The device reports to the driver notifications of rollovers and vehicles that are tilted.

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a device for alerting riders to tip-over reports, and a leaning vehicle, the device being capable of using non-conventional means to alert a rider separated from a leaning vehicle that a tip-over occurrence will be reported or has been reported. This device for alerting a rider to tip-over report comprises: an acquisition unit which acquires report preparation information indicating that a leaning vehicle tip-over report system is preparing to report tip-over occurrence information to the outside of the leaning vehicle, or report completion information indicating that the leaning vehicle tip-over report system has reported the tip-over occurrence information to the outside of the leaning vehicle; and an operation unit which alerts the rider to the tip-over report status by projecting light or generating sound through the operation of the front light and / or the like in an operating state different from the operating state at the time of or immediately before the leaning vehicle transitioned from a traveling state to the tip-over state.

Description

Falling rider notification device and tilting vehicle

[0001] The present invention relates to a fall notification device for a rider and a tilting vehicle.

[0002] A tilting vehicle such as a motorcycle may tip over during normal driving. Non-Patent Document 1 proposes a reporting system that notifies a third party of the occurrence of the tipping by wireless communication means when the tilting vehicle tips over.

[0003] In a tilting vehicle, there is a possibility that the rider may separate from the vehicle when the vehicle overturns. Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic vehicle notification device that notifies the rider that a third party has been notified of the occurrence of the overturn when the rider separates from the vehicle.

[0004] Figures 11 and 12 of Patent Document 1 show a helmet 31 equipped with a wireless telephone 5 and a speaker 7. In the event of a motorcycle accident, the wireless telephone 5 of the helmet 31 automatically reports the occurrence of the accident. The speaker 7 provides a message that the report can be canceled. This allows the rider to decide whether or not to cancel the report. Figure 13 of Patent Document 1 also shows a helmet 31 equipped with a speaker 7. Figure 13 of Patent Document 1 shows a motorcycle equipped with a wireless telephone 5. In the event of a motorcycle accident, the wireless telephone 5 of the motorcycle automatically reports the occurrence of the accident. The speaker 7 provides a message that the report can be canceled. This allows the rider to decide whether or not to cancel the report.

[0005] Rudolf-Andreas Probst, "With the optional 'Intelligent Emergency Call', BMW Motorrad is offering a motorcycle eCall system for the first time. Fast help in the case of an accident or an emergency situation." [online], May 30, 2016, BMW Group [accessed November 9, 2016], Internet <URL: https: / / www.press.bmwgroup.com / global / article / detail / T0259550EN / >

[0006] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-184580

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a fall reporting rider notification device and a tilting vehicle that can notify a rider away from the tilting vehicle that a fall report is being prepared or that a fall has been reported in a manner different from conventional methods.

[0008] The inventors of the present application have considered a method for notifying a rider away from a tilting vehicle that a notification is being prepared or that a notification has been made, using a method different from the conventional method.

[0009] The present inventors have considered a method for notifying a rider away from a tilting vehicle that a tipping occurrence report is being prepared or that a tipping occurrence has been reported, using a different method than conventional methods. Therefore, the present inventors analyzed and considered the situation in which a tilting vehicle goes from a traveling state to a tipping occurrence. They found that even when a tilting vehicle transitions to a tipping occurrence, there are cases in which the rider wants to report the tipping occurrence to an external party and cases in which the rider does not want to report the tipping occurrence to an external party. In such cases, the rider wants to know whether the rider is preparing to report the tipping occurrence or has reported the tipping occurrence to an external party.

[0010] According to an investigation of the tipping state, the tilting vehicle tips over so that the right or left side is positioned downward. The visible portion of the tilting vehicle from the rider's perspective varies depending on the relative positions of the rider and the tilting vehicle. However, the present inventors have noticed that the front, rear, top, or bottom of the tilting vehicle is visible to the rider in the tipping state. The front, rear, top, or bottom of the tilting vehicle refers to the front, rear, top, or bottom of the tilting vehicle when it is upright. Furthermore, the present inventors have noticed that the rider can see the light emitted by existing lighting devices in the tipping state. The present inventors have also noticed that the rider can hear the sound emitted by existing horns or buzzers. The reason the rider can see the light emitted by the lighting devices and hear the sound emitted by the horns or buzzers is because the lighting devices and the horns or buzzers are located on the center line of the tilting vehicle, not on the sides of the vehicle. The center line of a tilting vehicle is a line that passes through the center in the left-right direction of the tilting vehicle when viewed from the front, rear, above, or below. Therefore, the inventors of the present application came up with the idea of ​​using a light, a horn, or a buzzer to notify a rider who is away from the tilting vehicle that they are preparing to report a fall or that a fall has been reported.

[0011] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention employs the following configuration: (1) A fall reporting rider notification device applied to a tilting vehicle fall reporting system that reports, via wireless communication, fall occurrence information indicating that a tilting vehicle has transitioned from a traveling state to a fall state to the outside of the tilting vehicle, the fall reporting rider notification device being mounted on the tilting vehicle that includes a vehicle body that tilts left when turning left and tilts right when turning right, and at least one of a front light, a blinker, a backlight, a meter panel, an image display unit, a horn, and a buzzer that illuminate the front of the vehicle body when the vehicle body is in an upright state, wherein the fall reporting rider notification device comprises: a tilting vehicle fall reporting information acquisition unit that acquires report preparation information indicating that the tilting vehicle fall reporting system is preparing to report the fall occurrence information to the outside of the tilting vehicle via the wireless communication, or report completion information indicating that the tilting vehicle fall reporting system has reported the fall occurrence information to the outside of the tilting vehicle via the wireless communication; and a fall notification rider notification operating unit that operates at least one of the front light, the turn signals, the backlight, the meter panel, the image display unit, the horn, and the buzzer in an operating state different from an operating state at the time when the tilting vehicle transitions from a traveling state to a tipping state or immediately before that, based on the notification preparation information or the tipping vehicle tipping occurrence notification information acquisition unit, thereby irradiating light horizontally or emitting sound from the tilting vehicle in the tipping state, and notifying a rider of a fall notification state that indicates a notification state of the tipping occurrence information.

[0012] The fall-reporting rider notification device (1) can notify a rider who has moved away from the tilting vehicle that it is preparing to notify the rider of the occurrence of a fall or that it has notified the rider of the occurrence of a fall. First, a case will be described in which the fall-reporting rider notification device can notify a rider who has moved away from the tilting vehicle that it is preparing to notify the rider of the occurrence of a fall. More specifically, the tilting vehicle fall-reporting information acquisition unit acquires notification preparation information indicating that the tilting vehicle fall-reporting system is preparing to notify the outside of the tilting vehicle of the occurrence of a fall. The fall-reporting rider notification activation unit activates at least one of the front light, the turn signal, the taillight, the meter panel, the image display unit, the horn, and the buzzer in an activation state different from the activation state when or immediately before the tilting vehicle transitions from a traveling state to a tipping state. Therefore, the light illumination state or the sound generation state differs between the state when or immediately before the tilting vehicle transitions from a traveling state to a tipping state and the state when the tilting vehicle is preparing to notify the rider of the occurrence of a fall. As a result, a rider who is away from the tilting vehicle can recognize the change in the light illumination state or the sound generation state and know that a report of the occurrence of a fall is being prepared. Also, a third party around the tilting vehicle can recognize the change in the light illumination state or the sound generation state and know that a report of the occurrence of a fall is being prepared. In this specification, a third party around the tilting vehicle means a person other than the rider who can see the tilting vehicle.

[0013] Next, a case will be described in which the fall-reporting rider notification device can notify a rider away from the tilting vehicle that the fall occurrence information has been reported. More specifically, the tilting vehicle fall-reporting information acquisition unit acquires notification completion information indicating that the tilting vehicle fall-reporting system has notified the outside of the tilting vehicle of the fall occurrence information. Based on the notification completion information acquired by the tilting vehicle fall-reporting information acquisition unit, the fall-reporting rider notification activation unit activates at least one of the front lights, turn signals, taillights, meter panel, image display unit, horn, and buzzer in an operating state different from the operating state when the tilting vehicle transitions from a traveling state to a tipping state or immediately before. Therefore, the light illumination state or sound generation state when the tilting vehicle transitions from a traveling state to a tipping state or immediately before the tipping vehicle transitions from a traveling state to a tipping state is different from the state when the tipping vehicle reports the fall occurrence information. This allows a rider away from the tilting vehicle to recognize the change in the light illumination state or sound generation state and know that the fall occurrence information has been reported. Furthermore, a third party around the tilting vehicle can also recognize the change in the light illumination state or sound generation state and know that the fall occurrence information has been reported by recognizing the change in the light illumination state or sound generation state.

[0014] The fall-reporting rider notification device of (1) only needs to notify a rider who has moved away from the tilting vehicle of at least one of the fact that a report of the fall occurrence information is being prepared and the fact that the fall occurrence information has been reported. Therefore, the fall-reporting rider notification activation unit of the fall-reporting rider notification device of (1) only needs to activate at least one of the front light, the turn signal, the taillight, the meter panel, the image display unit, the horn, and the buzzer in an activation state different from the activation state at the time when or immediately before the tilting vehicle transitions from the traveling state to the fall state, based on at least one of the notification preparation information and the notification completion information.

[0015] Furthermore, the fall-reporting rider notification device (1) increases the probability that the rider will be aware of the fall-reporting state. More specifically, the fall-reporting rider notification activation unit emits light horizontally from the tilting vehicle or generates sound from at least one of the front light, turn signals, taillight, meter panel, image display unit, horn, and buzzer. A tilting vehicle in an overturning state is likely to assume a posture with its right or left side facing downward. Furthermore, a rider who has left the tilting vehicle is likely to be on the ground. Therefore, the light emitted horizontally or the light generated horizontally reaches the rider with a high probability. Therefore, the rider can be aware of the fall-reporting state with a high probability based on the light emitted horizontally or the light generated horizontally. Furthermore, third parties around the tilting vehicle can also be aware of the fall-reporting state with a high probability based on the light emitted horizontally or the light generated horizontally.

