination using the machine learning function described above, based on image data of the image captured by the imaging unit 230. When the control unit 260 detects that another vehicle 300 is traveling ahead (YES in step S12), the process proceeds to step S13. On the other hand, when the control unit 260 has not detected that another vehicle 300 is traveling ahead (NO in step S12), the process is repeated until it detects that another vehicle 300 is traveling ahead.

[0073] In step S13, the receiving unit 210 determines whether or not it has received traffic light information. The control unit 260 may determine whether or not it has received traffic light information. Alternatively, the control unit 260 may determine whether or not it has received a road-to-vehicle message and whether or not the road-to-vehicle message includes traffic light information. Here, it may be detected whether or not the vehicle 250 has entered (the vicinity of) an intersection. That is, the reachable distance of the road-to-vehicle message transmitted by the wireless roadside device 100 is within a certain range around the wireless roadside device 100. The fact that the in-vehicle communication device 200 receives a road-to-vehicle message indicates that the vehicle 250 has entered within a certain range around the wireless roadside device 100. Thus, by receiving the road-to-vehicle message, it becomes possible to detect that the vehicle 250 has entered an intersection. When the receiving unit 210 has received traffic light information (YES in step S13), the process proceeds to step S14. On the other hand, if the receiving unit 210 has not received the traffic light information (NO in step S13), the process is repeated until the receiving unit 210 receives the traffic light information.

[0074] In step S14, the display unit 240 displays the color information of the traffic light on the navigation screen based on the color information included in the traffic light information received in step S13 (for example, FIG. 4(A)).

[0075] In step S15, the display unit 240 displays a countdown on the navigation screen based on the time information included in the traffic light information received in step S13 (for example, FIG. 4(B)). For example, if the time information represents the time from the current time until the traffic light turns yellow, the display unit 240 may start a timer, count down from that time, and display the countdown on the navigation screen. Alternatively, if the receiving unit 210 receives time information periodically (for example, every second), the display unit 240 may display that time as a countdown display each time it receives time information. Alternatively, if the time information represents the time until the traffic light changes color, the display unit 240 may use a timer to display the countdown time until that time as a countdown display.

[0076] In step S16, display unit 240 displays the no-entry area on the navigation screen. When receiving unit 210 receives intersection information, display unit 240 may display the no-entry area based on the intersection information. Specifically, when the intersection information indicates the range of the no-entry area by latitude and longitude, display unit 240 may display the no-entry area according to the latitude and longitude. Alternatively, control unit 260 may read information for the navigation screen from storage unit 255 and output it to display unit 240, and display unit 240 may display information about the no-entry area included in the navigation screen information together with the navigation screen, thereby displaying a navigation screen including the no-entry area.

[0077] Then, in step S17, the in-vehicle communication device 200 ends the series of processes.

[0078] (Another operation example 1 of the first embodiment) In the first embodiment, an example in which the other vehicle 300 is detected using a learning function has been described, but the detection of the other vehicle 300 is not limited to the case in which the learning function is used. For example, the other vehicle 300 may be detected using a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) function. Specifically, the detection may be performed as follows.

[0079] That is, the transmitting unit 220 includes an irradiating unit that irradiates electromagnetic waves. The irradiating unit transmits electromagnetic waves in different height directions in a time-division manner at predetermined intervals. The electromagnetic waves transmitted from the irradiating unit are electromagnetic waves with short wavelengths equal to or shorter than a certain value, such as visible light, near-infrared light, or ultraviolet light. The receiving unit 210 may also include a receiving unit that receives reflected waves of the electromagnetic waves irradiated from the irradiating unit. The receiving unit 210 converts the received reflected waves into baseband information and outputs the information about the reflected waves to the control unit 260. Based on the information about the reflected waves, the control unit 260 detects which reflected waves have been received from the electromagnetic waves sequentially irradiated in the height direction. That is, based on the information about the reflected waves, the control unit 260 calculates the height of the vehicle traveling ahead by checking up to what height the electromagnetic waves have been reflected. When the height is equal to or greater than a height threshold, the control unit 260 determines that the vehicle traveling ahead is another vehicle 300 (such as a large vehicle) (step S12 in FIG. 6). Thereafter, the in-vehicle communication device 200 may perform the processes from step S13 onward. The electromagnetic wave irradiated from the irradiating unit may be a beacon signal.

[0080] (Another operation example 2 according to the first embodiment) In the first embodiment, the in-vehicle communication device 200 has been described as receiving a road-to-vehicle message transmitted from the wireless roadside device 100. For example, the in-vehicle communication device 200 may request the wireless roadside device 100 to transmit traffic light information and / or intersection information, and the wireless roadside device 100 may transmit a road-to-vehicle message including the traffic light information and / or intersection information in response to receiving the request. For example, the following control may be performed.