[0016] (2) In the fall reporting rider notification device of (1), when the tilting vehicle fall reporting information acquisition unit ceases to acquire the report preparation information and the reported information, the fall reporting rider notification activation unit operates at least one of the front light, the turn signal, the backlight, the meter panel, the image display unit, the horn, and the buzzer in an operating state different from a state in which the tilting vehicle fall reporting information acquisition unit acquires the report preparation information or the reported information, thereby notifying the rider that the tilting vehicle fall reporting system has canceled preparation for reporting the fall occurrence information to the outside of the tilting vehicle via the wireless communication, or that the tilting vehicle fall reporting system has canceled reporting the fall occurrence information to the outside of the tilting vehicle via the wireless communication.

[0017] The fall-reporting rider notification device (2) can notify a rider who has moved away from the tilting vehicle that preparation for reporting the fall information has been canceled or that the reporting of the fall information has been canceled. More specifically, when the tilting vehicle fall-reporting information acquisition unit stops acquiring the reporting preparation information or the reporting completion information, the fall-reporting rider notification activation unit can determine that preparation for reporting the fall information or the reporting of the fall information has been canceled. Therefore, the fall-reporting rider notification activation unit sets at least one of the front light, turn signals, taillight, meter panel, image display unit, horn, and buzzer to an activation state different from a state in which the tilting vehicle fall-reporting information acquisition unit acquires the reporting preparation information or the reporting completion information. As a result, the light illumination state or sound emission state differs between a state in which preparation for reporting the fall information or a state in which the reporting of the fall information has been canceled or a state in which the reporting of the fall information has been canceled. As a result, a rider who has moved away from the tilting vehicle can recognize the change in the light illumination state or the sound generation state and know that preparation for reporting the information about the occurrence of a fall has been canceled or that the reporting of the information about the occurrence of a fall has been canceled. Also, a third party around the tilting vehicle can recognize the change in the light illumination state or the sound generation state and know that preparation for reporting the information about the occurrence of a fall has been canceled or that the reporting of the information about the occurrence of a fall has been canceled.

[0018] (3) In the fall-reporting rider notification device of (1), the fall-reporting rider notification activation unit activates two or more components of the front light, the turn signal, the back light, the meter panel, or the image display unit.

[0019] The fall-notifying rider notification device (3) increases the probability that the rider will be aware of the fall-notification state. More specifically, the fall-notifying rider notification activation unit activates two or more components among the front light, blinker, taillight, meter panel, and image display unit. In this case, a tilting vehicle in an overturned state will radiate light or emit sound in two or more horizontal directions with a high probability. Therefore, the light radiated or emitted horizontally will reach the rider with a high probability. Therefore, the rider can be aware of the fall-notification state with a high probability based on the light radiated or emitted horizontally. Furthermore, third parties around the tilting vehicle can also be aware of the fall-notification state with a high probability based on the light radiated or emitted horizontally.

[0020] (4) In the fall-reporting rider notification device of (1), the fall-reporting rider notification operating unit notifies the rider of the fall-reporting state by turning on or blinking the front light, the meter panel or the image display unit after the tilting vehicle has transitioned from the running state to the overturned state, if the front light, the meter panel or the image display unit is turned off when or immediately before the tilting vehicle transitions from the running state to the overturned state, or by blinking the front light, the meter panel or the image display unit after the tilting vehicle has transitioned from the running state to the overturned state, if the front light, the meter panel or the image display unit is turned on when or immediately before the tilting vehicle transitions from the running state to the overturned state,

[0021] In the fall-reporting rider notification device of (4), the rider can know the fall-reporting state by a change in the illumination state of the front light, meter panel, or image display unit. Also, third parties around the tilting vehicle can know the fall-reporting state by a change in the illumination state of the front light, meter panel, or image display unit.

[0022] (5) The fall-reporting rider notification device of (1), wherein the front light includes a high beam state in which a driving headlight is turned on and a low beam state in which a passing headlight is turned on, and the fall-reporting rider notification operating unit, when the front light is turned on in the high beam state or the low beam state at or immediately before the tilting vehicle transitions from the traveling state to the tipping state, alternately switches the front light between the high beam state and the low beam state after the tilting vehicle transitions from the traveling state to the tipping state, thereby notifying the rider of the fall-reporting state.

[0023] In the fall-notifying rider notification device of (5), the rider can know the fall-notification state by the change in the illumination state of the front light. Also, third parties around the tilting vehicle can know the fall-notification state by the change in the illumination state of the front light.

[0024] (6) The fall-reporting rider notification device according to (1), wherein the turn signals include a right turn signal and a left turn signal, and when the right turn signal and the left turn signal are off when or immediately before the tilting vehicle transitions from a traveling state to a tipping state, the fall-reporting rider notification operating unit notifies the rider of the fall-reporting state by turning on the right turn signal and / or the left turn signal after the tilting vehicle transitions from a traveling state to a tipping state, by alternately flashing the right turn signal and the left turn signal after the tilting vehicle transitions from a traveling state to a tipping state, by simultaneously flashing the right turn signal and the left turn signal after the tilting vehicle transitions from a traveling state to a tipping state, or by flashing the right turn signal or the left turn signal after the tilting vehicle transitions from a traveling state to a tipping state.

[0025] In the fall-notifying rider notification device of (6), the rider can know the fall-notification state by the change in the illumination state of the blinker light. Also, third parties around the tilting vehicle can know the fall-notification state by the change in the illumination state of the blinker light.

[0026] (7) The fall-warning rider notification device of (1), wherein the turn signals include a right turn signal and a left turn signal, and the right turn signal and the left turn signal are caused to flash simultaneously in a first cycle when used as an emergency stop light, and the fall-warning rider notification operating unit, when the right turn signal and the left turn signal are flashing simultaneously in the first cycle when or immediately before the tilting vehicle transitions from a traveling state to a tipping state, notifies the rider of the fall-warning state by flashing the right turn signal and the left turn signal simultaneously in a second cycle different from the first cycle after the tilting vehicle transitions from a traveling state to a tipping state.

[0027] In the fall-notifying rider notification device of (7), the rider can know the fall-notification state by the change in the illumination state of the blinker light. Also, third parties around the tilting vehicle can know the fall-notification state by the change in the illumination state of the blinker light.

[0028] (8) The fall-reporting rider notification device according to (1), wherein the turn signals include a right turn signal and a left turn signal, and when the right turn signal or the left turn signal is flashing when or immediately before the tilting vehicle transitions from a traveling state to a tipping state, the fall-reporting rider notification operating unit notifies the rider of the fall-reporting state by turning on the right turn signal and the left turn signal after the tilting vehicle transitions from a traveling state to a tipping state, by alternately flashing the right turn signal and the left turn signal after the tilting vehicle transitions from a traveling state to a tipping state, or by simultaneously flashing the right turn signal and the left turn signal after the tilting vehicle transitions from a traveling state to a tipping state.

[0029] In the fall-notifying rider notification device of (8), the rider can know the fall-notification state by the change in the illumination state of the turn signal. Also, third parties around the tilting vehicle can know the fall-notification state by the change in the illumination state of the turn signal.

[0030] (9) The fall-reporting rider notification device of (1), wherein the turn signals include a right turn signal and a left turn signal, and when the right turn signal and the left turn signal are flashing simultaneously when or immediately before the tilting vehicle transitions from a traveling state to a tipping state, the fall-reporting rider notification operating unit notifies the rider of the fall-reporting state by turning on the right turn signal and / or the left turn signal after the tilting vehicle transitions from a traveling state to a tipping state, or by flashing the right turn signal and the left turn signal alternately after the tilting vehicle transitions from a traveling state to a tipping state.

[0031] In the fall-notifying rider notification device of (9), the rider can know the fall-notification state by the change in the illumination state of the blinker light. Also, third parties around the tilting vehicle can know the fall-notification state by the change in the illumination state of the blinker light.

[0032] (10) In the fall-reporting rider notification device of (1), the fall-reporting rider notification operating unit notifies the rider of the fall-reporting state by turning on or blinking the backlight after the tilting vehicle has transitioned from the running state to the tipping state if the backlight is off when or immediately before the tilting vehicle transitions from the running state to the tipping state, turning on or blinking the backlight after the tilting vehicle has transitioned from the running state to the tipping state if the backlight is on when or immediately before the tilting vehicle transitions from the running state to the tipping state, blinking the backlight after the tilting vehicle has transitioned from the running state to the tipping state, turning on the backlight after the tilting vehicle has transitioned from the running state to the tipping state, or When the backlight is flashing at a third cycle when or immediately before the tilting vehicle shifts from a running state to a tipping state, the backlight is made to flash at a fourth cycle different from the third cycle after the tilting vehicle shifts from a running state to a tipping state, thereby notifying the rider of the tipping notification state.

[0033] In the fall-notifying rider notification device of (10), the rider can know the fall-notification state by the change in the illumination state of the backlight. Also, a third party around the tilting vehicle can know the fall-notification state by the change in the illumination state of the backlight.

[0034] (11) In the fall-reporting rider notification device of (1), the fall-reporting rider notification operating unit notifies the rider of the fall-reporting state by making the horn or the buzzer generate a sound intermittently or continuously after the tilting vehicle transitions from the running state to the tipping state, if the horn or the buzzer is not generating a sound when or immediately before the tilting vehicle transitions from the running state to the tipping state, or by making the horn generate a sound intermittently after the tilting vehicle transitions from the running state to the tipping state, if the horn is generating a sound continuously when or immediately before the tilting vehicle transitions from the running state to the tipping state, to notify the rider of the fall-reporting state.

[0035] In the fall-reporting rider notification device of (11), the rider can know the fall-reporting state by a change in the sound generation state of the horn or buzzer. Also, a third party around the tilting vehicle can know the fall-reporting state by a change in the sound generation state of the horn or buzzer.

[0036] (12) A tilting vehicle equipped with the fall notification rider notification device of (1).

[0037] The tilting vehicle (12) can notify a rider who is away from the tilting vehicle that it is preparing to notify the occurrence of a fall or that it has notified the occurrence of a fall. The tilting vehicle (12) can also notify a third party who is around the tilting vehicle that it is preparing to notify the occurrence of a fall or that it has notified the occurrence of a fall.

[0038] The above and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0039] As used herein, the term "an / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0040] As used herein, use of the terms "including," "comprising," or "having," and variations thereof, identifies the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or equivalents thereof, but may include one or more of the steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0041] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

[0042] Terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be construed to have a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the relevant art and this disclosure, and should not be construed in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly defined herein.

[0043] In describing the present invention, it is understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has distinct advantages, and each can also be used with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Thus, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from unnecessarily repeating all possible combinations of the individual steps. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that all such combinations are within the scope of the present invention and claims.

[0044] In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention to the specific embodiments illustrated in the following drawings or description.

[0045] According to the present invention, in a tilting vehicle, it is possible to notify a rider who has moved away from the tilting vehicle that a tipping notification is being prepared or that a tipping notification has been made, using a method different from conventional methods.

[0046] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a tilting vehicle overturn notification system 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the tilting vehicle overturn notification system 1. FIG. 3 is a state transition diagram of the tilting vehicle overturn notification system 1. FIG. 4 is a flowchart executed by the determination unit 12. FIG. 5 is a flowchart executed by the acquisition unit 20 and the operation unit 22. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of a tilting vehicle overturn notification system 1a. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of a tilting vehicle overturn notification system 1b.

[0047] (First embodiment) [Configuration of tilting vehicle overturn notification system] The configuration of a tilting vehicle overturn notification system including a fall notification rider notification device according to a first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a functional block diagram of the tilting vehicle overturn notification system 1. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the tilting vehicle overturn notification system 1. Fig. 3 is a state transition diagram of the tilting vehicle overturn notification system 1.

[0048] The tilting vehicle overturn reporting system 1 is a system that wirelessly reports fall occurrence information Ia, which indicates that the motorcycle 2 has transitioned from a traveling state to a overturned state, to an outside of the motorcycle 2. The outside of the motorcycle 2 is not particularly limited and may be, for example, a center 100. The center 100 dispatches rescue to the rider 102 of the motorcycle 2 based on the fall occurrence information Ia. Furthermore, the tilting vehicle overturn reporting system 1 notifies the rider 102 of a fall notification status q (see FIG. 3 ), which indicates the status of the notification of the fall occurrence information Ia, by light or sound. The fall notification status q includes an unreported state q1, a report preparation state q2, and a reported state q3, which will be described later.

[0049] The motorcycle 2 is a leaning vehicle that turns in a leaning position. The leaning vehicle is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a saddle-ride type vehicle such as a motorcycle or a three-wheeled motorcycle. In the following, "forward" refers to the direction of travel of the motorcycle 2 in an upright state. "rearward" refers to the opposite direction to the direction of travel of the motorcycle 2 in an upright state. "Right" and "left" refer to the right and left, respectively, of the rider 102 straddling the motorcycle 2 in an upright state. "Up" and "down" refer to the up and down, respectively, of the rider 102 straddling the motorcycle 2 in an upright state.

[0050] The motorcycle 2 includes a tilting vehicle overturn reporting system 1 and a vehicle body 4. The tilting vehicle overturn reporting system 1 includes a fall reporting rider notification device 10, a determination unit 12, a sensor 14, a communication unit 16, a reporting switch 17, a cancel switch 18, an image display unit 24, a meter panel 26, a backlight 28, blinkers 30, a front light 32, a buzzer 34, and a horn 36.

[0051] The body 4 leans leftward when the motorcycle 2 turns left, and leans rightward when the motorcycle 2 turns right. The body 4 includes the main components of the motorcycle 2, such as a handlebar, a frame, an engine, a transmission, a front fork, a swing arm, a front suspension, a rear suspension, a front wheel, a front tire, a rear wheel, a rear tire, a front brake, and a rear brake. The body 4 also holds a fall reporting rider notification device 10, a determination unit 12, a sensor 14, a communication unit 16, a notification switch 17, a cancel switch 18, an image display unit 24, a meter panel 26, a backlight 28, blinkers 30, a front light 32, a buzzer 34, and a horn 36.

[0052] The meter panel 26 includes a speedometer, a tachometer, a fuel gauge, a water temperature gauge, etc. The meter panel 26 is provided, for example, in front of or behind the handlebars of the motorcycle 2. The meter panel 26 may include meters with needles and dials, or may include meters displayed on a liquid crystal panel or an organic electroluminescence (EL) panel. The meter panel 26 may also include meters with needles and dials, meters displayed on a liquid crystal panel, and an EL panel. When the meter panel 26 includes meters with needles and dials, the meter panel 26 also includes meter bulbs. The meter bulbs are lights provided on the meter panel 26 to improve the visibility of the meter panel 26 in dark places. When the meter panel 26 includes meters displayed on a liquid crystal panel or an EL panel, the meter panel 26 itself can emit light. In the following description, the meter panel 26 is described as including meters displayed on a liquid crystal panel.

[0053] The image display unit 24 displays an image from the navigation system. The image display unit 24 is provided, for example, in front of the handlebars of the motorcycle 2. The image display unit is not particularly limited and may be a liquid crystal panel, an organic EL panel, or the like. The image displayed on the image display unit 24 is also not particularly limited and may be an image showing the state of the motorcycle 2, or the like.

[0054] The backlight 28 is a lighting device that irradiates light behind the motorcycle 2. The backlight 28 functions as a tail light and a brake light. Therefore, the backlight 28 is provided near the rear end of the motorcycle 2.

[0055] The turn signals 30 are lighting devices that flash to indicate the traveling direction of the motorcycle 2. The turn signals 30 include a right front turn signal 30FR and a left front turn signal 30FL, which are provided near the front end of the motorcycle 2, respectively, to the right and left of the center line of the motorcycle 2. The turn signals 30 also include a right rear turn signal 30RR and a left rear turn signal 30RL, which are provided near the rear end of the motorcycle 2, respectively, to the right and left of the center line of the motorcycle 2. Hereinafter, the right front turn signal 30FR and the right rear turn signal 30RR will be collectively referred to as right turn signal 30R. The left front turn signal 30FL and the left rear turn signal 30RL will be collectively referred to as left turn signal 30L. The center line of the motorcycle 2 is a line that passes through the center in the left-right direction of the tilting vehicle when the motorcycle 2 in an upright state is viewed from the front, rear, above, or below.

[0056] When the motorcycle 2 turns right, the rider 102 operates a turn signal switch (not shown) to cause the right turn signal 30R to flash. When the motorcycle 2 turns left, the rider 102 operates a turn signal switch (not shown) to cause the left turn signal 30L to flash. The turn signals 30 can also be used as emergency stop lights (hazard lights) by simultaneously flashing the right turn signal 30R and the left turn signal 30L when the rider 102 operates a hazard light switch (not shown). When used as emergency stop lights, the right turn signal 30R and the left turn signal 30L flash at a cycle T10.

[0057] The front light 32 is a lighting device that emits light ahead of the motorcycle 2. The front light 32 includes a high beam light source 32H and a low beam light source 32L. The high beam light source 32H emits light horizontally or above the horizontal toward the front of the motorcycle 2. The high beam light source 32H is a driving headlight. Hereinafter, the state in which the high beam light source 32H emits light is referred to as a high beam state. The low beam light source 32L emits light below the horizontal toward the front of the motorcycle 2. The low beam light source 32L is a passing headlight. Hereinafter, the state in which the low beam light source 32L emits light is referred to as a low beam state.

[0058] The buzzer 34 is a sound source provided in a keyless system or a smart key system, and generates a buzzer sound when the key or smart key of the motorcycle 2 is operated.

[0059] The horn 36 is a safety device that makes a sound to alert other passing vehicles of the approaching motorcycle 2. The horn 36 generates a sound when the rider 102 operates the horn button on the motorcycle 2.

[0060] The image display unit 24 , meter panel 26 , backlight 28 , front light 32 , buzzer 34 and horn 36 as described above are arranged on the center line of the vehicle body 4 rather than on the side of the vehicle body 4 .

[0061] The sensor 14 acquires basic determination information I1 used for the fall determination and notification determination in the determination unit 12, which will be described later. The fall determination is a determination of whether the motorcycle 2 has transitioned from a running state Q1 (see FIG. 3 ) to a falling state Q2 (see FIG. 3 ). The notification determination is a determination of whether it is necessary to wirelessly notify the center 100 of fall occurrence information Ia when the motorcycle 2 transitions from the running state Q1 to the falling state Q2. The sensor 14 is not particularly limited and may be, for example, an inclination determination sensor 42 and a speed sensor 44 (see FIG. 2 ). The inclination determination sensor 42 is a sensor that determines whether the angle (inclination angle) between the center line of the motorcycle 2 and the vertical direction when viewed from the front is greater than a predetermined value. If the inclination angle is greater than the predetermined value, the inclination determination sensor 42 outputs a signal of “1.” If the inclination angle is smaller than the predetermined value, the inclination determination sensor 42 outputs a signal of “0.” The inclination angle being greater than a predetermined value is a necessary condition for determining that the motorcycle 2 is in an overturned state Q2. The predetermined value is determined by the method of overturning determination described below, and therefore varies depending on the method of overturning determination. The inclination determination sensor 42 may measure and output the inclination angle. The speed sensor 44 measures the speed of the motorcycle 2. Therefore, the determination basic information I1 is the inclination angle and speed of the motorcycle 2. The sensor 14 may include sensors other than the inclination determination sensor 42 and the speed sensor 44. The sensors other than the inclination determination sensor 42 and the speed sensor 44 are not particularly limited and may be, for example, an acceleration sensor. The acceleration sensor measures the acceleration of the motorcycle 2. In this case, the acceleration is also included in the determination basic information I1.

[0062] The determination unit 12 determines whether the motorcycle 2 has transitioned from the running state Q1 to the overturned state Q2 based on the determination basic information I1 output from the sensor 14 (overturn determination). Furthermore, the determination unit 12 determines whether it is necessary to report the overturn occurrence information Ia to the center 100 via wireless communication based on the determination basic information I1 output from the sensor 14 (report determination). Even if the motorcycle 2 has transitioned from the running state Q1 to the overturned state Q2, there may be cases where the tilting vehicle overturn reporting system 1 does not need to report the overturn occurrence information Ia to the center 100 because the impact of the overturn was small, for example. Therefore, the determination unit 12 performs a report determination after the overturn determination. In the report determination, the determination unit 12 determines the magnitude of the impact of the overturn based on, for example, the speed of the motorcycle 2 measured by the speed sensor 44. If the impact of the overturn is relatively large, the determination unit 12 determines that it is necessary to report the overturn occurrence information Ia. If the impact of the fall is relatively small, the determination unit 12 determines that reporting of the fall occurrence information Ia is unnecessary. Various conventionally known determination methods can be applied to the methods of determining whether a vehicle has fallen and whether it should be notified. Furthermore, new, non-publicly known determination methods may also be applied to the methods of determining whether a vehicle has fallen and whether it should be notified. The definitions of the running state Q1 and the fall state Q2 are not particularly limited and vary depending on the method of determining whether a vehicle has fallen. Furthermore, the conditions under which it is determined that reporting of the fall occurrence information Ia is necessary are also not particularly limited and vary depending on the method of determining whether a vehicle should be notified.