[0081] That is, the transmitter 220 of the in-vehicle communication device 200 transmits (or notifies) a vehicle information message requesting traffic light information and / or intersection information. The transmitter 220 may transmit the vehicle information message in response to the control unit 260 detecting that the vehicle traveling ahead is another vehicle 300 (YES in step S12 of FIG. 6). Information requesting traffic light information and / or intersection information may be included in a predetermined area of ​​the vehicle information message.

[0082] The receiving unit 120 of the wireless roadside device 100 receives the vehicle information message. The receiving unit 120 outputs the vehicle information message to the control unit 150. When the control unit 150 confirms that the vehicle information message includes information requesting traffic light information and / or intersection information, it instructs the transmitting unit 110 to transmit a road-to-vehicle message including the traffic light information and / or intersection information. The transmitting unit 110 transmits (or notifies) the road-to-vehicle message including the traffic light information and / or intersection information in accordance with the instruction. That is, the transmitting unit 110 transmits a road-to-vehicle message including the traffic light information and / or intersection information in response to the receiving unit 120 (or the control unit 150) receiving the vehicle information message requesting traffic light information and / or intersection information. Thereafter, step S13 and subsequent steps in FIG. 6 are performed.

[0083] (Another operation example 3 according to the first embodiment) In the first embodiment, the display of the color information 241 has been described as displaying color information of a traffic light for automobiles. For example, instead of the color information of a traffic light for automobiles, color information of a traffic light for pedestrians may be displayed on the display unit 240 as the display of the color information 241. In this case, the display of the color information 241 for pedestrians may be blue, flashing blue, and red, similar to actual color information.

[0084] [Other embodiments] For example, a method including the operation of one or more components of the apparatus described in this specification (e.g., the in-vehicle communication device 200 or the wireless roadside device 100) may be provided, or a program for causing a computer to execute the operation of the above components may be provided. The program may be recorded on a computer-readable medium. Using the computer-readable medium, the program can be installed on a computer. Here, the computer-readable medium on which the program is recorded may be a non-transitory recording medium. The non-transitory recording medium is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM. An example of such a recording medium is the above-mentioned storage unit 255 or storage unit 140.

[0085] Furthermore, circuits that execute the processes performed by the in-vehicle communication device 200 may be integrated, and at least a part of the in-vehicle communication device 200 may be configured as a semiconductor integrated circuit (chip set, SoC).

[0086] Although one embodiment has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to the above, and various design changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, it is also possible to combine all or part of each embodiment, each process, and each step within a consistent range. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 100: Wireless roadside unit 110: Transmitter 120: Receiving unit 150: Control unit 200: In-vehicle communication device 210: Receiving unit 220: Transmitting unit 230: Imaging unit 240:Display section 241:Color display 242: Countdown display 243: No entry area 250: Memory unit 260: Control unit

Claims

1. A communication device installed in a vehicle, a receiving unit that receives traffic light information related to traffic light information from a wireless roadside device; a control unit that detects that another vehicle having a body size larger than that of the vehicle is traveling ahead of the vehicle; a display unit that, when the receiving unit receives the traffic light information and detects that the vehicle is entering an intersection or the vicinity of the intersection, and the control unit detects that the other vehicle is traveling, displays color information of the traffic light on a navigation screen based on the traffic light information, the receiving unit receives intersection information regarding the intersection from the wireless roadside device, The display unit displays color information of the traffic light on the navigation screen, and displays a no-entry area for the vehicle on the navigation screen based on the intersection information. Communication equipment.

2. The traffic light information includes time information indicating the time from the current time until the traffic light changes to yellow or red. The communication device according to claim 1 .

3. The display unit displays a countdown until the color of the traffic light changes to the yellow or red based on the time information.

3. The communication device according to claim 2.

4. The traffic light is a traffic light for vehicles or a traffic light for pedestrians. The communication device according to claim 1 .

5. The other vehicle is a large vehicle. The communication device according to claim 1.

6. A display method in a communication device installed in a vehicle, comprising: receiving, by a receiving unit, traffic light information relating to traffic light information from a wireless roadside device; detecting, by a control unit, that another vehicle larger than the vehicle is traveling ahead of the vehicle; the receiving unit receives the traffic light information to detect the vehicle entering an intersection or the vicinity of the intersection, and when the control unit detects the other vehicle traveling, the display unit displays color information of the traffic light on a navigation screen based on the traffic light information, the receiving step includes a step of receiving intersection information regarding the intersection from the wireless roadside device, The displaying step includes a step of displaying color information of the traffic light on the navigation screen, and a step of displaying a no-entry area for the vehicle on the navigation screen based on the intersection information. Display method.

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