[0063] Furthermore, when the determination unit 12 determines that the motorcycle 2 has transitioned from the running state Q1 to the overturn state Q2 and that it is necessary to report the fall occurrence information Ia, the determination unit 12 prepares to report the fall occurrence information Ia to the center 100. Hereinafter, the determination by the determination unit 12 that the motorcycle 2 has transitioned from the running state Q1 to the overturn state Q2 will be referred to as a fall transition determination. Also, the determination by the determination unit 12 that it is necessary to report the fall occurrence information Ia will be referred to as a report necessity determination. When the determination unit 12 determines that the motorcycle 2 has transitioned from the running state Q1 to the overturn state Q2 and that it is necessary to report the fall occurrence information Ia, the determination unit 12 waits for a predetermined time Ta (e.g., 30 seconds) after determining that it is necessary to report before outputting the fall occurrence information Ia to the communication unit 16 (described later). The fall reporting state q in which the determination unit 12 is waiting to output the fall occurrence information Ia will be referred to as a report preparation state q2 (see FIG. 3 ). In the report preparation state q2, the determination unit 12 continues to output the report preparation information I2 to the acquisition unit 20 (described later). The notification preparation information I2 is information indicating that the tilting vehicle overturn notification system 1 is preparing to notify the center 100 of the overturn occurrence information Ia.

[0064] Meanwhile, the determination unit 12 outputs the fall occurrence information Ia to the communication unit 16 (described later) when a predetermined time Ta has elapsed since determining that a report is necessary. When the fall occurrence information Ia is output from the determination unit 12, the communication unit 16 transmits the fall occurrence information Ia to the center 100. More specifically, the communication unit 16 includes a communication module 46 and an antenna 48 (see FIG. 2 ). The communication module 46 is a communication module used for wireless communication, such as a second-generation wireless communication system, a third-generation wireless communication system, a fourth-generation wireless communication system, or LTE (Long Term Evolution). However, since the communication speed required for the communication module 46 is relatively slow, the communication module 46 is considered to be a communication module for a second-generation wireless communication system or a third-generation wireless communication system. The communication module 46 converts the fall occurrence information Ia output from the determination unit 12 into a high-frequency signal having a frequency suitable for wireless communication and outputs the signal to the antenna 48. The antenna 48 radiates the high-frequency signal output from the communication module 46 into the atmosphere as an electromagnetic wave. As a result, the tilting vehicle overturn notification system 1 reports the overturn occurrence information Ia to the center 100. Hereinafter, the overturn notification state q in which the overturn occurrence information Ia has been reported will be referred to as a reported state q3 (see FIG. 3 ). In the reported state q3, the determination unit 12 continues to output reported information I3 to the acquisition unit 20, which will be described later. The reported information I3 is information indicating that the tilting vehicle overturn notification system 1 has reported the overturn occurrence information Ia to the center 100. The determination unit 12 is, for example, an ECU (electronic control unit) 40 in which ICs (semiconductor integrated circuits), electronic components, etc. are mounted on a circuit board (see FIG. 2 ).

[0065] The reporting switch 17 is a switch that is operated by the rider 102 or a third party to cause the tilting vehicle overturn reporting system 1 to report the overturn occurrence information Ia to the center 100. When the reporting switch 17 is operated by the rider 102 or a third party, the tilting vehicle overturn reporting system 1 reports the overturn occurrence information Ia to the center 100 even if the determination unit 12 has not determined that the vehicle has transitioned to overturn or that a report is necessary.

[0066] The cancel switch 18 is a switch operated by the rider 102 or a third party to cancel the tilting vehicle overturn notification system 1's preparation to notify the center 100 of the overturn occurrence information Ia. Specifically, even in the notification preparation state q2, the rider 102 may not wish the tilting vehicle overturn notification system 1 to notify the center 100 of the overturn occurrence information Ia. Therefore, the determination unit 12 waits for a predetermined time Ta after determining that a notification is necessary before outputting the overturn occurrence information Ia to the communication unit 16. If the cancel switch 18 is operated by the rider 102 or a third party while the determination unit 12 is waiting, the determination unit 12 does not output the overturn occurrence information Ia to the communication unit 16. In other words, the tilting vehicle overturn notification system 1 cancels its preparation to notify the center 100 of the overturn occurrence information Ia. Furthermore, the determination unit 12 stops outputting the notification preparation information I2 to the acquisition unit 20.

[0067] The cancel switch 18 is a switch for canceling the notification of the tipping vehicle overturn notification system 1 to the center 100 of the tipping occurrence information Ia. Specifically, even in the notification completed state q3, the rider 102 may want to cancel the notification of the tipping occurrence information Ia to the center 100. Therefore, when the rider 102 or a third party operates the cancel switch 18 after the tipping occurrence information Ia has been reported to the center 100, the determination unit 12 notifies the center 100 of the notification cancellation information Ib via the communication unit 16. In other words, the tipping vehicle overturn notification system 1 cancels the notification of the tipping occurrence information Ia. Furthermore, the determination unit 12 stops outputting the notification completed information I3 to the acquisition unit 20.

[0068] The fall-reporting rider notification device 10 includes a tilting vehicle fall notification information acquisition unit 20 (hereinafter simply referred to as the acquisition unit 20) and a fall-reporting rider notification activation unit 22 (hereinafter simply referred to as the activation unit 22). The acquisition unit 20 acquires notification preparation information I2 or notification completion information I3 from the determination unit 12. The activation unit 22 activates at least one of the image display unit 24, the meter panel 26, the backlight 28, the turn signals 30, the front light 32, the buzzer 34, and the horn 36 in an activation state different from the activation state at time t (see FIG. 3 ), based on the notification preparation information I2 or the notification completion information I3 acquired by the acquisition unit 20. Hereinafter, the image display unit 24, the meter panel 26, the backlight 28, the turn signals 30, the front light 32, the buzzer 34, and the horn 36 are collectively referred to as the light / sound generation unit 37. The time t is immediately before the motorcycle 2 transitions from a traveling state Q1 to a fall state Q2. The overturn notification state q in the traveling state Q1 (i.e., timing t) is the unreported state q1 (see FIG. 3). The unreported state q1 is a state in which the tilting vehicle overturn notification system 1 is not preparing to report the overturn occurrence information Ia and has not reported the overturn occurrence information Ia. Note that "immediately before the transition from the traveling state Q1 to the overturn state Q2" is not particularly limited and may be, for example, any time between several seconds before the timing of the overturn transition determination and the timing of the overturn transition determination.

[0069] More specifically, in the unreported state q1, the acquisition unit 20 does not acquire the report preparation information I2 or the report completion information I3. In the report preparation state q2, the acquisition unit 20 acquires the report preparation information I2. In the report completion state q3, the acquisition unit 20 acquires the report completion information I3. Therefore, the acquisition unit 20 can determine whether the fall report state q is the unreported state q1, the report preparation state q2, or the report completion state q3, based on whether the report preparation information I2 and the report completion information I3 have been acquired. The operation unit 22 activates at least one of the light / sound generation units 37 in different operation states in the unreported state q1, the report preparation state q2, and the report completion state q3, respectively, to irradiate light or generate sound in the horizontal direction from the overturned motorcycle 2. Therefore, the light irradiation state or the sound generation state differs in the unreported state q1, the report preparation state q2, and the report completion state q3. In this way, the actuation unit 22 changes the light illumination state or sound generation state depending on the notification state of the fall occurrence information Ia, thereby notifying the rider 102 of the fall notification state q, which indicates the notification state of the fall occurrence information Ia. "Emitting light in the horizontal direction" means causing the light / sound generation unit 37 to generate light that travels horizontally. However, the light / sound generation unit 37 may also emit light in directions other than the horizontal direction. It also means causing the light / sound generation unit 37 to generate sound that travels horizontally. However, as shown in FIG. 1 , the light / sound generation unit 37 may also generate sound in directions other than the horizontal direction. Furthermore, the "horizontal direction" generally refers to a direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity. However, in this specification, the "horizontal direction" also includes a direction inclined relative to the direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity. This is because the motorcycle 2 may tip over on an inclined surface. In this specification, the angle between the "horizontal direction" and a plane perpendicular to the direction of gravity (i.e., the elevation angle) ranges from -45° to 45°.

[0070] Hereinafter, the operating state of the light and sound generating unit 37 at timing t (unreported state q1) will be referred to as the immediately preceding operating state P1 (see FIG. 3). The operating state of the light and sound generating unit 37 in the report preparation state q2 will be referred to as the report preparation operating state P2 (see FIG. 3). The operating state of the light and sound generating unit 37 in the report completion state q3 will be referred to as the report completion operating state P3 (see FIG. 3). The light irradiation state or sound generation state of the light and sound generating unit 37 differs from one another in the immediately preceding operating state P1, the report preparation operating state P2, and the report completion operating state P3. Tables 1 and 2 show operating state examples 1 to 42 of the immediately preceding operating state P1, the report preparation operating state P2, and the report completion operating state P3.

[0071]

[0072]

[0073] - Cycles T1 and T2 are different. However, cycle T1 may be longer than cycle T2, or cycle T1 may be shorter than cycle T2. - Cycles T3 and T4 are different. However, cycle T3 may be longer than cycle T4, or cycle T3 may be shorter than cycle T4. - Cycles T5 and T6 are different. However, cycle T5 may be longer than cycle T6, or cycle T5 may be shorter than cycle T6. - Cycles T7, T8, and T9 are different from one another. - Cycles T10, T11, and T12 are different from one another. - Cycles T13 and T14 are different. However, cycle T13 may be longer than cycle T14, or cycle T13 may be shorter than cycle T14. - Cycles T15 and T16 are different. However, cycle T15 may be longer than cycle T16, or cycle T15 may be shorter than cycle T16. - Cycles T17 and T18 are different. However, the period T17 may be longer than the period T18, or the period T17 may be shorter than the period T18. The first color, the second color, and the third color are different. The fourth color, the fifth color, and the sixth color are different.

[0074] In this specification, "illuminating" means continuously emitting light without interruption. "Flashing" means alternating between emitting light and not emitting light, and alternating between emitting strong light and emitting weak light. "Continuously emitting sound" means continuously emitting sound without interruption. "Intermittently emitting sound" means alternating between emitting sound and not emitting sound, and alternating between emitting loud sound and emitting soft sound.

[0075] Furthermore, the operation unit 22 can execute a combination of operation state examples 1 to 42. In particular, in the notification preparation state q2 or the notification completed state q3, it is preferable that the operation unit 22 operate two or more components of the light / sound generation unit 37 in an operation state different from the operation state at time t (the immediately preceding operation state P1). In this case, the motorcycle 2 in the overturned state will irradiate light or generate sound in two or more horizontal directions with a high probability. Examples of operation states that can be combined are listed below. Table 3 shows examples of operation states that can be combined. In Table 3, combinations marked OK indicate that they can be combined, and combinations marked NG indicate that they cannot be combined.

[0076]

[0077] The operation unit 22 selects and executes two to seven combinations of operation state examples from operation state examples 1 to 42. In the following, the operation unit 22 executes operation state example 10 and operation state example 31. However, the operation unit 22 may execute any one of operation states 1 to 42. The fall reporting rider notification device 10 (acquisition unit 20 and operation unit 22) is, for example, an ECU 41 in which an IC (semiconductor integrated circuit), electronic components, etc. are mounted on a circuit board (see FIG. 2).

[0078] [Operation of the tilting vehicle overturn notification system] Next, the operation of the tilting vehicle overturn notification system 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 4 is a flowchart executed by the determination unit 12. Fig. 5 is a flowchart executed by the acquisition unit 20 and the operation unit 22. The operation of the determination unit 12 shown in Fig. 4 and the operation of the acquisition unit 20 and the operation unit 22 shown in Fig. 5 are executed simultaneously. However, for convenience of explanation, the operation of the determination unit 12 shown in Fig. 4 and the operation of the acquisition unit 20 and the operation unit 22 shown in Fig. 5 will be described separately.

[0079] First, the operation of the determination unit 12 will be described with reference to Figure 4. This process is started, for example, when the ignition power supply of the motorcycle 2 is turned on and power is supplied to the fall reporting rider notification device 10 and the determination unit 12. At the start of this process, the fall reporting state q is the no-report state q1.

[0080] First, the determination unit 12 determines whether the notification switch 17 is turned on (step S1). If the notification switch is turned on (Yes), the process proceeds to step S2. If the notification switch is not turned on (No), the process proceeds to step S9.

[0081] When the reporting switch is turned ON (Step S1: Yes), the determination unit 12 reports the fall occurrence information Ia to the center 100 via the communication unit 16 (Step S2). As a result, the fall notification state q changes from an unreported state q1 to a reported state q3. Furthermore, the determination unit 12 outputs reported information I3 to the acquisition unit 20 (Step S3). After outputting the reported information I3, the determination unit 12 starts measuring a predetermined time Tb (e.g., 5 minutes) (Step S4). The reason for measuring the predetermined time Tb will be explained below. Even if the tilting vehicle overturn reporting system 1 has reported the fall occurrence information Ia to the center 100, the rider 102 may sometimes want to cancel the fact that the tilting vehicle overturn reporting system 1 has reported the fall occurrence information Ia to the center 100. Therefore, until the predetermined time Tb has elapsed since step S4, the rider 102 can turn on the cancel switch 18 to cancel the notification of the tipping vehicle overturn notification system 1 to the center 100 of the tipping occurrence information Ia. On the other hand, after the predetermined time Tb has elapsed since step S4, even if the rider 102 turns on the cancel switch 18, the notification of the tipping vehicle overturn notification system 1 to the center 100 of the tipping occurrence information Ia is not canceled. At this time, rescue is dispatched to the rider 102.

[0082] Next, the determination unit 12 determines whether a predetermined time Tb has elapsed since step S4 (step S5). If the predetermined time Tb has elapsed (Yes), this process ends. In this case, the center 100 dispatches rescue to the rider 102. If the predetermined time Tb has not elapsed (No), this process proceeds to step S6.

[0083] If the predetermined time Tb has not elapsed (step S5, No), the determination unit 12 determines whether the cancel switch 18 has been turned on (step S6). If the cancel switch 18 has been turned on (Yes), the process proceeds to step S7. If the cancel switch 18 has not been turned on (No), the process returns to step S5.

[0084] If the cancel switch 18 is turned ON (step S6, Yes), the determination unit 12 stops outputting the notification completion information I3 to the acquisition unit 20 (step S7). Furthermore, the determination unit 12 reports notification cancellation information Ib (see FIG. 1) to the center 100 via the communication unit 16 (step S8). This cancels the notification of the overturn occurrence information Ia from the tilting vehicle overturn notification system 1 to the center 100. After this, this process ends.

[0085] If the notification switch is not turned on (step S1, No), the determination unit 12 acquires determination basis information I1 from the sensor 14 (step S9). Based on the determination basis information I1, the determination unit 12 determines whether the motorcycle 2 has transitioned from the running state Q1 to the overturned state Q2 (step S10). That is, the determination unit 12 performs a overturn determination. If the motorcycle 2 has transitioned to the overturned state Q2 (Yes), the process proceeds to step S11. If the motorcycle 2 has not transitioned to the overturned state Q2 (No), the process returns to step S1.

[0086] If the vehicle has transitioned to the overturn state Q2 (step S10, Yes), the determination unit 12 determines whether the tilting vehicle overturn reporting system 1 needs to report the overturn occurrence information Ia to the center 100 (step S11). That is, the determination unit 12 performs a reporting determination. In step S10, the determination unit 12 determines, for example, the magnitude of the impact of the overturn. If the impact of the overturn is relatively large, the determination unit 12 determines that reporting of the overturn occurrence information Ia is necessary (Yes). The overturn reporting state q changes from the non-reporting state q1 to the reporting preparation state q2. In this case, the process proceeds to step S12. If the impact of the overturn is relatively small, the determination unit 12 determines that reporting of the overturn occurrence information Ia is unnecessary (No). In this case, the process returns to step S1.

[0087] If a notification is necessary (step S11, Yes), the determination unit 12 outputs notification preparation information I2 to the acquisition unit 20 (step S12). The notification preparation information I2 is information indicating that the tilting vehicle overturn notification system 1 is preparing to notify the center 100 of the overturn occurrence information Ia. Furthermore, the determination unit 12 starts measuring a predetermined time Ta (e.g., 30 seconds) simultaneously with the execution of step S12 (step S13). The determination unit 12 determines whether the predetermined time Ta has elapsed since step S13 (step S14). If the predetermined time Ta has not elapsed (No), the process proceeds to step S15. If the predetermined time Ta has elapsed (Yes), the process proceeds to step S17.

[0088] If the predetermined time Ta has not elapsed (step S14, No), the determination unit 12 determines whether the cancel switch 18 has been turned on (step S15). If the cancel switch 18 has been turned on (Yes), the process proceeds to step S16. If the cancel switch 18 has not been turned on (No), the process returns to step S14.

[0089] If the cancel switch 18 is turned ON (step S15, Yes), the determination unit 12 stops outputting the notification preparation information I2 to the acquisition unit 20 (step S16). This cancels the preparation of the tilting vehicle overturn notification system 1 to notify the center 100 of the overturn occurrence information Ia. In other words, the overturn occurrence information Ia is not notified to the center 100. After this, the process ends.

[0090] If the predetermined time Ta has elapsed (Yes in step S14), the determination unit 12 notifies the center 100 of the fall occurrence information Ia via the communication unit 16 (step S17). That is, the fall notification state q changes from the notification preparation state q2 to the notification completed state q3.

[0091] Next, the determination unit 12 stops outputting the notification preparation information I2 to the acquisition unit 20 (step S18). Furthermore, the determination unit 12 outputs the notification completion information I3 to the acquisition unit 20 (step S19). After outputting the notification completion information I3, the determination unit 12 starts measuring the predetermined time Tb (step S20).

[0092] Next, the determination unit 12 determines whether a predetermined time Tb has elapsed since step S19 (step S21). If the predetermined time Tb has elapsed (Yes), this process ends. In this case, the center 100 dispatches rescue to the rider 102. If the predetermined time Tb has not elapsed (No), this process proceeds to step S22.

[0093] If the predetermined time Tb has not elapsed (step S21, No), the determination unit 12 determines whether the cancel switch 18 has been turned on (step S22). If the cancel switch 18 has been turned on (Yes), the process proceeds to step S23. If the cancel switch 18 has not been turned on (No), the process returns to step S21.

[0094] If the cancel switch 18 is turned ON (step S22, Yes), the determination unit 12 stops outputting the notification completion information I3 to the acquisition unit 20 (step S23). Furthermore, the determination unit 12 reports notification cancellation information Ib to the center 100 via the communication unit 16 (step S24). This cancels the notification of the overturn occurrence information Ia from the tilting vehicle overturn notification system 1 to the center 100. After this, this process ends.

[0095] Next, the operation of the acquisition unit 20 and the operation unit 22 will be described with reference to FIG. 5 . The acquisition unit 20 determines whether or not the notification information I3 has been acquired from the determination unit 12 (step S51). In step S51, the acquisition unit 20 determines whether or not the determination unit 12 output the notification information I3 in step S3 of FIG. 4 . That is, the acquisition unit 20 determines whether or not the notification switch 17 has been turned on and the fall notification status q has changed from the unreported status q1 to the reported status q3. If the notification information I3 has been acquired (Yes), the acquisition unit 20 determines that the fall notification status q has changed from the unreported status q1 to the reported status q3. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S52. If the notification information I3 has not been acquired (No), the acquisition unit 20 determines that the fall notification status q has not changed from the unreported status q1 to the reported status q3. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S55.

[0096] When the notification information I3 is acquired (step S51, Yes), the operation unit 22 changes the operation state of the light and sound generation unit 37 from the previous operation state P1 to the notified operation state P3 (step S52). As a result, the tilting vehicle overturn notification system 1 notifies the rider 102 that the overturn notification state q is the notified state q3.

[0097] Next, the acquisition unit 20 determines whether the notification information I3 has been no longer acquired from the determination unit 12 (step S53). In step S53, the acquisition unit 20 determines whether the determination unit 12 stopped outputting the notification information I3 in step S7 of FIG. 4 . That is, the acquisition unit 20 determines whether the cancel switch 18 has been turned ON in step S6. If the notification information I3 has been acquired (No), the acquisition unit 20 determines that the cancel switch 18 has not been turned ON. After this, the process returns to step S53. In this case, the operation unit 22 maintains the operation state of the light / sound generation unit 37 in the notification operation state P3. If the notification information I3 has not been acquired (Yes), the acquisition unit 20 determines that the cancel switch 18 has been turned ON. After this, the process proceeds to step S54.

[0098] If the notified information I3 is no longer being acquired (step S53, Yes), the operation unit 22 changes the operation state of the light and sound generation unit 37 from the notified operation state P3 to a canceled state (step S54). If the notified information I3 is no longer being acquired, the operation unit 22 sets at least one of the light and sound generation units 37 to an operation state different from the state in which the acquisition unit 20 acquires the notified information I3. As a result, the tilting vehicle overturn notification system 1 notifies the rider 102 that the notification of the overturn occurrence information Ia has been canceled. In the canceled state, for example, all of the light and sound generation units 37 stop operating. After this, this process ends.

[0099] If the notification completion information I3 has not been acquired (step S51, No), the acquisition unit 20 determines whether the notification preparation information I2 has been acquired from the determination unit 12 (step S55). In step S55, the acquisition unit 20 determines whether the determination unit 12 output the notification preparation information I2 in step S12 of FIG. 4 . That is, the acquisition unit 20 determines whether the fall notification state q has changed from the unreported state q1 to the notification preparation state q2. If the notification preparation information I2 has not been acquired (No), the acquisition unit 20 determines that the fall notification state q is the unreported state q1. After this, the process returns to step S51. If the notification preparation information I2 has been acquired (Yes), the acquisition unit 20 determines that the fall notification state q has changed from the unreported state q1 to the notification preparation state q2. After this, the process proceeds to step S56.

[0100] If the notification preparation information I2 is acquired (Yes in S55), the operation unit 22 changes the operation state of the light and sound generation unit 37 from the previous operation state P1 to the notification preparation operation state P2 (step S56). As a result, the tilting vehicle overturn notification system 1 notifies the rider 102 that the overturn notification state q is the notification preparation state q2.

[0101] Next, the acquisition unit 20 determines whether the acquisition unit 20 has stopped acquiring the notification preparation information I2 from the determination unit 12 (step S57). In step S57, the acquisition unit 20 determines whether the determination unit 12 has stopped outputting the notification preparation information I2 in steps S16 and S18 of FIG. 4. If the acquisition unit 20 has acquired the notification preparation information I2 (No), the process returns to step S57. In this case, the operation unit 22 maintains the operation state of the light / sound generation unit 37 in the notification preparation operation state P2. If the acquisition unit 20 has stopped acquiring the notification preparation information I2 (Yes), the process proceeds to step S58.

[0102] If the notification preparation information I2 is no longer being acquired (S57, Yes), the acquisition unit 20 determines whether the notification completion information I3 has been acquired from the determination unit 12 (step S58). In step S58, the acquisition unit 20 determines whether the reason for no longer acquiring the notification preparation information I2 is because the determination unit 12 output the notification completion information I3 in step S19 of FIG. 4 or because the cancel switch 18 was turned ON in step S15 of FIG. 4. If the notification completion information I3 has been acquired (Yes), the acquisition unit 20 determines that the fall notification status q has changed from the notification preparation status q2 to the notification completion status q3. After this, the process proceeds to step S59. If the notification completion information I3 has not been acquired (No), the acquisition unit 20 determines that the cancel switch 18 has been turned ON. After this, the process proceeds to step S61.

[0103] When the notification completion information I3 is acquired (step S58: Yes), the operation unit 22 changes the operation state of the light and sound generation unit 37 from the notification preparation operation state P2 to the notification completion operation state P3 (step S59). As a result, the tilting vehicle overturn notification system 1 notifies the rider 102 that the overturn notification state q is the notification completion state q3.

[0104] Next, the acquisition unit 20 determines whether the notification information I3 has been stopped from the determination unit 12 (step S60). In step S60, the acquisition unit 20 determines whether the determination unit 12 stopped the notification information I3 in step S23 of FIG. 4. That is, the acquisition unit 20 determines whether the cancel switch 18 has been turned ON in step S22. If the notification information I3 has been acquired (No), the acquisition unit 20 determines that the cancel switch 18 has not been turned ON. After this, the process returns to step S60. In this case, the operation unit 22 maintains the operation state of the light / sound generation unit 37 in the notification operation state P3. If the notification information I3 has not been acquired (Yes), the acquisition unit 20 determines that the cancel switch 18 has been turned ON. After this, the process proceeds to step S61.

[0105] If the notification information I3 is no longer acquired (Yes in step S60), the operation unit 22 changes the operation state of the light and sound generation unit 37 from the notification operation state P3 to a canceled state (step S61). More specifically, if the notification preparation information I2 and the notification information I3 are no longer acquired, the operation unit 22 sets at least one of the light and sound generation units 37 to an operation state different from the state in which the acquisition unit 20 acquires the notification preparation information I2 or the notification information I3. As a result, the tilting vehicle overturn notification system 1 notifies the rider 102 that preparation for notification of the overturn occurrence information Ia has been canceled, or that notification of the overturn occurrence information Ia to the rider 102 has been canceled. In the canceled state, for example, all of the light and sound generation units 37 stop operating. After this, the process ends.

[0106] (Effect) The fall reporting rider notification device 10 configured as described above can notify the rider 102 who is away from the motorcycle 2 that it is preparing to report the fall occurrence information Ia. More specifically, when the determination unit 12 determines that the motorcycle 2 has transitioned from the running state Q1 to the overturn state Q2 and that it is necessary to report the fall occurrence information Ia to the center 100, the determination unit 12 prepares to report the fall occurrence information Ia to the center 100. When the tilting vehicle fall reporting system 1 is preparing to report the fall occurrence information Ia to the acquisition unit 20 (report preparation state q2), the determination unit 12 outputs report preparation information I2 indicating that the tilting vehicle fall reporting system 1 is preparing to report the fall occurrence information Ia to the acquisition unit 20. Based on the report preparation information I2 acquired by the acquisition unit 20, the operation unit 22 operates at least one of the light / sound generation units 37 in an operation state different from the operation state immediately before (timing t) the motorcycle 2 transitioned from the running state Q1 to the overturn state Q2. Therefore, the light illumination state or sound generation state differs between the non-report state q1 (fall-report state q at timing t) and the report preparation state q2. As a result, the rider 102 who has moved away from the motorcycle 2 can recognize the change in the light illumination state or sound generation state and know that preparation is underway to report the fall occurrence information Ia to the center 100. Also, a third party around the motorcycle 2 can recognize the change in the light illumination state or sound generation state and know that preparation is underway to report the fall occurrence information Ia to the center 100.

[0107] Furthermore, the fall-reporting rider notification device 10 can notify the rider 102 who has moved away from the motorcycle 2 that the fall occurrence information Ia has been notified. More specifically, when the tilting vehicle fall notification system 1 has notified the center 100 of the fall occurrence information Ia (notification completed state q3), the determination unit 12 outputs notification completed information I3 indicating that the tilting vehicle fall notification system 1 has notified the center 100 of the fall occurrence information Ia to the acquisition unit 20. The operation unit 22 operates at least one of the light / sound generation units 37 in an operation state different from the operation state in the notification preparation state q2, based on the notification completed information I3 acquired by the acquisition unit 20. Therefore, the light illumination state or the sound generation state differs between the notification preparation state q2 and the notification completed state q3. As a result, the rider 102 who has moved away from the motorcycle 2 can recognize the change in the light illumination state or the sound generation state and know that the fall occurrence information Ia has been notified to the center 100. Additionally, a third person around the motorcycle 2 can also recognize the change in the state of light illumination or sound generation and know that the tip-over occurrence information Ia has been reported to the center 100 .

[0108] Furthermore, the fall-reporting rider notification device 10 allows the rider 102 to know the fall-reporting state q with a high probability. More specifically, the actuation unit 22 causes at least one of the image display unit 24, the meter panel 26, the backlight 28, the blinkers 30, the front light 32, the buzzer 34, and the horn 36 to emit light or sound horizontally from the overturned motorcycle 2. The overturned motorcycle 2 is likely to assume a posture with its right or left side facing downward. Furthermore, the rider 102 who has left the motorcycle 2 is likely to be on the ground. Therefore, the light emitted horizontally or the light generated horizontally reaches the rider 102 with a high probability. Therefore, the rider 102 can know the fall-reporting state q with a high probability based on the light emitted horizontally or the light generated horizontally. Furthermore, third parties around the motorcycle 2 can also know the fall-reporting state q with a high probability based on the light emitted horizontally or the light generated horizontally.

[0109] Furthermore, light emitted horizontally may be reflected by a wall, as shown in Fig. 1 . In this case, the light reflected by the wall may reach the rider 102. This allows the rider 102 to know the fall-notification status q even if the light emitted from the motorcycle 2 does not directly reach the rider 102. Furthermore, even if the light emitted from the motorcycle 2 does not directly reach a third party around the motorcycle 2, the third party around the motorcycle 2 can know the fall-notification status q.

[0110] Furthermore, the fall-notifying rider notification device 10 allows the rider 102 to know the fall-notifying state q with a high probability. More specifically, the actuation unit 22 activates two or more components of the image display unit 24, the meter panel 26, the backlight 28, the blinkers 30, and the front light 32 in an operating state different from the operating state immediately before the motorcycle 2 transitions from a traveling state to a fallen state. In this case, the motorcycle 2 in the fallen state will radiate light or emit sound in two or more horizontal directions with a high probability. Therefore, the light radiated or emitted horizontally will reach the rider 102 with a high probability. Therefore, the rider 102 can know the fall-notifying state q with a high probability based on the light radiated or emitted horizontally. Furthermore, a third party around the motorcycle 2 can know the fall-notifying state q with a high probability based on the light radiated or emitted horizontally.

[0111] Furthermore, the fall reporting rider notification device 10 can notify the rider 102 who has moved away from the motorcycle 2 that preparation for reporting the fall occurrence information Ia has been canceled or that the reporting of the fall occurrence information Ia has been canceled. More specifically, when the acquisition unit 20 no longer acquires the reporting preparation information I2 and the reporting completion information I3, the operation unit 22 can determine that preparation for reporting the fall occurrence information Ia or the reporting of the fall occurrence information Ia has been canceled. Therefore, when preparation for reporting the fall occurrence information Ia or the reporting of the fall occurrence information Ia has been canceled, the operation unit 22 sets at least one of the light / sound generation units 37 to an operation state different from the state in which the acquisition unit 20 acquires the reporting preparation information I2 or the reporting completion information I3. As a result, the light illumination state or sound generation state differs between a state in which the reporting of the fall occurrence information Ia is being prepared or a state in which the reporting of the fall occurrence information Ia has been made and a state in which the reporting of the fall occurrence information Ia has been canceled or a state in which the reporting of the fall occurrence information Ia has been canceled. As a result, a rider 102 who has moved away from the motorcycle 2 can recognize the change in the light illumination state or the sound generation state and know that the preparation to report the fall occurrence information Ia has been canceled or the reporting of the fall occurrence information Ia has been canceled by recognizing the change in the light illumination state or the sound generation state. Also, a third party around the motorcycle 2 can recognize the change in the light illumination state or the sound generation state and know that the preparation to report the fall occurrence information Ia has been canceled or the reporting of the fall occurrence information Ia has been canceled by recognizing the change in the light illumination state or the sound generation state.

[0112] Second Embodiment Hereinafter, a configuration of a tilting vehicle overturn notification system including a fall notification rider notification device according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 6 is a functional block diagram of a tilting vehicle overturn notification system 1a.

[0113] The tilting vehicle overturn reporting system 1a differs from the tilting vehicle overturn reporting system 1 in that it includes a smartphone 200. More specifically, the smartphone 200 is a wireless communication terminal carried by the rider 102. The smartphone 200 makes a fall determination and a reporting determination based on basic determination information I1 acquired by a sensor 14 provided on the smartphone 200. Furthermore, when the smartphone 200 determines that the vehicle has transitioned to a fall and that a report is necessary, it reports fall occurrence information Ia to the center 100. Furthermore, the smartphone 200 transmits report preparation information I2 and report completion information I3 to the motorcycle 2. To achieve these operations, the smartphone 200 includes a determination unit 12, a sensor 14, a communication unit 16, a touch panel 19, and a Bluetooth communication unit 62. The motorcycle 2 is also provided with a fall reporting rider notification device 10a and a Bluetooth communication unit 60.

[0114] The determination unit 12, the sensor 14, and the communication unit 16 of the tilting vehicle overturn notification system 1a perform the same operations as the determination unit 12, the sensor 14, and the communication unit 16 of the tilting vehicle overturn notification system 1. Therefore, detailed descriptions of the determination unit 12, the sensor 14, and the communication unit 16 of the tilting vehicle overturn notification system 1a will be omitted.

[0115] The touch panel 19 is an image display unit and an input unit of the smartphone 200. The touch panel 19 displays a report switch 17 and a cancel switch 18. When the rider 102 operates the report switch 17 displayed on the touch panel 19, the determination unit 12 reports fall occurrence information Ia to the center 100 via the communication unit 16. When the rider 102 operates the cancel switch 18 displayed on the touch panel 19, the determination unit 12 reports report cancel information Ib to the center 100 via the communication unit 16.

[0116] The BT communication units 60 and 62 communicate wirelessly via BLUETOOTH (registered trademark). In the tilting vehicle overturn reporting system 1a, the determination unit 12 outputs report preparation information I2 and report completion information I3 to the acquisition unit 20 via the BT communication units 60, 62. The acquisition unit 20 and the operation unit 22 (fall reporting rider notification device 10a) of the tilting vehicle overturn reporting system 1a perform the same operations as the acquisition unit 20 and the operation unit 22 (fall reporting rider notification device 10) of the tilting vehicle overturn reporting system 1. Therefore, a detailed description of the acquisition unit 20 and the operation unit 22 (fall reporting rider notification device 10a) of the tilting vehicle overturn reporting system 1a will be omitted.

[0117] For the same reasons as the fall reporting rider notification device 10, the fall reporting rider notification device 10a configured as described above can notify the rider 102 who has moved away from the motorcycle 2 or third parties around the motorcycle 2 that it is preparing to report the fall occurrence information Ia. Furthermore, for the same reasons as the fall reporting rider notification device 10, the fall reporting rider notification device 10a can notify the rider 102 who has moved away from the motorcycle 2 or third parties around the motorcycle 2 that the fall occurrence information Ia has been reported. Furthermore, for the same reasons as the fall reporting rider notification device 10, the fall reporting rider notification device 10a increases the probability that the rider 102 or third parties around the motorcycle 2 will be aware of the fall notification state q. In addition, for the same reasons as the fall reporting rider notification device 10, the fall reporting rider notification device 10a can notify a rider 102 who has left the motorcycle 2 or a third party around the motorcycle 2 that the preparation to report the fall occurrence information Ia has been canceled, or that the reporting of the fall occurrence information Ia has been canceled.

[0118] Third Embodiment Hereinafter, a configuration of a tilting vehicle overturn notification system including a fall notification rider notification device according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 7 is a functional block diagram of a tilting vehicle overturn notification system lb.

[0119] The tilting vehicle overturn notification system 1b differs from the tilting vehicle overturn notification system 1a in that the sensor 14 and the control unit 64 are provided on the motorcycle 2. More specifically, the control unit 64 transmits the determination basis information I1 acquired by the sensor 14 to the Bluetooth communication unit 62 of the smartphone 200 via the Bluetooth communication unit 60. The determination unit 12 performs a fall determination and a notification determination based on the determination basis information I1 received by the Bluetooth communication unit 62. The determination unit 12 of the tilting vehicle overturn notification system 1b operates in the same manner as the determination unit 12 of the tilting vehicle overturn notification system 1a. Therefore, a detailed description of the determination unit 12 of the tilting vehicle overturn notification system 1b will be omitted. The acquisition unit 20 and the operation unit 22 (fall notification rider notification device 10b) of the tilting vehicle overturn notification system 1b operate in the same manner as the acquisition unit 20 and the operation unit 22 (fall notification rider notification device 10a) of the tilting vehicle overturn notification system 1a. Therefore, detailed description of the acquisition unit 20 and the operation unit 22 (fall notification rider notification device 10a) of the tilting vehicle fall notification system 1b will be omitted.

[0120] For the same reasons as the fall reporting rider notification devices 10, 10a, the fall reporting rider notification device 10b configured as described above can notify the rider 102 who has moved away from the motorcycle 2 or third parties around the motorcycle 2 that it is preparing to report the fall occurrence information Ia. Furthermore, for the same reasons as the fall reporting rider notification devices 10, 10a, the fall reporting rider notification device 10b can notify the rider 102 who has moved away from the motorcycle 2 or third parties around the motorcycle 2 that the fall occurrence information Ia has been reported. Furthermore, for the same reasons as the fall reporting rider notification devices 10, 10a, the fall reporting rider notification device 10b increases the probability that the rider 102 or third parties around the motorcycle 2 will be aware of the fall notification state q. In addition, for the same reasons as the fall reporting rider notification devices 10, 10a, the fall reporting rider notification device 10b can notify a rider 102 who has left the motorcycle 2 or a third party around the motorcycle 2 that preparation for reporting the fall occurrence information Ia has been canceled, or that reporting the fall occurrence information Ia has been canceled.

[0121] (Other Embodiments) The embodiments and modifications described and / or illustrated in this specification are intended to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the spirit of the present disclosure. The above-described embodiments and modifications may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

[0122] The scope of the present invention encompasses equivalent elements, modifications, omissions, combinations (e.g., combinations of features across embodiments and variations), improvements, and variations that would be recognized by a person skilled in the art based on the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein. The limitations in the claims should be interpreted broadly based on the terms used in the claims and should not be limited to the embodiments and variations described in the specification or prosecution of this application. Such embodiments and variations should be construed as non-exclusive. For example, in this specification, the terms "preferably" and "good" are non-exclusive and mean "preferably, but not limited to" or "good, but not limited to."

[0123] The fall-notifying rider notification device according to the present invention is not limited to the fall-notifying rider notification devices 10, 10a, and 10b, and can be modified within the scope of the invention.

[0124] The tilting vehicle overturn notification systems 1, 1a, and 1b each include an image display unit 24, a meter panel 26, a backlight 28, blinkers 30, a front light 32, and a buzzer 34. However, the tilting vehicle overturn notification systems 1, 1a, and 1b do not need to include all of the image display unit 24, the meter panel 26, blinkers 30, backlight 28, front light 32, and buzzer 34, and only need to include at least one of the image display unit 24, the meter panel 26, the backlight 28, blinkers 30, front light 32, and buzzer 34.

[0125] In the tilting vehicle overturn notification systems 1, 1a, and 1b, the operating unit 22 may emit only light horizontally from the overturned motorcycle 2 to notify the rider 102 of the overturn notification state q, or may emit only sound horizontally from the overturned motorcycle 2 to notify the rider 102 of the overturn notification state q. Alternatively, the operating unit 22 may emit light horizontally and emit sound from the overturned motorcycle 2 to notify the rider 102 of the overturn notification state q.

[0126] In the tilting vehicle overturn notification systems 1, 1a, and 1b, the timing t (see FIG. 3) may be the time when the motorcycle 2 transitions from the running state Q1 to the overturned state Q2.

[0127] In the tilting vehicle overturn notification systems 1, 1a, and 1b, the latest operating state P1, the notification preparation operating state P2, and the notified operating state P3 are different from one another. However, the relationship between the latest operating state P1, the notification preparation operating state P2, and the notified operating state P3 is not limited to this. The following four relationships are possible: (A) The latest operating state P1 and the notification preparation operating state P2 are different, and the latest operating state P1 and the notified operating state P3 are the same; (B) The latest operating state P1 and the notification preparation operating state P2 are different, and the notification preparation operating state P2 and the notified operating state P3 are the same; (C) The latest operating state P1 and the notified operating state P3 are different, and the notification preparation operating state P2 and the notified operating state P3 are the same; (D) The latest operating state P1 and the notified operating state P3 are different, and the latest operating state P1 and the notified operating state P2 are the same.

[0128] In the tilting vehicle overturn notification system 1, 1a, 1b, the notification preparation state q2 may not exist. That is, the determination unit 12 may notify the center 100 of the overturn occurrence information Ia via the communication unit 16 without waiting after determining the transition to overturn. In this case, the previous operating state P1 and the notified operating state P3 are different.

[0129] The hardware configuration of the tilting vehicle overturn notification system 1 is not limited to the configuration shown in Fig. 2. In Fig. 2, two ECUs, ECUs 40 and 41, are provided. However, the ECUs 40 and 41 may be configured as a single ECU.

[0130] In the tilting vehicle overturn reporting systems 1, 1a, and 1b, even in the notified state q3, the rider 102 can cancel the fact that the tilting vehicle overturn reporting system 1 has notified the center 100 of the overturn occurrence information Ia by using the cancel switch 18. However, in the tilting vehicle overturn reporting systems 1, 1a, and 1b, in the notified state q3, the rider 102 does not have to be able to cancel the fact that the tilting vehicle overturn reporting system 1 has notified the center 100 of the overturn occurrence information Ia by using the cancel switch 18.

[0131] In the tilting vehicle overturn reporting systems 1, 1a, and 1b, the determination unit 12 performs the overturn determination in step S10 of Fig. 4 and the notification determination in step S11 of Fig. 4 in separate steps. However, the determination unit 12 may perform the overturn determination and the notification determination in a single step. In this case, the determination unit 12 determines, based on the determination basic information I1, whether the overturn of the motorcycle 2 is a fall that requires the notification of the overturn occurrence information Ia to the center 100 via wireless communication.

[0132] In the tilting vehicle overturn notification systems 1, 1a, and 1b, the rider 102 operates the notification switch 17 or the cancel switch 18. However, a third party around the motorcycle 2 may also operate the notification switch 17 or the cancel switch 18.

[0133] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1a, 1b: Tilt vehicle fall notification system 2: Motorcycle 4: Vehicle body 10, 10a, 10b: Fall notification rider notification device 12: Determination unit 14: Sensor 16: Communication unit 17: Notification switch 18: Cancel switch 19: Touch panel 20: Acquisition unit 22: Operation unit 24: Image display unit 26: Meter panel 28: Backlight 30: Turn signal 30FL: Left front turn signal 30FR: Right front turn signal 30L: Left turn signal 30R: Right turn signal 30RL: Left rear turn signal 30RR: Right rear turn signal 32: Front light 32H: High beam light source 32L: Low beam light source 34: Buzzer 36: Horn 37: Light and sound generation unit 40, 41: ECU 42: Tilt determination sensor 44: Speed ​​sensor 46: Communication module 48: Antenna 60, 62: Bluetooth communication unit 64: Control unit 100: Center 102: Rider 200: Smartphone

Claims

DEPCT631. Driver Rollover Notification Device applied to the Vehicle Tilt Rollover Notification System. The Vehicle Tilt Rollover Notification System is designed to notify the outside of the tilted vehicle via radio communication that a rollover has occurred, indicating that the tilted vehicle has changed from a traveling state to a rolled state. The driver rollover notification device is installed in a tilted vehicle, which includes: the vehicle tilted to the left when turning left and to the right when turning right; and at least one of the headlights illuminating the area ahead of the vehicle when the vehicle is in an upright position, indicators, taillights, instrument panel, and visual display.The horn or buzzer device that reports the rollover notification to the driver comprises: a section for receiving rollover notification information of a tilted vehicle, which receives preparation information indicating that the rollover notification system is preparing to notify the outside of the tilted vehicle of the rollover via radio communication, or completed notification information indicating that the rollover notification system has notified the outside of the tilted vehicle of the rollover via radio communication; and a section for activating the rollover notification to the driver, which, based on the preparation or completed notification information received by the rollover notification receiving section, causes a light to be emitted or an sound to be generated in the horizontal direction from the tilted vehicle in the rollover state by activating at least one of the headlights, indicators, taillights, instrument panel, visual display, horn, or buzzer in a different operating state than the operating state at that time, or immediately before.The vehicle that is tilted changes from the traveling state to the overturned state, and in that way reports to the driver the overturned notification status indicating the status of the overturned notification.

2. The device reports to the driver the overturned notification pursuant to claim 1, where: in the event that the overturned notification receiving section of the tilted vehicle no longer receives notification preparation and completed notification information, the driver reporting overturned notification activation section activates at least one of the headlights, indicators, taillights, instrument panel, visual display, horn or buzzer in an operating state different from the operating state in which the overturned notification receiving section of the tilted vehicle was receiving notification preparation or completed notification information;And in that way, the Driver Reporting Device for Rollover Notification reports to the driver that the vehicle tilting rollover notification system has canceled the preparation for notifying the rollover information to the outside of the vehicle tilting via radio communication, or that the vehicle tilting rollover notification system has canceled the rollover information being notified to the outside of the vehicle tilting via radio communication.

3. The Driver Reporting Device for Rollover Notification pursuant to claim 1, whereby: the Driver Reporting Device for Rollover Notification trigger section activates two or more components among the headlights, indicators, taillights, instrument panel and visual display.

4. The Driver Reporting Device for Rollover Notification pursuant to claim 1, whereby: in the event that the headlights, instrument panel or visual display are switched off at the time, or immediately before, the vehicle tilting changes from the traveling state to the rollover state, the Driver Reporting Device for Rollover Notification trigger section reports the driver of the rollover notification status by switching off the headlights,The instrument panel or visual display illuminates or flashes after the tilted vehicle changes from the travel state to the rollover state; or where the headlights, instrument panel, or visual display illuminate at the time, or immediately before, the tilted vehicle changes from the travel state to the rollover state, the driver reporting device for rollover notification reports the driver of the rollover notification status by causing the headlights, instrument panel, or visual display to flash after the tilted vehicle changes from the travel state to the rollover state.

5. The driver reporting device for rollover notification pursuant to claim 1, where: the headlights, including the high beam state of the travel headlights, illuminate, and the low beam state of the passing headlights, illuminate; and where the headlights illuminate in the high beam or low beam state at the time, or immediately before, the tilted vehicle changes from the travel state to the rollover state,The driver reporting device for rollover notification under claim 1, whereby: the indicator comprises the right indicator and the left indicator; and in the event that the right and left indicators are switched off at the time, or immediately before, the vehicle is switched from the traveling state to the rollover state, the driver reporting device for rollover notification shall report the driver to the rollover notification status by illuminating the right and / or left indicator after the vehicle is switched from the traveling state to the rollover state, or by optionally flashing the right and left indicators after the vehicle is switched from the traveling state to the rollover state.or by causing the right and left indicators to flash simultaneously after the tilted vehicle changes from the travel state to the overturned state, or by causing the right or left indicator to flash after the tilted vehicle changes from the travel state to the overturned state.

7. The device reports to the driver a rollover notification under claim 1, where: the indicator consists of the right and left indicators; and the right and left indicators are flashed simultaneously on the first cycle when used as emergency stop lights; and in the event that the right and left indicators are flashing simultaneously on the first cycle at the time, or immediately before, the tilted vehicle changes from the travel state to the overturned state,The driver reporting device for a rollover notification reports the driver to the rollover notification status by causing the right and left indicators to flash simultaneously in a second cycle different from the first cycle after the tilted vehicle changes from the traveling state to the rollover state.

8. The driver reporting device for a rollover notification under claim 1, where: the indicator consists of the right and left indicators; and where the right or left indicator is flashing at the time, or immediately before, the tilted vehicle changes from the traveling state to the rollover state, the driver reporting device for a rollover notification reports the driver to the rollover notification status by causing the right and left indicators to illuminate after the tilted vehicle changes from the traveling state to the rollover state, or by causing the right and left indicators to flash alternately after the tilted vehicle changes from the traveling state to the rollover state.or by causing the right and left indicators to flash simultaneously after the tilted vehicle changes from the travel state to the overturned state.

9. The device reports to the driver of the overturned notification under claim 1, where: the indicator consists of the right and left indicators; and in the event that the right and left indicators are flashing simultaneously at the time, or immediately before, the tilted vehicle changes from the travel state to the overturned state, the driver reporting trigger for the overturned notification reports to the driver of the overturned notification status by illuminating the right and / or left indicators after the tilted vehicle changes from the travel state to the overturned state, or by causing the right and left indicators to flash alternately after the tilted vehicle changes from the travel state to the overturned state.

10. The device reports to the driver of the overturned notification under claim 1, where: in the event that the rear lights are illuminated at the time, or immediately before,A vehicle that is tilted changes from the traveling state to the overturned state. The driver reporting trigger for a rollover alert is triggered by illuminating or flashing the taillights after the vehicle is tilted from the traveling state to the overturned state. This occurs if the taillights are flashing at, or immediately before, the vehicle is tilted from the traveling state to the overturned state. Alternatively, the taillights can be flashed after the vehicle is tilted from the traveling state to the overturned state. This also occurs if the taillights are flashing for the third time at, or immediately before, the vehicle is tilted from the traveling state to the overturned state.

11. The driver reporting device for a rollover alert under claim 1, where: in the event that the horn or buzzer is not sounding at the time, or immediately before, the vehicle is tilted and changes from the traveling state to the rollover state, the driver reporting device for a rollover alert reports the driver to the rollover status by making the horn or buzzer sound intermittently or continuously after the vehicle is tilted and changes from the traveling state to the rollover state, or in the event that the horn is sounding continuously at the time, or immediately before, the vehicle is tilted and changes from the traveling state to the rollover state,Regarding the driver reporting of a rollover notification, the driver is informed of the rollover status by causing the horn to sound intermittently after the tilted vehicle changes from the traveling state to the rollover state.

12. Tilted vehicle, includes: Driver reporting device for rollover notification as per claim 1-----------------------------------------------------------;,

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